Destra Beifong

Biographical information

Alias(es)

The 57th Earth Queen

Nationality

Gaoling, Earth Kingdom

Ethnicity

Earth Kingdom

Residence

Earth Kingdom Royal Palace, Beifong Estate (formerly)

Age

26 (at time of death)

Born

9 Sìyuè 116 AG

Died

11 Xūyuè 142 AG

Physical description

Eye color

Green

Hair color

Dark brown

Personal information

Fighting style(s)

Earthbending, Metalbending

Political information

Position

Earth Queen

Reign

134–138 (as co-monarch with Earth King Siniestro
138–142 (as sole monarch)

Predecessor

Earth King Shinso (as Earth Monarch)
Toph Beifong (as Zongdu of Gaoling)

Successor

Earth Queen Raoxing

Affiliation

Earth Queen Destra Xiǎomèi Beifong, also known as Déshàzhuó (9 Sìyuè 116——11 Xūyuè 142), daughter of Toph Beifong, was the 57th Earth Queen, reigning from 134–138 AG as co-monarch with her twin brother Earth King Siniestro, then as sole monarch from 138 until her assassination in 142, at the age of 26. She and Siniestro acceded to the throne after intimidating the United Empire of Nations into granting the Earth Kingdom independence under the Beifong twins' rule at the age of 18. Among her primary exploits were the annexation of the 2nd United Republic after the successful Chunying War, the Swamp, and the islands of Wei Gong and Sha Ying; victory against the Fifth Nation during the Dragonhawk War, culminating in the Battle of Seilkuq in which Destra mounted the dragon Sixith; and her short-lived betrothal to Water Chieftess Spencer Tala as a ploy to unite with the Water Tribe and form the Earth Empire. Known for her reforms, conquests, court drama, and general lunacy, she remains one of the Earth Kingdom's most divisive figures, and many of her actions as Queen had lasting influence on international politics.

Biography

Early life

Destra was born at the Beifong Estate in Gaoling on 9 Sìyuè 116 AG to the wealthy and noble House of Beifong. Neglected by her mother Toph and abused by her overbearing father Kanto Le, Destra had a tumultuous childhood that was alleviated only by the company of her twin brother Siniestro. She was raised and educated by her father, grandmother Poppy Beifong, and a host of servants in Gaoling, of which her mother was officially Zongdu. Toph was an earthbending master of international renown and close friend of Avatar Aang, who had recently sacrificed himself in order to restore airbending to the world. In the wake of his death, the world began descending into chaos once again, which Toph was constantly called to fight, leading to her absence from Gaoling. Destra and Siniestro honed their skills in earthbending, with a particular focus on their mother's invention metalbending, often dueling in the estate courtyard under the watchful tutelage of their father.

Kanto personally educated Destra and Siniestro in everything that was to be expected of them. He wished for them to be master earthbenders like his parents and masterful administrators, for one day they would inherit the responsibilities of ruling Gaoling province. Often remembered as a harsh perfectionist, Kanto pushed his children to their limits and often pit them against each other to challenge them. As a result, Destra and Siniestro grew into a rivalry, both vying for their domineering father's praise.

This rivalry eventually gave way to friendship as the twins reconciled and slowly aligned against the severe demands of their father. They attempted to escape from the estate multiple times, including one time they successfully crossed the Si Wong desert and reached Ba Sing Se, living there in anonymity for weeks with a small blacksmithing group, before they were discovered and summarily sent back to Gaoling by Kanto's henchmen, who killed several of the blacksmiths in the process, further villainizing their father.

In their final escape one night, they were discovered by Kanto and his guards and chased to Misty Palms Oasis. It was here that an all-out brawl broke out between the twins and their pursuers, which eventually had concentrated in a small tavern as the twins were cornered. During the commotion, the building collapsed onto Kanto, who was unable to earthbend himself out of the rubble. It is said that he pleaded desperately for his children and guards to help him out, but no one complied. He burned to death beneath the rubble.