Nothing happened.

The Digimon Emperor began to slowly clap. "Congratulations, Ken, you've passed the test of loyalty. I must say, I wasn't expecting things to be this easy, but you always were sort of timid in the face of authority, weren't you?"

Ken said nothing, running his fingers over the top of the dark ring. "That was... really unpleasant," he grunted after a long pause. "I think I understand your reasons for doing this. It's the most intelligent move, really, but I'll be lying if I pretend I'm not still a little upset."

"You'll get over it," the Emperor flipped a switch and the control room door slid open.

"Indeed," Ken muttered, "Can I take this thing off now?"

"Oh, I suppose. I think it would be more fun to watch you kill the Digidestined if they know you're doing so of your own free will. At this point I think I can afford to sit back and have a little petty fun. Ruling the world should have its perks, after all, or what would be the point?"

The two digimon that were guarding the safe in the hallways the previous night entered the control room, followed by Wormmon.

"As a reward for your loyalty, you get to have your Digivice back," the Emperor said. Gotsumon handed the white D-3 back to its rightful owner, who clutched it like a precious treasure.

"Thank you for your generosity, Emperor," Ken bowed. Finally, this plan was getting somewhere. Now he just needed to find a way to implement the second phase before anyone was hurt.

"You'll need that if you're going to make Wormmon evolve into... Millipedemon, or whatever he becomes, to deliver the final blow against our enemies. Normally my control spires don't allow digimon to evolve past their rookie forms, but I've programmed him in as an exception. I'll just initialize the change now," the Emperor punched a few keys, and some control spires displayed on the monitors, flashing.

Wormmon tugged on Ken's shirt, "Uhm, maybe this isn't the best time, but please tell me I didn't just hear what I think I heard..."

"What is it, Wormmon?" Ken asked, leaning down. The Emperor was turned away, looking at the spires and the code he had written for them. The Floramon and Gotsumon were staring blankly forward.

Ken mouthed the words, "I have a plan, but you won't like it." Wormmon looked upset.

"There," said the Emperor, swiveling back toward them. "All taken care of. Now all that's left is to select our other soldiers, and we'll begin the offensive."

"No." Wormmon said, leering at the Emperor, "I'm a very patient worm. I'll put up with being your servant. I'll put up with being the butt of your jokes. I'll even put up with you pushing Ken around and treating him like a dog instead of giving him the respect you ought to give to your own brother. But now you're going too far. I won't let you make killers out of us. Not out of me, and not out of Ken either."

Ken couldn't help but admire Wormmon's bravery, but it was ruining his chances. There was another course of action he might be able to take, the untapped vessel in his mind proposed, but Wormmon would like that even less...

"Well I didn't ask you, did I, worm?" the Emperor spat. "Floramon, give Ken his knife back. He needs to use it now."

Images of stabbing for the Emperor's chest flashed through Ken's mind, but these were quickly dismissed. Floramon and Gotsumon stood between them, and from what Ken had seen so far of digimon, two of them could easily outmaneuver him. Ken shut his eyes, grasping the handle of his knife with one finger at a time. There was only one option now that would still let them win. He had to keep his focus on the goal, and not let the calculated defeat of a few of his own pieces bother him.

He held the blade at shoulder level, away from his body, tip down.

"Wormmon, don't be a fool. Apologize to the Emperor," Ken said tonelessly.

"There is nothing to apologize for. Everything I said is true, and you know it, and he knows it too!" Wormmon stood firm. "Ken, please, remember your heart. This isn't who you are. You're my partner, Ken. You're my best friend."

Ken slashed the knife down at Wormmon, who jumped back toward the wall. "Ken! Stop! What are you doing?!"

The Emperor laughed wildly at the pain in the creature's eyes as Ken's blade sliced through Wormmon's flesh. Ken's digimon wasn't even fighting back.

Ken's second cut carved across Wormmon's throat, separating his head from his body.

It was for the best, Ken tried to reassure himself. He made it as quick and as painless as he could. It was okay. Digimon didn't die forever, they came back. This was absolutely, positively, by every calculation the right move for him to make... and yet as Wormmon's data disappeared, he felt so utterly alone. He had given Wormmon no chance to consent or disagree. Once again he had let the idea of winning blind him to the feelings of those that loved him, just like it had when he left for the digital world without telling his parents. He didn't deserve warm-hearted friends like the Digidestined, who risked their lives to come after him. When it came right down to the core of things, he was more concerned about success than caring for others, just like the Emperor. Only now did he begin to comprehend the implication of Wormmon's words. Only now did he begin to understand that the Digimon Emperor had made a killer out of him. He stumbled blindly forward, dropping his knife, and fell against the wall as everything went black.