"And…welcome back to The Top Trend!" Magenta Voice called out as an audience cheered. "We're coming at you live from the Standard Universe's hottest home shopping network and also their biggest department store. Now…today on The Top Trend, we're going to be talking about a craze that has been sweeping the worlds….Emblem Jewels."
Pictures started to appear of people wearing strange jewelry from rings to bracelets, to necklaces to tiaras.
"As you can see, Emblem Jewels are the next big thing. But don't just take my word for it. Let's hear from one of the founders of Flux Industries. Give a big hand to…Amadeus Cornelius Flux!" Magenta Voice called out.
A round of applause was heard as Flux strolled right onto the set as he waved as the people cheered for him.
"Hey hey. Glad to be here. Magenta, you look incredible." Flux said.
"Oh you…" Magenta blushed. "So…mind sharing us some insight on this invention of yours?"
"I don't mind at all. You see, we had a vision. A universe with more protection and less devastation. My partner, Techno, and I, made this vision a reality through jewelry. And inside the jewelry and projected visions of powerful heroes or warriors which we call Emblems. Of course, they are artificial but they are smarter than they appear. Permit me to demonstrate." Flux said.
Flux then drew out a ring as he slipped it onto his hand as appearing before him was a woman dressed as a magician.
"Hello, ladies and gents. I'm Zatanna, master of the arcane." she said with a bow. "How can I help you today, Amadeus?"
"As you can see, the Emblem already knows who I am the moment I put the ring on. That is because each jewel has a small DNA scanner that scans your body upon wearing, identifying you the moment you use it. The Emblems act as your personal helpers/assistants." Flux explained. "Now….Engage!" Flux said before Zatanna flew into the ring as Flux glowed before gaining a magician's outfit. "And by calling out Engage or pushing the button, you can merge with the emblem and gain their powers, albeit on a 5 minute timer. But it can be extended through use and acquiring of skill points through daily tasks. Those points can also be used to obtain new powers for your emblem when you do engage. Disengage." he said as he returned to normal. "And you can disengage at any time."
"That's remarkable. So…how long till you can engage again?" Magenta asked.
"It takes at least 15 to charge back up to full. Also, there's a function we call auto-alert. It give the Emblem the authority to protect the wearer and forcing an Engage should danger come to the wearer. Perfect for those who have little awareness of themselves." Flux said.
"Amazing. Truly…amazing." Magenta said. "Now, what if you want a different Emblem besides the one you have."
"Well there are two options. One is to simply buy a different one or trade in the one you have on now. We currently have a website set up for the selling of these. Simply fill out the form about what jewelry you want and what emblem you want imprinted and we'll get it to ya within a single week. We've had so many orders, we had to buy a fleet of shipping trucks and vessels." Flux said.
"Sounds like you are going to be a very rich man." Magenta said.
"Oh don't I know it." Flux said.
"Now are these Emblems self aware or…" Magenta asked.
"Oh heavens no. They're basically programs with no sense of self. Nothing supernatural here. Best to avoid any chance of them going Blade Runner and trying to take over the worlds." Flux said.
"Splendid…coming up next on Top Trend…Hazbin Hotel. How good are those songs?" Magenta said.
A limo rolled right down the road as Flux and Ian were inside it.
"Phew…what a rush." Flux said. "Who knew I'd end up taking on the public part of the franchise."
"You are the one who wanted to be a public image of good to keep the others guessing." Ian said.
"Yeah, that's fair. Working better than last time. Course I don't have an annoying blue idiot trying to oust me." Flux said. "So how are things going on Babylon?"
"Emblem Production is in full swing. Almost ready to begin releasing the Pokemon and the Warriors Orochi lines." Ian said. "And it seems Dark Garden has decided to fully cancel their Emblem line."
"Ha! Losers." Flux said.
"Sir, you're still peeved about what that Negativity guy said to you? That was a full year and a half ago." Ian said.
"He called me an eternal loser. That my only purpose is to fail. Well…if he thinks that about me, I'll just have to make sure he goes down as a failure himself." Flux said. "Speaking of…how is…that plan?"
"The rumor has started to spread like wildfire online. No doubt a number of thieves will take interest in the Multiversal Auction happening soon. You've also been scheduled to appear at a number of the sites. But things are looking good for the…full demo on the last day." Ian said.
"Excellent." Flux said as he laughed. "Tell the chauffeur to swing by the ice cream shop and we'll….wait…when did I hire a driver or chauffeur?"
Ian was just as curious as they both turned down window to see a certain trio driving.
"Uh….where to?" Meowth asked.
"What the frick? You three again?" Flux said.
"Please let us join you. We can lend our expertise." Jessie said.
"We spent a lot of our time regaining the Pokemon we gave away just like the twerp. You could use our skills." James said.
"Expertise? If I need three screw ups to capture a rodent, I'll call an exterminator." Flux said. "The only reason you three keep hounding me is cause Ash is with the Hero Alliance and if you try to take his Pikachu, it'll end with either you getting beaten up or killed."
"...He's definitely got our number." James said.
"Shut it! Look…just hire us already!" Jessie said.
"Here's a compromise: how about you three….eat sky." Flux said pushing a button as the three were catapulted out of the drivers seat and into the open air. "Ha! I knew there was a reason I put that in." he laughed as the car swerved. "Oh shit!" he said as he and Ian grabbed the wheel.
To be continued…in the Dance of Thieves Saga…