My Version of Flynn's Backstory
I've been brainstorming ideas on this for weeks, and I separated the stories based on his age and important events. Sections 4, 5 and 6 are when things get interesting!!
My backstory explains why and how Flynn became the way he is, his struggles with freedom, deep connections and self expression, and how he became a pilot despite all odds going against it. Plus, I gave almost all the quirks he has a good reason for existing, like his BOOMs and his endless bravado. Not just because he’s the funny one!
I hope someone finds this interesting enough and reads through all of my nonsense, or even just a little bit. I'll be grateful either way. :)
Preface: Why I Wrote The Backstory
Since Swap Force 3DS sucked BUTT at giving Flynn a good backstory, (while also flanderizing him to a degree, RUDE.) I decided to write his backstory myself; how Flynn became the self absorbed but kind hearted pilot we all know and love.
It all started when he was a wee young lad.
THIS IS GONNA BE A LONG ONE, so buckle up.
Section 1: Home Life and Family
Flynn was born around the early 1980s (gen Xers RISE.) and lived in a humble, quiet urban neighborhood. Flynn’s an only child, and had his mom and grandfather as his main caregivers. Kid Flynn was an imaginative and hyperactive troublemaker. Since he didn’t have any siblings/cool family members, he had to make do with his own chaos at home and school.
Flynn’s mom was the type to spoil Flynn rotten with basically everything; toys, food, and constant praise. She was also the sassy type, and would make sarcastic comments on Flynn if he’s ever gone too far with troublemaking, definitely where Flynn got his good sense of humor. She loved Flynn a lot and treasured every moment with him, so much she’s stored loads of photo albums of him and “art” he’s done as a child. (probably just piles of cool rocks and stick swords he’s found in the backyard).
Flynn’s grandfather, on the other hand, was the typical no nonsense strict type, a high rank commander in the Mabu Air Force. For most of his life, Flynn had to dodge responsibilities and punishments from his overbearing grandparent with humor, lies and of course a good smirk. This instilled rebellion yet good morals in Flynn from his grandparent, and overconfidence and sociability from his mom.
—
Section 2: Adolescence
In middle and high school, he was the typical class clown, always up for some trouble and stupid stunts, just loud enough to distract everyone from the fact he’s a complete dumbass. He had a ton of friends, especially the dude bros and rocker guys. Despite that, most of his “friends” would bail if he’s ever gotten into trouble or is going through a rough phase. This enforced the belief that Flynn must always perform and push his own needs away just so he can be liked by others, making him even more rebellious and cocky than as a kid, (imagine teen Flynn blasting AC/DC in his room whenever his grandpa isn’t home) but also crave a deeper, more emotional bond that he was missing from his relationships. (Mom’s absolutely not enough for him anymore!) For Flynn, he thought he can get that bond by getting a girlfriend. His strategy? Flirt with any girl that took the time to glance or laugh at him. Wonder if he’ll ever change.
At some point in his life, he’s become obsessed with boy bands. The idea of wooing girls through dance and song, no flirting required, especially as a 15 year old? SOLD. “That takes absolutely no effort!” is what Flynn thought enthusiastically. The guys thought this phase was… too gay. (the horror.) but that didn’t stop him from randomly and awkwardly busting moves in front of girls at school. When he got a middle part haircut and fully committed to the boy band look, one day, his grandfather went ballistic. “YOU’VE GONE TOO SOFT!” and bam, gave him a buzzcut on the spot. Flynn never looked back at the boy band dream since, deepening his need to please others first.
— Section 3: College and Hugo
When Flynn graduated high school, he had many dreams he wanted to pursue. Rockstar, singer, comedian, actor, and maybe a womanizer, too. Of course, none of which are real jobs to his grandfather. He passionately voted against them many times, but with Flynn’s mom’s unwavering support and coddling, Flynn had enrolled at a theater/arts college, fully confident that acting was his calling. He’s pretty much done it his whole life, and it’s the ultimate, pettiest “I’ll show you!” to his grandfather.
Flynn thought college was the prime of his life. Constant partying, barely any studying, and was the constant talk of the college. “Heh, I’m basically settin’ myself up early for the industry!”
His roommate, unfortunately for him, was the exact opposite. Hugo, a Magic major, was the studious strict guy that was always afraid to try any suggestion that came out of Flynn’s mouth. Flynn’s careless and reckless attitude naturally drove Hugo insane, igniting a deep hatred for Flynn during the first few weeks of college.
“Studying magic with no magic powers? I LOVE your confidence, man!” was the first genuine comment from Flynn that convinced Hugo he had a good heart in there somewhere… despite him not putting it so eloquently. Small gestures of kindness from both, like Flynn standing up for Hugo, or Hugo explaining how he prefers Flynn when he’s actually himself, strengthened their bond. It was Flynn’s first ever genuine friendship, and from someone who reminds him of his grandfather a lot… it was definitely conflicting. From then, for the first time in a while,
Flynn misses his grandfather.
Despite Flynn being just a tad more serious about things in his life, he kept drowning it away with being reckless and irresponsible. Eventually, his mom and grandpa caught on. No more handing college tuition money. It was Flynn’s grandpa’s final straw. After a few embarrassing lectures, and an already signed application for the Air Force from a year ago, Flynn had to begrudgingly join the Mabu Air Force.
—
Section 4: The Mabu Air Force
All of Flynn's dreams were crushed in one single day. No attention, no frat parties, and most devastatingly, no Hugo. His grandfather usually accompanied him in drills and piloting sessions. Most people in the military never humored Flynn. He had to live a real nightmare for the first time in his life.
That didn’t stop Flynn from trying to lift up his and others’ spirits, despite him failing almost every piloting exam and constantly being pushed around by other cadets. Once Flynn started to lose weight and notice he’s in the best possible shape ever, he started to take piloting more seriously. Still in his Flynn element, he thought this was an amazing opportunity to get a lot of girls once he’s out of this place. And after years of finally taking training seriously (at least, as seriously as he physically could)… it was time. The final piloting exam.
—
Section 5: The Exam
Flynn started the day absolutely terrified. What if he fails and has to continue training another dreadful year or two? What if he just gives up? What if he never gets to be himself?
Pushing those thoughts away with a mock confident strut to the exam, in the open field, there are endless rows of airships, jets, helicopters, all kinds of aircraft you can think of. Waiting nervously for his turn… the examiner, his grandfather, guides and assigns him… a hot air balloon.
Flynn burst out laughing.
“I didn’t know you had humor in you, gramps!”
Though the deadpan expression on his grandpa’s face made Flynn freeze immediately. Quietly and confidently, his grandpa gestures him to enter the air balloon,
“You really think I can trust you with real aircraft?”
“I don’t want you killing yourself, kid.”
Flynn snaps inside, the words hitting him harder than any cruel shove from the cadets. Not moving a single muscle on his face, and ignoring the slightly regretful expression on his grandfather, he stubbornly enters the air balloon like he’s been flying it for years, then awkwardly but successfully lights the fire. Within moments, he’s flying with a confident glint in his eyes.
“I got this.” he thought, almost as a prayer.
The hot air balloon is harder to control than it looks. Flynn tries to not to scramble frantically as he tries his best to stay on course. He notices the communicator strapped to the side of the air balloon, gritting his teeth slightly, not wanting to ever talk to his grandfather. At least not before he’s aced the exam. Flynn glances at the other airships and jets soaring through the sky, trying his absolute best not to lose his temper. After a while, he eventually does go off course, drifting slowly towards endless skies. His grandfather is now guiding him on what to do with the hot air balloon over the communicator. Flynn however forcefully covers the speakers with a hand, now absolutely seething.
He pulls at the ropes, swings the balloon, screams in absolute frustration as soon as his grandfather was far enough. Silence.
Just before he considers giving in to his grandfather, he notices something in the distance. A sky island with faint terrified screaming. He squints and tries his best to assess what he’s seeing, filtering out his grandfather’s worried and angered instructions. As he flies closer, he finds that the island is raided by hundreds of chompies. His goodhearted instincts guide him, and then very ungracefully lands on the island with a huge crash and thud.
“now that was a BOOM, alright!”
he yells at the top of his lungs with a hop of pure victory, overwhelmed by the feeling of being finally freed from the air force, and ironically the skies, even for a moment.
And with that, the legendary catchphrase was born.
— Section 6: The Aftermath (you need to read at least section 5 to understand what's going on)
There’s no time to celebrate. In the sky island, ironically, he notices a big celebration going on, with a few Skylanders already battling the enemies as much as they could, albeit pretty sloppily. Flynn glances over the airships that flew right past the danger under them.
“Chumps.”
“Some air force you are.”
He very reluctantly scrambles towards the battlefield, dodging the enemies, hiding behind a woman or two, totally unintentionally, not relishing it in, and definitely no smirking. In the distance, he sees Master Eon, the leader of Skylands, battling it out with the bigger stronger enemies, along with a familiar, stubby figure right next to him.
Hugo!
That about erases his entire anxiety away. A huge surge of adrenaline rushes through him as he kicks chompy butt, cheering and letting out exaggerated goofy battle cries like a dumbass man child.
“OH YEAH! I AM PUMPED!!!”
The voice crack doesn’t even bother him. He rushes through endless herds of chompies, even kicking a few with the rookie skylanders.
“TAKE THAT, AND THAT! AND THAT!!!”
Hugo’s now within earshot of Flynn, now taking a very close look at Flynn, doing a double take and rubbing his eyes very forcefully. The flabby bellied Flynn from years ago is now tanned and HUNK-ulous. (Hugo’s gay thoughts, not mine. and btw, this is a joke, I don't ship them lol)
“I-IT’S YOU! FLYNN!!!”
Flynn flashes the most legendary smirk, iconic half lidded eyes and all. With a buttery smooth voice, he utters,
“You know it.”
… before getting chomped by a chompy on his arm, letting out a squeaky shriek. Hugo immediately instructs Master Eon to shoot a blast of magic on the chompy. Master Eon obliges, a calm and stoic expression on his face as he sears the lil green gremlin. Once the village has calmed down, enemies all cleared, the villagers break into a huge victory cheer.
Flynn, his dumbass thinking they’re cheering for him, turns around, fists up, breathes and yells in the most Flynnian way possible,
“OH YEAH!!! YOU’RE WELCOME!!”
and dramatically bows before turning to Master Eon and Hugo.
Hugo is now teary eyed, composing himself not to burst with a shaky smile.
“Flynn… I THOUGHT YOU WERE A GONER!”
“HAHA!! Legends NEVER die, baby.” wink.
Master Eon calmly steps down with his hands behind his back, glancing down at Flynn with a mixture of amusement and admiration, then gently looks up at the one remaining air force airship heading towards the sky island. He doesn’t mind the airship for now, and speaks to Flynn.
“Where’s the rest of your crew, brave cadet?”
“Oh, THEM? Pssht,” he throws his hands mockingly, like Eon’s been his best friend since childhood, “chumps cared more about their final exam than savin’ a village. Y’know, what they need to do AFTER they pass?”
An amused chuckle escapes Master Eon’s lips, exchanging glances with Hugo, who’s still trying not to ruin the moment.
“A brave and honest deed from you, cadet. You clearly care about others.” he closes his eyes fondly for a moment, then glances over at the frantic and frightened old Mabu rushing towards Flynn, barely breathing.
“FLYNN! FOR THE LOVE OF THE ANCIENTS… IF YOU DISOBEY ME ONE MORE TIME…” he wheezes as he catches his breath, “you FAILED and you FAILED ME AGAIN.”
Flynn dramatically turns around with a huge smirk, arms crossed, head high, and waggling his eyebrows at Master Eon, fully expecting him to give the grandest declaration of Flynn’s entire life. And he will.
“Commander Arthur.”
“Your grandson has proven himself today, not by flight, but by courage and his heart.” Flynn at this moment is trying his best not to burst alongside Hugo, giving him a playful shove and straightening himself right after catching a lady’s stare. Flynn’s grandpa is frozen in place, still not believing any of this is true.
“He risked his license, and himself, to save these villagers. Despite the other cadets.” Now with a louder announcement, “From this day forth, I name Flynn as my chosen pilot, entrusted with the skies and the missions ahead.”
The crowd is now booming (heh) once more, and Flynn almost feels himself ascending to another dimensional plane, fully soaking in the glory, enough to fuel his ego for the next 3 decades.
Flynn’s grandpa kneels down with an arm resting on his knee. “Then I entrust him to your command, Master Eon. May the skies judge him worthy, as you have.” he gives a prideful and warm look at Flynn, a look Flynn has never even dreamed of catching before.
And with that… a legend took flight. Women were swooning. Friendships were rekindled. And Skylands became something worth protecting. … y'know. Minus the crash landings in the future. But he doesn't know that yet.
And that celebration and chompies at that sky island? It was all a test from Master Eon to see how the cadets would've reacted, so he can appoint an actually good hearted pilot this time.
Flynn doesn't know that to this day, and probably never will. Skylands needs his ego tamed.
No Mabus were harmed. Except for Flynn, but he's okay.
THE END
If you've read this far... thank you. You're seriously amazing, and I'm so happy and deeply appreciative that you liked it enough to read it all. <3 I love Flynn so much, and I'm happy to share how amazing he is to you all.
I really enjoyed writing this story and tried my best to make it as believable as possible. Hope I didn't disappoint!!
