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The TVTropes Trope Finder is where you can come to ask questions like "Do we have this one?" and "What's the trope about...?" Trying to rediscover a long lost show or other medium but need a little help? Head to Media Finder and try your luck there. Want to propose a new trope? You should be over at You Know, That Thing Where.

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KD Since: May, 2009
17th Apr, 2024 07:17:01 AM

If it's a surprise, like Alice and Bob are fighting over the Macguffin, and suddenly Charlie, who has not even been mentioned once in the story up to this point, swoops in to steal it — this could be Did Not See That Coming or possibly even Diabolus ex Machina.

If it's a more general "three sides are openly fighting for the same goal", that's Mêlée à Trois. That trope is not specifically about who wins, but it's probably common that the two sides with the worst vendetta get distracted by each other.

Dark Horse Victory is another possibility, but it is specific to formal contests. Without concrete examples, it's hard to tell if you meant a life-or-death struggle or a competition with judges.

Edited by KD
Jet200 Since: Jul, 2022
17th Apr, 2024 09:04:20 AM

Third I think is the most fitting, thanks. Though what I mean is mostly "Two sides are pitted against each other, they both are cold about third one at best, and third just uses their rivalry as a tool to win. May resolve into Enemy Mine, if the third side is actually evil.

Dude i could be gaming
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