A/N: I'm not too happy about this but the deadline is today so I wrote it very quickly. I might continue and develop this concept some more. The theme was corruption.
Saints Cut
There were no words to describe, to convey and express accurately what he had done. Except, it was almost like they had planned this out.
Nimble and agile in thinking, he ruled the world with iron fists and an obdurate heart (absolved the council, hushed the dissenters). A permanent expurgation or dissolution of rules—but his own—he did away with "right and wrong".
Zuko was a strong king, an absolute sovereign. He was level-headed and cool-tempered and fair (for the most part). He had his selection of advisers, the remainders of the Avatar's once-ago retinue, but in his mind he and they were above the laws.
In the tenth year of his reign, he issued a repression of published articles (those that castigated his mandates and questioned his sanity). And for a while, there was talk of insurrection, of reminding him why his father and grandfather had failed so miserably. And then the talk vanished, the speakers ghosted away in the late of night.
In the twentieth year of his reign, Zuko invited a woman from the Water Tribe to discuss politics and truces and other diplomatic affairs. She was not pleased and tossed him several sour looks. That year, there was a great drought and pandemic starvation. That year, Zuko sat bewildered on his throne wondering what could have possibly caused this calamity.
In the thirtieth year of his reign, Mai died and left Zuko with no heirs. This was the year he lost his mind completely, steeping heavily into the stupor of liquor. Crops failed and crimes escalated. It had been a very good year (he kept his hair and collected wealth while wilting inside brocade walls).
By the end of his reign—long and replete with the grumbles of a discontent populace—Zuko sat alone and maniacal, greedy still with power and visions of noble achievements. He painted himself up and ordered the court portraitist to complete a final piece.
Aplomb: in façade, in face.
Restless: spirit drained and seething.
He laughed one last laugh and sent fluorescent streaks of fire to the titled roofs, refusing to go down without leaving an impression.