Air Ninjas

Air Ninjas, occasionally known to the few aware of their existence as Wind Warriors (風の戦士), Wind Ninjas or rarely Storming Shinobis are a group of Ninjas and practitioners of the art of Windjitsu, led by the Air Sensei. Shrouded in mystery since the early days of their founding, few are aware of the the Air Ninjas' existence, as the ninjas tend to favour secrecy and isolationism, preferring to live within their own society distanced from others. This has lead the ninja community as a whole to forget about the Air Ninjas' existence, with what little that was already known of them reduced to mere rumours over time.

The ninjas all train and compete within the Air Dojo, a secret location rumored by some to be located on floating islands that are kept afloat by the power of the Pectosphere. The ninjas are often characterized by their traditional white and yellow clothing and their use of wind-related objects, typically hand-held fans, kites and occasionally hang-gliders.

History
The Air Ninjas were founded around the late 1880s, during the times of the High Penguin Confederacy. At the time, they were only a small group of ninjas who didn't have a leader and had rather limited knowledge of ninja fighting skills and styles when compared with other ninja communities. Eventually, the ninjas stumbled upon an old dojo, contained scrolls and scripts believed to have been written by The Three Masters. Though most of them were destroyed, a specific group of scripts described mysterious fighting styles and techniques unheard of to the ninjas that "used the power of the wind to one's will". Incredibly interested in this, the ninjas returned to share this newfound knowledge with the rest of the group, calling it Windjitsu. The ninjas were soon able to command and manipulate air, while some were even able to fly using their abilities.

The group eventually grew into a reasonably large-sized clan, as more ninjas joined, intrigued by the ability to control air and even created their own uniform. The clan then decided to elect someone to be the Sensei, and chose the ninja who was the wisest and had mastered the art best to be Air Sensei. The Air Ninjas continued to grow and thrive until the beginning of the Khanzem War. Khanzem soldiers began invading the High Penguin Confederacy, and eventually came to the forest where the ninjas' were based, looking for High Penguins. Not wanting to give up their High Penguin ninjas to Khanzem, the Air Ninjas ambushed and fended off the soldiers, who soon retreated. The ninjas then proceeded to quickly evacuate and take down their village, leaving no trace in case the soldiers returned. They then set off in search of a location mentioned in the old Windjitsu scripts and found an archipelago of floating islands over the sea. Its strong connection to the Pectosphere, which kept it floating above sea level, was discovered by the Air Sensei who used it to their advantage and created a cluster of thick, permanent clouds to conceal the islands.

The ninjas then began the construction of a dojo and bridges to connect the islands together. These islands became their new home, with the ninjas setting up farms and more infrastructure across the islands. The Air Sensei then continued to train the ninjas, often teaching several students individually in order to ensure their mastery of Windjitsu. The first Air Sensei, having grown incredibly old, stepped down from his position in 1930, later passing away in 1933 at age 83. He was succeeded by one of his best students as Air Sensei, creating the tradition of handing down the position of Sensei to the best student. This student would continue to function as Sensei until the ripe old age of 97, naming a student called Boreas Tuphon as his successor following his death.

This third Air Sensei, Boreas, would continue to enforce much of the prior traditions that had been established by his elders, ensuring the secrecy and isolation of the Air Ninjas from much of the outside world, save for the many spies and espionage ninjas that would roam Antarctica, keeping tabs on other ninjas and expanding their knowledge of current events. The Air Sensei would have to deal with a number of Air Ninjas becoming tired of living secluded from the rest of the continent, especially with the advent of newer and better technology as well as the return of Card-Jitsu in 2008. The Air Sensei also concentrated heavily on his niece's abilites as a ninja, having been entrusted to raise her following the disappearance of her father. One of their members Crimson, a spy and a student of exceptional skill in Windjitsu, would later abandon the Air Ninjas, fleeing to mainland Antarctica to fulfill his own goals, prompting a number of Air Ninja spies, including Denise, to attempt to locate him. In an effort to aid their search, Denise brought Falco to the Floating Islands, where they were followed by Falco's teammates, Pop Cat and Ninja O'Dark, bringing the Air Ninjas the first outsiders to the islands. The Air Sensei would eventually be convinced to help the ninjas defeat Crimson, taking a team of Air Ninjas to Nightlife City during the battle against Crimson and the Ninja Syndicate.

The Floating Islands
The ninjas live and train on the Floating Islands, small clumps and chunks of land connected by bridges and imbued with the Pectosphere's power, keeping them afloat at cloud level. Hovering high above the sea, the islands are also where the ninjas' dojo is located, where the Air Sensei also resides and trains students daily.

Most of the islands are covered in grass, vegetation and even a few trees while others (mostly stray chunks of floating rock) are either snow-capped or barren. Grassy islands are often used for farms and buildings while bare, rocky islands are normally left untouched.

To keep outsiders from noticing or entering, the ninjas used the powerful Pectospheric connection to conjure large stormy clouds that permanently surround the island. These clouds create powerful, cyclone-like winds which planes and other aircraft always tend to avoid when passing by. The Air Ninjas are capable of traversing these clouds to get in and out, as their knowledge and influence over air allows them to do so.

Surprisingly, hardly anyone falls off the islands as the ninjas are all capable of air manipulation and can easily propel themselves upwards without too much difficulty. Otherwise, the protective vortex the surrounds the islands usually gently pushes victims back up towards the islands.

Windjitsu
Air Ninjas are the only known group of ninjas who are able to control the element of Air, and other air-related aspects through the art known as Windjitsu. Despite utilizing the power of the Pectosphere, Windjitsu is a completely different martial art form than that of the to Card-Jitsu games, meaning that air itself does not count as a proper element of Card-Jitsu.

Though it was somewhat uncommon within the ninja community prior to the Khanzem War, Windjitsu was still practised by other ninjas. But due to the isolation and presumed disappearance of the Air Ninjas, the art of Windjitsu is virtually non-existent to outsiders and has been reduced to mere rumours and myths known only by the oldest of ninjas.

Rather than using weapons like cards, shurikens or blades like most ninjas, the Air Ninjas instead prefer to use special hand-held fans typically crafted out of bamboo to channel their power. While some ninjas are confident or skilled enough to not use fans, the item is a more preferable weapon for its accuracy and is able to draw power more easily.

Using Windjitsu, the Air Ninjas can manipulate the wind and air of both indoor and outdoor environments, the latter of which can only be manipulated to a certain extent, depending on their skill. Most experienced air ninjas can fly using Windjitsu, while newer or less experienced learners have much trouble doing this, and often result to using bronze puffles as guides. Like the elemental fire and water ninjas, Air Ninjas are able to control the weather around them while in groups, bending the winds to form torrents and "pushing" clouds together using the wind to form storms or even small tornadoes. Some highly skilled Air Ninjas can even do this on their own.

Members

 * Air Sensei - Also known as Boreas Tuphon and sometimes as Sensei Tuphon, the current Air Sensei is in fact the third Sensei, having been born in the year 1953 as the older brother to Sturm Tuphon. Considered the best student out of the previous Air Sensei's students, Boreas was chosen as the successor to the position of Sensei, and entrusted with protecting the Air Sensei society as a whole. Since the events of Falco's Journey, the Air Sensei, unlike his predecessors, has been more relaxed with the idea of associating with outsiders, as opposed to the staunchly isolationist stance of other Air Senseis.
 * Denise - The daughter of Sturm Tuphon, Denise was a very adept Air Ninja from a very young age, learning much quicker than her fellow friends and students, and even outperforming several students way older than her. Denise' mother passed away of illness shortly after Denise' hatching while her father vanished at a young age, leaving Denise to be cared for by her uncle, the Air Sensei, who supervised her training.
 * Crimson (formerly)

Uniform
Prior to their relocation to the Floating Islands, the first uniforms of the Air Ninjas used to have darker, green-tinted borders and used a leaf as their symbol. Nowadays, their uniform is a much lighter colour and has yellowish-green borders. Unlike regular ninjas, Air Ninjas do not receive a ninja mask upon completing their Air Ninja training, but are instead given a yellow belt (the colour yellow bears no significance). Though the Air Ninja uniform may vary occasionally based on personal preference, the most common and standard uniform of the Air Ninjas consists of the following:
 * Featherweight Fan
 * Hurricane Helmet
 * Breezy Mask
 * Coat of Flurries
 * Cyclone Sandals

Like other elemental ninjas, the Air Ninjas can use their uniform in order to perform a special dance, making the sky grey with clouds. Air Ninjas can also render themselves completely invisible with their uniform, but only if they are wearing all of the necessary attire.

Student
Students are Air Ninjas who are typically young, and have not completed their training. Air Ninjas are often trained from a very young age, and while most students are chicks who have yet to mature, it is possible for adult Air Ninjas to still be counted as students. Students are often trained in large groups by the Sensei while they are young. They also have the option of being trained in smaller groups or individually by a Master Air Ninja, if they so choose or desire. Students also typically train together in the courtyard of the Air Dojo, using their air abilities against one another, or using their abilities to learn to control small whirlwinds in order to lift bundles of leaves.

Students are often giving special training gear, including a training suit that allows for a limited amount of air manipulation. Students are also given a fan in order to channel their air abilities through, as well as a kite in order to test their wind abilities. After passing a series of tests that focus on a number of different techniques or abilities, the student graduates, gaining the official title and rank of Ninja. Almost all younger students lack the discipline and concentration in order to control their abilities fully, and as such, do not achieve Ninja status until adulthood.

Ninja


The Ninja rank is considered to be a completion of an Air Ninja's training as a student, allowing them to fulfill a number of different jobs, roles and careers in Air Ninja society. Many Air Ninjas are often tasked with guarding and protecting the Floating Islands.

Once the Ninja rank is reached, the ninja is given a full Air Ninja uniform, complete with their very own fan, which is traditionally customized to the ninja's liking, with the imagery of the fan being based on the traits, personality and history of the individual. Most Air Ninjas are at the Ninja rank, and after becoming a Ninja, have the option of adopting a Bronze Puffle if they wish. Ninjas are also given the option of not wearing the traditional Air Ninja uniform, and can wear other types of Air Ninja clothing, provided that their mastery of Windjitsu is powerful enough to channel through these clothes.

Master
After reaching the Ninja rank, the Air Ninja has the option of undergoing training in order to be promoted to the Master rank. As an Air Ninja Master, the Air Ninja is more respected and revered for their status, and they are entitled to train students, Ninja-ranks, or even other Masters. The rank of Master is only achieved by a few Air Ninjas, and requires arduous effort and near-flawless perfection of Windjitsu.

Master status requires at least a year of training, and masters-in-training are often supervised by the Air Sensei in order to determine their progress. As a final test, the ninja is required to demonstrate their mastery of Windjitsu to the Air Sensei, who then determines if they are worthy of masterdom. Masters are awarded a yellow belt in a special ceremony in front of all other Air Ninjas, which signifies their status as Master Air Ninja. Masters often train daily in order to perfect and maintain their abilities, and sometimes create brand new techniques or sub-skills of Windjitsu on their own after experimentation and perfection.

Sensei
The Sensei of Air Ninjas has typically been chosen from Air Ninja Masters, although Senseis can also be chosen from Ninja-ranked Air Ninjas. The rank of Sensei of Air Ninjas grants the ninja the authority over all of Air Ninja society. The Sensei is often responsible for training students, as well as granting the Master rank to other Air Ninjas. The Sensei is expected to uphold tradition, although they are not forced to do this, and can do as they see fit.

Roles
After reaching adulthood, an Air Ninja can choose to take up a role of their choosing. Ninjas can also choose multiple roles if they desire, although typically the most they choose is two due to the amount of devotion required for a single role. This isn't limited only to Ninja-ranked Air Ninjas, as Master-ranked ninjas and adult Students can also choose roles.


 * Spy - Spies are the source of the Air Ninja's knowledge of current events and the state of other ninja communities around Antarctica. The spy often gathers information by blending in with other non-Air Ninjas, and is forbidden from interfering directly with any affairs or problems that they come across, unless instructed to. The spies often report back to a head spy, who gives them missions or tasks on behalf of the Air Sensei. Spies must have the Ninja-rank, and Student-rank ninjas cannot be spies.


 * Scholar - Air Ninjas that become scholars are often tasked with documenting history and studying new techniques created by Master Air Ninjas. Many Master Air Ninjas are scholars, and scholars often serve as educators, tutors and teachers in the Air Ninja society. In the rare case that an Air Ninja is incapable of completing their training and thus graduating as a student, they can still become scholars. Scholars often record their knowledge in books, which are stored in the Air Ninja library, although some of the first scholars used to use scrolls or bundles of parchment.


 * Weaver - Weavers are often tasked with the creation of Air Ninja equipment and attire, such as the Air Ninja uniform, as well as the customized fans that are given to Air Ninjas after they attain the Ninja rank. The role of a weaver requires great skill in the arts and crafts. Weavers create the uniform of Air ninjas from special Pectosphere-imbued flax or cotton, grown on the local Floating Islands where Pectospheric influence on the soil is strongest.


 * Elder - Retired or old Air Ninjas often become "Elders", serving as the wise guides and sages of the community, often advising younger Air Ninjas and sometimes the Air Sensei. Air Ninjas must reach a certain age to be an Elder, and Elders can be from any rank.

Trivia

 * In order to stay up-to-date with the latest news in Antarctica, the ninjas often send out scouts or spies disguised as civilians or other ninjas.
 * The ninjas have been known to make use of bronze puffles due to their tornado-based abilities. They are also rumoured to have the highest population of bronze puffles concentrated to one area (that being the Floating Islands), though this is unconfirmed.
 * Air Ninjas do have electricity, although it isn't widely used and comes in the form of wood-fired or steam-powered generators.