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Trope Namer
The following features the very first lines spoken by Starscream on the original cartoon:
Starscream: The Autobots would have lost eons ago, if I'd been calling the shots!
Megatron: Starscream, only a select few ever lead.
Starscream: My time will come, Megatron.
Megatron: Never. NEVER!!
[and two episodes later...]
Starscream: Right on schedule, aren't we?
Megatron: No thanks to you, Starscream.
Starscream: I've made my contribution!
Megatron: You've also made clear your desire to replace me as leader of the Decepticons! Mistake number one.
Starscream: It's time for a change, Megatron. It's time for action, not words. I am the leader of the future!
Megatron: You couldn't lead ant-droids to a picnic. How can you pretend to lead the Decepticons?
[this exchange is immediately followed up by an ill-advised attempt to assassinate Megatron, which invariably fails miserably]
Starscream: The Autobots would have lost eons ago, if I'd been calling the shots!
Megatron: Starscream, only a select few ever lead.
Starscream: My time will come, Megatron.
Megatron: Never. NEVER!!
[and two episodes later...]
Starscream: Right on schedule, aren't we?
Megatron: No thanks to you, Starscream.
Starscream: I've made my contribution!
Megatron: You've also made clear your desire to replace me as leader of the Decepticons! Mistake number one.
Starscream: It's time for a change, Megatron. It's time for action, not words. I am the leader of the future!
Megatron: You couldn't lead ant-droids to a picnic. How can you pretend to lead the Decepticons?
[this exchange is immediately followed up by an ill-advised attempt to assassinate Megatron, which invariably fails miserably]
"Time makes all things possible. I can wait."
— Starscream to Megatron's face, The Transformers
Starscream: Oh, how it pains me to do this!
Megatron: Wait... I still function...
Starscream: Wanna bet? [dumps Megatron into space]
Megatron: STAAAAAARSCREEEEEEEEEAAAAAM!
Megatron: Wait... I still function...
Starscream: Wanna bet? [dumps Megatron into space]
Megatron: STAAAAAARSCREEEEEEEEEAAAAAM!
"Why? That's what they all asked me. Why him... why Starscream? Why, of all Decepticons, did I decide to revitalize the one whose record of deceit and betrayal is legend? Because I'm an idiot, that's why!"
— Megatron, Transformers: Generation 2
Starscream: [possessing Waspinator] You've betrayed me!
Blackarachnia: I studied with the master.
Blackarachnia: I studied with the master.
"In your... absence, someone had to take command."
— Starscream to (the formerly dead) Megatron, Transformers: Revenge of The Fallen
"You could mark your letters 'All hail Starscream!' so long as you make it clear this is in no way a reflection on our glorious leader or a prelude to some sort of coup. Just so that we're clear on that."
— Starscream, Titan Magazine Transformers comics' Fourth-Wall Mail Slot
"Yes! Right then... Solemn face, solemn face..."
— Starscream after Megatron's apparent demise, Transformers: Animated
"Megatron? Did you just say Megatron? Did he just say Megatron? THERE IS NO MEGATRON! Megatron is offline! TERMINATED! I DID IT MYSE— saw it myself."
— Starscream, Transformers: Animated
"Everyone believes you are deceased. Who am I to disappoint them... 'Master'? [rips Megatron's Dark Energon shard out of his chest] And this time, stay dead!"
— Starscream, Transformers: Prime
"Megatron, seriously. We're starting to think that the problem is you. Why the hell would you jump into Starscream's hands? The one guy on your team who consistently undermines your authority and attempts to overthrow your leadership?"
Megatron was still on Trypticon, agitated and pacing but not wanting to return to Fort Scyk until he knew for certain that the Geosynchronous Energon Bridge was functioning again. Part of his agitation resulted from placing such an important mission in the hands of Starscream, who could not have been more obvious about his ultimate goals if he had stenciled I WILL BE PRIME across his torso.
The problem was Starscream's ambition was matched — possibly even exceeded — by his ability. He was a superb flyer, officer, soldier, and adviser. Megatron had learned a long time ago that no one could be trusted. He had also learned that even untrustworthy aides were useful and could be counted on in certain situations. This was one of them, since whatever Starscream wanted for the future depended on success of his alliance with Megatron in the present.
So when Starscream checked in at exactly the time agreed on in the initial mission planning, Megatron was satisfied but not surprised.
The problem was Starscream's ambition was matched — possibly even exceeded — by his ability. He was a superb flyer, officer, soldier, and adviser. Megatron had learned a long time ago that no one could be trusted. He had also learned that even untrustworthy aides were useful and could be counted on in certain situations. This was one of them, since whatever Starscream wanted for the future depended on success of his alliance with Megatron in the present.
So when Starscream checked in at exactly the time agreed on in the initial mission planning, Megatron was satisfied but not surprised.
— Megatron reflects on why he keeps his treacherous lieutenant around, Transformers: Exodus
"You see, leadership is not something I fear losing. It is something I dread you gaining. In the moments when my all-consuming destiny lies ahead of me, you remind me of the need to watch my back. And that is your importance to me, Starscream."
— Megatron, The Transformers Megaseries, "Spotlight: Megatron"
Question: Starscream, have you considered trying to rule the Decepticons with Megatron?
Starscream: No.
Starscream: No.
Anime & Manga
Jessie: Well, I am very impressed. You and Celebi are extremely powerful. Now just get me down from here and I'll recommend you for a big promotion when you give Celebi to the boss.
Iron Masked Marauder: [laughs menacingly] I control the most powerful Pokémon in the world. Why would I want to give something that valuable to the boss?
Jessie: What do you mean?
Iron Masked Marauder: Now the boss has to be afraid of me, because Celebi gives me the power to destroy him. With Celebi, I can rule Team Rocket AND THE WHOLE WORLD IF I WANT TO!
Iron Masked Marauder: [laughs menacingly] I control the most powerful Pokémon in the world. Why would I want to give something that valuable to the boss?
Jessie: What do you mean?
Iron Masked Marauder: Now the boss has to be afraid of me, because Celebi gives me the power to destroy him. With Celebi, I can rule Team Rocket AND THE WHOLE WORLD IF I WANT TO!
"I once had a father who stood up against Grande. He was a prophet. When my father learned that this realm would be destroyed, he advised Grande not to use dark magic. He told Grande that a savior would appear to save this realm. So he told him not to use dark magic by any means. But Grande [killed him for disobedience in front of me]... I obey Grande's orders. I pretended to obey his orders and searched for this savior. Then I saw her. I met Arusu. I needed to use any means necessary to bring Arusu here and to tell her about everything. This is for my father as well."
— Sigma, Tweeny Witches, "Promise" (subtitles)
Fan Works
"Isn’t it obvious I am turning on you, why do you think you lost the battle it was because I made you lose it. I have been observing you for a long time I know exactly what you want. You want Ladybug and Cat Noir's Miraculous and I want them."
— Lila Rossi as Starcoroson, Miraculous: Uncertain Future
Film — Live-Action
"They are tired of your talk, Isaac. I've shown them what I can do. Cut the woman down. Put Isaac in her place. We shall see how the Lord favors you."
— Malachi, Children of the Corn (1984)
"Himmler... Of all people, Himmler! The truest of the true... This is the worst betrayal of all! Göring, yeah; he was always corrupt, of course. Speer, yeah: an idealistic, unpredictable artist. All the others, YES-YES-YES-YES-YES! But not Himmler. Has he gone crazy? He claimed authority by saying I was sick, perhaps already dead!"
Thanos: Boy, I would reconsider your current course!
Ronan the Accuser: You call ME boy? I will unfurl one thousand years of Kree justice on Xandar and burn it to its core! Then, Thanos, I'm coming for you!
Ronan the Accuser: You call ME boy? I will unfurl one thousand years of Kree justice on Xandar and burn it to its core! Then, Thanos, I'm coming for you!
"I can see it's just a matter of time
before he's gone and I'm at the front of the line.
It won't be long 'till l get my chance,
but in the meantime... I've got to dance, monkey, dance!"
before he's gone and I'm at the front of the line.
It won't be long 'till l get my chance,
but in the meantime... I've got to dance, monkey, dance!"
— Dominic Badguy, Muppets Most Wanted
"Don't you see? We don't have to run away anymore! I have brought peace to the Republic. I am more powerful than the Chancellor, I... I can overthrow him! And together, you and I can rule the galaxy! Make things the way we want them to be!"
— Darth Vader, Revenge of the Sith
"Frank-n-Furter, it's all over. Your mission is a failure, your lifestyle's too extreme. I'm your new commander. You are now my prisoner. We return to Transylvania. Prepare the transit beam."
— Riff Raff, The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Hanbei Muroto: Everything in that notice was a bald-faced lie. Superintendent Kikui is the rotten one.
Sanjûrô Tsubaki: But you're his...
Hanbei Muroto: Retainer. Like attracts like. I'm rotten too. You see, Chamberlain Mutsuta is a shrewd character. Not easy to break. But with him out of the way, this clan is ours for the taking.
Sanjûrô Tsubaki: But you're his...
Hanbei Muroto: Retainer. Like attracts like. I'm rotten too. You see, Chamberlain Mutsuta is a shrewd character. Not easy to break. But with him out of the way, this clan is ours for the taking.
— Sanjuro
Literature
"Isard won't live forever. Nor will I, but if I live longer than she does, the Emperor's throne might well be open to me."
— Kirtan Loor, X-Wing: The Krytos Trap
He had become head blaster for a small-town Baron, supplanted him in a bloody coup and was then, after some years, himself ousted by his own head blaster. There is very often such a symmetry in these matters, although Teague broke the pattern by being slightly quicker on the uptake than his predecessor and escaping with his life.
— Deathlands, "Pilgrimage to Hell"
"What does a very ambitious cobra do when you offer him a chance to eat the mongoose? Does he say, 'Oh, no, I think I'll just go on living off rats'?"
— The Underground Empire by James Mills
Live-Action TV
Wash/Stegosaurus: Yes... Yes. This is a fertile land, and we will thrive. We shall rule over all this land, and we shall call it... "This Land."
Wash/Allosaurus: I think we should call it YOUR GRAVE!
Wash/Stegosaurus: Aaaah! Curse your sudden but inevitable betrayal!
Wash/Allosaurus: Ha ha ha! Mine is an evil laugh! Now DIE!
Wash/Allosaurus: I think we should call it YOUR GRAVE!
Wash/Stegosaurus: Aaaah! Curse your sudden but inevitable betrayal!
Wash/Allosaurus: Ha ha ha! Mine is an evil laugh! Now DIE!
— Firefly
"An entire planet... or something the size of a planet. With only one life left, the time to strike is finally at hand. I've been under the thumb of Astronema and Dark Specter for too long... but no more."
—Darkonda, Power Rangers in Space
Darkonda: There can only be one supreme leader, and that will be me. Say goodbye, Dark Specter. Ahahahaha! Let the party begin! AHAHAHAHAHA! (fires the super torpedo at Dark Specter)
Dark Specter: And now to destroy the— (the super torpedo hits him) Who dares fire upon me?!
Darkonda: That would be me.
(Dark Specter screams in agony as explosions occur all over him)
Darkonda: Now, to get rid of Astronema and Ecliptor. King Darkonda. Has a nice ring to it.
Dark Specter: And now to destroy the— (the super torpedo hits him) Who dares fire upon me?!
Darkonda: That would be me.
(Dark Specter screams in agony as explosions occur all over him)
Darkonda: Now, to get rid of Astronema and Ecliptor. King Darkonda. Has a nice ring to it.
[Female voice] "The real Master Org died 3,000 years ago and is never coming back!" [Male voice] "Which makes me, Mandilok, the most powerful Org alive!"
— Mandilok, Power Rangers Wild Force
"No human gives me orders. 10,000 years ago, you ruled us, and we were destroyed! Now you're human — even weaker. From now on, I'm in charge."
— Grizzaka, to Dai Shi, Power Rangers Jungle Fury
Dai Shi: Go ahead. Destroy Jellica. That's always been your problem, Grizzaka. You destroy what you cannot have. I'm here to take back my throne before you destroy that, too.
Grizzaka: ...You dare to lecture ME?! Your incompetence cost us the great Beast War!
Grizzaka: ...You dare to lecture ME?! Your incompetence cost us the great Beast War!
"Every tyrant has a hungry right hand."
— Emanja Mora, Wiseguy, "Blood Dance"
Servalan: Section Leader Grose, what happened to Colonel Astrid?
Grose: Colonel Astrid — uh, he met with an accident.
Servalan: And his second in command?
Grose: He met with an accident, too.
Lector: Yeah, it was a very bad time for accidents.
Servalan: I see. And you assumed full command.
Grose: Of course — the demands of duty. I was next in line.
Servalan: You were just a section leader aboard a flagship, serving under two pilot captains and a brigade commander. Did they all meet with accidents too?
Grose: Colonel Astrid — uh, he met with an accident.
Servalan: And his second in command?
Grose: He met with an accident, too.
Lector: Yeah, it was a very bad time for accidents.
Servalan: I see. And you assumed full command.
Grose: Of course — the demands of duty. I was next in line.
Servalan: You were just a section leader aboard a flagship, serving under two pilot captains and a brigade commander. Did they all meet with accidents too?
Vice-President Clark: I have wanted Santiago dead for so long. I wasn't sure we could really pull it off. You're sure it's done?
Morden: EarthForce One will never return from Io. The power is now yours, Clark. Mr. President.
Morden: EarthForce One will never return from Io. The power is now yours, Clark. Mr. President.
Professional Wrestling
"You let this be a lesson to you, you stupid piece of trash. There's a reason why the Rock don't ever want you to think that you were ever the leader of the Rock, because the Rock is not only now the leader of the Nation of Domination, he's the ruler of the Nation of Domination. And before I leave, let me leave you with something. [kicks Faarooq in the gut] And take that back to Haiti where you come from."
Theatre
I bit my tongue so long
I learned to count to ten
My silence made me strong
I did my time and then
A house dropped on her head
The witch is dead! Ding dong!
Move, bitch, this my song!
I learned to count to ten
My silence made me strong
I did my time and then
A house dropped on her head
The witch is dead! Ding dong!
Move, bitch, this my song!
— "I Will Never Shut Up Again", Heathers
Video Games
"You will not be allowed to harm this form. This form was a mass of mana in the para-elemental plane of magic when your chaotic influence accidentally caused this form to be self-aware. This form is grateful for that gift, but this form is not one of the master's Chaos Lord puppets whom you have gifted with living magic. This form is living magic. Even your powerful Chaos magic... is still just magic, which this form can control. This form has no desire to destroy you. Stay out of our way." [teleports out of the Realm of Chaos]
— Ledgermayne to Drakath, AdventureQuest Worlds
Seth: You see, power shifts quickly in the Brotherhood. Kane has been loath to attack America, but I think now is the time, and you are the one to do it. This is the Pentagon. A full-scale attack with your strongest forces should render the military control center ino—
[BLAM]
Kane: Yes, power shifts more quickly than some people think.
[BLAM]
Kane: Yes, power shifts more quickly than some people think.
Excellus: Th-they... There must be several hundred thousand soldiers out there! Would they dare...?! Is it... Is it possible... Is it possible it was Yen'fay they feared all along, and not me?!
Walhart: Without him to back it up, your threat was only the grand shadow of a tiny spider.
Excellus: Tiny spider, is it? Well this spider has woven other webs in secret you could not even—
Walhart: You mean how you blackmailed Yen'fay to keep his loyalty? Or perhaps your correspondence with the Plegian woman... Aversa, was it? Yes, I know you have designs on the Fire Emblem... You have no secrets from me, worm.
Excellus: B-b-b-but... I... I don't... If you... knew all of that... w-why...
Walhart: Why haven't I killed you? ...I've asked myself the same thing, several times... But you're no threat to me. And I admit, you have your uses. Besides, I'm not one for court jesters, but you do... amuse me.
Excellus: Amuse you? I AMUSE you, like I'm a jester?! Are you AMUSED now? With a million swords at your door, come for your head?! You've lost! Lost, and you are going to DIE! All of you, ALL OF YOU! But not me! I want no part of this suicide!
Walhart: ...Why, Excellus, did you just volunteer to lead my personal guard against the rebels?
Excellus: ...What?! No, that's—
Walhart: Unless you'd rather fight me. Right here. RIGHT NOW.
Excellus: Mercy! Mercy! F-forgive me, my master! A moment's madness only — it will not return!
Walhart: Then it's settled: we have our new captain of the guard. Congratulations, Captain. You'll be right at my side until the fray is upon us.
Excellus: *Pant, pant, pant, pant*
Cervantes: Do give our guests a warm welcome, snake. Perhaps offer them some of your tea? Hah hah... My equal... Pah!
Excellus: ...They forget who I am. I could have fried them both where they stood with my magic! We will crush these rebels... We MUST crush these rebels... Or maybe... if Walhart is sufficiently injured... I might "amuse" him with a spell... Nya ha, either way, this spider crawls out alive! Eee hee hee hee!
Walhart: Without him to back it up, your threat was only the grand shadow of a tiny spider.
Excellus: Tiny spider, is it? Well this spider has woven other webs in secret you could not even—
Walhart: You mean how you blackmailed Yen'fay to keep his loyalty? Or perhaps your correspondence with the Plegian woman... Aversa, was it? Yes, I know you have designs on the Fire Emblem... You have no secrets from me, worm.
Excellus: B-b-b-but... I... I don't... If you... knew all of that... w-why...
Walhart: Why haven't I killed you? ...I've asked myself the same thing, several times... But you're no threat to me. And I admit, you have your uses. Besides, I'm not one for court jesters, but you do... amuse me.
Excellus: Amuse you? I AMUSE you, like I'm a jester?! Are you AMUSED now? With a million swords at your door, come for your head?! You've lost! Lost, and you are going to DIE! All of you, ALL OF YOU! But not me! I want no part of this suicide!
Walhart: ...Why, Excellus, did you just volunteer to lead my personal guard against the rebels?
Excellus: ...What?! No, that's—
Walhart: Unless you'd rather fight me. Right here. RIGHT NOW.
Excellus: Mercy! Mercy! F-forgive me, my master! A moment's madness only — it will not return!
Walhart: Then it's settled: we have our new captain of the guard. Congratulations, Captain. You'll be right at my side until the fray is upon us.
Excellus: *Pant, pant, pant, pant*
Cervantes: Do give our guests a warm welcome, snake. Perhaps offer them some of your tea? Hah hah... My equal... Pah!
Excellus: ...They forget who I am. I could have fried them both where they stood with my magic! We will crush these rebels... We MUST crush these rebels... Or maybe... if Walhart is sufficiently injured... I might "amuse" him with a spell... Nya ha, either way, this spider crawls out alive! Eee hee hee hee!
Sindri: The ritual failed to break the protective seal guarding the stone. But then, I already anticipated it would not work. In fact, I counted on it. We require a larger sacrifice. It is time. Leave him.
Bale: How dare you, Sorcerer!
Sindri: My Lord. Never forget... all power demands sacrifice. Thank you for yours.
Bale: SIND—
Bale: How dare you, Sorcerer!
Sindri: My Lord. Never forget... all power demands sacrifice. Thank you for yours.
Bale: SIND—
Araghast: Eliphas!
Eliphas: Yes, my... lord?
Araghast: Open a portal...
Eliphas: No, I think not. A change in leadership is in order.
Eliphas: Yes, my... lord?
Araghast: Open a portal...
Eliphas: No, I think not. A change in leadership is in order.
Emperor Jeal: Dispatch these fools at once, Sadoul!
Prince Sadoul: Speaking of fools, I've another to dispatch first.
Jeal: [angry] Is that some kind of threat?
Sadoul: The game is over, puppet! Time to cut your strings!
[Sadoul hurls his sword into Jeal's chest, killing him]
Prince Sadoul: Speaking of fools, I've another to dispatch first.
Jeal: [angry] Is that some kind of threat?
Sadoul: The game is over, puppet! Time to cut your strings!
[Sadoul hurls his sword into Jeal's chest, killing him]
— Vay
President Haltmann: What?! You! Susie! What did you...?! I... I can't... cont... rol...
Susie: Yippee! I thought this day would never come! Star Dream is all mine now, Mr. Haltmann. Some start-up company will pay top dollar for this!
Susie: Yippee! I thought this day would never come! Star Dream is all mine now, Mr. Haltmann. Some start-up company will pay top dollar for this!
Orca: Ma'am. Well, you're looking well.
Nadine Ross: What the hell have you done with my company?
Orca: Made it profitable, for starters.
Nadine Ross: What the hell have you done with my company?
Orca: Made it profitable, for starters.
Benjamin King: Who said you could come in here?
Tanya Winters: We need to talk.
King: Do we, now?
Warren Williams: You been puttin' yourself before the crew!
King: Keep talking, little nigga.
Warren: If you hadn't wasted our time stickin' your nose up them white boys' asses, we coulda owned the whole damn game by now!
King: I told you before — we ain't gettin' into that shit!
Warren: And why the fuck not?! That's where the money is! If you'd got down with that shit back in the day, the Carnales woulda been ghosts by now! But you didn't, did you? You were too much of a pussy then! And you're too much of a pussy now!
King: You forget who you're talkin' to! [slams Warren's head against a table]
Warren: Fuck!
King: My name is Benjamin motherfuckin' King! I'm the man who took my crew from being a bunch of baby gangstas in Sunnyvale to one of the most influential and feared forces in the goddamn city! You know how I did that? [slams Warren's head into the table again] I said, you. Know. How. I. Did. That?
Warren: How, Mr. King?
King: I did it by knowing when it was time to watch, when it was time to build, and when it was time to act. [shoves Warren away] I'm through carryin' your punk ass. If I was you, I'd drop those flags and get the fuck out of here before I erase your ass.
Warren: I ain't going nowhere.
King: You ain't hearin' me, son. I said—
Warren: Yo, fuck that. You ain't hearin' me.
King: What is this?
[Tanya opens two sets of doors to King's office, allowing in Vice Kings loyal to Warren]
Warren: I built, I watched... and now I'm acting.
Tanya Winters: We need to talk.
King: Do we, now?
Warren Williams: You been puttin' yourself before the crew!
King: Keep talking, little nigga.
Warren: If you hadn't wasted our time stickin' your nose up them white boys' asses, we coulda owned the whole damn game by now!
King: I told you before — we ain't gettin' into that shit!
Warren: And why the fuck not?! That's where the money is! If you'd got down with that shit back in the day, the Carnales woulda been ghosts by now! But you didn't, did you? You were too much of a pussy then! And you're too much of a pussy now!
King: You forget who you're talkin' to! [slams Warren's head against a table]
Warren: Fuck!
King: My name is Benjamin motherfuckin' King! I'm the man who took my crew from being a bunch of baby gangstas in Sunnyvale to one of the most influential and feared forces in the goddamn city! You know how I did that? [slams Warren's head into the table again] I said, you. Know. How. I. Did. That?
Warren: How, Mr. King?
King: I did it by knowing when it was time to watch, when it was time to build, and when it was time to act. [shoves Warren away] I'm through carryin' your punk ass. If I was you, I'd drop those flags and get the fuck out of here before I erase your ass.
Warren: I ain't going nowhere.
King: You ain't hearin' me, son. I said—
Warren: Yo, fuck that. You ain't hearin' me.
King: What is this?
[Tanya opens two sets of doors to King's office, allowing in Vice Kings loyal to Warren]
Warren: I built, I watched... and now I'm acting.
"Haha! Might makes right, isn't that the Order's motto? I just took some initiative!"
— Plague Knight, Shovel Knight: Plague of Shadows
"That was a close one, Henry! But I'm not going to pull you up. See, without you, I'd become the leader of the Toppat Clan again. I just wanted to look you in the eyes, as I took it all back. Goodbye."
— Reginald Copperbottom, Fleeing The Complex
"On second thought, if the Queen wants Skylands she can have it for now. But the future, that's all mine. Time to make this a one-way trip! Ta-ta!"
— Wolfgang, Skylanders: Trap Team
Webcomics
Gilgamesh: You'll come with me. You'll make a fine lackey.
Captain Vole: Vot? Iz you krezy? Hy vill rip hyu heart out!
Gilgamesh: [bash!] Oh, you'll try. You'll try again and again! Won't you?
Captain Vole: Hyu... hyu iz krezy! Hyu iz talkink like hyu vants me to keel hyu!
Gilgamesh: No, no! I want you to try! After all, I have to show that I am strong enough to rule the empire! We'll make it a game: "Who's The Scariest Monster?"
Captain Vole: Urg... mebee hyu could just keel me instead?
Gilgamesh: Oh, no! Just think how impressive it will be when word gets out that I keep a pet Jager around just to keep me sharp!
Captain Vole: Vot? Iz you krezy? Hy vill rip hyu heart out!
Gilgamesh: [bash!] Oh, you'll try. You'll try again and again! Won't you?
Captain Vole: Hyu... hyu iz krezy! Hyu iz talkink like hyu vants me to keel hyu!
Gilgamesh: No, no! I want you to try! After all, I have to show that I am strong enough to rule the empire! We'll make it a game: "Who's The Scariest Monster?"
Captain Vole: Urg... mebee hyu could just keel me instead?
Gilgamesh: Oh, no! Just think how impressive it will be when word gets out that I keep a pet Jager around just to keep me sharp!
"'Dangerous?' GOOD! Galasso welcomes it. Starscream. Destro. Joe Biden. All great leaders have dangerous subordinates who keep their wits sharp with treachery."
— Galasso, Shortpacked!
Web Original
"And Josef, you were supposed to be my right hand man! But your loyalty shriveled up like your right hand, man!"
With her father growing ever more decrepit, Shirley Phelps-Roper was the de facto leader of the Westboro Baptist Church for many years, and looked to be the one to take over in the event of her father's blessed death. Steve Drain was the main figure in putting a stop to this by consolidating power behind Phelps-Roper's back, and emphasizing women's inferiority as a new tenet of the group. Reverend Phelps, in one of the few decent acts he's ever done in his pathetic life, tried to put a stop to this by emphasizing familial harmony and kindness to other members of the group. For this, Drain had Phelps excommunicated... Any man capable of breaking a fifteen-year-old's nose and excommunicating the closest thing he had to a father is capable of anything.
— Rational Wiki
"Here's how it usually plays out in Final Fantasy: the Main Villain gets carried away and tampers with some secret cosmic power or other, and is eventually destroyed and/or controlled by said power. The Emperor and Exdeath were both devoured and possessed by the forces they sought to possess. Zande was being manipulated by the Cloud of Darkness all along. It is strongly suggested that Jenova is the one pulling Sephiroth's strings in Final Fantasy VII, despite what later retcons might claim. But Kekfa is nobody's clown. He's always in charge. He gets the best of his boss, masters the Statues, and lords over the world as an insane death-god, and all for the sheer fun of it."
— Pat R., "The World Is Square"
The Nostalgia Chick: I don't know, I was kinda holding out for President.
The Nostalgia Critic: Well, that's all the Vice-President does.
The Nostalgia Chick: Oh, okay.
The Nostalgia Critic: Cool.
The Nostalgia Critic: Well, that's all the Vice-President does.
The Nostalgia Chick: Oh, okay.
The Nostalgia Critic: Cool.
Herr Doktor: Ah, Major, I think that vent vell.
The Major: You think it vent vell? Herr Doktor, I was there. Und much like our former boss... I killed it!
The Major: You think it vent vell? Herr Doktor, I was there. Und much like our former boss... I killed it!
"An iconic figure in not just Transformers lore, but geek culture itself. So well-known that TV Tropes refers to the literary archetype of the 'treacherous underling' as "The Starscream", it's a sure bet that whatever form the Transformers universe takes in the future, Starscream will be there trying to scheme and betray his way to the top."
— Chris McFeely, "The Basics on Starscream"
"These people, this city... Tragic in its fall, yes, but glorious in its discoveries. The Somnovem had studied, prepared enough to harness their terrible fate, and in doing so... (summons a throne of flesh that he sits down on) They were reborn greater than they could ever have anticipated. Isn't that right? Power of a thousand minds! Dreams, imaginations, and wills made one. Founded in the aether of manifestation... A miracle. Unstoppable. Yet... Rudderless. Fractured. Wild. Jealous! ...Impotent. I once saw them as gods. Being so far beyond my ability to understand... And they chose me to be their herald! But when I died... When I scattered... And they put me back together. I was given a view behind the curtain. And I saw the fallacy that I had given everything for. Genius souls, now mewling toddlers, bickering over the power of creation. (sighs) Someone needed to be the parent. When children have been acting out, making a mess of their potential, for this long even... A responsible caretaker must show discipline. Enact punishment. And take the reins with force. So I'd invite you to stay for the show... But I think you'd prefer to run."
— Lucien/The Nonagon, Critical Role
Western Animation
Valmont: It would seem we have lost the Lost Treasure of Ching-Su Hai. On the bright side, however, Jackie Chan has done me a tremendous favor by eliminating my albatross.
Ratso: Albatross? I thought Shendu was a dragon?
Ratso: Albatross? I thought Shendu was a dragon?
Lex Luthor: Since there's only one monkey left around here, I'm assuming the Justice League found a way to stop the carrier wave.
Gorilla Grodd: There's more than one way to peel a banana. Next time—
Luthor: I wasn't going to do this for another few weeks, but seriously. [pulls a gun] Turning all of humanity into apes? That was your master plan?
Gorilla Grodd: There's more than one way to peel a banana. Next time—
Luthor: I wasn't going to do this for another few weeks, but seriously. [pulls a gun] Turning all of humanity into apes? That was your master plan?
"You'll do anything to please the Shredder. It's disgusting, pathetic!"
— Baxter Stockman to Hun, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2003)
"Every ruler must have a shadow, a being who watches and waits every moment of the day. At the first sign of weakness, the shadow pounces, defeats the ruler and assumes the throne for himself. It is a brutal but necessary way to make sure compassion and doubt never enter a ruler's heart."
— The Shadowed One about Darkness, BIONICLE
Cosma: Lord Boxman!
Lord Boxman: Cosma! I know how this looks but I-I can assure you that Boxmore is still running perfectly fine.
Cosma: Boxmore was running fine until your baby demolished it! You're fired!
Boxman: Pfft! Big whoop. I don't need this job anyway.
Cosma: You're being fired — out of a cannon, into the sun.
[a pack of Darrells surrounds Boxman]
Boxman: Sons?! [the Darrells transform into a cannon with Boxman inside] What is the meaning of this?!
Darrell: I ratted you out to the board!
Boxman: You what?!
Darrell: Isn't that the most evilest thing, betraying my own father? Aren't you proud of me?
Boxman: [his face turns red] You wretched, pathetic little ingrate. Release me this instant, or I promise you, I'll—
[Darrel pushes a button, causing the cannon to fire Boxman through the roof]
Darrell: [waving] Bye, Daddy! I love you!
Boxman: [flying into the sun] Cuuuuurse yoooou, Darrell! Cuuuuuurse yoooooooou!
Lord Boxman: Cosma! I know how this looks but I-I can assure you that Boxmore is still running perfectly fine.
Cosma: Boxmore was running fine until your baby demolished it! You're fired!
Boxman: Pfft! Big whoop. I don't need this job anyway.
Cosma: You're being fired — out of a cannon, into the sun.
[a pack of Darrells surrounds Boxman]
Boxman: Sons?! [the Darrells transform into a cannon with Boxman inside] What is the meaning of this?!
Darrell: I ratted you out to the board!
Boxman: You what?!
Darrell: Isn't that the most evilest thing, betraying my own father? Aren't you proud of me?
Boxman: [his face turns red] You wretched, pathetic little ingrate. Release me this instant, or I promise you, I'll—
[Darrel pushes a button, causing the cannon to fire Boxman through the roof]
Darrell: [waving] Bye, Daddy! I love you!
Boxman: [flying into the sun] Cuuuuurse yoooou, Darrell! Cuuuuuurse yoooooooou!
"'Permission'?! You need us way more than we need you, 'Your Majesty'! The others are fools, but with me to lead them, there’s no reason we can't find the Elements and keep the power for ourselves!"
— Mean Twilight Sparkle, My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic
