I've opened a gate to one other world in the past. The trouble is, it's a world where negative thoughts gain form....Not somewhere we'd want to stay.

[ And it also hurts him to access it. It's terrifying. It's soul-wrenching. Yet what's that, compared to people being captured? ]

But as an intermediate step, it's worth trying.

If you're sure, Ken-chan...

[ Wormmon pulls himself uppy uppy uppy onto his very top level of legs, and clings to Ken's free hand with his top ones. ] Then I'll hold your hand. I'm here for you.

[ Ken's expression is unspeakably soft. ] Thank you, Wormmon.