Zuko check his pocket watch for the fifth time that night, still waiting for the time to strike. He was excited, and maybe a little anxious. It's been a while since he does this sort of thing. His job as the Firelord often prevent him from getting his own hands dirty and most of the time he just order his men to deal with whatever threat was looming over the Fire Nation.
He scan over the empty road that the three of them had chose to hidefrom any prying eyes until midnight come.
They had manage to found a delivery truck that was abandon near the harbor and decide to use it to cover their approach to the cartel hideout. The truck itself was quite beaten up, but Zuko had learn a thing or two from the mechanics back at the Fire Nation of how to fix a broken engine. With a few difficulties, he manage to fix for it be atleast able to drive again.
He was sitting in the driver seat, since he's the best driver out of the three of them, while Toph and Katara waited inside the box in the back. The truck itself had a door that connected the cargo box and the driver's cabin so the truck driver could use it to check on the cargo for error. Zuko use this feature to talk with Toph and Katara in the back.
"It's almost time." Zuko said as he put aside his pocket watch.
Katara smile. "Excellent, in a few minutes, those low lifes will learn the true meaning of fear."
"You seem awfully excited about this, Sugarqueen." Toph said with a smirk.
"How can i not. It has been decades since i get to kick ass!"
"Uh... you and Toph already laid waste to my guards." Zuko reminded.
Katara scoff while waving her hand in dismissal. "Those guys didn't count, the cartel are the real deal here. They deserve to get beat up. And that means..." A predatory grin form on Katara's face. "I won't have to hold back."
Toph let out an evil laugh. "Now that's the spirit! Those bastards wouldn't stand a chance against us!"
Zuko look at his friends in concern. "Is it wise to just waltz our way through the front door instead of a more subtle method? It kinda beat the point of our disguise don't you think?"
The three of them had ditch their respective nation's clothing for an all black outfit that cover their body from head to toe, complete with a mask to hide their faces. Zuko even let go of his traditional topknot and let Katara braid his hair in an attempt to hide his identity.
Toph wave her hand dismissivle. "Nah, it'll be fine, nobody's gonna arrest a bunch of people in their nineties, and we're too old to cause any scandals anyway, they'll look past it. And besides, we're doing them a favor here."
Zuko sigh. "I guess you're right." He look at his pocket watch again to find that it had struck midnight.
"Get ready guys, it's time."
While Toph and Katara sit tight on the back, Zuko start the engine and began driving towards the cartel's hideout.
Despite his earlier misgivings, Zuko was itching for a fight.
Mao stifle a yawn as the clock approaches midnight. It has been seven hours into his shift and he's more then ready to go home for a much needed rest. For what felt like a milionth time tonight, Mao scanned the road that lead to the main warehouse of the Sleeping Dogs cartel. Located in an abandoned Equalist subterranean complex beneath Republic City with its winding and complicated tunnel system, it was an excellent spot for the cartel to stash their drugs.
The only way in and out of the underground complex today was a hidden entrance inside an old warehouse that was owned by a legitimate shipping company operated by the Sleeping Dogs Cartel from behind the scene as a front to hide its true function. They even made the thugs outside to wear actual security uniform to make it look more legitimate.
Mao didn't really like his job as a "security guard" for the cartel, but the pay is good, much better than his paycheck as a pro-bending athlete.
Of course, when you're working for the triad, or a drug cartel in this case, there were certain risk that came with it. For one, in pro-bending, if Mao screw up, the worst thing that could happen to him was getting kick out of the team (which is exactly what happend to him). But in the cartel, if he screw up, he could be walking home with his ass on fire, literaly. He had seen it happend firsthand. A guy had been caught using the product they were suppose to be selling. A few hours after he was busted, people began using past tense when they talk about him.
The other thing that Mao hated about this job is how boring it was. All he did all day was guarding the main gate to the warehouse. He never got to use his earthbending skill to use aside from occasionally stopping delivery truck for inspection. And since the police didn't know of this place, he never has to worry of defending it from police raid.
A distant sound of an engine brought him out of his thought. He squinted his eyes and saw a pair of headlights approaching fast from the distance, faster than it should have been. The driver should've slowed down by now. Sensing something is up, Mao alerted his fellow guards. One of them close the gate while Mao and the rest assume fighting stances.
When the truck show no sign of stopping, Mao and the other earthbending guard raised a stonewall to block the road while the firebending guards lit up their fist.
The stonewall seem to work. The driver step on the break hard, causing the truck screeching to a halt. Mao, being the biggest and most intimidating out of the guards approach the truck window to confront the driver.
What he see surprise him. The driver is an old man, must be in his early nineties and he doesn't seem to be fully aware of his surrounding, probably even drunk. Must be why he was driving so recklessly. But judging from the man's scar, he must've been in involve with the criminal underworld for quite a while. And there's something familiar about the old man, but Mao are not sure what.
"What's your cargo, old man?" Mao demanded in his 'hard voice', the one he use to intimidate people.
The old man obliviously smile. "I'm delivering paycheck for you, boys."
Mao eyes narrowed in suspicion. "One of those already arrived this morning." Sensing a confrontation is iminent, Mao mentally prepare himself for a fight. He wasn't worried that the cops might hear them, they didn't patrol this side of the city at this hour.
The old man continue giving that irritating smile. "This one didn't."
Mao wasn't convince. "Unless the boss feeling generous all the sudden, i highly doubt that." He stomp his foot and raised a rock the size of a baby moose-lion, with the intent of hurling it at the old man. The other guards did the same. "Why don't you start by telling the truth! What's in that truck, huh! Was it a bomb, cops, rival triad member?! Which one is it?" Mao felt his heart beating fast with excitement. After so many months, finally some action.
For a man at the receiving end of a death threat, the old man never lose his grin. It merely change from oblivious to smug in a split second.
"That was a mistake." He calmly said.
The back of the truck suddenly explode and two figure leap out of it with an incredible speed. Before he could process it, the old man jump out of the driver seat and began attacking his fellow guards with his firebending. Mao hurl the rock at him, but it was destroyed midair by a waterwhip. He saw the waterbender flawlessly spun their waterwhip, knocking out the guards around them without breaking a sweat.
Mao create a wall, expecting the sturdy earth to block it. But to his horror, the wall shatter like it was made of glass. He use him arms to cover his face from the debris but their are a few pebbles that somehow manage to get through with an incredible speed, it collided with his face, causing Mao to hissed in pain and stagger backwards. He felt blood dripping from his nose into his mouth, he spat it out out of disgust.
The other guards weren't doing much better. The old man turned out to be a skilled firebender, a master from the way he moves. Two of the firebender guards launch multiple fire blast at him, but the old man swerve side to side, effortlessly dodging all the fireballs coming at him, and he wasn't even trying to retaliate.
All the firebenders combine their power and deliver massive ball of flames that fly at an incredible speed. Before it could hit its target, the old man leap of the ground, using firebending as a booster to made him jump higher than the fireball. The fireball went past him harmlessly before hitting the treeline and setting it on fire.
The old man, with one swift motion launch a fire tornado at the guards, knocking them backwards before he even touch the ground, that smug expression never leaving his face. Just as he landed, he leap off again to perform a double backflip, seemingly with the sole intention of mocking the guards. The firebenders, now more pissed off than ever, rose up for another round. Before they could even produce a puff of smoke, the ground beneath them suddenly rose up, launching them high up into the atmosphere. their scream of terror echos through the night.
As the other guards were defeated, Mao cursed himself for taking so long to recover. He bend to large boulder with the intent of launching it at the attacker. Like last time the waterbender destroy them with ease. The attacking earthbender stomp their foot, causing Mao to sink into the ground. He try to use earthbending to get him out of the hole, but the waterbender use their water to freeze both of his arms and upper body, leaving only his head free.
And just like that, the battle was over.
Spitting out a mouthfull of blood, Mao glare daggers at the attackers. He was ready to curse them with every might he has left. but when he got a good look at them, he froze.
His earlier excitement and adrenaline now turn to terror and fear.
He now realize why the old man was familiar to him, and to an extent, his accomplice as well.
Now here he is, bound to the ground, he realize who had attack them.
Lord Zuko of the Fire Nation, Master Katara of the Southern Water Tribe, and Toph Fucking Beifong are all walking to him, slowly and menacingly with pure malice in their eyes.
Mao didn't know what sort of grivance the old masters have with the Cartel. But he knew one thing for sure.
He is absolutely fucked.
Katara was the first one to speak. "You tell us where to find the stashes or-"
"It's in the main storage facility." Mao blurt out.
Katara and Zuko look at Toph for confirmation. The blind earthbender nodded. "He's telling the truth."
Zuko look at the fallen earthbender in the eyes. "How do we get ther-"
"There's a hidden entrance at the back of the back of the warehouse underneath the manager's office." Mao yell out in panic. "Take the main hallway until you reach an intersection, you'll find a minecart at the right turn. Follow it and you'll reach the stash in no time."
He swallowed. "Please don't kill me, i have a cat and a dog back home. They'll die without me!" Mao pleaded. He close his eyes, silently praying to every spirit he could think of for a better luck in his next life.
Zuko blink. "Huh, well that was easy."
Katara gesture to Mao. "So, what are we suppose to do with him?" Said earthbender is wetting himself.
Toph wave dismissively. "Just leave him here. The cops will be here any minute now. Someone must've call them already. "She chuckle. "Lin gonna have a field day with this guy."
The trio enter the warehouse, walking side by side with a renewed sense of excitement they hadn't felt in years.
As they dissapear into the warehouse, Mao knew that when the police found him, he's likely be going to prison, but he strangely felt relief to know that. After facing the old legends of the Hundred Year War, prison would be preferable than facing them again.
Toph lead her friends into the warehouse following the direction the earthbending guard had given them. She didn't even try to hide her amusement. The kid act so high and mighty when he thought Zuko was just a frail old man. It is the time like this that Toph wish she could see, the look of fear on that boy's face must've been priceless.
When she reach the spot she believe to be underneath the manager's office, Toph slam her foor against the cement floor. Sure enough, she sense an entrance underneath. She bend it open to find a narrow hallway on the other side.
She went in first, the entire place was made of concrete, it's easy for her to sense what's coming. Zuko follow behind her, a flame burn in his palm, lighting up the way for him and Katara, the latter covering their back in case of an attack.
They march through the dark hallway for a couple of minutes, expecting an alerted guard to attack them at any moment, but none ever did. As they reach the end of the hallway, they came across the minecart the guard had told them. And as expected, there are cartel personel guarding it. Not guards, just workers toiling away for a few Yuans an hour.
Katara ready her water to quickly take out the workers. They're not guards, no need to be overly violent with them. She's about to strike when Toph stop her. Katara gave her friend a confuse look, but the blind earthbender open her mask, merely grin and casually walk at the workers as if she owned the place. She share a look with Zuko before following Toph's lead.
The workers let out a surprise grunts once they notice the trio. One of them decide to speak up. "Hey! You can't be... here." His voice falters once he recognize the legends standing before him. Toph merely jerk her head to the right, that's all it took for the workers to run for their lives, leaving the mincart free for taking.
They all board the minecart. Toph inspect lever that suppose to move the cart with dissaproval. Deeming it useless, she break the lever and toss it aside, they won't need it, they have her. She spat on both of her palm and rub it together, then without warning, she propel the metal contraption forward.
Zuko and Katara yelp as the minecart jump forward and begal holding on for dear life to prevent themself from falling over. Toph only laugh at her friends reaction. As the metal cart start to gain speed, the firebender and waterbender steady themself and assume fighting stance. Toph continue to drive the cart faster and faster with her metalbending, never slowing down even when facing sharp turn.
At one point, they came across another minecart carrying drugs. Instead of stopping and fight the crew, Toph knelt down allowing Zuko to take her place at the helm. He point both of his fist backwards, with a deep breath, he let out a gigantic jet of flame as if Sozin comet was flying in the sky that day, powering his bending tenfold, allowing the minecart to reach terminal velocity. Infront, Katara freeze all water in her person to form an ice drill. This deadly combination causes the workers to scream in terror and abandon the cart, but some of them are unable to jump away in time, still stuck to their cart.
Katara's ice drill cut the opposing cart in half, nearly impailing a terrified cartel worker who's stuck on the cart. The worker quickly jump out of the way, but since the minecart was moving so fast, as he hit the concrete floor, his scream was silence, forever. Some other poor worker had his foot run over, cutting it clean off, while his friend, an older feller, suffer a heart attack.
Katara move the destroyed minecart aside just in time to notice the end of the tunnel. This must be the storage that guard's talking about: she thought to herself. The track simply end infront of a very impresive looking door guarded by a few thugs at the front. When they see the trio rushing at their position, every last one of them abandon their post and start running for their live.
Katara barely have enough time to yell "Heads up!" just a split second before their cart hit the end of the track, sending all three of them flying to the door. Toph use her feet to propel her jump and dive head first into the metal door, destroying it to pieces, sending shrapnels flying everywhere, causing a concussive effect for anyone at the other side of the door, giving the three masters to achive perfect landing.
The storage facility was gigantic, with the ceiling as tall as 100 medium size washing machine stack on top of each other, and it's vastness could easily support three family of sky bison under its roof. Living up to its name, this storage facility was filled to the brim with drugs that was stack as high as the ceiling, leaving little room to move safe for the little empty space near the entrance.
Every workers here were force to wear a military grade gas mask that was ilegally imported from the Fire Nation to prevent them from getting high while working
As the concussive effect subside, the cartel guards and workers stand together as one and surround the old masters, while Zuko, Katara, and Toph stood their ground.
A standoff.
For a few agonizing minutes, no one in that room made a move. The old masters just stood patiently, ready to retaliate when attack. But none of their opponent made their move. They outnumber them 20 to 1. 60 benders should 've easily overwhelmed 3 benders in their nineties, but they must've realize who they're facing with, even though their face was covered, the fact that they made it this far without a scratch must've made the cartel workers put two and two together.
The cartel members just stood there, unsure what to do. They all kept looking at each other, expecting someone brave enough(or stupid enough) to start attacking first. But no one move, afraid of what would become of their body once the old masters made their move.
Eventually, one firebender decide he's done waiting. With a battle cry, he unleash a hail of fireballs at the trio, but Toph was quick to block all of it by raising a stonewall. Not waiting for the attack to stop, Toph punch out her fist, sending a rock from the wall to fly forward and hit the firebender square in the face, knocking him out cold. But his attack was enough to provoke his comrades into the offensive.
Water, earth, and fire all were thrown at them all at once, their benders filled the attack with fear and fury for what they've done to their comrades. But that's not enough. Before any of their attack could hit any of the old masters, Zuko step forward, and with a single motion of his hand, he unleash a firewall that surround the three of them, it was so large, it scorch the ceiling. The fire burns so hot, all of the cartel attack was harmlessly stop before it could do any harm to their target. Their waters evaporated, their fire extinguish, and their earth was melted.
The heat from the fire forced the cartel workers to use their hands to shield their face from the scorching flame as their body let out a floodgate worth of sweat. Zuko notice this and move forward his firewall closer to the workers, causing them to take many step back until they have their back against the wall of drugs, leaving them no more room to fall back to.
With his enemy cornered, Zuko took a deep breath and increase his fire temperature by tenfold, causing it to turn white. The three of them could hear the screams of terror on the other side of the firewall as they began to feel they were about to be burn alive. Feeling pity for his victim, Zuko extinguish all the flames in the room. As the firewall went off, the cartel workers let out a sigh of relieve, some even collapse to the floor. But there are a few who stood back up and ready to fight.
Zuko, Katara, and Toph sigh. With that show of force one would think the cartel ought to have learn their lesson by now, but nope. As the remaining cartel move in to attack, Toph simply shift the ground beneath their feet and all of them fall ungracefully to the floor. To make sure they all stay down this time, Katara decide to make sure of it. Zuko's firewall and the storage location deep underground with poor ventilation causes everyone inside to sweat cats and dogs.
Katara taken advantage of the large quantity of sweat in the room and gather it all together. All the sweat combine was enough to form eight large water tentacles. Before any of the workers are able to rise again, Katara grab them all with her tentacles, some by the ankle, some by the arms and she began to spin them around in the air like ragdolls.
Their screams of terror drown each others out, some of them lose consciousness due to whiplash and motion sickness. Katara continue to spun them around in the air until their scream went silent, only then did she drop them into the grown, some she drop on top off their comrades, causing those to let out a howl of pain. Those who were not attack lose any will of fighting back. They all drop down to their knees and press their head into the floor in deep prostration and beg for mercy.
The three friends looked at each other and without a word spoken between them, they agree to let them go. They're already beaten, no point in humiliating them any further.
"You can leave." Katara inform the survivor.
They all let out a sigh of relieve, and immidietly run towards the exit. Some of the more loyal ones help their less then fortunate friends to leave by carrying them on their back. After a few minutes, only the three of them are left.
"So... what now?" Zuko ask no one in particular.
It was Toph who answer. "Now? We burn it all to the ground!" She exclaimed with a grin on her face, referring to the piles of drugs infront of them.
Each of them put on a gas mask that had been drop by the workers earlier to prevent themself from getting high on the job and began to do their task. Toph was the first, she stomp her feet, causing a small earthquake, knocking down the piles of drugs all over the floor. Katara was next, she had found an oil barrel nearby and bend its content and spread it evenly among the scattered drugs. Normally, oil was impossible to bend, even by a master waterbender. But Katara was no oddinary master, with a strong will and deep focus she was able to bend oil like she did with water. After all the drugs was evenly coated with oil, all that was left to do was for Zuko to light it all up. With a flick of his wrist, the whole room went up in flames.
The three didn't stick around to see if the job gets done. They immidietly booked it out of there. Toph bend the minecart back on its track. They all pile onto it, and Toph immidietly start driving in full speed to outrun the flame with Zuko assisting with his fireblast.
It only took them two minutes to reach the surface. When they finally felt the cold night air touch their face, they all collapse to the ground, trying to catch their breath. Toph was about to make a remark but was stop when they hear the distant sound of a police siren.
They let out a groan of annoyence but didn't say anything. Soon they all piled into a nearby truck with Zuko at the wheel.
"Juicy shouldn't be far."
"I know, Toph, don't worry, i remember where we should meet. The question is, did Juicy?" Zuko stated as he start driving.
"Don't worry, Opal trained him well, he'll be there."
Just as predicted, Juicy was there at the rendezvous point when they got there, and they didn't waste any time, they all pile onto the saddle just as Juicy takes off, away from Republic City. Once they're far enough from the city, the three of them felt adrenalin left their body and began to relax.
For Katara and Zuko, this is usually the part where their age would show and the back pain they've been suffering strike them with a vengeance. But thanks to the spirit water, that's no longer the case.
"Woo! That was fun!" Toph exclaimed. She leaned back against the saddle, her feet rested upon a sleeping bag, completely at ease now that the danger is behind them.
Katara nodded. "I agree, though i must i say, i'm somewhat dissapointed. You'd thought a cartel that has taken Republic City by storm would have a more competent fighter."
Zuko, who's holding Juicy's reign, hummed in agreement. "I was expecting the fight to be more challenging. But, i guess we overestimated them."
Toph grin. "More like we underestimate our own strength. Maybe the Sleeping Dogs Cartel just wasn't a worthy opponent. We need to find someone who's atleast on our level to fight."
Katara hummed in agreement. "You know, that just remind me of something. Last time Korra visited, she mention going on the hunt for remaining Red Lotus member. She said she had a good reason to believe that they were conspiring to free Zaheer from his prison."
"So you're suggesting we hunt them next?" Toph could feel her heart beat with excitement.
Katara look at her with a matching grin. "Yes."
Zuko cleared his throat to gain their attention. "I hate to be a killjoy, but we need to lie low for a while." Zuko remind them. "The Cartel is definitely pissed and the police would be looking for those responsible. Considering we might kill some of them. I know we can always beat them, but i rather avoid unnecessary fight."
Toph agree. "You're right, we need a place to wait for things to cool down. And i know just the place. Zuko, fly us too Air Temple Island."
"What? Isn't the Fire Nation made more sense? It's far away from Republic City and we would be safe there."
"I know, but the thing is, i already promise Opal to return Juicy to her, and as it so happen, tonight was the deadline. And i want Opal to know she can trust me by returning her bison in time." Her tone become melancholic. "I already screw up my relationship with my daughters once. I won't screw up again with granddaughter."
Katara put her hand on Toph's shoulder in consolation, while Zuko looked at her symphatetically.
"Besides." Toph continue. "Where's the fun if there's no risk."
Zuko smirk at her statement. "Alright then, Air Temple Island, here we come."
Fun fact: The United States was invaded during World War Two. Not attacked, invaded.
In June of 1942, the Japanese Empire invaded the island of Attu and Kiska, which is part of the Aleutian Islands in the State of Alaska. The Japanese capture both islands with relative ease as the islands defenders only consisted of a handful of US navy sailors.
The US military didn't waste any time and began building their forces to retake the islands from the Japanese. The Alaskan Defence Command which originally only had 24,000 members increase to over 94,000 strong. The following battles would be the only time a land battle would took place on US soil in the entirety on World War Two
Among the two islands, Attu was the first to be attack, as the US army wanted to cutoff the Japanese garrison at Kiska from their supply line. On May 11th, 1943, after almost a year of occupation, the US army launch Operation Land Crab. The landing went unopposed, the American soldiers thought that it would be an easy task. Little do they know, the Japanese had intentionally withdraw inland where they occupy fortified position and the natural obstacle such as mountain and caves.
The battle for Attu lasted for 19 days, and it was bloody, far from the easy task the American had expected. The Japanese troops showed fierce resistence, fighting to the last man. Out of the 2630 Japanese troops on that island, only 28 would survive. The American also suffered heavy casualties, with many suffering from frostbite. On top of this, many of the soldiers never seen active combat. The horrifying experience in Attu would influence what happen in Kiska a few months later.
Despite the heavy price, Attu would be ultimately reclaim by Uncle Sam.
For the liberation of Kiska, the US army send over 34,000 troops, reinforce with over 5,300 Canadian soldiers against an estimated 20,000 Japanese defenders. Once again, most of the American send into Kiska were inexperience and never saw combat.
On August 15th, 1943, Operation Cottage was commence. The landing on Kiska went entirely unopposed, but it didn't give the American no the Canadian a peace of mind. They were well aware of what happen at Attu, causing many of them to suffered anxiety and disorientation, the thick fog and cold wind only worsened the experience.
As the allied troops sweep through the island, they never encounter any Japanese troops. They only find abandoned position and fortification, but no enemy soldiers was in sight.
As the battle went on, casualties began to mount. Many soldiers would step on a booby traps that had been laid there by the Japanese. Many more would suffered frostbite due to inadequate winter gear. Some would even be shot dead and the shooters nowhere to be found. The navy wasn't safe either, one of the destroyer, USS Abner Reid, struck a sea mine when she try to make port, killing 70 sailors and wounding 47. Rumors start to go around the troops that there were Japanese snipers hiding in the fogs. But this was not the case.
As it turns out, there were no Japanese troops on Kiska on the first place.
After losing Attu, the Japanese saw point in holding onto Kiska. And since many of their territories in the Pacific were lost to the US Marines, it was decided that the troops on Kiska was to be evacuated. And their evacuation of Kiska which was done by using several cruisers and destroyers, went completely unnoticed by the American, thanks to heavy fog providing them with cover to slip away.
American reconnaissance plane also reported a reduce Japenese activity after the evacuation. But this was ignored by the US navy vice admiral Kincaid, believing it as a Japanese ploy to catch them off guard. So the operation was ordered to commence anyway.
As a result, the allied suffered 92 soldiers killed in action and 221 wounded, while the Japanese suffered none. Among those who died, 28 were killed due to sporadic friendly fire. The thick fog and the anxiousness cause by the tale of what happen at Attu cause the unexperience American and Canadian troops to be nervous, and they would shoot at anything that moves, without verifying that their shooting at who.
Even though Kiska was "liberated". The whole operation receive condemnation from the American press, as 92 soldiers killed in a battle with no enemy present was a lot too take in.
16
