A few days had passed. Truthfully, those days had been full of events. The remaining resistance fighters had been systematically subdued, one by one. Mylene was pleased; her flawless plan had truly worked.
Today, however, was one of the busiest days James and Siren had ever experienced. The capture of Shun Kazami, the last of the resistance fighters, and their temporary acceptance as members of the Vexos had made it so.
Now, James, Siren, and all the Vexos present in Vestoria—Volt, Mylene, and Shadow Prove—had gone to the location where the resistance fighters were being held. What they saw there caused an uneasy expression to spread across Siren's face.
Volt didn't look pleased either. Though neither of them said a word, their dissatisfaction was written all over their faces. The scene before them was far from pleasant.
The three resistance fighters were being kept in some sort of stasis tanks, resembling eggs. These capsules were filled with a strange liquid that, while keeping them asleep and alive, didn't soak their clothing.
Floating in the center of each capsule was the Bakugan belonging to the sleeping resistance fighter. James could see on each of their faces the expressions they had worn before they were subdued—faces that seemed to freeze their agony and defeat in time.
He felt an intense disgust toward the side he now found himself on. He knew very well why the resistance fighters weren't simply killed or imprisoned in a more conventional manner. Beyond Mylene's cold indifference and even her twisted enjoyment of the situation, this was all about satisfying egos.
Just as Prince Hydron had petrified legendary Bakugan to display them in his palace, these three were meant to serve as trophies of victory. They were symbols, reminders of their triumph.
It might be difficult to empathize with Bakugan, but for someone of a similar species, anyone with a shred of humanity couldn't turn a blind eye to this.
Yet, they had to. No matter how disturbing it was, it wasn't their concern.
Back in their quarters, Siren took deep breaths, visibly upset.
"This is so… cruel," she muttered. She had been silent until now, and this was the first time she had voiced such a thought. James wasn't sure how to console her. He could manipulate her, offer words of comfort, but sharing similar feelings himself, he found he couldn't do it.
"No one deserves this," she murmured, her hands trembling with anger. For the first time, maintaining her facade felt nearly impossible, and James understood exactly how she felt.
"Absolutely," he sighed, reverting to his ball form. Though they detested what they had seen, their mere presence had been enough to solidify their roles as Vexos.
"It's time to head for Gamma City. The moment has come," he said quietly. His own goals for being there could wait a little longer. Sooner or later, Spectra Phantom and everyone else would converge on Gamma City.
Just as all cities would fall, this was inevitable.
Still, James's allegiance lay neither with the Vexos nor the resistance. His loyalty was to the side of strength and the resources it provided, and it would remain that way. Navigating the treacherous waters of palace intrigue required nothing less.
However, to his surprise, Siren rejected him this time.
"So, we're just going to leave them like that? Letting them… stay in such a helpless state?"
James could see the disgust and anger on her face. Yet his cold response came out without much thought:
"Yes."
After a brief pause, he added, "They'll be freed eventually."
His tone wasn't meant to soothe or reassure—it was simply the truth. In the anime, it would happen in a few episodes; in reality, it would be at most a few weeks. Disturbing as their situation was…
Siren—no, now that her mask was off, Esther—lifted her head to look at him.
"How can you be so sure?" she asked. James hesitated before replying.
"Mira, the leader of the Bakugan Resistance, is Spectra Phantom's little sister. It's only a matter of time before she learns that her brother is with the Vexos."
James paused, settling on her shoulder.
"When she finds out, she'll let her emotions get the better of her and chase after him. And when that happens, she'll also set her friends free—again, because of her emotions."
Esther's eyes widened in astonishment, clearly curious how he could know all this in such detail. Once again, she asked, "How?" but James didn't answer.
When he remained silent, Esther sighed and looked at the purple-striped black mask in her hands. As his companion and ally, she had no choice but to trust James's words. Even if she had questions or doubts, she would have to wait for the answers.
After all, they were walking the same path. Together.
After a while, Esther murmured to herself while holding the mask, "I guess I should wear white."
The thoughtful tone in her voice was clear. She tightened her grip on the mask as she continued,
"After all, without an element, the Darkus palette doesn't suit you."
But James's response was surprising.
"But you like this palette. It's part of who you are. Don't feel like you have to fit into some mold."
Esther could feel his small wings brush against her cheek in an affectionate gesture. His voice sounded much older and wiser than someone his apparent age, which made her laugh.
"You're starting to sound like an old man."
James chose not to respond. Instead of pressing further, Esther donned her Siren persona and stood up with a faint smile.
"Then let's go. I hope we can find my mother."
As James settled into Siren's inner pocket in his ball form, she stepped out of the room. Walking with her usual confident stride, she made her way to one of the ships. Her registered credentials made boarding effortless.
"Let's go. To Gamma!" Siren declared, fiddling with the controls.
Watching her attempt to operate the ship, James tensed up and hesitantly asked, "Y-You do know how to pilot this thing, right?"
Siren responded with a grin that was clearly forced.
"Of course… Totally… Volt, I think, pressed this button—There we go!"
As the transport ship began to lift off, Siren smiled triumphantly. James, however, was certain he was about to experience something far more perilous than any battlefield.