I've noticed in many stories a trend which can
be summed up in the following words: might makes right.
Actually, that's not really true, now that I think of it,
because many times the good guy starts out weaker than 
the bad guy, but becomes stronger-- sometimes through the
'purity of his/her heart' or something like that (don't
get me started on the merits of purity, either). A better
way of saying it would be to say that right makes might
then. 
	This is not something confined to fanfics, mind you.
You'll see it in other stories. At times I think it is 
ingrained in our collective psyche or something and has been
used throughout history: trial by combat being a particularly
good example of this idea.
	As I said, this idea does not seem to be limited to
fanfics. It's evident in television, in movies, in anime, in
manga, in book, in comics, in everything. Few and far between
are the examples where the equation might=right is not true.
Mark Doherty's "I'm Here to Help" is a very good example of
there being no relationship between might and right.
	The anime/manga Rurouni Kenshin is almost an example.
The main character believes this, Kenshin firmly believes
that might and right are two mutually exclusive terms, yet
still he tends to win by being superior to his opponents,
thus subtly reinforcing the very idea he decries against.
	I'm getting to the challenge, in my own roundabout,
rambling fashion; I just felt it necessary to properly
frame it, okay?

	So, I give to you this: can you write a fic where
might does not equal right? Where being just does not
make one stronger, or a better fighter, or whatever, than
another? Are you _strong_ enough to do so? Are you (forgive
me for this one) _good_ enough to be able to do so?
	I will tell you this: I am not sure I am able to tackle
this subject. I think almost, I almost was able to with
Gallus' Last Stand (which I really need to work on, it not
having changed in any substantial form since posting it over
the summer), but not quite. There was a brief mention of it
at the end, perhaps.

	Limits? None. Light, dark, funny, dramatic, romance, 
whatever and however you want to do it (there are ways to work
with such an idea that need not make it dark, I think). No
restrictions on series or on length (it needn't be long), 
just have this as a major theme.

And even if you choose not to take up this challenge, perhaps
think about it when you write; be aware of what it is you are
doing when you have the good guys retrieve the artifact from
the bad guys which they use to destroy the bad guys. 

	Good night, all.

Matthew "Maybeso" Lewis is:
InDefinitelyso on IRC
See him on FFIRC [bachman.newberry.edu fanfic]
Sojiro_Seta on Kawaiimuck
	maybeso@ican.net
Different to be dare
Playing the fool in a foolish world
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There may be a time and a place for all things, but there's
always room for Jell-o!
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