MHA: UltraMan

"A new hero has emerged—calling himself UltraMan," the news anchor's voice echoed through the dimly lit room. "Alongside Black Widow, Hawkeye, and SHIELD agents, he thwarted the culprits behind the recent string of cruise ship robberies. Not only did they dismantle the pirate operation, but the newcomer also defeated King Shark in a spectacular display, all captured on video by a child hidden on the ship's top deck."

In the shadows of an unknown lair, a man encased in life support listened, his face twisted and scarred, partially hidden by the darkness of his suit. A slow, sinister smile crept across his lips as he absorbed every word.

"So, a new generation of heroes is rising," his voice was a low murmur, cold and calculated. "How… interesting."

Cancun, Mexico

The sun blazed overhead, a golden fireball suspended in the cloudless sky, its heat radiating down in shimmering waves. The ocean below gleamed like liquid sapphire, each ripple catching the light as sleek yachts cut through the water, their sails billowing in the salty breeze. Laughter carried over the waves, mingling with the rhythmic thump of distant music.

On the beach, bare feet sank into scorching white sand as bronzed bodies moved with casual grace. As beautiful Women strolled along the shoreline, their hair dancing with the breeze, Bikinis hugging their curves and glistening with saltwater. A group of friends splashed in the shallows, water droplets sparkling as they twisted through the air. Further up, couples lounged under colorful umbrellas, ice-cold drinks sweating in their hands as they watched the world drift by.

The scent of coconut sunscreen and sea salt filled the air, mixing with bursts of laughter and the distant echo of a DJ's beats. Energy buzzed through every sun-drenched inch of the beach—a symphony of summer in full swing.

("Baila Conmigo" feat. Kelly Ruiz pulsed through the speakers)

The club vibrated with the pounding rhythm, the DJ bouncing behind his booth, hyping the crowd as lights flashed in sync with the beat. The air was thick with sweat, perfume, and the unmistakable scent of alcohol. On the dance floor, bodies moved in perfect harmony, swaying and spinning to the infectious reggaeton groove. Laughter and shouts mingled with the music, creating an electrifying atmosphere.

In a corner of the club, a blond young man could be seen leaned back, one arm draped over the seat. His white short-sleeve button-up, sleeves casually rolled, showed off his toned arms. Paired with black shorts, his laid-back style drew more than a few lingering glances from women as they passed, their eyes drifting back for a second look.

"Yo, Jackson!" Bradford shouted, sliding into the seat across, dressed in relaxed civilian clothes. He leaned in, his voice raised just enough to be heard over the booming music. "I ordered us some drinks."

Jackson's brows knitted together. "We're only 18. Can't drink, remember?"

Bradford's lips curled into a sly grin. "Relax, man. We're in Mexico—18's the legal drinking age here."

Jackson hesitated, glancing at the glass in front of him. "Yeah, but… shouldn't we stay sober?"

"Nah, let's blow off some steam," Bradford said, flashing a grin.

Before Jackson could argue, a young woman approached their table. Light brown skin and sleek black hair tied back neatly, wearing a professional server's uniform. Her warm smile was framed by crimson lips as she set the glasses of alcohol down in front of them. 

Bradford smiles as he reaches into his pocket, pulling out a few pesos and slipping them into her hand with a wink.

"Gracias!" she called over the music, her eyes flashing playfully before she melted back to the bar.

Jackson watched her weave through the sea of people before turning back to Bradford, one eyebrow raised. "Are you sure this is a good idea?"

Bradford laughed, raising his glass. "Relax, Jackson. We're just two guys enjoying ourselves."

Jackson hesitated but then clinked his glass against Bradford's. They downed the shots of tequila in unison, the liquid burning its way down his throat. Jackson fought to keep his expression neutral, but the bitterness hit hard.

He grimaced. "This stuff is terrible!"

Bradford grinned, unfazed. "You get used to it. Want a beer?"

Before Jackson could answer, two women approached, their skin glistening with droplets of water. One wore a black bikini that hugged her curves, her long blonde hair cascading over her shoulders. The other sported an orange bikini that contrasted beautifully with her raven-black hair. Their confident strides turned more than a few heads.

"Hello there, gentlemen," the blonde said, her voice smooth and playful. "We couldn't help but notice you two out here all by yourselves."

Bradford's trademark smirk appeared as he leaned back, casually brushing a hand through his hair. "Well, you're more than welcome to join us for a few drinks."

The two beautiful women accepted his offer, sliding smoothly into the booth. The blonde settled beside Bradford, her pale skin glowing under the club's neon lights, while the raven-haired woman took the seat next to Jackson, her dark eyes gleaming with intrigue.

Bradford leaned back, his signature grin in place. "So, tell me your stories. What brings two lovely ladies like you here all by yourselves?"

The blonde arched an eyebrow, a playful smile curving her lips. "And what makes you so sure we're alone?"

He shrugged casually, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "If I had someone as stunning as either of you, I wouldn't leave her wandering a place like this by herself. I'm a gentleman, after all."

He delivered the line smoothly, his playful charm earning a laugh from the women as they leaned in, clearly intrigued.

The girl with raven-black hair spoke first, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "I'm Alejandra, and my friend here is Ava," she said, nodding toward the blonde, who offered a shy wave, her cheeks tinged with pink.

"We both go to MIT," Alejandra continued, her posture relaxed as she settled into the seat. "Second-year students. Ava's never been to Mexico before, so as her good friend, I couldn't let her miss out on Cancun." She flashed a warm smile. "Figured we could use a break from all the studying." 

"That sounds fantastic. So, what do you plan to do after this?" Bradford asked, his curiosity piqued.

"Well…" Ava voice was small, barely audible over the booming music, but both Bradford and Jackson's sharp hearing picked it up. "We want to join SHIELD," she finished, her tone filled with quiet determination.

"Yeah, it's not easy to get in, but it's our dream," Alejanda added, her eyes bright with excitement. "What about you guys?"

Before they could respond, the bartender returned with more drinks, setting them down in front of the group.

"SHIELD, huh?" Bradford raised an eyebrow, his tone playful. "I've heard it's a tough place to get into. United Nations-backed agency, tight recruitment." He flashed a confident smirk. "But hey, I'm sure your dreams will come true."

Jackson leaned back in his chair, casually sipping his drink as the conversation flowed.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, night settled over Cancun. Jackson and Alejandra slipped out of their seats and wandered along the beach, the soft sand beneath their feet. Their conversation flowed effortlessly, laughter mingling with the gentle crash of waves. Jackson admitted he wasn't looking for anything serious, and Alejandra smiled, confessing she felt the same.

As the moon reached its highest peak, Jackson said his goodbyes to Alejandra and made his way back to his hotel. When he reached his room, he found Bradford leaning casually against the door, a smug grin plastered on his face.

"So… you and Alejandra, huh?" Bradford teased, his eyebrows waggling.

Jackson rolled his eyes. "Nothing happened. We just talked. I wasn't interested," he replied, brushing past him as they entered their two-bedroom hotel suite.

The hotel room was sleek and immaculate, with white walls glowing softly beneath the warm lighting. Two beds, perfectly made with crisp white sheets, sat against the walls, and the cool hum of the air conditioner was a welcome relief from the oppressive heat outside.

Jackson kicked off his shoes and let out a relieved sigh, sinking into his bed. Bradford, already relaxed, flopped onto his own with a casual grin. "So, you and Ava? How'd that go?" Jackson asked, glancing over.

Bradford's eyes lit up, excitement bubbling in his voice. "Turns out her father is Leo Fitz and her mother is Jemma Fitz. Can you believe that? She's a genius. No doubt she'll get an offer to join SHIELD one day."

"A genius?" Jackson raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

Bradford nodded, settling back against the pillows. "Yeah, she was talking about some of her projects, and honestly, most of it went over my head. But the way she explained it… you could tell she's on another level. Definitely brilliant."

Jackson smirked, propping himself up on an elbow. "And nothing happened between you two?"

Bradford chuckled, shaking his head. "Nah, nothing like that. We just talked, had a blast. But," he paused, a mischievous glint in his eyes, "I did get her number."

Laughter filled the room as both of them relaxed, soaking in the quiet comfort. But then, the air shifted. Bradford's smile faded, his posture tightening. He pulled out his phone and the glow of the screen illuminated his face, replacing his casual demeanor with something more serious.

Jackson's laughter stopped. His jaw clenched as he leaned forward, eyes narrowing. Bradford turned the phone toward him, showing the time without saying a word.

Jackson's expression hardened. The playfulness left his face, replaced by a cold focus. He locked eyes with Bradford and gave a sharp nod. "Yeah. Let's do this."