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The gentle pats of the raindrops was the first thing I had awoken to. Like gentle kisses a mother would give to a child before they went to bed. How a simple thing such as rain could pain me so; reminding me of my own mother. I shook the thought away and focused on where I was. It had taken me a while to figure out what I was doing lying on the ground soaking wet in the rain. And then, it all came rushing back to me...

"Tell me where the Avatar is, and I'll let you keep your bending."

"I won't tell you anything, you monster!"

A shaky sigh had escaped my lips and I squeezed my eyes shut, shutting the world out with it. The constant pitter patter of the raindrops would not leave me alone, nor would the memory that still burned brightly in my mind...scaring me forever. It was a scar that never have I experienced before, something not visible, yet so painful.

My bending...my honor...my pride...gone.

What would my mother think of me now? Would she look down upon me as a weakling as my tears mixed in with the rain? What would she say? Would she say that she was disappointed? That she expected a better fight out of me? But then I remembered her words just before she died.

"No matter what Lin, I'll always be proud of you."

Proud. I did not feel so proud now as I laid on the ground, defeated. Then get off your butt and kick Amon's instead! a sudden thought came to my mind. It had surprised me that I had opened my eyes up to the gray sky. I had immediately thought of my mother saying that. It sounded so fitting for her to say it at this time while I wallowed in my self pity. Pity. No time for pity. A war is going on, and in my city, in my home. It was my job to protect it, and I'll fail if I just lie here in the rain of my sadness. A great sense of pride had surge through me at the thought of my duty. Even though I was no longer Chief, I could still protect my city.

So despite my aching body and the cold of the night, something warm had found it's way into me, giving me hope and courage. And as that feeling coursed through me I knew, I knew that my mother wouldn't be disappointed, she would be proud.

I struggled to get up and began tearing away at the ropes that tied my wrists.

And proud I would make her.