The Blackburn Chronicles: Badass Family

2 Months After Brannon Farm.

SOLDIER Facility.

Fourteen Year Old Derrick Blackburn hit the mat hard but bounced right back with a kip-up to spring back to his feet. He advanced on his father and threw a straight punch aimed at his chest but his father simply deflected it aside. Undeterred, Derrick came at him with a Yamazuki Double Pucnh with one aimed at his face and the other aimed at his stomach though Leo was able to catch both punches and push him aside. Derrick used the momentum and brought his leg up in a roundhouse kick aimed at his father's face but he simply dodged it. Derrick turned with it, stomped down and he kicked at his stomach but Leo side stepped it. Derrick came at him again with a series of punches he mixed up at his chest and stomach but he simply backed up while blocking them and deflecting them aside until Derrick went for a spinning kick aimed at his father's head that he again dodged, then Derrick spun again and kicked at his stomach which Leo blocked and shoved aside, then Derrick spun again and went for a leg sweep that Leo stepped over. Derrick got back up and ran up and leaped in the air for a couple of kicks from both legs that Leo blocked. Derrick landed and stepped in for a few rapid fire elbow strikes at his father's face. Leo simply blocked them before he grabbed Derrick and threw him down to the mat. Leonardo Blackburn chuckled and sat down next to him.

"Not bad, son, not bad. You almost had me a couple of times."

"Come on, dad. I couldn't even touch you. Again." Derrick pouted while sitting up.

"Ah you did fine." Leo assured his son. "It's only natural though since I have more experience than you. But don't worry. You'll get there. I had to put my body through hell for years before I became as good as I am." He ruffled Derrick's hair. "You have a real talent for martial arts too so don't doubt yourself."

"Yeah, thanks dad."

"So are you ready to go again?"

"Oh yeah."

"Great. We'll go a few more rounds and then have a water break before proceeding to the obstacle course and then to weights. Cool?"

"Sounds like fun to me." Derrick agreed as his father helped him up. He took a breather and then he and his father bowed to each other and their sparring match began anew.

Leo advanced on his son with a few punches aimed at his face that Derrick blocked only for Leo to quickly switch it up for a body blow that Derrick deflected followed by a kick to his side that Derrick shut down. Leo smiled and quickly followed this up with a kick from his other leg that sent him flying off the mat. "You alright there, son?"

"Just fine dad!" Derrick laughed as he sat up rubbing his side.

"Just give it a minute and the pain will subside and we can continue."

"You got it."

As Derrick rested he could feel the pain subsiding in his body and he quickly got back on his feet and got back on the mat.

"Are you ready to continue?"

"Yes sir!" Derrick replied and rushed his dad and leaped into the air to strike him only for Leo hit him out of the air but this time Derrick grabbed his hand, fell back and wrapped his legs around his dad's arm and put him in a hold! Leo laughed. "An armbar huh? Very clever." He complimented his son and stood back up straight while grabbing his son's face with his hand while unwrapping his son's leg from his arm with his other hand, stomping down, smiling and swinging his son around in a circle before releasing him and throwing him away! Derrick yelled out as he was flung across the mat and down on the floor. He quickly recovered again however and scrambled back to his feet and went after his dad again. He went in with a leaping double kick that Leo pushed down with ease. Derrick then dropped down and tried to sweep his legs but Leo just stepped over it. Derrick sprung back up and kicked at his dad's face which Leo leaned back to dodge but Derrick quickly followed it up with another kick also aimed at his head. Leo blocked and shut it down and Derrick put some distance between them only for Leo to quickly close in and throw a quick strike at his head that Derrick dodged. He grabbed onto his arm, turned and threw his dad over his shoulder only for Leo to flip in the air and twist and land on his feet.

Derrick just laughed and attacked him again.


They continued this song and dance for the next two hours before they finally stopped for a break and sat down on the mat with bottles of ice water. "Ohhhh maaaan."

"Don't be so down on yourself, Derrick. You're getting better every day. You just have to keep at it. Proper diet, training, practice and exercise are the keys to success."

He's got a good heart, a good head on his shoulders and has been training for years with a family of badasses. He'd definitely grow up to be awesome!