444. The Past of Zuko's Mother

"WHAT? Burn this letter. I don't care if you are legitimate or not. I am not going to sit on the throne the man who tormented me sat," Azula voiced.

Iroh took the letter and read it. He was shocked too. He didn't know anything about this matter.

"Uncle, do you know about this man named Ikem?" Zuko asked.

Iroh took a long breath and started speaking. "Zuko, Azula, your mother wasn't originally someone from the capital or anywhere nearby. Before the marriage, she had never even met Ozai.

"Some sage had prophecized that if Ozai was to marry a descendent of Avatar Roku then it would bless them with powerful firebenders as children in the future. Father(Azulon) believed it. He and Ozai then went to a village named Hira'a.

"By that time, your mother had her own peaceful life. Since her young days, she knew this boy named Ikem. Eventually, they fell in love as they grew up. I had even heard that Ikem had proposed to her and she had accepted to marry him, though it only lasted for a day before her life turned upside down.

"When they met her first, father complimented her beauty before mentioning a prophecy made by the Fire Sages that ensured a powerful lineage of rulers to come forth from a marital union between a descendant of Avatar Roku and his own bloodline. Ozai subsequently proposed to Ursa, and she, without a choice in the matter, agreed.

"She mostly stayed sad as she couldn't find herself to forcefully love Ozai, which I can't blame her for as he was really not that good when it came to interacting with other people like a normal human, he treated her like his property and she was not allowed to even think about her family or past life, this was up until you two came. Then you two became the joy of her life.

"It was not love that brought your parents together but just a marriage for the gain of the royal family. Your mother didn't have a choice. I had not heard anything about Ikem after that and I didn't try to find out either.

"Later when your mother disappeared I sent men to find Ikem but the man was nowhere to be seen. In fact, no one had seen him since the day your mother came here. I imagined that Ozai must have ordered his assassination. Your mother was a very kind lady and really loved you two with all her heart. But that cannot be said about Ozai as for some reason he had particular hate for Zuko"

Zuko looked at the letter in his hand. "Because he knew I was not his son."

Iroh patted his shoulder, "I wouldn't be sure about that. Ozai did many weird things in his life. I wouldn't be surprised if you found a letter calling me illegitimate too. Don't assume the answer before asking the question,"

"True words, my friend. Remember kids, a man is defined by his deed, not his name because what's in the name? For example, see me. I never knew who my parents were. I was an orphan once. And now look at me, so strong and old." Alexander said, bringing everyone's attention away from the depressing topic.

This was new information for everyone and it intrigued them.

"Then how did you become a god?" Zuko asked.

"Hmm... lots of good deeds and being kind. I think that's it." Alexander answered.

"Wait! I don't think you ever told us your name." Toph pointed out.

"Oh, yes. Well, my real name is Alexander Maxim Universe," he answered.

"Haha... even your name has the universe in it. But it is indeed a unique name. Zuko, you should name your child like this. You too Aang. Maybe the name will influence them to be good." Iroh jokingly said, embarrassing multiple people at the same time. It seems that ability comes with age.

"Ah, Sokka, where is Suki?" Alexander asked, striking up a conversation on the boring trip.

"She went back to Kyoshi Island. She wanted to help her people there." Sokka said, hiding his gaze from everyone.

"Well, you are in a mess, kid. Let's see who kills you first, Tsuki or Yue." Dobby joked.

"LOOK! A VILLAGE!" Aang shouted from his driver's seat.

"Hmm... this is it. The village." Iroh confirmed.

Alexander again used point me charm and it took them to a modest house. From the looks of it, whoever lived in it was neither poor nor rich. This brought Zuko slight relief thinking that she didn't spend her life in poverty.

"Okay, let's knock," Alexander said and moved to the door.

"WAIT... what if it's not her?" Zuko nervously asked.

"Come on, Zuko, even I am less of a girl than you." Azula taunted him.

"Easy now, kids. You don't have to jump and shout who you are. Relax and once it is confirmed we will talk." He assured them.

*KNOCK KNOCK*

Alexander looked back and just realized what an awkward situation he was in. There were a total of ten people, visiting the home of a person they don't know.

Just then, like it was God's message, light reflected on Aang's bald head. So he decided to use that bald head.

The door opened with a murmur and a middle-aged woman looked at the crowd in confusion.

"Yes?" She asked.

Alexander looked back at Aang and then back at the woman, "Hello, there, We were traveling and hoping to find lodging. Can you tell us where we can stay? You see, that bald child over there with a blue arrow on his head. That is the Avatar."

Sokka cleaned Aang's bald head with a cloth and motioned his hand as if showing expensive merchandise.

The woman looked at Aang, then everyone else. There was also Appa behind them so she was already sold on Aang's identity.

She again looked at Alexander but her expressions had changed. "Then, that means, you are the spirit god!"

She quickly kneeled and started praying, "Thank you for bringing your enlightened self to my humble home. Please, come in. PLEASE!"

~Well, I can't say no when you are shouting for me to enter your home.~ he thought.

"Don't do that child, don't kneel. No human should ever kneel, if you respect someone then keep it in your heart and show it through kind actions. Get Up," he said.

With the remaining people, they entered the house and also looked around. "What is your name, child?"

"Oh, forgive my manners. My name is Noriko. My daughter should be around too. I will bring you tea, please sit." She rushed to her kitchen.

After a while, a little girl came into the room running. She was shocked to see so many people but her cheerful demeanor didn't allow her to be shy.

"Who are you all?" She asked.

"We are with the Avatar, see that bald kid there, he's the Avatar," Alexander introduced.

"Woah... I heard he is the enemy of Fire Nation, but mamma and papa say he is good." the girl chirped.

"Haha, yes, he is very good. Tell me your name, little one," Ragnarok asked as he sat closest to her.

"Oh, my name is Kiyi, it's a pleasure to see you." She lightly bowed.

"Kiwi? Well, Kiwis are tasty," Dobby spoke.

"No, not Kiwi, it's Ki-yi" She corrected Dobby.

"Oh, okay. It is Kiwi then." Dobby persisted.

She pouted, "Wrong!"

"Hahaha... what is that in your hand?" Alexander asked.

She came to Alexander happily, "Oh, this is my friend Kiyi,"

"Hah, you named her after yourself? Well, you have a very good name." Alexander praised.

"Little Kiyi has a very interesting haircut," Zuko chimed in.

"Hehe... I tried to make her prettier, but accidentally cut too much of its hair off. It didn't turn out very good," She cutely said.

"My sister used to do this too," Zuko added with a frown.

Azula quickly denied, "Hey, I never played with it. I practiced beheading with those dolls."

"Like that makes it better," Ragnarok scoffed.

"Bad manners Azula, don't be rude to children." Alexander reprimanded her and focused on the Kiyi.

"Want to see magic, Kiyi?" Alexander asked.

She excitedly nodded her head.

"Okay, close your eyes and count to ten." He instructed. Kiyi closed her eyes and started counting honestly.

Alexander hovered his hand over the doll still in her hand. It started to grow beautiful hair and the face also became better.

"10!"

She opened her eyes and looked at Alexander confusedly. "Where is the magic, Grandpa?"

Alexander felt butterflies in his stomach when she called him grandpa without even asking. "Haha, look in your hand,"

Kiyi looked down and loudly gasped, "Woah... this is so pretty. Thank you, grandpa,"

She quickly jumped at him for a hug. He was really surprised by her ability to get so close to him in such a short time. Children really have a pure heart.

But Alexander ran a magical diagnostic on her too. It was a habit of his through which he helps anyone he can by curing their body problems. What he found out was surprising. Her DNA matched 25 percent with Zuko and Azula.

~Ghost, run a facial scanner on Kiyi, Azula, and Zuko.~ He asked his sentient AI.

In a matter of seconds, the answer came, "Sir, their facial features match 49, and 50 percent. They are very likely related."

~So, Noriko is actually Ursa and Kiyi is possibly the half-sister of Zuko. But it needs to be known if she is a step-sister or real sister, born after she left the capital. I guess I'll wait for the man of the house,~ he thought.

[You can see Ursa's past, bad Ozai, Noriko, and little Kiyi on my Discord - https://discord.gg/DgHkrAn OR see them on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mister_immortal_novel]

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Special thanks to *Douglas Flower* *Umar Latif*

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