Alright guys, here it is! The first chapter of Hikou Rising! Thanks again to all who sent in their OCs, you guys are amazing! Whoever sent in an OC for the Chinese team, your OCs are in this chapter! Enjoy!

Gingka: Galaxy doesn't own MFB.

"Flight number 587 for China now boarding."

"Hurry guys! We're going to miss our plane!"

"Calm down, Isamu, it's not like it's taking off right now."

"Are you ever going to be in a hurry about anything? Look at this huge crowd! We're supposed to be meeting Director Otori, Madoka-chan, Manager Benkei, and Maru at the gate!"

"We'll be there in time, now calm down."

"Please don't tell me that we're going to have to deal with this through the entire tournament." Shinobu sighed as Arashi and Isamu continued arguing.

"We'd better not. If they keep arguing over this, I'm going to scream!" Ren replied.

"Just shut up and keep walking." Arashi said.

"You shut up! We're going to have to run to catch our plane at this rate!" Isamu retorted.

"Your fault for sleeping in."

"What?! You were the one who wasn't finished packing!"

The brothers continued arguing as they moved through the airport, the crowd recognizing them and parting in front of them, closing back in again in their wake.

"Guys, if you can pay attention to our surroundings long enough, we're here." Shinobu said after a few more minutes of walking.

"Huh? Oh, so we are." the brothers stopped arguing as Tsubasa and Madoka walked over, followed closely by Maru with her luggage.

"Are you guys ready?" Madoka asked.

"Yeah, of course we are!" Isamu exclaimed.

Arashi nodded.

"Your first stop, as you know, is China. You will be facing Team Sheng Zai Shili in the first round. Your job, as soon as you get there and get settled in your hotel, is to go find out a few things about them. This always helps in the long run, but beware: Don't let them find out anything about you that might allow them to win." Tsubasa said. "Gan Gan Galaxy almost made that mistake, and you might not believe me, but it was Gingka's fault that it was nearly made."

"Gingka? He almost showed them something that could have let them win? But, how is that possible?" Ren asked.

"He probably wasn't the brightest person on the team, despite being the strongest." Arashi spoke up before anyone could reply.

"Arashi!" Shinobu exclaimed. "Are you daring to say that he wasn't that great?"

Arashi shrugged indifferently. "Take it whatever way you want." he replied.

"He's actually right." Madoka sighed. "Gingka was always brilliant in battle when it came to using his power, but actually not too big on strategy. He almost showed Team Wang Hu Zhong his only special move at the time. It was Masamune who launched in and stopped him before he could, then explained it to him, which was surprising, because Masamune wasn't too bright himself most of the time. Oh, the fun we had together…"

"Flight number 587 for China taking off in five minutes."

"Well, you guys had better go. Madoka can take you on her trip down memory lane later. Good luck, and don't let us down." Tsubasa said, looking each member of Team Galaxy Flame in the eye before turning and striding away.

"Maru, don't hesitate to call me if you need help with something. It's up to you to keep their beys -and them- in top shape, alright?" Madoka said, smiling at her apprentice.

"You can count on me, Chief Madoka!" Maru grinned and winked. (AN: -fangirl squeal- So much cuteness!)

"Good luck guys." Madoka smiled and walked off.

"Bull! Don't forget your training, guys! Keep it up and you're sure to win!" Benkei said.

"Right! We'll train hard, Manager!" Shinobu and Ren promised.

"ANd don't let Arashi wear himself out too much until his injuries heal, got it?" Benkei whispered.

"I heard that." Arashi growled, narrowing his eyes at Benkei, who merely chuckled and walked off.

"Let's go." Arashi muttered, shouldering his duffel bag and walking through the gate to board their plane.

So, it has started. A second World Championships, with a whole new team to fight through it. They will follow in my footsteps, that's for sure, but they may need a little nudge along the way. The DNA is also in the tournament, and they will be just waiting for a chance to strike. Zero and I will follow from the shadows, so to speak, and we will be watching.

Why are we hiding? Well, we can't have the DNA strike us and then Galaxy Flame while we're out, can we? It's all to protect ourselves until the time is ripe. Plus, if I don't have to step in, then I shouldn't. The younger bladers of the new generation have to know that they can handle these things by themselves, but they also need that reassurance that, if they can't, there will be someone waiting to pick them back up and encourage them to try again, or help them to defeat that menacing opponent who has crushed everyone else.

That's why at least I will remain in the shadows unless my power is needed. Pegasus and I have had our turn in the spotlight, now it's time for Zero, Shinobu, and all of their friends to take the spotlight all the way back to the top. In time, it will be their turn to step out of the spotlight, that's just the way things work. However, stepping back in may be necessary if the DNA is going to be defeated. We'll see, but for now, look for us where you might least expect. We'll be there, waiting to strike.

"Alright, so while we're in China doing that scouting that the Director was talking about, where do we want to go?" Isamu asked once they were all seated on the plane.

"Well, I want to see the Great Wall." Ren said, leaning over to look at the map.

"First things first, where is our hotel?" Shinobu asked.

"That's a good question, but I have no clue." Isamu replied, narrowing his eyes at the map laid out in front of him.

Arashi scanned the map with his emerald green right eye. "Right there." he said, pointing to a spot on the map.

"How do you know that?" Isamu asked.

Arashi smirked and held up a small piece of paper. "What, you guys didn't read our directions?"

"No, I didn't even know we had them!" Isamu exclaimed. "Let me see that!"

Shinobu and Ren sweatdropped as the brothers began arguing.

"This is going to be a long flight."

"Whoa! This place is so big!" Ren exclaimed as they got off the plane a few hours later.

"Well, it is the Beijing airport after all." Shinobu said, looking around.

"Guys, Arashi's leaving without us!" Isamu exclaimed, running off after the retreating figure.

"Hey, wait up!" Ren called, lugging her suitcase after the boys.

"Little help here?" Maru called, trying to pull her own suitcase off of the conveyer belt.

"Here, I'll help you with that." a man's voice said from behind the young mechanic, as a young adult picked up Maru's suitcase and set it on the ground.

"Oh, thank you Mister…" Maru said, looking up at him.

"Da Xiang Wang, former leader of Team Wang Hu Zhong." Da Xiang's green eyes sparkled. "You are on Team Galaxy Flame, correct?"

"Yeah, I'm Maru! I'm the mechanic!" Maru replied.

"Just like Madoka Amano, I assume? Where is the rest of your team?" Da Xiang asked.

"Yeah, she is teaching me everything she knows about bey repair! I don't know where the others went though." Maru replied.

"Here." Da Xiang bent down and lifted the young girl onto his shoulder. "See them?"

Maru looked around, peering through the crowd, and soon spotted her team over by the large map of the airport on the wall. Arashi and Isamu were arguing again, and Ren and Shinobu were just standing close by, looking embarrassed as people turned to stare.

"Over there, by the giant map." Maru pointed and Da Xiang set her down.

"I came to meet them and offer to show you guys around a bit." he said as he began leading her through the crowd.

"Fine then, you find the exit." Arashi said, leaning against the wall and crossing his arms as the two approached.

"You're the team leader, you find it!" Isamu shouted.

"Hey guys, I think we lost Maru." Shinobu said suddenly, looking around.

"You did, but I'm right here!" Maru called as she and Da Xiang broke through the crowd.

"Oh, Maru! I'm so sorry for leaving you behind!" Ren exclaimed, rushing over. "Umm, who is this guy?" the blonde looked up at Da Xiang.

"This is-" Maru began, but Arashi cut her off.

"Da Xiang Wang, from Team Wang Hu Zhong." the bluenette stood and came forwards.

"Huh? How did you know that?" Ren asked.

"All of the world championship teams from before are still famous, it's really not that hard to tell." Arashi replied as Shinobu and Isamu joined the group.

"Yes, we are still quite well-known. I assume that you are Team Galaxy Flame?" Da Xiang asked.

"Yes, we are. I am Arashi Hikou, team leader." Arashi said.

"Isamu Hikou, Arashi's younger brother and one of the regulars." Isamu introduced himself.

"I'm Shinobu Hiryuin, the second regular." Shinobu said.

"Ren Kurenai, the most awesome member on the team, even though I'm the sub." Ren said, putting her emphasis on 'awesome' and almost whispering at 'sub.'

"Nice to meet you all. Tsubasa called and asked me to show you guys around a bit, if you'd like." Da Xiang said.

"Sounds good to me!" Isamu exclaimed. "Arashi?"

"Whatever." Arashi sighed.

"Then let's go. Team Sheng Zai Shili and a few others are waiting for us in a van outside." Da Xiang said.

"Others?" Arashi narrowed his eyes as they started following Da Xiang out of the airport.

"Yes, the rest of Wang Hu Zhong, plus Bao and the Legendary Blader, Aguma." Da Xiang replied.

"A Legendary Blader? Cool!" Ren exclaimed.

Da Xiang smiled at Ren's comment, then narrowed his eyes at Arashi, who had resumed his usual calm and indifferent expression.

Once they were outside, Da Xiang loaded their luggage into the back of a waiting fifteen-passenger van, then opened the doors so they could get in.

"Guys!" the dark-brown and gold-haired blader said, attracting the attention of a rather quiet group in the back of the van, as well as a very muscular brunette, an attractive young woman with black hair, and a pair of arguing men.

"Oh, you're back Da Xiang!" Mei Mei exclaimed.

"Team Galaxy Flame, I assume?" Aguma said.

"Yes, this is Arashi, the team leader, as well as Shinobu, Isamu, Maru, and Ren." Da Xiang said, indicating each of the teens standing behind him.

"Nice to meet you all. I am Chi Yun of Wang Hu Zhong." Chi Yun said, elbowing Chao Xin as he spoke.

"Chao Xin, also of Wang Hu Zhong." the Virgo blader glared at Chi Yun.

"Bao, of the Beylin Fist group." Bao said with a smirk.

"Aguma, Legendary Blader of Saturn." Aguma introduced himself.

"And this is your opposing team, Sheng Zai Shili." Da Xiang indicated the four teens in the back. "You guys can introduce yourselves while we're driving." the Zurafa wielder climbed into the driver's seat of the van as Galaxy Flame climbed into the row behind Aguma and Bao.

"Hi, I'm Isamu Hikou!" Isamu greeted as soon as the van started moving.

"I am Sierra Crystals, Leader of Team Sheng Zai Shili." a girl with blue eyes and brown-with-gold-tipped hair replied, then elbowed the girl next to her.

"I'm Aurora Glaciate." the girl said quietly, twirling a strand of her long purple hair around one finger.

"She's the first regular. If she hadn't beaten me in the selection tournament, I would be." a white-haired girl with a black ponytail and golden eyes spoke up. "I'm Luna Narazuka, the sub member."

"And I am Garaitz Villanueva del Ponte." the fourth girl said politely and sweetly, her amber eyes shining at the group.

"Nice to meet you guys!" Isamu exclaimed.

"You too." Garaitz replied.

"So, where are we going first" Ren asked.

"Well, first we'll go to your hotel so that you can drop your stuff off, and then it's up to you guys, What do you want to see?" Da Xiang asked.

"How about the Great Wall of China?" Ren spoke up.

"Or the Forbidden Palace!" Maru said.

"Or a good training place." Arashi said.

"Aww, come on!" Isamu protested. "We're always training, and you're-" He was cut off by Arashi placing a hand over his mouth and glaring at him.

"Well, how about this. Instead of going to your hotel, we can go to the Great Wall, then the Forbidden Palace, and then our home of Beylin Temple." Da Xiang said.

"Sounds good to me!" Ren said.

"Alright, let's go!" Maru exclaimed.

Arashi looked triumphantly at Isamu as he removed his hand from the younger teen's mouth.

"You're boring." Isamu said.

"Calm and composed." Arashi replied.

"You said that before! How can you say that you're calm and composed when you don't even do anything? How is that related?" Isamu nearly-shouted.

Shinobu and Ren sighed as the brothers began arguing.

"Idiots…" Luna thought as she watched the two.

Da Xiang and Aguma merely looked at each other in bewilderment.

"Would you two please stop that?" Shinobu asked, a tick mark appearing on his forehead as the two continued to argue.

"Stop what?" Arashi asked, narrowing his eyes at the cream-haired blader.

"Arguing." Shinobu replied.

"We weren't arguing." Arashi muttered, turning to look out the window.

Isamu rolled his eyes and turned to look out the opposite window.

"Oh, I think I see the Great Wall, guys!" Ren exclaimed after a few moments.

"Yeah, there it is!" Maru exclaimed.

"Awesome!" Isamu said.

Shinobu turned eagerly to look, but Arashi merely glanced up, smiled slightly at the enthusiasm of the others, and then resumed his usual indifferent composure.

"Well, here we are. Go ahead and explore, but be back here in a half hour." Da Xiang said as the group pulled up in a parking lot close to the Wall.

"Awesome!" Ren was the first one out of the van, with Isamu and Maru close behind. Shinobu followed close after, but Arashi took his time getting out and following the others, determined not to lose them.

"Aren't you guys going to go join them?" Da Xiang asked, glancing into the back seat as Aguma, Bao, and Wang Hu Zhong got out to follow Galaxy Flame.

"Whoa, this is huge!" Ren exclaimed as she reached a doorway leading to the stairs that led up to the top of the tower that was looming over their heads.

"Well, it isn't called the Great Wall of China for nothing." Chao Xin said as he caught up to the group.

"Arashi seems a bit slow, is he not used to exertion for some reason, despite all his talk of training?" Mei Mei wondered aloud, looking back at the bluenette, who was slowly walking up the hill towards them, breathing heavily and pressing his hand to his side.

"Dang it." Shinobu and Isamu muttered. "Hang on a sec Arashi, we're coming!" the two started down the hill towards their teammate, but he held up a hand, signaling them to stop.

"Is he alright?" Aguma asked.

Ren sighed. "He's injured. We aren't supposed to allow him to move around too much until he heals. He was barely allowed to stay on the team as it is." her brown eyes widened slightly in worry as Arashi stopped and leaned against the rail for support, trying to catch his breath.

"Injured?" Aguma raised an eyebrow. "Then he must be a pretty strong blader if Tsubasa kept him on the team."

"Well, he did beat all of us and become the team leader." Ren said, watching as Arashi continued laboring up the hill, reaching them a few minutes later.

"Don't make me call the hospital, I will if you do that again." Isamu threatened, earning himself an emerald-colored glare for his trouble.

"Gahh! Look at the time! I'm sorry guys, but we can't go up there right now, it's about to close and we were due back at Beylin Temple a while ago." Da Xiang said suddenly. "We can come back tomorrow."

"But the match is tomorrow, isn't it?" Sierra spoke up.

"Right, how could I forget?" Da Xiang sighed. "Well, we'll have to fit it in somehow. Let's get back to the van."

Arashi moaned quietly. "You're kidding me! I just got up here, and keeping up my tough guy act is taking up a lot of the energy I'm using right now. At least going downhill is easier than going uphill."

The bluenette hesitated at the top of the hill where he stood, watching his teammates running down the hill to the van after Da Xiang, while he was still trying to catch his breath and gather his fragments of energy from the climb.

"Hey, you okay?" a deep voice sounded quietly in his ear, coming from his left side.

Arashi nearly jumped out of his skin and whirled.

"I'm fine." he said, seeing Aguma and Bao.

Aguma raised an eyebrow. "What was that? Sorry I scared you."

Arashi narrowed his eyes and glared at the Legendary Blader, then clenched his teeth and pressed a hand to his side, closing his eyes and stumbling forwards. Aguma reacted and caught the bluenette as he fainted.

"Let's get him to the van." Aguma said, picking up Arashi and practically running towards the van.

Me: Alright, so that chapter's done! It was really a bit of a challenge to keep track of all four OCs, but it was fun! Their battles will start in the next chapter. Also, there is a new poll up on my profile, if you guys could go check it out. Thanks for reading, and I'll see you next week with the next chapter!