Can't Find a Trope

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shinigamisparda's avatar
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So, as anyone who knows me knows, I'm addicted to tv. tropes. Sometimes I have an idea but I try to see if I can find it and see how it's been done in the past. However, sometimes I can't seem to find a trope, whether it's because I don't have the right name to find it or, shockingly, it seems it doesn't happen enough to have it's own page. So I come to you my friends to see if you have any examples of what I'm looking for.

The idea I'm looking for is a villain, someone who's had a long career of crimes or other nastiness and, after some punishment, decides to just give up the whole good vs. evil game. I've found several tropes that have elements of what I'm looking for, but not quite. Heel Face Turn is when a bad guy decides to go good, which often ties in with The Atoner who constantly does good deeds never expecting them to fully exonerate him of his past crimes. Chronic Villain Syndrome is when the villain tries to give up the life of crime but finds that for whatever reason they just can't resist the urge. Civilian Villain happens when a bad guy pretends to be a reformed law-abiding citizen but is really up to his old tricks behind the scenes. Reformed But Rejected involves a villain who tries to do good but suspicion or grudges from others don't allow them to do so, which can also tie into Then Let Me Be Evil when they decide the ridicule and distrust isn't worth it so they decide to go bad again. Redemption Failure is when a villain who turned good and is trying to live a good life is forced back into villainy by forces beyond their control.

So as you can see there are plenty about bad guys who turn good, bad guys who try to turn good, and bad guys who pretend to turn good. But I've yet to find one where a bad guy turns neutral. I.E., the villain gets incarcerated, does there time, and once they get out decides "I quit." They don't become a hero, they don't return to their evil ways, they just say "I'm not playing the game anymore."

Any examples anybody?
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Shade-the-Raven's avatar
Or maybe "Punch Clock Villain", combined with "Heel Face Door Slam", so "Heel Face Door Stuck".Also, maybe "Put on a Bus". I don't think a bad-to-neutral trope really exists as it just doesn't happen