Brother's Keeper
By Quincy Burney

Exactly how far would a brother go for the love of the other? Let's find out
shall we?........................

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"MATT, HELP ME!!!" TK screamed while in the clutches of Skull Meramon. Matt
was held down by Phantomon's chains and was unable to move in order to save
his imperiled younger brother. "TK...Just hold on, I'll save you!" He
shouted hoarsely under in increasing constriction of Phantomon's steel
chain.

"Weregarurumon! Attack Skull Meramon...help TK!" Matt ordered of his
Digimon partner. "Right!" Affirmed the wolf type creature. Weregarurumon
lunged at Skull Meramon and unleashed his attack... "HOWLING WOLF JAB!!!"
The Digimon called as it let loose it's fabulous fists at the offending
fiend of a Digimon who help TK captive. The attacks were viscous but to Matt
and TK's utter dismay, they were ineffective as Skull Meramon only cackled
with malice as he tightened his grip on the young Keeper of Hope. A choked
cry spilled from TK as his body was being crushed under the menacing
pressure of Skull Meramon's huge fists. "It seems you're at a tactical
disadvantage." Mocked Phantomon, as Matt was powerless to stop his brother's
torture.

"Matt...**cough, cough**...help...please" TK trilled weakly. The Keeper of
Friendship watched in horror as TK was slowly being killed. "...Angemon" TK
said in relief as he saw the majestic Angel Digimon descend from the sky.
"HAND OF FATE!!!" Shouted Angemon and unleashed the bright orange beam of
light at Skull Meramon.

KA-BOOOOOM!!! Went the attack as it collided head-on with the evil Digimon.
But when the smoke cleared, Skull Meramon appeared unscathed from the
shadows as he chuckled evilly. He held up his right fist in which TK was
being held. He squeezed with devastating force.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!" TK screamed in excruciation.

"TK, NOOOOOOO!!!" Cried Matt. Suddenly, Weregarurumon and Angemon attacked
Phantomon, breaking the chains, and freeing the frantic Digidestined.
Angemon hoisted Matt up and soared towards Skull Meramon. Matt jumped from
Angemon's shoulders and landed safely on the one hand that held his almost
unconscious little brother. "Hang on, TK!!! I'll get you out!" He said as he
futilely tugged at TK, trying to free him from Skull Meramon's grip. The
looming evil Digimon only laughed heartily as he again squeezed harder on
TK.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!" TK almost broke his
brother's ears and heart with that most blood-curdling cry.

Matt placed his hands underneath TK's arms and pulled with all his earthly
might, desperate to end TK's torment. Suddenly, TK threw his head back. Matt
heard the sickening sound of a thick liquid being forced up TK's throat.
Matt then gasped in horror as TK coughed up a huge spew of blood and became
unconscious. An entire side of TK's face was soaked in the bright red fluid
as Matt cried out in anguish. Painful tears rolled down his cheeks as Skull
Meramon loosened his grip until he had completely let go of TK. The two
overwhelmed Digidestined plummeted to the ground.........two
thuds......blackness.

Matt opened his eyes to see TK's seemingly lifeless body aside of his own.
"T...TK!" He said hoarsely. He picked himself up and crawled over to his
brother. He was lying on his stomach. Matt took in the awful site of his
brother's terribly bruised skin as he turned him over. He was still
unconscious. Matt shook him in attempts to wake him......no
response.........

"TK?...TK, wake up...TK!" Matt tried to lift his brother's limp form into a
sitting position, but the fall from Skull Meramon's open hand had left him
weak as a kitten. He sobbed aloud as the feeling of helplessness overwhelmed
him. He draped himself over TK's chest and cried bitter tears of sorrow even
as the battle was not yet over. Weregarurumon was down for the count, and
Angemon still fought Skull Meramon. Suddenly, a white light.........the
sound of rampaging footsteps.........the call of battle as the other
Digidestined and their Digimon came to the rescue.

"Agumon, warp digivolve to.........War Greymon!"
"Veemon, digivolve to.........Ex Veemon!"
"Armadillomon, digivolve to.........Ankylomon!"
"Hawkmon, digivolve to.........Aquilamon!"
"Gatomon, digivolve to.........Angewomon!"

Matt let out a shaken sigh as the reinforcements took their shot at the
evil Digimon. Matt, with a renewed sense of hope, found the strength to
stand up. He saw Davis run over and quickly drop to his one knee to cradle
his gravely injured boyfriend, TK. "Oh my God, TK! Look what's happened to
you. My love, you're gonna be OK!" Davis assured the unconscious Keeper of
Hope. Matt, relieved that TK was now safe with Davis, looked over to
Weregarurumon who had de-digivolved back into Gabumon. "Gabumon, can you
warp digivolve?" Matt asked his Digimon, "Yes...I think I can!" Affirmed the
horned creature.

"Gabumon, warp digivolve to.........Metal Garurumon!"

All the Digimon unleashed their attacks on Skull Meramon.........

"Terra Force!"
"Ice Wolf Claw!"
"Vee Laser!"
"Tail Crusher!"
"Sonic Ring!"
"Celestial Arrow!"
"Hand of Fate!"

The multiple attacks hit dead-on with the evil Digimon and made an enormous
explosion (the likes of which the author of this story would be proud
of...^_^)

When the smoke cleared, Skull Meramon was gone. Destroyed. Digi-dusted.
(you get the idea) All the Digimon de-digivolved back into their Rookie
stages and danced in delight over their somewhat easy victory. Matt sighed
with relief as he turned around to tend to his injured brother. But when he
turned around, TK had vanished from the spot he once laid unconscious, and
Davis was now on the ground laying unconscious, a rather large cut gouged
into his forehead.

Matt whipped his head about in every direction, as Tai and Yolie inspected
the injured Davis. Matt could see no trace of his brother. "TK?...TK!!!
Where are you?" He yelled out. The other Digidestined heard Matt's call and
rushed to investigate. "What is it, Matt? Where's TK?" Asked Cody, "I...I
don't know. He was here a moment ago...and he's gone." The panic in Matt's
voice was hard not to notice.

Matt rushed around the area trying to locate TK. "TK......TK!" His eyes
began once again to flood with tears. Where is he? He wondered desperately.
He was hyperventilating and was feeling dizzy. "Matt, calm down." Tai tried
to comfort Matt, but it wasn't working very well. "TK...I have to find TK!"
Matt said in an extremely frantic tone. This was so typical of Matt, still
trying to protect TK at the first sign of trouble. There has been some
improvement over the years, but Matt could still not deny his protectiveness
of his beloved younger brother.

Tai, unable to stand the site of his lover in such a pitiful state, grabbed
him by the shoulders, looked into his tears-stained eyes, and without a
second's delay, took him into a tight embrace. "Matt, we'll find TK!" Tai
assured his distraught boyfriend. "Tai......Find him. Promise me you'll help
me find him!" Matt sobbed. "I promise! I swear on everything I hold dear to
my heart...I'll help you find him." He kissed Matt on the cheek before
informing him of the need to regroup.

Suddenly, Davis called out from his sitting position. "Phantomon!" He said
in a hoarse moan. "Huh?" queried Tai. "He's the one. He got the drop on
me...he...he took TK!" Davis was in tears. Then Tai spoke up in the most
serious tone Matt had ever heard. "Matt. We will find Phantomon and make him
pay. But right now, we need to get back home. Izzy will be able to tell us
where TK's been taken." Matt hesitantly agreed. They found the nearest
Digi-port and transported themselves. Except for the first time, they'd left
someone behind.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Alright! Listen up! I was able to track Phantomon's signal to the very
source of his deployment by the Digimon Emperor - The Digimon Emperor's very
lair is where TK has been taken." Exclaimed Izzy. The group of old and new
Digidestined wore looks of supreme worry on their faces. None more
prominent, though, than Matt and Davis who were still shaken up by this
indeed ominous situation. TK...How could I have been so stupid as not to
watch my surroundings as well as you? He hung his head in shame. Tai held
onto Matt's hand and wrapped an arm around Davis' shoulder. "It'll be OK!"
He whispered to them. Matt looked up at Tai with those deep cerulean puppy
dog eyes rested his head an Tai's shoulder. Davis just stayed silent.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Meanwhile............

In a dark room, underneath a black light's iridescent glow, TK lay on his
back, tied to an operating table. Standing over him, was the Digimon Emperor
accompanied by Wormon.

"So, my pathetic little TK, you've finally met your match. I hope that
Digimental of Hope doesn't fail you now, for you will indeed need a lot of
it. He he he he he he he! In fact, I don't think you'll be needing it at
all. Not when I'm done with you anyway...he he he...HAHAHAHAHAAAAAA!!!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The dawn's first light broke through the windows of the Ishida residence,
and Matt got a face-full of it to wake him up. He moaned in annoyance and
pulled his head under the covers. However, it wasn't even a few moments
before to covers were ripped off of him. Matt quickly opened his eyes and
looked around to see a bright blue, furry face staring him straight in the
eyes.

"Gabumon!" Matt said surprised.

"Hi Matt! Rise and shine sleepyhead! Izzy has found a way to rescue TK
without the Digimon Emperor noticing it.

At that, Matt sprang out of bed. "Great!" Matt said rather loudly and in a
joyous tone. Matt closed himself into his large closet and came out not a
minute later, decked out in full regalia. He was wearing a pair of dark sun
glasses, an almost new relaxed fit blue-jeans, his black leather hiking
boots, a bright red turtleneck, a pair of black leather gloves, and a black
leather vest (Matt's got a thing for black leather...^_^;)

"Uhhh... Matt? This isn't Miami Vice, here. This is some serious undercover
rescue stuff." Matt glanced at Gabumon for a brief moment then turned around
and bolted into the closet again. Only this time, he came out having changed
from a red turtleneck into a jet-black turtleneck. "There! Now my undercover
look is complete. Let's roll!" He said with a thespian tone in his voice.
"Thank you, John Crockett!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Then, at the Motomiya residence, there was silence. But not for long as
Davis stomped his foot on the ground. "That's it - 3:00 - Time to go! He
said with fervor. He was about to storm out of his room when he
instinctively looked to his right to see a picture of him and TK. He
stopped, and picked it up from the nightstand. He looked at it for a moment.
It was of him and TK when they went on their first date.

It showed Davis holding onto TK from the side while TK looked forward with
beautiful smile. Patamon and DemiVeemon were in the picture too. A sad frown
crawled across Davis' face as his grip tightened on the picture. "We have to
get him back!" He said softly. "Don't worry, Davis! We'll rescue him, no
problem!" Assured DemiVeemon. Davis smiled slightly. He brought the picture
close to his face, and kissed TK's spot on the picture.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Back at Izzy's house, the Digidestined and their Digimon gathered in front
of the computer at which would be their port to the Digital World. "I still
think we should get some of the other Digidestined to help us." Said Cody,
"I mean, what if the Digimon Emperor has more fire power than we can
handle?" He asked. "Hey! There's nothing we can't handle!" Yolie said
assuredly.

"I think Cody is right!" Said Izzy. "The Digimon Emperor isn't as smart as
he is for nothing." He continued. "We may need Matt and Tai to help us. And
where's Davis?" Then said Kari. Suddenly, Matt, Tai, Davis, Agumon, and
Gabumon, and DemiVeemon crashed through the door. "You rang?" They all
chimed simultaneously. Matt had met up with Tai while on the way to Izzy's,
then they both met up with Davis and they all traveled the rest of the way
together. (As if they wouldn't...^_^)

Yolie and Kari giggled at the two boy's grand entrance. "Ok guys, now that
we're all here, it's time to head to the Digital World." Said Izzy.
"Right!" They all said. "Digi-port OPEN!!!" Called Davis, as the whole lot
of kids were sucked into the pineapple laptop that sat on Izzy's' desk. Izzy
himself would stay behind and be the eyes and ears of the Digidestined.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thunder and lightning streaked the skies of the Digital World. A heavy wind
blew through air, and an ominous dark cloud loomed over the area where the
Digimon Emperor's lair was stationed. "OK guys, let's rescue TK!" Said
Davis. As they marched the distance, Yolie picked up an e-mail that came
from Izzy. "Hey Guy's, it's an e-mail from Izzy. It reads that there is a
certain area in the region that the Digimon Emperor's sensors are blind to.
If we follow that course, he won't be able to detect our approach." She
grinned with delight. "Shouldn't be too hard!" Said Tai. "I hope not!" said
Cody.

Matt however, upon taking a look at the immense black cloud that covered
that one area, he took on the most frightening feeling of foreboding.
Something isn't right! He thought. He couldn't quite describe it, but there
was something strange going on, like something had been thrown out of
balance. Usually, Kari would've been the first one to detect such an
imbalance - her being so acutely attuned to the Digital World. However, if
Matt was the first one to pick it up before Kari, than logic would state
that something really WAS very wrong.

As they drew closer and closer to the Digimon Emperor's base, all the
Digimon began to digivolve just in case a battle would have to be fought.

"Agumon, warp digivolve to.........War Greymon!"
"Gabumon, warp digivolve to.........Metal Garurumon!"
"Veemon, digivolve to.........Ex Veemon!"
"Gatomon, digivolve to.........Angewomon!"
"Hawkmon, digivolve to.........Aquilamon!"
"Armadillomon, digivolve to.........Ankylomon!"

"Alright! This is it, people! Time to kick some Digi-butt!" called Davis as
the battalion came into visual of the Digimon Emperor's lair. As they came
directly under the floating fortress of fortitude, A bright red beam shot
out from the bottom of the huge structure. The Digidestined stopped in their
tracks.

The bright beam of red light came from on opening in the bottom of the
lair. From that hole, floated down a Triceramon. When it landed and the
ground, The Digidestined saw someone sitting atop of Triceramon's back. "Who
is that?" Asked Tai. "I dunno!" said Davis. The huge Digimon headed for the
group, but for some odd reason, the Triceramon was moving very slowly.
Perhaps not to throw off it's mystery rider.

The lumbering Digimon came to a halt, and knelt downward to let it's rider
dismount. The strange character dressed from head to toe in shining black
armor jumped to the ground and landed with the slightly intimidating sound
of clanging metal. He wore a helmet with a pair of ram horns on the sides.
He brandished a large sword at his side, and a long red cape dragged behind
him. The cape was tattered and torn near the bottom edges and whipped madly
in the prevailing wind.

"And just who are you?" Queried Davis in a hostile tone. The character
paused for a moment before answering... "I am become death. The destroyer of
Hope!" he said. His voice was deep and cold. "Yeah? And we're the
Digidestined!" Proclaimed Cody. "I know!" Said this supposed black knight.
"You know?...How do you know?" Asked Yolie. He didn't answer. Suddenly, the
voice of the Digimon Emperor filled the silence.

"Hahaha! Don't ask him how he knows, you fool. He'll only disappoint you."
"How would he disappoint us? And where's my boyfriend?" Asked Davis,
"SILENCE!!! No more questions. From now on, I am the one who does all the
talking. The warrior you see before you, his name is Titus. Bred from the
deepest seed of evil, he'll be your undoing."

"Oh yeah? We'll see about that Ichijouji!" Davis yelled.

"Oh yes, you'll see indeed! Titus, show them what they want to see. Heh!"

The Digimon Emperor laughed in malice as the so called 'Titus' slid his mask
upward to reveal his face............

Dead silence..................

"Oh my God!" said Davis in an almost-whisper.
"It can't be......NO!!!!" cried Matt. Before them, his face revealed,
stood......

...... TK!

His ghostly pale skin behind the pitch -black armor accented the ferocity of
his appearance. A ghastly grin graced his face as he chuckled evilly. "TK,
what are you doing?" cried Tai. "I'm earning a living!" He said as he pulled
his sword from it's sheath. The polished metal glinted in the red light that
still poured from the bottom of the Digimon Emperor's flying fortress. TK
turned around and mounted the back of Triceramon. He laughed insanely as he
rode forth on the huge Digimon.

His sword held high, 'Titus' attempted to trample the Digidestined beneath
Triceramon's gargantuan feet. They were able to scurry out of the way just
in time so that they weren't flattened underneath Triceramon. "We have to
fight!" Called out Davis. "NO! You'll hurt TK!" Hissed Matt and Davis
together. "We have no choice. We can't help him if he's on top of that
Digi-monstrosity." Matt and Davis glanced over as Triceramon veered around
for a second run at them. He looked at TK's face. His eyes faded out from
the beautiful cerulean that they once were, to a pale icy shade of blue, and
his pupils had shrunk to the size of needlepoints making him look demonic in
all aspects.

They could hear TK's insane laughter as Triceramon drew closer. Matt made a
decision. "We have to surrender!" He said ashamedly. "WHAT???" The
Digidestined all cried. "I won't bring myself to attack my brother." He said
calmly. "And I won't bring myself to hurt my boyfriend!" Proclaimed Davis.
"Matt, that's crazy! We can't give in to the Digimon Emperor!" Said Yolie.
She could say no more as Triceramon nearly squashed her and a few others on
his second pass. "Oh, please! Give in to me! That's the best thing you could
do right now!" The Emperor said over his P.A. system!

"I agree with Yolie!" said Cody. "We can't give in. We've come too far!" He
continued. "Time to take out Triceramon!" Yelled Tai, "Go, War Greymon! Try
not to hurt TK!" He ordered. "Right!" Said War Greymon as he flew into the
air.

"TERRA FORCE!" He shouted as he let the huge ball of energy fly.

Before the attack could hit Triceramon, TK jumped off it's back and high
into the air...

KA-BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!! Went the attack. Triceramon was destroyed.

TK landed on his feet with a huge thud creating a small smoking crater. He
ran toward War Greymon and leapt into the air. Sword drawn, TK lunged at
Tai's Digimon and slashed at him with everything he had uttering horrifying
battle cries with every swipe of his blade. Luckily, War Greymon was a
highly mobile Digimon and could dodge TK's advances with a degree of ease.
However, TK was relentless in his attacks.

The other Digidestined watching from below were in shock as they watched
their former comrade and friend take such vile hostility out on them. They
wondered how TK was able to fly in the air, or how he was able to swing that
large sword with what seemed like no effort at all. They also wondered how a
Mega Digimon like War Greymon could be made sport of by a human...of course,
TK was no ordinary human...not anymore anyway.

"TK...I beg you listen to me!" Pleaded War Greymon, "We shouldn't have to
fight like this. Whatever the Digimon Emperor has done to you, you can fight
it. We're you're friends, TK!" It was no use. TK was completely subdued by
the powers of darkness that invaded his mind. "War Greymon, you can't hope
to defeat TK by simply dodging his every attack. You have to fight!" Shouted
Tai from down below. "NO! Don't hurt him!" Called Matt. "Matt, there's
nothing else we can do. We've said it over and over. TK's not himself. We
must do everything necessary to pull him out of this state, and if that
means that we must fight him, then that is what we must do. If we don't,
we'll be helpless." Tai explained this to Matt with such a depth of passion
in his voice, that it took Matt no time to finally agree. He's right! He
thought. "You're Right!" He said. Davis also nodded in agreement.

"That's my boys!" Tai said relieved. "War Greymon! Go! Fight TK! But don't
hurt him...much!" Tai ordered. "Metal Garurumon! You too!" Matt called to
his awaiting Digimon partner.

"Right!" The two Megas affirmed together. They began their assault on TK.

"Terra Force"

"Ice Wolf Claw!"

The attacks hit dead on. A huge explosion! Through the cloud of smoke that
prevailed, TK hurtled through it and fell to the ground. His horned helmet
came off and clattered on the ground a few feet away from his head. He
lifted himself up, dusted himself off, and flew once again at the two air
born Digimon above him. The attack pretty much turned into a fistfight
between him and War Greymon and a maneuvering competition between him and
Metal Garurumon.

WOOSH!!!...ZOOM!!!... CLASH!!!... CRASH!!!...

The fight was going nowhere! The new fighting and flying skills TK had
acquired with his transformation equally matched those of War Greymon and
Metal Garurumon. "I think it's time we pulled out the big guns." Said Davis.
"Yeah!" agreed Yolie. The remaining Digidestined let their Digimon have a
crack at TK.

"Celestial Arrow!"
"Hand of Fate!"
"Vee-Laser!"
"Sonic Ring!"
"Tail Crusher"
"Terra Force!"
"Ice Wolf Claw!"

The combination attack flew at TK and missed by a fraction of an inch. Just
enough to burn the edge of his long cape. "Hehehe! I have to give you
Digidestined credit!" TK said mockingly. "You almost had me there.
Unfortunately, you're going to have to do better." He said.

"Hey! I have an idea!" said Tai. Let War Greymon and Metal Garurumon DNA
Digivolve into Omnimon." Matt's eyes widened. "Are you sure?" he asked. "I'm
positive! It HAS to work!" Tai said assuredly. "Alright!" Matt said. "Good!
War Greymon, Metal Garurumon. GO!"

"War Greymon..."
"Metal Garurumon..."

"DNA Digivolve to.................. Omnimon!"

The towering Digimon stood anew in the bright white light that exuded from
it.

"HA! It's about time I was presented with a challenge!" TK said coldly. TK
lunged at the newly formed Omnimon and swept at him with his blade. Omnimon
easily dodged TK's every advance. Then, pulled out the first of his two
weapons...

"Transcending Sword!"

The huge blade shot from Omnimon's left arm. With a satisfied grin, TK
welcomed Omnimon's attack. CLASH...CLASH...CRASH... Their two swords
collided with each other with alarming force, and produced a large spark
each time. The Digidestined watched with a sense of new hope. With smiles
across each of their faces, they cheered Omnimon on.

TK panted heavily as he was beginning to tire. "You're pretty good!" He
complimented. "It's a living!" Responded Omnimon. "A living that will
be...... YOUR LAST!!!" TK shouted as he took a full force charge straight at
Omnimon.
Omnimon didn't move, but when TK came so close that it wasn't even funny,
Omnimon knocked TK's sword away with a powerful swipe...CLANG!...

TK gasped in surprise and looked at his sword as it fell downward at stuck
itself into the ground. He flew downward to try and retrieve it, but when he
attempted to pull it from the ground...FLASH...Kari used the power of Light
that shone from her Digivice and stunned him, leaving him temporarily
disorientated.

"NOW, OMNIMON! Attack him while he's out!" Called Kari. "Right!" Affirmed
Omnimon. He pulled out the second of his two weapons...

"Supreme Cannon"

Omnimon pointed the huge weapon straight at TK. "Omnimon, be careful!" Cried
Matt and Davis from not too far away. Omnimon nodded and charged up the
weapon. TK staggered about, waving his hands in search of his sword. And
when he could finally open his eyes, he looked above him, only to be caught
off guard. BOOM! Went Omnimon's cannon as it fired an elliptical energy ball
at TK. There was no time to dodge the attack and TK was hit dead on.

KA-BOOM!!!!!!!!!

When the dust cleared, the others found TK had been thrown high into the
air and was falling seemingly lifeless to the ground. "TK!" Matt and Davis
cried as they ran to try and break TK's fall. He was cut short when Omnimon
caught TK just before he hit the ground.

Omnimon slowly laid TK on the ground. The Digidestined gathered 'round.
Matt and Davis leaned down overtop of TK, and both shook him gently.
"TK...TK, wake up!" He said softly. TK moaned, and slowly opened his eyes.
He took one look at Matt, then at Davis. His eyes still wide with the look
of evil, he shot upward and jumped back. The Digidestined scattered into a
large circle around TK.

"TK, it's OK! We're not gonna hurt you!" Said Davis. TK whipped his head
around and almost frightened Davis out of his mind with an insane glare. He
ran at Davis in a fit of Rage, but was stopped dead in his tracks as Matt
stepped in front of him. "TK...no more!" He said calmly. "The hell with no
more!" TK hissed as he lunged at his older brother with a series of fast
punches and powerful kicks. Fortunately, Matt and TK were in the same Tae
Kwon Do classes with each other some years ago and they had both attained
black belts. They began to fight with equal strength at first, but TK, being
somewhat out of practice, soon succumb to his elder brother's strength. A
quick spinning heel kick to TK's unprotected head, and he was down for the
count. Davis looked on in obvious sorrow.

Matt walked over to TK, and knelt in front of him. "TK...please stop this.
It hurts more than you think." He said. TK tried to pick himself up and
slowly staggered to his feet. He took a desperate punch at Matt's head, but
Matt caught TK's fist in his hand. Then, abruptly took him into a tight
embrace. "TK, we don't have to fight anymore." He whispered into his ear.
TK's only response was a low, throaty growl. "TK, try to remember me. I'm
your brother."...

"Matt..." TK said weakly. "Yes, yes! It's me, Matt!" TK was about to try
and hug Matt back, but his arms were shot back as he broke away from Matt.
TK whimpered loudly as he clutched at his aching head.
"Uuuuuhhh...mmm...mMWHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAA!!!!!" TK began laughing insanely. "I
will never be Hope again. I am the Destroyer!" Matt ran at TK again and
grabbed him by the shoulders. "Try to remember something for me." By the
tone of Matt's voce, it sounded like he had a plan.

"Remember this..." He said as he drew his head closer to TK's. And in a
desperate attempt to restore TK's memory, Matt pressed his lips against
TK's.

*** Flashback ***

5 Years ago.........

Suddenly, TK abruptly took Matt into a tight embrace. Matt, though a bit
surprised, lovingly wrapped his arms around his little brother in a moment
of such serenity that it almost brought tears to his eyes. "I love you,
Matt, my brother!" TK said in a soft voice, "I love you too, TK!" Matt
replied. Never before had Matt ever felt so close to TK. He turned his head
and laid a light kiss on his brother's cheek.
Suddenly, TK turned his head and laid a rather hard kiss on Matt's lips. It
was a near five seconds before TK relinquished the lip lock with his older
brother. And when he did, Matt was in a bit of shock. His eyes were wide and
his jaw hung open slightly.

"W...What was that for?" He asked, "I wanted to see what a kiss
feels like." TK said innocently. Then, all Matt's surprise and shock seemed
to disappear. "How does it feel?" he asked inquisitively, "Hehe! I kinda
liked it!" TK replied in a delighted tone. "I'm glad!" Matt said as he
attempted to hug TK, but he was cut off as TK once again laid another long
kiss on Matt's lips. This time, the kiss lasted a whopping thirty seconds
before TK slowly pulled back. Matt's heart pounded and his palms were
slightly sweaty as TK showed his affection in this peculiar fashion. "That
time it was for you!" TK said with eyes half closed and a soft smile on his
face.

"Thanks!" Matt said in a slight chuckle. "And...I guess it's my
turn to give you something." He continued. TK smiled in a way Matt had never
seen. They closed their eyes and inch by inch their lips came closer to one
another. Their mouths weren't even half a centimeter apart when TK opened
his mouth. Matt did the same, and as their lips finally met, TK slid his
tongue into Matt's mouth. Matt, a little shaky, retaliated sending in his
own tongue to dance with TK's. It was another thirty seconds before the
incestuous yet wonderful kiss came to part. TK giggled as he hugged Matt
another time. "Thank you, Matt!" TK said softly, "Thanks for what?" Matt
asked, "For loving me enough to do that with me!"...............

*** End Flashback ***

Matt slowly pulled his lips away from TK's, only to then notice that TK had
his arms wrapped around his shoulders. He looked into his brother's eyes to
see the icy pale blue had once again been replaced with the beautiful
cerulean that once graced them. "Matt...I remember now!" Matt smiled as he
leaned in for another hug, but was cut off as TK this time pressed his lips
to Matt's.

Slightly startled, Matt relaxed and melted into his younger brother's warm
kiss. A few seconds later, TK's lips opened, and his tongue gently slid into
Matt's mouth. Matt shivered and in the heat of the moment, slid in his own
tongue to mingle with TK's. Another time...Another kiss...Another love.

TK moaned into the taller boy's mouth as he breathed heavily and pulled
himself closer to Matt. When the kiss finally ended (which was about 3
minutes later...o_O) TK rested his head on Matt's shoulder. "...I love you,
Matt, my brother!" TK said softly. "I love you, TK!" Mat said.

"Oh...My...God!" Said Davis, eyes wide with shock. "Matt...you just
frenched my boyfriend!" He continued in a slight chuckle. "Shhh!" Hushed
Matt. Just then, TK started to cry. "TK...what's wrong?" asked Matt. "I
tried to kill my friends...I'm a traitor." He sobbed. "No, no, no! It
doesn't matter now. All that matter's is that you're OK now." Matt said
comfortingly. "I'm sorry...I'm so sorry, Matt!" TK said shakily. "It's all
right, TK...It's all over now!" Matt softly whispered to his distraught
brother. Suddenly, the voice of the Digimon Emperor rang out the
silence...again. "Hmph! It seems you're a disgustingly emotional group. Even
when I turn your own comrade against you, you've come out on top. I'll get
you yet, Digidestined. Mark my words! I'll get you yet."

With that, that red light that STILL shone through the bottom of the
fortress closed out, and the whole base flew into the air and soared into
the distance. Tai and Davis walked over to Matt and TK. Tai laid a friendly
hand on Matt's shoulder. "Time to go home!" He said quietly. Matt nodded in
response. Along the way back to the Digi-port, TK looked as if he was going
to collapse in fatigue. Davis then made a quick movement, and picked TK up
and held him in the bridal position. He feathered a light kiss on TK's lips
and carried him the rest of the way.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Matt?"...
"Yes?"...
"I wanna thank you...for everything. You never gave up on me, even at my
worst. You even kissed me. I'll never be able to thank you enough for that."
TK said with a puppy dog look on his face. "TK, knowing that you haven't
lost your heart to the evil that consumed it is all the thanks I need. And I
guess...the kiss was just extra!" Matt said cutely. Tai and Davis, on the
other hand, were still in amazement.

"Matt, how come you never told me that you and TK kissed before?" Davis
asked. "It seems you two never asked if he had kissed anyone else but you.
Besides, I didn't think you'd mind." Matt replied. "Oh, I don't mind at
all!" Tai and Davis chimed together. "But... How is it that two brothers can
enjoy such a passionate kiss as the one you had back in the Digital World?"
Tai asked, "For the same reason you and I enjoy it so much, Tai. TK and I
love each other. Not in the same way you and I love each other, but with a
brotherly love that is second to none." Matt proudly exclaimed.

"Wow! I see now!" Tai said, looking enlightened. Matt and TK laughed a
little and hugged each other. "OH, OH, Can I join in?" Tai asked in an
annoying little brother voice. "OH, OH, OH, Me too?" Davis asked excitedly.
Matt laughed out loud and motioned for the two of them to come on over. Tai
and Davis pranced across the room and wrapped their arms around both TK and
Matt. The four of them just stayed like that for a while before exiting the
room and stepping outside.

A brother's love, is a brother's love. Then again, so is a boyfriend's love.
But no matter how you look at it, love is love. Plain and simple!

THE END