Lights, Camera, Action!

Chapter 45: Action!

Hello everyone! Here we are! The finale of Lights, Camera, Action! This is my longest story by far and I hope you've all enjoyed it. I have really enjoyed writing this story, more than I thought I would. This will be the last chapter that says chapter on it and it will conclude the story but I will also add an epilogue after this. Also, this story has surpassed 400 reads! Yay! Thank you to all readers, voters and commenters who enjoy this book. Now though, to conclude the story!

"And cut!" Beauty yelled, signifying the end of filming for Bloodshed. A series of cheers echoed around the room. Blaze's vision became glassy as Shadow cane and hugged her. She placed the knife carefully down on the prop that on screen would have just finished pouring out red gas that was an extremely deadly virus. She returned his hug with a deep ferocity. Blaze had done it. Soon, she would earn her paycheck for all of her hard work and sacrifice. Then she could officially call herself a professional actress.

Even for those in her team who hadn't needed this job to quality into the industry, it was a massive achievement for them as well. This project had tested both their professional skills and general skills to life. Now, all that was left was post-production which would take a few months before the film was theatrically released. Beauty informed them that it may be a year until the general public will see it but about ten months until the premiere for the people who worked on it. Soon, they would be able to reap the rewards of their unbreakable belief that this would succeed.

Beauty clapped her hands to get all their attention. "I understand how happy you are, I am as well. However may I be permitted to say a few words?" The entire group fell silent as they waited. "This is not my first project by a long shot. I also strongly doubt it will be my last. Yet each one of the projects I make earn I title in my mind. For example, Bloodshed will forever be remembered in my mind as 'the one that nearly destroyed us'. It has not been easy since production and I'm saying that as an understatement. A reasonable amount of people that started this with us, haven't crossed the finish line. For that, as your boss and I would hope, friend as well, I am eternally sorry. We have all poured blood, sweat and tears into finishing this film. I want you all to know that is was not in vain and I will always remember the effort you all valiantly provided." People started to clap at her words, the sentiment felt across the room.

Sarah returned from wherever she had gone with a medium to large camera in her hands. She stood beside Beauty and held it up for all to see. This brought excited chatter out from the group as people converged on the door. Blaze, still new, grabbed Shadow's hand. "What are we doing?" She asked as they followed everyone out.

Shadow smiled at her, holding her hand. "It's a tradition at the end of every project. We all go outside on the hill and take a group photo. Beauty then adds it to the little album she has that commemorates all of her projects. It's also like a timeline to see how we change with each project." Athena had clearly been having the same discussion with Branch because she quickly pulled out some make-up abs started prepping herself for being on camera.

Blaze smiled as she watched her friends leave. "That sounds perfect." Sunlight kissed then all as they got outside and into position.

Beauty smiled contently at the group around her. They had made it. Finally. Bloodshed was finished. It would now be put in post-production and finalised before being theatrically released. In the back of her mind, she could sense Dagger seeing what she saw. She was proud and pleased, just as Beauty was. The pair weren't always at odds and the completion of a project was always such a time. The director imagined that, bar the mental other half, many of her team were feeling similar joy and happiness at what they had done. She smiled as she spotted her daughter resting on Sonic, stood near Shadow with his arm around Blaze. The Twins behind them, hugging and grinning as Branch and Athena cheered. Petal and Sarah stood near the front of the group, wide mouths and eyes, enjoying the feeling of success.

It was strange actually, to finish a project without Honey. The assassin had been her apprentice at one point and as she told Amy at the beginning of this, the studios were dependent on her skills. Now that she was gone and Bloodshed was finished, she would have to find people to make up the skills one woman possessed. It would take time, and money, but would hopefully prevent any more massacres.

Looking out onto the town beneath them, Beauty let out a small gasp. A wolf sat on it hind legs with what looked like a ring on a chain around its neck at the bottom of the hill. It had the most piercing emerald eyes Beauty had ever seen with a coat like sunlight. An even greater smile tugged at the corners of her lips at the familer mischievous smirk. She saw this wolf every time she finished a project but it still shocked her. "We did it Shift, we really did it." Beauty whispered, clasping the ring on her finger.

Blaze clapped and cheered alongside her newfound family at their success. Soon, they would be able to reap the rewards of their labour. She turned to Shadow and gave him a loving kiss. Blaze had only expected to gain a paycheck and experience here, not a life. Yet she was very grateful she had. As she pulled away, her eyes looking at Shadow and his backdrop, she could've sworn she had seen a flash of ambery orange. Blinking, eyes readjusted and nothing was there. Blaze shook her head and looked back to where Sarah was trying to organise everyone into a group photo. If Honey had been there, then she hoped she was just as pleased as them. If she hadn't, then Blaze hoped she was well. The efforts of the film though had been done by those who had remained loyal to the studios on hard times and today was about them.

As it turned out, Sarah liked doing things by family or in alphabetical order. Blaze found herself stood in front of Athena and Branch with Amy next to Athena. While waiting for everyone to get into position, Branch leaned down to whisper in her ear. "They're here." She looked out to where he was looking but couldn't see anyone.

"Who do you mean?" She whispered back, fixing on a smile.

Branch grinned, looking to where a little bee flew around a brown leaf. "The ones who couldn't make it." He was also fairly certain that the leaf had been batted by a wolf, but only a few could see that.

Blaze nodded although she didn't have a clue what he meant. Sarah adjusted the camera until it was right and took her place beside her family, the Twins and Beauty. "Everyone say: Bloodshed!" Beauty called out.

"BLOODSHED!" They all cheered as the flash went off, immobilising that one, special moment in history.

I hope you enjoyed this final chapter. I did, very much. I liked the bit with the animals and nature representing people as well as the photo. Also, if any of you are wondering, I got my inspiration for this story whilst playing the Sims 4 and one of them became an actress. I'll publish the epilogue tomorrow. Bye, bye.