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Fighting for Survival: Difference between revisions
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{{trope}}{{Needs Image}}
{{quote|''"I suppose I should thank you, but don't think I couldn't have handled them meself! Still, you done right by me. I'll see that the favor is returned."''|'''[[Only Six Faces|Female Civilian #3]]'''
Heroes have it rough, people are [[Too Dumb to Live]] and [[Dying Like Animals|Die Like Animals]] because of it. So when they get unexpected help from the populace they're trying to save, be they [[Heroic Bystander]]s, helpful [[NPC]]'s, or even the villain's [[Lovable Traitor|own henchmen]], the hero counts his lucky stars that the common man will help, and are '''Fighting for Survival'''.
This trope uses various animal characters as archetypes, similar to [[Dying Like Animals]].
'''Guides and Thinkers'''
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* '''[[Mission Control|Eagles]]:''' ''"All right, now take a left, but stop at the painting, it has a laser activated buzz-saw."'' Often a [[Voice with an Internet Connection]], these people will help the hero through a dangerous path, providing much-needed information.
* '''[[Reasonable Authority Figure|Lions]]:''' ''"So the neighbouring King wants to open the [[Sealed Evil in a Can|can of pickled evil?]] Do you have any proof of this? Yes, then you and I shall ride together with my armies to stop him!"'' The Wise Lion is a leader who is willing to hear out the hero and possibly go to war against his neighbour should the hero be able to provide convincing evidence that the neighbour is going to cause trouble. He won't ignore the problem, and he won't be acting out of a desire for political gain, but rather because he knows it's the right thing to do.
'''Innocent, but not Bystanders'''
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* '''[[Did You Just Flip Off Cthulhu?|Mockingbirds]]:''' ''"Hey, you! The [[The Brute|big, dumb guy]] with [[Spikes of Doom|the spikes]]! Tell me: did you fall out of the ugly stick tree hitting every branch you could on the way down or were you just born looking like that?"'' Some people won't be able to provide more than a distraction, but sometimes, that is [[We Need a Distraction|all that is needed]].
* '''[[Good Shepherd|Sheepdogs]]:''' ''"Before you leave, I would like to remind everyone that there will be a prayer meeting for [[Ill Girl|young Anna]] this evening. We all hope that the surgery goes well and extend our deepest sympathies for her family during this difficult time. Go in peace."'' In times of crisis, religion can serve as comfort and unity. These are the people who provide that support. They have great influence, being able to turn their flock to the hero's side.
'''Antagonists'''
* '''[[Evil Versus Evil|Hippo]]:''' ''"Get off my grass!"'' They're not friendly. They're not on your side. They're isolationist and violently territorial at best, and want you dead at worst. However, [[Awakening the Sleeping Giant|they're big, powerful,]] [[Neutral No Longer|and more importantly]], pissed off at the [[Big Bad]] [[Default to Good|more]]. So they're opening up a new front you can exploit. Just stay out of their way. They'll happily destroy both you and the [[Big Bad]] if they have the means and opportunity.
* '''[[Always a Bigger Fish|Piranhas]]:'''
* '''[[Even Evil Has Standards|Wolf]]:''' ''"Why am I helping you save the orphanage? Well, letting them die [[Evil Is Stylish|isn't my style]], and let's just say I have some fond memories of the place."'' Being "irredeemably evil" is not that common; no matter how depraved, many villains will stop and help the hero to right things even they see as wrong. The wolf is noble, and even admirable - but it is also a killer and may very well turn on you when the time comes.
* '''[[Enigmatic Minion|Raven]]:''' ''"I must stop you, it is too soon [[Cryptic Conversation|for the viridian dawn.]]"'' He's mysterious, works for the bad guy, but isn't ''quite'' as evil or antagonistic as he should be. Keep your guard up; he might help, but not for your sake.
* '''[[The Dog Bites Back|Beaten Dogs]]:''' ''"You have abused me for the last time. From now on, I roll with your enemies."'' When a villain hurts a minion one too many times, they create a beaten dog. These will often try to defeat the villain or help the heroes - especially if the heroes show them compassion or treat them nicely. At their most passive, they do civil disobedience.
* '''[[The Starscream|Snake]]:''' ''"Sure, I'll help you take out my boss. Here's the keys to his throne room. Just make sure to bring me back his crown."'' A [[Reliable Traitor]] who can be willing to help the heroes, if it means getting his boss's job. This traitorous snake can rarely be trusted, however. After all, if he has no loyalty to HIS side, why would he be loyal to you?
'''Clawed and Dangerous'''
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* '''[[Badass Bystander|Badgers]]:''' ''"Don't tread on me, just leave me alone! Not listening? Oh, it's on NOW!"'' They may look meek or unimportant, and they tend to avoid trouble, be it from the [[Big Bad]] or from the Heroes. They might even prefer to flee than stand and fight. Until someone ignores their warnings to back off and trouble corners them. Then, they will show you what they can do. And everyone recoils in fear.
* '''[[Zerg Rush|Hornets]]:''' ''"We can overwhelm them with sheer numbers!"'' For hornets, quantity is better than quality. Unlike [[Dying Like Animals|Boars]], they are actually helpful.
'''Helping Paws'''
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* '''[[Wrench Wench|Beavers]]:''' ''"Whoa! What've you been doing with that busted up rig? Fighting the [[Big Bad]]? In that case, repairs are on me!"'' These guys are medics, mechanics, or even simple inn keepers that will provide medical assistance, vehicle repair, or room and board to help the heroes on their quest.
* '''[[Friend in the Black Market|Stoats]]:''' ''"Sure, I can get you the dynamite, though it's gonna cost 'ya."'' These guys can get you what you need, no matter what it is, but they'll expect to be paid handsomely for it. They might forgo the fee if the situation truly is desperate.
'''Militant "bystanders"'''
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* '''[[Training the Peaceful Villagers|Soldier Ants]]:''' ''"All right men, [[Attack Pattern Alpha|Defense Pattern Blue!]]"'' These were [[Innocent Bystander]]s who are now no longer afraid to fight for their freedom/lives/happiness.
* '''[[Manipulative Bastard|Foxes]]:''' ''"There's a secret entrance under the sewers, you can use that to get in. Go with you? I'm sorry, but that's not part of my plan."'' They'll help the hero... but because it helps their schemes, or they can at least see how his victory is preferable to the villain's.
'''Everything Else'''
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{{examples}}
== [[Anime]]
* ''[[Dragon Ball]] Z'' had the [[Combined Energy Attack|Spirit Bomb]], which could grow stronger the more people focused their energy on it... even if they were just [[Innocent Bystanders]] or comic relief. Special mention goes to Mr. Satan for rallying the masses to help Goku - Sheepdog style.
* Anytime Sesshomaru in ''[[Inuyasha]]'' helps the heroes, he's usually the Hippo, not interested in fighting, helping, or hindering them, but quite interested in killing the villain.
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* When everyone in ''[[Higurashi no Naku Koro ni]]'' actually starts working together in Minagoroshi-hen and Matsuribayashi-hen/Miotsukushi-hen, the characters metamorphosize spectacularly. Keiichi goes from Boar to Lion, Rena from Wolf/Boar Chimera to [[Ninja Pirate Zombie Robot|Owl/Soldier Ant Platypus]], {{spoiler|Shion}} from Wolf/Boar Chimera to [[Ninja Pirate Zombie Robot|Beaver/Soldier Ant Platypus]], and Satoko from Rat to Bloodhound.
== [[Comic Books]] ==▼
▲== Comic Books ==
* When the Green Goblin attacks a baseball stadium during a double-header, ''[[Spider-Man]]'' gets assistance from both the pro players and the members of the halftime act.
== [[Film]] ==▼
▲== Film ==
* One of the most memorable moments in ''[[The Sound of Music]]'' was during the Von Trapps' escape. There is an exchange between the Mother Superior and two nuns. When questioned on why they looked so guilty, they answered with "we have sinned"... and lifted up engine parts they'd stolen from the Nazis' cars!
** And taken further in the [[Family Guy]] parody of that scene where one of the nuns has also sinned, and proves it by holding up a Nazi's severed head.
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** [[Badass Bystander|Badger]] and arguably [[Good Shepherd|Sheepdog]]: Ginty.
** [[The Cavalry|The Pack]]: Arguably, the police force. Oddly competent for a superhero movie.
== [[Literature]] ==
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* All over the place in ''[[Gaunt's Ghosts|Necropolis]]'', with heavy resistance from the Vervunites, particularly the resistance forces caught outside the walls. Some of them offer such fierce resistance they receive field commissions from the Guard. {{spoiler|Fittingly, many of the survivors join the Guard after Vervunhive falls}}.
▲== Live Action TV ==
* The season 3 finale of ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer]]'', in which {{spoiler|the high school students join the Scooby gang in defeating the Mayor}} in a [[Crowning Moment of Awesome]] for pretty much all of them.
== Toys ==
* The Matoran of ''[[Bionicle]]'' are Platypi with examples all over the list. The race's [[Planet of Hats|hat]] as a whole seems to be a mix of Badgers and Soldier Ants, preferring to live in peace but willing to back up the Toa heroes or even fight without them if necessary. Some Matoran have also aided Toa by being Bloodhounds, Beavers, Owls, and Mockingbirds. Turaga elders (Matoran who were empowered as Toa, then gave up their powers and retired) tend to be Tortoises and Sheepdogs as well.
== [[Video Games]] ==▼
▲== Video Games ==
* Meta Knight from ''[[Kirby]]'' can be very much a Raven, especially in the [[Kirby: Right Back at Ya!|anime]].
* The countless random citizens in ''[[Half-Life 2]]'', and probably the rebels as Soldier Ants or Beavers.
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* ''[[Solatorobo]]'' eventually turns ''anyone with an airship or a robot'' (given the setting, that's ''pretty much everyone'', period) into a giant nest of Hornets for the final battle against {{spoiler|Tartaros}}.
== [[Western Animation]] ==▼
▲== Western Animation ==
* One of the saddest parts of ''[[Superman: The Animated Series]]'' was Darkseid's invasion of Earth. While parading a beaten Superman through Metropolis, detective Turpin started throwing rocks at Darkseid's forces, inciting others to do so, and managing to free Superman in the process. It was a bit of a [[Downer Ending]], since {{spoiler|Darkseid killed Turpin to mar the whole affair with blood so Superman would know not to mess with him.}}
{{quote|'''Superman''': The world didn't need a Superman... just a brave one.}}
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** Before Superman's capture, Turpin directs a battle copter and [[Curb Stomp Battle|casually takes out]] Steppenwolf with two well-placed Anti-Air missiles.
* In a flashback episode of ''[[Avatar: The Last Airbender]]'', when Sokka tried to warn the Fire Nation settlement that Jet was going to blow up the dam, they didn't believe him. But the old man Sokka stopped Jet from brutalizing vouched for him and they evacuated the town.
** The battle for
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[[Category:Narrative Devices]]
[[Category:Stock Aesops]]
[[Category:Animal Tropes]]
[[Category:Redemption Tropes]]
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