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Borealis: A Zutara Story	By : jaded_priceless Category: Avatar - The Last Airbender > AU/AR - Alternate Universe/Alternate Reality Views: 33524 -:- Recommendations : 2 -:- Currently Reading : 4
Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender, Avatar: The Legend of Korra, any historical figures or events, or easily recognizable persons, places or things. I make no profit from this work of fanfiction

Chapter List
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Chapter 287
Once Mung returned Bong Cha looked around the room at the remaining officers, “As I stated, this city will be named New Ursa after Fire Lord Ozai’s wife and Prince Zuko’s mother. I intend for it to be a place that will soothe her conscience as I unable to create one that would make her proud. This city will embrace the spirit of her life’s work and there will be no tolerance for indiscriminate sexual violence.”
There were several cries of “What?” followed by loud murmuring.
Bong Cha lifted her scepter and a bright flame the shape of an orchid emanated from the top of it. “Silence. Those of you wishing to speak must follow the parliamentary procedure set forth by Concubine Izayoi.”
No one wanted to say anything but finally Mung placed his hand at his chest. It contained a small flame. Bong Cha extinguished it then reignited it and made it larger to signify he had the floor.
“Princess Bong Cha, I acknowledge the intent behind the naming of this city after our rightful Fire Lady and honoring her work but what of the men? They are risking their lives to secure the area; surely they deserve a measure of contentment?”
“General Mung your words have been heard and rightfully acknowledged. I agree that the men and women protecting this city deserve a large share of contentment which is why I said no indiscriminate sexual violence. My father, brother, and nephew all upheld the Rights of Man and far be it for me to subvert them. A man may have whomever he wishes so long as he willing to take responsibility for it. I’ve spent countless hours speaking to the men and women who will be stationed here. The majority of them are not nobles. While most of them have selected a companion they are disgusted by the actions of those who simply prey on the innocent. Many of them have mothers, sisters, cousins, or friends who have suffered the ill effects of some noble’s unwanted attentions.”
The hope Katara felt turned to anger when she said men could still rape freely so long as they took responsibility for it. The water in the room began to shake. When she could no longer hold her tongue she called it to her hand and placed it in front of her chest holding it in the shape of a frozen flame.
She remained completely still when Bong Cha walked over to inspect it. The elder princess nodded in approval, “You truly are the heiress of Nini. That was the symbol she used to participate in governmental proceedings as well. You may speak.”
“How can you say you are naming this place in honor of Princess Ursa when you are still allowing women to be hurt?” Katara yelled standing up and banging her fist on the table.
Bong Cha answered bluntly, “We are women. It is our lot in life to be hurt. The Rights of Man allows a man to put his penis wherever he wants to put it but offers no punishment unless he assaults his betters. The official Fire Nation military manual advocates rape as away relax after battle as it serves the dual purpose of destroying your enemies will.”
“Zuko told me,” Katara replied bitterly.
“Did he also tell you the original law governing soldiers who will spend most of their time abroad?” Bong Cha asked sharply.
Katara shook her head and turned to Zuko. He looked just as puzzled as she did.
Bong Cha shook her head and sighed, dismayed by Iroh’s slight in Zuko’s education. She explained, “The Rights of Man has been twisted to suit the purposes of misbehaving nobles. The original text states it is a man’s right to experience multiple women until you find one who makes your heart whole. If it is taken in the literal context then parents do not have the right to force their sons into beneficial marriages. Upper level society revolves around those social connections. Families would crumble if the sweet little boys whom their futures depend upon decided he wished to marry their serving girl. So little boys are taught they can bed as many pretty serving girls he wishes so long as he marries the cash cow they’ve selected.
“The Rights of Man as it was written all those centuries ago is alive and well in this city so is my father’s precepts of colonization. Most of these men are poor farmers, merchants and laborers. Many of these women are the first ones they’ve raped. Most of them have wives and families at home. The women they’ve chosen remind them of the ones waiting at home. The ones without spouses do not see it as committing a crime; they see it as finding a companion. Each night when they finish their duties they choose to hold the same woman beneath them, sleep in their arms and wake each morning beside them. Have you not noticed the new barracks are designed to sustain life building activities?”
Katara shook her head while replying, “No.”
“There are two and three bedroom suites being made inside these barracks to accommodate families. Our ruling family no longer chooses to advocate Father’s methods of building a colony. In simple terms the original regulation states, ‘if you are unable to go home, make a home where you are’. We were not meant to be oppressive conquerors. We were meant to be teachers and leaders who elevated mankind. The globalization of Fire Nation ideals was to be a gradual process. Brother Azulon and Father often fought about this. Repetition breeds familiarity. Familiarity breeds understanding. Understanding breeds affection. Affection breeds love. Love breeds unity. Unity directly contrasts with the idea that Fire is superior. Do you see where this is going and why it was outlawed by my brother?” Bong Cha inquired while raising an eyebrow and smirking in Katara’s direction.
Katara’s eyes widened and she slowly began to nod in understanding. If that practice were upheld more people would be like the Zhao twins and not view the Fire Nation as their homeland. As time passed a class of citizens would emerge that identified with neither the Earth Kingdom nor the Fire Nation. They would simply be free citizens who pledged loyalty to neither land. If left to themselves peace would start to spread as those on both sides began to question why relatives were killing their opposing family members.
Bong Cha glanced around the room, “My father truly believed in sharing the wealth of the Fire Nation with the world’s people. He would be horrified to see what has been done to our country and the others in his name. Yu Dao is the first Fire Nation colony in the Earth Kingdom. Settlers were chosen and sent over based on their children’s age and family ties. Those with teenagers came from one family while those with small children came from another. If those teenagers wished to marry they would have to seek a partner from the Earth Kingdom; the same would be true of the little ones when they got older. Every single man, including the soldiers, was assigned to older couples who were willing to act as parents and ensure they behaved under proper rules of decorum. Those who knew my father and served under him passed down that tradition to their subordinates. Those men out there may not know of father’s colonization plan and its legacy but they know it is wrong to indiscriminately hurt women and children.”
Bong Cha motioned for one of the soldiers who had followed her in to hand her a large scroll. She set it down hard on the table letting it unravel with the motion. “Did you know the brutes of the Fire Nation army provide food for those they hold down and force themselves on? Most have made inquiries about shelters. Some of the bachelors have requested formal permission to marry.”
Bong Cha pointed at the scroll, “This is what I envision New Ursa to be after speaking to them.”
Katara looked at the scroll. The barracks built by the Dai Li had been changed in the plan. Each long three level building had been broken into several smaller two level ones connected by fences and walls. There were other buildings with similar designs all over the city.
“The suites inside the barracks are a temporary measure. Once every family has an immediate place to live we will hold a lottery to issue plots of land and begin building smaller housing units,” Bong Cha explained.
Katara huffed angrily, “So you see no problem with soldiers kidnapping these women and enslaving them?”
Bong Cha snorted, “It has only been in recent history that kidnap and rape were not the standard foundation for marriage. As society evolved so did our customs. Or do you believe me so ignorant of the facts surrounding Grandmother Kesuk’s marriage or the true reason for the rift between the Southern Water Tribe and the Northern? I know that in the eyes of our more conservative polar cousins you are the wife of my great-nephew seeing that one rape equals a marriage proposal and four rapes declare a marriage.”
Katara’s eyes widened with shock but Bong Cha dismissed the action to continue speaking to her, “New Ursa is a frontier with a specific goal. By allowing these men to have whichever women they want so long as they are willing to provide support families will eventually be created. The women will be protected by default as an unsatisfied man will be less willing to risk upsetting a comrade by attacking a claimed woman. Many of these little girls will grow up to be viewed as daughters and will be protected by their fathers. I am aware that this task will not be easy and as the rest of the division arrives there will be a shortage of women.
“I have written letters to orphanages and benevolent organizations in the homeland asking if there are young women wishing to seek husbands and new lives with soldiers stationed in this city. Not whores, but wholesome young women whose circumstances have limited their options. I know for a fact that Ty Lee is not the only young noblewoman who comes from a house full of daughters. There are others whose parents are more prudent in regards to allowing them to become affianced but they also know the perils of their birth position. Some will agree to marriage with an aged lecher, some will retain their independence by becoming mistresses but others without their pragmatism will come here hoping to find true love with a brave handsome soldier.
“Those idealistic women have been given the best education as well as art and musical training. They will see the backwards state of this city and wish to correct it. They will be the ones who shape and provide New Ursa’s sense of cultural identity. I’m sure Miss Qiaolian and a few of the refugees from the Upper Ring will make their own contributions as well. Those educated young women will build schools and ensure there are things for children to do when they leave schools, places for women to go other than the Ursa House to seek each other’s company. I imagine that once they arrive Ming will soon leave her father’s restaurant in favor of starting her own tea house.”
Bong Cha’s voice softened, “I did not make the decision to claim this territory lightly. I have given much thought to this endeavor in regards to those I wish to live here and those who are already here. I will grant amnesty to every Earth Kingdom family wishing to take it. Those wishing to leave may do so peacefully. I will grant them papers allowing them safe passage to any place they wish.”
“What? That’s madness. You saw what happened to Omashu!” Mung’s second in command argued.
“No, it is choice. Ba Sing Se has fallen. Omashu has been reclaimed and most of the refugees are going there. Now that it is the sole Earth Kingdom stronghold they know the bulk of our attentions will be directed there. Some will leave but others will be reluctant to leave the homes and livelihoods they’ve established for a barrel of blasting jelly waiting to explode. Especially once they learn all untouched women and daughters will remain so under the penalty of raping a Fire Nation noblewoman.”
Several men in the room gasped as Bong Cha continued.
“Those who have already been dishonored will be provided for in the appropriate manner by the responsible party. Anyone wishing to remain will not have to fear their homes or property will be seized without proper compensation. They will not be punished for defending it, themselves or their families from those who attempt to criminalize it. Any man wishing to have an untouched woman must court her properly which includes getting the permission of her parents. If he takes her anyway and the contact is unwanted he will learn that eunuchs can still work hard and provide for a woman while being unable to fully enjoy the fruits of their labor. Any Earth Kingdom family wishing to stay agrees to support the Fire Nation Army and receive the training necessary to become members of this city’s peacekeeping force. They will be able to achieve rank and earnings as appropriate.”
“This is madness. Pure and utter madness,” the man who’d objected earlier repeated.
“No, this is citizenship,” Zuko stated in surprise. “Concubine Izayoi defines it as everyone for the nation and the nation for everyone. What Bong Cha is proposing follows the exact letter of the Zen Kai model. Do you remember several centuries ago Zen Kai Island withdrew from the Fire Nation? The last civil war before Kozulon’s Revolution was to reclaim it. Concubine Izayoi was able to broker an agreement for peace between the Fire Lord and the Zen Kai leaders under these terms.”
Bong Cha smiled in agreement, “Precisely my prince. Brigadier General Asami, third son of the House of Asami, what I am proposing is not madness or revolutionary. It is simply a return to our ideals. In spite of your older brother’s numerous shortcomings he at least understands the fundamentals of being a man.”
“He manually raped a seven year old. How can you call him a man?” Katara blurted.
“I did not say he was a good man only that he understood what it meant to be one. So long as she is prudent Ching Mei will not have to work a day in her life. The day he harmed her he established an interest bearing account in her name and deeded her a small plot of land. The initial deposit is the current cost of full tuition at the Royal Academy for Girls. If she decides to matriculate from a public school or less expensive private one the money is still hers. She can use it to build a cottage on her land or continue to lease it to farmers for rental income as it is currently being done. He does that for every unwilling woman he has encountered. Several have taken his deposit and used it as seed money to follow their dreams and create their own fortunes. Younger Asami is nowhere near his brother in terms of notorious behavior but neither is he innocent. He most certainly thinks nothing of his victims’ aftercare. Tell me young one, whatever came of the barmaid who bore your first son?”
“I have no children other than those birthed by wife!” he huffed indignantly.
“Do not worry. Your bastard is among those your older brother provides for. He tested into the Royal Academy and last I heard ranked near the head of his class.”
The nobleman’s eyes widened and he paled. His legitimate sons were sent to a less prestigious school due to their lackluster entrance scores.
“As for his mother she discovered a way to add lasting carbonation to liquids. Your brother introduced her to Tsubaki who introduced her to Qin who found a way to make the substance useful. The three of them have sponsored several patents for her. There is talk of a meritorious appointment as a lesser noble. The tanks which automatically rebalance themselves if flipped over make use of her bubbling technology to right themselves.” Bong Cha noticed Katara’s eyes widening in disbelief.
The princess smirked while asking, “Did you think Fire Nation society offered no means for merit based advancement?”
“I didn’t know it was possible to move up,” Katara admitted.
“It can happen. Although most never rise to such prominence the opportunity is there. My husband Qin, the current War Minister was born a commoner. He tested into the Royal Academy as a scholarship student. He befriended General Iroh during the summer of their third year. Qin had found a way to keep their classroom cool by creating small fans powered by elephant mice running through a box. Prince Iroh mentioned it to Lady Ilah. Lady Ilah sent Brother to Iroh’s next parent teacher conference; Brother Azulon mentioned the child’s invention to the former War Minister. War Minister Wong came to inspect it and grew fascinated by the way Qin’s mind worked. You can see how things progressed from there,” Bong Cha explained.
“Qin never forgot his humble beginnings. He looks for people with innovation and never refuses someone who comes to him with an idea no matter how ridiculous or their background. Those are usually the ones with the most potential. He nurtures them to the point the War Department is also called ‘Fairy Land’. While he has several qualities I find fault with I cannot deny he is a fair and generous man,” she added.
Katara bit her tongue and nodded. Without realizing it Bong Cha had just given her another means to save her brother. The Mechanist was Earth Kingdom. If there were no other way to save Sokka she could simply tell him he was the one who finalized the idea for the war balloons and designed the concept for the submarines. He would be miserable but he would be alive.
“Now the plans I’ve shown you are only for the immediate needs of New Ursa,” Bong Cha unrolled a second and third scroll then laid them side by side. “This is my ultimate vision for the city. There are plans in place for each stage of growth but those will surely be amended. The most important thing now is to stabilize our environment to ensure we reach our vision.”
Bong Cha pointed at a pond in what was to be a park, “Lady Katara as you can see you and Prince Zuko are an integral part of this.”
Katara stared at the picture in amazement. The current barracks would be turned into schools and hospitals while the original village would become the center of a bustling metropolis.
“The Ursa House will remain in its current location but it is my hope that in a few years its true purpose will no longer be needed. I intend for it to be place where women come to relax and be in the company of their peers to escape the demands of children and marriage. This garden along with the water filtration system will be one of many collectively referred to as the Gardens of Katara.”
“Huh?” she murmured in disbelief at seeing her name etched into the blueprint of a Fire Nation colony to bewildered to not even noticing each garden was next to a large defensive barrier labeled the Wall of Zuko.
In action eerily reminiscent of Gran-Gran, Bong Cha placed her finger beneath Katara’s jaw and gently closed the Waterbender’s mouth before speaking. “I am an engineer by trade. Unlike my husband I grow weary of creating weapons for war and seek new diversions. Who cares if it fizzles, sparks, flies or swims, we all know its purpose and intended outcome. I am an old woman, death is inevitable and predictable. Seeing you extend the life of the water by filtering it so it can be used for other purposes has inspired me to build a machine to do something similar.
“It is partially for this reason I have revealed myself as the Red Orchid and claimed this arid plot of potential for myself. The other is Prince Zuko’s pledge to these people. The support he has promised will go to waste if the typical scoundrel is appointed governor. As I look around and see what is happening here I am reminded of my father’s desire to spread Fire Nation peace and prosperity to the rest of the world. For the first time since my pregnancies I am truly excited to create something.”
Bong Cha reached inside her pocket and pulled out a small gadget, “This is one of the machines I hope to use to purify the water. I have several prototypes but I will need your assistance to determine the water’s purity.”
Katara looked at the device; it was small and made no sense to her. She decided to take a gamble, “Princess Bong Cha I mean no disrespect but this looks like a toy. If you want a true opinion of its engineering quality you should go to the jail and speak to my brother Sokka. I understand water but he understands mechanical things.”
Bong Cha nodded shrewdly, “Perhaps I shall.”
The older woman took the device back from the Waterbender, “Now that you know my plans other than Asami would any of you have any comments or suggestions of how to make this utopian ideal a livable community? I will be meeting with each of your soldiers and the townspeople over the next few weeks and a vote will take place on where to start first.”
This time there was no formality. People simply began speaking and exchanging ideas while scribes wrote each one down. It reminded Katara more like the meetings held at home than any other governmental proceedings she’d been privy to witness. She had forgotten all about Zuko until he whispered in her ear, “Are you okay?”
Katara turned to him and nodded, “I’m just a little overwhelmed. This is… I don’t know how to describe it. It’s wrong to invade this village and subjugate those living here but long term I can see how granting them full rights as citizens and allowing them to have a say in government will pay off.”
Zuko nodded, “Every Fire Nation citizen has some say in government, Katara.”
“But I though the royal family ruled by divine right?” she sputtered.
“We do but Agni does not tell us which villages need a new well or the best place for it to be drilled. That is up to the people who live there to decide how they will be best served by it. Whenever possible we also allow them to decide where factories will be located; even if we supercede their designation we take heed to what they have told us. If Grandfather Azulon had built the factory in Jang Hui decades ago when my father was a child we would have lost that island. We did not have the technology necessary to stabilize the lake’s flooding, now thanks to a farmer on a different island we do. The excess water is stored and used for cooling in the dry season.”
Zuko leaned in closer and whispered, “At least it did until the Painted Lady blew it up.”
Katara blushed but said nothing. She wasn’t aware Zuko knew that the night she demanded he take her to see Ching Mei was not the first time she played the role of Painted Lady.
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Borealis: A Zutara Story