* See video on how this shot was made: here.

And away he went. The bright, young Donte, barely out of college, was now a legend as Emeraldon. So brief, and yet, so meaningfully, he shared his final thoughts with his dream woman. Then, just like that, he was gone. It had been the second love in Candi's life torn from her by circumstance - though certainly not the last. He flew into the air in all the glory of his form.

This begged the question - if this were the final time they were together...what should Candi do with her life?



Donte flew as far out of sight as Candi could imagine possible. She was left alone...or was she? The sky suddenly turned a very dark, very menacing red hue. She only wished she could figure out why, but what she knew for certain is that it did not bode well.



Suddenly, out of nowhere, she thought she heard a phantom-shriek in her ear - danger was nearby! It was the feeling she'd had the last time a bully in school tried to throw a dart at the back of her head! But now, she felt it from behind!



She dodged in the nick of time! Two bullets whizzed past her! She quickly turned around to see what the source of her sudden threat was.



Feelings of horror began to chill her when she realized the source of the assault: Don Mendoza, her old middle school crush!

Candi: "Don! Are you completely psycho?"



Don: "Well, now! If it isn't my old time friend: Candi the GIFTED ONE Flippo!"

Candi: "Don?"

Don: "So nice of you to waste my two bullets, toots! Now I'll have to deal with you personally!"



She ran back into the building to hide. She didn't want to fight him. She still had feelings for him, even though it had been a long time since they'd seen each other. But why was he so intent on killing her?

Candi: "Don! I've done absolutely nothing to you to deserve this! Don't make me fight you!"

Don: "Ah...no sweat! I ain't necessarily in this for revenge, sister! I'm in this because you're the reason the Meethlite ship Sirlot is hovering over the city! Just imagine how I'll climb through the ranks if I kill the Gifted One! And you've made it far too easy!!!"



Candi: "Don! The Meethlites have a track record of betraying their human accomplices! You will get nothing out of this! Besides, I DON'T want to fight you!"

Don: "Then let me at ya! I know you heal fast, but a quick enough lopping off of the head should overcome that! You've wasted my bullets, but not my resolve!"



It angered Candi that he should talk like this. But still...this was a man she once had tremendous respect for! She couldn't just turn so quickly on him in fury now, could she?

Candi: "Let it go, Don! I'd rather we talk about this!"

Don: "You know...that Donte and you are awful close...or should I say...Emeraldon? Ha! Won't this be a fine way to kill two birds! And then for that wretched 'badger' sister of yours! Ha! That'll be a racket!!! Hickory dickory dock! Miri went up the clock! The hands struck twelve, off came the Flippos' heads! Hickory dickory dock! Tick tock!!! Ha ha ha ha ha!!! I bet she'll make good times in bed too!"



This was the last straw! The accent didn't sound at all like the Don she remembered. And it was one thing that he was menacing to her...but to threaten her close family?

Candi: "Urrrrrrrrr....Bring it on, bastard!!!"

It was clear to her now that this was no longer her Don. This was a mind so poisoned by Meethlite indoctrination, that his only thoughts were bent on malice. She looked into his crazed eyes, and prepared for the ugly confrontation to follow.



In spite her best efforts, he somehow was gaining the upper-hand!

Don: (under breath) "I'd love to rip your head off right this instant...Gifted One!!!"



She was finally able to separate herself from her memory of affection. Seeing the monster, she quickly broke free. Donte was right about focus! Somehow, Don had become incredibly strong, but Candi was now determined to fight back!

Candi: "You settle down!"



Where was Don getting his strength? He gained an edge, in spite her stings, and threw her violently into the back wall of the Stolly's warehouse kitchen area! As she got up and brushed herself off, she could smell something in the area near the stove...



Don: "Ha! You amuse me! So willing to spare my life, just because we held hands at recess years ago? And all I get are a few stings?"

Candi: "Stop tempting me!"

Don: "Tempt? Sista! You couldn't if you wanted to! I've got stelmiod strength enhancers! I'm your equal now!"



Candi: "I am not worth your life, Don! If you kill me, they will kill you!"

Don: "Hardly! Nobody knows, except me, that it's even you! But I bet your sister Erin's not going to like the surprise that awaits her!"



It suddenly dawned on Candi...while she was wasting her time in the Stolly's...the Meethlites were out hunting down her entire family!

Candi: "Don, what have you done?"



Don: "Ah!!! Can't you smell the bezeetol in the air?"

Candi: "Bezeetol??? Why do you keep bringing that crap here?"

Don: "You see, sista...you took out my friend Jeff! So they gave me a similar enhancer...albelit, without the invisibility! I've been hiding drugs in here quite nicely, building myself to the top!

But I can now easily move my operations elsewhere! I actually lied...I do have a revenge motive! Not that it matters! You could try all you want to sting me like you did Jeff, but that won't matter if I TORCH you!"



Candi had to get to higher ground. She wanted to scream out Donte's name to help her, but she knew he wouldn't hear her. Only if she made it to fresh air would she be able to put up a competent fight against Don. But could she endure the fiery environment long enough to reach fresh air?

Don: "In fact, I've got all day! To think! Seven years go, I would have tried to deflower you! And now, I'm gonna light you up in a very different way! Some 'gift' you were! Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!!"



The blaze very quickly took hold, and Candi realized that she was trapped. The longer she waited to take action, the worse off she would be! But she'd never been tested before with fire!

The hatred of the Meethlites was now transparent: all her fears about them were justified! What would remain of Gerosha if and when Candi got out of the blaze? Donte couldn't save her, she hadn't delayed him long enough! She'd have to save herself! But would anything remain of Gerosha to save?

When she would move to Viron, she thought to herself, she'd have no choice but to find some way to keep Dirbine and Viron from becoming another Gerosha!



Amidst the roaring flames, she could hear the cackling of the evil Don outside. This was no longer the man she knew, but a monster. She no longer had any reservations against fighting him, but she realized that with the strength enhancer, her stings alone wouldn't be enough to stop him!

Would stopping him even be enough? He knew too much! She feared the worst would happen, but how could she live with herself if she had to kill him?

On the other hand, her stalling was about to cost her the very essence of her own life...and possibly that of her sisters!