Another challenge entry for theavatar100 lj comm..

#62 Prima Facie

Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar the last Airbender and am making no money from this…

All The King's Men…

Iroh tried to compose himself before he entered the young prince's quarters. The screams of Zuko's latest prisoners, victims he thought with a shudder, a boy and a girl from the Southern Water Tribe, still echoed in the bowels of the ship. They had the great misfortune of having knowledge of the Avatar. And Zuko took pleasure in "extracting" information from his prisoners. Too much pleasure.

There was something dreadfully wrong with the boy. Deep inside, a part of him had broken when his father burned and exiled him. Like a fragile piece of glass he had shattered, never to be whole again.

Oh, no one realized the depth of Zuko's insanity except Iroh. Zuko had become a master of deception. Hiding behind a mask of genial civility. His men were fiercely loyal and if they found the odd cries and sounds of terror that regularly came from the prince's rooms upsetting, they knew better than to mention it, because they also knew how quickly they could find themselves behind that door.

With a heavy heart he stepped into the chamber.

"Uncle Iroh sit, sit! I have wonderful news." A large grin split the young man's face and Iroh tried to avert his eyes from the blood that Zuko was casually wiping from his hands, forearms, chest, and Oh gods, his mouth…

"News?" He said shakily, praying that Zuko didn't notice. He hated to have Iroh give him "that look" or use "that voice" as he called it. "It's bothersome." He had said one night as he set about breaking the neck of a sailor that had dared to question his choice in music.

"Oh yes, I persuaded the water peasant to give me the location of the Avatar. His sister was a bit… reluctant to help but she soon saw things my way as well." Iroh closed his eyes briefly and thought of the pretty little blue-eyed girl he had seen brought aboard earlier. He had hoped she would be compliant with the prince's wishes. Zuko particularly disliked argumentative females and could be coolly vicious when crossed.

"Isn't it great, Uncle? Soon, I will have the Avatar within my grasp. And my father and I can… talk, like I've always wanted. I may even pay my darling sister a visit. Just to catch up on old times, you know?" The happy and relaxed smile on his face did nothing to disguise the madness glinting in his eye. The royal court would become a bloodbath if he should return.

When the time came Iroh would beg the gods for the strength to do what he knew he must. The world could ill afford another Sozen.

Fin

Proud little Zuko sat on a wall

Proud little Zuko had a great fall

And all the King's horses

And all the King's men

Couldn't put Zuko together again