Stepping into the bright lights of the arena Kami was tempted to shield her eyes, but that was out of the question. Such an act would show weakness to not only her opponent but to everyone in the stands. Her sensitive ears picked up all the cheers and boos coming from the fans watching as she and her team entered the stadium. But at the moment she wasn't focusing on all the yelling fans, wasn't staring back at all the lights shinning down on her, wasn't listening to the, in Kami's opinion, obnoxious announcers. The only thing on her mind right now was her waiting opponent, Micah. He was standing on his end of the dish with a bored expression gracing his features. Catching a movement out of the corner of her eye she turned her head to see the rest of her team taking a seat on the bench, observing the scenery.

"Thought you were gonna chicken out!" Micah yelled across the dish trying to irritate his usually calm and collected sister.

"No, that's more your style. Now isn't it?" she shot back glaring at him while moving to take her place.

Having his plan backfire leaving Micah overly annoyed he tightened his blue gloves and glared at his sibling, "Let's just get this over with."

Moving to the dish Kami turned so that she was facing the right, taking her usual fighting position. (a/n don't think I told you but Kami fights facing either the right or left. She only faces forward when she needs more power or becomes angered) Closing her eyes she waited for the announcers to start their usual rituals. As predicted Jazzman approached the dish from the side, mic in hand. "Okay, are you all ready?" he paused listening to the screams of the adoring fans, "Here we have the first battle of the pre-tournament line-up, and it's going to be both powerful and mind-blowing!" he yelled over the continuous noises the crowd insisted on making. "But first lets introduce out two starting bladers!"

"This is Brad Best and I'm hear with my co-host A.J. Topper!"

"Mind-blowing is right Jazzman, this is gonna be one heck of a battle!" A.J. added in his voice squeaking slightly.

"But before we can begin lets take a look at what we've got! And you know what they say A.J."

"No, what?"

"Ladies first!"

"Oh yeah, I knew that. First up we have Kami from the Blitzkrieg Boyz, her wicked blade skills matched only by her nasty attitude. Although Kami has been blading the whole of her life she still remains a mystery in the blading world. Switching from offense to defense knowing what will happen next is practically impossible. Not much of a talker, but ya know blading is a whole different story!" A.J. started off on the first of Kami's stats.

"And with her bit beast Macoah at her side she's the trap card of the tournament. You'll never know what she has in store for her next victim, I know this much; I wouldn't want to run into her in a dark alley." Brad finished up acting as if the two were a married couple.

"Um, don't you mean opponent Brad?" A.J. questioned turning to face his pumped co-star.

"Oh right, sorry I guess I just go caught up in the moment. Now let's see who Kami's bold adversary is, shall we. WHOA! Either there's a mistake or I need some glasses, because it says here that Kami will be taking on her own brother! Micah Kotai."

"And if you read further you'll see that not only is it her brother it's her twin brother! Talk about sibling rivalry."

"Micah is a literal unknown in the big leagues, but he just may make a name for himself if he can steal the victory from his very capable sister. Micah is famous for his confident and even cocky personality. And his own bit beast isn't something to laugh at. Zaemic will tear anything to shreds with his notorious white flash attack."

"Watch out world this is going to be one heck of a face off!"

"You can bet your bottom dollar on it A.J." Brad finished off leaving the rest to Jazzman.

"Okay bladers are you ready?" he turned switching he view from one sibling to the other. Micah nodded his head and grinned wide, "Let's do this." Turning Kami sent Micah a dark glare before nodding her head and pulling free her necklace which also doubled as her ripcord. Shifting her gaze she closed her eyes for concentration waiting for the annoying announcer to shut up and let her blade. "Alright. On you marks, 3-2-1 LET IT RIP!" he yelled into the mic the rest of the crowd joining into the launch sequence.

"Now Kami I'll show everyone I'm just as good as you. Maybe even better!" he yelled across to his seemingly distracted sister. "Go Zaemic! Let's show her what we're made of!" Micah cheered as his blade hit the dish spinning into action.

"Micah." Kami started turning to look at her brother a smirk playing across her lips, "I doubt you're as good as me, and I know you're not better."

"Now Macoah, tear him apart." Kami spoke to her beast still using trademark tone, calm and deadly. The blades collided with each other sending shockwaves of power rolling throughout the stadium. The two continued to grind on each other, neither blader showing any sign of backing down. Sparks started to fly as the two sent menacing glares at each other. Determination flashed through Micah's eyes as he called out for his beast, "Zaemic lets finish her off!" he yelled his blade starting it's reaction to his call. The middle started to glow a light blue before surrounding the entire blade in the heavenly aura. Bright white shot from the middle of the blade leaving Kami's eyes burning slightly, 'dammit.'

Turning to stare at her brother she cursed inwardly when she found him beginning to glow with the same light. Looking up he smirked at her as if to say, nice knowing you. "ZAEMIC, BLINDING LIGHT ATTACK!" he yelled wasting all the air in his lungs before inhaling to gain more. 'Oh shit.' was the only thought that raced through the black panthers mind as she back away slightly, 'this isn't going to be good.' Finding her own thought as an understatement Kami growled when a light so bright it hurt surrounded her. Pulling her hand up she desperately tried to shield herself from the overwhelming beam. Only faintly could she hear her teammates growl and curse, but the thought of her team was cut short when her brother's voice sliced through barely reaching her ear. "What's the matter Kam? Afraid of the light!" he teased her wickedly his voice flooding into her mind.

Stepping back Kami barely caught herself from falling off the edge of the podium, trying to stand up to face her foe. She could make out the sound of blades grinding and she knew Macoah was taking the whipping of a life time from Zaemic. She couldn't let him beat her, she had to fight him back. "I will win, for you." she promised quietly her hand reaching to find the silver locket tucked away in her pocket. Her fingers closed around the chain and she pulled it out daring to catch a glimpse of the shinning metal. Flipping it open she stared at the smiling face of her younger brother his eyes begging for her to continue. "MACOAH!" she screamed out to her blade as she was still unable to see it for herself, feeling his darkness surround her she smiled inwardly, 'I can always count on you, my friend.' Her long hair floated around her like a cape blowing in the wind, the dark aura beginning to glow brighter than before. 'Now Macoah. The light will meet you.' Turning now to face forward she heard several gasps coming from the fans and other bladers, "I'll win even if it takes every ounce of my power." Opening her eyes she found herself staring at her bewildered brother, his light starting to dull in comparison. "Macoah, Dark attack." her voice was barely above a whisper as her own power started to fill the room leaving it in her world of darkness, like a night without a moon or any stars.

"Whoa A.J. who turned out the lights?"

"The lights are still on my friend, what your witnessing is the strength of an angry panther." he replied his voice fading into the colorless room.

Kami turned to find her brother in his own desperate situation, he was looking around trying his best to create even the smallest bit of light for comfort. "What's the matter Micah? Afraid of the dark." her tone changed from innocent to evil in-between leaving her twin with the feeling of chills running down his spine. Taking the moment to her advantage Kami let her head fall back, slowly allowing the darkness to calm her and eventually it engulfed her completely, leaving Micah to scower his surroundings searching. "No need to search brother, I'm right here." Feeling breath ghost over his ear Micah spun around his eyes useless in the unlit stadium. The minute his attention left his blade Kami ordered Macoah in, "Take him out." she whispered her soft voice floating through the air.

The sounds of grinding caused Micah to turn again searching for his blade in the blanket of black, being connected to his blade he felt contact in his lower gut causing him to grasp his stomach in pain. There was an animalistic screech and then the darkness started to fade, all of it being absorbed back into the blade from which it had been unleashed. Micah gasped at the sight the greeted his frightened eyes, staring up he found himself confronted by Macoah the large cat looking enraged. His deep eyes were burning with anger, black fur standing on end, wings spread, long tale lashing from side to side, and sharp teeth gleaming in the renewed light. Letting out another scream the cat dove forward the blades colliding again, Micah stumbled back gripping his face in pain. Pulling his hand back he found it covered with blood, the thick substance falling from the scratch across his cheek. "Shit." he swore turning to glare at his amused sister. "Fine two can play at that game. ZAEMIC!" he called his voice echoing through the building reverberating back to reach the blade.

Macoah dived again but found himself stopped short, violet eyes turned towards the sky observing the scene. Kami glared at the arrival of Zaemic the white cat growling warningly at Macoah. The majestic creature had its own wings reaching, claws out, and fangs ready to sink into the darker copy. "Zaemic finish them off!" she heard Micah yell out, turning she didn't even have a chance to speak before she was thrown back to the ground landing painfully on her side. Growling she pushed herself from the floor and sent her brother a deadly look, "You'll pay for that one. Macoah show them what real power looks like!" she sneered her eyes never turning from her twin.

"Remember Kami, you'll always be my little sister." Micah taunted, his face then stiffening as he focused on the matter at hand. "Now Zaemic go!" Micah called not wanting to be caught off guard as his sister had been, his returned her glare hastily their gazes locking with one another. Like clash of the titans the two spirits collided sending both of the siblings flying towards the ground, a fog landing over the arena. As the mist started to clear people strained to see who was left, many gasps left awed lips as their eyes spotted two motionless figures but at the same time two spinning blades.

"Oh my gosh! Will you look at this, the bladers are down but the blades refuse to stop spinning!" Jazzman yelled waving an arm through the air frantically. "I guess we just wait it out then." his voice quieted as he stared confused not really sure of what to do.

Micah lay still on the ground blood falling from various wounds, bruises already starting to form. He didn't stir nor make a peep he just lay still basking in the fact that he almost won. "So close." the words escaped his dried lips as he groaned quietly in pain, his blade beginning to slow.

Kami had fallen just a few feet in front of her team, they hid the shock from their faces and used all their will not to move to help her as they always had before. Their bodies were tense as they watched the emotionless figure lying stiffly on the hard ground, 'No. Not until it's over.' the thought graced through each mind settling them slightly. Their ears twitched when a pained moan floated through the air barely reaching their drums.

Opening her eyes Kami looked around, her first feeling being pain and the next was contentment. Using all her power she pulled herself up managing to get to her hands and knees. Falling backwards she sat nimbly on her knees the balls of her feet keeping her steady, her head tilted back causing her hair to fall from her pale face. Showing the scratch Zaemic had created on her right cheek and the blood falling from her mouth. Groaning she pushed herself to her feet her body begging her to lie back down, to give in to sleep. Stumbling forward she almost fell flat on her face, thankful she hadn't she moved towards the dish dragging her feet the entire way. The moment she stepped up to her original place she watched stunned as her brother's blade slowed and fell silently announcing her the winner. She couldn't help but grin staring as her brother struggled to his feet to reclaim his battered possession, sliding into the dish she pick up Macoah who was teetering on his last ounce of strength. Moving onward she picked up Zaemic, with much trouble she started to crawl out of the dish slipping several times. She looked up to find her brother on his hands and knees at the edge his arm extended to her, nodding gratefully she used the leverage and pulled herself up and out almost landing on her face.

Sitting down next to Micah she reached over and placed the object back in his eager palm, her gaze locking with his own. Watching his face with amusement she smirked when his eyes widened and he looked down to his hand. Wrapped around his blade was a locket, it was silver with a rose engraved on one side. Opening it his eyes filled with tears at the sight, his mouth quickly dry. "Kami I can't take this." he turned to her, surprised to see her smiling at him.

"It's yours now. You were right, they were ours to share." nodding slightly she reached out to close his hand around the object smiling when he pulled her into a hug.

"Thank-you."

"I love you." pulling back Micah looked at her stunned. 'Did she just say?' Realization hit and he pulled her into another hug his strength returning to his deadweight body. "You may be older." looking at her he raised an eyebrow at the smirk plastered on her face, "But you'll always just be second best." she finished her eyes gleaming playfully.

"You remembered!" he cheered jumping up and pulling her to her sore feet. "I thought you had forgotten." he grinned widely at her thinking back on the old saying they had started, turning it into their own silent way of showing affection.

"I never forget anything Micah." she grinned starting to walk back towards her surprised team. "Catcha' later."

'It's true I never forget anything, but how I wish to GOD that I could.'

A/N

Yeah I know it was horrible but leave me alone, these late night things are killing me! Besides that they're really starting to catch up with me and my weary body. It was better...-glares- You see I had started it before and it was coming out perfectly. So I saved it to a floppy disc like usual, since I'm not on my computer I have to use one. And when I went back it wouldn't work, damn thing. So then I had to start over and I'm so pissed! All the other things on that disc work just not that! Why dammit, WHY? Anyway I'll catcha' you all next chapter.

This is Tawnie trying not to smash the damned floppy disc, -swears and starts to bend the disc-