| "The Equalists are hiding underground in the maze of tunnels beneath the city." |
| — Lin Beifong.[1] |
The Republic City underground[2] is an extensive system of subterranean passages and caverns underneath Republic City. It mainly consists of the metropolis' old sewers, tunnels dug by badgermoles and spirit vines, and illegal passages created by smugglers. Though not well known by most of Republic City's inhabitants, the underground is large enough to host its own subculture and population.[2][3]
As the underground has traditionally lacked oversight by the United Republic government and the Republic City Police, it has often hosted illegal activities.[2][3] For instance, its complex network of tunnels were utilized by the Equalists as a base for their operations.[1] Furthermore, the underground has become the center of an illegal but highly popular racing scene.[2][3]
History[]
Creation[]
Mining tunnels existed underneath Cranefish Town.
Even before Republic City came officially into being, its predecessor settlement —Cranefish Town— possessed an underground passage system created by mining efforts.[4][5] In the following decades, a proper tunnel system was dug by earthbenders[6] to serve as sewers and for other purposes.[2]
After the Equalist movement grew in power, it turned the underground into its main operations center with many bases and weapons depots.[1]
Period of Equalist dominance[]
After the alleged abduction of Avatar Korra by the Equalists in 170 AG, Lin Beifong, Tenzin, Mako, Asami, and Bolin set out together to find her. With no leads to follow, Lin proposed to start their search underground in the maze that is Republic City's tunnel system, a suggestion Bolin immediately supported, remembering having been driven through a tunnel when he was taken by the Equalists.[7] Mako guided the group to the place where he witnessed the Equalists take off with his brother prior to the Revelation rally, and Lin used her seismic abilities to locate a nearby entrance to the underground network.[1]
Under Amon's leadership, the Equalists stored numerous motor vehicles in an underground garage.
Using her earthbending and metalbending, Lin, along with Tenzin and Team Avatar, ventured down into the tunnels. Discreetly following two Equalist bikers, the group infiltrated the Equalist base. Overhearing a conversation between several Equalists, they commandeered one of the Equalists' trolleys and used it to travel to the prison facility where Lin was able to free her officers, who had already been stripped of their bending by Amon. It was there that the group also discovered that the Equalists were not responsible for the attack on City Hall or Korra's disappearance, and deduced that Tarrlok was the mastermind behind the whole incident.[1]
Having overpowered multiple Equalists during their time in the base, the group was discovered and forced to flee. To avoid a confrontation with several Equalist fighters and their mecha tanks, Lin used her bending to create a makeshift exit out of the maze of tunnels, going directly toward the surface through the tunnel ceiling.[1]
Refugees lived in small makeshift houses made of materials such as cardboard during the battle for Republic City.
After the battle for Republic City, the city fell into the hands of Amon and his Equalists, forcing the Avatar and her friends into hiding underground. They entered the maze of tunnels through a large pipe that lead into Yue Bay and found shelter in one of the large underground chambers. There, many other refugees, benders and nonbenders alike, had found residence as well. The underground network became their new base of operations, allowing them to use the intricate network of tunnels and various exits to get around undetected and perform reconnaissance on Equalist activities.
When the foursome resurfaced to meet the arrival of the United Forces, they witnessed their swift defeat at the deployment of the Equalist biplanes. Korra managed to rescue General Iroh and brought him down to the large underground chamber to heal his wounds. There, Iroh requested Gommu's help to send a message to Commander Bumi, something the former telegraph operator was glad to do.
General Iroh proceeded to forge his plan to ground the Equalist airplanes in order to give Bumi's fleet a fighting chance. As the group of five was about to leave, Korra announced that she had her own battle to fight, namely taking down Amon on her own terms. At this decision, the group split in two, each leaving through a separate tunnel to complete their own mission.[8]
Expansion and changes[]
After the Anti-bending Revolution failed, many of the Equalist underground bases fell into disarray and were abandoned, but a few holdings remained relatively unscathed.[9] After the Unalaq Crisis, the Spirit Wilds emerging in Republic City's downtown grew roots extending deep into the underground. The roots often moved, creating new tunnels though these were generally avoided by humans due to the plants' strange behavior.[2]
The underground was expanded by two badgermoles under Wu's command.
The underground experienced a great change during the Earth Empire invasion of the United Republic in 174 AG. During the attack, King Wu mobilized two badgermoles from the local zoo to dig large tunnels from the metropolis' interior to the area outside the city, allowing refugees to escape the fighting.[2][10] After the invasion's conclusion, those operating in the underground connected the badgermole tunnels to the older caverns and passages. This greatly increased the underground's space. Not long after, the main community of underground dwellers set up "Tin Town" in the badgermole tunnels, a makeshift settlement which subsequently grew into a substantial agglomeration.[2] Another individual who exploited the expansion of the underground was Akemi, a criminal who set up a food-smuggling ring using the tunnels. Before long, his business grew substantially and catered to both the rich and the poor.[2]
Not long after the invasion, Tokuga's insurrection took place. In course of this rebellion, the Creeping Crystal Triad guided Team Avatar through a part of the underground to reach Tokuga's hideout.[11]
Rise of the tunnel racing scene[]
When most of the Equalists splinters reformed under Yoshiro after 174 AG, the remaining bases were put to good use as he attempted to recruit new followers and launch strikes into the city above.[9] The Creeping Crystal Triad also made use of the tunnels in order to cause tremors and other disruptions at Varrimovers International Studio.[12]
Meanwhile, the underground saw the rise of an increasingly important and profitable illegal racing scene. With no control by the police and other authorities, racers would compete in the tunnels to the delight of a growing fan base. The racing scene was soon dominated by the Badgermole Triad, a gang of street children who lived in the tunnels while also being expert drivers. Other groups became involved as well, including the Tiger Monkey Triad, "Fireball Trio", and other groups, working together due to profiting from the races' success as well as their shared love for motor vehicles.[2][13][14]
However, the racing scene encountered substantial resistance as well. Smugglers like Akemi were unhappy as the racers occupied ever more tunnels, endangering their own operations.[2][15] More threatening were the activities of a major company, the Harmony Park Corporation (HPC) under Kyoko. HPC was trying to set up their own legal racing scene and tried to stop the underground races to eliminate a rival. In doing so, the company employed both the police as well as its own infiltrators to sabotage the underground racers.[16]
In addition, troubles grew in Tin Town. A local inventor, Yuki, disappeared after venturing along the Spirit Vine Roots, while acts of sabotage hit the small community.[17] Furthermore, a tax collector named Rinchen attempted to find a way to shut down Tin Town entirely, regarding the settlement as a parasite to the city's infrastructure.[15]
Description[]
Republic City's tunnel network features large passages that branch off to several junctions.
The Republic City underground consists of several interconnected but distinct elements. Most of the underground consists of the so-called "Warrens", the extensive tunnel system including the sewers, illegal subterranean passages created by smugglers and rebels, ruined sections of the old city, and badgermole-dug sections.[2][3] The dock junctions of the tunnels feature a complex rail system which branches off into several compounds.[1]
Though many parts of the Warrens initially appear unused, they have traditionally hosted various illegal activities. Sections are busy with smuggling operations, while others are used by the growing racing scene. The latter has even resulted in the modification of some tunnels to become full-fledged race tracks. These race tracks attract triads, gamblers, thrill seekers, and wealthy visitors from across Republic City.[2][3]
The tunnels were also long used by Equalists as tracks for their vehicles, particularly cargo trucks and motorcycles. Accordingly, secret doors and entrances were located throughout the network, rigged to open following the flick of a switch. These passages led directly to junctions where Equalist weaponry and equipment were stationed.[1][3] Though some of these secret hideouts were abandoned after Amon's downfall, others continued to be used by Equalist remnants into the later 170s AG.[9]
Locations[]
Equalist prison[]
The Equalists maintained a prison in the underground until Lin Beifong and Team Avatar discovered it.
Following their abduction, apprehended benders were taken to a large subterranean prison facility. Equalists manned the halls of the facility and kept watch over the prisoners.[1]
Equalist training camp[]
In addition to the prison, the Equalists also hosted at least one underground training facility, where new recruits were trained in the art of chi-blocking and combative maneuvers. There were several trams carrying supplies leading to these training grounds.[1]
Garage[]
Located at one of the tram junctions, the garage was a large area where Equalist vehicles such as motorcycles and trucks were kept.[1]
Refuge shelter[]
After Amon took over the city and the Equalists resurfaced, many benders and nonbenders found shelter in one of the large underground chambers. They had converted it to a safe haven for all, and had learned to harmoniously coexist.[8]
Tin Town[]
Existing as a underground, well-built shantytown, "Tin Town" is the main population center of the underground. Its community initially emerged as a nomadic collection of people moving into the tunnels for various reasons, forgotten by the citizens above. After the Earth Empire invasion, its people settled down in the large badgermole-created passages and built a permanent residence. Though mostly created using trash, Tin Town has some rather well-constructed parts and a vibrant art community, with murals adorning walls and art pieces created amid and between the shared housing as well as tents. It is home to the poor, refugees, misunderstood artists, and criminals hiding from their past. Its entrance, a hole in a slab of concrete, is adorned with the statement "All Outcasts Welcome".[2] Tin Town illegally taps into Republic City's power grid, providing electricity to its inhabitants. However, the actual amount of energy consumed by the community is tiny.[15]
Despite its marginal position, Tin Town's people are proud and hardy, and have even elected their own mayor, Yulan. The settlement has its own unwritten rules, the most important being "Share food and water", "Don't ask about someone's past", and "Look out for each other". It also adheres to the principles of "communal living, interdependency, and innovation".[2]
Spirit vine roots[]
After the Spirit Wilds emerged in Republic City's downtown, their roots bored deep into the earth beneath. The roots, radiating a strange energy, appear not to function as normal plant roots. Instead, they often move seemingly for some "strange purpose", creating new, maze-like tunnel sections. Most underground residents stay away from the spirit vine roots, unsure about their function and behavior. It is equally unknown how deep the roots extend and where they might lead. The main collection of roots are located near Tin Town, intersecting with the badgermole tunnels.[2]
Tunnel racing tracks[]
The subterranean automobile circuits are the stomping grounds of the illegal racing scene. Set up and maintained by the Badgermole Triad, numerous underground racing tracks are being used. The racers often change their tracks to avoid police raids.[2][3]
Notable residents[]
- Badgermole Triad[18]
- Equalists (elements)
- "Fireball Trio" of Yuka, Saya, and Mayu (non-permanent)[20]
- Jiawei[17]
- Spider Cat Triad (non-permanent)[21]
- Tiger Monkey Triad (non-permanent)[21]
- Yuki[17]
- Yulan[15]
