Finally, it's over. Chu thought as he sat with the other world leaders awaiting his cousins crowning. It had been a rough couple of years, all the negotiations, all the fighting, all the anarchy and chaos, but he and Kuvira had finally managed to unite the Earth Kingdom. Chu understood that Wu would not be used to ruling, (his overbearing and paranoid mother saw to that) Maybe he would make him an advisor, he was an accomplished general and a gifted administrator during his governorship of Yan. Chu was shaken from his thoughts when Kuvira asked to speak. Maybe she was going to speak about their struggle, or wish the new king good luck. "Growing up in Zaofu, with Suyin Beifong, I learned that the idea of a royal family passing a title from one generation to the next was archaic, and that technology and innovation should be what drives a nation forward. It was the pathetic rule of kings and queens that caused the Earth Kingdom to descend into such incredible disarray. It's taken Chu and I three years to get it back on track, and there is no way I will allow it to slip back into the dark ages. I'd like to make an announcement to the world: the Earth Kingdom is no more. And from here on out, this man has no authority". Chu nearly jumped in surprise, what in the Four Nations was she doing!? She continued "I have created a new Earth Empire, and I will continue to lead it into the future myself, bringing about a new era of prosperity for my people. Let me assure my fellow leaders of one thing: Anyone who crosses our borders or stands in our way, will be crushed." It was all Chu could take. He was so mad that the small pebbles around him rose from the ground, the Monarchy was by no means perfect but it didn't warrant dissolution after all how many times had the United Republic, Water Tribe, or the Fire Nation made mistakes but kept their governments? Chu arose abruptly from his chair and stormed out of the room for the restroom to breathe, he couldn't afford to outwardly show his emotions in front of the public that would only make Kuvira look like a reasonable person. When he finally came out he noticed Kuvira heading toward the exit. "KUVIRA!" Chu roared. Kuvira swiftly turned around and her surprise turned to a pleasant smile. "Chu my friend I was looking for you, I was hoping you would come with me, together we could finally bring our nation into the modern-"she was cut off by a sudden rock soaring up from the ground and striking her in the chin knocking her on her back. Chu seethed with rage. "How dare you? HOW DARE YOU!? You and I were entrusted with unifying the Earth Kingdom and yet you have the sheer audacity to abolish a government you have no right to remove in the first place! The throne belongs to my cousin not you!" Kuvira got up and wiped her chin then the two stared down intensely at each other. "So this how it is then?" she sneered. "I thought you and I were cut from the same cloth Chu but instead you think of clinging to the old ways. Well if that's how it's going be..." Kuvira got into her fighting stance with Chu doing the same. Suddenly Raiko storming in. "Stop this at once do not fight in here this is a place of peace!" after a while Chu finally turned and left to find Wu hoping to cheer his cousin up, after all this was supposed to be his day. Finding Wu by himself sitting in a depressing fashion, Chu sat down beside him. "I can't help but think this is all my fault." Wu said. "Don't say that cousin." Chu said firmly. "none of us were ready for it, if anything it's my fault, I should have seen Kuvira's ambition from the get go but instead I focused on unifying the realm." Chu got up then kneeled before the prince. "Forgive me sire I am worthy of discharge." Wu quickly got up and brought his cousin up again. "Don't say that Chu! You are the most reliable and now the most trustworthy general I have! Not to mention you're my cousin, I refuse your resignation and command you to gather troops and stomp Kuvira's butt." With that Chu got up, bowed to his cousin and left to regroup his army. While on his way Suyin ran after him. "Chu, Chu! Where are you going!?" Chu turned around and faced his dear friend. "I am going eastward where my armies are and I am going to take the kingdom back." He said gravely. "And then what?" said Suyin. "Another civil war? Another aloof king? When will it end Chu?" Chu stared at her gravely "Su as much as I would love to debate with you once again about monarchy I am done waiting for either the Avatar or the other governments to react. It is time to end this threat whether you support me or not I will do my duty as I have always done and I will see Wu crowned." With that Chu went off to join his army.