History Fanfic / GuardiansWizardsAndKungFuFighters

* PoorCommunicationKills: Because she never explain that her JerkassFacade wasn't her real personality, Elyon becomes convinced Cornelia really is a self-absorbed AlphaBitch.

* TheResenter: Turns out, Elyon has spent years feeling bitter towards Cornelia for the haughtiness and arrogance she constantly has on display as part of her JerkassFacade (feelings not helped by Elyon not ''realizing'' that it's a facade). This later fuels her decision to turn on her friends when Cedric reveals the existence of Meridian to her.

* ItsAllMyFault: Cornelia blames herself for Elyon running off with Cedric, due to driving her away with her JerkassFacade.

* JerkassFacade: It turns out that Cornelia's AlphaBitch persona is just a mask she wears in order to avoid any doubt or perceived weaknesses that might cause her to be less than the perfect girl she thinks she needs to be.

* {{Foreshadowing}}: The various twists and reveals at the end of Chapter 19 are the culmination of hints dropped throughout the Dark Hand arc.

* WindowsOfTheSoul: Referenced in the narration when Jade sees into Phobos's eyes and finds nothing but a terrible void, giving her the impression that there is something seriously ''wrong'' with him.

* UncannyValley: [[invoked]] When Jade first meets Phobos, she notes that he seems the most normal out of his court, but then she [[WindowsOfTheSoul looks into his eyes]] and finds nothing but an all-consuming void, giving her the impression that something is just ''wrong'' about him.

* ActuallyPrettyFunny: [[spoiler: Drago]] finds Jade calling him a "gecko" rather humorous.

* CollapsingLair: [[spoiler:When Ludmoore's manor is attacked by Phobos' forces, Ludmoore triggers a magical SelfDestructMechanism which blows up the whole building (destroying the whole villa in the process) after everyone flees.]]

* CruelMercy: [[spoiler:Ludmoore choosing to let Wong live after stealing all his magic.]]
** [[spoiler: Jeek claimed to Blunk while trying to strangle him that Passlings are on their own and have to do what it takes to survive. When the Passlings he sold into slavery find them, Elder Logh gives him the option of running, which he takes, but tells him that he ever gets caught by another Passling trading again, or tries to enter a Passling settlement, his life if forefeit, leaving him all on his own, just like he said]].

* LetsYouAndHimFight: While it doesn't come down to an actual fight, the Guardians and Chans take an instant dislike to [[spoiler: Nimue]] when they first meet in Chapter 18, due to what she's willing to do to win.

* SlaveryIsASpecialKindOfEvil: Passlings don't trade the lives of others, ''especially'' their own people. [[spoiler: Jeek sold out his fellow Passlings for jewels, and git exiled for it]].

* TheWorfEffect: When in his full-bodied form, Tarakudo is basically a PhysicalGod on the level of a Heart-wielder, which he demonstrates when he nearly kills [[spoiler:Nimue]] and her students. The only reason they survive is because the Cavalcade of Horrors stop him, at the behest of their master, who needs [[spoiler:Nimue]] [[CantKillYouStillNeedYou alive for now]].

* YouHaveGotToBeKiddingMe: After her initial fainting spell, this is Cornelia's reaction to finding out that Elyon is the lost Princess.

* TheWorfEffect: When in his full-bodied form, Tarakudo is basically a PhysicalGod, which he demonstrates when he nearly kills [[spoiler:Nimue]] and her students. The only reason they survive is because the Cavalcade of Horrors stop him, at the behest of their master, who needs [[spoiler:Nimue]] [[CantKillYouStillNeedYou alive for now]].

* WeWillMeetAgain: [[spoiler: Nimue]] says this to the Guardians and Chans when parting ways after their first meeting.

** Chapter 11 is a smaller scale one, mostly being a setup chapter for the Rebellion's attack on Torus Filney. But near the end, there are two major twists -- [[spoiler: Drake, one of the Rebellion's more levelheaded leaders, is Cyrus Ludmoore in disguise. Which is revealed as he seemingly kills Tynar by feeding him to Sandpit, long before he can make his canon MookFaceTurn.]]
** Chapter 19 starts off looking like a BreatherEpisode dealing with everyone recovering from the climax of the Dark Hand arc, but then there are several twists in its final scenes: [[spoiler: Cornelia's father Harold is an immortal, who helped found the Dark Hand (which [[RunningBothSides secretly runs]] Section 13) as part of a gambit to get Earth's governments to start using magic, to protect the world from other worlds. Oh, and Harold's original identity centuries ago? ''King Arthur''.]]
** Chapter 22 sees Tarakudo force Oni masks on Jackie and Viper, corrupting them into fighting the other heroes [[spoiler: as a distraction while he steals the Hana Fuda cards]]. And as a result of this fight, [[spoiler: Matt and Alchemy learn about the Guardians' and Jade's powers]]. Meanwhile, Nerissa tries to eliminate Wong, but while this ends in a stalemate, it allows her to steal his potion for making Shapeshifters. [[spoiler: It's also implied that the Master of the Cavalcade knows about the MergedReality]].
** Chapter 24 sees Wong finally makes his move against Phobos. In the end, [[spoiler: he's betrayed by Cedric, Miranda and Roberta and left mortally wounded, forced to flee. Taking advantage of his desperation, Ludmoore is able to trick him into accepting a deal to save his life, but which results in Ludmoore stealing all of Wong's magic, Talismans included. With no other options, Wong returns to Earth and allies with a Jiangshi, becoming its student and a vampire himself.]]
* WhamLine: Near the end of Chapter 21, Alborn and Miriadel are locked up in Cavigor's lowest level, and realize there's someone else in the cell opposite theirs. After a few minutes of conversation, he gives his name: [[spoiler: Drago]].
** [[spoiler: At the end of Chapter 27, Tristan tells Blunk to pass on the message that Julian is alive to Caleb]].

* TheWorfEffect: When in his full-bodied form, Tarakudo is basically a PhysicalGod, which he demonstrates when he nearly kills [[spoiler: Nimue]] and her students. The only reason they survive is because the Cavalcade of Horrors stop him, at the behest of their master, who needs [[spoiler: Nimue]] [[CantKillYouStillNeedYou alive for now]].

* XanatosGambit: [[spoiler: Tarakudo using a forcibly-masked Jackie and Viper as a distraction in order to steal the Hana Fuda cards. If he obtains them, the heroes can't use them to find or remove any of the other masks. Even if he fails, it will keep the heroes, especially Jade and Will, from realizing that he's not really bothered by losing the masks. And if the Guardians and allies suffer any casualties from the fight, it's merely a bonus. No matter what happens, he benefits]].

* YouCantThwartStageOne: Apparently [[spoiler: Nimue]] has fought groups trying to unseal Nihila over twenty times throughout the past 600 years, and every time the incantation is completed and the sorceress unsealed before being defeated and sealed again.

** [[spoiler: Harold Hale]], a completely decent person in both versions of W.I.T.C.H. canon, is an affiliate of the Dark Hand here, in a IDidWhatIHadToDo sort of way. [[spoiler: Cornelia eventually convinces him to switch sides... [[DoubleAgent except not really]].]]

* AmazonianBeauty: Jade notes that she's getting this way after [[spoiler: becoming a shapeshifter, befitting how shapeshifters have fairly attractive human forms by default]], her greater muscle definition making her look elegant instead of like a female brawler.

** His Shapeshifter lieutenant Roberta likewise has desires to gain as much power as she can. [[spoiler: Which is how Miranda is able to turn her against Wong.]]

** [[spoiler: Aldarn shoots off one of Servantis' hands, with the rest of that arm needing to be removed after it becomes gangrenous.]]
** [[spoiler: Elyon blasts off one of Ludmoore's hands as he's fleeing his attacked manor. He replaces it with a wooden prosthesis.]]

** [[spoiler: Ludmoore makes a right hand out of wood after Elyon blows it off during the attack on the manor. After stealing Wong's magic, he can actually move and control it]].

** [[spoiler: Rhouglar]] is killed right after committing rape and bragging about it.
** [[spoiler: Tharquin]] is viciously killed by the very person he tortured for being the wrong species.
* AssimilationBackfire: [[spoiler: Ludmoore's absorbtion of Wong's powers has made it harder for him to control his anger]].

** [[spoiler: After Rhouglar's death, Jade takes over his remaining men by knocking out their new leader and telling them she's in charge now.]]

* AtLeastIAdmitIt: [[spoiler: Rhouglar]] says that Caleb has no right to judge him, given how many awful things the Rebellion has done.

** Chapter 9 has multiple cases of this, as Hak Foo gets an Oni mask, Wong gets the Pig talisman, and [[spoiler: Nerissa nabs the Dragon talisman]], while the heroes walk away with nothing.
** In Chapter 19, [[spoiler: the Dark Hand succeeds in manipulating Section 13 and various governments to start weaponizing magic, while also tricking them into thinking that Harold is their mole.]]
** In Chapter 22, [[spoiler: Tarakudo successfully distracts the heroes, enabling him to steal the Hana Fuda cards. While they manage to remove the two masks he sends after them to do this, this means they'll be defenseless against the three masks still loose.]]

* BerserkButton: After [[spoiler: being tortured by Tharquin]], Jade develops one towards being called a monster.

** Jade notes that for all her ShipperOnDeck moments with Jackie and Viper, the only time that they ever seriously consider hooking up with each other is [[spoiler: when they're both under the influence of an Oni mask]].

* BigEater: Jade, already one of these in canon, gains a further appetite increase after [[spoiler: becoming a Shapeshifter]].

** Caleb teters on this early on, due to his blind belief in the righteousness of the Rebellion and the wickedness of Phobos' regime, but after meeting the Guardians and Chan Clan reevaluates his worldview. [[spoiler: Aldarn, by contrast, gives into this fully, being utterly convinced that all Meridianite nobility is evil and that anyone who opposes the Rebellion's originally stated goal of destroying them all is as well.]]

* BloodMagic: Elizabeth Bathory was a master of this. [[spoiler: Later, she teaches it to Jade.]]

** Chapter 27 follows up to Ikazuki's introduction and [[spoiler: Alchemy]]'s epic confrontation with Elyon, but is focused mostly on romantic developments and stage setting for future conflicts.

** Jade is put through the ringer when [[spoiler: Tharquin gets his hands on her]].

** A Dark Hand mook is described as doing this upon finding himself facing [[spoiler: wolf Jade]].

* BrokenMasquerade: A downplayed example in chapter 22, when [[spoiler: Matt and Alchemy walk in on a fight between the Guardians and the Shadowkhan]].

** Caleb loses his rose-colored view of the Rebellion after the events at Torus Filney, as he comes to realize that they're no better than Phobos' forces. [[spoiler: Likewise his idolizing of his father, after learning what happened at Carhaiz.]]

** Cornelia's view of her father is ruined when she realizes [[spoiler: that he's working for the Dark Hand]].
* BrutalHonesty: Upon learning of Elyon's real motives for going to Meridian, [[spoiler: Alchemy]] calls her out on how selfish she is, stating that it's because she's a friend that Elyon should know she's being truthful.

* CantKillYouStillNeedYou: The Cavalcade of Horrors prevent Tarakudo from killing [[spoiler: Nimue]] because their master's plan requires her to still be alive for now. And he's given a warning that the same applies to Jade.
* CarFu: Uncle and Tohru run over [[spoiler: mask-possessed]] Lothar with their car in Chapter 7.

* ChangelingFantasy: As per canon, Elyon is swept up into this. It gets {{Deconstructed}} when [[spoiler:Alchemy]] points out that she purposefully abandonned friends and ([[HappilyAdopted adopted]]) family for the sake of being a princess.

* TheChosenOne: The Ben-Shui Chosen One, [[spoiler: Jade]], the original Ben Shui having been given the power to reincarnate by the Heart of Earth.

* ChronicHeroSyndrome: Matt wants to help people, no matter what [[spoiler: which is why he's so determined to help on Meridian after learning about what's happening]].

* CloningGambit: [[spoiler: Chang magically clones himself and lets said clone get arrested by Section 13 after Harold "changes sides", enabling him to keep running the Asian branch from the shadows while Harold takes over the American branch while pretending to be Section 13's mole.]]
* ColdBloodedTorture: [[spoiler: Tharquin does this to Jade as he works his way up to killing her.]]
* CollapsingLair: [[spoiler: When Ludmoore's manor is attacked by Phobos' forces, Ludmoore triggers a magical SelfDestructMechanism which blows up the whole building (destroying the whole villa in the process) after everyone flees.]]

* CondescendingCompassion: [[spoiler: Alchemy]] feels that Elyon is this, given that she's healing the people of Meridian without bothering to ask why they need the help in the first place.

*** When [[spoiler: held captive by Tharquin]], she gets under his skin by pointing out that he's technically impure, being part Galhot, and admits that she finds Galhot women, who she refers to as "[[GreenSkinnedSpaceBabe green-skinned babes]]", attractive, and can't blame his father for being interested in one.

* CruelMercy: [[spoiler: Ludmoore choosing to let Wong live after stealing all his magic.]]

* DarkSecret: What happened at Carhaiz. The Rebellion's propaganda is that Phobos' forces were creating a new weapon, and they valiantly destroyed it. In truth, [[spoiler: Carhaiz was the nobility's attempt to create a society for the smallfolk free of being controlled by either Phobos or the rebels, who viewed such a hope as a detriment to their goals, so they slaughtered the village.]]

** [[spoiler: Tynar is seemingly killed by Cyrus feeding him to Sandpit.]]

** [[spoiler: While wearing the Ninja Khan mask, Lothar is possessed by its General, Uta.]]
** [[spoiler: Ikki, the Mantis Khan General, briefly takes over Hak Foo during the subway fight.]]
** [[spoiler: After Aldarn puts on Ikazuki's mask, it isn't long before he's fully possessed.]]

** Cyrus, in his disguise as [[spoiler: Drake]], is warned never to trust a Ludmoore. He takes a bit of humor out of the fact that the person giving him that warning is unaware that he ''is'' a Ludmoore.
** The Guardians and Chan Clan decide to keep the true nature of the girls' powers and the existence of Meridian from Section 13 for fear that their government superiors would try and take advantage of their magic and situation. Unbeknownst to them, [[spoiler: Section 13 is secretly controlled by the Dark Hand, who know all about the other Known Worlds and the Guardians' powers, and are working towards weaponizing magic]].

** The Tracker works with [[spoiler: Nimue]] against the Oni out of a mutual hatred of them, despite their very different goals.

** Even Tarakudo has noticed the tension between Jackie and Viper, and when [[spoiler: he's about to put the masks on them]], is honestly surprised that they're ''not'' involved.

** Caleb and Aldarn, especially the latter, are willing to go to great and ruthless lengths to defeat Phobos. But when they learn that their ally Rhouglar [[spoiler: raped Servantis' wife during the Sack of Torus Filney]], they're both utterly disgusted by it. [[spoiler: So much so that Caleb executes him.]]

** [[spoiler: Hak Foo keeps Ikki's mask on for so long that it starts devouring his chi. When it's removed, he's left virtually catatonic.]]
** [[spoiler: Aldarn is convinced he's of strong enough will to control Ikazuki's mask. He's wrong, and Ikazuki quickly possesses him.]]

** Section 13 has learned from this, and plans to take advantage of it for dealing with Chang: [[spoiler: they plan to only take down him and his inner circle, so that Harold can fill the void as their MoleInCharge. Then it turns out he was playing them all along to take that position for his own ends.]]

** It's by using these that [[spoiler: Charles Ludmoore depowers Wong. He offers himself to heal the Dark Chi Wizard's wounds in exchange of ''anything'' Ludmoore wants from him, making the old Chinese man to swear he will pay the price. Once Wong is healed, what does Charles take as payment? Well, all of Wong's Chi Magic, which includes the Rooster and Pig talismans' powers Wong had previously stolen, of course! After all, Wong's magic counts as ''anything'' and Ludmoore asked for it.]]

** [[spoiler: Nimue]] is completely unable to see human villains as a threat when compared to demons, giving her a massive blindspot.
** Aldarn hates the nobility so much that Caleb deciding to work with some of them to help bring down Phobos [[spoiler: drives him to put on Ikazuki's mask in an attempt to take control from him]].

* FightingYourFriend: Caleb ends up having to fight Aldarn [[spoiler: after Aldarn challenges him for leadership]].

* GambitPileup: As in canon, Nerissa is manipulating the war between Phobos and the Rebellion to her own ends. But so are Ludmoore and his brothers. Meanwhile, Viscount Servantis is trying to steer Phobos in a lighter-handed rule, Daolon Wong becomes TheStarscream to Phobos, Tarakudo has woken up and taken an interest, [[spoiler: Nimue]] is keeping an eye on things, and on the Earth side of things, Chang's Dark Hand is flexing its muscle, with Jackie infiltrating them to bring them down. And then there's the Cavalcade of Horrors and their master, who are apparently using all of the above as pawns in a larger plan.
** Even the arc dedicated solely to dealing with the Dark Hand has one of these. There's whatever Chang's been working towards, the Section 13-backed Chan Clan and Guardians working to take Chang down, Will plotting a secretive side mission with only Jade and Caleb's knowledge, Ross going rogue out of disgust at Section 13 not going far enough to eliminate the Dark Hand, and newcomer Nyx running her own agenda against the Dark Hand. And there's the Oni watching from the sidelines via Hak Foo's mask, while [[spoiler: Nimue]] eventually steps in to manipulate the Chans as part of her own agenda.

** Rhouglar is an utter asshole who [[spoiler: rapes women and brags about it]]. There's nothing likable about him after that reveal.

** How [[spoiler: Nimue]] feels about Kandrakar's stewardship of the Known Worlds -- they protect the status quo from great threats to it, but don't actively intervene to fight smaller evils.

* HearingVoices: [[spoiler: Phobos after Wong's attempted coup]].
* HeelFaceDoorSlam: [[spoiler: Jordan Johnston realizes the folly of following Wong and flees, but is killed by Tharquin.]]

* HopeCrusher: [[spoiler: The Rebellion destroyed Carhaiz in order to destroy any hope that the smallfolk might have of an alternative to rebelling against Phobos.]]
* HopeIsScary: [[spoiler: The entire concept of Carhaiz, giving the smallfolk a place free of Phobos' rule without having to fight his regime, scared the Rebellion's leadership, which feared losing support for their cause. So they destroyed the town and claimed that it was the site of a weapon Phobos was building.]]

** Ikazuki dislikes Tarakudo's use of his OracularHead form, thinking that the look it gives him doesn't suit him, only to remember that [[spoiler: Aldarn's]] body means that he isn't really one to talk at the moment.

* IDidWhatIHadToDo: How [[spoiler: Harold]] justifies working for the Dark Hand -- it keeps his family safe and secure.

** [[spoiler: Phobos agrees to let Elyon see her imprisoned adoptive parents in part because he's confident that he can just put a spell on them so they say whatever he wants them to]].

* BareYourMidriff: Jade's new summer outfit does this, to emphasize her developing abs.

* BecomingTheMask: Chapter 22 ends with a quote by Cyrus about how everyone wears masks, and if you do so long enough, it becomes hard to tell which is more real -- the mask you wear, or the face beneath it.

** [[spoiler: Phobos agrees to let Elyon see her adoptive parents in part because he's confident that he can just put a spell on them so they say whatever he wants them to]].

* HaveYouToldAnyoneElse: After having some alchemists research a way for him to steal Elyon's powers faster, Phobos asks for confirmation that they're the only ones who know about. Once he gets that, he immediately kills them both.

* TheCaligula: Phobos is totally insane in this story. As mentioned under VillainousBreakdown, he only gets worse after Wong's failed takeover attempt.

* DramaticIrony: Cyrus, in his disguise as [[spoiler: Drake]], is warned never to trust a Ludmoore. He takes a bit of humor out of the fact that the person giving him that warning is unaware that he ''is'' a Ludmoore.

** Tharquin has a moment or two where he can realize that Shapeshifters aren't all evil through the example Jade, who is a hero of the Rebellion alongside the Guardians, provides, but rejects them and doubles down on his current course of action.

* InternalReveal:
** Chapter 20: The girls learn Elyon the princess they are looking for.
** Chapter 21: Elyon learns about the Guardians and Jade's powers.
** Chapter 22: [[spoiler: Harold]] learns Elyon is the princess. [[spoiler: Matt and Alchemy]] learn about the Guardians and Jade.

** [[spoiler: Jade, for her status as the Chosen One and her transformation into a Shapeshifter.]]