History Main / TheDarksiDe

** In the alternate ending of ''VideoGame/TheForceUnleashed'', you can choose to [[spoiler:kill Darth Vader and take his place as the Emperor's right-hand man. However, you then decide to kill the Emperor to elevate yourself further, but he sees it coming and mangles you to the point that you had to be put into a suit like Vader was, and are forced to serve as his apprentice indefinitely (Palps is also noticeably much more blunt about his opinion of you than he was about Vader).]]
** In ''VideoGame/JediAcademy'', the reason given to why your character is tempted by the Dark Side is his/her mounting anger towards a [[TheRival sort-of-friend who has been annoying and trying to beat him/her all along]], culminating with trying to kill him/her during his own momentary fall to the Dark Side. If you take the Dark Side option and have Jaden kill him, then instead of maybe going MyGodWhatHaveIDone or something else sensible after his/her anger fading, (s)he will go on to decide (s)he now wants power above all else and go after the villain not to stop her but to steal her ArtifactOfDoom. Apparently for a Jedi to become angry enough to kill a helpless prisoner automatically also makes them obsessed with power and others' weakness.

** Same really applies to anything evil in the whole mythos this side of Morgoth, which seems to be the "root evil" of sorts. Which raises interesting questions about Iluvatar's motives in creating him and not stopping him (it's difficult to believe he was truly deceived or powerless to), but that's neither here nor there. As stated, practically every other evil character, or character committing evil acts, is subject to the Dark Side Temptation. Sauron wasn't the only Maia he tempted, and a case could be made for many Humans and Elves throughout the story.
*** It's quite clear in the ''Silmarillion'' that Morgoth was not created evil. Melkor is clearly an {{Expy}} of Lucifer, and is described as the greatest of the Valar. Like Lucifer, [[AGodAmI his pride got the better of him]], and he attempted to remake the Song of Iluvatar in his own image. And, like Lucifer, [[TurnedAgainstTheirMasters he rebelled against his creator]], and was cast out; losing his original name and [[{{Satan}} being given a new, less complimentary one]].

** Same really applies to anything evil in the whole mythos this side of Morgoth, which seems to be the "root evil" of sorts. Which raises interesting questions about Ilúvatar's motives in creating him and not stopping him (it's difficult to believe he was truly deceived or powerless to), but that's neither here nor there. As stated, practically every other evil character, or character committing evil acts, is subject to the Dark Side Temptation. Sauron wasn't the only Maia he tempted, and a case could be made for many Humans and Elves throughout the story.
*** It's quite clear in the ''Silmarillion'' that Morgoth was not created evil. Melkor is clearly an {{Expy}} of Lucifer, and is described as the greatest of the Valar. Like Lucifer, [[AGodAmI his pride got the better of him]], and he attempted to remake the Song of Ilúvatar in his own image. And, like Lucifer, [[TurnedAgainstTheirMasters he rebelled against his creator]], and was cast out; losing his original name and [[{{Satan}} being given a new, less complimentary one]].

* In ''Webcomic/{{Sinfest}}'' [[http://www.sinfest.net/archive_page.php?comicID=2075 Satan talks it up after a failure at temptation.]]

** More recently, in ''Comicbook/FearItself'', [[ComicBook/{{X-Men}} Colossus]], in a desperate bid to save the X-Men from a jacked-up Juggernaut, absorbed the Cyttorak crystal into his own body, becoming the new Juggernaut. He is now struggling to hold on to his humanity and prevent Cyttorak from completely possessing him. [[spoiler: Judging from some previews of ''ComicBook/{{Avengers Vs X-Men}}'' it's going to be a losing battle...]]
*** All of this turns out to have been [[spoiler:his own sister Magick's scheme to make him realize that she isn't his innocent little sister anymore. By allowing him to be Juggernaut for a while (she could have freed him at any time with her own powers), she made Colossus experience firsthand how the Dark Side changes people.]]

** For instance, in the game ''KnightsOfTheOldRepublic'', you are eventually confronted by a fallen Jedi, [[spoiler: Bastila]], who attempts to lure you to the Dark Side and applauds atrocious actions... despite the fact that they were a dedicated Jedi Knight only a short time ago -- no more than four to six hours of gameplay time.

** In the alternate ending of ''TheForceUnleashed'', you can choose to [[spoiler:kill Darth Vader and take his place as the Emperor's right-hand man. However, you then decide to kill the Emperor to elevate yourself further, but he sees it coming and mangles you to the point that you had to be put into a suit like Vader was, and are forced to serve as his apprentice indefinitely (Palps is also noticeably much more blunt about his opinion of you than he was about Vader).]]
** In ''JediAcademy'', the reason given to why your character is tempted by the Dark Side is his/her mounting anger towards a [[TheRival sort-of-friend who has been annoying and trying to beat him/her all along]], culminating with trying to kill him/her during his own momentary fall to the Dark Side. If you take the Dark Side option and have Jaden kill him, then instead of maybe going MyGodWhatHaveIDone or something else sensible after his/her anger fading, (s)he will go on to decide (s)he now wants power above all else and go after the villain not to stop her but to steal her ArtifactOfDoom. Apparently for a Jedi to become angry enough to kill a helpless prisoner automatically also makes them obsessed with power and others' weakness.

*** The reasons for his creation, and Eru allowing his corruption and not stopping him are actually given in the text, ''even while the explanation itself is serving to further the corruption'':
---> '''Eru Ilúvatar:''' And thou, Melkor, shall see that no theme may be played which hath not its uttermost source in me, nor can any alter the music in my despite. For he that attempteth this shall prove but mine instrument in the devising of things more wonderful, which he himself hath not imagined.
** We are not told that Morgoth was created as evil and given Tolkien's philosophical views it seems doubtful that he was intended to be so. The answer appears to lie in TheEvilsOfFreeWill.
** It's quite clear in the ''Silmarillion'' that Morgoth was not created evil. Melkor is clearly an {{Expy}} of Lucifer, and is described as the greatest of the Valar. Like Lucifer, [[AGodAmI his pride got the better of him]], and he attempted to remake the Song of Ilúvatar in his own image. And, like Lucifer, [[TurnedAgainstTheirMasters he rebelled against his creator]], and was cast out; losing his original name and [[{{Satan}} being given a new, less complimentary one]].
*** Tolkien was a devout Catholic and it shows a lot in his mythos. Melkor really had no provocation to become evil, though, or to be overly proud; it just kind of happened ... actually the only reason he became prominent was because he interrupted and twisted the Song of Ilúvatar. Which may be a way of saying that no creation of Ilúvatar is perfect (the Valar, Morgoth's opponents, had [[LawfulStupid plenty of flaws]] themselves).
*** Melkor was explicitly the most powerful of the Ainur, which would probably explain the pride. Exactly how powerful he was Tolkien was never quite able to pin down (ranging from being only slightly stronger than his brother Manwë to being as strong as [[AllYourPowersCombined all the other Valar combined]], and usually somewhere in between), but he pretty clearly saw himself as the pinnacle of creation. In any event, he didn't actually rebel until the Music, when he decided he could do it better.
**** "No provocation to become evil?" Let's have a look at that again: He was described to be aloof from the others, animcable enough just not a team player. When everyone was creating the world, any works he presented were nixed, even though they were described as beautiful and masterful. When it was done, none of his effort had been accepted into creation, for no reason given, but the implication was that the other Valar simply felt that LonersAreFreaks. A little bitterness just might take root there, and fester over the course of an immortal existence.

** It's quite clear in the ''Silmarillion'' that Morgoth was not created evil. Melkor is cleary an {{Expy}} of Lucifer, and is described as the greatest of the Valar. Like Lucifer, [[AGodAmI his pride got the better of him]], and he attempted to remake the Song of Ilúvatar in his own image. And, like Lucifer, [[TurnedAgainstTheirMasters he rebelled against his creator]], and was cast out; losing his original name and [[{{Satan}} being given a new, less complimentary one]].

* In Marvel's ''WorldWarHulk: X-Men'', Cain Marko succumbs to the lure of being an unstoppable force once again, and his own innate desire for destruction, which leads to his return as The Juggernaut of old by fully embracing the power's evil nature.
** More recently, in ''FearItself'', [[ComicBook/{{X-Men}} Colossus]], in a desperate bid to save the X-Men from a jacked-up Juggernaut, absorbed the Cyttorak crystal into his own body, becoming the new Juggernaut. He is now struggling to hold on to his humanity and prevent Cyttorak from completely possessing him. [[spoiler: Judging from some previews of ''ComicBook/{{Avengers Vs X-Men}}'' it's going to be a losing battle...]]

The EvilCounterpart, corruption or evil sides of the SentientCosmicForce...and a good number of non-sentient, non-cosmic forces as well. Evil is addictive; the more of its power you rely on, the more evil you become. The Dark Side is when the [[FaceHeelTurn temptation to fall]] has an added ''oomph.'' It's more than just the cumulative result of one's actions; there's [[TheCorruption a corrupting force that speeds things along]]. This is often the [[AppliedPhlebotinum Phlebotinum]]-powered justification of JumpingOffTheSlipperySlope, which results in the Fallen [[TheDarkSideWillMakeYouForget forgetting why they fell in the first place]]. The Dark Side often promises [[EvilFeelsGood pleasure]] with [[AmbitionIsEvil power]] and [[EvilIsCool respect.]] Sometimes, the Dark Side offers itself as the means to do good, leading to the hero falling to a HeWhoFightsMonsters situation. Once it gets you, there's an odd tendency to [[EvilCostumeSwitch accessorize accordingly.]]

The EvilCounterpart, corruption or evil sides of the SentientCosmicForce...and a good number of non-sentient, non-cosmic forces as well. Evil is addictive; the more of its power you rely on, the more evil you become. The Dark Side is when the [[FaceHeelTurn temptation to fall]] has an added ''oomph.'' It's more than just the cumulative result of one's actions; there's [[TheCorruption a corrupting force that speeds things along]]. This is often the [[AppliedPhlebotinum Phlebotinum]]-powered justification of JumpingOffTheSlipperySlope, which results in the Fallen [[TheDarkSideWillMakeYouForget forgetting why they fell in the first place]]. The Dark Side often promises [[EvilFeelsGood pleasure]] with [[AmbitionIsEvil power]] and [[EvilIsCool respect.]] Once it gets you, there's an odd tendency to [[EvilCostumeSwitch accessorize accordingly.]]

** The point behind Angel and the gang being recruited to run LA branch of Wolfram and Hart in Season 5 is basically this troope, even if they insist that they did so to do good. It is strongly implied (and occasionally stated more or less explicitly) that the Senior Partners want Angel (and his friends) to willingly choose the evil for "good" reasons.

** The point behind Angel and the gang being recruited to run LA branch of Wolfram and Hart is basically this troope, even if they insist that they did so to do good. It is strongly implied (and occasionally stated more or less explicitly) that the Senior Partners want Angel (and his friends) to willingly choose the evil for "good" reasons.

The EvilCounterpart, corruption or evil sides of the SentientCosmicForce...and a good number of non-sentient, non-cosmic forces as well. Evil is addictive; the more of its power you rely on, the more evil you become. TheDarkSide is when the [[FaceHeelTurn temptation to fall]] has an added ''oomph.'' It's more than just the cumulative result of one's actions; there's [[TheCorruption a corrupting force that speeds things along]]. This is often the [[AppliedPhlebotinum Phlebotinum]]-powered justification of JumpingOffTheSlipperySlope, which results in the Fallen [[TheDarkSideWillMakeYouForget forgetting why they fell in the first place]]. TheDarkSide often promises [[EvilFeelsGood pleasure]] with [[AmbitionIsEvil power]] and [[EvilIsCool respect.]] Once it gets you, there's an odd tendency to [[EvilCostumeSwitch accessorize accordingly.]]

Compare WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity. Often leads to displays of DrunkOnTheDarkSide and shouts of "ScrewTheRulesIHaveSupernaturalPowers" Also compare EvilIsNotAToy, where the danger is not moral, but physical. Opposite TheForce. TheDarkSide tends to be, but is not always, associated with Discipline in HarmonyVersusDiscipline for its dominating aspects. Contrast DarkIsNotEvil. TheDarkSide comes with its own built-in [[AnAesop Aesop]] about the ends not justifying the means. See also TheDarkSideWillMakeYouForget, a scenario where a once well-meaning good guy uses the dark powers for good ends, and over time becomes a villain in the process.

* Used straight and subverted in ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'': gaining Hollow powers raises people's upper power (it is stated that shinigami have a maximum power they can attain) and allows them great spiritual growth. But it also risks giving into your SuperPoweredEvilSide for a world-class FreakOut. The Vizard thoroughly beat their dark sides into submission in order to access the power safely, and teach others in their dilemma how to do the same; however, not all people who gain Hollow powers ''want'' to suppress TheDarkSide.

*** She touches this with almost everybody she comes into contact with, and has noticeably affected some of them (including Negi) -- the catch is that this setting weighs heavily on the side of DarkIsNotEvil. Her [[NobleDemon version]] is more aesthetic choice and [[LonersAreFreaks antisociality]] with [[TheDarkSide Dark Side]] corruptive qualities than what the (other?) villains in the series possess.

* We must mention Jack Kirby's enduring creation ''{{Darkseid}}'', the local [[AnthropomorphicPersonification incarnation]] of... well, TheDarkSide.

** The Denarians are perfect living examples of falling to TheDarkSide. They're evil through and through because of their greed for power, and they live symbiotically with demons from hell (in the literal Christian sense).
** The only member of the White Council that is allowed to violate the Seven Laws is the Blackstaff. This is because the Blackstaff (magical staff) wielded by the Blackstaff (the position) prevents TheDarkSide from corrupting its wielder.
* In ''The Tennis Shoes Adventure Series'', there's a demonic sword, created by an evil king from The Book of Mormon. It would slowly work its way into someone's mind, convincing them they could use it to become powerful. Through the use of TimeTravel, Todd Finlay got a hold of it and turned to TheDarkSide. Later on, Joshua Hawkins, son of TheHero gets seduced by it as well.

* In the last route of ''VisualNovel/FateStayNight'', Angra Mainyu's corruption of the Grail causes [[spoiler: Sakura]] to undergo this kind of [[SuperpoweredEvilSide transformation]] after she [[spoiler: suffers an AttemptedRape by her adopted brother]]. [[spoiler: Any of the Servants she [[FaceHeelTurn corrupts]] instead of killing outright, including Saber and Berserker]], undergo a shift to TheDarkSide along with her.

* We must mention Jack Kirby's enduring creation ''{{Darkseid}}'', the local incarnation of... well, TheDarkSide.

*** You can break the addiction though through sheer willpower, and end up becoming a [[GeniusBruiser]] you become more connected to your humanity by telling the Beast where to stick it, and get bonuses to mental stats (Called the Red Denial) the downside? It feels about has pleasant as hearing nails on a chalkboard, and chewing tinfoil at the same time. Denying the beast feels AWFUL.

* In Randall Garrett's ''Lord Darcy'' universe, practicing Black Magic for any amount of time will result in this.
* In Mercedes Lackey's Valdemar Universe there are hints that the ancient Big Bad Ma'ar may have started out this way.

* The Secret Society in ''House of Anubis'' soon bring in the newest teacher into their ranks (leading to his [[FaceHeelTurn face heel turn]].

* Somewhat predictably for the setting, ''TabletopGame/{{Warhammer 40000}}'' takes this trope and hurls it screaming over the edge in the form of Chaos. The result? There's no Light Side--only a sort of Gray Side, and the actual Dark Side is ''sentient''. A sentient, extremely intelligent, masterfully manipulative, and very powerful Dark Side that occasionally takes matters into its own hands when mortal pawns aren't getting the job done.
** Happens quite a bit to Radical Inquisitors in the background, using demonic powers or weapons to fight Chaos is a good way to get corrupted ''to'' Chaos, especially because many Radicals have to employ evil methods to ''acquire'' such power.
** An excellent example of the power of Chaos, is the HorusHeresy novel ''{{Fulgrim}}''. Fulgrim starts out as a Primarch, the settings' equivalent of a human archangel, and a great lover of art of all kinds. In the end, the least of his depravities is creating art with the blood and screams of his victims. Throughout this, Fulgrim never realised what was happening, and every step on the way makes absolute, reasonable, bone-chilling ''sense''.

* In A.L. Phillips's Literature/TheQuestOfTheUnaligned, [[DarkIsEvil elemental Darkness]] is inextricably entangled with each of the four elemental magics, and mages [[spoiler: except for the orahs, who "live aligned with light alone"]] constantly have to fight its pull. [[spoiler: Additionally, it is possible under certain extreme circumstances to become a hoshek, a mage aligned with pure darkness. This grants almost unlimited power, at the cost of becoming completely psychotic and UtterlyEvil. The last hoshek to be created destroyed half of Caederan before finally being defeated.]]

* Raven in the first season ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitans'' episode "Nevermore". Her inner darkness took control of her, that's why she pulled Dr. Light under her cloak with all the [[NaughtyTentacles black tentacles]] and did [[MindRape something horrible]] underneath. All with [[GlowingEyesOfDoom glowing]] [[RedEyesTakeWarning red eyes]] and the nastiest smile she's ever had in the show. It's a deep [[EnemyWithin internal struggle]] though, and she's mortified when she snaps out of it. Though the glow comes back and she snarls with sharp teeth when asked what she'd done to him.

** ''TabletopGame/MageTheAscension'' has the various evil forces served by the Nephandi, some of which appear to come from the Wyrm and others of which seem to be EldritchAbominations from the far edges of the Solar System. Serving them is not healthy for your sanity.

Compare WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity. Often leads to displays of DrunkOnTheDarkSide and shouts of "ScrewTheRulesIHaveSupernaturalPowers" Also compare EvilIsNotAToy, where the danger is not moral, but physical. Opposite TheForce. TheDarkSide tends to be, but is not always, associated with Discipline in HarmonyVersusDiscipline for its dominating aspects. Contrast DarkIsNotEvil. TheDarkSide comes with its own built-in [[AnAesop Aesop]] about the ends not justifying the means. See also TheDarkSideWillMakeYouForget, a scenario where a once well-meaning good guy uses the dark powers for good ends, and overtime becomes a villain in the process.

* ''{{Worms}}'' has a rather odd take on the Darkside being defensive by burrowing into the terrain and gaurding yourself with girders, it's still fighting dirty as you can burrow down and unleash an Armageddon if you have one.

** ''Does'' appear, however, in a '[[ComicBook/{{What If}} What If...?]]' in which the symbiote latches on to the Punisher after Spider-Man rids himself of it, and attempts to corrupt the Punisher into killing Spider-Man. Subverted, however, in that the Punisher -- who is already [[AntiHero a pretty dark character anyway]] -- is having none of it, manages to gain control of the symbiote, and informs it that if it ever tries to make him hurt an innocent again, he'll kill them both.

** Same really applies to anything evil in the whole mythos this side of Morgoth, which seems to be the "root evil" of sorts. Which raises interesting questions about Iluvatar's motives in creating him and not stopping him (it's difficult to believe he was truly deceived or powerless to), but that's neither here nor there. As stated, practically every other evil character, or character committing evil acts, is subject to the Dark Side Temptation. Sauron wasn't the only Maia he tempted, and a case could be made for many Humans and Elves throughout the story.

---> '''Eru Illuvatar:''' And thou, Melkor, shall see that no theme may be played which hath not its uttermost source in me, nor can any alter the music in my despite. For he that attempteth this shall prove but mine instrument in the devising of things more wonderful, which he himself hath not imagined.

** It's quite clear in the ''Silmarillion'' that Morgoth was not created evil. Melkor is cleary an {{Expy}} of Lucifer, and is described as the greatest of the Valar. Like Lucifer, [[AGodAmI his pride got the better of him]], and he attempted to remake the Song of Illuvatar in his own image. And, like Lucifer, [[TurnedAgainstTheirMasters he rebelled against his creator]], and was cast out; losing his original name and [[{{Satan}} being given a new, less complimentary one]].
*** Tolkien was a devout Catholic and it shows a lot in his mythos. Melkor really had no provocation to become evil, though, or to be overly proud; it just kind of happened ... actually the only reason he became prominent was because he interrupted and twisted the Song of Iluvatar. Which may be a way of saying that no creation of Iluvatar is perfect (the Valar, Morgoth's opponents, had [[LawfulStupid plenty of flaws]] themselves).