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——— capsizing
CARMELLA'S HEART RACED as she sat on the ferry, looking out at the endless stretch of water. She had no idea where they were headed, but her father had insisted that it was for their safety. He had told her to stay in her seat, but he was nowhere to be seen. She looked around, feeling increasingly uneasy as the minutes ticked by.
Suddenly, a bright blue beam shot out from the sky, cutting the ferry in half. Carmella screamed as the ship rocked violently. Panic surged through her body as she thought she was going to die. The sounds of the ship cracking and metal bending filled her ears, and she could feel the boat starting to sink. She was no stranger to danger, but this felt like the end.
Just as she thought all hope was lost, a strong webbing shot out from the shadows, quickly securing the ferry together. Spider-Man swung onto the scene, his webs holding the ship in place. He moved with lightning speed, doing his best to prevent the ferry from splitting apart completely.
But it wasn't over yet. A sleek, high-tech suit appeared in the sky, and Iron Man descended, his advanced suit firing beams that stabilized the structure of the ferry. With precise movements, he patched the damage and returned the ferry to its original shape.
Carmella, still trembling in shock, watched the two heroes work. Suddenly, she felt a pair of strong arms scoop her up, and she gasped as Spider-Man swung into the air with her, leaving the wreckage behind.
"Hold on tight!" Peter Parker's voice rang out through the wind. He had spotted Carmella, and without hesitation, he had grabbed her, pulling her out of danger.
The city below them seemed so far away, but in that moment, Carmella couldn't help but feel a strange sense of relief. Even though she had no idea where this was all headed, at least she wasn't alone.
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PETER PARKER, still in his Spider-Man suit, stands before Tony Stark, his head bowed, clearly feeling the weight of the conversation. Tony, arms crossed, looks frustrated, disappointed. Carmella stands off to the side, her heart racing. She's still trying to wrap her head around everything that's happened — the ferry incident, Peter saving her, and now standing in front of Tony Stark. The reality of the moment is overwhelming.
Tony's voice breaks through her thoughts. "Peter, this is the last time I'm going to say this— you're not ready. You're acting like you're in control, but you're not. You're putting yourself and everyone around you in danger."
Peter opens his mouth to argue, but Tony silences him with a sharp gesture. "No more excuses, kid."
Carmella watches, stunned, as Tony steps forward. The air is thick with tension. Peter's shoulders slump, his usual bravado completely gone, replaced with vulnerability.
Tony turns away from Peter and notices Carmella standing there, still processing the whirlwind of events. He gives her a quick, calculating glance.
"You," Tony says, pointing at her. "Come here."
Carmella is startled but steps forward. She's not sure what to expect. Standing in front of Tony Stark, the genius billionaire and superhero, is an experience she never thought she'd have. Her nerves are a storm inside her.
Tony motions for her to come closer, away from Peter. He lowers his voice, speaking in a way that only she can hear. "I don't know who you are, but I know you've been caught in all of this. You need to keep him out of trouble. Peter doesn't listen to anyone, and frankly, he's a disaster waiting to happen. I can't always be there to clean up his mess, so I'm trusting you."
Carmella is silent for a moment, unsure of how to respond. She's still trying to process everything, but Tony's words snap her back to reality. She glances at Peter, who is now looking at the ground, defeated. Her gaze shifts back to Tony.
"I... I don't know what you want me to do," she admits, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "I'm not like you. I'm not—"
"Just keep him grounded," Tony interrupts. "He needs someone who can make him see reason. Someone who isn't afraid to call him out. That's all I'm asking."
Carmella nods slowly, understanding the gravity of Tony's request. She's never been in a position like this before, but there's something about Peter — something in his eyes — that makes her want to help, even if she's unsure of everything that's happening.
"I'll try," she says softly, but with resolve. "I'll keep him out of trouble."
Tony gives her a curt nod, the corners of his mouth twitching in something resembling approval. "Good. Keep him in check. This is bigger than both of you."
With that, Tony strides to the edge of the rooftop, looking out at the city below. He glances back at Peter, then at Carmella. "Take care of each other," he says, before activating his suit and flying off into the night.
Carmella stands there, her mind spinning. She looks over at Peter, who still hasn't said a word. They both know things have just changed. She's no longer just a bystander; now, she's part of something bigger. But what exactly, she doesn't know yet.
"Peter?" she says, her voice quieter now, her role shifting. "We need to figure this out. Together."
Peter looks up, meeting her eyes for the first time since Tony left. He gives a small, uncertain smile, but there's a glimmer of hope in it. "Yeah. Together."
