Tekken Progression – Chapter One
Progression
Intro
A little story about how life could work out for Hwoarang after the iron fist tournament. With nothing left in Korea except troubled memories, our hero shuns his home country for an educational programme in Canada. A lot has changed in the time since the tournament…. But when the announcement of a new fighting tournament arrives, old feelings are ignited. You can take the man from the fight, but not the fight from the man. Lots of original characters.
Starring
Hwoarang, Ling Xiaoyu, Jin Kazama, Heirio Roche, Asuka Kazama. Christie Montierio,
Hwoarang/Xiaoyu pairing. Plus many more
Chapter One – A troublesome child
The sun beat mercilessly down upon Churchill University as the students made their way about their daily business. The early summer heat felt unnaturally hot for Vancouver, however it was very much welcome. Several groups of students basked in the midday sun on the campus lawns, whilst others decided to play some recreational sports on the unused pitches of grass that bordered the University, many of the males shunning shirts for bare skin. Unfortunately for at least one student of the University, the heat wasn't appreciated at this particular moment.
In the confines of a lecture theatre, Hwoarang Doo San clutched at his pen; drawing upon every last word of knowledge he could recall finishing his final exam of his student life. As a third year, now twenty-three years old, the finals marked the end of a long and productive service at Churchill-U. Steadily rolling chewing gum around in his mouth, Hwoarang took an opportunity to lean back in his seat, feeling the vertebrae of his spine click, whilst running both hands through his loose, shoulder length fiery red hair currently held with a head band. Almond shaped deep brown eyes reviewed his answers to the exam paper, coming to the conclusion that he couldn't possibly answer to any more extent. With a feeling of quiet confidence Hwoarang raised his test paper, to be taken away shortly by an exam supervisor.
Feeling the smile creeping across his face, Hwoarang began to make a stride for the theatre door. Outside of the room the world was very bright, causing Hwoarang to squint his eyelids, thinking to him self that the light outside was almost symbolic as it marked the end of working for exams and only the freedom of the summer ahead of him. Of course, his signature aviator sunglasses were in his pocket. Flicking them on, he began to make his way down the stairs of the lecture hall entrance.
Meanwhile down on the centre field of the campus, a particular group of lads were playing heads and volleys in a goal post located close to the main walkway of the university. In full view of the attractive female students, the young men took turns at performing spectacular and skilful shots, topless, at the goal.
One of these students was Hwoarang's good friend and housemate, Heirio Roche.
"Come on son!" Heirio shouted at one of the other players, currently with the football.
Heirio received the pass of the football and in one smooth action, flicked the ball in to the air using his left foot, leaped from the floor performing a gymnastic corkscrew twist and striking the ball with his right foot after rotating a full 360 degrees.
The football screamed through the air in to the top left corner of the goal.
A chorus of praise erupted from the field as Heirio shook his outstretched index finger in classic celebration.
He took this opportunity to take some time out from the game, noticing Hwoarang walking down to join the boys, Heirio jogged over to meet him at the edge of the pitch.
Standing at a modest 6'3, Heirio was a fair mark taller than Hwoarang's 5'11 with brown eyes and short brown hair gelled to spikes that fell across his forehead.
"How's it going man?" Hwoarang greeted his friend.
Heirio paused to catch his breath, raising his eyebrows and nodding his head. As a massive football fan, Heirio is always happy punishing a leather ball.
"Yeah it's all good in the hood." Came his reply, "Exam?"
"Quietly confident" Hwoarang said gesturing a thumbs up.
Both the young men sat down on the grass and stretched out.
They both had athletic figures carved from sports and martial arts however Hwoarang did have the more impressive physic. The long years training in Taekwondo, coupled with countless street fights and more recently, yoga, football, basketball and many other sports had crafted a toned and substantially muscular body. Heirio however was a practitioner of the Brazilian martial art of Capoeria, a talented footballer from birth, and holding a lifelong passion for Athletics, especially high jump and long jump. His natural tall and lean build, shunning muscles for pure technique and maintaining a light body weight for jumping, helped Heirio's performance in these events.
After a few moments of bliss in the sunshine, Hwoarang began,
"Rio, what are you up to this evening?
"Mate, I'm hitting the town with you for the final night out of our university life"
Heirio reached in to the pocket of his faded blue jeans and pulled out a flyer for the local nightclub, 'Dispatcher'. Handing the flyer over to Hwoarang, Heirio continued with a grin,
"It's going to be off the hook"
Hwoarang didn't doubt that it would be a good night, the only concern he had in his mind was that his ex girlfriend would be there, with her new boyfriend.
"I'm not sure" Came Hwoarang's weary reply, placing the flyer on his stomach as he stretched back on to the grass.
"I have training"
Heirio immediately knew what Hwoarang really meant. They had been friends for three years now, and knew pretty much everything there is to know about the way each other acts and thinks with girls.
"Dude, you know you'll be finished by eight, plus this could be our last celebration together for a while!" Heirio began his persuasion.
"Ah okay I guess you've persuaded me." Hwoarang replied, half true, but mainly to keep Heirio happy.
Hwoarang picked himself up off the football field and brushed the loose grass from his white and red knee length surf shorts.
He smiled and said to Heirio "You better make it a good one"
"You know it bro!" Came an enthusiastic reply.
"Right, time for me to hit training"
With that, Hwoarang turned and began the walk down the campus main walkway towards the sports academy.
Groups of students were making their way up and down the driveway in their summer attire. Hwoarang took an opportunity to smile at a particular group of attractive young first year girls.
Receiving some smiles and giggles in reply he paced his way through the academy doors. After changing in to his Taekwondo uniform and a swift run to the main hall, Taekwondo Master Le Van and his son Minh, who was also a good friend of Hwoarang, were getting warmed up and ready for training along with the rest of the fighting team.
Hwoarang had a hard time adjusting to training under any other instructor than Master Baek. But his love for Taekwondo was so deep that he literally couldn't live without training. Luckily the university Taekwondo coach was a great instructor and roll model for Hwoarang.
"Yes Hwo what's going on?" Came an enthusiastic Minh, running over towards Hwoarang. Shaking hands before jumping, twisting 360, throwing two spinning kicks in one smooth action. Hwoarang jumped backwards, in to an elaborate fighting pose, broad smile creeping across his face.
"Up for sparring today then?"
"Of course!"
"Okay you two, line up!" Master Le Van shouted from the front of the class, signifying the start of training. The half Vietnamese, half French master Le Van had been Hwoarang's instructor since he arrived in Canada and had watched the young Korean change dramatically over the years. The unruly, aggressive, arrogant young man was progressively becoming more adult. Hwoarang was becoming more reserved and calm with age, however, he still maintained his cool arrogance. Hwoarang was certain girls found it sexy, though none would openly agree.
"Yes Sir!" The two shouted.
Hwoarang and Minh bowed to each other and ran up to their respective places, as senior students and junior instructors leading the rest of the university team.
An hour later Hwoarang felt like he was ready to give up, muscles shaking and lungs burning as he pushed his body to the limit in training. A tough lesson of kicking pads and sparring drills was proving a challenge for the so-called Korean Taekwondo champion. Master Le Van was never one to make things easy, and these last few minuets of sparring were no exception.
"Okay sudden death. Hwoarang to fight Minh" Came the next orders.
Hwoarang managed a smile as he walked up to centre class, wiped the sweat from his forehead and bowed to show respect to Minh.
"Fight!"
Hwoarang knew Minh's fighting style well. He would attempt to draw a counter attack then lay combinations down to finish his opponent. Hwoarang's style was to take fast shots to score points, frustrate his opponent in to making a careless move then take advantage of his error. This fight would be no different for Hwoarang.
In sudden death, first point wins, so Hwoarang would have to make this fast.
Hwoarang made the first moves, stepping in and out, adjusting his distance, and working the steps to place Minh in awkward positions to counter. He could tell Minh was anxious to make a move due to the way he kept shifting his weight forwards to pounce. But Hwoarang wasn't going to make it easy. Suddenly he fired out a fast right leg roundhouse to Minh's unprotected left side. Minh, with expert timing, performed a jump spinning back kick with his left leg in counter attack. Hwoarang had already anticipated this move and thrust his left arm down to protect his body. He felt his kick connect to Minh's stomach, right as he felt Minh's foot crash in to his guard arm. 'Perfect' Hwoarang thought to him self as Master Le Van shouted stop.
The two bowed to each other as Hwoarang smiled.
"Point, Minh" Came the instructors judgement.
Hwoarang looked confused, but didn't complain. He knew in a fight his technique would have beaten his opponent. Shame it wasn't so obvious to a referee.
'Must work on making that look clean' he thought to himself.
After bowing and shaking hands, it wasn't long before the class was finished. The students all dispersed leaving Hwoarang, Minh and Master Le Van left to talk.
The three would often converse at the end of the training sessions to discuss the students and their own progress.
"You have both improved a lot lately" Began Master Le Van.
"Especially you Hwo, this last year I've seen real changes in the way you kick, fight and conduct yourself in Taekwondo."
"Thank you sir" Hwoarang replied, "But I'm still not sure I'm up to this formal competition fighting"
"Don't worry, that will come in time and experience. Your still young, I promise you that you will have many fights in the future from where you'll learn to settle down and accept that combat is as much a part of your life as the air you breathe."
Minh raised an eyebrow and looked at Hwoarang.
The red haired Korean smiled and said "Alright, Yoda."
Master Le Van laughed,
"Maybe you just need a real test to prove to yourself that you have what it takes. Why don't you take a look at this?"
With that, Master Le Van reached in to his training bag and pulled out what looked like a flyer for a nightclub event.
He handed it over to Hwoarang and upon inspection; he read that it was in fact an invitation to a martial arts tournament. Not just any tournament either, it looked very high profile. Held in the south pacific, entrance was priced at ten thousand American dollars.
"Woah I cant afford this!" Hwoarang exclaimed
"Read more" Master Le Van said.
The flyer read that if you were a successful competitor at national level you could have free entrance. A web address was given to check your status and find out if you qualify for free entry.
"Interesting" Hwoarang, said flatly.
To be honest with himself, this tournament sounded a lot like the King of Iron Fist tournament. An event Hwoarang had no wish to be involved with any more. Why couldn't he just train for the sake of loving Taekwondo without violence engulfing every aspect of his existence? However, as much as he didn't want to fight any more, his muscles were restless and his mind craved a fresh challenge.
"Both you and Minh should enter. Have a look tonight." Le Van said after a few moments.
Minh looked at Hwoarang, who responded with a grin.
"Looks like our summer just got a bit more interesting"