AN: Because I spent all weekend trying to deal with my Lin feels. =(


That she made the decision didn't surprise her. That it was an easy one to make did.

Lin didn't regret it. How could she? The survival of every airbender was in her hands. Without question, she would do anything and everything in her power to ensure their safety. There was no way she was letting any of them down.

Not those children.

Not Tenzin.

Not Aang.

"Whatever happens to me, don't turn back!"

The words were spoken and she was gone. The wind rushed all around her. One airship was taken care of and the second was on its way to Yue Bay as well. Until, it wasn't. And Lin knew what was coming next. Still, the proud metalbender, daughter of the Greatest Earthbender the world would ever know, didn't so much as flinch as that monster approached. She wouldn't give him the satisfaction.

When it was time, her eyes simply fell shut and it was over quickly. Lin suddenly felt weak, tired, unable to keep upright and her body fell forward. Her armor, heavy, the metal against her skin, foreign. The once malleable and accommodating material was stiff, so very, very stiff.

"You did good."

The words, carried like leaves in the breeze, echoing against the walls of the courtyard could belong to no one but her late mother. The familiar, greatly missed voice seemed so close, so full of pride...

Had Lin been able to feel the vibrations in the earth still, it would have spoken to her, reassured her, cradled and welcomed her in a warm, loving embrace. As things stood now, the ground under her cheek was simply hard and cold.