History Heartwarming / AvatarTheLastAirbenderTheSearch

** Fridge-Heartwarming: Ursa discovering Noren was her beloved Ikem is a somewhat inverted parallel of "Love Amongst the Dragons". Like the Dragon Emperor, Ursa was banished from her home and forced to walk among peasants. Like the Dragon Empress, Ikem/Noren approached his beloved whilst disguised as someone else. In the end, Ursa still loved Ikem even when he didn't have the same face as before, just as the Dragon Empress loved her Emperor despite his mortal form.

** Unto itself, when Azula confronts "Noriko" about how she could never unconditionally love her daughter for growing up into a monster, what does the basically-amnesiac Ursa do? Does she react with fear? Is she devastated or in denial? Instead, she shows Azula compassion and tearfully declares that if she really is her daughter, she's sorry she didn't love her enough. for not loving her enough. This clearly shakes Azula to her core, as though implying she's starting to realize he mother ''did'' love her all along.

* This exchange between Zuko and Sokka.

** What's more, Zuko may be referring to how everything still turned out okay despite how both sides have their regrets. Ursa is remorseful that she was separated from her children and forgot them in order to escape the pain, but she was able to reunite with her beloved Ikem and start a family with him. Zuko was denied his mother ([[TraumaCongaLine and then some]]) but was able to make friends and become Firelord despite his hardships. No matter how badly Ozai hurt them respectively, mother and son were able to make the most of their lives in the end.

** And even when he learns that everything in the letter is untrue and [[AbusiveParents Ozai]] really ''is'' his father, Zuko apparently takes accepts the truth rather gracefully. Upon learning the truth, he tells his mother he feels as though everything's the way it's meant to be. This implies that Zuko has made peace with [[DarkAndTroubledPast his past adversities]] throughout the series.

** Fridge-Heartwarming: Ursa discovering Noren was her beloved Ikem is a somewhat inverted parallel of "Love Amongst the Dragons". Like the Dragon Emperor, Ursa was banished from her home to live among peasants. Like the Dragon Empress, Ikem/Noren approached his beloved whilst disguised as someone else. In the end, Ursa still loved Ikem even when he didn't have the same face as before, just as the Dragon Empress loved her Emperor despite his mortal form.

** Despite that it came at the price of Ikem being burdened to keep it a secret, he and Ursa essentially got a second chance at life as Noren and Noriko. They have everything they could ever ask for, a decent home, a loving marriage and a family with their daughter Kiyi.

** Unto itself, when Azula confronts "Noriko" about how she could never unconditionally love her daughter for being a daughter, what does the basically-amnesiac Ursa do? Does she react with fear? Is she devastated or in denial? Instead, she shows Azula compassion and tearfully declares that if she really is her daughter, she's sorry she didn't love her enough. for not loving her enough. This clearly shakes Azula to her core, as though implying she's starting to realize he mother ''did'' love her all along.

** Building on this, Ikem initially didn't like the idea of Ursa gaining a new face simply to spy on her children growing up, because she would simply be wasting away her life. But later, when they're about to meet the Mother of Faces, Ikem is [[IWantMyBelovedToBeHappy supportive]] of Ursa's idea to use her new face to see her children again. When she sadly turns down the idea because she didn't want to leave him, Ikem suggests she bring the kids to Hira'a instead and live together as one big family. Again, Ursa isn't all for this plan as it would potentially endanger them all if Ozai caught wind. All the same, this shows us what a potentially [[GoodStepmother loving stepfather]] Ikem would've been to Zuko and Azula to gladly welcome the the idea of them living with him and Ursa.

* Althought it's bittersweet, Zuko actually does what he set out to do. He finally finds his mother!

* While sitting with Noren, Kiyi and Noriko, whom Zuko now knows is actually his mother Ursa]]. Zuko asks Noriko if she is happy with her life. When Noriko happily answers that she is, Zuko smiles and makes to leave without telling Noriko the truth of her identity. He also considers giving up the Firelord claim and living with Ikem, Noriko and Kiyi.

* The first thing Zuko does after reading the letter that says Ozai isn't his father? He ''tells Aang,'' and gives him the letter to read. He actually tells Aang everything and tells him how ''relieved'' and ''hopeful'' it makes him feel. Given that most of Zuko's problems in the ''[[ComicBook/AvatarTheLastAirbenderThePromise The Promise]]'' (and some of them in the later trilogy ''[[ComicBook/AvatarTheLastAirbenderSmokeAndShadow Smoke and Shadow]]'') stem from him ''not'' confiding his fears to his friends and ''not'' asking the people who love him for advice, it's a nice step in the right direction. And while Aang's protests (namely, that Zuko not being Ozai's son and therefore not the rightful Fire Lord is ''terrible'' news for the world as a whole, even if it's good news for Zuko personally) don't sway him much in the moment, Zuko does conclude in the end that Aang is right.

** Building on this, Ikem initially didn't like the idea of Ursa gaining a new face simply to spy on her children growing up, because it wouldn't count as much of a life. But later, when they're about to meet the Mother of Faces, Ikem is [[IWantMyBelovedToBeHappy supportive]] of Ursa's idea to use her new face to see her children again. When she turns down that idea (knowing full well ), Ikem suggests . Again, Ursa isn't all for this plan as it would potentially endanger them all. All the same,
* The montage of Ursa and Ikem/Noren waiting out their days by the Mother of Faces' sacred lake. We witness as the two bond over building a shelter and living off the land while they bide their time. It also counts as a lovely reprise of Ikem's lonely days in the woods. Instead of spending them in misery and loneliness, this time, he has Ursa by his side; and that makes all the difference.

* In a flashback, after her banishment, Ursa meets Noren, who spontaneously offers to buy her breakfast. Considering Ursa just learned her parents were dead and had no place to go, this is a kind gesture on his part.
Becomes especially sweeter in hindsight when one realizes it's Ikem's first time seeing Ursa since their departure about a decade ago. What would you expect from someone who still loved her after all these years?

** [[spoiler: When the Mother of Faces was giving Ursa her new face (and memories), the latter was crying out in pain. Ikem/Noren came forward to see if she was all right. In Ursa's place stood a plain-faced Noriko, momentarily blind and searching for him. Gently he assures her that he'll always be with her. It's strongly implied that, even without her lovely visage, Ikem/Noren ''still'' loves Ursa for who she is.]]

* Early on in Part 2, Azula gets the belief in her head that Zuko must actually be on "her side" and not under their mother's "control". Because of this, she spends the whole book trying as best as she can to work with him and even try to reconnect as siblings. [[spoiler: Sadly, it's (sort of) back to square one at the end of the book...though it does end with a HopeSpot.]]

** Reaches new heights when [[spoiler:she finally finds her mother. Ursa, as Noriko, met Azula who went on a MotiveRant, all Noriko could do is apologize to Azula for not loving her enough, and then doesn't hesitate to accept the Mother of Faces offer to return her memories, even knowing they would be bad, all for the sake of her children.]]

[[spoiler: Becomes especially sweeter in hindsight when one realizes it's Ikem's first time seeing Ursa since their departure about a decade ago. What would you expect from someone who still loved her after all these years?]]
** Following this, [[spoiler: when his [[INeverToldYouMyName knowing her name]] alarms Ursa, Noren calms her by revealing his identity as Ikem, [[SomethingOnlyTheyWouldSay recounting a childhood incident they shared]]. Both become tearful at their [[BigDamnReunion reunion]].]]
** Fridge-Heartwarming: [[spoiler: Ursa discovering Noren was her beloved Ikem is a somewhat inverted parallel of "Love Amongst the Dragons". Like the Dragon Emperor, Ursa was banished from her home to live among peasants. Like the Dragon Empress, Ikem/Noren approached his beloved whilst disguised as someone else. In the end, Ursa still loved Ikem even when he didn't have the same face as before, just as the Dragon Empress loved her Emperor despite his mortal form.]]
* The montage of [[spoiler: Ursa and Ikem/Noren waiting out their days by the Mother of Faces' sacred lake. We witness as the two bond over building a shelter and living off the land while they bide their time. It also counts as a lovely reprise of Ikem's lonely days in the woods. Instead of spending them in misery and loneliness, this time, he has Ursa by his side; and that makes all the difference.]]
* While it's arguable that [[spoiler: Ursa's choice to forget her first marriage ''and'' her children]] was selfish, there's a couple sweet moments that came out of it:

** Following that, [[spoiler: we cut to Noren and Noriko getting married before all of Hira'a, who celebrate as the newlyweds share a kiss. It may not be as proud or opulent as Ursa and Ozai's wedding, but one can sense more love and joy between Noren and Noriko than Ursa ever felt throughout her arranged marriage.]]
** Despite that [[spoiler: it came at the price of Ikem being burdened to keep it a secret, he and Ursa essentially got a second chance at life as Noren and Noriko. They have everything they could ever ask for, a decent home, a loving marriage and a family with their daughter Kiyi.]]
* While sitting with Noren, Kiyi and Noriko, [[spoiler: whom Zuko now knows is actually his mother Ursa]]. Zuko asks Noriko if she is happy with her life. When Noriko happily answers that she is, Zuko smiles and makes to leave [[spoiler: without telling Noriko the truth of her identity]].

* The final confrontation with Azula. [[spoiler: Azula, fully defeated, asks Zuko why he didn't just kill her when he had the chance on the cliff unless he just wanted to use her to get the peaceful life he always wanted. Zuko replies that he always knew deep down that he could never have that life...the real reason he didn't kill Azula? Because even though their relationship is strained and may never recover, ''she's still his sister and he loves her''. This is so affecting that it '''actually prompts something of a HeelFaceTurn from Azula.''']]
* When the Mother of Faces appears to them and [[spoiler: offers Noriko the chance to have her memories of being Ursa back. Zuko pleads with her not to go through with it. Arguing that she doesn't need to give up the beautiful life she has as Noriko]].
* [[spoiler: An unsung one for Azula; the poor girl ''finally'' feels like someone will love her despite her insanity and cruelty.]]
* Zuko's [[spoiler: reunion with his mother is far from as joyful a one he and most of the fanbase hoped for, and there is a lot of pain and regret on both sides. However, both Zuko and Ursa are dedicated to rebuilding their relationship and the story bookends with Zuko asking his mother to tell him all about the story of her life. It helps put the sweet in this BittersweetEnding.]]
-->[[spoiler: '''Ursa''': "I may not have the right to be, but I'm proud of you too."]]
* For Koh, no less. [[spoiler:He just misses his mother...]]
* Zuko's moments with Kiyi are downright ''adorable''. [[spoiler: Even more so once it's revealed that Kiyi is actually Zuko's half-sister.]]

* In a way, [[spoiler: Zuko now has ''two'' positive father figures in his life now, his [[ParentalSubstitute Uncle Iroh]] and his stepfather Ikem/Noren.]]
* Althought it's bittersweet, [[spoiler: Zuko actually does what he set out to do. He finally finds his mother!]]
* The first thing Zuko does after reading the letter that says [[spoiler:Ozai isn't his father]]? He ''tells Aang,'' and gives him the letter to read. He actually tells Aang everything and tells him how ''relieved'' and ''hopeful'' it makes him feel. Given that most of Zuko's problems in the ''[[ComicBook/AvatarTheLastAirbenderThePromise The Promise]]'' (and some of them in the later trilogy ''[[ComicBook/AvatarTheLastAirbenderSmokeAndShadow Smoke and Shadow]]'') stem from him ''not'' confiding his fears to his friends and ''not'' asking the people who love him for advice, it's a nice step in the right direction. And while Aang's protests (namely, that [[spoiler:Zuko not being Ozai's son and therefore not the rightful Fire Lord is ''terrible'' news for the world as a whole, even if it's good news for Zuko personally]]) don't sway him much in the moment, Zuko does conclude in the end that Aang is right.

** Despite that [[spoiler: it came at the price of Ikem/Noren being burdened to keep it a secret, he and Ursa essentially got a second chance at life. They have everything they could ever ask for, a decent home, a loving marriage and a family with their daughter Kiyi.]]

* Althought it's bittersweet, [[spoiler: Zuko actually does what he set out to do. He finally finds his mother!]]

** Fridge-Heartwarming: [[spoiler: Ursa discovering Noren was her beloved Ikem is a somewhat inverted parallel of "Love Amongst the Dragons". Like the Dragon Emperor, Ursa was banished from her home to live among peasants. Like the Dragon Empress, approached his beloved whilst disguised as someone else. In the end, Ursa still loved Ikem even when he didn't have the same face as before, just as the Dragon Empress loved her Emperor despite his mortal form.]]

* In a flashback, after her banishment, Ursa meets Noren, who spontaneously offers to pay for her breakfast. Considering Ursa just learned her parents were dead and had no place to go, this is a kind gesture on his part.

** Fridge-Heartwarming: [[spoiler: Ursa discovering Noren was her beloved Ikem is a somewhat inverted parallel of "Love Amongst the Dragons". Like the dragon king, Ursa was banished from her home to live among peasants. Like the dragon queen, approached his beloved whilst disguised as someone else. In the end, Ursa still loved Ikem even when he didn't have the same face as before, just as the dragon queen loved her king despite his mortal form.]]

** There's just that slice-of-life feeling to the meal that makes it simply touching. [[spoiler: It's the sense that Zuko is second-hand experiencing the [[IJustWantToBeNormal normal]], content routine of a happy family meal together.]]