On a rocky outcropping in the mountains outside of Omashu there seemed to be a sand storm. Whirling tornados of sand leaped from place to place in an elegant ballet. At the center of it all was King Shaoshan. Shao bent the sand with all the grace of a water bender, letting it mix and jumble in the air forming all sorts of shapes and images. Dragons, Bagermoles, even a herd of Komodo Rhinos. But the King didn't move himself. He stood still in the middle of it all letting his hands do all the work. Then he began his next set and crushed his hands together forcing the sand to form a rock wall. Just as easily he tore it down and it all became sand again. Finally he lifted it all and held in midair before barreling it all at the practice dummy. The sand cut through its steel like a knife through butter leaving only a small circular hole in the armor. After a small pause the ministers who were viewing the entire event clapped from the platform above Shao.
Shao walked briskly out of the changing room, decked out in his royal clothing all colored a plain olive green. Instantly he ministers started to flock to him. "Gentlemen, a pleasure to see you all. How do you think I did? I'm simply dying to know your opinions." The king said in a nonchalant voice, not bothering to slow down his pace as he exited the training space and headed for the monorail to Omashu. He was met with the expected lot of "Wonderful" and "Radiant" then one of the ministers spoke out. "My lord that was almost perfect." Shao stopped immediately and the procession almost crashed into itself. "Almost?" He questioned. "Yes…but there was one hair out of place!" The group of ministers started roaring in laughter. Shao gave an amused smirk and continued his path. "Minster Feng. Always cracking jokes. You're right though." Shao stopped and boarded the monorail. "And almost isn't good enough." The train sped up before the ministers could take it.
Omashu hadn't changed in years and from the look of things wasn't about to any time soon. It had lived through countless invasions and wars. None of them had managed to change the city. Even the Firebenders with their metal buildings only lasted until Bumi had torn them all down. Bumi's statute stood where the old governor's palace used to be, looking outwards towards the entrance as if daring any army to attack. Shao looked down at his city from the monorail. He inherited it all at the age of 5 when his father died and ever since then he had trained to be its protector. Bumi's blood ran through him, and it showed. Shao had none of Bumi's humor, but all of his patience. He could out wait anyone at a game of Pai Sho. Always picking his moves after slow and careful consideration. His bending reflected this. Distracting his sparring partners with meaningless attacks while he read them and their moves, until finally striking them down. It was his patience that had kept Omashu out of the Anarchy. Shao himself broke the bridge to Omashu, forcing all travel to be done by plane, and approved by him. Rather than lend his armies to the "Great Uniter" from the get go, he held back, waiting until her victory at the battle of Ba Sing Se was certain to send the legions of Omashu to help. Even now he kept Omashu distant and kept himself mostly neutral. There was no point in ruining all his family had built by rushing into a war haphazardly. Finally his train arrived at the royal station, where he was greeted by the worst sight since his pet Mr. Floopsy had died. Foreign ministers.
"You highness we must speak, I'm am Representative Taoru from the United Republic…" one of the ministers, a particularly short and squirrely one, started to address Shao. "Ah the United Republic. Always so informal. Well what can be expected from a nation that has only existed for 80 years? What is it minister, I have a very busy day ahead of me and I can't afford to waste my time on Raiko's scheming." "Your highness, I am afraid I have news from president Raiko that needs your urgent attention!" Shao sighed. He was hoping to get some rest in today. "Very well. I'll have my servants direct you to the crystal room. I will be with you shortly." Shao managed to get away from the minister at an astounding speed, despite never actually running. He had made a habit out of out running ministers and advisors. And he knew the monorail with his own men would arrive soon, none of them would be happy about the stunt he pulled at the training space. He smirked to himself as he passed through the hallways, hands clasped behind his back. This would be an interesting day.
Shao loved the crystal room. He has total control over it and he loved that. Purple crystal columns met with a reflective quartz floor and formed out into a green crystal table and chairs. All of which he could bend at his will. It helped him swing meetings in his favor. People are more susceptible to influence when the environment is under his control. He readied himself putting on his green, four pocket jacket and trousers. Then following with his commander's cap, buckled with the earth kingdom coin. Finally he put on his square spectacles. He was frighteningly pale compared to his predecessors, but he blamed his mother for that. He had an unamused dry demeanor, which managed to intimidate even the most burley general in his legion. He strolled into the crystal room. "Ah I see everyone is here. Wonderful. Wei could you get us all some jasmine tea?" he sat at the head of the table and stared down the diplomats. "You all like jasmine right?" It wasn't really a question, they all nodded respectfully. "Isn't that grand. Now let's start talking gentlemen, I don't like mincing words. What does Raiko want?" The squirrelly minister cleared his throat and spoke up. "Your highness, all president Raiko wants to know is who you support to rule the Earth Kingdom." "Didn't they crown the Queen's grandnephew? That settles the matter doesn't it? Terribly sorry I couldn't go to the coronation, I was just swamped with work." Shao sipped a bit of his tea and sent a knowing look to his maid. "That's just what we're here to talk about my lord. Surely you've heard?" "Heard what? News is slow to travel to Omashu, you must bring me into the loop." He leaned over the table and bent the diplomats' chairs closer. "Kuvira has usurped the throne." Shao grew serious and silent. "What?" he finally said flatly. "She refuses to accept Wu as the king, most of the earth kingdom supports her, and she now leads an 'Earth Empire'". "Earth Empire?" Shao chuckled slightly. "Leave it to the 'Great Uniter' to come up with a title as scary as she is. Well. What does Raiko want me to do about it?" "My lord, all we want to know is where you stand. Omashu is still one of the largest and most powerful city states in the Earth Kingdom…" "Empire" Shao chimed in amusedly. "…Empire. Depending on which side you choose you could shift the whole dynamic." And there it was. Shao could smell it a mile away. Blood in the water. "Minister, I can only tell you this…" Shao stood and turned his back towards the delegation to look out of the window on Omashu. "I must have time to think. I cannot sacrifice my city in a war. Leave me until tomorrow, then I will have your answer." "But Your…Your Highness." The diplomat stoped when he saw Shao's unamused glare. "Whatever you wish." The delegates each shook his hands, muttered compliments. The ordinary routine. Meanwhile Shao planned. He knew what was at stake. But this would be no ordinary war. If he lost, he would lose everything, but if he won. If he won the benefits would be…immeasurable. A boy king, a dictator and an imminent civil war. This would be a revolution. Revolution is boy's game.