[Foolish? A knot forms, but it's pushed away; it's not like he's been particularly direct about why he lives the way he does. The laughter is short, cut off after what seems like little more than the first breath.]

Only to someone who doesn't know why it has been taken, and it is my decision; that person died, defeated by one who hated him. And now, this is my punishment: to carry the weight of this name and this mask, to exist as the symbol the people still need in this uncertain and newborn time. There will be a day when the world remembers these ideals on its own, but until then I will wear this mask and bear the name of Zero as I pledged.