History Main / LastPlanStanding

* In ''Manga/FullmetalAlchemist'', a world full of [[MagnificentBastard Magnificent Bastards]] and God Wannabes, the one who benefits most from all the conflicts is [[spoiler: the new Führer Grumman, whose master plan to seize control is essentially "Keep your head down and say nothing."]]

[[GambitPileup When different agendas come into conflict,]] it's a ForegoneConclusion in most cases that one and only one will emerge triumphant. When this happens, the expected result is that it's one of the major [[TheChessmaster chessmasters]] who comes out on top (especially [[ManipulativeBastard one who turns out to have been playing all the other players to their own ends]]), but it's just as likely that the final winner is a minor player, a SpannerInTheWorks who unknowingly sabotages the efforts of the would-be masterminds, or even [[ActionSurvivor someone who's simply lucky enough to be alive when the dust finally settles]].

* In ''Manga/FullmetalAlchemist'', a world full of [[MagnificentBastard Magnificent Bastards]] and God Wannabes; the one who benefits most from all the conflicts is the new Führer Grumman, whose master plan to seize control is essentially 'Keep your head down and say nothing'.

In many cases, the Last Plan Standing is [[NonIndicativeName nothing of the sort]] - the winner is simply someone who [[GoldenSnitch happened to be in the right place in the right time and seized victory]] while all the other players had their attention elsewhere.

In many cases, the LastPlanStanding is [[NonIndicativeName nothing of the sort]] - the winner is simply someone who [[GoldenSnitch happened to be in the right place in the right time and seized victory]] while all the other players had their attention elsewhere.

* [[EvilHand Liquid Snake]] at the end of ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid2SonsOfLiberty''. His only real involvement with the plan was getting Solid Snake involved so that he was able to be released. However, the enormous circle of backstabbing between Dead Cell, Solidus, Olga and Ocelot cancelled them out to the point he was able to abscond with RAY. [[spoiler: On a bigger scale, the Patriots managed to get ''exactly'' what they wanted out of the situation, successfully testing both their mind control system ''and'' eliminating one of their major enemies.]] And in ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid4GunsOfThePatriots'', [[spoiler: ''Big Boss'' returns from the dead to effectively reveal ''himself'' as the LastPlanStanding for the entire series - the entire events of [=MGS2=] ''and'' [=MGS4=] were engineered to free the world from the grip of the Patriots.]]

* Happens in every ''Franchise/PiratesOfTheCaribbean'' movie to date, but especially ''Dead Man's Chest'', with [[spoiler: Norrington]] emerging as the surprise victor.

* On Series/{{Lost}}, when the dust finally settles after all the years of scheming and back stabbing between Jack, Locke, Ben, Widmore, Jacob, and the Smoke Monster, it is kind-hearted Hurley who comes to rule the island.

* Simon at the end of Tad Williams' ''MemorySorrowAndThorn'' trilogy is at least a partial example.

* [[EvilHand Liquid Snake]] at the end of ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid2''. His only real involvement with the plan was getting Solid Snake involved so that he was able to be released. However, the enormous circle of backstabbing between Dead Cell, Solidus, Olga and Ocelot cancelled them out to the point he was able to abscond with RAY. [[spoiler: On a bigger scale, the Patriots managed to get ''exactly'' what they wanted out of the situation, successfully testing both their mind control system ''and'' eliminating one of their major enemies.]] And in ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid4'', [[spoiler: ''Big Boss'' returns from the dead to effectively reveal ''himself'' as the LastPlanStanding for the entire series - the entire events of [=MGS2=] ''and'' [=MGS4=] were engineered to free the world from the grip of the Patriots.]]

* [[TheHouseOfTudor Henry VII of England]] was this, both in RealLife and in Creator/WilliamShakespeare's play ''Theatre/RichardIII''.

* By the end of ''LegacyOfKain: Defiance'', Raziel finally stops being manipulated by everyone, and [[spoiler:lets himself be absorbed by the Reaver, so that Kain can use the Reaver to defeat the Elder God]].

* In ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyTactics'', [[spoiler: Delita marries Princess Ovelia and is crowned King Delita.]] However, this example is actually subverted. [[spoiler: Delita is stabbed by Ovelia, and stabs her in return. Even if he does survive, he has lost everything that he was fighting for in his quest for power, and hundreds of years later, the revelation of the Durai Papers vindicates Ramza as the real hero of the game of the war]]

* Arabia and the Middle East were fought over by the Ottoman Empire, Germany, Britain and France, who were aided by the Rashidis (allied with the Ottomans), the Hashemites (allied with Britain), and the Saudis (led by AbdulAzizIbnSaud), along with others such as the Bedouins and the Ikhwan. As the region (plus a good deal more of the area) is now known as ''Saudi'' Arabia, it's clear who won. The Hashemites came in second, holding much of Mesopotamia and remaining in power in Jordan today. Most of the rest of the regional powers were devastated and replaced by entirely new states.

* [[EvilHand Liquid Snake]] at the end of ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid2''. His only real involvement with the plan was getting Solid Snake involved so that he was able to be released. However, the enormous circle of backstabbing between Dead Cell, Solidus, Olga and Ocelot cancelled them out to the point he was able to abscond with RAY. [[spoiler: On a bigger scale, the Patriots managed to get ''exactly'' what they wanted out of the situation, successfully testing both their mind control system ''and'' eliminating one of their major enemies.]] And in ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid4'', [[spoiler: ''Big Boss'' returns from the dead to effectively reveal ''himself'' as the LastPlanStanding for the entire series - the entire events of MGS2 ''and'' MGS4 were engineered to free the world from the grip of the Patriots.]]

* In ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyTactics'', [[spoiler: Delita marries Princess Ovelia and is crowned King Delita.]] However, this example is actually subverted. [[spoiler: Delita has to kill Ovelia and is left LonelyAtTheTop, having lost everything that he was fighting for in his quest for power, and hundreds of years later, the revelation of the Durai Papers vindicates Ramza as the real hero of the game.]]

* [[EvilHand Liquid Snake]] at the end of ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid2''. His only real involvement with the plan was getting Solid Snake involved so that he was able to be released. However, the enormous circle of backstabbing between Dead Cell, Solidus, Olga and Ocelot cancelled them out to the point he was able to abscond with RAY. [[{{Retcon}} Well, at least until the sequel rolled around.]]
** Technically, you forgot the real "Patriots" themselves (who also succeeded in their plan...at the time.).

A GambitPileup has ensued, and the dust finally settles. Someone emerges, triumphant. The winner may have been one of the major [[ChessMaster Chess Masters]] (or even one ChessMaster playing the others off each other), but it's just as likely that it's a relatively minor player, the SpannerInTheWorks or even ThoseTwoGuys. If the Gambit Pileup has been particularly bloody, the victor might win by simple virtue of being the last ''one'' standing--perhaps AtopAMountainOfCorpses.

In some cases, the winner doesn't even ''have'' a plan--they were in the right place at the right time, and in a prime position for victory.

* Happens in every ''PiratesOfTheCaribbean'' movie to date, but especially ''Dead Man's Chest'', with [[spoiler: Norrington]] emerging as the surprise victor.

* The United States ''might'' have been this after the GambitPileup that was WorldWarOne, as all the ''other'' major powers were devastated by war and falling apart. Instead, they went back to isolationism.
* [[TheHouseOfTudor Henry VII of England]] was this, both in RealLife and in Shakespeare's play ''Theatre/RichardIII''.

* It sometimes seems that Daenerys is being set up to be this at the end of ''ASongOfIceAndFire'', but that's speculation. Someone will have The last Plan Standing as everyone has a plan.

* Henry VII Tudor was this, both in RealLife and in Shakespeare's play ''Theatre/RichardIII''.

* On {{Lost}}, when the dust finally settles after all the years of scheming and back stabbing between Jack, Locke, Ben, Widmore, Jacob, and the Smoke Monster, it is kind-hearted Hurley who comes to rule the island.

* Fortinbras in ''{{Hamlet}}'' is established as seeking revenge on Denmark for past grievances. He ends up having the crown fall into his lap because all the legitimate claimants have killed each other.

* [[EvilHand Liquid Snake]] at the end of ''MetalGearSolid 2''. His only real involvement with the plan was getting Solid Snake involved so that he was able to be released. However, the enormous circle of backstabbing between Dead Cell, Solidus, Olga and Ocelot cancelled them out to the point he was able to abscond with RAY. [[{{Retcon}} Well, at least until the sequel rolled around.]]

* In AdamCadre's ''{{Varicella}}'', the VillainProtagonist is tasked with manipulating a complex web of court intrigue so that he becomes the last and only choice for Regent. [[spoiler: It backfires spectacularly when the young prince, who has become evil [[FreudianExcuse as a result of his upbringing]], ascends the throne, eliminates the last obstacles in his path - including Varicella himself! - and declares war on everybody.]]
* In ''FinalFantasyTactics'', [[spoiler: Delita marries Princess Ovelia and is crowned King Delita.]] However, this example is actually subverted. [[spoiler: Delita has to kill Ovelia and is left LonelyAtTheTop, having lost everything that he was fighting for in his quest for power, and hundreds of years later, the revelation of the Durai Papers vindicates Ramza as the real hero of the game.]]

[[AC:{{Film}}]]
* Happens in every PiratesOfTheCaribbean movie to date, but especially ''Dead Man's Chest'', with [[spoiler: Norrington]] emerging as the surprise victor.

* In AdamCadre's ''{{Varicella}}'', the VillainProtagonist is tasked with manipulating a complex web of court intrigue so that he becomes the last and only choice for Regent. [[spoiler: It backfires spectacularly when the young prince, who has become a CompleteMonster [[FreudianExcuse as a result of his upbringing]], ascends the throne, eliminates the last obstacles in his path - including Varicella himself! - and declares war on pretty much everybody.]]

* It sometimes seems that Daenerys is being set up to be this at the end of ''ASongOfIceAndFire'', but that's speculation.

* On {{Lost}} when the dust finally settles after all the years of scheming and back stabbing between Jack, Locke, Ben, Widmore, Jacob and the Smoke Monster it is kind hearted Hurley who comes to rule the island.

* On {{Lost}} when the dust finally settles after all the years of scheming and back stabbing between Jack, Locke, Ben, Widmore, Jacob and the Smoke Monster it is kind hearted Hurley who comes to rule the island.

* [[EvilHand Liquid Snake]] at the end of ''MetalGearSolid 2''. His only real involvement with the plan was getting Solid Snake involved so that he was able to be released. However, the enormous circle of backstabbing between Dead Cell, Solidus, Olga and Ocelot cancelled them out to the point he was able to abscond with RAY. [[RetCon Well, at least until the sequel rolled around.]]

* Henry VII Tudor was this, both in RealLife and in Shakespeare's play ''RichardIII''.

* On Lost when the dust finally settles after all the years of scheming and back stabbing between Jack, Locke, Ben, Widmore, Jacob and the Smoke Monster it is kind hearted Hurley who comes to rule the island.

* [[AC:Live Action TV]]

* Arabia was fought over by the Ottoman Empire, Germany, Britain, who were aided by the Rashidis (allied with the Ottomans), the Hashemites (allied with Britain), and the Sauds (led by AbdulAzizIbnSaud), along with others such as the Bedouins and the Ikhwan. As the region (plus a good deal more of the area) is now known as ''Saudi'' Arabia, it's clear who won.
* Also happened in 1917-1921 Russia, where Czarists, Liberals, Anarchists, several Western Powers, Poles, and even a Czech Legion (prisoners liberated from Siberia) intermingled. Who would have bet on the tiny Bolshevik faction back in 1917 ?

** Played straight in WorldWarTwo, since America finally became the absolute dominant superpower and finally left it's stance of isolationism. Well, that and the Soviet Union also catapulted into the Center Stage, beginning the roots for the Cold War to begin. Funny how it works that way.

* As is Taran of Caer Dallben at the end of Lloyd Alexander's ''ChroniclesOfPrydain''. Granted, not everyone is dead by any means, but Taran becomes High King mostly because the other claimants are either dead or [[TheMagicGoesAway leaving for the Summer Country]], and people will accept Taran because he killed [[BigBad Arawn]].

** Played Straight in WorldWarTwo, since America finally became the absolute dominant superpower and finally left it's stance of isolationism. Well, that and the Soviet Union also catapulted into the Center Stage, beginning the roots for the Cold War to begin. Funny how it works that way.