| 1 | Characters [[TookALevelInBadass taking a level in badass]] in FanWorks. |
| 2 | ---- |
| 3 | [[AC:''Film/TheAvengers2012'']] |
| 4 | * ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11668913/1/Redeemers-Assemble Redeemers Assemble]]'': Multiple characters do this. [[spoiler: Ultron rips his old body in half with his new one to threaten Attuma, flies headfirst into an orbital strike, and almost dies to boot, and Abomination lifts ''the city of New York'' to stop it from sinking.]] |
| 5 | |
| 6 | [[AC:''Series/BattlestarGalactica2003'']] |
| 7 | * ''Fanfic/DidIMakeTheMostOfLovingYou'': After Adama is reassigned to the ''Galactica'' in the new timeline, Roslin uses her political contacts to have ''Galactica'' undergo a thorough rebuild to repair the damage and material flaws that compromised the battlestar towards the end of the series, as well as providing it with raptor training sims, under the guise of wanting it to be perfect before its conversion into a museum. |
| 8 | |
| 9 | [[AC:''Franchise/{{Bleach}}'']] |
| 10 | * ''Fanfic/AProtectorsPride'': Pretty much everyone. Some notably stand outs include Sadou managing to injure Ulquiorra in his resurreccion, Ichigo defeating Grimmjow without using his mask, and Orhime [[spoiler:killing Barragan]]. |
| 11 | * [[http://bleachfanfiction.wikia.com/wiki/Ahatake_Kurosaki Ahatake Kurosaki]] from a Bleach fanfiction might qualify. In a previous arc, the then-current villain, ''effortlessly'' split his Bankai in half. Later, Ahatake was kidnapped (for training purposes) by Kisuke, and when he came back on the scene to challenge Takahashi, he surprised him with a backhand slap to the face, and in the fight, equaled him in speed and strength, and ''taunted'' him. |
| 12 | ** [[spoiler: Unfortunately, it didn't last due to the slip-up he made, but it was good while it lasted.]] |
| 13 | |
| 14 | [[AC:''Literature/BridgeToTerabithia'']] |
| 15 | * ''Fanfic/BridgeToTerabithia2TheLastTime'': Jess Aarons, full-stop. After Leslie Burke's funeral, Jess holds on to his father's advice to "live life to the fullest, despite whatever it throws at you", so he did by starting to socialize more, and changing his persona completely. In the few years that follows as Jess becomes a teenager, he started working out, took boxing lessons, got his motorcycle license, become one of the most popular teens in school, and subsequently turning into a ChickMagnet due to his "bad-boy" persona. In the process however, he also become a teen rebel with tendencies of behaving like an asshole to his parents, refusing to come home and regularly spends his nights either with his girlfriend or equally popular peers. And then five years later, he discovers that Leslie Burke is actually ''still'' alive... |
| 16 | |
| 17 | [[AC:''ComicStrip/CalvinAndHobbes'']] |
| 18 | * The titular PEZ 6000 in ''Fanfic/ThePezDispenserAndTheReignOfTerror'' gets upgraded to ''6,000,000'' by the antagonist, adding more power levels and giving it the ability to shoot [[PlayingWithFire fire]] and [[AnIcePerson ice]]. |
| 19 | * Awkwardly, the entire main cast of ''Fanfic/CalvinAndHobbesTheSeries'' have all taken levels of badass to date with help of CharacterDevelopment: |
| 20 | ** Calvin started out as the IdiotHero who was as immature and inexperienced as his comic strip counterpart. Come at least three seasons later, he is a [[TheChessmaster more cunning]], [[TookALevelInKindness kinder]], and is actually able to handle himself perfectly fine with handling extremely dangerous villains by himself by the Season 4 finale "Our Solemn Hour". |
| 21 | ** Hobbes is a CowardlyLion who will [[ScrewThisImOuttaHere run at the mere mention of danger]] and will often [[DirtyCoward abandon his friends at their time of need]]. Thanks to Calvin's [[WhatTheHellHero well-needed]] [[TheReasonYouSuckSpeech speech]] in "Thunderstorm" he has noticeably toughened up. |
| 22 | ** A rare villain example is Doctor Frank Brainstorm, who ranges from BunglingInventor to LetsGetDangerous moments so rarely it throws the main characters off track. |
| 23 | |
| 24 | [[AC:''Literature/TheChroniclesOfNarnia'']] |
| 25 | * ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/4353281/1/ Across the Worlds]]'' opens with Narnia and the various human allies being attacked by a powerful Darkness, with Aslan only given enough time to summon Susan (ignored by the enemy's first assault as her current lack of belief meant she wasn't seen as a threat) and four other allies to her, instructing them that they must travel across the worlds and defeat the Darkness in each world before confronting it in its home dimension. In one world where time flows at a faster rate compared to the other worlds, Susan and her allies remain for a year to train, preparing themselves to face the future threats with greater experience. |
| 26 | |
| 27 | [[AC:''{{Crossover}}'']] |
| 28 | * Comes up often in ''Fanfic/AvengersOfTheRing'' series; |
| 29 | ** In ''Return of the Avengers'' and ''Dagor Arnediad'', Tony Stark forges new armor enhanced with mithril. |
| 30 | ** In ''Methteilien'', Faramir begins training in the use of the Hulkbuster armour so that he can join the Avengers in the hunt for Thanos and Morgoth. Later, Banner/Hulk realises that, after absorbing extra energy on Sakaar, he is now capable of releasing energy blasts once he has reached a certain critical mass of power. After the TimeSkip, Gimli and Legolas are shown wearing vibranium armour while assisting the Avengers in the field. |
| 31 | * ''Fanfic/AvengersInfiniteWars''; |
| 32 | ** At least discussed in Chapter 25, when Rhodey, Scott and Hope contemplate integrating new metals into their suits to increase their resistance to blasters and lightsabers; by Chapter 42, [[spoiler:Sam Wilson's wings have been augmented so that he can use them to shield clone troopers from droid blasts]]. |
| 33 | ** In Chapter 49, Scott and Hope reveal a set of fighters they have modified with Pym particles so that the clone troopers can use them as a surprise weapon. |
| 34 | ** On the villain's side, [[spoiler:Ultron has given himself a force field that can deflect lightsabers, and is shown retrieving lightsabers from his defeated enemies with the intention of studying them for his own use later]]. |
| 35 | ** Celeste Morne and Wanda Maximoff each receive training in new ways of using their powers, as Celeste becomes a student of the Ancient One while Wanda receives lesson in using the Force and lightsabre combat, each able to adapt their existing powers in new ways. |
| 36 | ** His time on Mortis sees Peter Parker [[spoiler:discover and bond with a symbiote, giving him enhanced strength and the ability to manifest tendrils from the suit]]. |
| 37 | * In the ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic[=/=]Franchise/BackToTheFuture'' crossover fic ''[[http://www.fimfiction.net/story/37775/back-to-equestria Back To Equestria]]'', [[spoiler: Marty learns magic]]. |
| 38 | * The ''Franchise/BackToTheFuture''/ ''Film/XMenFilmSeries'' crossover ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/1669424/1/BTTX BTTX]]'' opens with Doc revealing that he is a mutant with the ability to manipulate electromagnetic energy; while he mainly relies on external energies, he can summon a lightning bolt during a storm or [[spoiler:negate Magneto's powers in a confrontation]]. Later on, [[spoiler:Marty learns that he is also a mutant, his powers allowing him to stop time]]. |
| 39 | * Applies heavily in ''Fanfic/TheBigFourCjupsherSeries'' |
| 40 | ** Limelight can fly, can shake off a building falling on her without a scratch, can lift over 400 tons and can heal people afflicted with dark magic. In fact, Merida, Anna, Elsa and over half of the other Disney princesses present in this world can kick ''everybody's'' ass. |
| 41 | ** Hiccup is the leader of the Big Four, is a mechanics expert, is the smartest member of the team and [[HandicappedBadass has a prosthetic foot]] from an accident when he was younger. |
| 42 | * In the ''Fanfic/ChanceEncounter series'', Paris, Helen and Briseis, the former becoming a skilled archer, the latter two being skilled swordswomen, and Balian takes a subtle one, picking up a bunch of new moves from the Fellowship and moving more smoothly in battle, going from ordinary BadassNormal levels to, while under mind control and what could be considered a SuperpoweredEvilSide, fighting ''Legolas'', who is considered to be the hallmark of badassery in the series, to a standstill. |
| 43 | * In ''Fanfic/ChildOfTheStorm'', ''[[WorldOfBadass everyone]]'' seems to have taken one. Everyone is closer to comics power levels, Thor and Loki most noticeably, Clint only has the real life Legolas to compete with him for the title of best shot in the Nine Realms and Tony is stated to have [[CurbstompBattle curbstomped]] Volstagg in an offscreen sparring match (mitigating factor: Volstagg held back because he wasn't sure how tough Tony was in his armour) and Fury is stated to be the reason Lucius Malfoy walks with a limp and a walking stick. |
| 44 | ** The Winter Soldier, already a badass, has become TheDreaded, a terrifying OneManArmy. Previous feats include one shotting a former [[PhysicalGod Captain Britain]] (granted, with a high powered rifle and a special bullet) and mowing through two squads of Europe's finest Aurors. On screen, he's killed a Nundu (takes 100 Wizards to subdue) and a Chimera without taking a scratch or even slowing down, mows through a number of extremely well trained soldiers, including a two second take down of [[spoiler: James fucking Bond]], tears through [=MI13=], takes on Black Widow, Hawkeye and Captain America ''at once'' and ''wins'', taking the first two out with a booby trap and ends up almost [[HoistByHisOwnPetard beating Cap to death with his own shield]], kills an enhanced werewolf the size of a car with his ''bare hands'', then [[spoiler: carrying Carol Danvers down a treacherous mountain in a ferocious storm before she got frostbite.]] He justly earns both Loki's assessment as possibly the deadliest assassin in the Nine Realms and the comparisons to immortal assassin, Jared 'The Hellhound' Kincaid. |
| 45 | *** In chapter 70, he takes on, in succession, a couple of dozen or so Aurors and Ministry personnel in an assault on the Ministry itself, a couple of dozen SHIELD Agents on the Helicarrier, Captain America, Black Widow ''and'' Hawkeye ''at the same time'' on the now sinking Helicarrier, multiple Secret Service Agents in an assault on the White House, and Wolverine - the latter in a KnifeFight, while carrying multiple broken ribs. And he does this while [[spoiler: holding back to spare as many people as possible]]. |
| 46 | ** Malfoy is the reason Fury only has one eye, and is currently coordinating an alliance between HYDRA, a necromancer called Gravemoss and the Death Eaters, organising the theft of the Turin Shroud as a ''distraction'' from the theft of [[ArtifactOfDoom the]] [[TomeOfEldritchLore Darkhold]] from one of the highest security vaults on the planet, systematically [[spoiler: having [=MI6=] and [=MI13=], the paranormal security service]] destroyed, and when one of these does not go according to plan, he reminds Baron Von Strucker who's boss, [[XanatosSpeedChess then leaves SHIELD and other security services to take out less competent Death Eaters, distracting their attention from him and granting him control of the finances of the deceased Death Eaters.]] He then removes Von Strucker, takes control of the Winter Soldier, and with him, Hydra, before developing into a bona fide EvilOverlord by chapter 74, having neutralised the Avengers, crippled SHIELD, [[spoiler: stolen multiple ''tons'' of Vibranium]] and sauntered into the UN to extract the surrender of the world, backed up by [[spoiler: a now Vibranium hulled teleporting Helicarrier]]. While the backlash the following chapter is epic, there's no denying that he's badass. |
| 47 | ** Harry. Oh, Harry. Within a year of linear time (his body and mind are separated for six additional months in [[YearInsideHourOutside the Nevernever]]), he goes from shell-shocked 13 year old ActionSurvivor and incipient GuileHero, to high end PersonOfMassDestruction with vast PsychicPowers, SuperSoldier level physical abilities, and the combat skills of [[spoiler: the Winter Soldier]], with a developing capacity for XanatosSpeedChess, and [[spoiler: the Phoenix Force]] on call. However, the latter makes him an unwilling ApocalypseMaiden, and the road taken to gain all these levels in badass leaves him hideously traumatised, and scarred both physically and mentally. |
| 48 | ** All of the kids take a level or several dozen over the first two books: Diana goes from being able to fly somewhat with some SuperStrength to being able to one-shot a demon of the sort that previously took an orbital strike to cripple, let alone kill, Uhtred goes from an ArrogantKungFuGuy to a wise and thoughtful young warrior who goes axe to claws with Grey Court Master Vampire [[VoluntaryShapeshifting in the form of]] [[BearsAreBadNews a gigantic bear]] that had ''the Winter Soldier'' worried and ''winning'', Jean-Paul goes from FragileSpeedster to a ruthless version of the Flash and SpearCounterpart to the Black Widow, while Carol goes from ordinary teenage girl to - temporarily - [[spoiler: the Green Lantern, a right she earned by ''being too stubborn to die'']], and more generally distinguishes herself with her skills as TheStrategist and abilities as a SuperSoldier (coming from a temporary enhancement that stuck [[spoiler: because she's Steve's great-granddaughter]]). How? By being alongside all the others, who are ''even more powerful'' thanks to a PlotRelevantAgeUp in chapter 59 of the first book, and nevertheless being considered the main threat by the Winter Soldier himself. |
| 49 | * ''Fanfic/ChildrenOfAnElderGod'': The three pilots take levels constantly: every time they kill an EldritchAbomination they steal its power, and their bodies evolve to adapt to their enemies. So, every battle they grow more powerful. |
| 50 | * ''Fanfic/TheChroniclesOfTheFellowship''; |
| 51 | ** [[spoiler:Frodo joins Sam in mounting an assault on a goblin fortress in Moria to rescue Lucy, when he never really got the chance to do any fighting on his own in the original media]]. |
| 52 | ** [[spoiler:Aslan suggests that Lucy’s purpose in Middle-Earth was to experience this, encouraging her to grow in physical strength and be more willing to stand up for herself]]. |
| 53 | * In ''Fanfic/TheConfectionaryChronicles'', Hermione starts Hogwarts in a significantly stronger position than in canon, where she had a good overall knowledge of magical theory but naturally limited practical abilities, as well as not being comfortable thinking on her feet. After spending the better part of four years as the priestess and protégé of a pagan trickster god who has given her all kinds of lessons and opportunities that even pure-blood students don’t have, Hermione starts Hogwarts with such skill that she's even able to defeat three fourth-year Slytherin students single-handedly in her first month. |
| 54 | * The Naruto/Justice League Crossover ''Fanfic/ConnectingTheDots'' does this to most of the Konoha 11, but especially to Tenten. You remember Tenten? Trust me. Not this one. |
| 55 | * ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13312588/1/Destiny-and-Voyager-Crossroads Destiny and Voyager: Crossroads]]'' is based around ''[[Series/StarTrekVoyager Voyager]]'' discovering a wormhole into [[Franchise/StargateVerse another reality]] and making contact with ''[[Series/StargateUniverse Destiny]]'', the two crews working together to find a way to return to their Earths. After part of this plan involves ''Destiny'' travelling back through the wormhole to take the whole crew back to Earth, not only do the ''Voyager'' crew help carry out repairs on ''Destiny'' during the trip, but [[spoiler:Starfleet as a whole has ''Destiny'' undergo work at their shipyards so that the ship receives everything from hull repair to its own holodeck]]. Afterwards, [[spoiler:Starfleet is given at least a dozen Stargates to distribute throughout its territory, and analysis of features such as the weapons on ''Destiny'' prompt work to begin on a fleetwide upgrade]]. |
| 56 | * ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13441807/1/Date-a-density Date a density]]'': At one point, Shido and his harem from ''Literature/DateALive'' get warped to the Shimousa Singularity in ''VideoGame/FateGrandOrder'' and must work with the forces of Chaldea to survive. The girls all become temporary Pseudo Servants and receive training. Shido, who is a reincarnated alternate Shirou Emiya and already tough, gains Senji Muramasa's skills. By the time they return home, the girls have all become expert swordswomen and battle hardened without being shell shocked, even Yoshino and Natsumi. |
| 57 | * ''Fanfic/EquestriaGirlsAFairlyOddFriendship'': Thanks to Rainbow and Gilda's training, Timmy gradually becomes more athletic. [[spoiler: [[DeconstructedTrope However, his athletic prowess is limited to fighting people his age and size.]] He is completely outclassed by grownups, and has to rely on trickery to be able to battle them.]] |
| 58 | * The Simpsons/Futurama crossover ''Fast Forward'' has pretty much ''all the main characters'' of either show take major levels in badass (with the exception of Leela, given she was pretty badass to begin with), due to Bender gaining a weaponry upgrade and the human characters ([[MyFriendsAndZoidberg and Zoidberg]]) gaining a Farnsworth-made upgrade: their own customized, stylish, suit of PoweredArmour. |
| 59 | * In ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/1469350/1/Harry-Potter-and-the-Key-of-Dagon Harry Potter and the Key of Dagon]]'', Dawn receives training in magic at Hogwarts after the Scoobies learn that Ginny has become a Slayer as a result of the mass activation spell, while Harry gets some training from Willow in turn. |
| 60 | * Shaak Ti rises to the rank of Jedi Master in ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11577216/1/A-Horse-For-the-Force A Horse for the Force]]'' over a decade earlier than canon due to traveling with Ranma, who is not only a ''massive'' trouble magnet, but also spars and trains with her constantly. |
| 61 | * ''Fanfic/InfinityTrainBlossomingTrail'': Chloe Cerise was your average girl in her native series. But by the time she gets into the Infinity Train, she starts taking the steps to leave her past behind, wields a donut holer like she's up at bat and becomes courageous to speak her mind. It gets to the point that One-One asks her to help end the Apex once and for all. |
| 62 | * By the start of ''Fanfic/KnowThyself'', Harry has long-since [[ChildSoldiers become an official member of the Human Rebellion despite his age]], joining his parents on missions into the Matrix and then acting upon the Council's best interests when the existence of the Wizarding World becomes known to them. |
| 63 | %%zce* In ''Fanfic/KyonBigDamnHero'', due to YearInsideHourOutside training and applied phlebotinum, Kyon keeps taking level after level in badass. It's nearing MemeticBadass status within the story itself. |
| 64 | * ''Fanfic/LastChildOfKrypton'': |
| 65 | ** At the beginning Shinji is his shy, wimpy canon self. Then he discovers that his body got modified with Kryptonian DNA and becomes Franchise/{{Superman}}. |
| 66 | ** Asuka also took several levels when she [[spoiler:claimed her [[Franchise/WonderWoman Amazonian]] heritage or -depending on the version- her body got modified with Kryptonian DNA]]. Suffice it say, she did not got upset when she was unable to synch with her giant robot because she "can fly and bench press a cement mixer". |
| 67 | ** In the original version several more characters became versions of several superheroes of Franchise/TheDCU, ergo, more badass (for example, [[spoiler:Touji became a ''Comicbook/GreenLantern'']]). |
| 68 | %%zce* The Dazzlings in ''[[http://www.fimfiction.net/story/245599 LEGO Equestria Girls 2]]'' (even Sonata Dusk in a way), in part from the fact that the story does not take place in a high school. Sunset Shimmer also counts. |
| 69 | * In ''[[http://archiveofourown.org/works/5835529/chapters/14135594 Loki and a Kleptomaniac]]'' Hogwarts gossip queen and airhead Lavender Brown. And how. Taking out a Dalek-run Death Star with only her wand and an atomic blaster is pretty darn impressive in any universe. |
| 70 | * In ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/9473295/1/Lost-Girl-and-the-Lost-Room Lost Girl and the Lost Room]]'', Bo (''Series/LostGirl'') already has some awareness of other strange aspects of the world after she met Joe Miller (''Series/TheLostRoom''), who gave her some of the Objects that she can use to control her hunger and gain various other advantages, such as using the Knife and the Watch to give herself a degree of telepathy. |
| 71 | * Done literally in ''Fanfic/MyHeroPlaythrough'', since Izuku's [[Webcomic/TheGamer The Gamer]] power lets him see people's levels, and arrange special, live fire training in Dungeons. As a result, Izuku ends up getting first place in the entrance exam, and thanks to his help/power, Tsuyu places 7th. |
| 72 | * In ''Fanfic/TheNightUnfurls'', Kyril's four apprentices (Sanakan, Hugh, Lily, Soren) go from being weak, lowly, and desperate commoners to four of the deadliest Hunters after he took them under his wing, became their mentor, and gave them strength. |
| 73 | * In ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13163441/1/The-Not-So-Average-Girl The Not-So-Average Girl]]'', Peter Petrelli (''Series/{{Heroes}}'') has greater control of his powers because he’s copying the enhanced survival instinct of Kim Pierce (a renamed WesternAnimation/KimPossible). As Kim’s ability lets her instinctively know how to survive in any dangerous situation, when Peter copies Kim's ability he has a greater natural understanding of how to use his other absorbed abilities. |
| 74 | * In the Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha and Harry Potter crossover ''Professor Takamachi'', Nanoha manages to do this with a lot of Hogwarts students through a simple means. Physical training to increase physical and magical stamina, math to increase their ability to focus and multitask better, supervise the DA by putting things into practical terms, and then organizing groups to do magical sparring together as teams in simulated combat. This pays off when the Hogwarts students organize and decimate a Death Eater attack on Hogwarts. It is also hinted that Harry and his group put up a much better fight in the Department of Mysteries. |
| 75 | * Jaune Arc takes one at the start of (and takes a second level throughout) the ''WebAnimation/{{RWBY}}''/''Literature/TheHobbit''/''Literature/TheLordOfTheRings''[[note]]And ''WebAnimation/RedVsBlue'', for some characters[[/note]] FusionFic ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11852303/1/Rise-of-a-Star-Knight Rise of a Star Knight]]'', and its sequel ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12404778/1/Knights-of-Remnant-The-Ring-of-Darkness Knights of Remnant: The Ring of Darkness]]''. He starts as an IdiotHero and the ButtMonkey, unlocks his [[SuperpowerfulGenetics inherited]] [[MagicKnight Star Knight powers]][[note]]The four Star Knights are the [[SpearCounterpart male equivalent]] of the Maidens in the story, except their powers are passed from father to eldest living son (or brother to brother, if they have no children), only become active when they turn 18, and they each belong to a specific kingdom, rather than being divided by seasons like the Maidens. And they each have their own army.[[/note]], gets trained by his [[CoolBigSis older sister]], [[FourStarBadass Carolina Arc]], who teaches him how to fight and how to use his new powers, and is the one that the rest of the heroes choose to lead them (over [[TheHero Ruby]], Qrow, and [[HeroOfAnotherStory Coco]]). Also, as the Star Knight of Vale, he has a [[BadassArmy private army]], the Sky Knights of Vale, lead by his aforementioned older sister. By the end of the first story, [[spoiler: he's killed ''Smaug'' and ''Cinder''. In the second story, he kills [[HeroKiller Locus]]]] |
| 76 | * ''Fanfic/ResurgenceSeries''; |
| 77 | ** Bella Swan goes from always needing others to save her to standing up to villains like Arthur Petrelli and Sylar on her own, when her only power is basically an immunity to some powers and the ability to shut down other peoples’ powers with a concentrated effort |
| 78 | ** From a certain perspective, this also applies to Peter; while he never gets BroughtDownToNormal like he was in the show and retains his original ‘rolodex’ of abilities, he learns to be more intelligent in the use of his powers. |
| 79 | * Applies heavily in ''Fanfic/ROTBTFDStarWarsSeries'' |
| 80 | ** Hiccup is made into a Jedi Knight, having hid away all of these years since the order fell. While he has not tamed a dragon like his canon counterpart, Hiccup is one of the most skilled fighters in the series, having created his own Jedi martial art called "The Book of Dragons", basing every kick-ass technique off of a different dragon that dwelled on his home planet. |
| 81 | ** Elsa is made into a Jedi Knight, both as a competent fighter and master of what is called "Force Ice", a parallel to the dark side's Force Lightning and her ice magic in the film. |
| 82 | ** Anna is made into a pretend Mandalorian searching for her big sister. Not convinced that the Order betrayed the public like everyone else, Anna set out to find her. Along the way, she acquired a Mandalorian outfit, a gun and the skills to use it ([[spoiler:if not a little [[TriggerHappy ''too'']] well, to be completely honest]]). To top it all off, Elsa says that she was able to find her by using the force unconsciously, but turns down her offer of Jedi training, happy with her own set of skills as is. |
| 83 | ** Despite being a padawan, Rapunzel is an incredibly competent fighter and is fluent in the Force, being able to use it to heal injuries. |
| 84 | ** Not only does Dagur retain all of the deranged, battle-crazy demeanor and skills from his canon incarnation, but he is now a god-damn ''Sith Lord'' named "Darth Skrill" with mastery over the force, is handy with a light-saber and the amoral temperament to threaten the entire universe with it. |
| 85 | ** If Drago Bludvist was not scary enough, now he is now a Sith Lord and the Emperor, ruler of the Empire and conqueror of planets. |
| 86 | * ''Fanfic/TheSecretKeeper'' starts with the revelation that Bella Swan is actually a witch whose social issues are just because she's out of place in a muggle school after spending six years at Hogwarts. On top of her existing magical talents, Bella decides to focus on becoming an animagus in her seventh year after Voldemort's defeat. Not only does she [[spoiler:achieve a transformation into a lion, but visions of her future transformation into a vampire reveal that not only will she then be able to windlessly cast spells that hide her from Edward when she’s right in front of him, but will retain her lion form after the change, her new state being so powerful that she will be able to break the current land-speed record]]. |
| 87 | * ''Fanfic/TheSecretReturnOfAlexMack'': Grover Dun, aka Klar. When first introduced, he's a scared kid who's stuck invisible. Then he gets professional training and some invisible equipment and goes on a bunch of SRI missions where he stares death in the face. A hundred chapters later, he's running vital intelligence through military no-man's-land and impressing STARS officer Jill Valentine in combat. |
| 88 | * ''Fanfic/SOE2LoneHeirOfKrypton'': Asuka trained her whole life to become a fighter and HumongousMecha pilot. Then she developed strange powers and found out about her [[Franchise/{{Superman}} Kryptonian]] heritage. She went from beating giant aliens with her HumongousMecha to rip them apart with her bare fists. |
| 89 | * ''Fanfic/TheSpectacularSpiderManLostInGotham'': In ''Spectacular'', [[spoiler:Gwen Stacy was a smart, kind girl who was occasionally a DamselInDistress that Spider-Man needed to save. Here, after Spider-Man disappeared, she was bitten by the same spider that created him and started acting as a Spider-Hero in Peter's stead, [[TakingUpTheMantle becoming Ghost Spider and the defender of NYC]].]] |
| 90 | * The ''Franchise/StarWars''/''Franchise/StarTrek'' crossover series ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13573406/1/Star-Ablaze-Episode-1-Destinies-Entwined Stars Ablaze Episode 1- Destinies Entwined]]'' opens with R2-D2 being briefly ‘abducted’ by V’Ger (''Film/StarTrekTheMotionPicture'') and given an upgrade that allows him to conduct repairs by converting matter to energy and back again. As well as this new ability, R2 is now able to alter his own structure to the extent that he can communicate in actual spoken language after integrating a Starfleet universal translator into his system. He also receives a great deal of knowledge from V’Ger, to the extent that he is aware of various ways of travelling through space, his new knowledge making him eligible to apply for asylum with the Federation (as rules on droids in his home galaxy would have risked him being dismantled to try and duplicate him if he remained there). |
| 91 | * “[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/5451061/1/Star-Trek-Divergence Star Trek: Divergence]]” opens with the ''Odyssey'' (''Series/StargateSG1'') being thrown into an alternate reality, where they make contact with the damaged ''Enterprise'' NX-01 (''Series/StarTrekEnterprise'') and make plans to share their technology with this version of Earth. As a result, the Enterprise alone is upgraded to a Warp Six and receives various upgrades from the ''Odyssey'', while Earth as a whole benefits from the Asgard technology ''Odyssey'' was given before it was displaced. |
| 92 | * "[[https://www.tthfanfic.org/Story-32450/MountainKing+Stay+in+the+Light.htm Stay in the Light]]" opens with Shego realising that WesternAnimation/KimPossible has received additional training in hand-to-hand combat from a legitimate ninja master as opposed to just whatever she learnt on her own. While Kim had promised to keep her sensei's identity secret, she eventually introduces Ron to her new teacher, Master Splinter (''WesternAnimation/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2003''). |
| 93 | * In "[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/1936472/1/Sufficiently-Advanced-Technology Sufficiently Advanced Technology]]", [[ComicBook/{{Batman}} Batman, Nightwing and Robin (Tim Drake)]] all learn how to use magic just a few months after learning about the existence of [[Franchise/HarryPotter Hogwarts]], and even speculate that magic is a lot easier to learn than even the wizards believe and most people just come up with more rational explanations for their initial accidental magic (which prompts Nightwing in particular to observe that they have to be careful that the Joker doesn't learn the Killing Curse). |
| 94 | * ''Fanfic/ThousandShinji'': In the original series, the main characters were humans with average abilities. Here, Shinji becomes a sorcerer with psychic powers and fulgurkinesis, Asuka a SuperSoldier and Rei a {{Plaguemaster}}. |
| 95 | * After her suit is destroyed and she's gravely injured in ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10578266/9/Silly-but-Killy Silly but Killy]]'', [[Franchise/MassEffect Tali]] is given Limm Goo and Fightin Juice to possibly save her life. As a result, she becomes part Ork. |
| 96 | * While in ''Fanfic/TheWizardInTheShadows'', Harry has mostly done his levelling offscreen by the time the story starts, it is quite something to contrast the already badass Boy-Who-Lived to what he is after four years trapped in Middle Earth in the run up to the War of the Ring: an absurdly - by human standards - fast knife expert, an extremely powerful wizard who is more than willing to kill and capable of going toe to toe with the Nazgul - he actively hunts them, and TheDreaded for everything evil in Middle Earth for very good reason, whispered of as 'The Black Wizard'. As noted by the author, this is largely justified by the Kill or be Killed nature of late Third Age Middle-Earth. |
| 97 | ** He takes further levels in badass, wielding [[spoiler: the Sword of Gryffindor]] in battle, fending off an army of Dementors (admittedly, he was possessed for that part) after singlehandedly holding an [[DisintegratorRay Entropy Ward]] over all of Helm's Deep for over two hours against continuous assaults from the Uruk-Hai, then destroys a fifth of them by taking command of the storm and raining down lightning. And he was only drawing on outside power to a great extent with the Dementor part. He later takes on [[spoiler: Wraith Voldemort, who is present as a balance to the Tenth Walker]] in a swordfight on the back of a fell beast. Among other acts of obscene badassery. |
| 98 | ** Just about every character in the series: Boromir and Aragorn each singlehandedly take down one of Sauron's Olog-Hai (uber-trolls) without taking a scratch. [[spoiler: Ginny]] unleashes hell on the Morannon in the form of three firestorm tornadoes (with outside assistance). [[spoiler: Ron and Hermione]] develop into capable sword fighters. Emrys goes from PunchClockVillain {{Mook}} who, after a HeelFaceTurn (debatable since he wasn't at all personally evil in the first place) becomes a BadassNormal who kills a (distracted) troll solo, and eventually becomes - at the Black Gate - a [[spoiler: part Ainur EmpoweredBadassNormal who swats trolls like flies]]. By the sequel, it is vaguely hinted that he can fly, or at least defy gravity, and can move in SuperSpeed. |
| 99 | * In the ''Literature/{{Worm}}''[=/=]''VideoGame/TheWonderful101'' altpower crossover ''Fanfic/WonderfulMazinja'', thanks to [[TheHero Taylor]]'s [[PoweredArmor suits]] increasing strength, speed... many characters become badasses (Emma goes from being an average girl to smashing a tank with a mop) or increase their badassery (Sophia). |
| 100 | * ''Fanfic/XCOMRWBYWithin'' manages the rare feat of combining this trope with BroughtDownToNormal. When Team RWBY are stranded in the world of ''VideoGame/XCOMEnemyUnknown'', they discover to their initial consternation that their Aura and Semblances are non-functional... [[BroughtDownToBadass But their training and experience haven't gone away.]] It doesn't take them long to adjust, and Ruby in particular gets significant CharacterDevelopment: Knowing that a single mistake could cost herself or a squadmate their life forces her to learn caution and patience. |
| 101 | * In ''Fanfic/VoyagesOfTheWildSeaHorse'', all of the characters from [[Manga/RanmaOneHalf Nerima]] are forced to train to increase their skills dramatically after a burst of WildMagic hurls them into the world of ''Manga/OnePiece'', especially as they sail deeper into the [[DeathWorld Grand Line]]. The most notable example is Nabiki Tendo, who goes from OrdinaryHighSchoolStudent to being able to fight off [[{{Mooks}} Marine grunts]] who should realistically be bigger and stronger than she is. [[spoiler:Then she eats a [[{{Animorphism}} Mythic Zoan]] type [[PowerUpFood Devil Fruit]] and she becomes one of the most ''dangerous'' members of the crew.]] |
| 102 | |
| 103 | [[AC:''WesternAnimation/DannyPhantom'']] |
| 104 | * [[WesternAnimation/DannyPhantom Sam]] in the ''Fanfic/FacingTheFutureSeries''. True, she was probably one of the most badass characters in the show, but here, she ups the ante. |
| 105 | |
| 106 | [[AC:''Franchise/TheDCU'']] |
| 107 | * ''Fanfic/HereThereBeMonsters''. Normally, Ibac is already powerful enough to give [[ComicBook/{{Shazam}} Captain Marvel]] a run for his money, but Doctor Sivana's gadgets have magnified his already considerable might. |
| 108 | -->Captain Marvel reeled back from the punches delivered by Ibac and the Acrobat. They actually hurt. That was incredible.\ |
| 109 | Ibac, certainly, had the power to injure him. He was about as close to a Shazam-powered being as his evil patron could make him. But he seemed more powerful this time. At least Cap's equal, seemingly... possibly more. The Acrobat had been no more than a human criminal, one of Captain Marvel, Jr.'s foes, who turned into a crazed killer beneath the full moon. Now, here he was, surviving unaided in outer space and trading punches with the World's Mightiest Mortal himself. |
| 110 | |
| 111 | [[AC:''Literature/DemonKingDaimao'']] |
| 112 | * Keena Soga in ''[[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/8514012/2/Keena-the-Defendants-of-Constan-Magic-Academy Keena & the Defendants of Constan Magic Academy]]'', who now no longer is forced to stay out of the way in the battle, takes tons of hits, still gets back up and doesn't even need help to defeat her opponents, even if she hurts them in quite brutal ways. |
| 113 | |
| 114 | [[AC:''Franchise/{{Digimon}}'']] |
| 115 | * After the events of ''[[Fanfic/TamersForeverSeries Omni-Tamer]]'', Takato becomes the strongest Tamer by far. Unfortunately for him, the one person whose respect and praise he truly desires instead becomes aggressive and spiteful to him out of jealousy, forcing Takato to finally ''[[BerserkButton snap]]''. |
| 116 | ** Jeri also grows from being TheCutie into a true ActionGirl. |
| 117 | ** And if you thought TK TookALevelInBadass during Adventure 02, just look at him ''now''. |
| 118 | |
| 119 | [[AC:''Franchise/DragonAge'']] |
| 120 | * ''Fanfic/DragonAgeTheCrownOfThorns'' has given levels in badass to more than just the dwarven noble WisePrince protagonist, plus some antagonists (the Sloth Demon, Piotin Aeducan, the Fade Beast-[[spoiler:it becomes a rock wraith]], etc.) |
| 121 | ** Raonar Aeducan goes from CulturedWarrior / GuileHero to CulturedBadass / MagicKnight / BarrierWarrior; |
| 122 | ** Faren Brosca, the dwarven commoner rises from LovableRogue / ActionSurvivor to straight-out ActionHero / BadassAdorable with almost complete hostile magic immunity. |
| 123 | ** Kallian Tabris, the city elf, also a LovableRogue, finds herself forced to drink Avernus' alchemical potion, making her blood poisonous to darkspawn (and she can even read their attack intentions like some sort of battle precognition). LadyOfWar indeed. |
| 124 | ** Alim started out as a OneManArmy blood mage but eventually learned shapeshifting and telepathy. He also seems to avoid the SquishyWizard trope altogether, though mostly through timely applications of forcefields. One can only wonder what will happen if he ever becomes an Arcane Warrior too. |
| 125 | ** Alistair didn't get many special powers, but Raonar's tutoring did yield a much higher level of self-confidence, actually making him lose a level in suck. A MagicKnight in his own right. |
| 126 | ** Theron Mahariel and Gwenith Cousland can still qualify as BadassNormal members, but it is unlikely that the story will end without them also getting some sort of powerup. One might say it is required, considering what happened in the latest chapters ([[spoiler:The Archdemon became smarter and more self-aware, possibly able and mentally coherent enough to use blood magic]]). |
| 127 | ** Even [[spoiler:Trian Aeducan]] seems to have gone through this after his memorable BreakTheHaughty several months-long period of [[spoiler:being presumed dead after having his death faked against his will (and forced into being roomies with Gorim.]] |
| 128 | |
| 129 | [[AC:''Franchise/DragonBall'']] |
| 130 | * ''Fanfic/LegendOfTheMonkeyGod'': Both Goku and Bulma learn how to transform from Oolong and Goku teaches Bulma how to access her ki. [[spoiler:Then Bulma wishes to become a Saiyan]]. |
| 131 | * ''Webcomic/DragonBallZElsewhere'': When compared to his old friends and fellows, who probably have become stronger, but are still on the human side of the spectrum, Yamcha with his superhuman skills, decisely appears as to have taken one level in badass. Or two levels. Or three. So many levels that he one shots [[spoiler: Kyonshi, who is the same tier as the likes of master Roshi and Shen]], and his old friend Barrack compares Yamcha to a demi-god. |
| 132 | * Given the years that have passed since the end of ''GT'' in ''WebAnimation/DragonBallDeliverance'', damn near everyone has become more badass over the years. |
| 133 | ** Both Pan and Bra are now Super Saiyans, the latter of which now has PowerArmor with its own weapon systems and shields. |
| 134 | ** Uub/Majuub now has complete mastery of his Majin powers and has a HealingFactor as well as the ability to communicate with his Majin half mid-battle. |
| 135 | ** Vegeta really takes the cake. He now has a Super Saiyan 3 transformation, and he regained his tail, letting him access his Super Saiyan 4 transformation at will. Oh, and his Super Saiyan 4 self also singlehandedly defeats ''Broly'' as a '''Super Saiyan 3'''. |
| 136 | |
| 137 | [[AC:''WesternAnimation/TheFairlyOddParents'']] |
| 138 | * In ''Fanfic/NeverHadAFriendLikeMe'', [[spoiler:Bob the boil has gone from just the sentient boil on Elmer's face that he was in the show]] to an EldritchAbomination that intends to take over the world and change it to how he wants it to be. |
| 139 | * In ''[[https://fairlyoddfanon.fandom.com/wiki/The_All_New_Fairly_OddParents! The All New Fairly OddParents!]]'', Vicky and Tootie's parents, who both have been PushoverParents in the past, have evolved into this thanks to therapy sessions with Dr. Phyllis Fancyfree, and since then, they don't take any nonsense from their daughter [[BabysitterFromHell Vicky]]. |
| 140 | ** Same goes for Vicky's little sister Tootie, although to a lesser extent. |
| 141 | |
| 142 | [[AC:''Manga/FairyTail'']] |
| 143 | * ''Fanfic/AlternateTailSeries'': |
| 144 | ** Levy actually starts ''weaker'' in canon, having to initially need a pen to use her Solid-Script up until the Phantom Lord arc, where she performed one-handed magic to help Gajeel regain his strength. But she becomes stronger later in the series, [[spoiler:using stone tablets obtained from Galuna Island to unlock a Lost Magic called Holy Scriopture that is basically the angel version of Freed's Dark Ectriture]]. |
| 145 | ** Following the Edolas Arc, [[spoiler:Pantherlily starts to use the same Stave Magic that Mystogan uses more openly]]. |
| 146 | |
| 147 | [[AC:''Franchise/FinalFantasy'']] |
| 148 | * [[spoiler: Luso]] in ''Fanfic/TheTaintedGrimoire'', after learning how to draw his aura and then again after being given the ability to [[spoiler: channel Mist]]. |
| 149 | |
| 150 | [[AC:''Manga/FruitsBasket'']] |
| 151 | * Tohru Honda -- no, really-- [[NiceGirl Tohru]] [[ExtremeDoormat Honda]] gets this treatment in the Western [=AU=] fic ''Fanfic/{{The Swordsman and the Gunslinger}}''. On the surface, she appears to be a sweet but she can hold her own in a fight. Even a person who knows her very well is amazed that she can handle an enemy. |
| 152 | |
| 153 | [[AC: ''Series/GameOfThrones'' / ''Literature/ASongOfIceAndFire'']] |
| 154 | * In ''Fanfic/TheNorthRemembers'', Sansa Stark pretty much takes a level and then some. [[spoiler: She first kills Ser Shadrich with a knife when he attempts to rape her, then manages to enlist both the Brotherhood after convincing them not to kill Sandor, and the Burned Men by willingly getting her hand burnt, to help her overthrow Littlefinger. This finally culminates with them assaulting the Eyrie whilst Sansa is being tried for murdering Sweetrobin Arryn. The end result, Sansa beating Littlefinger at his own game (along with him getting a well-deserved beatdown courtesy of Lady Stoneheart).]] |
| 155 | * In ''Fanfic/PurpleDays'', Prince Joffrey Baratheon's long stretch of CharacterDevelopment has him taking a level practically every chapter. Joffrey starts off as the same weak, simpering coward from canon, but resolves to grow stronger after repeated deaths at the hands of his enemies. After enduring TrainingFromHell from multiple teachers and [[spoiler:leading the legions of Yi-Ti against the White Walkers]], he becomes a hardened and ridiculously skilled WarriorPrince well-versed in nearly every weapon under the sun with too many badass feats to list here. |
| 156 | ** [[spoiler:Sansa Stark, Joffrey's betrothed, is revealed to be HumanWeapon created by the Purple just like Joffrey meant to aide him in stopping the Long Night. When she learns of this and joins him in his crusade, she demands that Joffrey train her in combat so that she won't become a liability to him. With three years of intense physical training, along with learning the ways of the ManipulativeBastards around her, she becomes Joffrey's chief confidante, smart enough to co-manage his political and economic projects and skilled enough in combat to defeat several assassins sent after her.]] |
| 157 | |
| 158 | [[AC:''Franchise/{{Godzilla}}'']] |
| 159 | * ''Fanfic/AbraxasHrodvitnon'': [[Characters/AbraxasHrodvitnonMonsterX Vivienne Graham]] ultimately goes through this over the story's first several chapters after she's [[InhumanHuman brought back]] as [[TwoBeingsOneBody half of Monster X]]; thanks to a severe PTSD-inducing TraumaCongaLine, being forced to kill human assholes in the form of Alan Jonah's mercs, and being pushed past her limits in more ways than one. Other characters can see the change in her eyes. |
| 160 | -->The Vivienne Graham of old wouldn't have hurt a fly. ''This'' Vivienne Graham has killed. |
| 161 | |
| 162 | [[AC:''Literature/HarryPotter'']] |
| 163 | * ''Fanfic/DumbledoresArmyAndTheYearOfDarkness'' is all about Neville Longbottom, and the DA, levelling up in badass to the point where they're able to stand up to, and fight, Death Eaters on a nearly-equal-to-equal basis. |
| 164 | * Another example is ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/3417609/1/In-Cold-Blood In Cold Blood]]'', wherein Harry is asked by Gringotts to work as a freelancer assassinating Death Eaters for them. The goblins have a magical method that allows them to transplant knowledge from prisoners, so that Harry can fight well beyond the level of his targets. The fic is rather vague about how much knowledge of what Harry gains: all it states is that the first donor is a skilled enough torturer to keep a man on the edge of death for six months, and that after Harry gains the torturer's skill a "seemingly endless" number of donors file in after him, with "everything Harry could possibly use" against his victims. |
| 165 | * In ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/4175909/1/Furious-Angels Furious Angels]]'', Harry and Ginny basically acquire their future selves' knowledge of magic the summer before Ginny's first year at Hogwarts; while they don't ''know'' how they know this, they now possess a superior knowledge of magic from most of their peers, allowing Ginny to basically overpower Draco Malfoy in a duel while even casting silent spells. |
| 166 | * ''Fanfic/ThePowerOfSeven''; |
| 167 | ** By the end of the school year, the new 'coven'- Harry, Ginny, Hermione, Luna, Demelza Robbins, Susan Bones and Katie Bell- have become skilled enough that they quickly fall into a pattern to coordinate their defence against the latest attack at Hogwarts, [[spoiler:while Harry's magic has increased to the point that he can fly on his own which was an ability only demonstrated by Voldemort and Snape in canon]]. |
| 168 | ** After dozens of chapters of "[[AdaptationalVillainy Ron-bashing]]", it's Ron who [[spoiler:formulates the plan to rescue Demelza from Malfoy Manor]], though Lupin tweaked it a bit with the benefit of greater experience. Said plan goes off nearly flawlessly. |
| 169 | * In ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/3427377/1/Harry-gets-Motivated Harry gets Motivated]]'', Harry asks Professor Moody to mind control him into relentlessly forcing himself to study to exclusion of everything except whatever Harry has to do to stay mentally and physically healthy, and to protect himself from Voldemort. This fic ends with Harry [[spoiler: draining his bank account to further his studies, refilling it by attacking a giant vault in Malfoy Manor with his new skills, and eventually killing Voldemort so as to ensure he can study uninterrupted.]] |
| 170 | |
| 171 | [[AC:''Webcomic/HetaliaAxisPowers'']] |
| 172 | * In the alternate universe ''Webcomic/HetaliaAxisPowers'' fanfiction, ''Every Generation'', Canada undergoes this to free himself and America from England's smothering rule. [[spoiler:It works. [[BreakTheCutie Kind of.]]]] |
| 173 | |
| 174 | [[AC:''WebAnimation/{{Hololive}}'']] |
| 175 | * This trope is actually built into the power system of ''WebAnimation/HoloChronicles'' in the form of evolved traits. While neither [[TheJuggernaut Coco]] nor [[WorldsStrongestWoman Sora]] count for this trope themselves due to their traits evolving before the series' events (and, hell, Sora's evolved into the Purity Trait when she was just a child), Subaru is getting close to evolving hers and thus ''actually'' counting. |
| 176 | |
| 177 | [[AC:''Franchise/TheIncredibles'']] |
| 178 | * ''Fanfic/RiseOfTheGaleforces'': This happens to virtually '''ALL''' of the Supers who have been bought BackFromTheDead at some point or another. Stratogale, Splashdown, and Thunderhead, all of whom died thanks to the humble CapeSnag, return to the story's current timeframe in ways that are both epic and well-earned, with Apogee and later Macroburst and Phylange following soon after. And as for the original SuperFamilyTeam, who are already a BadassFamily as is, a NoodleIncident or two before the beginning of the story has apparently made them even more badass. |
| 179 | ** Terrordactyl counts as a meta example, at least where the geological time scale is concerned. According to him, ''[[GiantFlyer Pteranodons]]'' were in fact [[GentleGiant rather nice creatures]] who didn't want to partake in the Late Cretaceous warfare -- [[spoiler:and were easily massacred at the claws of the [[ReligionOfEvil dictatorial]] ''Deinonychus'' division.]] Cut to the present day, and a certain [[ItMakesSenseInContext genetically engineered]] pterosaur taking down entire roving ravenous raptor regiments without breaking a sweat. |
| 180 | ** Despite having had her AdrenalineMakeover already, [[BarrierWarrior Violet]] starts out in this fanfiction as a [[StoneWall primarily defensive]] DamselInDistress who gets in trouble quite often. [[spoiler:Come the end of Episode Three, however...]] |
| 181 | |
| 182 | [[AC:''WesternAnimation/InvaderZim'']] |
| 183 | * ''Fanfic/InvaderZimABadThingNeverEnds'': |
| 184 | ** On the show, the Resisty were a joke who were only a threat to the Massive when Zim accidentally sabotaged it. Here, it's mentioned that with the Massive and half the Armada out of contact, they've been managing to do a lot of damage by running around unchecked. |
| 185 | ** The physical labor of digging through the floor of her solitary confinement cell by hand as part of her escape has caused Tak's arms to thicken in musculature, her claws to sharpen, and granted her several inches of height. |
| 186 | ** At the end of the second arc, Dib and Gaz start taking steps to increase their fighting prowess to deal with the various villains' superior skills, by means of learning [[{{Whatevermancy}} Poopmancy]] from Fizzmitz. By Chapter 12, after only a basic tutorial, they're already capable of overpowering Tak in a straight-up fight. |
| 187 | ** The [[QuirkyMinibossSquad Minion Trio]] start out as only moderate fighters thoroughly outmatched by the likes of Tak. By Chapter 13, with a bit of training, equipment upgrades, and practice, they're capable of overwhelming her through sheer force, leaving her to resort to outthinking them to get an advantage. |
| 188 | * ''Fanfic/TopOfTheLineEditorBug'': [=MiMi=] is rebuilt for the SIR Unit tournament to be taller, bulkier, and overall more dangerous. In ''The Rematch'', Tak upgrades her to be even larger to give herself an edge. |
| 189 | |
| 190 | [[AC:''WesternAnimation/JackieChanAdventures'']] |
| 191 | * In ''Fanfic/QueenOfAllOni'', Jade has done this, having gained increased strength in her new Shadowkhan body (and gaining a knowledge of shadow magic)]], and having put her genre savviness to good use against her former loved ones. Later in the fic she plans to take MORE levels by finding three [[TomeOfEldritchLore magic tablets]] she can use to increase her magical knowledge further. |
| 192 | * ''Fanfic/TheUltimateEvil'': |
| 193 | ** Valerie is already [[ActionSurvivor somewhat badass]] at the start of the story, being able to fight off all three Enforcers with a ''broom''. However, she's still out of her league, and realizes it, so she eventually asks Jackie to teach her martial arts. When she takes matters into her own hands to rescue Jade from Hsi Wu, she realizes how much she has changed in the six months she has been with the Chans; instead of bursting into tears like she might have done before, she's now acting with determined anger. |
| 194 | ** [[spoiler:Becoming [[YinYangBomb bound to Valerie]] makes Shendu even more powerful than he already was to the point that good magic no longer hurts him, and he's able to fight against his siblings and Tarakudo even when he's a spirit or a statue.]] |
| 195 | |
| 196 | [[AC:''Series/KamenRiderFourze'']] |
| 197 | * In ''Fanfic/{{Horseshoes and Hand Grenades}}'', most of the minor characters in the show gets the chance to shine. For example, former Zodiarts Motoyama and Norio become Kamen Riders (Den-O: Sword and Den-O: Wing respectively), while ButtMonkey Chuta Ohsugi beocmes a BadassTeacher willing to take down Dustards, his former love interest and the ''BigBad'' with nothing more than sheer guts and determination. Likewise, comic relief characters like Yuki can now punch a Dustards' light out with a [[CallingYourAttacks "HAYABUSA PUNCH!"]] |
| 198 | ** Likewise in the side-story ''Month of Sundays'' even minor characters have been shown using their skills to good use. [[HugeSchoolgirl Rumi Egawa]] uses what she knows best [[WhenAllYouHaveIsAHammer running to a person with a vaulting pole in hand, stamp it on the ground, then kick people in the face]], while the Amanogawa Glee Club has its members be a sword wielder, a {{Ninja}} and a samurai. |
| 199 | |
| 200 | [[AC:''ComicBook/KickAss'']] |
| 201 | * In ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/9440056/1/Trip-Like-I-Do Trip Like I Do]]'', Dave and Mindy run away from home and undergo near constant training at one of Mindy's safe houses. Dave becomes far more physically fit (being able to engage in {{Roofhopping}} like Mindy), fights much dirtier (due to being promised a day off if he can take her down), and is a much more skilled fighter overall. |
| 202 | |
| 203 | [[AC:''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'']] |
| 204 | * In the original game, Prince Komali simply sits in his room, brooding. In [[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13105443/1/The-Legend-of-Zelda-The-Wind-Waker a novelisation]] of the game, he goes with Link to Dragon Roost Cavern, chases down a bunch of monsters who were about to sacrifice Medli and saves Link's life. '''TWICE''' in quick succession. |
| 205 | |
| 206 | [[AC:''Franchise/MassEffect'']] |
| 207 | * AuthorAvatar Art of the ''Franchise/MassEffect'' self-insert ''Fanfic/MassVexations'' starts off as a ThisLoserIsYou character. By the time he gets to Virmire, though, he's taken several, culminating in leading a salarian STG unit into battle. |
| 208 | |
| 209 | [[AC:''Franchise/MarvelUniverse'']] |
| 210 | * ''Fanfic/APrizeForThreeEmpires'': ComicBook/CarolDanvers goes from run-of-the-mill FlyingBrick to cosmic being capable of repairing stars when she transforms into Binary. |
| 211 | |
| 212 | [[AC:''WesternAnimation/MiraculousLadybug'']] |
| 213 | * ''Fanfic/CheshireMiraculousLadybug'': Marinette as Cheshire, being an ExperiencedProtagonist with years of heroic acts before her public debut. |
| 214 | |
| 215 | [[AC:''Franchise/MyHeroAcademia'']] |
| 216 | * ''Fanfic/ApexPredatorMHA'': After he [[spoiler:stops taking the [[GovernmentConspiracy Hero Commision]]'s illegal [[FantasticDrug quirk supressing drugs]]]], Hawks undergoes a quirk evolution which gives him InnateNightVision, a second eyelid for protection against the wind, and golden spots in his feathers that allow him to manipulate light. This is on top of his pre-existing abilities, which allows him to control his feathers via a telekenesis/telepathy combo, sense vibrations through them, fly, regenerate said feathers, choose their hardness and sharpness and givehim enhanced physical abilities. |
| 217 | * ''Fanfic/TheGunslingerHeroFlintlock'': |
| 218 | ** Izumi, as shown at several points, is extremely talented, having taken the level up in many categories. She’s a master marksman, skilled close-quarter combatant, and you can count the list of people who actually send fear down her spine on a single hand. |
| 219 | * While Izuku in ''Fanfic/TheNorseHeroFenrir'' was impressive as he was, when All Might gives him One For All, it compliments his preexisting quirk almost as though they were meant for each other. For one thing, Izuku's transformations are much easier, capable of shifting between his human form, beast mode and Ragnarök without the needing to be threatened beforehand, and even is able to take on a [[LittleBitBeastly "light"-mode]] that gives him a power boost without having to do a full transformation and waste energy. With his preexisting strength and HealingFactor, Izuku can tap into One For All's overwhelming threshold of power without breaking his limbs, though it does speed up quirk exhaustion. [[spoiler:The power boost it gives him was enough for him to defeat ''All For One'' the first time they meet]]. |
| 220 | * In ''[[https://archiveofourown.org/works/29308788 Catching Up]]'', Izuku's weeks spent MethodActing as various heroes gave him a lot of insight into their fighting styles. As such, when Class 1A fights Mirio, Izuku continuously changes his fighting style to keep up with him until the match is declared a draw. |
| 221 | |
| 222 | [[AC:''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'']] |
| 223 | * PlayedWith for Fluttershy in ''Fanfic/{{Flutterspy}}''. As we've seen in canon, Fluttershy is capable of being a great warrior, but only if one of her {{Berserk Button}}s is pressed. Fleur de Lis' training is intended to overcome this. |
| 224 | * King Sombra in ''Fanfic/TheGodEmpressOfPonykind'' duels and [[BreakingLecture lectures]] Luna into submission, taunts Celestia into killing him and then [[spoiler: [[NiceJobBreakingItHero uses his death to ascend and become a Daemon Prince before pulling the Crystal Kingdom into the Warp]]]]. |
| 225 | * ''Fanfic/TheImmortalGame'': Pretty much ''all'' of the Mane Six over the course of the story, but the crowner has to go to ''[[ShrinkingViolet Fluttershy]]'' of all ponies. During the FinalBattle, she [[spoiler: somehow taps into [[EvilMatriarch Terra's]] old power as "Princess of the Forest", becoming a {{Physical God}}dess with a flowing mane and something akin to the Royal Canterlot Voice who is able to cow ''the most powerful dragon alive'' into a HeelFaceTurn and serving as her mount in a BigDamnHeroes moment]]. Everyone else (both in and out of universe) is shocked at this, and even Rarity admits to being a little frightened of her. |
| 226 | * Unlike the other MLP characters who are {{flanderized}} to one-note caricatures, Spike at the very least gets [[spoiler: a transformation]] in the third "season" of ''Fanfic/MyBravePonyStarfleetMagic''. |
| 227 | * In the ''Fanfic/PonyPOVSeries'', its easier to list the characters who ''don't'' do this. By the end of the Princess [[spoiler:Gaia]] Arc, the mane cast and [[SixthRanger Trixie]] are tough enough to fight a MadGod head on and hold their own. Derpy Hooves beats down the mooks of the BigBad to [[MamaBear protect her daughter]] and is an experienced Companion of the Doctor, Shining Armor is a trained military warrior who managed to fight out of a full on military ambush, Princess Cadence [[spoiler:[[DidYouJustPunchOutCthulhu took out an Avatar of]] [[TopGod Havoc]] in the back story (though she can't remember) and]] is willing to put her life on the line to protect Shining, and the CMC managed to build a functioning time machine. Heck, even Celestia and Luna are complete badasses in this continuity. |
| 228 | ** The G1 Mane Cast get this as well, the Rainbow of Light having made them TheAgeless. What do they do with it? Spend several thousand years kicking the flank of any monster who dares threaten Pony Kind. This includes [[spoiler:managing to ''beat Discord'' in a straight up fight (though unfortunately, he managed to escape)]] and beating back Grogar (who in this universe also counts as this trope, being a EvilOverlord who can go toe to toe with ''[[RealityWarper Discord]]'') every 500 years. Of note are Mimic, who managed to fight Discord head on and ultimately break his tooth ''permanently'' in a DyingMomentOfAwesome, and Shady, who [[spoiler:[[FaceHeelTurn was Discord's]] TheDragon and ultimately redeemed herself by holding him in place for the Princesses to beat him.]] |
| 229 | ** Some of the G2 Mane cast get this, considering they end up having to survive AfterTheEnd when a Class 2 apocalypse hits. Sweetheart becomes a nurse who stops a supercharged version of TheBlackDeath and her husband Teddy goes PapaWolf and protects his family from corporate thugs and mutations spawned by the blast. Patch is the biggest, as she goes on a quest to rebuild the Rainbow of Light, becoming an ActionGirl who overthrows a number of ponies abusing the shards' power. She even manages to beat a ''dragon'' in a straight up fight and outwit and beat Grogar. Did we mention [[BadassNormal she has no special powers]] outside the Shards slowing down her aging? |
| 230 | ** Minty Pie from [[BadFuture Dark World]]. When we first meet her? A normal everyday Earth Pony (though one who grew up in Discord's CrapsackWorld). Then she decides to go help the others in the fight with Discord. She falls into an underground cave and being hailed as TheChosenOne by a race of winter spirits. [[OffscreenMomentOfAwesome By the time we meet her again]], she's defeated her own BigBad and became an experienced warrior with a CoolSword. By the time she reaches the FinalBattle with [[spoiler:Nightmare Paradox]], she dodges some fireballs with practiced grace, [[spoiler:throwing the time travel scroll that Paradox wanted to force Twilight into using into it in the process]] and manages to hold her own despite being the only BadassNormal in the group. |
| 231 | * ''Fanfic/TheRiseOfDarthVulcan'': Vulcan's apprentice, Artful Dodger, starts out as a mere street urchin crook. With training (and some magical body enhancements) from Vulcan and [[spoiler: Chrysalis]], however, and he's one of Vulcan's CoDragons, with a fearful reputation of his own amongst the minions. |
| 232 | * Over the course of ''Fanfic/WhenAPonyCalls'' and ''Fanfic/TheAlchemistsHeart'', Soren/Silver Script has gone from an inexperienced teenage boy turned female pony, to holding his/her own against Twilight, to fighting monsters in the Everfree, to charging {{Eldritch Abomination}}s with a shot gun in a BadFuture. |
| 233 | |
| 234 | [[AC:''Franchise/{{Naruto}}'']] |
| 235 | * Both Sakura and Sasuke grow far more competent after a month of personal training in ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/3665921/51/Black-Flames-Dance-In-The-Wind-Rise-of-Naruto Black Flames Dance in the Wind: Rise of Naruto]]''. More importantly, Sasuke loses his [[SmallNameBigEgo trademark arrogance]] and Sakura becomes more serious and professional. |
| 236 | ** Hinata becomes considerably more powerful even without accounting for her becoming a [[SpiderPeople Jorogumo]]. |
| 237 | * In ''Blind'', due to one failed recon mission (that was '''VERY important''') Naruto, Gaara, Hinata and Shino take levels during the time skip. Naruto and Gaara had to due to being declared missing nin with ''kill on site'' orders in '''KUMO''' where they are hunted like dogs EVERYDAY so they had to toughen up or die. Hinata because of throwing herself in training due to heartbreak (Naruto didn't tell her about the mission and ends up as a missing nin so she takes it hard. Doubly so because they are [[PerfectlyArrangedMarriage betrothed]]) to the point where she can take Neji down in a fair fight. Shino because of anger at his friends being traitors (Naruto and Gaara) and one giving in to depression (Hinata). |
| 238 | * ''Fanfic/DreamingOfSunshine'' gives us a remarkably slow evolution. Starting out, Shikako is considered a sickly child who's [[BlessedWithSuck hypersensitivity to Chakra is anticipated to prevent her from ever becomeing a ninja.]] By the end of the academy, due to her relentlessly grinding levels she is one of the top kunoichi, along with Ino and Hinata and she can water-walk. By the Chunin exams she can make her own seals. By the third round of the Chunin exams, [[StuffBlowingUp she can lay seals at a touch]]. the Grinding continues until [[DoorStopper ninty-five chapters in]] she can give Gaara a run for his money and arguably might have won if she had been going for the kill. |
| 239 | ** Ino, who starts out the story slightly stronger than her canon counterpart, suffers serious injuries after fighting [[spoiler:the Sound Four]], and then recovers and becomes a much stronger, more versatile fighter [[spoiler: with the aid of her chameleon summons.]] |
| 240 | * Nicely deconstructed in ''Fanfic/EscapeFromTheHokagesHat'' by Naruto. Instead of just handing him high level jutsu or just working on his chakra control, Tsunade slowly turns him into a BadassBookworm fixing his more LeeroyJenkins impulses, forcing him to plan (he hasn't really got a choice due to a GameBreakingInjury he's been recovering from for at least 20 chapters), working on his chakra control and getting him involved in politics. The end result is that Naruto goes from a UnskilledButStrong bruiser who throws massive amounts of chakra, clones and {{Indy Ploy}}s to solve his problems, to a WeakButSkilled LightningBruiser who can talk and plan his way out of a problem but also get into a fight with three Chunin and win by manipulating the fight to his advantage. |
| 241 | * ''Fanfic/IAmNotGoingThroughPubertyAgain'': |
| 242 | ** While Team 7's meteoric rise in skill is very much documented in canon, Hinata's wasn't. Apparently, during the duration of the eighteen years between the end of the manga and the quartet's unintended journey through time, Hinata became a kunoichi whose skill is comparable to the likes of ''Kakashi'' and ''Itachi'' (putting her on par with the Sandaime Hokage in his old age). Something that Ko Hyuuga can very much attest to after feeling a ''sliver'' of Hinata's KI. Chapter 11 showcases her growth, where despite having been a bit out of shape for several years, her current body lacking the physical conditioning to handle her fighting style, and facing Orochimaru, who, in spite of her real age, has a significant experience advantage over her, Hinata is ''still'' able to match and even ''overwhelm'' him. |
| 243 | ** Sakura hasn't been slouching around either and according to Hinata, she is now theoretically good enough to stand toe to toe with Madara or Hashirama at the top of their game. |
| 244 | * Naruto again in ''Legacy of the Rasengan: Naruto''. Due to misunderstanding something Iruka said, (hearing "the 4th Hokage was a great shinobi '''WHO''' just so happened to create his own jutsus." as "The 4th was great '''BECAUSE''' he created his own jutsus.") Naruto decides to tell the {{Angst}} to fuck off and become a badass with his own collection of jutsu. The kicker being all his jutsu are simple and easy to use but '''WILL''' reach {{Gamebreaker}} status when he gets older. Examples of his jutsu: |
| 245 | ** [[SmokeOut Enmaku no Jutsu]] : Naruto attemped the fireball jutsu and ended up coughing up smoke ([[FridgeBrilliance He has wind affinity so fire is his weakest element]]). Instead of abandoning this jutsu, he just ends up mastering it using it as a portable SmokeOut when needed. Noted to be just a rank below Zabuza's Kirigakure no Jutsu. |
| 246 | ** [[BlowYouAway Kaze Tate no Jutsu]]: Creates a tornado around the user that works to deflect things thrown at him. More chakra = Raging Tornado defense. Can also be used for offense (Naruto used it to stop a Gatsuuga). |
| 247 | ** [[RazorWind Kaze Kiwa no Jutsu]]: Creates a wind sword that Naruto upgrades to be near Rasengan levels. Since it contains nothing but wind and chakra, its tip causes massive damage. Naruto used it to cut through Neji's Kaiten. |
| 248 | * [[spoiler:Future Sakura]] in ''Naruto Mysterious Power'', who manages to defeat over half of the main cast, went from being nothing but the main antagonist's sex slave to using the powers of eight tailed beasts and a cursed seal, along with sonic screams and various Chidori-Raikiri versions. |
| 249 | * Played with in ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/6051938/1/The-Sealed-Kunai The Sealed Kunai]]'' where Naruto isn't so much taking levels in badass as regaining them by getting back into the kind of shape he was in as a ROOT member. |
| 250 | |
| 251 | [[AC:''Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion'']] |
| 252 | * ''Fanfic/ACrownOfStars'': Shinji and Asuka after getting much needed pshychological counseling and a brand-new HumongousMecha. They go from two wretches barely capable to fight for their lives to commanders of an army. |
| 253 | * ''Fanfic/AdviceAndTrust'': All pilots take at least a level, but special mention goes to Rei who went from being the least effective (albeit most reliable) pilot to giving a good showing against ''[[HeroKiller Zeruel]]''. |
| 254 | * ''Fanfic/TheChildOfLove'': Due to [[spoiler:Gendo messing up with her unborn's daughter DNA,]] Asuka became fiercer and more dangerous when she fought. She single-handedly held back and pushed away a giant moster who almost crushed both Shinji and Rei. |
| 255 | * ''Fanfic/DoingItRightThisTime'': In this PeggySue fic the three main characters take sevel levels: |
| 256 | ** In the original timeline Rei was too injured to fight Sachiel. In the current timeline she rips it apart. Not being on several kinds of EmotionSuppression-inducing medication helped. |
| 257 | ** Shinji sets out to improve his unarmed combat skills with some judo classes. More subtly, [[GrewASpine he's a lot more willing to stand up for himself]] because [[DeterminedDefeatist he believes he has nothing left to lose.]] |
| 258 | ** Asuka is more emotionally focused this time around… which means she is in fact more dangerous. |
| 259 | * ''Manga/Evangelion303'': |
| 260 | ** Asuka goes through several phases of depression and recovery. Every time she overcomes her issues she becomes stronger and a better pilot. |
| 261 | ** According Kaworu, after recovering from her accident Rei became a better fighter pilot than she was before. |
| 262 | * ''Fanfic/{{HERZ}}'': After spending twelve years training, Shinji, Asuka and Rei are more badass than their teen selves. Shinji and Asuka train every day (Shinji shoots targets in the range, Asuka tries combat simulations inside her HumongousMecha...) and Rei [[spoiler:has an A T Field capable to destroy or pulverize anything -as several terrorists found out- and she has absorbed two ancient alien deities.]] Asuka is an army commander, too. |
| 263 | * ''Fanfic/HigherLearning'': Asuka spent a good while depressed and gloomy due to getting constantly beaten and even mind-raped. Shinji managed to make her snapping out of her depression and encourage her to fight right before the final battle, though, and she tore the MP-Evas apart. |
| 264 | * ''Fanfic/NeonGenesisEvangelionGenocide'': Asuka finally overcomes TheWorfEffect that she suffered from in the series, as she manages to bring down Samael after it has defeated both Rei and Shinji. |
| 265 | * ''Fanfic/NobodyDies'': A very interesting inversion. Shinji Ikari ''[[Fanfic/ThousandShinji is no]]'' ''[[Fanfic/ShinjiAndWarhammer40K stranger to]]'' ''[[VideoGame/SuperRobotWarsAlpha Taking Levels]]'' in Badass, but ''Nobody Dies'' Shinji could be more accurately described as having Lost A Level In Suck; thanks to Yui surviving the backstory, Shinji has grown up into a well-adjusted and ''perfectly normal'' teenager, with none of the numerous neuroses that plagued him in canon but also none of the unGodly self-confidence or super-powers other fanfics tend to give him when doing this. It makes for a very interesting take on Shinji's character to see him stick up for [[ShrinkingViolet Asuka]] and trade verbal jabs with his classmates when he's not smiting Angels with an Eva-scale {{BFS}} or a WaveMotionGun. Then again, when you're the walking embodiment of ThisLoserIsYou, even becoming an OrdinaryHighSchoolStudent is a big step in the right direction. |
| 266 | * ''Fanfic/OnceMoreWithFeelingCrazy88'': |
| 267 | ** Shinji took a level when he returned to the past. Now he knows what the stakes are and what the prize of failure is, so he fights seriously and fiercely rather wasting time whining and feeling sorry for himself. And he uses all his experience and knowledge gained in the original timeline. The result is a more dangerous, more focused and more experienced fighter. |
| 268 | ** As shown in his first battle: in the original timeline Sachiel beat him around until his mother went berserker. In the altered timeline he slaughtered Sachiel so quickly and ruthlessly than Gendo and Ritsuko thought Yui had gone berserker. |
| 269 | * ''Fanfic/TheOneILoveIs'': Shinji tried to become more badass throughout the war to protect people he loved. As a result of it, in the FinalBattle [[spoiler:he broke synch records and utterly destroyed the MP-Evas.]] |
| 270 | * In ''Fanfic/TheSecondTry'', Shinji and Asuka are more experienced and better fighters than their canon selves, since their immaturity and psychological issues aren't holding back their potential. |
| 271 | * ''Fanfic/ShinjiAndWarhammer40k'' ''tried'' to invert this trope in a manner similar to ''Fanfic/NobodyDies'' but the author wound up overshooting the target and turned Shinji into a very straight (and very '''''EPIC''''') example of this trope instead (Case in point, there's nothing ordinary about an OrdinaryHighSchoolStudent with his own gang and the universal respect and adoration of ''his entire hometown''). |
| 272 | |
| 273 | [[AC:''Franchise/OnePiece'']] |
| 274 | * Luffy in ''Fanfic/NineMinutes'' loses his Devil Fruit powers at the end of the Alabasta arc due to temporarily dying. But by the end of the Skypiea arc, he's gained mastery over haki AND Enel's Rumble Rumble Fruit. It's bad enough that when a somewhat injured Smoker confronts Luffy while the latter is still injured enough to need a cane and Robin's support to stand, Smoker realizes he can't beat Luffy. |
| 275 | ** Likewise Usopp and Vivi both get Devil Fruits of their own. Usopp gets the Toad-Toad Fruit: Cane Toad Model while Vivi eats the ''Sand-Sand Fruit''. |
| 276 | * In ''Fanfic/SupernovaOnePiece'', Luffy eats a Logia Fruit that turns him into a [[PowerOfTheSun Sun Man]] and learns Rokushiki from his grandfather. He also goes on to teach is crew Rokushiki. As a result, ''Nami'' beats Krieg and Zoro manages to use RazorWind by Arlong Park. By the time they reach Loguetown, all three have the highest bounties in the East Blue (50 million for Luffy, 30 for Zoro, and 20 for Nami). |
| 277 | * ''Fanfic/ThisBites'': |
| 278 | ** In Chapter 19, when Tashigi asks Cross if there's any way to break Mr. 3's wax, he informs her that the only swordsmen capable of cutting anything are those capable of cutting nothing. A short while later, after Mr. 3 impales her, she manages to figure out what that means, cutting through Mr. 3 and his wax to defeat him. |
| 279 | ** Vivi and Carue, after joining the Straw Hats full-time, have new weapons made for them by Usopp, a pair of crescent chain-scythes named Lion Cutters for Vivi, armor, wing and talon-blades for Carue. |
| 280 | ** Luffy unlocks a prototype Gear Second (Gear 1.5) as far back as Skypiea. |
| 281 | *** And a prototype Gear Third (Gear 2.5) as far back as Navarone. |
| 282 | *** And ''[[spoiler:Armament Haki]]'' at the climax of Enies Lobby. |
| 283 | *** And ''[[spoiler:Conqueror Haki]]'' during Strong World. |
| 284 | ** Leo learns how to cut steel when Donny suggests that Mikey be the new leader of the TDWS. |
| 285 | ** Nami gets her hands on Ohm's Eisen Whip full of Iron Clouds. |
| 286 | ** All over the place during the Enies Lobby Arc: |
| 287 | *** Boss learns and develops his Full-Shell Style, [[spoiler:his version of the Six Powers. Even the Six King Gun]]. |
| 288 | *** Usopp and Carue both learn how to [[FlashStep Shave]]. |
| 289 | *** [[spoiler:Soundbite '''Awakens''' the Noise-Noise Fruit]]. |
| 290 | *** Vivi [[spoiler:awakens a CompellingVoice that is thought to be a variation of ''Conqueror's Haki''.]] |
| 291 | ** A villainous example in the Thriller Bark Arc: thanks to a TraumaticSuperpowerAwakening [[spoiler:Moria ''Awakens'' the Shadow-Shadow Fruit]]. |
| 292 | ** Following the Straw Hats CurbStompBattle at the hand of Shiki and Shiki taking Nami from them, [[spoiler:Vivi eats the avril of the [[BlowYouAway Gust-Gust Fruit's]] she got after leaving Alabasta, turning her into the crew's logia]]. |
| 293 | ** Cross starts the story as a MadeOfPlasticine ActionSurvivor who needs to rely on his wits to evade actual combat since he can't even stand up to anyone above the most basic {{Mooks}}. By the time of Strong World, Cross has trained enough that while still well below the Monster Trio, he's now a BadassNormal bordering on being a OneManArmy. |
| 294 | |
| 295 | [[AC: ''WesternAnimation/OneHundredAndOneDalmatianStreet'']] |
| 296 | * In the fanfic ''[[https://www.wattpad.com/story/292855701-i-am-a-de-vil I AM A DE VIL]]'' [[spoiler: After Thomas brainwashed and enchanced Dylan and he became a Dyrant De Vil. Dyrant can how hold his own in the fight and single-handlily fight mutiple opponents and even kill]]. |
| 297 | |
| 298 | [[AC:''WebComic/OnePunchMan'']] |
| 299 | * After her defeat by Saitama in ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12978919/1/One-Punch-Man-Hero-s-Harem One Punch Man: Hero's Harem]]'', Vaccine Woman was left too weak to defeat even the average civilian, but after weeks of eating pollution (including monsters made of pollution), she's strong enough to escape Child Emperor, one of the strongest S Rank heroes. |
| 300 | |
| 301 | [[AC:''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'']] |
| 302 | * The ''Fanfic/PokeWars'' series takes this trope and dials it up to eleven. Each and every ''surviving'' character becomes a badass fighter. |
| 303 | * ''Fanfic/TheSunSoul'' takes this idea and turns it up to eleven... for Pokemon. No really, the author manages to take something as innocent as Pokemon and upgrade it into a grim, gruesome, and nightmare-inducing retelling, without going overboard on the crazy. Each character is leaps and bounds ahead of their original counterparts in terms of sheer badassery and so far the story has consisted mostly of adventure, mixed with politics and romance, with plenty of action and AnyoneCanDie added in. |
| 304 | ** Ash Ketchum certainly qualifies. Trainer abilities [[spoiler:and savant heritage]] aside, the lad is ''dangerous'' with a knife. |
| 305 | * ''Fanfic/CommonSense'' features both Ash and Team Rocket repeatedly becoming better in order to keep up with each other. Notably, Ash wins each of his gym battles with skill rather than luck and [[CurbStompBattle utterly thrashes Lt. Surge's Raichu]]. On the other side, Team Rocket has more Pokemon such as Gyarados, Fearow, and Beedrill and aren't above [[CombatPragmatist ganging up on enemies, attacking both trainers and bystanders, and attacking enemy Pokemon themselves]]. |
| 306 | * Over six months, Ash in ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11803928/1/ Challenger]]'' goes from a total rookie whose starter (a Charmander in this story) couldn't even scratch Giovanni's Nidoqueen to making said Nidoqueen actually fight seriously. Furthermore, rather than staying a NaiveNewcomer, Ash becomes a BigBrotherMentor to his cousin Luna and Giovanni's son Silver. |
| 307 | * In ''Fanfic/PokemonShadowOfTime'', after the timeline is reset to stop Cyrus destroying existence, not only is Pikachu a Shadow Pokemon with extra power, but many of Ash’s Pokemon retain the moves they learned in the future even in their pre-evolved states (although with mixed results, such as the risks of Pidgeotto using Hyper Beam). Various later training sessions lead to several of Ash's Pokemon evolving further than they did in canon. |
| 308 | * ''Fanfic/DenounceTheEvils'': |
| 309 | ** Ash's change between Unova and Kalos is lampshaded when Iris is unable to believe that her dopey friend Ash has caught one of the strongest dragon-types out there: |
| 310 | -->'''Iris''': I'm sorry. Ash? Ash Ketchum? We're talking about the same Ash, right? He caught, tamed, and evolved fully one of the ''strongest dragon types in the entire Kalos region''? The same Ash who I once witnessed choke on air for a solid ten seconds because he was talking about pokémon with too much enthusiasm?! The Ash who once described a flock of pidove as 'good fluffy boys'?! That Ash?!" |
| 311 | -->'''Meowth''': "Yeah, twoip really cleaned his act up in Kalos…" |
| 312 | ** Bonnie is now a trainer and her main Pokémon is her Zygarde named "Squishy". |
| 313 | ** Max has since become a trainer with a powerful Gardevoir as his starter. |
| 314 | * ''Fanfic/PokemonResetBloodlines'' sees this happen for most of Ash's Pokemon, justified because while they do not retain their previous skills or power, they do retain their memories, and thus are more experienced than they should be. |
| 315 | ** Charmander evolves [[spoiler:while fighting Lt. Surge, while in canon he didn't evolve until Ash had at least another badge]]. |
| 316 | ** [[spoiler:Aipom]] evolves in a battle against Paul's Drowzee, considerably earlier than what happened in the original timeline. |
| 317 | ** [[spoiler:Pidgeotto evolves in battle against Erika, far earlier than canon]]. |
| 318 | ** Chapter 23 gives us a twofold with [[spoiler:Charmeleon finally becoming Charizard again, and Snivy evolving into Servine]]. |
| 319 | ** Chapter 27 had [[spoiler:Red's Charmeleon evolve into Charizard. The same fight showed that Paul had taken a few levels as well]]. |
| 320 | ** Chapter 29 had [[spoiler:Sligoo evolve]]. |
| 321 | ** By Chapter 31, some of Ash's Pokémon have already broken the 4-move limit, including Pikachu, Krabby and Charizard. |
| 322 | ** And in Chapter 36, [[spoiler:Servine, Krabby and Roggenrola are revealed to have evolved in the aftermath of the Saffron Gym battle]]. |
| 323 | * ''Fanfic/PokemonTheLostChild'' does this with Empoleon: |
| 324 | ** As Pipulp started out pretty weak, but after evolving twice and getting better at team moves with Grovyle/Sceptile, he became much stronger. |
| 325 | ** After evolving into Empoleon, he gains a lot more power, taking out Aegislash when he wasn't expecting it and defeating Grovyle when he couldn't before. |
| 326 | * In ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13366587/1/Ascendant Ascendant]]'', Dawn goes from a rookie trainer to a seriously competent one. She even manages to defeat Paul (yes, that guy) in a tournament. |
| 327 | |
| 328 | [[AC:''VideoGame/{{Portal}}'']] |
| 329 | * In ''Fanfic/BlueSkyWaffles'', Wheatley goes from a LovableCoward who can hardly even walk...to a LovableCoward who is willing to sacrifice his life to successfully take down [=GLaDOS=], taking his flaw of bad ideas and ''weaponising'' it. |
| 330 | |
| 331 | [[AC:''Franchise/PowerRangers'']] |
| 332 | * In ''Fanfic/CrimsonRising'', a key element of the fic is Hunter Bradley (''Series/PowerRangersNinjaStorm'') discovering that he is the heir to the power of the Phoenix Ranger, potentially one of the most powerful warriors of Good who ever lived. However, Hunter is not the only Ranger to gain new powers, as he is one of nineteen other Rangers to receive new versions of their previously lost powers; the rest of the Ninja Storm team, the [[Series/PowerRangersDinoThunder Dino Thunder team]], and ten of Zordon's original twelve Rangers all receive new versions of their old powers or even some new powers (Justin and Zack are absent but Jason, Kat, Tanya and Trini become the Gold, Violet, Green and Silver Dino Thunder Rangers). |
| 333 | |
| 334 | [[AC:''Anime/PuellaMagiMadokaMagica'']] |
| 335 | * '''''Everyone''''' did in ''Fanfic/MagicaMadokaVeneficusPuella''. All of the weapons can be spammed without hesitation. All the characters have enhanced strength and reinforced body structures. Oh, and [[spoiler:Homura's a potential goddess.]] |
| 336 | |
| 337 | [[AC:''Manga/RanmaOneHalf'']] |
| 338 | * ''Fanfic/HeartsOfIce'': Akane spends seven years honing her martial skills and fighting demons in the Kami Plane, to the point she can easily beat Cologne when she returns. |
| 339 | |
| 340 | [[AC:''WebAnimation/{{RWBY}}'']] |
| 341 | * [[ButtMonkey Jaune Arc]] in ''Fanfic/{{The Games We Play|TheGamerRWBY}}''. Repeatedly, and [[LevelGrinding rather literally]]. One day, his life becomes a video game. One year later, [[spoiler:he's dragging the [[BigBad creator of the Grimm]] [[ShockingMoments "kicking and screaming up the Tree of Life."]]]] |
| 342 | ** The Grimm take a [[PuppeteerParasite few]] [[TheDreaded levels]], [[{{Kaiju}} too]]. |
| 343 | * Jaune Arc again in ''Fanfic/ForgedDestiny''. At the start of the story, he needs the help of Blake, Ren, Nora, and Pyrrha to kill a lone [[EliteMook Beowolf]]. By Book 4, he's gained enough [[RPGMechanicsverse Levels]] to easily kill another one single-handily while also fighting a horde of lesser Grimm. |
| 344 | |
| 345 | [[AC:''Franchise/SailorMoon'']] |
| 346 | * ''Sailor Moon Millenials'' gave this treatment to ''[[BrattyHalfPint Chibi-Usa]]'' [[TheScrappy of all people]] by having her come back from the future as a ''[[SheIsAllGrownUp teenager]]'' and newly-christened Neo Sailor Moon. While not exactly a FutureBadass, she was at least as useful as the other Senshi on a consistent basis. |
| 347 | * Happens to literally superpowered character in ''Sailor Moon: Legends of Lightstorm'': |
| 348 | ** The entire point of Luna taking Serena to Lightstorm in ''The Celestial Renegade'' was so that this could happen to her. The titular Lightstorm leveled her up with only a few hours of training. |
| 349 | ** Every Scout possesses new and more powerful abilities. Attack names have been done away with completely, Sailor Moon now uses her sonic scream as her primary weapon, Sailor Mercury now uses ice instead of water, and Sailor Venus fires powerful impact beams and can control six nigh-unbreakable energy chains. |
| 350 | ** Sailor Mars' powers are pretty much the same, but she can now use her powers to fire powerful jets of flame behind her, letting her "rocket-run" and rocket-punch" at insanely high speeds. |
| 351 | ** Sailor Jupiter made her debut in the original anime by beating up three thugs. In her first scene in ''Lightning Round'', literally the first thing she does is kill six rapists, after a few hours of parkour, without even transforming. Her adrenalin-fueled rage was so strong that she began to transform without her Transformation Trinket, setting the events of the episode in motion. |
| 352 | *** In the episode's climax, Jupiter becomes the first and only "tagless" Sailor Scout (a Scout able to transform through sheer force of will) in history. |
| 353 | ** All the Scouts, in terms of fighting skills. Thanks to Lightstorm, the Scouts now fight off entire squadrons of Negaverse drones at once, and every Scout has had her fair share of kills (Even Mercury, who frequently impales enemies on gigantic ice spikes). |
| 354 | ** Tuxedo Mask has done this as well. His razor roses can slice through the toughest of Negaverse drone armor, he is powerful enough to knock one off its feet with one punch, and he is durable enough to cover Sailor Moon and protect her from an explosion. Inside a hijacked subway. |
| 355 | ** Even Jadeite and Zoisite have had this treatment. Zoisite now consists of two superpowered bodies, and Jadeite fights with all of the powers he had in the anime. |
| 356 | |
| 357 | [[AC:''Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog'']] |
| 358 | * ''Fanfic/{{Entropy}}'' has a few canon characters reach up a few levels, namely Amy who pwns a demoness early in the story while [[spoiler:naked]], but the one who takes the cake and eats all of it, is Agent Bazooka, also called Bazza who is [[TheReveal revealed]] to be [[spoiler: [[ProperLady Vanilla the Rabbit!]]]] of all people! [[ActionGirl One]] [[NoHoldsBarredBeatdown example]] [[{{BFG}} isn't]] [[CrazyIsCool enough]] [[BewareOfTheNiceOnes to]] [[FreeFallFight describe]] [[MamaBear her.]] |
| 359 | |
| 360 | [[AC:''Franchise/StarTrek'']] |
| 361 | * ''Fanfic/AVoiceInTheWilderness'' gives several levels in badass to the Borg after years of BadassDecay in canon. The Borg are now shown using their capabilities far more intelligently, swarming their target, using transwarp to FlashStep around the battlefield, and even having a cube approach its target corner-first to bring weapons on three faces to bear. The upgrades are very nearly lethal to the protagonists. [[spoiler:This is all enabled by the Borg Queen being co-opted by the Borg Collective's ''original'' AI, One of One.]] |
| 362 | |
| 363 | [[AC:''Franchise/StarWars'']] |
| 364 | * Between their first and last encounters in ''Fanfic/{{Precipice}}'', Infernalis becomes much stronger and puts up a better fight against Anakin, matching him nearly blow-for-blow, while their first fight had Anakin overwhelming him and he had to rely on trickery to get away. |
| 365 | |
| 366 | [[AC:''Series/Supergirl2015'']] |
| 367 | * ''Fanfic/{{Survivors}}'': [[ComicBook/{{Supergirl}} Kara]] was given combat training before leaving Krypton. |
| 368 | |
| 369 | [[AC:''Franchise/{{Superman}}'']] |
| 370 | * In ''Fanfic/KaraOfRokyn'', the titular character undergoes several training regimes to hone and refine her fighting skills, learning wrestling moves and martial arts. |
| 371 | * ''Fanfic/SupermanOf2499TheGreatConfrontation'': After being brutally beaten down in a fight and being told about the incoming familiar conflict, Katherine decides the world needs ComicBook/{{Supergirl}} and takes martial arts classes. |
| 372 | * In ''Fanfic/HellsisterTrilogy'', [[ComicBook/LegionOfSuperHeroes Mordru]], who is already a massively powerful EvilSorcerer, goes to Hell to merge with the source of all evil in the universe in order to make himself truly unstoppable. |
| 373 | |
| 374 | [[AC:''WesternAnimation/TotalDrama'']] |
| 375 | * In ''Fanfic/CourtneysCrusadeForRedemption'' Sam does much better in challenges, even winning the first post-merge's challenge; he mostly does this it due to being motivated to win for [[ThePowerOfLove Dakota.]] |
| 376 | * ''Fanfic/UnbreakableRedSilkenThread'': Heather got Cody in better shape compared to how he was on Total Drama, and do to this, he actually enjoys exercising and going outside, compared to before when he would just sit inside playing video games all day. Also, his confidence has became much better as well, as he has no problem standing up to Heather when needed. |
| 377 | |
| 378 | [[AC:''Franchise/TouhouProject'']] |
| 379 | * In ''Fanfic/{{FREAKINGENSOKYO}}'', sex-crazed fairy-maids Koi, Komi and Namori take several in time for Chapter 83. They hold their own against not only Brad but Ha-chan, [[spoiler:Renko]] and [[spoiler:Maribel]]. Komi even gives [[spoiler:[[EldritchAbomination Shikome]]]] a run for her money. |
| 380 | |
| 381 | [[AC:''WesternAnimation/TurningRed'']] |
| 382 | * In ''Fanfic/TurningRedSecretsOfThePanda'', Mei goes from the rebelious teenager she was in the film to [[spoiler:fighting a corrupt government agent on top of a moving train]]. |
| 383 | |
| 384 | [[AC:''Music/{{Vocaloid}}'']] |
| 385 | * Wolfie in ''[[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6818097/1/Adventures_of_the_Writer Adventures Of The Writer]]'' mentions that he took 20 levels in writer, and [[LampshadeHanging one level in badass!]] |
| 386 | --> Also, in ''[[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7876825/1/Memories_of_the_Writer Memories]]'' he mentions this again. |
| 387 | |
| 388 | [[AC:''Literature/WarriorCats'']] |
| 389 | * ''Blog/BetterBonesAU'': Hallowflight was originally a meek, constantly bullied young cat who stays in the Dark Forest out of cowardice, but he ends up saving a lot of cats by running and swimming from [=RiverClan=] to [=ThunderClan=] to warn them of how the Dark Forest intends to attack noncombatants. |
| 390 | |
| 391 | [[AC:''VideoGame/TheWorldEndsWithYou'']] |
| 392 | * ''Fanfic/ErisGame'': Eri goes from fashion designer to butt-kicking activist. |
| 393 | |
| 394 | [[AC:''Literature/{{Worm}}'']] |
| 395 | * ''Fanfic/TaylorHebertMedhallIntern'': Greg goes from being a timid little screw-up to [[spoiler: being able to get the drop on Shadow Stalker]]. Later, he, Taylor, and Taylor's immediate boss [[spoiler:all Trigger while facing the Empire 88]]. |
| 396 | * ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/14280314/10/A-Ruinous-Gift A Ruinous Gift]]'': Mush in canon was relatively unimpressive, only making himself a shoddy form of power armor by covering himself in grabage which he controlled. Under Taylor's direction, he instead starts using sand. This new form is far harder to damage and much less reliant on what trash is nearby as the gang can easily transport the sand necessary. |
| 397 | |
| 398 | [[AC:''Franchise/YuGiOh'']] |
| 399 | * ''Fanfic/FallenKing'' has ''everyone'' to some degree, but especially Joey Wheeler, who becomes the hero of the story. |
| 400 | |
| 401 | [[AC: ''WesternAnimation/YoungJustice2010'']] |
| 402 | * ''Fanfic/YoungJusticeDarknessFalls'': Gives us several of the canon characters only getting better. |
| 403 | ** The author allows Wondergirl a lot more time to actually do stuff in this fic: fighting the furies, rescuing herself from penguin's giant shark, fighting the hordes of apokalips, and even taking down Volcanna all by herself in the Final Battle. A big step up from her appearances in season 2. |
| 404 | ** Beast Boy goes from the goofball with some utility to the badass responsible for banishing Klarion from our dimension. The surest sign of this is when in the final battle, he becomes a dinosaur to fight Teekel on more even terms. |
| 405 | ** Superboy also gets a boost after he's partially aged to unlock TTK (Tactile Telekinesis like in the comics). It gives him a little extra punch to his strength, and even lets him fly. |
| 406 | ** [[spoiler: Wally West]] gets a speed boost from being under Apokalips, allowing him to fight on even terms with Franchise/TheFlash when he was slower than him in the show. |
| 407 | |
| 408 | [[AC:''Other'']] |
| 409 | * In the WWE story, ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10340937/1/The-Return-Remixed The Return-Remixed]]'', the later chapters show Wrestling/KellyKelly (the real-life personification of everything that was wrong with the WWE Divas division) coming back from a TenMinuteRetirement and becoming one of the strongest components of the Diva Army. In one of the first chapters, it's mentioned that Ashley Massaro and Wrestling/MariaKanellis, two women regarded among the worst Divas in WWE history, had seriously stepped up their game between their departures and their return with DEAR. |
| 410 | * Matthew Streika, once the living embodiment of the IdiotBall carrying WideEyedIdealist, now has taken some levels in badass. He threw himself in the way of TheBrute's attack, got some nifty magic, and kicked a lot of ass. Shuuji followed in Chapter 2, redeeming himself by making a HeelFaceTurn, and then reducing [[SmugSnake Medraut]] [[SingleStrokeBattle to a quivering wreck.]] Even little Alina, who in the first Canon was an annoying BrattyHalfPint, became so much more badass as a Biological Superpowered Magical Weapon. Alina's adoptive little sister, Alexandra "Lexie" Ivanov, starts out only able to summon little lizards and heal people...and she is a ShoutOut to ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'''s Summoner Class...wait, what's she summoning now, a bigger lizard? Nope, you're dead, Adrian. What's that sound? Its the world taking a fear shit: [[OhCrap She just summoned Dragon Emperor Andreclav]] |
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