Lin. Too many feelings. I had to write this. No question about it. In case my profile picture didn't give it away, Lin is my favorite character. Anyway, you guys don't care.
Legend of Korra is the property of Mike, Bryan, and Nickelodeon.
My bending was certainly not worth the loss of an entire nation in its infancy. I would never betray my oldest friend. Just as my mother would have, I faced my fate with dignity. The only thing Amon would be taking was my bending.
It seemed the art of metal bending would die with me. It was doubtful that any of my old officers retained their bending. The art had flourished for seventy years under my mother and with me it would end.
She would be proud, I just know it. Toph Bei Fong had not been the friendliest or warmest person, but she was steadfastly loyal. If I betrayed the family of one of her dearest friends, it would be the worst disgrace of her memory. I had lost my bending, had been defeated, but she'd say it was the only thing to do and that Amon doesn't know what he's started.
Aang is surely smiling upon as well. He never would have asked for anything like what I just did, but he'd certainly be proud of my bravery. I was honoring his memory as well. Never should another have to bear the mantle of being the last of their kind. I had not only saved his family, but my own as well. Aang had always been more than an "uncle." He was my father in every way save for blood.
My mother would be right, Amon has no idea what he's done. He thinks he's rendered me powerless, useless. My element may now lay unresponsive around me, but I can still fight. It seems Amon has forgotten that bending is a form of martial art. Just because I have lost my ability to bend it does not mean I will quit fighting for the other benders, so that they may retain what was taken from me. I will not stop until Amon lays broken, with his "revolution" in shambles around him.
I will find a way to return stronger and better than before. My mother invented an entirely new form of bending while trapped in a cell, surely I can follow her example. I will not be alone. The Avatar will lead the way and Tenzin will avenge me. Perhaps I'll take a page out of the Sato girl's book and turn the Equalists' weapons against them.
My sacrifice has bought Tenzin and his family maybe a few days. I cannot stop there. The threat to the Air Nation must be eliminated before I rest. A vital part of me was stolen, ripped from my very soul, but I will not surrender, because this war is bigger than myself and the others who have lost their bending. Our art, our very world is at stake. Like my mother and her friends before me, I will not stand aside, I will fight for balance and peace.