Home Away From Home

Tai cannot believe his luck when he and Koromon appear in real world, so he heads home to investigate, only to discover that he must somehow get back to the digital world.

Synopsis
After defeating Etemon, Tai and the now de-digivolved Koromon find themselves back in the real world. Even so, Tai has trouble believing that he has finally returned. They arrive in a park Tai remembers from childhood and he realizes he is in his hometown, noting the familiar landmarks. They ask a little girl if she is real or digital, but just end up making her cry. Koromon then begins attracting attention from people in the park, so they quickly leave.

Tai gets excited when he realizes that he will finally be heading home. They arrive at the front door of his apartment and hesitantly go inside. Tai expects to see his parents, but soon realizes they're out of town. He raids the fridge and notices the calendar on the door. Though it has been weeks in the Digital World, in the real world it's the same day Tai left for camp. He comes to the conclusion that the time rift took them back in time (when really it is because very little time has passed in the real world during his absence).

His younger sister Kari, who somehow instantly recognizes Koromon, appears from her room and claims she's seen him before. Tai is confused by this and thinks she might be sick. He then calls the other DigiDestined to see if they are home too, but finds they are still stuck in the Digiworld. Tai makes eggs for everyone and sees a news report about freak weather patterns around the globe. He thinks he's seeing Digimon on the screen and Kari quickly assures him he is not the only one seeing them. Tai's Digivice begins acting up and Izzy's face appears on a nearby computer screen. Izzy warns Tai not to come back to the Digital World, saying he is better off where he is. Before Tai can get things straight, Izzy disappears, leaving Tai without a clue about what to do.

Time passes and Kari tells Koromon that he may never return home. Tai realizes that the Digiworld's problems are slipping through the dimensions and affecting the real world. He wants to help, but doesn't know how to return to the Digiworld. He is about to lose his temper when the ground shakes and they see Tyrannomon outside, firing at a nearby building. Tai decides to follow these mysteriously appearing Digimon in hopes of finding the dimensional rift back to the Digiworld. He sees Drimogemon, who soon fades away, and then Ogremon who Koromon tries to fight. Kari chases after Tai and they both tell Koromon he has to Digivolve. However, Koromon is unable because Tai's Digivice isn't responding. Kari and Tai's determination eventually activates the Digivice, allowing Koromon to Digivolve. When he does, a rift opens in the sky. Agumon attacks Ogremon, knocking him into the rift. Agumon is sucked in next. Tai makes to follow, but Kari stops him, begging him not to leave her behind. She comes to realize that Tai has to go and holds his hand until the rift pulls him away. Little do they know, an eighth Digivice is sitting in their apartment, waiting for its owner.

Digimon Analyser
No Digimon are analysed in this episode.

Digivolutions
(Number indicates order of occurrence.)

Quotes
"Tai, can I make a little suggestion? Open the door!"
 * —Koromon urges Tai to stop hesitating outside his apartment.

Koromon: "Maybe they went to DigiWorld!" Tai: "That's not funny!"
 * —Tai and Koromon find that the rest of the Kamiyas are not home.

"What did I just say? I'm confusing myself!"
 * —Tai thinking too much about the relationship between the real world and the Digital World.

"Tai does bug me sometimes, but he is the coolest big brother in the world."
 * —Kari on her relationship with her brother.