Korra's vines lashed out and wrapped tightly around Kato once more. This time, his earlier strength deserted him and no matter how hard he struggled, he couldn't break free.
Zero cleared his throat, the sound cutting through the moment like a blade.
Zero: As I was saying, we're not so different if you think about it. Aside from the fact that we can both copy people's techniques, our goals are also the same. We both want to CHANGE the world. From what Arou has told us, you want to CHANGE the way the world views shadows and stop us from affecting more lives with our plans. Our goal is to CHANGE the world by eradicating Shadows and Clarions from the world. And how do we do that? By eradicating shadow and light energy itself from the world. And for that to work, we need the fragments parts the heirs have.
Kato raised an eyebrow, a mix of annoyance and puzzlement crossing his face.
Kato: Our goals aren't the same!
Zero: I beg to differ. We saw a broken world and wanted to change it. The difference? I'm willing to do whatever it takes. You on the other hand…
Kato: I'M NOT LIKE YOU!
But Zero shook his head.
Zero: Earlier you were yelling about how you are going to do everything you can to stop us from achieving our goals. Now that itself is a good goal but you didn't finish your statement. You didn't say how far you would go to accomplish those goals you were rambling about. You mind telling me why?
Kato glared at him.
Kato: Because I'm NOT like you.
Zero: BINGO. The difference between you and me is that I'm willing to go that far to achieve my goals and YOU still want to achieve your goals and keep your hands clean. You can't eat your cake and still have it.
Kato: You're wrong. You don't have to necessarily kill people to make the world a better place. There are always other ways to do things.
Zero: And where has that gotten anyone? Nowhere. I've sat back and let others find different ways to CHANGE this world but it never ended well. More people ended up dying as a result.
A memory of a boy in the midst of a destroyed neighborhood flashed in Zero's mind.
Zero: The conclusion I got from that is that no matter what path you decide to take, there will always be death and pretending that you can stay clean through it is BULLSHIT. No matter what you do, the choice to kill will always find its way to you.
Kato pondered on what Zero said for a while before he responded.
Kato: I'm not going to accept it. Just because you couldn't find a path that doesn't lead to death doesn't mean I won't find it. If I can't find a path without death, I'LL CREATE IT!
Zero: That sounds noble of you, BUT I DON'T CARE. I've made up my mind a long time ago and you're not about to talk me out of it.
Kato: But… this is wrong!! Killing people just to achieve some vague goal… it's wrong!!!
Zero sighed.
Zero: Life is built on choices and convictions. In the end, people fight to decide which ideals deserve to survive. If you think I'm wrong, then prove it. Stop me. Words don't change the world. Only actions do. And the ones who act… are the ones people listen to.
Kato: I won't step down to your level and kill people.
Zero: Why won't you?
Kato: If I begin to kill people to fulfill my goals, the value of their lives would begin to change within me and I'm scared of the kind of person I would become when that happens. SO I WON'T KILL YOU OR ANYONE. I'll prove to you that there can be a way to change the world without taking lives.
Zero unknowingly smiled at Kato which left him confused.
Zero: I knew it. You remind me of who I used to be.
Kato:Huh?
Zero: It's too bad I'll have to kill you after everything you just said.
A large amount of water suddenly appeared in Zero's hands and Kato immediately began struggling to free himself from his restrains. Kayomi who watched a few feet away also tried to break free.
Kayomi: (to himself) This is bad.
Zero: I'm giving you a choice, Kato Hamura. Activate the god eye or I'll kill your friend over there. Maybe then you'll want to kill me after that.
Kato's eyes shone in horror.
Kayomi: (to himself) I'm the target!?
Kato: WHAT ARE YOU SAYING!?
Zero: Are you deaf? I'm not repeating myself again. Make a choice, Kato Hamura.
Kato: (to himself) DAMN IT! DAMN IT!! DAMN IT!!! I DON'T HAVE ENOUGH ENERGY TO DO ANYTHING!!
Zero: Still nothing? Perhaps you need a little push. [WATER MANIPULATION: WATER PISTOL]
Kato: WAIT!!!!!!!!
All the water swirling around Zero's hands coalesced, funneling into the tip of his right finger, forming a razor-sharp projectile.
With a sharp flick, he fired a single, lethal water bullet straight toward Kayomi, who was still struggling against the restraining vines.
Kato: MR KAYOMI!!!!!!!!!!
Kayomi, seeing the bullet coming, tried to break free but the vines seemed to grow stronger each time he resisted.
Kayomi: Damn it. I can't harden my body while I'm restrained like this. Even if I chant black right now, It's hopeless if the shadow energy can't move to my head because of how tight these restraints are.
The bullet flew closer.
Kayomi: Damn it. Is this it? I never got to see Kinara and the baby before.....
As the water bullet hurtled toward him, Kayomi braced for impact, certain it would be the end. But at the last second, it vanished, evaporating before it could strike.
Everyone knew instantly why.
Right between Kayomi and the deadly projectile, Mira Hashido appeared. Her technique flared, intercepting the attack and nullifying it completely before it could land.
Zero: The water bullet vanished?
Kato: Mira!?
Mira: Hey, Kato. Hope we're not late.
Kato: We?
Suddenly, Isaiah and Yamato appeared on the battlefield. Isaiah's shadow dagger pressed cold against Zero's throat, while Yamato's crackling lightning surged forward, shattering the tree that held Kato captive and freeing him.
Yamato (grinning): Hopeless without me, huh?
Kato: Now's really not the time for your jokes, you know!?
Isaiah (to Zero): Back off, creep—if you value your life.
Zero (smirking): My, my… such a sharp tongue for a boy. Care to back those words up?
The backup Kayomi had called now stood together, their presence shifting the momentum of the fight. The balance had tipped and Zero could feel it.