<p>At this point I'd say probably the former. There had to be a reason why she mentioned it in the first place. Heh, looks like Raiko will have yet another reason to antagonize the Avatar. </p>

<p>Indeed. I actually wouldn't be surprised if she had a bit of a Tywin Lannister complex due to her rather impotent predecessor, cleaning up what she sees as her father's mess and trying to establish her nation as a nation to be respected/feared. </p>

<p>Well, For huge reason to Reannexed United Republic of Nations for her imperalist politcal views of reunited the other Earthbenders from 'URoN' and gain more citizens to worship her cult of personality as most of Ba Sing Se have pictures of her in some places and If she decleared war on URoN they sould call it as "Earth-United Republic of Nations war" as if it could happen??? </p>

<p>I have a feeling that the Earth Queen is not who she claims to be. Maybe it's gonna turn out that *twist* it's actually THIS person that's the real Earth Queen or something like that. Maybe she's part of the Dai Li somehow or is employing the powerful prisoner guys somehow. </p>

Maybe she's a former Joo Dee impersonating the queen?

<div class="quote"><i> <p>AntJenkins wrote: It seems like she wants to retake the United Republic land for the Earth Kingdom. </p> </i></div>
<p>Most likely this. </p>

<p>I agree that she probably plans to retake the United Republic. Just based on what we've seen from her so far that's very likely to happen. But I think so actual thought went into it. Airbending is the rarest form of bending right now even with all of these new benders. So few people have any experience with it let alone fighting it. Plus she probably thinks that since their all Earth Kingdom citizens she's gotta think it's her right to <i>draft</i> them. If she took over the UR she'd most likely force the various water and firebenders into her army too. </p>

<div class="quote"><i> <p>Tempest Wing wrote: I have a feeling that the Earth Queen is not who she claims to be. Maybe it's gonna turn out that *twist* it's actually THIS person that's the real Earth Queen or something like that. Maybe she's part of the Dai Li somehow or is employing the powerful prisoner guys somehow. </p> </i></div>
<p>Ugh, I hope note. The "evil person isn't the TRUE ruler" plot device is so overplayed in this franchise. </p>

<div class="quote"><i>Tempest Wing wrote:
I have a feeling that the Earth Queen is not who she claims to be. Maybe it's gonna turn out that *twist* it's actually THIS person that's the real Earth Queen or something like that. Maybe she's part of the Dai Li somehow or is employing the powerful prisoner guys somehow.</i></div>
<p>Maybe it's not really an "Earth Queen". We don't have much information on Kai so far, but we know he's an orphan. Perhaps Kai is the rightful heir to the throne, and Hou-Ting is just a Jo-Dee (like mentioned a few posts ago) who allied herself with the Dai-Li to seize the throne and throw out Kai as a child (or Kai's parents). Maybe I'm thinking too Game of Thrones about this, but it seems pretty probable at this point.
</p><p>Edit: It also gives her another reason to attack the Republic, to destroy Kai and his parents. Since people are getting Airbending, she could feel endangered in a way that the rightful heir will return and claim the throne. </p>

<div class="quote"><i>Neo Bahamut wrote: <p>Ugh, I hope note. The "evil person isn't the TRUE ruler" plot device is so overplayed in this franchise. </p> </i></div>
<p>
</p><p>I've gotta agree. The same thing happened in the original series as well, with the Earth king being the figure head and all. </p><p>Maybe she just wants to use the airbenders like how she uses the Dai Li or something, just to have a stronger army or whatever. Who knows? I don't like her much anyway. </p>