We Were Magic
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“Even if we don’t understand each other,
that’s not a reason to reject each other.
There are two sides to any argument.
Is there one point of view that has all the answers?
Give it some thought.”
– Alder, Pokemon
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Strengths
Martial Arts
The Art of Kung Fu
Kung Fu, an ancient sport popular in China, has a very long history, during which a variety of skills were created and massively improved. Originated from the hunting and defense needs in the primitive society (over 1.7 million years ago – 21st century BC), it at first only included some basic skills like cleaving, chopping, and stabbing. Later the system of Kung Fu formed and developed mainly as the fighting skills from the Xia Dynasty (21st - 17th century BC) to the Yuan Dynasty (1271 - 1368), and reached its peak during the Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368 - 1911). In modern times, it develops well and becomes not just martial skills or physical movement. It is also a way for keeping fit, entertainment, and performance.
Kung Fu is based upon the study of nature. More often than not, this form of martial arts is broken down into the Main Five, however there are more than twenty different animal styles which can be mastered. The animal which is studies determines the spirit, personality and attitude of the style to depict the animal in question.
Dependent upon the Master, the Main Five may vary from one dojo to another. However, there are four continuously reoccurring animals which can appear from one dojo to the next. The Tiger, the Crane, the Snake, and the Dragon. The Monkey and the Leopard interchange from one master to the next, but either of the two are included among the Main Five. Some dojos may even incorporate the Main Six.
There are also a variety of different weapons which are studied and practiced with in the form of Kung Fu. Including, but not limited to; the sword, the spear, the staff, the chain whip, and the sanjiegun.
Kung Fu is a life style, more so than it is a means of fighting. It is only to be used as a means of defense, and students are highly disciplined. To learn Kung Fu is an honor, not a privilege. Students are expected to display the highest form of respect to their Master, as with all forms of martial arts. When coming to the defense of another, the student may strike when deemed necessary. When defending oneself, the student much first dodge three strikes, or suffer one successful strike before retaliation may occur.
Hikaru has studied and practiced Kung Fu for 26 years. Beginning her Kung Fu journey at the age of 7. Since then, she has reached Nineth degree black belt. It is just as much apart of her every day lifestyle as it is a form a defense.
That being said, along the requirements to acquiring her belt - she has been adeptly trained with a number of different weapons. Although she favors a sword above most other things, Hikaru prefers hand to hand combat.
Hikaru favors the Tiger and Dragon styles, but has also has been taught other animals styles apart from the Main Five. Flexibility, agility, and strength are her strong points; however, due to her training, she can take a hit and bounce right back. Pushing passed pain to overcome obstacles is her forte. Hypothetically speaking, if her knuckles are broken, she will still punch you. You can expect to see characteristics, tactfulness, and usage of all styles of the Main Five.
Training Exercises
The lessons and training schedules that were used to expose Hikaru to a wide variety of varitables. Due to the different methods used when studying different animal styles of Kung Fu, Hikaru has had exposure to much more than simple drill tactics. Below are the explaination of the Main Five which she has practiced.
The Tiger
Exercises to strengthen the bones.
Characteristics: strength, agility; considered one of the two most powerful animals in Chinese astrology
Flavor: aggression, instill fear
Training Exercises: push-ups, sit-ups, calisthenics, sparring
Strategy: The Tiger is a form which is highly dependent upon speed and force. Charging in on the opponent and using an open palm, fingers spread wide and hooked (curled inward, but not touching the palm). The Tiger targets any and all points of the body, most commonly favoring areas most vulnerable to the Tiger's Claw (the tearing technique). The Tiger favors use of the hands, but may also use it's legs. This style requires an agile form, lean muscle, and the ability to quickly trade one stance to another. The name of the game is to quickly overwhelm the opponent, and overpower them with brute force.
The Leopard
Exercises for developing strength, power and speed.
Characteristics: Strength, efficiency, capable of stealth
Flavor: Accuracy, speed
Training Exercises: Striking drills which develop accuracy and precision.
Strategy: The Leopard may, seem as though it would be identical to the Tiger. However, they are incredibly different. The Leopard focuses on accuracy, targeting critical areas of vulnerability; while the Tiger will strike at any point. The Leopard's goal is to inflict pain, and immobilize it's opponent before going in for the theoretical kill. Much like the Tiger, it does use an open palm. Unlike the Tiger, it curls it's fingers completely inward, where the finger tips touch knuckles and knuckles are tightly pressed into each other. This is called the Leopard's Paw. It uses the knuckles to strike at areas of high vulnerability with small, penetrating strikes; such as the temples, soft tissue, neck, and groin.
The Crane
Exercises to strengthen the sinews and promote vitality.
Characteristics: Evasive, graceful, rarely offense oriented, flexibility
Flavor: Balance, accuracy, patience
Training Exersizes: mobility-enhancing drills to develop the ability to maintain distance between oneself and the opponent, weapon oriented drills to maintain distance
Strategy: The Crane is a style which orients mainly upon evasion. The Crane optimizes long weapons, such as the staff, to utilize distance, using the tips of the chosen weapon to strike. The Crane teaches the studend balance, and requires the ability to stand still for long pierced of time. It will strike with it's hands, with the finger tips drawn together. This is called the Crane's Beak. It is not uncommon for the Crane to use it's legs. When striking with the hands, it uses the finger tips. Targeting soft points of the body; such as the eyes, throat, heart, ears, and ribs. The Crane does not require much strength, Leaving the opponent to do the work, tiring themselves out before it goes in to strike.
The Snake
Exercises to cultivate Chi
Characteristics: Agile, accurate, explosive
Flavor: Deception, speed
Training Exercises: Drills to increase explosiveness, which enables one to take the opponent by surprise; exercises that enhance balance and accuracy
Strategy: The Snake is known for it's deception. Using one hand to distract, and strike with the other. The Snake uses one or two fingers to strike. In the case the Snake uses a weapon, it will strike with all fingers. The Snake is trained to have a sharp eye, targeting an opponent's pressure points to inflict pain. The Snake will also strike at the eyes and throat. Fluidity of the body is necessary for this style, requiring flexibility and agility to trade one position for the next. The Snake strikes fast, but is quick to put distance between itself and its opponent after a series of rapid strikes. It will employ intimidation tacts. The snake utilities both the use of hands and legs equally. Sweeping low with the toes at an opponent's legs.
The Dragon
Exercises to cultivate spirit, flexibility, and graceful movements.
Charactistics: Strength, deception, intelligence; considered to be the most powerful animal in Chinese astrology, and the mark of the Emperor.
Flavor: Unpredictability
Training Exercises: Drills to build and optimize explosive power.
Strategy: The Dragon will utilize it's entire body, and it's opponent's, as a weapon. It incorporates traits from the other Four of the Main styles, but attacks with no pattern. It may use soft movements one moment, and snap straight to hard and fierce the next. The Dragon is idolized for it's strength and wit. Seeming completely erratic in it's style, it uses an art meant to confuse and deceive. It strikes with both hands and legs. Using it's hands to distract, while striking or sweeping with it's legs. Or simply it's hands alone, or legs alone. The Dragon requires fluidity, flexibility, aggression, strength, and speed in it's art. It may decide to attack from a distance, or use brute force.
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Tenshi & Kiba
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The Pack
