In and Out with Greyson (Part 1)



Nyberim: Always great to have some time to myself. No stress, no worry, no Martyr right over my shoulder. Ahhhh….



In an undisclosed location sat Nyberim, relaxing in a chair. It had been a very long time since he had been off studio grounds.



Nyberim: I’m surprised the board gave me this time off, it’s unlike them to do so. They usually are very strict about these things. Nonetheless...



He stretches and looks over his options.



Nyberim: Well, everything should be alright for just one episode while I am gone. It’s not whomever is subbing for me is going to make a complete mess. Like what, a fish is going to take over? Doubtful.



Looking over a paper, he reads down the lines before powering on a computer monitor.



Nyberim: Now then… let us begin the game!



-------------------------------------------



Burrito: Marty?



Martyr: Mnnng… go away Burrito, I’m sleeping here.



Burrito: But Marty, the show starts in an hour. We need to get prepared!



Martyr: I can prepare later… let me sleep.



She pulls a pillow over her head to block out the Espeon. Burrito sighs.



Burrito: …



It has been a few days since the Moe incident, and most signs of it ever happening had all but disappeared. True to Nyberim’s word, the effects of moe-ness disappeared only a few hours after their meeting. Martyr was all too pleased to be rid of such a form, ecstatic that she had paws again.



With no show for a few days, the two had been working on more personal matters and implications. However, it turned into ruining Martyr’s sleeping schedule, and when show day did appear on the horizon once again…



Burrito: Martyr… did you ruin you sleep schedule?



Martyr: Burrito, just let me sleep please.



Burrito: No, I won’t, Marty. You have to get up.



Martyr: But I said no-



Burrito: No buts!



With a bit of psychic power, he lifts the pillow off of the Flareon. She scrambles to grab it again, but Burrito holds it just out of reach.



Martyr: BURRITO! Give me back that pillow this instant!



He gives her a smile.



Burrito: Not until you get up sleepy!



Martyr: Grrr… I am not sleepy!



Burrito: Hehe.



He moves it higher out of reach.



Martyr: Bring it down this INSTANT, or I'll pull your tail!



Her voice was tired, yet very serious. Burrito steps back, the pillow lowering as he does. Martyr is quick to grab it.



Burrito: A-ah! Not the tail....



Martyr: Good, now let me sleep.



She lies back down before groaning again.



Martyr: Arggg… now I can’t go back to sleep after that. Burrito, why do you do this?



Burrito: Because I have to Marty. The show is dependent on us being ready.



Martyr: But isn’t our director out for the next few days?



Burrito: Yes…



Martyr: And doesn’t that mean we don’t have to follow normal schedule?



Burrito: …



Martyr: Heck, who is even directing today?



Burrito: I don’t know that, unfortunately. It’s kinda concerning considering how close the next show is.



Martyr: Well, no director or not, I’m awake now. Sigh… you win, Burrito…



Burrito: Yay! Time to get prepared!



He lets out a cheer. Martyr is not as enthusiastic.



Martyr: Meeeeehhhhh……



------------------------------------------------------



???: …



???: Don’t worry Greyson, everything is going to go exactly to plan.



Greyson: …



Two figures, or rather, a figure and a bowl, trotted down the lonely walkway in the backstage of the studio.



Greyson: …



???: I think they are only a few doors down, but once we get in, we don’t talk about this again until we are alone. Understand?



Greyson: …



???: Good.



The two continue until they reach a door labelled ‘Preparation Room’. The figure removes one of his… tentacle arms to knock on the door. He does this thrice.



Burrito: Coming!



An enthusiastic Burrito opens the door to the two.



Burrito: Oh? Who… are you?



Ony: The name is Ony.



A male Frillish stands at the doorway holding a fishbowl.



Burrito: On-y? And who is that… wait, why are you carrying a fishbowl?!?



Ony: Oh, that’s Grayson. Say hi!



Greyson: …



Burrito: …



Greyson: …



Burrito: U-um… hello?



Greyson: …



Burrito looks to Ony for answers.



Ony: He says hi.



Burrito: ...al-righty then. Now, what brings you to our dressing room? We are in kinda a hurry. Someone was a bit slow getting up today.



He looks back at Martyr who is busy combing her fluff.



Ony: I thought you would have known.



Burrito: Huh?



Ony: Didn’t your director tell you?



Burrito: Our director isn’t here. He is on break at the moment. Do you have something to share?



He looks down at Greyson before returning his gaze to Burrito.



Ony: Um… well, we were supposed to be today’s guests…



That sets lights off in the Burrito.



Burrito: Guests?!? Why didn’t you tell me sooner? Welcome, welcome!



He looks back to Martyr.



Burrito: Marty! We have guests!



She lowers her comb and turns to Burrito.



Martyr: Not now, Burrito! Can’t you see I’m busy? You said we needed to be quick.



Burrito: A-ah… well, just keep going and you can see after you’re done!



Martyr: Whatever…



She returns to combing.



Burrito: Now, if you would give us a minute, we will be finished preparing ourselves shortly. There is a room down the hall that we use to talk with guests before the show. It’s just a few doors down.



He points down the hall.



Burrito: Wait for us there till then. See you in a bit!



He turns around and closes the door behind him. Ony sighs.



Ony: Well, that’s step one completed. Did it go smoothly enough?



Greyson: …



Ony: Ok ok, I get it. The next part will go smoother I promise.



Greyson: …



Ony: Let's just head on over.



???: Wait!



Another figure, the same as Ony in both color and form, speeds towards the two, almost out of breath.



???: You… two need… to slow down… geez.



Ony: Not our fault that we are so fast, Aen.



Aen: Sigh…



Greyson: …



Aen: Not you too! Really, this isn’t a race.



Ony: It wasn’t?



Aen facepalms.



Aen: No brother, it was not a race.



Greyson: …



Ony: Hey! I got you through the first part of this plan!



Greyson: …



Aen: So, running aside, how did the first part go?



Ony: It went well-



Greyson: …



Ony: It went decently well.



Aen: So you convinced them that we are the guests today?



Ony: Yep! The Espeon was so excited when I told him we were the guests today. He also mentioned that there director is out.



Aen: Well, that makes this ten times easier without the director here.



Only: Mmhmm. Much, much easier. Now, let's go to the room and wait for our guests to arrive.



Aen nods in agreement, and the three make their way to the strong-doored room.



--------------------------------



Sam: Guests? W-what are they like?



Burrito: Well, they seemed kind enough to me. I don’t know what pokemon they were, but it looked a lot like water.



Martyr: You can keep them clear from me. No way am I going up against some water.



Burrito: There is going to be no water involved, Marty. You should be fine.



Martyr: …



The three main stars walked the narrow halls of the studio to the room where their guests awaited. When they arrived, in front of them stood a heavy steel door, very different compared to the rest of the doors.



Martyr: Again, why do we have such a heavy door for just a normal room? Wouldn’t it be normal to actually just have a normal door? There isn’t anything in that room that warrants a steel door.



Burrito shrugs.



Burrito: I’m not a door specialist, so I dunno. It is strange, but it doesn’t really matter.



Martyr: I have a bad feeling about this today.



Burrito: Oh come on Marty, this is a good day! Be happy!



Martyr: Happy? You’re asking the wrong Flareon.



Sam: H-happy!



Burrito: Well, at least you are enthusiastic, Sam.



Martyr: …



Having said enough, Burrito reaches and opens the door after a bit of effort. The three move into the room and close the door behind him.



Burrito: Now… how are you-



They are met with not just two faces but three. Ony, Aen, and Greyson look at the new arrivals.



Burrito: Who are you?!?



Martyr: You never told me about a third guest, Burrito!



Burrito: I didn’t know! This is all news to me!



Ony: Um….



One of the Frillish breaks the confusion to get their attention.



Ony: I know you are confused about my brother Aen, but he was just running late when I first saw you.



Aen pouts.



Aen: If Mr. I-love-to-race wasn’t treating everything like a competition, we wouldn’t have had this problem.



Ony: Hey! You can’t blame the fact that I am the faster one, Aen. That’s something I can’t control.



Aen: Sigh…



Greyson: …



Aen: Alright, we’ll settle down.



He turns to the three.



Aen: Sorry about the confusion. I’m Aen, Ony’s younger brother.



Burrito: Nice to meet you too, Aen! And you did nothing wrong, I’m fine here!



He goes into presentation mode.



Burrito: I know you two already know, but my name is Burrito. The two beside me are Marty and Sam. Say hi!



Martyr: Burrito, we aren’t on stag-



Burrito gives her a look. She sighs.



Martyr: ...hi.



Sam: H-hello! Um… Aen and O-ony?



Ony: Correct!



Aen: Yep.



Martyr: Why do you have a fishbowl?



She points to the bowl Ony holds.



Ony: Oh that’s Greyson, say hi!



Greyson: …



Martyr: …



Greyson: …



Martyr: …



She turns dumbfoundedly to Burrito.



Burrito: This happened to me, go with it.



Martyr: ...sigh. This is going to be a loong day yet again.



Aen: He says hi.



Martyr: ...what?!?



Ony: As my brother said, Greyson says hi.



Martyr: But he is just a FISH!! How can he possibly be speaking?!? I hear nothing!



Ony: Greyson… well he is special.



Sam: He doesn’t look any different from the fish Xsar has shown me in the past…



Aen: We can hear him!



Martyr: I can agree with everyone here that we did not hear that fish speak.



She looks at Burrito and Sam.



Burrito: I didn’t hear anything.



Sam: M-me neither.



Greyson: …



Ony: He says that only the truest can understand the will of the fish.



Martyr: …



Burrito: U-um…



Martyr: Yep, delusional. A fish speaking is the stupidest thing I’ve heard all week.



She shakes her head.



Martyr: And unlike the moe nonsense, I’m not going to deal with it. I’ll just be over here, DON’T bother me.



She walks over to a cushion and sits down.



Burrito: I guess it’s just us four-



Ony: Five.



Burrito: ...five then. So let’s get started before we start delaying the show.



He turns to face Ony.



Burrito: Okay, first off… and I beg your pardon, but what are you? I’ve never seen a pokemon like you two before.



Aen: Frill-



Ony: -ish!!!



Burrito: Frillish?



Ony: Yep! The frillish frill a frill will ever fish!



Aen: You do know that I am here too?



Ony: T-the frillish frill a frill will ever fish fish!



Greyson: …



Ony: Blame him not me!



Aen rolls his eyes.



Burrito: Frillish frish of a fish fil…. what?



Sam: My tongue is all tied…



Aen: My brother is like that, a little over the top sometimes.



Ony: Hey!



Burrito: A-anyways… I assume you two are water-types.



They nod.



Sam: N-no water for me please!



He hides a bit behind his tail. Ony chuckles a bit.



Burrito: You’ll be fine, Sam, our guests are not going to get things wet.



Sam: O-okay…



He returns to the three.



Burrito: Where are you two from then?



Ony: Hoenn!



Burrito: Hoenn?



Aen: Yes, Hoenn, specifically the Isles south of the mainland. That is where we were born.



Burrito: Interesting… I never knew Hoenn had such interesting pokemon. I might have to visit there sometime, my last trip there was long ago and way too short.



Ony: Yes! Hoenn is a fantastic place!



Aen: You would enjoy all the water.



Martyr: Too much water for me.



Ony and Aen give her an odd look before returning to the two.



Burrito: So um, anything else you want to tell us before today’s show?



Ony: Ummm…



Greyson: …



Aen: Actually, we need to talk one second outside.



Ony: Wait, we--!



He coves the other ones mouth before pulling him out of the room and shutting the heavy door.



Burrito: Huh?



Martyr: Very suspicious. I told you Burrito.



Burrito: W-well…



----------------



Outside the door, Ony, Aen, and Grayson began to put their plan into motion. Ony having recovered from the initial surprise.



Greyson: …



Ony: Okay, Aen, first we need to cover the door.



Aen: Got it.



The two reach forward and cover the door in water. It would render most fire against the door useless.



Ony: Looks good to me.



Greyson: …



Aen: A seal?



Ony pulls out a small little piece of paper with writing on it.



Ony: I have no idea what this does, but he says that we would need it today.



He looks at Greyson.



Greyson: …



Ony: Okay, if you say so…



He moves over and sticks the slip of paper on the door.



Aen: What is that going to do?



Ony: Grey says it’s going to block the psychic power of the Espeon and prevent him from using that to open the door.



Aen: I don’t get it.



Ony: Me neither, but he says it’s going to work.



Aen: Okay…



Ony: Now that this is complete, is it time to move to step three?



Greyson: …



Aen: Looks like it.



Ony: All right, time to move out!



---------------------------------------------------



Burrito: They sure are taking their time…



Sam: Where did they even go?



Burrito: They said just out the door for something quick, yet it has been over 15 minutes now.



Martyr sighs.



Martyr: Just check on them Burrito. They’re up to something and I don’t like it one bit.



Burrito: Alright.



He goes to the door and tries to open it, but he fails.



Burrito: Huh?!?



He tries again, nothing. Again? Nothing.



Burrito: What is going on with this door?!



Martyr: Move out of the way, Burrito.



She walks up and pushes Burrito out of the way before she tries to open the door. Try as she might, the door does not budge.



Martyr: The hell? Did you lock the door or something Burrito?



Burrito: N-no! They walked out fine! The door should be unlocked.



Sam: Then does that mean..?



It clicks in Martyr’s head.



Martyr: Those BUFFOONS!!! They locked the door!



Burrito: But-



Martyr: They are the ONLY ones out there who could do this to us intentionally. My instincts are never wrong.



Burrito: …



Sam: D-does that mean we are trapped?!? Oh no-no-no-no-no…..



Burrito: Sam, calm down, we’re fine…. I hope.



Martyr: Grr… they will feel sorry after I give them a nice toasting. But first…



She looks to the door.



Martyr: Metal? Should be no problem for me.



Burrito: MARTY!! What do you think you’re doing?!? This is public property!



Martyr: Screw the property. Do you want to be stuck in here, Burrito?



Burrito: …



Martyr: Good.



She walks back a couple paces before covering her body in flames and ramming the door. It buckles from the impact and glows a bit, but the door does not budge. She tries again with similar effect.



Martyr: Nnn… hah… what?!?



The door stood.



Burrito: L-let me try!



With a bit of psychic power, he too tries to force open the door. However, the energy formulating around the door quickly dispelled.



Burrito: W-w-what?!?



The door had still not moved. They were trapped in a room… only shortly before the show was to begin.



To be Continued.