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Genre - Action, Adventure
Brief Synopsis - In a secluded corner of Brushwood, Colorado, a 16-year-old named Clark believes his father to be a conspiracy theorist and doomsday prepper. Clark's life is a stark contrast to what he sees on TV, with an emphasis on self-sufficiency and combat training. On his birthday, Clark engages in a brutal combat training session, demonstrating their extraordinary combat skills. However, his father's cryptic words hint at a looming mission that involves facing a group called the Crazy Eight, with the fate of the world at stake. Clark's journey into a world of secrecy and intrigue is just beginning, promising a thrilling and mysterious adventure.
Link - TIFU: Ninjas Keep Trying To Kill Me
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Chapter 01: Sixteen Years Of Rage333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6nKrGEZhq
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At the tender age of 16, I held onto the belief that my father was a bona fide conspiracy theorist, or maybe what most people would call a doomsday prepper. Our residence was nestled in the desolate heart of Brushwood, Colorado, a place that barely saw the outside world. Trips into town were rare and strictly reserved for the essentials: books, clothing, food, and the like.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOzJAqodd7
Our home life was not like those I glimpsed on TV during my precious "Recreation Hour." My dad and I each had our own separate sleeping quarters. My room was meticulously arranged, with sheets crisply folded and every surface spotless. Our kitchen and dining area occupied a corner of the house, adjacent to a closet stocked with enough canned goods to outlast the apocalypse. Down the hallway, we had a small living room, featuring an ancient LCD television and a pair of worn-out lounge chairs.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkXdqZLTfY
Our garage had an intriguing purpose, which was why Dad always parked outside. It served as our training ground. You might find it hard to believe, but my father used to be a high-ranking combat instructor in the military, renowned for his ruthless style, which he dubbed "White Tiger."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dCHhL0Hs0
On the eve of my birthday, our routine played out as usual - schoolwork, combat training, and chores. But something about Dad's demeanor felt off. Normally, he had a certain spring in his step, but today he seemed unusually introspective. I spotted him at the table, engrossed in writing, a rare sight outside of his sparring notes or pre-city shopping lists.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9SxCCihKg
Could it be that we were going on a surprise trip to the city for my birthday? While the chances seemed slim, a glimmer of hope persisted. Dad's previous surprises had typically involved late-night skirmishes with strangers in the unknown desert roads. Oddly, I found myself looking forward to trips to the grocery store for the mere chance of social interaction. Would I have an actual cake this year?333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIV1Qe3kEkW
I hesitated, recalling Dad's previous stance on cake being detrimental to my health.
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A memory of one fateful night in the Colorado desert still sent shivers down my spine. It was a moonless night, and the desert stretched out in all directions, desolate and unforgiving. The stars above seemed to be the only witnesses to the impending showdown.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡno5iocZhEG
I stood at the edge of the makeshift ring my father had marked out in the sand. The dirt was cool beneath my bare feet, and the air was charged with anticipation. Across from me stood a middle eastern man who had the aura of a master of mixed martial arts. He was known as "The Cobra" in underground fighting circles, and his reputation preceded him.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4MnPn6UMg
My father's voice echoed in my ears as he acted as the referee. "No rules, Clark. This is survival of the fittest, just like in the real world. Win, and you prove you're ready for the mission."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1ssQOLCzJ
The fight with Cobra was a relentless clash of styles and wills. The Colorado desert, bathed in darkness, provided an eerie backdrop to our showdown. The sand beneath our feet, initially untouched and smooth, was soon churned into a chaotic battlefield. The intensity of the fight could be measured by the deepening impressions our movements left on the desert floor.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVnMw9amX3
Cobra was truly a master, and his reputation for lightning-fast strikes wasn't exaggerated. From the moment the fight began, he was a blur of motion. His fists and feet were deadly weapons, moving with uncanny precision and power. It was clear that he had faced opponents of all calibers and had honed his skills to perfection.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dysrVraEv
But I had an advantage that Cobra couldn't predict. I'd been trained by my father, a former military combat instructor, and my style was a blend of discipline, strategy, and raw determination. I didn't rely solely on brute force; I used my intelligence to analyze Cobra's movements, searching for patterns and weaknesses.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJkt5JEat8
The dance of combat unfolded as I ducked and dodged, narrowly avoiding strikes that could have ended the fight in an instant. Each move was calculated, a testament to the countless hours of training he had undergone. My footwork was impeccable, allowing him to maintain a strategic distance from Cobra and minimize the damage inflicted upon him.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡya0Q06SKhB
As the minutes dragged on, fatigue began to creep in. The physical toll of the fight was immense, and I could feel the weight of every punch and kick I had thrown or absorbed. My muscles screamed in protest, but I pushed through the pain. This wasn't just about winning a fight; it was about proving myself to Dad and understanding the mission that loomed over me like a shadow.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjLckJTdgT
"The Cobra” was relentless, and his attacks were as precise as ever. He had a relentless energy that seemed bottomless. But I knew that his moment would come. I had studied his opponent's rhythm, waiting for that one crucial opening.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14mdTtToBe
And then, it happened. Cobra made a split-second miscalculation, leaving himself vulnerable for just a fraction of a second. In that moment, my training and determination took over. With a burst of strength and agility that surprised even myself, I lunged forward, delivering a powerful blow directly to Cobra’s jaw.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0IiIbJIkbo
The impact was thunderous, and time seemed to slow as Cobra staggered backward, a look of shock and defeat crossing his face. The silence that followed was broken only by the gasps of those who had witnessed the fight. The desert seemed to hold its breath, waiting for the verdict.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPxGLciSMe
"The Cobra" crumpled to the ground, defeated but not broken. He had been bested by a young man who had been prepared for this moment his entire life. My father, the silent observer, nodded in approval. This victory was more than a personal triumph; it was a symbol of readiness for the mission that lay ahead, a mission that was still shrouded in mystery but had just become all the more real for me.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3pGWREX4V9
The silence that followed was broken only by the sound of our labored breaths. My father approached, a rare smile on his face. "You did it, Clark. You're ready."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqBTj64Yhv
I had won the fight, but I still didn't fully understand the gravity of what lay ahead. As I looked out at the vast expanse of the Colorado desert, I knew that my journey was just beginning, and the mysteries of my father's world were far from being unraveled.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNfTsnz69y
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With renewed determination, I replaced the broom and, summoning courage, approached my father.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEsn8UgbnU
"Dad, I was thinking… Maybe this year we could go to the grocery store and get a cake for my birthday?"333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9nYMTz6G8
"Too much sugar will make you heavy, Clark. Like those cows you see on the way to Dairymart. We have to keep you in shape for when the inevitable happens. Now, go finish your chores."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRuA2DHy9Y
Disappointment washed over me, though it wasn't entirely unexpected. I sighed and grabbed the mop.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZieuSgNDN
Occasionally, I would inquire about how Dad believed the world would meet its end. He usually brushed off the question, but sometimes, he grew deadly serious. His cryptic response often revolved around the idea that our world would perish when mankind ceased to resist and succumbed to our enemies.
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As I went about completing the list of mundane chores in our home, I remembered one of the many unorthodox lessons my father had imparted to me over the years.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqh2q2hAhql
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It was a hot summer afternoon, and the sun's rays filtered through the dust-covered windowpane. Dad had a way of turning the most mundane moments into opportunities for learning, and this particular day was no exception.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxe7PLq3l4T
"Dad, can you tell me about the history of America?" I asked, curious to know more about the world beyond Brushwood.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdxuQ3zktT
He put down his book, a thick volume about military strategy, and looked at me with a hint of amusement. "Sure, Clark. But forget what they teach you in school; it's mostly propaganda. You see, the real story of America is a bit different."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OYoP5OKat
Leaning back in his chair, he began recounting tales of battles and wars that I had never heard of before. He spoke of secret military experiments, covert operations, and hidden agendas. It was like stepping into a world of espionage and intrigue, where the heroes were often shadowy figures working behind the scenes.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpBE4drA25
"America has a way of winning wars, son," he said with a sly grin. "Not just with firepower, but with strategy, intelligence, and a willingness to do whatever it takes to protect its interests. Remember, history is written by the victors, and sometimes the truth is a casualty of war."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2afLgAVh2
As I listened to my father's unconventional history lesson, I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and fascination. It was a side of history that few were privy to, and I knew that I was getting a glimpse into a world that most people would never understand. My father's stories, though filled with secrecy and intrigue, made me proud to be an American, even if our version of history was vastly different from what I had learned in school.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9aIwOh23q
I couldn't quite grasp how sparring with strangers in the dead of night would save the world, but I kept my thoughts to myself.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSKhq1eqRh
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My inner musings were interrupted by the kitchen timer, and Dad's call down the hall.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhoKrw9wFN
"Dinner time, Clark!"333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJU8Dttytsp
Turning off the vacuum, I returned it to the supply closet. As I approached the dining room, a small box on the table caught my eye. Could this be an actual cake?333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxbFKAuUbX
"Let us pray. Bow your head, son."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTiRIQ67nAW
I closed my eyes, taking in my surroundings as Dad had taught me.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgDJdXMkvK
"Dear Lord, I thank you for the sixteen years you have given me with Clark, and for making him such a formidable young man. Our fate rests in his hands, and with your guidance, we will surely continue our nation’s prosperity going forward. We thank you for these provisions…"333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrs106S3Hf
While Dad recited his usual monologue, I relied on my heightened senses to detect any anomalies. The fluorescent light buzzed overhead, a gentle breeze wafted from the fan down the hall, and an unexpected scent of pumpkin lingered in the air.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKr1QuZfsCM
"We appreciate your guidance, Almighty God. Amen."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrC58VmlcFX
I opened my eyes, and Dad revealed the contents of the box: a cupcake with orange icing.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFZD1T3LNx
"Oh, Dad! My very own cake. Thank you so much!"333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcuayZCGjg
Dad gestured for me to sit, and we began to eat in silence, knowing that indulging in the cupcake prematurely would likely have consequences. As we dined on pork roast stew, Dad finally broke the silence.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjNujssQZR
"Listen, Clark. I can't divulge all the details right now, but tomorrow is a crucial day for our country. You'll be facing a group known as the NK Ninjas, or as I like to call them, the Crazy Eight. They're a highly-skilled combat team from North Korea. You must win this fight because if you don't, the world as we know it will end."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDquC8bqpv4
As I savored the last bite of potato, Dad's words sank in. Could this be my chance to make a meaningful difference? Or was it just another bout with strangers in the desert?333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqDQxMrvbV
"Your mission will become clearer tomorrow, but understand that everything I've done has been to prepare you for this moment. I have full faith in you, Clark. Believe in our mission, and you will succeed. No questions. Now, get some sleep - the fight is first thing tomorrow."333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSw4CRqabz
Questions swirled in my mind, as always, but fatigue overcame curiosity. The clock read 9:13 PM, and I excused myself, heading to my bedroom and collapsing onto the bed.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPVlBKb1Dn
When I awoke with a start, darkness enveloped me. My eyes were blindfolded, and the frigid Colorado night greeted my senses. The thud of helicopter blades reached my ears, and Dad's trusty Ford pickup idled nearby. Suddenly, the blindfold was whisked away, revealing a scene that left me utterly stunned.333Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fn9MsM4Ct
