Upon realizing that the man before him was lifeless, Gale sighed.
He concluded that bloodbending would have no effect on Amon, making hand-to-hand combat the most viable option. However, for the first time in a long while, he felt the fear of death looming over him.
Sitting beside Amon's lifeless body, he reflected on how challenging the path ahead would be. Breaking from his thoughts, he pulled out a small transmitter from his pocket.
"Order 69, execute." Gale commanded into the transmitter.
—
In a dark room, three people were present.
One was seated, while the other two seemed to be wearing Equalist masks.
Soon, a beeping sound echoed in the deafening silence.
The seated man pulled the transmitter from his pocket, blinking in red.
"It's time," the two guards said authoritatively to the man called Hiroshi Sato.
Hiroshi Sato, the genius of the automotive industry on the surface, a kind man. However, in the shadows, he collaborated with Amon to develop technology capable of matching benders.
But what Amon didn't know was that Gale had turned Hiroshi into his slave; Hiroshi's life had been in Gale's hands for a long time. Just as the lives of the two Equalists overseeing the genius were.
Upon hearing the transmitter's message, Hiroshi didn't hesitate. He pressed a device in his other pocket. The order had begun.
—
Meanwhile, in the city, Equalist soldiers patrolled the streets under Amon's command, protecting the palace exit. They had taken control of the streets, ensuring safety and instructing citizens to return home, assuring them that everything was now under control.
An Equalist looter suddenly heard a sound within his helmet.
"Countdown to self-destruction, starting in five seconds.'' the robotic voice echoed in the minds of all Equalists.
Soon, all Equalists began trying to remove their helmets, but in vain. A locking device had been added, preventing them from taking them off.
Desperate screams echoed throughout Republic City, as some Equalists ran towards the palace to find their leader, but it was futile. The countdown was about to end.
In a matter of seconds, heads exploded in the streets of the Republic.
Gale noticed from afar the sound of explosions. Although they might be small, the tremendous quantity of bombs made it impossible to ignore.
As he rose from the resting ground, he walked slowly towards the announcement booth inside the palace.
It served its purpose according to its name, transmitting messages from the councilors and new laws to the population through the city's speakers.
Gale approached the microphone and tapped it to check if it was working. Soon, a noise echoed throughout the city.
Citizens quickly realized that an alert was being broadcast.
''I am Gale, the councilor of the Southern Water Tribe,'' Gale said, his voice demonstrating fatigue with continuous pauses. ''I came here to declare that the Fire Nation conspired against our nation. The Fire Nation councilor incited a coup with the Equalists.''
Upon hearing the announcement, the entire population was incredulous.
Gale continued his Machiavellian act: ''The Fire Nation councilor forced Councilor Tarrlok to declare martial law and react violently towards the population. They even killed the only airbenders.'' A sense of anger and anguish could be felt in Gale's words.
The population, upon hearing that Tenzin had been killed, couldn't believe it. Soon, a feeling of sadness overwhelmed their hearts. The kindest councilor to non-benders.
''Now, I proclaim the true martial law. As the only surviving councilor, I declare the nation in a state of emergency. I assume supreme power until things stabilize.'' Gale said urgently. ''And as the new leader of the nation, I establish a police force composed exclusively of waterbenders from the Southern and Northern Tribes.''
While Gale spoke, warships from the Southern Water Tribe emerged on the city's horizon.
''In the face of the affront to our nation, I declare war on the Fire Nation,'' Gale said as his voice reverberated throughout the city. ''And all nations that dare to repudiate us with their useless sanctions, hindering our trade, will be declaring war on the Southern Water Tribe and the Northern Water Tribe. I repeat, you do not want war in your own backyard.''
Gale's voice echoed through the city, while it burned in flames
Author's notes: End of the second volume. Perhaps I rushed things a bit. Thank you for following along until this point and taking time from your leisure to read. The release date for the third volume is not yet determined, so keep your collections on hold. See you soon!