Chapter 139: Tango

Knowing fully well that he wouldn’t win the court case--a product of being advised by the lawyer his father procured--Adrian had requested for a guilty plea from Niall.

In turn, that would give him a less harsh sentence as opposed to a court trial. At the sane time, it meant less PR to deal with, more so since everyone on the internet seemed completely against him.

Considering the Niall didn’t want the whole ordeal publicized any much than it already had, he had agreed to it... not that he forgave him for it.

Niall wasn’t the type to hold grudges, largely because his philosophy on life hinged on a ’live and let live’ belief.

However, Adrian--much like Callow--happened to be one of the few individuals he would never forgive. As for blotting him out of his mind to focus on more important things?

Easiest ask in the world.

In contrast to the young star’s view on things, the executives at Big Boon Studios weren’t as forthcoming.

Admittedly so too, because of all the trouble Adrian’s actions had sent their way.

Having halted production of the [Syndicate: Reckoning] due to his actions all whilst having to deal with the PR disaster that had been sent their way, they had proceeded to have his character scrapped from the film altogether as they believed audiences would be reminded of him whenever the movie finally hit cinemas.

Then, to top things off, they’d colluded with the chief judge in charge of Adrian’s case behind closed doors, leading to an increment of his sentence from its planned six years, to a solid ten years imprisonment.

Naturally, Louis had been aware of all these.

Currently staring out the window of his rented penthouse in London, one that was nearby the filming set of a high-stakes chase scene they were to film over the course of the week, the veteran actor was livid.

For one, he wasn’t even angered that they’d done what they had to Adrian. He really couldn’t give a rat’s ass what happened to the young man as he was just a business transaction in his own opinion.

An expendable asset that had ultimately proven to be just as worthless as he was troublesome.

Rather, what was pissing him off, was the minor character that they were intending to cut from the movie.

That character served as a bridge of sorts. Inconsequential at the start, but one that happened to trigger a domino effect that didn’t let up till the very end of the movie.

Canning said character entirely, would mean that they had to find a new and just as plausible character to fit that bill... all of which happened to be middling thus far.

And even though he’d given his suggestions--suggestions he believed could return the same level of thriller to the movie, the executives were being utterly petty and were sidelining his inputs even though he was supposed to be a major player in the production of the movie.

Clearly, they were still very salty about him being the one to have brough Adrian on-board.

It was also why, even when they were selecting a new director to take up the former’s role, they’d ignored his suggestions as well.

’At this point, I just hope they don’t screw things up any further...’ Louis let out a frustrated sigh.

Soon enough, his thoughts shifted and settled on someone else entirely.

Niall Parker.

Given how much he hated the young star, he had been amongst a couple individuals in the industry who wished Adrian had actually succeeded in his assault.

’Day in, day out, he keeps growing more influential...’ Louis thought to himself, his frown getting progressively deeper.

"Someone has to clip his wings before he grows to a level where he can’t be touched..." the man audibly muttered, his deep-rooted insecurities evident.

Unfortunately, there wasn’t much Louis felt that he could do.

That was what separated him and so many other individuals whom were after the young star’s downfall from an idiot like Adrian.

Niall didn’t owe them anything, and neither did he owe Hollywood as an industry anything as well given he’d essentially used his own skills to secure his standing without needing several connections like they would.

He was such a trailblazer, it wasn’t even funny. The kind that inspired people who wanted to pursue their dreams in Hollywood with hopes of keeping a good moral alignment.

That alone, made it such there would only ever be a once-in-a-blue moon avenue to take him down a notch.

Even then, Louis intended to do his part.

Granted he wasn’t certain how well the movie the young star was producing would ultimately turn out, what he was certain of, was that the movie they were producing was still the most highly anticipated movie of the year.

To that effect...

"We’ll just have to suppress their movie at the Box office." he decided, his gaze resolute.

Big Boon Studios might’ve been embroiled in a PR nightmare these past couple weeks, and its executives might be petty little shits, but one thing was certain.

There was no way in hell they would ever want for a movie they’d initially intended to get the rights to and produce to outdo theirs.

Especially when it was being directed by a newbie and a studio that wasn’t anywhere near influential as theirs.

Unaware of all these though, the crew at Vrael Studio were finally gearing for the last stretch of filming that would require them to be in the green room.

At the moment, Mark stood next to one of the lead cinematographers, briefly checking the camera as the man positioned it exactly the way he wanted.

Then, when he gestured to the lighting technicians and sound team, ensuring they were ready as well, he then looked to Niall and Johnny, both of whom were in their harnesses.

At the same time, he glanced over to Mary-Beth whom was at the top of a prop, one that was mimicking the general dimensions of the Well of Wonder.

Given they’d filmed much of the parts to be used in the scene, today’s happened to be one of the very last, a scene that culminated in a final showdown between Alistair and the Knave of Hearts.

Checking with the crew one last time, the young director then raised his megaphone to his lips, the magic words booming through;

"Action!"

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{A Maddened Wonderland | 30th, March 2019 | Act 6 | Scene 1 - 5 | Take 1}

Alice yelped as yet another pulse of Chaos beam slammed into the very dome surrounding her, shattering it and sending her pinging across the ground like a rubber ball.

Yet, upon coming to a halt, blood leaking from her lips, as well as a deep gash on her head, she wearily managed to stand to her feet and looked up with fierce determination at the Knave of Hearts.

Even on the verge of what seemed like her end, she refused to be a coward, her battered form standing tall.

Without the slightest reaction on his features, the man slowly walked towards her, a new surge of Chaos energy churning dangerously on his palms like a miniature black hole.

"I don’t know how he’s managed to do it, but you’re too late." he coldly spat, prompting the young lady to look around briefly, her heart plummeting to the ground.

Even though they had managed to free one of many tributaries he’d blocked and destroyed, the color in Wonderland was rapidly fading once more, signifying that it had only bought them some time.

"This story... has reached its end." The Knave declared and outstretched his palms, ready to vaporize the lady on the spot.

Slowly closing her eyes, and ready to accept her fate... the gate to the Castle suddenly shuttered open, a resplendent energy of pure gold exuding out of it!

Like clockwork, Alice and The Knave of Hearts whipped their heads over... their expressions respectively morphing in shocked disbelief and genuine relief as Alistair’s form slowly walked out.

Not particularly surprised that only a couple seconds had passed since he’d been in the Castle for what felt like a century, Alistair spoke, winking at the bloodied lady with a grin;

"Hello, Alice. Miss me?"

"How...?" The Knave of Hearts on the other hand demanded in clear bamboozlement.

"How indeed!" Alistair casually flicked out a card, one that Alice immediately recognized.

Without being told, she pivoted, darting backwards as she broke into a mad dash, her legs carrying her as fast as it could.

Before the Knave of Heart’s could react, Alistair’s flicked the card upwards, both sides of it revolving once.

What followed, was an immediate transposition as Alice found herself running straight through the gates of Time’s Castle and Alistair taking her place.

Realizing that the gates still didn’t close even after she ran through, the Knave of Heart’s immediately darted after her... only to be met with a gelatinous wall of astral cards popping into existence!

Like a game of retro arcade pong, he found himself unwillingly slapped around before finally breaking free with a roar of fury!

Furious beyond measure that the young Hatter had once again barred him from doing as he wished, he snapped his gaze over to him, his gaze deathly cold!

Instead, what he was met with, was a laughing Alistair who simply said;

"Not on my watch, you Queen-less Knave?"

"Now," Alistair theatrically bowed while gesturing with his crooked hat, his grin widening;

"What say we tango?"

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