Reflections Lost on a Dark Road: Difference between revisions

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* [[Angst Nuke]]: How Starfire takes out Saffron.

* [[Animal Motif]]: Both Ryougas think that Ranma has a Tiger motif.

* [[Anti Hero]]: DT Ryouga, Raven, and Ranma are types II, but Raven is quickly marching downwards lately. Since arriving in the X-COM-verse, she's lost her telekinetic powers, but gained the ability to possess the enemy to turn them into kamikaze meat-puppets, and telepathically deliberately inflicted extreme pain on a good friend (Cyborg). X-COM Ryoga is either an extreme type III or a type IV. [[Your Mileage May Vary]].

* [[Anti-Hero]]: DT Ryouga, Raven, and Ranma are types II, but Raven is quickly marching downwards lately. Since arriving in the X-COM-verse, she's lost her telekinetic powers, but gained the ability to possess the enemy to turn them into kamikaze meat-puppets, and telepathically deliberately inflicted extreme pain on a good friend (Cyborg). X-COM Ryoga is either an extreme type III or a type IV. [[Your Mileage May Vary]].

* [[Ape Shall Never Kill Ape]]: The aliens are all linked to the [[Hive Mind|Mind]], making it impossible for them to turn on each other (unless they are freed from the Mind's control or something else overrides it).

* [[Arbitrary Skepticism]]: As X-COM is dealing with increasing numbers of delusional psychics, it takes a while to realize that the Titans are potential allies rather than alien dupes. Their first response is thus [[Let's You and Him Fight]]; a command to surrender to their authority, with a warning that they will [[Fantastic Nuke|Blaster Bomb]] them rather than let them wander around.

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'''Cyborg:'''"Ryo's umbrella has a ''Helicopter Option''!" }}

* [[Broken Aesop]]:

** [[Genki Girl|Anime Starfire]] [[Out of Character|somehow rationalises]] restraint against non-superpowered opponents as a version of supremacism, and not in the "You should show restraint against the aliens as well" direction, but rather [[Kill Em All|the other one]]. <ref> Possibly a very loose, some generations-removed, memetic leftover from the popular online or GTA style: "If you are willing to accept the unavoidable realities of eating animals, you have to be willing to murder, eat, and put anybody in a genocide camp, or you're a hypocrite, as benevolence has to include all or nothing, and as all is impossible per definition you should all become casual spree-killers, or you are all horrible people" rationale.</ref> This despite that her teammates would have preferred to use non-lethal force against the alien war-breeds as well, but they were conceptually designed to be impossible to use it against, and near impossible to even keep alive in confinement to boot. However, she also makes a valid point about that the term "[http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/inhuman inhuman]" is contradictory, as there will always be some human perfectly willing to commit any level of atrocity.

** [[Genki Girl|Anime Starfire]] [[Out of Character|somehow rationalises]] restraint against non-superpowered opponents as a version of supremacism, and not in the "You should show restraint against the aliens as well" direction, but rather [[Kill'Em All|the other one]]. <ref> Possibly a very loose, some generations-removed, memetic leftover from the popular online or GTA style: "If you are willing to accept the unavoidable realities of eating animals, you have to be willing to murder, eat, and put anybody in a genocide camp, or you're a hypocrite, as benevolence has to include all or nothing, and as all is impossible per definition you should all become casual spree-killers, or you are all horrible people" rationale.</ref> This despite that her teammates would have preferred to use non-lethal force against the alien war-breeds as well, but they were conceptually designed to be impossible to use it against, and near impossible to even keep alive in confinement to boot. However, she also makes a valid point about that the term "[http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/inhuman inhuman]" is contradictory, as there will always be some human perfectly willing to commit any level of atrocity.

** The psychologist that Starfire spoke to, stated that UNETCO members who started to not find the act of murder unpleasant and actually greatly enjoyed it were sensibly weeded out of the organization, yet Shampoo is also portrayed as being extremely sexually stimulated from playing sadistic hunt-games with completely outmatched prey (including previously doing so for sport and training at the age of 13, against non-superhuman opponents), and then enthusiastically slaughter them in as brutal manner as possible, and she is still there without anybody batting an eyelash.

* [[Brought Down to Normal]]: Not quite. Raven starts losing her telekinetic abilities due to being separated from Trigon's presence, but trains up her telepathic abilities to make up for it.

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* [[Deflector Shields]]: Jinx's Armor has a force field

* [[Determinator]]: Pretty much all of the Teen Titans, India Squad, and Juliet Squad, but special notice goes to Jinx and {{spoiler|Akari}}. They go on a hundred kilometer dash to the nearest city through a snow filled forest while fighting off armed aliens, fending off mental attacks by an Ethereal, and fending off large tracking monsters that were raised by {{spoiler|Akari}} herself, and all while dressed in a manner unsuited for the environment. Then, when {{spoiler|Akari's}} operation is sabotaged by X-COM Ryouga, Jinx immediately joins the Titans in a mission to hunt down and capture an Ethereal so that {{spoiler|they can replace the brain Ryouga destroyed,}} all on the off chance that the operation will save {{spoiler|Akari}}'s life {{spoiler|without returning her to the Mind's control.}}

* [[Differently Powered Individual]]: Rogue psychics. X-COM-style psionics that, like the aliens, can use their abilities without [[Amplifier Artifact|psi-amps]]. That the aliens created but can't replicate in [[Boss in Mook Clothing|Ethereals]]. And let wander around freely until X-COM [[Mutant Draft Board|hunts them down.]] They're the justification for [[Let's You and Him Fight|attacking the Titans on sight]]. Most are repeat abductees. Enhanced Martial artists have only recently fallen into this category as well, as the aliens turn their attention on this much smaller study population.

* [[Differently-Powered Individual]]: Rogue psychics. X-COM-style psionics that, like the aliens, can use their abilities without [[Amplifier Artifact|psi-amps]]. That the aliens created but can't replicate in [[Boss in Mook Clothing|Ethereals]]. And let wander around freely until X-COM [[Mutant Draft Board|hunts them down.]] They're the justification for [[Let's You and Him Fight|attacking the Titans on sight]]. Most are repeat abductees. Enhanced Martial artists have only recently fallen into this category as well, as the aliens turn their attention on this much smaller study population.

* [[Does This Remind You of Anything]]: Although it is uncertain how much of this was unintentional and simply inherent undertones in the original X-COM chronology, there are lots of [[Rule of Symbolism]] aspects packed into RLOADR, very [[Family Unfriendly Aesop]] style or otherwise, including Saffron now being an [[Eldritch Abomination]] [[Suicide Attack|suicide bomber]]. The opposition are written as some kind of odd [[Buddhism]] + [[Cybernetics Eat Your Soul|Internet Addiction]] + [[Political Ideologies|Socialism]] + [[Spoiled Brat]] + [[Psychopathic Manchild]] + [[Islam|Islam Fundamentalist]] + [[Eldritch Abomination]] extreme [[Take That]] [[Accentuate the Negative]] distortion/inaccurate associations overlap, which comes across as [[Unfortunate Implications]], considering that the first two to four groups are generally completely harmless in real world terms, if possibly helpless in certain areas, while [[Sociopathic Soldier|some of the types]] [[Mad Doctor|of people]] set as [[Designated Hero|Designated Heroes]] against them are very much not.

* [[Does This Remind You of Anything?]]: Although it is uncertain how much of this was unintentional and simply inherent undertones in the original X-COM chronology, there are lots of [[Rule of Symbolism]] aspects packed into RLOADR, very [[Family-Unfriendly Aesop]] style or otherwise, including Saffron now being an [[Eldritch Abomination]] [[Suicide Attack|suicide bomber]]. The opposition are written as some kind of odd [[Buddhism]] + [[Cybernetics Eat Your Soul|Internet Addiction]] + [[Political Ideologies|Socialism]] + [[Spoiled Brat]] + [[Psychopathic Manchild]] + [[Islam|Islam Fundamentalist]] + [[Eldritch Abomination]] extreme [[Take That]] [[Accentuate the Negative]] distortion/inaccurate associations overlap, which comes across as [[Unfortunate Implications]], considering that the first two to four groups are generally completely harmless in real world terms, if possibly helpless in certain areas, while [[Sociopathic Soldier|some of the types]] [[Mad Doctor|of people]] set as [[Designated Hero|Designated Heroes]] against them are very much not.

* [[Dream Land]]: Jinx frequently has hers visited by {{spoiler|Akari}}. {{spoiler|Akari}} has also appeared in X-COM Ryouga's [[Dream Land]], and once {{spoiler|Akari}} brought Jinx into her [[Dream Land]].

* [[Dream Weaver]]: Trenchard {{spoiler|Akari}}.

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* [[Evil Twin]]: What both Ryougas assume the other to be. Titans Ryouga genuinely is nicer though, and is as disturbed about the [[Sociopathic Soldier]] aspects as most people would be in seeing a killing-machine version of themselves, but is initially too idealistic to be efficient in the X-COM world, so he has to adapt. His counterpart is more mature however, but mistakenly thinks that his "brother" is simply jealous of him being stronger.

* [[Eye Beams]]: Starfire uses hers on Herb.

* [[Facing the Bullets One Liner]]:

* [[Facing the Bullets One-Liner]]:

* [[Fireballs]]: Jinx's attacks often appear as pink flames.

* [[Flash Step]]: X-COM Ryouga can use a combination of the Shishi Houkodan and Bakusai Tenketsu technique to launch himself like a rocket.

* [[Flying Saucer]]

* [[Frickin Laser Beams]]

* [[Frickin' Laser Beams]]

* [[Full Potential Upgrade]]: Cyborg is making one for Yankee Squad. This includes more armor than usual since most of Yankee Squads members are significantly stronger than the standard X-COM member and can handle the extra weight, as well as specialized weapons designed for individual members.

* [[Game Face]]: Raven does this early on when she lets her anger take control during the fight with her and Ryouga against X-COM.

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* [[Mind Rape]]: {{spoiler|X-COM attempts to use a machine to destroy the false memories implanted within Starfire's mind so that they may discover what the Mind is actually up to. Except ''none of Starfire's memories are false.''}}

* [[Mirror Match]]: Titans Ryouga vs. X-COM Ryouga

* [[Mood Whiplash]]: Compared to [[Dark Titans (Fanfic)|Dark Titans]], "Reflections" initially takes a massive leap along the [[Sliding Scale of Idealism Versus Cynicism]], to [[I Did What I Had to Do]], [[Sociopathic Soldier]], [[To the Pain]] [[Gorn]], [[Black and Gray Morality]], [[A Real Man Is a Killer]], [[Cold Blooded Torture]], [[Break the Cutie]], [[Good Is Impotent]] and so onwards, or to put it another way, it presents the likes of [[Warhammer 40000]] and [[Friedrich Nietzsche]] as the only reliable worldview, and everything/everybody else must be assimilated. It is still very well written though, likely even more so on a technical level, which isn't necessarily a good thing when used in this direction. Later it becomes much more balanced and enjoyable again.

* [[Mood Whiplash]]: Compared to [[Dark Titans (Fanfic)|Dark Titans]], "Reflections" initially takes a massive leap along the [[Sliding Scale of Idealism Versus Cynicism]], to [[I Did What I Had to Do]], [[Sociopathic Soldier]], [[To the Pain]] [[Gorn]], [[Black and Gray Morality]], [[A Real Man Is a Killer]], [[Cold-Blooded Torture]], [[Break the Cutie]], [[Good Is Impotent]] and so onwards, or to put it another way, it presents the likes of [[Warhammer 40000]] and [[Friedrich Nietzsche]] as the only reliable worldview, and everything/everybody else must be assimilated. It is still very well written though, likely even more so on a technical level, which isn't necessarily a good thing when used in this direction. Later it becomes much more balanced and enjoyable again.

* [[Murder Arson and Jaywalking]]: RLOADR Nabiki's consistently hardcore psychopathic acts and nature were initially given a [[Hand Wave]] as being on the same level as illegal downloading; which is generally simply morally neutral when it causes no harm, and grants a bonus much larger audience who would never have seen the work otherwise; whereas indifferently selling somebody who had saved your life into sex-slavery... is not.

* [[My Greatest Failure]]: Back in ''[[Dark Titans (Fanfic)|Dark Titans]]'', Titans Ryouga, after having [[Fake Memories]] implanted by Brother Blood, managed to maim almost every member of the Teen Titans. Then, after having his true memories returned, he proceeded to nearly [[Angst Nuke|nuke]] Jump City. While the other Titans forgive him, [[The Atoner|he has yet to forgive himself.]]

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* [[Out of Character]]: Absolutely excellent in TTATLB and DT, but:

** The "Road To Cydonia" counterparts of Ryoga and Ranma have been willing to kill armed, though extremely outmatched, non-superhuman opponents in battle, whereas the originals were firm [[Bully Hunter]] types.

** [[Friend to All Living Things|Kasumi]] is here perfectly willing to participate in [[Cold Blooded Torture]] against trenchard Akari.

** [[Friend to All Living Things|Kasumi]] is here perfectly willing to participate in [[Cold-Blooded Torture]] against trenchard Akari.

** [[Extreme Doormat|Konatsu]], whose entire point was that he had no natural urge to kill whatsoever, and had to be drugged by magic to get any, constantly runs dozens of graphic combat scenarios in his head. He still typically opts for the one that does the least harm to his opponent, human or alien.

** A much smaller issue is that Ryoga, whose entire point during the manga was that he liked Akane because he mistook her for a super-strong Kasumi with the same interests as him, was then paired off with a girl much closer to his/their actual ideal, sans the superhuman martial arts (Akari). Nevertheless, X-COM Ryouga is in a relationship with a mischievous psychopath (Nabiki), and DT-Ryouga with a much less extreme sociopath version (Jinx), although he initially ended up attracted to her because of mind-control.

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* [[Playing With Syringes]]: What X-COM does to {{spoiler|Trenchard Akari}}. What the aliens tried to do to {{spoiler|Jinx}}.

* [[Plucky Girl]]: Starfire

* [[Power Creep Power Seep]]:

* [[Power Creep, Power Seep]]:

** Initially, in Titans and the Lost Boy, Ryouga (and by extension, the rest of the Ranma crew), as well as Starfire and Cyborg are all drastically reduced in strength. As the story progressed, the author has been slowly been bringing them back up to their levels displayed in the animated series source materials. Ryouga and Starfire are represented as close in strength as a conscious choice by the author, as, although her greatest blatant feat of strength was far beneath manga Ryouga's, she was sometimes able to challenge Cyborg. Cyborg, whose top showing in the animated series include tearing up an office building and using it as a bludgeon, which matches Lime keeping open a closing ravine, is presented as ten times stronger than either of them. It would be about 3 times stronger compared with manga Ryouga, but that may be irrelevant.

** Since the author is using the Ranma anime and Titan's animated series as alpha canon (for observable combat feats, as opposed to trying to extrapolate from static page images), and the Ranma manga and Titans Go comic as Beta canon, quickly followed by the DCAU and other animated DC shows as third canon, followed finally by the actual DC comic lines for the lowest level of canon, this means that although the speed and skill feats for the Ranma crew are still superior to the Titan's cast, unlike the manga's supersonic speed and unearthly skill, it is not by an insurmountable level. Again, this was done as a balance issue, as the manga has showings far in excess of those shown in the anime, although comics Cyborg and Starfire were actually usually presented as far less physically extreme than their (much more compelling) animated series counterparts.

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** As a reverse counterpoint, another notable case of this trope is Starfire's flight speed. Despite her ability to fly FTL, both in the animated show and in the comics, she has been dropped to sub relativistic speeds in regards to Reflections.

* [[Powered Armor]]: The Armor Assist System

* [[Pre Ass Kicking One Liner]]:

* [[Pre-Ass-Kicking One-Liner]]:

{{quote| '''Starfire:''' "You may burn like the heart of the volcano itself. But I. I- ''I burn like a '''star'''!''"}}

* [[Ray Gun]]

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* [[Shipper On Deck]]: X-COM Ryouga ships Titans Ryouga/Raven.

* [[Sinister Surveillance]]: It's X-COM's Hat really, even saying the wrong word on a random phone can get you locked up, tortured, [[Mind Rape|MindRaped]], or killed.

* [[~~Spot Light~~ Stealing Squad]]: Early on, the Titans manage to steal the spotlight and run with it. Later on, it becomes more evenly distributed between them and India and Juliet squads.

* [[Spotlight-Stealing Squad]]: Early on, the Titans manage to steal the spotlight and run with it. Later on, it becomes more evenly distributed between them and India and Juliet squads.

* [[Static Stun Gun]]: The T-Brella has a shock feature in it. Although the one time it was used, it just pissed X-COM Ryouga off.

* [[Strapped to An Operating Table]]: How {{spoiler|Jinx}} wakes up after the aliens catch her. How {{spoiler|Starfire}} wakes up after Herb punches her face in.

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* [[Villain Protagonist]]: X-COM Shampoo. X-COM Nabiki appears comparatively [[Heel Face Turn]] most of the time due to her near [[Fate Worse Than Death]] experience, but allegedly plans to start her own world-spanning war-profiteer and mercenaries-for-hire organisation, which would turn her much worse than DT Nabiki/[[Complete Monster|a more extreme version of]] [[Black Lagoon|Balalaika]]). Jinx kind of qualifies to a degree, but she is genuinely improving, and was simply a burglar, not an assassin.

* [[Voice With an Internet Connection]]: Nabiki

* [[What Happened to The Mouse]]: The entire [[Inuyasha]] crew in the Sengoku Jidai is revealed to be [[All Just a Dream|hallucinations created by Kagome and her mother]], both delusional psychics. [[Word of God]] is that it was just a [[Shout Out]] that demonstrated a particularly harmless "Double A" psychic.

* [[What Happened to The Mouse?]]: The entire [[Inuyasha]] crew in the Sengoku Jidai is revealed to be [[All Just a Dream|hallucinations created by Kagome and her mother]], both delusional psychics. [[Word of God]] is that it was just a [[Shout Out]] that demonstrated a particularly harmless "Double A" psychic.