~ I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living, it's a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope. Which is what I do, and that enables you to laugh at life's realities. ~

~ Dr. Seuss ~

Chapter Twenty-Three

The Final Chapter

The 'Chosen Hour' was upon them. While the Anubis students danced their little hearts away on the dance floor, 'Sibuna' was waiting to make their move, while Delaney was in the process of forming the ancient 'Cup of Ankh'.

Everything came down to this final hour. Within this hour, either seven students would lose their lives while seven teachers gained their eternal ones, or the students' lives would be saved, and the teachers' lives wouldn't be extended.

Delaney was already in the basement, everyone around her was getting ready for the ceremony. They were all wearing cloaks, including her, they didn't give her a choice. It apparently was mandatory for her, their 'society' said it was important.

Delaney became more and more nervous as time passed, hoping Nina and the others would make their move quickly. She didn't want anyone to die today, at the hands of herself. It was unfair, it was cruel, and it was downright terrible. She wouldn't let anyone pass.

Nina, Fabian, and Amber sat outside, going over their plan. They knew the hour was now upon them, and they needing to get a move on. But they wanted to make sure everything was in place, so nothing screwed up.

"And you think this will work, Neens?" Amber asked her quietly, fear filling her mind. She was so scared right now, her life really was on the line, and so was Alfie's, as well as every other student in the house. They were all close, all best friends…

"I'm positive, don't worry Amber… We need to be strong, this won't be easy."

The teachers began to walk around Delaney, chanting words as they did. A book was opened in front of her, telling her what to say, as she began to form the cup. Her hands shook as she began, having no choice but to start making it.

"Let's go in." Nina stated, standing up. Fabian and Amber did the same, and they all walked into Anubis quietly, the entire house was silent. It didn't seem like anything was going on, that anyone was around. Yet downstairs, fates were about to be made.

Nina decided to use the regular door instead of the secret passage, and stepped forward, grabbing the handle. The other two stood behind her, waiting to follow.

This is it, this is really it…

Nina opened the door carefully, and started walking downstairs. Fabian began to follow, until he heard a muffled scream, coming from Amber. He quickly turned around, to see some creep holding Amber by her waist, with his fist to her ear. He tapped Nina's shoulder, and they both walked back upstairs swiftly.

"What are you doing to her?! And who the hell are you?!" Fabian shouted quietly, not wanting the teachers to hear. Nina stood slightly behind him, staring at the strange man grasping her friend. Who in the world was he?

"Rufus Zeno, boy. And in my fist, there are about five bugs that will kill your friend in an instant."

"Let her go!" Nina whispered loudly, beginning to glare at the older man who was supposingly named Rufus. What the heck did he want? Amber didn't even do anything!

"Not unless you do what I say!" Rufus bellowed, pushing his fist closer towards Amber's ear. She squealed and tried to move away, but Rufus kept his grip on her.

"What do you want?" Fabian questioned. He wanted to do whatever it took to get Amber away from the guy, he was completely crazy! You could see it in his eyes!

"Get me the cup and elixir. I know you two know what I am talking about. So go get it, now!" Rufus shouted, cocking his head towards the door. Fabian glanced over at Nina, and she sighed. After figuring everything out, they were screwed anyways. Someone was going to die, and it would be on her and Fabian.

Fabian started his way downstairs, Nina following close behind him. He had grabbed her hand while walking, her hand had started shaking. She didn't say anything, there were no words to say. This could only turn out badly.

When they reached the bottom of the stairs, they couldn't believe what was going on. Delaney was standing by the table, the cups pieces unformed. The teachers were all yelling and such, trying to figure out why she couldn't do it. Nina glanced back at Fabian, and he bit his lip.

Rufus followed them down with Amber, but stayed quiet, so nobody would notice him. He made sure to cover Amber's mouth, he didn't need her screaming.

The first thing Rufus noticed in the scene was that Nina's necklace was glowing, and he automatically realized it was the Eye of Horus. Why did she have it? He was positive Delaney was supposed to have it.

The teachers filed out another way, leaving Delaney at the table alone, she still hadn't noticed them.

Rufus pushed Nina forward slightly, and she scuffed, gazing towards him.

"You go try. Now!" Rufus screamed, finally getting Delaney's attention. She smiled slightly at Nina, but wasn't sure what was going on. She didn't know who the guy was, and she knew that he had Amber, but other than that, she knew nothing. Who was the younger man there? She didn't know him either.

Nina slowly goes over to the table, she was regretting doing this whole thing. She was screwing everything up herself now, if she could make that cup… That would make her the Chosen One. She didn't want that! That's everything she didn't want!

"You have to say a chant." Delaney mumbled, passing a book over to her friend. Nina took it from her, and went to where Delaney was, right in front of the pieces. She could feel Fabian staring at her, which made her truly uncomfortable.

Nina began to chant, putting the pieces together. She didn't know how she knew, but she was able to put every piece in its place, without question.

Lilia was behind some boxes, watching it all. Delaney informed her about what was going on, including the 'Chosen One' business. She couldn't believe Nina was the one.

She created the cup. Nina created the cup. Rufus chuckled darkly behind her, and Nina couldn't stop glancing at what she made. Now it really was her fault.

"You, boy, grab the elixir!" Rufus shouted, pushing Nina aside, grabbing the cup. She was able to keep her balance, and glared at him. He threw Amber to the ground, she wasn't needed anymore. He had the cup, that's all he cared about. He was going to be immortal!

Amber let out a scream, which pierced everyone's ears.

Nina ran over to Amber, and Fabian followed, the both of them helping her up. Amber sniffled quietly, letting the duo hold on to her. She nearly died from that creep! She could still hear those mutant insects buzzing through her ears!

From upstairs, Victor could hear the scream. You couldn't mistake it, the sound had come from Amber Millington's mouth. He rushed downstairs to check out the commotion, nearly falling over when he saw Rufus with the cup, and the elixir now in place.

Rufus let out another sinister laugh, and drank the elixir, throwing the cup down afterwards.

"Immortality is finally mine!" With that, Rufus ran out of the room, laughing away like a maniac.

Victor sat down, running his hand through his hair. Rufus Zeno just got immortality, just like he always wanted. He was able to rule the world. And he was going to die, his body sitting in a coffin for eternity.

Nina rushed over to the scales, Rufus' name was with the name Alfie. That kid was going to die!

"Nina, he isn't going to die. But Rufus is."

Nina spun around, her eyes moving to face Fabian's. What did he mean, Rufus just drank the elixir! Alfie was on the other side.

Delaney moved over towards the boxes, moving them so she could get Lilia. Lilia smiled brightly at her, and ran towards Nina, hugging her leg. Nina looked down, and beamed. Her sister was okay! She picked her up, and hugged her tightly. Fabian smiled.

"I switched the elixir earlier. I trashed the real elixir. He drank a mixture of Gatorade."

Victor scoffed from his seat, while everyone else cheered. This night went from horrific to great! Everything was fixed, nobody was going to die, and nobody was going to gain their immortality!

"Seriously Amber?" Nina laughed, walking into the main gym. Amber had shoved both her and Fabian inside, her demanding that they came to the dance. After all this stress, the duo needed a break! She even brought Lilia and Delaney with them, after Nina had some time to reunite with both of them.

"I have to go make some announcements, have fun you guys!" Amber giggled, running to the stage. Nina glanced around, the gym was decorated beautifully. They had a star sort of them, and the whole place was sparkling.

Fabian tapped on her shoulder, and she spun around on her heels, beaming at him.

"Would you like to dance?" He asked softly, reaching his hand out for her. Nina's smile grew, and she took it happily, no response needed. He led her to the dance floor, just as Amber began her announcements.

"Hello everyone, thanks for coming! Now it's time to say the names of the Prom queen and king!" She cheered, the whole gym roaring with excitement.

"The Prom king… Alfie Lewis!" She shouted, as a surprised boy walked up on stage. Nina and Fabian clapped, as well as everyone else. He didn't know it, but the two really had saved his life tonight, as well as everyone else's. They would never tell him, but they knew.

"And the Prom queen… Me!" Amber giggled. Two other students put their crowns on them, and the music started for the king and queen dance.

When the song began, Nina and Fabian began to dance as well, both of them watching Amber and Alfie. They truly looked adorable together.

"It's not a surprise she won. She's so pretty." Nina laughed quietly, as the two shared a kiss on stage. They cheered again, and Fabian didn't talk till the chatter went back down.

"She is. But you look-"

"Horrible, I know." Nina stated, continuing to dance.

"I was going to say beautiful." Fabian whispered, twirling her once. When Nina was able to glance back at him, a blush crept on to her cheeks. Did he just call her beautiful?

Before she could say anything back, Fabian pulled her close, and kissed her gently. She kissed back, and Amber cleverly had the spotlight placed on them, cheers erupting around them. They pulled apart, both of them sending slight glares toward Amber, who laughed.

And that's the official end! Like it, love it? Tell me!

Yesh, there will be an epilogue at some point. But I'm excessively lazy and that IS NOT written yet... Already have the plans for it. But with my new story, it could be a bit. And I will have it say 'complete' under the story, cause yeah.

I hope you enjoyed this story, cause as you all know, I didn't!

See you guys May 17th, hopefully ;)

Damn, I sound like a seriously broken record. Gotta stop doin' that. I'm just too excited for this story... Since it ties with Psych and all.

~JessIsTheBest~