"Your proposal is nothing but a thinly veiled attempt to oppress and intimidate the non-bending population," countered Ujo, the non-bender representative. "You want to turn this country into a police state, where benders can abuse their power and harass non-benders without any consequences. You are playing right into the Equalists' hands, giving them more reasons to hate and resent us. You are not solving the problem, you are making i-." Ujo said, but before he could finish his sentence, Viku cut him off.
"That's nonsense, Ujo, and you know it!" Viku snapped, the waterbender representative from the South Pole. "You are ignoring the facts and the reality of the situation. The crime statistics show that benders are increasingly targeted and attacked by Equalists, who use terrorism and guerilla tactics to overpower them. They have already killed dozens of innocent benders and injured hundreds more. They have also sabotaged vital infrastructure and disrupted essential services. "They are not just a radical fringe group, they are a terrorist organization that threatens the very foundation of our republ-." Ujo interrupted him.
"Exaggerating the threat, that's what you're doing, Viku!" Ujo shouted. "You're using it as an excuse to justify your prejudice and discrimination against non-benders!" Ujo banged the table. "You are forgetting that this city was founded by the people as a place where benders and non-benders can live together in peace and cooperation. You are betraying their vision and their legacy by proposing such measures that will only alienate and marginalize non-benders even more."
"Enough!" shouted Tarrlok, the council president and a waterbender from the Northern Tribe. He slammed his fist on the table, making everyone flinch. "This is getting us nowhere. We need to stop bickering and start cooperating. We need to find a balance between security and freedom, benders and non-benders. We need to remember that we are all citizens of a free republic, and we all share a common destiny."
Tarrlok's words echoed in the council chamber, silencing the other members. They looked at him with a mixture of fear and respect. He was right, they knew.
He continued, his voice stern and cold. "We need to remember our history. We need to remember how this republic was founded. It was not by Avatar Aang, as some would have you believe. He was a supporter and a helper, yes, but he did not create this nation. He did not fight for our freedom. He did not shed blood for our cause."
He paused, letting his words sink in. Then he said, "This republic was born out of a war. A war of independence. A war of genocide. A war between the remnants of Fire Lord Ozai's regime and the corrupt Earth Kingdom generals who wanted to exploit the colonies. A war that lasted from 100 AG to 110 AG. A war that claimed thousands of lives, both benders and non-benders."
Tarrlok looked around the table, meeting each council member's eyes. "We are the descendants of those who fought in that war. We are the heirs of their legacy. A vision of a free and united republic, where benders and non-benders can live in harmony and equality."
But not everyone was convinced by his words.
Ujo said, "Tarrlok, you are missing the point. The Equalists and the non-benders terrorists are not the only threat to the republic. The leftists, who want to overthrow the government and establish a 'utopia' based on their own ideology."
Tenzin, an airbender and a council member from the Air Nomads, sighed and said, "Not this again. You are paranoid, my friend. The Left is not a real threat. They are a small and insignificant faction, who have no power or influence. They are not behind the Equalists or Yakone. They are just expressing their views, which they have every right to do in a free republic."
Ilama, a firebender and a council member from Yu Dao, nodded and said, "Tenzin is right. The Left or the Equalists have no representation in the parliament. They have no say in the policies or the laws that affect our republic."
She looked at Ujo with a gentle expression. "You are my friend, and I care about you. But you need to calm down and think rationally. You are here to represent the non-benders, not to alienate them. You need to hear what they have to say, not what you want to hear. You need to cooperate with us, not to antagonize us. You need to be a leader, not a paranoiac."
Zi, an earthbender and a council member from the Earth Kingdom, agreed with Ilama. He said, "Ujo, you are being paranoid. They are a small minority and a nuisance, nothing more. Your paranoia is slowing down our response to the real issues that face our republic. The assembly expects us to agree on or veto bills as quickly as possible, not to waste time on baseless accusations and conspiracy theories."
He sighed and said, "Enough. This is pointless. We are not doing our job. We are not here to accuse each other or to defend ourselves. We are here to serve the republic and its people. And we are not fooling anyone. Someone who wants to reform the republic and make it stronger and better. Someone who has the support of the majority in parliament and the military, who are questioning our authority and effectiveness. His name is Raiko, and he is a member of the parliament."
Tenzin nodded and said, "I agree with Raiko. I think our council has outlived its usefulness and relevance. We need a new system of government. One that can lead the republic with more vision and need to follow the example of the Qianchan Republic in the south. Raiko wants to model his constitution after theirs, but he wants to remove the federalization into states, which he thinks is unnecessary and inefficient for our republic. He wants to create a centralized and streamlined government that can act quickly and decisively in times of crisis."
Tarrlok looks at Tenzin and says, "We cannot vote on this. We cannot let Raiko take away our council. We cannot let him change the system that has worked for over 7 decades."
Tenzin said, "We have to vote on this. We have to let Raiko reform our council. We have to accept the change that is inevitable and necessary. We have to acknowledge the system that has failed the people."
He continued, his voice soft and nostalgic. "Besides, I have other duties to attend to. I have to help the Avatar, Korra, master the four elements and fulfill her destiny. She is flying over to the United Republic soon, and I will start to train her for her airbending."