*SPOILERS TO ANYONE THAT HASN'T SEE THE SHOWS OR READ THE COMICS*
To clarify these are the only members of Zuko's (blood or step family member) family that don't want him dead/killed or nearly killed him on a daily basis.
Ikem is the son of a long line of entrepreneurs, his family being one of wealth. His mother died when he was 6 and his father blames him for her death. Ikem's father is cold and distant because of this.
Ozai sees Ikem being bullied at school and Ozai intervenes, threatening the bullies. Shortly after, Ozai and Ikem become best friends. Ikem spends most of his time with Ozai, running around causing mischief and having sleepovers. They are practically brothers.
But their friendship is challenged when they both develop a crush on Ursa.
Ikem was born and raised in Hir'ra, a mining town that hosts the largest deposit of gemstones in the Fire Nation. Ikem's forefathers built the Rakoto Jewel Company and passed the business down through the generations. Ikem's family is considered one of the wealthiest families in the Fire Nation.
When Ikem was a young child, his mother would tell him tales of spirits that inhabited the island. Ikem's favorite was the story of The Mother of Faces.
Ikem was an only child and struggled with making friends. He wanted someone to play with, someone to be his best friend. When Ikem was 6, he begged his mother for a baby brother. His mother smiled and said she'll see what she can do about that. Ikem was so happy and ecstatic, life was good.
Months later, Ikem is at his mother's funeral. She is draped with a white linen cloth, her stomach large and round. Tears well up in his eyes and he reaches for his father's hand, seeking comfort. The moment their hands touched, Ikem's father yanks away his hand. Ikem looks up at his father, his eyes fixed forward, cold and distant.
As soon as Ikem was of age, his father sent him to the Royal Fire Academy for Boys where they offer room and board. Ikem quickly became the target of bullying. One day on the playground, 3 bullies had cornered Ikem and started to rough him up when Ozai (age 10) intervened.
Ozai uses his title as the Fire Nation Prince and commands the bullies to leave. The larger bullies are scared of the shorter kid, fearful of any consequences that would arise from fighting with the Prince. The bullies apologize to Prince Ozai as they skedaddle.
Ozai introduces himself and asks for the kid's name. Ikem introduces himself as Ikem Rakoto. Ozai recognizes the wealthy surname and takes Ikem under his wing. The pair quickly become best friends, referring to each other as brothers.
Ikem and Ozai went on to attend Caldera City University to study political science together. Ozai also excelled at theatre while Ikem became the Pai Sho champion at the school. Edit: Oh, what about a track star?
It is at the university where Ikem and Ozai meet Ursa. Ozai takes an immediate liking to Ursa, claiming she is the most beautiful girl he has ever seen- he should know, he's dated many ladies.
Ikem over time grows to like Ursa too, but not for her beauty. She is kind and generous, intelligent and resourceful. They could play Pai Sho for hours and talk at length about anything, never growing tired of the conversation. The more time he spends with Ursa, the more he falls for her.
But Ozai makes it clear to Ikem early-on about his attraction to Ursa, and whatever Ozai wants, he gets. Ikem becomes Ozai's wingman and tries to help Ozai win Ursa's affections all while suffering in silence as his feelings for Ursa grow. Ursa falls for Ozai's charm, she feels like she is in a storybook and she has found her loving prince.
Ikem is made Ozai's Best Man at his and Ursa's wedding. "A toast to the groom and to the bride, from your brother who is always by your side. To your union and the hope that you provide. May you always be satisfied."
Ozai is an actor in the Caldera Opera House and tonight is his big night, having the lead role in the play. As they walk into the Opera House, a crowd gathers outside to swoon and fawn over Ozai. Ikem accompanies him to watch the play his friend Ozai is in.
If you watched Friends, you'd know this is a scene between Chandler and Joey. I know in the past I thought of making Ikem a short king but this is too good.
Plus, it subtly shows Ozai's narcissism and how he treats those closest to him. In addition, I want there to be a visual hint to Ikem being the bigger man of the two of them. It also shows how Ikem does anything for Ozai, not just his only friend but the prince of the Fire Nation as well.
Not to mention the 2 year age gap where Ozai is older. It reminds me of Sam and Dean from Supernatural. The taller one is the younger brother. I can just imagine Ozai saying "respect your elders" or "I'm older so that means I'm always right."
So I've been batting back and forth about how to get Ursa and Ikem together differently than the comics did. I think I have finally gotten it.
Ursa's father was a nobleman while Ursa's mother was Roku's only child. Ursa is promised to Ozai in an arranged marriage shortly after her birth. Ozai was 10 when the agreement was made between Azulon and Ursa's father. However, this information isn't divulged to Ursa. To bring the promised pair closer together, the fathers arrange for them to spend time together.
Side Note: An arranged engagement between a 10 year old and a baby? But isn't your fanfic rated for all ages? Yes. Disney did it in Sleeping Beauty and I'm drawing inspiration from this as well.
At 13, Ursa spends time with Ozai as her music instructor. Time goes on and she is given the job of a scribe to work under Ozai. Then when she was 16, she meets Azulon officially and she is given work in the court under Ozai. At 18, Ozai proposes to Ursa and she accepts the marriage proposal, thinking that she was in love with Ozai. (Edit: I'm considering reducing the age gap between these characters.)
I'm drawing parallels from Katherine Howard as depicted in SIX The Musical but minus the explicit content. My fanfic is for all ages as if it was aired on television so subtracting these dark elements is a must.
What about Ikem?
Like Katherine Howard, Ikem would be like the courtier Thomas, though again, removing the darker elements.
Ikem would be a courtier to Ozai and be a trusted friend of Ozai's. Ikem would also be 8 years younger and shorter than Ozai. Ikem first is friends by proxy to Ursa but over time, he develops a crush on Ursa. Ikem keeps quiet about his feelings because he doesn't want to lose his friendships to either of the two.
When Ozai proposes to Ursa, Ikem is filled with conflicting feelings. He doesn't say anything, just grateful to have Ursa's eyes in his life as Ozai's bride. Besides, what is he compared to the Prince? She would greatly be happier with Ozai. This is drawing parallels from Angelica Schuyler from Hamilton.
Ikem continues being involved in Ozai's and Ursa's lives, and is present with Zuko and Azula. Ikem is like an unofficial uncle to the kids.
As time goes on, Ozai begins to show his true colors. One day, Ozai and Ursa were arguing in a room and the door was cracked. Ikem was about to walk in when he heard the shouting. He pressed himself against the wall and listened in. Then he hears a slap and Ursa's cry. His hands ball up into fists. He wants to barge in and save her but he can't. To do so may be punishable by banishment or death. His friendship with Ozai deteriorates after this event.
When Ursa is banished, she says goodbye to her children then goes to Ikem to say her farewell. Ikem stops her and asks her to let him go with her. Ursa is stunned and Ikem confesses his long lasting love for her. He says that life wouldn't be the same without her. He asks again to let him go with her but only if she wants it. She tears up and says she loves him too. Under the cloak of night, the pair escape to his hometown of Hir'ra.
The following day, Ozai is surprised to learn that Ikem, his friend and confidant, has disappeared. A nosy onlooker rats out Ursa and Ikem and informs Ozai that they left together late that night. Ozai, feeling betrayed by both Ursa and Ikem, sends an assassin after the pair. The assassin comes back empty-handed because Ursa and Ikem have obtained new identities as Noren and Noriko thanks to the Mother of Faces.
Edit: I originally wanted the 10 year age gap because it is a parallel to Katherine Howard and Princess Diana. However, upon reconsideration, I'm having a hard time making it make sense for my characters. Like why would Ozai be buddy buddy with someone 8 years younger than him? And I know the 10 year age gap with Ursa is problematic on multiple levels but so is the real life inspirations. But by reducing the age gap, that solves the problem I made for myself.
Ikem: My darling, it's you I'm worried about, the stress, all this squabbling.
Ursa: Oh, I'll be fine. I'm just like any other modern woman trying to have it all. A loving husband, a family. It's just I wish I had more time to seek out the spirits and learn their ways. That's all.
