Stuck In Sakkakumon With You

Summary
J.P., Zoe, and Tommy are now all outside Sakkakumon, but are worried about Takuya and Koji. When they see a silhouette of Koji in one of Sakkakumon's spheres, they spirit evovle and attempt to break in to help him, but find themselves knocked back to the ground. Seconds later, Duskmon forces himself into the sphere holding Koji and the others become worried. After fiddling around with her D-Tector for some time, Zoe is able to talk to Takuya and warn him that Duskmon has entered Sakkakumon and may be after Koji.

Koji, meanwhile, has found his way to the Darkness Sphere and is immediately attacked by Duskmon, who has become determined to uncover their connection and uses his abilities to read Koji's mind. Koji remembers the day he left for the Digital World, having gone to buy flowers for his mother. When the florist guesses that it's for his parent's anniversary of fifteen years, Koji corrects her that it's only been three years. He then recieves Ophanimon's call and is forced to leave the flowers behind as he makes his way to Shibuya station. Duskmon finds these memories troubling and begins to see memories from another perspective--that of the 'Other Koji' that Takuya saw on the train during his brief return home. Koji's memories continue, going back to an encounter with his father, who asks Koji to accept his stepmother, even though it has been difficult for him since his mother died. Duskmon releases Koji and seems to be in pain until Cherubimon materializes and reminds Duskmon that as the Warrior of Darkness, he cannot afford to show mercy. Seeming to regain direction, Duskmon calms himself and prepares to fight Koji, who spirit evolves into Lobomon. After a brief struggle, Koji slide evolves into KendoGarurumon, but even with his beast spirit he cannot stand up to Duskmon and with one strike, he reverts back to human form. Duskmon prepares to finish off Koji, but becomes shaken when Koji feels remorse for his coldness to his stepmother.

Meanwhile, Takuya enters the Ice Sphere and reluctantly battles IceLeomon, who is under the control of Cherubimon. After purifying him, two eye portals open. Although Takuya almost takes the portal to the outside, he recalls Tommy's warning that once outside, it's impossible to get back in. Remembering that Koji is still trapped, he choses the other portal and begins to look for his friend.

Outside, Seraphimon's egg begins to squirm before floating up and giving power to Koji, allowing him to fusion evolve into Beowolfmon. Beowolfmon and Duskmon begin to fight viciously and as they cross blades, they glimpse each other's human forms--and Koji is shocked. Suddenly, an eye portal opens and the two are both thrown out, far away from the others. Takuya arrives in the Darkness Sphere, but too late and he watches his friend and enemy vanish.

Miscellaneous trivia

 * The end of this episode signifies the half-way point of the series.
 * In the original version, this is the first episode to use the new ending theme An Endless Tale.