The ghost they search for XP

What did you expect?

As soon as we landed on a nearby rooftop which was only because of how much I was starting to annoy the man, Iron Man released his grip on my arm, shoving me forward slightly. I stumbled a bit but quickly regained my balance. The NYPD wasn't far behind, swarming around the building below us like a hive of very angry bees. My heart was pounding in my chest, and my mind was racing, trying to figure out how in the world I was going to get out of this mess.

Iron Man, still all business, turned to face me, his expression hidden behind that sleek mask.

Iron Man: Alright, Webhead, let's make this simple. You're coming with me. The police will handle the rest.

Me: Uh, yeah, about that...

As he was talking, I noticed a small opening—a tiny window of opportunity. The cops were still busy organizing themselves below, and for just one second, Iron Man wasn't paying full attention to me. It wasn't much, but it was enough.

In that split second, I did what any reasonable person in my position would do.

I ran.

I sprinted to the edge of the rooftop and leaped off, my web-shooters firing instinctively as I swung away from the building as fast as I could. I could hear Iron Man shouting behind me, but I didn't look back. No time for that now—this was a full-on escape.

Me: Sorry, Mr. Stark! Rain check on that chat? I've got a pressing engagement with... uh, not getting arrested!

I swung through the streets of New York, weaving between buildings and dodging the occasional pigeon that got too close. My heart was pounding, adrenaline pumping through my veins as I tried to put as much distance as possible between myself and Iron Man.

Okay, just gotta keep moving. 

They can't catch what they can't see, right? 

Right. 

Totally got this.

But as I glanced over my shoulder, I saw Iron Man hot on my trail, his thrusters roaring as he closed the gap between us.

Iron Man: You're only making this worse, Spider-Man! Stop running!

Yeah, that sounds like a great idea! 

Let's just stop running so I can get thrown in jail! 

Oh wait—no, thank you!

I pushed myself harder, swinging faster than I'd ever swung before. Every corner I turned, every narrow alley I darted through, Iron Man was right there, relentless in his pursuit. My Spidey sense was going haywire, warning me of danger from every angle as I narrowly avoided getting clipped by a stray beam of light from his repulsors.

Why can't you just let this one slide, huh? 

Seriously?!

What did I even do?

I promise I'll come quietly after I've had, like, five minutes to... 

I don't know, gather my thoughts? 

Maybe have a snack? 

A donut sounds pretty great right about now!

I could feel the sweat dripping down my forehead, my breath coming in ragged gasps. This was getting way too close for comfort. I needed to lose him, and fast. Spotting a construction site ahead, I swung into it, darting between scaffolding and beams, hoping to shake him off.

For a moment, I thought I'd done it—I couldn't see him behind me, and the sound of his thrusters had faded. But just as I was about to take a breath of relief, Iron Man burst through a gap in the structure, his eyes locked onto me like a heat-seeking missile.

Iron Man: You're out of options, PARKER! Give it up!

Me: Sorry, I must have left my white flag in my other suit! Guess I'll just have to keep running!

I made a sharp turn, diving off the side of the building and free-falling for a few heart-stopping seconds before I fired another web, swinging up and over a busy street. The lights of the city blurred around me as I sped through the air, my mind racing just as fast as my body.

Me: C'mon, just leave it be! 

There's gotta be a way out of this! 

I just need a second to—

My thoughts were cut short as my Spidey sense blared in my head, but this time, it was too late. In my frantic escape, I hadn't noticed the low-hanging sign in front of me until I was already crashing into it.

The impact sent me spiraling out of control, my vision blurring as I tumbled through the air. I tried to right myself, to shoot a web, to do anything—but I was disoriented, my body not responding the way I wanted it to.

Me: Oh, no...

The last thing I saw before everything went black was the ground rushing up to meet me, way too fast for comfort.

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I came to with a groan, the world spinning around me. My head was pounding, and every inch of my body ached. I tried to move, but it felt like my limbs were made of lead.

Me: Okay, that... could've gone better.

As I blinked to clear my vision, I realized I wasn't on the ground anymore. I was lying on some kind of platform, and the night sky was above me—though it was getting darker by the second.

Iron Man hovered above me, his arms crossed. Even through the haze of pain and exhaustion, I could tell he wasn't exactly thrilled.

Iron Man: I told you, Webhead. You should've stopped running.

Me: Yeah, well... I've always been a sucker for exercise.

Before I could muster up another quip, my vision swam again, and I felt myself slipping back into unconsciousness. The last thing I heard was Iron Man's voice, sounding almost... amused?

Iron Man: You've got guts, kid. I'll give you that.

And then, darkness.