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If said to a hero, it may because they're {{Friendly Enem|y}}ies. An OmnicidalManiac may either express a desire to preserve one person or event that they like, or say that it's the one thing they'll miss after destroying the world. If they are sparing someone because that person had previously shown them kindness, then this overlaps with BecauseYouWereNiceToMe. If they believe the person or people they spare have some sort of UniquenessValue, that's SparingTheAces. If they deliberately spare someone to have the person suffer from guilt, that's CruelMercy. If the villain doesn't even feel the need to deal with the individual, they're NotWorthKilling.

to:

If said to a hero, it may because they're {{Friendly Enem|y}}ies. An OmnicidalManiac may either express a desire to preserve one person or event that they like, or say that it's the one thing they'll miss after destroying the world. If they are sparing someone because that person had previously shown them kindness, then this overlaps with BecauseYouWereNiceToMe. If they believe the person or people they spare have some sort of UniquenessValue, that's SparingTheAces. If they deliberately spare someone to have the person suffer from guilt, guilt (perhaps even being ForcedToWatch), that's CruelMercy. If the villain doesn't even feel the need to deal with the individual, they're NotWorthKilling.
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** In [[Film/{{Transformers}} the first film]], Megatron makes the offer to Sam: "Give me the Allspark, and you may live to be my pet."

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** In [[Film/{{Transformers}} [[Film/Transformers2007 the first film]], Megatron makes the offer to Sam: "Give me the Allspark, [=AllSpark=], and you may live to be my pet."
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* ''Series/TheAvengers1960s''. In "Man-Eater of Surrey Green", the sentient ManEatingPlant tells the mind-controlled herbologists helping it TakeOverTheWorld that they need not be afraid, as it will ensure they are protected as a reward for their efforts.
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* In ''Series/MuppetsMayhem'', when Nora is trying to convince the band to get back together, and talking to Janice, who has become the Earth Mother of a cult called the Forsureleans.

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* In ''Series/MuppetsMayhem'', ''Series/TheMuppetsMayhem'', when Nora is trying to convince the band to get back together, and talking to Janice, who has become the Earth Mother of a cult called the Forsureleans.
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[[folder:Puppet Shows]]
* In ''Series/MuppetsMayhem'', when Nora is trying to convince the band to get back together, and talking to Janice, who has become the Earth Mother of a cult called the Forsureleans.
-->'''Janice''': Perhaps one day we'll find our way back home, but until then, you'll always be an honorary Forsurelean, who shall be spared during the reckoning.\\
'''Nora''': ...The what now?
[[/folder]]
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** Hitler also made offers of this kind to the UK during the early phase of the war, generally along the lines of "[[WeCanRuleTogether Britannia can rule the waves and Germania the earth]]." This seemed natural to Hitler, [[EvilCannotComprehendGood who was mystified as to why the UK wouldn't want to purge itself of the impure]] and unite with him against the "Jewish Bolsheviks". The UK ignored the offers (they didn't even acknowledge they had received them), which is essentially a diplomatic way of saying, "f*** off."
* There was a persistent {{Urban Legend|s}} floating around in the British media in the wake of the July 2007 suicide bombings in London about a woman stopping to assist a gentleman of Middle Eastern extraction with some problem or other -a lost contact lens, directions, whatever- and being told "don't take [[UsefulNotes/TheLondonUnderground the tube]] on $DATE". If this exchange ever took place in any form outside someone's especially vivid imagination, it was a subversion; none of the quoted dates ever seem to match up to a known terrorist plot, successful or otherwise, and the person dispensing this advice was almost certainly taking the piss.

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** Hitler also made offers of this kind to the UK during the early phase of the war, generally along the lines of "[[WeCanRuleTogether Britannia can rule the waves and Germania the earth]]." This seemed natural to Hitler, [[EvilCannotComprehendGood who was mystified as to why the UK wouldn't want to purge itself of the impure]] and unite with him against the "Jewish Bolsheviks". The UK ignored the offers (they didn't even acknowledge they had received them), which is essentially a diplomatic way of saying, "f*** off."
telling Berlin to fuck off.
* There was a persistent {{Urban Legend|s}} floating around in the British media in the wake of the July 2007 suicide bombings in London about a woman stopping to assist a gentleman of Middle Eastern extraction with some problem or other -a lost contact lens, directions, whatever- and being told "don't to not take [[UsefulNotes/TheLondonUnderground the tube]] on $DATE".certain dates. If this exchange ever took place in any form outside someone's especially vivid imagination, it was a subversion; none of the quoted dates ever seem to match up to a known terrorist plot, successful or otherwise, and the person dispensing this advice was almost certainly taking the piss.
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None


** Hitler also made offers of this kind to the UK during the early phase of the war, generally along the lines of "[[WeCanRuleTogether Britannia can rule the waves and Germania the earth]]." This seemed natural to Hitler, who was mystified as to why the UK wouldn't want to purge itself of the impure and unite with him against the "Jewish Bolsheviks". The UK ignored the offers (they didn't even acknowledge they had received them), which is essentially a diplomatic way of saying, "f*** off."

to:

** Hitler also made offers of this kind to the UK during the early phase of the war, generally along the lines of "[[WeCanRuleTogether Britannia can rule the waves and Germania the earth]]." This seemed natural to Hitler, [[EvilCannotComprehendGood who was mystified as to why the UK wouldn't want to purge itself of the impure impure]] and unite with him against the "Jewish Bolsheviks". The UK ignored the offers (they didn't even acknowledge they had received them), which is essentially a diplomatic way of saying, "f*** off."

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Alphabetized examples.


* In ''Webcomic/PvP'', after horrifying him by StoryboardingTheApocalypse, Scratch reassures a quivering Skull that ''his'' death will be painless.
* ''Webcomic/VGCats'' plays with this [[http://www.vgcats.com/comics/?strip_id=199 here]] with [[PathOfInspiration The Church of the]] OneWingedAngel [[Franchise/FinalFantasy of Latter-Day Summons]].
-->''"So if I join, I'll be saved?"''
-->''"Oh no, you'll still die... but '''faster.'''"''
* ''Webcomic/DominicDeegan'' uses this when Snow Song is thinking about how she'll destroy the town while sitting down to eat in a restaurant, but then the waitress gives her some chocolate cake on the house:
-->'''Snow Song''': ''None'' of these drones will be spared... Except for her.



* ''Webcomic/DominicDeegan'' uses this when Snow Song is thinking about how she'll destroy the town while sitting down to eat in a restaurant, but then the waitress gives her some chocolate cake on the house:
-->'''Snow Song''': ''None'' of these drones will be spared... Except for her.



* A posthumous variant is employed in ''Webcomic/SamAndFuzzy'', in which [[spoiler:Mr. Blank]] states that he made [[spoiler:Mr. Black]]'s death as quick and painless as possible because the person in question "had earned it"... [[ToThePain But the person he's talking to is]] ''[[ToThePain not]]'' [[NoHoldsBarredBeatdown going to be in for the same treatment]].
* ''{{Webcomic/Homestuck}}'': [[IneffectualSympatheticVillain Eridan]] wants to kill all the land [[VerbalTic dwwellers]] [[http://www.mspaintadventures.com/?s=6&p=004243 he admits he won't kill Kanaya]]. [[spoiler: Of course when he snaps the only land dweller he kills is Kanaya by blowing a hole through her stomach with a "science wand" she made him.]]
-->'''CA''': im not goin to vvery wwell kill you am i that wwould be fuckin unconscionable
-->'''CA''': wwhat kind of friend wwould i be

to:

* A posthumous variant is employed in ''Webcomic/SamAndFuzzy'', in which [[spoiler:Mr. Blank]] states that he made [[spoiler:Mr. Black]]'s death as quick and painless as possible because the person in question "had earned it"... [[ToThePain But the person he's talking to is]] ''[[ToThePain not]]'' [[NoHoldsBarredBeatdown going to be in for the same treatment]].
* ''{{Webcomic/Homestuck}}'':
''Webcomic/{{Homestuck}}'':
**
[[IneffectualSympatheticVillain Eridan]] wants to kill all the land [[VerbalTic dwwellers]] [[http://www.mspaintadventures.com/?s=6&p=004243 he admits he won't kill Kanaya]]. [[spoiler: Of [[spoiler:Of course when he snaps snaps, the only land dweller he kills is Kanaya by blowing a hole through her stomach with a "science wand" she made him.]]
-->'''CA''': --->'''CA''': im not goin to vvery wwell kill you am i that wwould be fuckin unconscionable
-->'''CA''':
unconscionable\\
'''CA''':
wwhat kind of friend wwould i be



* Amical, the friendly villain of ''{{Webcomic/morphe}}'' is very fond of picking favorites and giving them favor in life or death situations. In the first chapter he recognizes a celebrity in a fight to the death and breaks the rules to help him win by shooting the other contestant in the back. Later the plot focuses on his use of this trope to select which of his pupils will have to die before his next big party.

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* Amical, the friendly villain of ''{{Webcomic/morphe}}'' ''Webcomic/{{morphe}}'' is very fond of picking favorites and giving them favor in life or death situations. In the first chapter he recognizes a celebrity in a fight to the death and breaks the rules to help him win by shooting the other contestant in the back. Later the plot focuses on his use of this trope to select which of his pupils will have to die before his next big party.party.
* In ''Webcomic/PvP'', after horrifying him by StoryboardingTheApocalypse, Scratch reassures a quivering Skull that ''his'' death will be painless.
* A posthumous variant is employed in ''Webcomic/SamAndFuzzy'', in which [[spoiler:Mr. Blank]] states that he made [[spoiler:Mr. Black]]'s death as quick and painless as possible because the person in question "had earned it"... [[ToThePain But the person he's talking to is]] ''[[ToThePain not]]'' [[NoHoldsBarredBeatdown going to be in for the same treatment]].
* ''Webcomic/VGCats'' plays with this [[http://www.vgcats.com/comics/?strip_id=199 here]] with [[PathOfInspiration The Church of the]] OneWingedAngel [[Franchise/FinalFantasy of Latter-Day Summons]].
-->''"So if I join, I'll be saved?"''\\
''"Oh no, you'll still die... but '''faster.'''"''



* Rule 68 of the EvilOverlordList: "I will spare someone who saved my life sometime in the past. [[PragmaticVillainy This is only reasonable as it encourages others to do so]]. However, the offer is good one time only. If they want me to spare them again, they'd better save my life again."
* Marik Ishtar from ''[[WebVideo/YuGiOhTheAbridgedSeries Yu-Gi-Oh The Abridged Series]]'' has to following evil monologue:
-->With his help I shall defeat you and then conquer the world! [[EvilLaugh Ah-hahaha!]] [[DistractedByTheShiny Oh hey look a bird!]] [[PetTheDog Isn't it just the cutest little guy]]-- I mean no! In my new world all birds will be enslaved! ''Especially this one!'' And he shall be named Mr. Tweetums, because it is ''very evil!'' Ah-hahaha! Now be gone Mr. Tweetums. I am trying to stalk my nemesis.
** He also likes Joey, who will be killed last. Evil Bakura quotes the ''Film/{{Commando}}'' exchange with Pegasus.



--> '''Cell:''' Don't worry, I'll save your daddy for last. [[BaitAndSwitch Hear that]], [[ParentalSubstitute Piccolo]]?!
--> '''Piccolo:''' I mean, [[LampshadeHanging if you're just gonna say it...]]
--> '''[[IdiotHero Goku]]:''' I don't get it...
* ''Website/SCPFoundation:'' Under the "Broken Masquerade"[[note]]Where the Foundation is exposed to the public.[[/note]] section of the Tales heading, a little boy writes a letter to 682 asking it all sorts of questions about its powers, and [[HorribleJudgeOfCharacter claiming that 682 is his "hero"]]. 682 ''actually responds'', harshly at first, and then with this trope:
--> '''682''': [[PetTheDog Of course I can eat cities and breathe fire. I promise that you will live to see it.]]

to:

--> '''Cell:''' -->'''Cell:''' Don't worry, I'll save your daddy for last. [[BaitAndSwitch Hear that]], [[ParentalSubstitute Piccolo]]?!
-->
Piccolo]]?!\\
'''Piccolo:''' I mean, [[LampshadeHanging if you're just gonna say it...]]
-->
it]]...\\
'''[[IdiotHero Goku]]:''' I don't get it...
* ''Website/SCPFoundation:'' Rule 68 of the EvilOverlordList: "I will spare someone who saved my life sometime in the past. [[PragmaticVillainy This is only reasonable as it encourages others to do so]]. However, the offer is good one time only. If they want me to spare them again, they'd better save my life again."
* ''Website/SCPFoundation'':
Under the "Broken Masquerade"[[note]]Where the Foundation is exposed to the public.[[/note]] section of the Tales heading, a little boy writes a letter to 682 asking it all sorts of questions about its powers, and [[HorribleJudgeOfCharacter claiming that 682 is his "hero"]]. 682 ''actually responds'', harshly at first, and then with this trope:
--> '''682''': -->'''682''': [[PetTheDog Of course I can eat cities and breathe fire. I promise that you will live to see it.]] ]]
* Marik Ishtar from ''[[WebVideo/YuGiOhTheAbridgedSeries Yu-Gi-Oh The Abridged Series]]'' has to following evil monologue:
-->With his help I shall defeat you and then conquer the world! [[EvilLaugh Ah-hahaha!]] [[DistractedByTheShiny Oh hey look a bird!]] [[PetTheDog Isn't it just the cutest little guy]]-- I mean no! In my new world all birds will be enslaved! ''Especially this one!'' And he shall be named Mr. Tweetums, because it is ''very evil!'' Ah-hahaha! Now be gone Mr. Tweetums. I am trying to stalk my nemesis.
** He also likes Joey, who will be killed last. Evil Bakura quotes the ''Film/{{Commando}}'' exchange with Pegasus.



* This line from Dr. Robotnik in an episode of ''WesternAnimation/AdventuresOfSonicTheHedgehog''...
-->''"Perhaps due to your change of heart, I'll exterminate you '''somewhat''' painlessly..."''

to:

* This line from Dr. Robotnik in an episode of ''WesternAnimation/AdventuresOfSonicTheHedgehog''...
-->''"Perhaps
''WesternAnimation/AdventuresOfSonicTheHedgehog'':
-->'''Dr. Robotnik:''' Perhaps
due to your change of heart, I'll exterminate you '''somewhat''' painlessly..."''painlessly...
* In ''WesternAnimation/Castlevania2017'', RetiredMonster Dracula fell in love with and married a human woman named Lisa, teaching her medical science before WalkingTheEarth at her request to better understand humanity. When he returned, he found their house burned to the ground and an elderly woman, a patient of his wife, who told Dracula that the Church took Lisa and had her [[BurnTheWitch burned at the stake]] for believing her scientific knowledge to be witchcraft. Lisa was kind to her old neighbor, so she chose to pay respects to her memory rather than attend the burning. In what Dracula calls his "last kindness", he warns the old woman to take her family and flee Wallachia before he makes his preparations to KillAllHumans therein.



--->''"It seems I have you to thank [[spoiler:for my resurrection]]. Though your world will suffer slowly, I grant ''you'' a quick death."'' '''[BOOM]'''

to:

--->''"It --->'''Darkseid:''' It seems I have you to thank [[spoiler:for my resurrection]]. Though your world will suffer slowly, I grant ''you'' a quick death."'' '''[BOOM]''' '''(BOOM)'''



--->''"You impress me, Kryptonian. More, your valor has touched my heart. Oh yes, there is still some small part of me that knows mercy. I will [[AgonyBeam end your pain]]... with something special I've been saving for just this occasion. ''[Darkseid draws a Kryptonite knife]'' I'm going to carve out your heart and put it on a pike in my throne room."''

to:

--->''"You --->'''Darkseid:''' You impress me, Kryptonian. More, your valor has touched my heart. Oh yes, there is still some small part of me that knows mercy. I will [[AgonyBeam end your pain]]... with something special I've been saving for just this occasion. ''[Darkseid ''(Darkseid draws a Kryptonite knife]'' knife)'' I'm going to carve out your heart and put it on a pike in my throne room."''



* In ''WesternAnimation/Castlevania2017'', RetiredMonster Dracula fell in love with and married a human woman named Lisa, teaching her medical science before WalkingTheEarth at her request to better understand humanity. When he returned, he found their house burned to the ground and an elderly woman, a patient of his wife, who told Dracula that the Church took Lisa and had her [[BurnTheWitch burned at the stake]] for believing her scientific knowledge to be witchcraft. Lisa was kind to her old neighbor, so she chose to pay respects to her memory rather than attend the burning. In what Dracula calls his "last kindness", he warns the old woman to take her family and flee Wallachia before he makes his preparations to KillAllHumans therein.



* On ''WebVideo/AtopTheFourthWall'', because he defeated someone who was a nuisance to it, the Entity ''does'' save Linkara for last and lets him run and hide after [[spoiler: it absorbs everyone else]] - but it's waiting when he comes back out.

to:

* On ''WebVideo/AtopTheFourthWall'', because he defeated someone who was a nuisance to it, the Entity ''does'' save Linkara for last and lets him run and hide after [[spoiler: it [[spoiler:it absorbs everyone else]] - but it's waiting when he comes back out.

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Alphabetizing examples; WIP...


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* In ''Anime/AuraBattlerDunbine'', when the bad guys arrive on Earth and announce their plan to conquer it, they say they will spare the city of Boston out of respect for one of their pilots who came from there.



* The BigBad of ''Manga/FullmetalAlchemist'' didn't ''say'' anything until he'd [[BatmanGambit already made his move]], but once they're the only two left alive, he gives something along the lines of this trope to Van Hohenheim, "in gratitude for giving me life." Poor man had had [[GenreBlindness no inkling]] Homunculus was evil until then, and they had even established in conversation that Hohenheim was basically his father. This might help explain his somewhat ambivalent attitude toward his [[HotBlooded second]] and [[GentleGiant third]] sons. After the first one goes all OmnicidalManiac on you and [[WhatHaveIBecome turns you into]] an [[IAmAMonster immortal]] [[CatchPhrase monster]]...
* In ''Anime/AuraBattlerDunbine'', when the bad guys arrive on Earth and announce their plan to conquer it, they say they will spare the city of Boston out of respect for one of their pilots who came from there.



* ''Manga/DemonSlayerKimetsuNoYaiba'': When Tanjiro calls Rui out on his messed-up and abusive ideas on what family means, Rui offers him the choice to either recant it and receive a quick, painless death like the [[CurbStompBattle swift and messy one]] he inflicted on a RedShirt Demon Slayer moments previously, or stand by his words and meet a much slower and more painful one. [[{{Determinator}} Tanjiro being Tanjiro]], he naturally refuses, kicking off one of the series' more famous big ol' shonen fights.
* In ''Anime/DragonBallZTheHistoryOfTrunks'', when a terrified store clerk gives Android 18 beautiful clothes, she is genuinely grateful and says he won't die today. However, as she is walking away, Android 17 blows the store up and kills him. 18 becomes upset because 17 made a liar out of her.
* The BigBad of ''Manga/FullmetalAlchemist'' didn't ''say'' anything until he'd [[BatmanGambit already made his move]], but once they're the only two left alive, he gives something along the lines of this trope to Van Hohenheim, "in gratitude for giving me life." Poor man had had [[GenreBlindness no inkling]] Homunculus was evil until then, and they had even established in conversation that Hohenheim was basically his father. This might help explain his somewhat ambivalent attitude toward his [[HotBlooded second]] and [[GentleGiant third]] sons. After the first one goes all OmnicidalManiac on you and [[WhatHaveIBecome turns you into]] an [[IAmAMonster immortal]] [[CatchPhrase monster]]...



* In ''Anime/DragonBallZTheHistoryOfTrunks'', when a terrified store clerk gives Android 18 beautiful clothes, she is genuinely grateful and says he won't die today. However, as she is walking away, Android 17 blows the store up and kills him. 18 becomes upset because 17 made a liar out of her.
* ''Manga/DemonSlayerKimetsuNoYaiba'': When Tanjiro calls Rui out on his messed-up and abusive ideas on what family means, Rui offers him the choice to either recant it and receive a quick, painless death like the [[CurbStompBattle swift and messy one]] he inflicted on a RedShirt Demon Slayer moments previously, or stand by his words and meet a much slower and more painful one. [[{{Determinator}} Tanjiro being Tanjiro]], he naturally refuses, kicking off one of the series' more famous big ol' shonen fights.



* In [[http://www.gocomics.com/calvinandhobbes/1987/10/18 this]] ComicStrip/CalvinAndHobbes strip, a bug-eyed monster in one of Calvin's [[MrImagination "Spaceman Spiff" adventures]] tells Spaceman Spiff:

to:

* In [[http://www.gocomics.com/calvinandhobbes/1987/10/18 this]] ComicStrip/CalvinAndHobbes ''ComicStrip/CalvinAndHobbes'' strip, a bug-eyed monster in one of Calvin's [[MrImagination "Spaceman Spiff" adventures]] tells Spaceman Spiff:



* In the ''Manga/DeathNote'' fic ''FanFic/ACureForLove'' Light says the following to L [[OpenMouthInsertFoot without really thinking about what he said]] [[MurderIsTheBestSolution because killing people who annoy him has almost become an automatic response]]:
-->'''Light''': [[FriendlyEnemy You're not trying to do something stupid, are you?]]
-->'''L''': I'm not doing anything stupid, Light. Apart from speaking to you.
-->'''Light''': Good, because I would hate to kill you.
-->'''L''': [[DeadpanSnarker Mmm... I'm sure you would.]]
* In another ''Manga/DeathNote'' fic ''[[FanFic/MonsterADeathNoteAU Monster]]'' Light spares L insisting that [[WeCanRuleTogether they can rule together]] and later [[spoiler: [[BackFromTheDead brings him back to life with the death eraser after Misa killed L in a jealous rage]]]]. Also Mello spares Aizawa in a PetTheDog moment:
-->'''Light:''' You may report back now...is there anyone else in the car?
-->'''Mello:''' Yeah.
-->'''Light:''' Oh. Kill him. (Hangs up)
-->'''Mello:''' [[HitmanWithAHeart I think I've fired enough shots today.]]
* In the ''Manga/DeathNote'' fic ''[[http://archiveofourown.org/works/616971/chapters/1112940 To Feel Alive]]'' Ryuk says this to Light, promising that his death would be quick and painless--much to Light's annoyance.
-->''Shouldn't he be grateful that he wasn't planning on giving him a painful, lingering death?''
* This occurs in ''{{FanFic/Heir}}'' (a Dark![[Franchise/HarryPotter Harry]] fic where [[spoiler: Harry was raised by the horcrux in his head]]) when Harry and [[spoiler: Tom]] are choosing victims to be [[NonLethalWarfare petrified by the basilisk]] they are so impressed with the muggleborn Hermione Granger that they decide to spare her and move on to a new target.
* In [[WhamEpisode Chapter 23]] of ''Fanfic/PokemonResetBloodlines'', a girl named Belladonna Tyrian raids the Gringy City Power Plant, and when she encounters two guards, she kills one, but the other pleads for his life [[IHaveAFamily because of his family.]] She knocks him out and leaves him stuffed in a closet with a message so he can be found.
** Sabrina has gained herself a reputation for killing challengers she deems as "unworthy", [[SparingTheAces but she spares those who manage to impress her]]. [[PragmaticVillainy This is partly because it helps attracting weak ones as they know there is a chance for survival.]]

to:

* In the ''Manga/DeathNote'' fic ''FanFic/ACureForLove'' ''Fanfic/ACureForLove'' Light says the following to L [[OpenMouthInsertFoot without really thinking about what he said]] [[MurderIsTheBestSolution because killing people who annoy him has almost become an automatic response]]:
-->'''Light''': [[FriendlyEnemy You're not trying to do something stupid, are you?]]
-->'''L''':
you?]]\\
'''L''':
I'm not doing anything stupid, Light. Apart from speaking to you.
-->'''Light''':
you.\\
'''Light''':
Good, because I would hate to kill you.
-->'''L''':
you.\\
'''L''':
[[DeadpanSnarker Mmm... I'm sure you would.]]
* This occurs in ''Fanfic/{{Heir}}'' (a Dark![[Franchise/HarryPotter Harry]] fic where [[spoiler: Harry was raised by the horcrux in his head]]) when Harry and [[spoiler: Tom]] are choosing victims to be [[NonLethalWarfare petrified by the basilisk]] they are so impressed with the muggleborn Hermione Granger that they decide to spare her and move on to a new target.
* In another ''Manga/DeathNote'' fic ''[[FanFic/MonsterADeathNoteAU Monster]]'' ''Fanfic/MonsterADeathNoteAU'', Light spares L insisting that [[WeCanRuleTogether they can rule together]] and later [[spoiler: [[BackFromTheDead [[spoiler:[[BackFromTheDead brings him back to life with the death eraser after Misa killed L in a jealous rage]]]]. Also Mello spares Aizawa in a PetTheDog moment:
-->'''Light:''' You may report back now...is there anyone else in the car?
-->'''Mello:''' Yeah.
-->'''Light:'''
car?\\
'''Mello:''' Yeah.\\
'''Light:'''
Oh. Kill him. (Hangs up)
-->'''Mello:'''
''(Hangs up)''\\
'''Mello:'''
[[HitmanWithAHeart I think I've fired enough shots today.]]
* In the ''Manga/DeathNote'' fic ''[[http://archiveofourown.org/works/616971/chapters/1112940 To Feel Alive]]'' Ryuk says this to Light, promising that his death would be quick and painless--much to Light's annoyance.
-->''Shouldn't he be grateful that he wasn't planning on giving him a painful, lingering death?''
* This occurs in ''{{FanFic/Heir}}'' (a Dark![[Franchise/HarryPotter Harry]] fic where [[spoiler: Harry was raised by the horcrux in his head]]) when Harry and [[spoiler: Tom]] are choosing victims to be [[NonLethalWarfare petrified by the basilisk]] they are so impressed with the muggleborn Hermione Granger that they decide to spare her and move on to a new target.
* In [[WhamEpisode Chapter 23]] of ''Fanfic/PokemonResetBloodlines'', a girl named Belladonna Tyrian raids the Gringy City Power Plant, and when she encounters two guards, she kills one, but the other pleads for his life [[IHaveAFamily because of his family.]] She knocks him out and leaves him stuffed in a closet with a message so he can be found.
** Sabrina has gained herself a reputation for killing challengers she deems as "unworthy", [[SparingTheAces but she spares those who manage to impress her]]. [[PragmaticVillainy This is partly because it helps attracting weak ones as they know there is a chance for survival.
]]



--> Her time being raised by Saddle Arabians had left one pony-esque impression on Charity’s blade of a mind, and that was a sense of something like gratitude. And the form that gratitude took for Charity in that moment was this: for letting her out, she’d eviscerate the cage-opener last.\\
Don’t say virtue isn’t rewarded.

to:

--> Her -->Her time being raised by Saddle Arabians had left one pony-esque impression on Charity’s Charity's blade of a mind, and that was a sense of something like gratitude. And the form that gratitude took for Charity in that moment was this: for letting her out, she’d she'd eviscerate the cage-opener last.\\
Don’t Don't say virtue isn’t rewarded.isn't rewarded.
* In [[WhamEpisode Chapter 23]] of ''Fanfic/PokemonResetBloodlines'', a girl named Belladonna Tyrian raids the Gringy City Power Plant, and when she encounters two guards, she kills one, but the other pleads for his life [[IHaveAFamily because of his family.]] She knocks him out and leaves him stuffed in a closet with a message so he can be found.
** Sabrina has gained herself a reputation for killing challengers she deems as "unworthy", [[SparingTheAces but she spares those who manage to impress her]]. [[PragmaticVillainy This is partly because it helps attracting weak ones as they know there is a chance for survival.]]
* In the ''Manga/DeathNote'' fic ''[[http://archiveofourown.org/works/616971/chapters/1112940 To Feel Alive]]'', Ryuk says this to Light, promising that his death would be quick and painless--much to Light's annoyance.
-->Shouldn't he be grateful that he wasn't planning on giving him a painful, lingering death?



* In ''Film/BillyMadison'', after Billy apologizes to a guy he used to bully as a kid, said person marks him off his "People to Kill" list [[spoiler:and [[BigDamnHeroes saves his life in the ending]]]].
* AntiHero-ic version in ''Film/BladeII''. Blade gets information out of a Vampire Mook, saying, "Tell me what I want to know, and I'll consider you as a loose end." The Mook spills the beans, and Blade actually lets him get away, even when he runs into him again later on. Of course, [[BrickJoke at the very end]], Blade catches up to the guy in a sleazy porn theater about three countries away: "Well, you didn't think I forgot about you did you? <Brain-stab>"
* ''Film/ButchCassidyAndTheSundanceKid'': When Harvey provokes Butch into fighting him, he pointedly tells Sundance, "This doesn't concern you", because he doesn't want Sundance as an enemy, and right as he and Butch are getting ready to fight:
-->'''Harvey:''' Sundance? When we're done, if he's dead, you're welcome to stay.\\
'''Butch:''' Listen, I don't mean to be a sore loser, but, uh, when it's done, if I'm dead, kill him.\\
'''Sundance:''' Love to. ''(raises his hand to Harvey and smiles)''
* ''Franchise/TheChroniclesOfRiddick'':
** In the 2004 ''Film/TheChroniclesOfRiddick'', the Lord Marshall promises Aereon that he might save her homeworld for last during the Necromonger purge across the cosmos if she gives him another prophecy on his odds to reach the Underverse. She promises him that he'll reach it pretty soon.
** At the end of the director's cut of the third ''Film/{{Riddick}}'' movie, Riddick confronts Krone as he's praying in the Lord Marshal's private chambers, having taken up Riddick's former post after betraying Riddick and leaving him for dead. Riddick promises to kill Vaako first and Krone second if he tells him where he can find Vaako. Krone launches into a long-winded rant instead of answering him, prompting Riddick to kill him ahead of schedule.
* {{Subverted|Trope}} in ''Film/{{Commando}}'': Col. John Matrix (Creator/ArnoldSchwarzenegger) tells Sully, a wise-cracking bad guy, that he'll kill him last. What's lost in MemeticMutation, however, is that Matrix was [[SarcasmMode sarcastically]] responding to [[EvilHasABadSenseOfHumor Sully's taunting "joke"]] that Matrix's daughter would be gang-raped. Later, Sully gets the picture during a HighAltitudeInterrogation:
-->'''Matrix''': Remember, Sully, when I promised to kill you last?\\
'''Sully:''' That's right, Matrix! ''You did!''\\
'''Matrix:''' ''{{I lied}}. (Drops Sully to his death.)''
* In ''Film/{{Coneheads}}'', this is what Mr. Conehead says to the woman who sabotages her driving exam in an attempt to start an affair with him. He won't sleep with her, but promises she'll be on the protected list once his people invade.



* ''Film/ThePatriot2000'': After Colonel Tavington finds proof that Anne's village is helping Benjamin and his militia, he has the whole town rounded up and says they'll be "forgiven their treason" if they tell him where Benjamin is. One guy eventually caves, [[spoiler: [[KickTheDog and Tavington burns the whole village alive anyway]]]].
-->'''Villager:''' You said we'd be forgiven!\\
'''Tavington:''' And indeed you may! [[spoiler: But that's between you and God.]]

to:

* ''Film/ThePatriot2000'': In ''Film/DoctorZhivago'', Yuri runs into the War Train of the brutal Bolshevik general Strelnikov, whom no one knows anything about. After Colonel Tavington finds proof questioning, he discovers that Anne's village Strelnikov is helping Benjamin actually his long-lost lover's {{Bishonen}} [[spoiler:ex-boyfriend, who [[NeverFoundTheBody was presumed dead]]]] and his militia, he suffered a HeroicBSOD and now carries an [[GoodScarsEvilScars evil scar]]. He informs Dr. Zhivago that Lara is still alive and has been spared the whole town rounded up and says they'll be "forgiven purge due to their treason" if they past relationship. After leaving, the guards tell him where Benjamin is. One guy eventually caves, [[spoiler: [[KickTheDog Yuri he must be blessed: [[HeWhoMustNotBeSeen no one is questioned by Strelnikov and Tavington burns lived to tell the whole village alive anyway]]]].
-->'''Villager:''' You said we'd be forgiven!\\
'''Tavington:''' And indeed you may! [[spoiler: But that's between you and God.]]
tale]].



* In ''Film/{{Coneheads}}'', this is what Mr. Conehead says to the woman who sabotages her driving exam in an attempt to start an affair with him. He won't sleep with her, but promises she'll be on the protected list once his people invade.

to:

* This happens between Zorg and Cornelius in ''Film/TheFifthElement''.
-->'''Jean Baptiste Emmanuel Zorg''': You saved my life, and in return I'll spare yours... for now.
* In ''Film/{{Coneheads}}'', ''Film/Ghostbusters2016'', Rowan, a one-man harbinger of the Apocalypse, as a form of deranged comfort, tells fellow blue-collar worker Patty that "menial workers like you and I will be among the last to go" when the cataclysm he is trying to unleash begins. He then caps it off with a sincere smile as he tells her to "treasure the extra time."
* In ''Film/{{Hellboy|2004}}'', Rasputin says "It will be quick" to Professor Bruttenholm right before he kills him. It appears to be true.
* In ''Film/LordOfIllusions'', Nix confesses to Swann that his intent (unsurprisingly) is to "murder the world", but rather charitably offers to kill Swann last if he helps Nix with said murder.
-->'''Nix:''' Now you know I will kill you when we're done. I have to.
* Imhotep makes
this promise to [[ChronicBackstabbingDisorder Beni]] in ''Film/TheMummy1999''.
* ''Film/ThePatriot2000'': After Colonel Tavington finds proof that Anne's village
is what Mr. Conehead helping Benjamin and his militia, he has the whole town rounded up and says to they'll be "forgiven their treason" if they tell him where Benjamin is. One guy eventually caves, [[spoiler:[[KickTheDog and Tavington burns the woman whole village alive anyway]]]].
-->'''Villager:''' You said we'd be forgiven!\\
'''Tavington:''' And indeed you may! [[spoiler:But that's between you and God.]]
* In ''Film/RiseOfThePlanetOfTheApes'', Caesar spares [[PunchClockVillain Rodney]] when [[spoiler:the apes break out]], putting him in a cell for his own protection.
* During a flashback in ''Film/SecondhandLions'', Hub has The Sheik,
who sabotages her driving exam in an attempt has tried to start an affair kill him on several occasions, defenseless and at his mercy. He decides to spare him, and leaves him with him. He won't sleep with her, but promises she'll be on the protected list once his people invade.this.
-->'''Hub:''' I have held your life in my hands twice, and twice I have given it back to you. The third time, ''your life is mine''.



* Subverted in ''Film/{{Commando}}'': Col. John Matrix (Creator/ArnoldSchwarzenegger) tells Sully, a wise-cracking bad guy, that he'll kill him last. What's lost in MemeticMutation, however, is that Matrix was [[SarcasmMode sarcastically]] responding to [[EvilHasABadSenseOfHumor Sully's taunting "joke"]] that Matrix's daughter would be gang-raped. Later, Sully gets the picture during a HighAltitudeInterrogation:
-->'''Matrix''': Remember, Sully, when I promised to kill you last?\\
'''Sully:''' That's right, Matrix! ''You did!''\\
'''Matrix:''' ''{{I lied}}. (Drops Sully to his death.)''
* AntiHero-ic version in ''Film/BladeII''. Blade gets information out of a Vampire Mook, saying, "Tell me what I want to know, and I'll consider you as a loose end." The Mook spills the beans, and Blade actually lets him get away, even when he runs into him again later on. Of course, [[BrickJoke at the very end]], Blade catches up to the guy in a sleazy porn theater about three countries away: "Well, you didn't think I forgot about you did you? <Brain-stab>"
* In ''Film/DoctorZhivago'', Yuri runs into the War Train of the brutal Bolshevik general Strelnikov, whom no one knows anything about. After questioning, he discovers that Strelnikov is actually his long-lost lover's {{Bishonen}} [[spoiler:ex-boyfriend, who [[NeverFoundTheBody was presumed dead]]]] and suffered a HeroicBSOD and now carries an [[GoodScarsEvilScars evil scar]]. He informs Dr. Zhivago that Lara is still alive and has been spared the purge due to their past relationship. After leaving, the guards tell Yuri he must be blessed: [[HeWhoMustNotBeSeen no one is questioned by Strelnikov and lived to tell the tale]].
* In ''Film/LordOfIllusions'', Nix confesses to Swann that his intent (unsurprisingly) is to "murder the world", but rather charitably offers to kill Swann last if he helps Nix with said murder.
-->'''Nix:''' Now you know I will kill you when we're done. I have to.
* In ''Film/BillyMadison'', after Billy apologizes to a guy he used to bully as a kid, said person marks him off his "People to Kill" list [[spoiler:and [[BigDamnHeroes saves his life in the ending]]]].
* In ''Film/{{Hellboy|2004}}'', Rasputin says "It will be quick" to Professor Bruttenholm right before he kills him. It appears to be true.
* During a flashback in ''Film/SecondhandLions'', Hub has The Sheik, who has tried to kill him on several occasions, defenseless and at his mercy. He decides to spare him, and leaves him with this.
-->'''Hub:''' "I have held your life in my hands twice, and twice I have given it back to you. The third time, ''your life is mine''."



--> '''Wicked Witch''': The last to go will see the first three go before her.
* Imhotep makes this promise to [[ChronicBackstabbingDisorder Beni]] in ''Film/TheMummy1999''.
* This happens between Zorg and Cornelius in ''Film/TheFifthElement''.
-->'''Jean Baptiste Emmanuel Zorg''': You saved my life, and in return I'll spare yours... for now.
* ''Franchise/TheChroniclesOfRiddick'':
** In the 2004 ''Film/TheChroniclesOfRiddick'', the Lord Marshall promises Aereon that he might save her homeworld for last during the Necromonger purge across the cosmos if she gives him another prophecy on his odds to reach the Underverse. She promises him that he'll reach it pretty soon.
** At the end of the director's cut of the third ''Film/{{Riddick}}'' movie, Riddick confronts Krone as he's praying in the Lord Marshal's private chambers, having taken up Riddick's former post after betraying Riddick and leaving him for dead. Riddick promises to kill Vaako first and Krone second if he tells him where he can find Vaako. Krone launches into a long-winded rant instead of answering him, prompting Riddick to kill him ahead of schedule.
* In ''Film/RiseOfThePlanetOfTheApes'', Caesar spares [[PunchClockVillain Rodney]] when [[spoiler:the apes break out]], putting him in a cell for his own protection.
* ''Film/ButchCassidyAndTheSundanceKid'': When Harvey provokes Butch into fighting him, he pointedly tells Sundance, "This doesn't concern you", because he doesn't want Sundance as an enemy, and right as he and Butch are getting ready to fight:
-->'''Harvey:''' Sundance? When we're done, if he's dead, you're welcome to stay.\\
'''Butch:''' Listen, I don't mean to be a sore loser, but, uh, when it's done, if I'm dead, kill him.\\
'''Sundance:''' Love to. (''raises his hand to Harvey and smiles'')
* In ''Film/Ghostbusters2016'', Rowan, a one-man harbinger of the Apocalypse, as a form of deranged comfort, tells fellow blue-collar worker Patty that "menial workers like you and I will be among the last to go" when the cataclysm he is trying to unleash begins. He then caps it off with a sincere smile as he tells her to "treasure the extra time."

to:

--> '''Wicked -->'''Wicked Witch''': The last to go will see the first three go before her.
* Imhotep makes this promise to [[ChronicBackstabbingDisorder Beni]] in ''Film/TheMummy1999''.
* This happens between Zorg and Cornelius in ''Film/TheFifthElement''.
-->'''Jean Baptiste Emmanuel Zorg''': You saved my life, and in return I'll spare yours... for now.
* ''Franchise/TheChroniclesOfRiddick'':
** In the 2004 ''Film/TheChroniclesOfRiddick'', the Lord Marshall promises Aereon that he might save her homeworld for last during the Necromonger purge across the cosmos if she gives him another prophecy on his odds to reach the Underverse. She promises him that he'll reach it pretty soon.
** At the end of the director's cut of the third ''Film/{{Riddick}}'' movie, Riddick confronts Krone as he's praying in the Lord Marshal's private chambers, having taken up Riddick's former post after betraying Riddick and leaving him for dead. Riddick promises to kill Vaako first and Krone second if he tells him where he can find Vaako. Krone launches into a long-winded rant instead of answering him, prompting Riddick to kill him ahead of schedule.
* In ''Film/RiseOfThePlanetOfTheApes'', Caesar spares [[PunchClockVillain Rodney]] when [[spoiler:the apes break out]], putting him in a cell for his own protection.
* ''Film/ButchCassidyAndTheSundanceKid'': When Harvey provokes Butch into fighting him, he pointedly tells Sundance, "This doesn't concern you", because he doesn't want Sundance as an enemy, and right as he and Butch are getting ready to fight:
-->'''Harvey:''' Sundance? When we're done, if he's dead, you're welcome to stay.\\
'''Butch:''' Listen, I don't mean to be a sore loser, but, uh, when it's done, if I'm dead, kill him.\\
'''Sundance:''' Love to. (''raises his hand to Harvey and smiles'')
* In ''Film/Ghostbusters2016'', Rowan, a one-man harbinger of the Apocalypse, as a form of deranged comfort, tells fellow blue-collar worker Patty that "menial workers like you and I will be among the last to go" when the cataclysm he is trying to unleash begins. He then caps it off with a sincere smile as he tells her to "treasure the extra time."
her.



* ''Literature/FireAndBlood:'' When Rhaenyra takes the crown back from her half-brother Aegon, she has all of Aegon's supporters imprisoned or killed. Dowager Queen Alicent, Aegon's mom, is imprisoned, even though she's still mouthing off about Rhaenyra's children. Rhaenyra makes clear this is ''only'' because her father loved Alicent.

to:

* ''Literature/FireAndBlood:'' ''Literature/FireAndBlood'': When Rhaenyra takes the crown back from her half-brother Aegon, she has all of Aegon's supporters imprisoned or killed. Dowager Queen Alicent, Aegon's mom, is imprisoned, even though she's still mouthing off about Rhaenyra's children. Rhaenyra makes clear this is ''only'' because her father loved Alicent.



** [[spoiler: After bumping Lily and her family to the top of Voldemort's hit list, Severus Snape begged him to spare her (though ''not'' James, whom he hated, or Harry, who was Voldemort's primary target and had no chance of being spared), in part due to his unrequited love for her. It almost worked; Voldemort did offer Lily the chance to step aside, but since [[MamaBear she insisted on protecting Harry]], he ended up killing her anyway. When Dumbledore found out about this, he ''royally ripped Snape a new one'' for apparently thinking he could pull some manner of ComfortingTheWidow on Lily after being complicit in the deaths of her husband and child. On the other hand, the fact that she had a choice is what powered the protective magic which shielded Harry from Voldemort after her death - so in an indirect, unintentional way, Snape saved Harry's life]].

to:

** [[spoiler: After [[spoiler:After bumping Lily and her family to the top of Voldemort's hit list, Severus Snape begged him to spare her (though ''not'' James, whom he hated, or Harry, who was Voldemort's primary target and had no chance of being spared), in part due to his unrequited love for her. It almost worked; Voldemort did offer Lily the chance to step aside, but since [[MamaBear she insisted on protecting Harry]], he ended up killing her anyway. When Dumbledore found out about this, he ''royally ripped Snape a new one'' for apparently thinking he could pull some manner of ComfortingTheWidow on Lily after being complicit in the deaths of her husband and child. On the other hand, the fact that she had a choice is what powered the protective magic which shielded Harry from Voldemort after her death - so in an indirect, unintentional way, Snape saved Harry's life]].life.]]



* Bagheera does this in ''Literature/TheJungleBook''. During the water peace (when he is not allowed to hunt) he absent-mindedly says he wishes he could eat grass. A young animal from one of his prey species quips: "So do we". Everybody laughs and Bagheera makes an effort to memorize this animal's appearance so he can remember not to eat the animal that made him laugh next time they meet.

to:

* Bagheera does this in ''Literature/TheJungleBook''. During the water peace (when he is not allowed to hunt) he absent-mindedly says he wishes he could eat grass. A young animal from one of his prey species quips: "So do we". we." Everybody laughs and Bagheera makes an effort to memorize this animal's appearance so he can remember not to eat the animal that made him laugh next time they meet.



'''Blade:''' Yes. (''[[OffWithHisHead whack]]'')

to:

'''Blade:''' Yes. (''[[OffWithHisHead whack]]'')''([[OffWithHisHead whack]])''



--> "You... and you, will die slow." *Points at Gordon* "You... It'll be quick." *Points at Bullock* "And you... We're cool."

to:

--> "You...-->'''Fish Mooney:''' You... and you, will die slow." *Points ''(Points at Gordon* "You...Gordon)'' You... It'll be quick." *Points ''(Points at Bullock* "And Bullock)'' And you... We're cool."



* ''VideoGame/SoulNomadAndTheWorldEaters'' has OmnicidalManiac Gig, who mentions if he gets control over the hero's body he will destroy everything, ''"except maybe those hotpods. Those are good. I'll keep those."''
* Saren ''attempts'' to {{invoke|dTrope}} this in ''Franchise/MassEffect'' by making organics useful to the BigBad. Even though the whole point of what they were trying to do was to kill them all. [[spoiler: Saren was brainwashed into thinking he could actually have a few organics be spared so the next evolution of species/their own would be able to recover much faster.]] Then again, who would think that as the races of the galaxy would have a heads up?
** In ''VideoGame/MassEffect2,'' we learn that [[spoiler:a certain amount of people would be spared. [[FateWorseThanDeath But they]] [[SlaveMooks probably will]] [[AndIMustScream wish they hadn't.]]]]
** In ''VideoGame/MassEffect3'' we learned that [[spoiler:only the most advanced races are wiped out in each Cycle. During the Prothean's Cycle for example, the ancestors of the present day races were spared. The Reaper Cycle is actually a rather warped attempt to ''preserve'' organic life in the galaxy by periodically hitting a ResetButton on civilization to prevent an all out RobotWar that would completely wipe out life. This leads to the Reapers' downfall, since the people of each Cycle worked on the Crucible, the weapon that ultimately defeats them.]]



* Inverted in ''VideoGame/StarControlII''; if you [[NonstandardGameover surrender to the Ur-Quan Kzer-Za]], they will tell you that all of your crew will be spared, but your main character will be executed.
* [[SealedEvilInACan Axenos]] from ''VideoGame/{{Wizard101}}'' inverts this trope by combining it with MercyKill. Since the player (accidentally) releases him, he thanks them and promises to kill the first [[FateWorseThanDeath so they would be spared from witnessing the horrors he'd bring about on the Spiral]].
* ''VideoGame/WeaponLord'' has an interesting integration of this on the SlidingScaleOfGameplayAndStoryIntegration, as sparing an opponent instead of killing them in Story mode will force you to fight them again before fighting Zarak. Sparing certain people can also net you a different Story Ending.
** Jen-Tai has been known to spare her opponents in order to let them learn from their mistakes and challenge her again.
* In ''VideoGame/MouseHunt'''s "[[ChristmasMode Great Winter Hunt 2012]]", the player assists an embittered mouse and receives a note of thanks, including the line "When we mice finally overthrow your world and become the rightful rulers, I will be sure to make sure the other mice treat you well."

to:

* Inverted in ''VideoGame/StarControlII''; if The BigBad of ''VideoGame/DetectivesUnited: Deadly Debt'' invokes the 'kill you [[NonstandardGameover surrender to last' version in the Ur-Quan Kzer-Za]], they will tell you bonus chapter. [[spoiler:Because James, the youngest of the three detectives, was the one who actually killed her in the main game, the VengefulGhost informs him that all of your crew will be spared, but your main character will be executed.
* [[SealedEvilInACan Axenos]] from ''VideoGame/{{Wizard101}}'' inverts this trope by combining it with MercyKill. Since the player (accidentally) releases him, he thanks them and promises to kill the first [[FateWorseThanDeath so they would be spared from witnessing the horrors he'd bring about on the Spiral]].
* ''VideoGame/WeaponLord'' has an interesting integration of this on the SlidingScaleOfGameplayAndStoryIntegration, as sparing an opponent instead of killing them in Story mode will force
"I'll save you to fight them again before fighting Zarak. Sparing certain people for last" so he can also net you a different Story Ending.
** Jen-Tai has been known to spare her opponents in order to let them learn from their mistakes and challenge her again.
* In ''VideoGame/MouseHunt'''s "[[ChristmasMode Great Winter Hunt 2012]]", the player assists an embittered mouse and receives a note of thanks, including the line "When we mice finally overthrow your world and become the rightful rulers, I will
watch his two close friends be sure to make sure the other mice treat you well."killed first.]]



* At the conclusion of ''VideoGame/SleepingDogs2012'''s main story, the new [[TheTriadsAndTheTongs Sun On Yee]] Dragon Head [[spoiler:"Broken Nose" Jiang]] informs her advisor that [[spoiler:the protagonist Wei Shen]] is to be spared [[spoiler: [[TheMole despite having been an undercover cop who'd infiltrated his way to "Red Pole" -- and thus one of her peers]], since while he had abetted [[CorruptCorporateExecutive Sonny Wo]]'s arrest he also had defended her and his own gang when rival triads attacked, and in decimating Henry "Big Smile" Lee's gang and killing him Wei had cleared the way for her own ascension]].



* ''VideoGame/StarWarsTheOldRepublic'': In the ''Shadow of Revan'' expansion, [[OmnicidalManiac Emperor]] [[EldritchAbomination Vitiate]] makes this promise to the Sith Warrior, letting you know in no uncertain terms that when his time comes, you will be forced to watch the entire galaxy die for your betrayal.
* In Quan Chi's ending in ''VideoGame/MortalKombat4'', this is his "reward" for helping Shinnok. He does not take it well and challenges the fallen elder god. [[spoiler:[[DidYouJustPunchOutCthulhu He actually WINS]].]]
-->'''Shinnok:''' As payment for your loyal services, Quan Chi, I grant you the gift of your existence.\\
'''Quan Chi:''' My existence?\\
'''Shinnok:''' Understand, sorcerer, I consume all energies, including the life forces of all that live. But I shall spare you.



* The BigBad of ''VideoGame/DetectivesUnited: Deadly Debt'' invokes the 'kill you last' version in the bonus chapter. [[spoiler:Because James, the youngest of the three detectives, was the one who actually killed her in the main game, the VengefulGhost informs him that "I'll save you for last" so he can watch his two close friends be killed first.]]

to:

* The BigBad of ''VideoGame/DetectivesUnited: Deadly Debt'' invokes ''Franchise/MassEffect'':
** Saren ''attempts'' to {{invoke|dTrope}} this in ''Franchise/MassEffect'' by making organics useful to
the 'kill you last' version in BigBad. Even though the bonus chapter. [[spoiler:Because James, the youngest whole point of the three detectives, what they were trying to do was the one who to kill them all. [[spoiler:Saren was brainwashed into thinking he could actually killed her have a few organics be spared so the next evolution of species/their own would be able to recover much faster.]] Then again, who would think that as the races of the galaxy would have a heads up?
** In ''VideoGame/MassEffect2'', we learn that [[spoiler:a certain amount of people would be spared. [[FateWorseThanDeath But they]] [[SlaveMooks probably will]] [[AndIMustScream wish they hadn't]]]].
** In ''VideoGame/MassEffect3'', it's revealed that [[spoiler:only the most advanced races are wiped out in each Cycle. During the Prothean's Cycle for example, the ancestors of the present day races were spared. The Reaper Cycle is actually a rather warped attempt to ''preserve'' organic life
in the galaxy by periodically hitting a ResetButton on civilization to prevent an all out RobotWar that would completely wipe out life. This leads to the Reapers' downfall, since the people of each Cycle worked on the Crucible, the weapon that ultimately defeats them]].
* In Quan Chi's ending in ''VideoGame/MortalKombat4'', this is his "reward" for helping Shinnok. He does not take it well and challenges the fallen elder god. [[spoiler:[[DidYouJustPunchOutCthulhu He actually WINS]].]]
-->'''Shinnok:''' As payment for your loyal services, Quan Chi, I grant you the gift of your existence.\\
'''Quan Chi:''' My existence?\\
'''Shinnok:''' Understand, sorcerer, I consume all energies, including the life forces of all that live. But I shall spare you.
* In ''VideoGame/MouseHunt'''s "[[ChristmasMode Great Winter Hunt 2012]]", the player assists an embittered mouse and receives a note of thanks, including the line "When we mice finally overthrow your world and become the rightful rulers, I will be sure to make sure the other mice treat you well."
* At the conclusion of ''VideoGame/SleepingDogs2012'''s
main game, story, the VengefulGhost new [[TheTriadsAndTheTongs Sun On Yee]] Dragon Head [[spoiler:"Broken Nose" Jiang]] informs him her advisor that "I'll save [[spoiler:the protagonist Wei Shen]] is to be spared [[spoiler:[[TheMole despite having been an undercover cop who'd infiltrated his way to "Red Pole" -- and thus one of her peers]], since while he had abetted [[CorruptCorporateExecutive Sonny Wo]]'s arrest he also had defended her and his own gang when rival triads attacked, and in decimating Henry "Big Smile" Lee's gang and killing him Wei had cleared the way for her own ascension]].
* ''VideoGame/SoulNomadAndTheWorldEaters'' has OmnicidalManiac Gig, who mentions if he gets control over the hero's body he will destroy everything, "except maybe those hotpods. Those are good. I'll keep those."
* Inverted in ''VideoGame/StarControlII''; if
you for last" so he can [[NonstandardGameover surrender to the Ur-Quan Kzer-Za]], they will tell you that all of your crew will be spared, but your main character will be executed.
* ''VideoGame/StarWarsTheOldRepublic'': In the ''Shadow of Revan'' expansion, [[OmnicidalManiac Emperor]] [[EldritchAbomination Vitiate]] makes this promise to the Sith Warrior, letting you know in no uncertain terms that when his time comes, you will be forced to
watch his two close friends the entire galaxy die for your betrayal.
* ''VideoGame/WeaponLord'' has an interesting integration of this on the SlidingScaleOfGameplayAndStoryIntegration, as sparing an opponent instead of killing them in Story mode will force you to fight them again before fighting Zarak. Sparing certain people can also net you a different Story Ending.
** Jen-Tai has been known to spare her opponents in order to let them learn from their mistakes and challenge her again.
* [[SealedEvilInACan Axenos]] from ''VideoGame/{{Wizard101}}'' inverts this trope by combining it with MercyKill. Since the player (accidentally) releases him, he thanks them and promises to kill the first [[FateWorseThanDeath so they would
be killed first.]]spared from witnessing the horrors he'd bring about on the Spiral]].
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* At the conclusion of ''VideoGame/SleepingDogs'''s main story, the new [[TheTriadsAndTheTongs Sun On Yee]] Dragon Head [[spoiler:"Broken Nose" Jiang]] informs her advisor that [[spoiler:the protagonist Wei Shen]] is to be spared [[spoiler: [[TheMole despite having been an undercover cop who'd infiltrated his way to "Red Pole" -- and thus one of her peers]], since while he had abetted [[CorruptCorporateExecutive Sonny Wo]]'s arrest he also had defended her and his own gang when rival triads attacked, and in decimating Henry "Big Smile" Lee's gang and killing him Wei had cleared the way for her own ascension]].

to:

* At the conclusion of ''VideoGame/SleepingDogs'''s ''VideoGame/SleepingDogs2012'''s main story, the new [[TheTriadsAndTheTongs Sun On Yee]] Dragon Head [[spoiler:"Broken Nose" Jiang]] informs her advisor that [[spoiler:the protagonist Wei Shen]] is to be spared [[spoiler: [[TheMole despite having been an undercover cop who'd infiltrated his way to "Red Pole" -- and thus one of her peers]], since while he had abetted [[CorruptCorporateExecutive Sonny Wo]]'s arrest he also had defended her and his own gang when rival triads attacked, and in decimating Henry "Big Smile" Lee's gang and killing him Wei had cleared the way for her own ascension]].
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"he knows she", not "her"


** [[Recap/DoctorWhoS27E11BoomTown "Boom Town"]]: {{Discussed|Trope}} and {{deconstructed|Trope}}. The main villain, a surviving Slitheen from a previous episode, spares a nosy journalist despite her getting dangerously close to uncovering her evil plan because the journalist is pregnant. When the Doctor takes Margaret the Slitheen prisoner with the intent to send her back to her home planet so she can put on trial for her crimes, Margaret brings up her flash of mercy as a sign that she is capable of redemption. The Doctor coldly rebukes this as a typical example of a killer justifying themselves, but Margaret responds in equal measure that only a killer would know that. And in the end, while Margaret technically does take a last chance at redemption, she still proceeds to threaten the entire planet by ripping open a rift in spacetime.
** [[Recap/DoctorWhoS30E16TheWatersOfMars "The Waters of Mars"]]: The Doctor meets a woman in 2059 whom he knows is critically important to history. She reveals that the reason she's in space is because she was spared by a Dalek [[Recap/DoctorWhoS30E12TheStolenEarth during their invasion of Earth fifty years earlier]]. She never knew why, but the Doctor knows that it's because of her importance to the future; she's a "fixed point in time", and even the Daleks know better than to mess with those.

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** [[Recap/DoctorWhoS27E11BoomTown "Boom Town"]]: {{Discussed|Trope}} and {{deconstructed|Trope}}. The main villain, a surviving Slitheen from a previous episode, spares a nosy journalist despite her getting dangerously close to uncovering her evil plan EvilPlan because the journalist is pregnant. When the Doctor takes Margaret the Slitheen prisoner with the intent to send her back to her home planet so she can put on trial for her crimes, Margaret brings up her flash of mercy as a sign that she is capable of redemption. The Doctor coldly rebukes this as a typical example of a killer justifying themselves, but Margaret responds in equal measure that only a killer would know that. And in the end, while Margaret technically does take a last chance at redemption, she still proceeds to threaten the entire planet by ripping open a rift in spacetime.
** [[Recap/DoctorWhoS30E16TheWatersOfMars "The Waters of Mars"]]: The Doctor meets a woman in 2059 whom who he knows is critically important to history. She reveals that the reason she's in space is because she was spared by a Dalek [[Recap/DoctorWhoS30E12TheStolenEarth during their invasion of Earth fifty years earlier]]. She never knew why, but the Doctor knows that it's because of her importance to the future; she's a "fixed point in time", and even the Daleks know better than to mess with those.



* In ''Series/TheSandman2022'', John Dee decides that Rosemary is a good person who only lied out of understandable fear and gives her his mother's protective amulet, promising her it'll keep her safe "even from [him]".

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* In ''Series/TheSandman2022'', John Dee decides that Rosemary is a good person who only lied to him out of understandable fear and gives her his mother's protective amulet, promising her it'll keep her safe "even from [him]".



* ''Series/YoungDracula'': Ingrid tells her therapist this after the therapist helps her get past her VillainousBSOD. The therapist believes that her ability to make such jokes is a good sign.

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* ''Series/YoungDracula'': Ingrid tells her therapist this word for word after the therapist helps her get past her VillainousBSOD. The therapist believes that her ability to make such jokes is a good sign.
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Updating Link


* In ''Series/TheSandman'', John Dee decides that Rosemary is a good person who only lied out of understandable fear and gives her his mother's protective amulet, promising her it'll keep her safe "even from [him]".

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* In ''Series/TheSandman'', ''Series/TheSandman2022'', John Dee decides that Rosemary is a good person who only lied out of understandable fear and gives her his mother's protective amulet, promising her it'll keep her safe "even from [him]".
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* ''Film/ThePatriot'': After Colonel Tavington finds proof that Anne's village is helping Benjamin and his militia, he has the whole town rounded up and says they'll be "forgiven their treason" if they tell him where Benjamin is. One guy eventually caves, [[spoiler: [[KickTheDog and Tavington burns the whole village alive anyway]]]].

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* ''Film/ThePatriot'': ''Film/ThePatriot2000'': After Colonel Tavington finds proof that Anne's village is helping Benjamin and his militia, he has the whole town rounded up and says they'll be "forgiven their treason" if they tell him where Benjamin is. One guy eventually caves, [[spoiler: [[KickTheDog and Tavington burns the whole village alive anyway]]]].
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* ''Film/Conspiracy2001'': Discussed in the Wannsee conference by the various departments of Nazi Germany. As noted in the Real Life section below, many Germans have some Jewish person they know whom they wish to stay in German society; Heydrich has no intention of accommodating their wishes, and intends for only very narrow exceptions to the Final Solution to exist, being Iron Cross recipients and those with a Jewish grandparent who are married with children to a German. Even then he intends the SS to have ultimate discretion over who gets to stay, with the implication that only they will be able to enact this trope, and won't be generous with their power.
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** In "Petarded", Peter says, "When we retarded guys take over, you will beg for mercy, and we will consider it."

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** In "Petarded", "[[Recap/FamilyGuyS4E6Petarded Petarded]]", Peter says, "When we retarded guys take over, you will beg for mercy, and we will consider it."



* ''WesternAnimation/{{Futurama}}:'' Bender has said he might spare Fry when he kills all humans.
** At Fry's funeral (don't worry, [[AllJustADream he gets better]]):
--->'''Bender:''' ''"Whenever I said '{{Kill all humans}}', I'd whisper to myself '...except for one'. [[RobotBuddy He was the one!]]"'' [=* bursts into tears* =]
** As of "Lethal Inspection", Hermes has been added to the list of humans to not kill.
** Robot Santa proclaimed his intention to kill the entire Planet Express team... except Zoidberg, who hadn't been naughty and got a pogo stick instead.
* The ''[[WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague Justice League Unlimited]]'' finale episodes "Alive" and "Destroyer" offer Darkseid's take, which is to say he'll give you a swift MercyKill rather than endless torment for his amusement:

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* ''WesternAnimation/{{Futurama}}:'' ''WesternAnimation/{{Futurama}}'':
** In "[[Recap/FuturamaS2E4XmasStory Xmas Story]]", Robot Santa proclaims his intention to kill the entire Planet Express team... except Zoidberg, who hasn't been naughty and gets a pogo stick instead.
**
Bender has said that he might spare Fry when he [[KillAllHumans kills all humans.
** At
humans]], including at Fry's funeral in "[[Recap/FuturamaS4E12TheSting The Sting]]" (don't worry, [[AllJustADream he gets better]]):
--->'''Bender:''' ''"Whenever Whenever I said '{{Kill 'Kill all humans}}', humans', I'd whisper to myself '...[[BigotryException except for one'. one]]'. [[RobotBuddy He was the one!]]"'' [=* bursts one!]] ''[bursts into tears* =]
tears]''
** As of "Lethal Inspection", "[[Recap/FuturamaS6E6LethalInspection Lethal Inspection]]", Hermes has been added to the list of humans to not kill.
** Robot Santa proclaimed his intention to kill the entire Planet Express team... except Zoidberg, who hadn't been naughty and got a pogo stick instead.
* The ''[[WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague Justice League Unlimited]]'' finale episodes "Alive" "[[Recap/JusticeLeagueUnlimitedS3E12Alive Alive!]]" and "Destroyer" "[[Recap/JusticeLeagueUnlimitedS3E13Destroyer Destroyer]]" offer Darkseid's take, which is to say he'll give you a swift MercyKill rather than endless torment for his amusement:



--->"It seems I have you to thank [[spoiler: for my resurrection.]] Though your world will suffer slowly, I grant ''you'' a quick death." '''*BOOM*'''

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--->"It --->''"It seems I have you to thank [[spoiler: for [[spoiler:for my resurrection.]] resurrection]]. Though your world will suffer slowly, I grant ''you'' a quick death." '''*BOOM*'''"'' '''[BOOM]'''



--->You impress me, Kryptonian. More, your valor has touched my heart. Oh yes, there is still some small part of me that knows mercy. I will [[AgonyBeam end your pain]]... with something special I've been saving for just this occasion. ''(Darkseid draws a Kryptonite knife)'' I'm going to carve out your heart and put it on a pike in my throne room.

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--->You --->''"You impress me, Kryptonian. More, your valor has touched my heart. Oh yes, there is still some small part of me that knows mercy. I will [[AgonyBeam end your pain]]... with something special I've been saving for just this occasion. ''(Darkseid ''[Darkseid draws a Kryptonite knife)'' knife]'' I'm going to carve out your heart and put it on a pike in my throne room."''



* ''WesternAnimation/StarWarsRebels'': In [[Recap/StarWarsRebelsS3E19ZeroHour "Zero]] [[Recap/StarWarsRebelsS3E20ZeroHourPartII Hour"]], TheMole, [[spoiler:Kallus]], is unmasked, and subsequently held hostage by [[MagnificentBastard Grand Admiral Thrawn]]. Thrawn says he won't stop until the last rebel falls, so it's an implied "I'm saving you for last" — [[spoiler:Kallus]] will definitely be the last. [[spoiler:However, this winds up giving Kallus all the time he needs to plan his escape, and when he gets the chance to escape he takes it, so he survives anyway.]]

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* ''WesternAnimation/StarWarsRebels'': In [[Recap/StarWarsRebelsS3E19ZeroHour "Zero]] "[[Recap/StarWarsRebelsS3E19ZeroHour Zero]] [[Recap/StarWarsRebelsS3E20ZeroHourPartII Hour"]], Hour]]", TheMole, [[spoiler:Kallus]], is unmasked, and subsequently held hostage by [[MagnificentBastard Grand Admiral Thrawn]]. Thrawn says he won't stop until the last rebel falls, so it's an implied "I'm saving you for last" -- [[spoiler:Kallus]] will definitely be the last. [[spoiler:However, this winds up giving Kallus all the time he needs to plan his escape, and when he gets the chance to escape escape, he takes it, so he survives anyway.]]
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* In ''Series/TheSandman'', John Dee decides that Rosemary is a good person who only lied out of understandable fear and gives her his mother's protective amulet, promising her it'll keep her safe "even from [him]".
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* The ''[[WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague Justice League Unlimited]]'' finale episodes "Alive" and "Destroyer" offer Darkseid's take:

to:

* The ''[[WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague Justice League Unlimited]]'' finale episodes "Alive" and "Destroyer" offer Darkseid's take:take, which is to say he'll give you a swift MercyKill rather than endless torment for his amusement:
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None


* Subverted in ''Film/{{Commando}}'': Col. John Matrix (Creator/ArnoldSchwarzenegger) tells Sully, a wise-cracking bad guy, that he'll kill him last. What's lost in MemeticMutation, however, is that Matrix was clearly being [[SarcasmMode sarcastic]] when he speaks the line.[[note]]Sully had just finished taunting Matrix and joking that his daughter would be gang-raped.[[/note]] Later, Sully gets the picture during a HighAltitudeInterrogation:

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* Subverted in ''Film/{{Commando}}'': Col. John Matrix (Creator/ArnoldSchwarzenegger) tells Sully, a wise-cracking bad guy, that he'll kill him last. What's lost in MemeticMutation, however, is that Matrix was clearly being [[SarcasmMode sarcastic]] when he speaks the line.[[note]]Sully had just finished sarcastically]] responding to [[EvilHasABadSenseOfHumor Sully's taunting Matrix and joking "joke"]] that his Matrix's daughter would be gang-raped.[[/note]] gang-raped. Later, Sully gets the picture during a HighAltitudeInterrogation:
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Corrected spelling


** Ironically enough, UsefulNotes/ImperialJapan had strng notions of racial purity and superior bloodlines itself. Basically, both countries were willing to make a deal with what they considered an inferior race for the sake of gaining power over their enemies.

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** Ironically enough, UsefulNotes/ImperialJapan had strng strong notions of racial purity and superior bloodlines itself. Basically, both countries were willing to make a deal with what they considered an inferior race for the sake of gaining power over their enemies.
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* This trope most likely lay at the heart of the cynical German-Japanese military alliance during UsefulNotes/WorldWarII from at least the Nazis' perspective (but possibly the Japanese as well). A paranoid, virulently racist, white supremacist country decides to team up against other enemies with a nation they probably deem subhuman when it gets down to it. [[http://www.tinyrevolution.com/mt/archives/000120.html This article]] from ''Our Dumb Century'' puts it best.

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* This trope most likely lay at the heart of the cynical German-Japanese military alliance during UsefulNotes/WorldWarII from at least the Nazis' perspective (but possibly the Japanese as well). A paranoid, virulently racist, white Aryan supremacist country decides to team up against other enemies with a nation they probably deem subhuman when it gets down to it. [[http://www.tinyrevolution.com/mt/archives/000120.html This article]] from ''Our Dumb Century'' puts it best.

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