The Dark Heart of Friendship

Summary
Tommy finds himself in a volcanic world, seperated from the others, all of whom have found themselves in their own worlds. As he begins to search for his friends, Tommy recalls that his brother, Yutaka, once said that Tommy has no real friends and has never had to rely on himself. He reminds himself that he isn't like that anymore and that he's a legendary warrior. As he continues on, he is attacked by a three-faced digimon. As he runs away, unable to find time to spirit evolve, another digimon, Asuramon appears and fends off an attack. He befriends Tommy and promises to help him find the other Digidestined. When Tommy begins to get thirsty, Asuramon offers to get water for him while he waits, and Tommy begins to think about his Yutaka again. He remembers how Yutaka would get exasperated when Tommy didn't appreciate the things others would do for him, but Tommy misinterpreted it as jealousy. When Asuramon returned, Tommy tells him about Yutaka and Asuramon says such people don't deserve to live. When Tommy becomes uncomfortable at the claim, Asuramon insists he was joking and the two carry on. Asuramon attempts to lead Tommy up a volcano, but Tommy refuses, saying that is too hot and that his friends wouldn't be there. Asuramon becomes angry and says that Tommy owes it to him after he saved his life and brought him water. Tommy says that keeping score like that isn't what real friends do and he remembers all the times Yutaka chided him for being selfish. He realizes that although friendships are give/take relationships, it's unreasonable to demand more than can be given. Asuramon becomes angry and reveals himself as the three-faced digimon that attacked him before. Tommy spirit evolves to Kumamon, but finds himself outmatched and out of his element in a firey world. He is pushed over a cliff, but manages to stick to the side with his ice powers. Asuramon continuously offers to help him up under the condition that he give him his spirits, but Tommy refuses and breaks off the part of the cliff that Asuramon stands upon, sending him into the lava below. Asuramon is uninjured, however, and jumps back onto the cliff, encircling Tommy in fire. He tells Tommy that he is a bad friend, but Tommy realizes that Yutaka was trying to tell him that friendship isn't about taking, but giving and that someday someone like Asuramon might take advantage of that. Tommy slide evolves into Korikakumon. He defeats Asuramon and purifies him. An eye portal opens and, having learned his lesson, releases him into the outside world.

Meanwhile, Koji finds himself in a forest world. As he explores, he realizes he is being followed by something and encounters Karatenmon, who mocks him, saying he is unfit to be the Legendary Warrior of Light and demands his spirits. Koji spirit evolves and the two fight, Karatenmon continuing to mock Koji by saying he knows who Koji truly is and knows everything that he will do before he even does it. Koji soon finds that Karatenmon is his match in battle and does everything he can to fight him. Karatenmon says that he knows that Koji doesn't believe in friendship and that by refusing help when he needs it, Koji believes he is becoming strong. Karatenmon continues to pyschologically attack Koji and points out that even when Koji forms friendships, he won't allow himself to be happy because he doesn't expect them to last--Koji, however, believes that this is realistic. When Koji insists that he doesn't need friends or family, Karatenmon realizes that the death of Koji's mother caused Koji to force himself to be lonely. Angered, Koji slide evolves into KendoGarurumon. Karatenmon is initially unimpressed, able to read Koji's heart, but he soon finds that Koji is too fast for him to keep up with. Koji manages to defeat him at last and purifies him. The world darkens around him and another eye portal opens for him, taking him to another world.

Real-world references
While Tommy watching T.V, a commercial for a "Power Rangers" toy appears.

Miscellaneous trivia

 * This is the only episode that Lobomon uses his eye-based Lobo Laser attack.
 * This is the 2nd and final time Tommy kills a Digimon on his own.