A/N Hello, everyone! I apologize for the long wait, but I have returned with the final installment of this story.

Thanks to all Reviewers!

Dedication: To everyone who has read and reviewed this story during the time it has been in progress.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

"The ceremony shall begin in the next hour," Johansson proclaimed.

Frank and Nancy had been moved to the main cavern, and made to lie down on two new altars, located on a central dais. They were not tied down because their sacrifice was meant to be performed willingly; although neither of them was actually willing they would merely be overpowered if they attempted to escape.

There were around twenty black cloaked individuals in the room all of whom seemed to be eagerly anticipating the "noble sacrifice for the Earth," that Frank and Nancy were going to be forced into.

What Johansson did not know however, was that the Bayport police force was waiting just outside the cave's entrance, planning to storm inside and release Frank and Nancy.

"However, I believe we can begin with the opening speech right now." Johansson continued moving past Frank and Nancy to stand in front of the rows of black robed people. "We are gathered here today to right the wrongs which have plagued the Earth for centuries, hopefully the joint sacrifice of the Chosen One, and the descendent of the original Chosen One will lead to a lasting peace on this Earth."

Frank, who had lifted his head, spotted Con Riley peering around the entrance to the cave. Con gestured for Frank and Nancy to roll off the altars carefully on his count.

When they saw him gesture for them to move, they immediately rolled off the altars, just as a swarm of police rushed in the room.

They lay flat on the ground as Johansson and the other followers shouted in outrage. Frank and Nancy were immediately surrounded by officers and hustled out of the room before any of the crazed followers had a chance to turn it into a hostage situation.

Fenton Hardy was waiting for them just outside the mouth of the cave. He swiftly pulled his son into a hug. "Are you both all right?" He demanded. "The chief wanted me to sit this out so I waited out here." He explained.

"We're fine." Frank hastened to reassure his father. "What is going on with everyone else?"

"On a positive note it seems that everyone will survive," Fenton answered levelly. "Callie is pretty injured, as is Vanessa, but when I left the hospital their prognoses had shifted to cautiously optimistic."

Frank heaved a sigh of relief. "Can we get to the hospital?"

"The chief will want to take your statements, but I suppose he can do it there as well as any other place." Fenton said with a nod. "Nancy, please call your father he is absolutely frantic with worry." He added.

"Of course," Nancy agreed. "I will call him as soon as we get to the hospital."

"Good." The private detective commended. "Are you both quite sure you're all right?"

"Yes, dad, we're fine." Frank exclaimed.

-Two weeks later-

Nancy had returned to River Heights, and everyone else had been released from the hospital. They were gathered at Mr. Pizza's for a celebratory dinner. Phil's arm was still in a cast, and Callie was on crutches as her left leg had been broken when the car hit her, and the rest of the group was also looking rather ruffled around the edges, but they were undeniably in one piece.

"I can't believe you managed to get yourself in trouble without even being on a case," Callie said leveling her boyfriend with a look of two parts fondness, one part irritation.

"It seems that trouble constantly finds me," Frank agreed. "I still can't believe our own teacher was behind it." He said sharing a look of disgust with Vanessa and Phil.

"That does explain the orange mock though," Phil mused.

"Huh?" Biff asked, his voice still slightly raspy from the damage that had been done to his windpipe.

"They left flowers with each of us," Phil explained. "Mine was an orange mock, which symbolizes deceit, Mr. Johansson deceived all of us, especially Frank, Vanessa, and I."

"It's enough to put me off flowers permanently." Callie said with a shudder.

"I guess we'll just need to stick to chocolates from now on in the gift department," Vanessa said with a wink at her boyfriend.

"Is that a hint?" Joe inquired breezily.

Vanessa merely laughed and leaned across the tabletop to catch her boyfriend's lips in a chaste kiss.

Things were finally returning to normal in Bayport, New York, although knowing the Hardy family it was not likely that they would stay that way for long.

A/N Review! Thank you to everyone who has read this story during the long time it has been on-going.