Notes : So Candles in the wind is drawing to a close, I think this has to be my longest fic ever, but thank you if you're still here reading and you've stuck with it!. If you have any ideas for future fics you'd like me to write, just get in touch with me via my e-mail address, credit will be given for ideas I use.



1 Candles in the wind

Part nine : Never let you down

"I think I've got a plan" Ken stepped forward addressing the group. He got a few hostile looks , but Matt stepped forward.

"What is it"? he asked.

"Well…If I can talk to Satan- Myotismon and get him to put myself in Tai's place…". Ken replied.

"That won't make a difference because we still won't be able to attack". Matt looked at him.

"He will…I'll make that sacrifice. I've been so awful, such a bad person. I don't even understand why you're talking to me Matt and why you don't want to kill me after what I did".

"I'll tell you the truth Ken, I did want to kill you at first, that's why I came here today. Then, when I saw what was really going on, how you were being controlled by Satan- Myotismon, I realised you were on the dark path. You had been lead there and you know what?, that happened to me. A long time ago now, I very nearly betrayed my friends. Evil digimon can be very persuasive when they want something. They twist the truth so you can't see what's really going on. They make you think what you're doing is right, when really, they're just using you for their own gain. I saw this happening to you, and you reminded me so much of me when I was taken in. I can't hate you Ken, if I did, I'd have to hate myself".

"Thankyou. You can forgive me and I'm truly grateful, but I'm sorry to say I can't forgive myself. Let me take Tai's place, then fire at Satan- Myotismon, please, it's the least I can do".

"No Ken, I won't let you do this, we can think of a better way together as a team, one of which you're now a member of. You're one of us Ken, like it or not".

Ken nodded and he and Matt began devising a plan.

**

"Let me go"! Tai struggled in the tight grip of Satan-Myotismon.

"You think I'd let you go just like that"? The evil digimon sneered, Tai smelt his rotten breath.

"What good am I to you anyway"?

"You're my human shield , your pesky friends won't attack when I've got you".

Tai glared, he had to find a way out of this, he could always resort to what his mother used to say to him, "When a stranger grabs you bite their hand". But this wasn't some weirdo in Odaiba park , this was an evil digimon fifty times his size, and besides, if Tai did bite him, Satan- Myotismon would drop him. Tai didn't fancy falling to his death right now.

However, TK had caught Matt when he fell, so there was chance that TK would catch him too. Tai felt a knot of fear twist in his stomach. He couldn't be scared could he?, no way!. He was the keeper of courage, he was the leader. Taichi Kamiya was never scared of anything or anyone.

He frowned. Thinking hard, he couldn't just stay in this evil digimon's hand , he had to take some kind of action. Without thinking for it another minute, he bit Satan- Myotismon's hand.

"OUCH"!!!! The digimon roared as he dropped Tai.

Tai found himself falling, he opened his mouth to call for help, but was shocked when a scream emitted.

He felt like he was falling forever, further and further, then suddenly, he felt himself land with a soft bump.

"Yolei!, halsemon"! Tai grinned as he grabbed hold of Yolei's waist to steady himself on the eagle-like digimon.

"Halsemon got his power back, so I got him to digivolve just in time"! Yolei shouted over the wind.

"Thanks guys, I own ya my life"!

**

Tai leapt off Halsemon's back as he came to rest on the rooftop. Matt raced forward and hugged his friend.

"Hey you". He said quietly , burying his head into Tai's brown mop of hair.

"Hey buddy watch the hair"! Tai grinned. "You weren't that worried were you"? He added teasingly.

Matt just smiled back. "Of course not man, not worried at all".

Tai grinned at his friend. Before he knew what he was doing, he reached out and touched his friend's cheek gently.

Matt looked shocked for a moment before bringing his hand up to his face to meet Tai's. They stood there for a few seconds, breathing heavily, looking deep into each other's eyes. Eventually Tai moved forward, kissing Matt softly on the lips.

They broke apart, each a little shocked.

"Tai……"

"Matt….." They said in unison. "I….love you….". They both said again, in unison.

The others watched on as the pair smiled at each other and hugged.

"Oh…don't they look sweet" A booming voice mocked.

"Satan-Myostiomon". Tai growled. Matt simply smiled.

"Ready Tai"? His confident grin gave Tai hope.

"As much as you are". Tai smiled back.

"I came here to help you. And know, I can give you all my power". TK floated towards them. He raised a hand above his head, a green shot of lightning hit Omnimon. TK concentrated hard, transferring all his strength and energy into the Digimon.

Matt suddenly grabbed the spirit's hand.

"You can do it little brother. I know you can". He whispered.

TK mearly nodded and with a final yell, he boosted his remaining energy into the digimon. Drained, TK fell to the ground. Matt caught him before he hit.

"TK"! He cried out. Echoing the day his little brother had been killed. This time Tai would not hold him back.

"Brother…..my power is gone. I must return to the other side". TK whispered.

Matt kissed his brother's forehead gently.

"TK…please…don't leave". He wimpered.

"I'm sorry Matt. I have no choice. I have given you all the help you need for this final battle".

"TK, I need you".

"I'm sorry Matt".

"TK".

"I love you big brother".

Matt blinked back tears. "And I love you little brother".

"I'll never really leave you….I'll always be here, in your heart. Hope never dies". TK began to fade.

"Goodbye TK".

"See ya Matt". TK whispered, before his spirit faded, returning to the other side. Matt had had the chance to say his final farewell. He let the tears run freely down his face. Not caring who saw.

He knelt there, a few seconds more, crying and muttering something only understandable to himself. Finally he stood up.

"You…." His voice sounded dark. "You…you…took my brother away. You're going to pay". He shouted at Satan-Myotismon. "Omnimon attack"!

With the added power of TK's spirit, Omnimon found himself faster and more powerful. He launched a series of attacks at the evil digimon quickly, leaving it no time to dodge. Satan-Myotismon fell to the ground.

"I will not…be…defeated so easily". He growled, trying to stand. Omnimon stood over him.

"I beg to differ". Omnimon replied. He turned to Matt.

"Finish him". Matt muttered.

Omnimon nodded and drew together all his power. And with one final yell of "Hope's light"! , he shot his attack at Satan-Myotismon.

The evil digimon screamed as he began to disintergrate.

Seconds later, he was gone.