Here is the thirty-second and final full chapter in Book 3, on time as promised. With the epilogue fully edited and ready to upload in a week's time, Book 3 will be completed on time and I am happy that I got the final few chapters out on time after going so far off schedule. There is still the epilogue to go to fully wrap up the last bow in a way that I have never done before and will not do again, and of course leave a little tantalizer for Book 4. Nothing more to add here, sit back and enjoy the 32nd and final full chapter in the third installment of Avatar: The Tale of Harry. Book 3: Unity.
Disclaimer: As always I own nothing related to these two great works of fiction.
Chapter 32
Inauguration day had finally arrived. It had been almost 2 months since the defeat of the Unholy Triumvirate and the clean up in the wake of their defeat had been swift. It turned out that the trio had acted alone with a handful of dupes, like Albus and Scorpius, who had unwittingly aided them over the last several months. The only major arrests had been of the people who had supplied the mercury to Cresswell but that was for illegally selling it and not for aiding and abetting the Unholy Triumvirate.
Once that was sorted, Harry and Team Avatar had turned to a more pressing and important matter, Ron's future administration and his inauguration. While Ron's aides were sorting out the logistics of the inauguration, Ron and his advisors, which included all of Team Avatar, had been busy planning Ron's administration and helping Ron select his department heads, pending approval from the United Council that served as the nation's legislature.
It had been a long vetting process as Ron's first criteria for each job was that he wanted to get the best there was at each position that fit with his expectations from that department regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation or home nation. Any advisor who tried to push a candidate for an arbitrary reason rather than for that candidate's merit would be fired on the spot but none did.
Once the list for each department was narrowed down to 5 candidates, they were interviewed by Ron. That was followed by the formal announcements of the nominees. They still needed approval from the legislature but that was considered a formality with the picks that Ron had made.
In order to keep a range of views within his cabinet, Ron made sure that certain departments that dealt with policies where Ron leaned to the left on such as education and the medical field were headed by left leaning individuals. Conversely, departments that dealt with issues that Ron leaned conservative on like the Justice Department and the Treasury Department were headed by right leaning individuals. That way Ron always had a range of views on issues so as to make the most informed policy choices.
It had been a long process but the last major nominee, the Secretary of Agriculture, had been announced the day before the inauguration. Now all that they had to do was get them confirmed by the United Council during the first few weeks of Ron's presidency.
The preparations for the inauguration itself had taken a month to sort out as it had been almost 30 years since an inauguration for a new President had been held. Shacklebolt had always held small simple services with him taking the Oath of Office and giving a small speech about what the next 5 years would likely entail before returning to his job. Ron, however, was a new President and a global hero. As such, the United Republic wanted to do something special for him much to Ron's chagrin as he just wanted something small.
Ultimately they had decided that they would hold a standard inauguration with a few acts of entertainment, mainly singers and a performance by an animal group from the Southern Water Tribe in honor of Ron's heritage, and the required speeches from Ron and Harry. Even that had been too much but Ron compromised and agreed to it on the condition that his next inauguration, should he win a second term, was a simpler affair.
Once the performances were over, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United Republic would administer the Oath of Office to Ron and he would give a short speech about what his plans for the nation are going forward as the nation's new President. Ron would be followed by Harry who would give a speech of his own, something not normally done during the inauguration but needed this time, about the recent events and what the world can learn from them as it moved forward.
Now the day was at last here and they were all gathered on a raised dais on the steps of the Presidential Palace in front of a large crowd of supporters and journalists who were ready to watch the swearing in of a new President. The dais was relatively small with all the World Leaders in one area, including Chief Tobias, along with Harry, Ginny and Ron's parents who had come up from their retirement on Whale Tail Island to watch their youngest son officially become President.
Right behind the lectern sat Ron with Luna on his right and the outgoing President Shacklebolt on his left and his four kids in a row behind him. The rest of Ron's extended family sat off to the other side of the dais, including Harry's own children, as the last group allowed to be on the platform. The last seat available, also behind the lectern but off to a side, had been reserved for the Chief Justice who was about to administer the Oath of Office to Ron.
They all wore their most formal clothes for the occasion though Ron had spurned the offer to wear formal Southern Water clothes in favor of his full Dress Blacks as the former Chief of Police complete with all of his awards, the Order of Korra, First Class, prominent amongst them. This was to show the people of the United Republic who had elected him that he was one of them and would first and foremost serve them and not his royal family in the South.
As the last song from the list of Southern Water Tribe songs Ron had agreed to be sung died and the performer bowed and left the stage the Chief Justice, a man in his early 60s with an unassuming face and short brown hair wearing a black robe rose and walked to the lectern. He was, as all Chief Justices had been, a nonbender whose job was to interpret the Constitution and Laws of the United Republic and was bound by the former to swear in the President. At last the time had come.
Gesturing back to Ron and Luna, the Chief Justice waited just off to the side of the lectern as Ron rose before offering his hand to Luna and walking hand in hand with the soon to be First Lady to the lectern. Under Luna's arm was a copy of the United Republic Constitution and Code of Laws that Ron would swear on to become President. Once they were in position she let go of Ron's hand and held it up between Ron and the Chief Justice as they faced each other.
"Place your right hand on the book and raise your left hand as such." The Chief Justice said showing Ron the position that Ron mimicked with his hand on the important document in front of him. "Now repeat after me: I Ronald, citizen of the United Republic."
"I Ronald, citizen of the United Republic." Ron repeated solemnly.
"Do hereby swear to faithfully execute the Office of the President of the United Republic, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United Republic and the laws therein." The Chief said in a measured, practiced tone.
"Do hereby swear to faithfully execute the Office of the President of the United Republic, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United Republic and the laws therein." Ron repeated seriously.
"Then in accordance with the Constitution of the United Republic and the duties of my office I hereby officially proclaim you President Ron, 14th President of the United Republic." The Chief Justice said as he finished the formalities. "You may take the microphone President."
The oath complete the Chief Justice formally bowed his head to the newly sworn in President and returned to his seat, his job done. Luna embraced her husband, fortunately keeping it respectful, before she too returned to her seat. Not looking at the others, Ron stepped up to the lectern to deliver his first speech as President of the United Republic.
"Thank you all for coming to the inauguration of the first new President in almost 30 years." Ron said into the microphone as the cameras flashed, capturing the first moments of Ron's presidency. "Firstly I must thank President Shacklebolt for all he has done as the longest tenured President in history and wish him well in his much needed retirement in the southern Fire Nation."
As Ron spoke he turned and nodded to Shacklebolt where he was seated behind Ron. The old bald man didn't show his age and was still able to fill out his crisp black suit and he nodded in return to Ron while the people clapped and cheered for both their former and new presidents.
Harry knew that Shacklebolt was glad to be retiring just as the Unholy Triumvirate had been defeated thus meaning the world was once more at peace as he set off to his retirement estate on a hill in the southern reaches of Fire Nation. It was his homeland before he had left to join the United Forces and ultimately, though not intentionally, becoming President. After a long and distinguished career of service, Shacklebolt was finally leaving the public eye but he would always be remembered as a hero and great leader for generations to come.
Firelord Druzok had formally appointed Shacklebolt to the House of Lords, the advisory chamber and upper House of the Fire Parliament, with the position beginning as soon as the newly minted Lord Shacklebolt returned to the Fire Nation. The appointment was due to his service but Harry had a feeling that the man would stay away from politics for a few years at least before formally joining the Fire House of Lords.
"Anyway, this is a time for a changing of the guard, a new generation that will now formally take over the United Republic and bring her into the future." Ron continued after a moment to honor his predecessor. "I must admit that this is the first inauguration of a new President I have ever been at."
Ron paused to allow a slight chuckle ripple through the crowd. Once it had passed, Ron continued.
"I was still growing up in the Southern Water Tribe when President Bagnold defeated President Minchum and was still there when she handed the reigns over to President Fudge 10 years later." Ron said. "And of course there was no inauguration for President Scrimgeour when he ascended to the presidency upon Fudge's sudden resignation. Nor was there for Shacklebolt when he assumed the role of Acting President and later President after a special election in the wake after of Voldemort's defeat. Therefore I will try to keep this brief as I address what to expect for the next 5 years of my presidency before y'all have a chance to get rid of me if I do a bad job."
This part got a few chuckles and some light applause from the crowd, including Harry, as Ron was getting into the meat of his speech. Ron waited for a moment to led the crowd have their moment before he spoke again.
"As many of you know I have spent the last four serving faithfully as your Chief of Police." Ron continued once the crowd had died down. "And more than 2 decades prior to that as an officer within the RCPD. In that time I have always put the needs of the citizens who call the United Republic home, as well as any of those who have graced us with a visit, first. I did this when I was your Chief of Police and as I said during the campaign I will continue that mission to do so as your President."
Ron paused as the crowd once again cheered at his words. One of Ron's many positive qualities during the election had been the fact that he always put the people first and not himself. It was something that Harry knew Ron would continue to do as President.
"The people of the United Republic deserve a leader who will put their needs, issues and problems first before his own." Ron reiterated once the crowd was quiet enough to continue. "All the while also ensuring that the United Republic of Nations remains the vision of unity, openness and brotherhood amongst the nations that Avatar Aang, King Kuei and Chief Sokka intended it to be when they created the United Republic almost 200 years ago."
Again Ron stopped his speech to let his words sink in. It was also to give Ron a moment before his transition to the next part of his speech.
"This is something I have already started to do when I was President-elect." Ron said as he transitioned to the recent events. "As many of you know the Avatar, along with his family and Team, myself included, recently fought and ended the last vestiges of the two greatest threats the world has known in the last 50 years. Avatar Harry shall speak more on recent events and what we can learn from them once I am done but I just want to address that this evil that the Unholy Triumvirate represented is one that we have seen before and one that we may see again."
This time it was the murmurings of the crowd that caused Ron to pause in his speech. They probably hadn't been expecting Ron to address the recent confrontation in the Swamp. However, Ron had insisted on addressing as it and they weren't going to stop him from doing so.
"I say this not to scare you but to tell you that while I am your President I will do everything in my power to ensure that this evil does not grow again." Ron continued. "This is so that we may never again see another Voldemort or Hermione and that the United Republic remains the free, fair, equal and just nation that it was made to be. Evil will always be present in the hearts of people but while I am President, I will do everything I can to make sure that it does not take root here."
The cheer that rose from the crowd at this drowned out any hope that Ron had of continuing his speech for the moment. He just stood there looking at the people who supported him and let them have their moment.
"I promise you that as your new Commander-in-Chief I will not hesitate to lead from the front should we face such a threat again." Ron said loudly so that the people quieted down to listen again. "I will be there with the soldiers, the officers, and the Avatar as we defend this nation from those who seek to do us harm for their own ends and for their own twisted beliefs. I will never ask someone here to do what I have not been willing to do in the past be it the Battle of the Academy, the Battle of the Caldera the recent skirmish at the Banyan Grove tree, or anything that I am willing to do in the future against any threats that we may face."
Ron paused here as the crowd erupted again. Ron's police and public service record and willingness to fight on the front lines was something that had aided him in his campaign to become the President and ensure that the extreme and/or unqualified candidates were not elected. The people were showing that appreciation for him so Ron waited for the applause to die down before continuing.
"But my promise to keep you save is not enough." Ron said once he could be heard. "For safety must come with security and progress. That is why I also promise that over the next 5 years I will move the United Republic forward as the central nation in the world that it was created to be. Be it through increased trade, improvements to technology for all, raising the standard of living, curbing unemployment, crime reduction, and so on I will strive to make the United Republic the best nation it can be."
Again the crowd cheered at Ron's words. Harry knew that they weren't bluster the way some had done during the election, Ron meant it. He would do everything he could to ensure that the United Republic was what Avatar Aang had always envisioned it to be.
"We sit in the center of the known world but we should not let that go to our heads." Ron continued. "We must always remember to be humble, gracious and above all else willing to aid those who need it. The world has become more connected than our forefathers could have ever hoped to imagine and we must use that to our advantage. Technology and innovation unites us all and we must use that to maintain the ties that bind us rather than allow our differences, be it national, political, gender, orientation or any other factor, to tear us apart. We cannot allow those who prey on fear, division, dissension, to exploit it and turn us against each other so that they can further their own needs or else they will win."
Ron paused to let the crowd absorb his powerful words. Unity had been central to Ron's campaign and was central to his and all of Team Avatar's world view. They could not allow their differences to be exploited for the gain of those like Voldemort or Hermione. Only through unity and understanding could they stand against evil. It had been those fears with several of the candidates that had driven Ron to run for President so as to avoid a divisive President driving them apart.
"As your new President I will ensure that the relations between the United Republic and the other nations are as strong as they can be so that the world can be united and the events of the past are not repeated in the future." Ron continued when he was ready. "Furthermore, I will make sure that all groups and all views are represented and allowed and that all rights are protected within the United Republic. No one no matter how much I disagree with some people, they will always have their space to have their views spoken, heard and respectfully debated so that the divisions we saw leading up to this election are never seen again."
Ron stopped speaking so that the crowd, and those listening or watching his speech, could led his word sink in. Harry believed that the only way to maintain the peace that they had had for the last few decades, excluding recent events, was to avoid division and ostracization based on their views but rather that there was a space to espouse those views, no matter how unpleasant, so that they can be debated and debunked. Only then could they prevent radicalization and preserve peace.
"Soon my administration will release the plans we have for the next 100 days." Ron said once he felt enough time had elapsed for his words to be understood. "As well as a detailed plan for the next 5 years and what we are seeking to achieve across all department. To wrap this up I will once again reiterate my devotion to the United Republic and to those who call our nation home or who visit it and that my job first and foremost is to serve you in the best way I can."
Ron paused for the last time as the crowd showed their support for him. Harry knew that Ron was about to yield the microphone and that meant that soon it would be time for his own speech.
"Thank you again for coming." Ron said as he began his final remarks. "Now, in a break from tradition, I have the pleasure of introducing my best friend and closest confidant Avatar Harry who will speak to you about what we can learn from recent events and moving forward. So without further ado, Avatar Harry."
Ron waited as the crowd once again burst into applause at Ron's words, this time more jubilant than before because it was the end of his speech. Ron bowed to the crowd as the cheers died down before stepping back as Harry rose from his seat. Harry embraced his best friend and the new President of the United Republic before stepping up to the lectern.
Like all the dignitaries, Harry was in full formal wear choosing to go with a forest green 3 piece suit, white shirt and a matching green cravat. In the center of his cravat was a platinum pin with the crest of the State of Omashu engraved upon it. He was freshly shaven for Ron's inauguration and his long black hair pulled back into a simple ponytail and tied with a green band.
Though Harry had not wanted to wear them, he had been persuaded to wear all his medals with the Roku Cross on its red silk ribbon around his neck, the Order of Korra, First Class on his left breast and the Kyoshi Medal of Freedom also around his neck. Harry always felt like he was showing off wearing his medals because he had earned them doing his duty. However it was expected at formal events so he sucked it up dealt with it.
Taking a deep breath Harry once again stepped up to the lectern to make an impassioned speech to the world about what he had been through and how they can learn from it. This time, however, he had taken inspiration from his would be killers on what he needed to say. It was time for his latest message to be broadcast to the world.
"Thank you President Ron for allowing me to address the world on your inauguration." Harry said once he had taken his position at the lectern and the cheering crowd had died down for him. "And I thank all of you for willing to stay for another speech. I am here today to discuss what transpired almost 2 months ago when my son and his friend were captured by remnants of my past who wanted to use him to get to me. They have become known as the Unholy Triumvirate but they are, first and foremost, the last vestiges of two extreme philosophies that have terrorized the world on and off for almost half a century."
Harry took his first pause to let the crowd acclimate to his words. This was a heavy topic, at least at the start, and as such they crowd and the world needed to be ready for it.
"Thanks to the media, it has become common knowledge what transpired but I shall recap to give an accurate picture of recent events." Harry said as he began his speech. "It started when I exchanged myself for my son and his friend and was captured by Voldemort's daughter Delphini. At some point in the last year she had teamed up with the last two Enlightened, the known Earth Enlightened Cresswell and the until recently unknown Water Enlightened, who turned out to be the Southern Water Tribe businessman and ship designer Johannes Jonker. Together they had united despite their disparate goals and views to do what Zaheer had tried to do to Korra and end the Avatar Cycle once and for all."
Harry stopped to draw breath and prepare for the next part of his speech. The crowd was still silent, listening to his every word and not reacting to it. That was a good sign, it meant that they were showing respect for what Harry was saying and were willing to listen to him.
"As many of you know, this plan failed and thanks to the actions of my friends and family I was saved from their terrible plot to end the preserver of balance in the world." Harry continued when he was ready. "By extension the world was saved for while it is my job to protect all from the evils of this world I am but one man who in turn needs the world to protect him just as you would protect one another from danger. Had I been killed we could have seen a full scale war between a resurgent Purist Movement and Enlightened Council the likes of which we haven't seen since the 100-year war. Fortunately that shall not come to pass."
Again Harry paused to take a breath and let the crowd digest his words. It was a tough and serious speech and that needed gravity and Harry was giving it to them by not bombarding them with everything all at once.
"The three individuals." Harry began. "Now known as the Unholy Triumvirate for the fact that their union was between the two worst extremes the world has seen in my tenure as the Avatar, as well as the end of Korra's tenure before me, all perished in the ensuing battle. As a result their philosophies have been destroyed once and for all. That is the biggest takeaway from recent events, the Enlightened and the Purists are officially no more."
At this the crowd finally showed a reaction and cheered. The memories of the horrors and death that the two movements had inflicted in the past were still fresh for many people and the news that the last of them were no more was met with the joyous response that it deserved."
"While their views will continue, for views like that will always persist, the last few who truly knew the philosophies are no more." Harry said loudly enough to force the crowd to silence. "Future followers, those who wish to resurrect their views, will be allowed to do so so long as it is purely speech. Once that action crosses over to violence and oppression the way the Purists and Enlightened did then those who commit such crimes will be brought to justice. Without their leaders though, they will never truly be a threat again."
Once more there were cheers from the crowd that Harry let go on. The recent skirmish in the Swamp had brought back the memories of the past and with them the fears that had existed back then. People needed to know that those fears could be assuaged.
"However that is not why I have asked to speak today." Harry said and that stunned the crowd into silence. "No, I have asked to speak to the world today to talk about what we can learn from this incident going forward so that this evil will never be seen again. Today I am here to speak to you about what we can learn from the most recent threat to the world and from my most recent antagonists in particular. Remember, if we do not learn from evil then we will not know how to prevent it in the future."
Harry paused here as he let his words sink in. He could see the confusion on the faces of the crowd at his words but he hoped that he could alleviate that confusion in a few minutes as he got to the crux of his speech. The world needed to hear this if they were to prevent something like the Unholy Triumvirate from happening again.
"There is always something that we can learn from our enemies, just as there is something we can learn from our friends." Harry continued when he felt it was right to speak again. "The Air Nomads of the past taught us that knowledge is knowledge no matter where it comes from. Sometimes a new perspective can only be achieved by looking at the actions of our foes and today is such a time."
Harry paused for breath and could see that the crowd was now hooked on his words. It was time to begin to drive home his point.
"In the weeks following the Battle of the Banyan Grove Tree, as it is now called, I have had time to think and meditate about the incident and who I faced in my life and I have come to realize the one thing that can be learned from the Unholy Triumvirate." Harry began as he prepared to say the word that he had come to in his mediations. "Unity."
Again Harry paused for a moment to see what effect his words had on his audience. Again it would appear that most were confused but some were starting to gleam what he was trying to say and were listening carefully. Harry would have to explain a little but he knew that his point would be made and hopefully people listened to it.
"You see, what I just faced was something I never thought I would ever face in my lifetime given the nature of the two major threats I have faced." Harry continued. "A Purist and at least one Enlightened working together towards a common goal. One thing that I have learned from dealing with the Purists during Voldemort's Crusade, especially from my talks with his spymaster Pyrites, was that they all felt that equality was a myth, that bending was supreme and that only purity of blood was essential."
Harry paused, not for effect but for a break so that he could make his next point. The world already knew what the Purists stood for but it never hurt to remind them lest they forget and the movement returned.
"The Enlightened on the other hand grew as the polar opposite, the antithesis, to the Purist Movement." Harry said switching to the other movement he had faced. "They championed equality, though it was a twisted version of equality that in fact was still a form of supremacy just with them now the ones on top while the forced all to be the same. What they championed was the equality of outcome, which is inherently inequitable because it oppresses some for the betterment of others, rather than the established equality of opportunity. They were willing to achieve this through force and totalitarianism if necessary and had no qualms fighting who they saw as Purists on the same level of true Purists."
Harry halted his speech at this to take a breath and let the crowd parse the two ideologies he had mentioned. They would need to understand them so as to see his point.
"The way they went about achieving their goals are why were two sides of the same coin." Harry said as he reached the heart of his point. "Both were authoritarian groups that expected full compliance with their delusional leaders extreme views, suppressed basic freedoms such as free speech, liberty, and due process, and were willing to use violence and lies to achieve their goals. However their ultimate vies were diametrically opposed and as such they were each other's natural enemies so I was surprised when I saw that they had united behind their common goal of getting vengeance against me. It shouldn't have happened but it did and that is where the lesson they can teach us comes from."
At this Harry took a breath and looked out over the crowd. They still seemed confused but some were starting to come around. Harry was sure that in the aftermath of his speech and Ron's support of it, more would understand what he was getting at.
"Still that unity has taught me one thing." Harry continued. "That we as humans can always move past our differences, no matter how extreme to pursue a common goal, even if that common goal is to kill me and end the Avatar Cycle. That is what I believe we can learn from the Unholy Triumvirate."
Once more Harry paused and this time as he surveyed the crowd he could see that more people where grasping what he was saying and they were listening to his every word. It was time to wrap this shit up so they could all go home.
"I believe that in order to prevent the rise of the extremes in future, we must strive for unity." Harry said as he hit his point. "Not unity in the way the Enlightened and the Purists saw it, unity behind their leader's twisted views, but unity amongst the nations, amongst all people, amongst all of us. There are a wide range of views, beliefs and practices that are needed for civil society to thrive for we can only grow through discussion and difference. That is not enough. We must now strive to understand one another and look for compromise between the sides under our common goal. A goal to make this world the best it can be for ourselves and for future generations."
Harry took a breath and looked out to the crowd. It was silent, eagerly awaiting his next words. Harry didn't let them wait long.
"Division weakens us." Harry said as he started to put his passion into his words. "Fighting weakens us, all of this polarization that the recent election and before during the reigns of Voldemort in the United Republic and Hermione in the Fire Nation weakens us. It has allowed for these monsters to seize power and will continue to allow future monsters to seize power. We must strive to work through our differences to reach that compromise that benefits us all. Both sides will have to sacrifice in this endeavor for that is nature of compromise but will be better off for it."
Harry paused as he stared out so that his words truly hit home. He wanted what he said today to be taken away and implemented so that they could grow and become better in the years to come. They had to see that he was serious about this. If the Avatar was serious then the world would listen, and if they agreed then they would follow him.
"I know that as the Avatar I, along with my team and my family, will strive to maintain this unity." Harry said knowing that his friends and family would take his words to heart and help him in this endeavor. "This is what balance in the world looks like so that when I pass on and the next Avatar is born he or she will be born into a better, more united, world. We cannot let our differences divide us."
Harry was getting passionate and he didn't hold back. He needed to be passionate, he needed the world to understand. After all he had been through, Harry never wanted to see anything like it again. The only way he could ensure that was by leading from the front to see the change that he wanted to happen.
"Instead we must let them strengthen us." Harry continued. "Do not shout down your opponent no matter how much you disagree with them, especially if you use false and extreme labels on them to make them appear evil when they are merely putting forth an opposing view, for that will only deepen the division and let those who will manipulate that division for their own gain and we know how that ends."
Harry took a deep breath and calmed down a little. It was time to rein it in and bring his speech to close so that everyone could go home and he could continue in his duties as the Avatar.
"Listen and grow, we all can do it." Harry said as he reached the conclusion of his speech. "Through unity as a global community we can ensure that never again do movements like the Purists or the Enlightened gain the power that they did and wreak havoc and destruction on the world to further their own twisted aims. I will be at the front of this charge and I ask everyone to be behind me as we move forward in the wake of the end of those two movements."
Harry paused and closed his eyes in a moment of thought. His speech was over and he had to just officially end it. Hopefully he had gotten his point across to as many people as possible.
"Thank you for listening to me but now I have rambled on long enough and we should celebrate Ron's inauguration as your new President." Harry said as he opened his eyes. "Thank you again and congratulations to President Ron, may his administration be one of peace, stability and prosperity."
With that Harry yielded the microphone and took a step back. The crowd was cheering him as he returned to his seat before they prepared to leave and return home as the inauguration ended. They had heard what Harry had said and with him leading them, they would ensure that the future did not mirror the past. The future was bright and it looked like it would be another long era of peace.
Unbeknownst to Harry, someone in the cheering audience that had been present for his speech was eyeing him closely, a spark ignited in his eyes. He had been searching for a purpose for years, though he had hidden that from those who knew him, and now the Avatar had handed him one on a silver platter.
He understood what the Avatar meant by his words, even if the Avatar himself did not fully understand them. He would make it his life's mission to accomplish that goal. He would ensure that the unity that the Avatar had just spoken of became a reality.
It would take time, years at least, if not decades, to gather the resources, the people and the loyalty needed to accomplish his goal but he was young he had the time. He also had the power, the charisma, the leadership abilities, and the willingness to do what was necessary to win. That was why he knew that he would succeed. When it was all done, the Avatar would understand and bless him for what he achieved.
In time, while the world enjoyed the current peace that the Avatar had brought them once more. he would further his plans in the shadows and accomplish what the Avatar really wanted. Not now though because for now he would have to lay low and keep his plans close to the vest while he amassed the necessary network to pull off what he needed to pull off.
It would take timing and planning but when it was time the world would see what he had in store for it. No one had any idea what was he had in store for it.
Harry was too busy being congratulated by the World Leaders to notice anything else and as such missed the individual who had taken his words to heart and twisted their meaning into something Harry had not intended. Harry was just smiling as he took Ginny's hand and headed off the dais to a reception they had planned for Ron in the Presidential Palace. His message had been heard and hopefully understood and that was the important thing.
Once more he had vanquished his foes and brought peace and balance to the world. It was time to celebrate because once again, they had won.
There it is, the end of Book 3 pending the epilogue next week. While the antagonists were defeated a few chapters ago, there was still the presidential election arc to finish up so I decided to finish Book 3 with Ron's inauguration to finish that arc. As y'all probably guessed, Book 3 ended with a little tantalizer for Book 4 by showing the origins for the villain's philosophies, which will be delved into in Book 4. Naturally I will not say anything about Book 4 here or after the epilogue so as not to spoil it or who the antagonist will be. It will be interesting and I will mention more about Book 4 in the post epilogue note such as the release date, why I decided for a Book 4 after initially planning this as a trilogy but ultimately deciding on 5 books in the series (again will be explained after the epilogue), and my own views on Book 4 as it is my favorite and most original Book, as well as likely the longest. I will gloss over Book 5 but that is a long ways off. All that is left now is one more arc to tie up and that is what the epilogue, the longest of all 5 epilogues in this series, will do and it will do so in a unique way that no other chapter in this story does. That is all for this long post chapter note, as always please like, favorite, follow, review, this story and any questions asked in reviews or PMs will be answered at the start of the next chapter. Until next week.
Stringdog