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 other single-element focused 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 territorial wars. Members of the Triple Threats, such as 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
The Triple Threats began as an ordinary triad, but over time, under the leadership of Lightning Bolt Zolt, they grew into an organized crime syndicate, and soon 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". However, they eventually left the criminal organization.



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, the vendor informed them that business had been slow that week, and he could not pay the fee that the gang demanded. One of the members threatened the shopkeeper, saying that the gang could neglect the protection business if he refused to pay. 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 planned on using them as an example of what he was going to do to all the benders of the world: except for Bolin who managed to escape due to Mako and Korra's interference, the revolutionary leader stripped every present triad member of his bending, dealing a strong blow to the triads might.

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 recruiters 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 recruiters operate alone in as much as they normally have not 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, such as during turf wars with other triads, the Triple Threats also hire non-members as security detail.

Headquarters


The Triple Threat Triad established their headquarters in a large building located in downtown Republic City which is masked as a restaurant. According to Mako, the front of the building is almost always heavily guarded by thugs. However, during an Equalist raid the defense was overthrown, whereupon the headquarters was infiltrated and damaged by Equalist forces.

Cars
The Triple Threat Triad's cars are red racers with a gold grill, 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 term "triad" refers to a Chinese crime syndicate, which operates in any city where there is a large population of ethnic Chinese. This parallels the Triple Threat Triad's operation in Republic City, a metropolis that is highly inspired by Chinese culture.
 * They are a reference of typical 1920s American mobsters, such as the ones in the Prohibition Era.
 * All known and named members of the Triple Threat Triad have a personal nickname, "Shady" Shin, "Two Toed" Ping and "Lightning Bolt" Zolt.
 * Triple Threat Triad cars sport a golden hood ornament of a lion turtle.