Chosen Legacy (Book Five of the Chosen Universe)

Chapter Forty-Two

AUTHOR'S NOTE: I know I said it would only be two more chapters until the end of this fic, but the time traveling portion has more details than I expected, and I'm going to have to break it up into two chapters. I promise, the ending is coming very soon, but this chapter's already really long and I don't want to rush this part of the story and leave out details or end up posting an insanely long chapter like I did to wrap up the big battle in Legacy Rangers. This chapter and the next one are going to be full of battles, so I hope you enjoy them.

CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

CASSIE
She was nervously pacing as everyone gathered. Jen stood in front of them looking more serious than Cassie had ever seen her before. "Okay, so some of you probably already heard this from Lucas, but time travel comes with very specific rules. One small mistake can undo the entire future," Jen said.

Cassie felt like a naughty school child who'd just been called out. "You're preaching to the choir, Sister," she said.

"I know this is going to be especially hard for the Wildcats. You were teenagers in 1989, and I know your instinct might be to interfere and change the outcome of certain events," Jen continued.

"With all due respect, Jen... Why can't we?" Lee asked softly. "I'm not saying we should change everything, but are you telling me that saving one girl's life will mess everything up?"

"You're talking about Tiffani, right? I know she was in school with you."

"She was practically my wife's little sister. We were close. She basically sacrificed her life to save Ronnie from her father. She didn't deserve to die like that."

"What happened to Tiffani was awful, Lee. Unfortunately, it was always her fate. In every version of the future, Jaybert killed Tiffani... It's just that without Divatox getting Ronnie involved in everything, Tiffani didn't get to die a hero originally."

"I don't get why we can't change that. I mean, Lucas saved Hannah, right? Which also saved Nina. They were both fated to die." He paused. "Sorry, Hannah. You know I'm thrilled we didn't lose you. I love you. But it's still the truth."

"I'm not offended," Hannah said. "You're right."

Lucas looked incredibly guilty as he faced Jen. "Sorry," he said. "I guess I set a bad example by breaking the rules, but... I couldn't let that monster hurt Hannah anymore."

Hannah offered him a gentle smile. He pulled her closer, hugging her as if to reassure himself he'd made the right call.

"You did the right thing, Lucas," Jen said. "I stand by that decision. But in Tiffani's case, it's more complicated. Her death actually helped Ronnie become stronger, and then, of course, there's the effect it had on Laby-"

"Laby's a hot mess," Cassie said. "It literally breaks my heart. He spent thirty years on a bender, Jen. Is drunk Laby performing karaoke in dive bars somehow essential to the future?"

"Actually, yes. It may seem illogical, but everything came together to create this moment in time. I know it seems cruel to let an innocent girl be killed, but if Tiffani survives, everything will be different."

Cassie sighed. "I know. I hate it, but I know. And I won't take that kind of stupid risk again," she said.

"Cassie learned her lesson? The world really is coming to an end!" Zhane teased her with a laugh. Cassie punched his arm. He laughed harder.

"I find Cassie to be very clever, actually," the Phantom Ranger said.

"Thank you, Phantom Ranger!" Cassie said with a big grin.