| By Alexander of Volzhsky | See other fanon and fan fiction works from Alexander of Volzhsky. |
Zetian was the third sovereign of the Earth Kingdom, who overthrew his older brother Tianpei in 1,168 BG and seized the throne from him.
History[]
Early life[]
Born in 1,189 BG, Zetian was the younger son of the first Earth King, Zhengfu, and his consort. His older brother Tianpei was groomed to become the next ruler of the Earth Kingdom while Zetian joined the army as a junior officer. However, in contrast to the timid and indecisive Tianpei, who personally did not want to be the king, Zetian was aggressive and more militaristic. Many nobles of the Ba Sing Se imperial court thought that Zetian was the reincarnation of Zhengfu's militaristic traits while Tianpei, his diplomatic side. Zetian became a captain at the age of nineteen and gained a reputation for being a skilled fighter, before being sent off to the Northern Water Tribe by his father as the king's ambassador.
Committing a coup[]
Tianpei had some support in the government despite being a weak leader, and thus Zetian had to build up more support within the army and nobility for his planned coup. The high nobles backed him, thinking he would be more imperialistic and would invade the Fire Nation to increase their influence. In 1,168 BG he executed a coup, overthrowing his brother in an assault on the Earth Kingdom Royal Palace. However, the Royal Earthbender Guards put up fierce resistance, and Zetian was injured in the fight. But they were defeated within a day, and Zetian was crowned as the new Earth King.
Personality[]
Violent, aggressive, and ambitious, Zetian had more of his father's traits than his brother Tianpei. However, he was known to get easily angered and provoked into a fight, in contrast to the calm and composed King Zhengfu. Some viewed him to be a reincarnation of his father's aggressive traits.
Trivia[]
- Zetian is named after a Chinese empress.
| Preceded by Tianpei |
Earth King 1,168 — 1,156 BG |
Succeeded by Baoyi |
| Preceded by Position established |
Earth Ambassador to the Northern Water Tribe 1,174 — 1,170 BG |
Succeeded by Unknown |
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