Blood in the Water, Earth, Fire and Air- Chapter 1

Blood in the Water, Earth, Fire and Air

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Chapter One

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Massacre and Mystery

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Republic City

Several Years Later


The gang members of the Triple Threat Triad were gathered together, moving cargo that was to be delivered to the four leaders of the gang before morning. None of them could guess that they were being watched. From the shadows he lurked, his sinister eyes watching their every move, waiting for the right moment to strike. The best way to send a message? Do it yourself, make sure it'll get across the entire city... and instill fear into all of them!

No one would be safe from him. Not the Triple Threat Triad, not the Police, not the Council, not even the Avatar. Everything was his for the taking, but none more desired and wanted then that of the Avatar's attention. It was all part of the plan, a sick game that he's planned for a very long time. And it would begin tonight... less than two days before the 20th birthday of Avatar Korra.

"C'mon! The Bosses want this job done by tonight!", One of the Earthbender thugs exclaimed, lifting one of the crates into the back of an armored automobile.

"Ah, go chew on some rocks, will ya?! We'll be done here in no time! We've got plenty of time to get these shipments to where they need to be!", A tall, skinny Firebender thug growled.

"We better be! The Bosses don't like to be held up, if ya know what I mean. And I don't know about you, but I don't want to end up in a body bag like some of the other mooks that ticked off the Big Men.", A Waterbender thug added, lifting up a large crate and placing it within the confines of another vehicle.

Suddenly, from out of nowhere, what appeared to be multi-colored balls landed around the thugs within the alley. The startled thugs didn't know what to make of it. What was the point of throwing objects that children would merely play with at them? Was this all some kind of joke?!

"What the...", One of the thugs grunted, but that was all that he could say before something happened.

BOOM!

BOOM!

BOOM!

BOOM!

The balls explode, releasing a gaseous green mist that envelopes dozens of the Triple Threat Triad thugs within its strangling fumes. The thugs begin to cough and gasp for air as they breath in the toxic mists, the effects of the toxin soon having an immediate impact. The thugs begin laughing uncontrollable, unable to stop themselves as they fell to the ground chuckling. Eventually, their laughter ceases, their bodies becoming frozen in death as a freakish grin appears to mark their faces.

The remaining thugs looked on in a mixture of horror and bewilderment, unable to grasp at what was happening before their eyes. A shadow of a man appeared within the toxic mists, casually walking through the deadly chemical vapors without pause or concern for his own well-being. Stepping out of the toxic vapors, the man revealed himself to the Triple Threat Triad thugs.

The clothing that adorned his body in the form of a three-piece suit, complete with a purple & green flower that was pinned to his vest, was a violet-purple in color. His flesh was a ghostly chalk-white in color, like that of spirit, and his hair was short, messy and green. His eyes were green tinged with crimson, his beady black pupils staring coldly at the thugs. White gloves adorned his hands, while black as death footwear covered his feet. And then there was his sinister grin, with those ruby-red lips, that seemed to stretch from ear-to-ear.

"Good evening, gentlemen.", The man greeted in a low, menacing tone of voice.

"Get that freak!", One of the thugs shouted, causing the various elemental bending thugs to rush at the grinning mad man that stood before them.

"Time to deliver the punchline!", The psychopath chuckled to himself, cracking his neck as he narrowed his eyes and grinned.

Just as several fire and water benders lunged at him, the cackling mad man dodged to the side and pulled out a playing card within each hand. With lightning speed, he slashes the cards across the throats of the thugs, their razor edge slicing their flesh with relative ease. The thugs fell to the ground, choking on their own blood as it spewed forth from their sliced throats. The mad man did not relent in his assault, ruthlessly attacking the thugs that sought to kill him.

More fell as he dodged their elemental attacks with relative ease, his razor-sharp cards slicing their throats with frightening speed. He throws one of the cards like a dart, striking a thug right between the eyes with enough force that it pierces his skull and kills him instantly. He did not mind killing, seeming to take a sick pleasure out of dealing out death and spilling blood with sickening glee.

An earthbending thus tries to attack him from the side, only for the psychotic being to avoid the missile that was launched at him, proceeding to grab the thug's arm, bend it back and twist it until it snapped disgustingly before grabbing the thug's head and violently breaking his neck. The cackling mad man continued this process, breaking necks, slicing throats open with his razor cards and gutting his victims violently with a large water tribe dagger.

He then pulled out a metal pipe from his deep pants pocket, striking the nearest thugs viciously as he laughed in maniacal fashion. The first strike would draw blood, the second strike would crack their skull, and the third would shatter the skull completely, spilling brain matter and crimson liquid on the concrete streets. The remaining thugs were dispatched in similar brutal fashion, their killer enjoying every single moment of the massacre.

The last remaining thug, a firebender, tried his best to blast and burn the psycho. But it was all in vain, for it was only moments before the mad man used his razor-sharp cards to slice open his abdomen. The thug crashed to the concrete, attempting to hold in the blood and innards that threatened to spill out from his stomach. He snarled defiantly as his killer loomed over him, his crazed eyes watching him like a demon from the darkest pits of the Spirit World.

"You think you're something, don't ya? The bosses will have your head on the wall in a few days! You're a dead man! A freak like you doesn't know anything about respect! A freak like you doesn't have any honor! A freak like you doesn't believe in anythi... ACCCK!", The firebender thug hissed before his jaw was shattered and his tongue gripped in the gloved hand of the psychopath.

"By the end of this night, your bosses won't be alive. And I do believe in something. Wanna know what it is? Hm? You see, I believe what doesn't kill you, simply makes you... stranger. HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!", The mad man cackled, relishing in seeing the fear within the firebender's eyes, his pleas going unheard as the maniac proceeded to tear out his tongue and finish the deal by slicing his throat.

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Republic City

The Following Morning


"What do we got?", Chief Lin Beifong asks one of the officers, her eyes scanning the carnage that surrounded her.

Dozens of dead bodies lay on the cold street of the alley, dark crimson liquid forming massive multiple pools all around their maimed corpses. It was a truly brutal, horrific sight to behold. Never before did she recall seeing such a bloodbath, never before in all her years did she ever think she'd be a witness to something so grisly. Who would've done such a thing to these criminal benders? What kind of monster were they dealing with?!

"A blood bath.", A Young Female Officer answered her, taking a stance in front of the experienced law-enforcer.

Chief Lin Beifong knew this young officer, recalling memories of working alongside her during the Equalists a couple of years ago. She was barely in her late twenties now, yet she had quickly become one of the best on the entire force. In a lot of ways, the female officer, who went by the name of Yin, reminded Beifong of herself in her years as a young adult. She has so much potential, such a great future ahead of her.

"I can see that, Officer Yin. Who were they?", Chief Beifong demanded.

"They were all gang members. Triple Threat Triad. They were trying to smuggle supplies, but they didn't make it back to their bosses. Some of them either had their throats sliced open or gutted like fish, some had their necks broken, some were stabbed to death, a few of them got their skulls crushed in by a blunt weapon the attacker must have wielded, and one of them even had their tongue torn out. But then there's some that're... I can't even describe it, Ma'am. It's like nothing we've ever seen before.", Officer Yin answered, shaking her head slightly as if she were trying to make the images in her mind disappear.

"Explain. Or better yet, show me.", Lin Beifong ordered, her voice as commanding as it was stern.

The young female officer merely nodded before reluctantly leading Lin to one of the victims. Walking over to one of the covered bodies, officer Yin removes the white tarp to reveal the gruesome sight to Chief Beifong. Having seen many crimes and murders, Lin had never been one to show emotion when she would look upon the deceased. However, this time was quite different, her eyes widening briefly as the startlingly frightful sight made her cringe for a moment.

When she looked at the victim, his body seemed virtually unharmed, yet the color of his flesh suggested that a deadly toxin had be delivered to his system. But that wasn't it, that wasn't what taken her aback. It was the victim's face. The victims died from some form of asphyxiation, resulting in the their faces becoming permanently frozen with a hideous rictus grin.

"What in the Spirit World could've done this to them?", Officer Yin questioned, looking at her superior in hopes that maybe she could give the answers for such an unusual death.

"I don't know, Yin, but whoever done this... he's nothing short of a maniac. The only problem now is discovering the identity of our genocidal killer... and who or what he'll target next.", Chief Beifong replied, hardening her features as she locked eyes with the young woman.

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Air Temple Island

Later That Evening


Walking in to the quarters which she stayed, exhausted from her long day of training and practicing the four elements, Korra made her way over to her bed. She sat down on her bed, releasing a heavy sigh as Naga walked into the room and placed her massive head on Korra's lap. Petting her close companion's head, Korra released a content sigh as a smile formed across her features.

"Yeah, it's been a long day, hasn't it, girl?", Korra asks, earning a slight whine from the Polar Bear-Dog.

As she rested her hand back on the bed, it touched something metallic. Averting her eyes down to where her hand rested, Korra discovered a beautiful silver necklace. She lifted the necklace in order to further inspect it, noticing the silver circular symbols that represented all four elements. She couldn't help but marvel at its beauty and craftsmanship.

As she placed the necklace around her neck, she couldn't help but wonder... who gave it to her? She was no longer in a relationship with anyone, so who could it be? It couldn't be Mako, they decided to remain friends once both realized that their relationship wouldn't work. And even if it was Mako, she was certain he would have given it to her in person.

Could it be Bolin? She knew that he still harbored feelings for her. Still, he too would have presented the necklace to her in person... or at least left a note on her bed. She looked back to the spot where the necklace once rested, finding nothing of the sort. Could it be from Asami or one of her friend? A secret admirer? She didn't have time to think on the subject further as a knock came at her door.

"Come in!", Korra answered.

It was then that Tenzin entered her room, an expression of concern on his face. She couldn't imagine what could cause her airbending master to act in such a demeanor. She didn't do anything... well, nothing recently, that is. Could there be a threat to the city?

"Hey, Tenzin. What's up?", Korra asked, trying to keep the atmosphere as light as possible.

"Korra, have you seen one of my Air Acolytes?", Tenzin questioned, taking time to pet Naga for a few seconds.

"Which one?", Korra inquired, arching an eyebrow briefly.

"Anoki. He's missing. I haven't seen him since this morning.", Tenzin informed.

"No, I haven't.", Korra admitted.

"I see. I hope that nothing has happened to him.", Tenzin replied, releasing a heavy sigh.

"Relax, Tenzin. He probably went out for something. He'll be back.", Korra reasoned optimistically, getting to her feet.

"I suppose that could be the reason for his disappearance.", Tenzin responds, his eyes taking notice of the gift that adorned Korra's neck.

"That's a lovely necklace. Who gave it to you?", Tenzin inquired, his curiosity intrigued for a moment.

"I'm not sure. I found it here on my bed a few minutes ago.", Korra confessed, her fingertips gently caressing the elemental symbols that hung from the jewlry.

"An early birthday gift. Perhaps it's from Bolin. He's very fond of you, you know.", Tenzin remarked, a gentle smile gracing his features.

"Yeah, maybe.", Korra said uncertainly.

Her mind filled with questions, ones that not even she could figure out. Who could've given her the necklace? Why didn't they give it to her in person? How did they get into her room without anyone noticing them? These were just some of the inquiries that coursed through her mind.

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Air Temple Island

Later that Night

Korra's Room


She looked so peaceful in her sleep. Free of the burden and responsibility of being the Avatar. Free of protecting the people of the world. Free of watching out for those closest to her heart. He loomed over her, watching her as she gently breathed, inhaling and exhaling oxygen.

He leans down to her bedside, bringing his hand up to brush aside of few strands of her long hair. His fingertips caress her cheek, his touch like that of a spirit. His eyes noticed the necklace, the gift that he himself left on her bed. But that tiny surprise was just the beginning, the tip of the iceberg.

She deserved so much more than a mere necklace. She deserved so much more than this. She deserved more than this lie of a life and existence. And he would give it to her! He'd show her the truth of this world, of its people, and of beings like her and himself.

She is order, he is chaos. She is balance, he is unbalance. She is reason, he is madness. She is life, he is death. They were one and the same, yet totally different. And that's why this would be so much fun!

"Sleep well, my dear. Tomorrow... the fun begins. Hee Hee Hee Ha Ha Ha!", The mad man whispered with a chuckle, standing back up on his feet.

And just like that, like a spirit, he vanished without a trace into the darkness of night.