History TearJerker / AvatarTheLastAirbenderTheSearch

** The poor heartbroken look on Ursa's face when Ozai tells her years later [[spoiler: he sent an assassin to kill Ikem. (Thankfully, he was bluffing).]]

* Ursa's beautifully tragic backstory: Years ago, she was but an aspiring young actress in Hira'a, who lived a comfortable life with her high class parents, and was on the precipice of being [[LovableCoward sweet but cowardly]] Ikem's fiance. [[WaxingLyrical Then, everything changed when the royal family arrived]]... Swept up in a political marriage to Ozai, Ursa was taken away from her home. Ikem tried to stop them, but when the royal family threatened his life, Ursa did [[CruelToBeKind the only merciful thing]] and [[BreakHisHeartToSaveHim told him to go home]]. At their wedding, Ozai told Ursa that [[KickTheDog she would never see her family again]]. And from there, her married life would go downhill...

* As a little boy, Zuko once had a horrible nightmare of his sister Azula standing in his room, burning his bed and burning his toys and laughing. His mother took him to her room to assure him, showing a [[UsedToBeASweetKid sweet, infant Azula innocently asleep]]. If only Zuko knew [[DramaticIrony how prophetic his dreams were]].

* Also, [[spoiler: said little girl's trauma at what happens: her new friend (Zuko) suddenly turns scary to her by insisting that her parents are his parent too, her father reveals several shocking truths he's kept to himself for years, Azula attacks in a violent rage and calls her a replacement for her, her mother gets a completely new face and identity....]]

** ''The look on her face'' [[spoiler:when she realises Kiyi is her half-sister. This happy, well adjusted little girl who plays dolls and adores Zuko and...]] there is so much wrong with that situation.
-->[[spoiler: '''Azula:''' TELL ME, MOTHER: DID YOU HAVE TO HAVE A NEW DAUGHTER WHEN THE LAST ONE TURNED OUT TO BE ''SUCH A MONSTER?!'']]

* Ikem wasn't faring any better. After she left, [[HeroicBSOD he went into the woods to despair]], becoming a [[BeardOfSorrow unkempt hermit]]. [[spoiler: Even after he got a different face and started over as Noren, he never truly moved on. As indicated, when Ursa later asks why he didn't start a family, he sadly answers "You know why".]]

* Ursa's beautifully tragic backstory: Once upon a time, she was but an aspiring actress in Hira'a, who lived a comfortable life with her high class parents, and was on the precipice of being [[LovableCoward sweet but cowardly]] Ikem's fiance. [[WaxingLyrical Then, everything changed when the royal family arrived]]... Swept up in a political marriage to Ozai, Ursa was taken away from her home. Ikem tried to stop them, but when the royal family threatened his life, Ursa did [[CruelToBeKind the only merciful thing]] and [[BreakHisHeartToSaveHim told him to go home]]. At their wedding, Ozai told Ursa that [[KickTheDog she would never see her family again]]. And from there, her married life would go downhill...

* Ursa's beautifully tragic backstory: Once upon a time, she was but an aspiring actress in Hira'a, who lived a comfortable life with her high class parents, and was on the precipice of being [[LovableCoward sweet but cowardly]] Ikem's fiance. [[WaxingLyrical Then, everything changed when the royal family arrived]]... Swept up in a political marriage to Ozai, Ursa was taken away from her home. Ikem tried to stop them, but when the royal family threatened his life, Ursa did [[CruelToBeKind the only merciful thing]] and [[BreakHisHeartToSaveHim told him to go home]]. At their wedding, Ozai told Ursa that [[KickTheDog she would never see her family again]]. And from there, her life would go downhill...

* Ever since he read his mother's letter, Zuko has been under the impression that [[spoiler: Ikem/Noren was his biological father. There's a certain [[HopeSpot hope]] that maybe, he's not meant to be with the monstrous Ozai and his insane daughter, but rather belongs in Hira'a with [[ChangelingFantasy Ursa, Noren and sweet little Kiyi]]. There's even that momentary bit where he calls Noren "[his] father". But then in the end, Ursa reveals [[YankTheDogsChain the truth]] with a heavy heart: what she wrote in that letter was a lie, she only said it to [[FeedTheMole oust]] Ozai stealing her letters. Zuko somberly realizes Ozai, in all his cruelty, is his biological father. He comes to an acceptance of it, but it's still poignant that Zuko can't escape his relation to such a despicable, abusive man.]]

** During Ursa's banishment, she decided to go home to live with her parents'. But when she got there, a little girl greeted them. According to her, Ursa's parents died years ago. So she has no place to go.

* Ever since he read his mother's letter, Zuko has been under the impression that [[spoiler: Ikem/Noren was his biological father. There's a certain hope that maybe, he's not meant to be with the monstrous Ozai and his insane daughter, but rather belongs with [[ChangelingFantasy kind Ursa, fatherly Noren and sweet little Kiyi]]. There's even that momentary bit where he calls Noren "[his] father". But then in the end, Ursa reveals [[YankTheDogsChain the truth with a heavy heart: what she wrote in that letter was a lie, she only said it to [[FeedTheMole oust]] Ozai stealing her letters. Zuko somberly realizes Ozai, in all his cruelty, is his biological father. He comes to an acceptance of it, but it's still poignant that Zuko can't escape his relation to such a despicable, abusive man.]]

* Ever since he read his mother's letter, Zuko has been under the impression that [[spoiler: Ikem/Noren was his biological father. There's a certain hope that maybe, he's not meant to be with the monstrous Ozai and his insane daughter, but rather belongs with Ursa, Noren and Kiyi. There's even that momentary bit where he calls Noren "[his] father". But then in the end, Ursa reveals [[YankTheDogsChain the truth with a heavy heart: what she wrote in that letter was a lie, she only said it to [[FeedTheMole oust]] Ozai stealing her letters. Zuko somberly realizes Ozai, in all his cruelty, is his biological father. He comes to an acceptance of it, but it's still poignant that Zuko can't escape his relation to such a despicable, abusive man.]]

* Ursa's beautifully tragic backstory: Once upon a time, she was but an aspiring actress in Hira'a, who lived a comfortable life with her high class parents, and was on the precipice of being [[LovableCoward sweet but cowardly]] Noren's fiance. [[WaxingLyrical Then, everything changed when the royal family arrived]]... Swept up in a political marriage to Ozai, Ursa was taken away from her home. Noren tried to stop them, but when the royal family threatened his life,
**

* Ever since he read his mother's letter, Zuko has been under the impression that [[spoiler: Ikem/Noren was his biological father. There's a certain hope that maybe, he's not meant to be with the monstrous Ozai and his insane daughter, but rather belongs with Ursa, Noren and Kiyi. There's even that momentary bit where he calls Noren "[his] father".

** Azula's retort and the panel bring something to the forefront. Even though Azula was just as abused as her brother was, Azula had some degree of autonomy over her actions. This last panel reveals something different. The tears, facial expression and eyes do not match the quote. The tears, body, and eyes are Azula, but the dismissal of Zuko and calling him weak? That's all Ozai. Zuko proclaiming that he'll always love his sister, no matter what, was a much needed intervention for Azula to finally start fighting back mentally against Ozai's teachings.

* There's also having to see the same flashback from "Zuko Alone" starting with the moment Zuko finds out his father is going to kill him on his grandfather's orders up until the last time Ursa left his bedroom, this time from ''Ursa's'' perspective. With Zuko's life in danger, Ursa had to make the most heart-wrenching decision that will mean never having to see her children again once Azulon is poisoned.

* And earlier, when she's got [[spoiler: Ursa/Noriko pinned against the wall about about to strike:]]

--->[[spoiler: '''Ursa/Noriko:''' (strokes Azula's face) If what you say is true...if I really am your mother...then I'm sorry I didn't love you enough.]]

-->'''Zuko:''' You're right. I ''have'' been naive. ''[To Sokka and Katara]'' Take her down.

--> '''Kiyi''': MOMMMY!

** Azula's health was failing hard. Each and every one of the hallucinations she's had of her mother is of her mother telling her that she loves her. Azula is actively repelling the advances of her mother with rage. And her motive? [[spoiler: She wanted to kill her mother to rid herself of that nagging voice in her head.]] However, when you know of her past from the animated series, you realize that her rage and the repulsion are the psychological damage and emotional neglect trying to actively beat back the truth.

-->'''Azula:''' Same as always, Zuko...even when you're strong, you're weak.

** Azula's health was failing hard. Each and every one of the hallucinations she's had of her mother is of her mother telling her that she loves her. Azula is actively repelling the advances of her mother with rage. And her motive? [[spoiler: She wanted to kill her mother to rid herself of that nagging voice in her head.]] However, when you know of her past from the animated series, you realize that her rage and the repulsion are the psychological damage and emotional neglect trying to actively beat back the truth that Azula probably believes is true.

** It gets worse when [[spoiler: said story has a BittersweetEnding, with most of Azula's issues (and sanity) still unresolved, and the future status of how Zuko, Ursa, Ikem, and Kiyi's familial situation will organize themselves is still very up in the air.]]

** And earlier, when she's got [[spoiler: Ursa/Noriko pinned against the wall about about to strike:]]

*** ''The look on her face'' [[spoiler:when she realises Kiyi is her half-sister. This happy, well adjusted little girl who plays dolls and adores Zuko and...]] there is so much wrong with that situation.

** Also, [[spoiler: said little girl's trauma at what happens: her new friend (Zuko) suddenly turns scary to her by insisting that her parents are his parent too, her father reveals several shocking truths he's kept to himself for years, Azula attacks in a violent rage and calls her a replacement for her, her mother gets a completely new face and identity....]]
** Zuko's repeated attempts to reach out to Azula, the open envy with which he watches Sokka and Katara, and the look of absolute ''heartbreak'' on his face when he decides that he can no longer justify putting those around him in danger for the sake of giving his sister a second chance.

** Then, of course, his last scene with Azula.