Korra: According to the doctor who was here earlier, I only have a few minutes until the shadow energy in my body kills me. She said it's a miracle I lasted this long…
Kato froze in complete and utter shock. A cold line of sweat ran down his forehead. The words he'd spoken earlier about strength and resolve suddenly felt hollow, thrown back at him as if they meant nothing. A voice echoed in his mind, one he'd heard before:
"Sorry to break it to you but the world doesn't work according to your desires."
He zoned out for a moment, paralyzed by the weight of his mother's revelation. But he snapped back to reality when he heard her coughing violently. Blood trickled from her mouth and nose.
Kato: Mother!!
Korra continued coughing and instant fear took over Kato.
Kato: I'll get Ms. Dana!
He turned to leave, but Korra suddenly grabbed his hand.
Korra: Wait… I have something I need to tell you.
Kato: That can wait! I need to get Ms. Dana to look at you—
Korra: I already told you. I only have a few moments left. (coughs) Even if you call her, there's nothing she can do to save me.
Kato: But…
Korra: At least listen to me, Kato! (tears in her eyes) Please, just this once, don't be stubborn… not when it's the last time.
Seeing the tears in his mother's eyes, Kato felt compelled to sit down beside her. He clenched his fists, trembling with frustration as he then took his seat.
Kato: DAMN IT!
Korra: Before I go, I feel it's only right that I tell you about your father. Your father… he's…
Kato immediately got frustrated.
Kato: He's a Shadow, isn't he? I already know that much. They explained it to me already. But why are we talking about him now? He's not important. He left us, just like that. I don't want to talk about him.
Korra shook her head.
Korra: I know your father isn't your favorite person because he left us… (coughs) but he's not the man you think he is. He left to protect us.
Kato: Protect us? Where was he when we were bitten by Shadow Bugs? Where was he when I was kidnapped by the Kaimi Daja? He never came to visit you in the hospital, never even tried to find me. How am I supposed to understand a father like that? Doesn't he care about us?
Korra: Your father… he's had a complicated life and made many mistakes. But you and I were not one of them. He cares for us, Kato. He loves us deeply. (coughs) He left, not because he doesn't care, but because staying would've brought his enemies straight to us.
Kato: His enemies?
Korra: Why do you think we moved to Benville City after he left? He… (coughs violently)
Suddenly, blood began pouring from Korra's eyes, nose, and mouth. Her breathing grew ragged, cutting her explanation short. At that moment, Ervin and Dana returned to the room and met Kato panicking.
Kato: What's happening to my mom?!
Dana: She's dying. Her body is collapsing under the strain of the shadow energy. It's reached its limit.
Kato: (tears streaming down his face) PLEASE, DO SOMETHING! ANYTHING!!
Dana: I'm sorry, Kato. There's nothing anyone can do. I'm so sorry.
Kato collapsed to his knees beside the hospital bed, gripping the sheets as despair consumed him. His worst fear was becoming reality.
Kato: (sobbing) I can't accept this. I'm not ready for this. I'M NOT READY FOR THIS!! I TOLD MYSELF THAT AS LONG AS I HAD PEOPLE AROUND ME, I COULD FACE ANYTHING THAT CAME MY WAY.
Tears began to fall from his eyes as his hands began to shake in fear..
Kato: But I was wrong! All the goals I set, all the times I said I could handle anything, it was all a lie. I'm weak. I'm not ready for this. I CAN'T ACCEPT THIS PATH! I CAN'T LIVE THIS LIFE WITHOUT YOU, MOTHER! SO MUCH HAS BEEN PUSHED ON ME ALL AT ONCE, AND I'M NOT READY! I'M NOT! PLEASE, COME BACK FROM THIS! PLEASE! I CAN'T DO THIS WITHOUT YOU! PLEASE!!!
Through her labored breathing, Korra gently pulled Kato into her arms. Her voice, though faint, carried a firm resolve.
Korra: Kato… my brave boy… strength isn't about never feeling afraid or overwhelmed. It's about facing those feelings and moving forward despite them. It's okay to feel unready… (breathes heavily) to feel like everything is too much. But know this: you are not alone. You have people who care for you deeply, just as I do.
She paused, looking into his tear-filled eyes with love and seriousness.
Korra: I won't be there physically, but my love and belief in you will always remain. Trust in yourself and in the bonds you've built. It's okay to lean on others when you need to… (breathes heavily) But never forget the incredible strength you hold within yourself. It'll guide you, even in the darkest times.
Her voice grew weaker with each word, her final moments drawing near.
Korra: Promise me, Kato, that you'll keep moving forward, no matter how hard it gets. (breathes heavily) Promise me that you'll extend the kindness you receive from people to everyone else around you…
Kato struggled to respond and even when he did, he came repeating the same words over and over as tears fell from his eyes
Kato: I… I don't know… I don't know…
Korra looked at her son and then smiled faintly at him.
Korra: You are stronger than you realize, Kato… and I know you'll find your way.
With those final words, Korra offered Kato one last, tender smile. Her breathing softened, growing slower and quieter, until it finally stilled. The light in her eyes gently faded, and she passed away with that loving smile still resting on her face.