"Are you ready?" Sokka asked standing in front of the throne room's door, holding all the maps, papers, scrolls, "Yeah, we have thought of everything that they can bring up, it has to work"
"It will, my instincts say it will," Sokka says putting his hand on my shoulder, I nodded the guard for them to open the doors,
When we entered everyone was already in their respected seats, Zuko upon his throne, he let the fire die down little so I can see him, he smiles at me which I returned,
"As you have already been told about our discovery on our trip to the colony, Fire Lady Ryu has come with a solution, with Sokka she's here to represent it, I have given my word to Fire Lady that we will listen to her idea with an open mind, With that said Fire Lady Please Continue," Zuko said,
I and Sokka bowed, we are standing on the opposite side of the throne in front of the table everyone is sitting around, a board have been placed here for us to put maps up on my request,
"Thank you, my Lord" I turned to Sokka as he put four elements signs on the board,
"We have been told from the start that four elements divide us, Water, Air, Earth, and fire, they divide the world in four, and it can't be combined into one, but it is not true at all four elements are part of nature, like we are, they all are connected, they can't divide us, we humans divide us" I started,
"Colonies are a great example of that, when people from two different sides were allowed to come and live together they become one, they formed a society in which they all can live together in peace" Sokka continued but was cut off by non-other than general Lee,
"I know we stop promoting fire benders as a greater race but saying no difference is just nonsense"
"WE are..." Sokka was going to explain but I cut him off, "Sokka if you don't mind can I take this one?" I asked, he nodded,
"General Lee, First we are not saying that there is no difference, we are saying that those difference don't separate us, we all belong to one race human race, other than that you warned me last time about being careful in these meetings, I will return you the same advice, don't interrupt, we will answer all the question in the end, and next time you come in these meetings leave your attitude outside, we want your advice, not your attitude"
He sat back down after saying a fake apology,
"When I arrived here first thing that shock me was the family I was marrying in to, it has an air bender, a water bender, earth bender, fire bender, and then a non-bender, this family is a prime example of how all elements are not dividing the human race, us humans are"
"We start with explaining this basic concept because people still believe that old tale, but since we have proof that people from around the world can live together in peace from the colonies and our family, we should go the next step," Sokka said, he put a paper in between the signs of four elements, saying Republic city, a safe haven for everyone, benders, non-benders,
"Republic City a safe Haven for every one of the four nations, The solution of the families living in the colonies, but just not that after the hundred-year war has divided the world even further apart, this can bring the unity world needs, where people from all four-nation live in peace, it can be the Salvation fire nation is looking for, a gift from fire nation to rest of the world"
"As Ryu said the world needs this, we need this, this can mend a lot of open wounds and prevent from opening new, Republic city is the hope the world needs, it will be an example for the rest of the world of peace and unity," Sokka said putting a Map on the board,
"For its location, we purpose a town known as cranefish town located on the shores of Yue Bay, it is one of the fire nation colonies, it is perfect, it is big enough for a city, it's near water and all resources needed for working of a successful city is available, other than that al lot of families that are a combination of two different nations already live there" Sokka explained,
"We have thought about every aspect of this and this is a perfect place for the city, now we moving on" I put a paper in which democratic city wrote on the middle of the map,
"How we are going to run it, it was the question that my lord you asked, Now we have an answer, the world is changing for better, and the world is ready to have its first democratic city, now if any of you don't know how democracy works Sokka will explain it," I said, I pointed to Sokka,
"Democratic system is the city which is not run under any king or one authority but a self -sufficient system, in which people will decide who will run the city through voting, but because we want to do all elements justice, This city will be run by a council that contains a member from every of four-nation and a non-bender which will be chosen by the public, this way everyone has someone to represent them" Sokka explained,
"Now other aspects will be simple like police system, and other systems, but we are not planning to form an army for the city but fire nation will protect the city them-self making sure it stays a free city"
I looked around the room and everyone is still silent, "Any questions?" I asked, I looked up at Zuko is still taking it all in,
"What makes you think a place without king will work?" Admiral Chao asked,
"I don't think I know it will, there is no reason it won't"
"A place without a king, other nations will try to capture it," someone said,
"That's why I propose a peace treaty with all of the three nations and with avatar Aang since he is his entire nation, I am sure they don't want to start another war, other than that our army will protect this citie's freedom"
"Peace treaty?" Admiral Chao asked,
"Yes, I am sure Sokka will like to help me, I can create one, we already have a rough version, in which if one nation attacked another, all other nations will turn against that one, and we will have Avatar himself making sure everyone stay in their limits"
"Are you sure that place has enough resources to run a whole city?" Another asked,
"Yes we are, we have to pay it a visit to be sure and if that will be the case we can find another place" Sokka answered,
"What makes you think that fire nation will like to do all this for others?" General Lee asked,
"I believe after what fire nation has done for last hundred years, it's time we make up for that, and I believe we will do this as this nations queen, other than that the decision of course belong to our lord himself"
I look up, "My Lord what you think?" I asked, "I see you have thought of everything, what else could have been expected from you? Ryu the idea is great there is no doubt in that, and I don't see any problem, can anyone point any good reason for this not to happen? Zuko asked,
"We will waste a lot of resources on this" General lee said,
"We wasted a lot of resources on the war for the last hundred years, this will not be a waste" Zuko replied before I could,
"Any other reasons?" He asked, meeting with silence he turns to Aang,
"What do you think Avatar Aang?" he asked, "I think it is an amazing idea, what can be better than all people come together to live in peace? Ryu you have really outdone yourself, Zuko I think this is how we will create peace" Aang replied,
"What about me? Ryu didn't do this alone" Sokka complained putting his hand on his waist,
"Sorry Sokka you did Great too" Aang apologized,
"Thank you Avatar Aang" I bowed, I look back at Zuko, "Lord Zuko have you came to a decision?" I asked,
"I have, I approve," he said with a smile, making me and Sokka squeal, "We did it" Sokka yelled, "Yes we did" we hugged, Zuko cleared his throat loudly to get out attention,
"So how do you think we should proceed?" Zuko asked looking at me,
"Make a committee, I want to lead it myself with Sokka, we can take care of the plans and construction, for the rest I believe we should travel to both tribes and earth kingdom our self's, and discuss the peace treaty and republic city project" I suggested
He nodded, "Okay then it is settled, put project republic city and peace treaty in motion" he ordered
"My lord I would like to accompany you with your travels, an army point of view may help" General lee said,
"Admiral Chao, what do you think?" Zuko asked, "General Lee is valued by the army I think his wisdom can help" he replied,
"Okay, then you will join us," Zuko said making me angry last thing I want is him around me all the time,
"Meeting is urgent," Zuko said everyone got up and left, leaving just the family behind, "Good job Ryu Sokka," Katara said, hugging me then Sokka, "Thanks"
Zuko Is still sitting up there, "Yeah guys good work," Toph said punching me, "Thanks Toph," I said rubbing my arm,
I walked up to the throne, while everyone is leaving, I climbed up,
"Zuko?" I said, sitting next to him, "What would I do without you?" he asked, "Probably go mad" I said making him chuckle,
"Does it still hurts?" he asked, "A little, Kai gave me some herbs, they helped a lot" I took his hand in mine,
"Zuko, Can you please let me do one thing?" I asked, "What?" he asked looking at me, I kissed his cheek,
"Let me go visit Hua," I asked, his face harden, "Ryu," he said, "Please just a visit, I want her to know that her family will stay together, I have to let her know that she didn't destroy her life for nothing, please"
"I will go with you," he said, "No please Zuko" I kissed his hand,
"Let me go alone" I kissed his hand again, he took a deep breath, "Okay but take Kyoshi warriors with you" I nodded, I kissed him,
***
"Open the door" I ordered the guard, he opened the door, Hua is sitting in the bed, in prison uniform,
"Leave us alone" I ordered, he left us, "My queen, missed me?" Hua asked after a chuckle,
"I come here with good news," I said sitting next to her, "Our lord is dead?" she asked,
"Hua I thought you would have learned your lesson by now after destroying your entire life but here we are"
"Why are you here?" she asked getting frustrated, "Your family and families like yours will stay together, I wanted to tell you myself, you asked me if any good can come from this, it did, we are making a city where people will from all around the world live together free, not under any ones rule but a democratic city, Lord Zuko just approved, I will start working on it," I told her,
She didn't say anything, a tear slides down her cheek, "I will try to get you out too, it will take time to convince Zuko, but with time he will probably let you go"
"you really think he is good?" she asked, "I know he is"
I got up to leave, as I knocked on the door for guards to open, "Thank you," she said, "No need to thank me it was my duty, I am just sorry that it took for you to do all this so I can see what is needed to be done, if only problem could be understood before you were forced to take action" I Said before walking out.