History HeroWithBadPublicity / FanWorks

[[AC:''Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse'']]
* Downplayed in ''Fanfic/ScionOfSorcery''. Stephen Strange and the Mystics of Kamar-Taj are considered [[NotEvilJustMisunderstood "Dark Wizards" and criminals under the Ministry of Magic's definition of such]], and thus are feared by Magical Britain. ''Everywhere else'' though, Stephen Strange is considered a hero by No-Maj Society and is an ally to Magical Congress.

* In ''Fanfic/{{Origins}}'', a ''Franchise/MassEffect''[=/=]''Franchise/StarWars''[[spoiler:[=/=]''[=Borderlands=]''[=/=]''[=Halo=]'']] MassiveMultiplayerCrossover, the Citadel Council is aware this can happen and hopes to [[AvertedTrope avert it]] by exploiting the inverse of TheGreatestStoryNeverTold. Otherwise, widespread knowledge of Samantha Shepard's [[AMillionIsAStatistic previous actions]] could result in a full-on application of this trope, undermining their war effort by knocking their preferred agent down a peg. They, being politicians, [[AcceptablePoliticalTargets don't want to catch blame]].

* ''Fanfic/TheNightUnfurls'': [[ZigZaggingTrope Zig-zagged]] in regards to [[AntiHero Kyril]]'s infamous reputation in the original version. By the time Kyril participates the war against the Black Dogs as a knight, he internally notes how the nobility is irked due to him taking commoners (Sanakan and Hugh) as apprentices, rather than those of noble blood. When Shalala comments that many look up to Kyril as a saviour, he counters that there are just as many who look down on him as "a mad dog held to Celestine's side by a leash", as a result of his [[{{Gorn}} brutality]] in combat. The truth is more complicated than it seems, as per Roland's narration below.
-->''Kyril Sutherland was a divisive figure amongst the nobility, compared to the common folk who lionized the man. Some nobles thought him an upstart, a foreigner with the ear of the Goddess Reincarnated herself? That was unthinkable in and of itself. Especially since he was also a staunch ally of the former [[EvilOverlord Dark Queen]], Olga Discordia who was once the Goddess's greatest enemy and someone not to be trusted.''\\

** Chat Noir is also caught on camera using his Cataclysm to destroy several billboards featuring Gabriel Agreste ads, along with openly contemplating whether or not to destroy a Christmas tree. This gets him into trouble when Gabriel finds out and deems him a menace, forcing him to try and explain his actions to the public.
** When Rena Rouge makes her debut, Chat complains that they don't need the extra help. Rena Rouge then reveals to him that many Parisians are convinced he doesn't take his job ''seriously'', given how he constantly jokes around, treats fighting akumas as a game, and keeps getting taken out due to his recklessness.

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* ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13045929/1/Reformed-Returned-and-Really-Trying Reformed, Returned and Really Trying]]'' is a ''Literature/HarryPotter'' fanfic featuring an old friend of Dumbledore that reacts to news of his death by coming to Britain with a group of volunteers to take down Voldemort. However, they have a horrible reputation that is entirely earned, due them being ''[[TheDreaded Gellert]] [[VisionaryVillain Grindelwald]]'' [[TheAtoner trying to atone for his past misdeeds by annihilating Voldemort]], the last survivors of his old followers, and a growing number of volunteers that believe Britain will be the first step on taking over the world [[WellIntentionedExtremist to spread equality between all magicals]] (many of the volunteers are indeed Muggleborns). This leads to France and Poland sending their own forces to help the Ministry (that they have no idea has fallen to Voldemort) defeat their ancient enemy before he can amass sufficient power. [[HeroWithAnFInGood Grindelwald's troubles in avoiding war crimes don't help his case]].
* In ''WesternAnimation/DannyPhantom'' fanfic ''Fanfic/ResurrectedMemories'': Ember has this problem following her HeelFaceTurn since Team Phantom still considers her to be an enemy, though this is [[PlayingWithATrope Played With]] since Ember’s human identity Amberline is very popular around Casper High. [[spoiler:This very nearly costs her everything once Danny learns the truth about “Amberline”.]]

* ''Fanfic/RiseOfEmpressMidnight'': Alternate Borris: Having apparently failing easy attacks against the Mork army, [[spoiler:and is also an ex-Mork]].
** [[spoiler:Twilight Sparkle since her alternate is Empress Midnight.]]
* ''Fanfic/RuinedWithYou'' has a variation where Chat Noir's publicity is still fine (partly because he hasn't done anything since he retired after Hawk Moth was captured) but Adrien's modelling career has suffered thanks to his association with his father, now a convicted supervillain, forcing him to leave Paris for two years just to find designers willing to work with him.
* Downplayed in ''Fanfic/ScionOfSorcery''. Stephen Strange and the Mystics of Kamar-Taj are considered [[NotEvilJustMisunderstood "Dark Wizards" and criminals under the Ministry of Magic's definition of such]], and thus are feared by Magical Britain. ''Everywhere else'' though, Stephen Strange is considered a hero by No-Maj Society and is an ally to Magical Congress.
* Light Yagami/Kougoukan in ''Fanfic/SexNote''. While many women's groups on the Internet like Kougoukan, the police and a lot of guys do not. [[ShootTheMessenger Chief Souichiro Yagami assumes that Kougoukan must be a terrorist of the highest order who is out to embarrass the police]] because their ''can't'' be such corruption in his department! Also, like in canon, some people hail Light's alter ego as a savior but since he's not ruling by fear there are even more public dissenters calling Kougoukan's works the work of the devil.
* ''Fanfic/AShadowOfTheTitans'': Due to her short temper during her interactions with the Titans and the random {{Jerkass}} civilians of Jump City, Jade ends up being labeled a public threat. And matters aren't helped any by her having to pretend to be a villain so that the HIVE doesn't kill her.
* ''Fanfic/SpotsOff'' turns Marinette into one of these when Alya accidentally leaks Ladybug's identity. Once people learn that Ladybug is nothing more than a teenage middle-schooler, people start to slap her with the "JustAKid" label, asking whether she is actually fit to protect Paris. It gets to the point where [[spoiler: Mayor Bourgeois' more-powerful associates try to blackmail him into labelling Ladybug a vigilante, exposing her to legal consequences]]. [[ItsAllMyFault Alya, for her part, takes it]] ''[[ItsAllMyFault very]]'' [[ItsAllMyFault poorly]]. Part of the fic deals with Marinette and company trying to get past this image.
* ''Fanfic/TheStoryOfTwilightGlow'': Twilight has effectively become [[EvilOverlord Nightmare Moon's]] [[BeleagueredAssistant top advisor]], where her goal has been to temper Nightmare Moon's megalomania and ruthlessness. Unfortunately, other ponies believe she willingly betrayed Equestria to gain power.
* ''Fanfic/ASupeOfAMan'': Zig-Zagged, while ComicBook/{{Superman}} is a beloved hero to the public, due to the corruption and cynicism in the world of ''Series/TheBoys2019'', Clark is seen by Vought (including his own aunt) and those who are aware of the true nature of Supes in general as a [[VillainWithGoodPublicity corrupt monster who hides behind a clean facade.]]
* The Autobots in ''Fanfic/TFAKaleidoscope'', though in the end this trope gets zig-zagged for them. People tend to be just as quick to throw them under the bus as they are to praise them for any heroic action they may commit. The police, however, have enough tolerance of them to work alongside them when they need help. They even point out that the news and media only focus on the bad aspects of their actions to paint them in a negative light for the sake of sensationalism and that the public is actually more divided on them than outright against them.
* In ''Fanfic/ThievesCanBeHeroes'', Izuku is subject to the fate of the ''VideoGame/Persona5'' protagonist, being vilified for a crime he didn't commit. Notably, he has it ''worse'' than Joker does, as Izuku's reputation only worsens after Kamoshida's confession because the student body accuses him of having a brainwashing Quirk. This is on top of the usual ridicule he gets for being Quirkless.
* ''[[https://archiveofourown.org/works/42667953/chapters/107182218 Tidal waves]]'': Some of Adrien's more thoughtless actions as Chat Noir wind up damaging his reputation.
** Others at the statue unveiling witness him lying to Theo about his supposed relationship with Ladybug, as well as how this nearly gets the sculptor akumatized. Only Ladybug's presence and quick intervention prevents disaster, and the crowd [[DeathGlare glares at Chat Noir]] for his carelessness.
** Chat Noir is also caught on camera using his Cataclysm to destroy several billboards featuring Gabriel Agreste ads, along with openly contemplating whether or not to destroy a Christmas tree. This gets him into trouble when Gabriel finds out and deems him a menace, forcing him to try and explain his actions to the public.
** When Rena Rouge makes her debut, Chat complains that they don't need the extra help. Rena Rouge then reveals to him that many Parisians are convinced he doesn't take his job ''seriously'', given how he constantly jokes around, treats fighting akumas as a game, and keeps getting taken out due to his recklessness.
* In ''Fanfic/TruthAndConsequences'', Ladybug invokes this on Chat by convincing Paris that ''he's'' the one who turned traitor before he can expose her for [[FaceHeelTurn allying with Hawkmoth]], forcing him on the defensive.
** Even before [[MaliciousSlander Alya's article]], Chat Noir's behavior didn't earn him as much support as you would think as one of the first duo of superheroes in Paris. Looking at his [[TalkingIsAFreeAction banter]], [[PopCulturedBadass constant comic references]], repeated [[TheWorfEffect defeats]] [[BrainwashedAndCrazy by akuma]], and obvious crush on Ladybug, most bystanders- ''including'' Hawkmoth and Ladybug herself- saw him as a [[FightingClown goof]] that saw the whole thing as a game and was only a threat as long as Ladybug was giving him directions. [[BeneathTheMask In reality]], Adrien ''does'' [[GoodFeelsGood love being a superhero]], and often jokes as a coping mechanism.
* ''Fanfic/AWandForSteven'': Given the Ministry's policies on nonhumans and Minister Fudge's bitterness towards Dumbledore, the Daily Prophet is used to slander Steven, questioning if he should even be allowed in Hogwarts in the first place for his half-human physiology.
* In ''Fanfic/WeightOfTheWorld'' [[spoiler:Yang is manipulated into attacking Alfred (who she hallucinated as Neo) on live TV, beating him before shooting him in the stomach and painting herself as a murderous, violent monster. In ''The Depths of Deception'', this causes a barkeep and other travelers to fear and mistrust Yang. Last they knew she was sitting in jail awaiting trial, so they believe she is running to Mistral's criminal underground to escape justice. Yang uses her "criminal past" to get into Kuchinashi to look for Neo without raising suspicion.]]
** Many people on Remnant hate, fear, or shun Pyrrha because they think she [[spoiler:wanted to win the Tournament so badly she purposely killed Penny. Some civilians also [[TheScapegoat blame her for kickstarting the fall of Beacon]].]] It's so bad the passengers on the airship get the crew to kick Pyrrha off, much to RNJR and the nations' disgust. Pyrrha wears a hoodie in an attempt to stop people from recognizing her due to this.

* ''Webcomic/BakeryEnemies'': Adrien Agreste is one of the heroes who took down the dreaded Hawkmoth... but people only know him as the ''son'' of Hawkmoth.
* ''Fanfic/BreakItDownButterfly'': Since he has the same powers and butterfly motif as the very supervillain that has been terrorizing Paris all of this time, Vrai Papillon naturally has a hard time getting on everybody's good side, people from the press to Ladybug and Chat Noir are naturally suspicious of him and assume he is just Hawk Moth venturing onto the frontline.
* In ''Fanfic/BrilliantLightsWillCeaseToBurn'', "Deku" is incredibly unpopular among pro heroes and the police for showing them up constantly, leading him to be branded a villain who [[InsaneTrollLogic is apparently working with the same yakuza members he helped subdue]]. But this trope is zig-zagged because Deku is enormously popular among Japan's youth, with some comparing him to [[TheParagon All Might]] and calling him the "pride of our nation". [[HumbleHero Izuku himself doesn't really care for his reputation]] and rarely checks what people are saying about him, but he's glad that his message is reaching so many people.
* ''Fanfic/CheshireMiraculousLadybug'':
** Played with for Marinette as Cheshire. While the citizens of Paris view her as nothing less than heroic, the other Miraculous Holders (including the BigBad) are convinced that she's a VillainWithGoodPublicity who is working towards some secret agenda, since every previous Black Cat holder abused their power for evil to the point that its kwami Plagg is just assumed to be TheCorruptor (if not actively choosing terrible users ForTheEvulz).
** Misterbug (Adrien) and Pegasus (Max) are this to the people of Paris, due to attacking the much-beloved Cheshire right after she helped them to defeat an akuma. Even the ''akumas'' call the other holders villains, and are disgusted by their behavior when they aren't deciding to take advantage of it. Later "allies" do not help: King Monkey (Kim) is hit hard with this after he attacks Cheshire just she was about to fix the city with [[WorldHealingWave Catastrophe]], while Queen Bee (''Chloe'') is a AttentionWhore that cares more for what the press says about her than the akuma victims, ''who she openly mocks on social media''.
* ''Fanfic/ACrewForAKing'': The Straw Hats are this during the fight at Rainbase, as the locals view them as rebels attacking [[VillainWithGoodPublicity a national hero]], something Crocodile is happy to gloat about.
* ''Fanfic/CrimsonAndNoire'': Lady Noire aka Marinette is viewed with distrust by most of Paris after she inadvertently destroyed an entire stadium while trying to slow down Stoneheart, with most people seeing her as a DestructiveSavior or a menace herself. She does have a few supporters like Crimson Beetle, Ivan, and Juleka, but the bad publicity does take a toll on her self-confidence. Her reputation improves as she continues to stop the Akumas and shows better control and use of her Cataclysm.
* ''Fanfic/CyberpunkAnotherDaybreak'': Despite making an glowing first impression as a Kamen Rider, the media quickly pry into David's private life and discover his XBD tapes. It isn't long before Night City knows him as both a teenage superhero wunderkind and a horny gonk who lucked his way into an executive position at one of the most powerful corporations in the world.

* In ''Fanfic/FiveMinutesToMidnight'', Tai Xiao Long saves Cinder from her abusive adoptive family. But because he assaulted them in public without any evidence of their actions, he's branded as a criminal by Atlas.
* ''Fanfic/FreakinGensokyo'' features Reimu. She already is one in Touhou canon, but ''FREAKIN GENSOKYO'' takes it up to eleven: Various people in the Human Village want to kill her, destroy her shrine, take her prisoner or [[spoiler:dissect her and use her blood to power up the human race]].
* ''Fanfic/HopToIt'' has Rabbit, an American Miraculous holder who used to be about as accepted in Los Angeles as Ladybug and Chat Noir are in Paris. However, around the time she moves to Paris, she accidentally acquires her partner's power, Dogstruction, which activates when she tries to use her own power of Lucky Strike. As such, her run through a Paris neighbourhood while trying to avoid an akuma results in her causing over a million dollars in property damage and several injuries. Chat Noir accepts her explanation quickly enough, as does Ladybug when Chat tells her, but Rabbit is first mistaken for an akuma by the media and then for a supervillain in her own right, earning the nickname "Jack Hammer". She does earn a few more defenders when she helps out civilians during the Road Rage attack, including Nino, but the media continue to question whether she's a hero or a menace. Alya even makes a Ladyblog video painting "Jack Hammer" as an agent of Hawk Moth, which persuades most of her class, some of whom have family members that were affected by the first "rampage". Alya eventually turns around on her after she helps save her from Cottontail and makes her a second video with the other heroes, but Rabbit still hasn't quite escaped her "Jack Hammer" reputation.

* In ''Fanfic/LovedAndLost'', an extended retelling of "[[WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic A Canterlot Wedding]]", [[ManipulativeBastard Prince Jewelius]] [[TyrantTakesTheHelm usurps Equestria's throne]] [[ForWantOfANail right after he and Twilight have stopped the Changeling invasion]] by blaming Princess Celestia, Shining Armor, the Mane Five, and Spike for not listening to Twilight's [[CassandraTruth suspicions regarding the false Cadance]]. He [[MadeASlave sentences the Mane Five and Shining Armor to slavery]] and banishes the princesses and Spike from Equestria, turning the public and [[CorruptTheCutie Twilight]] against them. When the fugitives return to Canterlot one week later [[MustMakeAmends to redeem themselves and make it up to Twilight]], they discover that [[spoiler:Jewelius provided Queen Chrysalis the means to infiltrate Canterlot before double-crossing her [[ICanRuleAlone to become the sole ruler of Equestria]], and purposely turned everypony else against the heroes to steal the throne unobstructed]]. Twilight and Canterlot's citizens don't believe them when they try to expose this (partly due to their own failure to uphold their trustworthiness by dint of their short-sighted actions that led to the invasion happening), but [[NiceJobFixingItVillain some]] [[VillainBall serious]] [[JustBetweenYouAndMe shortsightedness]] from the {{Big Bad}}'s part enables the fugitives to clear their names. [[spoiler:Not to mention that the town of Ponyville does not consider them traitors because [[HitlerAteSugar Jewelius has made the life there difficult]] ever since his rise to power]].
** Subverted with Princess Cadance. Jewelius unjustly holds her responsible for allowing Queen Chrysalis to steal her identity and has her banished along with the others. However, it's revealed upon her return to Canterlot that while the other banished heroes have lost the trust and respect of Twilight and everypony in Canterlot, [[UndyingLoyalty Cadance has not]]. [[spoiler:It is for this reason that Jewelius tries to have her murdered in a way that would both make the other fugitives even more scorned on and help himself divert suspicion.]]
** When Twilight finally realizes [[spoiler:how evil [[TheSociopath Jewelius]] truly is]], she escapes from Canterlot to reconcile with her friends and brother. Jewelius tries to invoke this trope again by labeling her as another traitor, [[DefiedTrope but Canterlot's citizens]] [[OOCIsSeriousBusiness don't believe for one minute that she'd go against Jewelius without good reason]]. In fact, they not only become more sympathetic to the disgraced heroes, but also more open to the thought of giving them a second chance and letting them return to society so that they can help thwart [[spoiler:the renewed Changeling threat [[SkewedPriorities which Jewelius has done nothing about]]]].

* In ''Fanfic/MaulingSnarks'', a ''Literature/{{Worm}}'' fanfic, the [[AdaptationalHeroism Slaughterhouse Nine]] are a group where the parahumans with the most violent power urges get therapy for it and try to minimize collateral damage. Even when they do kill someone, they try to aim at the worst of criminals that law can't touch. However, very few people are aware of this, and to most everyone, they are a terrifying group of insane serial killers.
* ''Fanfic/MeanRabbit'' has Midoriya Izuku, who's MadeOutToBeAJerkass for the high crime of fighting to become a Pro Hero despite society deeming him worthless for his Quirklessness. Whenever he refuses to bow his head and take the abuse heaped upon him by bullies like Bakugou, [[SadistTeacher Aizawa]] or anyone else, it's spun around and turned upon him. This really starts ballooning out of control during the Sports Festival, as his rebuke of Monoma is played for the public ''without sound'' so that they don't hear Monoma accusing him of being ''happy'' about the League attacking the USJ [[NoSuchThingAsBadPublicity just to get attention]]; they just see Monoma [[HeelRealization tearing up]] after being called out. And when he's pitted against Ochako for his first tournament match, Present Mic encourages the crowd to root against him.
* In ''Fanfic/MegaManDefenderOfTheHumanRace'', as of episode 11, [[spoiler:[=ProtoMan=] is this, with 68% of New York distrusting him]].

* ''Fanfic/ARabbitAmongWolves'':
** Jaune accidentally murders Adam at the beginning of the story. That and subsequent mishaps make everyone think he is an evil and ruthless terrorist. Jaune is forced to reform the White Fang to prove to everyone he isn't evil.
** Team [=RWBY=] make themselves into this after their attempted attack on the White Fang goes disastrously wrong. So much so, that Ozpin launches his own [=PR=] campaign to bring up Team [=RWBY=]'s reputation.

** Played with for Marinette. While most citizens in Paris view her actions as Cheshire as nothing less than heroic, the other Miraculous Holders (including the BigBad) are convinced that she's a VillainWithGoodPublicity who is working towards some unknown goal, since almost every previous Black Cat holder abused their power for evil to the point that Plagg is just assumed to be TheCorruptor (if not actively choosing terrible users ForTheEvulz).

* ''Fanfic/CrimsonAndNoire'': Lady Noire aka Marinette is viewed with distrust by most of Paris after she inadvertently destroyed an entire stadium while trying to slow down Stoneheart, with most people seeing her as a DestructiveSavior or a menace herself. She does have a few supporters like Crimson Beetle, Ivan, and Juleka, but the bad publicity does take a toll on her self-confidence. But as the story goes on, her reputation improves as she continues to stop the Akumas and shows better control and use of her Cataclysm.

* In ''Fanfic/CheshireMiraculousLadybug'' it is PlayedWith:
** Marinette aka Cheshire is this to other Miraculous Holders due to the bad history of the past Black Cat holders. But to the rest of Paris, she is a long-establish and well-regarded hero.
** Misterbug (Adrien) and Pegasus (Max) are this to the people of Paris, since that in their debut, they attacked Cheshire, who is a long-established hero at that time, right after she helped them to defeat an akuma. Even the ''akumas'' call them villains. The new "allies" do not help: King Monkey (Kim) is hit hard after he attacked Cheshire when she was about to fix the city with [[WorldHealingWave Catastrophe]], right after she had defeated an akuma, and Queen Bee (''Chloe'') is a AttentionWhore that cares more for what the press says about her than the akuma victims, ''who she mocks on twitter''.

* ''Fanfic/Cyberpunk/AnotherDaybreak'': Despite making an glowing first impression as a Kamen Rider, the media quickly pry into David's private life and discover his XBD tapes. It isn't long before Night City knows him as both a teenage superhero wunderkind and a horny gonk who lucked his way into an executive position at one of the most powerful corporations in the world.

* ''Fanfic/CrimsonAndNoir'': Lady Noire aka Marinette is viewed with distrust by most of Paris after she inadvertently destroyed an entire stadium while trying to slow down Stoneheart, with most people seeing her as a DestructiveSavior or a menace herself. She does have a few supporters like Crimson Beetle, Ivan, and Juleka, but the bad publicity does take a toll on her self-confidence. But as the story goes on, her reputation improves as she continues to stop the Akumas and shows better control and use of her Cataclysm.

* ''[[https://archiveofourown.org/works/25927015/chapters/63016108 Crimson and Noir]]'': Lady Noire aka Marinette is viewed with distrust by most of Paris after she inadvertently destroyed an entire stadium while trying to slow down Stoneheart, with most people seeing her as a DestructiveSavior or a menace herself. She does have a few supporters like Crimson Beetle, Ivan, and Juleka, but the bad publicity does take a toll on her self-confidence. But as the story goes on, her reputation improves as she continues to stop the Akumas and shows better control and use of her Cataclysm.

* ''[[https://archiveofourown.org/works/25927015/chapters/63016108 Crimson and Noir]]'': Lady Noire aka Marinette is viewed with distrust by most of Paris after she inadvertently destroyed an entire stadium while trying to slow down Stoneheart, with most people seeing her as a DestructiveSavior or a menace herself. She does have a few supporters like Crimson Bug, Ivan, and Juleka, but the bad publicity does take a toll on her self-confidence. But as the story goes on, her reputation improves as she continues to stop the Akumas and shows better control and use of her Cataclysm.

* ''Fanfic/ASupeOfAMan'': Zig-Zagged, while Superman is a beloved hero to the public, due to the corruption and cynicism of ''The Boys'' world, Clark is seen by Vought (including his own aunt) and those who are aware of the true nature of Supes in general as a [[VillainWithGoodPublicity corrupt monster who hides behind a clean facade.]]

* ''Fanfic/FreakinGensokyo'' features Reimu. She already is one in Touhou canon, but ''FREAKIN GENSOKYO'' takes it UpToEleven: Various people in the Human Village want to kill her, destroy her shrine, take her prisoner or [[spoiler:dissect her and use her blood to power up the human race]].

** Marinette aka Cheshire is this to other Miraculous Holders due the bad history of the past Black Cat holders.

* In ''Fanfic/BrilliantLightsWillCeaseToBurn'', "Deku" is incredibly unpopular among pro heroes and the police for showing them up constantly, leading him to be branded a villain who [[InsaneTrollLogic is apparently working with the same yakuza members he helped subdue]]. But this trope is zig-zagged because Deku is enormously popular among Japan's youth, with some comparing him to [[TheParagon All Might]] and calling him the "pride of our nation". [[HumbleHero Izuku himself doesn't really care for his reputation]] and rarely checks what people are saying about him, but he's glad that his message is reaching so many people.

* In ''Fanfic/LovedAndLost'', an extended retelling of "[[WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic A Canterlot Wedding]]", [[ManipulativeBastard Prince Jewelius]] usurps Equestria's throne right after the Changeling invasion has been stopped by blaming Princess Celestia, Shining Armor, the Mane Five, and Spike for not listening to Twilight's [[CassandraTruth suspicions regarding the false Cadance]]. He [[MadeASlave sentences the Mane Five and Shining Armor to slavery]] and banishes the princesses and Spike from Equestria, turning the public and [[CorruptTheCutie Twilight]] against them. When the fugitives return to Canterlot one week later [[MustMakeAmends to redeem themselves and make it up to Twilight]], they discover that [[spoiler:Jewelius provided Queen Chrysalis the means to infiltrate Canterlot before double-crossing her [[ICanRuleAlone to become the sole ruler of Equestria]]]]. Unfortunately, Twilight and Canterlot's citizens don't believe them when they try to expose this. It requires [[NiceJobFixingItVillain some serious shortsightedness]] from the {{Big Bad}}'s part before the fugitives are able to clear their names. [[spoiler:Fortunately, the town of Ponyville does not consider them traitors because [[TyrantTakesTheHelm Jewelius has made the life there difficult]] ever since his rise to power.]]
** Subverted with Princess Cadance. Jewelius unjustly holds her responsible for allowing Queen Chrysalis to steal her identity and has her banished along with the others. However, it's revealed upon her return to Canterlot that while the other banished heroes have lost the trust and respect of Twilight and everypony in Canterlot, [[UndyingLoyalty Cadance has not]]. [[spoiler:It is for this reason that Jewelius tries to have her murdered in a way that would make the other fugitives even more scorned on.]]
** When Twilight finally realizes how [[spoiler:evil Jewelius truly is]], she escapes from Canterlot to reconcile with her friends and brother. Jewelius tries to label her as another traitor, but Canterlot's citizens don't believe for one minute that she'd go against Jewelius without good reason. In fact, they not only become more sympathetic to the disgraced heroes, but also more open to the thought of giving them a second chance and letting them return to society so that they can help thwart the [[spoiler:renewed Changeling threat for which Jewelius has done nothing about]].

** Many people on Remnant hate, fear, or shun Pyrrha because they think she [[spoiler:wanted to win the Tournament so badly she purposely killed Penny. Some civilians also [[TheScapegoat blame her for kickstarting the fall of Beacon]].]] It's so bad the passengers on the airship get the crew to kick Pyrrha off, much to RNJR and the nations' disgust. Pyrrha wears a hoodie in an attempt to stop people from recognizing her due to this.
* Tai saves Cinder from her abusive adoptive family in ''Fanfic/FiveMinutesToMidnight'', but because he assaulted them in public without any evidence of their actions, he's branded as a criminal by Atlas.

* ''Fanfic/TheProsAndConsToLivingADoubleLife'': On top of the canon examples from ''VideoGame/Persona5'', Kamoshida attempts to turn [[Franchise/KingdomHearts Sora and Riku]] into this by having Mishima spread rumours about their living situation with Kairi, who is also subjected to rumours of sleeping around behind Sora's back. It works at first, but between Makoto investigating them by spending the night at their apartment and Sora getting more positive attention with his attempt to save Shiho and his success with the Culinary Arts Club, the rumours die down quickly and are all but forgotten about after Kamoshida's change of heart.