Angel's P.O.V:

"The world championships," I whispered, "finally!"

Beside me, Riko was jumping. "I'll win!" she declared. "I'll win and those amateur bladers will go running to their mommies . . . !"

"Whoa!" I shook her shoulders. "Snap out of it! Anyway, you know you'll never beat me!"

Riko glared at me. "Way to ruin the moment, Angel."

I chuckled. "Just being realistic." It was true. Me and my bey, Mystic Cantio, had come a long way. I hadn't entered in the Battle Bladers competition (Of course, Riko and I saw right through the madness –we both knew that everyone would end up as prey to Ryuga, who just happened to be my brother), but I would have easily won (except I would have faced my crazed brother, but yeah).

She rolled her eyes. "Of course, of course. But I'm going to be in Team Japan! What about you?"

I bit my lip. I had other plans, plans I couldn't reveal to anyone yet. "I'm still thinking about it."

"But then, you're signing up for the battles that will determine who's going to make it into Team Japan, so . . . ?" She stared at me incredulously. I shrugged, turning away from her and gazing at the big screen, showing the stadium.

"We'd better get going," I said finally, dragging her into the huge building where the matches were scheduled.

Inside, Blader DJ was announcing the rules. We hurried to our positions in the center along with the others. I gazed into the sea of faces, a few standing out to me: Yuu, Kyoya, Tsubasa, Kenta - and this really loud, obnoxious kid with black, spiked up hair who kept declaring that he was the Number One Blader.

"Yeah, right," I snickered, itching to beat the pants off of him.

"So, you all have ten minutes to go around beybattling," Blader DJ told us, "and in the end, the first two people with the most points are automatically in the team, while the third and fourth battle to see who will be the sub, and an actual member. Gingka Hagane here—"

The huge plasma screen showed Gingka banging on the glass, begging to be let out so he could battle. "—is automatically the leader of the team, having won Battle Bladers. So, on your mark, get set, go!"

I scrambled into a fast pace, searching for 'The Number One Blader' when someone blocked my path.

"You're not going anywhere until you lose against me," the mischievous voice said playfully. I rolled my eyes.

"Right. As if anyone in their right mind would lose to you, Kyoya," I retorted.

"So . . . you're saying that 1,462 people aren't in their right mind?" he asked.

I knew it was meant to be a rhetorical question, yet I answered, "Those guys are amateurs. We're talking about people like me."

Kyoya smirked. "Whatever. Let it—"

"Rip!" we both yelled at the same time, hastily brandishing our beys and launching them.

"Leone, Lion Gale Force Wall!" he shouted. A giant tornado erupted from his bey, and I calmly let it swallow Cantio in. He gazed, confused. "Why did you-?" Realization dawned to him as he realized what I was planning. "Leone, stop!"

But it was too late. Quickly I commanded, "Cantio, Golden Illusion!" My bey replicated itself, forming dozens of tangible look-alikes. They all jammed through 'the eye of the storm' and the impact of a dozen beys slamming Leone square on the facebolt was too much pressure. Stadium out as Leone flew through the air.

It would have gotten cracked if Kyoya didn't have the sense to swoop up and catch it.

I smiled sweetly. "What do you think?"

"Not bad," he growled, "but not good either."

"Now, get out of my way," I said, shoving him. "I need to find the Number One Blader."

Kyoya's eyes widened. "Who?"

"Some loud kid with black hair . . ."

He didn't bother to stifle his laugh. "Oh, you mean Masamune Kadoya? Tough luck. You'll beat him easily. He's all talk, no action."

"Oh," I replied, somewhat disappointed. Masamune. Somehow, I knew him…but no good rival for me, then. "Well, time's running out. See ya!"

In response, he playfully kissed my cheek and darted away before I could clobber him. This had been going on for ages. He knew that I had hated it when he'd had a tiny crush on me before. He had gotten over it, but wouldn't stop pestering me.

The thing was, he's Riko's brother. Big surprise, huh? Well, anyway, everyone knows how awkward it is when your best friend's brother likes you . . . yeah.

During the remaining five minutes, I battled (and won!) against lots of other old rivals, and some strangers, steering clear of Riko. I knew she just didn't want to lose against me, so I spared her for once.

I battled with Yuu, Kenta, and Tsubasa, winning each time, and about ten other random people.

Finally, Blader DJ called out, "Time's up! Let's view the scores!"

The blader's picture and number of points were displayed on the screen. That Masamune guy came out fourth. Not as good as I thought . . . And surprisingly, third was Kyoya. Riko got second! Nice, I thought. And lastly . . . I had pulled off first place in the match.

Applause burst from all corners, but I gave a soft sigh. Time for my big speech.

Just as Gingka was rushing out, probably to congratulate Kyoya, his greatest rival, I spoke up, "Winning the tournament was nice and all, but I'll pass being a member."

Everyone stared at me as if I were crazy. A place in the championships! Who would refuse?

Me!

"I have other things in mind," I continued, "So I guess Tsubasa is in the competition now." He had gotten fifth. Now that I was gone, he had moved up a spot. "I was really just in it for the fun. And to show off." I grinned at Riko, who looked like she had been hit by a truck.

There was silence. Then a flabbergasted voice spoke, "I was going to say the same thing..."

I turned. Kyoya looked at me in amazement. He had been planning the same plot. I smirked, thinking, Bet I've ruined his speech and exit. I was sure that he didn't know my reason behind it. But I knew his.

"You want to battle against Gingka, not with him," I realized.

He nodded. Then he turned to Gingka. "You're my rival, Gingka. We will never be allies. Well, see ya!"

He walked out curtly. I ran over to Riko and hugged her. "Sorry if this isn't what you expected..."

I didn't expect her to break into a huge grin. "What?" I asked, confused.

"I'll get to battle you in the championships!" she squealed.

"We don't know for sure," I told her, "We might not get to—"

"We will," she said firmly, "You and I'll make sure. Agreed?" I nodded, too stunned to speak. She was never usually this certain about her bold statements. "Plus . . ." Her smile grew bigger. "There are two less lunatics on the team!" She darted away before I could swat her arm. "And Yuu's on the team now!" she said gleefully.

It was true. Yuu had gotten sixth. Now he was boosted to fourth. He would battle with Tsubasa to decide who the sub and the actual member would be. And I would travel the world, joining every tournament to try to get into their teams. This was part of my plan - no one would ever figure out which team I had actually joined. And I would have data on every team member; it was a win-win situation!

But that still wasn't the whole story.

I cringed. I'd almost failed before, I thought, But that won't happen again.

"Well, bye," I said, "See you in the World Championships!"

And with that, I disappeared out of the arena.