Bubble Boy

The morning sun bathed the city in a golden glow, and the scent of fresh coffee filled the air. Jackson and Emily sat at an outdoor table at Crescent Café, hands intertwined, their fingers lazily tracing patterns against each other's skin. The café bustled with early risers, students, and professionals, but most eyes kept drifting toward them.

"Look at them," a girl whispered to her friend at a nearby table. "They look like freaking models."

"They really do," her friend agreed. "If they ever break up, love is officially dead."

Emily smirked, sipping her caramel latte. "People are talking about us again."

Jackson chuckled, running a hand through his perfect golden locks. "Can you blame them? We're a sight to behold."

Emily rolled her eyes, but the faintest blush dusted her cheeks. "Cocky much?"

"Always." He leaned forward, locking eyes with her. "So, what do you feel like doing today?"

Emily took a moment, watching him with a playful glint in her eye. "Hmm… maybe spending the day in bed?"

Jackson raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh?"

Emily smirked. "With a good book, obviously."

Jackson groaned dramatically. "You are evil."

Emily laughed, squeezing his hand. "But seriously, it's hot as hell today. We should go to the beach."

Jackson grinned. "Now that's an idea. You know what? Let's make it a beach party, celebrating the start of summer break."

Emily's eyes lit up. "That sounds perfect. Who should we invite?"

Jackson leaned back, thinking. "Carter, obviously."

Emily nodded. "Annie too. She could use some fun."

Jackson hesitated, then smirked. "Troy said he's training somewhere. I bet he's with Shadow, hogging him all to himself. When's he gonna introduce us to him?"

Emily shrugged. "Who knows? Shadow is a mystery."

Jackson huffed. "Anyway, Annie's definitely lonely, so this will be good for her."

Emily tapped her chin. "Kasey and Isabella should come too."

Jackson grinned. "Good call. And Miguel. He and I actually get along."

Emily smirked. "And what about Troy?"

Jackson leaned back, stretching. "Eh, he's not here, so it'll be fine."

Emily shook her head but didn't argue. Instead, she pulled out her phone. "I'll make a group chat."

Jackson watched as she created it, her fingers moving swiftly across the screen.

Group Name: Beach Party

Emily quickly added everyone, and within seconds, their phones buzzed with confused messages.

Carter: What is this?

Kasey: Wait, what's going on?

Annie: Huh?

Isabella: Um…??

Miguel: This better not be stupid.

Jackson smirked and sent a message:

Jackson: Who's down to have a party at Starlight Beach this afternoon?

The responses came in almost instantly.

Miguel: If there's food, I'm in.

Carter: I'll bring the snacks.

Kasey: Sounds fun!

Annie: …Sure, why not?

Isabella: I'd love to!

Emily: I'll bring some drinks too.

Jackson: I'll pick up anyone who lives far. No excuses.

Miguel sent a thumbs-up emoji, Carter sent a devil emoji, and Kasey sent a sun emoji. The excitement was set.

Emily put her phone down, smiling. "Looks like it's happening."

Jackson grinned. "Then let's make it a party to remember."

The deep rumble of Jackson's red sports car cut through the salty air as it pulled into the Starlight Beach parking lot. The sun beamed down on the glistening sand, waves crashing rhythmically against the shore. In the passenger seat, Carter was crammed between bags of snacks, drinks, and beach gear, grumbling under his breath.

Emily, sitting in the front seat, turned to him with a smirk. "You okay back there, pack mule?"

Carter shot her a glare. "You guys could've at least helped."

Jackson threw on his sunglasses, grinning. "Nah, you got this. Builds character."

Carter muttered something under his breath that was most definitely not PG.

As they stepped out, they spotted Miguel and Isabella already at the shore. Miguel stood shirtless, arms crossed, clearly enjoying the sun, while Isabella sat under an umbrella, absorbed in a book.

Carter groaned as he struggled to lift all the bags in one go. "Little help, maybe?"

Jackson and Emily exchanged glances before walking ahead, ignoring him completely.

"Cool. No problem. I'll just, ugh, carry everything myself," Carter grumbled, nearly toppling over as he trudged toward the others.

Miguel smirked at Carter's struggle. "Damn, bro. Looking strong today."

"Shut up," Carter snapped, finally dropping everything in the sand with a loud thud.

Before anyone could settle in, a voice called out from behind them.

"Hey, guys! I brought someone with me."

They turned to see Kasey approaching, her blonde hair swaying in the breeze. But it wasn't just her. Next to her stood a woman, tall, tanned, and drop-dead gorgeous. She had striking hazel eyes, long dark hair, and wore a deep blue bikini that left little to the imagination.

"This is my cousin, Alexa," Kasey introduced.

Carter, mid-breath, froze. His arms went limp, and the sunglasses he had just pulled from his pocket slipped right through his fingers. The bags he had just dropped? Forgotten. His jaw? Practically on the floor.

Jackson raised an eyebrow. "Yo, Carter, you good?"

Carter blinked rapidly. "Huh? Yeah, I mean, no, I mean… yes?" His voice cracked, and he immediately wanted to throw himself into the ocean.

Alexa flashed a dazzling smile. "Nice to meet you all."

Carter's brain short-circuited.

Jackson, fully entertained, patted Carter on the shoulder. "Breathe, man."

Carter somehow managed to nod while very much not breathing.

As the group finished setting up, the beach came alive with energy. Miguel and Kasey stood close, tossing playful jabs at each other, their flirtation obvious. Isabella and Annie sat together under the umbrella, deep in discussion about some book series. Jackson and Emily? Already in the water, splashing each other and laughing like kids.

Carter?

Carter was gawking at Alexa, who lay stretched out on her towel, basking in the sun like a goddess. And then she smiled at him.

A direct hit.

Carter clutched his chest like he'd been shot.

"Carter?" Alexa's voice was like honey. "Could you put some sun lotion on my back?"

If Carter had been drinking something, he would have spit it out. Instead, he made a sound that was neither human nor recognizable in any known language.

"Y-Yeah! Of course!" He scrambled to grab the bottle, hands shaking as he squeezed way too much lotion onto his palm.

His hands hovered over her back as if he was defusing a bomb. Be cool, be cool, be cool.

Slowly, he spread the lotion across her sun-kissed skin, and dear god, she was soft.

Alexa giggled. "You okay back there?"

Carter gulped. "Yep. Totally. Just, uh, appreciating your complexion. It's, uh… beautiful."

She turned her head slightly, smirking. "Thanks."

Carter had no idea how he was still alive at this point.

"So," Alexa said casually, "what's your ability?"

"Oh, uh, I manipulate shadows. I'm a B-class."

Alexa nodded. "Cool. I'm an S-class. I control light."

Carter blinked. "Wait. Light and shadows?"

Alexa's smirk widened. "Guess that makes us like Yin and Yang."

Without thinking, Carter blurted out, "It's like we're meant to be together."

Silence.

Carter's soul left his body.

"I MEAN..." He flailed. "I-I didn't mean, I mean, I meant, but not in a weird way..."

Alexa laughed, cutting him off. "If you play your cards right, you might have a chance."

Carter.exe had stopped working.

Meanwhile, at Legion Headquarters…

The towering Legion HQ skyscraper stood like a monolith in the center of the city, an undeniable symbol of power. Inside, in a vast room adorned with black marble and golden banners, Starman sat upon his throne-like chair, watching with mild amusement as Michael ushered in the next batch of hopefuls.

"Elemental's spot needs filling," Michael announced. "Let's see what we've got."

First to step forward was a muscular man in a sleek black combat suit. He had no aura of power, no supernatural presence.

Michael checked the file. "Codename: The Weapon. No powers. Just insane martial arts skills."

Starman took one glance at him and laughed. "Next."

The Weapon stiffened. "Wait..."

Before he could finish, two guards dragged him out.

Next, a woman with piercing silver eyes entered, her presence radiating power.

Michael smirked. "This is Psychic, an SS-class telepath."

Starman raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Show me."

Without hesitation, Psychic reached into Starman's mind.

And instantly regretted it.

Her entire body convulsed as she screamed, eyes rolling back. She saw things, horrors that words couldn't describe. Countless deaths. Countless realities burning. The truth of Starman.

She clutched her head, tears streaming down her face.

"Too much?" Starman asked, completely unfazed.

With a trembling hand, Psychic snatched Michael's gun, placed it to her own temple...

BANG!

Silence.

Blood splattered across the pristine floor.

Starman chuckled. "Next."

Two workers immediately entered, dragging the corpse away and mopping up the mess.

The final candidate entered, a tall man in a navy blue suit, his silver hair neatly combed. His presence was eerily familiar.

Michael checked the file. "This is Orion, SS-class. He has all your abilities, but weaker."

Starman narrowed his eyes. "All of them?"

Orion nodded. "I've always admired you, sir."

The room tensed.

For a moment, Starman said nothing.

Then he grinned.

"Well," he said, standing up. "We have the same abilities. You've got promise, kid."

Orion's eyes widened. "Y-you think so?"

Starman extended a hand.

Orion shook it, nearly shaking with excitement.

Starman's grin widened.

"Welcome to The Legion."