The Search, Part One

This is really a good side story for Zuko. Anyone who watches Avatar: The Last Airbender should read this. It’s really good.

Avatar: The Last Airbender – The Search Part One flashbacks to when young Ursa was happy when her boyfriend Ikem proposed to her. Then, it shifts back to the present with Aang, Katara, Sokka, Zuko, Sneers, Kori, and others listening to a lecture about the past to help create a solution for Yu Dao. The wise elder makes a few statements that make Zuko rethink his decisions about putting his father in prison and his sister in an institution. The scene switches back to young Ursa. She returns home, filled with joy, until she discovers that Fire Lord Azulon and Prince Ozai have come with a proposal of their own. Zuko, Suki, and Ty Lee watch as Azula and Ozai speak to one another, supposedly. Zuko walks into the room and offers them tea as a peace offering, but Azula refuses. Ty Lee Chi-blocks Azula to protect Zuko. Suki voices her concern when Zuko allows Azula’s request to speak to her father privately. Young Ursa is forced to join Fire Lord Azulon and Prince Ozai in the carriage traveling to the Fire Nation palace. I have to say this story explains so much about why kind-hearted Ursa would stay with a monster like Ozai. Anyway, back to the story, Ikem tries to prevent Ursa from leaving but is obviously unable to. It’s sad how Ursa breaks Ikem’s heart. Zuko, escorted by Suki and Ty Lee, pushes Azula in the wheelchair. Zuko asks the Kyoshi warriors to leave them so they can rest, believing he can deal with Azula alone. Zuko offers Azula a room in the palace, guarded 24/7. However, Azula uses Ty Lee’s Chi-blocking effects to her advantage and temporarily escapes Zuko. Ikem is heartbroken and leaves his hometown, Hira’a, to live in the wilds called Forgetful Valley, where he meets a wolf spirit. When Zuko catches up with Azula, he discovers her in a secret room, holding Ursa’s old letters. Zuko shouts no when Azula burns them. Azula informs Zuko that she wants to find their mother as much as he does. The book recollects Ursa’s unhappy wedding to Ozai, where Ozai shows his true colors by demanding Ursa to cut all ties with her family, friends, and village, especially Ikem. In the present, Zuko asks Team Avatar to join him on his search for his mother while Iroh watches over the palace. Unfortunately, Toph has so many students to teach metalbending that she can’t make the trip. Zuko explains his plans to Aang, Katara, and Sokka, which include Azula. Zuko and Azula make a deal, which involves Azula joining their mission without restraints in exchange for the information she got from Ozai. No one likes the plan, even Appa and Momo, but they have no choice. Aang, Katara, and Zuko agree to watch Azula in shifts. Although Sokka tries to get in on keeping a close eye on Azula, it doesn’t work out. While most of Team Avatar flies on Appa, the Kyoshi Warriors stay behind with Iroh. Iroh declares this day as the first National Tea Appreciation Day. As they get close to Hira’a, Azula questions how Team Avatar persuaded Mai and Ty Lee to turn against her. Zuko tells her to stand down. Aang senses the presence of the wolf spirit that Ikem came across years ago. During the commotion, Azula uses this as a chance to leap off Appa to escape, but Aang catches her. She burns his glider, and they make a crash landing. Appa lands on the ground; while Sokka and Katara check on Aang, Zuko goes after Azula. Azula gets distracted by Ursa’s reflection in the river. Azula argues that Ursa was always against her, even though Ursa always loved her children. This gives Zuko and his friends enough time to apprehend Azula, but they don’t get to celebrate their victory because an uninvited guest appears. Ursa writes a message to send to Hira’a, specifically Ikem. Before she sends it, she tucks little Zuko into bed after he enters her room, notifying her about his nightmare. Ursa trusts a woman named Elua to deliver the letter. Sadly, Elua sends it to the wrong person, Ozai, and he is NOT happy about the message written on it. Presently, Aang attempts to reason with t