Quotes / The Chosen One

Fan Works

Link: You didn't have a choice. Your fate was decided by your blood. It didn't matter if you were strong, weak, wise, foolish... you had to do it. You had to.
Zelda: I haven't done it yet! I haven't done anything yet!
Link: In the times when everyone was afraid, someone rose out of necessity, because no one else would. It's supposed to have been harder for them. They were less suited to it, but Ganon returned anyway, they had to fight him anyway. And I realized... if somebody didn't step up... if somebody was less suited, but took up the Master Sword... Anyone who can draw the sword is suited. But anyone can draw the sword. And whoever it was, I didn't want them to...
Zelda: Say it. Whatever it is, say it.
Link: You've been hurting for such a long time. So, if I'd never wanted to be a fighter... if I wasn't good at it... and they told me I had to be a knight anyway? I would have looked to you. I would have thought of fighting alongside you. Of holding you up. And I would have done everything the same.

— The Princess Who Carries the Blood of the Goddess

Films - Animated

"You don't have to be the bad guy. You are the most talented, most interesting, and most extraordinary person in the universe. And you are capable of amazing things. Because you are the Special. And so am I. And so is everyone. The prophecy is made up, but it's also true. It's about all of us. Right now, it's about you. And you... still...can change everything."

— Emmet, The LEGO Movie

Moses: What do you want with me?
God: I have seen the oppression of my people in Egypt, and have heard their cry. So I shall stretch forth my hand, and lead them out of Egypt, into a good land. A land flowing with milk and honey. And so, unto Pharaoh, I shall send... you.

—The Prince of Egypt

"I've been watching your for sometime, Billy. And now this. Bestowed with the wisdom, strength, stamina, power, courage and speed of the gods you will become our new protector. You will become Captain Marvel."

—Shazam to Billy Batson, Superman/Shazam!: The Return of Black Adam

Films - Live Action

"Before I could pull the trigger, I was hit by lightning and bitten by a cobra. I blacked out, and saw images of ancient Shaolin temples and monks mastering the art of kung-fu. There was an ancient prophecy about a new form of kung-fu so powerful, only one man can master it: The Chosen One. When I woke up, I saw the kung-fu master running towards me. I could feel my body mutate, into some sort of kung-fu freak of nature."

—Kung Fury, Kung Fury

"I am the chosen one."

— Liu Kang, Mortal Kombat: The Movie

"And so it will be, until a man emerges who is meant to become the Great One. And, if he chooses the side of Light, then Light will win. But, those, to whom the truth has been revealed, say that he will choose Darkness. For it is easier to kill the Light within oneself, than to scatter the Darkness around... The prophecies are coming true."

—Geser, Night Watch

Obi-Wan: You were the chosen one! It was said you would destroy the Sith, not join them. Bring balance to the Force, not leave it in darkness!

Anakin: I HATE YOU!!!

Obi-Wan: You were my brother, Anakin. I loved you, but I could not save you.

— Revenge of the Sith

Literature

"You don't need help, Dresden. You are the help."

— Rashid, Cold Days

Tia: Connie carries the caretaker mantle.
The Guardian: The what?
Connie: I'm a cosmic lynchpin that keeps the universe from falling apart.

— Constance Verity Destroys the Universe

"Your Son," said the Djinn impressively, "is the One chosen to break the Spell of the Land of Green Ginger, and restore the Magician to his Normal Shape! It's All Been Foretold, you see — Nothing has been Left to Chance. I can even tell you your Son's Name. It's Abu Ali!"

— The Land of Green Ginger

"It's not crazy," Ginny said, standing tall, defensive. "Why is it crazy to want to believe your leader is powerful, and powerful in a way that no other dog could be? It gives the old dogs and the pups a measure of comfort to think of you as an all-powerful defender of the pack."

— The Pack, by Dayna Lorentz

Live Action TV

"Know this: You are the right one, in the right place, at the right time."

— Babylon 5, "Comes the Inquisitor"

In every generation there is a Chosen One. She alone will stand against the vampires, the demons and the forces of darkness. She is the Slayer.

— Buffy the Vampire Slayer

"I love the chosen one!
Loving him is lots of fun.
We love the chosen!
Not as much as me."

— The Mighty Boosh

Music

"You woke up this morning, got yourself a gun. Mama always said you'd be the Chosen One. She said: You're one in a million you've got to burn to shine, but you were born under a bad sign with a blue moon in your eyes..."

— Alabama 3

He will be one, one with the land
Lord of wind and the sea and the sands
The one - The bringer of life...

— Symphony X, "Evolution (The Grand Design)"

Video Games

<Only the Director can wield>
<The Gun/Sword/Intentionally left blank>
<Your Application will be processed>
<Only the Director can bind>
<The Service Weapon and Live/Die>
<This is your Ritual/Challenge>
<You must choose to be the Chosen One>

— The Board, Control

"Ness, it is my opinion you are that boy. This I believe..."

— Buzz Buzz. EarthBound (1994)

Tsun: By what right do you seek entrance to the Hall of Valor?

Player: By right of birth. I am Dragonborn.

— The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Dovahkiin, Dovahkiin^note  Dragonborn, Dragonborn
Naal ok zin los vahriin^note  By his honor is sworn
Wah dein vokul mahfaeraak ahst vaal!^note  To keep evil forever at bay!
Ahrk fin norok paal graan^note  And the fiercest foes rout
Fod nust hon zindro zaan,^note  When they hear triumph's shout,
Dovahkiin, fah hin kogaan mu draal!"^note Dragonborn, for your blessing we pray!"

—Sons of Skyrim, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Tensay: (dancing around with Takkar) Strong spirit! Strong spirit! You are the one!
Takkar: Who are you, Wolf Man? ^note Tensay wears a wolf's head as a hood.
Tensay: "Wolf man?!" I am Tensay! I call for strong spirit- bear, rhino, tiger... then you come! [...] You bond with owl.
Takkar: A dream.
Tensay: No dream! The owl has named you Beast Master!
Takkar: "Beast Master"?
Tensay: Yes! Go, Beast Master! Calm the spirits of the wild! Make them join your fight!

— Far Cry Primal

"Listen, Tempo. That legendary staff is the only hope we've got... And you're the only one who's able to use it!"

— Lyra, HarmoKnight

Sylens: So... you're even more extraordinary than I thought.
Aloy: I never had a mother.
Sylens: What are you talking about? You had two, a dead woman and a machine.
Aloy: I'm not a person, I'm an instrument. Manufactured by a machine. Born in destruction... and fire...
Sylens: To quench the flames, and heal the world. How tragic, to learn you’re a person of towering importance! It seems you have a destiny to fulfill. So when you’re done feeling sorry for yourself, go to the Bitter Climb. I’ll be waiting above in GAIA Prime’s ruins.

— Horizon Zero Dawn

"It is written: Only Link can defeat Ganon."

— Gwonam, Link: The Faces of Evil

We've watched while the stars burned out, and creation played in reverse. The universe freezing in half light. Once I thought to escape. To end the end a master, step out of the path of collapse. Escape would make us god. Yet I cannot help remember one enigma. A hybrid, elusive destroyer. This is the only mystery I have not solved. The only element unaccounted for. Even S'bhuth is no more, he saved his entire race, but in the end, frozen by despair, he joined the chaos he sought to evade. But you were dead a thousand times. Hopeless encounters successfully won. A man long dead, grafted to machines your builders did not understand. You follow the path, fitting into an infinite pattern. Yours to manipulate, to destroy and rebuild. Now, in the quantum moment before the closure, when all becomes one. One moment left. One point of space and time. I know who you are. You are destiny.

— Durandal, final words, Marathon Infinity

"None have possessed the strength in previous Cycles. Your own species could be destroyed with a single thought. But you are different. I have witnessed your actions in this Cycle: the destruction of Sovereign; the fall of the Collectors. The Reapers perceive you as a threat. And I must understand why?!"

— Leviathan to Commander Shepard, Mass Effect 3

Webcomics

Parson: Great. How many prophecies am I fulfilling?
Isaac: Three. Well, four.

— Erfworld, book 2 page 175

"But it is your journey I am writing about to wish you luck! There will come a day when you will be thrust into another world. And once you arrive, that is only the beginning! You will soon delve even deeper into a realm of Warring Royalty in a Timeless Expanse. A realm of Agents and Exiles and Consorts and Kernelsprites. Of toiling Underlings and slumbering Denizens. A realm where four will gather, the Heir of Breath and Seer of Light, the Knight of Time and Witch of Space, and together they will Ascend."

— Nanna's letter, Homestuck

Web Original

"I don't find that compelling. It's one of the reasons I dislike the latter Fable games where 'heroism' is a quality unique to a specific bloodline of handsome white people, 'cos it adds this GATTACA-style genetic discrimination subtext to the plot. Where's the drama in someone who has been magically destined to be a hero and save the world, being a hero and saving the world? Far more interesting when someone from common stock has to overcome something and realize their potential. That's why I like Wind Waker Link, because he's just some putz."

— Ben Croshaw, "Wind Waker is Still the Best Zelda Game and You're Surprised"

"Chosen one" narratives are easy to write, because then you don't have to come up with a good and compelling reason for why our hero is the centre of the conflict, but they're hard to make interesting, because there's no good and compelling reason for why our hero is the centre of the conflict.

— Lindsay Ellis, "Hercules, Disney's Beautiful Hot Mess

"i have such a profound hate for stories that go 'what if just some guy like literally just some guy was thrown into these horrible circumstances with huge stakes' and then take it back and go 'haha he is not just some guy, he's the specialest little boy in the planet, last in a long line of specialest little boys, it was in his blood all along'"

— scaryorganmusic on Tumblr

"Because God knows why your actions should make you special; he's just chosen!"

— Some Jerk with a Camera, Nostalgia Critic Review of The Sorcerer's Apprentice

"Is it preordained that you write a 'Chosen One' story? Well, the sale figures say yes. As it turns out Dark Lords and Ancient Evils cannot be defeated by military force, international cooperation or any other traditional method. Regardless of time and resources bring to bear by the best and brightest the world had to offer."

— Beaubien J.P., Terrible Writing Advice

Western Animation

"You know, you have the rainbow in your eyes. That's a sign you're destined for great things."

— Azura, Barbie Fairytopia

Their lives were simple, relaxed and fun

Until Perry became the Chosen One

The Chosen One, he's the brother named Perry

Oh, he flips! He blows the monastery!

—Intro theme, The Brothers Grunt

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