History JustForFun / DyingLikeAnimals

In short, these are the people that ensure FailureIsTheOnlyOption for the hero. At best, they'll have a too-late epiphany, as their worst fear stares them in the face ([[KarmicDeath and then eats them]]). More often than not, the hero will save them despite themselves. Occasionally, they'll toy with just letting the aliens win, and if the AntiHero is cynical enough, they'll declare the masses to be too idiotic to be worth saving for and simply leave them to their fate. Then again, maybe the aliens are actually trying to do the galaxy a ''favor'' by killing off such a stupid species. HumansAreBastards, after all.

* '''[[SpoiledBrat Peacocks]]:''' ''"You expect me to sleep on the ground, like a commoner?"'' Peacocks are the spoiled, pampered rich folk who the heroes end up having to take care of for whatever reason. Their lack of practical skills (not to mention common sense) makes them a burden in any dangerous situation, and their endless whining will inevitably try everyone’s patience. In a worst case scenario, a Peacock might turn traitor if they think allying with the villain will help restore their lost wealth and status.

* '''[[StupidEvil Crows]]:''' ''"All shall perish!"'' Crows are ObviouslyEvil types and see the new threat as just making their jobs easier, but are too short-sighted to see it also means their eventual downfall. They don't ever realize that if all the good guys are defeated, there will no longer be a fresh supply of carcasses for them to prey on. They'll be the type to pollute the water supply just to kill off those pesky heroes without considering where ''they'll'' be getting a drink from.
* '''[[DisasterScavengers Vultures]]:''' ''"These are ''my'' corpses to loot! Get your own!"'' Vultures are a more passive form of Wolf. They're less of a physical threat, but will steal anything that isn't nailed down or on fire (and they steal crowbars and fire extinguishers for the things that are), hampering TheDrifter and other heroes by stealing his kit when he comes to help. Interestingly, vultures make for pretty good {{Side Kick}}s and {{Morality Pet}}s, since one will inevitably be befriended by the hero after being caught stealing. Comes from traditional portrayals of scavengers like Vultures.

* '''[[LesCollaborateurs Snakes:]]''' ''"Fight them? What would I get out of that?"'' Snakes are a special case: they are just as capable as the hero of seeing through the villains' ruse... and wholeheartedly support him anyway. Whether it's for [[SocialClimber power]], [[OnlyInItForTheMoney riches]], [[ForTheEvulz sadistic pleasure]], or [[DirtyCoward feeling they personally will be safer serving the villain than just keeping their heads down]], Snakes will join the biggest alpha predator's pack against the hero and help enslave their weaker fellows. In war movies, Snakes are the opposite of LaResistance. Expect them to [[OpinionFlipFlop abruptly attempt to turn coat]] once they get word the villain is beaten.

* '''[[MixandMatchCritters Chimeras]]:''' ''"I know he's evil, but he just wants to [[UtopiaJustifiesTheMeans make the world better]]. Maybe if we hand over the heroes he'll leave us be."'' Characters that blend two or more animals of different groups.

* '''[[LesCollaborateurs Snakes:]]''' ''"Fight them? What would I get out of that?"'' Snakes are a special case: they are just as capable as the hero of seeing through the villains' ruse... and wholeheartedly support him anyway. Whether it's for [[SocialClumber power]], [[OnlyInItForTheMoney riches]], [[ForTheEvulz sadistic pleasure]], or [[DirtyCoward feeling they personally will be safer serving the villain than just keeping their heads down]], Snakes will join the biggest alpha predator's pack against the hero and help enslave their weaker fellows. In war movies, Snakes are the opposite of LaResistance. Expect them to [[OpinionFlipFlop abruptly attempt to turn coat]] once they get word the villain is beaten.

* '''[[BlackShirt Jackals]]:''' ''"Finally, we have a strong leader ready to put '''those people''' back in their place! [[{{Mooks}} Where do I sign up?]]"'' Jackals are like Lemmings and Snakes: they eagerly collaborate with the villain because they think his campaign of terror and genocide are ''just causes.'' Whether it's out of hate, fanaticism, or willful ignorance, they prefer the villain's despotism to a more benevolent regime. Usually, they're only dangerous to society until the villain is dethroned: once the bad guys aren't in power anymore they generally slink off to seethe.
* '''[[LesCollaborateurs Snakes:]]''' ''"Fight them? What would I get out of that?"'' Snakes are a special case: they are just as capable as the hero of seeing through the villains' ruse... and wholeheartedly support him anyway. Whether it's for [[OpportunisticBastard power]], [[OnlyInItForTheMoney riches]], [[ForTheEvulz sadistic pleasure]], or [[DirtyCoward feeling they personally will be safer serving the villain than just keeping their heads down]], Snakes will join the biggest alpha predator's pack against the hero and help enslave their weaker fellows. In war movies, Snakes are the opposite of LaResistance. Expect them to [[OpinionFlipFlop abruptly attempt to turn coat]] once they get word the villain is beaten.

In short, these are the people that ensure FailureIsTheOnlyOption for the hero. At best, they'll have a too-late epiphany, as their worst fear stares them in the face ([[KarmicDeath and then eats them]]). More often than not, the hero will save them despite themselves. Occasionally, he'll toy with just letting the aliens win, and if the AntiHero is cynical enough, they would declare the masses TooDumbToLive and leave them to their fate. Then again, maybe the aliens are actually trying to do the galaxy a ''favor'' by killing off such a stupid species. HumansAreBastards, after all.

In short, these are the people that ensure FailureIsTheOnlyOption for the hero. At best, they'll have a too-late epiphany, as their worst fear stares them in the face ([[KarmicDeath and then eats them]]). More often than not, the hero will save them despite themselves. Occasionally, he'll toy with just letting the aliens win, and of course, only the most cynical AntiHero would declare the masses TooDumbToLive and leave them to their fate. Then again, maybe the aliens are actually trying to do the galaxy a ''favor'' by killing off such a stupid species. HumansAreBastards, after all.

In short, these are the people that ensure FailureIsTheOnlyOption for the hero. At best, they'll have a too-late epiphany, as their worst fear stares them in the face ([[KarmicDeath and then eats them]]). More often than not, the hero will save them despite themselves. Occasionally, he'll toy with just letting the aliens win. Only the most cynical AntiHero would declare the masses TooDumbToLive and leave them to their fate. Then again, maybe the aliens are actually trying to do the galaxy a ''favor'' by killing off such a stupid species. HumansAreBastards, after all.

In short, these are the people that ensure FailureIsTheOnlyOption for the hero. At best, they'll have a too-late epiphany, as their worst fear stares them in the face ([[KarmicDeath and then eats them]]). More often than not, the hero will save them despite themselves. Occasionally, he'll toy with just letting the aliens win. Then again, maybe the aliens are actually trying to do the galaxy a ''favor'' by killing off such a stupid species. HumansAreBastards, after all. Only the most cynical AntiHero would declare the masses TooDumbToLive and leave them to their fate.

In short, these are the people that ensure FailureIsTheOnlyOption for the hero. At best, they'll have a too-late epiphany, as their worst fear stares them in the face ([[KarmicDeath and then eats them]]). More often than not, the hero will save them despite themselves. Occasionally, he'll toy with just letting the aliens win. Then again, maybe the aliens are actually trying to do the galaxy a ''favor'' by killing off such a stupid species. HumansAreBastards, after all. Only the most cyncial AntiHero would declare the masses TooDumbToLive and leave them to their fate.

In short, these are the people that ensure FailureIsTheOnlyOption for the hero. At best, they'll have a too-late epiphany, as their worst fear stares them in the face ([[KarmicDeath and then eats them]]). More often than not, the hero will save them despite themselves. Occasionally, he'll toy with just letting the aliens win. Then again, maybe the aliens are actually trying to do the galaxy a ''favor'' by killing off such a stupid species. HumansAreBastards, after all.

* '''[[LesCollaborateurs Snakes:]]''' ''"Fight them? What would I get out of that?"'' Snakes are a special case: they are just as capable as the hero of seeing through the villains' ruse... and wholeheartedly support him anyway. Whether it's for [[OpportunisticBastard power]], [[OnlyInItForTheMoney riches]], [[ForTheEvulz sadistic pleasure]], or [[DirtyCoward feeling they personally will be safer serving the villain than just keeping their heads down]], Snakes will join the biggest alpha predator's pack against the hero and help enslave their weaker fellows. In war movies, Snakes are the opposite of LaResistance. Expect them to [[OpinionFlipFlop abruptly attempt to turn coat]] once they get word villain is beaten.

* '''[[BlackShirt Jackals]]:''' ''"Finally, we have a strong leader ready to put those malcontents in their places! [[{{Mooks}} Where do I sign up?]]"'' Jackals are like Lemmings and Snakes: they eagerly collaborate with the villain because they think his campaign of terror and genocide are ''just causes.'' Whether it's out of hate, fanaticism, or ignorance, they prefer the villain's despotism to a more benevolent regime. Usually, they're harmless once the villain is dethroned: their prejudice comes out only when the bad guys are in power.
* '''[[LesCollaborateurs Snakes:]]''' ''"Fight them? Why would I want to do that when they have '''so much''' to offer?"'' Snakes are a special case: they are just as capable as the hero of seeing through the villains' ruse... and wholeheartedly support him anyway. Whether it's for [[TheDarkSide power]], [[MoneyTropes riches]], or [[ForTheEvulz kicks]], Snakes will join the biggest alpha predator's pack against the hero and help enslave their weaker fellows. In war movies, Snakes are the opposite of LaResistance.

* '''[[LesCollaborateurs Snakes:]]''' ''"Fight them? Why would I want to do that when they have '''so much''' to offer?"'' Snakes are a special case: they are just as able as the hero of seeing through the villains' ruse... and wholeheartedly supporting him. Whether it's for [[TheDarkSide power]], [[MoneyTropes riches]], or [[ForTheEvulz kicks]], Snakes will join the biggest alpha predator's pack against the hero and help enslave their weaker fellows. In war movies, Snakes are the opposite of LaResistance.

[[IgnoredExpert Some heroes]] have it rough. Not only do they have to fight TheVirus, the [[FantasyKitchenSink alien menace]] spreading it, ''and'' [[MonsterMash vampire accomplices]], but also, every step of the way they have to fight ''[[WorldHalfEmpty everyone else]]'' on the planet! People, by and large, think it's SomebodyElsesProblem, and that's if they can be bothered to even [[ApatheticCitizens notice it's a problem.]] More often than not, humanity at large is TooDumbToLive and won't even notice when the villain's PaperThinDisguise falls off. Heck, the villain may be operating openly, without even the slimmest pretense of a {{Masquerade}}!

* '''[[SomebodyElsesProblem Sheep]]:''' ''"Don't worry, I'm sure TheGovernment knows exactly what to do."'' Sheep know there's a problem, but see no reason not to buy the government line of "it's fine" or to do something themselves. Surely that fiend raising TheLegionsOfHell can't ''possibly'' be a threat to the army. Interestingly, the more of these people there are, the more likely it is that TheGovernment is [[GovernmentConspiracy actively]] ''[[AncientConspiracy involved]]'' in the EvilPlan.

[[TheJorEl Some heroes]] have it rough. Not only do they have to fight TheVirus, the [[FantasyKitchenSink alien menace]] spreading it, ''and'' [[MonsterMash vampire accomplices]], but also, every step of the way they have to fight ''[[WorldHalfEmpty everyone else]]'' on the planet! People, by and large, think it's SomebodyElsesProblem, and that's if they can be bothered to even [[ApatheticCitizens notice it's a problem.]] More often than not, humanity at large is TooDumbToLive and won't even notice when the villain's PaperThinDisguise falls off. Heck, the villain may be operating openly, without even the slimmest pretense of a {{Masquerade}}!

* '''[[MagnificentBastard Foxes:]]''' ''"Both sides are idiots! What an excellent opportunity!"'' Foxes are somewhat akin to [[Main/{{HonestJohnsDealership}} Weasels]] in seeing the opportunities around. However, not only are they unafraid of the villains, but they are also savvy and quick enough to play both sides against each other, morality and ideology be damned. A Fox relies on his wits, his speed, and his charm to get him through, no matter which side wins, and if neither does, well, the Fox will still be on his feet after the dust settles. Unlike most of the others, Foxes can actually be quite useful or even helpful, ''if'' you can turn them to your side. Or if the villain betrays them. Or if you can persuade them there's more profit in your side winning. Basically, when in a capital-D Disaster, Foxes are your best bet. At least they're ''smart''. Comes from the phrase "clever like a fox".

Often falls into TruthInTelevision. People are especially likely to behave like this during wartime: for example, ''AnEnemyOfThePeople'', was based on a true story.

* '''[[StupidEvil Crows]]:''' ''"All shall perish!"'' Crows are ObviouslyEvil types and see the new threat as just making their jobs easier, but are too short-sighted to see it also means their eventual downfall. They don't ever realize that if all the good guys are defeated, there will no longer be a fresh supply of carcasses for them to prey on. They'll be the type to pollute the water supply just to kill off those pesky heroes without considering where ''they'll'' be getting a drink from.

* '''[[GullibleLemmings Lemmings]]:''' ''"It's them! It's those terrorists the Benevolent Autocrat warned us of! Get 'em!"'' Lemmings are a special bunch: not only do they eagerly swallow the same load of bull the Sheep do, but they also try as best they can to ''help'' the VillainWithGoodPublicity catch the heroes. While they're less effective than Boars, they nonetheless hamper the hero, since he can't very well ''kill them'', but they'll slow him down and maybe get him caught. You can expect any LoveInterests the hero develops to have at least one Lemming for a friend, who promptly turns him in.

* '''[[DisasterScavengers Vultures]]:''' ''"These are ''my'' corpses to loot! Get your own!"'' Vultures are a more passive form of Wolf. They're less of a physical threat, but will steal anything that isn't nailed down or on fire (and they steal crowbars and fire extinguishers for the things that are), hampering TheDrifter and other heroes by stealing his kit when he comes to help. Interestingly, vultures make for pretty good {{Side Kick}}s and {{Morality Pet}}s, since one will inevitably be befriended by the hero after being caught stealing. Comes from traditional portrayals of scavengers like Vultures.

->''"A person is smart; people are dumb, panicky, dangerous animals, and you know it."''

->''A person is smart; people are dumb, panicky, dangerous animals, and you know it.''
-->-- '''Agent K''', ''MenInBlack''

Often falls into TruthInTelevision. People are especially likely to behave like this during wartime: for example, ''An Enemy of the People'', below, was based on a true story.

Antonym to FightingForSurvival.

->-- '''Agent K''', ''MenInBlack''

* '''[[HiddenElfVillage Ostriches]]:''' ''"If we hide/stay out of it, nothing bad will happen... at least, not to us."'' Ostriches know there's a problem and that no large group is responding to it, but they believe that [[JustIgnoreIt ignoring it]] will make it go away. Yeah, tell that to the [[ZombieApocalypse zombie of old Mrs. Withers.]] Comes from the old tale that Ostriches hide their heads in the sand, thinking that if they can't see the danger, it doesn't exist.[[hottip:*:In reality, ostriches don't bury their heads in the sand. They do lay their heads and necks on sand-colored ground for camouflage: this makes them look like a small earthen mound to predators. So it's less about ignoring danger than making danger ignore them.]]

* '''[[LeeroyJenkins Boars]]:''' ''"Come on, guys, '''we''' can take 'em! Let's get out the {{torches and pitchforks}} and we'll finish them off in a matter of minutes!"'' These are the brave, foolhardy souls who ''insist'' on [[MartyrWithoutACause sacrificing themselves]] for the greater good, even when they don't actually ''[[SenselessSacrifice need]]'' to, much less help. Their courage may be admirable, but it usually causes them to get in the way of the ''competent'' heroes. Not to mention that it's hard to think rationally about how to defeat a BigBad when you have an army of Boars squealing for his blood. Worse still is when the ZombieApocalypse kills off the entire army and promptly turns all of them against the heroes as well.

* '''[[{{Muggles}} Bats]]:''' ''"Nothing's wrong."'' Bats are so blind that ''nothing'' can pierce their [[WeirdnessCensor self-imposed]] {{Masquerade}}. No proof is strong enough to reveal the truth of the threat. Even if the threat were to expose themselves with a neat Power Point presentation about their plan, Bats would just [[EasilyConqueredWorld ask where the cookies are.]] They'll take one look at the growing horde of evil {{Mooks}} and say that they're nothing more than a bunch of dim-witted pranksters, or -- if the {{Mooks}} in question are ''very'' ObviouslyEvil -- they may be simply [[BuffyTheVampireSlayer "a gang ]][[PsychoSerum on PCP"]]. Comes from the phrase "Blind as a bat".