The disappearance of
Zuko and Azula’s mother has been one of the biggest
mysteries in the four nations. But she wouldn't be gone forever. Where is my mother? Ursa was from the small
Fire Nation town of Hira’a. She was the daughter
of the local magistrate and the granddaughter of Avatar Roku. Even though her grandfather
was an Avatar, she had no bending abilities at all. Instead, she lived a
quiet life as a stage actor with her soon to be husband
and childhood friend, Ikem. But everything changed
when the Fire Lord arrived. Almost 100 years prior, Avatar Roku’s
family went into hiding after his death. They knew Fire Lord Sozin
would begin a search for them, along with the next Avatar. Sozin’s son, Azulon,
eventually found Roku’s family and brought his own son, Ozai. The Fire Sages told Azulon that his son and the Avatar’s granddaughter could
begin a powerful firebender bloodline. Ozai proposed a marriage
and Ursa didn’t have a choice. She was forced to leave her family
behind, along with her fiancé’, Ikem. Ursa married Ozai and pledged her undying
loyalty to the Fire Nation royal family. Shortly after, they had
two children, Zuko and Azula. It's important for us
to spend time together. Don't you think so, Mom? Yes, darling, I think it's a good idea
to play with your sister. Go on now, just for a little while. As a princess, Ursa has spent
a lot of time with her children, as they frequently played
and took vacations to Ember Island. While Ozai, on the other hand, was training them to become
powerful firebenders. Azula became a firebending prodigy. She developed advanced firebending
much faster than Zuko. You’ll never catch up. My father says she was born lucky. He says, I was lucky to be born. You waste all your time
playing with knives. You're not even good. Put an apple on your head
and we’ll find out how good I am. As a genuinely kind woman, Ursa
never stood for Azula’s misbehavior. Firelord Azulon. Can’t you just call him grandfather? He’s not exactly the powerful
Fire Lord he used to be. Someone will probably end up
taking his place soon. Young lady! Not another word. What is wrong with that child? But Zuko was not like his sister. He and Ursa were very close. [grunting] I failed. No, I loved watching you. That's who you are, Zuko. Someone who keeps fighting
even though it’s hard. Despite her love for her children, Ursa
had never forgotten about her hometown. She had been secretly writing letters
to be sent back to Hira’a. She entrusted a palace servant,
named Elua, to have them delivered. But not a single letter made it home. Elua was actually hiding the letters
under Ozai’s orders. Until one letter revealed
a shocking secret. Zuko’s father was actually Ikem? It didn’t seem possible. But Ozai needed this to stay quiet. He ordered a Yuyan Archer to
track down and assassinate Ikem. Months had gone by. But Ikem was never found. He hadn't been seen in years
and was presumed to be dead. Meanwhile, Ozai’s brother, General Iroh, was in the middle of the siege
of the city Ba Sing Se. if Uncle doesn't make it back from war, then dad would be next in line
to be Fire Lord. Wouldn't he? Azula, we don’t speak that way. It would be awful
if Uncle Iroh didn't return. Taking the city would have won
the war for the Fire Nation. But Iroh abandoned the siege
after his son, Lu Ten, was killed, He found out his son died
and he just fell apart. A real general would stay and burn
Ba Sing Se to the ground. Not lose the battle
and come home crying. Because he abandoned the siege,
Ozai saw his brother as a traitor. He asked his father to revoke
Iroh’s birth right to the throne. You dare suggest I betray Iroh? My first born? Directly after the demise
of his only beloved son? I think Iroh has suffered enough. But you… your punishment
has scarcely begun! Grandfather said Dad’s punishment
should fit his crime. You must know the pain of losing a
first born son by sacrificing your own. Liar! I'm only telling you for your own good. I know. Maybe you could find
a nice Earth Kingdom family to adopt you. Stop it! You’re lying!
Dad would never do that to me. Your father would never do what to you? What is going on here? I don't know. It's time for a talk. Azula told her mother she
overheard what Azulon said to Ozai. And Ursa knew this time
Azula wasn’t lying. But Ursa made a deal with Ozai. She helped conspire a plan
with her husband to assassinate Azulon. Ozai would take the throne
in exchange for Zuko’s life. But Ozai had one condition. Ursa would be banished
from the capital city and she couldn't take
her children with her. If she tried to escape with the kids
or if she ever returned, Ozai would hunt her down. Mom? Zuko, please, my love, listen to me. Everything I’ve done
I’ve done to protect you. Remember this, Zuko. No matter how things may seem to change,
never forget who you are. Your mother did vicious,
treasonous things that night. She knew the consequences
and accepted them. For her treason, she was banished. Ozai became the new Fire Lord. And Ursa wouldn't be seen for years. Where's Mom? No one knows. Oh, and last night, Grandpa passed away. Not funny, Azula. You’re sick
and I want my knife back, now! [grunting] Who’s going to make me, Mom? Several years later,
Avatar Aang ended the war by taking away Ozai's firebending. And Prince Zuko became the new Fire Lord. Zuko tried getting Ozai to
spill information about his mother, but he wouldn't break. After a year,
he went to his last resort, Azula. [screaming] After the war ended, she was
institutionalized under Zuko’s command. But he knew she was his best chance
at finding their mother. Ozai told Azula about Ursa’s letters
that he kept locked away. The letters contained information about
Ursa possibly heading back to Hira’a. It was the first lead they had in years. Along with Aang, Katara, and Sokka, Zuko and Azula
embarked on the search for Ursa. Their first day on the journey
wasn't exactly smoothest. After a battle with a giant wolf spirit, Zuko discovered something
while Azula was asleep. She kept the letter Ursa wrote to Ikem,
revealing Zuko is actually his Son. If this was actually true, it would mean Zuko wasn't the
rightful heir to the throne. Azula would become Fire Lord. To make matters worse,
Azula was hallucinating about her mother. I know what you really think of me. You think I'm a monster. I think you’re confused. All your life, you've used
fear to control people, like your friends, Mai and Ty Lee. Her paranoia led her to believe
Ursa and Zuko were conspiring against her. Fear is the only reliable way. Even you fear me. No. I love you, Azula. I do Aargh! [whimpering] Eventually, they made it to Hira’a. A disguised as drama historians,
they began to ask strangers if they knew anyone named Ursa. That’s when they met a
stage actor named Noren, who was wearing a very familiar prop mask. The name Ursa was familiar to him. So, he invited Team Avatar
back to his home, where they met his wife, Noriko,
and their daughter, Kiyi. Noriko mentioned that there were
rumors Ikem wasn't actually dead, but traveled to the Forgetful Valley, a forest home to the heartbroken. Team Avatar set out for the forest. When they arrived,
Aang felt a strong spiritual presence. He felt whatever resided in that forest must have been extremely powerful. And he was right. They met Misu and Rafa, two waterbenders
who came to seek out a powerful spirit. Misu researched an ancient spirit with the ability to change
people's faces and identities. The Great Spirit revealed herself
to them, the Mother of Faces. Azula asked what became of Ursa. The spirit revealed, Ursa came to her
and was given a new face and identity. Noren and Noriko
were actually Ikem and Ursa. Five years prior, they had their
identities changed by the spirits. Ursa’s memories were erased, as well. So, she had no
recollection of Zuko or Azula. Now, Zuko was certain where his mother
was, but Azula was nowhere to be found. When Zuko returned to Noriko's house, he revealed his true identity. That talk didn't get very far though. Azula ambushed the family
and confronted her mother. Zuko, tried to defuse the situation
but ended up pushing Azula too far. She pleaded with Zuko
to hand over the throne, but he said the throne
with his destiny, not hers. She ran off
and disappeared into the forest. All of a sudden,
the Mother of Faces returned. She asked Noriko if she wanted
to return to her original face, and Noriko said yes. She was once again Ursa,
with her original face and memories. She told Zuko how proud of him she was
and thanked him for finding her. She also told him the truth about Ikem. He wasn’t actually Zuko's father. It was a ploy to trick Ozai. Regardless, Zuko had accomplished his mission in reuniting
with his long lost mother. Zuko brought Ursa and her family
back to the Fire Nation capital, where she received a hero's welcome
and finally reunited with Uncle Iroh. Iroh gave her the strength
to confront her ex-husband. Ursa went to Ozai’s cell, where she
told him she would no longer fear him. She was once a prisoner
in the Fire Nation. Now, it was his turn. That wraps up Ursa's timeline. Check out Zuko and Azula’s Family Tree for the full story
of the Fire Nation Royal Family. And don’t forget to subscribe
for all things Avatar.
