Last time, Natalie and her mother went to the park. Natalie wanted to know how to utilize the power of her mother's crest to help Biyomon digivolve to the ultimate-level. Just then, they found innocent digimon trapped in a web made by Arukenimon. Utilizing the love she has for everyone, Birdramon digivolved into Garudamon. Not only did she managed to save everyone, but Arukenimon was defeated. Now only Mason has yet to reach the ultimate-level.

Di-Gi-Mon

Look to the past

As we head to the future to reclaim the Digital World

With faith in ourselves

And trust in each other

We live by the lessons we learn

As we work towards one solution

Through Digivolution

I am the one

I am the one

(Di-Gi-Mon)

Forever united as one

(Di-Gi-Mon)

Together the battles are won

(Di-Gi-Mon)

Through us let your spirit evolve

If we're all for one world

There's one for us all

If we're all for one world

There's one for us all

I am the one

I am the one

Di-Gi-Mon

We Are Family

Mason was rather excited because tonight was going to be something fun. As he and Malcolm waited near the airport, Mason can only imagine what's going to happen from here.

"There he is!" Palmon said. Mason looked and spotted the one he was looking for.

"Dad!" Mason called with joy as he ran straight to his father, Michael, and his Betamon.

"Mason!" Michael called as he held out his arms for him. Mason ran right into Michael's arms and Michael was so happy to see him that he managed to lift him off the ground and spun him around. Since Michael works as a pilot, he isn't around that often. That's why the two of them are so happy to see each other. "It's so great to see you again. Look at how big you've gotten. You might be taller than me in no time if you keep this up."

"And this can't really be your Tanemon." Michael's Betamon said as he noticed Palmon.

"Yep. I've grown myself." Palmon claimed. Michael loved that he gets to spend some time with Mason now. Of course, he was glad that Malcolm was there as well.

"Malcolm! What are you doing over there? Get over here!" Michael said. Malcolm was a little bashful, but he walked right over.

"Hey, Da... Hey..." Malcolm said. Ever since Malcolm learned the truth about who his birthfather is, he just isn't sure how to act around Michael anymore. Despite that, Michael still sees Malcolm like his own son and is glad to be with both of his boys.

"I'm so glad that we all will be together." Michael said. "Who's ready for some camping fun?" Mason was really excited for this, but Malcolm wasn't really sure. Once Michael and Betamon landed, they all jumped right into a car and was heading straight for the campgrounds.

"Don't you want to see Mom?" Mason asked.

"I wish I could, but I'll see her when I drop you guys off." Michael said as he drove. "I've only got a couple free days and I want to spend every moment I can with you boys." Mason was looking forward to this, but Malcolm wasn't sure how to feel about this. His Betamon was rather worried about him. One can only hope that Malcolm manages someway to have some fun.

...

The Campgrounds

Soon, they all arrived in the woods and were ready to do some camping. Once they got there, they got right to work on the fun parts. They set up their tent, had a hike, saw a few animals, and all the other stuff you would do in camping. Since Michael was away a lot, and does a lot of flying, it was nice for all of them to be out in nature.

"Wow! Look at it!" Mason said as they all had a great view of what was out there. "This is awesome, Dad."

"It sure is." Michael said as he had his arm around his son. As for Malcolm, he just kept his distance. "Malcolm, what are you doing over there? Get over here and join us." Malcolm tried his best to be a part of this, but it's hard. He thought this man was his real father for most of his life. Finding out the truth shifted things around for him.

"Come on, Malcolm. Have some fun." Mason said. Malcolm couldn't really say no to his brother. He walked on over and tried to enjoy the view. As for the digimon, they tried to enjoy it as well, but they were all starting to get worried about their partners.

"Poor, Malcolm." Malcolm's Betamon said. "This must be hard for him."

"I hope he understands that despite everything, Michael still loves Malcolm." Betamon said.

"And what about Mason? I sure hope he's handling all of this well." Palmon said. She knows Mason is putting up a good face, but she's still worried. How long can Mason keep being happy like this before it all falls apart. This is suppose to be something good, but it's it difficult. It's going to be even more difficult since there is someone there and watching them.

...

Mimi

"That's good to hear." Mimi said. Since the boys were out, it was just her and her own Palmon that was home. Of course, it already got dark and Palmon was already asleep somewhere. At the moment, she was on her phone and was talking to Michael. "I just wanted to make sure everything was good and that the boys are having fun. Thank you, Michael. Go back to camping." She said and then ended the call. Then, she sat down and took a deep breath. She's really hoping everything is going rather well at that camping trip, especially with how Malcolm's been. She hates that her family seems to be breaking apart, but what can she do? She lied to her own son about who his real father was for so long. One can't blame Malcolm for being upset with them. Just then, he heard a knock at the door. "Who could that be?" She walked over to her door to see who it was.

"Hey, Mimi." Tai said.

"Tai? What are you doing here this late?" Mimi questioned.

"Honestly, I was worried about you." Tai admitted. "You've been a little tense lately, and I know it's because Malcolm is with Michael. I thought maybe you could use a friend to talk to."

"Actually, that does sound rather nice. What about Tyson?" Mimi asked.

"Agumon is watching him, as it my mother as a precaution." Tai said. "Is it okay if I come in?" Mimi stepped to the side and let Tai in so that they could talk. Considering that Malcolm is Tai's biological son as well, Tai is doing the right thing and wants to try and help anyway he can. Hopefully, things go well in this talk.

...

The Campgrounds

The boys did end up having a good time. Mason loved that he was able to be with his brother and his father at the same time like this. As the three of them sat around the fire, they all just had a nice talk about everything.

"Your mother has told me all about what you and your friends have been getting into, Mason." Michael said as he tended to the fire.

"You mean you know about Daemon?" Mason questioned.

"I sure do. I have to admit that I'm rather proud and impressed." Michael said. That's the opposite of what Mason has been hearing from the other parents. "To think, my little boy is actually trying to save the world. I know I should be scared, but I know you've got Palmon here with you to keep you safe."

"You bet I am." Palmon said.

"Plus, I know your mother would never let anything happen to either of you." Michael said. "When that women sets her mind to something, she can be quite difficult. It's like nothing can stop her. At least there's usually a good reason behind all of it." That ended up rubbing salt on the wound that Malcolm has.

"You mean like lying to me about who my real father is?" Malcolm mumbled.

"Did you say something, Malcolm?" Michael asked. Malcolm wanted to speak out so badly about this, but what is he suppose to say. "Malcolm, you can talk to me. We're all family here." Malcolm couldn't take it anymore. He just got up and ran off.

"Malcolm, wait!" His Betamon called as he chased after him. Michael was afraid something like this might happen. Mason was hoping it wouldn't, but Malcolm just couldn't hold himself back anymore.

"I guess he still isn't over knowing the truth." Michael said. "I just wish I knew what to do to help him."

"Let me talk to him, Dad. He'll listen to me." Mason said as he got up and went after his brother with Palmon following after him.

"Be careful! Don't get lost!" Michael called as he trusted his son to handle things. He just hopes it all turns out well. He's going to need that hope because something is near their campsite and plans to attack.

...

Mason

"Where do you think he went?" Palmon questioned.

"I don't know, but he couldn't have gotten too far. Just stay close to me, Palmon" Mason said as the two of them tried to make their way through the woods. "I was hoping this wouldn't happen. It was nice that things were like they were before. I wanted Malcolm to come here so that we could all have fun together."

"Maybe, but it must be hard for Malcolm." Palmon said. "Speaking of which, what about you, Mason? Are you actually happy about all of this? Doesn't it bother you knowing that you and Malcolm have two different fathers and really half-brothers?" Mason wanted to answer that, but he soon spotted Malcolm and Betamon. Malcolm was just sitting against a tree and stared down at his cowboy hat.

"Malcolm... Talk to me." Betamon said, but he wouldn't budge. He stared down at his hat and thought about his mother, thinking his life is a lie. "Malcolm, you should talk to him. I know you're upset, but it doesn't change between you two. It's getting really bad. You won't even call him "Dad"."

"Because he's not my father." Malcolm claimed. He looked up at the moon and tried to figure out what he was going to do.

"Malcolm..." Malcolm snapped out of his thoughts when he saw Mason coming over to talk to him.

"Hey, Mason. Look, I don't want you to worry about me." Malcolm said. "I know you wanted me to come along on this, but it's just not that easy. Don't worry about it. I'm okay." Mason thought differently. Now wasn't the time for lies, it was time for sincerity.

"No you're not. I'm blind, Malcolm." Mason claimed. "I wanted you to come along because I thought you and Dad could talk things over. Malcolm, Betamon is right. You can't keep going like this. I am worried about you, and...I want things to be okay with us."

"They are, Mason." Malcolm claimed as he didn't want his little brother to be bothered by this.

"No, I mean Mom and Dad, too." Mason said. "I know you're upset, but it's best to be honest with them about this. If you're worried about me, you don't have to be. I might not fully understand, but things don't really seem that different between us. We might have different dads, and might actually be half-brothers, but has anything really changed between us? We're still brothers, aren't we?" When he put it like that, Malcolm could see he was right. That part of his life wasn't a lie. That's why Malcolm smiled and took his little brother into his arms.

"Of course we are." Malcolm said. Just then, they heard some sort of loud and unsettling sound. "What was that?!"

"Sounds like it was near the camp! Dad!" Mason called as he hurried back with Malcolm and the others following after him.

...

The Camp

All of them hurried back to the camp, but they saw the place was wrecked and saw Michael and Betamon on the ground like they were attacked by something.

"Dad!" Mason called as he and Malcolm hurried over to him. "Are you okay?"

"What happened?" Malcolm asked.

"It was... It was him." Michael said.

"That's right. It was the showstopper right here." All of them were surprised to see that it was Etemon.

"Etemon?!" Mason said.

"Why are you here?!" Palmon questioned.

"I'm glad you asked." Etemon said with him pulling out his microphone with him acting like he's at a rock concert. "I've the need to... I've got the need to get... I've got the need to get revenge!" He sung. "I thought I cam and get a little payback for my fellow bad guys that you and your friends fought. When I saw you leaving the city, I thought it was an ideal opportunity to get you while you were alone."

"Mason, you know this Elvis impersonator?" Michael questioned.

"I don't know who this Elvis is, but I don't impersonate anyone. I'm the king of rock n' roll. Thank you, thank you very much." Etemon claimed.

"You're about to be a beaten monkey. Palmon!" Mason said with Palmon heading into battle.

"Palmon digivolve to...Togemon!"

Togemon tried to fight off Etemon as she threw a punch right at him, but he jumped right over her fist. Togemon kept trying to strike him, but Etemon used dance-like moves to avoid every attack that was thrown at him.

"Needle Spray!" Togemon unleashed a series of needles at him.

"Dark Musical!" Etemon started singing a song that sounded horrible. Not only did the vibrations of the sound blocked the needles, but it was also painful on the ears. All the others couldn't handle it. With Togemon distracted by the horrible singing, Etemon jumped right at Togemon and smashed his fist against her. He hit her rather hard that she was knocked down from that one attack.

"Don't you know you should never challenge the king? I might not be able to become MetalEtemon anymore, but you common folk probably don't deserve my best." Etemon said.

"Are we even suppose to know who he is?" Betamon questioned.

"I think in his banana mind, he believes that we do." Malcolm claimed. Etemon is starting to ruin this camping trip and Mason couldn't take it anymore.

"That's it!" Mason shouted.

"Quiet down, kid. I'm the one who is suppose to make the noise." Etemon said.

"This was suppose to be a great trip between my brother, my dad, and me!" Mason complained. "We were trying to have some fun, but you had to come in an ruin it because you bad guys just love ruining things for everyone!" Etemon was going to argue about it, but Mason wouldn't let him get a word in. "I don't get to see my dad that often since my parents are divorce and he's always flying around! I wanted to cheer up my brother since he's been so upset about us having two different dads! Even though I don't fully understand the situation, I just wanted to have a great time with my family because I don't really care about the circumstances! My family is my family! It might be different from most people, but I like it! Everyone is worried about me when they shouldn't be because I just wanted to help them! That's why I wanted this camping trip to go great! I thought it would help make things okay again! Figures you would have to show up now of all times and try to make a mess of everything, Etemon! By the way, no one cares that you are the king of rock because no one really likes your music!" Mason really let Etemon have it. Everyone was astonished by how opened and forward Mason was just now. His sincere outburst is what caused his digivice to shine with his mother's crest on it, and that granted Togemon the power that she needed.

"Togemon digivolve to..." Togemon's digivolving sequence was a little different from the others because she was getting smaller. Togemon's data broke away like petals from a cherry tree until what remained was a smaller yet stronger form. "Lillymon!"

"You digivolved!" Mason said as they were all amazed that she actually did.

"That's right, Mason. You were able to tap into your mother's crest with your sincerity. It's just as we were told." Lillymon said.

"Hey! I'm suppose to be the main attraction around here!" Etemon claimed.

"Sorry, but you are so over, Etemon. You're just a has-been." Lillymon said.

"What?! I'll whack you like a weed!" Etemon said as he got ready to attack, but Lillymon acted faster as she flew in circles around Etemon. As she flew around, she unleashed pollen that was getting all over Etemon and was leaving him paralyzed and unable to move.

"Your comeback is over, and it' underrated!" Lillymon claimed.

"Flower Cannon!" Lillymon formed her own little weapon and fired a powerful energy blast right at Etemon. Unable to move, Etemon took the full force of that flowery blast and with the disperse of his data, Etemon has left the building...or the woods in this case.

"You won!" Mason cheered.

"Incredible!" Michael said as everyone was impressed with what they saw.

"That was incredible, Lillymon, but I still don't get how you digivolved." Mason said.

"It was because you were sincere with others, you spoke from your heart just now, and I think you might have inspired others to be sincere." Lillymon said as she looked towards Malcolm. Maybe it is time for Malcolm to be a little more honest.

...

Later

After all of that, Mason and the digimon were able to fall asleep. They slept right in the tent while Michael and Malcolm sat near the fire.

"I'm amazed Mason can even sleep after all that excitement." Malcolm said.

"Well, Mason can always be a little tricky to figure out, but he sure is a loveable kid." Michael said. At least now gives them a chance to talk. "Malcolm, I feel like I have to ask. Are we okay? I know things haven't been easy since your mother and I went our separate ways, and even harder since you learned who your birthfather really is."

"Yeah... It's not that I'm mad at you about that, but... I guess I just don't know what to do or think knowing the truth now." Malcolm said. "I can't believe a secret like that has been kept from me for so long."

"You're right about that. The truth should have come out sooner." Michael agreed. "You weren't the only one fooled. Everyone believed you were my son, including me and even your mother. Then, as you got older, we began to see the truth."

"Were you mad?" Malcolm asked.

"I was at first, but it didn't change the fact that I still raised you and cared for you. Even if you are somebody else's biological son, it doesn't mean I don't see you as my own." Michael said.

"But it couldn't have been easy for you knowing the truth." Malcolm said as he was starting to see that for himself. "I thought this was why you and Mom got divorced."

"No. It's not your fault, or Mason's for that matter." Michael said. "Your mother and I were great friends, we had a lot of great times together. It's just that we were heading in different directions in life. I was always away for work. Things weren't really fair to either of us, and no matter how much your mother and I loved each other or you kids, she and I had to do what we did. It doesn't change that we both love you. As for Tai, I'm sure he would want to help you as well. He didn't know the truth for a while himself, and when he did, he and Mimi weren't sure what to do because we were too worried about how you felt about it. All we want is to help you through this."

"Well... I don't know if I'm ready to forgive Mom just yet..." Malcolm said. "But I suppose I can forgive you. I can't be mad at you because you were still a father to me even if you weren't my birthfather." He claimed as he was now starting to let go of the pain, and Michael was glad to hear that. Turns out this camping trip did end up being good. "Thanks, Dad."

...

In order to restore the digital gates to how they were, the kids take on their first true mission. A digimon that serves Daemon is the reason for the gates trouble. With four ultimates on their side now, the kids march into battle.

Next Time: Reopening the Gate