O Partner, Where Art Thou?

Synopsis
The episode starts in Rika's classroom, where she, her classmates and several of their parents attend a lecture. Rika's mother leaves for a photo shoot, much to Rika's disappointment. The rift between the two is highlighted.

On her way home from school, Rika notices that a digital field is being created and decides to head for it. Takato, Henry, and their digimon follow suit. The digimon opponent is Allomon. Renamon is able to take him out, but not without help from Rika, Terriermon and Guilmon. Rika and Renamon tell the boys and their digimon to stay out of their way. Rika and Renamon are only able to briefly discuss their battle difficulties before Rika's mother shows up.

Later that night, the two are alone, each thinking about why Renamon won't digivolve. Rika recalls the day she and Renamon met. After Rika easily wins a card game tournament, many digimon appear to her, each asking her to be their tamer. Rika wishes for one strong digimon, Renamon, and that she could make her digivolve. These wishes, along with a blue card, cause Renamon to bioemerge and turn Rika's Card Reader into a D-Arc.

Impmon appears and tries unsuccessfully to convince Renamon that Rika isn't worth her time. Dokugumon appears in a digital field, and quickly weakens Renamon. Renamon has her hands full protecting Rika, but Rika refuses to leave her side. Renamon takes a hit at critical range to shield Rika, and is nearly knocked unconscious. Rika begins to show compassion for Renamon, and her cries of anguish trigger her digivice. Renamon digivolves into Kyuubimon and dispatches Dokugumon easily. Renamon explains that Rika needed to care for her before she could digivolve.

Featured characters
Rumiko Nonaka (Rika's mother)

Rika Nonaka

Renamon

Impmon

Digimon references
The title is a reference to the movie "O Brother Where Art Thou?"