It's from the saying "With friends like these, who needs enemies?".
"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard FeynmanAgain, what's the difference?
We don't need justice when we can forgive. We don't need tolerance when we can love.Aloof Ally: This ally is explicitly going after the same thing as you for the same results, and shows up to help you, being initially stronger.
Who Needs Enemies?: This so-called "ally" isn't overly concerned with the hero's welfare, or whether or not the hero succeeds in their mission. They aren't actively out to hurt the hero, it's just that they would happily betray the hero to the bad guy if it means that one of their schemes succeeded.
Check out my fanfiction!Huh. I think Duck has it. But those descriptions (the ones they currently have) are not great. Both are suffering a bit from Example As Thesis.
Also, if Duck is correct, then Aloof Ally is a bizarre name for the trope. The only part of the description which even vaguely fits "aloof" is where it says that they brush the hero off. Which doesn't look like it's actually a required part of the trope. (Or, if it is, then we have a missing supertrope—the same but without the brushoff.) :)
I think someone was a little too desperate to find some alliteration.
Speaking words of fandom: let it squee, let it squee.It's not the entire trope. I only copied a line from each trope page.
An Aloof Ally is aloof. Not really part of the hero's group, at least initially, and tries to not be too involved, or at least gives that appearance.
Check out my fanfiction!
What's the difference of Aloof Ally and Who Needs Enemies?
(I swear, I don't get the latter trope's name)
We don't need justice when we can forgive. We don't need tolerance when we can love.