(A/N):
Thanks for the support!!!
Drop a meme here that you find funny. Or reflects your mood.
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Lunch unfolded with an odd kind of warmth.
Plates hovered, food replenished itself politely with the help of house keeping robot, and the holographic screen played Episode 19—the second-to-last episode of Tom and Jerry Season 1.
Tom took a spectacular fall. Jerry celebrated far too early. Spike intervened.
Laughter filled the room. Krishna, however, sat stiffly.
"...."
Queen Mirella noticed immediately and chuckled softly into her hand.
-Chuckle
"You look like you're facing a battlefield rather than lunch."
Krishna cleared his throat.
-Cough
"Just… aware."
Across the table, King Azazel watched the episode with genuine enjoyment—ears twitching, tail flicking—but every now and then, he shot a sharp sideways glance at Krishna.
Not hostile. Evaluating.
"...."
Especially whenever he noticed Ameri. Because Ameri was absolutely not subtle.
She leaned forward whenever Krishna reacted to a joke.
Her eyes sparkled every time Tom did something particularly clever.
And when Krishna laughed under his breath—
Stars. Literal stars.
Azazel's whiskers twitched.
-Twitch -Twitch
"...."
He could feel his father's instincts were warning about something.
Mirella, very deliberately, changed the topic.
"So, Krishna," she said lightly, "how is your work progressing? Have you finalized plans for the next season?"
Krishna relaxed instantly, grateful for safe ground.
He smiled—confident now, not nervous.
"Season 2 storylines are already prepared. All that's left is execution."
Ameri's ears perked.
"...."
Mirella nodded approvingly.
-Nod
"Impressive."
"At the moment," Krishna continued honestly,
"I'm focusing on a movie project. The crew is finalized."
He paused, then added without thinking,
"Except for the female lead."
Silence.
"...."
"...."
"...."
Ameri froze. Her tail stopped mid-sway.
Her thoughts exploded all at once.
'Female lead. Movie. Slot open. Acting. Same school. Same department.'
Her cheeks warmed. Then warmed more.
Ameri was about to attend the same school as Krishna and also the same courses.
But now all her thought were spiralling out in her mind.
Sara noticed. Of course she noticed.
"Oh?" Sara said casually, eyes glinting.
"That's interesting."
Ameri swallowed she don't know how to bring it up.
-Gulp
"...."
Mirella smiled knowingly.
Azazel stiffened his father instincts were flaring up out of nowhere.
Sara turned toward Ameri.
"You said you wanted to become an actress, didn't you?"
Ameri nodded so fast her ears flicked.
-Nod
"Yes!"
"Well," Sara continued gently,
"why don't Krishna show you around? How he works. His process. It might be educational."
Krishna nearly choked.
"...."
"…Mom?"
Sara smiled sweetly.
"What? Acting comes under filmmaking. Right? Didn't you cast yourself as a male lead."[1]
Mirella laughed softly.
-Fufu
"She's not wrong."
Azazel opened his mouth. Closed it. Opened it again.
"...."
"…We will be nearby," he said carefully.
Ameri's face went red.
She avoided Krishna's eyes entirely now, staring very hard at the floor.
"...."
Krishna stood up slowly, brain rebooting.
"…Alright," he said. "This way."
Ameri stood too, hands clasped behind her back, tail swaying nervously.
They walked down the corridor together.
The silence was thick.
"...."
"...."
"...."
Krishna finally spoke. "So… you want to act."
Ameri nodded. "Very much."
"…Any experience?"
She hesitated hearing his question.
"School plays. Training. Nothing professional yet."
Krishna reached his room and paused at the door.
"That's fine," he said calmly. "Everyone starts somewhere."
He opened the door.
And asked Ariel to open his work space.
The workspace lit up softly. Screens. Modules. Storyboards frozen mid-thought.
Ameri's breath caught.
"This is where you make everything?" she asked quietly.
"Yes."
She stepped inside, eyes wide—not at the technology, but at the intent in the room.
Krishna turned to face her.
"If you want," he said evenly, "we can do a proper audition later. No promises. No pressure."
Ameri finally looked at him.
Her cheeks were still red—but her eyes were steady now.
"I'd like that," she said.
Somewhere behind them, unseen and very amused, fate leaned back and whispered.
'Now this… this is interesting.'
Krishna didn't waste time.
He brought up a scene file and projected it between them.
"This is a confrontation," he said calmly. "You're angry at your father. Not loud angry. Broken angry."
Ameri straightened immediately, shoulders squared, tail stiffening.
"What's the context?" she asked.
"Your elder brother committed suicide,"
Krishna replied evenly.
"Because of the pressure your father put on him. You're finally saying what you've held back."
Ameri's eyes widened slightly.
She nodded and stepped forward.
-Nod
When she began, it was… theatrical.
Big gestures. Raised voice. Perfect diction.
Like a stage performance.
Krishna watched for a few seconds, then raised a hand gently.
"Stop."
Ameri froze, ears flattening slightly.
"You're performing to someone," Krishna said softly.
"This scene isn't about that."
He stepped forward and, without warning, took her place.
His posture changed.
Shoulders slumped just a fraction. Jaw tight. Breath shallow.
When he spoke, his voice wasn't loud.
It cracked.
"You kept saying he wasn't trying hard enough,"
Krishna said, eyes unfocused, like he was looking at someone who wasn't there.
"You said pressure makes diamonds."
He laughed once. Short. Bitter.
-Haha
"So why did he break?"
Silence filled the room.
"...."
Ameri stood there, stunned.
Krishna didn't raise his voice. Didn't cry.
But the room felt heavy. He finished quietly.
"You didn't just push him. You stood there while he fell."
Then he straightened, stepping back into himself.
"...."
"That," he said gently, "is the scene."
Ameri looked down.
For a moment, she looked small.
"I'm sorry," she said quietly. "I—"
Krishna shook his head.
"Don't apologize. You just need the intent."
He met her eyes.
"Don't think about acting," he said. "At that moment, you are Pia. Nothing else exists."
Ameri swallowed. She nodded once. Closed her eyes. Took a deep breath.
-Gulp
-Nod
"...."
When she opened them again, something had shifted.
She stepped forward.
This time, her voice was lower. Not controlled. Contained.
Her hands trembled—not from performance, but restraint.
The words came out uneven, like they were being dragged from somewhere deep.
Anger mixed with grief. Love tangled with blame.
She didn't shout. She hurt.
When the scene ended, she stood there breathing hard, eyes wet but unbroken.
Krishna nodded once.
-Nod
"That's it."
Ameri blinked caught off guard by his announcement.
"…Really?"
"Yes."
Her face lit up instantly, tail swishing before she could stop it.
"Register yourself in the actor's form," Krishna said. "Ariel will handle the rest."
"Ariel!" Ameri called eagerly. She met the cute angle A.I at the common room before.
The small cupid-like AI appeared with a soft chime.
[Non-disclosure agreement incoming,]
Ariel said cheerfully.
Ameri didn't waste a second.
She opened her I-bracelet, fingers flying as she filled out the registration.
The NDA appeared moments later.
She signed it immediately.
[Agreement confirmed,] Ariel announced. [Scripts have been sent for practice.]
Ameri's bracelet chimed again.
She looked up, eyes shining.
"Thank you."
Krishna nodded then turned to look at Ameri.
"If you have any doubts, contact me."
She smiled—wide, genuine, relieved.
"I will."
As she turned to leave, still holding her bracelet like it might disappear, one thought echoed clearly in her mind:
'This isn't just a chance. This is where I belong.'
And Krishna, watching her go, knew quietly that the missing piece had finally found its place.
The moment Ameri left the room—
[-Pop!]
A cloud of theatrical smoke burst beside Krishna.
The Entertainment System appeared mid-air, already wearing his posture, arms folded the same way, chin lifted at the same angle.
It cleared its throat dramatically.
[Hmm,] it said in an eerily accurate imitation.
[You just need the intent.]
It then reenacted the entire scene, pacing back and forth, lowering its voice, flicking invisible grief from its sleeve, even pausing at the exact moments Krishna had.
Krishna stared at it.
"…Are you done?"
The mask grinned wider.
[-Grin]
[Oh no. I'm just getting warmed up.]
It leaned in, stage-whispering.
[Look at you. Casting the female lead personally. Giving acting lessons. Offering one-on-one guidance.]
It clasped its hands.
[-Clap!] [-Clap!]
[Such dedication. Such professionalism. Such absolutely no ulterior motive whatsoever.]
Krishna pinched the bridge of his nose.
"...."
"Get out."
The system gasped, clutched its chest, then saluted dramatically.
[-GASP!!!]
[As you command, Director-sama.]
[-POP!!!]
With another exaggerated pop, it vanished.
In the common room, Ameri burst in like a comet.
"Mother! Father!"
King Azazel and Queen Mirella looked up in unison.
"I got the role!" she blurted out, tail flicking wildly.
"The female lead! He said I earned it!"
Mirella's eyes softened instantly.
She stood and hugged her daughter.
"I knew you would."
Azazel blinked once. Then nodded firmly.
-Nod
"Congratulations."
A beat passed.
"…Female lead," he repeated, processing.
At that exact moment, Krishna stepped out of his room.
Both the king and queen turned toward him.
"Thank you," Mirella said warmly.
"For giving her this opportunity."
Krishna shook his head gently.
"She earned it herself."
Azazel studied him for a long second—then inclined his head in respect.
"Then I will say this as her father. Take good care of her talent."
"I will," Krishna replied calmly.
Ameri's cheeks warmed again.
"...."
As evening settled, preparations were made. Farewells exchanged.
Ameri lingered just a moment longer at the doorway, clutching her bracelet where the script waited.
"I'll study hard," she said. "I won't disappoint you."
Krishna nodded with a slight smile.
-Nod
"I know."
Her tail flicked once in excitement before she followed her parents out.
The next day, right on schedule, the countdown hit zero.
Episode 20.
The final episode of Tom and Jerry – Season 1 went live.
No delays. No surprises. Just laughter.
Across UniNet, timelines refreshed in unison.
People paused work, lectures, even transit pods.
Families gathered. Offices went quiet.
The episode rolled.
The last chase landed perfectly. The final gag hit like a closing chord. The screen faded out.
Season 1.
Concluded.
For exactly three seconds, the universe was silent.
Then—Chaos.
[🔥 UniNet Explosion:]
[@JerrySupremacy: NOOOOO IT'S OVER]
[@VoidSnacker: SEASON 2 WHEN I AM BEGGING]
[@NebulaDad: WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO NEXT WEEK]
Memes flooded in instantly.
[My weekly happiness is gone.]
[I survived the week for THIS.]
[Imitations are not enough, I'm starving.]
And the imitations?
They were getting slaughtered.
Reaction videos titled:
"I tried watching the knockoff so you don't have to."
Comments were merciless.
[@StarMoth: they're copying movement but not timing]
[@IonRush: why am I feeling pity instead of laughter]
[@BlueManeEnjoyer: stop. just stop.]
Even fans joked darkly.
"If I watch one more fake cat and mouse I might actually perish."
An hour later, Star Entertainment posted.
The page refreshed.
Pinned announcement.
[📢 OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT – STAR ENTERTAINMENT]
[Season 1 of Tom and Jerry has officially concluded.
Thank you for laughing with us.
🎬 Season 2 production will begin soon.
However, it will take time.
We believe in quality over quantity.
There is also a new upcoming project currently in development.
Details will be revealed soon.
Please wait for further updates.
— Star Entertainment.]
The response was immediate.
Not anger. Acceptance. Support.
[HYPE surged.]
[@JerrySupremacy: TAKE YOUR TIME]
[@NebulaDad: QUALITY ALWAYS WINS]
[@StarMoth: NEW PROJECT?? SAY LESS]
People shared the post instead of demanding.
They made countdown memes for an unknown date.
They speculated wildly.
Comedy? Movie? Something else entirely?
At home, Krishna watched the reactions quietly, Ace curled beside him.
He wasn't exhausted. He wasn't pressured. He was… ready to take next step.
Season 1 had ended.
The audience stayed.
A month slipped by quietly.
Ameri officially joined the same academy.
Different divisions. Same corridors. Same filmmaking wing.
From time to time, Krishna's I-bracelet would vibrate.
[Ameri: "I'm stuck on this line. Is Pia angry here… or tired?"]
[Ameri: "Does this silence mean pause or hesitation?"]
Every time, before Krishna could even answer—
[-pop!]
The Entertainment System would appear, draped dramatically across some invisible furniture.
[Ohooo,] it would sing.
[Late-night script discussions. The classics never fail.]
Krishna would ignore it.
Patiently.
He explained tone. Subtext.
When to speak and when to let silence breathe.
He never once told her how to act—only why the character felt the way she did.
Ameri listened. Learned. Improved.
And every time she got it right, her excitement leaked through the screen.
"Thank you,"
She'd say, earnest and focused.
The system would sigh exaggeratedly.
[-SIGH!!!]
[Professionalism. Ruining all my fun.]
While that unfolded, Krishna buried himself in work.
The World Module stayed active almost constantly.
Cities rose from nothing. Campuses reshaped themselves.
Dorm rooms. Rooftops. Courtyards. Classrooms.
Every location from the movie was rebuilt—not copied, reinterpreted.
Architecture adjusted to match this universe's aesthetics.
Cultural cues softened or emphasized.
Details refined so the audience wouldn't feel like outsiders looking in.
Costumes followed. Uniforms redesigned. Casual wear adapted.
Accessories altered subtly to feel familiar yet fresh.
Hairstyles too—practical, expressive, character-driven.
The movie was changing.
Not losing its soul. Finding a new one.
Four months passed in a rhythm of creation and correction.
When Krishna finally stepped back and deactivated the module, the room dimmed.
He looked around at the completed environments displayed one last time.
Every place felt lived in.
Real.
Ace lay nearby, watching him with quiet approval.
Krishna exhaled slowly.
"Alright," he murmured.
The world was ready.
Now—
All that remained was to let the characters walk through it.
With the worlds completed and polished, Krishna gave the next command.
"Ariel," he said calmly, "send invitations to the full crew. Grant virtual access to the world module."
The cupid-like AI nodded, wings fluttering.
[-Nod]
[Invitations sent. Secure access enabled.]
One by one, the crew logged in.
Actors appeared as avatars inside the constructed environments.
Designers checked costumes.
Makeup artists adjusted hairstyles.
Camera teams tested angles and movement paths.
All three Designers, Makeup and Camera teams were all A.I which were intregated with the assistant module which Ariel consumed before.
This phase wasn't shooting.
It was rehearsal inside reality.
Each actor walked their scenes repeatedly, feeling the space, syncing emotions with movement.
Krishna observed silently, correcting posture here, pacing there, adjusting lighting angles with small gestures.
Ameri tested Pia's costumes, turning slightly, checking how fabric flowed when she moved.
Krishna nodded once. Minor adjustments were made instantly.
A month passed like that.
Refinement after refinement.
Until finally—Ariel's voice chimed softly.
[All scenes registered. Costumes finalized. Emotional continuity verified.]
Krishna straightened.
"Then," he said, "we start."
[DAY ONE OF SHOOTING...]
The virtual set shimmered into focus.
An airplane cabin, engines humming, subtle vibrations running through the floor.
Passengers sat strapped in.
Overhead lights glowed softly.
"Scene one," Krishna said. "Action."
Farhan Qureshi sat by the aisle.
He had just got a mysterious call after that he started sweating profoundly.
"...."
The plane began its takeoff roll.
Farhan wanted to get out of the plane but the protocols won't allow just when he was about to have a word with air hostess.
His breathing quickened.
Hands trembled.
"Wait—wait—" he gasped, clutching his chest.
"My heart—my heart—!"
Passengers panicked.
A flight attendant rushed over.
"I think he's having a heart attack!"
Chaos erupted exactly as planned.
Krishna watched intently.
Timing. Pacing. Silence between panic beats.
Then moved to the air port where Farhan comically explains he is all right now and ran away from there.
Perfect.
"Cut," Krishna said calmly. "Good. Reset."
The scene was locked.
The set shifted.
A modest apartment corridor.
Raju's phone rang.
-Ring... -Ring...
He answered while doing yoga.
Farhan's frantic voice exploded through the call.
Raju froze.
"...."
"What?!"
He bolted. Door flung open.
He ran—barefoot—pants forgotten entirely, ignoring his wife's shouting advice behind him.
"Wear your pants!" she screamed.
Too late.
Raju sprinted down the corridor, panic overriding dignity.
After several attempts the scenes where shot.
The crew laughed quietly.
Krishna didn't. He smiled. Just a little.
"Cut," he said. "That's the one."
The first day ended without fanfare.
No grand speeches. No applause. Just quiet satisfaction.
The movie had officially begun its journey—not as a memory, not as a concept—But as something alive, finally moving forward under Krishna's steady hand.
The shoot settled into a rhythm.
Every day after school, Krishna stepped out of classrooms and straight into worlds he had built himself.
Five to six hours at a stretch, day after day, the movie grew scene by scene.
The present-day arc came first.
Where Farhan. Raju. Chatur.
They confronted the man they believed to be Rancho—only to learn the truth.
The revelation peeled back layers, guiding them into Rancho's childhood, his borrowed name, his stolen education, and the quiet brilliance that had always existed beneath borrowed identity.
Those scenes were heavier.
Less laughter. More pauses.
Krishna let silence do the work.
Two months passed like that.
Then the tone shifted.
The college days bloomed into motion.
The wedding scene.
Color flooded the set.
Music, movement, chaos.
Rancho met Pia for the first time—barely greeting her before launching into unsolicited advice, complete with physical demonstrations that made half the extras struggle not to laugh.
Ameri shone.
Her timing was sharp. Her expressions effortless. Comedy without exaggeration.
When Viru caught them mid-antics, her split-second panic, followed by defiant composure, landed perfectly.
Krishna didn't stop the take.
He let it breathe.
When he finally called "Cut," the crew nodded in quiet agreement.
She nailed it.
Ameri exhaled, relieved, cheeks flushed—not from nerves this time, but from joy.
As the shooting progressed.
And then—The last day arrived.
Six months of shooting.
The final scene. The air felt different.
A long road stretched ahead on the set, bathed in soft evening light.
Rancho stood waiting.
Then came the sound.
A scooter.
Pia rode into frame, wind teasing her hair, smile unreadable.
She stopped in front of him, dismounted, and looked at him—really looked.
Just when Rancho was thinking she would kiss him she slapped him then joined by his friends.
Then came the scene.
"You once told me about a dream," she said softly.
A beat. She leaned forward.
And kissed him. Not rushed. Not dramatic.
Certain. The camera held.
Krishna raised his hand signalling cut.
"…Cut."
Silence followed.
Then quiet smiles. Soft exhalations. Relief.
Six months.... Hundreds of scenes. Countless corrections. The movie was finished.
Krishna stood still for a moment, looking at the frozen frame one last time before dismissing the set.
Ameri glanced at him, eyes bright—not searching for approval, but sharing completion.
He nodded. Just once.
-Nod
"...."
The world dimmed. The shoot had ended.
And somewhere deep inside the finished footage, laughter, regret, friendship, and dreams waited—ready to meet an audience that didn't yet know how much this story would stay with them.
**********************************************************************************************************************************************************
(Author's POV)
(A/N):
There will be two chapters a week(Monday and Tuesday)
If delayed I would post it on Wednesday or Thursday.
Thanks for reading the chapter!
Please give a review and power stone!!!
[1] Acting class comes under the Flim making course. And soon Ameri would be attending the same school as Krishna.