Falcomon: Friend or Foe?

"Yoshi!" Marcus yelled.

Charlie bent down and placed a hand on her head, only to quickly pull it back.

"Not good. Her temperature's exceeded 100 degrees." He gritted his teeth.

"Oh no." Marcus gasped. "That's a high fever."

"And this heat is only making things worse." Ash added, before turning to the side. "We need to get her out of here immediately. Thomas, you know what to do."

"On it." Thomas nodded in agreement. "D.N.A Charge!"

"Gaomon digivolve to Aquilamon!"

Yoshi is carefully placed on Aquilamon's back.

"Find a cave, Aquilamon!" Thomas ordered.

Aquilamon flew off to find a cave for shelter.

A few moments later...

Marcus and Agumon walked back and forth outside the cave as Thomas tended to Yoshi.

"Why are we waiting outside?" Marcus complained.

"It's a total lack of respect for the boss." Agumon agreed.

"I get the feeling Yoshi would prefer her privacy." Gaomon replied

"Thomas is a guy and he's in there!" Marcus retorted.

"Don't stop so quick, boss." Agumon whined as he rubbed his injured nose.

"Because he has a medical license, little brother." Charlie pointed out.

"How does he have a medical license when he's the same age as me?" Marcus demanded.

"He's smarter than you." Gaomon shrugged.

"I am so much smarter!" Marcus fumed.

"I can use some checkup. Can the doctor see me next?" Agumon asked.

"Not without an appointment." Gaomon deadpanned.

Back in the cave...

"I think the last battle was too much for her." Thomas remarked after placing a cloth on her head.

"She's going to need water and plenty of rest." He concluded.

"Sorry guys." Yoshi apologized to the rest of the group through pants.

"It's alright." Thomas smiled. "You're not the only reason we're stopping. The rest of us could use a break as well. Although that stamina freak wouldn't admit it to anyone."

"Stamina freak." Yoshi smirked in amusement, before closing her eyes.

"She's asleep. Nice and quiet." Lalamon said.

"A little too quiet if you ask me. I can no longer hear Marcus or Agumon." Thomas noted.

"Neither can I." Ash added.

The two then heard Yoshi call out to them mentally.

'Can you two go look for Marcus and Agumon.' She said in her mind.

'No problem. Let's go Thomas.'

Thomas and Ash went to find the two, leaving Yoshi unprotected.

Up in the trees, Falcomon was doing surveillance.

In the river…

"This is just like a bathtub back at your house, Boss." Agumon remarked as he played in the water.

"Hey! Help me bring back this water!" Marcus protested. "We can't let Thomas take the credit for everything around here."

"You get mad when you get all wet." Agumon laughed after splashing Marcus with water.

"Oh yeah?" Marcus challenged. "You should see how angry I get when I'm dry!"

"Boss don't!" Agumon laughed as Marcus joined in the water fight. "I'm sorry!"

"You're the one who started this! Take that!" Marcus retaliated, splashing Agumon. And that! And that! And that!"

"Marcus!" Thomas stopped them. "Marcus!"

"What do you two want?" Marcus demanded before human and Digimon sweat dropped at being caught.

"Maybe the stamina freak doesn't need a break after all, Gaomon." Thomas deadpanned.

"Yes sir." Gaomon agreed.

Both Marcus and Agumon laughed weakly.

Back in the cave…

Falcomon flew Keenan down into the cave.

"Firecracker Smokescreen!" Falcomon unleashed his smokescreen at Greg and Veemon who were standing outside the cave.

Taking this distraction, Keenan ran into the cave.

"Hu-mon." Keenan growled as he approached her.

Grabbing her shirt, he hissed, "Hu-mon enemy. Get out of Digital World! Get out!"

"Get her Keenan!" Falcomon encouraged as he ran into the cave.

A shot was then fired into the air.

"Leave her alone." Charlie ordered, holding his rifle up.

Greg and Veemon re-entered the cave after Falcomon's attack.

"You're going to regret coming in here to attack us." Greg said threateningly as he prepared to punch Keenan.

"Stop!" Yoshi demanded, grabbing Keenan by the arm.

"Don't touch him!" Charlie exclaimed as the virus was transferred to Keenan.

"What did you do?" Keenan demanded.

"Keenan!" Falcomon gasped, catching the boy before he fell over. "No, Keenan."

"You humans have passed the virus onto Keenan." He glared at the two boys.

"What virus?" Thomas inquired. "Tell us what you know about this."

"No!" Falcomon demanded, unleashing a gust of wind at them and using the distraction to fly Keenan out.

"No hello and no goodbye." Agumon remarked as the seven males ran out.

"What did he mean when he said 'We gave him a virus.'?" Marcus asked.

"It would seem this isn't a standard sickness." Charlie remarked.

"Of course." Thomas gasped. "It's obvious now. Why didn't I see this before?"

"Stop talking in mysteries and tell me what's wrong with her?" Marcus asked.

"I figured it was just exposure to heat, but it seems Yoshi was infected by a Digital World virus." Thomas replied.

"What? But how?" Marcus demanded.

In the forest…

"Falcomon, where is enemy?" Keenan asked weakly.

"Don't worry about them." Falcomon told him. "Just rest Keenan."

"I'm okay." Keenan assured him as he tried to get up, only to fall back on his back again.

"Keenan…" Falcomon muttered, remembering the last time the boy was this sick. "You'll be fine. We got you better before, it will work this time. It just has to."

Back in the cave…

Agumon yawned as the two male Digimon stood guard outside. Thomas was watching over the unconscious Yoshi with Marcus looking over his shoulder. Lalamon hovered over the ill girl.

"This isn't good." Thomas noted. "The virus is still spreading."

"Hey Doctor, why don't you use your medical license and cure her already?" Marcus mocked.

"Vaccine." Thomas muttered.

"Huh?" Marcus blinked.

"If I had any chance of curing her, I have to make a vaccine." Thomas explained. "But I need to make it from something that has the virus antidote inside of it. But how can I look for the virus antidote when I don't even know what virus she has?"

"She's got a disease?" Marcus inquired.

"Virus." Thomas corrected.

"Whatever it's called." Marcus scoffed.

"Please do something Thomas." Lalamon begged.

"That wasn't a request, it was a demand." Marcus grabbed him by the collar.

"At the rate the virus is spreading, I can't guarantee anything." Thomas remarked.

"I have a pretty good idea who can tell us where a vaccine can be found." Charlie commented.

In the forest…

Falcomon was looking worriedly at the gasping Keenan, "Oh Keenan. I'm going to get you better soon. It's okay. You'll going to be fine."

Flashback

"I'm sure he'll be fine, Frigimon." Falcomon assured the snowman-like Digimon.

"I'm leaving little Keenan in your hands, Falcomon." Frigimon told Falcomon as she prepared to go out.

"Frigimon! Wait!" Falcomon called and the female Digimon turned.

"Yes?" Frigimon asked.

"Why are you always so concerned about the human child?" Falcomon asked. "I mean he's always sick and he just lies there. He's not much fun at all."

"You're a good boy, Falcomon." Frigimon told him. "But you need to have more compassion for others."

"If you don't come back, I'll be stuck here alone with the boy." Falcomon told her. "Why don't you let me come to Wondrous Cape with you?"

"Absolutely not!" Frigimon objected. "That place's been contaminated! It's alright. I'll be back, don't worry."

"Looks like I have no choice." Falcomon remarked as he looked at the night sky. "I must go to Wanderers Cape."

Back in the cave…

"Hey Gaomon." Agumon turned to the blue wolf. "What's being sick mean anyway? Is it like being hungry?"

"No, sometimes when one is sick, they actually lose their appetite." Gaomon replied.

"They don't get hungry?" Agumon asked. "I see! So they're not able to eat fried eggs anymore!"

"They're not able to eat anything." Gaomon told him.

"Not eat anything?" Agumon exclaimed. "That's horrible! What are we going to do if Yoshi can't eat again?"

"I don't know." Gaomon replied. "But I know Thomas is sure to come up with something."

"I'm coming in." Falcomon announced his presence, as he carried Keenan on his back. "Don't attack."

"If you want to cure this virus." The bird Digimon told the two male Digimon on guard. "Then you're going to have to follow me to Wanderers Cape."

"It's you!" Agumon gasped.

"What are you saying?" Gaomon asked.

"Same symptoms." Thomas noted as they placed Keenan beside Ami. "Labored breathing, easily fatigued, high fever, racing pulse, cold sweat."

"You don't have to examine him. We already know Keenan has the virus!" Falcomon retorted.

"He likes being thorough." Marcus told the bird. "In case you're leading us into a trap, we want to make sure he's really sick."

"I want to help Keenan. So, why would I lie? We must go to Wanderers Cape!" Falcomon replied.

"Why not just go by yourself then?" Gaomon asked.

"That place…" Falcomon added. "Is being contaminated."

"Contaminated?" Thomas echoed.

"Because humans have lived there before." Falcomon explained. "That's why we Digimon only go there if we absolutely have no other choice."

"Wait a minute!" Marcus exclaimed. "Humans lived here?"

"Are you talking about Doctor Damon's party?" Thomas asked.

"Forgive me if I didn't get to know them on a first-name basis." Falcomon told the blond. "Everyone has always told me to stay away, so I did. But humans like you might keep me safe."

Thomas sighed, "I'm just not sure if we should believe what you're saying."

"I believe him." Lalamon remarked, causing everyone to look at her.

"Besides, it's not like there are a whole lot of options at the moment." Ash pointed out.

Lalamon nodded, "Please let's join forces. It might be our only chance to save Yoshi."

"Then, what do you think, Thomas?" Marcus asked.

"I don't think we have much of a choice." Thomas replied as he stood up.

"I believe him too." Gaomon agreed.

"Yeah!" Agumon whooped.

"Okay owl-boy, lead the way." Marcus told the bird Digimon.

"We have to hurry and get the vaccine." Thomas noted as the group stood outside the cave. "The virus is still spreading. Can we make it in a day?"

"We'll make it." Marcus assured him.

"Can you two keep a eye on Yoshi while we're gone?" Ash asked Greg and Charlie.

"No problem." They nodded.

"Okay." Lalamon replied. "Please be careful, guys."

"And." She turned to Falcomon. "Don't worry, we're look after your little friend as well."

"All right." Falcomon replied after a while. "Follow me."

"Hey, we may be following you. But you don't give the orders." Marcus told the bird.

Meanwhile, a Kuramon continued its surveillance.

"Falco-dude." Marcus started as the boys walked along a beach. "You said there were humans who used to live at Wanderers Cape. Where are they now?"

"Who knows." Falcomon replied.

"You don't know much, do you?" Marcus teased.

"Frigimon might have known them, but she never told me." Falcomon replied.

"Well, can you ask her for us?" Marcus asked.

"That's impossible." Falcomon answered.

"Why won't you ask?" Marcus demanded.

"She's no longer with us." Falcomon replied.

"I thought Digimon don't die. Their data just gets reconfigured." Thomas pointed out, causing Marcus to growl at him.

"Sorry for your loss." Marcus remarked, realizing the insensitivity of the sentence Thomas just spoke.

"Now you know why I hate humans so much." Falcomon added.

"I'm sorry." Thomas muttered.

"Sir." Gaomon reported. "I think that's it."

"So that's Wanderers Cape." Thomas noted as they looked over the buildings hanging upside down on an overhanging cliff.

Back in Merukimon's fortress…

"So the humans have gone to Wondrous Cape." Merukimon noted.

"Yes, Merukimon." Gotsumon replied. "What should we do now?"

"Let them go." Merukimon told him.

"But sir, we just can't let them roam free." Gotsumon protested.

"I said let them go!" Merukimon demanded.

"Yes sir!" Gotsumon stammered.

"I don't understand any of this at all." The rock Digimon pondered as he walked off. "What on earth can Merukimon be thinking? I mean he must have a plan, right?"

"You look rather confused, Gotsumon." Blossomon remarked as he appeared in front of the rock Digimon.

"Oh Blossomon." Gotsumon blinked at the flower Digimon.

"I'm in complete agreement with you." Blossomon replied. "We can't just let these humans wander around our Digital World like they own it or something. As for the Digimon who betrayed us, they will be punished severely. Are you with me?"

"Of course!" Gotsumon concurred. "I knew I could always rely on you!"

"It's been a long time since my ninja flowers have enjoyed their favorite meal of human buffet." Blossomon chuckled.

On Wanderers Cape…

"How did it turn upside down like this?" Thomas inquired.

"Sir, this place smells dangerous." Gaomon informed him.

"So, what do we do now?" Marcus asked. "Knock?"

"I don't know." Falcomon replied. "This is my first time here."

"What are you, scared or something?" Agumon mocked.

"How dare you call me scared? Stop mocking me! I'm not!" Falcomon protested.

"You are scared!" Agumon teased.

"Knock it off Agumon." Ash instructed. "Let's head inside."

"Humph!" Falcomon snorted as Marcus pushed open the door.

"Doesn't look like a place they make vaccines." Marcus remarked as they stepped into the mansion.

"Don't let your guard down." Gaomon warned.

"It's seems like no one's been here in ages." Thomas noted as the group climbed the stairs.

"I wonder what the cleaning deposit is on a place this big." Agumon remarked.

Falcomon then blinked as he saw a vine from outside a window.

"Sir, look." Gaomon pointed to an outdated computer in a room on the second floor.

"That's quite an old PC." Thomas remarked. "I guess this is proof that humans lived here once. Let's see if the computer still works."

That said, he switched on the computer.

"Bingo!" he remarked as the computer turned on.

"I don't have a password. It could be almost anything." He added, as the logon screen came on.

"Maybe not." Marcus pointed out. "What if the password was something that has to do my dad?"

"Yeah." Thomas agreed.

Falcomon coughed and pulled on Marcus' shirt.

"Let's go!" The bird urged. "We're here for the vaccine, not the computer. We're wasting time."

"There's time for both." Marcus told him. "Thomas, you handle the things in here. We'll go look for the vaccine."

"What's this place?" he asked once they entered the kitchen. "Looks like a kitchen."

"Kitchen!" Agumon beamed as he approached the refrigerator. "That's where Sarah keeps the box that holds the fried eggs."

"Huh?" he blinked, opening the fridge door, only to find a single tube of liquid in the fridge's top tray.

"That's not an egg." He added, taking the tube. "It's not even fried."

"That's it!" Falcomon exclaimed, causing Agumon to panic and almost drop the vaccine.

Both Falcomon and Marcus sighed when Agumon regained his hold on the vaccine.

"This is the vaccine?" Marcus blinked at the cylinder in Agumon's palm.

"Yes." Falcomon replied. "It looks like the same one that Frigimon gave Keenan the last time he was sick."

"This thing?" Marcus inquired.

"Sorry!" Blossomon intercepted, grabbing the vaccine with his vine.

"Boss look!" Agumon exclaimed. "The vaccine!"

"Give that back to us!" Marcus demanded as the trio took off after Blossomon.

Back with Thomas and Gaomon…

"If the virus was first created out of digital data, then it shouldn't be able to infect a human." Thomas noted as he tried password after password. "But somehow, it did exactly that."

"No luck?" Gaomon asked.

"Why did the DATS team need such high security?" Thomas hissed.

Back with Marcus, Agumon and Falcomon…

The three were chasing after Blossomon's vine.

"I'm Blossomon, an Ultimate level Digimon! Let me introduce you to my ninja flowers! They may not have thorns, but they can pierce you to the bone." the flower Digimon introduced himself once he had the trio in the hall. "Falcomon! Your betrayal has made Merukimon furious!"

"No, please." Falcomon replied. "It's not true!"

"You've changed sides." Blossomon accused. "Prepare to pay!"

Marcus dived to push Falcomon out of Blossomon's incoming vine.

"I can't believe that you saved me." Falcomon remarked in astonishment.

"Of course, birdbrain." Marcus replied. "We're on the same team, aren't we?"

Getting off the ground, Falcomon flew to face Blossomon.

"Give me the vaccine!" The bird demanded. "Right now!"

Blossomon tightened his hold on the cylinder just as Falcomon dove in and grabbed the tube with his beak.

"Nice grab, Falcomon!" Marcus beamed.

Their victory was short-lived when Blossomon slapped Falcomon towards the ground with his vine, causing Marcus to cushion the bird's fall.

"Gotcha!" Marcus told the bird.

"I'm not doing this for you humans." Falcomon reminded him. "I'm doing it for Keenan."

"Boss!" Agumon called out.

"You fools!" Blossomon remarked. "You're not leaving with that vaccine!"

"Oh yeah?" Marcus challenged. "That's what he thinks huh?"

"Yeah." Falcomon agreed, catching on the boy's plan.

"We'll show that overgrown house plant he can't mess with the ultimate team." Marcus grinned. Back in the cave...

"Sorry for holding the rest of the group back." Yoshi said.

"It's not your fault." Lalamon reassured her. "You didn't mean to catch this virus."

"I'm exhausted." She shut her eyes.

Back in the mansion…

"Pepper Breath!" Agumon unleashed his attack.

"Ha!" Blossomon mocked, his petals turning like a windmill, blowing the flame attack away.

"What's keeping you? Get out of here with that vaccine!" Marcus hollered at Falcomon.

"Why are you putting all your trust in me?" Falcomon asked. "There's only one vaccine. I could easily betray you by only giving it to Keenan and letting your friend suffer."

"Well, if you don't know, then I'll tell you." Marcus replied. "Only cowards betray their friends and you're not a coward. You managed to get us this far and that makes you okay in my book. You had a bunch of chances to betray us but you proved yourself a good fighter and so far you kept your word. We're friends and that's why I trust you."

Falcomon then took off to the door after hearing Marcus' speech.

"Where do you think you're going?" Blossomon demanded.

"Focus on me, you big weed!" Marcus challenged.

"Fightin' time!" Agumon agreed.

"Well, well, what do we have here? A Digimon partnered with a human?" Blossomon mocked.

"Spiral Flower!" He unleashed his attack, forcing Marcus and Agumon to dodge the spinning flowers.

Upstairs…

"We were attacked, sir." Gaomon informed his partner after Blossomon's attack blasted through the room. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah." Thomas replied before gasping when he saw that the computer screen was destroyed. "The computer!"

Downstairs…

Blossomon chuckled as he grabbed Marcus with his vines.

"Who's the weakling now, little man?" the flower Digimon mocked.

"Boss!" Agumon called, coming to his rescue. "Pepper Breath!"

His attack was cut short when Blossomon grabbed him with his vines.

"You need better friends." Blossomon told the orange Digimon in his grasp.

"What are you waiting for, Falcomon?" Marcus shouted at the bird. "Get out of here!"

"But…" Falcomon protested.

"Don't argue with me! Just get that vaccine to the ones who need it!" Marcus scolded.

"I'm on my way." Falcomon nodded and took off.

"No you don't!" Blossomon retorted, reaching out his vine to catch Falcomon.

"Double Backhand!" Gaomon's attack came into the scene, slicing through the vine, before crashing landing beside his partner.

"It's Thomas!" Marcus gasped.

"Gaomon!" Agumon gaped.

"I'm sorry Marcus." Thomas informed the other teen. "But that Digimon destroyed the computer."

"He did what?" Marcus exclaimed.

"Too bad." Blossomon mocked.

"Well sir?" Gaomon inquired.

"Let's go, Gaomon." Thomas told his partner. "D.N.A, Full Charge!"

"Gaomon warp digivolve to Machgaogamon!" Gaomon announced as he evolved.

"Go!" Thomas instructed.

"How dare you partner with a human?" Blossomon demanded, using his vine to attack the newly evolved Machgaogamon. The Ultimate level Digimon dodged the vine easily, dashing forward to punch the sunflower in the face and sending the flower Digimon flying out of the building. As Blossomon fell into the water, Machgaogamon caught Marcus and Agumon in his hands before the pair dropped into the sea.

"Hey Machgaogamon." Marcus beamed.

"Nice catch, pal." Agumon added.

"Back for more, I see." Marcus remarked, after Blossomon burst out of the water and started chasing them. Leaping off Machgaogamon, he then landed a punch on Blossomon's face.

"D.N.A, Full Charge!" He called forth the D.N.A charge from his Digivice.

"Boss!" Agumon called, jumping off to connect with the D.N.A charge. "Agumon warp digivolve to MetalGreymon!"

"Renamon warp digivolve to Garudamon!"

"MetalGreymon!" Marcus beamed as the dinosaur caught him.

"That's it! I've had enough!" Blossomon hollered. "Spiral Flowers!"

"Try a lot harder than that." MetalGreymon told him, the spinning flowers bouncing off his armor. "Giga Destroyer!"

"Shadow Wing!" Garudamon yelled.

The flower Digimon screamed as the attacks hit him, turning him into a digiegg and it fell into the sea.

After the battle...

The group returned to the cave.

"How is Yoshi doing?" Thomas asked.

"Good. Her temperature's gone down."

"And where's Keenan and Falcomon?" Thomas asked.

"Gone." Greg stated.

"They left?" Gaomon inquired.

"Yeah, but Falcomon made sure Yoshi got the vaccine first." Charlie explained.

"He came through after all." Thomas noted.

"Didn't I tell ya?" Marcus told the blond. "That guy is a man's man."

"He's a bird, but I know what you mean." Thomas agreed.

Up top…

"Keenan." Falcomon looked at the awakened boy on his back. "You're awake. You're getting better because these humans helped you."

"Me no care." Keenan replied. "They still hu-mons. They wipe Frigimon out."

"I understand." Falcomon sighed and carried the boy back.