Osore (Complete)

Fear Itself

The former Avatar came into view, smiling as he quietly sat across from Lin on the cave floor.

"Hey there, kiddo."

Lin's whole body slumped when he spoke to her as if no time had passed since she had last seen him.

"She's gone, my mom... I don't..."

"Lin. I need you to focus with me. None of this is real."

She didn't understand what he meant. What did he mean none of it was real? The pain her head and ache in her chest felt real. Aang sat down across from her, legs crossed and watching her with a caring look.

"Focus on your breathing. Just like we used to when you were little."

She closed her eyes, trying to shake off the nagging voice in her head whispering her own insecurities to her like a broken record. She opened her eyes and looked to her mother's lifeless body, concentrating hard on seeing what was really there. A moment later the body was gone. In a sudden blur of color her and Aang were seemingly transported to Air Temple Island. She recognized the spot as the one she used to hide in until he would eventually come find her, talking and listening to her without judgement.

She took a deep breath, looking back to him and feeling a bit lighter than before.

"Good. That's good, Lin."

"I don't know what's happening."

"Everything that has happened, what do they all have in common?"

"It's all been my fault."

The scene around them seemed to waver as she started to spiral again and Aang quickly took her hand in his.

"None of this is your fault, but it did come from you. Think, Lin. Why have these horrible things happened? How do you feel about them?"

She struggled to focus but thought back. It seemed kind of odd to wonder how she felt because, of course, she felt horrible. She had lost everyone she loved. She was living her own personal nightmare, all her worst fears come to life. Her head snapped back to Aang's in realization.

Her worst fears.

He smiled as she figured it out and nodded to her.

"That's not fair!"

Lin jumped in surprise at voice that filled the space around them. It was the same voice that had been whispering in her ear, only now it was amplified. A moment later there was a small pop and a glowing purple spirit appeared, looking angrily at Aang.

"That's cheating, Avatar. I haven't thrived on this many fears in so long and I was quite enjoying myself."

Aang didn't even acknowledge the spirit as he looked to Lin, frozen in confusion.

"Lin, you need to let go of your fears. This isn't real."

She closed her eyes as visions flashed in her mind. Her mother dying without them getting the chance to properly make up, Su pretending she doesn't exist, Mako... She sucked in a ragged breath, tears streaming again.

"Fight it, Lin. You are not alone."

Tenzin never wanting to see her again. Kya's bloodied body... NO.

"GET OUT OF MY HEAD!"

She screamed at the spirit, Aang disappearing as the scene around her went dark. New images flashed in her head, then. Opal pulling her in for a group hug with Su and her nephews, Meelo running around with his homemade badge pinned to his shirt as he yelled for her to watch him save the day, Mako "accidently" ordering an extra portion of food and leaving it on her desk, Kya pulling her close against her...

Lin took in a deep breath and let it out slowly, feeling an unfamiliar sense of peace fill her as her entire world went black.