Triple Threat Triad

"URN"

- Since you're obviously fresh off the boat, let me explain a couple things. You're in Triple Threat Triad territory, and we're about to put you in the hospital.

The Triple Threat Triad, simply known as the Triple Threats, is the largest of the triads that operate in Republic City. Led by Lightning Bolt Zolt, they are the only gang that consists of waterbenders, earthbenders, and firebenders, as opposed to the single-element focused other gangs. The Triple Threats work out of the back of a restaurant near Central City Station. Downtown Republic City is considered to be their turf, however, all the triads of the city are constantly involved in a territorial war. Members of the Triple Threats, like Shady Shin, are known to solicit recruits at Central City Station. The mobsters use their bending abilities to run a protection racket on the citizens of Republic City.

History
It was the gang's leader Lightning Bolt Zolt who was responsible for bringing the Triple Threats into an organized crime syndicate. Under his command the Triple Threat Triad became the most powerful bending triad in Republic City, infamous for extorting shopkeepers, stealing shipments, and blackmailing public figures.

After the loss of their parents, Mako and Bolin joined the Triple Threat Triad to help fend for themselves in a newfound street life, doing what Mako described as "running some numbers".



Later, when Two Toed Ping and two other members of the Triple Threat Triad made a routine visit to a phonograph shop to collect money from the owner, Mr. Chung, the vendor informed them that business had been slow that week, and he could not pay what he owed. One of the gangsters threatened that he could not "protect" the shop if he did not receive his money. Frightened, the owner offered a free phonograph to compensate for the money, but the gang did not accept. They destroyed the phonograph, and only threatened him again.

When Korra intervened, the gangsters initially did not know of her identity as the Avatar and simply mocked her, declaring that they were about to put her "in the hospital". In response, the Avatar returned the threat, and a fight ensued. After being easily defeated one by one, the Triad members attempted to escape in their car, only to have the vehicle flipped by Korra's earthbending. They were then apprehended by the Metalbending Police Force as soon as they arrived.



While preparing for a turf war, a triad recruiter, Shady Shin, managed to entice Bolin into working for the Triple Threats by offering him a stack of yuans. However, when the duo went back to the Triple Threat's headquarters, they, along with Lightning Bolt Zolt and two other bending members, were kidnapped by Equalists. They were all taken to an Equalist assembly, where Amon took their bending away - although Bolin managed to escape - as an example of what he was going to do to all the benders of the world, rendering the head of the Triple Threat Triad without bending.

Organization


The Triple Threat Triad based upon an autocratic leadership, since the current boss of the triad, Lightning Bolt Zolt, has the complete control about all actions of his gang.

It is also known that some members of the triad are special recuiters whose main task is to find suitable conscripts within the Triple Threat turf, particularly young and strong benders. Since the Triple Threat Triad is a multi-bending organization, it is relatively unimportant what kind of bending the potential member posses. The recuiters operate alone inasmuch as they normally haven't to fear to be attacked.

The mobsters who run the protection rackets around the city usually operate in teams of three: One waterbender, one earthbender and one firebender. In this way they can maximize the advantages their multi-bending brings with it. Some members also work as thugs to protect the headquarters.

In times of need, for example during turf wars with other triads, the Triple Threats also hire non-members as security detail.

Headquarters


The Triple Threat Triad's headquarters is a large building located in downtown Republic City, masked as restaurant. It is located near Central City Station. According to Mako, it is almost always heavily guarded by thugs out front. However, during a Equalist raid the defense was overthrown, whereupon the headquarters was taken and damaged by Equalist forces.

Cars
The Triple Threat Triad's cars are red racers with a gold front, and are used by all its members. When one of these cars is seen coming down the street, it is usually indicative of incoming trouble.

Notable members

 * Lightning Bolt Zolt
 * Shady Shin
 * Two Toed Ping
 * Triple Threat Triad waterbender
 * Triple Threat Triad earthbender
 * Mako (formerly)
 * Bolin (formerly)

Trivia

 * The Triads are an extensive crime group based primarily in China, but also operates in other countries around the globe.
 * They are a reference of typical 1920s American mobsters, such as ones in the Prohibition Era.
 * All known and named members of the Triple Threat Triad have a personal nickname, as evidenced by "Shady" Shin, "Two Toed" Ping and "Lightning Bolt" Zolt.