Byrd Man

Ultimate One Universe: Season Two

@AndyC you need to carry around an orange ball to represent the "power of the sun in the palm of my hands."

Ultimate One Universe: Season Two

Tonight’s Episode
“Pros & Cons”

Midtown
Heroes for Hire Offices

“Do you like art? Either of you?”

Murray Sandoval looked between Misty and Chase after he asked his question. Sandoval, dressed in a navy blue tartan suit with matching bowtie and pocket square, was ever bit the dandy Chase had heard he was. The famous Manhattan art gallery owner seemed out of place among the more… humble architecture of Chase and Misty’s office. File boxes from the Campisi case were still stacked around the room. Sandoval had placed his blue homburg on the stack of boxes beside his chair before he sat down.

“When it comes to art I know what I like,” said Misty. “There used to be a Jacob Lawrence mural down the street from where I grew up in Harlem. It showed black people on the move, whole families with suitcases and somewhere else to be. That's always stuck with me for some reason.”

“The Great Migration,” said Sandoval. “A representation of the African-American flight from the deep south in the early twentieth century. I know very well where that mural was. It’s a shame they took it down, but such is the way of urban renewal. And what about you, Mr. Chase? What sort of art stirs your soul?”

“The one where the dogs are playing poker,” said Chase.

Sandoval looked as if he’d smelled something especially foul. His upper lip curled and his left eyelid twitched.

“Ah, I see. It seems as if that old adage is true: money can hardly ever buy taste.”

“Look who’s talking about taste, Gainsborough,” Misty said with a smirk and nod towards Sandoval’s attire.

“Well, Ms. Knight, you do seem to know your art,” he said tightly.

“What can we help you with, Mr. Sandoval?” asked Chase. “If it’s to keep insulting me, then you are free to do so as long as you can pay our fees.”

“I need help recovering a painting,” said Sandoval. “Something from my private collection was taken two nights ago. And it’s a very delicate situation, very delicate.”

“All due respect, Mr. Sandoval,” said Chase. “That sounds a bit out of our scope. I know that you know that the NYPD has an excellent art theft division that can assist you--”

“He can’t go to the cops,” said Misty. “Because the painting he needs back was either already stolen or he bought it illegally. Or maybe both.”

“Your partner speaks the truth, I’m afraid,” said Sandoval. “It’s a lovely Junior Hallinan that I acquired some years ago. Said painting went… uhh… missing during a transfer from an art gallery in San Francisco to one in Minneapolis. If I were to report it to the authorities, questions would arise as to how I acquired it. Questions I would rather avoid answering.”

“Very well,” said Chase. He reached for a pen and scratch piece of paper. He jotted a number down and showed it to Misty. She nodded and Chase passed it to Sandoval.

“Seems a tad high,” Sandoval said sourly.

“I’m sure the NYPD would love to do this job for free,” said Misty. “In fact, I can call one of my old friends from 1PP and see if they got time--”

“No,” shouted Sandoval. “No, that’s - that’s fine. This price will work.”

Chase shared an amused look with Misty before turning back to Sandoval. “Thefts like this don’t just happen out of the blue, Mr. Sandoval. Do you have anyone you suspect would want the painting? Someone with means.”

Sandoval leaned forward in his seat and nodded vigorously. “Oh, I’m almost certain is was Branford Wilmont.”

“Branford Wilmont,” said Misty. “How do I know that name?”

“The Branford Wilmont,” asked Chase. “The Reclusive billionaire who lives on Wilmont Island? A man-made fortress island in the middle of the East River. That Branford Wilmont?”

“The one and the same,” said Sandoval. "He's always lusted after that painting, he has since I outbid him at auction for it!"

Misty and Chase exchanged glances.

“Yeah,” said Misty. “We’re going to need more money if that’s the case."

"Why?"

"We're going to need to bring in a specialist. Luckily, I know a guy… well, actually, I know a guy who knows a guy.”

---

“So there’s this rich guy named Chase and he was all like ‘Yeah, my dad owns this law firm I can do whatever,’ but is dad was like ‘Guess again, fool, you want a job you gotta work for it.’ So Chase was like ‘Damn, that’s cold, but you know what? I’ll become a prosecutor investigating dirty cops!

“That’s when my girl Misty came into the picture. She was this badass sister who had like a Pam Grier thing going on and you know that’s my thing, right? Coffy, Foxy Brown me and my cousin used to watch those movies back when I was a like twelve or thirteen and it made me feel a funny way, you know? Like a tingling--”

“Focus.”

“Right, well Misty was this badass cop out on the streets. She was busting drug dealers left and right and was like ‘Knock knock! Who’s there? Justice!’ But then this other cop named Scarfe got into Chase’s ear and was like ‘You know what? Misty Knight, she’s dirty.’ And Chase was like ‘That’s messed up. But you know what? If I bust her my dad will offer me a job!’ So he did and Misty was like ‘I’m innocent!’ and Chase was like ‘crookedcopsayswhat’ and Misty was all “What?” And Chase was like ‘Got you, dummy! You’re done!’

“So Misty was kicked off the NYPD, right? Only she proved her innocence and showed up to Chase’s house and was all like ‘See, fool? It was your boy Scarfe that did me dirty.’ And Scarfe was like ‘Yeah, I did it, but you won’t find out why because I’m about to be mad murdered. Smell you later!’ So Chase was all like ‘I’ve learned a valuable lesson about how messed up our criminal justice system is. I’m gonna quit the DA’s office and start working to change things from the outside. Yo, Misty, you wanna work together?’ And Misty was like ‘Cool.’ So that’s how Heroes’ for Hire started.”

“Okay,” Scott Lang said after a long silence. “But, Luis… what’s that got to do with me?”

“They need our help on a job.”

Ultimate One Universe: Season Two

<Snipped quote by Byrd Man>

You're not using your imagination enough.

@Hillan

Neither are you, apparently.

Ultimate One Universe: Season Two

The only Iron "Man" (Patriot, technically, but shush.) and Cap' interaction that matters.

@Hillan

Strange... that doesn't look like a Martian Manhunter post..

Ultimate One Universe: Season Two

<Snipped quote by Byrd Man>
Make. Me.

@Inkarnate

Post Check

@Inkarnate - No (Good) Posts, Just OOC Jerking Off - POST NOW, MOTHERFUCKER

Ultimate One Universe: Season Two

This is why we can't have nice things.

@Inkarnate

Either answer the fucking question or post.

Ultimate One Universe: Season Two

I'm gonna ask a Sep question that I know most of you motherfuckers are gonna answer because it's about how you write. And some of you seem to love doing that more than actually fucking writing your posts.

What creator or piece of media directly influences your stories and characterizations for this game?

The answer doesn't have to be comic book related, but who or what do you draw the most inspiration from when you're writing? Is it a TV show, a certain writer's run on a comic book, maybe a movie or book series? What of the previously mentioned things influences you the most when you sit down to actually write?

Ultimate One Universe: Season Two

Scarsdale, New York

Chase and Misty stood at the bar and watched Don Regetti make his way to the stage. Jake Wexler stood beside them with a drink in his hand. The mafia boss had bought a round for the three of them before he headed to the stage. Wexler pulled a stuffed envelope from his jacket and passed it to Chase. He kept his eyes fixed on the stag as he spoke to them.

“Since Angelo is no longer in a position to pay his legal bills, Mr. Regetti is offering to pay for your services.”

“We don’t need his money,” Misty said after a sip from her beer.

“Especially since the US government is picking up the tab,” said Chase, passing the envelope back. “It’s proforma to pay legal fees for anybody entering witness protection.”

Chase saw Wexler’s eyes flash in something that looked like anger. Misty saw it as well and spoke up.

“Settle down,” said Misty. “He’s testifying about that whole mess with that FBI agent. Chase says that all the information he gave the feds about Regetti is now inadmissible.”

“They tampered with the evidence and framed Angelo for murder, Jake. You know what we lawyers call that?”

“Fruit of the poisonous tree,” said Wexler.

Chase winked and took a long sip from his fruity cocktail, careful not to poke himself in the eye with the drink’s umbrella as he did so.

“Be that as it may,” Wexler continued. “Mr. Regetti wishes to show his appreciation for your discreet resolution.”

“Actually, I have an idea.”

Chase took the stuffed envelope from Wexler’s hands and opened it. He rooted through the cash until he plucked out a single ten dollar bill from the envelope and passed it to Misty.

“The man owed you a tenner, right? He missed that pool shit.”

“Right,” Misty said with a smirk. She slipped the bill into her jacket pocket and reached for her drink.

“Now we’re square, Jake,” said Chase.

On stage, music came from the karaoke machine and Don Regetti grabbed the microphone. When he sang, a pitch perfect impression of Frankie Valli came from the big man’s lips.

“Sheeerry, Sherry baby! Sheeeeeeeeeeerry baaaaaaaaaaby! Sherry, can you come out tonight?”

“Mr. Regetti loves the Four Seasons,” said Wexler. “Big Frankie Valli fan.”

“I can tell,” said Misty.

---

Harlem

Misty and Chase sat in her car just outside her apartment building. Chase had his jacket off and his tie wrapped around his forehead like a bandanna. He’d had more than a few of the tropical drinks as the night went on, especially when he found out Regetti and Wexler were buying. At one point in the night he sang harmony with Don Regetti on “Big Girls Don’t Cry.”

“Heck of a day,” said Chase. “We got paid, we got Angelo off the board, we got some justice, and we got paid. Did I say that already?”

“Yeah,” said Misty. “You did.”

Chase nodded and closed his eyes as he leaned his head back against the seat. “Mmm… Job well done.”

“Chase?”

“Yeah?”

“Are you gonna be able to make it home?”

“I don’t have a home,” mumbled Chase. “I’ve been putting all my money back into the business, not paying rent on my place. I got kicked out of my apartment two months ago and been sleeping at the office ever since.”

Misty sighed and leaned back in her seat. Chase was snoring softly. She cursed and got out the car.

“C’mon,” she said as she opened the passenger side of the door. “Let’s go.”

“Where we going?”

“You’re gonna crash on my couch tonight. Tomorrow you find an apartment.”

She helped Chase up on his feet and guided him towards the sidewalk and stoop.

“I’m sorry,” Chase said as they started up the steps. “Sorry for all of this. I fucked our lives up, Misty.”

“You had help, remember?” Misty stopped on the top step to unlock the front lobby door of the building. “And don’t apologize for what’s happened. Just do better in the future.”

“You’re just saying that because I’m drunk.”

“Pretty much,” said Misty. “And I’m almost entirely sure you won’t remember this conversation in the morning. Which is why I can tell you that I’m getting closer. I found the name of the man who set me up. He’s called--”

Chase laughed as they entered the apartment building and he started to sing.

“Sheeeeerry, Sherry baby!”

Misty resisted the urge to smile, instead she said, “That's not his name. But you keep singing that Frankie Valli shit and you can sleep in the car tonight.”

---

Epilogue

Yonkers

“What exactly did she say?”

Turk Barrett raised an eyebrow at the little drug dealer standing in front of him. He was leaning against the hood of his car parked just a block away from the corner the boy ran for him. Turk resisted the urge to shake his head at the boy’s attire. Skinny jeans and shit. Not like the baggy pants, gold chains, and puffy Starter jackets Turk wore back when he was a clocker. The boy had a bandage on his nose and a sling on his left arm.

“Bitch wanted to know who I was working for.”

“Bitch?” snapped Turk. “You the bitch that got his ass kicked, boy.”

The kid looked down at his feet and stuffed his hands into his coat pockets. It was a childish move that reminded Turk just how young he was. If he had to guess, he’d be fifteen at the most. Not much older than Turk had been when he started running his own corner crew in Harlem.

“What did you tell her?”

“I ain’t tell her shit. Why the fuck you think I look like this?”

“Because you don’t know how to fight?” Turk asked with a laugh.

“Because I kept my fucking mouth shut,” said the boy. “Just like you told me. Besides, I don’t know no shit about fishes?”

“What?”

Turk stood up from the hood of the car and quickly crossed the short distance between him and the boy.

“What the fuck did you just say?” he yelled.

“Chill!” shouted the boy. “She asked some shit about a whale. I don’t know what the fuck she was talking about!”

Turk stepped back and rubbed his hands against his shaved scalp.

“Alright,” he finally said. “Get the fuck outta here. Text me when you need a re-up.”

The boy hurried off. He sighed as he watched him disappear around the corner. That was when he pulled out his burner phone and dialed his boss’s number.

“It’s me…. Yeah. Nah, he didn’t say shit because he didn’t know shit….. Yeah. But, sir, she knows about you. At least your name. Yeah… but what about?... No. I get it. Okay. I’ll take care of it, sir.”

Turk ended the call and stared at the phone for a long moment. He tucked it back into his jacket, pulling out his gun instead. He started off in the direction the boy had gone just a few moments earlier.

Ultimate One Universe: Season Two

I made a list of possible heroes I could play, and I came across one I can’t believe I didn’t think of until now.

Would the GMs approve a Deadpool?

@Witryso

No.

I'm sure you're a nice guy, but I have seen way too many shitty Deadpool takes to even consider doing it again.

Ultimate One Universe: Season Two

Cool, I’ll just...be here, then.

I’ll think of something...probably.

@Witryso

You got two whole universes worth of characters to choose from. You got this.