History Main / EvilLearnsOfOutsideContext

* ''Film/StargateContinuum'': Ba'al uses a TimeMachine to stop the Stargate program from ever getting off the ground and restores the former Goa'uld Empire with himself at its helm. However, [[PragmaticVillainy his weird behavior]] ([[AlwaysChaoticEvil for a Goa'uld]]) causes his minions to get very suspicious of him and Queen Qetesh actually assassinates him. After learning of the time machine and ordering the rest of the Fleet to wipe out the Earth rather than make a deal with them like Ba'al intended, she attempts to seize it for herself and rewrite history even further.

[[folder: Fan Works]]

[[folder:Film - Animated]]

[[folder:Film - Live Action]]

[[folder: Literature]]

[[folder: Live-Action TV]]

[[folder: Video Games]]

[[folder: Web Original]]

--> '''Goku:''' "Ceeeeeeell, did you destroy South Galaxy?"
-->'''Cell:''' "There's a South Galaxy?"
-->'''Goku:''' "Forget you heard that."
-->'''Cell:''' "No."

[[folder: Western Animation]]

** On ''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration'', [[TheAssimilator the Borg]] began their mission of absorbing all sentient life in the universe long ago, but are largely limited to the further reaches of space. It isn't until the RealityWarper Q puts Picard through a SecretTestOfCharacter in the episode "Q Who?" that the Borg become aware of the existence of the United Federation of Planets, and specifically Earth--and they immediately start gunning for it. Somewhat [[DownplayedTrope downplayed]] in that Picard realizes the Borg would have eventually learned about the Federation and humans regardless of Q's actions, although the sudden discovery does cause series-spanning problems for the heroes (presumably they'd have had more time to prepare if Q hadn't been [[TheGadfly such a jerk.]])
** In a more limited example, the episode "Elementary, Dear Data" sees Data, Geordi, and Dr. Pulaski using the holodeck to simulate immersive Literature/SherlockHolmes mysteries for fun. Data plays the detective, but since he has literally encyclopedic knowledge of the Holmes stories, he easily solves all the cases, much to Geordi's chagrin. He decides to make things more challenging by specifically asking the computer to write a program "capable of defeating Data." Unfortunately, the computer [[ExactWords interprets this literally]] and grants the simulation of [[ArchEnemy Professor Moriarty]] sentience and sapience, as only someone aware of Data's true identity could defeat him. Moriarty thus realizes two things: that he's a hologram and that there is a "real world" that he cannot access. He sets out to take control of the holodeck, and in the later episode "Ship In A Bottle", the entire ''Enterprise'' to keep himself alive.

** On ''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration'', [[TheAssimilator the Borg]] began their mission of absorbing all sentient life in the universe long ago, but are largely limited to the further reaches of space. It isn't until the RealityWarper Q puts Picard through a SecretTestOfCharacter that the Borg become aware of the existence of the United Federation of Planets, and specifically Earth--and they immediately start gunning for it. Somewhat [[DownplayedTrope downplayed]] in that Picard realizes the Borg would have eventually learned about the Federation and humans regardless of Q's actions, although the sudden discovery does cause series-spanning problems for the heroes (presumably they'd have had more time to prepare if Q hadn't been [[TheGadfly such a jerk.]])

* In ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague'', a similar example to the above occurs: in another dimension, Lex Luthor [[PresidentEvil gets elected President of the United States]] and kills the Flash. This proves to be too much for Superman, and he finally breaks his [[ThouShallNotKill rule against killing]] to murder Luthor. He thus discovers that EvilFeelsGood and leads the heroes, known now as the Justice Lords, in conquering the planet with their power (and lobotomizing anyone who dares to cross them). Both the Justice League of "our" world and the Lords learn of each other's existence simultaneously, with the Lords deciding to conquer Earth while the League desperately works to stop them.
** The above meeting of the Justice League and Justice Lords leads to ''another'' example of this trope: namely, the CADMUS arc. When [[BlackBossLady Amanda Waller]], who already distrusts the League, learns about what happened in the Justice Lords' dimension, she starts considering what would happen if the League ever also lost control. After computer simulations show that the League would inevitably defeat the United States military in any given scenario, Waller creates CADMUS, a top-secret project specifically designed to defeat the Justice League through the creation and cloning of superhumans loyal to the U.S. government alone.

* ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeagueCrisisOnTwoEarths'': The Crime Syndicate learns about TheMultiverse when the heroic Lex Luthor uses a device to warp to another universe. Superwoman is ecstatic about the possibilities and tells her lover, Owlman, that there is an endless number of Earths out there for them to conquer. However, he rejects her proposal, having become nihilistic upon reflecting about how insignificant his actions are in the grand scheme of things, and decides to destroy all worlds instead.

** On ''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration'', [[TheAssimilator the Borg]] began their mission of absorbing all sentient life in the universe long ago, but are largely limited to the further reaches of space. It isn't until the RealityWarper Q puts Picard through a SecretTestOfCharacter that the Borg become aware of the existence of the Galactic Federation of Planets, and specifically Earth--and they immediately start gunning for it. Somewhat [[DownplayedTrope downplayed]] in that Picard realizes the Borg would have eventually learned about the Federation and humans regardless of Q's actions, although the sudden discovery does cause series-spanning problems for the heroes (presumably they'd have had more time to prepare if Q hadn't been [[TheGadfly such a jerk.]])

* In ''WesternAnimation/StarWarsRebels'', after finally tracking Obi-Wan down to Tatooine, Maul questions Obi-Wan as to why he specifically chose to come to this planet of all places. Maul is quickly able to decipher that there's [[Characters/StarWarsLukeSkywalker someone]] on Tatooine whom Obi-Wan is protecting, and because Maul now knows this, Obi-Wan can now not let Maul leave Tatooine alive.

* ''Film/BackToTheFuturePartII'': When Biff Tannen learns that Doc Brown and Marty have a TimeMachine, he uses it (along with the sports almanac Marty bought but Doc threw away) to go back in time to 1955 and make himself wealthy. By the time Marty and Doc realize what's gone wrong, they wind up in a nightmarish version of 1985 where Biff has almost total control of Hill Valley.

** In a more limited example, the episode "Elementary, Dear Data" sees Data, Geordi, and Dr. Pulaski using the holodeck to simulate immersive Literature/SherlockHolmes mysteries for fun. Data plays the detective, but since he has literally encyclopedic knowledge of the Holmes stories, he easily solves all the cases, much to Geordi's chagrin. He decides to make things more challenging by specifically asking the computer to write a program "capable of defeating Data." Unfortunately, the computer [[ExactWords interprets this literally]] and grants the simulation of [[ArchEnemy Professor Moriarty]] sentience and sapience, as only someone aware of Data's true identity could defeat him. Moriarty thus realizes two things: that he's a hologram and that there is a "real world" that he cannot access. He sets out to take control of the holodeck--and later the entire Enterprise--to keep himself alive.
** In the ''Series/StarTrekVoyager'' episode ''Bride of Chaotica!'', the holodeck is invaded by [[EnergyBeings ''photonic lifeforms'']], whom the holodeck villains interpret as ''invaders from the fifth dimension'' and go to war with, immobilizing Voyager in the process. [[HolodeckMalfunction Naturally]], the holodeck can't just be shut down to end this problem, so the crew have to act out roles in the program to vanquish Chaotica, and the Doctor has to negotiate with the aliens because they don't view matter-based lifeforms as being 'real'.

* In ''WesternAnimation/StarWarsRebels'', after finally tracking Obi-Wan down to Tatooine, Maul questions Obi-Wan as to why he specifically chose to come to this planet of all places. Maul is quickly able to decipher that there's [[Characters/StarWarsLukeSkywalker someone]] on Tatooine Obi-Wan is protecting, and because Maul now knows this, Obi-Wan can now not let Maul leave Tatooine alive.

* This gets Invoked in ''WesternAnimation/YoungJustice'' by the Light, who let the galaxy know about Earth and its metahuman population by [[spoiler:mind-controlling six members of the Justice League and sending them on a rampage on another planet]] This brings both the Kroloteans and the Reach to Earth, who want to exploit the super-oowered potentials of humans.

* On ''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration'', [[TheAssimilator the Borg]] began their mission of absorbing all sentient life in the universe long ago, but are largely limited to the further reaches of space. It isn't until the RealityWarper Q puts Picard through a SecretTestOfCharacter that the Borg become aware of the existence of the Galactic Federation of Planets, and specifically Earth--and they immediately start gunning for it. Somewhat [[DownplayedTrope downplayed]] in that Picard realizes the Borg would have eventually learned about the Federation and humans regardless of Q's actions, although the sudden discovery does cause series-spanning problems for the heroes (presumably they'd have had more time to prepare if Q hadn't been [[TheGadfly such a jerk.]])

* In the backstory of ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTwilightPrincess'', a tribe of {{Evil Sorcerer}}s attempted to use their shadowy power to claim the Triforce. As punishment for their deeds, the Spirits of Light had them sealed away in the Twilight Realm, where they eventually became the Twili and mostly forgot about both Hyrule and their previous evil ambitions. Centuries later, in the "Child timeline" created at the end of ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaOcarinaOfTime'', Ganondorf is also banished to the Twilight Realm. However, he has a piece of the Triforce himself, and he uses a GodGuise to convince Zant to usurp the Twilight throne and raise a new army of monsters to conquer Hyrule on his behalf. So this counts as a double example: Ganondorf becomes aware of the Twilight Realm and its resources, while Zant becomes aware of Hyrule.

* The [[TropeNamer]] for the entire 'Outside Context' trope, the Iain M. Banks novel [[Literature/TheCulture Excession]], has this occur when the [[NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast Affront]] learn about the titular entity and attempt to it exploit it for their own gain, with the help of a conspiracy within the Culture. They end up not only failing, but nearly dooming the galaxy in the process.

The appearance of this trope often marks a RisingConflict, and escalation of the SlidingScaleOfVillainThreat. After learning of lands outside their borders, the villain who previously only wanted to [[TheUsurper take over a kingdom]] now wants to create to [[TheEmpire do the same]] to [[TakeOverTheWorld the rest of the world]]. After a visit from aliens, one that [[VillainWorld already controls the world]] can now aspire to be a GalacticConqueror. And if they've become aware of TheMultiverse, {{Alternate Timeline}}s or {{Alternate Universe}}s, they can scheme of being a MultiversalConqueror. Or, the exact inverse can happen, with a threat that once seemed [[SomeoneElsesProblem broad or distant]] now [[ItsPersonal becoming more personal]] for the heroes being targeted.

Someone or something arrives from a [[MagicalLand land]], [[AlternateUniverse world]], [[WainscotSociety society]], [[TimeTravel time]], [[SupermanStaysOutOfGotham localized group]] or [[OutsideGenreFoe fictional genre]] that the bad guys were unaware of or once considered BeneathNotice. Regardless of the details, this OutsideContextProblem has [[TheVillainKnowsWhereYouLive gained their attention]] and, naturally, any power-hungry villain will crave it for nefarious ends.

[[folder: Videogames]]

* WesternAnimation/TheLEGOMovie: Lord Business has a collection of objects from the human world with unusual properties by Lego standards. The Kragle, a tube of Krazy Glue, is the lynchpin to his entire scheme.

* ''Film/LastActionHero'': After Danny Madigan is given a magical movie ticket, he finds himself unexpectedly [[TrappedInTVLand transported inside the movie]], ''[[ShowWithinAShow Jack Slater IV]]''. Unfortunately the ticket ends up in the hands of the villain, [[BigBad Benedict]], who after learning that he's actually a movie character, [[RefugeeFromTVLand escapes into the real world]]. Worse, he quickly learns that here, ''the bad guys can win'', and plans to recruit other movie villains to wreak havoc.

* In a {{Crossover}} special of ''WesternAnimation/TheFairlyOddParents'', Timmy needs help with a science project and wishes to go to "the best laboratory in any universe." Cosmo and Wanda thus transport him to [[WesternAnimation/TheAdventuresOfJimmyNeutron Jimmy Neutron's]] lab. Jimmy then crosses back over to Timmy's own universe to explore, and evil forces in both universes become aware of other planes of reality and thus start causing trouble. There were three such specials, and each one dealt with a different villain (Mr. Crocker in the first, Professor Calamitous and the Anti-Fairies in the second, and a [[CreateYourOwnVillain monster Timmy and Jimmy create together]] in the third).

** A similar situation occurs in ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaALinkBetweenWorlds.'' Hyrule's alternate-dimension counterpart Lorule suffers a massive civil war that results in the destruction of its own Triforce and the subsequent near-collapse of its society. [[spoiler: Hilda, the Princess of Lorule]], somehow learns of Hyrule's existence and, in a [[WellIntentionedExtremist passionate but misguided move]], sends the EvilSorcerer Yuga to the other dimension to steal its Triforce and thus bring stability back to their own kingdom.

The reason this trope almost exclusively applies to villains is because they are more likely to be some form of TheSociopath or TheConqueror. Power that was once being used for good [[GoodPowersBadPeople can now be twisted for evil]]. The unknown may have been one of the few "safe" places remaining from the bad guy, but is now [[CampUnsafeIsntSafeAnymore in jeopardy because they know it's out there]]. Good guys may also adapt to outside context, but stories don't use this as a raising of the stakes, and heroes usually don't try to exploit remote populations (see AlienNonInterferenceClause).

For its inversions (which can also overlap), see TheHerosJourney and the CallToAdventure. Or, more specifically, see SummonEverymanHero, SealedGoodInACan and SealedBadassInACan when the good guys ''need'' someone from outside context.

* ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'': One of the oldest and most powerful Vasto Lorde in existence, Barragan, became wracked with boredom because [[VictoryIsBoring he already controlled the entire world of Hueco Mundo]]. He becomes immediately intrigued when the three villainous Soul Reaper Captains Aizen, Gin and Tousen arrive, eager to know where they came from since it means there's now someplace new he can conquer. Unfortunately for him, Aizen and his lackeys defeat and subjugate him themselves, forcing Barragan to serve underneath them [[TheStarscream until he could find a chance for revenge]].

* In the "Dead End Kids" arc of ''ComicBook/{{Runaways}}'', the titular team gets stranded in 1900's New York, where they are some of the most powerful and technologically-advanced people available. This aggravates things between the two super-powered gangs that are already there, sparking them to a war.

* ''Film/BatmanVSupermanDawnOfJustice'': Corrupt and sociopathic businessman Lex Luthor uses Kryptonian technology and General Zod's corpse to create a monstrous abomination whose sole purpose is to kill Superman; unfortunately (and made clearer in a deleted scene), he also inadvertantly attracts Darkseid's attention to Earth, leading to the events of ''Film/JusticeLeague.''

** In a more limited example, the episode "Elementary, Dear Data" sees Data, Geordi, and Dr. Pulaski using the holodeck to simulate immersive Literature/SherlockHolmes mysteries for fun. Data plays the detective, but since he has literally-encyclopedic knowledge of the Holmes stories, he easily solves all the cases, much to Geordi's chagrin. He decides to make things more challenging by specifically asking the computer to write a program "capable of defeating Data." Unfortunately, the computer [[ExactWords interprets this literally]] and grants the simulation of [[ArchEnemy Professor Moriarty]] sentience and sapience, as only someone aware of Data's true identity could defeat him. Moriarty thus realizes two things: that he's a hologram and that there is a "real world" that he cannot access. He sets out to take control of the holodeck--and later the entire Enterprise--to keep himself alive.

** Obscure details within the game lore reveal that this trope actually makes Earth ''extremely'' important to the Combine's plans. Despite their massive multiversal empire, the Combine fall into the same trap that most massive empires do: being much too large to effectively rule. Although they are capable of using portals to travel from world to world, this ''only'' transitions them between dimensions and ''not'' space. However, Earth scientists were on the cusp of discovering interspatial teleportation that, if perfected, could allow the Combine to mobilize their entire fleets anywhere within their massive empire at any time. This was the bargaining chip that [[TheQuisling Dr. Breen]] used to convince the Combine that Earthlings were valuable, but should the Combine gain such technology, then they would effectively be unstoppable.

* ''Videogame/UltimaII'': After [[PlayerCharacter The Stranger]] arrived on Sosaria in the previous game and thwarted her master/lover's plans, the sorceress Minax learns all she can about him and the world he comes from: Earth. She then uses time magic to raise and army and conquer that world in addition to Sosaria.

* ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeagueCrisisOnTwoEarths'': The Crime Syndicate learns about TheMultiverse when the heroic Lex Luthor uses a device to warp to another universe. Superwoman is ecstatic about the possibilities, and tells her lover, Owlman, that there is an endless number of Earths out there for them to conquer. However, he rejects her proposal, having become nihilistic upon reflecting about how insignificant his actions are in the grand scheme of things, and decides to destroy all worlds instead.
* ''WesternAnimation/SheRaAndThePrincessesOfPower'': Throughout the first four seasons, Hordak was attempting to create a portal to allow him to escape the planet and contact his master, intergalactic conqueror Horde Prime. This trope comes in because Horde Prime had previously believed Hordak dead (he'd sent the guy on a suicide mission) and Etheria was trapped in another dimension. While curious enough to investigate a signal seemingly coming from nowhere, Prime had no idea Etheria even existed, but was quick to deploy his vastly superior forces to add the planet, and the super weapon it housed, to his empire.

* ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender'': This is the reason why Wan Shi Tong hates humans in his library, as he believes [[HumansAreBastards they and only seek out knowledge so they can destroy other humans]]. When Team Avatar tries to explain they only want to learn how to defeat the Fire Nation to protect their loved ones, Wan Shi Tong points out that everyone thinks their causes are just. His beliefs aren't exactly unfounded since when Zhao got in, he used what he read in the library to kill the moon spirit.