Angel's P.O.V:

I gazed at Kyoya as he resumed lugging the huge rocks across the desert. When he failed to glance in my direction, I rolled my eyes.

I ran over to him, and whacked him on the back, causing him to stumble and look behind him. His eyes widened. "What are you doing here?" he half-asked, half-sneered.

"I'd ask you the same question," I shot back. "You're not the only one who refused to be on the Japanese team."

"I'm here to join Wild Fang. What's it to you?" He impatiently waited for a reply.

"Ironically, I'm here to participate in the selection tournament too," I told him in mock surprise. "If I end up battling you, only one of us is going to make it on the team."

"Like I don't know that," he retorted.

"And how many times have you beaten me?" I prodded. The answer was clear in both of our minds: Two. Exactly two in all the seven or so times we'd battled.

"Make that three," Kyoya said confidently, "because I'm going to crush you in the tournament."

We glared at each other for a while. Then I replied, "It's on."

Oh, it's on. It is so on!

Riko's P.O.V:

"We're HERE!" Yuu and I squealed happily.

"Yeah, we know!" Masamune said, mimicking our excitement. That guy could be such a killjoy sometimes. The only thing he and Gingka wanted were Chinese dumplings. And they were so anxious that they were arguing about how many flavors of skittles existed.

"The first thing I want to do is get to the hotel and relax." Madoka sighed, probably daydreaming about the soft, thick beds she could sink into.

"WE WANT DUMPLINGS!" Masamune and Gingka chorused. I sighed, exasperated.

"I vote hotel," I announced.

"But I'm hungry!" Yuu whined.

Knowing that there no way to make Yuu listen when he wanted something, I tried another tactic. "I took your place as sub," I reminded him. "You owe me."

He sighed, defeated. "okay."

Tsubasa looked panicked when Gingka and Masamune turned to him with pleading, puppy-dog looks. Then he shrugged. "I'll go with anything."

"Majority wins," I said gleefully. "C'mon, Madoka."

We both linked arms and walked away. I glanced back and noted that, yes, the others were following. Of course. What would they do without their support member? And me, their second strongest member.

Soon enough, we arrived at a four-star hotel. As a team of the World Championships, we got free facilities. If not, then we'd be broke in two days. After all, we were travelling the entire world, after all.

When we found our room, I immediately head for the bathroom to shower and freshen up. Madoka opened her laptop, possibly trying to find data on the Chinese team.

Three hours later…

I emerged from the bathroom at last, and everyone gaped at me. Mostly because I took so long, and partially because of my outfit; I was wearing a dark purple tank top and denim jeans that flared at my ankles. A sliver necklace with a peace-sign locket, lots of colorful bangles, and I had put on make-up with a subtle but effective touch. My black hair was in a high ponytail.

I looked like I was going to a photo shoot or a fashion show.

There was silence. Then,

"Well, looks like everyone's ready," Yuu said cheerily. "So now we can go to a Chinese restaurant at last!"

"When we could be meeting our opponents or practicing?" I cracked.

"Says the person who took three hours in the shower," Masamune shot back at me.

I rolled my eyes. "You could have gone at that time. Okay, let's take a vote. Who wants to go to the restaurant?" Gingka, Masamune, Yuu and even Tsubasa raised their hands unenthusiastically. "And who…" I grinned evilly, "wants to do some spying?"

"Okay, screw the restaurant," Masamune yelled, "I love eavesdropping and sticking my nose in other people's business!"

"Which you seem to be very good at," Gingka retorted.

Before they both could start a fight, Tsubasa intervened, "I'm in."

"Oooh, then me too!" Yuu declared. "Where to start?"

"Well, according to my research," Madoka surmised, "there's an ancient temple where most of the Chinese bladers practice. Maybe we'll find the team there."

"Good idea, Madoka!" Gingka jumped in. "Let's go!"

"Wait a minute," Masamune sighed, "I'm not going to explore a temple! Talk about boring!"

And surprisingly, I agreed with him for the first time. "Okay, so how about Masamune and I look around some parks and stuff while you guys snoop around the temple?"

"Deal," Gingka said, glad to spy without Masamune irritating him.

We split ways outside the hotel.

"So, where to first?" I asked him.

"You're the one with all the ideas," he pointed out. "Think of something."

"Um…a park, maybe?" I suggested.

"Okay," he agreed uncertainly.

Of course, it was most sensible that the Chinese team was in the temple, so it was no use searching elsewhere anyway. We stopped after that one park. I was slightly breathless, but I was in better shape than Masamune, who was sweating like he had run miles in the summer sun. He was gasping for breath, too. I rolled my eyes. He overreacts too much.

I glanced at our surroundings for the first time and realized that we were shadowed by the Great Wall of China. We might as well enjoy sightseeing while we could, because right after the battle there would be restlessness and chaos in the team once again. So I stood up and walked around. I wasn't a big fan of historical monuments, but I liked exotic places. China wasn't really exotic, but it would do for now. What other choice did I have, anyway?

Suddenly I heard voices. When I explored a bit more, I realized that the sound was coming from a huge group of girls crowding around some random person I couldn't see. Since I obviously had nothing to do, I shrugged to myself and sauntered over to see what was going on.

It turned out that all the girls were obsessing over a boy. I rolled my eyes. What else was new? I turned to walk away, thinking he was some sort of celebrity or something. But then I realized that, just maybe, at least one of those girls had to know where Wang Hu Zhong was. So I stayed, watching him sign autographs and flirt with his fans. I had to force myself not to roll my eyes again. I waited fifteen minutes for the squeals to die down. They didn't.

So I tapped the shoulder of one girl. She turned, annoyance lacing her features. "Yes?" she hissed.

"Do you know where the Chinese team is?" I asked, hoping she wouldn't say 'In the temple'.

The answer she gave me was even more disappointing; "Don't know, don't care." Then she turned and demanded him for his autograph. When he failed to notice her, she pouted and waited.

I tapped her shoulder again and she glared at me. "What?"

"What about any of their members?" I questioned hopefully.

She stared at me for a second. "You're not from here, are you?"

"Um. How do you know?" I said blankly.

"You want one of their members? Fine. Right in front of you."

"You?" I gasped.

"NO! Oh, my gosh. Him!" She threw her hands up in irritation and walked away from me.

That was when I realized there was only one him in the crowd of girls. I surveyed the boy; he had windblown chestnut-brown hair, dark lavender eyes and a perfect tan. Despite myself, I felt a blush creeping up my cheeks. But, thanks to all the rouge, it remained unnoticed. Anyway, no one was paying attention to me, so I didn't have to worry. But it was near impossible to imagine: HIM? A blader? Not ringing a bell.

Then he turned to me. "Hey."

"Um…" I looked around. Of course, I didn't mind being in the center of attention, but with all these rabid girls with nails long enough to tear flesh? "Hi," I said finally.

"So, what's your name?" he asked.

He's singling me out! I thought, heart pounding. Stop it, I forced myself, he's supposed to be part of the Chinese team. A rival. "Riko."

"I'm pretty sure you know who I am," he replied.

Um, no, I thought. Does he mean a member of the Chinese team? I don't think so. "Not really," I confessed.

"Oh," he said, somewhat deflated. I hid a smirk. He flashed me a smile. "I'm Chao Xin."

He meant his name! Of course he did. Why was he talking to only me? I glanced around casually and realized that everyone had left. Odd.

"Um, so…" I couldn't think of anything to say. "I don't think you know who I am."

That sounded slightly cryptic.

He looked confused. "You mean besides a pretty girl who looks lonely?"

My cheeks bypassed pink and were turning red. "Yeah. Besides that."

"Well, you're not from here, are you?" he said.

"How do you know?" I asked, astonished but hiding it.

"Well, for starters, you don't know who I am," he laughed.

"You mean a member of the Chinese team?" I blurted out.

"Yes, that too." He looked at me strangely.

I didn't even realize we were talking until I noticed a change in the surroundings. "So, what else do I need to know about you?" he asked.

"That I'm a member of the Japanese team," I answered.

For a second, he looked shocked. Then he started laughing. "Well, good thing I didn't give any training secrets away."

"What's so funny?" I asked, not amused.

"It's just," he began, "that just a few days ago, I'd unknowingly let some girl who wasn't a fan of mine into the training room. She battled with us and she found out about our special moves." He shook his head. "I've got to stop being so gullible."

"Who was she?" I asked, suddenly curious.

"Some girl with golden hair and a sparkly bey," he replied vaguely.

Golden hair. Bey that sparkles. It couldn't be. "Name any one special move."

"Why?" he questioned.

"Just do it."

He wracked his brain for something. "Invisible Barrier, I think."

It's her!

Angel was in China. Or at least, she had been a few days ago. But she'd battled them already, so she was probably gone now. But why didn't she join? And where was she now?

"Do you know that girl?" he asked.

"Yeah, she's my friend," I told him.

"RIKO! Finally! Where the heck did you go!"

Shoot. I'd totally forgotten about Masamune. And now, he had found me. "Sorry, Masamune. But…um…"

"We shouldn't be wasting time! Madoka, Gingka, Tsubasa and Yuu are waiting in the hotel! Besides, you got totally sidetracked~"

"Um, Masamune," I tried. "He's"—

"We were supposed to look for the bladers in the Chinese team! And you're just chatting with this guy"—

"Masamune, he is a member of the Chinese team," I finally got out.

"And"—he stopped. "Oh. Then…I demand a battle."

I was slightly surprised, but Chao Xin shook it off. "Sorry. No can do. Besides, I have to go."

"Not until you battle me!"

"Seriously, kid, I"—

"CHAO XIN!"

Everyone turned, and there stood another man (A/N: I don't really know how to describe Dashan). He sighed. "Battle him."

Chao Xin started. "Are you serious?"

"Yes," he replied. "Now!"

Chao Xin hastily brought out his launcher and Masamune did the same.

"Three…"

"Two…"

"One…"

"LET IT RIP!" both of them yelled.

Then Chao Xin smirked. "Wait." He called back his bey. "I have a better idea."

I sighed and followed the two.

A/N: So, yeah. It's a little different (Okay, a LOT different) from the episode, but I didn't watch it, so yeah. And are all the characters…in character? PLEASE LET ME KNOW! And REVIEW! :D Peace!