Hunter was resting on the floor, in a crumpled heap, and Cam was being chased around Ninja OPs, before he ran up the stairs, tripping over Hunter's arm. He broke the surface and rolled behind a tree.

He felt his heart thud, horribly hard and loud, against his chest. He hissed and recoiled in pain. He felt hot, sad, painful tears springing up all over his face and he tucked in hard, hoping the pressure would ease the pain, but...

A twig snapped and he ripped the tree aside, staying on all fours.

Cam didn't say anything as they approached. He was about to attack when the siren from their Morphers snapped him out of it. But the pain came back.

He stumbled to his feet as they were called to action.

"It would seem that the stranger from earlier is attacking the city. Quickly, take her out. Hunter's already gone on his way."

-Lothor-

"AH! I may finally taste victory! Thanks to you, White Ranger."

She just stood there, staring down at the city. Her huge blasts of fire had set ablaze many buildings and cars. She jumped down when she saw a civilian try to be a hero and save someone from a burning car and she took her down, easily.

She threw the civilian woman aside. She walked after her target before she saw a building with many people in it. She twisted around in a circle and shot a huge blast of fire at the building, but it never made contact. Instead, it was redirected to the left and hit an already blazing building. She shrugged and walked up to the building. She threw her arms out and two staffs appeared. One was actually a spear and the other was actually a spiked mace that was kind of long.

She twisted and the spiked mace nearly made contact with Shane, who was able to redirect it away, but wasn't able to dodge the spear, that skewered his foot. She launched herself over his head and pulled it out. She elbowed Shane on the back before she used her mace-hand to jab him a few times, knocking him down and mobilizing him.

"Well, well, well! Seems the Rangers have arrived!"

She didn't need to be told twice. She swirled around and nailed Hunter in the shoulder with the mace. She proceeded to knock the Rangers away from her. She pointed the end of the spear at Tori, ready to deal a killing blow when-

"TORI!"

She was saved by Blake.

He was standing there, prepared to kill her when-

"Tch." She had finally made a noise. But when she raised her mace arm, Cam stepped in between, facing Blake. She stood up right and nodded to him before she turned and attacked Dustin, who was wide open and an easy target.

Cam charged Blake, who was confused.

"Cam, we're on the same side! What's wrong with you?"

Cam didn't answer at first, but then he chuckled. "Me? I've found the winning side! It seems that Empress has the right idea! Be on Lothor's side and you get unwavering abilities!"

"Empress?"

She vaulted over Cam and grabbed Blake by the helmet, throwing him away. She grabbed Tori's arm and yanked her to her feet. She raised her mace arm and was about to strike when Hunter, who seemed to not have been changed, snatched Tori away.

Dustin and Shane struggled to get up. They had been rendered immobile as Rangers, but they were trying to get the chance to help.

Cam reached out and grabbed Tori's arm, twisting it around and-

"OW!"

They all heard a blood-curling "snap" in her forearm as Cam raised his Samurai Blade. He was about to strike down, when-

"Oh, NO you don't!" Blake tackled him, and the duo went tumbling through the embers.

Empress didn't show any signs of being worried and turned away. She raised her hand as a claw, pointing it at Tori, who was utterly confused. A small fire sparked in the middle of her claw.

"What do you want me for?" Tori practically screamed.

"What, you say?" Empress' voice was serene and almost kind, but it sounded strained to even speak. "You can easily put me out. Not as easy as Lightning, but you have the element of surprise on me." She opened her claw and the fire that had been only a flicker exploded into a fireball the size of a baseball. "I can't let you..."

It was as if time stood still as everyone saw the purple fire spew from Empress' clawed hand. Tori was the target...