Chapter 28: Lin's Funeral
Asami and the others slowly made their way to Oogi who had been waiting patiently on the docks. On the way, they picked up Lin's body. Asami and Mako helped up Tenzin and Korra. They flew to the island, Tenzin holding onto his chest and Korra holding onto her shoulder. Once they arrived, they noticed the boat gone. "Let's get you two to the South Pole."
The group had honestly expected to see Iroh's ship at some point along the trip but never did. "What did Master Katara do, bend her and the General back to the South Pole?" Bolin asked and then walked over to Asami. "Are you ok Asami?" Bolin put a hand on her shoulder.
Asami turned and faced Bolin with a smile. "I'm fine Bolin; I just can't believe what I did today." Asami couldn't get the images out of her head. She had become enraged and it wasn't pretty. "I know that he was no father to me but I killed him. Fire really is a death bringer." Asami let a tear slip.
Bolin wasn't sure what he should say. He took a moment to think and then hugged Asami. "Look Asami, I don't think I agree with that. It all depends on how it's used. Imagine if we were stranded somewhere and it was freezing, you would be an instant bon fire and could keep us warm." Bolin said with a big grin.
"Thanks Bolin, I wanted to be compared to a bon fire." Bolin realized what he had said and tried to defend himself but Asami wouldn't let him. "I know what you meant Bolin and I know you have a point but it doesn't help with all that I've seen." Bolin looked away sadly. "Hey, it's midnight Bolin, let's get some sleep, what do you say?" Bolin nodded and the two lay down and went to sleep.
Early that morning, the group woke up to Oogi landing. "Wake up everyone, we're here." Mako said looking up seeing snow everywhere. Mako helped up Korra who's arm had become very red and blistery. Asami helped up Tenzin with Bolin's help, careful not to hurt Tenzin and the blister across his chest. Everyone got off Oogi slowly and carefully.
They went to Master Katara's home and Asami walked in. "Master Katara?" Asami said not sure if she is awake or not. Katara smiled and then turned around to face Asami. "Korra and Tenzin are hurt, they need help." Katara nodded and went outside. Katara went over to her son and put a hand on his chest. The blister slowly disappeared but the burning is still there. Katara then did the same to Korra's shoulder.
"Thank you Master Katara, now we have some bad news and some good news." Katara listened carefully. "Good news, the threat has been neutralized; the bad news is that we lost Lin." A small tear slid down her Korra's cheek as she said that.
Katara put a hand to her mouth trying to hold back tears. "She will receive a burial that both her and her mother would want. Bolin, I believe that you would know." Bolin nodded and then Katara cleared the snow from a spot in the snow. "This is where Toph is buried." Katara and Bolin picked up Lin and placed her on the snow less spot and Bolin went to work. He moved the earth to morph to Lin's shape and size as it sucked her underground like quicksand.
Lin woke up and looked around. "Where am I?" Lin asked curiously and then heard a voice behind her.
"Hello my daughter." Toph said from behind.
Lin turned slowly and smiled. "Mom?" Lin asked. "So this means that I'm dead?" Lin looked around not really seeing anything but her mother.
"Yes now listen." Toph said as a picture came into view of her friends.
The first to speak is Tenzin who is holding onto his chest. "Lin, you always were a wild one. You may not have realized it but you were a lot like Korra at her age. Anyway, I am going to miss you my friend. Father, take care of her." That was all Tenzin said, out loud anyway.
Next up was Korra and she had more to say. "Lin I'm sorry that I failed you. If I had only listened to Master Katara and Mako then you would still be here. I feel like I lost my sister despite the fact that we started off on the wrong foot. I really thought of you as my sister and I'm going to miss you. I just wish that I could take back what I did and do things over again. I'm sorry Lin and I'm sorry Toph. I let you die Lin, I just" Korra couldn't finish as she ran into Mako's arms and cried. One by one each of them said something.
After it was all said and done, slowly they left except for Korra who sat there sadly. Korra then felt a hand on her shoulder and turned around. Behind her she saw Lin and Toph. She hadn't realized it but she had left her body. "Lin, Toph, how?"
"Spirit world Avatar." Toph then punched Korra in the shoulder.
"Korra stop blaming yourself for this. It was partly my fault too. I ran off and didn't pay attention to you. I guess I didn't really listen to you. If I would have I wouldn't have been killed. Enough of that though, thank you. Thanks for what you said about losing a sister. Tenzin is right by the way, I was a lot like you at your age. Tell him that and I'll never stop haunting you." Korra moved her fingers across her lips like she had been zipping up a zipper. "I'm happy though Korra, I get to be with my mother again."
Korra smiled and then noticed something. "Lin, your scar is gone."
"Yep and I can see, a few perks to being dead. I finally got to see what everyone looks like and since we don't have our bending, I guess being able see didn't take anything away. I wonder when Sugar Queen there is gonna kick it but I guess you need her more then anyone. In case your wondering, that's my nickname for Katara. Then there is Twinkle Toes for Aang. Anyway, I can see and it's nice. You had better get going though heartbreaker." With that said, Toph winked at Korra and the two disappeared.
Korra then returned to her own body. Korra rubbed her head and then stopped. "What do you mean heartbreaker?" Korra yelled to the sky.
A/N: I hope you enjoyed the chapter and please review. Thank you and I couldn't come up with a good nickname for Korra.
