History Main / RegretfulTraitor

** While we don't nearly get as much about her, there's also [[spoiler:Marietta Edgecombe, who in the wake of the work SNEAK appearing in pimples on her face after betraying Dumbledore's Army, doesn't say anything else to Umbridge to further incriminate Harry. At the very least, some fans have taken her actions after the betrayal to mean as such.]]

** While we don't nearly get as much about her, there's also [[Marietta Edgecombe, who in the wake of the work SNEAK appearing in pimples on her face after betraying Dumbledore's Army, doesn't say anything else to Umbridge to further incriminate Harry. At the very least, some fans have taken her actions after the betrayal to mean as such.]]

* [[spoiler:Erstin Ho]] from the ''Anime/MaiOtome'' anime, is one of many Schwartz spies, and in her case, she infiltrates Garderobe Academy. Even though her entire family has served Schwartz, she grows attached to her friends there in spite of her mother's warnings, and [[spoiler:dies trying to shield Arika from Nina's attack, leaving behind a letter that calls Arika and Nina her friends]].

* Susie in ''VideoGame/KirbyPlanetRobobot''. Her original intention upon stealing Star Dream's program controller is to sell it off for profit and teach her former boss a lesson. [[MyGodWHatHaveIDone She winds up regretting this after]] [[AIIsACrapshoot Star Dream absorbs Haltmann's consciousness and condemns all organic life in the universe,]] leading her entrusting Kirby with the means to stop the machine and leaving her in the end with no computer, no profit, and the knowledge that [[spoiler: she caused the death of her own father.]]

* In ''VideoGame/ProfessorLaytonAndTheAzranLegacy'', after Emmy reveals that she's been TheMole the entire time, she expresses regret at having been so. After she's been forgiven, she resigns as Layton's assistant, feeling ashamed and unworthy to fill such a role anymore.
* ''VisualNovel/DanganronpaTriggerHappyHavoc '' has [[spoiler: Sakura Ogami, the Ultimate Martial Artist]]. From the beginning of the Killing School Life, she was TheMole for Monokuma and the Mastermind, as the fate of [[spoiler: her family's dojo]] hung in the balance. She was meant to get the killing started if things began to stabilise, but this never came about. [[spoiler: Eventually, the weight becomes too much for her, and after Monokuma outs her, [[DrivenToSuicide she poisons herself]]. Though as her final grace, she encourages the survivors to band together to fight back against the Mastermind and destroys a locked door before she dies. All of this proves crucial to the survivors getting out alive]].

* Deconstructed on ''WesternAnimation/BojackHorseman''. In the backstory, when [=BoJack=]'s BigBrotherMentor and best friend Herb (who created the show that made [=BoJack=] a star) was outed as gay, the early [=90s=] MoralGuardians went berserk and wanted Herb kicked off the family friendly show he had written and created. [=BoJack=] was going to threaten to quit if the network moved to fire to Herb, but the network executives talked/bribed [=BoJack=] into standing aside as Herb was fired. [=BoJack=] was quite reluctant to do this, but not so reluctant that he didn't do it, and while he had plenty of regrets, it didn't stop him from avoiding Herb for the next 20 years, until Herb was on his deathbed. Hence why, when [=BoJack=] and Herb finally talk about it all those years later, [[RejectedApology Herb rejects [=BoJack=]'s attempt to apologize]].

* In ''Literature/HarryPotter'', there's [[spoiler: Peter Pettigrew who showed some traces of remorse even though the main reason might have been the fact that the betrayal wasn't worth what he got.]]

!Examples

* In ''VideoGame/{{Portal 2}}'', Wheatley feels this way after you launch him into space. No longer being connected to [=GLaDOS=]'s body helps.

-->'''[=BoJack=]:''' You have to believe me. I did everything I could.\\
'''Herb:''' Yeah? Then why didn't you call me? Huh? Twenty years, you didn't call me. Do you know what it was like for me? I had nobody. Everybody left! I knew all those showbiz phonies would turn on me, sure. But ''[[EtTuBrute you?]]''\\
'''[=BoJack=]:''' It's not my fault you got fired.\\
'''Herb:''' I don't care about the job! I did fine, I had a good life, but what I needed then was a friend. And you abandoned me. And I will never forgive you for that. Now get the ''[[PrecisionFStrike fuck]]'' out of my house!

* ''VisualNovel/DanganRonpa'' has [[spoiler: Sakura Ogami, the Ultimate Martial Artist]]. From the beginning of the Killing School Life, she was TheMole for Monokuma and the Mastermind, as the fate of [[spoiler: her family's dojo]] hung in the balance. She was meant to get the killing started if things began to stabilise, but this never came about. [[spoiler: Eventually, the weight becomes too much for her, and after Monokuma outs her, [[DrivenToSuicide she poisons herself]]. Though as her final grace, she encourages the survivors to band together to fight back against the Mastermind and destroys a locked door before she dies. All of this proves crucial to the survivors getting out alive]].

* In ''Literature/HarryPotter'', there's [[spoiler: Peter Pettigrew who showed some traces of remorse even though it was primarily the fact that the betrayal wasn't worth what he got.]]

* In ''Literature/CodexAlera'', Fidelias betrays the First Lord to prevent what he views as inevitable civil war when he dies with no heir. When a suitable heir reveals himself, he wishes to preserve the house of Gaius.

->''“When Judas, who betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. ‘I have sinned,’ he said, ‘for I have betrayed innocent blood.’ ‘What is that to us?” they replied. ‘That’s your responsibility.’ So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.”''

** Susie in ''VideoGame/KirbyPlanetRobobot'' falls into this category, as well. Her original intention upon stealing Star Dream's program controller is to sell it off for profit and teach her former boss a lesson. [[MyGodWHatHaveIDone She winds up regretting this after]] [[AIIsACrapshoot Star Dream absorbs Haltmann's consciousness and condemns all organic life in the universe,]] leading her entrusting Kirby with the means to stop the machine and leaving her in the end with no computer, no profit, and the knowledge that [[spoiler: she caused the death of her own father.]]

** In ''VideoGame/{{Dreamfall Chapters}}'' Na'ane has become TheAtoner, working her ass off to repay her debt to the rebels (who still have no idea about what she's done).
* In ''VideoGame/{{Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy}}'', after Emmy reveals that she's been TheMole the entire time, she expresses regret at having been so.
** After she's been forgiven, she resigns as Layton's assistant, feeling ashamed and unworthy to fill such a role anymore.

* Zuko from ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender'' is given the choice of betraying Iroh and the peaceful life they have made for themselves so that he can come back to the Fire Nation with his honor restored. Since coming home with his father�s approval is the one thing he has wanted for years, he takes the offer, leading to Iroh being imprisoned, Ba Sing Se being conquered and Aang nearly dying from Azula�s lightning bolt. He spends half of the third season conflicted and confused, trying to acclimate himself to the Fire Nation despite the suffering he has seen at both his hands and the Fire Nations. After realizing that [[spoiler:he is descended from Avatar Roku]], he has a HeelFaceTurn and leaves to join the Avatar.
* Deconstructed on ''WesternAnimation/BojackHorseman''. In the backstory, when [=BoJack=]'s BigBrotherMentor and best friend Herb, (who created the show that made [=BoJack=] a star) was outed as gay, the early [=90s=] MoralGuardians went berserk and wanted Herb kicked off the family friendly show he had written and created. [=BoJack=] was going to threaten to quit if the network moved to fire to Herb, but the network executives talked/bribed [=BoJack=] into standing aside as Herb was fired. [=BoJack=] was quite reluctant to do this, but not so reluctant that he didn't do it, and while he had plenty of regrets, it didn't stop him from avoiding Herb for the next 20 years, until Herb was on his deathbed. Hence why, when [=BoJack=] and Herb finally talk about it all those years later, [[RejectedApology Herb rejects [=BoJack=]'s attempt to apologize]].

* Sunset Shimmer apologizes at the end of ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyEquestriaGirls'' and asks the Mane 6 for their forgiveness. Furthermore, the entire sequel ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyEquestriaGirlsRainbowRocks'' deals with her seeking forgiveness from the rest of Canterlot High. Although her original FaceHeelTurn is not shown on screen, she is nonetheless a traitor from Celestia�s point of view, and sees herself as one in Rainbow Rocks too.
** Discord in ''[[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS4E25TwilightsKingdomPart1 Twilight�s]]'' ''[[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS4E26TwilightsKingdomPart2 Kingdom]]'' also fits the bill. He teams up with Tirek, thus betraying all of Equestria, but later realizes that his friendship with Fluttershy was more important to him after he is himself betrayed by Tirek.

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* Another one Creator/BioWare: The Sith Warrior recruits Malavai Quinn, a quiet and consummately professional Imperial officer. Quinn is working for Darth Baras the entire time because Baras salvaged Quinn's career. That, and a non-Force Sensitive has little rights compared to a Sith, who can rape, torture, and kill them with zero legal reprocussions. Even though he's come to be more loyal to the Warrior than Baras, he still tries to get them all on the same side and hates the position he's put in.

[[folder: Western Animation ]]

* ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitans'': When [[TheMole Terra]] sets up Titan Tower to be attacked, she gets enough cold feet to [[YouWillBeSpared try to save Beast Boy]] and eventually breaks down apologizing to him when he finds out. Beast Boy [[RejectedApology doesn't accept it]] and [[HeelFaceDoorSlam says they were never friends]]. After that, she [[IRegretNothing explicitly says she has no regrets]] and tries her best to kill the Titans herself, but it's made obvious that's she still more conflicted than that.

[[folder: Real Life ]]

* Literature/TheBible has the story of Judas Iscariot, who gave back his thirty pieces of silver and hanged himself after his betrayal of UsefulNotes/{{Jesus}}.

* ''Film/ThreeHundred'': Ephialtes is noticeably wincing after seeing the contempt and StealthInsult lobbed at him by Leonidas after having sold out his fellow Greeks to the invading Persian army. He reappears in ''Film/ThreeHundredRiseOFAnEmpire'' as an envoy for the Persians, where he has a PleaseKillMeIfItSatisfiesYou moment with Themistocles.

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* Zuko from ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender'' is given the choice of betraying Iroh and the peaceful life they have made for themselves so that he can come back to the Fire Nation with his honor restored. Since coming home with his father’s approval is the one thing he has wanted for years, he takes the offer, leading to Iroh being imprisoned, Ba Sing Se being conquered and Aang nearly dying from Azula’s lightning bolt. He spends half of the third season conflicted and confused, trying to acclimate himself to the Fire Nation despite the suffering he has seen at both his hands and the Fire Nations. After realizing that [[spoiler:he is descended from Avatar Roku]], he has a HeelFaceTurn and leaves to join the Avatar.

* Sunset Shimmer apologizes at the end of ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyEquestriaGirls'' and asks the Mane 6 for their forgiveness. Furthermore, the entire sequel ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyEquestriaGirlsRainbowRocks'' deals with her seeking forgiveness from the rest of Canterlot High. Although her original FaceHeelTurn is not shown on screen, she is nonetheless a traitor from Celestia’s point of view, and sees herself as one in Rainbow Rocks too.
** Discord in ''[[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS4E25TwilightsKingdomPart1 Twilight’s]]'' ''[[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS4E26TwilightsKingdomPart2 Kingdom]]'' also fits the bill. He teams up with Tirek, thus betraying all of Equestria, but later realizes that his friendship with Fluttershy was more important to him after he is himself betrayed by Tirek.

[[AC: RealLife]]
* Benedict Arnold's last words were supposedly, "Let me die in this old uniform in which I fought my battles. May God forgive me for ever having put on another."

* Zuko from ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender'' is given the choice of betraying Iroh and the peaceful life they have made for themselves so that he can come back to the Fire Nation with his honor restored. Since coming home with his father’s approval is the one thing he has wanted for years, he takes the offer, leading to Iroh being imprisoned, Ba Sing Se being conquered and Sang nearly dying from Azula’s lightning bolt. He spends half of the third season conflicted and confused, trying to acclimate himself to the Fire Nation despite the suffering he has seen at both his hands and the Fire Nations. After realizing that [[spoiler:he is defended from Avatar Roku]], he has a HeelFaceTurn and leaves to join the Avatar.

* ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitans'': When [[TheMole Terra]] sets up Titan Tower to be attacked, she gets enough cold feet to [[YouWillBeSpared try to save Beast Boy]] and eventually breaks down apologizing to him when he finds out. Beast Boy [[RejectedApology doesn't accept it]] and [[HeelFaceDoorSlam says they were never friends]]. After that, she [[IRegretNothing explicitly says she has no regrets]] and tries her best to kill the Titans herself, but proves that wasn't true either.

* ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitans'': When [[TheMole Terra]] sets up Titan Tower to be attacked, she gets enough cold feet to [[YouWillBeSpared try to save Beast Boy]] and eventually breaks down apologizing to him when he finds out. Beast Boy [[RejectedApology doesn't accept it]] and [[HeelFaceDoorSlam says they were never friends]]. After that, she [[DefiedTrope explicitly says]] [[IRegretNothing she has no regrets]] and tries her best to kill the Titans herself.

* ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitans'': When [[TheMole Terra]] sets up Titan Tower to be attacked, she gets enough cold feet to [[YouWillBeSpared try to save Beast Boy]] and eventually breaks down apologizing to him when he finds out. Beast Boy [[RejectedApology doesn't accept it]] and [[HeelFaceDoorSlam says they were never friends]]. After that, she [[DefiedTrope explicitly says she has no regrets]] tries her best to kill the Titans herself.

* ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitans'': When [[TheMole Terra]] sets up Titan Tower to be attacked, she gets enough cold feet to [[YouWillBeSpared try to save Beast Boy]] and eventually breaks down apologizing to him when he finds out. Beast Boy [[RejectedApology doesn't accept it]] and says they were never friends. After that, she [[DefiedTrope explicitly says she has no regrets]] tries her best to kill the Titans herself.

* Discord in ''[[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS4E25TwilightsKingdomPart1 Twilight’s]]'' ''[[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS4E26TwilightsKingdomPart2 Kingdom]]'' also fits the bill. He teams up with Tirek, thus betraying all of Equestria, but later realizes that his friendship with Fluttershy was more important to him after he is himself betrayed by Tirek.
* ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons''. In "24 Minutes" (a parody of ''Series/TwentyFour''), Martin Prince gives himself a wedgie - in-universe, the equivalent of hanging himself - after he's forced to be TheMole.

* ''Franchise/StarWars'': In ''Film/TheEmpireStrikesBack'', after the Empire arrives in Cloud City, Lando is forced to betray his old friend Han Solo by having him frozen in carbonite. Lando later makes up for it, however, by helping Leia and Chewie escape Cloud City.

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[[AC: WesternAnimation]]
* Deconstructed on ''WesternAnimation/BojackHorseman''. In the backstory, when Bojack's BigBrotherMentor and best friend Herb, (who created the show that made Bojack a star) was outed as gay, the early [=90s=] MoralGuardians went berserk and wanted Herb kicked off the family friendly show he had written and created. Bojack was going to threaten to quit if the network moved to fire to Herb, but the network executives talked/bribed Bojack into standing aside as Herb was fired. Bojack was quite reluctant to do this, but not so reluctant that he didn't do it, and while he had plenty of regrets, it didn't stop him from avoiding Herb for the next 20 years, until Herb was on his deathbed. Hence why, when Bojack and Herb finally talk about it all those years later, [[RejectedApology Herb rejects Bojack's attempt to apologize]].
-->'''Bojack:''' You have to believe me. I did everything I could.\\

'''Bojack:''' It's not my fault you got fired.\\
'''Herb:''' I don't care about the job! I did fine, I had a good life, but what I needed then was a friend. And you abandoned me. And I will never forgive you for that. Now get the ''fuck'' out of my house!

* Main/TheBible has the story of Judas Iscariot, who gave back his thirty pieces of silver and hanged himself after his betrayal of JesusChrist.