History SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism / FanWorks

* The ''Blog/BetterBonesAU'' falls somewhere in the middle, but leans towards idealism, noticeably more so than [[Literature/WarriorCats the books it is based on.]] Many idealists end up as [[DoomedMoralVictor Doomed Moral Victors]] (Deerfoot, Larkstripe and Ripplestar)), falling prey to people who want to manipulate their goals for cynical ends (Sleekwhisker and the rest of the [=ShadowClan=] rebels) or suffering for their determination to change things until they completely break (Bluestar), but others like Firestar transform their society for the better in a way that sticks, even if they get eventually killed for it and the cruel mindsets they thought keep resurfacing as threats over and over again, unlike in the canon series where the thread of changing the system largely seems to be dropped. [[RousseauWasRight No one is inherently evil]], unlike what is implied in canon, groups of foreigners can be negotiated with rather than canon's use of invading hordes that can't be reasoned with, and many characters change for the better, but it is also shown that some cats are BeyondRedemption because they choose not to change and trying to redeem them will only lead to heartbreak. Supernatural threats are often too powerful to be beaten, leading to [[TheBadGuyWins the bad guy winning]] or [[BrokeYourArmPunchingOutCthulhu sacrifices for a temporary victory.]] Many characters perform awesome and sometimes self-sacrificial acts of heroism that generally matter and achieve their intended goals. HonorBeforeReason can sometimes pay off, but sometimes ViolenceReallyIsTheAnswer. The resident WideEyedIdealist, Tallstar, is not naive because of thinking he could improve the world but naive for not going ''far enough'' outside of his ingrained cultural mindset to make lasting change. The overall message is that cultures constantly change, whether for the better or for the worse.

* The ''Blog/BetterBonesAU'' falls somewhere in the middle, but leans towards idealism, noticeably more so than [[Literature/WarriorCats the books it is based on.]] Many idealists end up as [[DoomedMoralVictor Doomed Moral Victors]] (Deerfoot, Larkstripe and Ripplestar)), falling prey to people who want to manipulate their goals for cynical ends (Sleekwhisker and the rest of the [=ShadowClan=] rebels) or suffering for their determination to change things until they completely break (Bluestar), but others like Firestar transform their society for the better in a way that sticks, even if they get eventually killed for it and the cruel mindsets they thought keep resurfacing as threats over and over again, unlike in the canon series where the thread of changing the system largely seems to be dropped. [[RousseauWasRight No one is inherently evil]], unlike what is implied in canon, groups of foreigners can be negotiated with rather than canon's use of invading hordes that can't be reasoned with, and many characters change for the better, but it is also shown that some cats are BeyondRedemption because they choose not to change and trying to redeem them will only lead to heartbreak. Characters perform awesome and sometimes self-sacrificial acts of heroism that generally matter and achieve their intended goals. HonorBeforeReason can sometimes pay off, but sometimes ViolenceReallyIsTheAnswer. The resident WideEyedIdealist, Tallstar, is not naive because of thinking he could improve the world but naive for not going ''far enough'' outside of his ingrained cultural mindset to make lasting change. The overall message is that cultures constantly change, whether for the better or for the worse.

''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12086351/1/Kanashī-Wütend-Desolato Kanashī, Wütend, Desolato]]'' is an AlternateUniverseFic that starts off on the other side of the pendulum.

* ''Fanfic/MiraculousThePhoenixRises'' is probably somewhere between ''Anime/{{Berserk}}'' and ''TabletopGame/Warhammer40000'' on the cynicism side of the scale. While mostly played for [[BlackComedy laughs]], the story has the jackpot of AdultsAreUseless, HumansAreBastards, CrapsackWorld, and HumansAreMorons. Corruption s seen from virtually ''every'' authority shown.

* ''Literature/AesirCrossWars'', while having serious moments (especially the Bonus Chapters), is generally on the Idealistic side. The world is more positive than one would expect than what is expected of Norse Mythology. TheHero is an IdealHero with a strong belief that RousseauWasRight. Many things are PlayedForLaughs, and for a world based off ''VideoGame/KidIcarusUprising'', the Dark Pit character ends up being more like Axel from ''VideoGame/Disgaea2CursedMemories''.

* ''Fanfic/MiraculousThePhoenixRises'' is probably somewhere between ''Anime/Berserk'' and ''TabletopGame/Warhammer40000'' on the cynicism side of the scale. While mostly played for [[BlackComedy laughs]], the story has the jackpot of AdultsAreUseless, HumansAreBastards, CrapsackWorld, and HumansAreMorons. Corruption s seen from virtually ''every'' authority shown.

* ''Fanfic/TheRivalPrefectsTrilogy'' starts out on the idealist side with its pro-nudist message but then becomes more cynical with its less-than-likable characters and the fact that one of them [[spoiler:gets stuck as a statue for a full century]].

-->'''Harry:''' "There ''is'' light in the world, and it is ''us!''"

* ''Webcomic/AxisPowersHetalia'' fanfic ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11886910/1/Gankona-Unnachgiebig-Unità Gankona, Unnachgiebig, Unità]]'': Between idealism and cynicism, this story is ''far'' to the idealism side, seeing as Germany and Japan [[{{Polyamory}} agreed to share Italy]], everyone accepted their relationship, and [[MarryThemAll they were able to get married to each other]]. ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12086351/1/Kanashī-Wütend-Desolato Kanashī, Wütend, Desolato]]'' is an AlternateUniverseFic that starts off on the other side of the pendulum.

* ''FanFic/KingsOfRevolution'' shows what happens when the cynical world of ''Anime/CodeGeass'' and the idealist world of ''Franchise/LyricalNanoha'' blend. [[GameChanger Their perspectives swtich.]]

* ''FanFic/ShinjiAndWarhammer40k'' and ''FanFic/FairlyEnglishStory'' are both cynical, with heroes that do awful things and who have significant character flaws. However, both have a brighter aspect in that however monstrous the heroes may be, they are dedicated toward making the world a better place and have the strength and skill to do so. In ''FanFic/ShinjiAndWarhammer40k'', this makes it slightly more idealistic than the original. Where ''FanFic/FairlyEnglishStory'' lands in relation to its parent source is...debatable.

* ''FanFic/NecaberintsPhalanx'' is an interesting case. It's military sci-fi with a child soldier set in the ''VideoGame/GearsOfWar'' [[CrapsackWorld universe]] and things keep getting worse. The main character has had a terrible life, like everybody else, and he's a going rather insane. It sounds like a complete wad of DarkFic. It's actually rather cynical for a fic about a video game set in a post-apocalyptic hellhole where the good guys are Fascists. The themes of friendship, love, loyalty, camaraderie, and trust appear often and frequently, without the characters being TrueCompanions, they would have all certainly died by now. It's a realistically idealistic work with cynicism jutting into it.

* ''FanFic/SonicXDarkChaos'' lies closer to the middle. Sonic and his friends are still heroes and hold their ideals, even if several of them are traumatized by the [[WarIsHell things]] they see. However, the rest of the setting is [[BlackAndGrayMorality very]], [[CrapsackWorld very]], [[CosmicHorrorStory very]], '''[[BlackComedy VERY]]''' cynical.

** ''FanFic/TheCitadelOfTruth'' firmly lies on the idealistic side as Finn and his crew goes on an adventure that remains as upbeat and positive as possible with Finn and Flame Princess hooking up early on with the majority of the plot dealing on the Ooocians dealing with the BigBad Astrum. Most the villains [[HeelFaceTurn also turns good]] via Finn's AllLovingHero status, including the [[spoiler: Astrum himself]].

* Despite being [[NightmareFuel/PonyPOVSeries MUCH]] [[TearJerker/PonyPOVSeries darker]] than it's [[Franchise/MyLittlePony source material]], the ''FanFic/PonyPOVSeries'' is ''firmly'' on the side of idealism. It practically RUNS on it. It is [[AWorldHalfFull a setting where even the greatest of tragedies can be overcome]], where anyone can [[EarnYourHappyEnding earn their happy ending]], where the Gods (Even the [[EldritchAbomination scary ones]]) truly CARE about mortals, and where mortals can ascend to the level of the Gods by their deeds. Where every loss, no matter how horrifying or tragic, is a precursor to a greater triumph.

* ''FanFic/TheRivalPrefectsTrilogy'' starts out on the idealist side with its pro-nudist message but then becomes more cynical with its less-than-likable characters and the fact that one of them [[spoiler:gets stuck as a statue for a full century]].

* ''Oyabun'' tends to slide up and down the scale but keeps the point of middle on the cynical side. Considering it's a story about Naruto's descent/ascent (depending on the reader) into the Yakuza and criminal underworld with a mess of GreyAndGrayMorality, it's to be expected. It becomes jarring to watch the optimistic Naruto slowly becoming a IDidWhatIHadToDo-type AntiHero / VillainProtagonist who is a little disillusioned with the world. He even considers making plans to kill Konohamaru, Sakura, Sasuke and Hinata when they find out he's still alive (he had to fake his death upon joining the Yakuza). He's like Pain minus the God complex.

* ''FanFic/TheRivalPrefectsTrilogy'' starts out on the idealist side with its pro-nudist message but then becomes more cynical with its less-than-likable characters and the fact that one of them [[spoiler:ends up as a statue and is stuck that way forever]].

* ''Anime/KingsOfRevolution'' shows what happens when the cynical world of ''Anime/CodeGeass'' and the idealist world of ''Franchise/LyricalNanoha'' blend. [[GameChanger Their perspectives swtich.]]