I was cheerfully tearing apart a published novel where the main character had a bad case of Too Stupid To Live, and was wondering why his buddies kept hanging around and saving his behind anyway. Then I thought: what about a story where the side kick is the REAL hero?
The challenge was dished out to explain WHY the side kick would stick around, and this is what I came up with.
1) Sidekick was hired by "Hero". Although Hero is a complete moron, Sidekick was paid, and has a code of honor/sense of responsibility that keeps them from just dumping their stupid ass.
2) Younger sibling is determined to act the "Hero". Older siblings tags along lest they get themselves killed.
3) Young male plays the role of "hero" becuase, well, it's expected in his society that the males are the warriors! His girlfriend, actually the more skilled of the two, tags along becuase she loves him and someone has to keep saving him...
4) Chosen "hero" matches the prophecy but has all the common sense of a sheep. The prophecy-maker, feeling somewhat responsible for this poor clod's being sent on a mission that will likely lead to his death, feels compelled to stay with him.
5) Sidekick is very smart, but not charasmatic. He wants to be powerful and awesome and hero-like, but isn't cut out of "hero material". He finds someone who seems to be cut right out of heroic cloth. Nice, everyone loves him, but...his grasp of tactics and common sense is lacking. Sidekick thinks that being the real power behind the hero is a totally okay gig. Could very easily turn dark and sinister from there...
AAP by ObsidianDragon
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