History Main / ShortLivedLeadership

* ''Fanfic/LovedAndLost'': The extended retelling of the 2nd season finale of ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'', Prince Jewelius overthrows the princesses right after [[ForWantOfANail Twilight Sparkle stops the Changeling invasion]] [[spoiler:(which he started with Queen Chrysalis before double-crossing her)]] by tricking the shaken public into believing that all the other heroes but Twilight are to blame for the invasion. For one whole week, he then enjoys his new status as "Holy King Jewelius I" who has [[CorruptTheCutie Twilight]] as his student and fiancée, but his urge to personally murder his aunt Celestia and cousin Cadance causes him to lure the banished heroes back to Canterlot and [[JustBetweenYouAndMe brag about his success in their faces]]. After the heroes and the entire Changeling army have escaped from his clutches, he single-mindedly focuses on destroying the heroes and completely ignores the Changelings to the point that he allows Twilight and all of Canterlot's inhabitants (who are all more concerned about the Changelings than about the fugitive heroes they're gradually starting to forgive) to see him for the selfish monster he is. Even if the heroes hadn't defeated all of his minions and cornered him during the final battle before the vengeful Changelings came to kill him, his reign wouldn't have lasted much longer because the public started wanting the princesses back to power.
* In [[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/6254783/35/Rise-of-the-Wizards Chapter 35]] of ''Rise of the Wizards'', it's mentioned that there was a Century of the Three Hundred Headmasters. A portrait of a past Headmaster believes Richard Masters holds the record of shortest time as Headmaster of ''[[Literature/HarryPotter Hogwarts]]'' for holding the job for six ''hours''.

* [[https://www.deviantart.com/crookedisstrange CrookedIsStrange]] on Website/DeviantArt gives us "Witch With A Capital B" (which, yes, includes at least one instance of [[WitchWithACapitalB that very trope]]), a NotSafeForWork AlternateUniverse fanfic of ''VideoGame/GenshinImpact'' exploring what would happen if, near the end of the Inazuma arc, La Signora [[spoiler:[[ForWantOfANail had fled from Raiden Shogun's palace after losing her duel with the Traveler before Raiden got the chance to execute her]]]]. The story's premise is that Signora is excommunicated from the rest of the Harbingers because of it, but amasses an army for her own takeover of Teyvat two months after her escape [[TyrantTakesTheHelm and steals Inazuma's throne]] while the Shogun is on vacation. Out of cruelty, incompetence, and a drive to [[ItsAllAboutMe have every aspect of Inazuma under her control]], the she and her forces proceed to [[TheCaligula drive the nation to the brink of ruin]] and [[KickTheDog horribly mistreat its populace]], not knowing or caring that this kind of so-called leadership is ''asking'' for a violent uprising... [[spoiler:which, sure enough, is exactly what happens. Between that and Raiden finding out and returning earlier than scheduled, a thoroughly and [[ClothingDamage literally]] [[HumiliationConga dressed-down]] Signora is in the end the only member of the usurping party left alive - and even then, she's last seen [[ExitPursuedByABear being chased off into the distance by a pack of Mystical Beasts]] [[UncertainDoom which, it's implied, will eventually kill her]]]]. All told, the Crimson Witch only got to enjoy being shogun for just over two days.

* [[https://www.deviantart.com/crookedisstrange CrookedIsStrange]] on Website/DeviantArt gives us "Witch With A Capital B" (which, yes, includes at least one instance of [[WitchWithACapitalB that very trope]]), a NotSafeForWork AlternateUniverse fanfic of ''VideoGame/GenshinImpact'' exploring what would happen if, near the end of the Inazuma arc, [[spoiler:La Signora [[ForWantOfANail had fled from Raiden Shogun's palace after losing her duel with the Traveler before Raiden got the chance to execute her]]]]. The story's premise is that Signora is excommunicated from the rest of the Harbingers because of it, but amasses an army for her own takeover of Teyvat two months after her escape [[TyrantTakesTheHelm and steals Inazuma's throne]] while the Shogun is on vacation. Out of cruelty, incompetence, and a drive to [[ItsAllAboutMe have every aspect of Inazuma under her control]], the she and her forces proceed to [[TheCaligula drive the nation to the brink of ruin]] and [[KickTheDog horribly mistreat its populace]], [[spoiler:not knowing or caring that this kind of so-called leadership is ''asking'' for a violent uprising... which, sure enough, is exactly what happens. Between that and Raiden returning earlier than scheduled, a thoroughly and [[ClothingDamage literally]] [[HumiliationConga dressed-down]] Signora soon becomes the only usurper left alive - and even then, she's last seen [[ExitPursuedByABear being chased off into the distance by a pack of Mystical Beasts]] [[UncertainDoom which, it's implied, will eventually kill her]]]]. All told, the Crimson Witch only got to enjoy being shogun for just over two days.

* [[https://www.deviantart.com/crookedisstrange CrookedIsStrange]] on Website/DeviantArt gives us "Witch With A Capital B" (which, yes, includes at least one instance of [[WitchWithACapitalB that very trope]]), a NotSafeForWork AlternateUniverse fanfic of ''VideoGame/GenshinImpact'' exploring what would happen if, near the end of the Inazuma arc, [[spoiler:La Signora [[ForWantOfANail had fled from Raiden Shogun's palace after losing her duel with the Traveler before Raiden got the chance to execute her]]]]. The story's premise is that Signora is excommunicated from the rest of the Harbingers because of it, but amasses an army for her own takeover of Teyvat two months after her escape [[TyrantTakesTheHelm and steals Inazuma's throne]] while the Shogun is on vacation. Out of cruelty, incompetence, and a drive to [[ItsAllAboutMe have every aspect of Inazuma under her control]], the she and her forces proceed to [[TheCaligula drive the nation to the brink of ruin]] and [[KickTheDog horribly mistreat its populace]], [[spoiler:not knowing or caring that this kind of so-called leadership is ''asking'' for a violent uprising... which, sure enough, is exactly what happens. Between that and Raiden returning earlier than scheduled, Signora is eventually the only usurper left alive - and even then, she's last seen [[ExitPursuedByABear being chased off into the distance by a pack of Mystical Beasts]] [[UncertainDoom which, it's implied, eventually kill her]]]]. All told, the Crimson Witch only got to enjoy being shogun for just over two days.

* [[https://www.deviantart.com/crookedisstrange CrookedIsStrange]] on Website/DeviantArt gives us "Witch With A Capital B" (which, yes, includes at least one instance of [[WitchWithACapitalB that very trope]]), a NotSafeForWork AlternateUniverse fanfic of ''VideoGame/GenshinImpact'' exploring what would happen if, near the end of the Inazuma arc, [[spoiler:La Signora had fled from Raiden Shogun's palace after losing her duel with the Traveler before Raiden got the chance to execute her]]. The story's premise is that Signora is excommunicated from the rest of the Harbingers because of it, but amasses an army for her own takeover of Teyvat two months after her escape [[TyrantTakesTheHelm and steals Inazuma's throne]] while the Shogun is on vacation. Out of cruelty, incompetence, and a drive to [[ItsAllAboutMe have every aspect of Inazuma under her control]], the she and her forces proceed to [[TheCaligula drive the nation to the brink of ruin]] and [[KickTheDog horribly mistreat its populace]], [[spoiler:not knowing or caring that this kind of so-called leadership is ''asking'' for a violent uprising... which, sure enough, is exactly what happens. Between that and Raiden returning earlier than scheduled, Signora is eventually the only usurper left alive - and even then, she's last seen [[ExitPursuedByABear being chased off into the distance by a pack of Mystical Beasts]] [[UncertainDoom which, it's implied, eventually kill her]]]]. All in all, the Crimson Witch only got to enjoy being shogun for just over two days.

* [[https://www.deviantart.com/crookedisstrange CrookedIsStrange]] on Website/DeviantArt gives us "Witch With A Capital B" (which, yes, includes at least one instance of [[WitchWithACapitalB that very trope]]), a NotSafeForWork AlternateUniverse fanfic of ''VideoGame/GenshinImpact'' exploring what would happen if, near the end of the Inazuma arc, [[spoiler:La Signora had fled from Raiden Shogun's palace after losing her duel with the Traveler before Raiden got the chance to execute her]]. The story's premise is that Signora is excommunicated from the rest of the Harbingers because of it, but amasses an army for her own takeover of Teyvat two months after her escape [[TyrantTakesTheHelm and steals Inazuma's throne]] while the Shogun is on vacation. Out of cruelty, incompetence, and a drive to [[TheCaligula have every aspect of Inazuma under her control]], the she and her forces proceed to drive the nation to the brink of ruin and [[KickTheDog horribly mistreat its populace]], [[spoiler:not knowing or caring that this kind of so-called leadership is ''asking'' for a violent uprising... which, sure enough, is exactly what happens. Between that and Raiden returning earlier than scheduled, Signora is eventually left the only usurper standing - and even then, she's last seen [[ExitPursuedByABear being chased off into the distance by a pack of Mystical Beasts]] [[UncertainDoom which, it's implied, eventually kill her]]]]. All in all, the Crimson Witch only got to enjoy being shogun for just over two days.

* [[https://www.deviantart.com/crookedisstrange CrookedIsStrange]] on Website/DeviantArt gives us "Witch With A Capital B" (which, yes, includes at least one instance of [[WitchWithACapitalB that very trope]]), a NotSafeForWork AlternateUniverse fanfic of ''VideoGame/GenshinImpact'' exploring what would happen if, near the end of the Inazuma arc, [[spoiler:La Signora had fled from Raiden Shogun's palace after losing her duel with the Traveler before Raiden got the chance to execute her]]. The story's premise is that Signora is excommunicated from the rest of the Harbingers because of it, but amasses an army for her own takeover of Teyvat two months after her escape [[TyrantTakesTheHelm and steals Inazuma's throne]] while the Shogun is on vacation. Out of cruelty, incompetence, and a drive to [[TheCaligula have every aspect of Inazuma under her control]], the she and her forces proceed to drive the nation to the brink of ruin and [[KickTheDog horribly mistreat its populace]], [[spoiler:not knowing or caring that this kind of so-called leadership is ''asking'' for a violent uprising... which, sure enough, is exactly what happens. Between that and Raiden returning earlier than scheduled, Signora is eventually left the only usurper standing - and even then, she's last seen [[ExitPursuedByABear being chased off into the distance by a pack of Mystical Beasts]] [[UncertainDoom which will presumably kill her soon as well]]]]]]. All in all, the Crimson Witch only gets to enjoy being shogun for just over two days.

* [[https://www.deviantart.com/crookedisstrange CrookedIsStrange]] on Website/DeviantArt gives us "Witch With A Capital B" (which, yes, includes at least one instance of [[WitchWithACapitalB that very trope]]), a NotSafeForWork AlternateUniverse fanfic of ''VideoGame/GenshinImpact'' exploring what would happen if, near the end of the Inazuma arc, [[spoiler:La Signora had fled from Raiden Shogun's palace after losing her duel with the Traveler before Raiden got the chance to execute her. The story's premise is that Signora is excommunicated from the rest of the Harbingers, but amasses an army for her own takeover of Teyvat [[TyrantTakesTheHelm and steals Inazuma's throne]] while the Shogun is on vacation two months after her escape. Out of cruelty, incompetence, and a drive to [[TheCaligula have every aspect of Inazuma under her control]], the Crimson Witch proceeds to drive the nation to the brink of ruin, [[KickTheDog tormenting]] [[ClothingDamage and]] [[DefeatByModesty humiliating]] all the Vision-bearers who try to stop her, and turning her forces loose to massacre the citizens indiscriminately. Of course, little does she know or care that this kind of so-called leadership is ''asking'' for a violent uprising... which is exactly what happens a mere ''two days'' later. The story ends with the entire invading army having been slain to the last man, and after a massive HumiliationConga, Signora is last seen [[ExitPursuedByABear being chased off into the distance by a pack of Mystical Beasts]], [[UncertainDoom with the implication that she herself will soon be killed as well]]]].

* UsefulNotes/ThePresidentsOfTheUnitedStates:

** Lady Jane Grey, who was technically the reigning British monarch for nine days after Edward VI left the throne to her. Edward's sister, [[UsefulNotes/MaryTudor Bloody Mary]], very quickly deposed Jane, who lost her head the following year.

* ''Series/ThatMitchellAndWebbLook'': One sketch has [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYz1ADttI1g Admiral Donitz]] reacting joyfully to the news that he's now the Fuhrer of Germany, as he's got all sorts of projects for the future he wants to put into motion. Unfortunately, the officers informing him of this also give him the list of current priorities: General Eisenhower's phone number, how to say "We give up" in English, and Germany's current military situation summed up in a single rude word.

* ''Series/TheLordOfTheRingsTheRingsOfPower'': Halbrand stays the so called King of the Southlanders for a day; 1) [[spoiler:because of Orodruin erupts just in day he arrived in Tirharad and destroys the Southlands]], and 2) [[spoiler:he is Sauron]].

* ''Series/ThatMitchellAndWebbLook'': One sketch has admiral Karl Donitz become the Führer after Hitler commits suicide. He immediately starts going on about the projects he wants to work on such as an autobahn, but his aides bring him back to reality by providing him with the essentials of what he'll need for his stay in power: General Eisenhower's phone number and how to say "We surrender" in English.

** Marlo Stanfield, the most ruthless and kill happy drug lord in all of Baltimore, finally completes the goal he's been working towards for the prior several seasons, and through a combination of [[ChronicBackstabbingDisorder backstabbing]] and mass murder, becomes the undisputed king of the Baltimore underworld, even dissolving [[TheSyndicate the New Day Co-op]] and turning it into an extension of his personal empire. It lasts for less than a month before he's brought down by a group of detectives who are so infuriated by Marlo's bloody rise to power that they decide [[XMustNotWin he cannot be allowed to succeed]] and launch a rogue investigation into him.

* Sweden had Prime Minister Östen Hundeen (until then Foreign Minister) who served as acting Prime Minister after the Sudden Death of Per Albin Hansson 1932-1946 (14 years and an entire World War Two) for an whooping 6 Days until Per Albin's Political Heir and obvious Replacent Tage Erlander was voted in and who ended up serving between 1946-1969 (23 years—still longest running Prime Minister!)

** Arguably Louis VIII of France, who took London in May 1215 and was acclaimed by the barons as king because they just hated King John that much, only to be abandoned by them when John died in 1216, and finally capitulating to Henry III's forces in 1217. However, despite having a kind of coronation, he was never actually crowned.

** There were four emperors in AD 69: Galba (who became emperor in AD 68 following the overthrow and suicide of Nero), Otho, Vitellus, and finally Vespasian, who won the power struggle in December and ruled for ten years. As a result, AD 69 is forever remembered as the Year of Four Emperors.

** There were four emperors in AD 69: Galba (who became emperor in AD 68 following the overthrow and suicide of Nero), Otho, Vitellus, and finally Vespasian, who won the power struggle in December and ruled for ten years.

* ''Fanfic/LimpetAU'': When the Executor first returned to the galaxy after twenty-five years of absence, there was a controversy over the crew's status in the New Republic, which brought up the question whether the treaty signed between the Imperial Remnants and the New Republic was valid when the former had acted without the approval of its ruler, that is Darth Vader. To settle the conflict, Vader declares himself Emperor, agreed with the accords signed with the New Republic, and immediately abdicated the throne. By Leia's calculation, he was officially Emperor for only two minutes.

* In ''Fanfic/LovedAndLost'', the extended retelling of the 2nd season finale of ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'', Prince Jewelius overthrows the princesses right after [[ForWantOfANail Twilight Sparkle stops the Changeling invasion]] [[spoiler:(which he started with Queen Chrysalis before double-crossing her)]] by tricking the shaken public into believing that all the other heroes but Twilight are to blame for the invasion. For one whole week, he then enjoys his new status as "Holy King Jewelius I" who has [[CorruptTheCutie Twilight]] as his student and fiancée, but his urge to personally murder his aunt Celestia and cousin Cadance causes him to lure the banished heroes back to Canterlot and [[JustBetweenYouAndMe brag about his success in their faces]]. After the heroes and the entire Changeling army have escaped from his clutches, he single-mindedly focuses on destroying the heroes and completely ignores the Changelings to the point that he allows Twilight and all of Canterlot's inhabitants (who are all more concerned about the Changelings than about the fugitive heroes they're gradually starting to forgive) to see him for the selfish monster he is. Even if the heroes hadn't defeated all of his minions and cornered him during the final battle before the vengeful Changelings came to kill him, his reign wouldn't have lasted much longer because the public started wanting the princesses back to power.

* The ''Franchise/BattleTechExpandedUniverse'' novel ''Malicious Intent'' features the ''extremely'' short reign of Elias Crichell as Ilkhan of the [[ProudWarriorRaceGuy Clans]] in 3058. Nominated to the ultimate position of power, his truimph does not last long before his credentials as a warrior are challenged by Vlad Ward. Since the Clans operate on the logic that AsskickingLeadsToLeadership and AuthorityGrantsAsskicking, their supreme war chief ''has'' to be able to win a fight in order to retain their respect and his position. Crichell tries to weasel out of the challenge by summoning a proxy, but because [[ExactWords his personal worth as a warrior is being questioned, not the vote for Ilkhan]], the other Khans determine that only Crichell himself can defend against such charges. Being 65 years old, he fights poorly, and is killed by a man half his age, having officially reigned as Ilkhan for less than two minutes.

[[folder:Myths and Legends]]

* The ''Franchise/BattleTechExpandedUniverse'' novel ''Malicious Intent'' features the ''extremely'' short reign of Elias Crichell as Ilkhan of the [[ProudWarriorRaceGuy Clans]] in 3058. Nominated to the ultimate position of power, his truimph does not last long before his credentials as a warrior are challenged by Vlad Ward. Since the Clans operate on the logic that AsskickingEqualsAuthority and AuthorityEqualsAsskicking, their supreme war chief ''has'' to be able to win a fight in order to retain their respect and his position. Crichell tries to weasel out of the challenge by summoning a proxy, but because [[ExactWords his personal worth as a warrior is being questioned, not the vote for Ilkhan]], the other Khans determine that only Crichell himself can defend against such charges. Being 65 years old, he fights poorly, and is killed by a man half his age, having officially reigned as Ilkhan for less than two minutes.

** Subverted with Blaze's own command, which is only supposed to be provisionary, but when Wardog's new CO Lt.Col. Ford gets shot down in mission 04 before he can even assume command, the brass cuts the losses and makes Blaze's promotion permanent (likely [[AsskickingEqualsAuthority impressed by his]] [[AcePilot exceptional combat performance]]).

* ''WesternAnimation/PrincessNatasha'': When Lubek became the King of Zoravia, he was so hated by his subjects his reign lasted little (or no) more than the time it took them to organize a nation-wide referendum to elect his brother Carl as their King.

* ''Manga/{{Berserk}}'': The mercenaries of the Band of the Hawk manages to put an end to the Hundred Years War opposing Midland and Tudors by capturing the fortress of Doldrey by themselves. For this feat, Griffith is made a general (and foils an assassination attempt on himself) and the band become the White Phoenix Knights. A month later, Guts feels he has nowhere left to go after this and decides to leave the Band. Griffith tries to stop him but is handily defeated, causing him to have a massive breakdown that ends with him sleeping with Princess Charlotte, leading to Griffith's arrest and the Band being outlawed on the next day, along with his torture for two years.

* In ''WesternAnimation/{{Futurama}}'' after Fry accidentally drinks the emperor of the liquid people of Trisol it turns out they have a long tradition of KlingonPromotion and he is named the new emperor. Unfortunately, Trisollian emperors have an average reign of two weeks and the royal gallery already has places reserved for Fry's future assassin and ''his'' assassin.