Kai Alias - Shadow Dragon
Real Name - Chen Tien
Birthdate - April 7th 1980
Fighting Style - Unknown
Likes - Chinese chess, annoying people who don't like to be annoyed
Dislikes - Work, crowds, violence, big snarly dogs (he's more of a cat person)
Favorite Food - Meat dumplings, stir-fried dishes (rice in particular), Oreo cookies

Prized Possessions: Sommerswerd
Theme Song - X's opening theme in RockMan X4
 

-CLOTHING / APPEARANCE-

His main attire consists of a black single-piece bodysuit, covering his entire form except for his neck, head, hands and feet. However, the most striking feature about his wear is his armor -- crafted from a silverish-white metal, they protect his shoulders, arms, upper torso, waist and shins, leaving his head, stomach, forearms and upper legs legs open for a balance of defense and mobility. Secured together by special locks, the armor can be disassembled into multiple pieces in a matter of seconds if he wishes. A special gift from the magicians of the Elder Magi, it is imbued with certain protective spells, and is virtually indestructible. A dark brown trenchcoat usually covers his entire body, battle armor and all, when not in combat. Additional wear includes a pair of fingerless gloves, jet-black combat boots and a stainless-steel digital Casio on his right wrist. Attached to his back is a sheath, in which he carries the Sommerswerd, the Sword of the Sun. Woven from strands of pure korlinium, the sheath has the property of locking the sword's magical auras, shielding it from those who do not rely solely on eyesight for detection.

Facial features are largely similar to his younger twin brother, with several exceptions. Despite long years of harsh training in the tropics, usually with little or no cover from the elements, his complexion is oddly untanned. Unusually tall for his body mass, he is nevertheless endowed with a natural muscular build, which is often hidden beneath his clothing. His jet-black hair shaved at the sides and back, the front sweeps across his forehead, long enough to partially conceal a pair of dark brown eyes that, when stared deeply into, reveal maturity and wisdom far beyond his years. That, added to the streaks of silver than run through his hair despite his early age, serves to suggest that he would be a more aged person than he would be in reality. Completing his ensemble would be an amulet crafted from a solid block of platinum that is bound to his neck via a piece of coarse rope, the amulet itself fashioned with the emblem of a dragon set against a blazing sun (his personal Kai insignia).
 

-PERSONALITY-

A somewhat mysterious individual who likes keeping himself to himself. Never staying in one place for long, he mostly uses his teleport and flight spells for transport, and has the habit of appearing and disappearing without rhyme or reason. Don't count on being alone yet; he might be right behind you... and when you think you're sure where he is, you turn to look and he's gone.

Despite this, those who manage to catch him are received cordially. He is well-mannered but brisk and silent, somehow giving the impression that he wishes to be left alone, which he does. Indeed, his mood can make a rapid change for the worse when confined to a small space with too many people (which, thankfully, doesn't happen often), a trait that, when coupled with his silent demeanor, has the effect of unnerving many around him and thus branding him as an anti-social individual, a claim which would be relatively true. His outward behaviour would serve to perfectly conceal his equally complex psychology. Cunning and brilliant to the extreme, he is never one to allow personal sentiments override rational thinking. Albeit relatively easy to piss off, anger is an alien emotion to him. Capable of terrifying rage, but slow to anger, his rage often comes at a high price when unleashed.

Constantly keeping a watchful eye on his fellow allies while hidden behind the scenes, he is content to let them deal with the forces of darkness on their own, though he will often quietly do them a small favor or two in the background without their knowledge. Only when he feels that they are overwhelmed or when he sees an interesting adversary will he appear and lend a helping hand. On the whole, the appearance he projects is one of a neutral character, willing to fight for either side if it suits his intents and purposes, but in truth he is wholly dedicated to the cause of Good, battling evil with sometimes an unnatural ferocity. However, cheesily heroic people seem to have a tendency of getting on his nerves, a fact which he does not care to hide.

Close friends, on the other side, see a vastly different side of him. Although still being a loner who refuses to talk any more than necessary, he is equipped with what could be called a weird sense of humor with special interest in playing tricks on others, and can be a very good sport in almost any situation. He is also somewhat of an optimist. But as can be predicted, his friends are few. Socializing with others is not something he is known for, and his enigmatic habits don't help much either. He does have his companions, though; Dan, Chun-Li, Guy (he once trained under them for short periods of time to learn their respective martial arts), his younger brother as well as several demigods on the Plane of Light. The spirit of Lone Wolf, the Kai Supreme Master who fell at Magnamund, also appears to him from time to time, offering him bits of advice about his own powers as a Kai warrior and information about Naar's forces, which he almost always finds invaluable. Painfully aware that he, the Nine Essences and all those around him are merely pawns in the proverbial game of chess waged between the forces of Order and Chaos, he spends much of his time in solitary study of the ancient texts of his legendary warrior-race, seeking to unravel the greater mysteries of the dimensions, his own powers and self, and most of all, the purposes he would serve in this time and place...
 

-FIGHTING STYLE-

A combination of Saikyo-ryuu, Bushido, Chinese Wushu and Kai Weaponmastery (the original style utilized by the Kai Masters of Magnamund) which he managed, with some degree of success, to blend into a single fighting style. He alone is probably the only one in the known universe familiar with the style, so it may offer him a slight advantage in combat. It should be said that he is not entirely human, since his skeletal and muscular structures differ from a normal person, the result of mastering the Kai Discipline of Huntmastery. As of such, he is quicker, stronger and more agile than average, and quite possibly more than a human could ever manage to attain. He believes in directing the flow of battle instead of being directed, and hence his style focuses largely on the offensive, only embracing the defensive stance in certain cases which he sees fit. Battle stance is taken with one hand held in front of his face and the other slightly below the chest, enabling him to quickly switch between the offensive and defensive posture. He can be a very variable character on the battlefield. His strengh and speed are superhuman, which is also true of his combat prowess and power. As a Kai Master, his training of Kai Weaponmastery enables him to wield any close-combat or ranged weapon with deadly efficiency. Magical, psychic and elemental attacks can be negated using the same forms of energy, or at least resisted to a degree. And on top of all that, he can take massive amounts of punishment, thanks to his battle armor and Kai Disciplines, and return the favor equally well. He combines these factors, then formulates a tactic most effective against the opponent's fighting strategy.

He seeks to conceal his true level of skill if possible, and rarely, if ever, fights with his full strengh. Added to his natural revulsion for unnecessary violence, he thusly does not take fighting seriously when among friends or people who are not enemies, and is often defeated, even though he may be the better of the two. However, this nonchalent attitude is quickly changed when he faces up to evil, where he can be counted upon to combat the minions of Darkness with frightening savagery and honor.

Although he can -- and, if circumstances require, will -- draw upon his magical and psionic abilities in the battlefield, such measures are usually avoided if possible until absolutely necessary. This also holds true for the Sommerswerd, but there are exceptions to this rule...
 

-SPECIAL MOVES-

Zero Blast - Shadow Dragon will charge back his right palm for a split-second, then thrusts it forward, projecting a large cylindrical energy bolt towards his opponent that can smash its way through most normal projectiles, leaving a trail of glowing energy sparks in its wake. Although relatively fast, it's distinguishing aspect is power; the Zero Blast attack is powerful enough to pack a recoil even to the Kai Master himself, who skids back a centimetre or two upon unleashing the attack. To successfully evade the attack, one must jump early, given the size of the fireball. Knockdown upon contact with the opponent.

Zankuu Zero Blast - Aerial version of the Zero Blast. Essentially identical to the Zero Blast, but after throwing the first blast, Shadow Dragon will fire a second one, a few degrees higher than the last, with each projectile inflicting about as much damage as a normal Zero Blast. Excellent combo setter. Shadow Dragon can Air Dash after this technique, if he so chooses.

Dragon Surge - Preceded by a crouch, Shadow Dragon will perform an upward vault with one leg outstretched, a line of blue flames trailing in its wake. If the opponent is within range, they will be sent flying directly upwards into the air, and Shadow Dragon follows their ascent by launching himself after them, upside down with his leg still outstretched as he impales his opponent with a vertical rotating kick (pretty much like the reverse of Ken's Shinryuuken). After about 9-10 hits, he switches to the other foot, kicking the opponent back towards the ground as he uses the force of the kick to flip himself back the right way up and lands on his feet. While wielding decent priority against other attacks, Shadow Dragon enjoys a brief window of invincibility as he gathers his energies for this technique, allowing him to smash right through his opponent's countermove if correctly timed. If the vaulting kick misses or is blocked, he will not execute the rest, giving his opponent a brief opportunity to punish him as he descends.

Quake Blazer - A forward rushing attack where Shadow Dragon levitates a few inches off the ground, both hands clenched into fists as they ignite into small spheres of blue fire. He then dashes towards the opponent, unleashing a series of kicks in conjunction with fiery blue flames very much similar to Guy's Bushin Gouraikyaku SC, but weaker in comparison. As the technique nears completion, he performs a somersaulting kick which sends the opponent slightly airborne, then immediately dashes after them with a reverse elbow lunge to the gut, Houzantou-style and charged with a considerable amount of ki that delivers an extremely powerful hit, sending the opponent off to the far end of the battlefield. Immediately after the final hit connects, Shadow Dragon will disappear from view with his Shadow Recall spell, reappearing several feet away from the fallen opponent. If he wishes, Shadow Dragon can end the technique with the following two variations...

... Blazer Sword - Teleporting to right before his opponent, Shadow Dragon instantly energizes his right arm into a glowing sword-like saber weapon, silverish blue in color. Unleashing a weak upward strike to keep the opponent airborne, multiple slashes are then landed in rapid succession in the style of an 'X', energy sparks trailing the path of Shadow Dragon's weapon. With the final blow struck in a wide arc at an angle designed to fling the opponent horizontally outwards, the saber is transformed from a slim blade to a massive sword that Shadow Dragon thrusts forward at five points of the human body, the weapon lengthening itself to meet the opponent and deliver five critical stabs at the shoulders, thigh and chest, with the weapon impaling itself through the opponent on the last stab before dissipating. A brutal technique designed to instantly disable the opponent, it becomes potentially fatal should Shadow Dragon deign it necessary, thus it is rather unusual to see it executed during a match.

... Blazer Nova - A self-designed variation of Zangief's Final Atomic Buster combined with Guy's Bushin Hassouken. Again teleporting close to his opponent, an vertical knee strike to the gut is unleashed that sends the opponent flying upwards for a considerable distance as Shadow Dragon rises as well, delivering a blinding array of knees and elbows towards the helpless opponent. Reaching the peak of their ascent, one last strike is unleashed at the solar plexus to raise the opponent slightly above him, whereas he proceeds to grab them in a deadlock as both fighters streak back towards the earth in a blur of speed, only to have Shadow Dragon forcefully powerbomb them into the unyielding ground, head-first and immersed in blue flames. With a final elbow slam to the throat for good measure, Shadow Dragon rolls back and away from the fallen opponent, then gets back into battle stance.

Shadow Blade - Drawing a foot back, Shadow Dragon grins, then gives a yell as he dives down towards his opponent at a sharp angle, his now-outstretched foot glowing with a dark blue energy aura. This move must be blocked high. Although Shadow Dragon will pause for an instant before he initiates this move, lag time at the end is virtually zero, allowing him to attack again immediately after this technique. Although speed of travel and hit priority are relatively high, he CAN be interrupted by a well-timed attack.

Shadow Matrix - A defensive maneuver, this technique utilizes its user's ki to summon an impregnable energy barrier. A fully energy-based technique that can be executed from pure thought alone, Shadow Dragon displays no outward indications as three spheres of energy materialize, then instantaneously dissipate in size and orbits around the Kai Master as electrons would orbit an atom, leaving trails of thin blue energy in their wake and bringing into existence an invisible globular energy shield. While the existence of the shield is temporary, it serves to negate all forms of attack (with any possible additional effects) directed towards the Kai Master, regardless of its nature being physical, energy-based or magical, effectively rendering Shadow Dragon invincible to damage for a short period of time. As an additional benefit, the shield is capable of granting Shadow Dragon temporary "Hyper Armor" status, allowing him to ignore the stunning effects of enemy attacks and proceed with his own counter-assault. Shadow Dragon is capable of executing all other moves, attacks, throws and techniques per normal, but Hyper Combo techniques will be disabled.

Hurricane Fang - This technique can only be executed while dashing. Shadow Dragon merely swings an arm diagonally upwards, generating an azure energy whiplash that momentarily stuns the opponent and sends them skidding back a few feet. Using this technique ends the dash immediately. Can also be used to disperse energy projectiles. Since this can be used ONLY while Dashing / Air Dashing forward, and is also perhaps Shadow Dragon's weakest technique, it is mostly used in hit-and-run tactics or as an occasional surprise. It should be noted that only the energy whiplash, and not Shadow Dragon himself, will make contact with the opponent, allowing the Kai Master to use this technique against slower, close-range fighters with minimal threat of retaliation.

Triangle Leap - Identical to ShockWave's version. Shadow Dragon flips backwards against any stationary object, then leaps forward. He can also stay stationary on the said object for a while if he chooses, to correct any possible errors in timing.

Shadow Wing / Shadow Recall - Spells of the Elder Magi which grants Shadow Dragon the ability to levitate or teleport, both being pretty much self-explanatory. If he chooses to teleport, he will simply disappear in a small flash of energy and warps back into focus in the same manner. It is possible for him to teleport from and to anywhere he wishes, with a slight lag upon reappearing. While not limited by physical distance, using it for inter-dimensional teleporting is highly unstable and unreliable. Both these techniques are mostly used as means of transportation and are rarely deployed for combat purposes, unless the opponent does so first...

* Owing to his Kai Discipline of Deliverance, Shadow Dragon can heal himself at a steady rate if injured in combat. A passive skill, it is one of his innate abilities, and hence does not require to be activated; its effects, however, can be readily seen whenever Shadow Dragon's health falls below the maximum level.
 

-HYPER COMBO MOVES-

Zero Blaze - Shadow Dragon crouches slightly as he draws back both hands to his waist, swirls of ki energy collecting at the fist as a hue of silver-blue light gathers around the outline of his form. Multiple thin streams of silver-blue energy radiate wildly from his palms, their source being an energy sphere of the same color that Shadow Dragon cradles in his hands. As soon as enough energy is gathered, the streams fluctuate, then gather themselves into one massive energy source as Shadow Dragon then thrusts both cupped palms forward, only to release a huge laser-like beam of energy, 7-8 feet in diameter, that screams through the air towards the opponent. If it misses, the beam will be ended immediately to prevent further waste of
energy and guard against possible counter-attacks; but if not, the attack will be kept up for a good 8 seconds, draining a considerable amount of energy from the opponent as well as setting them on blue flames. Can catch airborne opponents if timed properly. Like the Zero Blast, Shadow Dragon will experience a slight recoil upon firing the beam. Can be done in mid-air as well.

Zero Storm - A variation of one of Man Sei's techniques, adapted for his own use after battling the said fighter. Placing himself in mid-air, Shadow Dragon grins as both his palms glow with a bright blue light, then sends a hailstorm of energy projectiles down towards the earth -- and his opponent -- at every angle and direction possible. Upon hitting the ground, the fireballs will explode into multiple shards, further damaging the opponent with their residue energy. This HC is capable of killing the opponent outright if enough fireballs connect. However, Shadow Dragon will be pushed back into the air for a considerable distance by the force of the blasts, leaving him an easy target should the opponent manage to block the technique.

Blazer Mirage - Thrusting a clawed palm skywards, Shadow Dragon looks down at the earth as swirls of energy materialize in thin wisps that encircle the length of his body, followed by his entire form erupting itself into streams of energy that manifests itself as silver-blue 'electricity' that crackles fiercely. As soon as the amount of required energy is gathered, Shadow Dragon clenches his fist, followed by a rapid dash towards the opponent in a blur of speed, leaving multiple after-images following his path of movement. A few inches away from contact, 4 entities, identical in appearance with Shadow Dragon teleport into existence, the five of them rushing towards the opponent in a shape of a pentagon as all five fighters deliver multiple unseen strikes on the critical pressure points on the human body in rapid succession,
placing a considerable amount of passive energy charges on the said points in the process, the entire duration of the technique executed with such speed that only a flash of blue is visible. As soon as the attacks are completed, the four entities disappear, revealing the true Shadow Dragon reappearing with a small flash of light with his head bowed, facing away from the opponent. It is exactly at this point that the passive energy placed on the opponent will explode in violent bursts, dark blue in color as the final hit sends the opponent off his/her feet. A fairly damaging technique by any standard, the Blazer Mirage is Shadow Dragon's sole unblockable technique, owing to the multi-directional assault on the opponent. While he remains vulnerable during the first few milliseconds as the necessary amount of energy is collected, he
becomes fully invincible once that point passes.

Dragon Hunter - Another adapted technique, this time from the Shotokan warrior, Ken Masters. After a split-second of channeling ki energy to his right fist, Shadow Dragon crouches, then rises with a fiery uppercut, setting the opponent on blue flames upon contact. As the opponent is sent flying through the air, he immediately doubles back, positioning himself directly below his opponent before letting loose a vertical revolving punch, summoning forth a huge column of energy that completely engulfs both fighters, which has the effect of pummeling the opponent for more hits alongside the uppercut and keeping them suspended in the air for several seconds after Shadow Dragon descends. The gathering of energy at the start of this move renders Shadow Dragon totally invincible for a brief period, but if this technique misses or is blocked, the opponent is given a good chance to counter as he descends.

Scion-Kai - Crossing both forearms before him, Shadow Dragon proceeds to summon an aura of blue flames around him as he screams and lunges forward at his opponent, his entire self transforming into a blur of speed as a fury of kicks and punches are released on the opponent, followed by a backflip with one leg outstretched in a rising kick that sends the opponent airborne, and, an instant later, a vertical rotating kick (his Dragon Surge technique). However, instead of dropping back onto the ground, the Kai Master follows through with his ascent, placing himself high above his falling opponent, then thrusts both open palms downwards as the second portion of this technique is intiated.

With a faintly-visible energy halo as he collects his energies for a second time, swirls of blue energy encircle the Kai Master, quickly coalescing to form a violent vortex of ever-expanding energy that radiates outward from the Kai Master. As the opponent nears the ground, the gathered energy is, with breathtaking swiftness, transformed into a massive column that streaks downwards in a vertical line from Shadow Dragon towards the enemy, who is then caught in the centre of this destructive maelstrom that appears to manifest not from Shadow Dragon, but the very heavens itself. Multiple hits are rained upon the opponent, the continuous impacts keeping them airborne for the entire duration of the column, an effect similar to the Dragon Hunter technique, but far surpassing it in terms of power. As the final remnants of its energy is expended and the column narrows into dissipation, Shadow Dragon rushes downwards after the opponent, then turns them face-down as he grabs them by the back of their throat as dark blue sparks trail from his hand. An instant before both fighters impact the ground, Shadow Dragon releases the opponent while slashing his hand in a wide arc, executing a weak Hurricane Fang technique to deliver additional force to the opponent as he teleports away, reappearing several feet away from the opponent after a few seconds.

It should be said that if the first part of the technique is blocked or misses, Shadow Dragon will end after the somersaulting kick is executed. The drawbacks are then twofold; the most damaging part will not occur, and Shadow Dragon himself will be left vulnerable as he descends. Along with the Kai Supreme Master technique, the Scion-Kai is one of the most destructive moves in Shadow Dragon's arsenal, capable of annihilating large areas of surrounding terrain should it ever be unleashed. With the possibility of damaging any nearby objects or allies, the potential of instantly killing the opponent, the extremely intense drain of psyche and the risks involved should he bungle up the maneuver, the Scion-Kai technique is normally only used as a final "to-hell-with-it" last resort move.

Kai Supreme Master - ???
 

-THROWS-
 

Izuna Drop - Reaches out, grabs the opponent and heaves them over in a standard shoulder toss, but instead of releasing his grip and throwing them away, Shadow Dragon slams them back on the ground with an elbow smash aimed at their throat. He rolls back away when he finishes. If the opponent manages to Tech.Hit, he will release them as he performs the shoulder throw.

Energy Grasp - Magical spell. He places an open palm on the opponent while reciting an incantation under his breath, and proceeds to release a potent energy charge directly into their body, the blast illuminating the area around the two fighters with a blinding white light for a few brief seconds. It then quickly clears, only to reveal the baddie being flung downwards at -- and bouncing off -- the ground at an angle. With proper timing, this spell can be used to break free from the opponent's throws, or moves / SCs which involve Shadow Dragon being grabbed. Upon a successful Tech.Hit, the opponent will be pushed away by a reverse palm strike.

Kuuchuu Energy Grasp - Aerial version of the Energy Grasp. Same principle as with the Energy Grasp, but the blast flings them vertically downwards as Shadow Dragon uses the momentum to perform a mid-air backflip, landing a few feet away from his opponent. Like its ground-based version, it can also be used to shake off air throws, or moves / SCs which involve him being grabbed while in the air. If the opponent Tech.Hits successfully, he will simply grab and push his opponent downwards without the energy blast.
 

-KAI DISCIPLINES-

A major advantage that Kai Masters have over ordinary fighters are the Kai Disciplines, extraordinary natural skills that the Kai warriors are born with. Special training is required to awaken the hidden abilities within a Kai Master, and without the talent, it is impossible for one to learn the Kai Disciplines. SD currently holds the rank of Kai Grand Master, which means he has mastered all 11 Kai Disciplines. A brief summary of his skills is given below.

Weaponmastery : Even as young initiates, Kai Masters are tutored in the ways of weapon usage, enabling them to fight armed combats with deadly efficiency. This 'basic' training enforces the necessary strengh and skill to use every hand combat and ranged weapon, including swords, staves, axes, maces, polearms, spears and bows, among others. As a Kai Master advances in rank, he also gains the ability to infuse his very spirit to his weapon, as well as gain the instinctive knowledge to sense any nearby weapons, even if concealed from sight.

Animal Control : This Discipline allows a Kai Master to tie the primal link between the minds of humans and animals. As of such, they are able to understand the intents of creatures and communicate with them, albeit with certain limitations. With further training, Kai Masters can learn block an animal's sense of taste and smell to repel any hostile creature intending to harm him. As a Kai Master approaches the rank of Kai Grand Master, he gains the ultimate tier of this skill; the ability to mentally control the minds non-sentient creatures, bending them to his will to do his bidding.

Deliverance : One of the most powerful skills in the arsenal of a Kai Master, this Discipline enables him to accelerate the regeneration of own body tissue to a miraculously rapid pace, dramatically reducing the time required to heal wounds to such an extent that self-healing is possible even whilst raging combat. Kai Masters also enjoy a huge boost to their natural immunization defenses, making them invulnerable to most toxins, venoms, poisons and hostile biological matter that they come into contact with. As higher ranks of Kai study are reached, Kai Masters gain the ultimate in healing abilities -- to regenerate their own lost body parts, whether external or internal, over time. Kai Masters can also apply this Discipline to heal others, albeit with somewhat reduced results.

Assimilance : One of the more difficult, and thus disfavored Disciplines, mastery of this skill enables Kai Masters to utilize advanced camouflage techniques to great effect, allowing them to become virtually invisible even in wide, open landscapes. They are able to partially 'blend' into their surroundings, as well as completely masking their natural body heat, scent and sounds (heartbeats, breathing etc) for temporary periods of time to escape detection. Though incapable of becoming totally invisible, such measures render it extremely difficult for enemies to locate a Kai Master 'cloaked' as such. Upon reaching higher levels of learning, Kai Masters can affect abrupt changes to their physical features for limited periods, at the cost of intense drain of mana. However, such tactics have proven effective for Kai Masters of the past to sneak through enemy lines and fortifications by masquerading as one of their fell kin.

Huntmastery : Alterations to the skeletal and muscular system come with the mastery of this Discipline. Along with ultra-keen senses, Kai Masters benefit from superhuman agility, stealth and strengh, enabling them to perform seemingly impossible physical feats, including running at speeds excess of 60mph, outlifting an ant on the same scale and leaping 30 times their own height, among others. Kai Masters are also able to magnify their eyesight at will and see infra-red images, granting them vision even in total darkness. Above all, this Discipline ensures a Kai Master will never starve in the wild, for he can hunt for his own food effectively.

Pathsmanship : Also a relatively difficult Discipline to master, the Discipline of Pathsmanship bears the basics of tracking skills as well as survival in dense flora and fauna. Early on, Kai Masters learn to identify various paths, tracks and footprints in the wild, as well as be able to hunt down the creature who left it. As he progresses through this skill, he gains an intuitive attunement to his surroundings. He is then gifted with the passive ability of knowing the four compass points, intuitive knowledge of impending enemy ambush for up to a distance of 500 yards, to converse all types of terrain without leaving behind any tracks as well as to read and understand strange foreign signs, symbols and languages, even though he may never have seen them in the past. When this facility is fully attained, Kai Masters gain the ability to become one with their surroundings, capable of manipulating nearby vegetation and organic plant matter to their personal whims.

Psionic Surge : Undoubtedly one of the most deadly skills available to the Kai Master, the Discipline of Psionic Surge enables Kai Masters to focus their psychic energies into a single destructive bolt that is launched at the enemy's mental core, short-circuiting their mindforces with devastating effect. Often powerful enough to destroy the target's soul and result in death in a single blast, the power of this Discipline will constantly increase as a Kai Master advances in rank. Kai Masters are also able to control the force of their blasts to achieve various effects, including -- but not limited to -- mindreading, brainwash and hypnosis. Using this Discipline, Kai Masters can also destroy physical objects by using their mental powers to start off a chain reaction of irreversible, destructive vibrations within the said object that often results in a violent explosion. Complete mastery over this Discipline is reached when the Kai Master learns to summon the Kai-Ray, a laser-like beam of mental energy of such intensity that it is capable of penetrating all but the most secure of mental barriers, proceeding to rip apart the minds of its targets with devastating effect.

Psionic Screen : The second of the four psychic Disciplines, mastery of this skill imbues Kai Masters with the ability to construct a powerful mental sanctuary, a psionic stronghold capable of protecting them from psychic attacks. Construction of this psychic fortress requires no thought or concentration, but will occur instantly whenever a Kai Master is subjected to psionic assault. With this Discipline, Kai Masters are also able to defend themselves against hypnosis, evil spirits, hostile telepathy, illusions, mind reapers, mind locks, energy stealers and other supernatural entities and/or attacks. As a Kai Master furthers his training of this Discipline, he gains the ability to control and re-channel hostile psionic energy ranged against him in order to achieve various effects, including absorbing the attack to boost his own psychic shield, direct it to another target in vicinity or reflect it back towards his assailant. The effectiveness of this Discipline will constantly increase as a Kai Master advances in rank.

Nexus : Using pure force of will alone, Kai Masters can extend normal human endurance capacities to astounding levels. The most basic ability of this skill is manipulation of physical objects with the power of the mind, or more commonly known as the ability of telekinesis. As Kai Masters advance in rank, they gain natural immunities towards flames, toxic and/or corrosive gases and liquids, extremes of temperature, radioactive material and other hazardous matter, and are able to withstand contact with such matter for more than an hour in duration as well as survive for extended periods of time (up to 8 hours) without any oxygen. While able to completely disregard the short-term effects of these harmful materials, a Kai Master should endeavor to escape nevertheless, as prolonged exposure will still cause them damage as with normal humans.

Telegnosis : With this Discipline mastered, Kai Masters become a 'seer' or sorts, as they finally gain the highest level of psychic learning and gain a natural sixth sense when they elevate upon a higher level of existence. They are able to readily sense imminent danger, detect invisible or hidden enemies, identify strange magical beings or artifacts and communicate telepathically amongst sentient creatures, among other abilities. As he progresses, Kai Masters learn to attune themselves to 'psychic residues' of great events, and thus read them even though they may have happened in the far past, or will happen in millenia yet to come. A Kai Master is said to have completely mastered this skill when he gains the ability to Spirit-Walk; to be able to command his spirit to leave his corporeal body for short periods of time. However, while a Kai Master is Spirit-Walking, the destruction of his physical body will cause his spirit to cease to exist and vice versa, making it crucial for them to properly guard or hide themselves before initiating a Spirit-Walk ritual.

Elementalism : Mastery of this Discipline allows Kai Masters unrivalled control over the elements of nature. With the ability to wield the basic four elements, or combinations thereof, a Kai Master is able to detach, affix, increase, concentrate, intensify, remove, accelerate, destroy or otherwise manipulate matter to achieve specific purposes to usually create tactical advantages for himself and his allies in combat. While initially able to only control matter, higher levels of Kai mastery enables Kai Masters to create such elements from thin air out of pure will. The pinnacle of this skill is attained when a Kai Master gains the ability of weather manipulation, allowing them to rain potentially devastating elemental showers upon their enemies, such as Blizzard, Meteor Storm and Thunder Strike.
 

-OLD KINGDOM MAGIC-

During the brief period when Shadow Dragon was on Magnamund, he was tutored by the native Vakeros warriors in the ways of battle magic. As of such, Shadow Dragon has managed to master a few spells, including Lightning Hand, Breathe Water, Counterspell, Silence, Mind Charm, Sense Illusion etc, but spells, as a personal principle, are rarely, if ever, used in matches. It should be stated that all his magical spells are meant for combat, which means he is not a true magic user in the conventional sense.
 

-FIRST ROUND ANIMATION-

- Teleports onto the battlefield while levitating in mid-air, forearms crossed before him as he glows with a faint blue aura which quickly dissipates. He then touches down, gives the opponent a brief glance, then gets into battle stance.

- Teleporting into focus, he proceeds to ignore his opponent as an energy blade is formed in his hand, whereas he takes a few practise swings. The sword disappears smoothly into nothingness as soon as the fight starts, followed by Shadow Dragon entering battle stance.

Dan - Performs a jackknife flip onstage, arm held in flexing position as he descends and yells "Oshaa!!" in perfect unison with Dan, then steps back half a pace as he gives his former sensei a respectful bow.

Chun-Li / Guy - Grins as he steps up, giving them a respectful bow before hopping back and embracing a Wushu or Bushin-ryuu stance respectively with an expectant grin.

Locke Koh - Appears in a blur of speed from behind Locke, then smilingly brandishes a pistol as Locke searches in bewilderment for his weapon. He spins the weapon around his index finger for a few seconds, then tosses it back at its rightful owner while smirking at Locke's retort.

ShockWave - Both grin as they high five each other, then leaps back in combat stance, with Shadow Dragon quipping "Watch your back, bro."
 

-VICTORY POSES-

- His pendant throbs with a warm yellowish light as he reaches for his chest and holds it in his fist. The glow spreads through his entire body as he looks up towards the heavens. After several seconds the glow fades, followed by Shadow Dragon teleporting away.

- He holds a clenched fist before him, proceeding to ignite it in blood-red fire which burns fiercely. Thin wispy lines of flame of the same color gather in the background, drawing in thin air the symbol of a dragon set against a blazing sun as Shadow Dragon teleports away. The silhouette fades a few seconds after he leaves.

Dan / Guy / Chun-Li - A look of surprise adorns his face, quickly replaced by a wry smile as he steps forward and attempts to heal their wounds.

Evil Opponents - Grasping the Sommerswerd tightly with both hands, he stabs it onto the ground, causing a violent surge of holy energy, gold in color to radiate intensely from the blade as he gazes at it, then raises his head to look at his opponent with a hardened expression on his face.

Locke Koh - Half-crouches, then flaps his arms around while making a gobbling noise in the imitation of a turkey.

ShockWave - Offers him a hand.
 

-VICTORY POSES-

- "Train harder, my friend... the world might need it someday..."
- "Were you born worthless, or did you have to work at it?"
- "All power, no skill... pathetic."
- "I always hate it when the negotiations go south..."

Evil Opponents - "Worthless... is this all the Dark God bestowed of you?"

ShockWave - "Been slacking, haven't you?"
 

TAUNT - With arms folded on his chest, he stares at his opponent for several seconds, then shakes his head with a sigh.