Chosen Legacy (Book Five of the Chosen Universe)

Chapter Ten

MADDIE

It was too beautiful a day to be stuck inside, so Maddie had an idea. She texted Zeke, then turned to Liza and Tia. "Who wants to come cliff diving with me?" She asked.

"Cliff diving?" Tia repeated in confusion.

"Yeah. We go to a cliff and jump off it into the water. It's amazing," Maddie explained.

Tia frowned. "I have never done such a thing..."

"It's fun. We can bring the Chosen with us... Ollie's gone with me a few times. It's a great way to release stress."

"Very well. I suppose that is something we all need to do."

"Great! Do you have a swimsuit? If not, Liza's probably got a million. She could lend you one."

"You're not wrong," Liza admitted.

"I have my own... I have not worn it since we were back home, however... I prefer to remain properly clothed," Tia said.

Liza paused before waving her hands. A wet suit appeared. "This literally covers more than your actual clothing does, but won't weigh you down in the water," she said.

Maddie expected Tia to snap at Liza about using her magic for something so frivolous, but Tia surprised her by taking the wet suit and examining it. "Thank you, Liza," she said. "I shall put it on after I contact the others." She walked away.

"Are you two finally getting along?" Maddie asked.

"Today, I guess," Liza said with a shrug. "Tia's kind of bipolar when it comes to me. One minute, she's my nurturing big sister, the next, she hates the sight of me. I guess that's how siblings are?"

"Pretty much," Maddie said with a laugh. "But Tia takes it to an extreme with you."

"To be fair, I'm pretty combative at times. Remember, I'm a bitchy queen bee. Tia doesn't know what to do with another Alpha Female in the house."

"I don't know... Imani's pretty dominant," Maddie joked.

"Yeah, but Tia helped raise the kid. Mani backs down if Tia goes Full Alpha. I don't... I know I'm not the easiest person to get along with, but I'm trying to change... Angel Grove finally gave me a family. I'd be a fool to ruin it just because I'm a bitch."

"You're not as bad as you want people to think, Liza. You have a really big heart, but you try to hide it. I see it around Mani and Tessa all the time."

"They're little. That's different."

"And Taylor and Tye?"

"Severely traumatized and still baby entities."

"And me?"

"I'm not overly nice to you."

"You saved me, Liza... If you hadn't pulled the powers out of me, not only would I have died, but Zell would have gotten them and everyone would be dead."

Liza shrugged. "I still feel bad, Maddie... I never meant to take your place as a Power Ranger."

"Some things are meant to be, Liza. It was always supposed to be a Campbell, but our moms switched destinies."

"Yeah, but you were a great Power Ranger. It isn't fair that you had to lose your powers."

"Hey, once a Ranger, always a Ranger, right? I'm still part of the family, and I'll still fight the good fight... I just can't morph anymore. There are a lot of Rangers like me."