I finally got a chance to write this! Sorry for the delay on it, but I hope that it's worth it!

Enjoy!

Chapter 33: Frosty Dance

"I don't care!" Amber's angry voice echoed through the room as she stormed in on the phone.

"Still waiting on her dress?" Alfie glanced to Bianca, who sighed.

"Hasn't stopped complaining all day," she answered, scratching her head and making her brown hair fall from its ponytail. Amber's prom dress hadn't arrived, and she had spent the majority of the day ranting to Bianca about the importance of the dress, and how she had to look good for her mysterious King Tut.

"I paid for next day delivery, and it hasn't arrived!" Amber growled as she walked past the group waiting. "If you ruin my prom, I swear I'll-" she stopped abruptly as the person on the other end spoke. "Okay, I'll hold," she agreed with a sigh.

"Okay, I'm just worried about keeping the puzzle pieces safe until after the Chosen Hour," Nina spoke up, glancing around to make sure nobody was listening.

"I know," Fabian agreed. "It's fine carrying them around with us, but what if the teachers organise another bag search?" he considered, worried.

"Not to mention if Rufus decides to try coming at us," Bianca pointed out too.

"Leave that with me. I've got an idea," Patricia smiled confidently.

"What is it?" Nina asked her curiously, and the taller girl opened her mouth to answer, before hesitating as Jerome walked in.

"I'll tell you later, okay?" she scowled at the blond as he stood beside Alfie. Immediately he scowled at her.

"Tell her what?" he demanded.

"The less people that know, the better," Patricia rolled her eyes, her hostility growing as she glared back at him.

"I've told you, I'm never going near Rufus ever again," Jerome vowed furiously, before his phone buzzed. He checked it, and immediately recoiled. "Speak of the devil. Literally. I'm surprised my phone didn't burst into flames," he muttered.

"What's he say?" Alfie asked. Jerome opened the message, and paled.

"It's not repeatable," he said quietly, and Alfie winced sympathetically.

"Just make sure he doesn't catch you alone before the dance," Bianca patted his arm, and he sighed.

That night, both Mick and Fabian were standing in the dining room, awkwardly practising how to dance. When Mick insisted he show Fabian how to do it, neither noticed the rest of the house sneak into the kitchen, peeking over the bar at them.

When Mick lowered Fabian in a dip, it was only then that they realised they were being watched, as the others revealed themselves, clapping and laughing at the pair. Immediately Mick dropped Fabian, who hit the ground with a low thud as both went red.

"By Jove I think he's got it!" Alfie declared mockingly.

"Looks like Mick's improved that 2% you claimed before," Bianca laughed to Mara, who was laughing too.

"Maybe you should join them," Alfie whispered to Bianca as they lifted plates from the kitchen. She arched an eyebrow at him. "If you don't want to be stepping on Jerome's feet all night," he teased, and she punched his arm, rolling her eyes.

"Oh shut up," she told the laughing boy, blushing as her words and actions only made him laugh more.

Yawning widely as she walked down the stairs, Bianca almost walked into Patricia, who was fixing her tie.

"As much a morning person as ever," Patricia commented.

"How are you so chipper?" Bianca muttered back, adjusting her glasses as she kept her blazer slung over her arm. Neither looked neat and tidy in their appearance, but Patricia looked far more awake than her.

"Because I am a morning person," the taller girl smirked at her, earning a glower. "Good morning," she greeted Nina and Fabian as they walked into the dining room.

"See?" Nina rolled her eyes in exasperation as Bianca grunted a greeting, slumping into her seat.

"Wait but...now I don't know if you said yes to the thing I was going to ask, and you don't know if I was going to ask you what you thought I was going to ask you," Fabian rambled, sounding worried.

"What?" Nina blinked rapidly at his words.

"Do you ever make any sense?" Patricia asked as she poured herself some orange juice.

"Could you at least use less words this early in the day?" Bianca yawned as she buttered a slice of toast.

"Patricia, Bianca," Fabian hissed, frustrated as he whirled around at the pair. "Could you go out of the room for a second, please? There's something I have to ask Nina?" he said through gritted teeth. Nina gave an embarrassed smile, blushing red.

"There's some things even I am awake enough to realise," Bianca stood up and walked out, taking her toast with her.

"Yeah, sure, no problem," Patricia agreed, following her out. She closed the door, and the two immediately pressed their ears to the solid wood.

"Okay, now I need you to hurry," Nina spoke quickly. "Before there's an earthquake or a swarm of locusts or something happens that stops you from asking," she pleaded.

"Nina, would you like to go to the prom with me?"

"Yes," Fabian barely had the words out of his mouth when Nina agreed. Both Patricia and Bianca rolled their eyes.

"Yes...yes?!" Fabian demanded as if he'd heard wrong.

"Yes!"

"Yes!" having had enough, Patricia pushed the door back open.

"Adorable," she rolled her eyes as she leaned through the gap. "Now I am starving," Patricia declared as Bianca followed her in, having already finished the toast in her hand.

"Fabian just asked me to be his date to the prom," Nina announced to the pair, bouncing in her seat as Fabian blushed scarlet.

"About time," Bianca muttered, her mouth full of toast already.

"No way!" Patricia gasped as Fabian shot Bianca an embarrassed glare. "I thought I was supposed to be going with Fabian!" she demanded, glaring at the pair. Immediately their smiles faded as Fabian looked terrified. They exchanged looks, and both Patricia and Bianca burst out laughing. The two breathed a sigh of relief.

"Amber!" they heard Trudy call from the hall. "Delivery!" the one word had an immediate effect on the house, as Amber's heavy footsteps pounded through the house and she cheered.

"Yes! Finally!" the blonde squealed as she ran down the stairs and grabbed the box from Trudy.

"Is this what all the screaming and moaning has been about?" Trudy asked her in amusement, having heard Amber's endless complaints since the dress hadn't shown up on time. The four peered out curiously, all having suffered the girl's tantrums over her missing dress. "I half expected a car, or an elephant, not just a plain old package," Trudy laughed. Amber ripped the tape from the box and yanked open the flaps as she set down the box. She pulled out her dress, and immediately her excitement was gone and replaced with confusion.

Nobody spoke, staring at the tiny dress with a piece of cardboard inside to keep it flat. It was a pretty, deep blue dress, with frills running down it. Wordlessly, Amber held it against herself, and turned to Mara, who was watching from the stairs.

"Maybe it stretches?" Amber asked hopefully.

"Amber...that's a doll's dress," Mara told her slowly. The blonde seemed completely stunned.

"I ordered a doll's dress?" she asked aloud, and immediately the others braced themselves. Bianca covered her ears, just in time as Amber let loose a loud scream that echoed through the house. She threw the dress to the ground, and stomped up the stairs again with Mara following her.

"Never a quiet moment in this place..." Bianca muttered, rolling her eyes and returning to the table.

"Frumpy," Nina flinched as her dress was tossed in her face.

"Freak," Patricia's jaw dropped as she caught her green dress.

"There are no words," Amber said as she tossed Mara back her dress. Bianca watched from Nina's bed, looking amused. To say that Amber was taking the doll's dress fiasco badly, was an understatement.

"Don't be so ungrateful!" Patricia snapped.

"You helped me pick this dress!" Nina declared, offended.

"Yeah well it suits you," Amber rolled her eyes. "But this is me we're talking about!" she held out her arms dramatically as all three looked unimpressed with her attitude. "What about you?" Amber turned to Bianca. "Any suggestions on how to fix this?" she demanded. Bianca held up her hands in surrender.

"Not a chance," she shook her head. "I know my wardrobe isn't your style and I'm not going to be insulted for it," Bianca told her, and Amber huffed.

"It's useless," the dramatic girl declared. "No good. I can't go. Go without me," Amber instructed. The four girls stared at her, a little surprised by how easily she'd given up. "I would have wanted it that way," she lay down, and Nina, Patricia and Mara rolled their eyes, storming off, still offended by her throwing their offerings in their faces.

"Are you really giving up already?" Bianca prodded, still sitting on Nina's bed in her shorts and cami. "You've been the most excited for this stupid dance out of everyone here," she pointed out, and Amber sighed loudly.

"Thanks B, for trying to encourage me. But there's no point. Go, be beautiful without me," she ordered. Bianca rolled her eyes.

"King Tut will be disappointed," she said, opening the door and walking out. She returned to her own room, and when she shut the door, she turned to stare at her own dress, feeling nerves start to churn in her stomach.

After curling her hair and applying her make-up, Bianca studied herself in the mirror, feeling like she was staring at a stranger. After tugging at a curled lock, she pulled off her relaxed clothes, and lifted the dress, pulling it on as well. Once it sat secure on her, she turned to glare at the heels lying beside her bed.

"This is worse than physics," Mick complained, struggling with his bow-tie as Fabian tried to help him. Alfie suddenly darted past, bumping him and making him grumble, loosing his grip on the slippery fabric.

"You really are hopeless," Bianca laughed as she slipped between Mick and Fabian, and easily tied the bow-tie for him.

"B..." Mick breathed as both he and Fabian stared at the girl. She just cleared her throat, and gestured to the three girls coming down the stairs. "Wow," Mick finally managed to say, unable to take his eyes off Mara.

"Whoa..." Fabian breathed, making Nina blush. After a moment, he frowned. "Where's Prom-Queen Millington?" he asked, realising they were still missing a girl. Their smiles faded.

"There was a dress emergency. Doesn't look like she's going to make it," Bianca explained for them. The two boys exchanged surprised looks. Out of everyone, Amber had been the most vocal about going and for her to suddenly back out, they were shocked.

They moved into the dining room, and as Mick put a corsage on Mara's wrist, the other five stood together.

"I hope we can get away in time to meet Joy," Nina whispered to them. "The teachers are going to be watching us like hawks," she pointed out, worried. With the teachers against them, it was going to be tough to slip away unnoticed.

"I can provide distractions if necessary," Bianca smirked.

"You're a little scary when you smile like that," Alfie told her seriously, and flinched when she punched his arm.

"Will Joy be able to get away from her dad, more importantly?" Bianca turned to Patricia.

"I hope so..." the girl said nervously, having sent a message to Joy.

"Oh my word," they glanced around quickly as Trudy gasped. "Don't you all look so grown-up and beautiful?" she sniffed, tears welling up in her eyes. "Patricia, this was pushed under the door. Last minute date, perhaps?" the housemother suggested with a wiggle of her eyebrows. "Very romantic," she giggled, walking away as Patricia looked a little disgusted by the idea. "Where's Amber?" Trudy asked curiously. She walked out into the hall, calling for the girl.

"Here," they all filed out curiously when they heard Amber respond, with Alfie pushing to the front to watch. The beautiful blonde was even more beautiful; her hair styled up and over her shoulder as she wore the blue dress identical to the doll-sized one that had arrived that morning.

"Oh!" Trudy sniffed, leading the applause as Amber beamed. Her smile fell, and she glared at Jerome as he walked out.

"I have nothing to say to you," she growled at him. "Dress thief," Amber sniffed, walking down the rest of the stairs as the others laughed.

"Why am I not surprised?" Bianca whispered to him, taking his hand. Jerome opened his mouth to retort, but the words failed him as he stared at her. The Irish girl had curled her hair out of her face, and her smoky make-up distracted him from the fact that she was back in contacts, having abandoned her glasses for the night. She wore a black and gold sleeveless dress with a skirt that puffed out with black lace covering it, and a pair of black heels with straps going around her shins. When he didn't speak, Bianca felt her cheeks start to warm, and looked away, feeling butterflies starting to go crazy in her stomach.

"Come on, let's go over there," Mick decided as Alfie tied a pink corsage around Amber's wrist. "I wanna try out my new moves," he twirled Mara, making her giggle as she almost bumped into Bianca. Trudy laughed as Mick led Mara out, and Alfie and Amber followed. Linking his fingers around hers, Jerome grinned to Bianca, who smiled softly as her blushing grew, and he led her out as well. He stopped her outside, waiting a few moments for the others to move out of earshot.

"You look incredible," he told her, and grinned when she avoided his gaze, chewing on her lip to hide her smile.

"Thanks..." she mumbled, and he turned her head to make her look at him. "I don't think I ever saw this coming," Bianca whispered as she watched him.

"You and me both, Frosty," Jerome admitted. "Though I definitely have bragging rights for convincing you to come tonight, especially when you're dressed like that," he leaned closer. Bianca rolled her eyes in response.

"Whatever, Crazy Hair. Just remember, I haven't pulled a good prank in a while," she warned, and kissed him quickly before stepping away.

"I look forward to it," Jerome chuckled as she pulled him along to catch up with the others.

"Why did the Chosen Hour have to be on the same day as our prom?" to say that Amber was unhappy was putting it mildly. "The universe is so selfish sometimes," she continued to complain as they left the hall and headed towards the history classroom.

"Amber, we need to meet up with Joy. It's important," Nina scolded the blonde, wound up and nervous and unable to show any sympathy to Amber.

"We'll go back after," Bianca told Amber, who immediately perked back up. Nina opened the classroom door, and slowed as she walked in. The others followed, reacting the same way as Mr. Winkler turned in surprise.

"Hey guys, why are you not at the dance?" he asked with a small smile.

"Why aren't you?" Patricia bit back, defensive.

"I am waiting for my date with Miss. Robinson," the history and drama teacher gave a nervous laugh, blushing a little at the thought. His smile then faded slightly as he noticed Patricia carrying a larger bag than the others. "Patricia, what's in the bag?" he asked, trying to sound innocently curious. "I hope you're not trying to smuggle contraband into the prom," Mr. Winkler joked.

"Now that would make the dance more interesting," Bianca muttered.

"Trust the Irish girl to say that," Jerome retorted, and winced as her elbow jabbed his side.

"It's just girly stuff...that girls use," Patricia said, making Alfie's brow furrow behind her as the others sighed at how poorly she lied on the spot. "I can be really...girly...at times..." she continued weakly.

"Okay, then you won't mind if I take a look," the teacher pulled the back away from her and turned away back to the desk to open it. However, before he could unzip the back, the classroom door slammed shut, and everyone jumped, whirling around.

"Red Sutekh Sand Flies," Rufus warned slowly, his hand raised to show the hourglass in his hand. Inside, a swarm of flies glowing red buzzed angrily. "Very rare, quite vicious, and certainly deadly," he smiled as they didn't move. "Now everyone do as I say, or I break this glass. You," his gaze turned to Fabian. "Get the blinds," he ordered, and the boy immediately moved to do as he was told. "The rest of you, over there," Rufus gestured, and they backed away. "Leave that there," he pointed when Mr. Winkler went to move, and with a sigh, he put the bag back on the desk. "Now, you get the Elixir and the Chosen One. I want them within the hour, or I break this glass," Rufus threatened.

"You're insane," Mr. Winkler breathed. Nobody else spoke as Rufus gave a little chuckle, and Fabian returned to the group, standing by Nina.

"Very observant," Rufus nodded. "Now go," he ordered. The teacher hesitated, looking to his students for a moment. They stared, pleading for him to help silently, but to their horror, he turned and left without another word. "Oh, apologies Patricia, this time the note was not from Joy. Sorry to disappoint," he smirked. "But! At least I get what I came for, the Ankh pieces," Rufus turned to the back on the desk. "All seven of..." he trailed off as he opened the bag; eyes going wide. The man lifted a bottle of water from the bag. "What's this?" Rufus asked, confused. He turned back and started digging through the bag, causing it to rip as he violently tugged it apart. All he found, was more bottles of water.

"Where are my Ankh pieces?!" Rufus snarled. None of them spoke, and the fury started to turn his face a red colour. "You will all pay for this," he vowed quietly, tossing the ruined bag aside. It fell to the floor with a thud.

"Perfect Patricia, they're safe," Nina whispered.

"Yeah, but are we?" the taller girl muttered back as Rufus lifted the hourglass again.

"Where are the Ankh pieces?" Rufus growled again, his voice low but filled with rage.

"You think we're really dumb enough to bring them with us here?" Bianca snorted, trying to sound braver than she felt. "Today? When the teachers are sniffing around?" she raised her head higher as he turned his pale blue eyes on her.

"You're entertaining, little girl, but hardly a useful Keeper to the Chosen One in here," he taunted, and Bianca's defiant look faded a little at the term. Rufus then nodded as realisation dawned on him. "You gave them to Joy, didn't you?" he asked. "You realise she's part of all this, don't you?" he demanded.

"Yeah," Patricia rolled her eyes. "She's the Chosen One. We're not stupid," she bit. Bianca winced as a sharp pain shot through her temples.

"Who wants the Cup just as much as everyone else," Rufus continued on for her. "You have played straight into their hands!" His voice grew louder. Patricia's eyes widened in horror.

"No, don't believe him," Jerome spoke up, shaking his head quickly. "He's a liar, he's playing you," he warned.

"Oh really?" Rufus gave a laugh. "Thanks for telling me about the proposed rendezvous with Joy, Jerome," the boy's eyes widened in horror. "You've been a very useful spy," he smiled innocently.

"I did not tell you, you creep!" Jerome snapped and Fabian grabbed his arm, yanking him backwards from the man.

"Jerome!" Bianca stood in front of him quickly. "We know!"

"I didn't, I swear! I didn't double-cross you guys, not this time!" he pleaded, straining in Fabian's grip as Bianca pushed him back.

"We know!" he slowed at Bianca's raised voice. "We know you didn't," she soothed him.

"Bianca's right," Nina nodded, and turned back to Rufus with a glare. "Joy's on our side, and you know it," she told him as Rufus let his calm mask slip back over his face. "That's why you knew we'd be meeting up with her, and why you'll get your pieces, when Jason brings you Joy, and the Elixir," she told him carefully. Rufus' brow furrowed as his mask slipped slightly, before a knock on the door made them all jump.

"Jason? Are you in there?" the door handle rattled as Miss. Robinson called in. "I'm sorry I'm late, I got a flat. Jason?" she called again as Rufus silently moved against the wall out of view. When she didn't get a response, Miss. Robinson walked away, glancing through the frosted window to see if the teacher was there, before moving on.

"Amber," Alfie murmured to the terrified blonde beside him. "We're still on a date, right? This still counts?" he asked.

"Of course," Amber nodded, not looking at him.

"Great," Alfie perked up slightly, and Amber turned to glare at him.

"I was kidding!" she snapped. "Our lives are in danger!" she pointed out, and the boy deflated as Bianca arched an eyebrow at him. He shrugged, and she rolled her eyes in response.

A buzzing noise cut through the heavy silence that fell over them, and Patricia instinctively lifted her phone.

"What's that?" unfortunately for her, Rufus also heard it, and stormed over as Patricia cancelled the call. He snatched the phone from her, and looked at the screen. "A missed call from Joy...how interesting," he smirked, and held the phone out. "Call her back. Tell her to meet here immediately with the pieces," he ordered.

"No," Patricia scoffed. Rufus held up the hourglass, shaking it and making the flies inside spark with anger.

"The look very angry, and so am I," Rufus hissed at her.

"Patricia...call her," Amber whispered, rigid as a board. The others nodded, and reluctantly Patricia took her phone back. She dialed Joy's number, and waited awkwardly before there was a beep.

"It rang and rang, and now it's just switched over to voicemail," Patricia explained, and Rufus snatched it back from her. He pressed it to his ear, listening to Joy's recorded message, and his rage took over. He turned, hurling the phone for the wall, and it shattered, falling to pieces on the ground. "You're paying for that!" Patricia shouted, outraged.

"Sit down and shut up, all of you!" Rufus roared, his face turning purple. Nobody spoke as they did what he said, and after a long moment, Rufus took a breath. "Time is running out for you people," he warned quietly, his voice deceptively calm now.

"And I'm sorry for spending all my dad's money, and for giving Mara a hard time during elections," Amber spoke aloud to nobody in particular. "And for all the thoughts I've had about David Beckham, even though I know he's Victoria's-"

"Amber!" Fabian snapped, unable to take the rambling. "Not helping. Really not helping," he told her, his own fear obvious.

"You don't know that!" she argued. Bianca breathed out, trying to stop her body from shaking from the fear.

"We've failed..." Nina whispered. "I'm so sorry, Sarah," she apologised, fighting back the tears in her eyes. They all jumped as there was a loud knock on the door, and Rufus moved immediately; pressing up against the wall.

"Jason, I don't know if you're in there or not, but if you are, hear this," Miss. Robinson shouted through the door. "I don't respond well to getting stood up. You're dumped!" with that, she stormed off. Had the conditions been less terrifying, Bianca might have laughed, thinking about how savage the teacher was.

"Well, looks like we've all been dumped," Rufus murmured, moving to lean on the desk. "Your teachers have clearly abandoned you to your fate," he lifted the hourglass again, and Bianca felt another painful twinge through her head. She moved, putting her hands to her temples, trying to think past the pain.

"Not again..." she whispered.

"Bianca?" Jerome noticed her actions, putting a hand on her shoulder.

"Oh?" Rufus noticed as well, lowering the hourglass very slightly.

"It's over!" Fabian diverted his attention. "Why don't you just let us go?" he demanded.

"It's not over until the hour itself is over," Rufus explained, moving to lean against the front of the desk, turning the hourglass in his hands. "Maybe they're putting the Cup together as we speak," he considered, but his eyes didn't move off Bianca.

"Maybe they've already done it!" Fabian shouted at him. "Beaten you to it!" he goaded.

"No, you're all still alive, so clearly they haven't drank from the Cup," they all frowned, baffled by his words.

"Run that by me again?" Nina requested slowly, tears still in her eyes.

"Life for a life," they turned to Bianca, who was pressing her hands to her head still, her eyes closed. "The life-force flows from one to the other, tipping the scales. Youth to the old," she said, her words shaking.

"Very good, my dear," Rufus chuckled.

"Bianca, what are you talking about?" Jerome demanded, staring at her.

"It's wrong...they have it all wrong," Bianca whispered, tears breaking free and running down her head.

"The scales," Nina breathed, and leaned forwards to look at Fabian. "Fabian, those coins, with our names on them," she remembered.

"Don't worry, it's gonna be okay," Fabian assured her. Bianca leaned forwards as the pain grew worse, and Rufus started to laugh.

"Now that is very interesting," he nodded to himself. "They have the wrong person," their eyes widened in confusion. "I still have time to relieve Victor of the cup," Rufus then turned to Nina, and he smirked. "You, you're coming with me," he walked over and grabbed her roughly by the arm, yanking her to her feet.

"Leave her!" Fabian snapped and launched himself at Rufus, catching the man off guard. Rufus crashed to the ground as Fabian bounced off him, and he dropped both the key and the hourglass. Alfie caught the hourglass and Jerome rushed to get the key.

"Gross!" Alfie threw the hourglass and Amber caught it, and they rushed to the door as Bianca forced herself up and over. Amber shoved the hourglass into Nina's hands as she passed her, and the girl panicked before Jerome grabbed it from her, hurling it at Rufus as he recovered and got to his feet. It shattered on the ground, and the flies started to swarm Rufus, stinging him furiously as Jerome and Nina ran out, shutting the door.

"You okay?" Fabian hugged Nina as she ran into his arms.

"Rufus!" she managed to say, breathing heavily.

"It was him or us, Nina!" Jerome snapped, and caught Bianca as she slumped.

"We have to stop them," she managed to say. "It's wrong," she repeated herself.

"What's going on? What are you talking about?" Jerome asked her carefully. Bianca didn't respond immediately, her breathing labored as her head pounded, taking all her focus. She didn't know what she was saying.

"We need to stop the teachers from drinking from the Cup," Nina whispered. "They can't drink from it, they just can't," she pleaded.

"What happens if they do?" Jerome asked, confused.

"Someone dies!" Patricia explained.

"Dies?!" Amber repeated.

"Then we need to go now," Jerome told them, supporting Bianca as the others followed. Fabian shouted for them to wait up, trying to say something as he followed them.

"Patricia! You're safe," Joy smiled with relief, rushing to hug her best friend as they reached Anubis House.

"Joy, what happened?" Patricia asked as she hugged Joy back, relieved to see her in person.

"Nothing happened," Joy smiled as they all gathered in the hall.

"What do you mean?" Fabian asked, confused as Joy looked relieved. Her eyes lingered on him, and her cheeks reddened.

"She's not the Chosen One," Bianca spoke up, having started to feel better on the way back. "She didn't make the Cup," she said as Joy turned her attention to her in surprise.

"How did you know?" she asked, baffled. Bianca turned her stormy eyes to Nina, who seemed in thought.

"They told you, that being the Chosen One was something to do with your birthday, right?" Nina asked her, glancing to Joy, and to Bianca.

"Yeah, 7th of July," Joy nodded.

"Mine's 7th of July too," Nina's voice was quiet as she could barely meet anyone's gaze.

"What?" Fabian stared at her. "Joy, you were born at 7am, right?" he asked, turning back to the petite girl. "The 7th hour on the 7th of the 7th," he pressed.

"7pm," Joy corrected, her brow furrowed a little.

"Nina?" Fabian asked the other girl.

"I don't know," she admitted, shrugging slightly. "Sometime early in the morning, though," Nina added, looking scared.

"I bet it was 7am," Fabian started to smile the smile that he got when an idea came to mind. "The true 7th hour!" he exclaimed with a laugh.

"It would be the American, wouldn't it?" Jerome muttered.

"We need to hurry," Bianca spoke before the realisation could settle with them all. An urgency tugged at her, and the need to complete the Cup weighed in her mind. "We don't have much time left," she warned.

"Where are the pieces?" Fabian asked Joy.

"Still down there, I think," she pointed to the cellar.

"Nina?" Fabian grinned to the girl, who glanced away. She closed her eyes, and whispered, too quiet for them to hear. Nina then opened her eyes, and turned to them with determination.

"Let's do this," she nodded. They went down into the cellar, watching as Nina grasped the amulet in her hand.

"You're the Chosen One, Nina," Bianca spoke softly. "This is your destiny. You know how to make the Cup," Nina met her grey eyes, which seemed eerie in the poor light of the cellar. She nodded slowly.

"You have to say the incantation," Joy told her, remembering what she'd been told.

"With this circle of light, I seal the circle of life," Bianca recited the words echoing in her mind, and she put her hands to her head. It wasn't hurting any more, but instead she couldn't understand why she suddenly knew everything about the ceremony. Nina nodded again, and lifted a piece on the table.

"With this circle of light, I seal the circle of life," Nina recited as she instinctively put the pieces of the Cup together. She repeated the words, finishing the cup, and the pieces remained linked together. She then frowned, as the Cup sat on the table, seeming completely ordinary. "Nothing's happening. Why is nothing happening?" Nina demanded in a panic, turning to Bianca, who only blinked, tilting her head slightly.

"The power comes from you," she answered, and Nina frowned, but as she opened her mouth to speak, Amber beat her to it.

"Nina look, your locket," she pointed, and Nina looked down to see it glowing red. She lifted it, and as soon as her fingers touched the cold metal, the Cup began to glow golden and light surrounded it and Nina.

"Nina!" Fabian yelled as wind picked up, howling around them. The light then faded as quickly as it appeared, leaving the Cup glowing golden.

"That's the most beautiful accessory I have ever seen," Amber breathed.

"You did it," Fabian laughed.

"I did!" Nina smiled back, unable to take her eyes off it. "And now I have to hide it, for good," she vowed, before a hand grabbed Bianca roughly and she screamed as Rufus yanked her into his arms.

"Bianca!" Jerome started forwards, but stopped as Rufus raised his hand. He was covered in welts; his face bright red and flushed from the venom of the Sandfly stings.

"Not unless I have something to do with it," Rufus held a buzzing fist to Bianca's ear, making her go rigid.

"I knew it, the bad guy always comes back!" Alfie growled as Bianca closed her eyes, trying to calm her breathing.

"Did you really think that I would expose myself to the deadly Sutekh Sandfly, without first equipping myself with an antidote?" he smirked at them. "And now, I have the Queen, which I will put in the Keeper's ear, unless I get what I want," Rufus vowed. Bianca opened her eyes, locking onto Jerome as he stared back, desperately trying to think of something. "You, give me the Cup," he ordered Nina. "You, get the Elixir," Rufus turned to Fabian. "Quickly!" he roared, making them all flinch. "We only have a few minutes," he whispered into Bianca's ear, pressing his fist to the other, and the loud, angry buzzing pulled the scream from her lips before she could stop herself.

"Don't-"

"Oh my dear, don't try to be a hero," Rufus stopped Bianca before she could speak. "That's not the Keeper's role. Too bad you never found the Osirian to help out here," he chuckled, keeping his fist pressed to her ear.

"You keep calling me that. What are you talking about?" Bianca asked, not moving.

"Stalling won't help, you know," Rufus rolled his eyes as Fabian rooted around the cupboard. "But I suppose I can share that much. You're the Chosen One's Star Keeper, protector of secrets and of her quests," Bianca couldn't stop herself from glancing to Nina, who stared back. "Too bad the previous Keeper wasn't as loyal as you. Sarah might have had an easier time of it," he considered with a chuckle. "He endures the headaches, the ones that plague you when you go against the Chosen One or let her secrets go free," the man continued.

The crazed man's eyes lit up as Fabian straightened up. "Yes!" he snatched the Cup from Nina, and held it out as Fabian approached reluctantly. "Alright, pour it in!" he ordered, and Fabian did as he was told. "All of it!" he snapped. "All of it!" he roared, and Fabian emptied the bottle. "I am leaving nothing for those idiots," Rufus snarled as he pressed Bianca's head to his chest, keeping his hand by her ear. He raised the Cup, and glanced to her. With a scoff, he shoved her away, and Jerome caught her as she stumbled. He pulled her close as she clung to him, trembling, and Rufus squashed the Sandfly in his hand, tossing the Queen away. He took a gulp, and Bianca frowned, turning to him as he downed the contents. "Finally, eternity is mine!" he declared.

"No!" Victor cried in horror as he arrived.

"Oh, Victor!" Rufus cackled, victory making his eyes shine as he looked even more crazed. "How lovely to see you. Oh, I'm so sorry...there's none left..." he turned the Cup upside down to demonstrate. Victor stared at him sadly, looking more disheveled than normal. "That's a shame," Rufus then turned and opened the doors to the furnace.

"No!" Nina and Bianca screamed with Victor as he dropped the Cup inside and shut the doors.

"Why, Rufus?" Victor asked, his voice quiet and lacking his usual fight. "Why? We could have shared all this, that was our plan!" he pleaded.

"No, that was your plan, Victor," Rufus corrected as he walked back to him. "I always had other ideas. Big ideas that your pathetic little society would never even dream of," he taunted. "And then, when I found the true meaning behind the tipping of the scales, well, I decided to go it alone," Rufus laughed. "Is anyone feeling...poorly?" he taunted.

"Actually...I feel a bit dizzy..." Alfie slumped forwards and collapsed to the ground. The others cried out in horror as Bianca tilted her head, still feeling that something was off.

"What's happening?!" Victor demanded. Jerome and Amber knelt beside Alfie as Rufus laughed.

"The symbolic life-force? It isn't symbolic," he smirked, and Victor's eyes widened in horror as Alfie continued to choke. "It really happens! That boy is going to die. And I," Rufus laughed loudly as Victor went to Alfie. "I'm going to live forever!" he shouted.

"Alfie!" both Amber and Jerome called out to the boy as Victor walked out, high on his victory.

"Guys?" Fabian spoke up, but nobody listened.

"Please let him live, I'll do anything," Amber pleaded, tears in her eyes.

"Guys!" Fabian shouted, but again, nobody paid him any heed, too horrified by Alfie lying on the ground.

"Anything?" Alfie managed between coughs. "Like be my girlfriend even?" he asked, making Bianca's brow furrow.

"Yes Alfie, anything!" Amber nodded desperately.

"Bloody hell Alfie," Bianca pinched the bridge of her nose. "You can stop now," she told him with an exasperated sigh.

"Bianca!" Nina whirled around to stare at her in horror as the girl watched Alfie with an unimpressed stare. "You know what happens when someone drinks the elixir from the Cup of Ankh!" she shouted, horrified that Bianca was so uncaring.

"Except Rufus didn't drink the Elixir, did he?" Fabian's words finally reached them, making them all turn to him. "He's not immortal," he announced.

"He's not?" Victor spoke finally, confused.

"No," Fabian shook his head. "You know your little insurance policy? Having two identical bags, letting Joy look after the pieces?" he turned to Patricia, who nodded slowly. Alfie sat up, frowning. "I had an insurance plan of my own. I remembered our fake Elixir. I borrowed the spare cellar key from Victor's office, threw away the real Elixir and replaced it with the fake one," he explained as everyone stared at him, baffled.

"You threw it away?" Victor hissed as he got to his feet.

"You're a genius Fabian, I love you!" Nina laughed with excitement, hugging him tightly. Fabian went bright red, unable to hide his delighted smile. Neither noticed the look of jealousy on Joy's face at the action.

"So...does that mean Alfie isn't really dying?" Amber asked, frowning as Victor walked away, a hand to his face.

"Nope, he's just a big fake," Bianca kicked him lightly, and Alfie stood up, looking sheepish.

"Don't sound so disappointed," he frowned at her. "I actually did feel a bit ill for a second," he admitted, and Jerome punched him.

"Alfie, I was really worried!" Amber shouted as she hit him too. "And worrying causes wrinkles," she complained, making them all laugh in amusement.

"Come on, let's go," Fabian laughed lightly, leading the way out of the cellar.

"I'm exhausted," Bianca complained as she leaned into Jerome as they walked.

"You and me both," he agreed, and looked at her with an arched eyebrow. "So you're back to normal?" Jerome asked suspiciously, watching the girl carefully. Bianca didn't reply immediately, staring ahead with a thoughtful look.

"I don't know," she answered honestly. "My head's fuzzy. But..." Bianca glanced around at the house, past where Amber and Alfie were bickering without any malice. "I don't think it's over," she commented.

"Well I think those two can handle it," Jerome put his arm around her and steered her away. Bianca gladly followed, as part of her knew she wasn't needed for what was to happen next. Instead she moved closer to Jerome, glad for his embrace as she tried to put the events of the night behind her.

The dance was still in full swing despite the time, and everyone was having a great time. Mara and Mick had questioned where everyone had been, but were distracted by Joy's return, leaving the rest to enjoy the dance.

"I don't know what has shocked me most about tonight," Bianca turned to Garnet with a smile as the red-head spoke up with a grin. "That the teachers are letting this go on so late, or that you look so good," she stated, and Bianca blushed, smiling bashfully.

"You look amazing," she replied, gesturing to the blue dress the girl wore that complimented her vibrant hair well. "I guess the teachers needed a break too," Bianca added. It seemed that their failure with the Cup had disheartened both the headmaster and vice-head, leaving the dance to continue on as the rest of the teachers enjoyed themselves too.

"I guess so," Garnet grinned as both drank the punch sitting there. Bianca sniffed, and set her cup down.

"Would have tasted better with alcohol," she complained.

"Damn," Garnet couldn't help but laugh in her shock at the comment. Bianca shrugged. "I think that's the most Irish thing you've ever said," she said, still laughing as Bianca grinned mischievously. "I hope you haven't," she commented, looking down warily at her cup.

"I haven't touched the punch, don't worry," Bianca was still grinning, looking mischievous, and Garnet frowned, wondering what she'd done.

"It was only my cup she laced," she glanced to Jerome, who was scowling, unimpressed. "Lemon, again?" he complained.

"I warned you that I hadn't pulled a good prank in a while," Bianca smiled sweetly at him. "I had to, it was just begging to be done," she put her own cup down, and winked to Garnet, who was laughing again, before taking Jerome's hands and pulling him away. "Besides, I needed something to take my mind off earlier," she whispered, and his own grip tightened as he pulled her closer.

"How about in future we avoid the dangerous stuff?" Jerome suggested, letting go of her hands and resting them on her waist instead.

"I like that idea," Bianca agreed, putting her hands on his shoulders as she smiled at him softly, the mischief fading.

"Don't look now Frosty," Jerome leaned closer to whisper in her ear. "But I have you dancing," Bianca's eyes widened as she realised he was right, leading her in a dance to fit the slower tempo of the song.

"Well played," she allowed as he drew back slightly to smirk at her. She could smell the lemon on his breath, and it made her giggle.

"My gosh, where were you?" Fabian's gasp made them glance around, and they found Nina smiling at him.

"I had to take care of a few things," she laughed lightly.

"Okay, listen up guys!" Amber's voice cut over the music, which stopped abruptly. "So I've decided it's time to announce our Prom King and Queen. We haven't actually had a chance to vote so, I get to choose," she declared. The reaction was immediate, with everyone rolling their eyes and groaning loudly. All except Alfie, who nodded eagerly.

"Gee, I wonder who it's gonna be," Bianca laughed as Jerome pulled her against him, keeping his arms around her as they watched.

"So without further ado, the Prom King," Alfie walked forwards expectantly. "Is Fabian Rutter," Amber's announcement made Fabian's eyes widen as Alfie turned on his heel and stepped back. Everyone clapped and cheered as Fabian went on stage and lifted his crown.

"Interesting move," Jerome whispered. Bianca hummed in agreement.

"And the Prom Queen is Nina Martin," Amber announced, leading another round of applause as the girl's eyes widened. "Would it have killed you to brush your hair?" her scolding was heard by the crowd as Nina went on stage and lifted her own crown. The two sat down, and the music started up again. "Now dance, you two," she ordered, and they hesitated until she snapped at them, and they began to dance together.

"Now that was interesting," Bianca chuckled.

"Indeed," Jerome agreed, turning her around so he could get her to start dancing with him.

"I had considered you two," they glanced to Amber as she and Alfie moved nearby. "I mean, Bianca cleaned up well," Bianca went bright red at the suggestion. "But I'm still mad at you, dress thief," Amber shot a glare at Jerome, who blinked rapidly.

"Never have I been glad for your pranks," Bianca told him honestly.

"Me too," he nodded, and both grinned as Amber rolled her eyes.

"Well, the two of them needed a push," she commented as Fabian and Nina spoke quietly as they danced.

"And you two already got one," Alfie wiggled his eyebrows, making Bianca's face warm again. She looked away, and Jerome laughed quietly, reaching out to punch his best friend. Yelping, Alfie shot him a feeble glare before leading Amber away, and the two watched with grins as Nina smiled shyly at her Prom King.

"Trust Anubis House to once again take the spotlight," Garnet commented as she danced by with her date; a dark haired boy on the basketball team. Bianca rolled her eyes with a smile, not taking it to heart. "I suppose I can deal with it this once," she accepted, dancing on by. When Nina and Fabian kissed on stage, everyone started to cheer and clap for them.

"Finally," Jerome muttered, rolling his eyes, and Bianca hummed her agreement.

"Maybe finally things will calm down and we can have a normal term," she pleaded hopefully.

"God, I hope so," Jerome grinned, pulling her closer to kiss her, and as she gladly let him, Bianca felt something strange the back of her mind, telling her that it wasn't going to be that easy.

And finally, that's Sky and Stars finished!

Thanks to everyone for all your support! It took a lot longer to finish than it should have, but I hope you enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed writing it!

I will eventually get around to writing the sequel: Snow and Ice, but right now I really want to focus on my Ninja Steel fic that I've been neglecting quite a bit.

Let me know what you think!

Please review!