Sullivan Nicieza watched television, a very dull news program about a serial killer, when she heard the doorbell ring. Immediately, she got up from her place on the couch and dashed to the living room. She peered through the curtains at the man standing at the front door. He carried with him a single brown leather briefcase and he was dressed in a black three-piece suit. He was ruggedly handsome with jet black hair and he looked very strong from working out.    

Her husband taught her well about people knocking on the door late at night. Always ask who it is before answering. Never just open the door without knowing who it is. She knew where his gun was in the den. He had a good excuse to be extra cautious. He was a cop and he knew the dangers that went with that chosen profession.

She assumed that he was just a traveling salesman and she was fully prepared to send this man right on his merry way. But Sullivan was too trusting. She didn't ask who the man was before she opened the door. It had to do with her southern upbringing.

She swung the door open. "Yes, may I help you?"

The man gave her a curt smile. "Can I please come in, ma'am? I'm your husband's new partner and I was wondering if I may speak to him, please."

"He's not here right now. I don't know where he is but you're more than welcome to wait for him. He should be home soon. He said he wouldn't be out too late."

The man’s thought was: Now, Crisis will belong to Ulf Ramon. But first I will get NYPD cop Brian Johnsten.

---

As Greg Miller changed into Crisis to take this case and who may have attacked Sullivan Nicieza, Brian Johnsten visited the hospital to see his injured wife, Colleen. She was very beautiful with dirty blonde hair and looked resplendant in her hospital gown, naked underneath.

“I have to go, now,“ he told Colleen. “I hope you’ll be all right without me.”

“Don’t worry about it, Brian. The doctor said that my release day is coming soon. I should be able to survive for one more day.”

“Thanks, Coll,” he said, as he kissed her on the lips. She sighed as he made his exit.  

It was at that instant that Crisis crashed through the window of the hospital wing and attacked his former friend, Sonik. But Sonik was still in his police garb as Brian Johnsten and he quickly changed into his leather duds.

Was Crisis crazy? Brian thought. How is this possible? What was he thinking attacking his good friend? Something was different about him. He was more vicious, more gruesome.

“What are you doing, Crisis?’ Sonik asked, as he fired twin bolts of sonic energy from his fingertips, pushing the police officer against some EKG monitors. Sparks flew everywhere and Crisis was thrust backwards.

“Don’t call me ‘Crisis’ anywhere. Now, I am Second Crisis,” the new Crisis said.

Whoever this man is he is not the real Crisis. An imposter maybe. Definitely, a fake. Sonik rushed to his enemy’s side. “What have you done to the real Crisis?” he asked, angrily.

“Nothing that will keep you from him or me from my crimes,” Second Crisis explained. “Now, get out of my way, punk.”

“And why should I do that?’ Sonik said.

“Because I said so, Sonik.”

Second Crisis used his kinetic powers to push Sonik out the window and he fell towards the waiting  streets below. He fell slow at first, then picking up speed, until he thought he was going to be one big splat on the pavement. He used his sonic powers to form a cushion on the streets. He landed safely, on his own two feet.

Leaping from the hospital window, Second Crisis vaulted from one building to the next, using his kinesis as jet propulsion units. He was gone in an instant.

Waiting below for him, Sonik grumbled under his breath, spouting four-letter expletives. “I’ll get you, Second Crisis, whoever you are. Whatever you are, I’ll get my revenge.”

---

For the time being, Sonik searched the city for Second Crisis. He was positive that Second Crisis was an imposter of the real Crisis. So it made perfect sense that if he found Crisis, his pardner Greg Miller, he would find Second Crisis.

The first place he would have to look was in Greg’s apartment. It was across town, next to Brian’s, Sonik’s. He knocked on the door to the pad and soon, Greg Miller answered the knock at the door. He was wearing an open green fuzzy robe and underneath was his Crisis uniform. He had a five o’clock shadow, showing a beard, and he looked like hell. Brian wanted to yell at him, what has happened to you?! But he couldn’t voice his opinions. He had to keep this professional.

“Where were you tonight, Greg?” Brian asked. “Were you at Newhope Memorial Hospital, maybe attacking me and Colleen there?” No sense using tact. He was angry beyond belief.

“Why? Did something terrible happen?” Greg asked, slumping down in the couch. He nearly sank in there.

“Something like that. I met someone there named Second Crisis. He sort of looked like you and he had your powers and your costume.”

Greg took off his robe and stood up. “Maybe we should tackle this one together. You and me. The real Crisis and Sonik. And show this Second Crisis who’s boss.”

“Good to have you back, pard.” Brian extended his hand and Greg shook it.

“Any ideas where this Second Crisis is headquartered at?” Greg asked.

“Don’t know. But I do know where he’s headed at. It looked like from his bounding of the rooftops he was headed towards the warehouse district of Manhattan.”
“Then, let’s go.”

“Let’s.”

Locking the door behind him, Crisis and Sonik got into their patrol car and made their way to the warehouse district. To do battle with the object of their hate; Second Crisis.

---

The patrol car made its stop at the warehouse district and they parked the car. Crisis pocketed the keys and he locked the doors behind him. Sonik was ready for action. He had to avenge his friend. Crisis had to clear his good name and later on, apologize to Colleen and make up for lost time with Stephanie.

“Think he’s in there?’ Crisis said. “Should we call Code: Blue and Stone on this one?”

“Nah. This one’s personal. Let’s get crackin’, Crisis.”

Unlocking the latch to the warehouse, they entered the building and saw lots of boxes piled high to the ceiling marked ‘Fragile’. But in another room was Second Crisis doing some business with other gangsters. Without his Crisis mask on, he looked totally different. He had a different face, a different look. He seemed to have a combination of Swedish and Spanish origins. Probably a mixed marriage of his parents.

Crisis smashed into the door and attacked Second Crisis or whoever he was. Sonik was right behind him, his fingers charged with sonic energy. He would have liked to be the one to attack Second Crisis first but the real Crisis had to do it.

“Who are you, how did you take my identity?!” Crisis shouted in Second Crisis’ face.

Second Crisis smiled. “My name is Ulf Ramon. “I’m a scientist who made a deal with the King Snake to gain your powers through an accident of an enhanced, synthetic drug. He was glad to supply me with the drug in order to discredit you. That is all he wanted.”

“The King Snake?” Crisis asked, perplexed. “How did you get my face?”

“Easy. You have heard of masks. Rubber masks go a long way in this day and age. It may be old school but I kind of like it. I guess you’re free to take me in.”

“Not before I do this,” Crisis said, as he slugged Second Crisis in the stomach. Since Ulf Ramon had his powers, he barely felt it. “Now, c’mon. We have a nice cell for you.”

As Crisis handcuffed Ulf Ramon, Sonik pulled Crisis said and whispered in his ear, “Don’t you think you were too easy on him.”

“No harm was really done. The real harm will be done when the King Snake finds out that Second Crisis failed in his mission to discredit me, you, and the police department. Not only that but he got himself captured by a police officer and will be rotting in jail for some time. He will not be pleased.”

“Never thought of it that way,” Sonik said.

As the night passed into day, Greg Miller met with Stephanie and Colleen, respectively. He let Stephanie know that the imposter was not really him and he said the same to Colleen. They were both relieved that the reports of his turning evil was greatly exaggerated.

Brian Johnsten was glad that his friend was back. He had missed him during the time that he was among the missing.

The four of them decided to spend a day together, just the two couples. They need some time to reconcile their relationships, loving and friendships, so that they could rekindle their time apart and together.

It was a great day and Brian was glad of it.

There were good times ahead. They were hitting their stride and nothing, not Second Crisis nor the King Snake, could upset that joy.  

---

END

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