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1%%Image chosen per Image Pickin' thread: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=1356627648031140100
2%%Please do not change or remove without starting a new thread.
3%%
4[[quoteright:318:[[Webcomic/CucumberQuest https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/rsz_capture_3571.png]]]]
5[[caption-width-right:318:[[BeyondTheImpossible Technically, he's right.]]]]
6
7->''I will maintain a realistic assessment of my strengths and weaknesses. Even though this takes some of the fun out of the job, at least I will never utter the line 'No, this cannot be! I AM INVINCIBLE!!!' (After that, death is usually instantaneous.)''
8-->-- EvilOverlordList, Rule #24
9
10Stock phrase uttered by the villain when everything is going wrong, often soon after they declare that [[NothingCanStopUsNow nothing could stop their plan]], especially not those [[TrashTalk puny heroes]] (and the heroes have shown up to disprove the statement). They scream that it's impossible, despite the evidence staring them in the face. May be a sign of a VillainousBreakdown, or the villain's LastWords before CriticalExistenceFailure (or, on a more existential level, PuffOfLogic). This phrase is often coupled with a BigNo. May be accompanied by an OhCrap
11
12This phrase is most commonly said by arrogant characters when the tables turn on them, especially {{Smug Snake}}s, {{Smug Super}}s and/or {{Arrogant Kung Fu Guy}}s since they are, as a matter of fact, overconfident. Said types of characters will often shriek in disbelief when their arrogance ends up proving to be their FatalFlaw by having them end up defeated by their opponents. "Impossible!", "I can't believe it!", "How can this be?!", "You can't do this to me!", "This can't be happening!", "It can't end like this!" and "I cannot be defeated!" are among some examples of the best variations of this trope, and a good fan knows when it hits someone with [[SmugSnake Smug Snakery]] or [[SmugSuper Smug Superiority]] anyway. Also, in a classic fashion, most often after saying "This Cannot Be", a villain will vow vengeance by saying such phrases as "I'll get you next time!", "WeWillMeetAgain!", "[[{{Revenge}} I will have my revenge!]]", or even "You'll pay for this!"/"ThisIsUnforgivable" before leaving to plot anew. Some villains are also prone to screaming this stock phrase when they're given a certain punishment for all their terrible atrocities as well as their own vileness.
13
14Saying this line isn't ''completely'' exclusive to villains. A heroic character can also utter this when something shocking or horrible happens. Such a phrase may even be a sign of a HeroicBSOD. The phrase can also be uttered as an expression of surprise when another character actually succeeds in doing something that no one else has ever been able to do in the past. See also HowIsThatEvenPossible, often spoken in a tone of comical befuddlement rather than dramatic shock.
15
16The equivalent Japanese phrases are "masaka" (まさか, often translated as "no way!") and "sonna bakana" (そんなバカな, often translated as "incredible!" or "that's impossible!"). Such words are used so much in anime, it's fairly common to hear "this can't be!" in English dubs. Enemy aliens in {{Toku}} are prone to yelling this just before they [[DefeatEqualsExplosion explode]].
17
18This absolute flat-footedness and denial of reality is generally not found in villains who are CrazyPrepared or capable of XanatosSpeedChess.
19
20A [[SubTrope Sub Phrase]] of OhCrap
21
22This is often used when a villain is destroyed, humiliated, meets an unpleasant fate, or their EvilPlan is foiled. Therefore, beware of '''spoilers'''.
23----
24!!Examples:
25[[foldercontrol]]
26
27[[folder:Anime & Manga]]
28* In ''Manga/AkameGaKill'', Syura lets this out when he realizes that he is about to die by Lubbock's hands and that there is nothing he can do about it.
29* ''Manga/BlackClover'':
30** [[StarterVillain Revchi]] reacts with utter disbelief when Asta, [[UnSorcerer who has no magic]], is chosen by a [[SpellBook grimoire]]. [[TheRival Yuno]] has the [[InvertedTrope opposite reaction]], confidently stating that there was no way [[{{Determinator}} Asta]] would ''not'' be chosen.
31** Zagred's last words consist of repeatedly muttering "impossible" through his [[TooManyMouths many mouths]].
32* ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'':
33** Soifon in her fight with Yoruichi. She banked everything on the belief that, having spent a hundred years obsessively training, she would now be able to surpass Yoruichi. When she realises that she still can't defeat Yoruichi even though Yoruichi's skills have stagnated for a century, she screams this before dissolving in tears and [[WhamLine revealing the real reason]] why she's so angry with Yoruichi.
34** In anime episode 197, Espada #7 Zommari Rureaux says "This cannot be happening" while Byakuya Kuchiki is attacking him with his bankai.
35** The usually [[TheStoic stoic]] Ulquiorra practically utters this verbatim when [[spoiler: Ichigo [[BackFromTheDead comes back]] from a fatal attack and gains a stronger Hollowfied form.]] He ''demands'' to know [[WhatTheHellAreYou just what the hell Ichigo is.]]
36** In chapter 420, [[spoiler: Aizen's VillainousBreakdown during his final battle with Ichigo.]]
37** Giriko prepares to fight Kenpachi by using his Fullbring to maximize his physical strength, [[HulkingOut hulking himself out in the process]]. [[HalfTheManHeUsedToBe Kenpachi cuts him in half]], with the most bored expression imaginable, before he can finish [[DrunkWithPower boasting about how powerful he has become]], leaving Giriko to mutter "impossible" as he dies.
38** After Haschwalth reports to Yhwach that his time outside the [[ShadowWalker Schatten Bereich]] is running out, Yhwach retorts that he should have plenty of time left. He cuts himself off when he realizes that [[spoiler:Aizen used [[MasterOfIllusion Kyoka Suigetsu]] to mess up his perception of time during their meeting in [[TheAlcatraz Muken]]]].
39** [=BG9=] reacts with [[OhCrap shock and horror]] ([[MechanicalLifeforms as much as it is capable of expressing, anyway]]) when it sees that [[spoiler:Soifon has recovered the Bankai it stole from her, and asks aloud why she has it once more mere moments before she blasts it with [[FantasticNuke Jakuhou Raikouben]]]].
40** Unable to [[ImaginationBasedSuperpower imagine]] anything that can kill Kenpachi and desperate to kill him before he can do it first, Gremmy [[spoiler:[[MeteorSummoningAttack imagines a meteor]] falling upon the Seireitei]], before kindly letting Kenpachi know that even if he were to kill him now [[spoiler:the meteor would still fall and kill everyone else]]. Cue Kenpachi [[spoiler:[[GivenNameReveal speaking the name]] of his [[EmpathicWeapon Zanpakuto]] and cutting the meteor down in one swing]]. Gremmy is so utterly flabbergasted at this extreme display of power that he screams at Kenpachi, calling him a monster.
41* ''Anime/CodeGeass'':
42** The head intelligence officer [[spoiler:trying to kill Lelouch in the first episode of Season 2]] outright screams "IT CAN'T BE!" [[spoiler:when Lelouch regains his memories and commands them all to die via Geass.]]
43** [[PsychoForHire Luciano Bradley]] is full of disbelief [[spoiler:when [[AcePilot Kallen Kozuki]] unleashes the attack that has outright sealed his fate, and he is outright shocked and livid that he is about to die to [[FantasticRacism an Eleven]].]]
44** These are among [[spoiler:Emperor Charles']] last words, quite understandably as [[spoiler:he was immortal and dying only because Lelouch managed to ''request God via Geass into undoing his AssimilationPlot'']].
45-->[[spoiler:'''Charles:''']] No, it's not possible! I'm supposed to be immortal! [[spoiler:We're being absorbed? Consumed by C's World?!]]
46** [[spoiler:Charles']] sole present co-conspirator [[spoiler: and one true love, Marianne, even outright cries out, "No, it can't be!" the exact moment that Lelouch destroys the Thought Elevator, and is just as shocked when she also starts to be consumed by C's World alongside Charles.]]
47* In ''Manga/DemonSlayerKimetsuNoYaiba'', with absolute arrogance coursing through his veins Muzan is the quintessential demonic villain who wholeheartedly believes to be untouchable by puny humans, that is to say when anything challenges this belief Muzan is quick to lose his mind over it, he has a few key moments in the series where this happens:
48** When Muzan notices Tanjiro wears the peculiar hanafuda earrings, [[TraumaButton it immediately triggers his worst fears]] of the one time a legendary slayer almost killed him; [[spoiler:as the story later reveals Muzan and his top demon Kokushibo went on a manhunt to kill all of Yoriichi's Sun Breathing disciples over the centuries, they couldn't believe Sun Breathing was secretly preserved by Tanjiro's family without their knowledge as Hinokami Kagura, when Muzan killed the Kamados he did for the simple whim of testing if new demons useful to him would be born, he had no idea of who they really were]].
49** When said legendary fight that almost took him down happened, Muzan was completely confident that no human could possibly be a threat to him but [[spoiler:Yoriichi proved himself to be an anomaly among humans, potentially divine, he almost killed him with ridiculous ease, leaving Muzan in complete disbelief where he only managed to escape by the tiniest of chances]].
50* ''Franchise/{{Digimon}}'':
51** Uttered by Vajramon in ''Anime/DigimonTamers'' when he is destroyed by Renamon in her ultimate form, Taomon. "What's happening? This can't be!" The entire episode Vajramon was infatuated with her but disgusted that she preferred to defend humans and have a human tamer rather than join Zhuqiaomon in his quest to destroy them. Vajramon, as well as Zhuqiaomon and the other Devas, viewed humans as inferior, and was even more put off that her ultimate form resembled a human in appearance.
52** Makuramon also says it when Beelzemon destroys him. May not have been the strongest Deva but he lasted the most episodes out of any, besides Antylamon, who survives up to the final episode and the end of the movie set afterward due to her HeelFaceTurn.
53** Speaking of Beelzemon, he says this when Gallantmon defeats him with his Shield of the Just attack. (He (Gallantmon) would've then killed him afterwards if Jeri hadn't stopped him because it wouldn't bring Leomon back after what he (Beelzemon) had done to him.)
54** Apocalymon back in ''Anime/DigimonAdventure'' has this reaction when the Digidestined use HeroicResolve to not only reassemble themselves after he digitized them but allow their Digimon to Digivolve to their strongest forms without their crests.
55** [[spoiler:[=MaloMyotismon=]]] in ''Anime/DigimonAdventure02'' says this twice in the final two episodes; [[spoiler:once when Davis reminds him that his Mental Illusion failed to work on him because his dreams already came true and that he didn't have any problems, especially because he had friends, family, and a Digimon, and the second time after his armored body parts have fallen apart until only his shadow remains, before he is finished off for good by Imperialdramon.]]
56** In ''Anime/DigimonDataSquad'', Kurata had two of these reactions, once when the DATS members regained their memories of their Digimon partners and managed to destroy another one of his Gizumon, and again when Ikuto got Falcomon to Warp Digivolve to Ravemon and injure Belphemon.
57** [=SaberLeomon=] had just been rendered confused by a beam shot by another Gizumon that appeared earlier than that. He delivers this kind of reaction when he is being beaten by Masaru and [=RizeGreymon=], with his last words being "No, NO! I cannot be defeated!" as he is being obliterated by [=RizeGreymon=], letting loose a WrittenRoar afterwards before [[DefeatEqualsExplosion achieving a fiery explosion]].
58* ''Anime/DragonBallZ'' has this a lot, thanks to many of the villains being too arrogant to admit when somebody is better than them.
59** Vegeta is initially shocked but realistic when Goku turns out to be stronger than he and Nappa anticipated, however he crosses into this trope when Goku, a low-class warrior, can actually deal damage to him and, with the help of his friends, come on the verge of killing him outright.
60** Both Cell and Frieza have this reaction to their deaths/defeats. Frieza keeps his insistence of superiority even as Goku beats the ever loving crap out of him, and keeps it until right before [[InTheBack his last attempt at a sucker punch]] blows him into a million pieces ([[WeCanRebuildHim He Gets Better]], but only briefly). Cell, goes on a similar tract after attaining his "Perfect Form," and especially after going a step beyond that. His last words: "Impossible... It can't be... I'm invincible!" In the anime, Cell's last words are "I am perfect!", in full disbelief that a [[UltimateLifeform perfect being]] such as him could lose.
61*** Cell milks this trope for all its worth when Vegeta's Final Flash cuts away his side section, even throwing in disgrace at being beaten by a Saiyan like Frieza used to. He then immediately breaks the act and mocks Vegeta for forgetting he has Piccolo's regeneration ability.
62*** The Cell from Future Trunks' timeline gets this reaction when he realizes Trunks has become stronger and faster than he is due to training in the past. The Future Androids also have the same reaction, unable to grasp how the one they easily beat before is now {{Curbstomp|Battle}}ing them without even trying.
63** Garlic Jr. says "What! No! It can't be!" before Gohan blows up the Makyo Star, causing him to lose all his power and get sucked into the Dead Zone, to remain for all eternity. [[AndIMustScream Never to die]] because he wished for immortality with the Dragonballs.
64** Cooler shouts "It can't be!" when he notices Goku sending his Supernova attack directly back at him with his Kamehameha Wave, [[spoiler:which also pushes him along with it directly into the sun, where he dies...At least until the next movie.]]
65** Babidi has this reaction when Vegeta allows himself to be possessed and openly defies any command that doesn't have to do with fighting Goku; according to Babidi, this is the first time ''anyone'' he's brainwashed has ever managed to resist him:
66-->'''Babidi:''' How can the possessed say "no" to the possessor?!
67* ''Anime/FZeroGPLegend'': In the [[GrandFinale finale]], Rick Wheeler successfully destroys the Dark Reactors prematurely, therefore [[HumiliationConga ruining Black Shadow's plans]] to [[OmnicidalManiac destroy and remake the galaxy]]. Black Shadow tries to escape the destruction of the exploding reactors, [[VillainousBreakdown repeatedly shrieking "I do not die! I will not die!"]] along the way, so he can lick his wounds and plot anew. His escape is prevented by a [[MemeticMutation meme-tastic moment]] in the form of a HeroicSacrifice courtesy of [[MemeticBadass Captain Falcon]] himself, who '''FALCON PUNCH!!!!!es''' Black Shadow right back into the radius of the explosion of the exploding reactors themselves (which many may argue that the Falcon Punch caused, if the scene is taken out of context), incinerating them both and at the same time saving the galaxy.
68* ''Anime/FairyTail'' runs on this as much as any long-running anime/manga does. Every antagonist - from the heads of Phantom Lord, Sabertooth, Raven Tail, etc. to Jellal to the King of Edolas, and even Cobra when Natsu stops thinking, and the members of Raijinshuu when they fought the rest of Fairy Tail to determine who would next take over as Guildmaster - has said this after getting stomped by Natsu, Erza, Gray, Lucy, or whoever is the in-focus member at the time. The villain of the arc saying this is inevitable.
69* King Gorge says this in ''Manga/FightingFoodons'' when Chase and Palator overwhelm and destroy Devouron, making it his last few seconds of being an EvilOverlord before [[DefeatMeansFriendship being redeemed]] by them.
70* Ryoko Asakura utters "It can't be!" in ''Literature/HaruhiSuzumiya'', right after Yuki started terminating her. While she looked desperate while saying it (complete with PuppyDogEyes) she gets a hold of her StepfordSmiler face again, after that.
71* Another heroic example, this one played for laughs, in ''VisualNovel/HigurashiWhenTheyCry Kira's'' Musubienishi-hen. After Rika and Satoko spin Keiichi around as part of a game where the one he stops in front of and points to will become his date, he points to the one he stopped in front of, of course, to the surprise of the other girls. And when he takes off his blindfold and realizes that he accidentally picked Oryou, Mion and Shion's grandmother, he has this kind of reaction.
72-->'''Female protagonists:''' No way!!\
73'''Oryou:''' Oh dear...\
74'''Keiichi:''' ...Thi-This is [[PrecisionFStrike fucking]] absurd!![[note]]Interestingly, in his original Japanese saying, he says "So-Sonna bakana!!", by the way.[[/note]]
75* Variations on this happened in most races in ''Manga/InitialD''. Takumi's opponents would be smug in their ability to beat a junky 86, they'd be internally monologuing about the superiority of their car and skills, and how after this next turn they'd never see the 86's headlights again. Immediately cue said headlights and eurobeat.
76* ''Manga/InuYasha'': Kikyo says this when her body is decaying while fighting Inuyasha.
77* In Part III of ''Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventure'', Jotaro's Stand Star Platinum shatters Dio's Stand The World, shattering Dio in the process. Dio's last thoughts as his head explodes are shocked disbelief over the fact that [[ThirdPersonPerson he, Dio]], is dying.
78** A heroic version of [[LargeHam Joseph Joestar]] witnessing The World's power murdering [[spoiler: Kakyoin]]. [[TimeStandsStill Dio stops time]], but to Joseph's eyes, he's in a huge disbelief as [[spoiler: Kakyoin]] is suddenly punched across the buildings despite all the traps they set on Dio.
79* ''Anime/KillLaKill'': [[TheDragon Nui Harime]] totally flips her shit when [[HotBlooded Ryuko Matoi]] not only [[AnArmAndALeg chops both of her arms off]] with the recovered halves of the [[ShearMenace Rending Scissors]], but said arms are promptly stomped to pieces and then absorbed by [[ClothesMakeTheSuperman Ryuko's Kamui, Senketsu]]. After [[OhCrap a quick second of horror and denial,]] Nui lapses into a VillainousBreakdown as she [[MadnessMantra madly rants about how much she hates Ryuko]], complete with SlasherSmile as she refuses to believe that she's actually about to lose.
80* ''Anime/KirbyRightBackAtYa'':
81** Sirica, oddly enough, counts as well. She uses this trope when she hears a familiar roar and sees, to her horror, the legendary Demon Beast/monster Kirisakin, whom King Dedede had bought from Holy Nightmare Co./Nightmare Enterprises out of fear of her, appearing in Kabu Canyon and making his way towards her and Kirby and company.
82--->'''Sirica:''' ...It can't be. It's Kirisakin the great monster!\
83'''Meta Knight:''' Kirisakin is here to reclaim the Galaxia sword. We must stop it!
84** Escargoon screams this in an earlier episode, "Sweet & Sour Puss", when he, despite not knowing that Togeira took away his ability to get angry, finally realizes that nothing that happens to and around King Dedede can make him angry and he stays calm and nice through it all.
85%%* Sent up in overly dramatic fashion in one episode of ''Manga/KOn''. (Administrivia/ZeroContextExample- please explain the send-up.)
86* ''Manga/TheLegendOfZeldaAkiraHimekawa'':
87** In part 2 of ''Manga/TheLegendOfZeldaOcarinaOfTime1999'', Ganondorf says these words after being defeated by Link for the first time:
88--->'''Ganondorf:''' I can't... Dark Lord Ganondorf cannot be beaten... by this boy!
89*** Ganondorf isn't the only one who mutters such a phrase when beaten -- other villains also like using this trope when they get bested by Link. Like the Twinrova sisters, for example.
90--->'''Twinrova Sisters:''' But how? It can't be! Done in by our own power?
91** Also, in ''Manga/TheLegendOfZeldaALinkToThePast2005'', Agahnim gets a big shock when Link absorbs his magic with the Master Sword, just before repelling it right back at him [[ThisIsUnforgivable in an unforgiving act towards him]] for sending Zelda to the Dark World encased in a crystal and making him think he sacrificed (and therefore killed) her.
92* Played for laughs in ''Anime/MakaiSenkiDisgaea'' when Vyers flips out and reacts like this when Laharl calls him Mid-Boss for the first time in the second episode. Bonus points for adding some {{Angrish}} followed by a ThisIsUnforgivable.
93-->'''Laharl:''' I don't care what the hell you call yourself! From now on, your new name... is Mid-Boss!\
94'''Etna''' & '''Prinnies:''' ''[starts laughing]''\
95'''Vyers:''' M-M-Mid-Boss?! How can this be?! Arrrgggghhh! [[ThisIsUnforgivable UNFORGIVABLE! YOU SHALL PAY FOR THIS INSULT!]]
96* ''Franchise/{{Gundam}}'':
97** In ''Anime/MobileFighterGGundam'' Master Asia says this as Domon achieves ''[[SuperMode Meikyou Suishi]]'' and actually starts landing hits on him.
98** In ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamSEEDDestiny'', Gilbert Durandal has this reaction when the Requiem cannon is destroyed by the Infinite Justice and Akatsuki.
99* In ''Anime/MonColleKnights'' (at least in the GagDub), [[spoiler:[[BigBad Redda]], a very sinister dark angel of a KnightOfCerebus for the comedic show, states the standard "No, how is this possible? My plan was going perfectly, but now it's ruined!" before he disintegrates after being slashed to death by [[AntiHero Zaha]] (in the original, he instead said that his death made no difference whatsoever and voiced his realization that he had underestimated the humans)]].
100* In ''Anime/MusouKakyouASummerDaysDream'', Reimu freaks out and has her OhCrap moment in a "This cannot be" fashion when she sees that her beloved donation box has gone missing!
101-->'''Reimu:''' Wh-wh-WHAT?! H-How can it...! U... U-u-u... U-u-u... WHERE THE HELL IS MY DONATION BOX?!?!
102* ''Manga/{{Naruto}}'':
103** Like in many other anime, this is said a lot, but Pain just loves saying it. The same Shinra Tensei that destroyed the entire home village was rendered useless by Naruto ''twice'', leading to that phrase. Naruto, while in his [[DemonicPossession six-tailed fox form]], not only blocked it with a massive amount of chakra, but he ''reflected'' it, hurling Pain into a cliff 2-3 miles away. He also resisted the attack a second time after coming out of his rage... using a hundred shadow clones. Pain's final resort to containing 6-tailed Naruto didn't work. Naruto broke out, with Pain saying "I can't believe it." upon seeing him in his [[BodyHorror skinless eight-tailed state]].
104** The normally stoic Madara falls under this after [[spoiler:he gets stabbed in the back by Black Zetsu]]. He only has a few moments to react, but those moments are devoted to screaming about how this can't happen to him.
105* A rare heroic example from ''Manga/NegimaMagisterNegiMagi'' -- during TheHero Negi's fight with [[spoiler:TheAce Rakan]], Negi manages in a hit with a homemade spell that condenses a thousand lightning bolts, after a NoHoldsBarredBeatdown that would have killed a normal person many times over. Since [[spoiler:Rakan]] is MadeOfIron, he gets up with a SlasherSmile and blood pouring from his face.
106-->'''Negi:''' No... it's impossible... he took the [[FinishingMove Titan-Killing Sword]] directly... this man defies reason...
107* ''Manga/OnePiece'': Happens fairly often when the supposedly unbeatable villains realize they're hosed.
108** Kuro of a Thousand Plans prided himself on his plans never failing. But one Luffy managed to keep him from doing his Flash Step attack, his trump card attack, he's left stuck shouting belligerently that his "Plans cannot fail!" before Luffy knocks his lights out with a headbutt.
109** Don Krieg isn't too happy about getting his ass handed to him on a plate by Luffy towards the end of their fight and in response repeatedly shrieks that no one can defeat him.
110** Crocodile gets hit with this in his third and final match with Luffy, in disbelief that his previous fatal attacks didn't kill him and that, even though he managed to nick him with a poison, that he still continues to stand and fight him to the bitter end. As he tries to hit Luffy with a hidden blade. He yells out at Luffy that "He's a two bit punk who came from nowhere!"
111** Bellamy's crew get this when Luffy, whom they thought was a weak nobody because he didn't fight back the first time, takes out their captain in one strike (''Without'' even using his stretching powers to boot) and begging him to get back up.
112** Eneru gets this twice in his fight. First when Luffy manages to actually hurt him since near virtually no one could thanks to his electrical powers (rubber doesn't conduct it though) and again in the final strikes when he finds he can't counter Luffy's attack despite having the power to predict it.
113** Rob Lucci's last expression before Luffy Jet Gatling's him just scream this when he sees Luffy staying on his feet up after taking his ultimate attack for ''the third time''. This likewise goes for the rest of the Marines during the Buster Call when they see that [[DefeatingTheUndefeatable Lucci was defeated.]]
114** In the same arc as above, Spandam is in utter disbelief that a whole Marine Base couldn't defeat seven measly pirates and their allies as he watches them sail out of range of the Marine's ships.
115** Gecko Moria exclaims this when his supposedly ultimate zombie, Oars, starts getting tossed around like a ragdoll by an empowered Luffy.
116** Marigold and Sandersonia along with their sister, Hancock, express this when they find out Luffy has Conqueror's Haki and starts turning the tide in the arena fight with the former two.
117** Likewise happens during the Summit War when Luffy displays it again and the Marines realize he has the potential to be the pirate king.
118** At the start of their fight, Hordy Jones gets this when he realizes just how powerful Luffy really is when he drops half his forces with Conqueror's Haki alone.
119** All three villains of Punk Hazard get this: Monet when she realizes Zoro actually WouldHitAGirl when she figured he wouldn't, Vergo when Law takes him out in one slash, and Caesar when his supposedly "killer gas" doesn't affect Luffy in the final struggle.
120** ''Many'' of the Donquixote Family get this in their fights. To wit:
121*** The whole family when Sugar is knocked out and her [[MadeASlave toy transformations]] on the island come undone, causing the residents to regain their memories of [[UnPerson their lost loved ones]] and realizing how much of a tyrant [[VillainWithGoodPublicity Doflamingo]] really is.
122*** Machvise when Hajrudin, the giant he's trying to crush with [[BellyFlopCrushing a 10,000 ton belly flop]], [[MegatonPunch sends him flying upward]] into Doflamingo's [[RazorFloss Birdcage]].
123*** Lao G when his final attack fails against Sai, who kicks him so hard he cleaves the mountain they're fighting on and sends him plummeting into the abyss.
124*** Dellinger, high off his victory against Ideo, getting slashed by Hakuba, an even deadlier opponent.
125*** Gladius finding out he failed to kill Robin and Cavendish, and turning around just in time to see Bartolomeo coming down on him with a MegatonPunch.
126*** Diamante when Kyros, a one legged gladiator [[ItsPersonal with more than enough grudge against him]], [[ImplacableMan manages to weather his spiked ball attack and not even seem remotely wounded as he keeps coming after him]].
127*** Pica finding that Zoro is not an opponent you want to ignore when he slashes his giant stone form in half.
128*** And finally Trebol when he gets too close to what he thinks is an incapacitated Law, only to get hit by his severed hand holding his sword thanks to his [[RealityWarper Ope-Ope powers]] and slashed across the chest.
129*** And of course there's their head honcho, Doflamingo himself. While he gets several through the final battles, the biggest one is via expression when, after going on a tirade how Luffy was born to "commoner's blood" and should accept his place, Luffy's [[MegatonPunch King Kong Gun]] breaks through his ultimate attack to deliver the knockout blow.
130** When a crying Brulee reveals to the rest of the Big Mom Pirates that [[DefeatingTheUndefeatable Katakuri was defeated by Luffy]], Oven outright refuses to believe it, screaming that Luffy must've cheated somehow.
131* ''Anime/PokemonTheOriginalSeries'': The episode "[[Recap/PokemonS1E17IslandOfTheGiantPokemon Island Of Giant Pokémon]]" features Pikachu, Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle separated from Ash and company while shipwrecked on a desert island. The quartet eventually come across Meowth, Ekans, and Koffing, (Also separated from Team Rocket) whom Meowth commands to fight. Ekans and Koffing refuse, leading to this exchange:
132-->'''Meowth:''' Come on, we're all bad guys here! We don't need no masters to tell us to do bad stuff!\
133'''Ekans:''' There's no such thing as a bad Pokémon.\
134'''Koffing:''' That's right.\
135'''Meowth:''' ''There's no such thing as a bad Pokémon???''\
136'''Ekans:''' Only bad masters who tell Pokémon to do bad things.\
137'''Meowth:''' '''IT CAN'T BE!!!''' ''My'' master's not around, and I ''always'' act like a rat!
138** In [[Anime/PokemonTheFirstMovie the first movie's]] dub version, Mewtwo uses a variety of this as he kills the scientists who created him and then later when he breaks free of Giovanni's control. It's a different kind of "This cannot be" though. For example, if you listen to the Japanese dub, he will not say "sonna bakana." Essentially, its worded the same in English but the contextual meanings are different.
139-->'''Mewtwo:''' This cannot be... my destiny!
140* ''Anime/PuellaMagiMadokaMagicaTheMovieRebellion:'' [[spoiler: Countless flabbergasted Incubators shout [[SpeakInUnison in unison]] that they [[MemeticMutation "JUST DON'T GET IT!"]] as the Magical Girls smash their plans to bits.]]
141* Kuki's reaction in ''Anime/RahXephon'' when he realizes that [[DyingMomentOfAwesome the dying Kunugi is]] about to create a second [[SphereOfDestruction Tokyo Jupiter]] -- and he's well inside the blast radius. His [[OhCrap expression]] is simply priceless.
142* ''Manga/Reborn2004'':
143** Tsuna is clearly beating Xanxus towards the end of their fight. Xanxus is ''not'' happy about this and says such things like, "Not possible! This is impossible!"
144** Similarly, Byakuran states a phrase close enough to this when an enraged Tsuna blows him away with his X-Burner attack after hitting him with a ThisIsUnforgivable and delivering an awesome CurbStompBattle to him.
145-->'''Byakuran:''' It's so blinding. I've lost to you.
146* Saionji in the first episode of ''Anime/RevolutionaryGirlUtena''. This seems to be the standard reaction of anybody losing the Rose Bride, which always happens to somebody who has started to take her (or their "right" to her) for granted.
147* ''Manga/RosarioPlusVampire'': Kuyou has this reaction when he sees that not only has Moka revived Tsukune after he was immolated, but Tsukune has saved both himself and Moka from Kuyou's attack.
148-->'''Kuyou:''' No! He lives?! But that's impossible! I saw what my flame did to him! His body was burned to a crisp!
149* ''Anime/SailorMoon'':
150** When Nephrite gets impaled by magic thorns, Naru tries to pull them out. The youma responsible laugh and say there is no way a normal human would be strong enough to pull them out. When she starts to pull them out anyway, they shocked and then try to kill her.
151** The Creator/DiC dub has Queen Beryl yell this right before she [[NeverSayDie was banished back to the Negaverse]].
152** Wiseman says a similar line when Serena and Rini destroy him. "WHAT?! THIS CAN'T BE HAPPENING! [[KilledMidSentence NO ONE IS AS STRONG AS THE DOOM PHAN...]]"
153* Almost every villain in ''Manga/SaintSeiya''.
154* ''Anime/SDGundamForce'':
155** As he's being pulled into a limbo between dimensions, Talgeese cries, "This can't be happening!" Before admitting, "...Well, I suppose it could, but it shouldn't be happening!"
156** Also Commader Sazabi's reaction to being defeated and destroyed by Captain; "This..can't...be happening! I've lost! No! ''NOOOOOOOOOO!!''"
157* Giroro from ''Manga/SgtFrog'' winds up [[PhraseCatcher catching this phrase]] from an enemy who thought he'd killed him. In this case, however, "''Sonna bakana!''" might be better translated as "This is madness!", since Giroro's response is to scream "'''''[[Film/ThreeHundred THIS IS SPARTA!!]]'''''" in GratuitousEnglish and MegatonPunch the bad guy straight through about a dozen walls. Also works as ActorAllusion; Giroro's seiyuu dubbed Gerard Butler in the Japanese edition of ''Film/ThreeHundred''.
158* ''Manga/ShamanKing'' (the 2001 anime):
159** In the fourth episode, Tao Ren mutters such a phrase after being bested by Yoh.
160-->'''Tao Ren:''' It can't be... I've been defeated...!
161** In a much later episode, Ren says such a phrase again while he's fighting Mikihisa, Yoh's father, in a match to prove his worth and determine whether he will stop or continue searching for the grains of rice scattered across the desert by him. When Ren makes many futile attempts to hit Mikihisa after recreating his copies from his spirits using faster and stronger versions of his Rapid Tempo Assault, he simply says "Impossible...!" before the Mikihisa copies move in to attack him from everywhere around him while saying "Use your Oversoul (Furyoku in the dub) to see."
162** Also, in the finale, Hao doesn't actually say anything when he's defeated, but the shocked expression on his face when he and his Spirit of Fire are cleaved in half by Yoh and Amidamaru, who were both given everyone's power and support, just before the fire spirit explodes and takes out Hao with it, suggests that he can't believe that he lost to those two.
163* ''Literature/SwordArtOnline'':
164** Kirito utters these words leading to a HeroicBSOD when [[spoiler:[[ActionGirlfriend Asuna]] actually [[HeroicSacrifice dies]]]] in game.
165** Sugou/Oberon's reaction when Kirito, with help from Kayaba's VirtualGhost, pulls off a HeroicSecondWind and uses Kayaba's ID and GameMaster privileges to [[DePower strip Sugou of his own admin privileges]].
166-->'''Sugou:''' An ID that outranks mine?! That's impossible! This is ''my'' world! ''I'm'' the creator! I'm its ruler! Its king! [[AGodAmI Its god!]]
167* Justified in ''Anime/TenchiMuyo''. After he's ''won the battle'', Kagato fires a deadly blast of energy at Tenchi, only to be stopped by Tenchi's Light Hawk Wings, to which he responds, "Impossible!" It's justified because he had just cut Tenchi off from Tsunami's power, and he quickly realizes that [[spoiler:the wings are not Tsunami's doing but in fact Tenchi]]'s, a phenomenon that really should ''be'' impossible.
168* ''Anime/TengenToppaGurrenLagann'': After Lordgenome undergoes quantum breakdown to absorb the energy of the [[WaveMotionGun Infinity Big Bang Storm]], the Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann gets a massive power up, causing the Anti-Spiral to say the following:
169-->'''Anti-Spiral:''' ''"How can this be? Where are you drawing all of this power from?"''
170-->'''Simon:''' ''"We evolve beyond the person we were a minute before! Little by little, we advance a bit further with each turn. That's how a drill works!!"''
171* ''Anime/YuGiOh'':
172** The dub frequently translated this as...
173--->'''Duelist:''' It can't be!\
174'''Jaden:''' Oh, it be, all right!
175** The original also had this, though often used a simpler version:
176--->'''Duelist:''' Oh no!\
177'''Yami Yugi:''' Oh Yes!
178** ... though it was also fond of taking it [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NZy5a7nzNc#t=01m11s a bit more straight.]] And Kaiba preferred this exchange:
179--->'''Duelist:''' No way! You can't [do that!]\
180'''Kaiba:''' I just did!
181** And speaking of Kaiba, in the first duel of the show...
182--->'''Kaiba:''' Draw your last pathetic card so I can end this, Yugi.\
183'''Yugi:''' My grandpa's deck ''has'' no pathetic cards, Kaiba! But it ''does'' contain...the unstoppable Exodia!\
184'''Kaiba:''' AAH! IMPOSSIBLE!
185** Used by Yami Bakura when Yami Yugi switches him and the regular Bakura around so Yugi can destroy him. ([[UnexplainedRecovery He got better]] though...)
186*** And in [[WebVideo/YuGiOhTheAbridgedSeries Abridged]]:
187---->'''Yami:''' Melvin, no!\
188'''Melvin:''' Melvin yes!
189** Yami Yugi's millennium puzzle protects him from Panik's flames, which actually threatened death instead of the [[NeverSayDie Shadow Realm]]. Seconds later Yami uses Mind Crush, either to destroy him or banish him to the Shadow Realm for eternity.
190--->'''Panik:''' You survived! How can this be? It's impossible!
191** This is Pegasus' response to Yugi and the Pharaoh wiping out all his Toon monsters. Bonus points for Joey and Tea giving each other bewildered looks as he continues to rant.
192--->"It's impossible! I can't believe you've destroyed all my beloved Toons! Oh! No! No, no, no, no, no! This is a nightmare - a bad dream! This can't truly be happening! OHHHH!"
193** Near the climax of the Orichalcos arc, Dartz's [[SNKBoss incredibly broken deck]] has Yami / the Pharaoh backed into a corner, and he's been half-convinced to give up. Just as the Seal moves to take his soul, however, one of his tears lands on the Millennium Puzzle...which glows golden and ''deflects the Seal.'' Dartz's [[SmugSnake smug facade]] promptly cracks for the first time in the entire duel.
194--->'''Dartz:''' Impossible! ''[stares in disbelief]'' NO-ONE can overcome the power of the Orichalcos!
195** In ''Anime/YuGiOhTheDarkSideOfDimensions'', Aigami does this multiple times. First when Kaiba draws and summons Obelisk the Tormentor, which should be impossible since it wasn't in his deck and is not supposed to exist anymore. Again when Obelisk {{No Sell}}s his card meant to negate its effect. And again when the Pharaoh returns to defeat him.
196** Both the {{Big Bad}}s of ''Anime/YuGiOh5Ds'' and ''Anime/YuGiOhZEXAL'' exclaim disbelief at their losses. Bonus points for Don Thousand, whose expression is shown in detail at the moment of astonished realisation.
197** In ''Anime/YuGiOhVRAINS'', Ai's first Duel in season 3 deals a complete one turn kill onto Queen after he not only demolishes her field but also gets through her cheating defensive Skill. He really gave what she deserves well after Season 2.
198--->'''Queen:''' Sonna! BAKANAAAAAA!
199* Several of the earlier antagonists of ''Manga/YuYuHakusho'' (particularly Hiei) say this or something similar when the heroes defeat them, mostly since the heroes are nearly always the underdog anyway. The last time the heroes get enemies that do this is a few times the [[TournamentArc Dark Tournament]], though (after which most of the enemies are either {{Spirited Competitor}}s or {{Death Seeker}}s).
200* ''Manga/ZatchBell'' has Clear Note, at least. The last BigBad of the series, he intended to [[spoiler:commit genocide on the Mamodo]] if he won. Right before he was taken out by Zatch's strongest spell, this trope was utilized. Said spell was the result of a DeusExMachina, without which it would ''not'' have been possible to defeat him. [[spoiler:Clear merged with his strongest spell, becoming a colossal monster, about the size of a ''mountain,'' that annihilated anything it touched with a bottomless supply of power. Zatch's strongest spell was the result of EVERY SINGLE MAMODO aside from Clear lending him their power.]] This was the result.
201[[/folder]]
202
203[[folder:Comic Books]]
204* It's impossible to count how many villains have said this when ComicBook/CaptainAmerica stops their plans.
205** When Cap shows up for roughly the fourth time after facing seemingly certain death in a single adventure, Dr. Fastaus openly goes "I don't believe it! I ''won't'' believe it!"
206** Machinesmith has kidnapped the President, stolen the codes for the "nuclear football" and ready to launch WWIII. Suddenly, [[OutOfTheInferno through the flames of a downed helicopter]], Cap, who Machinesmith had assumed was framed, exiled and on the other side of the world, strides out in full costume. The artifical computer brain can only offer "Im..''Impossible!''"
207* Matthew Patel in the first volume of ''ComicBook/ScottPilgrim'': "This is impossible! How can this be?!" promptly before Scott causes him to [[MoneySpider explode into coins]].
208* ComicBook/TheJoker screams exactly this trope name in ''Batman: The Devil's Advocate'' after he learns in court that he's just been found guilty of multiple counts of first-degree murder, and now will almost certainly get sent to the electric chair. (He'd assumed that he'd always be thought too insane to ever be convicted by a jury, let alone receive the death penalty.)
209* In ''ComicBook/AllFallDown'', [[spoiler:AIQ Squared]] says something to this effect moments before his downfall.
210* In a ''ComicBook/TexWiller'' issue, an hitman whispered "No! It's impossible!" after Tex shot him. Given Tex was near the limit of the range of the hitman's [[SniperRifle Sharps rifle]] and armed with a much shorter ranged Winchester, he ''should'' have been right, had Tex not [[ImprobableAimingSkills been an extremely good shot]] and used a little trick [[RealityIsUnrealistic used by snipers in]] RealLife...
211* The climax of ''ComicBook/{{Plutona}}'' sees Teddy drop this line as [[spoiler:he lies dying, watching his hero fly away.]]
212* ComicBook/UltimateMarvel
213** ''ComicBook/UltimateWolverine'': Wolverine did not really expect to see [[spoiler:Magda]] ever again.
214** ''ComicBook/UltimateFF'': Ben Grimm had killed Dr. Doom back in ''ComicBook/{{Ultimatum}}'', as he was the villain that kickstarted it all. Now, he's back. He had been trapped in an alternate universe the whole time (as seen in the ending of an earlier adventure); the villain that was involved with the Ultimatum wave and that Grimm killed was someone posing as him during his absence. Ben Grimm simply does not accept that he unknowingly killed Mary Storm, the mother of his girlfriend.
215* ''The Adventures of the ComicBook/XMen'': The Dweller in Darkness' reaction to his [[ApocalypseHow/ClassZ multiversal annihilation]] plot ending in a humiliating PyrrhicVictory is "No... this cannot be..."
216* In the ''[[ComicBook/MegaManArchieComics Mega Man comic]]'', Air Man screams this when Mega Man defeats him using Leaf Shield (his weakness in ''VideoGame/MegaMan2''), which, hilariously enough, is one of a few references to the doujin song ''Air Man ga Taosenai''.
217-->'''Air Man:''' No! Impossible! You can't beat [[KilledMidSentence m--]] ''[cue explosion and him collapsing afterwards]''
218* One issue of ''ComicBook/{{Hellblazer}}'' has the Second of the Three exclaim "true this ''cannot'' be!" when the [[TheDevil First of the Three]] reveals that [[spoiler: unlike the Second and Third, he's not actually a demon, and therefore immune to the sort of magical bindings that they are vulnerable to - which means that even though the Three are technically equally powerful, he can easily destroy them both.]]
219* ''ComicBook/StarWarsDarthVader'':
220** Near the end of the run, [[TheStarscream Cylo]] reveals he's had a secret kill switch for Vader's cybernetics all along, switching them off just when it seems Vader has him cornered. Vader has a dreamlike NearDeathExperience, mostly revolving around his own self-loathing - and then, to Cylo's horror, ''stands back up.''
221--->'''Cylo-V:''' You're still deactivated. How? Impossible!\
222'''Vader:''' ''[impales Cylo with his lightsaber and reactivates his cybernetics]'' Nothing is impossible for the Force.
223** In the final issue, Vader confronts Cylo's [[CloningGambit final body]] aboard his cyborg SpaceWhale ship, and orders him to fly into the sun.
224--->'''Cylo-VI:''' Please. My mind is protected against [[JediMindTrick such simple Force trickery...]]\
225'''Vader:''' I was not speaking to ''you'', Cylo.\
226''[the ship changes course as Vader returns to his TIE Fighter]''\
227'''Cylo-VI:''' No. He can't. This is a machine, my machine! I am the master here. I... ''[the ship begins to ignite]'' Impossible.
228[[/folder]]
229
230[[folder:Comic Strips]]
231* An especially funny installment of ''ComicStrip/TheFarSide'' showed a group of Old West pioneers who are completely baffled by an Indian attack involving flaming arrows. ("Hey, they're lighting their arrows! Can they ''do'' that?!")
232[[/folder]]
233
234[[folder:Fan Works]]
235* ''Fanfic/AbraxasHrodvitnon'': Sam Coleman is at first in denial that ''everyone'' in the GhostCity has really vanished, taken by [[TheAssimilator the Many]]. Later, [[spoiler:Keizer Ghidorah's middle head]] is in frantic denial before it's killed by [[AdaptationalHeroism Monster X]].
236* ''Fanfic/AceCombatTheEquestrianWar'': The BigBad, [[spoiler: Red Cyclone]], gets this right before he meets his [[KarmicDeath fiery demise]].
237* In ''Fanfic/AmazingFantasy'', Izuku spouts this in disbelief as he realizes that he now has the powers of ComicBook/SpiderMan. He repeats it when he runs into Peter Parker.
238-->'''Izuku:''' ''[bolting out of class]'' This is impossible... it's impossible!
239* ''Fanfic/TheAmazingSpiderLuzInAcrossTheOwlVerse'': This is [[spoiler: Grometheus']] response when Amity is actually able to hurt it with the magic she learned from Doctor Strange, something no other witch in the Boiling Isles has ever accomplished.
240* In ''Fanfic/ACertainCrazyChristmasSpecial'', BadSanta says, "This can't be happening. What...WhatAreYou?" to Touma right before the hero punches him out.
241* ''Fanfic/CodePrime'':
242** Alicia Lohmeyer has a total breakdown as she sees the Britannian Pacific Fleet get wiped out by [[spoiler: the Decepticons]] in [[CurbStompBattle a manner of minutes]], with her last words being to scream defiantly about the impossibility of the situation.
243** Megatron and the other Decepticons are caught totally off guard in the first chapter of ''R2'' by the revelation that Lelouch is still alive, as the last time they saw him near the end of ''R1'', he was seemingly dying [[spoiler: from Megatron's Dark Geass]].
244* These exact words are used in ''Film/{{Damnatus}}'' when [[spoiler:the daemon that the radical cultists were trying to imprison escapes, thanks to the heroes [[NiceJobBreakingItHero gatecrashing the binding ritual]].]] Perhaps a subversion in that it is uttered not by the villain himself but by one of his mooks.
245* ''Fanfic/TheEquestrianWindMage'':
246** Grey Hoof's reaction when the Element of Honesty protects Applejack from his death magic.
247** Phantom Ganon's reaction when [[spoiler: Doctor Whooves and Derpy]] manage to mortally wound him. To which Maulgrim [[PreMortemOneLiner only has one thing to say before finishing him off]]:
248-->"This is Equestria. And here... ''anything'' is possible!"
249** Ganondorf himself, upon realizing he's about to lose his FinalBattle with the Mane Six.
250** [[spoiler:Demise's reaction to the [[WreckedWeapon Trident of Power being destroyed]] by the Mane Six.]]
251* In ''Fanfic/AFathersWrath'' the Leader of the Jashinists and BigBad does this when his powered crystal is destroyed and all of the chakra he had put in it is unleashed on him destroying him.
252* ''Fanfic/FriendshipIsShowtime''
253** [[Series/KamenRiderWizard Phoenix]] has this reaction to being beaten by Haruto's newly acquired [[MidSeasonUpgrade Flame Dragon Style]].
254-->'''Phoenix:''' How? How did that little spark of yours turn into an inferno!? I can’t believe this!
255** Hellhound has a similar reaction once Haru defeats Phoenix.
256-->'''Hellhound:''' [[OhMyGods HOLY LORD HADES!!]] HE DEFEATED PHOENIX!!! [[WhatAreYou JUST WHO THE TARTARUS IS THIS DRAGON!?!]]
257* ''[[Fanfic/AFutureOfFriendshipAHistoryOfHate A Future of Friendship, A History of Hate]]'': This is [[BigBad Ruinate]]'s reaction when the Mane Six show up to confront him at the climax of Episode 2. Mostly because [[spoiler: he had just ''destroyed'' [[EmptyShell Twilight's soul]] in order to neutralize the Elements]], so it really ''shouldn't'' have been possible (he hadn't counted on [[BigGood Amity]]'s DivineIntervention).
258* ''Fanfic/GettingBackOnYourHooves'': [[BigBad Checker Monarch]] gets this when [[spoiler: Trixie manages to counter her DreamWeaver abilities and force her out of Trixie's dream]], something that no one had ever manage to do to her before. This ends up being the last straw that triggers Checker's VillainousBreakdown.
259* ''Fanfic/TheGodEmpressOfPonykind'': During the Siege of Canterlot, the Shadowbolts attempt to corrupt the Loyalist Lunar Knights the way the rest of Luna's Legions were corrupted by Nightmare Moon, only for them to [[HeroicWillpower fight it off]], eliciting this reaction from the Shadowbolts (right before they get killed).
260* During [[http://dekomaru.deviantart.com/gallery/36845316 Part 3]] of ''Webcomic/TheGreatestGift'', Hazel[[spoiler: , Trixie's mother,]] gets this when [[spoiler:Trixie starts to overpower her in the BeamOWar between the two.]]
261* In ''Fanfic/TheGreenGlade'', a one-shot fic of ''WesternAnimation/TheBlackCauldron'', Orddu, the leader of the witches of Morva, cries this when the Black Cauldron starts emitting [[SicklyGreenGlow green mist]] which materializes into [[spoiler:Arawn]].
262* In ''Fanfic/HopeForTheHeartless'', which is set after the events of ''WesternAnimation/TheBlackCauldron'', various characters have this reaction to finding out that [[TheDreaded the Horned King]], the movie's killed BigBad, is [[ResurrectedForAJob alive]].
263* ''Fanfic/TheImmortalGame'': [[EvilMatriarch Terra]] gets this twice. First, when [[spoiler: the Elements of Harmony are reignited]] during the Second Battle of Ponyville, and then [[spoiler: when she realizes Twilight's succeeded in defeating [[BigBad Titan]]]].
264* ''Fanfic/MyImmortal'':
265** "This cannot be. There must be other factors." Said by Snap(e) after Ha(r)grid says he is a Satanist.
266** "THIS CANNOT BE! THE SCHOOL MUST BE CLOSED! YOU ARE NOT FIT TO BE THE PRINCIPAL ANY LONGER! YOU ARE TOO OLD AND YOUR ALZHEIMERS IS DANGEROUS! YOU MUST RETRY OR VOLDEMORT WILL KILL YOUR STUDENTS!" Said to Dumbledore by Doris Rumbridge (Dolores Umbridge) after the Ministry thinks Dumbledore isn't doing enough against Voldemort.
267* ''Fanfic/MyLittleAvengers'': This is the Ghost Flyer's reaction when [[{{Determinator}} Captain Equestria]] breaks through his [[MindRape Penance Stare]] through ''[[HeroicWillpower sheer will]]''.
268* Parodied in ''Fanfic/NeitherABirdNorAPlaneItsDeku''. Tenya spouts "Inconceivable!" when things start going wrong while channeling Eobard Thawne for the Heroes vs. Villains exercise. He does it so many times that it loses all of its impact, prompting Ochaco to think that [[Film/ThePrincessBride the word doesn't mean what he think it means]].
269* ''Fanfic/TheNewAdventuresOfInvaderZim'': During Season 1's climax, this is Norlock's reaction when Dib manages to break out of his LotusEaterMachine, which he says no one's ever done before. [[spoiler: And his last moments before being vaporized are spent in denial about his impending death.]]
270* ''Fanfic/TheNightUnfurls'':
271** Original version:
272*** Chapter 6: An unnamed GiantMook is in disbelief after Kyril [[AnArmAndALeg hacks off his arm]].
273---->'''Unnamed GiantMook:''' You... you weren't supposed to do that.\
274'''Kyril:''' [[MathematiciansAnswer Aye]]. [[[OffWithHisHead beheads]] him]
275*** Chapter 8: Beasley, during his VillainousBreakdown, exclaims, "No! NO! I WON'T DIE, NOT LIKE THIS!"
276*** Chapter 13: Barnum Bailey, after he and his thugs get beat up by Sanakan and Hugh.
277---->'''Barnum:''' You can't do this to me.\
278'''Sanakan:''' Yeah, you're right. [[ExactWords I can't. But they can]]. [nudges head at [[AngryMob a mob of angry townsfolk]]] Well, see ya I guess.
279*** Chapter 19: Berol's reaction when Kyril orders [[SeizeHim his arrest]].
280---->'''Berol:''' Y-You can't do this to me, you upstart foreigner! Sergeant Roland, [[SeizeHim detain this man]]!
281*** Chapter 20: An unnamed thug, during Chloe's JackBauerInterrogationTechnique.
282---->'''Chloe:''' Well? Are you going to keep blabbering on and on about your rights?\
283'''Unnamed thug:''' You can't do this to me, [[YouMonster you damned monster]]!
284*** Chapter 30: Mandeville, after Kyril reveals that his assets are being used to fund the reconstruction of the Western District, his house disassembled.
285---->'''Mandeville:''' [[ThatLiarLies Liar]]! My wealth isn't something to banter with! My line will not end here!
286** Remastered version:
287*** Chapter 12: A non-villain example. Alicia sees Kyril's cleaver seemingly about to fall on top of her head. The phrase is not said outright, but her internal narration expresses this sentiment.
288---->''Was this how it ended? She was going to die? How?''
289* ''Fanfic/TheRedDragonsSaber'': Raynare and her Fallen Angels say it is impossible when Artoria Pendragon effortlessly kicks their butts.
290* ''Fanfic/RosarioVampireBrightestDarkness'':
291** After having things go his way for most of Acts III and IV, this is Hokuto's reaction in Act IV chapter 31 when the fully-vampirized Tsukune starts kicking his ass.
292** Similarly, in Act IV chapters 28 and 29, Jovian is completely taken aback when Apoch proves that she and Jacqueline are NotSoInvincibleAfterAll by successfully penetrating her barrier with her LaserBlade, and then using said blade to deflect her {{Hand Blast}}s.
293* ''Fanfic/SecondWind'': At the end of Chapter 4, Buggy has this thought during his last second of consciousness after Zoro cuts him…successfully.
294* ''[[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/1197160/1/Shining_In_The_Darkness Shining in the Darkness,]]'' a ''VideoGame/GoldenSun'' fanfic by Feonyx:
295-->''"Impossible," breathed Felix.\
296"Not impossible," Garet whispered with a grin. "Just very, very unlikely."''
297* In ''Fanfic/ThisBites'', Blueno and Fukuro get this reaction: Blueno when Sanji manages to affect the real world while locked in his door dimension (something that can only be done with incredible strength); Fukuro when Boss reveals that within half an hour, he's [[spoiler: learned the Six Powers enough to replicate the Six King Gun.]]
298* As soon as Tom is sent back in time in ''Fanfic/WhatTomorrowBrings'', Temrash 114 learns all the Animorphs' secrets from Tom's memories and is confident he'll be able to expose them and infest their leader... only to be blindsided when it turns out the Animorphs were waiting in the house to capture them.
299* [[TomTheDarkLord Melvin]] does this in his typically [[BewareTheSillyOnes silly]] fasion in ''WebVideo/YuGiOhTheAbridgedSeries'':
300-->A locked door?! '''IMPOSSIBLE!!''' Wait, no, that's totally possible, what am I talking about?
301[[/folder]]
302
303[[folder:Films — Animation]]
304* In ''WesternAnimation/AladdinTheReturnOfJafar'', this is Jafar's reaction when he sees Aladdin and Abu and Abis Mal fighting over his lamp and [[ReportsOfMyDeathWereGreatlyExaggerated realizes that Aladdin escaped being executed thanks to Genie]]:
305-->'''Jafar:''' The street rat? ''Still aliiiiive?!'' '''[[BigNo NO!]]''' ''[[[KillItWithFire launches fireballs at Aladdin]]]''
306* ''Animation/BoBoiBoyTheMovie'': Fang and Bora Ra react in disbelief at the sight of [=BoBoiBoy's=] Penta Split, as this is the first time he's [[LiteralSplitPersonality split into that many people]] before.
307--> '''Fang:''' Impossible.
308--> '''Bora Ra:''' Not... not possible!
309* In ''WesternAnimation/{{Frozen|2013}}'', after Elsa manages to finally control her powers and, through the PowerOfLove, thaws out Anna after being frozen, Hans has this very revelation when he sees them both alive:
310-->'''Hans:''' ''[to Anna]'' But she froze your heart!
311* Hades is sure WesternAnimation/{{Hercules}} will perish when retrieving [[BrokenBird Meg's]] soul. Cue Herc emerging from the pool of souls, radiating golden light as his {{Leitmotif}} plays.
312-->'''Hades:''' This is -- this is impossible! You, you, y-you can't be alive! You'd have to be a, a--\
313'''Pain''' & '''Panic:''' [[IronicEcho A god?]]\
314'''Hades:''' ''[flaming up]'' '''''[[{{Angrish}} NYAAAARGHAAH!!!!!]]''''' [[VillainousBreakdown Hercules, stop! You can't do this to me! You can't]] --\
315''[[[OffhandBackhand Herc punches him in the face without turning his head]]]''
316* In ''WesternAnimation/KimPossibleMovieSoTheDrama'', Kim's entrance is to correct a villain saying this.
317-->'''Mook:''' It is impossible.\
318'''Kim:''' No, but real close. ''cue Kim kicking ass''
319* Also shown in ''WesternAnimation/KungFuPanda'' just before Po defeats Tai Lung.
320-->'''Tai Lung:''' You...can't defeat me. You're just a big... fat... panda!\
321'''Po:''' I'm not a big, fat panda. [[InsultBackfire I'm]] ''[[InsultBackfire THE]]'' [[InsultBackfire big, fat, panda]].
322* ''WesternAnimation/TheLionKing1994''
323** Inverted: when Simba arrives just in time to witness Scar fighting with his mother Sarabi, he steps in to protect her. A terrified Scar replies to that with "Mufasa? No. You're dead."
324** And he's right. Earlier on in the film, Scar killed Mufasa by shoving him back into the wildebeest stampede, therefore resulting in his death. With Simba's return, Scar ends up mistaking him for Mufasa until he reveals to his mother that he's her son, causing Scar to be both relieved to know he's correct and surprised to know that Simba is indeed alive.
325--->'''Scar:''' Simba? Simba! I'm a little surprised to see you... (angrily looks at the hyenas) ''alive''? (the hyenas gulp and back away)
326* In ''WesternAnimation/PeterPan'', this is inverted ''and'' played straight: after Captain Hook supposedly killed Peter Pan by blowing him up with a bomb, not realizing he had escaped the blast, he has Wendy walk the plank, but when the pirates don't hear a splash expected from hitting the water, [[WheresTheKaboom they puzzle over it]] until they discover the answer to the question: Peter, very much alive, had saved Wendy and put here in the crow's nest.
327-->'''Hook:''' It can't be!\
328'''Mr. Smee:''' It's his blinking ghost what's talking!\
329'''Hook:''' ''[drawing his sword to duel with Peter]'' I assure you this ghost has blood in his veins!
330* ''WesternAnimation/RockAndRule''.
331-->'''Mok:''' You can't do this to me! I... AM... MOK!
332* A note-perfect example in Disney's ''WesternAnimation/SleepingBeauty'': Maleficent utters the line almost exactly in, when she realizes that Prince Philip has very nearly reached Princess Aurora's castle. She teleports to his location and declares:
333-->'''Maleficent:''' Now shall you deal with ''me,'' O Prince... and ALL THE POWERS OF '''''[[PrecisionFStrike HELL]]!'''''
334* Grouchy Smurf's reaction to the BadFuture shown to him of his fellow Smurfs all being captured by Gargamel on Christmas Day in ''WesternAnimation/TheSmurfsAChristmasCarol''.
335* In the finale of the 1986 ''WesternAnimation/TransformersTheMovie'', Unicron in his death-throes is heard saying "[[PunctuatedForEmphasis Destiny... You cannot... destroy... my... DESTINYYYYY...!]]" before exploding.
336* In ''WesternAnimation/TurningRed'', this is essentially Mei's reaction to finding out the 4*Town concert is the same night as the red moon ritual.
337-->'''Mei:''' The same night? The same night?! What?!
338** Mei also has a similar reaction when she first sees herself in her red panda form.
339--->'''Mei:''' This isn't happening, this isn't happening!
340* '' WesternAnimation/WallE'': This is AUTO's reaction to finding EVE and WALL-E somehow escaped from the Axiom's garbage dump.
341-->'''Auto:''' '''Not. Possible.'''
342* ''WesternAnimation/WreckItRalph'': Both Wreck-It Ralph and Fix-It Felix Jr. have this reaction when they see that King Candy is actually [[spoiler:[[BigBad Turbo]]]] in disguise. [[spoiler:The heroes originally thought [[FallenHero Turbo]] was dead after he game-jumped from ''Turbo Time'' to another arcade game due to not [[AttentionWhore being the center of attention]]. It turned out Turbo managed to escape after his game was unplugged and laid low for a while before hijacking another racing game by disguising himself as King Candy]].
343[[/folder]]
344
345[[folder:Films — Live-Action]]
346* The Spanish dub of ''Film/BruceAlmighty'' had this as Grace's reaction to feeling "el placer".
347* Christopher Robin's initial reaction to Pooh appearing in his world in the ''Film/ChristopherRobin'' film is "This can't be happening!"
348* ''Film/CitizenKane'':
349-->'''Kane:''' Susan. Please don't go. No. Please, Susan. From now on, everything will be exactly the way you want it to be, not the way I think you want it, but -- your way. You mustn't go. You can't do this to me!\
350'''Susan:''' I see. It's ''you'' that this is being done to! It's not me at all. Not what it means to me. I can't do this to you? ''Oh, yes I can.''
351* In ''Film/TheCrow'', as Eric Draven is about to dispatch T-Bird, T-Bird recognizes him:
352-->'''T-Bird:''' "I know you. I know you. I knew I knew you, I knew I knew you. But you ain't you. You can't be you. We put you through the window. There ain't no coming back. This is the really real world, there ain't no coming back. We killed you dead, [[MadnessMantra there ain't no coming back! There ain't no coming back! There ain't no coming back!]]"
353* ''Film/TheDarkKnightTrilogy''
354** When Bane is notified of Batman's return in ''Film/TheDarkKnightRises'', he says "Impossible!" When the two of them come face-to-face, he can still barely believe it. "I broke you!"
355** Subversion: In ''Film/TheDarkKnight'', when Batman shows up to protect Dent from getting hit by an RPG, Joker's response is a simple "[[DidntSeeThatComing Hm!]]" Downplayed later in the film. When [[spoiler:the two boats with passengers aboard do not blow each other up]], Joker tosses aside his pipe club in anger, then mutters to himself: "Can't rely on anyone these days, you gotta do ''everything'' yourself..."
356* In ''Film/{{Dogma}}'', Azrael croaks out "But... I'm a fucking demon..." after Silent Bob collapses his chest with a blessed golf club.
357* Aunt Agatha in ''Film/DoubleDoubleToilAndTrouble'' says this almost word for word when the twins manage to bring her sister out of the mirror world.
358* ''Film/ExMachina'': As Nathan is [[spoiler:stabbed by his two robot slaves, he stops fighting back and just starts walking away in shock, muttering about this whole thing is "fucking unreal..."]]
359* From ''Film/{{Flash Gordon|1980}}'':
360-->'''[[Creator/BrianBlessed Prince Vultan]]:''' GORDON'S ALIVE?!?!?!?!?!?!?
361* ''Franchise/{{Godzilla}}'':
362** ''Film/GodzillaVsMechagodzilla'': The Simian leader has this reaction when Godzilla and King Caesar finally destroy Mechagodzilla.
363** ''Film/ShinGodzilla'':
364*** Yasuda initially scoffs at Ogashira's hypothesis of Godzilla running on nuclear fission, only to spook the research team office with a flabbergasted screaming fit when it turns out she's right.
365*** The reaction of the American ambassador when told that Godzilla not only has a weapon, but that it can shoot down stealth bombers.
366** See below for [=MonsterVerse=] examples.
367* ''Film/TheHungerGamesCatchingFire'': This is [[PresidentEvil President Snow's]] reaction when Katniss [[spoiler: manages to shut down the whole game arena]].
368-->'''Snow:''' That's not possible.
369* Used verbatim by Steppenwolf in ''Film/JusticeLeague2017'' after the heroes disable his DoomsdayDevice, kick his ass around the block and shatter his axe. At this point, [[spoiler: his Parademons realize he's more afraid of the heroes than vice versa, and turn on him.]]
370* Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse:
371** ''Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxy2014'' when the titular heroes [[spoiler:successfully share the power of an Infinity Stone.]]
372--->'''Ronan:''' You're mortal! How?!
373** {{Inverted|Trope}} in ''Film/ThorRagnarok'': It is TheHero, Thor, who says this when Hela [[spoiler: destroys Mjølnir.]]
374--->'''Thor:''' This is not possible!\
375'''Hela:''' Darling, you have no idea what is possible.
376* ''Film/TheMatrix'':
377** An inversion when the Matrix starts glitching out on Neo after he takes the red pill:
378-->'''Neo:''' This can't be!\
379'''Morpheus:''' Be what? Be real?
380** A straight example when Tank reappears with the lightning gun trained on Cypher:
381-->'''Cypher:''' No! I don't believe it!\
382'''Tank:''' [[PreAsskickingOneLiner Believe it or not, you piece of shit, you're still gonna burn!]]
383** ''The Matrix Revolutions'': Agent Smith's reaction when Neo gets up once again [[spoiler:just before the "[[TheAssimilator It]] Was [[AssimilationBackfire Inevitable]]" [[HeroicSacrifice scene]]]]:
384--->'''Smith:''' What? What did I just say?.. No, no, this isn't right. This can't be right... GET AWAY FROM ME!\
385'''Neo:''' What are you afraid of?\
386'''Smith:''' It's a trick!
387* In ''Film/MenInBlack3'', Boris the Animal repeats that several times after [[spoiler:Jay manages to dodge his SpikeShooter symbiote three times. Jay counters with Boris's own CatchPhrase, "Let's AgreeToDisagree." In fact, Jay did this by first running towards Boris and getting hit three times, remembering the trajectory of the spikes, then using MentalTimeTravel to repeat the events but without getting hit]].
388* Franchise/MonsterVerse:
389** ''Film/Godzilla2014'': [[Characters/MonsterVerseMonarch Dr. Vivienne Graham]] says "It can't be. It's impossible!" once she realizes that the long-dormant MUTO spore from the Philippine mine has reawakened due to its grown counterpart communicating with it.
390** ''Film/GodzillaKingOfTheMonsters2019'':
391*** Dr. Stanton says it's impossible when Coleman says the storm which Ghidorah disappeared inside has changed direction and is headed towards Rodan at unnaturally fast speed, at which point Chen and Coleman realize that Ghidorah ''is generating the storm himself''.
392*** Commander Crane just says, "That can't be" when informed that the underwater vortex has carried the submarine to a place where instruments say it's suddenly several-hundred extra miles from Castle Bravo (because the sub has [[spoiler:entered the HollowEarth]]).
393* ''Film/MontyPythonAndTheHolyGrail''
394** Sir Galahad the Chaste upon realizing the maidens of castle Anthrax want to have their way with him.
395--->'''Galahad:''' This cannot be! I am sworn to chastity!
396** The Black Knight essentially says it when Arthur bests him easily, "I'm invincible!!"
397* Nicely [[PlayingWithATrope played with]] in ''Film/PiratesOfTheCaribbeanTheCurseOfTheBlackPearl'', when Jack Sparrow waltzes into the pirates' cave on Isla De Muerta shortly after Barbossa marooned him on an unescapable island for the ''second'' time.
398-->'''Barbossa:''' It's not possible!\
399'''Jack:''' Not ''probable!''
400* ''Film/PowerRangers2017'': During the climactic showdown with Rita and Goldar, the Rangers and their Zords appear to be destroyed by being pushed into a fiery pit, only to emerge unharmed, having formed the Megazord. Rita, for the first time in the movie, [[OhCrap loses her smug composure]] and can only scream a frustrated "How?!"
401* ''Film/ThePrestige'', when [[spoiler:Borden shows up after having apparently been hanged.]] This is pretty rich when you consider what Angier's been up to.
402-->'''Angier:''' Impossible... [[spoiler:a brother, a twin?]]
403* Vizzini from ''Film/ThePrincessBride'' is fond of the word "inconceivable" to explain things that should not go wrong but inevitably do.
404-->'''Vizzini:''' He didn't fall?! [[CatchPhrase Inconceivable]]!\
405'''Inigo Montoya:''' YouKeepUsingThatWord. [[LampshadeHanging I do not think it means what you think it means]].
406* The one in the [[Series/MysteryScienceTheater3000 MST-worthy]] ''Film/RidingWithDeath'' is delivered oddly:
407-->'''Dr. Hale:''' No. This can't '''BE?!''' You're '''''DEAD?!'''''\
408'''Mike:''' No ''I'm'' '''''NOT?!'''''
409* In ''Film/RoboCop1987'', when Robo catches Emil in the act of robbing the gas station and utters the phrase [[SomethingOnlyTheyWouldSay "Dead or alive, you're coming with me"]], Emil recognizes him as Murphy:
410-->'''Emil:''' I know you. You're dead! We killed you! ''We killed you!''
411* ''Film/ScottPilgrimVsTheWorld'': "''This is impossible/How can this be...''"
412* ''Film/ShanghaiNoon'': As the sheriff [[spoiler:realizes he's been shot fatally ''through his badge'' by notoriously bad shooter Roy, who also had only one bullet to boot and endured a hail of six-shooter gunfire]]: "...How the hell did that happen?"
413* ''Film/Speed2CruiseControl'' when the hero is able to keep the runaway ship from crashing into an oil tanker, causing [[LargeHam Willem Dafoe]] to yell "IMPOSSIBLE!"
414* ''Franchise/StarWars''
415** A rare heroic version comes from Luke in ''Film/TheEmpireStrikesBack'':
416--->'''Vader:''' [[LukeIAmYourFather No, I am your father!]]\
417'''Luke:''' No. No. That's not true. That's impossible!\
418'''Vader:''' Search your feelings, you ''know'' it to be true!\
419'''Luke:''' ''[[BigNo NOOOOOOOOOOOO!]]'' Nooooooo!
420** Early in ''Film/ThePhantomMenace'', Nute Gunray shouts "This is impossible!" as Qui-Gon melts the blast doors to the bridge of the droid control ship.
421** Obi-Wan Kenobi in ''Film/RevengeOfTheSith'' [[spoiler:when he discovers the records from the Jedi Temple where Anakin killed the younglings]].
422* Played straight in ''Film/VanHelsing'', when the titular character starts transforming into a Werewolf( [[spoiler:the only creature that can kill Dracula]] ), Dracula says just this. Considering ol' Vlad had just recently ''sent'' a werewolf after Van Helsing ''et al'', you'd THINK he might have considered this possibility.
423* A notable version in ''Film/{{Willow}}'', since [[spoiler:it really was impossible. Willow faked the whole thing and if the BigBad hadn't made a mistake in response she'd have won as soon as she thought to search the area.]]
424* In ''Film/TheWizardOfOz'', while the Wicked Witch of the West is suffering from a ''literal'' [[ImMelting meltdown]], part of her last words are "How could a little girl like you destroy all of my beautiful wickedness?"
425[[/folder]]
426
427[[folder:Literature]]
428* In ''Literature/DragonBlood'', [[spoiler:Jakoven]] says something like that as his last words, when he is killed by [[spoiler:Garranon, his former [[SexSlave "beloved"]]. Stockholm syndrome didn't work so well for him]].
429* In the last book of the ''Literature/DeptfordMice'' trilogy, [[BigBad Jupiter]] screams "It cannot be!" [[spoiler:as he realises that [[TheHero Audrey]] is defeating him.]]
430* In ''Literature/TheDresdenFiles'' the necromancer Grevane has a non-verbal variant, where he refuses to believe that he could be defeated even after having his throat cut open with a sword, and keeps trying to finish the spell that would make him a god as he's dying. This is fortunate for the protagonists, as if he'd accepted what was happening he would undoubtedly have used his [[CastFromHitPoints Death Curse]] to do as much damage as possible.
431* In [[Creator/MoWillems Mo Willems]]'s ''Edwina, the Dinosaur Who Didn't Know She Was Extinct'', when Reginald's [[PuffOfLogic first plan]] to convince people that there is no Edwina because dinosaurs are extinct fails, he stands around, [[WavingSignsAround waving a sign]] in red letters reading "This is not happening." It doesn't work either.
432* [[ManipulativeBitch Senna Wales]], late in the ''Literature/{{Everworld}}'' series.
433-->'''Senna:''' It couldn't end here. It couldn't end like this. This was [[DimensionLord to be my universe]]. Everworld [[TakeOverTheWorld was mine]]; it couldn't end like this.
434* ''Literature/GoToSleepAJeffTheKillerRewrite'': In the final chapter, Randy is in horrified disbelief when Jeff Woods appears before him, saying "N-no- It can't fucking be." When [[spoiler:Ben's ghost]] shows up too, Randy stares in shock, muttering to himself "This isn't real, this isn't real," before sprinting the other way.
435* Subverted in ''Literature/HarryPotterAndTheGobletOfFire'' by Mr. Crouch when his house-elf, Winky, is discovered underneath the Dark Mark, having disobeyed his orders. He's really reacting to the much bigger problem of [[spoiler:his son returning to his evil ways and fighting the Imperius Curse under which he has placed him]], however. Still, he's [[GoodIsNotNice not really the villain]] and they weren't his final words, [[spoiler:although he is killed later in the book by that very son.]]
436* ''Literature/TheMisfitOfDemonKingAcademy'': Emilia Lud(o)well freaks out the moment she comes to the realization that Anos reincarnated her into a HumanDemonHybrid; the very brand she had bigotry towards up to this point; and attempts to end her life as a result only to find that killing herself will only resurrect her into the hybrid she was forcibly turned into, leaving her wrecked and sobbing.
437* In ''Literature/SeptimusHeap'', this is about the reaction of [=DomDaniel=] when he sees Princess Jenna on top of the Dragon Boat's head when the Dragon Boat is attacking him.
438* ''Franchise/StarWarsLegends'':
439** In the ''[[Literature/XWingSeries X-Wing: Rogue Squadron]]'' novel ''The Krytos Trap'' Wedge Antilles at first cannot believe what his fighter's sensors are telling him, that a Super Star Destroyer had just broken free from its underground confinement under a section of Coruscant's planet-wide city and is slowly lifting up into the sky. Asking for confirmation from the controllers, he is told that [[YouCanSeeThatRight he is seeing what they are seeing]].[[note]]The novel goes on to state that the liftoff devastated over 100 square kilometers and likely killed millions of people in the process.[[/note]]
440** Used by the local BigBad in the novel ''Literature/TheApproachingStorm''. [[DiscussedTrope An insight on the Trope]] is provided by [[TheWatson Ogomoor]]:
441-->''...Ogomoor was able to divine several things simultaneously from his master's exclamation. First, when someone declares loudly and violently that something is not possible, it is probably an accomplished fact. Second, things that are supposed to not be possible that become reality almost always imply negative consequences. [[RuleOfThree And third]], there was no point in hurrying from the room because in all probability he would immediately receive an order to return.''
442* Subverted in ''Literature/SoonIWillBeInvincible'': Doctor Impossible is a cape-and-mask supervillain who declares his nefarious plot to the world by saying "Greetings, insects!" But in quieter moments he reflects "No matter how good the science is, sooner or later, some Special Forces reject will scale the wall and punch you in the stomach." He only rejoices when there really does appear to be nothing between him and his goal. He's wrong, but doesn't seem amazed by it, or even, after thirteen tries, really surprised. Very disappointed, obviously, but it was always a possibility, and ''next time'' he'll win, no doubt about it.
443* In most English translations of the Polish folktale "The Two Babies Cast into the Water", the father of the two babies (who have been put through the MosesInTheBulrushes treatment by their WickedStepmother) screams exactly this trope when the stepmother lies to him that his former wife has given birth not to human children, but to a dog and a cat. (The two children survive their ordeal and grow up to become a BrotherSisterTeam, with [[ActionGirl the sister a little more competent than the brother]].)
444* ''Literature/VorkosiganSaga'': In ''Literature/Barrayar'', the villain's last words are "You're a [[TheSoCalledCoward Betan]]! You can't do--"
445* [[TheDragon Ishamael]] says something along these lines each of the three times Rand "kills" him in the first three books of ''Literature/TheWheelOfTime''. [[spoiler:He may have a point, though, since he survives the first two times and is quickly reincarnated the third.]]
446[[/folder]]
447
448[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
449* A constant on ''Series/Batman1966'' when the villains realize Batman and Robin have escaped a seemingly impossible-to-beat DeathTrap.
450** "The Clock King Gets Crowned:" The Clock King has smugly outlined his entire grand scheme to his underlings. They're about to get ready when Batman and Robin (last seen in a giant hourglass filling with sand) burst in.
451-->'''The Clock King:''' No...It can't be true! You're dead! You have to be dead!
452-->'''Robin:''' Maybe we're living on...borrowed time.
453** "The Duo Are Slumming": The Puzzler gloats on how Batman and Robin have fallen from a giant balloon to their deaths. Cue them smashing through the window.
454-->'''The Puzzler:''' But you're...you're dead! How puzzling...
455** "A Riddling Controversy": The Riddler brushes off the chances of the Dynamic Duo escaping a quicksand trap. Guess who shows up...
456-->'''Riddler:''' Impossible! Fifteen feet of lethal quicksand!
457-->'''Across:''' They sure don't look defunct to me, Riddler!
458-->'''Down:''' Or demised, departed and dead!
459-->'''Riddler:''' How... how did they survive?
460-->'''Robin:''' Right was on our side, that's how!
461* ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer:'' Season 4's BigBad, Adam, was like this all through his final fight with Buffy, unable to comprehend how she is defeating him. His last words are a disbelieving "How can you?"
462** The Master from Season 1 has a similar reaction when Buffy confronts him for second time, perfectly alive. The last time they squared of, he killed her BecauseDestinySaysSo, so he shocked to find that she [[ScrewDestiny gave destiny the finger]].
463* ''Series/DoctorWho'':
464** Davros declares "I cannot die! I CANNOT DIE!" in [[Recap/DoctorWhoS21E4ResurrectionOfTheDaleks "Resurrection of the Daleks"]]. And follows it up with "No! This CANNOT be!" in [[Recap/DoctorWhoS25E1RemembranceOfTheDaleks "Remembrance of the Daleks"]]. [[JokerImmunity He had a point.]] Talk about not being able to take a hint.
465** In [[Recap/DoctorWhoS27E13ThePartingOfTheWays "The Parting of the Ways"]], the Dalek Emperor declares "I cannot die!" just before [[spoiler:Rose destroys him and his army]].
466** As a heroic inversion, the Doctor himself has been known to say this, on occasion, like in [[Recap/DoctorWhoS28E8TheImpossiblePlanet "The Impossible Planet"]]:
467--->'''Rose:''' That's a [[UnrealisticBlackHole black hole]].\
468'''The Doctor:''' That's impossible.\
469'''Zach:''' I did warn you.\
470'''The Doctor:''' We're standing under a black hole.\
471'''Ida Scott:''' In orbit.\
472'''The Doctor:''' But we can't be.\
473'''Ida:''' You can see for yourself — we're in orbit.\
474'''The Doctor:''' But we ''can't'' be!
475** [[Recap/DoctorWhoS35E2TheWitchsFamiliar "The Witch's Familiar"]]: A dying Davros seems to have tricked the Doctor into giving him and the Daleks some of his regeneration energy and is [[EvilGloating gloating]] about it, unaware that the Doctor is counting down to something. As soon as he says "one", a huge tremor goes through the city. Davros has enough time to say [[OhCrap "What's happening?!"]] when the Doctor tells him that he turned the tables on his so-called trick, and poured some energy into the city's sewers, where a bunch of half-dead, decaying and very, ''very'' angry Daleks are. As soon as Davros realizes this, he says, "No... This cannot be correct! How can this be?!" as the Doctor leaves him in the collapsing city.
476** [[Recap/DoctorWhoS38E1E2Spyfall "Spyfall"]]: The Doctor's reaction to [[spoiler:the Master revealing his identity]]:
477--->'''The Doctor:''' No... no, you can't be.\
478[[spoiler:'''The Master:''']] Oh, but I can be, and very much am.
479* ''Series/TheFlash2014'': In "Flashpoint", the Rival says "That's impossible!" when Barry Allen manages to neutralize the two tornadoes Rival created.
480* ''Series/GameOfThrones'': Roose's eyes go wide when Theon tells him that [[ReportsOfMyDeathWereGreatlyExaggerated Reports of Bran and Rickon Stark's Deaths Were Greatly Exaggerated]].
481* In the finale of ''Series/HeroesReborn'', Erica Kravid has this reaction when Tommy reveals that he has the ability to [[TakeAThirdOption circumvent her]] SadisticChoice, and that she made it possible because [[spoiler:she'd had him trapped in Evernow where he literally had an eternity to practice how to put himself in two places at once]]. She screams "No. That's impossible!" before trying to shoot him.
482* In the second ''Series/HoratioHornblower'' episode, Horatio's division is exposed to TheBlackDeath at a supply stop in Oran and their civilian negotiator, Mr. Tapling, informs him that they now have to quarantine in the city until three weeks after the last case. Hornblower, appalled, immediately says "Nonsense! No one would order that." Tapling has to graphically describe his own experience of a plague epidemic to explain why they ''will.''
483* In the finale of ''Series/KamenRiderBuild'', BigBad Evolto exclaims disbelief that "puny humans" could destroy him as Sento's Rider Kick him to death.
484* In the ''Series/MysteryScienceTheater3000'' episode ''Film/RidingWithDeath'', a bad guy had just found out the main hero had survived what should have been a deadly crash. He exclaims, oddly, "This cannot beeeeeeeee? You're deaaaaaaaaaad?"
485-->'''Mike:''' ''No, I'm nooooot.''
486* ''Series/OddSquad'':
487** Inverted in "The One That Got Away", where Oprah's response to seeing the mark of Equal Evan for the first time in 30 years is a worried, breathy "It can't be."
488** Another good inversion occurs in "End of the Road".
489-->'''Opal:''' [[spoiler:Olizabeth,]] how can you do this after all I did to protect you?
490-->'''The Shadow:''' [[SafetyWorst All you]] ''[[SafetyWorst ever]]'' [[SafetyWorst did was protect me!]]
491* ''Series/PaperGirls'':
492** Clearly Future!Erin's reaction to find her own teenaged self standing in the kitchen with Past!Erin feeling the same way.
493** Mac's brother assumes this teenager claiming to be his long-dead sister is a troubled girl playing a sick joke. He realizes it's her when he sees her name written on the Walkman and has a DNA test done, yet is still unable to believe this at first.
494* Quite a few throughout ''Franchise/PowerRangers'':
495** One good example is [[TheDragon Goldar]] from the very first series (''Series/MightyMorphinPowerRangers'', to be exact), who gets a big shock when his personal war Zord, Cyclopsis, is overloading and when it is finally destroyed for good by the Ultrazord.
496--->'''Computerized voice:''' Overload! Overload! Too many changes! System locked!\
497'''Goldar:''' NO! I don't believe it!\
498''[the Ultrazord blasts Lokar and Cyclopsis]''\
499'''Goldar:''' It can't be! [[AbandonShip ABANDON SHIP!]] ''[teleports back to Rita's palace just before Cyclopsis explodes]''
500** And, not too much later after that...
501--->'''Rita:''' Ohh, I can't stand it!!\
502'''Baboo:''' Ohh, I certainly regret your displeasure!\
503'''Squatt:''' It wasn't my fault! I was asleep!\
504'''Finster:''' You can't blame me! This time it's all Goldar's fault!\
505'''Goldar:''' Never mind that! Rita! Get us out of here before Ultrazord blasts us!\
506'''Rita:''' ''[laughs; her palace takes off for the moon]'' Yes! ...Goldar?\
507'''Goldar:''' Yes, empress?\
508'''Rita:''' DON'T EVER TELL ME WHAT TO DO AGAIN!!!\
509'''Goldar:''' ''[growls]''
510** In the second season of Mighty Morphin, [[BigBad Lord Zedd]] reacts rather badly to seeing the rangers free the Dinozords from Pirantishead's control.
511--->'''Zedd''': NO! This can't be! I will not tolerate being outsmarted by those Power Rangers!
512** Later on in the same season, he breaks down in disbelief after Tommy destroys his Green Crystal and teleports the Dark Rangers out of the Otherworld.
513--->'''Zedd''': NOOOOOOOOOOOO! NO! NOT MY DARK RANGERS! THIS CAN’T BE HAPPENING TO ME! NOT AGAIN! NO! I CAN’T BE DEFEATED! IT’S IMPOSSIBLE! NOOOO!
514** In ''Series/PowerRangersTurbo'', General Havoc yells "THIS IS NOT POSSIBLE!" when the Rangers destroy his Metallosaurus with the Rescue Megazord. Subverted in that he actually ''survives'' this and returns for the following season.
515** From ''Series/PowerRangersLightspeedRescue'', DiscOneFinalBoss Diabolico has decided to take the Rangers out himself, and hits their spiffy new Lightspeed Solarzord with a massive attack... which the Zord [[AttackReflector absorbs into its solar panels]].
516--->'''Diabolico:''' This can't be happening!\
517'''Carter:''' Oh, ''sure'' it can, Diabolico! ''Fire!'' ''[pulls trigger; [[BeamSpam insanely massive barrage]] [[AlphaStrike of laser]]-{{Dakka}} ensues]''\
518'''Diabolico:''' ''[As his body goes critical]'' [[ImpossibleTask You have done the impossible]]. [[DefeatingTheUndefeatable You have defeated the mighty Diabolico]]! [[MyDeathIsOnlyTheBeginning But be assured]], [[BigBad Queen Bansheera]] will [[AvengingTheVillain avenge my defeat]] ''A THOUSAND FOLD!''\
519''[Diabolico collapses to the ground and explodes]''
520** In ''Series/PowerRangersWildForce'', [[BigBad Master Org]] finds himself in a state of shock when the Wildzords come BackFromTheDead to destroy him after the rangers declare their humanity to him.
521-->'''Master Org''': This is not possible! They can't be here! I destroyed the Wildzords!
522** In ''Series/PowerRangersJungleFury'', one of the main villains was a creature name [[BearsAreBadNews Grizzaka]], who was [[SmugSuper so arrogant]] about his immense power that he claimed no one would ever be stronger than him and that he would never be defeated. Needless to say, [[OhCrap he received a big shock]] when, after a huge battle with the rangers, they delivered the fatal blow to him.
523--->'''Grizzaka:''' ''[[[CriticalExistenceFailure as his body prepares to explode]]]'' IMPOSSIBLE! I AM INVINCIBLE! NO ONE IS STRONGER THAN GRIZZZAKKKAAAA!!!\
524''[[[DefeatMeansExplosion he blows up]]]''
525** ''Series/PowerRangersSamurai'': This is [[TheStarscream Serrator]]'s reaction to [[BigBad Xandred]] leaving the Netherworld and coming after him. A major plot point was Xandred's inability to leave the Netherworld due to an (incomplete) sealing spell placed on him by the previous generation. Turns out the nature of that spell is that he can't leave the Netherworld ''for very long.'' The decay that happens to all Nighloks in Earth conditions just happens to him really fast. At this point, no one - us, or the other characters, except maybe the scholar Octoroo - knew that if he was willing to pay the price, he can come out and play for a minute or three... and he's so insanely powerful that even when severely compromized, that's long enough to ''thoroughly'' [[CurbStompBattle maul the Rangers and anybody else who pisses him off enough to come out]]. Cue the previously unthinkable sight of Serrator - a DiabolicalMastermind, and TheHeavy since Xandred doesn't usually do much, ''and'' someone who proved to be very powerful in combat - [[KnowWhenToFoldEm running for his life]]. [[spoiler: Of course, the time it will take Xandred to recover from that means Serrator came out of this ahead. Knowing Serrator, ''maybe'' he'd planned on that.]]
526** ''Series/PowerRangersMegaforce'': Imagine Creepox's surprise when he realizes that he lost his SingleStrokeBattle with Troy...
527--->'''Creepox:''' No. NO! It cannot be! Me, the mightiest of all insects, fall to a weak human like you? Argh! (blows up)
528** In the season finale of ''Series/PowerRangersNinjaSteel'', we get this line from [[DiscOneFinalBoss Galvanax]] after being defeated by the Ninja Steel Rangers.
529--->'''Galvanax:''' "NO! You can't hurt me! I'm invincible! I'm the champion of Galaxy Warriors! I'm the greatest of all time!" ''[Collapses and explodes]''
530** In the finale of ''Series/PowerRangersBeastMorphers'', Evox[[spoiler:/Venjix]] shouts this line when the Beast Morphers Rangers [[spoiler:channel their DNA into him]] before he goes boom.
531--->'''Evox'''/[[spoiler:'''Venjix''']]: No! It can't be! [[WeaksauceWeakness Human DNA!]] AAAAAAHHHHH!!! It's corrupting my systems! CURSE YOU, RANGERS!!!
532* ''Series/{{Search}}'': Lee Hyeok shouts, "How can this be?" when he discovers [[spoiler: Min-guk]] is OnlyMostlyDead.
533* In the ''Series/{{Supernatural}}'' episode [[Recap/SupernaturalS02E22AllHellBreaksLoosePartTwo "All Hells Breaks Loose, Part Two" (S02, E22)]], Jake is shocked to see Sam alive.
534-->'''Jake:''' You can't be alive. You can't be.
535* ''Series/UchuSentaiKyuranger'': Stinger does not take meeting his brother again for the first time in years [[HeroicBSOD well]]. [[spoiler:Last time he saw him, his brother just betrayed whole planet to Jark Matter. Now he came to know that Scorpio also added becoming a monstrous version of himself in the meantime.]]
536-->'''Stinger:''' It can't be... Brother?
537[[/folder]]
538
539[[folder:Music]]
540* The opening line of Music/DreamTheater's ''In the name of God.''
541[[/folder]]
542
543[[folder:Pro Wrestling]]
544* During late 2003, Wrestling/{{Kane}} had buried his brother, Wrestling/TheUndertaker, alive. At the 2004 Wrestling/RoyalRumble, [[ForDoomTheBellTolls Taker's gong hit]], prompting Kane to [[OhCrap completely stop what he was doing]], pointing at the entrance ramp and screaming "I buried you alive! There's no way!" The next few months would have Taker invoke these on Kane frequently, with Kane [[VillainousBreakdown increasingly losing what little of his sanity he had left]]. Most of Kane's response was to scream that the Undertaker was dead, denying there was any way Taker would come back to face him. [[HesBack Then came WrestleMania XX]].
545* At Wrestling/WrestleMania 36, Wrestling/AJStyles had seemingly beaten Undertaker to a pulp and was about to win, but Undertaker suddenly stood up, showing no signs of pain or fatigue. Styles screamed in horror, "How are you still standing!?"
546[[/folder]]
547
548[[folder:Roleplay]]
549* ''Roleplay/TheBalladOfEdgardo'': Khaine the Shadowmancer just stands there spluttering in disbelief after Edgardo {{No Sell}}s his shadowmancy powers, claiming that the darkness is in everyone's hearts. [[TooDumbToLive This is after]] Edgardo has already killed ''two'' higher-level players ''without'' using the Infinite Spirit bonus.
550[[/folder]]
551
552[[folder:Video Games]]
553%%ZCE * "You are wrong! This cannot be! There is no number ''VideoGame/ThreeInThree''!"
554* The heroic variation happens in ''VideoGame/AdventRising'', when one of the human protagonists hopelessly utters this phrase in utter shock as her entire homeplanet is blown to bits by the Seekers.
555* ''VideoGame/AdventureQuestWorlds''
556** Chaos Shogun Kitsune, the fourth Chaos Lord, is confident that the hero will have no idea how to deal with illusion, trickery and lies. Naturally, in the final cutscene of the Yokai Island storyline, he receives a big shock when, while he's running around invisible leaving the hero trying to figure out how to defeat what he/she can't even see and rapidly swinging the Hanzamune Dragon Koi Blade around trying to hit him, the hero accidentally tears open a rift leading to the Yokai world in front of him. Unable to stop in time, Kitsune screams, "No! Not like this! It can't end like this! I won't go back to the Yokai world!", lets out a BigNo, and gets sucked into the rift, after which the hero closes it back up with the Hanzamune Blade, sealing Kitsune in the rift.
557** Also, during the cutscene after solving the mystery at the Sleuthhound Inn, the hero and Curry, the inn's manager, get a big shock when, after taking off the mask of the randomly-selected culprit they apprehended that was responsible for causing the furniture to come alive, they see that the culprit is none other than, in disguise... a magical armoire called the Harmoire.
558--->'''Hero:''' But... how is this possible... you're an absolute closet case!\
559'''Harmoire:''' That I am! I had to transform into a human in order to control the furniture with the magically infused weapon! Do you believe how hard it is to hold anything without opposable thumbs?! Now it's time for you to see the durability of an all-oak armoire!
560** Also, Spork-ion's text after defeating him in the Dragon Koi Tourmanent: "...How is this possible? No utensil is more powerful than the Spork! One of these days, I'll be sure to deliver your just desserts!"
561** Maximilian Lionfang is sure that he destroyed the Spirit of Frostval when he kicks the snow globe containing her out of the hero's hands. But, needless to say, he receives a huge shock when he hears her voice and realizes that she survived the breaking of the snow globe.
562--->'''Lionfang:''' ''WHAT?!'' '''IMPOSSIBLE!''' I destroyed you!
563** Gravelyn, oddly enough, counts as well. [[spoiler:She reacts with "Im... im... ''impossible!''" when Noxus and Vordred take control of all of her undead soldiers.]]
564** And soon enough, [[spoiler:it's Noxus' turn. He's quite the MagnificentBastard who turned all of her undead minions to his side, took her throne, and enslaved her. Almost everything up to that point has gone according to his plans. Then Chuckles attacks him out of nowhere and frees her, which is something he didn't expect. He receives a big shock and states this trope because he controlled all of her undead but couldn't accept that Chuckles, of all undead, couldn't be controlled by him. And that's because Chuckles himself was created by Gravelyn, not Noxus]].
565** [[spoiler:Imagine Vordred's surprise when he realizes that Artix was right about the Spirit Orbs that were once enslaved and are now free not being able to be re-enslaved as the Spirit Orbs cause his armor of skulls to self-destruct within him and destroy the [=ShadowReaper=] of Doom. Better. Guess what word Vordred himself says...]]
566* Happens during the final battle against [[spoiler: Chakravartin]] in ''VideoGame/AsurasWrath'' after he manages to fully hurt him. After that, it's all one big NoHoldsBarredBeatdown and a NoMoreHoldingBackSpeech.
567-->[[spoiler:'''Chakravartin:''' ...How can he...be so powerful...?]]
568* ''VideoGame/BatmanArkhamKnight'' has Hush freak out when [[spoiler:Batman unmasks himself as Bruce Wayne, utterly destroying Tommy Elliot's belief that Bruce has never had to work for anything]]:
569-->"'''''[[spoiler:Bruce?!?]]''''' That's impossible!"
570* ''VideoGame/BatmanTheTelltaleSeries'' has [[spoiler: Vicki Vale]] utterly convinced that Bruce Wayne is just as selfish and ruthless as his father, so if Batman agrees to unmask in front of her to save Alfred, she is so stunned by the truth that Bruce is actually Batman that the only way she can reconcile her beliefs with reality is through InsaneTrollLogic — she convinces herself that Batman is Bruce’s way of preying upon the defenseless when the truth couldn’t be more different.
571* ''Franchise/BlazBlue'' has quite a few "cannot be" moments as well.
572** For example, whenever Bang Shishigami is hit, he somehow screams "How can this be?!?!?!"
573** Also, in Noel's Gag Reel in ''[[VideoGame/BlazBlueContinuumShift Continuum Shift]]'', Carl gets shocked when he sees Hazama eating the Kagutsuchi puffer fish simmered in peppers and spices as cooked by LethalChef Noel herself, which wiped out every other member of the Blaz Blue cast and left them puking in a mess so disgusting it had to be censored.
574--->'''Carl:''' Im...possible! How can you possibly eat THAT?!
575** Hakumen counts as well, as he has this reaction when Jubei informs him of Terumi's return.
576** Speaking of Terumi...
577--->''"Honestly, though, I never figured YOU would turn out to be [[spoiler:the proverbial [[SpannerInTheWorks squirrel in the ointment]].]] Am I supposed to accept that this is another result of the continuum shift? I can't believe it's affecting the timeline like this..."''
578** Surprise, this is Litchi's reaction when Platinum manages to break her spell, and again when Platinum obliterates her with her Star-Boobie Breaker attack. Both reactions come from Platinum's Gag Reel.
579* Dracula does this in ''every'' ''Franchise/{{Castlevania}}'' game, sometimes mixing it up with an AsLongAsThereIsEvil speech.
580** After beating Dracula in the prologue BossBattle in ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaSymphonyOfTheNight'', he yells "No... this cannot be! Aaaaargh!"
581** Dracula's absolute best one is if he's beaten by Maria in the PSP remake of ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaRondoOfBlood'':
582--->'''Dracula:''' ''COMPLETELY'' impossible!! ''BEATEN''...by a ''LITTLE GIRL!!''
583** Then there's the instance Dracula charges his SphereOfDestruction after taking some damage from Shanoa in ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaOrderOfEcclesia''... only for her to interrupt him with the DangerousForbiddenTechnique using his own power against him.
584--->'''Dracula:''' What's happening?! NO! It can't possibly be my- ''[WrittenRoar]''
585** Oddly enough, from the same game, Shanoa herself counts, as well. The fight with [[spoiler:Barlowe]] gives us the simple line "It can't be!" as [[spoiler:Barlowe uses the power of Dracula to free the Prince of Darkness from his prison.]]
586** As the quotes link above shows, Graham and Dimitri also do this in ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaAriaOfSorrow'' and ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaDawnOfSorrow''.
587* ''VideoGame/ChampionsOnline'':
588-->'''[[EvilutionaryBiologist Teleios:]]''' This cannot be! I am Teleios! I- I cannot fail! ''[and then he explodes]''
589* ''VideoGame/CommandAndConquer''
590** In ''VideoGame/CommandAndConquerRedAlert3'', Tanya's last words are close.
591--->'''Tanya:''' No! This can't be happening! I...
592** Also, even more spectacularly, [[spoiler:Cherdenko]] gets a different one in ''each'' campaign.
593* Uka Uka in ''Videogame/CrashBandicoot3Warped'' uses this after you beat him and Cortex for the real ending.
594-->'''Uka Uka:''' No... It cannot be! Not a prisoner of time again! AAAAUUUUUUGGGGGHH!
595* ''VideoGame/CreepyCastle''
596** In scenario 2, [[spoiler:Possessor]] can't believe Butterfly somehow beat him up and questions how [[spoiler:Moth ultimately escaped [[MindControl his influence]]]] (the implication being that he shouldn't have been able to do so) [[VillainousBreakdown loosing smugness]] in the process. [[{{Determinator}} It doesn't stop him]] to resort to more drastic measures to accomplish his purpose.
597** The [[spoiler: Architect]] you fight at first find the idea of Ant Queen fighting him amusing but later [[BossBanter will pause the fight to realise he can actually be harmed with Ant Queen suggesting to go back to talk instead]].
598* ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry'':
599** In ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry1'', after Dante kicks his ass and sends him back to the Demon World, the first thing [[BigBad Mundus]] does is scream a BigNo. The second thing he does is [[WeWillMeetAgain swear to return one day.]]
600** ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry3DantesAwakening'' has a moment like this, too. Complete with lampshading.
601--->'''[[BigBadWannabe Arkham]]:''' I have the true power of Sparda!\
602'''Vergil:''' Not very classy for someone's dying words.
603** In ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry4'', [[TheDragon Agnus]] reacts in utter disbelief when a half-dead Nero manages to not only [[spoiler:[[SuperMode awaken his Devil Trigger]]]] but also perfectly [[spoiler:[[ReforgedBlade restore]] the broken [[AbsurdlySharpBlade Yamato]]]], something he has been trying and failing to accomplish for a presumably long time.
604--->'''Agnus:''' This is preposterous! PREPOSTEROUS!
605** Morrison has a rather subdued version in the prologue of ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry5'' once it becomes clear that [[DefeatingTheUndefeatable Dante has been defeated]].
606--->'''Morrison:''' This can't be happening... Dante ''lost?''
607* ''VideoGame/DragonAgeInquisition'' has a heroic version with Morrigan, once it’s revealed the BigBad has ResurrectiveImmortality and is very pissed about being killed.
608* ''VideoGame/DragonFable''
609** Villains in other Artix Entertainment games such as this one seem quite fond of using this trope when defeated by the hero. For example:
610--->'''Drakath:''' NO!!!! IMPOSSIBLE!\
611'''Hero:''' You say that word a lot.
612** {{Necromantic}} AntiVillain Vayle counts as well. When she realizes that Artix recognizes her as the same Vayle he saved during their childhood, she gets a big surprise and reacts with such a phrase as ''"Impossible! This cannot be that little boy I met during the..."''
613* ''Dungeons & Dragons: Tower of Doom''; After you've defeated Deimos he proclaims "No! No! No! This is impossible! I am destined to conquer, to rule! How can I have possibly been beaten by whelps like you?"
614* In ''VideoGame/DynamiteHeaddy'', every time you defeat a Keymaster, you can hear someone (the BigBad?) saying "I cannot believe it!"
615* These are the exact last words of Lu Bu in ''VideoGame/DynastyWarriors 4'' when you kill him.
616* In ''VideoGame/TheElderScrollsVSkyrim'', [[spoiler:after the Dragonborn pursues Alduin into Sovngarde (fantasy Valhalla, basically) and lands the killer blow, Alduin begins to thrash about in agony as he disintegrates, shouting "Zu'u unslaad! Zu'u nis oblaan!"[[labelnote:Translation]]"I am eternal! I cannot be killed!"[[/labelnote]]]]
617* Count Waltz in ''VideoGame/EternalSonata'' in the second battle against him, which only occurs in the UsefulNotes/PlayStation3 UpdatedRerelease. "I can't believe this. How could I lose? Impossible. I will not accept it. I will never accept defeat!"
618* Subverted by The BigBad in ''VideoGame/FableII'' when the hero ends his rant midword. Complete with laconic sarcasm. Though the player can beat said sociopath to the punch if he likes.
619* In ''VideoGame/{{Fallout 1}}'', the TalkingTheMonsterToDeath option results in the trope name word-for-word.
620* ''Franchise/FinalFantasy''
621** In ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyV'', this is Faris' go-to reaction whenever something very upsetting happens, such as a character's death or [[spoiler:being confronted with the fact that she and Lenna are sisters]].
622** A more famous use of this from ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVI'' on the FloatingContinent.
623--->'''Emperor:''' Very well, Kefka. So be it. You’ve become useless, and I’m afraid it’s time to end this.\
624'''Kefka:''' ''[double take]''\
625'''Emperor:''' Don’t think of me too badly. As a final comfort, I’ll put you to sleep with your own magic.\
626'''Kefka:''' ''[[[LaughingMad erupts into laughter]]]''\
627'''Emperor:''' What's so funny? ''[pause]'' No matter. It is only fitting that you die laughing. Firaga! ''[pause]'' Flare! ''[pause]''\
628'''Kefka:''' ''[jumps around, acting jolly]''\
629'''Emperor:''' Im...impossible... Why doesn’t the magic strike!! Meltdown!
630** In ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII'', during the Nibelheim Incident, this is Sephiroth's reaction when Cloud Strife manages to hurl him into the reactor even after getting impaled.
631** In ''VideoGame/DissidiaFinalFantasy'', almost every villain has at least one variation of this to cry upon their defeat, either when the final blow is dealt or when they collapse afterwards:
632--->'''Garland:''' Impossible! I cannot be defeated!\
633'''Emperor:''' This...this can't be real...\
634'''Exdeath:''' No...this is not happening!\
635'''Kefka:''' Inconceivable!\
636'''Ultimecia:''' How could this be?\
637'''Kuja:''' I will not accept this result!
638** In fact this trope is so popular, even a couple heroes employ it.
639--->'''Terra:''' It can't end like this!\
640'''Cloud:''' How could this happen?
641** It's played with a little in Zidane's standard defeat quote. Despite him saying the trope word-for-word, it isn't delivered with the usual hammy defiance of the line. Instead, Zidane actually sounds very surprised and scared as he says "W-what? ...This can't be--"
642** In ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyX'', Wakka declares "This can't be happening," after the party views Jyscal's Sphere and learns that Seymour murdered him. He says it again after Auron states "We will protect Yuna from anyone, even a maester" and yet ''again'' if the player has Wakka use the Talk command to talk to Seymour during the battle. Later, Lulu declares "This...this cannot be!" when Yunalesca tells the party that there is no way to truly defeat Sin.
643** In ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyX2'', [[GoldfishPoopGang Logos]] has this as his death quote. The voice acting makes it sound rather silly, to say the least.
644** Happens several times in VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIV, but two very notable cases are both at the end of Shadowbringers. One, when Emet-Selch realizes the Warrior of Light [[spoiler:really is the reincarnation of one of his two closest friends]]. The second comes later during mid-fight against Elidibus when [[spoiler:Emet-Selch is momentarily summoned back from death, memories fully restored, to pull the Warrior of Light and their companions from the Rift they were banished to.]]
645--->'''Emet-Selch:''' No...It can't be! You are a broken husk, nothing more!\
646'''Elidibus:''' You!? It cannot be!
647
648* In ''Franchise/FireEmblem'', every chapter has a boss which is stronger than most units. However, not every boss is completely vital to the plot, some are just random people of high rank in opposing armies. Every boss has a death quote, so there's a countless number of random bosses who use some variations of "This cannot be" when defeated.
649* When Rei defeats Juda in ''Manga/FistOfTheNorthStar'', Juda cries out "''Bakana!''" ("''Impossible!''"). The moment is recreated if you use Rei's [[FinishingMove Fatal KO]] on Juda in the Playstation 2 game.
650** Jagi also yells the phrase after realising that none of his attacks are working on Kenshiro during their final battle.
651* In ''VideoGame/ForHonor'', most ''{{Samurai}}'' heroes will sometimes shout "nani?!" when guardbroken or parried by a Knight or Viking, which in Japanese means "what?!" The implication being that due to supposedly being the most skilled faction, the Chosen are utterly incapable of processing that their offense or defense has failed against a "barbarian" like you.
652* ''VideoGame/GodOfWarPS4'': Magni and Modi are prophecized to survive Ragnarok, so they are incredibly reckless and smug due to their ProphecyArmor making them believe they are invincible. When Kratos, a man known for [[ScrewDestiny defying destiny]], kills Magni, Modi is both horrified and fumbling in disbelief since he's realised how vulnerable he truly is.
653* The protagonist of ''VideoGame/GrimGrimoire'', Lillet Blan, is on the recieving end of a lot of these in the latter stages of the game from various teachers, demons, and ghosts shocked by the fact that a novice student is so powerful. She's been caught in a time loop and retains her skills and knowledge from each reset.
654* Shiro Tagachi, after dying in ''VideoGame/GuildWars Factions''.
655* ''VideoGame/GuiltyGear''
656** Justice sometimes screams "IMPOSSIBLE!" when defeated.
657** On one of I-No's Guilty Gear XX story routes, after defeating Dizzy, I-No talks about "preparing a special welcome" for her friends, the Jellyfish Pirates. Naturally, Dizzy, not about to allow her to hurt her friends, unleashes a massive attack on I-No much to her surprise, burning her to a cinder as she hopelessly attempts to cover herself from the huge attack.
658--->'''I-No:''' ''[being obliterated by Dizzy's attack]'' What is this power?! My body... it's burning! Impossible! I'm I-No! I can't die! Someone! Please...hel...p...
659** I-No also mutters such a phrase after being bested by May.
660--->'''I-No:''' How could I have lost... Lost! To a little kid!
661* ''VideoGame/HiddenDragonLegend'' is ''fond'' of this.
662** From the first boss, after you reveal the hidden powers within you:
663--> '''The Captain''': Is this... it can't be! What are you!
664** Later on, [[BigBad Dark Raven]] when you defeat his giant mecha:
665--> '''Dark Raven''': "What? How did you... [[BigNo NOOOOOOOO]]!"
666** Finally, Zhou Zong, the TrueFinalBoss, after you defeat his first form, right ''before'' he goes OneWingedAngel.
667--> '''Zhou Zong''': "No... no... this cannot be!"\
668[''transforms into a gigantic skinless ogre-like monstrosity'']
669* In ''VideoGame/HorizonForbiddenWest'', the Quen leader Ceo has this reaction upon [[spoiler:finding out that Ted Faro is still alive, leading into a full VillainousBreakdown as all his power depends on him claiming to be Ted Faro's {{Reincarnation}} - which is naturally impossible if said man is still alive.]]
670* In ''VideoGame/JadeEmpire'' Emperor Sun Hai says this after you defeat him, exclaiming [[AGodAmI 'I am a god']] just to further seal his fate.
671* In the PC version of ''Killing Time'', the final boss Tess Conway does this as she [[CriticalExistenceFailure fades into dust from the feet up]] once she's defeated.
672-->'''Tess Conway:''' Impossible! I'm immortal! ...I'm immortal!
673* ''Franchise/KingdomHearts''
674** Hades, whenever you beat him in the games, does the same as in ''Hercules''. It's immensely satisfying to hear, really.
675--->'''Hades:''' This... isn't... happening!
676** In ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsChainOfMemories'', Marluxia reacts with "It can't be!" to Riku Replica's appearance just after he's finished mocking Sora, telling him that if he loses his memories his heart will no longer be able to feel or care, just like Vexen's pathetic imitation of his Riku.
677--->'''Riku Replica:''' Take another guess.
678** [[spoiler:Xehanort]] in ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsBirthBySleep'' once he sees that [[spoiler:even though he just took over Terra's body, Terra's armor reanimates through sheer force of will and seals the battlefield.]]
679--->[[spoiler:'''Xehanort:''' Your body submits, your heart succumbs-- so why does your mind resist?!]]
680** Ansem [[spoiler:(Xehanort's Heartless)]] after you defeat him in [[VideoGame/KingdomHeartsI the original game]].
681--->Is this the answer? It can't be!
682** Several members of Organization XIII, most noticeably Xigbar ("I lost...''me!?''), Larxene ("I'm fading!? NO, this isn't the way I...I won't allow-!"), and Demyx ([[LargeHam "NO WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!"]])
683** In ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsIII'', this is Xemnas' reaction when [[spoiler: Roxas comes flying in to save Axel and Xion.]]
684*** Also in ''III'', [[spoiler:Terranort]] is reduced to screaming '''''"HOW?!?"''''' when [[spoiler:Terra breaks free and takes over the Guardian]].
685* The ''VideoGame/KingdomOfLoathing'''s Naughty Sorceress says "This cannot be! This is not possible! It cannot be the case that this is the case!" when you defeat her second form.
686* ''VideoGame/TheKingOfFighters''
687** In 'The King of Fighters Maximum Impact'', Alba's defeat quote is translated in the dub as "How can this be?!?" Duke, on the other hand, gets a shout of "How can I...!".
688** Earlier in ''[=KoF=] '94'', knocking Rugal out nets you a "Ma... masaka...".
689** Iori Yagami's staple cry of defeat is "Konomama de wa owaranzo!" ("This can't be the end!")
690* ''VideoGame/KirbySuperStar''
691** Captain Vul's reaction when he finds out that Main Cannon #2 has been destroyed by Kirby.
692--->'''Axe Knight:''' Ahh! Main Cannon #2 was destroyed!\
693'''Mace Knight:''' The cannon's a wreck! We can't use it!\
694'''Captain Vul:''' [[BigWhat What?!]] How could this be?
695** The reaction used in the original game was "Holy cow! What happened?"
696** In ''Revenge of the King'' in the same game, Dedede reacts like this as well after Kirby defeats the Grand Wheelie in The Revenge stage.
697--->'''King Dedede:''' Unthinkable! He beat that one too?!\
698'''Bandanna Dee:''' Kirby is approaching here, your majesty!\
699'''King Dedede:''' Cursed pink lump! I can't believe it!\
700'''Bandanna Dee:''' Great King, pull yourself together!
701* ''VideoGame/LastRites'' have the main villain, Father Mordae, uttering this nearly word-for-word ("You.. cannot be!") after you kill him in the last level.
702* ''VideoGame/LegacyOfKain'': The Elder God moans "This cannot be" as one of his lines when Kain gets close enough to [[EyeScream slash him in the eye]].
703* Uttered in ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfDragoon'' by Rose when, at the end of Disc 3, [[spoiler:"the emperor" reveals himself to be Zieg, another dragoon from the old, [[ReallySevenHundredYearsOld old]] days.]] This isn't the only "cannot be" moment LOD offers.
704* ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfSpyroDawnOfTheDragon'':
705** When Malefor simply resurrects the Destroyer after the heroes' desperate, barely-successful attempt at stopping it, Ignitus is left staring at it dumbfounded whole murmuring "This can't be!"
706** Malefor shouts "You can't defeat me! I am eternal!" as he's defeated at the end.
707* ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'':
708** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaALinkToThePast'': Downplayed. In the final battle, Ganon is baffled that Link managed to get as far as he did and defeat his alter-ego Agahnim twice. But he confidently proclaims that he will destroy Link and take over the Light World soon after.
709--->'''Ganon:''' "I never imagined a boy like you could give me so much trouble. It's unbelievable that you defeated my alter-ego, Agahnim the Dark Wizard, twice! But I will never give you the Triforce. I will destroy you and make my wish to conquer both Light and Dark Worlds come true without delay."
710** ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaOcarinaOfTime'': When Ganondorf is defeated by Link [[spoiler:until he [[UnexplainedRecovery returns]] and [[OneWingedAngel turns into]] an EldritchAbomination, that is.]]
711--->'''Ganondorf:''' The great evil king Ganondorf... beaten by this kid?!
712* ''VideoGame/MagicalGirlLyricalNanohaAsPortable: The Battle of Aces'' has Material-L, Fate's ChaoticEvil [[EvilTwin Twin]] who tends to scream the Japanese equivalent of "Bakanaaa~!" shortly before she ceases to exist.
713* ''VideoGame/MarvelVsCapcom3'': We get this gem, courtesy of Doctor Doom:
714-->'''Doctor Doom:''' '''FAILURE IS BENEATH [[DoomyDoomsOfDoom DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!]]'''
715* ''VideoGame/MegaManX''
716** Several villains are quite fond of using this trope when they're defeated, such as Vile in ''Mega Man: Maverick Hunter X'' when he is defeated by X in Sigma Stage 1 and he screams "Noooo... I can't lose to X...!" before exploding.
717** He doesn't die, but if X/Zero defeat High Max in the [[BrutalBonusLevel Nightmare levels]] before his proper fight in Gate's Lab, he expresses utter disbelief that a pair of relics ([[UpgradeVsPrototypeFight the latter of which he's an "improvement" on]]) were capable of defeating him.
718--->'''High Max:''' Wh-what’s the meaning of this!? Speed, power, body...I’m not inferior in any way! I can’t possibly lose to an old robot like you!
719** Some of the Bosses in ''VideoGame/MegaManX8'' do this for their DeathCryEcho:
720*** Dark Mantis says, "I can't believe it!" in the English version.
721*** In the Japanese version, Earthrock Trilobyte (Earthrock Torirovich) says "This can't be!"
722*** Also, Sigma's last words in ''Mega Man X8'', when Sigma is defeated in his true battle:
723--->'''Sigma:''' ''[being defeated]'' Impossible! How... could you... You couldn't... Destroy... the old... world... new age... Hrrgh! [[BigNo NOOOOOOOOOOoooooooo!!!]] ''[then he blows up]''
724* ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid'': Psycho Mantis utters this exact line during your fight with him.
725* In ''VideoGame/NetHack'', if you sufficiently anger your deity, he will smite you with a bolt of lightning. If you survive, he will throw a wide-angle disintegration beam at you. If you '''still''' survive, he will simply say "I believe it not!"
726* ''VideoGame/OctopathTraveler'': Harvey after [[spoiler:his defeat in Osvald’s final chapter. He says this his rival defeats The One True Magic with his own. It is very fitting for a villain who [[GreenEyedMonster never got over his envy over a single individual]] [[AlwaysSecondBest just because he is better than him in every way]]. It is also satisfying because he stole Osvald’s wife and daughter and used them horrific experiments since he [[UncertainDoom disappears in an explosion of his own magic]]]].
727-->'''Harvey:''' This...cannot be... [[spoiler:How can the One True Magic...be defeated]]. Un...acceptable... I...I will not accept it!
728* In ''VideoGame/PlanescapeTorment'', defeating the Transcendent One through combat gets you a cutscene where he cries "[[BigNo No!]] This cannot be happening!" as his body disintegrates.
729* ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}''
730** In the remakes of ''Pokémon Gold and Silver'', Clair screams this after the Master in Dragon's Den reveals that you passed a test that even ''she'' didn't. This was actually to teach you a lesson as she won't give the Rising Badge to you even after you beat her, and has to be ordered by the master (her grandfather) to hand it over.
731** In the same game, [[spoiler: Giovanni declares that he will not repeat the same mistake 3 years ago by losing to a child. You whip his ass and Giovanni utters that he can't believe he lost to another kid yet again and this can't be happening again. He then walks out of the cave and the player hears a water splash, which implies that Giovanni committed suicide, although his appearance in Black 2 and White 2 is debatable on whether or not he did kill himself.]]
732** In ''Red/Blue'' and the remakes of it, your rival will say this after he loses the final battle.
733** [[spoiler:Ghetsis]] in ''VideoGame/PokemonBlackAndWhite'' ''loses his mind'' over this very trope. [[spoiler:After N is beaten, foiling Ghetsis' plan that took years to plan and impliment, Ghetsis seems in denial over the fact the it happened. After he himself is beaten, he's left ranting about how he is "perfect" and it's impossible that his plan has failed.]]
734--->'''[[spoiler:Ghetsis]]:''' [[spoiler:[[VillainousBreakdown What?! I created Team Plasma with my own hands. I'm absolutely perfect! I AM PERFECTION! I am the perfect ruler of a perfect new world!]]]]
735* Carina in ''VideoGame/RatchetAndClankFutureACrackInTime'' mutters a variant after being defeated in a spaceship boss battle as her last words, along with a LastRequest to her surviving army before being cut off by her ship's destruction.
736-->'''Carina:''' No! This is impossible! Valkyries, do not let him reach the citadel. He cannot interfere with Nefarious' plans to... *''[[KilledMidSentence ship explodes]]''*
737* The UT Commander in ''VideoGame/ResidentEvilSurvivor'' is about to shoot Ark, whereupon he's impaled from behind on the Hypnos Tyrant's claws. As he dies, he cries out, "This... can't... beeeee!"
738* ''VideoGame/{{Rosenkreuzstilette}}'':
739** Spiritia Rosenburg, TheHeroine, oddly enough, says this when, after coming across Raimund Seyfarth's Devil Scythe Grassense, she realizes that [[BigBad Graf Michael Sepperin]] brought him BackFromTheDead as TheGrimReaper.
740--->'''Lilli:''' You're kidding, right? He's a ghost!?\
741'''Spiritia:''' I can't believe it...! The Count is even using the forbidden arts!?\
742'''Lilli:'''This is freaky...!
743** Anytime you defeat Eifer in her stage in ''Rosenkreuzstilette Freudenstachel'', she mutters "Kuso... bakana...!" ("[[PrecisionFStrike Damn]]... this can't be...!") before making her exit... for now.
744** [[spoiler:Iris Sepperin, TheWomanBehindTheMan to Michael and a little girl who is so arrogant about her ''absolute power and unparalelled brains'' that she claims to have transcended humanity and have [[DeityOfHumanOrigin become a god]],]] panics when [[TheHero Spiritia]] [[spoiler:destroys her Iris Machine]].
745--->'''[[spoiler:Iris Sepperin]]:''' Impossible! Where did all that energy come from!?
746** After defeated in the final battle, [[spoiler:Iris Sepperin]] mutters:
747--->'''[[spoiler:Iris]]:''' "To think I'd lose to a single mage fighting by herself..."
748** When Grolla in her alternate mode confronts them in the final stage, [[spoiler:Iris Sepperin]] becomes shocked, unable to believe that Grolla is standing on such holy grounds.
749--->'''[[spoiler:Iris]]:''' "...Impossible. There's no way a simple commoner can set foot here..."
750** After defeated by Grolla:
751--->'''[[spoiler:Iris Sepperin]]:''' No... this... can't be...!\
752'''Grolla:''' Die.\
753'''[[spoiler:Iris Sepperin]]:''' ...I won't let that happen!
754* The last words of the BigBad Marduk in ''VideoGame/{{Sacrifice}}'' is "What... Impossible!..."
755* Legend Entertainment's ''Shannara'' gives [[spoiler: Brona]] a speech like that when you [[spoiler: attack the Ildatch with the Sword of Shannara:]]
756-->[[spoiler: '''Brona:''']] What is wrong? My magic! It is gone! I CANNOT DIE AGAIN! I... I... deeeeaaaad…
757* Upon defeating [[FinalBoss Deko]] in ''VideoGame/SinAndPunishmentStarSuccessor'':
758-->'''Deko:''' How can this be? You've defied the will of the creators! Your allegiance to that monster will destroy this entire universe!
759* ''VideoGame/SkiesOfArcadia''
760** Vigoro (and Piastol in the UpdatedRerelease) does this upon his (or her) defeat, complete with slow motion falling down in defeat. (Although the actual line they give is "How can this be?!")
761** So does Ramirez in the localization, when you've beaten him for the [[SequentialBoss THIRD TIME]], declaring that "This can't be happening!" right before [[CriticalExistenceFailure evaporating in a really shiny fashion]]. Averted in the original Japanese version's script.
762* ''VideoGame/SniperEliteV2 Nazi Zombie Army'': Surviving the siege after retrieving the [[AC:BOOK OF SOULS]] from the library nets you "No! Impossible! This cannot be!" from whoever or whatever is in control of the Nazi Zombie Army.
763* In ''VideoGame/SolCresta'', when [[BigBad Mandler]] is defeated, it has this to say:
764-->'''Mandler:''' [[BigNo NOOOOOOOOOOOO!]] You... You wretched TERRAAAAAANS! This cannot be! It WILL NOT BEEEEE! [[TakingYouWithMe I'll plunge you... and the Sol Cresta... into the SUUUUUUUN!]] I shall be reborn again! Again, and again, and AGAAAAAAAIN!
765* ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog''
766** In ''VideoGame/SonicAdventure'' after you defeat the Egg Viper, Dr. Eggman says "No way! I can't believe this!"
767*** This same soundclip is also used when fighting the Egg Walker, and Eggman barks his disbelief every time you hit his machine's legs. Since the four legs are all meant to be hit in quick succession, this leads to [[GoodBadBug "NO WAY, I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS!"]]
768*** Eggman then shouts "What?! I cannot believe this is happening!" after you beat Hedgehog Hammer with Amy.
769** ''VideoGame/SonicAdventure2'': In the G.U.N. boss fights, a G.U.N. soldier will utter this when defeated. Also, the Dark characters will utter this when they are defeated for the final time (only time in Rouge's case).
770--->'''Rouge:''' This can't be true! I never lose!\
771'''Eggman:''' No! I can't lose to Tails!\
772'''Shadow:''' Impossible! I am the ultimate life form!
773** And in ''VideoGame/ShadowTheHedgehog'', Black Doom's OneWingedAngel form, Devil Doom, states this when Super Shadow defeats him. Black Doom had it coming anyway.
774--->'''Black Doom:''' I-Impossible! I am the supreme being that rules this universe! I AM THE IMMORTAL LIFE FORM! I AM THE ULTIMATE POWER! [[DeathCryEcho AAAARRRRRGGGGHHHHHH!!!]]
775** Also in ''VideoGame/SonicBattle'', when fighting Dr. Eggman during Emerl's story. Whenever you beat him, he shouts "IT CAN'T BE!"
776* ''VideoGame/StarFox64''
777** Both Leon (first encounter) and Pigma (second encounter) of Star Wolf exclaim "This can't be happening!" when defeated.
778** Wolf himself also gets in on the action, yelling "No way! I don't believe it!" and "[[PunctuatedForEmphasis I... can't... LOOOOOSE!]]" when he gets shot down.
779* In ''VideoGame/StarTrekLegacy'', this is said word for word on occasion by the commander of an exploding Romulan ship.
780* ''Franchise/StarWarsLegends'':
781** Many, many variations of this are uttered by Sith [=NPCs=] (and many other baddies) in ''VideoGame/StarWarsTheOldRepublic''.
782** Also played hilariously straight in the ending sequence of ''[[VideoGame/DarkForcesSaga Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy]]''. [[TheManBehindTheMan Marka Ragnos']] dialogue is to show up, [[NothingCanStopUsNow declare his invincibility]], get whupped and then scream his hammy, {{Narm}}ful disbelief at the ceiling before being banished.
783--->'''Ragnos:''' NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! This is IMPOSSSSIBLE! I shall return, Jedi! One day ''I will return'', AND ANNIHILATE YOU ALL!!!
784*** You think that's {{Narm}}y? In the German version, his line ''rhymes''.
785%%** Played straight in the first ''VideoGame/KnightsOfTheOldRepublic''. %%Who says it and why?%%
786* M. Bison in ''VideoGame/StreetFighterAlpha 3''. Like... all the time.
787* When the audio is set to Japanese and Juri is defeated in ''Super VideoGame/StreetFighterIV'', she yells ''"sonna bakanaaa!"''
788* ''VideoGame/SuperCatboy'': BigBad Dr. Ungefug drops this trope, nearly word-for-word, combined with PunctuatedForEmphasis when Catboy defeats his giant mole in the mines.
789--> '''Dr. Ungefug''': What? How?! Can?! This?! Be?! ...that this little feline creature just sauntered in and vanquired my BEASTS?
790** He says it again after Catboy defeats his last and most powerful creation, the CatNinja who's supposed to be undefeatable. [[spoiler:Before surrendering without a struggle once Weapongirl shows up]].
791--> '''Dr. Ungefug''': You are utterly useless, Catgirl! [[RapidFireNo No! No! No!]] This is preposterous! This is simply not fair!
792* ''VideoGame/SuperMarioRPG''
793** When you defeat Smithy, the FinalBoss, he bellows, "It's not... possible...! I don't believe it...! I'm...finished...done for...!" This is followed by a WrittenRoar, a BigNo, and CriticalExistenceFailure, in that order.
794** The end of an earlier BossBattle:
795--->'''Axem Red:''' This isn't possible! We are...invincible!\
796'''Axem Pink:''' Can this be happening to the AXEM RANGERS?
797** In ''Super Mario Advance'', Birdo utters such a phrase in [[AmbiguousGender her]] pink and red forms.
798** Then there's [[spoiler:the Shadow Queen]] of ''VideoGame/PaperMarioTheThousandYearDoor'', who mutters these words after being defeated:
799--->[[spoiler:'''Shadow Queen]]:''' Impossible... Unthinkable... How could I... I cannot be beaten by lesser beings such as these... and I had just been reborn into this world... I cannot... I must not... AAAAAIIIIYYYYEEE!!!
800** In VideoGame/SuperMarioGalaxy, Bowser can only watch in utter disbelief as his attempted conquest of the universe falls apart.
801--->''"NOOOO! My galaxy! My empire! This can't be happening..."''
802* After you beat her in ''VideoGame/SystemShock2'', SHODAN says a calmer, more elaborate version of such a quote:
803-->'''SHODAN:''' ''I don't understand... how could you have done this? You weren't meant to be so important... and now you think to destroy me? How dare you, insect? How dare you interrupt my ascendance? You are nothing. A wretched bag of flesh... what are you, compared to my magnificence?''
804* ''VideoGame/TalesSeries''
805** At the beginning of ''VideoGame/TalesOfPhantasia'', Dhaos shouts "Sonna... sonna bakana!" when the [[BoltOfDivineRetribution Indignation]] spell is successfully cast at him; he says it again if you cast it on him during the actual game, at least in his first boss fight. And if you cast it at his cameo in ''VideoGame/TalesOfEternia'' [[spoiler: as Sekundes, Summon of Time]] and ''VideoGame/TalesOfVesperia'' in the coliseum, he says the same thing.
806** Nereid in ''VideoGame/TalesOfEternia'' exclaims "What!?"/"Bakana!?" when Reid counters Finality DeadEnd with divine aurora to Infinity Reviver before the reflected attack comes back at him, finishing him off.
807** Every single Desian in ''VideoGame/TalesOfSymphonia'' will gasp "I lost...to an inferior being?" [[BrokenRecord Every single one.]]
808** In ''VideoGame/TalesOfVesperia'', Barbos and Clint also utter a "sonna bakana" when defeated. Perhaps most memorably, certain soldier enemies will say "No way!" or "Bakana!" ''[[BrokenRecord every single time they get hit while knocked down]]''. Also, Alexei states "this cannot be" after the [[spoiler:Adephagos appears when releases the power of Zaude.]]
809** In ''VideoGame/TalesOfGraces'', [[spoiler:Richard declares this after his defeat at the Ghardia Shaft.]]
810** ''Graces'' seems to love this trope, since it is delivered word-for-word not just by [[spoiler: Richard]] but by [[spoiler: Emeraude and the Fodra Queen during the final fight with her as well.]]
811** In Tales of VS., during Stahn's story mode, Khang screams this when Phillia decides to fight along side with Stahn against him.
812* {{Parodied|Trope}} for a brief gag in the ''VideoGame/TeamFortress2'' short "Expiration Date", where [[{{Cloudcuckoolander}} Soldier]] dramatically responds in this way to [[MundaneMadeAwesome a bucket]], whose purpose hasn't even been explained yet.
813-->'''Spy''': This... ''[puts it on the table]'' is a bucket.\
814'''Soldier''': Dear ''God''...\
815'''Spy''': There's more.\
816'''Soldier''': ''No...!''
817* In ''VideoGame/TelepathTactics'', [[{{Superboss}} Fera]] says "Impossible..." if you somehow manage to defeat her in the outer wall battle. Though they don't use the usual {{Stock Phrase}}s, Rebecca's and Tarion's LastWords also feature the sentiment.
818-->'''Rebecca:''' D... defeated? Me? There must be... some mistake...\
819\
820'''Tarion:''' How could this be? [[FantasticRacism Defeated by... mere animals...]]
821* The {{Big Bad}}s of ''VideoGame/TrialsOfMana'' have this reaction when the final blow is delivered to them.
822-->'''Dragon Lord:''' H-how!? A supreme god cannot die! AAAGH!!!\
823'''Dark Lich:''' B-but I am immortal! This is impossible!!!\
824'''Dark Majesty:''' No! Mavolia! My reign! How can this be!?
825** The Crimson Wizard, Goremand, and Mallocchio have similar reactions when they are bested in battle as well.
826* In ''VideoGame/ValkyriaChronicles'', General Gregor's final words are about how his armored train is invincible. He forgot to account for the fact that the bridge it was sitting on wasn't.
827* ''VideoGame/ValkyrieProfile''
828** Barbarossa's death speech.
829** Hrist gets one too.
830** A heroic example:
831--->'''Lorenta:''' ''[after her DME hits 0]'' No! This cannot be!
832* ''TabletopGame/Warhammer40000: VideoGame/DawnOfWar''
833** Some units shout things to this effect when routed (also, some characters when their armies are defeated in campaign mode).
834** The Chaos Sorcerer blurts out a hammy "It cannot be!" when his morale breaks. The Imperial Guard Psykers also get a juicily shaky "This is impossible! I-I cannot lose!!" line when it happens.
835** And in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xf__Mf9zptU the Chaos defeat cinematic of Soulstorm,]] Lord Carron gives us this hamtastic line:
836--->'''Lord Carron:''' No, no! We cannot lose! We cannot die, how ''can'' we?! [...] Oohhh, the horrid blossom of Chaos will wither, will ''die''!! [...] This world... is ''slipping''... from our grasssp.
837** In ''Retribution'', Warboss Smashface really doesn't like being told that the shiny bridges (which he believes bring good luck) have been blown up:
838--->'''Warboss Smashface''' You'd betta be lying to me boy, and you'd betta be dead, before I get dere, because I don'ts like getting lied to!
839* Mother from ''VideoGame/WildArms1'' says this the first time you defeat her because she believes she is the end of everything due to believing she is the ultimate destroyer.
840* In ''VideoGame/WolfensteinIITheNewColossus'', Frau Engel has this reaction when [[spoiler:B.J. Blazkowicz, whom she thought she had personally executed, but turned out to be NotQuiteDead]], suddenly appears in front of her and catches her off-guard while filming a live TV show. It...[[CurbStompBattle doesn't end well for her]].
841-->'''Frau Engel:''' ''[desperately scrambling for a gun]'' You're dead! ''I severed your head from your shoulders! '''I KILLED YOU!'''''
842* Konishi Mitsuki from ''VideoGame/TheWorldEndsWithYou'', being the ManipulativeBastard that she is, says this as if you defeat her in battle.
843* ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft'' bosses just love to do this, the hammier the better.
844** One of the classic examples is Nefarian, who upon being killed yells, "This cannot be! I am the Master here! You mortals are nothing to [[OurDragonsAreDifferent my kind]]! DO YOU HEAR? NOTHING!"
845** Kael'thas Sunstrider's LastWords is more of a NothingCanStopUsNow though.
846--->'''Kael'thas:''' My demise accomplishes nothing! The Master will have you! You will drown in your own blood! The world shall burn! [[DeathCryEcho Aaaghh!]]
847** Archimonde in the Caverns of Time.
848--->'''Archimonde:''' [[LittleNo No!]] It cannot be! [[BigNo NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!]]
849** "WUT!? UNPOSSIBLE!! You face Mogor now! Mogor destroy!"
850** The Lich King utters a very shocked, "Impossible..." after Tirion uses Ashbringer to shatter Frostmourne.
851** Said verbatim by Instructor Chillheart in the new Scholomance instance, when you destroy her phylactery, killing her.
852** Armsmaster Harlan in the Scarlet Halls is, in his last words, either incredulous and doing this trope, or just indicating he's pissed off:
853--->'''Harlan:''' Bested... by the likes of [[KilledMidSentence ...]]
854* ''VideoGame/ZeroWing'': The Captain, when eloquently informed by CATS about the current status of [[AllYourBaseAreBelongToUs all their base]] lets out a bewildered "[[BlindIdiotTranslation What you say!!]]", however correct translation of the original Japanese line is "It can't be!"
855[[/folder]]
856
857[[folder:Web Animation]]
858* ''WebAnimation/BrokenSaints'' takes some liberty with the phrasing, but...
859-->[[spoiler:'''Lear''']]: "But this was the design! I have given my life to it! '''''God has brought me to this moment!'''''"
860* ''WebAnimation/DeathBattle'':
861** In "Beerus VS Sailor Galaxia", "What?! That's... impossible!" is uttered when [[spoiler:Beerus resists Galaxia's attempts to take control of him through Star Seed extraction. Beerus then proceeds to shoot a Ki Blast which, despite her best efforts to resist, reduces Galaxia to LudicrousGibs]].
862** The loser of "Sauron VS Lich King" shouts "IMPOSSIBLE!" when [[spoiler:Sauron shatters his sword Frostmourne and causes the souls trapped in there to encircle him. After that, Sauron's victory is assured.]]
863* ''WebAnimation/{{Dreamscape}}'': The Overlord of Evil exclaims "No! I will not be stopped!" right before he is sealed away in the flashback in "Over and Under".
864** Melinda exclaims "What is going on here?! Your world should be destroyed and you all should be dead!" when she is suddenly transported into her own dimension to fight all of the residents of her MirrorUniverse in a flashback in "The Mystery of Melinda".
865* ''WebAnimation/IfTheEmperorHadATextToSpeechDevice'' has this happen two times in "This is impossible!" variety:
866** The Inquisitors react like this when the Fabulous Custodes tell them that the Emperor is back.
867** In April Fool's episode the Emperor says it upon seeing [[spoiler:Horus appear in the throne room.]]
868[[/folder]]
869
870[[folder:Webcomics]]
871* ''Webcomic/EightBitTheater'' plays this hilariously straight in [[http://www.nuklearpower.com/2009/10/01/episode-1179-everything-will-be-fine/ #1179]].
872* [[http://www.bmoviecomic.com/?cid=324 Used by]] the ''good'' guys in ''Webcomic/TheBMovieComic''.
873* ''Webcomic/GirlGenius''
874** [[http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20060331 Lucrezia to Tarvek]]:
875--->'''Lucrezia:''' I DO so mistrust it when "impossible" is one's initial reaction to an idea...
876** [[http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20070518 Carson Von Mekkhan]].
877--->'''[[SeenItAll Carson]]:''' I've learned that just because something is "impossible", doesn't mean it ''can't happen''.
878* The [[http://godmode.keenspot.com/d/20070924.html reaction]] to the horrible, horrible truth on ''God Mode'': [[Franchise/{{Halo}} Master Chief]] is actually VideoGame/DukeNukem in disguise.
879* This was the reaction of the Fae Princeling in ''Webcomic/TalesOfTheQuestor'' when discovered to his horror that he called TheWildHunt on Quentyn. In that world, it is specifically forbidden by Lord Oberon himself to do so on a Raccoonan and to make matters worse, Quentyn's skunk stripe means he's favored by the White Stag, and such people cannot be hunted either. So, the Princeling is in trouble with two offenses simultaneously.
880* In Season 7 of ''Webcomic/SurvivorFanCharacters'', the Ho'aku tribe has been almost entirely demolished and [[CoolOldLady Ker]] is the last Ho'aku standing against Dinah, Phil, Quadratic, and Wrecker. All her opponents need to do to sew up a Corsona victory is to keep her from winning immunity...so naturally, she [[http://sfc.smackjeeves.com/comics/1107498/sfc7-day-37-immunity/ steals the immunity win from right under their noses]]. Bonus points for the enemies being so gobsmacked that they [[FinishingEachOthersSentences finish each other's exclamations of disbelief]]:
881-->'''Quadratic:''' [[LittleNo No...]]\
882'''Wrecker:''' [[PrecisionFStrike Fucking...]]\
883'''Phil:''' [[OhCrap WAY!]]\
884'''Dinah:''' This isn't happening... this isn't happening...
885* In ''Webcomic/DragonMango'' [[http://dragon-mango.com/comic/chapter07/dm07-65.htm the oni queen declares this can not be, I can not be defeated like this]] as the mountain collapses on her.
886* As the page image shows, Cordelia screams this in ''Webcomic/CucumberQuest'' when the first boss, Splashmaster, is defeated. The Nightmare Knight, having a better grasp of Splashmaster's... facilities, is unsurprised.
887* In ''Webcomic/NoNeedForBushido'', ninja leader Ayane is busy tying up Ina's father until she's distracted for like two seconds... And then she notices she's now the one who's tied up.
888-->'''Ayane:''' Oh ''come on'', that ''did not'' just happen!
889* ''Webcomic/{{Goblins}}'': The AlternateUniverse Psion Minmax mocks this trope when something starts interrupting his carefully-laid plans, saying that the trope is only used by idiots. [[http://www.goblinscomic.org/comic/04172013 And then he spots Kin and Forgath outside the Treasure Room.]]
890-->''"[[HypocriticalHumor Impossible.]]"''
891* In ''Webcomic/TheInexplicableAdventuresOfBob,'' when Princess Voluptua fires a supposedly unstoppable Borfomite beam at Fructose Riboflavin's ship, only for it to deflect off his new and improved force field, she cries, "Wh-What?? But... That's physically impossible!" to which he replies, "Yes, I ''know!!"'' and [[EvilLaughter laughs evilly.]]
892* In ''Webcomic/ElGoonishShive'', the aberration known as Gullet is utterly baffled that Raven could defend against his fire magic, providing some comedic irony as Raven is expecting him to throw out much more.
893[[/folder]]
894
895[[folder:Web Original]]
896* ''[[WebVideo/XInXMinutes JJBA Stardust Crusaders [Part 2] In 9 Minutes]]'' has D'arby react like this when Jotaro cheats at poker.
897-->'''D'Arby:''' Two pairs.\
898'''Jotaro:''' [[Anime/YuGiOh Exodia, The Forbidden One]]!\
899'''D'Arby:''' IMPOSSIBLE-- ''(is disintegrated)''
900* [[LetsPlay/FreelanceAstronauts Pipes!!]] has an enthralling tale of [[Fanfic/TheTaleOfSephirothGokuTheStampede Sephiroth Goku the Stampede]] where the head of the Vampire Company shouts a variant of this. [[ItMakesSenseInContext Kinda has to be heard to be understood...]]
901[[/folder]]
902
903[[folder:Western Animation]]
904* ''WesternAnimation/{{Amphibia}}'': In the season 2 finale, Anne unlocks the full power of her Calamity Powers much to Andrias' surprise, who thought her connection to her Gem had been severed, unaware that Anne hadn't fully charged it.
905** In "Toadcatcher", General Yunan, [[BadassBoast SCOURGE OF THE SAND WARS, DEFEATER OF RAGNAR THE WRETCHED, YOUNGEST NEWT EVER TO ACHIEVE THE RANK OF GENERAL IN THE GREAT NEWTOPIAN ARMY]] says this word for word after being defeated by Sasha and Captain Grime and falling off a cliff.
906* ''WesternAnimation/TheAntAndTheAardvark'' cartoon "Technology Phooey" has the Aardvark pushing a huge rock off a cliff towards the ant, who deflects it by simply blowing at it.
907-->'''Aardvark:''' I'll say it in two words: Im. Possible!
908* ''Franchise/AvatarTheLastAirbender'':
909** ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender'': When the moon reappears in the sky, Zhao screams, "It can't be!" right before the Ocean Spirit [[HoistByHisOwnPetard drags him to a watery grave]]. This occurs mere minutes after he [[TemptingFate declared himself to be invincible]].
910** In ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra'', Amon has this when he sees [[spoiler:Korra, whom he has just depowered, airbending.]] It's the first and only time in the series where he's completely helpless and without a plan. This is also the first time [[spoiler: Korra has ''ever'' used airbending.]]
911--->'''Amon:''' [[OhCrap Impossible!]]
912* ''WesternAnimation/BatmanTheAnimatedSeries'':
913** Screamed by Bane, almost word for word, as Batman finally overcame him. "You can't do this to me! I am invincible! [[PunctuatedForEmphasis I...AM...BAAAAAAAANE!]]"
914** When Batman escapes his "perfect" trap and won't tell him how he did it (jumping inside the safe to survive the explosion), the Riddler [[VillainousBreakdown completely breaks down]], raving and ranting so loudly all of Arkham can hear him, aggravating even ''[[NotSoStoic Joker]]''
915--->'''The Riddler:''' It's ''impossible,'' I tell you! ''Impossible!'' My trap was ''perfect!'' ''How'' did he do it?! I have to ''know!'' Somebody tell me! It's not ''fair!'' There was ''no way'', I tell you! No way he could've gotten out! Somebody tell me! Do you hear me?! Somebody tell me how he did it! I have to know! I have to ''knoooow!!!''
916** Hugo Strange gloats that he knows Batman's {{secret identity}}, only to burst out "It's not possible!" when he sees Batman and Bruce Wayne standing next to each other. After he's taken away, we learn that "Bruce" is [[IdentityImpersonator Robin]] in [[LatexPerfection disguise]].
917* {{ComicBook/Darkseid}} in ''WesternAnimation/BatmanTheBraveAndTheBold'' when he notices he and his minions are about to get sucked back away from Earth. "Not. Possible."
918* ''WesternAnimation/Ben10UltimateAlien'': Albedo says this by name when [[StatusQuoIsGod he is changed back into his Ben form]] in "Double or Nothing".
919-->'''Albedo:''' What? No! It can't be!
920* ''WesternAnimation/Birdman1967'' episode "Vulturo, Prince of Darkness". Right after Birdman has his solar powers renewed by the nearby passage of a comet, the title villain says "No! It cannot be!"
921* [[BoomerangBigot Uncle Ruckus]] says this in one episode of ''WesternAnimation/TheBoondocks'' when he finds out that he’s 102% African (with a 2% margin of error)
922* ''WesternAnimation/CodenameKidsNextDoor'': "But that's [[BuffySpeak un-possible]]!"
923* ''WesternAnimation/DangerMouse'' and Penfold are on the trail of the Great Bone Idol (episode of the same name). They trail a mystic stick to a stone pillar in the desert. DM lifts the pillar's lid, then closes it back.
924-->'''DM:''' It was a herd of...no. It couldn't be. ''[looks in again]'' Good grief, it was!\
925'''Penfold:''' Ephelants! 'Undreds of 'em!\
926'''DM:''' Positively packed to the portals with prostrate pachyderms!
927* ''WesternAnimation/DannyPhantom''
928** Of all the people who could have handed Vlad his head in "The Million Dollar Ghost", it is the BumblingDad Jack who does it, something that Vlad finds so vastly ''impossible'' due to his simpleminded personality (as opposed to Vlad's brilliance).
929--->'''Vlad Plasmius:''' ''[post massive beatdown]'' [[TitleDrop This isn't possible!]] You're an idiot! ''An idiot!''\
930'''Jack Fenton:''' ''[smugly]'' Maybe so, [[InsultBackfire but I'm the idiot]] who beat ''you''.
931** He continues to frustratingly rant about this in the Ghost Zone, [[NiceJobBreakingItHero but the end results did have Vlad getting what he wanted which sets the stage for a latter episode]].
932** In "WesternAnimation/TheUltimateEnemy," this is [[FutureMeScaresMe Dark Danny's]] reaction when Danny uses the [[MakeMeWannaShout Ghostly Wail]] on him, a power that took him ten years to develop. It's hammered home because, ''immediately'' before this, he had bragged about how Danny's FaceHeelTurn was an inevitability, reasoning that all major points in the timeline were fixed due to him not undergoing a CessationOfExistence even after frightening Danny with his appearance. The fact that Danny learned the Ghostly Wail ten years before he did completely refutes this argument in an instant, indicating that it ''is'' possible for Danny to change his future. The revelation leaves him so stunned that he's unable to properly counter Danny's Wail, and he's then sucked into the Fenton Thermos afterwards.
933--->'''Dark Danny:''' That power! It's not possible! I don't get that power until 10 years from now!\
934'''Danny:''' [[PreMortemOneLiner I guess the future isn't as set in stone as you think it is]].
935* ''WesternAnimation/DextersLaboratory''. This is Dexter's CatchPhrase!
936* ''WesternAnimation/EdEddNEddy'': In the episode "Will Work For Ed", Rolf says this verbatim when he discovers that the Eds cut up his potatoes into French fries.
937-->'''Rolf:''' THIS CANNOT BE! The spud has been shamed.
938* From the ''WesternAnimation/FamilyGuy'' episode [[DarkerAndEdgier "Screams of Silence]]: [[CerebusSyndrome The Story of Brenda Q"]].
939-->'''Jeff:''' '''[[NoIndoorVoice WHAT THE HELL???]]''' '''''[[DisneyDeath I KILLED YOU!!!]]'''''\
940'''Quagmire:''' [[PreMortemOneLiner I choke myself everyday, you bastard.]]\
941''[Quagmire crushes Jeff to death [[CarFu with his car]]]''
942* ''WesternAnimation/FinalSpace'': In the DownerBeginning of "[[Recap/FinalSpaceS3E11TheDeadSpeak The Dead Speak]]", Avocato is shell-shocked to the point of disbelief when the Lord Commander [[spoiler:ascends to Titanhood and defeats [[BigGood Bolo]]]] in nightmarishly short order.
943-->'''Avocato:''' This... This can't be happening!\
944'''Biskit:''' Believe it. It's happening!
945* In the ''WesternAnimation/{{Futurama}}'' episode "The Problem with Popplers", Lrrr eats the annoying hippie Free Waterfall, Jr. Waterfall's last words are "This is not happening."
946* ''WesternAnimation/GravityFalls'': Bill does this twice in the finale, the first time when he goes up against the mecha Mystery Shack and finds he can't hurt it due to the protection shield ([[VisualPun until he sees]] that [[AchillesHeel they didn't coat]] its [[StealthPun feet]]) and again when, after managing to counter the heroes last ditch gambit, that he [[spoiler: was tricked into entering into Stanley's mind and not ''Stanford'' like he wanted and is now being erased with Stan's mind with ''no'' way to escape or counter it. His tone as he panics is in utter disbelief that he was beaten.]]
947* The very first episode of ''WesternAnimation/TheGrimAdventuresOfBillyAndMandy'' features such a speech from Grim, upon realizing he’s been defeated by two kids and must now be their best friend/slave forever.
948-->'''Grim:''' No, this is impossible! I am the Grim Reaper! MASTER OF THE FORCES OF LIFE AND DEATH!!!!\
949'''Mandy:''' Not anymore.
950* On ''WesternAnimation/JonnyQuest'', in the episode "The Curse of Anubis", the villainous Kareem has the line, "No! It cannot be! The spirit of Anubis, walking, following me!"
951* ''WesternAnimation/KimPossible'':
952** Played with numerous times:
953--->'''[[HarmlessVillain Dr. Drakken]]:''' It is impossible!\
954'''Ron Stoppable:''' Actually, it's possible. Kim Possible. But that's a common mistake.
955** In his very first encounter with Team Possible, Drakken is shocked and incredulous to see [[TheDragon Shego]] defeated. Of course, he'll have plenty of opportunities to [[FailureIsTheOnlyOption get used to it]].
956--->'''Drakken:''' Shego has failed! But she never fails! [[BigNo No!]]
957* ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfZelda1989'': Ganon is totally baffled when he finds out that Zelda loves Link in "The Missing Link." This is HypocriticalHumor because he is an AbhorrentAdmirer to Zelda.
958-->'''Ganon:''' But one thing puzzles me. ''Why would Zelda be able to see him?!'' Well, she could only do that if- ({{beat}}) No... no, i-impossible.\
959'''Triforce of Power:''' What is it, evilness?\
960'''Ganon:''' Zelda could only see Link if... if she was in ''love'' with him! Zelda in love with Link?! ''Oh'', how disgusting!
961* Dr. Wily in ''WesternAnimation/MegaManRubySpears'' is prey to this trope quite a lot.
962* ''WesternAnimation/MiraculousLadybug'': Usually, when Ladybug and Chat Noir defeat his [[VillainOfTheWeek Akumized villain]], Hawk Moth reacts with a threat and a pun, but in "[[Recap/MiraculousLadybugS01E18ThePuppeteer The Puppeteer]]" Ladybug, armed with her KillerYoYo and a Lucky Charm that this time materialized as a power cord, took on three past villains ''and'' Chat Noir, all BrainwashedAndCrazy thanks to the titular villain, and ''won'', he shouted "[[BigNo No! This can't be happening!]]"-after being apparently [[StunnedSilence stunned speechless for about a minute]].
963* In ''WesternAnimation/MuchaLucha The Return of El Malefico'', El Malefico says this when the Three Mascaritas turned into giants and beat him up.
964-->'''El Malefico:''' No! This cannot be!\
965'''Rikochet:''' It is and you're going down.
966* ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'':
967** [[ManipulativeBastard Discord]] is ''[[VillainousBreakdown absolutely stunned]]'' when he realizes (far too late) that not only have the Mane Cast broken free of his MindRape, but rekindled their friendship to the point they can activate the Elements Of Harmony again...which are presently aimed at his face.
968** Same happens to [[TheNightThatNeverEnds Nightmare Moon]] when the Elements' blast hits her.
969** Trixie declares "This can't be!" in "[[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS3E5MagicDuel Magic Duel]]" after Twilight Sparkle seemingly wields greater power than her. [[spoiler: In her case, it's completely justified, since Twilight's tricking her.]]
970** In ''[[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS4E26TwilightsKingdomPart2 Twilight's Kingdom Part 2]]'', Tirek shouts this when he see Twilight and the Mane Six with their new Rainbow Power, unable to understand how they are empowered again after draining their magic.
971* [[ParodiedTrope Parodied]] in the ''WesternAnimation/PhineasAndFerb'' episode "Cranius Maximus", when Baljeet -- who has temporarily become a MadScientist -- realizes he didn't beat Phineas and Ferb like he thought:
972-->'''Baljeet:''' That is not possible! Well, I mean, clearly it is possible, but highly unlikely!
973* In the ''WesternAnimation/ThePowerpuffGirls1998'' episode "Members Only", the [[MonsterOfTheWeek Villain Of The Week]] Mascumax says this word for word when brought down by the girls' combined attack, [[CuteKitten Ferocious Flaming Feline.]]
974* He doesn't actually say anything, but when Matrix dents Megabyte's chest with a punch in ''WesternAnimation/ReBoot''[='s=] season 3 finale, the look on Megabyte's face needs no words.
975* ''WesternAnimation/RobotChicken'' parodied the ''Franchise/StarWars'' scene cited in the "Film" section by continuing it to have Vader reveal more and more things to Luke. Luke's reaction goes from "This cannot be!" to "This is ''unlikely'' to be" to "Now that's just weird" to "Look, if you're not going to take this seriously, I'm leaving" despite every single revelation being something that actually happened in the franchise.
976* Perhaps one of the best examples of this trope was seen in ''WesternAnimation/SamuraiJack'' episode "[[Recap/SamuraiJackS2E5JackAndTheUltraRobots Jack and The Ultra-Robots]]", when Jack defeated the sword-wielding leader of said [[EliteMooks Elite]] MechaMooks by enhancing the power of his ancient sword [[DivineIntervention with the aid of the gods]]. His reaction was somewhat justified as he had been [[MadeOfIndestructium specifically designed so that Jack couldn't cut through him]], which is exactly why it was such an awesome moment.
977-->'''Lead Assassin:''' ''[as he is sliced in half by Jack's enhanced sword]'' Unbelievable.\
978''[he explodes]''
979* ''WesternAnimation/StarWarsTheCloneWars'': As with the example in the Film folder above, a subdued version of this trope is what Obi-Wan Kenobi falls back on when some horrible realisation shows up to ruin his life again. [[Recap/StarWarsTheCloneWarsS5E16TheLawless This time]], it's in response to seeing [[spoiler:Darth Maul alive and well]] on Mandalore.
980-->'''Obi-Wan:''' [[LittleNo No]], it ''can't'' be...
981* ''WesternAnimation/StarWarsRebels'': Said verbatim by Agent Kallus in response to one of his Arquitens cruisers being destroyed by the rebels new B-Wing prototype and its [[ConvergingStreamWeapon Composite Beam]] [[WaveMotionGun Laser]]
982* ''WesternAnimation/TangledTheSeries'': A written version exists in Rapunzel's journal: She drew a picture of Cassandra [[spoiler: with the moonstone's power]] at one point and wrote "Cassandra... how can this be..." on the page. She flips through that page in the final episode.
983* ''Franchise/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles'': Many, or some, villains are quite fond of using this trope when bested by the Turtles. Especially the BigBad, the Shredder.
984** For example, in the finale of Season 3 of the 2003 cartoon, Ch'rell, the Utrom Shredder, gets a big shock when the Utrom council finds him guilty for all the crimes he had committed across the galaxy in his many aliases, including but not limited to his Oroku Saki and Shredder aliases. He screams, "NO! I am the Shredder! I am invincible!" just before the Utroms give him the punishment of banishing him to his new home on the ice asteroid belt surrounding the frozen planet Mor Tal, where he does very little but let loose a BigNo because he is [[AndIMustScream not too thrilled to be trapped on his new home]].
985** Sh'Okanabo, one of the main villains of ''[[WesternAnimation/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles2003 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Fast Forward]]'', is another good example; for example he receives a big shock when, in the episode "The Freaks Come Out at Night...", his plan to take over Earth and cover it with his Kanabo drones backfires on him. ''All thanks to the Sun.'' And then he goes back to his spaceship and throws a temper tantrum complaining that all of his efforts have been in vain and saying that Earth could sustain his race for centuries if not for the accursed sun.
986--->'''Sh'Okanabo:''' This is impossible! The Kanabo have thrived before on countless planets under countless suns!
987** In the episode "Timing is Everything", the Shredder gets a big shock when he sees for himself how much more skilled the Turtles have gotten since their first battle with him, as well as how powerful Sh'Okanabo is in overwhelming and sending his Foot Soldiers back to the Shredder's original time period.
988--->'''Shredder:''' Impossible! You are not this powerful!\
989'''Raphael:''' Dude, we put the ka-bosh on ya a long time ago. You're history! ''[he and Leonardo kick the Shredder back to his original time period]''
990** The [[WesternAnimation/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles1987 1987 show]] had this when they defeated Krang in his giant robot body:
991--->'''Krang:''' I am Krang, the all powerful! I have never been defeated!
992* The ''WesternAnimation/WackyRaces'' episode "See Saw To Arkansas" (the debut episode) has Dick Dastardly splutter "It can't be!" when Peter Perfect drives ''through and into'' the steel wall with the painted scenery Dastardly employed. Dastardly proceeds to get flattened by a bus coming out of the scenery.
993* [[BigBad Nox]] from ''WesternAnimation/{{Wakfu}}'' says this so often that it's practically his CatchPhrase. Made worse is that among other times, he always says it after someone breaks his time spell... which everyone he uses it on does.
994* Lord Darkar's last words as, in the finale of ''WesternAnimation/WinxClub'' Season 2, the fairies perform a convergence spell that banishes him to the chaos that spawned him where he will remain forever:
995-->'''Lord Darkar:''' Noooooooo!!! This can't be happening!! Nooooooooooooo!!!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
996* ''WesternAnimation/{{WITCH}}'':
997** Lampshaded in the first season finale, when [[BigBad Phobos]] is being defeated by the Guardians and Elyon.
998--->'''Phobos:''' This cannot be!\
999'''Caleb:''' You know, they always say that.
1000** In season 2, Phobos breaks out of his imprisonment even if much less powerful than in the season 1 finale. He then has to face Elyon in all of her [[RealityWarper immense power]], who announces she's about to send him and his minions back to their cells.
1001--->'''Phobos:''' [[PunctuatedForEmphasis This! Shall! Not!]]\
1002''[=[=][[CurbStompBattle Phobos notices Elyon has teleported him back in his cell while he shouted she would not do that]][=]=]''
1003* In ''WesternAnimation/XMenTheAnimatedSeries'', there's this bit from "Come the Apocalypse":
1004-->'''Apocalypse:''' No! My creatures cannot be defeated! '''*I*''' cannot be defeated!\
1005'''Cyclops:''' [blasts Apocalypse] We beg to differ.
1006[[/folder]]
1007
1008[[folder:Real Life]]
1009* For a non-villainous example of this, when an Aeromexico DC-9 and a Piper Archer private plane collided over Cerritos, Los Angeles, resulting in the death of all 64 on both planes and 15 on the ground, the last recorded word on the Aeromexico black box was "this can't be".
1010* The Israeli scientist Dan Shechtman muttered "eyn chaya kazo" ("there is no such creature" in Hebrew) when he saw atoms in a crystalline structure arranged in a five-fold symmetry, which is pretty much impossible. Despite most of the scientific community telling him he was wrong and couldn't even get basic scientific facts correct, he persevered, and won a Nobel Prize for his discovery of the structure called a quasicrystal (which can have 5-fold symmetry).
1011[[/folder]]

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