History Main / AloofAlly

* Kasumi Yoshizawa in ''VideoGame/Persona5'' ''[[UpdatedRerelease Royal]]'' was marketed as the SixthRanger and shows up to [[BigDamnHeroes save Joker]] during the InMediasRes sequence at the start of the game, but in the actual story, while she admires [[PlayerCharacter Joker]], she doesn't particularly care for the Phantom Thieves. Even after awakening to her Persona and apologizing for her prior comments about the Phantom Thieves upon realizing that Joker is a member of the group, [[RefusalOfTheCall she's ultimately more concerned with her gymnastics career than their crusade against authority]]. However, she does offer to join them for their battle against [[spoiler:Shido]] (which is ultimately denied by Joker and Morgana due to the danger involved) and ends up becoming the EleventhHourRanger during the endgame's third trimester.

* Kasumi Yoshizawa in ''VideoGame/Persona5'' ''[[UpdatedRerelease Royal]]'' was marketed as the SixthRanger and shows up to [[BigDamnHeroes save Joker]] during the InMediasRes sequence at the start of the game, but in the actual story, while she admires [[PlayerCharacter Joker]] she doesn't particularly care for the Phantom Thieves and is more concerned with her gymnastics career than their crusade against authority [[RefusalOfTheCall even after awakening to her Persona]]. However, she does ultimately become the EleventhHourRanger during the endgame's third trimester.

Enter the Aloof Ally. This ally is explicitly going after the same thing as you for [[SavingTheWorld the same results]], and shows up to help you, being initially stronger. Don't confuse that with being "on your side", though. When the heroes ask them "Why aren't you joining us? We're teammates!", they'll snap and brush them off for being too naive, trusting, and/or comparatively useless.

* The Universe Survival arc of ''Anime/DragonBallSuper'' has quite a few, but the biggest are [[ResurrectedForAJob Frieza]] who, despite a few teases, loyally spends the tournament as a TokenEvilTeammate, and Jiren, up to then uncontested [[WorldsStrongestMan most powerful mortal in every universe]]. Jiren has very little regard for his teammates or anything, really, besides the pursuit of even greater strength. Android 17 is also a more benign example who has been protecting a park on an island from poachers and raising a family all this time since the end of the Cell Games. He is not attending the party after the end of the tournament, but being on perfectly fine terms with the rest of the cast.

* Caren from ''Manga/MermaidMelodyPichiPichiPitch'' refused to join with the Power Trio because she was bitter about a rumor that Rina had abandoned Caren's sister Noel when they were in danger. (In fact, Noel had made a HeroicSacrifice for Rina to escape.) Between [[IWasJustPassingThrough random rescues]], she sabotaged their civilian lives, interrupting Lucia's love confession to Kaito and leaving the three of them with a [[BigEater giant food bill.]]

* Nao from ''Anime/MyOtome''. It's not so much that she doesn't ''want'' to fight evil - she dislikes Nagi's evil and ambitious nature as much as Natsuki does - but that doing so takes away from her "Nao" time. She still complains after [[spoiler:her rapid promotion to Pillar late in the original series]], but tends to have a lot of fun beating up on the Slaves when it's time to throw down.

** Tuxedo Mask in the first season. Especially because they didn't even know if he was an ally or an evil 3rd party much of the time. He would show up, briefly fight the MonsterOfTheWeek and leave often not even bothering to see if the Sailor Soldiers lived or not. Until the ball where he and Usagi rescue each other when he finally admits he's searching for the Silver Crystal for altruistic purposes (to rescue the princess of his dreams), they don't trust him.

* ''ComicBook/PaperinikNewAdventures'': [[PhysicalGod Xadhoom]] starts out this way, only caring about the hero as someone that could help her kill more Evronians. They became closer over time.

* Lisa Lavender in ''Fanfic/ARabbitAmongWolves''. She doesn't believe Jaune can actually reform the White Fang and make a difference, but she is moved enough by his sincerity that she sends him information about organizations that have oppressed Faunus. Once the resulting raid does make a difference, Lisa finds her passion for investigative journalism reignited, and drops the "Aloof" aspect entirely by aligning herself with Jaune.

** Wesley himself qualifies for the majority of season four. He rescues Angel from the bottom of the ocean, and even allows Angel to feed on him when he realizes that pig's blood is not enough for the severely malnourished vampire. Wesley's motive in all of this is not to earn Angel's forgiveness and get back on the team; he simply does it because he recognizes Angel's importance as a force for good in their ongoing struggle against evil. Angel actually ''does'' forgive him and offers to let him back on the team, but Wesley responds coldly and still stays the hell away for a while. When he does eventually rejoin Angel Investigations, it's more out of mutual necessity than anything else, and there's still a lot of tension between him and the rest of the group (namely Gunn).

** Deconstructed in ''Series/KyoryuSentaiZyuranger'' with Burai the Dragon Ranger. He usually only showed up to bail the Zyurangers out of a jam, but that's because [[spoiler:he's LivingOnBorrowedTime and when he's not fighting he's always fretting about the little time he has left.]]

* Etna in ''VideoGame/{{Disgaea 2|Cursed Memories}}''. Like you, she is also out for Overlord Xenon's blood. ''Unlike'' you, who is doing it for the good of the world, Etna's just doing it for the [[BraggingRightsReward bragging rights]] and doesn't want your woefully underleveled ass stealing her thunder. She does eventually join you. However, it's not because she's [[DefrostingIceQueen warmed up]] to you or learned the [[PowerOfFriendship the meaning of friendship]], but because you [[GoodIsDumb accidentally depowered her and now she needs a meat shield until she's back up to snuff]].

* ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWarsOriginalGeneration'': Axel Almer becomes this after his HeelFaceTurn. He makes sporadic appearances In ''OG Gaiden'', aiding the heroes during tough fights, then leaving after the fight's over. He becomes a permeate ally in ''2nd Original Generation'' but admits that he feels uncomfortable being around them because of the bad blood between them. (the fact that one of them is the ''Good'' [[EvilTwin Twin]] of his ArchEnemy doesn't help in that regard.)

* ''VideoGame/DissidiaFinalFantasyOperaOmnia'' occasionally does this, with certain storyline characters appearing in cutscenes throughout a chapter but not becoming playable the end. This is the case for Shantotto, who spends most of Chapter 6 finding answers in her own way, which occasionally involves teaming up with the party's enemies and causing them to question her motives. However, her investigations reveal that the "light" [[LightIsNotGood is only as benevolent as the person who has it]], which exposes Mog into an UnreliableExpositor. After this, she joins their ranks.

* Amarant in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIX'' is a bounty hunter who Zidane defeats and convinces him to join his group. Amarant gives minimal support at best and constantly criticizes Zidane for always being reliant on others. He also couldn't care less about the current happenings of the world and is only sticking around to see why he lost to Zidane and why he din't kill him after losing to him. When the party reaches Ispen's Castle, Amarant proposes that he and Zidane should have a race to see who can reach the innermost room first. Amarant reaches the room before Zidane's group and says that he won because he didn't have to rely on other people that would have slowed him down like Zidane's allies did. Amarant leaves the group but falls through one of the castle's trapdoors and is immobilized from his injuries. Zidane runs back to the castle alone to find him and after having a talk with him, Amarant realizes that his full potential can only be achieved if he works together with others and decides to stay with the party permamently. In a meta sense, this also extends to some of his battle skills that involve aiding his party.

* ''WesternAnimation/StevenUniverse'' has Lapis Lazuli, whose interests regarding helping the main characters stop at "protect Steven", as he was the first being in millennia [[BecauseYouWereNiceToMe to ever show her kindness]]. She has no love for the rest of the Crystal Gems or the planet Earth, as she deems every faction of the [[GreatOffscreenWar Gem War]] as responsible for [[TraumaCongaLine the horrible things that have happened to her]]. So while she's willing to work with and help the team for Steven's sake, she's generally a WildCard more interested in her own self-preservation than anything else. [[spoiler: At least until she officially joins the team at the end of the fifth season.]]

* ''WesternAnimation/TheTransformers'': Though the Dinobots wear the Autobot badge, they consider themselves a separate group, challenge the authority of [[TheLeader Optimus Prime]] and are more loyal to each other than to the rest of the Autobots.

*** Cure Muse masked herself with a black costume and occasionally helps the other Cures to fight the villains from Minor Land. In speaking of helping, she really ''only'' helps them, but never finishes any MonstersOfTheWeek off, claiming that she's not on any side. The reason is that she hasn't the courage to fight Mephisto directly [[spoiler:who is her BrainwashedAndCrazy father]]. After revealing her true identity as [[spoiler:Ako Shirabe]] and rescuing [[spoiler:Mephisto]], she becomes a regular main character.
** And while we're on the topic, we have Makoto Kenzaki[=/=]Cure Sword from ''Anime/DokiDokiPrecure'' (also known as [[Anime/GlitterForceDokiDoki Mackenzie Mack/Glitter Spade]]) - mostly because of her [[MyGreatestFailure personal issues]]. [[DefrostingIceQueen She gets over it]] quickly.
*** Likewise with Cure Ace. She actually wants to join them at first, but she uses [[SecretTestOfCharacter Secret Tests of Character]] to strengthen before she finally joins them. Her StealthHiBye is also justified by [[spoiler:[[HourOfPower having a time limit for using her powers]]]].
*** Cure Fortune of ''Anime/HappinessChargePrettyCure'' is this, too, due to the fact that [[spoiler:the Phantom Empire took her family and she doesn't trust Cure Princess because of her DarkSecret.]] When she decides TO gain allies, it's less because she's accepted ThePowerOfFriendship, it's because she wants to use them so that they can protect her while she grows stronger. It ends up being her HoistByHerOwnPetard moment when she runs off to fight Phantom on her own and she's BroughtDownToNormal. It's only Cure Princess' arrival that she's spared and CameBackStrong and she ultimately realizes where she screwed up.
*** Deconstructed with Cure Cosmo of ''Anime/StarTwinklePrettyCure''. [[spoiler:Having worked on her own since her entire world was petrified]], even when she becomes a Cure, she stays away from the rest of the team even when they're in civilian forms. When Fuwa suffers a bit of PowerIncontinence, she tries to shoulder the responsibility and work solo, but Cure Soliel tells her that it's better to work together than alone, she cuts it out.

* Knuckles in ''ComicBook/SonicTheComic''. Of course, it doesn't help that Sonic's so arrogant he always puts off new allies anyway.
* Bloodhawk in ''ComicBook/XMen [[ComicBook/{{Marvel 2099}} 2099]]'' was occasionally an ally of the X-Men, but initially declined offers to join the team for reasons of his own. He did eventually join up, though.
* In ''ComicBook/DeathOfTheFamily'', Batgirl acts like this to the Teen Titans. Kid Flash even tries to hug her...only to find out that she has devices on her suit to give people a shock!
* [[PhysicalGod Xadhoom]] starts out this way in ''ComicBook/PaperinikNewAdventures'', only caring about the hero as someone that could help her kill more Evronians. They became closer over time.
* Mostly downplayed in ComicBook/{{Batwoman}}'s case. She's definitely an ally of Batman and the rest of the Batfamily and will help them if she's available, but generally keeps to herself as far as superheroing goes.
* Thor was this at the beginning of ComicBook/UltimateMarvel, helping the Ultimates take down major threats but not being an official, government-sanctioned member of the team. In his case, he abstained from joining due to his distrust of the American government and disapproval of the ways in which it used the Ultimates. Unlike most examples, he was always rather jovial and willing to help the team.
* Post-New 52 ComicBook/RedHood became this to the bat family after his stint as an enemy in ''ComicBook/BatmanGrantMorrison''. While the others take their time in trusting him, they at least appreciate his help as long as he doesn't kill again.

* [[spoiler:Asch, Luke's [[CloningBlues original]]]] from ''VideoGame/TalesOfTheAbyss'' fits this trope perfectly. While he does join the party sometimes and is on their side, he mostly does his own thing off the side and has an [[{{Tsundere}} Oranyan]] attitude towards the party and outright refuses to join them most of the time, mostly because of his resentment towards Luke. He also acts like a {{Jerkass}} to everyone that's not Natalia.

* ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog'':

Compare to WhoNeedsEnemies.

** And while we're on the topic, we have Makoto Kenzaki[=/=]Cure Sword from ''Anime/DokiDokiPrettyCure'' - mostly because of her [[MyGreatestFailure personal issues]]. [[DefrostingIceQueen She gets over it]] quickly.

* Tuxedo Mask in ''Fanfic/CosmicWarriors''. He's appeared in the nick of time to save Usagi twice now.

* ''Fanfic/TheNightUnfurls'': When travelling with the Black Dogs to the GrimUpNorth, the Hunter opts to keep to himself, believing that [[ImNotHereToMakeFriends there's no point in befriending anyone]], and that the fates of other mercs don't matter to him. He [[{{Subverted}} subverts this trope]] after the Black Fortress is taken. Though his asocial and dispassionate attitude persists, the Hunter gains allies for a goal (e.g., travelling back to the South to bring Olga to Celestine with a few companions in tow, training [[TheApprentice apprentices]], fighting against the Black Dogs with his MenOfSherwood, etc.[[note]]the latter two are exclusive to the original version of the story[[/note]]) and proves to be invested in their safety rather than being dismissive of them.

* The Go-On Wings from ''Series/EngineSentaiGoOnger''. Fortunately, once [=JumboWhale=] shows up, he's much friendlier and manages to talk them around.

* ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'':
** Uryuu Ishida likes to pretend he's this. From the moment he and Ichigo first stop being enemies, their classmates notice just how compatible and alike they are. Later on the manga, the VitriolicBestBuds situation between Uryuu and Ichigo becomes a great source of amusement for everyone. Uryuu hates having Orihime point out just how close he and Ichigo have become.
** Byakuya becomes this in the early phase of the Arrancar Arc. On the surface, he follows Yamamoto's orders but secretly exploits a loophole to ensure Renji and Rukia can get to Hueco Mundo to help Ichigo rescue Orihime which is technically in defiance of Yamamoto's wishes. It also allows Byakuya to maintain his distance from Ichigo [[spoiler: (although much later in the manga he doesn't mind admitting how important Ichigo is to him).]]

* Corrector Ai, in ''Anime/CorrectorYui''. It's mainly because she has her own personal issues, though.

*** Cure Fortune of ''Anime/HappinessChargePrettyCure'' is this, too, due to the fact that [[spoiler: the Phantom Empire took her family and she doesn't trust Cure Princess because of her DarkSecret.]] When she decides TO gain allies, it's less because she's accepted ThePowerOfFriendship, it's because she wants to use them so that they can protect her while she grows stronger. It ends up being her HoistByHerOwnPetard moment when she runs off to fight Phantom on her own and she's BroughtDownToNormal. It's only Cure Princess' arrival that she's spared and CameBackStrong and she ultimately realizes where she screwed up.

* ''Fanfic/TheNightUnfurls'': When travelling with the Black Dogs to the GrimUpNorth, the Hunter opts to keep to himself, believing that [[ImNotHereToMakeFriends there's no point in befriending anyone]], and that the fates of other mercs don't matter to him. He [[{{Subverted}} subverts this trope]] after the Black Fortress is taken. Though his asocial and dispassionate attitude persists, the Hunter gains allies for a goal (e.g., travelling back to the South to bring Olga to Celestine, fighting against the Black Dogs in the original version) and proves to be invested in their safety rather than being dismissive of them.