Post by Zucceta on Jan 6, 2014 18:44:44 GMT
"You see, Akio, once upon a time... oh, two thousand years ago - the Crane School was one of the two elite martial formes. We taught the way of the sky-dance, bukujutsu, or flight - a skill I haven't yet been able to decipher. We also taught the Dodonpa Ray, a technique created with the singular purpose of besting our rival's Kamehameha, the signature of the Turtle School."
"Yes, Shen-sensei. I have managed to master both."
"Ah! But there was one final technique, Callahan, that our old foes resented - and although the divide between our two schools has diminished, and we both where the orange-and-blue of the Turtle now, the Turtle School will still not teach it.
This attack is known as the Kikoho, Energy-Control Cannon, or Tri-Beam. And I will show you why it is forbidden."
Callahan woke to the soft sounds of coastal waves breaking against a cliff-face. Soft blades of green rub against his face and nostrils, tickling the senses. He shifts upright, taking a gulp of salty sea air. He was at peace... or so he told himself. Still he was haunted by memories at night, dreams of the past that were trying to tell him something about his future, or of methods of teaching, he couldn't yet decide. All he knew was, he was not yet ready to become a true 'sensei' to another; he wasn't even an adult yet.
Still, his heart was calm and the view was glorious. Six AM sunlight shimmered on white water spray to cast a rainbow, and the deepest blue of the ocean illuminated with life and spirit. Within those depths existed a multitude of life, a wonder of evolution or God, a kingdom vast and incomprehensible.
Akio Callahan stood atop a white cliff, wind whistling across his bare sculpted body, before he walks forward and step and plunges. The air roars around him for about one and a half seconds and the man smiles before the cold, moist embrace of the sea pulls him in... the deep, black water.
Salt stings his eyes as he adjusts to the lower light levels. His highly keen senses kick in, and he feels movement all around him... the pulse of life reverberating throughout the water.
The pulse of life.
"The Kikoho is fueled not just by the battle-energy other attacks draw upon, but the very life-force of the user, packing it with such energy. But, can you find the inherent flaw in it's usage, student?"
"Hmm... I mean, it would be a lot more powerful in essence to the average ki technique, but... perhaps due to the usage of life energy, it would leave the user drained after repeat attempts?"
"Very good, Callahan. Yes, it drains the user - and if you continue to use it after exhaustion point, you will die. Use this technique wisely... now, allow me to demonstrate."
Deep under the surface of the waves, the young Crane would raise his hands in front of his chest. The tips of his forefingers and thumbs would meet together, the two hands forming a diamond-shape in the dark. Feeling a surge of energy along his arms, and a familiar ache in his veins, the young hybrid would mouth soundlessly, bubbles rising in place of words; "Kikoho."
A flash of golden illuminates the depths, as a surging brilliant blast rips through the water, illuminating the aquatic life around him. Callahan darts into action, shooting through the water and nabbing multiple species of fish, rapping each one once on the side with one hand and swiping them into his bag with the other.
Of course, he needn't have used the Kikoho to see - he could have used the Taiyoken, or Solar Flare. He used the Kikoho to train, to test himself and strengthen his body. It did cause strain, intense strain. A slight trickle of blood from Callahan's nose dances in the water. His lungs were starting to burst, white spots exploding in his vision. He needed to breathe. To breathe. To
Breathing heavily, water trickling down his face, the young master ascends from the water, drips falling from the air as the half-saiyan levitates above the water. His sack was full of fish.
Breakfast, then.
A fire crackles, red flames licking at the sides of blackening meat. Akio sniffs, stomach growling, but despite his hunger he can't help but wonder about that tournament...
(fin)