History Main / ThePowerOfLOve

* Ultra Boy is saved from [[MindControl The Blight]] by The Power Of Love in the ''ComicBook/{{Legion Of Super-Heroes}}'' issues right before ''Legion Lost''.

%%Administrivia/WeblinksAreNotExamples* In ''Webcomic/TheInexplicableAdventuresOfBob,'' the fate of [[WoobieDestroyerOfWorlds Galatea]], [[http://bobadventures.comicgenesis.com/d/20080902.html here]] and [[http://bobadventures.comicgenesis.com/d/20080906.html here.]]

[[folder:FanWorks]]
* The ''Pokemon'' fanfic ''FanFic/APikachuInLove'' both plays this straight and [[SubvertedTrope subverts it.]] [[spoiler: Though it gave Pichi the courage to save Pikachu from nearly being mauled to death by an Ursaring, in the end it wasn't strong enough for Pikachu to choose to stay with her over Ash.]]
* It is because of this in ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11886910/1/Gankona-Unnachgiebig-Unità Gankona, Unnachgiebig, Unità]]'' that Germany and Japan see the error in their ways and [[spoiler:decide to share Italy. However, they also fall for each other, completing the [[{{Polyamory}} polyamorous]] relationship.]]
* ''Fanfic/ChildOfTheStorm'' has this as a central underlying theme, with TheFourLoves being discussed InUniverse, and Doctor Strange's grand scheme resting on this and ThePowerOfFriendship (which, as one of the four loves, it more or less conflates). It even successfully defuses [[spoiler: the Dark Phoenix]], which is driven by ThePowerOfHate - though as is also noted, that [[spoiler: Dark Phoenix]] wasn't quite fully-fledged. Harry is particularly adept at using it, with Bucky noting in chapter 24 of the sequel that his love for loved ones, and more generally his habit of seeing the better natures of those who didn't even know they ''had'' better natures can be extremely powerful and - with the influence of [[spoiler: Gambit]] - inspires at least one HeelFaceTurn [[spoiler: (Maddie's)]].
** Speaking of the latter, Xavier needles Sinister regarding it, since [[spoiler: Maddie]] had been under his thumb since birth, under MoreThanMindControl for all that time, and ThePowerOfLove (combined with generally showing her a better way, months of [[spoiler: Gambit]] carefully DefusingTheTykeBomb, and well-timed revelation or two) was the tipping point that Sinister never understood, which brought about her HeelFaceTurn, and always would have done.
** On the flip-side, [[LoveMakesYouEvil love for]] [[spoiler: Carol]] is stated by Harry to be the one thing (if she was killed) that would make him cross his personal GodzillaThreshold and become [[spoiler: the Dark Phoenix]]. More generally, people he cares for being hurt or killed is the best way to unleash his inner monster.
* ''Manga/{{Evangelion 303}}'': [[http://eva303.smackjeeves.com/comics/1795223/059/ In chapter 13]] Shinji finished his speech about how he had seen all sides of Asuka –including the worst and darkest ones- and there was nothing that she could show him that would make him love her any less:
-->'''Shinji''': You call it imprinting… That’s all love is, isn’t it? A form of imprinting! The kind of imprinting that can survive anything!
* Fanfic/EquestriaGirlsFriendshipSouls: Human Chrysalis believes in this, though unlike her Equestrian counterpart who believes only she and other Changelings can use it, she acknowledges anyone can use it and admires both the good and ''especially'' bad things love will make someone do. Of course, like her counterpart she also believes people who let themselves be ruled by it are weak.
* ''Fanfic/{{HERZ}}'': In 2015 Shinji [[spoiler:was grieving because he loved Asuka and he could not save her. Rei’s love towards Shinji led her to feel his angst, rebel against Gendo and help him.]] In 2027 it is Shinji and Asuka's love for each other and their daughter and Rei’s love for them which drives them to come up with a risky plan to save humankind [[spoiler:and that love allows them to succeed.]]
* ''Fanfic/NewTamaran'': This is how Starfire defeats [[spoiler:Blackfire]], and why Raven becomes a [[GodOfGood benevolent deity]].
* The ''Franchise/HarryPotter'' fanfic ''FanFic/OhGodNotAgain'' had this to say about The Power Of Love:
--> "...What was that last part?" [[spoiler: Sirius]] asked.\\
"[[spoiler: Remus]] and [[spoiler: Tonks]] got married?" Harry repeated innocently.\\
"No, the other last part. The one about [[spoiler:Voldemort killing you," Sirius]] clarified.\\
"Oh, well [[spoiler: he killed me]] and I had a nice chat with [[spoiler: Dumbledore's soul]] who informed me that just because I was imagining things it didn't make it not real and then I got better."\\
[[spoiler: Sirius]] just stared at him.\\
"It gets better," Harry grinned. "Apparently I only [[spoiler: survived]] because of the power of love."\\
[[spoiler: Sirius]] groaned. "For the record, when you're telling this to other people, try to come up with an explanation that sounds more badass."
%%Administrivia/ZeroContextExample* In the ''Gears of War'' fanfiction ''Phalanx,'' this seems to be developing between Gordon and Irene, and Word of God has it that it will become more prevalent throughout the story.
* This, to an only slightly lesser extent than ThePowerOfFriendship, is what drives the good guys in the FanFic/ElementalChessTrilogy.
* Screwed around with in ''Fanfic/WithStringsAttached''. When George confronts the [[BrainwashedAndCrazy mind-controlled]] Paul, he cautiously attempts to snap Paul out of it by mentioning his wife Linda. Paul's response: “Who's Linda?” However, Paul reveals later that [[spoiler: he had thrown off the mind control within fifteen minutes and was faking it, so the trope never even got a chance to operate.]]
* Stellar Requiem's ''Film/TronLegacy'' FanFic [[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6704369/1/Survivors_Tale ''Survivor's Tale'']] plays this card for everything it's worth. First, in the arena [[spoiler: "Rinzler" and Yori recognize each other during an InvoluntaryBattleToTheDeath]] and it leaves enough of an opening for her to perform a move that knocks them both out. Second, Clu tries to have her executed, but she invokes [[IKnowYoureInThereSomewhereFight "This isn't who you are"]] and stops Rinzler dead in his tracks. Thirdly, [[spoiler: after she's been repurposed, Tronzler is able to set her free, even when he can't free himself]]. Lastly, Yori is asked by a cloaked figure in the back of the tavern if she could ever forgive Rinzler. She admits that while she would find it hard to forgive his actions, she will always love him, [[spoiler: no matter what he calls himself. That's when the stranger reveals himself as Tron and the pair are finally reunited.]]
* This trope is quoted word for word in the ''Franchise/HarryPotter'' fanfic ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2wL6i-kX9s HERMIONE AND GINNY VERSUS THE SPACE WIZARDS]]'' by Harry, after Ginny and Hermione have sex, combine their powers and free the other wizards so they can fight the evil Spacewizard Griz'nakh.
* ''Blind'' had this conversation between Naruto and the Kyuubi:
-->'''Naruto:''' Will it (being Hokage) really make me happy?\\
'''Kyuubi:''' Kid, I used to go around killing people thinking it would make me happy.\\
'''Naruto:''' Did it?\\
'''Kyuubi:''' Nope. But then I found a mate and we both went around killing people together and then I was happy.\\
'''Naruto:''' You... are a sick bastard.\\
'''Kyuubi:''' Yeah. But what did you learn from that?\\
'''Naruto:''' I need a mate to be happy?\\
'''Kyuubi:''' Most people do.
* In the ''Series/{{Heroes}}'' story ''Lost and Found'', when Claire sees Danko shoot Elle, it allows her to access Elle's power and unleash an electrical HeartBeatdown on him.
* In the ''FanFic/FacingTheFutureSeries'':
** Sam has used this a couple of times [[spoiler:when Danny needs to be pulled back after accidentally triggering his [[DangerousForbiddenTechnique dangerous]] SuperMode]].
** [[spoiler:It's implied that it is this that allows Danny and Sam to regain their memories of each other and escape Nocturne's dream world]].
* ''Destiny is a Hazy Thing'': The Power Of Love is so strong that even {{Eldritch Abomination}}s aren't immune to it.
* ''Fanfic/ChildrenOfTime'': love is powerful enough to ''break'' and ''remake'' [[Series/DoctorWho Time]]... and [[LoveRedeems redeem]] a certain [[Literature/SherlockHolmes detective]]...
* In the ''FanFic/{{Horseshoes and Hand Grenades}}'' story, ''A Month of Sundays'' this is played straight and subverted. It's played straight with Mari who [[spoiler: frees Miura from Gamou's mind control spell that forced him to become the Aries Zodiarts.]] Subverted with Yayoi with [[spoiler: Haruto after being transformed into a CreepyDoll with a mentality of a five-year-old boy. He responds with WhatIsThisThingYouCallLove and she slices him up and leaves him to burn.]]
* Invoked and subverted in the ''Manga/AhMyGoddess'' fanfiction ''Haloes''. Urd has a nasty bout with aphasia that robs her of spoken and written language, forcing her to communicate by pantomime and gibberish utterance. She later develops the ability to [[StarfishLanguage use music to convey her emotions]] and utters her very first word and sentence [[spoiler: ("Keichi" and "I love you")]], apparently out of sheer love. It's subverted, though: [[spoiler: By then, she has merely learned to, at first very awkwardly, translate her StarfishLanguage in human words. But the fact she was in love acted as a strong motivation to do so.]]
* In the ''Fanfic/EmpathTheLuckiestSmurf'' story "Empath's Wedding", when Empath and Hefty find out that Smurfette's "heart" has been taken by Chlorhydris so that she could no longer feel love for anybody, including her husband-to-be Empath, Empath decides that he's going to give Smurfette his "heart" so she could feel love again when Hefty, willing to prove himself to be Smurfette's OneTrueLove, decides to do it in Empath's place. Empath, wishing for Hefty to be a happy Smurf who would marry Smurfette instead of himself, returns the favor and gives Hefty his "heart". In "Empath's Honeymoon", it's after Empath's first time alone with Smurfette when they [[UnusualEuphemism "get under each other's hats"]] that he starts [[{{Smurfing}} speaking in Smurf fluently]], as before that he normally wouldn't speak in Smurf unless he was extremely angry or afraid.
* In ''FanFic/TheEndOfEnds'', Terra realizes who Count Logan really is and how her actions caused his rise to power. She then devotes herself to saving him because deep down, she loves him. This allows her to tap into the powers of the Light Prognosticus and over power Count Logan... [[spoiler:it gets subverted though. All that she managed to do was roughen him up. Had it not been for TheStarscream, Logan wouldn't have changed. It's only when he is mortally wounded that he began to redeem and not even the Power of Love was able to save him]].
* In ''FanFic/MegaManDefenderOfTheHumanRace'', this is a frequent theme, particularly between Mega Man, his family, and Kalinka. In episode 11, chapter 8, [=ProtoMan=] uses his love for Nomad to gather the courage to restore his old self. Two chapters later, he calms Nomad out of her destructive programming and pain. And in the finale of episode 11, [[spoiler:memories of those he loves enable him to fight Wily's fear program and turn on him]].
* In the ''Film/StarTrek2009'' fanfic ''Fanfic/WrittenInTheStars'', the love between Fem!Kirk and Spock is shown to be so powerful that no matter the reality, [[LoveTranscendsSpaceTime the pair will always be drawn to each other]].
** A straight example occurs in chapter two, in which the Prime Fem!Kirk tells the Alt Reality Fem!Kirk about the incident with the Medusan, Kollos. In this story, the only way to cure the insanity (brought about by looking upon Kollos) is if the victim's true love locks eyes with said victim. Fem!Kirk did this when Spock goes insane, curing him within seconds.
** Another straight example, similar to the first, happens when Spock goes crazy due to Pon Farr. He doesn't recognize anyone and attacks anyone on sight... except for Fem!Kirk, who he even ''protects'' from anything he considers a threat to her. [[spoiler: It is revealed that this happened because he recognized her as his bondmate.]]
* As the title implies, this is the central premise of ''FanFic/RomanceAndTheFateOfEquestria''. It begins shortly after the show's Season 2 finale, where the Power of Love was witnessed firsthand, and Twilight decides to pursue romance for the purpose of supplementing her studies on ThePowerOfFriendship, thus kick-starting the entire story.
* The the ''Anime/YuGiOhZEXAL'' fanfic series ''[[https://ycm.wikia.com/wiki/Numbershots Numbershots]]'' considers this as the natural evolution of ThePowerOfFriendship. During the Duel with the [[BigBad Numbers Distributor]] in "''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/8250709/5/Numbershot-C13-True-Love-Shines-Through-All Numbershot C13: True Love Shines Through All]]''", when Kotori combines it with [[SuperMode ZEXAL]], she becomes so powerful that she brings her beloved Yuma (who [[HeroicSacrifice heroically sacrificed]] himself to save her just in the previous chapter) BackFromTheDead. Before [[BattleCouple they proceed to thoroughly kick his ass]] [[CombiningMecha by combining]] [[SugarWiki/MomentOfAwesome their ace monsters]].
--> '''Kotori:''' This is a power someone like you could never understand. Numbers have hearts and feelings, like humans! They are capable of loving each other! And when you combine that love with the power of ZEXAL... the result is a power that cannot be stopped!\\
'''Numbers Distributor:''' This is impossible! I killed you! You should be dead!\\
'''Kotori:''' Don't you listen? When the power of love is combined with the power of ZEXAL... anything can be accomplished!
* ''Fanfic/GodSlayingBladeWorks'':
** Shirou Emiya has been seriously injured by Mordred and is almost out of mana, preventing him from using his magic. Then Mordred attempts to kill Guinevere. Arondight, the sword of Sir Lancelot, immediately appears in Shirou's hand and restores his energy so he can defend her. Lancelot loved Guinevere so much that his weapon was imbued with that love, and even though the Campione!verse Guinevere is a different person from the Nasuverse Guinevere, it would still do anything to protect her.
** Shirou gets controlled by Venus, the Goddess of Love, but eventually breaks free because of his love for Sakura Matou.
* This is basically the CentralTheme of the ''[[Fanfic/{{Cinderjuice}} Contractually Obligated Chaos]]'' series, best exemplified through a CallBack to an actual quote from the [[WesternAnimation/{{Beetlejuice}} source material]].
-->''I believe that when you love someone, the impossible becomes possible.''
* PlayedForDrama in the ''FanFic/TriptychContinuum''. In this continuity, Cadence's alicorn magic makes her the one pony who can directly manipulate love. And unlike in many portrayals, she is ''not'' limited to reinforcing existing love. She can create love, destroy it, transfer it, all with a thought. Needless to say, she is ''terrified'' of what she could become if she let herself.
* ''Fanfic/TheBridge'':
** Princess Cadance specializes in love magic, and the Crystal Heart is an AmplifierArtifact for love. It is among the only things able to reliably counter King Sombra's hate and darkness spells.
** While the Sirens normally channel and feed on ThePowerOfHate, Aria Blaze eventually remembers that her mother Hymnia taught her a song that channels love. She finds that love feeds her and powers her up much more than hate does.
** Even some ''kaiju'' begin to unwittingly tap into it, showing Equestrian magic doesn't play exclusives. Xenilla and Gigan on separate instances both got a boost of power via ''familial'' love for their respective younger sibling, granting them the strength to fight back against stronger opponents to protect the ones they cared for.
* In ''WebVideo/SwordArtOnlineAbridged'':
** Invoked but subverted in Episode 10, when Kirito and Asuna face off against the Fatal Scythe.
--->'''Asuna:''' Don't worry, Kirito, [[BackToBackBadasses I've got your back!]] [[BattleCouple With the two of us, our love can conquer anythi]]-\\
''[[[PunchedAcrossTheRoom WHAM]]]''\\
'''Kirito:''' ''[slurred]'' The Power of Love is ''bullshit''. The Power of Swords and Violence, ''that's'' where the money is...
** And mentioned again in Episode 11, [[spoiler:after Asuna breaks out of GM-induced paralysis [[HeroicSacrifice to take a fatal blow for Kirito.]]]]
--->'''Kayaba:''' Huh? How did she... ''[amused]'' There's not supposed to be any way to break out of Admin-paralysis! Guess I'll have to add that one to the log, "Power of Love might cause paralysis to fail." [[KickTheDog Heh, it's the damnedest thing, somehow that never came up in beta-testing.]]
* ''Fanfic/TheQueensConsort'': It was light magic that gave Elsa amnesia, so it stands to reason that light magic can undo it, and what is more bright and pure than love? The trope is practically stated by name.
* ''Fanfic/AdviceAndTrust'':
** Asuka and Shinji's love for each other is also the only reason why [[LivingEmotionalCrutch they manage to stay sane]]. And [[spoiler: their love for Rei ([[ShipToShipCombat regardless of what type of love it was]]) gave her support during her second detox.]]
** Kaworu had found that feelings like love and lust are the strongest mental buffers against the Call (his subconscious desire to cause Third Impact), so situations where Rei returns his affections (like giving him a "platonic" kiss on Christmas or [[spoiler:asking him out on a date]]) can drown it out entirely.
* In the climax of ''Batman: Angel of Death'', Selina's unwavering love [[spoiler:for her sister proves stronger than the years of conditioning that served to make Maggie subservient to the Order of St. Dumas and Père Roland, [[DefusingTheTykeBomb defusing]] her in time to save her sister from being burned at the stake.]]
* Downplayed in ''Fanfic/TheDarkLady''. While it is able to return Rumpel's memories after the Black Fairy curses him and break most curses, it is made clear that the Curse of the Dark One is an exception and immune to true love’s kiss.
* PlayedForDrama in many [[WesternAnimation/Frozen2013 Prince Hans]] redemption fics such as ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10229964/1/Warm-Hugs Warm Hugs]]'' and ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10289764/1/The-Phoenix-and-the-Snowbird The Phoenix and the Snowbird]]''. [[FreudianExcuse Owing to the fact]] that he was ignored and neglected by his own abusive family, he starts off as a grouchy man [[EvilCannotComprehendGood who derisively sees]] love as [[LoveIsAWeakness an idiotic thing]] only good for fairy-tale romances. But as the fics progress, a JerkToNiceGuyPlot forces him [[WhatIsThisThingYouCallLove to realize]] that LoveRedeems, how his hatred warped his mind and made him an enemy of the heroes, and that there's more to life than just being power-hungry. Sometimes, the heroes (Elsa, Anna, Kristoff and Olaf) even call him out on his cynical beliefs about love and/or ask where it got him, to which Hans is unable to answer. Also in many of these fanfics, he even genuinely falls for Elsa.
* ''Fanfic/SonOfTheSannin'': It is well documented in canon that Hinata is stronger and more confident when Naruto is present, so the fact that they're ChildhoodFriends here means that she is that much more powerful (to the point that she supplants Ino as the top ranked kunoichi of their graduating class). [[ShipperOnDeck Her mother]] took notice of this, and made sure to have Naruto come over to the Hyuga compound whenever Hinata was sparring as they were growing up.
* In ''Fanfic/GoingAnotherWay'', this, amplified by Shinji and Rei's [=EVAs=], is what brings forth Arimsael's downfall. Well, weaken him greatly enough for him to separate from the [=EVAs=] for Asuka, Toki, and Hikari (previously barred by his AT Field enhanced by the [=EVAs=] he was linked to) to charge in and stab him with their Prog knives. Upon nearing self-destruction, Toji then [[BeTheBall rolls up the Angel into a ball]] and chucks it sky high, and then Mana in her Trident delivers the final blow.
* The {{central theme}} of ''Fanfic/BeyondHeroes: Of Sunshine and Red Lyrium'' is the triumph of this over despair. Both [[VideoGame/DragonAgeInquisition the Inquisitor]] and [[SupportingProtagonist Varric]] are in frequent danger of succumbing to despair, and it's this trope which keeps them back from the edge.
* ''Fanfic/TheBoltChronicles'': Beginning with the "The Ship," Bolt and Mittens develop a [[InterspeciesRomance romantic relationship]] which continues through all following chronological stories. In the final story, "The Gift," it is revealed that they are [[OneTrueLove soulmates]] and their ability to become a couple helped them learn their last two main life lessons (tolerance and unconditional love respectively), allowing them to become complete souls and reside permanently in Nirvana's afterlife.
* A somewhat twisted example in ''Fanfic/SomeoneToWatchOverMe''. Knowing that akuma powers are tied to their emotions, Gabriel sets out to crush Adrien's spirit and thus prepare him for akumatisation, in hopes that his love for his mother will make him unusually powerful.
* ''Fanfic/TheManyDatesOfDannyFenton'': In the timeline where [[WesternAnimation/DannyPhantom Danny]] is involved with WesternAnimation/KimPossible, after he falls into a coma in a failed attempt to get his powers back, Danny is able to hear her voice and it's her being in trouble that awakens him.
* ''Fanfic/ChildrenOfRemnant'': [[spoiler:This is ultimately how the battle between the Claimed, the conspiracy, and the Huntsmen of Remnant gets stopped. Blake and Emerald's bluster is revealed to be exactly that when they can't bring themselves to attack Qrow and Amber, Jaune revealing how much he was tortured by Salem provokes the conspiracy into a massive MyGodWhatHaveIDone, and Pyrrha, despite being incredibly desperate and willing to attack anyone, comes to a screeching halt when she realizes that she almost cut Yang's arm off in her rage]].
* In the ''Literature/HarryPotter'' fanfic ''[[https://archiveofourown.org/works/21904693 I'm not on drugs, I'm just in love,]]'' Harry gets dosed with a particularly nasty variant of LovePotion that makes him violent against the people trying to help him. His love for Ginny lets him break out of it long enough to get treated. Ginny, being a Weasely, teases him for this mercilessly.
-->'''Ginny:''' ''[grinning]'' You love me so much a love potion didn't work.\\
'''Harry:''' ''[grumbling]'' There was no love potion. I was just trying to have an affair.
* In the ''Supernatural'' fic ''[[https://archiveofourown.org/works/28492482/chapters/69816459 Keep Your Love Alive]]'', Castiel manages to defeat Chuck by appealing to his sister Amara's love of Dean to convince her to do a SplitPersonalityTakeover from within Chuck so that she can help them save Dean. Chuck even lampshades it, asking disbelievingly if Castiel's last move is really going to be an appeal to the power of love right before it proves to work.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Literature]]
* [[OlderThanFeudalism To quote Virgil,]] "Omnia vincit Amor"[[note]]Love conquers All.[[/note]] and "Et nos cedamus Amori..."[[note]]And we too yield to Love...[[/note]]
* In Creator/LMMontgomery's ''Literature/AnneOfGreenGables'' series, this is what saves Gilbert from dying of typhoid fever, though in a non-magical way. Heartbroken over Anne's rejection and sick as a dog, he gets a letter from Anne's friend, informing him that Anne is not getting married to Roy Gardner (her beau of two years) and advising Gilbert to "try again". He remarks to Anne later that the doctors were amazed at the speed of his recovery after that.
%%* A common theme in all the four stories of ''Literature/AwakeInTheNightLand'', albeit each one deals with a different kind of love: the love between friends, the love between siblings, the love between son and father, the romantic love.
* The Power of Love was a particularly troubling notion to the Legalists during the Warring States Period, as it could inspire people to defy the government in favour of getting a better deal for their families. Hence, ''Literature/TheBookOfLordShang'' advises taking measures to keep peasants occupied with nothing more than farming, and to prevent them from having more than a subsistence living.
* In the moving final lines of ''Literature/TheBridgeOfSanLuisRey'', the Abbess Maria contemplates the souls of those who have died and those who are still alive but will come after them. She concludes that love is the only thing that gives life meaning.
-->'''Maria:''' But soon we shall die and all memory of those five will have left the earth, and we ourselves shall be loved for a while and forgotten. But the love will have been enough; all those impulses of love return to the love that made them. Even memory is not necessary for love. There is a land of the living and a land of the dead and the bridge is love, the only survival, the only meaning.
* [[spoiler:Scarlett's sister Tella]] dies at the end of ''Literature/{{Caraval}}''. Since she wasn't one of Legend's performers, she should not have come back to life, but [[spoiler:Scarlett]] used the power of love to wish her back.
* This is a strong theme in ''Literature/ChroniclesOfNick''. Every action done for love yields good long term effects, even if [[BeingGoodSucks short term is harder to deal with]]. Meanwhile actions done for revenge or anger [[BeingEvilSucks always come back to haunt the perpetrator]].
* In ''Literature/TheChroniclesOfPrydain'', this is used to [[spoiler: make the Pelydryn illuminate the night sky so that it appears to be noon]].
* Emily Elizabeth's love is what caused ''Literature/CliffordTheBigRedDog'' to become so big, even though he was the runt of the litter. The ExpositoryThemeTune of the Scholastic animated version lays it out -- "Clifford needed Emily, so she chose him for her own / And her love made Clifford grow so big that the Howards had to leave their home."
%%* In Jeramey Kraatz's ''Literature/TheCloakSociety'', when [[spoiler:Amp]] objects to leaving [[spoiler:his parents]] alone in [[{{Mordor}} the Gloom]], he is assured -- they are not alone.
* In Creator/DevonMonk's ''Literature/DeadIron'', [=LeFel=] has to kill Jeb because otherwise his and Mae's love would protect her.
* In ''Literature/{{Divergent}}'', [[spoiler:Tobias, under Jeanine's mind-control, becomes horribly close to shooting Tris, but the sound of Tris's voice makes him snap out of it]].
* ''Literature/TheDivineComedy'':
** Despite every assurance of Virgil, Dante is wholly unwilling to go through the final firewall between Purgatory and Heaven until he hears Beatrice's name. By virtue of that romantic love, Dante summons the courage to go through a fire more intense than anything on Earth to find Beatrice on the other side.
** The last verse of ''Paradiso'' and the ''Comedy'' as a whole describes God as "the love that moves the Sun and the other stars." This HappyEnding gives reason for this epic to be called a ''Comedy'' since nothing could provide greater joy than to know that the essence of existence is an eternal love between Father, Son, and Spirit.
* In Jim Butcher's ''Literature/TheDresdenFiles'' Love takes many forms and is shown in many forms, from a parental sacrifice, to TrueLovesKiss, to a holy Sword that is empowered by Love, and the revelation that Love, in its purest form, is a form of creation and so when the Universe was made, it was out of an act of Love.
** To the White Court, a species of [[OurVampiresAreDifferent vampires]] (specifically, the Raith family) who feed on human lust, fear, and/or despair, love is poison to the lust-feeders.
*** If a White Court vampire attempts to feed on a person who is, or was in a deep loving relationship, the vampire will be burned. [[spoiler:Years after Harry last slept with Susan, who was the last woman he was with, the Love created from that night remains with him so he is protected until he has sex with another person]].
*** Even symbols of love can be dangerous, a wedding band burned one vampire while a rose given in love to another causes the vampire who touched it to be poisoned by the rose's thorns. Even if the mortal genuinely loves the vampire, that love can be dangerous. One vampire with a mortal lover wears a thick coat between his neck and the hand-knitted scarf she made for him so it doesn't burn him.
** On a more ambiguous note, Harry is only able to help [[spoiler:Susan, who has been bitten and partially transformed into a Red Court vampire and is drugged and newly bloodthirsty break out of it when he tells her he loves her.]] It's beautiful and tragic.
** There also exists Amoracchius, The Sword of Love[[note]]Once called Excalibur[[/note]]. It contains a Nail that is one of the three that pierced Jesus Christ. Anyone who wields it in proper cause is a major power in that world. There also exist Swords of Hope and Faith, but it's slightly implied that Love is the greatest of them. If a person is wielding it in defense of a loved one, the Sword will grant the person its power and protection. One Knight was a family man with lots of kids and a wife, as well as a love for his fellow man. This fit well with the purpose of the Knights of the Cross isn't to smite evil, but help those who have fallen into its grasp a chance for redemption, and only kill if there is no other choice. The Sword is also aware of the wielder's intentions and will permit some to use it in unique situations. Harry once witnessed a half-human half-monster mother, whose kind are repelled by holy objects, take up the Sword to defend her child from worse monsters.
** Later in the same battle with the monster-mother, [[spoiler:when Susan, that monster-mother, has killed and took in the blood of her victim, and so transforming her into a soulless Red Court vampire, her love for her and Harry's daughter helps her hold onto her humanity long enough for Harry to sacrifice her on an altar the Red Court planned to kill the child in a dark ritual. Instead, Susan's sacrifice allows her, now one of the youngest Red Court vampires, to send this horrible death curse back up her vampire-sire line, killing any "siblings" who are older, then her "parent", and then any brood-siblings of the "parent", children of the brood-siblings, and up the line further until all who are "older" than she are now dead. As the Red Court originated with just one vampire and Susan is just five "generations removed", she ends up wiping out nearly of all the Red Court vampires]].
** Uriel tells Harry, "Whatever you do, do it for love. If you keep to that, your path will never wander so far from the light that you can never return." Taking this advice, Harry departs so far from the light that very few people have ever returned. How these factors will interact in future books is anyone's guess.
** [[TheFairFolk Queen Mab]] has a [[LoveMakesYouEvil healthy respect]] for this emotion.
--->'''Mab:''' So many terrible things are done for love. For love will men mutilate themselves and murder rivals. For love will even a peaceful man go to war. For love, man will destroy himself, and that right willingly.
** TrueLovesKiss is sometimes the only way to break enchantments on couples set by fae. See that page for more information.
** In the novel ''Literature/GhostStory'' demonstrates the love of a BandOfBrothers group. Fitz is a street kid who leads the younger boys in his care with love and respect, while they all serve under fear their leader Aristedes. Aristedes uses his ability to move fast and a CompellingVoice to be TheFagin of this band. [[spoiler:After two other characters wound Aristedes and Fitz stands up to him, Aristedes commands a boy named Zero to kill Fitz, but using nothing more than his words and the deep bond he has with Zero, Fitz gets him to drop the knife Zero is holding and frees the boys of Aristedes' control]].
** One character even equates Love with the Creation of Universe. Especially when one considers many are conceived during an act of unconditional love. Major Spoiler for ''Skin Game''. [[spoiler:And so when Lash, shadow of a Fallen Angel, willingly died to save the life of Harry Dresden, her host, she did so out of her genuine and unconditional love. What remained after that merged with the bit of Harry's soul he gave her and from it something new was created: A child. A spirit of Intellect carried inside Harry's head, though he didn't know this. She has all the knowledge of a Fallen Angel but nurtured on the feelings of love Harry has for his friends and family]].
* Takes a dark twist in ''Literature/{{Dune}}''. Doctor Yueh is BeneathSuspicion as TheMole due to his Sukh mental conditioning which prevents him from purposefully taking another life. While suborning Sukh conditioning is ''supposed'' to be impossible, the Harkonnens' Mentat Piter De Vries claims that with the right lever one can move a planet. Yueh's wife Wannah is that "lever". When Yueh eventually betrays the Duke, he tells him that some things have greater sway over his mind than his conditioning.
* David Eddings:
** In ''Literature/TheBelgariad'' and ''Literature/TheMalloreon'', 'Zakath was newly crowned at eighteen, madly in love and a candidate for becoming TheGoodKing. A plot against his life was perpetrated by his lover, so he sentenced her to death. Too late, he learned she had been an innocent set up by the Murgo king, Taur Urgas. After a month [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone locked in his room]], Zakath emerged as a combination of LoveMakesYouEvil and the EmptyShell. [[spoiler:Decades later, his life is saved by the mysterious [[BlindSeer Cyradis]] who then puts her own life into his hands to ensure he helps the heroes. LoveRedeems him into a GoodIsNotSoft version of TheGoodKing.]]
** Also in ''The Belgariad'', Polgara manages to defy ''an actual God'' thanks to the power of her love for Durnik, and saves the universe in the process.
** In ''Literature/TheElenium'' and ''Literature/TheTamuli'', there is the goddess Aphrael. Her "real" form is an adult woman, but she always appears to everyone as an [[TheCutie eight-year-old girl]]. This allows her to use The Power Of Love on everyone. When a cute young girl asks to sit in your lap, no one can refuse. Once she sits in your lap and gives you a kiss, she will get her way on everything she wants.
* In ''Literature/EllaEnchanted'' the main character (Cinderella) is cursed to always be obedient, no matter who gives her orders. When the prince she loves proposes to her, she is horrified because she is certain that someone will use her to hurt him (and her wicked stepmother and stepsisters immediately order her to say "yes"). She promptly tells him that she is cursed (violating one of the oldest and strongest orders that her parents gave to her). Ella goes on confessing to him and explaining why she can't marry him for two pages before she realizes that her curse has been broken by The Power Of Love.
* A central theme in ''Literature/TheEnglishPatient'' is the question of whether love can transcend national boundaries in wartime. The short answer? Yes. The long answer? Yes, but the results [[LoveMakesYouCrazy aren't always pretty]], and don't necessarily last.
* In ''Literature/TheFangsOfKaath'', the power of love in the heroes is able to repel the minions of the titular demon as if they are physically burned and cancel out a magic poison at the book's climax.
* In ''Literature/GalaxyOfFear: The Planet Plague'', Tash gets infected with [[spoiler: The BlobMonster [[TheVirus Virus]]]] and [[HatePlague thanks to it]] becomes more irritable and driven by thoughts of {{Revenge}} for [[DoomedHometown Alderaan]]. Negative emotions seem to speed the progression, and at the climax she's [[spoiler: oozing slime and having blob goo tendrils [[BodyHorror waving out of her skin]]]] and has to stop and instead focus on what she's fighting for and her love for the dead. [[spoiler: The tendrils drop off.]] She's ''not'' cured, but it handles the symptoms until she can be taken to be treated. Vaguely justified, in that she's Force Sensitive and a doctor earlier exposited about the illness.
--> "Your body has a certain temperature, and usually it creates certain kinds of chemicals in your blood, your brain, and all the different parts of your body. But when your body changes -- as when you are angry, or sad, or when you are sick -- your body temperature changes, and your brain sends signals to produce different chemicals. Somehow this virus affects those signals and feeds off of them."
* The running theme of ''Literature/TheGargoyle'' is that no matter how much tragedy that the Narrator and Marianne Engel go through, including their maybe past-lives, their love for each other is strong enough to carry them on to the next life.
* Subverted in the ''Literature/GeorginaKincaid'' series by Mead. The heroine is a succubus, feeding on life force through sex. Every time she has sex. [[CantHaveSexEver It means that she cannot sleep with the one she loves, ever, because that would shorten his life.]]
* ''[[Literature/ForgesOfMars Gods of Mars]]'': When the BigBad strands the protagonists on a dying planet, Bielanna saves them by harnessing the rogue trader Roboute Surcouf’s love for his ship and crew to open a portal leading back to his stateroom aboard said ship.
* In the ''Literature/HarryPotter'' series, love is said to be the source of the force which saved Harry from Voldemort in his infancy, and is cited as the secret power he has over You-Know-Who.
** On the other hand, love is the reason for [[spoiler: Severus Snape's decision to betray Lord Voldemort]], who [[EvilCannotComprehendGood could neither understand]] nor detect this decision because it was motivated by love. Voldemort's blindness to the emotion also leaves him vulnerable to [[spoiler: the Malfoy family]]'s betrayal. It's patently obvious to anyone watching (ie. Dumbledore, Harry) that any of those three would sell him down the river in a heartbeat to save the other two.
** The ultimate example of how love is his power is near the finale of the story when [[spoiler: Harry, to protect his friends, allows himself to be killed. His love for them was so great that he gave up his life, and in so doing destroyed the Horcrux embedded within his soul, leaving Voldemort vulnerable. Voldemort could not imagine somebody killing themselves for another and so didn't realize the significance of the sacrifice. More than that, his willingness to die for them provided everyone in the castle with the same type of protection his mother gave him]].
** WordOfGod states that [[spoiler: the reason that Molly Weasley was made to kill Bellatrix Lestrange was to show that a mother's love is far more powerful than an obsessive, fanatic love]].
** Used subtly in ''Deathly Hallows''. Harry's love for his girlfriend Ginny helps keep him together after [[spoiler: Ron ditches him and Hermione]].
** At its basic core, The Power Of Love in Harry Potter means the ability to care about another person, even more than about yourself. This is what Harry has and Voldemort lacks, and this is why Harry is always surrounded by close friends and reliable allies, that would die to protect him, and why Voldemort only has groupies and vultures with him, held in line with fear.
* ''Literature/TheHeroesOfOlympus'' series:
** This is how Piper saves Jason. Either that or he was OnlyMostlyDead.
** Arguably, while she does have feelings for Jason, it may not have had anything to do with that— she simply Charmspoke his soul to keep it from going to Hades. Still technically fits the trope, since only children of Aphrodite, goddess of love, can do this...
** It was revealed in the second book that the Doors Of Death are open and heroes can escape death for the same reason that monsters reform almost instantly. The Power of Love probably helped, but Gwen got back by herself, so...
** In ''The Son of Neptune'' Percy's memory has been wiped but AmnesiaMissedASpot: the name of his girlfriend Annabeth. Their relationship was too strong to erase completely, and his feelings for her motivate him to keep fighting throughout the book. [[spoiler: It pays off: He gets both his memories and Annabeth back.]]
* ''Literature/HisDarkMaterials'':
** Basically the entire point of ''The Amber Spyglass'': as the second Eve, Lyra experiencing love helps to maintain the flow of Dust through TheMultiverse. Complicated by the fact that the local CorruptChurch believes the prophecy to refer to a second Fall of Man instead, as well as by jittery publishers who censored what reads like a DidTheyOrDidntThey scene between underage characters. At minimum, though, TrueLovesKiss helped save the multiverse.
** The subtle knife is an AbsurdlySharpBlade that can cut through any material object and even the ''fabric of the universe''. Yet the blade will shatter if the user thinks of a loved one as they use the knife. It is strongly implied this is because the knife cannot cut through love.
* In Creator/RobertEHoward's ''Literature/TheHourOfTheDragon'', this is what inspires Zenobia to rescue Literature/ConanTheBarbarian from the [[TailorMadePrison oubliette]].
%%* ''Literature/TheHouseOfNight'': "Because Darkness feeds on pain and Light feeds on love."
* Everything Peeta does in ''Literature/TheHungerGames'' is motivated by his love for Katniss. [[spoiler:Until he is hijacked into hating her and wanting to kill her in ''Mockingjay''.]]
* ''Literature/JourneyToChaos'':
** Generally speaking, love is one of the domains of Chaos (as is all emotion) and used for [[ReligionIsMagic holy chaos magic]].
** In the third book, ''Literature/ManaMutationMenace'', Eric's DeclarationOfProtection to Annala enables him to overcome ordercraft mind control (with chaotic assistance from Annala herself).
** Also in the third book, TheFourLoves are essential to the only known method of curing "monsanity", A.K.A. mental mana mutation. Even after the FaceMonsterTurn, there is at least ''one person'' that the new monster refuses to attack. This person can then help a specialist restore the victim's sanity.
* Creator/TomHolt ''Literature/JWWellsAndCo'' series:
** In ''The Portable Door'', the only way to get [[spoiler:the swords out of the stones to get a hold of the keys on the end]] is to have two people who are in love pulling them.
** An even more bizarre version comes from ''You Don't Have to be Evil to Work Here''. Screwing with True Love actually causes [[spoiler:''the entire Universe'' to go a bit out of whack, and maths stops working properly]].
* In ''Literature/TheKaneChronicles'', Carter Kane has been poisoned by a magical poison. His sister Sadie Kane can only heal him if she learns [[IknowYourTrueName his true name]]. She does not find out about him until she tells him that he is her brother, and she will always love him, no matter what she knows about him. This shows that he means a lot to her, although they do not always [[BrattyHalfPint get along well]].
* In ''Literature/KushielsLegacy'', perfect selfless love is the key to "make of the self a vessel where there is no self", and thereby [[spoiler:hear the True Name of God. Phedre achieves it when she offers herself as a sacrifice in her soon-to-be adopted son's place.]]
* ''Literature/LegacyOfTheDragokin'': Kalak uses this to temporarily overturn Mordak's control and then to exorcise the monster from his own body [[spoiler: in addition to Zarracka's.]]
* In the ''Literature/{{Lensman}}'' series, this is what enables Clarissa to [[spoiler:find and bring back Kinnison after he went through the [[HyperspaceIsAScaryPlace Hell Hole]] and was trapped in a far off dimension that not even Mentor and the children could find.]] The chapter's even ''called'' "The Power of Love".
* Creator/CharlesDickens tended to like this trope, but particularly in the case of ''Literature/LittleDorrit'', when Love triumphs over parental abuse, economic swindles, psychological imprisonment, and hidden wrongs.
* There is an interesting use of this trope at the climax of Creator/TadWilliams's ''Literature/MemorySorrowAndThorn'' series. Just when it seems as if the BigBad Storm King is about to be [[SealedEvilInACan unleashed]] on the mortal world, TheHero Simon finally understands why he's been DreamingOfThingsToCome about the creature's backstory as the Sitha prince Ineluki. It is to [[spoiler:prepare him for the realization that the reason for Ineluki's desire to [[OmnicidalManiac destroy existence]] is how [[TheWoobie brutally he suffered]] in life trying to [[WellIntentionedExtremist defend his people]] from the depredations of [[HumansAreBastards mankind]]. This revelation allows him to do the one thing that ''doesn't'' feed the Storm King's power -- forgive him, which weakens him just enough for Miramele to kill his [[DemonicPossession physical host]].]]
-->'''Simon:''' No... I will fear you, but I ''will not hate you''.\\
'''Camaris:''' Forgiven... yes, let all be forgiven...
* In Poul Anderson's ''Literature/AMidsummerTempest'', The Power Of Love drives the magical rings that Oberon and Titania give Prince Rupert and Jennifer. [[spoiler:Unfortunately, along comes TheVamp with a LovePotion and then they must soldier on without the magic.]]
%%%%Administrivia/ZeroContextExample* In Creator/KateDiCamillo's ''Literature/TheMiraculousJourneyOfEdwardTulane'', this is what Edward learns.
%%* Employed with less than favorable results in [[Literature/{{Reckless}} The Mirrorworld Series]].
* In Teresa Frohock's ''Literature/MiserereAnAutumnTale'', Lucian's deliberate attempt to keep from loving Lindsay, to protect her, weakened him; when he realized it, he let himself love her.
* ''Literature/MollyMoon'' has a scene in the third book where Molly is able to unlock the true power of her time-travel crystal (this one only allows her to go back, not forward) when she begs it to let her get back to the people she loves. She explains this to the villain, who doesn't understand love, and therefore ends up in prehistoric times on his own, while Molly is able to go through time more easily by channeling her love into the crystals.
* In ''Literature/NightOfTheAssholes'', [[spoiler: Todd and Barbara discover that genuine love and caring renders the assholes into a pacified state and manage to escape the house and the crowd of assholes surrounding it by making love. It is kept vague whether or not it was genuinely working or if the assholes were just toying with them.]]
* Creator/IsaacAsimov and Creator/JanetAsimov's ''Literature/NorbyAndTheQueensNecklace'': Norby is comatose after the replica necklace gets attached to him. Jeff has to concentrate on his TouchTelepathy and invest in his love for his friend, first to contact [[NeglectfulPrecursors the Others]], then to break the necklace safely. The Other helping him makes it explicit that it is Jeff's love for Norby that is needed to save Norby's life.
* In ''Literature/OnceUponAMarigold'', Marigold's love for Christian heals him of his arrow wound. Granted, she already had some magical ability thanks to a gift from a fairy at her christening.
-->'''Doctor:''' There's a faction that says laughter is the best medicine, and a smaller one that says love is.
* In ''Literature/ThePhantomOfTheOpera'', Christine's genuine compassion for Erik (despite not condoning [[CrazyJealousGuy his actions towards her]]) is enough for him to realize the error of his ways, pull a HeelFaceTurn, and let her go free.
* In L. Jagi Lamplighter's ''[[Literature/ProsperosDaughter Prospero in Hell]]'', Miranda learns how the Sibyl acts as the instrument for the love of one of ThePowersThatBe.
* Averted in ''Literature/RavellingWrath''. Even though Rinn and Yali love each other, Yali explicitly states that Rinn's love would ''not'' be enough to stop Rinn from killing her under the Blood God's influence.
* In ''Literature/TheReckonersTrilogy'' Megan speculates, with some disgust at the cliché, that this is what allows Epics to resist the corrupting nature of their powers - then does a VerbalBackspace when she realizes [[LoveConfession what she just admitted]]. [[spoiler: It turns out to be courage in any case.]]
* The {{novelization}} of ''Film/RevengeOfTheSith'' invokes this to turn the book's ending, a bit harsher than the film's, more {{bittersweet|Ending}}.
--> The dark is generous, and it is patient, and [[TheBadGuyWins it always wins]] -- but in the heart of its strength lies weakness: one lone candle is enough to hold it back.\\
Love is more than a candle.\\
Love can ignite the stars.
* ''Literature/SchooledInMagic'': {{Discussed}} and mocked in ''Work Experience''. Some of the ballads about Emily claim she defeated Shadye by using this, to her embarrassment, finding the idea it could work on a monster like him absurd.
* In ''Literature/SpaceBeasts'', The Power of Love is what drives the plot. The Prophecy that sets the plot in motion states, ''"If a virgin human male loves a humanimal female with all his heart and '''he''' loses his virginity to her, then the universe will be altered and all intelligent beings will become equal."''
* In the Franchise/StarWarsLegends ([[Literature/FateoftheJedi Fate of the Jedi: Ascension]]) Jaina [[InvokedTrope Invokes]] this for the above-mentioned events, while vouching for Ben's [[BastardUnderstudy Sith Apprentice]] girlfriend, Vestara:
-->"I don't want to get too sentimental here, uncle Luke, but don't underestimate The Power Of Love. It's [[LoveRedeems pulled two family members back]] from the DarkSide already. Ben's sixteen, but he's not a fool."
** In the Expanded Universe, Qui-Gon Jinn explains that love, a connection to others, is a prerequisite for becoming a Force Ghost.
* In Creator/RobertAHeinlein's ''Literature/TimeEnoughForLove'', the subject of love is debated extensively by the characters. It is [[TheOlderImmortal Lazarus Long's]] opinion that love is the only thing that could make life worth living for thousands of years, and being loved can go so far as to cause complex computers to [[InstantAIJustAddWater become self-aware]].
* ''LightNovel/TheUnexploredSummonBloodSign'' features an unusual example where it's the BigBad who benefits from this. [[spoiler:At the end of the fifth volume, the White Queen is next to the love of her life, Kyousuke. An army of Unexplored-Class Materials -- beings more powerful than gods, whose very nature is to seal the Queen's power -- is approaching with the intention of killing her, and Kyousuke would undoubtedly be killed in the crossfire. But the Queen manages to defeat them all, while ensuring that not a single attack hits Kyousuke.]]
* ''Literature/{{Uprooted}}'': Used alongside powerful magic to purify people of the Wood's corruption, which [[BlackBugRoom traps their minds in torment]] and uses their bodies as {{Meat Puppet}}s. The magic finds their minds, but they break free by reaching out to someone for whom they feel strong, mutual love.
* In ''Literature/WarmBodies'', the power of love brings a zombie back to life.
* In ''Literature/WarriorCats'', one of the usual gifts a leader is imbued with while receiving their [[CatsHaveNineLives nine lives]] is love -- usually of the sort a mother has for her kits, which is described as being unexpectedly fiercely strong. In ''Tallstar's Revenge'' Daisytail even says during the ceremony that there is no power stronger than love.
* In ''Literature/TheWheelOfTime'', TheChosenOne becomes more and more [[NietzscheWannabe nihilistic]] and [[HeroicBSOD self-destructive]] as a result of the memories of his [[{{Reincarnation}} past life]], when he [[WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity was driven mad]] and killed his entire family. [[spoiler:What brings him back from the brink?]]
-->[[spoiler:''Why?'' Rand thought with wonder. ''Because each time we live, we get to love again.'' ... ''If I live again, then she might as well!'']]
* ''Literature/WindAndSparks'' cycle by Alexey Pehov is a rather cynical DarkFantasy full of subversions, yet the trope is played surprisingly straight. The greatest magician in history wrote a lot about how powerful love is, but nothing about how to harness that power. Probably he never did. The heroes studying his papers discard that bit as useless. Yet they unwittingly manage to use it several times. Only in the end the PhysicalGod explains everything to the narrator protagonist Ness. [[spoiler:To properly teach all sides of magic "spark" the first teacher has to strongly and sincerely love somebody. Ginora loved her stepdaughter to the point of shortening her life to save her, Layen loved Ness and frequently risked her life for him, Shen started teaching Rona after they fell in love... this also applies to the {{Big Bad}}s before their StartOfDarkness. Later they grew too bitter, wallowing in their grievances too much, and the sparks they kindled were flawed, if not outright dark.]]
* ''Franchise/TheWitcher'': In ''Literature/TheLastWish'' Geralt notes that true love has magical power. In the book's various vignettes two curses are broken by it.
* In Creator/AndreNorton's Literature/WitchWorld novel ''Year of the Unicorn'', Gillian's love inspires Herrel to take on the rest of the Were-Riders.
* A DoubleSubversion in ''[[Literature/SwordOfTruth Wizard's First Rule]]''. The subversion is in Kahlan's power which uses a person's love to make them a slave to her will. This completely destroys a person, with no possibility of reversal, and causes her to be hated and feared, despite being the de facto ruler of the land. The double subversion comes [[spoiler:in the climax, where Richard's love for Kahlan protects him from her power, allowing them to get together.]]
* In ''Literature/AWrinkleInTime'', Meg is able to save her little brother Charles Wallace from being possessed by IT through the power of her love for him. She suspects that if anyone ever offered love to IT, IT would shrivel up and die.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Western Animation]]
* ''WesternAnimation/AdventureTime'':
** In "Mortal Folly", Finn defeats the Lich the first time with a sweater imbued with the Power of [[CannotSpitItOut L-L-Liking-Someone-A-Lot]].
** [[DeconstructedTrope Deconstructed]] with and exploited by Maja the Sky Witch. She gains most of her powers through love, namely items that hold a lot of sentimental value to people... but it's also [[{{Reconstruction}} reconstructed]] in that while she herself understands what love is and manipulates it to her own ends, some entities that she tries to use for her own purpose, such as [[SealedEvilInACan Darren]], [[EvilCannotComprehendGood don't]]. This bites her in the butt.
* In ''WesternAnimation/AladdinTheSeries'' "Sandswitch" episode, Sadira switched places with Jasmine with a memory spell in order to make Aladdin hers. However, love was too strong for Sadira's spell as Jasmine and Aladdin love for each other was too strong. In addition, the Sultan's love for Jasmine was also too powerful for the spell.
* The two part episode "The Origins" from ''WesternAnimation/TheAmazingWorldOfGumball'' uses this as an explanation of how Darwin got his lungs and legs; [[spoiler: Put simply, Gumball and Darwin are connected by their souls with an unbreakable bond of friendship, and it was Gumball's love and faith in Darwin being able to return to Elmore after accidentally being flushed that caused him to undergo several million years worth of evolution in a few days at most.]]
* Jake and Rose from ''WesternAnimation/AmericanDragonJakeLong''. Jake wished that Rose was never taken by the Huntsclan, but then she remembers everything when she sees the photo of her and Jake from a dance.
* In ''WesternAnimation/BeastWars'', Blackarachnia defected from the Predacons to save her own skidplate, but the power of hers and Silverbolt's love brought her to the Maximals and made her part of the team, despite her initial reluctance. Since Blackarachnia was the DarkActionGirl for most of the series, this is slow going, but eventually, it does bring her around. Later, she's [[NotQuiteDead Mostly Dead]] until Silverbolt winds up facing the uber-powerful Rampage... at which point she's brought back to life in a new form and kicks Rampage to the curb, which is ''not'' an easy task.
* In the ''WesternAnimation/BatmanTheBraveAndTheBold'' episode "Mayhem of the Music Meister!", the titular villain uses his voice to hypnotize people into submission. When AQUAMAN holds Black Canary (immune to the power of the Music Meister's voice thanks to earplugs) so Green Arrow can punch her, his feeling for her prove so strong that he's able to shake off the MindControl for long enough to hit AQUAMAN instead.
* Used in one episode of the ''WesternAnimation/{{Beetlejuice}}'' cartoon, when BJ and Lydia's car Doomie falls in love with another car. Doomie is a SentientVehicle, but Pinky is not, making the romance difficult to say the least. But by the end of the episode, the trope is invoked in two ways. [[spoiler:Doomie's love for Pinky actually causes her to ''become'' a SentientVehicle. Less overtly, Beetlejuice's own affection for Doomie (and Lydia) overcomes his annoyance about the whole thing.]]
* In ''[[WesternAnimation/TheGrimAdventuresOfBillyAndMandy Billy and Mandy's Big Boogey Adventure]]'', Irwin uses this to save Mandy when she is kidnapped by the Boogeyman. Lampshaded when Grim said that it was "the power of love."
* In the ''WesternAnimation/BraveStarr'' episode "Who Am I?", Bravestarr had his memory blocked through a spell cast by Vipra. However, through the advice of the Shaman, Bravestarr uses this trope, although it also took the [[ThePowerofFriendship bond of friendship]], to break the spell and get his memory back, due to those strong feelings being more powerful than magic.
* Ma-Ti of ''WesternAnimation/CaptainPlanet'' had "heart" as his element, considered to be a warped version of this, which garnered a lot of [[WhatKindOfLamePowerIsHeartAnyway ridicule]] for how little and ineffectively it was used, as well as how ridiculously it was named. However, it is actually an [[HeartIsAnAwesomePower awesome power]], probably the best [[FridgeBrilliance when you think about it]]. He has mind-control and the ability to [[TheBeastmaster summon potentially deadly animals]] as his powers, which he could use for very mischievous purposes if he wasn't so kind-hearted. Fun fact: in German dub, his power was ''Liebe'', which translates to "love". Gotta '''love''' these language differences.
* ''WesternAnimation/CloneHigh'' had a whole episode parodying this trope as well as the power of rock. During the climactic scene where they tried breaking down the wall with love, one of the characters said, "[[SurprisinglyRealisticOutcome But guys, love is just an abstract concept! It can't break down stuff!]]"
* At the end of the third season of ''WesternAnimation/TheDragonPrince'' Callum Rayla, who fell from a high mountain, jumps behind. He tries to cast a spell twice to turn his arms into wings and it doesn't work. Only when he remembers that he loves Rayla does the spell work the third time. Even better, it's such a complicated spell that very few Skywing elves can master it. And Callum, a human boy, did it.
* ''WesternAnimation/DuckTales2017''
** Donald Duck is able to channel his temper through the love he has for his nephews, and uses as a strength to defend them or anyone close to him.
** Della Duck spent a decade stranded on the moon in almost complete isolation, except for a giant moon mite and (for the final several months) moonlanders for company. The one thing that kept her from giving into despair and going insane was the thought of getting home to her children.
* In an episode of ''WesternAnimation/ElTigreTheAdventuresOfMannyRivera'', [[RidiculouslyCuteCritter Zebra Donkey]] dies but is brought back as a zombie when Manny and Frida steal Sartana's mystic guitar. Sartana eventually takes it back and tries to destroy Manny for stealing it. Zebra Donkey manages to get his hooves on it and destroys it, [[HeroicSacrifice knowing full well doing so will destroy him as well]]. Manny, Frida and the rest of the kids gather around Zebra Donkey's ashes and the pieces of the mystic guitar and tearfully sing his theme song as Manny plucks one of the guitar's strings. Zebra Donkey is returned to life... or, undeath, rather.
-->'''Frida:''' It must have been this guitar string!\\
'''Principal:''' And the love of you children.\\
'''Frida:''' Yeah. [[SubvertedTrope But mostly the guitar string]].
* ''WesternAnimation/EvilConCarne'':
** In the episode "H.C.C.B.D.D.", Major Doctor Ghastly reveals during Hector's birthday party that the most powerful force in the world is the power of love. When he objects that his organization was founded on hatred, she promptly cuts the party short and screams at everybody to get back to work with as much hate as possible... 'cause she just loves him like that.
** Another example where she does this is in the MusicalEpisode "The Pie that Loved Me", as the EvilPlan involves pies that have love as the "secret ingredient". (The plan doesn't work, but Ghastly still ''tried''.)
* ''WesternAnimation/TheFairlyOddParents''. Very frequently throughout the series, love seems to be the one thing that is more powerful than the fairies' magic:
** In ''Wishology Trilogy'', the Darkness is defeated because [[spoiler: Timmy realizes it just wants to be loved, so he uses Poof's warmth and innocence to turn it into the Kindness]].
** In one episode, Timmy wishes to have parents that couldn't care less. The spell works too well, and the only way Timmy is able to undo it is to put himself in danger, causing his parents' love for him to cancel out the magic.
** In a different episode, Timmy breaks one of the fairies' biggest rules and has everything undone, then has his memory of his fairy family erased. Cosmo and Wanda also have their memory of Poof erased as well. However, due to being done with magic, Timmy's love for his fairy family and his fairy godparents' love for their child is powerful enough to undo the effects.
** Subverted with the actual one of "Da Rules" saying "Magic can't interfere with true love". This is indirectly revealed to not be a physical limitation of magic but rather purely a cold bureaucratic rule with some rather loose definitions, as even when it's patently obvious that said "true love" is unhealthy, shallow, materialistic, or even [[StalkerWithACrush one-sided]], Cosmo and Wanda still aren't allowed to cast any spells that would interfere with it.
* Used in the animated special ''WesternAnimation/FreaknikTheMusical'', the love of the fans help revive Freaknik as well as give him a handy CombinedEnergyAttack. [[RunningGag It's in the book.]]
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Futurama}}'':
** Parodied in the episode "Love and Rocket", which features a very ''literal'' power of love: when a whole load of chalky Valentines heart-shaped candies are dumped into a supernova, it causes a wave of "mystical love radiation" that is powerful enough to destroy "[[PlanetOfHats three gangster planets and a cowboy world]]", but causes (or at least enhances) a wave of Valentines-inspired romance on Earth (which is far enough to see the radiation without being destroyed by it).
** Also parodied in the episode "T: The Terrestrial", featuring bicycles on Omicron Persei 8 that are powered by love. At one point, Lrr tells his guards to "love harder".
** Kif also once gave Amy a watch that was powered by love... also you have to wind it.
* ''WesternAnimation/GravityFalls'': Parodied in "Dipper vs. Manliness", when Mabel offers to help Stan hook up with Lazy Susan, a waitress at Greasy's Diner.
-->'''Mabel:''' Grunkle Stan, you are a cranky, gross, weird old man, but we will get Lazy Susan to like you because nothing is stronger than the power of--\\
'''Stan:''' Love?\\
'''Mabel:''' '''''[[SubvertedTrope Mabel.]]'''''
* ''WesternAnimation/HeManAndTheMastersOfTheUniverse1983'':
** In "Orko's Favorite Uncle", Orko's uncle Montork was brought to Eternia by Tauron, then was put under his control through a spell. However, Orko express how much he loved Montrok, which was strong enough to break the spell that was controlling him.
** In "The Return of Orko's Uncle", Orko tried to help his uncle by going on his own to handle Azrog and Spydra but could't defeat them then was put under a spell to make him evil. However, Montrok reminded Orko how much he and everyone one around him love him, which got to him break free from the evil wizards spell.
* ''WesternAnimation/KimPossible'':
** [[ThisLoserIsYou Ron Stoppable]] got his ChunkyUpdraft in the GrandFinale because the aliens grabbed an unconscious Kim and gloated that she'd be a great trophy.
** It could also be said that it was this that inspired Kim to fight back at the climax of ''WesternAnimation/KimPossibleMovieSoTheDrama'' after [[spoiler:discovering her RomanticFalseLead was a synthodrone]] and losing herself, only for Ron to reveal how he felt about her.
* When Link's spirit is severed from his body in an episode of the 80's ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfZelda'' cartoon, Zelda is the only one who can see his spirit because of this.
* This is how ''WesternAnimation/LiloAndStitchTheSeries'' ends. [[spoiler: After a suddenly-failed rescue mission lead by Lilo to save all of the experiments Gantu captured, Stitch confesses his feelings to Angel, who responds by breaking open her container with a headbutt and feeling the same way towards him. Together, they smash open the other experiments' containers with their heads and free them. All of the experiments, save for 625, are now free and are to be given new designations and names.]]
* ''WesternAnimation/MiddlemostPost'': As seen in "Challenges", Angus hugging Parker for 30 seconds straight apparently produces enough love that [[StuffBlowingUp the entire Post explodes]].
* ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'':
** This is played with in the Season 2 finale, "A Canterlot Wedding", when it turns out that [[spoiler:the villain, Queen Chrysalis, has been powering herself up by siphoning love off of Shining Armor while disguised as Princess Cadence. [[LaserGuidedKarma It later bites her in the ass]] in the end of the episode when Twilight Sparkle frees the real Princess Cadence, allowing the latter to reunite with Shining Armor and use that same love to defeat Chrysalis]].
** Later weaponized in the Season 6 finale, "To Where and Back Again". [[spoiler:Chrysalis tries to execute Thorax by forcibly draining him of all his love, [[MakeAnExampleOfThem making him an example of what happens to those who betray the hive]]. Starlight Glimmer encourages Thorax to "give her all of it!" instead, which leads to Thorax love-blasting Chrysalis and transforming into a majestic Changeling King. The other Changelings follow suit and subsequently turn into colorful beetle-like creatures, showing that [[AnAesop love is more beneficial when mutually shared instead of taken and exploited]]]].
* In the cartoon pilot, ''WesternAnimation/PJSparkles'' is transformed into a MagicalGirl due to her strong desire to love someone, and can do almost anything, provided she phrases it "I'd ''love'' it if X."
* The title characters in ''Robotman and Friends'' are robots powered by human love, requiring it to stay alive. Without love they lose power and become tired and physically weak.
* Played interestingly in '''WesternAnimation/ThePowerpuffGirls'' episode "Knock It Off". [[spoiler:The villain, Dick Hardly, is slowly killing the girls. Professor Utonium, unable to stop him and being dragged away by the deformed Powerpuff Girl clones, can only tell his girls he loves them. The clones, realizing that Dick never gave them love, turn on him and free the Professor and the girls]].
* The ChristmasSpecial ''Literature/RaggedyAnn and Andy in the Great Santa Claus Caper'' has a [[TastesLikeDiabetes particularly sappy]] variant of this: the power of love (combined with some gratuitous AudienceParticipation) not only dissolves the BigBad's [[MadeOfIndestructium Gloopstik]], but convinces him to have a HeelFaceTurn.
* In the GrandFinale of ''WesternAnimation/SamuraiJack'' [[spoiler:Jack's AnguishedDeclarationOfLove is what finally helps Ashi break free of Aku's control]].
* Inverted in an episode of ''Super Secret WesternAnimation/SecretSquirrel'', where the titular protagonist overcomes Queen Bea's love potion with the power of ''hate''.
* ''WesternAnimation/SheRaPrincessOfPower'':
** In the beginning, Adora was under Shadow Weaver's spell for most of her life in order to make her serve the Horde. When Adam/He-Man arrived in Etheria, Adora, despite just meeting him and believed that he was the enemy at first, felt a connection with him. However, through the Sorceress, Adora discovers that the connection with Adam/He-Man was love when she finds out that he's her twin brother and instantly believed it. Seeing her brother in trouble, Adora newfound love for Adam/He-Man was powerful enough to break Shadow Weaver's spell over her for good, although it also took her [[HeroicWillpower strong will power]].
** In "The Greatest Magic", Orko is able to communicate telepathically with his girlfriend Dree Elle and then channel his magical powers into her to help her escape imprisonment, even though she was trapped in an AntiMagic field that would normally make this impossible. Orko's uncle Montork explains this was done through their love, because love is the greatest magic.
** In "A Lesson In Love", Kevin is able to break free from Shadow Weaver's mind control when he sees his crush Flutterina in danger.
* In the 2018 reboot, ''WesternAnimation/SheRaAndThePrincessesOfPower'', [[spoiler:Hordak overcomes his lifelong indoctrination and ''two'' mind wipes due to his love for Entrapta. In "Heart, Part 2", when Horde Prime orders Hordak to kill Entrapta, Hordak disobeys and attacks Horde Prime instead.]]
** After Adora [[spoiler:breaks the Sword of Protection, it is her love for Catra that allows her to become She-Ra again.]]
** It goes UpToEleven in the finale, when, [[spoiler:after confessing their love for one another, Adora and Catra share a BigDamnKiss that ''saves the entire universe'']].
* Exaggerated in ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'' episode "Marge vs. SSCCTG", where Bart and Lisa make the childless adults love children by simply hugging them (in a ShoutOut to ''Literature/TheWarOfTheWorlds''). Then subverted when the love fails to change their minds, whereas the sudden exposure to child bacteria and viruses cause them all to collapse. Again referencing ''The War of the Worlds''.
* In the GrandFinale of ''WesternAnimation/SofiaTheFirst'', Vor has Sofia cornered inside the Amulet of Avalor; but Sofia witnesses the spirits of the Disney Princesses who helped her throughout her journey and encourage her to fight back. She focuses all her love for her family and friends, channeling a magic that explodes outward and obliterates Vor's essence for good.
* This is essentially how Spider-Man [[spoiler:defeats Venom]] in the season 1 finale of ''WesternAnimation/TheSpectacularSpiderMan'': with the love of his friends, uncle, and aunt.
* In the series finale of ''WesternAnimation/StarVsTheForcesOfEvil'', after [[spoiler:Star destroys the Realm of Magic, which will cut off inter-dimensional travel and send everybody to their home dimension permanently (meaning she'll be on Mewni and Marco will be on Earth), her and Marco's love for each other caused the last of the magic to [[MergedReality fuse Earth and Mewni into a single world]] so that they can still be together.]].
* ''WesternAnimation/StevenUniverse'':
** It may not be be entirely necessary for the Gems' FusionDance to work, but it does make the fusion much more stable, as evidenced by Garnet. As soon as she reforms, she defeats Jasper while singing a BadassBoast song about how "I am made of love and it's stronger than you." This trope is also probably the reason Stevonnie was formed in the first place.
** Garnet also suggests that this is the source of [[KidHero Steven]] and [[PosthumousCharacter Rose Quartz]]'s powers, which makes sense for such {{All Loving Hero}}es.
--->'''Garnet:''' Steven, your mother had [[SwissArmyTears healing tears]] that flowed from her [[HeartDrive gem]]. She felt real love for those around her; she felt real sorrow when they were hurt. You have the Rose Quartz gem now. I know that power is in you, too.
* In ''WesternAnimation/SuperRobotMonkeyTeamHyperforceGo'', Sprx is turned evil by the [[ArtifactOfDoom Object of Hate]], and Nova tells him she loves him to bring him back.
* ''WesternAnimation/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2012'':
** The only things that helps Raph from letting his anger get too out of control is the love he has for his family, friends, Spike/Slash and Chompy. Also, in "The Evil of Dregg", Raph used his feelings for Mona Lisa to fight back against Lord Dregg when she confesses her love for him.
** Karai quickly bonded with Splinter when she found out that he was really her biological father. After been accidentally mutated into a mindless snake in "Vengeance is Mine", Karai's love for Splinter helped her maintain control of her humanity and even saved him from drowning in "The Invasion" when he was beaten by the Shredder.
* The titular character of ''WesternAnimation/WanderOverYonder'' heavily believes in this, as quoted in "The Egg." Creator Craig [=McCracken=] has stated that the dynamic in the series is not so much a battle of Good Vs. Evil as it is Love Vs. Hate.
* In the ''WesternAnimation/WinxClub'', Sky uses his words of love to bring Bloom back to the good side and have her return the ultimate power to its rightful place in the Season 2 finale. [[VillainousBreakdown Lord Darkar doesn't take that well.]] [[EvilCannotComprehendGood At all.]]
* ''WesternAnimation/YinYangYo'': Much to [[HotBlooded Yang]]'s annoyance, many of his Woo Foo techniques are powered by, or at least better when used by, love. He only mastered the Paws of Pain by remembering how much he loves Yin, and his {{Color Coded Emotion|s}} for love turned out to be [[{{Kaiju}} building sized]].
[[/folder]]

Common applications of the Power of Love include activating an EmpathicWeapon, [[IKnowYouAreInThereSomewhereFight freeing]] a loved one from [[BrainwashedAndCrazy mind control]], [[PowerOfTrust strengthening a loved one]], and converting a Real Death into a DisneyDeath. Even when the power of love is not literally and directly responsible, the scene is often set such that the audience is left with the impression that it was "really responsible". Although, Love is more powerful then magic as it usually helps break spells.

* In the ''WesternAnimation/BraveStarr'' episode "Who Am I?", Bravestarr had his memory blocked through a spell cast by Vipra. However, through the advice of the Shaman, Bravestarr uses this trope, although it also took the [[ThePowerofFriendship bond of friendship]], to break the spell and get his memory back, due to those strong feelings being more powerful then magic.

[[Film/BackToTheFuture The Power]] [[Music/HueyLewisAndTheNews Of Love]] is [[LoveMakesYouCrazy a curious thing]]. It makes [[LoveHurts one man weep]], and [[HappilyMarried another man]] [[WaxingLyrical sing]]. It can [[LoveRedeems change a hawk to a little white dove]]. [[LoveImbuesLife Bring inanimate objects to life]]. It might just save your life. It makes people want to give up personal freedom to [[PropertyOfLove belong to each other]]. Don't you dare mock it, it's more than a feeling, [[Film/BackToTheFuture that's the Power of Love]].

* ''Webcomic/EnnuiGo:'' As Darcy lies bleeding out after getting harpooned in the gut, she [[http://ennuigo.thecomicseries.com/comics/984 flashes]] back to the time she met Izzy in college. She then sees how their relationship grew, fell apart, then [[WorkingWithTheEx begrudgingly working together]] and meeting Tanya before stopping to the time their [[{{Polyamory}} polyamorous relationship]] began. Soon enough, upon looking back, Darcy manages to rise up and goes to fight Captain Orca again, driven by the love she has for her girlfriends.

** In Volume 4, the "Power of Love" manifests [[spoiler:In the form of a flaming sword... but the trope is {{Subverted|Trope}} because loving Romona isn't enough to surmount the last Evil Ex-Boyfriend. That requires the far more important Power of Understanding, which allows Scott to see [[NotSoDifferent how similar he is to Gideon]], and how that is a very bad thing]].

* ''WesternAnimation/CloneHigh'' had a whole episode parodying this trope as well as the power of rock. During the climactic scene where they tried breaking down the wall with love, one of the characters said, "[[RealityEnsues But guys, love is just an abstract concept! It can't break down stuff!]]"

* In the ''Fanfic/EmpathTheLuckiestSmurf'' story "Empath's Wedding", when Empath and Hefty find out that Smurfette's "heart" has been taken by Chlorhydris so that she could no longer feel love for anybody, including her husband-to-be Empath, Empath decides that he's going to give Smurfette his "heart" so she could feel love again when Hefty, willing to prove himself to be Smurfette's OneTrueLove, decides to do it in Empath's place. Empath, wishing for Hefty to be a happy Smurf who would marry Smurfette instead of himself, returns the favor and gives Hefty his "heart".

* "Immortal" by Music/MarinaAndTheDiamonds says that love is the only thing that transcends death and the end of the world.

--> '''ZEXAL!Kotori:''' This is a power someone like you could never understand. [[ItMakesSenseInContext Numbers have hearts and feelings, like humans! They are capable of loving each other]]! And when you combine that love with the power of ZEXAL... the result is a power that cannot be stopped!\\

'''ZEXAL!Kotori:''' Don't you listen? When the power of love is combined with the power of ZEXAL... anything can be accomplished!

* In ''Film/{{Krull}}'', the Power of Love manifests itself at the climax as the ability to throw fireballs. ItMakesSenseInContext.

* In ''ComicBook/SupermanReborn'' Lois and Clark's love (for the partner and for their son Jon) is so strong thatit has repaired what was broken. More specifically, [[spoiler: the pre-Flashpoint and New-52 versions of Clark and Lois are merged back together.]]

* ''ComicBook/{{Elfquest}}'' has this as a recurring theme. It shows itself through all dealings with BugBad Winnowill, who tries to avoid this at all costs, and stated almost verbatim by all-loving High One Timmain, who almost states that this central trope keeps the Palace in balance.

* Creator/IsaacAsimov and Creator/JanetAsimov's ''Literature/NorbyAndTheQueensNecklace'': Norby is comatose after the replica necklace gets attached to him. Jeff has to concentrate on his TouchTelepathy and invest in his love for his friend, first to contact [[NegectfulPrecursors the Others]], then to break the necklace safely. The Other helping him makes it explicit that it is Jeff's love for Norby that is needed to save Norby's life.

Even more than ThePowerOfFriendship and ThePowerOfFamily, the Power of Love can be applied in dire situations to make things better. In fact, in many Creator/{{Disney}} movies it's the solution to everything. Unlike ThePowerOfFriendship it can be applied in FanFic [[MisterSeahorse to make things profoundly disturbing.]] It's also an occasionally useful DeusExMachina.

* In ''Webcomic/{{Sinfest}}'', [[http://www.sinfest.net/archive_page.php?comicID=2672 the power of love can even withstand concentrated efforts to stop it.]]
** [[http://www.sinfest.net/archive_page.php?comicID=3253 and transform diabolic pitchforks.]]
** [[http://www.sinfest.net/archive_page.php?comicID=2245 and ward off Satan's power.]]
** [[http://www.sinfest.net/archive_page.php?comicID=2518 Attempts to reject it don't work well.]]

** ''WesternAnimation/LiloAndStitch2StitchHasAGlitch'' has perhaps the best designed example: [[spoiler:Near the end of the movie, Stitch sucumbs to the glitch and finally shuts down. Lilo and the others mourn him so deeply that their Love and Sorrow seemingly overturn Death itself. Jumba even admits that there is [[DoingInTheScientist no scientific explanation]], declares it a miracle, and celebates.]]

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%% Please do not change or remove without starting a new thread.

* For a split second, it looks as if this trope is going to be averted in the ''ComicBook/JusticeSocietyOfAmerica'' arc "Princes of Darkness" -- Jade's the Power of Love speech to Obsidian fails to halt his evil rampage -- but it's really only a set up for their father, the [[UsefulNotes/TheGoldenAgeOfComicBooks Golden Age]] ComicBook/GreenLantern, to come in and deliver it successfully.
* Creator/AlanMoore's ''ComicBook/{{Providence}}'' has Dr. Alvarez, of all people, citing Love as the force that defines life.
--> '''Dr. Alvarez''': Love is the only substantial thing. It is [[SexIsGood noble in its noises and odours]], I think. From where I look at this, to not love is to waste the existence. Even life is a small matter beside it. You see, it is not interrupted by death. Without it, this world cannot be endured.
* ''ComicBook/ScottPilgrim'':
** In volume 4, the "Power of Love" manifests [[spoiler:In the form of a flaming sword... but the trope is {{Subverted|Trope}} because loving Romona isn't enough to surmount the last Evil Ex-Boyfriend. That requires the far more important Power of Understanding, which allows Scott to see [[NotSoDifferent how similar he is to Gideon]], and how that is a very bad thing]].
** In volume 1, this protects [[spoiler:Wallace, Jimmy, and those in the immediate vicinity from the effects of "Last Song Kills Audience", although they weren't in as much danger as the name implies]].

* The finale of Abnett & Lanning's run on ''ComicBook/TheAuthority'' depends on this. To go with the [[ApocalypseHow Class 2 Apocalypse]], there's a [[BodyHorror horrific and intelligent virus]] floating around that ends up infecting Apollo, prompting Midnighter to look desperately for a cure. He's called north, eventually finding an island, which turns out to be a [[GeniusLoci giant]], Comicbook/SwampThing-like Century Baby named Gaia. In return for his help, she gives him an apple, and tells him to remember Avalon, the isle of apples: [[WhatDoYouMeanItsNotSymbolic "The fruit of immortality... of love..."]] Two pages later, Apollo's fine.
* From ''ComicBook/NinjaHighSchool'' Jeremy uses this to bring back his friend, CuteWitch turned dark, Mimi. (The story's also a bit of a homage to [[ComicBook/XMen Dark Phoenix]] so take that as you will)
* Referenced in a classic Creator/StanLee / Creator/JackKirby ''ComicBook/FantasticFour'' story line, when Reed Richards, alerted by the Watcher, takes on the ComicBook/SilverSurfer. When Sue Richards asks the Watcher how Reed can take on the "all-powerful Silver Surfer", the Watcher answers, "All-powerful? There is only one who deserves that name. And his only weapon -- is love!"
* Defied in ''X-Campus''. Magnus claims he will show them the greatest power of the world. "Love?" asks Storm. "Magnetism".
* In one ''ComicBook/BuffyTheVampireSlayer'' comic, a spell that keeps Buffy asleep can only be broken by the kiss of someone who is in love with her. [[spoiler:One of her Slayers, Satsu, does it]].
* ''ComicBook/DarkAvengers'': it's heavily implied that The Power Of Love is all that's keeping ComicBook/TheSentry from unleashing [[EnemyWithin the Void]] and raining Biblical plagues down on humanity. Unfortunately his wife, Lindy, is ''terrified'' of him, and when she tries to kill him in the hope of preventing a mad rampage, that's exactly what she gets. Norman Osborn recognizes that Lindy could set the Sentry off again at any time; [[WrongGenreSavvy unfortunately]] his solution is [[spoiler: to kill her and make it look like a suicide]]. Initially that seems to work, but the next time we see the Sentry he ramps up to a SuicidalCosmicTemperTantrum ''very'' quickly and eventually [[spoiler: provokes Thor into killing him]]. The last we see of the Sentry and Lindy [[spoiler: is two empty graves, side by side...]]

* In the OGN ''Avengers: Rage of Ultron'' [[spoiler:Starfox uses his psionic ability to make people experience love to defeat Ultron (who had been merged with his creator Hank Pym), resulting in Ultron realizing what he had become and fleeing.]]
-->'''Starfox:''' [[spoiler:There is a solution. It's so simple. Love yourself.]]
* In ''ComicBook/SupermanReborn'' Lois and Clark's love (for the partner and for their son Jon) is so strong thatit has repaired what was broken. More specifically, [[spoiler: the pre-Flashpoint and New-52 versions of Clark and Lois are merged back together.]]
* ''ComicBook/{{Elfquest}}'' has this as a recurring theme. It shows itself through all dealings with BugBad Winnowill, who tries to avoid this at all costs, and stated almost verbatim by all-loving High One Timmain, who almost states that this central trope keeps the Palace in balance.
* Subverted in ''ComicBook/{{Harbinger}}''. [[spoiler: After Torque develops feelings for Faith he becomes weaker because his power comes from his own insecurity.]]
* ''ComicBook/WonderWoman'' [[ComicBook/WonderWoman1942 Vol 1]]: The power of love allows ComicBook/SteveTrevor to cheat death, ''three times''. At least one of those times he was aided by Aphrodite herself.

* ''WesternAnimation/YellowSubmarine'': To defeat the glove, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QfEiDO9opg All You Need Is Love]].

* ''WesternAnimation/BarbieAndTheMagicOfPegasus'': The [[MagicWand Wand of Light]] can only unleash its power for good and good alone; [[ThePowerOfHate if used with negative emotions such as anger, it refuses to work.]] Annika had to figure that out the hard way.
* ''WesternAnimation/TheBookOfLife'':
** A major theme of the film.
--->'''Del Toro:''' It’s the story of two lovers who refuse to be separated by anything... it's about love not giving up.
** Manolo Sanchez. His voice actor states that his true power is love.
* Disney's ''WesternAnimation/MulanII'', supported by PoliticallyCorrectHistory.

* Averted, in the DVD version of the Disney film ''WesternAnimation/{{Pocahontas}}''. She invokes this in the song "If I Never Knew You," singing that with their love she thought "Somehow we'd make the whole world bright", but as she notes in the following line, that didn't exactly work out. Much of the hostilities in the film are an unintended result of their relationship, though she regrets nothing.

* In ''WesternAnimation/KuboAndTheTwoStrings'', Kubo [[spoiler:defeats his grandfather the Moon King by applying a ''weaponized'' version of this!]]

** ''Film/XMenApocalypse'': If Charles has a secondary mutation, it would be this -- he has the ability to "transform" the people around him into better versions of themselves. [[spoiler:His unwavering love and support for his daughter figure Jean allows her to overcome her fears about her Phoenix power, and she fries Apocalypse with deadly efficiency, saving the world and the Professor's life in the process. Magneto pulls a HeelFaceTurn when he realizes that his love for Xavier is stronger than his hate towards human society, which has murdered his family twice over.]] Peter could've easily returned to his mother's basement and continue wasting his potential after the FinalBattle (especially considering that he had decided to withhold from Erik that he's his son), but it's implied that Maximoff was touched by Charles' worry for his well-being when Xavier had created a telepathic link between them while Quicksilver was fighting Apocalypse. It should be noted that Charles hadn't spoken to Peter in a decade, but the former's capacity for love is so great that he had opened his mind to a young mutant whom he barely knows, and he sincerely cared about whether Maximoff got hurt or not. The self-described "total loser" Quicksilver is now a member of the X-Men who can make a positive difference in the world.

* ''Literature/MollyMoon'' has a scene in the third book where Molly is able to unlock the true power of her time-travel crystal (this one only allows her to go back, not forward) when she begs it to let her get back to the people she loves. She explains this to the villain, who doesn't understand love, and therefore ends up in prehistoric times on his own, while Molly is able to go through time more easily by channeling her love into the crystals.

* In ''Literature/TheKaneChronicles'', Carter Kane has been poisoned by a magical poison. His sister Sadie Kane can only heal him if she learns [[IknowYourTrueName his true name]]. She does not find out about him until she tells him that he is her brother, and she will always love him, no matter what she knows about him. This shows that he means a lot to her, although they do not always [[BrattyHalfPint get along well]].
* Averted in ''Literature/RavellingWrath''. Even though Rinn and Yali love each other, Yali explicitly states that Rinn's love would ''not'' be enough to stop Rinn from killing her under the Blood God's influence.
* In ''Literature/ThePhantomOfTheOpera'', Christine's genuine compassion for Erik (despite not condoning [[CrazyJealousGuy his actions towards her]]) is enough for him to realize the error of his ways, pull a HeelFaceTurn, and let her go free.
* ''Literature/{{Uprooted}}'': Used alongside powerful magic to purify people of the Wood's corruption, which [[BlackBugRoom traps their minds in torment]] and uses their bodies as {{Meat Puppet}}s. The magic finds their minds, but they break free by reaching out to someone for whom they feel strong, mutual love.
* In ''Literature/NightOfTheAssholes'', [[spoiler: Todd and Barbara discover that genuine love and caring renders the assholes into a pacified state and manage to escape the house and the crowd of assholes surrounding it by making love. It is kept vague whether or not it was genuinely working or if the assholes were just toying with them.]]
* In ''Literature/WarriorCats'', one of the usual gifts a leader is imbued with while receiving their [[CatsHaveNineLives nine lives]] is love - usually of the sort a mother has for her kits, which is described as being unexpectedly fiercely strong. In ''Tallstar's Revenge'' Daisytail even says during the ceremony that there is no power stronger than love.
* Creator/IsaacAsimov and Creator/JanetAsimov's ''Literature/NorbyAndTheQueensNecklace'': Norby is comatose after the replica necklace gets attached to him. Jeff has to concentrate on his TouchTelepathy and invest in his love for his friend, first to contact [[NegectfulPrecursors the Others]], then to break the necklace safely. The Other helping him makes it explicit that it is Jeff's love for Norby that is needed to save Norby's life.
* In ''Literature/TheReckonersTrilogy'' Megan speculates, with some disgust at the cliché, that this is what allows Epics to resist the corrupting nature of their powers - then does a VerbalBackspace when she realizes [[LoveConfession what she just admitted]]. [[spoiler: It turns out to be courage in any case.]]

* Surprising, given the style of the play, but in the final scene of ''Theatre/{{Rent}}'', death is converted to DisneyDeath by a love song.

* In ''Theatre/{{Brigadoon}}'', Tommy asks if "a stranger like... well... me" could [[IChooseToStay choose to stay]] in Brigadoon. Mr. Lundie replies: "A stranger can stay if he loves someone here -- not jus' Brigadoon, mind ye -- but someone in Brigadoon enough to want to give up everythin' an' stay with that person. Which is how it should be. 'Cause after all, lad, if ye love someone deeply, anythin' is possible." Fiona comments, "I think I like that part best," clearly anticipating the show's happy ending.

* Supervillainess Sahar, in the ''FanLiterature/WhateleyUniverse''. She has a psychic ability to -- once she's seduced a Psi -- get so close that she can learn to copy that Psi's best 'knacks'. This makes her a ruthless femme fatale, until she falls in love with a mark, Zenith. She doesn't know how to handle that. So it takes a different kind of love -- [[ThePowerOfFriendship friendship]] -- to get her to finish her HeelFaceTurn. And she gets Zenith back.
* In one of the possible endings of ''VideoGame/TodayIDie'', love gives the protagonist strength to survive.

* In ''WebOriginal/CriticalRole'', apparently even the RandomNumberGod bends to the power of love. In this universe, by the Dungeon Master's homebrew rules, the resurrection of dead characters can fail based on dice rolls, and anyone attempting a resurrection ritual can make up to three offerings (with associated skill checks) to increase the chance of success. When [[spoiler: Percy]] is killed, Vex admits she's in love with him and [[TrueLovesKiss kisses him]]. She rolls a Natural 20 on her skill check, and the ritual ultimately succeeds.

** This is played with in the season 2 finale, "A Canterlot Wedding", when it turns out that [[spoiler:the villain, Queen Chrysalis, has been powering herself up by siphoning love off of Shining Armor while disguised as Princess Cadence. [[LaserGuidedKarma It later bites her in the ass]] in the end of the episode when Twilight Sparkle frees the real Princess Cadence, allowing the latter to reunite with Shining Armor and use that same love to defeat Chrysalis]].
** Later weaponized in the season 6 finale, "To Where and Back Again". [[spoiler:Chrysalis tries to execute Thorax by forcibly draining him of all his love, [[MakeAnExampleOfThem making him an example of what happens to those who betray the hive]]. Starlight Glimmer encourages Thorax to "give her all of it!" instead, which leads to Thorax love-blasting Chrysalis and transforming into a majestic Changeling King. The other Changelings follow suit and subsequently turn into colorful beetle-like creatures, showing that [[AnAesop love is more beneficial when mutually shared instead of taken and exploited]]]].