Ch 3 The revelation
"Khan, I have an assignment for you." Lin said.
"What is it?" Khan asked, walking into the police station, wearing a black trench coat.
"Well first, ditch the various knives and swords." Lin said, metal bending the bladed weapons out of the coat.
"Let me guess. No weapons in the station, right?" Khan asked.
"Correct." Lin said.
"You're a metal bender, and you're wearing nothing but metal. So you'd have to take the armor off, right now." Khan said.
Lin's eyes bulged open at the suggestion. Khan knew the meaning as well. He chuckled at her discomfort.
"Besides. You can't even break a rule. How can you be expected to break bone?" Khan sinisterly added.
"We've been tracking some triad movement. We're gonna hit them hard." Lin said.
"What about the equalists?" Khan asked.
"What about them?" Lin asked.
"Yesterday, I found some guy yelling about how the equalists will tear down the bending establishment. God, sounds like communism and how they'll take down the capitalist west." Khan said, spilling unneeded information.
"What?" Lin asked.
"Long story. Don't want to talk about it." Khan said.
"Probably don't want to know. We don't have the forces to handle both the triads and the equalist group. We'll take it one at a time." Lin said.
Khan grabbed his weapons and headed to a training room.
"Where are you going?" Lin asked.
"Practicing my weapons skills. If we have to fight both at the same time, you'll want to practice as well." Khan said.
Remembering what Khan was capable off, and that was against 6 triads, she declined.
Northwest Republic City
Red Monson triads
The police, and Khan had the red Monson's pinned down inside a building. Lin and Khan headed inside, meeting other police officers.
"Alright. We got them pinned down. They're in the basement, which probably leads somewhere else. Lets stop them right now." Lin said.
As they headed downstairs, the sounds of battle were heard, as both sides' bended elements at each other.
Lin stomped on the ground, kneeling with her right foot out forwards. Then she moved her hands, and pinned someone down.
"I got someone. Grab him for interrogation." Lin said.
Khan moved forward and grabbed the man, who had his hands raised, and was screaming with a desperate hysteria.
"THEY'RE COMING! THEY'RE COMING!"
Khan looked ahead, and saw an electric bola fly towards him. Dodging it, he walked backwards, telling the officers to fall back.
"Everyone, fall back. I'll take care of them." Khan said.
"You sure about that?" Lin asked.
"They're not benders. I'll take care of them." Khan said.
The Equalist moved forward, unawares of Khan. Khan crept forward, and grabbed the first Equalist he saw, crushing his head.
The equalist troops headed forward, weapons at the ready. Two of them surrounded Khan, and attempted to block his chi. Khan intercepted their hand movements, and broke their arms and legs in the process. As the two attempted to crawl away, Khan thrust his sword thru them, killing them.
A big equalist came to challenge Khan, only for Khan to rush forward, and punch him in the chest hard, killing him.
"Oh damn. I'm on my own." Khan said to himself. He quickly ran back to where police were, along with the triads, now cuffed.
"Killed a few equalist. Wasn't that much of a problem." Khan said.
"Good. Seal the tunnel, and take them in for processing." Lin said.
At the station the cops were going over what had happened.
"Khan, what did he mean by, they're coming?" Lin asked.
"I have a theory." Khan said.
"What is it?" Lin asked.
"Couple days ago, I ran into someone screaming about how the Equalist movement, and their leader, Amon, will take down the benders. I gathered some of his fliers and decoded a map. It leads to a building. And now, we just came under attack by an unknown force." Khan said.
"We've known about this equalist movement. This is going to get real bad." Lin said.
"Wait. You knew. You knew this terrorist organization could grow and fester like a deadly fungus. Here it is. Why didn't you destroy it?" Khan asked.
"Not enough intel to indict them. Everyone is entitled to their own beliefs." Lin said.
"Beliefs are dangerous. Depending on how one uses it." Khan said.
"Well, your order to watch over Korra still stands." Lin said.
Khan took that as his time to leave. He headed towards the island, and saw a truck driving down a street at high speed.
"What's their problem?" Khan muttered.
Brushing it off, he continued towards the island, and ran into Mako.
"Hey Mako." Khan said.
"Hey Khan." Mako said.
"You know my name?" Khan asked, pulling out a knife.
"I read the newspapers." Mako said.
"Okay. That's better." Khan said, putting the knife away.
"You seen Bolin?" Mako asked.
"Who?"
"My brother. He's been missing this morning. I'm worried about him."
"Let me guess. You want my help." Khan said.
"I was gonna search for him myself, but yeah. I'd appreciate it." Mako said.
Korra and Mako talked about where to find Bolin. When Khan saw Naga, it clicked.
"You." Khan said, pointing to Korra.
"What?" Korra asked.
"I saw you at the south pole, boarding a transport ship. I also saw you at the police station." Khan said.
"Yeah. You're the superman freak who killed all those triads by himself." Korra said.
"That's true." Khan said.
Walking around the city, they found what Mako believed to be where Bolin hung out.
"This is his hangout. You guys see Bolin?" Mako asked a group of street kids.
"My memory's a little foggy." A kid said, named Skoochy. Khan narrowed his eyes. Mako's brother could be in trouble. And this kid wanted to play around. Khan could play too.
"Maybe you can help clear it up." Skoochy smugly said, holding out his hand.
"Yeah. I'll help." Khan said, grabbing Skoochy's hand, and threw him against the wall.
"What the hell?" Mako asked, as Khan brandished a sharp and wicked looking knife.
"Tell us where he is." Khan said, running the blade across the boy's arm, cutting it open.
"I don't know." He cried in pain.
"Tell me, or I disembowel you. I cut your insides out, and burn them in front of your eyes." Khan growled, putting the tip of the blade on the boy's stomach.
Eyes wide, the boy spilled everything.
"Shady Shin showed up and flashed some serious cash. Bo took off with him in his hot rod. The Triple Threats? The Red Monsoons? The Agni Kais? All the triads are muscling up for something real big. Now that's all you're getting outta me!" Skoochy said.
"What's he talking about?" Korra asked.
"I have an idea. Earlier today, me, Lin, and the police raided the red monsoon triads. I captured one guy, and he kept on screaming they're coming. They're coming. I fought others. They weren't triads because they didn't bend. They may have been equalists. I think that's what the triads are muscling up for." Khan said.
"What organization does Shin belong to?" Khan asked.
"The triple threat triads." Mako said.
"I met them first day in the city." Korra said.
"Right. Lets hope Bolin didn't get into deep shit." Mako said.
They soon found themselves outside the triple threat headquarters. No-one was there.
"Something's wrong. No-one's here." Mako said.
"They were attacked." Khan said, observing the room. Furniture was knocked over the place.
"What makes you say that?" Korra asked.
Just then, they heard the sound of an engine powering up. Running outside, they saw a truck and several motorcycles. One of the equalists closed the door. Khan took notice of his uniform, and ran after him.
"Those are the ones who attacked me this morning!" Khan yelled, running after the truck, now leaving.
Mako and Korra got on Naga and gave chase.
"Who is that guy?" Mako asked, seeing Khan easily keep up with the fleeing truck.
However, two of the motorcycles turned around, and attacked the trio.
One of the riders was busy fighting Mako and Korra, while the other was fighting Khan. He stood opposed to Khan, and moved his bola, menacingly.
Khan pulled out a throwing knife, and threw it at his enemy.
"If you're gonna fight, fight. Don't stand there." Khan said to his dead opponent, taking the knife out.
Hearing a noise, Khan turned around, and saw both Korra and Mako lying on the ground, holding their sides. The lone equalist charged Khan. Khan responded by punching real hard in the face, breaking all the bones, shattering the skull in the process. Khan walked up to the wounded equalist and broke her neck.
"I can't bend!" Korra said, horrified.
"Calm down. It'll wear off. Those are equalists. Amon's henchmen." Mako said.
"That guy, spouting off equalist crap?" Khan asked.
"Yeah. He's the leader of the equalists." Mako said.
"What do they want with Bolin?" Korra asked.
"I can't be good. I can't believe Bolin got involved with this!" Mako shouted.
"Mako, we'll save your brother. I promise you that." Korra said.
Deep in thought, Khan spoke up.
"I know where your brother is." Khan said.
"Where is he?" Mako asked.
"How do you know?" Korra asked.
"I met an equalist speaker. He was handing out fliers. I took several, and decoded a map from the back of them. It leads to a building. I know where it is." Khan said.
"Alright. Lets go get him." Korra said.
"Korra, we're in no condition for a fight. Tomorrow, the effects will wear off, then we'll go after him." Mako said.
"We'll have to be quick. The meeting is held tomorrow, 9pm." Khan said.
Next day, 9pm. Equalist meeting
The trio approached the factory, where a doorman was checking for ID.
"This is a private event. No one gets in without an inventation." The man said.
"You mean this?" Mako asked, showing the leaflet.
"The revelation is upon us, my brothers and sister." He said, letting the trio in.
That was too easy. They just let a super-soldier and two benders inside their meeting. And revelation sounds similar to revolution. The revolution is upon us. What does Amon have in mind? We were attacked by equalists, I know it. That's what the triad meant when he yelled they're coming. The protestor said Amon would take down the bending establishment. God, this so fucked up. We're on the verge of a civil war. And the authorities aren't concerned about it. What does Amon want to do with the triads, and Bolin? Why was that triad we captured so scared?
Khan put his thoughts away, and focused on the mission. Khan was surprised at how many people had showed up. This wasn't a small organization. This was a major army! They could take down the city in one blow.
Amon appeared on stage, and made a speech.
"My quest for equality began many years ago. When I was a boy, my family and I lived on a small farm. We weren't rich, and none of us were benders. This made us very easy targets for the firebender who extorted my father. One day, my father confronted this man, but when he did, that firebender took my family from me. Then, he took my face. I've been forced to hide behind a mask ever since. As you know, the Avatar has recently arrived in Republic City. And if she were here, she would tell you that bending brings balance to the world. But, she is wrong. The only thing bending has brought to the world, is suffering. It has been the cause of every war in every era. But that is about to change. I know you have been wondering, "What is the Revelation?" You are about to get your answer. Since the beginning of time, the spirits have acted as guardians of our world, and they have spoken to me. They say the Avatar has failed humanity. That is why the spirits have chosen me to usher in a new era of balance. They have granted me a power that will make Equality a reality. The power to take a person's bending away. Permanently."
Khan snorted. What a bunch of bullshit. For centuries on Earth, rulers, leaders, and dictators have used religion and mysticism to increase the power, and wind up the troops for action. Whatever Amon had, it developed it by himself. Khan considered Amon to be a Hitler wannabe, because just as Hitler blamed the Jews, Amon blamed bending and benders.
Amon had his men pull up lightning bolt zolt, a notorious gangster. Both him and Amon dueled, and he zolt lost. Amon took away his bending.
"Holy shit." Khan muttered. He never seen anything like that. More triads were brought in, including Bolin.
"There's Bolin." Korra said, moving towards him.
"No. We can't draw attention. See those machines, they're powered by water and steam. If you create some cover, I can grab Bolin, and we run." Mako said.
As Korra went to create the distraction, Khan and Mako looked on, powerless to do anything. After a few tense minutes, Khan and Mako saw the steam appear. Mako fired at a tank, causing it to blow up. With the audience screaming in fear, Mako and Khan moved in.
Bolin looks for an escape opportunity, only for an equalist to grab him. And said equalist has his neck snapped, as Khan twisted the head harshly.
"Who are you?" Bolin asked.
"I'm with your brother. We're getting you out of here." Khan said.
Khan, Mako, and Bolin broke thru an adjacent door and stood over a balcony. An equalist carrying electric kali sticks zapped the ladder, knocking both Mako and Bolin out, but Khan was only slightly affected.
Khan jumped off the balcony and faced the Lieutenant. The Lt charged Khan with his electric sticks, which Khan parried with a Dao sword. The both of them continued the duel, not getting a blow. The Lt made a large swing with one stick, causing Khan to duck, only to get hit with the other electric stick.
Khan didn't even grunt in pain, as his enhanced body took the blow.
"What the?" the Lt asked. He continued the attack, only for Khan to grab him, and threw him against the wall. Khan walked up to him, and punched him in the torso real hard, breaking several bones. Then Khan stomped on a leg, breaking it.
Khan noticed Korra and her friends were gone, and quickly ran after them.
"That's the Avatar." The Lieutenant said, holding his torso, in pain.
"Let her go. She's the perfect message to tell the city of my power. What's with you?" Amon asked the Lieutenant.
"Some man defended them against me. He was incredibly strong and fast. My electric staffs didn't do a damn thing against him. Who is he?" the Lieutenant asked.
"His name is Khan." Amon said.
"Who?"
"Read the newspapers. When he first arrived at the city, he killed 6 triads by himself. Made a bloody mess of it." Amon said.
Korra left air temple island, and headed to the police station. Getting the directions to her house, Khan knocked on her door.
"Who is it?" Lin asked.
"Khan. I have important information."
Walking in, Khan told Lin.
"He can do what?!" Lin asked.
"That's right. He can take away a person's bending. I saw it myself. These equalists are not a small party. They are getting quite powerful. Let me show you what happened to me." Khan said, taking off his shirt.
Lin eyed Khan, amazed on how sculpted he was. Muscles seemed to cover his torso and arms.
"That explains your strength and endurance. What else was augmented?" Lin asked, muttering the last part to herself.
"I heard that. Increased hearing. This mark, was made from an electric staff. They may be working in electric weaponry. Just so you know." Khan said, pointing to a purple mark on his side.
As Khan left Lin's place to his apartment, Lin sat there, fear in her eyes.