A Search within the Force and Flame

XVII

Interior – Noren and Noriko's Home:

Zuko stood stiffly at the table as Noriko and Kiyi tried to process what he had just said. Noren sat with his head bowed, not in shame, but almost as if he'd been waiting for this moment to come.

He looked up.

"I recognized you the moment I saw your scar," he said. "I studied everything I could about Ursa's life in the royal palace. I knew... I knew it would come back to haunt us someday."

Zuko's eyes flicked between him and Noriko—his expression unreadable, but his breathing shallow.

Noren's voice softened.

"Forgive me for not confessing the whole truth when you and your friends were here before, Fire Lord. I had hoped to give you just enough to satisfy your questions... and still protect the quiet life Ursa and I built."

"Ursa...?" Noriko echoed.

"That was your old name, my love," Noren said gently. "From your old life. You were once a princess of the Fire Nation. You had two children—one of whom grew up to be the Fire Lord."

Kiyi tugged at her mother's sleeve, confused and scared.

"Mommy? What's Daddy talking about?"

Noren glanced down at her, then back at Noriko.

"You don't remember any of this... because a powerful spirit altered your memories," he said carefully.

He stepped forward into the lantern light.
"I also had an old name," he added. "I used to be known as... Ikem."

The name hit Zuko like a thunderclap. His heart pounded in his chest.
His voice, when it returned, came out like a bullet.

"IKEM!"

A silence fell over the room—thick, electric. Zuko looked around—at Ikem, at Noriko, at Kiyi. His voice was softer now, more uncertain.

"Then... maybe this is where I belong too. With my mother. My sister. And..." His voice faltered, then came steadier. "My father."

Ikem immediately shook his head, eyes wide.

"No... no, that's not possible. Ursa and I—we never—"

CRASH!

A thunderous explosion shook the walls. Dust and bits of ceiling plaster rained down.

Everyone flinched.

KATHOM! KATHOM! KATHOM!

Blaster fire erupted from above. Heavy footfalls followed.

"Fire Lord! What's going on?!" Ikem demanded, rising instinctively in front of Noriko and Kiyi.

Zuko stepped forward, every inch the warrior now, eyes burning with focus.
"Stay here. I'll go find out."

Above them, heavy impacts rocked the roof again.

WHACK! THUMP! THUMP!

Kiyi clung to her father in fear.
"Daddy, I'm scared!"

Ikem pulled her close. "It's okay, little moon. I've got you."

ZZZT! ZZZT! ZZZZT!

Sparks flared from the ceiling as something tried to cut through. Zuko looked up—and for a brief second, his mask slipped. His face fell. His voice was barely a whisper.