The Crest of Friendship

As WarGreymon takes on Piedmon, the search continues for the other members of the group, and whilst Matt overcomes the darkness within him, Sora manages to fall victim to it.

Synopsis
Wandering down a dark cave, Matt begins to despair and feels that he has been a poor brother and friend. Despite Gabumon's protests, Matt thinks Tai is better at being a brother to T.K. than he ever was. Matt tells Gabumon to go away and dismisses him. Gabumon bites Matt on the leg to get his attention and says that if he really wants him to go, he will, but Matt tells him to stay. Matt then says that he's always felt alone and that after his parents divorced, he pushed people away and wouldn't let anyone see him cry. Due to Gabumon's companionship, Matt begins to see that he isn't alone after all and that he does have friends. Matt and Gabumon promise to be best friends forever. The cave around them dissolves and they are almost immediately spotted by Joe, who has been searching for them. Joe returns Matt's harmonica.

Sora and T.K. find Matt's boat. Sora begins to doubt herself and the same darkness that had a hold of Matt grabs her and she falls into a cave with Biyomon. Just then, Joe and Matt find T.K. and he tells them what has happened. They go into the cave, with Matt warning them not to be scared. Upon finding Sora, Matt and Joe try to bring her out of her depression. They give her confidence to keep going and tell her that they came to the Digital World for a reason. Sora realizes that this is true and the cave around them disappears. They rejoin Tai and his group to find WarGreymon badly injured. Matt tends to Tai, who is also hurt, and says that their friendship always meant a lot to him. Tai says he never stopped believing in him and Matt's crest glows, healing WarGreymon. Gabumon then Warp Digivolves to MetalGarurumon and joins the fight against Piedmon.

Digimon Analyser
No Digimon are analysed in this episode.

Digivolutions
(Number indicates order of occurrence.)

Quotes
Gomamon: "Maybe your harmonica playing is keeping him in hiding." Joe: "Everybody's a critic."
 * -Joe and Gomamon still haven't come across Matt.

Matt: "I've been living a lie." Gabumon: "You're not a real blonde?"
 * -Gabumon still doesn't understand what Matt means.

"Oh, Matt... Oh, Matt!"
 * -Gabumon doesn't know what else to say to Matt, but his partner's growing depression is put aside as he spots the dark shadow for the first time.

"I'm no good. I can never go back to being their friend."
 * -Matt under the influence of the shadow.

"It's like ice cream: he's vanilla, and you're rocky road."
 * -Gabumon describes the differences between Tai and Matt respectively.

"I hate being alone."
 * -Matt's tough guy exterior finally cracks as his voice breaks.

Gabumon: "Uh, correct me if I'm wrong on this one, Matt, but weren't we just in a big, dark cave a minute ago?" Matt: "That's right, and we were completely lost."
 * -Matt and Gabumon are flustered by the sudden disappearance of the cave.

TK: "Gee, Matt, you look different. Did you cut your hair or something?" Matt: "No, I just haven't been using as much gel."
 * -Where did Matt ever find hair care products in the DigiWorld?

"Once, it took four of us to get my grandmother off the toilet like that."
 * -Joe comments on the fact that he and Matt working together aren't strong enough to lift a darkness influenced Sora up off the ground.

Izzy: "Tai, look. I know it's important for me to stay here and protect Kari, but in the meantime, who's gonna protect you?" Tentomon: "He tends to be a bit stubborn, doesn't he?" Tai: "Don't worry about me.  I'm fine.  I've got him right where I where I want him.  He's exhausted!" Izzy: "But I can help you!" Tai: "Uh.  I'm fine." Izzy: "That's funny.  General Custard said the exact same thing at Little Bighorn." Tai: "Thanks for the history lesson." Izzy: "All right, then.  Just one thing.  How come every time I ask, you never let me join in the fight?"
 * -Izzy's growing more and more concerned as the battle against Piedmon goes on as now Tai is getting attacked as well as WarGreymon.

Tai: "I never doubted you for a second, Matt. I know it didn't always seem that way." Matt: "Thank you, Tai... for believing in me.  I'm just sorry I was so late.  Tai, you have to know how much our friendship has always meant to me.  And I swear nothing will ever come between us again."
 * -As Tai lays beaten in Matt's supporting arms, they make amends and the Crest of Friendship regains it's light.