History HeelRealization / FanWorks

* In [[VicePrincipalII: Shinso https://archiveofourown.org/works/49652731/chapters/137903440]] the VP explains to Hitoshi that being demoted to Gen-Ed was a far better outcome compared to two other students being charged with a variety of crimes, causing Hitoshi to realize that he was more fortunate than Bakugou and Mineta. However, it is also marred in the fact that he almost ruined his own future over his idolizing of Eraserhead and either went to Vigilantism like so many others, or become what society said he would be.

* ''Fanfic/OnceUponAStudioVersionTwoPointOh'': While watching the botched first attempt at the group photo from inside, Cinderella and Rapunzel discreetly admit that ''regardless'' of whether or not Goofy was chosen to take the photo, a mishap of some kind was pretty much inevitable, as while everyone was bright and chirpy prior to Goofy's accident, there was no doubt an air of unimaginable pressure regarding such a truly epic milestone.
** Cinderella, however, [[PluckyGirl remains optimistic that they'll find *some* way to turn it around.]] She, Rapunzel and Moana, along with their respective Princes and a few other characters then head downstairs as quickly as possible in an effort to help make the group photo a reality.

* ''Fanfic/TheBoltChronicles'': In ''The Blood Brother'', Bolt finally realizes that he has been treating Mittens unfairly. He tearfully apologizes to the cat, who [[{{Forgiveness}} forgives]] him.

* ''Fanfic/TheDragonAndTheButterfly'' has several, but Stoick gets two. After an extended HeroicBlueScreenOfDeath, Stoick realizes that the main reason why Hiccup chose to leave Berk was because of the neglect from his father and mistreatment he received from the rest of their people. He then [[InsaneTrollLogic logicks]] himself into thinking that he only has to apologize, and Hiccup will kill Toothless, come home and everything will go back to normal. He then gets another one when he finds out that not only was [[HappilyAdopted Hiccup adopted by the Madrigals, who give him a happy life and unconditional love (for him ''and'' Toothless)]], but that Hiccup has nothing but disdain for his former father, leading to Stoick realizing just how badly he'd messed up as a parent.

* In ''[[http://cartoon.adult-fanfiction.org/story.php?no=600095039&chapter=4 How I Learned to Love the Wild Horse]]'' after Ranma (who fled to Beverly Hills to escape Nerima) apparently cheats on her, [[WesternAnimation/TotallySpies Clover]] considers telling his father where he is. But then she overhears [[AlphaBitch Mandy]] agree not to do something that might lead to Ranma's father finding him because of how horrible the man is. Clover's horrified she was going to do something even Mandy wouldn't stoop to.

--> But he was a fully grown hero when the incident with Rei had happened. He had taken it as one roadbump among many and powered on through regardless. But Shoto had been five when his mother scarred him and he’d never had the training to deal with-\\

* ''Fanfic/ATheoryOfButterfliesAndOtherInsects'': Sasha has one while helping Fens, Bog and the other toads gather Wartwood's 'unpaid dues', abruptly realizing that they're little more than bullies... and didn't she used to ''stand up to'' bullies once...?

* In ''Fanfic/TheBloodOfTheCovenant'', Kallik (who's firebending has steadily been getting better throughout their trip) finally calls Sokka out for his FantasticRacism in the North Pole. Sokka, who is the closest thing to a brother that Kallik has, is shocked when he realizes that he's been acting that way, and is noticeably more accepting of his firebending heritage after.

* ''Fanfic/AllTheRoofsOfUncertainty'': Jason understands he's not a hero by the time the story starts, but the realization that he's an actual villain who's been murdering people "to get [his] dad's attention" slams into him pretty hard part way through when the reactions of others to his actions gets thrown in his face enough.

* In the ''Series/{{Angel}}'' fic ''[[https://archiveofourown.org/works/189643/chapters/278954 Splinter]]'', after spending months regarding Angel as the bad guy for abandoning them to pursue his vendetta against Darla, [[spoiler:witnessing an alternate version of events where Angel lost them during Vocah’s attack force Wesley, Cordelia and Gunn to acknowledge that they should have pushed harder to remain in Angel’s life, as even at his worst in this new reality Angel is still basically trying to do the right thing but has just lost any ability to connect to the people he’s protecting]].

** [[VideoGame/DragonAgeInquisition Solas]] has one when he understands that Evelyn, and by extension the people in the current age, despite their weak connections to the Fade are all true people with their own lives, emotions, desires and dreams that are no different from the people of the old world.

* In ''Wishing Only Wounds The Heart'' (sequel to ''Fanfic/MoreThanMyFriend''), [[spoiler:Terrence is given an opportunity to kill Mac as "revenge", as he blames the kid for how messed up Terrence's life has become. However, when he sees Frankie (who isn't even related to Mac) willing to give up her life to protect Mac, Terrence realizes that she's a better older sibling that he is, and is so shocked at himself that he doesn't go through with his plan and runs. He later [[RedemptionEqualsDeath redeems himself]] [[HeroicSacrifice by giving up his heart to save Mac's life]]]].

* In ''Fanfic/SeventhHorcrux'', Hermione, who Harry has been accusing of being evil since her plan to knock out Crabbe and Goyle, replace them using Polyjuice, and interrogate Draco Malfoy back in second year, comes to a heel realization when Harry and Ron confront her over obliviating her parents and sending them to Australia. When she expresses worry that she might be turning into the next Dark Lord, [[ComicallyMissingThePoint Harry points out that Voldemort probably won't like that, so they'll have to kill him anyways]].

** She has another one at the climax of Chapter 33, following [[spoiler:Hawk Moth's assault on Paris]]. This time, she swallows her pride and [[spoiler:asks Chat to work together with her one last time]].

* ''[[Fanfic/WhatGoesAroundComesAroundMiraculousLadybug What Goes Around Comes Around]]'': Adrien has one after receiving a BreakingSpeech from [[spoiler:his mother Emilie]], who calls him out on naively believing that things will just magically work out the way he wants because he desires it, and expecting others to bend over backwards to grant his wishes. This is paired with the irony of how the person calling him out is [[PsychologicalProjection just as guilty]] of being a [[ItsAllAboutMe self-serving]], EntitledBastard, forcing him to realize that [[spoiler:it runs in the family]].

** In ''Fanfic/{{Lamarckian}}'', Bakugou ends up getting a girlfriend in the main character, Kanna, and the terror from her past is her family's ArchNemesis, the Wendigo.

* In ''Fanfic/TowardABrightFuture'', Bakugou comes to respect and care for Class 1-A's new teaching assistant Y/N like the rest of his class, and the terror from her past is her old [[AbusiveParents guardian]], Mumei.

* In ''Fanfic/AddressUnknownRemedy'', Rainbow Dash has one after she figures out that Fluttershy (her life-long friend) and Derpy (who she holds a grudge against for the [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS2E14TheLastRoundup town hall incident]], amongst other screwups), aren't so different.
-->All her life, the yellow pony had faced mockery from all sides but one, and it was the only difference between how Fluttershy and Derpy had grown. Rainbow Dash was the difference. Everypony made fun of Fluttershy everypony except for her. She had stayed by Fluttershys side through it all, defending her from the teasing at her constant fear and virtually non-existent flying skills.\\

* Sombra's ThenLetMeBeEvil moment from ''Blog/AskKingSombra'' is ruined when he sees that Luna (who he had a thing for before he became evil) genuinely believed that he had been reformed and was heartbroken when she was proven wrong.

* In ''[[Fanfic/ChangelingSpaceProgramAndTheMaretian The Maretian]]'', [[TokenEvilTeammate Dragonfly]] undergoes this as a major part of her character development. As she is listening to the last chapters of ''Literature/TheHobbit'' along with the rest of the castaways, she realizes that if [[EmotionEater the changelings]] had won during their [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS2E26ACanterlotWeddingPart2 attack on Canterlot]] years ago, they would hardly act any better than Saruman's thugs raiding Shire. This realization sticks, and by the end she is considering moving out from the hive, lest she adopts the old mode of thinking again.
* The ''Fanfic/PonyPOVSeries'' RecursiveFanfiction ''[[Fanfic/PonyPOVSeriesChaosVerse Discord: Not One Of A Kind]]'' (declared an official AlternateUniverse) has this happen to [[spoiler:'''Discord''' (well, an alternate one implied to be the canon version). Bored with being SealedEvilInACan but unable to do much of anything about it other than send a piece of his spirit out to observe Equestria (which at present mostly consists of [[AndThereWasMuchRejoicing celebration of his defeat]]), he sends it to the Truth to take a look, and sees [[BadFuture the Dark World]] where [[TheBadGuyWins he won]]. Upon witnessing how bad Dark World!Discord is, he realizes he's no different and is nearly [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone completely broken by guilt]]. Thankfully, Twilight Tragedy finding the stars to still be beautiful, even in the horrible alternate future snaps him out of it and [[HeelFaceTurn redeems him]]]].

* ''Fanfic/MellorineMellorine'': When Luffy, Zoro and Usopp all go through a GenderBender, Sanji naturally goes nuts over their new forms, particularly gushing over Usopp. However, he gets hit ''hard'' by one of these when he finds Usopp going through an emotional breakdown, realizing that the swap amplified all of their sniper's insecurities... and by harping on how ''delicate'' and ''dainty'' his new body was, he was unintentionally making it much, much worse.

* In the ''Fanfic/EmpathTheLuckiestSmurf'' story "Empath's Wedding", Hefty during his lonely night at Tapper's Tavern during Empath's batchelor party comes to the realization that he has been [[{{Jerkass}} a jerk]] to Empath, Smurfette, and his fellow Smurfs for years and that he deserves what they all thought of him.

* In ''Fanfic/RobbReturns'', Robert has a few of this as he gets back on his feet (metaphorically speaking), realizing how badly he has been messing things since the Rebellion. He pointedly tells his brothers that he has been a horrible brother, particularly to Stannis, who has done so much for him without receiving a just reward.

* Fai has a gradual one in ''Fanfic/{{Shatterheart}}'' after he confronts Syaoran on his drinking: he wants Syaoran to ask him for help but realizes due to his previous coldness he is the last person Syaoran would turn to. Kurogane points out that Fai treats Syaoran as if he's a ghost instead his own person, a problem not helped by the fact that Fai hasn't actually spoken much to Syaoran since Tokyo, which was several months ago in-story.

* Much of the drama of ''Fanfic/VulkanAscendant'' is Vulkan slowly coming to grips with the realization his father's NecessarilyEvil Imperium, is nowhwere near as justified as he previously believed. Once the Horus Heresy breaks out, and Vulkan learns of Chaos, he has to deal with the realization that the Imperial Truth, in the name of which he slaughtered ''civilizations'', was not, in fact, the ''truth''... and what that says about the Emperor.

* In ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/4512580/1/Amiss Amiss]]'' (part of a trilogy where [[https://hannahmontana.fandom.com/wiki/When_You_Wish_You_Were_the_Star Miley's wish that she could be Hannah all the time]] left her trapped in that other world), it is revealed that Miley tried to become friends with the alt-Lilly, but this ended with Lilly blackmailing her out of ten million dollars. In ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/5445879/1/Astray Astray]]'', alt-Lilly is sent to the 'original' world after Lilly makes a wish to join Miley, but while alt-Lilly initially plans to pull the same blackmail scam, she comes to realize just why Miley was trying to be her friend and becomes horrified and disgusted with herself for threatening to destroy someone who just genuinely wanted to be her friend rather than carrying out some weird plan.

* ''Fanfic/TheKarmaOfLies'': Chloe realizes just how badly she screwed up when Ladybug refuses to forgive her for her actions as Miracle Queen, forcing her to take a good hard look at herself and realize she doesn't like what she sees. This spurs Chloe to become TheAtoner, [[{{Foil}} contrasting sharply]] with Adrien, who [[NeverMyFault utterly refuses to acknowledge anything he did wrong]].

* ''Fanfic/LeaveForMendeleiev'': Kim recognized that Chloe was bullying Marinette, but didn't do anything about it because [[LoveMakesYouDumb he was crushing on Chloe]]. After getting brutally rejected, he realizes just how awful it was for him to stand by and let one of his friends suffer for so long, and starts trying to make amends and repair their damaged relationship.

* ''Fanfic/WeightOffYourShoulder'': For years, Caline Bustier forced the victims of [[RichBitch Chloe's]] constant bullying to [[EasilyForgiven forgive their tormentor]], declaring they needed to "lead by example" by [[TurnTheOtherCheek turning the other cheek]]. She finally recognizes how much damage that did when Chloe's KarmaHoudiniWarranty runs out, only for Chloe to blithely reveal her intention to [[spoiler:work with Gabriel Agreste's legal team]] in hopes of evading the charges. [[EveryoneHasStandards Caline is horrified]], all the more so when Chloe ''[[YourApprovalFillsMeWithShame thanks her]]'' for all the times she forced her classmates to bow to her whim.

-->[[spoiler:Taylor]]: I was wrong. I was ''always'' wrong.

* In ''Fanfic/BloodOfTheCovenant'', Kallik (who's firebending has steadily been getting better throughout their trip) finally calls Sokka out for his FantasticRacism in the North Pole. Sokka, who is the closest thing to a brother that Kallik has, is shocked when he realizes that he's been acting that way to Kallik, and is noticeably more accepting of his firebending heritage after.

[[AC:''LightNovel/TheFamiliarOfZero'']]

* Averted in ''Fanfic/WishCarefully'': Lucien doesn't believe that anything he did was ''wrong'', he's only acknowledging that it didn't '''work''', and that supporting Voldemort will completely doom Britain's remaining pure-bloods. Despite all this, he remains a racist, classist bastard to the core.

[[AC:''Literature/{{Twilight}}'']]

He then vanishes for 30 years, but unlike in the original, it's not to murder all the 3 million souls inside him, but to play therapist to them, as penance. He breezes through them without much trouble (the majority turn out to be in the closet) - it's ''himself'' that takes the chielf part of the time to sort out.

[[AC:''Franchise/DisneyAnimatedCanon'']]

[[AC:''Literature/WarriorCats]]

* In ''Fanfic/TheTasteOfPeaches'', Taylor punts Sophia through one by pointing out that her behaviour is that of a thug, not a hero - and when Sophia tries to claim that she is a hero, she remembers all the times she saw someone in danger only to turn away since they were not fighting back. This realization causes her to hit a HeroicBSoD.

* ''Blog/BetterBonesAU'': Ivypool realizes how horrible the fake Bramblestar's actions that she has supported are after Ashfur kills her daughter Bristlefrost.

* ''Fanfic/AbraxasHrodvitnon'': [[Characters/AbraxasHrodvitnonTitansAndOtherCreatures San]] (the former [[MultipleHeadCase left head]] of Ghidorah) has an utterly ''brutal'' one whilst viewing Vivienne's memories, after spending the first several chapters of the story genuinely puzzled as to why his new [[TwoBeingsOneBody sister]] is so miserable over her transformation into a Titan and doesn't trust him. [[spoiler:San's EvilDoppelganger eventually also goes through this as a result of viewing Thor's memories.]]

[[AC: ''WesternAnimation/FostersHomeForImaginaryFriends'']]
* In ''WishingOnlyWoundsTheHeart'' (sequel to ''Fanfic/MoreThanMyFriend''), [[spoiler: Terrence is given an opportunity to kill Mac as "revenge", as he blames the kid for how messed up Terrence's life has become. However, when he sees Frankie (who isn't even related to Mac) willing to give up her life to protect Mac, Terrence realizes that she's a better older sibling that he is, and is so shocked at himself that he doesn't go through with his plan and runs. He later [[RedemptionEqualsDeath redeems himself]] [[HeroicSacrifice by giving up his heart to save Mac's life]].]]

[[AC: ''Literature/GrandmasterOfDemonicCultivationMoDaoZuShi'' / ''Series/TheUntamed'']]

** Marinette has one after convincing Paris that ''Chat Noir'' [[HeroWithBadPublicity has betrayed her trust]], where she acknowledges that her actions haven't all been "[[NecessaryEvil the right thing to do]]". Unfortunately, she still believes that they're the right thing ''for her'', and after dedicating four full years of her life to fighting Hawkmoth, she [[IgnoredEpiphany convinces herself]] that she's allowed to seek some small measure of happiness for herself. Over time, she slips fully back into her belief that she's acting for the greater good.

** Elyon and the Guardians have this when they realize that Kage was innocent, meaning they persecuted her for noting. Will especially has this when she remembers how Kage confronted her for her actions regarding Raythor.

** After Vathek has been dealt a massive reality check by Kage and reflected on everything he's learned, he becomes ashamed of the way he treated her in his hatred of Phobos and blind faith in the false Mage, and thus [[NiceJobBreakingItHero contributed]] to the Shadow Realm allying with Phobos. It also makes him realize that the Rebellion as a whole is [[FullCircleRevolution turning out to be not that different from Phobos' government]], so he resolves to redeem himself by both thwarting Phobos and Kage as well as putting a stop to the corruption of Elyon's government.

* In ''WishingOnlyWoundsTheHeart'' (sequel to ''Fanfic/MoreThanMyFriend''), [[spoiler: Terrence is given and opportunity to kill Mac as "revenge", as he blames the kid for how messed up Terrence's life has become. However, when he sees Frankie (who isn't even related to Mac) willing to give up her life to protect Mac, Terrence realizes that she's a better older sibling that he is, and is so shocked at himself that he doesn't go through with his plan and runs. He later [[RedemptionEqualsDeath redeems himself]] [[HeroicSacrifice by giving up his heart to save Mac's life]].]]