Katara: Why didn't you tell us you were the Avatar?
Aang: Because... I never wanted to be.
Aang: Because... I never wanted to be.
Tenzin: Well you're so much more than just a Farmer now. Harmonic Convergence changed everything, you represent the future of a culture that is being reborn: you're going to help us rebuild the Air Nation.
Kuon: I'm going to do what now? The only thing I'm planning to rebuild is my barn.
Tenzin: But you must come with us to The Northern Air Temple.
Kuon: Well I can't do that, I have a family and a farm.
Tenzin: Of course you can come! This is of the utmost importance. Your wife will understand.
...
Kuon: I think there's been some sort of misunderstanding I'm not going with you. I might be able to Airbend, but I'm no Air Nomad. I'm no Monk.
Tenzin: Sir you must understand: you're an Airbender now, and there are thousands of years of culture you must learn about, skills you must master.
Kuon: You expect me to abandon my entire life? My Family? NO! No sir, I am not going anywhere with you. And I think it's best that you leave!
Kuon: I'm going to do what now? The only thing I'm planning to rebuild is my barn.
Tenzin: But you must come with us to The Northern Air Temple.
Kuon: Well I can't do that, I have a family and a farm.
Tenzin: Of course you can come! This is of the utmost importance. Your wife will understand.
...
Kuon: I think there's been some sort of misunderstanding I'm not going with you. I might be able to Airbend, but I'm no Air Nomad. I'm no Monk.
Tenzin: Sir you must understand: you're an Airbender now, and there are thousands of years of culture you must learn about, skills you must master.
Kuon: You expect me to abandon my entire life? My Family? NO! No sir, I am not going anywhere with you. And I think it's best that you leave!
"I know I'm supposed to do something heroic and badass, but I'm just not feeling it..."
— Cloud Strife, an early Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children parody
"This looks like a job for... the Proper Authorities!" (walks off-screen)
— The Spoony One, parodying the 1979 movie Captain America II: Death Too Soon
Gandalf: I am looking for someone to share in an adventure that I am arranging, and it's very difficult to find anyone.
Bilbo: I should think so — in these parts! We are plain quiet folk and have no use for adventures. Nasty disturbing uncomfortable things! Make you late for dinner!
Bilbo: I should think so — in these parts! We are plain quiet folk and have no use for adventures. Nasty disturbing uncomfortable things! Make you late for dinner!
August: You're our only hope!
Emma: Then you're all screwed.
Emma: Then you're all screwed.
"I've got to hand it to you, you've got quite the unbreakable spirit! I mean, I'm not nearly as brave as you. If I was in your capably nimble shoes, I'd say 'To Heck with Hatty and my friends! They'll be fine!' Then I'd pack myself a nice bag lunch, show these cats my faaavourite finger, and I'd make like horse turds and hit the trail."
— Narrator, BattleBlock Theater
Spottswoode: So now you see why we need you. We will disguise you as a terrorist and take you deep into the Middle East. If you acting is successful, you'll be able to get us all the information we need to stop this whole thing from happening. Of course, if you're not interested... (gestures to his left) there's the door.
(Beat)
Gary: Alright. Thanks. (walks out the door)
Spottswoode: Huh.
(Beat)
Gary: Alright. Thanks. (walks out the door)
Spottswoode: Huh.
"Very well, Zeke. You are now on a quest." Spoke the Eye’s presence. It continued to stare, not maliciously, but rather knowing and questioning at the same instant. "The Hoenn Region is about to be threatened, and YOU will protect it.”
"WHAT?!" I yelled in my head. "I’m just moving to Hoenn! I doubt that we’ve even arrived yet! HOW THE BALLS DO YOU EXPECT ME TO SAVE A PLACE THAT I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT?!"
"WHAT?!" I yelled in my head. "I’m just moving to Hoenn! I doubt that we’ve even arrived yet! HOW THE BALLS DO YOU EXPECT ME TO SAVE A PLACE THAT I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT?!"
"I am not yer Chosen, horse. Get off my farm."
— "A Choice Not Taken", a Heralds of Valdemar fanfic
, a Heralds of Valdemar fanficGeordi: Look, Doc, we can't do this without you!
Cochrane: I don't care. I don't want to be a statue.
Cochrane: I don't care. I don't want to be a statue.
Pablo: You can't outrun evil, Ash!
Ash: Watch me!
Ash: Watch me!
"My doctor says that I have a malformed public-duty gland and a natural deficiency in moral fibre," Ford muttered to himself, "and that I am therefore excused from saving Universes."
"I'M NOT A FUCKING WIZARD!"
"If wearing superhero tights means sparing psychopaths, then maybe I wasn't meant to wear 'em."
— Deadpool, Deadpool (2016)
Obi-Wan Kenobi: You must learn the ways of the Force if you are to come with me to Alderaan.
Luke Skywalker: Alderaan? I'm not going to Alderaan, I've got to get home. It's late, I'm in for it as it is.
Obi-Wan: I need your help, Luke. She needs your help. I'm getting too old for this sort of thing.
(Obi-Wan stares at Luke)
Luke: Listen, I can't get involved, I've got work to do. It's not that I like the Empire, I hate it, but there's nothing I can do about it now. (sighs) It's all such a long way from here...
Obi-Wan: That's your uncle talking.
Luke: Oh, boy, my uncle... How am I ever gonna explain this?
Obi-Wan: Learn about the Force, Luke.
(Luke starts to walk away when he turns back)
Luke: Listen, I'll take you as far as Anchorhead. You can get a transport to Mos Eisley or wherever you're going.
Obi-Wan: (nodding) You must do what you feel is right, of course.
Luke Skywalker: Alderaan? I'm not going to Alderaan, I've got to get home. It's late, I'm in for it as it is.
Obi-Wan: I need your help, Luke. She needs your help. I'm getting too old for this sort of thing.
(Obi-Wan stares at Luke)
Luke: Listen, I can't get involved, I've got work to do. It's not that I like the Empire, I hate it, but there's nothing I can do about it now. (sighs) It's all such a long way from here...
Obi-Wan: That's your uncle talking.
Luke: Oh, boy, my uncle... How am I ever gonna explain this?
Obi-Wan: Learn about the Force, Luke.
(Luke starts to walk away when he turns back)
Luke: Listen, I'll take you as far as Anchorhead. You can get a transport to Mos Eisley or wherever you're going.
Obi-Wan: (nodding) You must do what you feel is right, of course.
— Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
Luke Skywalker: I know all about the dark side, Cade. More than you do. You wouldn't have to go there to heal, not if you were at peace with yourself. If you completed your training, if you had just accepted your legacy —!
Cade Skywalker: Be a Skywalker?! That's turned out real well for our family, hasn't it?! Killed my father — and look what it did to yours! Be a Jedi?! Why?! I've read the histories! Time and again, the galaxy — which we served — turned against us! And we keep coming back for more! That's real clever of us, isn't it?!
Luke: Spare me. I lived a lot of those histories you've read. I know what sacrifices were made. I know what the victories cost. Every generation has its challenges to face, its own battles to win. Why should yours be any different? Running away from your responsibilities won't solve anything!
Cade: Just shut up and leave me alone!
Cade Skywalker: Be a Skywalker?! That's turned out real well for our family, hasn't it?! Killed my father — and look what it did to yours! Be a Jedi?! Why?! I've read the histories! Time and again, the galaxy — which we served — turned against us! And we keep coming back for more! That's real clever of us, isn't it?!
Luke: Spare me. I lived a lot of those histories you've read. I know what sacrifices were made. I know what the victories cost. Every generation has its challenges to face, its own battles to win. Why should yours be any different? Running away from your responsibilities won't solve anything!
Cade: Just shut up and leave me alone!
— Star Wars: Legacy #3, "Broken, Part Three"
Erik Lehnsherr: Excuse me, I'm Erik Lehnsherr...
Charles Xavier: Charles Xavier.
Logan Howlett: Go fuck yourself.
Charles Xavier: Charles Xavier.
Logan Howlett: Go fuck yourself.
Rick: Ugh, this sucks.
Morty: God, tell me about it.
Rick: Oh man, if you're not into it...
Morty: What do you mean? Why would I be into it? It's lame!
Rick: You're into lame stuff, Morty! I thought young dumb people considered it an honor to work for presidents or whatever the shit.
Morty: Maybe the first few times, but this just sucks.
Rick: He treats us like Ghostbusters!
Morty: We should talk to him.
Rick: Yeah, that sounds fun. Let's set some boundaries with the spoiled control freak that thinks he runs the world and orders drone strikes to cope with his insecurity.
Morty: It's either that or more of this.
Rick: Third choice? Minecraft.
Morty: You like it now?
Rick: Gotta be honest, Morty; it's growing on me.
Morty: God, tell me about it.
Rick: Oh man, if you're not into it...
Morty: What do you mean? Why would I be into it? It's lame!
Rick: You're into lame stuff, Morty! I thought young dumb people considered it an honor to work for presidents or whatever the shit.
Morty: Maybe the first few times, but this just sucks.
Rick: He treats us like Ghostbusters!
Morty: We should talk to him.
Rick: Yeah, that sounds fun. Let's set some boundaries with the spoiled control freak that thinks he runs the world and orders drone strikes to cope with his insecurity.
Morty: It's either that or more of this.
Rick: Third choice? Minecraft.
Morty: You like it now?
Rick: Gotta be honest, Morty; it's growing on me.
— Rick and Morty "The Rickurian Mortydate"
Tony Stark: I wish you'd come here to ask me something else. Anything else. I'm honestly happy to see you guys, it's just...
Steve Rogers: Tony, I get it. And I'm happy for you, I really am. But this is a second chance.
Tony: I got my second chance right here, Cap. Can't roll the dice on it.
Steve Rogers: Tony, I get it. And I'm happy for you, I really am. But this is a second chance.
Tony: I got my second chance right here, Cap. Can't roll the dice on it.
— Avengers: Endgame Tony changes his mind later.
Happy Hogan: Nick Fury's calling you.
(Peter turns around as he hears his cellphone buzzing)
Peter Parker: I don't wanna really want to talk to Nick Fury.
Happy Hogan: Answer the phone.
Peter Parker: Why?
Happy Hogan: Because if you don't talk to him, then I have to and I don't want to talk to him. (Peter picks up the phone and hits the "refuse" option) ...you sent Nick Fury to voicemail?
Peter Parker: (making a hasty retreat) I gotta go!
Happy Hogan: You do not ghost Nick Fury!
(Peter turns around as he hears his cellphone buzzing)
Peter Parker: I don't wanna really want to talk to Nick Fury.
Happy Hogan: Answer the phone.
Peter Parker: Why?
Happy Hogan: Because if you don't talk to him, then I have to and I don't want to talk to him. (Peter picks up the phone and hits the "refuse" option) ...you sent Nick Fury to voicemail?
Peter Parker: (making a hasty retreat) I gotta go!
Happy Hogan: You do not ghost Nick Fury!
Europe doesn't really need a friendly neighborhood Spider-Man.
— Peter, Spider-Man: Far From Home
"Will you come with me offworld? There's a job that must be done; it's my job, but I'm going to need help. You're the only one who can give me that help."
"Now refuse," he added as Brion started to answer.
"Now refuse," he added as Brion started to answer.
— Planet of the Damned, by Harry Harrison
And she felt it too, pulsing through her veins, the mantle that was within her reach. His judgement she had ended for there was only one fit to pass it in these chambers, and it was the Warden of the West. Even the burning against her palm seemed distant, like her flesh was being filled with something – no. No. She fought the pull, the inevitability, everything it entailed. She fought it tooth and nail. There was nothing greater than this, this flesh, this moment and this place and the laws that bound them all. She had only one master, and it was the Principate of Procer. The coin burned into her flesh and she cast it down. The White Knight’s face went ashen.
“This is,” Cordelia said, “the Principate of Procer. We rule with accord and law, we mete out the same justice to the highest soul and the lowest. We fail that principle, often and utterly, as men and women have failed principles since the First Dawn. But I will not renounce it: not for a day, not for an hour, nor for a single breath. This land will know no queen, no empress, no pale-clad warden to stand above all others.”
“This is,” Cordelia said, “the Principate of Procer. We rule with accord and law, we mete out the same justice to the highest soul and the lowest. We fail that principle, often and utterly, as men and women have failed principles since the First Dawn. But I will not renounce it: not for a day, not for an hour, nor for a single breath. This land will know no queen, no empress, no pale-clad warden to stand above all others.”
I can hear you... but I won't.
Some look for trouble, while others don't.
There's a thousand reasons I should go about my day,
And ignore your whispers, which I wish would go away.
You're not a voice, you're just a ringing in my ear,
And if I heard you (which I don't), I'm spoken for, I fear.
Everyone I've ever loved is here within these walls.
I'm sorry, secret siren, but I'm blocking out your calls.
I've had my adventure, I don't need something new,
I'm afraid of what I'm risking if I follow you
Into the unknown!
Some look for trouble, while others don't.
There's a thousand reasons I should go about my day,
And ignore your whispers, which I wish would go away.
You're not a voice, you're just a ringing in my ear,
And if I heard you (which I don't), I'm spoken for, I fear.
Everyone I've ever loved is here within these walls.
I'm sorry, secret siren, but I'm blocking out your calls.
I've had my adventure, I don't need something new,
I'm afraid of what I'm risking if I follow you
Into the unknown!
—Queen Elsa of Arendelle, Frozen II, "Into the Unknown"
Eryn: Nice to meet you. My name's Eryn. I'm a fairy!
Fang: ...Gimme some food.
Eryn: I am the life that resides in the Fury you hold in your hand. What's your name?
Fang: ...I'm Fang. Gimme some food.
Eryn: Nice to meet you, Fang. That sword belongs to you now, and with it, my power is yours as well. From this day forward, you are now a Fencer. You're going to help me collect the Furies.
Fang: Hey, wait a minute! I shut my mouth and let you give your little spiel, but this is where I draw the line! A Fencer? No one decides my fate except me. Now, hurry up and make with the food!
Fang: ...Gimme some food.
Eryn: I am the life that resides in the Fury you hold in your hand. What's your name?
Fang: ...I'm Fang. Gimme some food.
Eryn: Nice to meet you, Fang. That sword belongs to you now, and with it, my power is yours as well. From this day forward, you are now a Fencer. You're going to help me collect the Furies.
Fang: Hey, wait a minute! I shut my mouth and let you give your little spiel, but this is where I draw the line! A Fencer? No one decides my fate except me. Now, hurry up and make with the food!
Ashelin: Jak, your friends need you. I need you.
Jak: The city threw me out, remember? They can rot for all I care.
Ashelin: But what about your—
Jak: Forget it! Just leave! I have new friends now.
Ashelin: So the hero I knew did die in the desert, or was it long before that? (hands him the Seal of Mar) Don't you remember who you are?
Jak: (briefly stares at the Seal, then turns away) I'm through saving the world.
Jak: The city threw me out, remember? They can rot for all I care.
Ashelin: But what about your—
Jak: Forget it! Just leave! I have new friends now.
Ashelin: So the hero I knew did die in the desert, or was it long before that? (hands him the Seal of Mar) Don't you remember who you are?
Jak: (briefly stares at the Seal, then turns away) I'm through saving the world.
Jason: I know what you're going to say. You want my help, right?
Jason: Forget it!
Jason: I'm not going on another so-called hero's journey for the privilege of getting myself killed! Just because I'm a Servant now doesn't mean I don't still feel pain and fear. And I'm definitely not so stupid to throw my life away on a fool's errand!
"I told you I don't want to join your super-secret boy band."
"I'm the chosen one. And I choose to be shopping."
—Buffy Summers, Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Kee: It is your destiny to seek the Golden Child!
Chandler Jarrell: Yeah, and it's your destiny to seek professional help!
Chandler Jarrell: Yeah, and it's your destiny to seek professional help!
natalieironside: What's the trope name for when someone finds out they're the Chosen One™ and is like "No, thank you" and goes and does something else
iatk2: Common Sense
tuomey: gifted kid burnout
neosilverthorn: Refusal Of The Call is the actual trope name. Usually followed by the tropes of The Call Knows Where You Live and You Can't Fight Fate.
silver-flame-alchemist: The Call is Trying to Contact you about your Destiny's Extended Warranty.
iatk2: Common Sense
tuomey: gifted kid burnout
neosilverthorn: Refusal Of The Call is the actual trope name. Usually followed by the tropes of The Call Knows Where You Live and You Can't Fight Fate.
silver-flame-alchemist: The Call is Trying to Contact you about your Destiny's Extended Warranty.
I refuse to answer a literal call to adventure, Morty. Let it go to voicemail!
— Rick, Rick and Morty
