Avatar - Conquering the Elements-Chapter 169. The Climax

Tienhai City. Yo.

"We arrived just in time—the entire leadership of the organization is here!" I thought, looking at the gathered individuals. A sense of dissatisfaction lingered as I observed them. Each founder was exceptional: the guy in the corner had quickly designed a slightly inferior version of the satomobile; Xuin Su was a true business shark; Bakir, unaware, had created numerous unique earthbending techniques. It was a shame. Their noble intentions were doomed from the start. The Vatru particles didn't need happy, powerful people...

"You know what you've done," I said calmly, as my other bodies surrounded them.

"This—" Bakir tried to speak, but Yakon shook his head, his eyes calm, almost resigned, as he looked at me. Before I spoke, he'd tried a dozen times to control our blood. In vain. We were in different leagues, and he knew it.

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"I know you're not behind the attacks," I said, understanding his unspoken words. Partially, they were guilty, as someone else had infiltrated their organization, exploiting their resources. "But... that doesn't excuse your crimes. Dozens kidnapped, countless attacks on civilians, subversive activities—the list goes on."

"We... wanted better for ordinary people," Yakon rasped, having experienced being "second-class" himself.

"And you achieved it," I replied. People realized they mattered if they united. Of course, only the most fanatical still believed in Amon, but even without him, the city's mindset had fundamentally shifted. "Life energy will finish what you started," I added. These weren't fools; they'd considered studying this mysterious energy but, like me, lacked information. They hadn't even found a way to open chakras, despite their efforts.

"Some comfort, at least," Yakon managed a weak smile before clutching his head in pain. Not just him—all of them convulsed. The Vatru particles weren't pleased the Equalists were giving up.

"Finally, Aang's here," I thought with relief, feeling a gentle breeze as the Avatar flew in. I wasn't the only one who sensed his arrival. The Equalists' bodies contorted at odd angles, the particles fleeing.

Without a word, Aang closed his eyes and pressed his fists to his chest. Soon, his tattoos glowed—a sign he was brimming with higher-order energy.

"Ha!" he exclaimed, spreading his arms. A wave of white, faintly glowing energy washed over the Equalists. A horrible screeching or wailing followed—the death throes of the Vatru particles.

"It's over," I sighed deeply. I began examining the Equalists. As expected, the particles had left their mark.

"Hmm, they're conscious, physically healthy," I noted. Some drooled, others flailed like infants. I used firebending's energy-reading technique. "An entire section of their spiritual bodies is missing—just a jagged hole. And another area's damaged. Their spiritual minds are like they've been stirred in a blender. That's likely disrupted their thoughts..."

"Worse punishment imaginable... no personality, no ambitions, nothing that made them who they were. Though who knows? Maybe they're trapped in their minds, reliving memories. Hard to say which is worse."

"What's wrong with them?" Aang asked wearily. He'd been helping the city recover from the explosions and would soon leave the human realm to restore light energy levels.

"Spiritual damage. They're empty shells now. We'll send their bodies to an international research lab for care and study. No solutions this decade, but maybe someday we'll heal such wounds."

"I'll wait for the specialists. For now, I'll deal with the terrorists," I said. They hadn't hidden well—nearby, with poor soundproofing. Thanks to that, I'd heard their muffled conversations. They'd relaxed, thinking everyone was hunting Amon and his inner circle.

"Hopefully, no more organizations..." I sighed, hearing their group's name. Soon, we were above the Order's members.

Without hesitation, the four of us dropped onto the building's roof. Just before impact, Roku opened a passage. Familiar faces greeted us: Zahir, now a skilled airbender, sent dangerous wind blades; Ghazan, the long-haired earthbending master, kept pace.

"The Fire Mercenary's daughter?" The last had familiar features, and her third eye firing energy beams left no doubt. Sparky Sparky Boom Man had left many children, almost all from forced unions. I hadn't thought any would inherit his abilities without mental or physical harm.

Within a minute, they were bound and subdued. Such power couldn't be left unchecked. Tienhai's laws demanded execution—no other option. Only Ming-Hua was missing; the armless girl now taught waterbending at a South Pole academy.

The police worked tirelessly all night, capturing 80% of the organization. The rest wouldn't hide long. After this upheaval, it was time to show non-benders their new potential.

*

Tienhai City. City Hall. The Next Day.

"We all mourn the victims of these horrific attacks. The guilty will face justice, but we must move forward," Senator Yo's voice echoed across the square. "I believe our citizens are wiser and better than before. They won't be swayed by sweet lies. Let's focus on the positive...

"I have momentous news! For years, all nations studied an unknown energy, and we've succeeded!" The crowd watched as two men took the stage. "Many Water Tribe residents know of life energy. We thought it only healed, but its power rivals bending. This young man will show what he's achieved in under a month. His partner is an earthbending instructor."

The man began glowing with green, ethereal smoke. His control was impressive, but this was a show, so "special effects" were needed.

He nodded subtly to the earthbender. In the next second, chunks of earth flew at him—none hit. To the crowd, he seemed a blur, his speed unimaginable. No bending or training could achieve this. The result was swift: the stone-armored bender fell to the practitioner's solid fists.

Cheers erupted. People bombarded the senator with questions about training.

"The first school opens this week! Understand, teachers are scarce, but more schools will come. What? No self-training!" the usually calm senator raised his voice. "It's not only unhelpful but dangerous, even fatal! Life energy is fickle. All training will be in schools until teachers approve solo practice!"

After an hour of questions, curiosity was mostly satisfied, though skeptics remained. Their numbers dwindled as rumors spread: the first students could already do remarkable things. If not for the single school, many would've quit their jobs to study this energy.

A month and a half later, another sensation: the Museum of the Ancient Era would open in the city. Organizers promised not just ancient homes but well-preserved skeletons of life energy practitioners.

Amid all this, a new aircraft emerged. Future Industries, led by Hiroshi Sato, unveiled another revolutionary invention:

The biplane—a light, fast ten-meter plane. Designed as the final step in spirit breakthroughs, it carried bombs, a horizontal bomber. Hiroshi already planned a civilian version for air transport.

The world grew quiet again, though tensions between practitioners and benders occasionally flared. The fortress guarding spirit portals welcomed new recruits, valuing practitioners' skills.

*

One Month Later. Southern Air Temple. Yo.

The old Temple's empty halls buzzed with voices. Today, the world witnessed a new societal unit. The famous Avatar married two beautiful women. Senna and Jin had finally "ringed" the man with arrows, though his wide smile showed he wasn't complaining.

"I'm so proud of you," I said, wiping a nonexistent tear. "My words resonated, but I still think two wives aren't enough!"

"Kidding!" I raised my hands, seeing their stern looks.

"Hope you told them about your Spirit World trips?" I whispered.

"Yeah, they weren't thrilled."

"Chin up, cowboy. Even knowing your situation, they chose you—that's something. And don't take unnecessary risks. Airbenders are still too few," I hinted. Honestly, a grown man still blushing.

The celebration was a success, though I'd expected a playful fight until the end.