Kick the Morality Pet: Difference between revisions

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'''[[Knight Templar|Lord]] [[Superman]]:''' I've done a lot of things I thought I'd never do these last two years. [[Ignored Epiphany|One more won't hurt.]]|''[[Justice League]] -- "A Better World (part 2)"''}}

[[The Hero]] has been taking a turn for the [[Anti Hero]] lately, exploring [[The Dark Side]] with the help of an [[Evil Mentor]], [[Teach Him Anger|learning anger]], or generally indulging in less than heroic behavior or abilities.

[[The Hero]] has been taking a turn for the [[Anti-Hero]] lately, exploring [[The Dark Side]] with the help of an [[Evil Mentor]], [[Teach Him Anger|learning anger]], or generally indulging in less than heroic behavior or abilities.

On the way, their friends will try to stop them, but the hero will ignore them because they're enjoying themselves too much. They're ''this close'' to [[Jumping Off the Slippery Slope]] thanks to [[Evil Feels Good]] and assorted perks to lapsing their morality, and just when it looks like they're about to [[Kick the Son of A Bitch]] and give him what's coming to him, they either miss the intended target and hurt an ally by accident, or abruptly realize they're being an abject [[Jerkass]] and attacking someone who's trying to help them for no good reason.

They've just hit the nadir of this downward spiral and the start of their return to the straight and narrow. By hurting their friend, possibly the [[Morality Pet]], [[Love Interest]], or [[The Chick]] for extra oomph, they do the one thing capable of prompting a [[Heel Realization]] before they do a full [[Face Heel Turn]] (or cement the turn, at least). Cue cries of "[[What Have I Done]]?!" and "[[What Have I Become]]!?" while shedding [[Tears of Remorse]] and [[Cradling Their Kill]], they'll say they're sorry and try their hardest to [[Must Make Amends|resuscitate the dog]] they've [[Kick the Dog|just kicked]].

They've just hit the nadir of this downward spiral and the start of their return to the straight and narrow. By hurting their friend, possibly the [[Morality Pet]], [[Love Interest]], or [[The Chick]] for extra oomph, they do the one thing capable of prompting a [[Heel Realization]] before they do a full [[Face Heel Turn]] (or cement the turn, at least). Cue cries of "[[What Have I Done]]?!" and "[[What Have I Become?]]!?" while shedding [[Tears of Remorse]] and [[Cradling Their Kill]], they'll say they're sorry and try their hardest to [[Must Make Amends|resuscitate the dog]] they've [[Kick the Dog|just kicked]].

If they weren't evil beforehand, whoever was inducing them to this behavior will quickly prove it [[Jumping Off the Slippery Slope|by not turning back]] like the hero just has. They'll likely scold the hero for chickening out, and remark that evil does not spend its time [[Pet the Dog|petting bunnies]] ([[Villains Out Shopping|well, not during weekdays anyway]]). If powers are involved, expect them to go [[Drunk On the Dark Side]] and/or [[One Winged Angel]].

If they weren't evil beforehand, whoever was inducing them to this behavior will quickly prove it [[Jumping Off the Slippery Slope|by not turning back]] like the hero just has. They'll likely scold the hero for chickening out, and remark that evil does not spend its time [[Pet the Dog|petting bunnies]] ([[Villains Out Shopping|well, not during weekdays anyway]]). If powers are involved, expect them to go [[Drunk On the Dark Side]] and/or [[One-Winged Angel]].

Compare [[Villainous BSOD]]. Also, some may be too far gone for this trope to pull them back to their senses, which will result in either an [[Ignored Epiphany]] or the character displacing the guilt onto someone else. See also [[Minor Insult Meltdown]] and [[Moment of Weakness]]. Not to be confused with [[The Dog Bites Back|kicking a dog that was too dangerous to kick]], or [[Kick the Son of A Bitch|kicking the son of a bitch.]]

== [[Anime]]/[[Manga]] ==

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== [[Comic Books]] ==

* Happens in ''[[The Spectacular Spider-Man]]'' (and probably other adaptations) while he's wearing the black suit.

** Except in that [[Lost in Imitation|long forgotten original comic storyline]], where the suit ''didn't'' turn him evil at all ever, it just kept him up nights to act out more [[In ~~Harms~~ Way|thrilling heroics]]. The evil only ''started'' when the symbiote got dumped and [[Psycho Ex Girlfriend|reacted poorly]].

** Except in that [[Lost in Imitation|long forgotten original comic storyline]], where the suit ''didn't'' turn him evil at all ever, it just kept him up nights to act out more [[In Harm's Way|thrilling heroics]]. The evil only ''started'' when the symbiote got dumped and [[Psycho Ex Girlfriend|reacted poorly]].

*** Sort of. They later retconned it into the symbiote's influence causing Spidey to act... well, pretty much like all the [[Darker and Edgier|Iron Age comic heroes]].

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== [[Literature]] ==

* This is {{spoiler|Dumbledore}}'s backstory in ''[[Harry Potter (Franchise)/Harry Potter and ~~The~~ Deathly Hallows|Harry Potter]]''. He was dangerously close to joining with Grindelwald and becoming a [[Big Bad]] when his sister was accidently killed during an argument. At that point he came to his senses and instead became the [[Big Good]] that he is known as.

* This is {{spoiler|Dumbledore}}'s backstory in ''[[Harry Potter (Franchise)/Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows|Harry Potter]]''. He was dangerously close to joining with Grindelwald and becoming a [[Big Bad]] when his sister was accidently killed during an argument. At that point he came to his senses and instead became the [[Big Good]] that he is known as.

** Also the story for {{spoiler|Regulus Black}}. He was a loyal Voldemort supporter, proud to offer the use of his beloved House Elf...until he finds out that {{spoiler|Voldemort wanted the elf to test the defenses around his horcrux, which involved the elf being horribly tortured and left to die}}. After he found out about that, he gave his life to try to bring Voldemort down.

** And {{spoiler|Snape's}}. When he found out the information he provided would lead directly to {{spoiler|Lily Potter's}} death, he switched sides. {{spoiler|Pity she died anyway...}}

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* ''[[Angel (TV)|Angel]]'' does this (sorta) with Gunn and Wesley [[Triang Relations|fighting over Fred]], but when Gunn goes to hit Wesley, he accidentally hits Fred instead. Whoops!

* Whilst elsewhere in the [[Buffy the Vampire Slayer (TV)|Buffyverse]], Willow's downward spiral of magic addiction is brought to a halt when she crashes her car [[Break the Cutie|with Dawn in the passenger seat]] while under the influence<ref>yes, of magic. Just go with it.</ref>. Her manipulative friend Amy, who has been encouraging her magic abuse, is hurt by Willow's decision to quit magic {{spoiler|and eventually becomes a [[Big Bad]] in the Season 8 comics.}}

* In the [[Year Inside Hour Outside]] series finale of [[Stargate SG 1]], Daniel, having gotten fed up with what he thinks are Vala's intentionally shallow attempts at flirting and seducing him, lashes out with a nearly minute-long rant about her shortcomings that reduces Vala, who actually ''is'' genuinely attracted to him, to tears. It's especially shocking coming from '''Daniel''' of all people, but a close listen as his rant goes on reveals that he shifts from disparaging her actions to voicing his own insecurities and hesitancy about them having a relationship. And when a disturbed Daniel realizes both this and how badly he's hurt her, he quickly lets Vala know that he ''does'' return her feelings. They then decide to see if they can sustain a relationship, and [[Sexy Discretion Shot|you can guess what happens next]]. And considering that except for {{spoiler|[[Word of God|Vala's having a miscarriage]] }}, they [[Nobody Thinks It Will Work|spend the next fifty years together with no problems]] before Sam [[Reset Button|reverses time]], apparently they work out any remaining issues.

* In the [[Year Inside, Hour Outside]] series finale of [[Stargate SG 1]], Daniel, having gotten fed up with what he thinks are Vala's intentionally shallow attempts at flirting and seducing him, lashes out with a nearly minute-long rant about her shortcomings that reduces Vala, who actually ''is'' genuinely attracted to him, to tears. It's especially shocking coming from '''Daniel''' of all people, but a close listen as his rant goes on reveals that he shifts from disparaging her actions to voicing his own insecurities and hesitancy about them having a relationship. And when a disturbed Daniel realizes both this and how badly he's hurt her, he quickly lets Vala know that he ''does'' return her feelings. They then decide to see if they can sustain a relationship, and [[Sexy Discretion Shot|you can guess what happens next]]. And considering that except for {{spoiler|[[Word of God|Vala's having a miscarriage]] }}, they [[Nobody Thinks It Will Work|spend the next fifty years together with no problems]] before Sam [[Reset Button|reverses time]], apparently they work out any remaining issues.

* In the ''[[Saved By the Bell]]'' precursor show, ''Good Morning, Miss Bliss'', one episode features Zack trying to join a club of popular jerks called the Rigmas. They tell him to start bullying his friends as part of his initiation. The biggest Kick the Morality Pet moment comes when he yells at Screech "Why would I want to be seen with a nothing like you?!" Thankfully, Zack later realized the error of his ways, and his friends forgave him. They together spend the last few minutes of the episode remarking on how stupid people often act in order to fit in with various groups. The episode ends with Zack symbolically dumping the bullies club membership jacket in the garbage while his friends give him the thumbs up.

== [[Video Games]] ==

* ''[[Tales of Symphonia Dawn of the New World]]'': {{spoiler|On the "bad" ending, [[Replacement Scrappy|Emil]] fakes his [[Super Powered Evil Side]] like he does on the other endings, but goes too far in his fight with [[Rogue Protagonist|Lloyd]] and [[Love Interest|Marta]], and wins the fight, killing Marta. Raine rushes over to heal Marta. Emil promptly admits it was all an act, and in an act to redeem himself, he [[Redemption Equals Death|kills himself]]. [[Nonstandard Game Over|Oops]].}}

* ''[[Tales of Symphonia Dawn of the New World]]'': {{spoiler|On the "bad" ending, [[Replacement Scrappy|Emil]] fakes his [[Super-Powered Evil Side]] like he does on the other endings, but goes too far in his fight with [[Rogue Protagonist|Lloyd]] and [[Love Interest|Marta]], and wins the fight, killing Marta. Raine rushes over to heal Marta. Emil promptly admits it was all an act, and in an act to redeem himself, he [[Redemption Equals Death|kills himself]]. [[Nonstandard Game Over|Oops]].}}

* Experienced at least twice by [[God of War (Video Game)|Kratos]], when he {{spoiler|murders his wife and child prior to the start of the series, and kills Athena while fighting Zeus at the climax of God of War 2.}} Kratos isn't heroic enough to truly experience the moment of redemption, however.

** Technically, by the [[Values Dissonance|Greeks' definition]], he's more than heroic enough.

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== [[Web Comics]] ==

* ''[[Drow Tales]]:'' Ariel was heading toward the [[Anti Hero]]/[[Anti Villain]] grey area, but after accidentally killing a slave she became more of an [[Emotionless Girl]], and more recently more of a [[Plucky Girl]] type. Because of this she ended up sparing an enemy and avoided directly killing someone else, though given the [[Crapsack World]] of the setting both of those choices may come back to bite her.

* ''[[Drow Tales]]:'' Ariel was heading toward the [[Anti-Hero]]/[[Anti-Villain]] grey area, but after accidentally killing a slave she became more of an [[Emotionless Girl]], and more recently more of a [[Plucky Girl]] type. Because of this she ended up sparing an enemy and avoided directly killing someone else, though given the [[Crapsack World]] of the setting both of those choices may come back to bite her.

* Happens in the Webcomic ''[[Zap (Webcomic)|Zap]]'', with the protagonist learning to use his [[Amnesia Danger|forgotten]] [[Psychic Powers]] to [[Mind Control|control people]].

* In the ''Secretary'' arc in ''[[Nature of Natures Art]]'', {{spoiler|XZ "breaks up" with SV by quitting the college, and he goes into an [[Unstoppable Rage]] and kills her. Whether he did a [[Heel Face Turn]] before he also died is up for debate.}}

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== [[Western Animation]] ==

* Aang has a similar experience in ''[[Avatar: The Last Airbender (Animation)|Avatar: The Last Airbender]]''. When Aang starts learning Firebending he proves his immense talent by turning a smoldering leaf into a ''[[Sphere of Power|ring of fire]].'' Katara's hands get burned badly in the resulting blast, Sokka gets ''immensely'' pissed off at Aang for hurting his sister, and Aang, in shock, says he's sorry. Fortunately this is when Katara discovers she has ([[Heal Thyself|self]]) [[Healing Hands]], but Aang ends up jumping to the conclusion that Firebending is strictly [[Bad Powers Bad People]], and resolves not to learn it. It would take two seasons for the cast to realize Firebending is ''not'' evil, and in fact life-affirming.

* Aang has a similar experience in ''[[Avatar: The Last Airbender (Animation)|Avatar: The Last Airbender]]''. When Aang starts learning Firebending he proves his immense talent by turning a smoldering leaf into a ''[[Sphere of Power|ring of fire]].'' Katara's hands get burned badly in the resulting blast, Sokka gets ''immensely'' pissed off at Aang for hurting his sister, and Aang, in shock, says he's sorry. Fortunately this is when Katara discovers she has ([[Heal Thyself|self]]) [[Healing Hands]], but Aang ends up jumping to the conclusion that Firebending is strictly [[Bad Powers, Bad People]], and resolves not to learn it. It would take two seasons for the cast to realize Firebending is ''not'' evil, and in fact life-affirming.

** A [[Reformed but Rejected]] {{spoiler|Zuko}} wants to join [[Avatar: The Last Airbender|Aang's]] [[True Companions]]. He goes to Toph, as she is the only one willing to consider letting him in, and then {{spoiler|[[What an Idiot|accidentally burns the soles of her feet]], which she needs to see.}}

** A [[Reformed but Rejected]] {{spoiler|Zuko}} wants to join [[Avatar: The Last Airbender|Aang's]] [[True Companions]]. He goes to Toph, as she is the only one willing to consider letting him in, and then {{spoiler|[[What an Idiot!|accidentally burns the soles of her feet]], which she needs to see.}}

** There's also an event that took ''years'' to build up. Katara inadvertently ends up learning "blood bending", controlling the water in someone's very bloodstream to turn them into a puppet. Realizing the [[Squick|horrible possibilities]] of this kind of talent, especially when she's forced to use it to stop the twisted old lady who taught her the technique, she vows never to use it again... Until Zuko leads her on the path of the one that led the raids that took all the water benders from the Southern Tribe and killed her mother. After years of sorrow and mourning, cue one [[Roaring Rampage of Revenge]], that ends with her using blood bending to almost make the man responsible kill himself. {{spoiler|Then she finds out, this guy is that admiral's REPLACEMENT. The actual admiral is now an old, retired man, leading a miserable life [[My Beloved Smother|in his mom's house.]] She finally lets go of the hate; he'd rather she just kill him. [[Crowning Moment of Funny|Or his mom. "That's fair! Right?"]]}}

* Happened on an episode of ''[[Static Shock]]'' where a kid being remorselessly tormented by bullies brings a gun to school, instead of shooting the intended bully he misses and accidentally hits Richie instead, who he was just trying to be friends with awhile ago.

** Technically the kid was just about to drop the gun and not shoot anyone anyway (Frieda and Richie talked him out of it). Richie was shot because ''just as the kid was about to give up the gun'', the bully's idiot friends tackled him which made him accidentally squeeze the trigger.

*** Still holds true however because the kid suffers a [[Tear Jerker|massive]] [[My God What Have I Done]].

*** Still holds true however because the kid suffers a [[Tear Jerker|massive]] [[My God, What Have I Done?]].

* A few episodes of ''[[Jimmy Two-Shoes]]'' had Heloise backing out of whatever evil she was doing because it was hurting Jimmy.

* In an episode of ''[[Transformers Animated]]'', an upgraded Prowl beats (clone) Starscream. Unfortunately there's a lot of collateral damage - including a torn down tree and broken bird eggs that he earlier made an effort to protect. Seeing these, Prowl realizes what a total asshole he's being.