History Main / TeamMercyVsTeamMurder

* ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender'': This is the conflict between Avatar Aang and the rest of the Gaang. 12-year-old Aang was reared as a peaceful Air Nomad who believes all life is sacred, [[VirtuousVegetarianism even refusing to eat meat]]. But because Aang is the only one who can defeat Fire Lord Ozai, his friends, who have all suffered from the hundred-year war, insist that the only way to stop the Fire Lord is to kill him, so that he can't hurt anyone again. His past lives also warn him against putting his personal morals in the way of his responsibility to protect the world. [[spoiler:Aang ends up [[TakeAThirdOption taking the third option]] -- his spiritual conflict attracted the Lion Turtle to him, who showed him how to Energybend. After an EnduranceDuel, Aang manages to overpower Ozai and DePower him, taking away Ozai's threat without killing him.]] There is a slight justification for this in that Aang is quite literally the LastOfHisKind and he doesn't want to pick and choose which of his culture's teachings he should follow, a fact echoed by his later life efforts to create an Air Nomad monastery.
* ''WesternAnimation/Ben10UltimateAlien'': After failing to prevent Aggregor from reaching The Forge of Creation, Kevin absorbs the energy of the Ultimatrix, mutating into Ultimate Kevin and beating Aggregor at the cost of his sanity. Pursuing Kevin in his rampage, Gwen still believes Kevin can be saved, while Ben [[ThouShaltNotKill who is normally against taking a life]] firmly believes he needs to be killed. Only a talk with Grandpa Max can sway Ben on his convictions, and a solution is ultimately found that saves Kevin from himself.

This trope ultimately amounts to ThouShaltNotKill vs PayEvilUntoEvil. One party is unwilling to kill anybody to get what needs to be done, while the other doesn't see any problem with it. Team Mercy's argument will usually amount to: "IfYouKillHimYouWillBeJustLikeHim" while Team Murder will usually rebuttal by saying "If we let them live, they're not gonna stop murdering." Stories about this scenario will generally revolve around Team Mercy [[PacifismBackfire getting tested on their morals repeatedly]] and either proving they're right in the end or defecting to Team Murder. By contrast, if Team Murder is in the hot seat, the narrative will usually show that solving the problem with murder doesn't actually fix the greater problem and make Team Murder mellow out in their approach, but interestingly won't make them full pacifists. Sometimes their morals will be questioned, but only if their approach goes too far for either the narrative's or their MoralityPet's liking.

'''Cypher:''' I trust you're not talking about '''killing''' them, Diana.\\

* Franchise/TheAvengers split into this in the climax of ''ComicBook/OperationGalacticStorm'' upon the revelation that the Supreme Intelligence ''engineered'' the events that led to the Nega-Bomb going off and wiping out 90% of the Kree Empire -- ''his own empire'' -- to jumpstart the Kree's evolution with Captain America, Crystal, Starfox, Clint Barton, Living Lightning, Captain Marvel II (Monica Rambeau), the Scarlet Witch forming the Team Mercy side. Iron Man forms the Team Murder side with Black Knight, Sersi, Hercules, Vision, Wonder Man and Thor (Eric Masterson) joining him to go off and (try to) execute the Intelligence for his part in killing most of his own species and empire.

* This is discussed in ''ComicBook/JusticeLeague2011'', at the start of the crossover ''ComicBook/TrinityWar''. It should be noted that, traditionally, Superman is the ultimate boy scout/paragon superhero, Batman the more cynical one, and Wonder Woman the empathetic one. In this issue, Superman and Wonder Woman are discussing what to do with Despero (who they fought in the immediately previous arc):

* ''VideoGame/XenobladeChronicles1'': During one of the last encounters with Mumkhar, A.K.A. Metal Face, Dunban wishes to kill Mumkhar for every single crime he's ever committed, from treason, to mass murder, to regicide, but Shulk tries to stop Dunban on the basis that Mumkhar is ultimately a Homs like them who was taken by the Mechon to fight in their war with them. Dunban ultimately relents and decides to spare Mumkhar, only for Mumkhar to take their forgiveness and throw it to the curb, [[UngratefulBastard trying to murder them again]], only to fail and his murder attempt only ends up getting Mumkhar himself killed in the process, solving the issue without Dunban or Shulk's input.

* ''Manga/AssassinationClassroom'': After the revelation of what Korosensei truly is, the students of Class 3-E divide into two parties. The party led by Nagisa believes that they should find a solution to prevent Koro from self-destructing so he can live. Karma's team believes that they should continue trying to kill Koro, citing how they've always known him as a target to be killed, and that they've come so far in their goals and shouldn't give up halfway. In order to avoid escalating the situation, Koro-sensei decides to settle this with a paintabll game.

* ''Series/KamenRiderGeats'': This forms the conflict in the show's final arc between [[TheHero Ace and FallenHero Keiwa. Ace wants to use his newly-acquired divine powers to help create a world where everyone can achieve their happiness without it coming at the suffering of others, while Keiwa is intent on avenging his sister Sara's death on those responsible for it, to the point where Ace stops Keiwa from killing the man responsible for turning his sister into a Jyamato. In the end Ace wins the battle of ideologies after Keiwa ends up making things worse while learning VengeanceFeelsEmpty, while Ace proves that he can change the world for the better, setting in motion a chain of events that leads to Sara's revival and Keiwa's return to the light.]]

* This forms the core of the conflict in ''Series/AvataroSentaiDonbrothers''. The titular hero Sentai can use their powers to deal with the [[MonsterOfTheWeek Hitotsu-Ki]] without killing their hosts, while their rivals the WellIntentionedExtremist team, deem it necessary to defeat the hosts as well. The show goes on the premise that BothSidesHaveAPoint, with some people being too overwhelmed by their desires that they become repeat hosts for a Hitotsu-Ki, while others are simply ordinary people in the wrong place at the wrong time. [[spoiler:At the end, both sides end up befriending and allying each other, with the final conflict of the show becoming about the trio's increasing humanity putting them at odds with their higher-ups instead.]]

* ''ComicBook/{{Batman}}'': Jason Todd, a.k.a. the Red Hood, is a former Robin who was violently murdered by the Joker and resurrected through the Lazarus Pit. Experiencing murder from the most direct perspective eroded his willingness to be merciful to those who'd attempt to end the lives of the innocent. Batman and Red Hood constantly cross each other's paths, and Batman's extremely strict No-Kill Rule has them at constant odds when it comes to disposing of Gotham's crime. ''Especially'' when it comes to the Joker, who Red Hood wants dead as a doornail for what he did to him.

* ''Anime/SailorMoon'': The third season centers around the conflict between the main Sailor Guardians and the newly arrived team of Outer Sailors. The villainous Death Busters are searching for talismans that will allow them to summon the Holy Grail, and these talismans can only be found in the souls of pure-hearted individuals, killing them in the process. The Outer Sailors are committed to acquiring the Grail before the villains at any cost, so they purposefully allow potential talisman holders to be attacked to see if they contain the Grail's catalysts, risking the victims' lives. Usagi's team believes the villains can be defeated without any lives lost, and fight to protect those targeted by the monsters and the Outer Sailors.

* ''Literature/TheSunneInSplendour'': While Richard of Gloucester is more than willing to sentence men to death if it is necessary and within the law, he is uncomfortable with his brother ordering unnecessary deaths. When Edward IV reveals he plans to have the former king, the mentally infirm Henry VI, murdered, Richard is at first appalled. He argues against it, but also grudgingly realizes his brother has a point and without Henry around to be the focus of rebellion, lives will be saved. However, Richard is bewildered and disgusted by his brother's determination to execute their other brother, George. George had plotted against Edward before and been forgiven. Richard, who personally has reason to hate George, begs Edward IV to spare him, if only for their mother's sake. Edward won't be swayed, and [[spoiler: when Richard later learns that George knew of Edward's first marriage and bigamy, he is sickened at Edward's actions.]]

* ''Anime/DateALive'': The Anti-Spirit Team (AST) is tasked with killing Spirits when they cause spacequakes by arriving on Earth. The crew of the Ratatoskr recruit the commander's brother to date them so they can seal their powers and live normal lives. The real villainous faction is DEM Industries, led by Sir Isaac Westcott, who intends to summon and harvest Spirits for world domination.

* Franchise/TheAvengers split into this in the climax of ''ComicBook/OperationGalacticStorm'' upon the revelation that the Supreme Intelligence ''engineered'' the events that led to the Nega-Bomb going off and wiping out 90% of the Kree Empire -- ''his own empire'' -- to jumpstart the Kree's evolution with Captain America, Crystal, Starfox, Clint Barton, Living Lightning, Captain Marvel II (Monica Rambeau), the Scarlet Witch forming the Team Mercy side. Iron Man forms the Team Murder side with Black Knight, Sersi, Hercules, Vision, Wonder Man and Thor (Eric Masterson) joining him to go off and (try to) execute the Intelligence for his part in killing off most of his own species and empire.

* In the ''Honest Hearts'' DLC of ''VideoGame/FalloutNewVegas'', the Sorrows and Dead Horses tribes are under threat from the violent White Legs. You can side with two missionaries: Daniel, who wants to peacefully evacuate the tribes, and the Burned Man himself, Joshua Graham, who wants to slaughter every single member of the White Legs tribe. Unfortunately, [[spoiler: you have no choice but to side with Graham.]]

* ''ComicBook/{{Batman}}'': Jason Todd, a.k.a. the Red Hood, is a former Robin who was violently murdered by the Joker and resurrected through the Lazarus Pit. Experiencing murder from the most direct perspective eroded his willingness to be merciful to those who'd attempt to end the lives of the innocent. Batman and Red Hood constantly cross each other's paths, and Batman's extremely strict No-Kill Rule has them at constant odds when it comes to disposing of Gotham's crime. ''Especially'' when it comes to the Joker, whose repeated escapes, murders and atrocities Red Hood has ''no'' time for.

* Franchise/TheAvengers split into this in the climax of ''ComicBook/OperationGalacticStorm'' upon the revelation that the Supreme Intelligence ''engineered'' the events that led to the Nega-Bomb going off and wiping out 90% of the Kree Empire -- ''his own empire'' -- to jumpstart the Kree's evolution with Captain America, Crystal, Starfox, Clint Barton, Living Lightning, Captain Marvel II (Monica Rambeau), the Scarlet Witch forming the Team Mercy side. Iron Man forms the Team Murder side with himself Black Knight, Sersi, Hercules, Vision, Wonder Man and Thor (Eric Masterson) to go off and (try to) execute the Intelligence for his part in killing off most of his own species and empire.

* Franchise/TheAvengers split into this in the climax of ''ComicBook/OperationGalacticStorm'' upon the revelations that the Supreme Intelligence ''engineered'' the events that led to the Nega-Bomb going off and wiping out 90% of the Kree Empire to jumpstart the Kree's evolution with Captain America, Crystal, Starfox, Clint Barton, Living Lightning, Captain Marvel II (Monica Rambeau), the Scarlet Witch forming the Team Mercy side. Iron Man forms the Team Murder side with himself Black Knight, Sersi, Hercules, Vision, Wonder Man and Thor (Eric Masterson) to go off and (try to) execute the Intelligence for his part in killing off most of his own species and empire.

* ''WebAnimation/{{RWBY}}'': A major conflict across Volumes 7 and 8 is the conflicting ideals of the heroes versus those of General Ironwood and the Ace-Ops. Both sides want to defeat the evil Salem in order to save as save as many innocent lives as possible. However, Ironwood believes that the only way is to sacrifice the city of Mantle to save the city of Atlas and keep her from obtaining two of the four divine Relics she needs to achieve her end-game. However, the heroes refuse to sacrifice anyone, regardless of the greater risk this brings to everyone. This divides the former allies as the heroes view Ironwood as being too willing to sacrifice others in pursuit of his goals while Ironwood believes that the heroes are naïve and will get everyone killed. This eventually comes to a head when Ironwood threatens to bomb Mantle unless the heroes give him the Winter Maiden, who is the one person who can save Atlas, driving the heroes to develop a risky plan to steal Atlas' Relic and use its power to magically evacuate the entire kingdom to safety. As a result of this conflict, everyone ends up paying a high price in the end.

-->'''Red Hood:''' Bruce, I forgive you for not saving me... but why? Why, on God's earth...is '''HE''' still alive?!

* ''ComicBook/{{Batman}}'': Jason Todd, a.k.a. the Red Hood, is a former Robin who was violently murdered by the Joker and resurrected through the Lazarus Pit. Experiencing murder from the most direct perspective eroded his willingness to be merciful to those who'd attempt to end the lives of the innocent. Batman and Red Hood constantly cross each other's path, and Batman's extremely strict No-Kill Rule has them at constant odds when it comes to disposing of Gotham's crime.