User blog:TheMaximumMatt/Shortfiction - Punching Bag

[Opens up with Lincoln and Lynn sparring in the backyard.]

Lynn: You ready for this Lincoln?

Lincoln: Uh... kind of. I think.

Lynn: 3, 2, 1, go!

Lincoln: Wait!

[Lynn begins throwing punches at Lincoln's face. His head swings back and forth with every punch. Lincoln tries to throw a counter punch but misses, resulting in Lynn kicking Lincoln in the gut. Lincoln is still standing though, and Lincoln tries to throw another punch at Lynn. He barely misses her and trips and falls. He gets back up quickly and misses his punches at Lynn again. Lynn punches back Lincoln in the face. He almost falls back, but still manages to stand on his feet. Lynn roundhouse kicks him in the gut, and Lincoln groans in pain]

Lincoln: AHHH!! (angrily) Stop it! I can't do this anymore!

Lynn: Aw, come on! It was just getting fun!

Lincoln: No! It's not! This is torture for me! I'm in serious pain!

Lynn: Hey, don't get mad at me because you agreed to be my sparring partner! I'm supposed to hurt you! It's what sparring is about!

Lincoln: I'm not mad at you!

[Lynn pauses]

Lincoln: ...I'm mad at myself. Look at me! I can't defend myself for squat! Every time we spar, I keep on getting hit in the face over and over again! Punches, kicks, tackles, everything just comes flying right at me! And the moment I try to fight back, I still get pummeled.

Lynn: Lincoln. Stop saying that!

Lincoln: And it's not just in sparring. I'm always getting the short end of the stick. People like to push me around. Why? Because I let that happen to myself! Face it, Lynn! I can't be your sparring partner if I'm always letting myself get thrown around like this!

[Lynn gives a concerned look]

Lincoln: You don't deserve someone like me. I'm like I'm just... just... a punching bag in life...

Lynn: (grabs Lincoln's shoulder) Lincoln! Don't say that!

Lincoln: But- but- it's true! You probably think that too!

Lynn: You act like it's a bad thing!

Lincoln: What do you mean?!

Lynn: Come. I want to show you something.

Lincoln: Oh... uh... okay then.

[Lynn and Lincoln head inside the house to Lynn's room. Lynn sets up a punching bag in front of Lincoln]

Lynn: So if you really think being like a punching bag is a bad thing... watch this!

[Lynn begins to spar with the punching bag. She threw every type of punch Lincoln can think of. Hooks, uppercuts, jabs... everything. Lincoln walking in despair. Eventually, Lynn stops and turns to Lincoln.]

Lynn: Now tell me Lincoln. What did you see from that?

Lincoln: (irked) I saw myself being horribly punched around.

Lynn: True, but look at the punching bag now. What do you see?

Lincoln: I don't know. What do you see?

Lynn: Look. You see how the punching bag is still standing?

Lincoln: What do you mean?

Lynn: Don't you see, Lincoln? You're right about one thing. You can be like a punching bag sometimes, but in the best way possible. A punching bag can be punched and pushed around everywhere for as long as all day, and it still stands perfectly fine. It can take it. That's how you are.

Lincoln: Really?

Lynn: Look at yourself. You're the kid who jumped straight into a wall, survived being attacked by a viscous bird, and even willingly sacrificed himself by going through every single one of Luan's pranks. That last part was something that not even I had the guts to do, and trust me, that is saying a lot!

[Lincoln blushes a bit]

Lynn: Lincoln. Being tough means more than just being able to hit someone or how big your muscles are. There's more to it than that. You've also gotta learn to handle taking in pain now and then, and you, Lincoln, are the most enduring person I've ever come across. Most kids your age couldn't even survive one blow in the face, but you? You stand and walk away from it like it's nothing. That takes a lot of strength to do.

Lincoln: You really mean that?

Lynn: Lincoln. Never say that being like a punching bag is a bad thing. You are the toughest person I've ever been with, and I couldn't have asked for-

Lincoln: A better sparring partner?

Lynn: Not just that... a better brother.

[Lincoln tears up and hugs Lynn]

Lincoln: Thanks, Lynn! Words can't describe how much that mean to me! You know, I feel a lot better about myself.

Lynn: Anytime, Lincoln. Anytime.

THE END

Trivia

 * The inspiration for this shortfiction:
 * There are a number of people who complain about Lynn being tough against Lincoln, saying that she treats him like a punching bag. So, I took it upon myself to write a story that touches on this idea, and give it my own personal spin on it.