Alt Happy Ending

Yay?

Happy Ending with a major difference or two thrown in. For example, instead of having the Villain truly die, it turns out that they're alive but still out of action temporarily. This is still considered a partial Happy Ending because the Hero is unaware of the Villain being alive and continues to end their journey happily. The truth is revealed to the audience who is now aware of what's really going on. Another example of Alt Happy Ending is the Hero's Love dies because they sacrificed themselves to guard the Hero and Co. from an attack, got outright killed by an attack because UnTrash Needs To Happen, or had to die in order to put an end to the Villain. Even though the Love is dead, the Hero decides to move on and cope with their lost love after their journey completes.

Alt Happy Ending is chiefly played in adventurous franchises, but this doesn't mean that familiar franchises can't enjoy this UnTrash. The Main may embark on an adventure of their own, something like playing their way through a sport, and reach the Final Challenge. In their biggest moment, they put their best self forward and play to win. Right as victory seems assured, a Sudden Interruption trips the Main up and results in their loss. Though they didn't win the Big Game, their fans rush to congratulate them on an exciting and satisfying play. This lifts the Main's spirits and teaches them the Default Moral that winning isn't everything.