That night when they had sent the letter, Korra and Azumi spend the rest of the night at the library, where towering bookshelves reach almost to the ceiling, and are filled with countless volumes of books, scrolls, and manuscripts. Each shelf is organized with sections dedicated to various subjects. In the center is a large, polished table surrounded by plush, high-backed chairs. The table is strewn with open books, parchments, and writing instruments, indicating the frequent visits of the palace's inhabitants.
"Here is where we begin your education!" Azumi says, and Korra is amazed by the intricate design of the room and its quiet reverence. Azumi tells her that it was built by her father, an architect who took the job to expand the royal palace after Zuko became Fire Lord. He expanded the library as well as the royal apartments, and designed the private meeting chamber for the Fire Lord.
"Between you and I, that's how my mother met him." Azumi tells Korra.
She sits Korra down and brings her study papers, not books, on the economic progress in the three nations. She brings her published papers on the steampunk engine and articles on the history of Republic City, believing that she should know of the great task her predecessor accomplished as his last testament to the world. Korra starts with those articles, and Azumi goes to look for Avatar Roku's journals, which she remembers reading at the library before.
Reading the articles, Korra learns of the political entity established in the aftermath of the Hundred Year War. Founded by Avatar Aang and the leaders of the other nations. Republic City, is deeply rooted in the colonies that existed during and after the war. These colonies were initially intended to exploit resources and strategic locations to support the Fire Nation's war efforts. The colonies were located in the western parts of the Earth Kingdom, and were characterized by their mixed populations, with Fire Nation settlers living alongside Earth Kingdom citizens. Over time, these populations began to integrate culturally and socially, and maritally too.
Korra learns that one of the major challenges for Avatar Aang in the post-war era was dealing with these colonies. Many of these colonies had existed for generations, and their inhabitants developed a mixed identity. Recognizing the complexity and potential for conflict, Aang came up with the solution to free each colony by having them live as a free, self-governing city, governed by an elected Mayor of their own. He embarked on a mission to support each colony in this new change.
Now called the Sovereign Cities, most of them were situated close to one another, and as minor settlements, some of these cities and towns sought to expand and began to invade one another, seeking to not only expand, but also to seize control over more trade hubs. This was troublesome for the Avatar and the other world leaders, as most of the weaker towns continuously begged for protection and aid from the Earth Kingdom and the Fire Nation. The most powerful of these cities were the sovereign cities of Wumeng and Koro, which swiftly established themselves as central hubs of commerce and innovation. Their leaders were astute and forward-thinking, encouraging technological advancements that attracted people from all over the world. However, their rise to prominence also led to tensions between them and neighboring cities and towns that they sought to take over in their effort to expand.
A few sovereign cities fell, and the region was heavily destabilized. Wumeng and Koro fought in a ruthless battle in 123 AG (After Genocide), leveraging their technological advancements to crush the other. Korra was fascinated and troubled by the history, realizing the complex dynamics that shaped the modern political landscape.
She grabs another article that highlights the beginning of Republic City: The idea behind the city began when the conflict between the colonies escalated, with both major cities leaving many smaller towns caught in the crossfire, pleading for intervention from the other nations, and so Aang flew back to mediate.
To bring a solution, Sokka suggested uniting them together under one government, finally forming them into one large trading hub where no competition exists other than the three old nations. They held a summit in Ba Sing Se, where representatives from the warring cities were invited to negotiate peace. The summit was helmed by Sokka, and was also attended by Chief Uluaq of the Water Tribes, Earth King Kuei, and Fire Lord Zuko. After weeks of intense discussions, a treaty was signed that led to the formation of Republic City.
The treaty states that a President will be elected every five years by the people of the newly created Republic City. To make sure that the votes are compromised and fair, considering that the majority rules, and the majority were people who were originally from the now defunct Wumeng and Koro, the Republic Counsel was established, consisting of representatives from the four nations; one from the Fire Nation and one from the Earth Kingdom. Sokka insisted that each of the Water Tribes have a representative join, since there was a big population of Northerners and Southerners in the city, which Chief Uluaq happily agreed to, and Aang insisted that the Air Nomads be included.
The treaty also states that no military shall be created in Republic City, and the establishment of the Republic Counsel in Republic City is to serve to mediate and compromise, and to further appease the former leaders of the now defunct Sovereign Cities, military protection and full support provided by the other nations will be given should the city need it. The people's votes would pass to the Representatives of the Republic Counsel, who would then gather the votes and compromise, casting the final votes to elect a President.
Korra absorbs the information with marvel. She continues to read, moving to the papers on the steampunk engine, which she could barely make sense of, but the knowledge of its existence alone was enough for her. Azumi returns with a stack of scrolls, "These are Roku's journals." She says, placing them gently on the table. Korra sets them aside and reads the papers on the economic progress of the three nations.
The hours pass as Korra delves into the papers, occasionally glancing up to see Azumi engrossed in her own studies. The night never seemed to end, and she reads on and on in the quiet ambiance of the library. Azumi eventually excuses herself to go to sleep as she has school tomorrow, and Korra continues her reading.
That same night, Mako returns to his room in the staff quarters, located at the back of the palace. The room is sparse, furnished with only a small bed, a wooden desk, and a simple wardrobe. The scent of roasted meats and fresh herbs lingered on his clothes, a reminder of the busy dinner service he had just helped with.
Reaching his modest room, Mako pushes the door open and sighs. He lies down on the bed, the weight of his thoughts heavier than his weariness. As he lies back staring at the ceiling, memories flooded his mind – memories of his childhood back in Republic City. His parents were killed when he and his little brother were very young, leaving him to raise his brother on his own in the slumps of the city, causing them to become involved in heavy gang activity to survive.
Mako clenched his fists, feeling the familiar pang of anger and helplessness. He remembered the day his world had shattered yet again. He had been trying to leave the life of crime they were heavily involved in, desperate to find a better and safer life for his little brother Bolin. But his attempt to exit had brought him face-to-face with a notorious crimelord, Lightning Bolt Zolt, a man who wielded a power so rare that only the Fire Nation royal family was said to possess it: lightning generation.
They were brought to a massive and dim building in the ghetto of the city by Zolt's henchmen, and after pleading for mercy and promising to never tell, a flash of blinding light and a defeaning crack came out. Mako could only watch in horror as the bolt of lighting struck his brother, ending his short life instantly. The image of his brother's lifeless body, the smell of burnt flesh, the memory of the man thrusting his right arm with sparks flickering at his fingertips, and the sound of his own screams haunted him every day since.
Mako was told that this was a lesson for him and anyone else who dared to act on their own. He was left for dead on the streets, and collapsed in a narrow alley, his body soaked to the bone by the cold rain that felt like icy needles against his skin, but he was too numb to care. The world around him was a blur of shadows, the alley's grimy walls closing in on him. He was collapsed right there for days, tears silently streaming down his face. He felt utterly defeated, a broken soul adrift in a sea of pain. The streets, once bustling with life, now felt like a cruel, indifferent expanse.
And then, determination urged through him, igniting a fierce resolve. He would become stronger, powerful enough to never feel helpless again, to avenge his brother's death. He would learn the same technique. Lightning is a direct hit and lethal, causing immediate death due to cardiac arrest, severe burns, or nervous system failure, even a near miss can cause serious injuries, and the technique is secret, becoming so rare in the world that only the royal family of the Fire Nation were known to know how to use it.
Legend had it that a man, some say a woman, from the islands that would eventually become the Fire Nation used this terrifying power to unify the Fire Islands under one rule, establishing the seat of the Fire Lord and securing their place at the pinnacle of firebending mastery. The knowledge of how to generate lightning was closely guarded, passed down through generations of royalty, and kept hidden from the rest of the world. As to how Zolt learned it, Mako does not know, but he believes that this secret knowledge might well be found at the royal palace of the Fire Nation.
Mako's personal mission now begins. He rose from his bed, quickly pulling on his boots. It was deep in the night, and the hallways of the staff quarters are dimly lit and eerily quiet as the palace is at rest. Mako moves swiftly but silently, exiting the staff quarters and finding himself in a large courtyard bathed in the soft light of the moon. He has no idea where to begin his search, but he knows he has to start somewhere, and an archive, or a library, might be his best bet. He scans the courtyard, looking for any signs of activity. He knew he had to avoid any guards if he wanted to search the palace undetected, and with a deep breath, he begins to move stealthily across the courtyard, sticking close to the walls and staying in the shadows.
As he approaches a corner, Mako hears a faint sound of footsteps. He presses himself against the stone wall, peering around the edge just enough to see a pair of guards patrolling the area. He waited, his heart pounding in his chest, until the guards pass and their footsteps fade into the distance, their conversation a low murmur. Once he was sure the coast is clear, he continued on, occasionally pausing when there was a slight hint of an approaching guard.
Mako notices a Fire Sage coming out of the palace building, robed in traditional attire, and his curiosity piqued. He knew of the Fire Sages – Fire Sages often had access to knowledge and places that were off-limits to others. If anyone could lead him to the secret he so desires, it might as well be a Fire Sage. Mako decides to follow him, staying low and maintaining a safe distance, keeping to the shadows as he follows the Sage through the manicured hedges.
The Fire Sage was heading north, towards the High Temple, a revered and ancient structure located just beyond the palace walls. The Sage exits through the north gate, a much smaller gate than the main gate located west. The gate is guarded by two sentries. Mako knew, even if he was a palace employee, he couldn't just walk through the gate at this hour without drawing attention and getting questioned. He would have to find another way out.
He notices a section of the palace wall that is partially obscured by tall trees and dense foliage, and he quickly makes his way to the base of the wall, staying low and quiet. He glances around to make sure no one was watching, and then begins to climb. His fingers dig into crevices and his feet attempt to secure footholds as he ascended. He pauses once, pressing himself flat against the wall with the tree covering him as a guard passes nearby, but the guard didn't notice him.
Finally he peers over the edge, making sure the coast is clear before swinging his legs and dropping down silently on the other side. There was the Sage walking towards the High Temple, a short distance away. Mako moves quickly but cautiously behind the Sage as he approaches the temple. The Sage stands in the middle of an ornate metal circle, opening it with firebending and going underground to the Dragonbone Catacombs. Perfect, Mako thinks. He waits for the Sage to exit back, and once the Sage does so and leaves, Mako opens the gate with his firebending and goes underground.
The Dragonbone Catacombs are labyrinthine, narrow, and the floor is uneven and covered with dust. He ventures deeper. The hallway is completely dark, leading Mako to light a small flame in his right palm as he scans the area. He sees many doors to his left and right. He carefully opens the first one to his left, finding a tomb bearing the name of a past Fire Lord he had never heard of. He goes to the next chamber and finds another tomb. He enters the third chamber, same, then a fourth chamber, and same. He found a few scrolls in each chamber that only spoke of their respective Fire Lord's testaments.
He enters another chamber and finds yet another tomb, great, he thinks, and he also finds scrolls in that chamber too. He grabs them and reads The Final Testament of Fire Lord Sozin, skimming through it, not finding any information useful to what he wants. He puts the scrolls back and continues his search, but eventually finds nothing useful at all. Nothing here gave him any information about lightning or even firebending in general.
He reaches the end of the hallway where a massive dragon skeleton lies, its bones bleached white and arranged in a lifelike pose. The skull in particular is imposing with sharp, menacing teeth that made him shiver. He decides there is nothing to be found here, and swiftly walks back out and then back to the palace, but the walls have no crevices from the outside, and they are too tall for him to scale. Great, he thinks to himself again, and goes to the same bush he slept in the first time he arrived, until morning comes when the kitchen doors are open.
Also in that same night, Fire Lord Izumi sat in her private meeting chamber when Chancellor Zhang Wei called for an emergency summons. "My Lord, a message from Republic City."
Izumi gleams, "Is it from my son?"
Zhang Wei clears his throat, "It's a report. The election results are in."
Izumi's face grew serious as she extended her hand for the report. As she read through the report, her eyes narrowed, "The balance of power in Republic City is shifting, and it seems in the favor of the people."
"This is wonderful news," Chancellor Zhang Wei says. "An Ren is a man of the people."
The Fire Lord nods, feeling relieved. "That city is the bane of our existence, Chancellor. It's about time that we have a President who wants to serve and not be served. Let us hope he doesn't turn out like the others."
"I have met him a couple of times before. A fine man that one, an honorable one indeed."