History Main / DontMakeMeDestroyYou

-->Darth Vader: Bring me my shuttle.
-->Stormtrooper: Sir, that line's been changed to "Alert the Star Destroyer to prepare for my arrival."
-->Darth Vader: Don't make me destroy you.

* During Kyuuzou's early duel scene in TheSevenSamurai it's mentioned by a spectator that Kyuuzou asked his challenger not to duel him, because he would certainly be killed. SingleStrokeBattle ensues and Kyuuzou is notably saddened by the outcome.

* In ThePrinceOfEgypt, right before the plague of the firstborn Moses is practically begging his brother Ramses not to let things continue, all while staring at Ramses's son. Ramses refuses, which upsets Moses. In the end, Ramses son dies.

->''There is no escape. [[TropeNamer Don't make me destroy you]]. ''[pauses]'' Luke, you do not yet realize your importance. You have only begun to discover your power. [[WeCanRuleTogether Join me]], and I will complete your training. With our combined strength, we can end this destructive conflict and bring order to the galaxy.''
-->[[StarWars Darth Vader to Luke]], [[TheEmpireStrikesBack during the fight on Cloud City]].

* [[TheWitcher Geralt]] warns a [[SnowWhiteAndTheSevenDwarfs Snow]] [[TragicVillain White]] [[ExPy expy]] that this will happen [[AlasPoorVillain when they fight]]. Though to be fair, his fighting style provides few non-lethal tools for dealing with dangerous opponents.

* From ''BattlestarGalactica'', when Kara and Sam reunite after New Caprica:

* Willow says this to Xander at the end of ''BuffyTheVampireSlayer'' Season 6 though, when he stops her from destroying the world.

-->Draco: I don't want to kill you; I never did! And I don't want you to kill me! [Bowen looks at Draco] How do we gain? If you win, you lose a trade. If I win, I wait around for the next sword slinger thirsting to carve a reputation out of my hide. And I'm ''tired'' of lurking in holes and skulking in darkness. I'm gonna let you up now, and if you insist, we can pursue this fracas to its final stupidity... or... you can listen to my alternative.

* ''{{Supernatural}}'' has the [[GoodIsNotNice angels]] and demons saying this to Dean and Sam, respectively. The twist is that [[spoiler:they need them alive]]. They are quite capable of reviving the brothers, and point it out often. They've even gone as far as remove lungs or give "Stage 4 Stomach Cancer", and that was an angel "lacking in imagination". They still fall under this trope as [[spoiler:no matter what they do, they need consent]].
** Lucifer says 'Don't make me do this,' to Gabriel before he kills him. Gabriel's response? [[spoiler: "No one makes us do anything." Lucifer then kills him.]]
** I don't think the {{Supernatural}} example fits, the angels aren't at all angsting about having to kill Sam or Dean, more like horribly frustrated. You can tell that if they didn't need them alive they'd kill them, painfully, and laugh all the way. Still, it's ''Supernatural'', so I'm sure there's a straight example somewhere. Like Sam to Dean around the end of Season 4 or something.

* Gaz on Invader Zim seems to imply this when she has a hard time understanding the stupidity and lameness of Dib.

** In ''TheSarahJaneAdventures'' we see that this behavior tends to rub off on companions.

* [[Series/DoctorWho The Tenth Doctor.]] All the time. Other incarnations as well, but for Ten this was almost a catch phrase.

But for whatever reason, the powerful character is hoping not to have to fight. Can be used by heroes, anti-heroes, and villains.

* Implied towards Shepard by Harbinger in ''MassEffect2''.

* HonorHarrington, during peace talks after decade-long wars:

* For a {{True Comapnion|s}} example, ''OnePiece'' has Luffy saying this to [[spoiler:Usopp]] before their fight.

* For a Nakama example, ''OnePiece'' has Luffy saying this to [[spoiler:Usopp]] before their fight.

* ''TheInexplicableAdventuresOfBob.'' Bob is one of the [[{{Nakama}} only three people]] in the universe Galatea loves (she's just betrayed a possible fourth, Fructose Riboflavin, but with [[BigBad good reason).]] When Bob suddenly arrives while she's on the verge of conquering a planet, she says, "So... You ''don't'' approve? Oh Uncle, ''don't'' make me fight ''you."''

* the attacker is a friend/family/{{Nakama}} member

[[redirect:{{ptitlev2k1ox9h}}]]

->"''I come in peace. I didn't bring artillery. But I'm pleading with you, with tears in my eyes: If you fuck with me, I'll kill you all.''"
-->'''Marine Gen. James Mattis''', [[http://www.armedforcesjournal.com/2006/08/1936008 in a message sent to Iraqi tribal leaders, August 2006]]

->''There is no escape. [[TropeNamer Don't make me destroy you]]. ''[pauses]'' Luke, you do not yet realize your importance. You have only begun to discover your power. [[WeCanRuleTogether Join me]], and I will complete your training. With our combined strength, we can end this destructive conflict and bring order to the galaxy.''
-->[[StarWars Darth Vader to Luke during the fight on Cloud City]].

[[YouWouldntLikeMeWhenImAngry You Wouldn't Like Me When I'm Angry]] covers most situations where a powerful character is trying to deter an attack. But sometimes there's {{Angst}} involved, or the powerful character is practically begging the attackers not to attack, for any number of reasons:
* powerful character will go [[BerserkButton berserk]] and won't be able to stop himself
* the attacker is a friend/family/{{Nakama}} member
* the powerful character is a MartialPacifist
* powerful character just wants to keep the attacker alive

But for whatever reason, the powerful character is hoping not to have to fight. Can be used by heroes, anti-heroes, and villains.
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!!Examples:

[[AC:Anime]]
* In ''{{Bleach}}'', Captain Kyoraku, one of the oldest captains, encounters a hopelessly inexperienced and outmatched Chad in the second season. He doesn't exactly beg for him not to attack, but makes an extensive attempt at parley, clearly for no reason other than the fact he didn't want to hurt him.
* For a Nakama example, ''OnePiece'' has Luffy saying this to [[spoiler:Usopp]] before their fight.

[[AC:{{Film}}]]
* ''StarWars'': The TropeNamer is in ''TheEmpireStrikesBack''.
** Actually happens ''twice'' in ''[[StarWars Revenge of the Sith]]''. Anakin saying "Don't make me kill you" is one, but ironically at the end of that duel, Obi-Wan has the high ground and Anakin is about to do something really stupid. Obi-Wan's reply? "Don't try it."
* ''Run Leia Run'' (StarWars spoof animation)
-->Darth Vader: Bring me my shuttle.
-->Stormtrooper: Sir, that line's been changed to "Alert the Star Destroyer to prepare for my arrival."
-->Darth Vader: Don't make me destroy you.
* ''SpiesLikeUs''. The two title spies are undergoing harsh training and ask to quit.
-->Colonel Rhumbus: Boys, it would be a shame to have to kill you now.
* ''{{Dragonheart}}'':
-->Draco: I don't want to kill you; I never did! And I don't want you to kill me! [Bowen looks at Draco] How do we gain? If you win, you lose a trade. If I win, I wait around for the next sword slinger thirsting to carve a reputation out of my hide. And I'm * tired* of lurking in holes and skulking in darkness. I'm gonna let you up now, and if you insist, we can pursue this fracas to its final stupidity... or... you can listen to my alternative.
* ''LiloAndStitch'':
-->'''Jumba:''' Don't make me shoot you. You were expensive.
* During Kyuuzou's early duel scene in TheSevenSamurai it's mentioned by a spectator that Kuuzou asked his challenger not to duel him, because he would certainly be killed. SingleStrokeBattle ensues and Kuuzou is notably saddened by the outcome.
** Pay attention during the practice duel. Kyuuzou clearly landed a killing blow (if they weren't wielding bamboo shoots).
* ''{{In the Line of Fire}}'' - would-be assassin Mitch Leary is toying with Secret Service agent Frank Horrigan. He doesn't actually want to harm Frank, though, [[DontMakeMeDestroyYou unless he actually gets in the way of his plan]].

[[AC:LiveActionTV]]
* ''{{Supernatural}}'' has the [[GoodIsNotNice angels]] and demons saying this to Dean and Sam, respectively. The twist is that [[spoiler:they need them alive]]. They are quite capable of reviving the brothers, and point it out often. They've even gone as far as remove lungs or give "Stage 4 Stomach Cancer", and that was an angel "lacking in imagination". They still fall under this trope as [[spoiler:no matter what they do, they need consent]].
** I don't think the {{Supernatural}} example fits, the angels aren't at all angsting about having to kill Sam or Dean, more like horribly frustrated. You can tell that if they didn't need them alive they'd kill them, painfully, and laugh all the way. Still, it's ''Supernatural'', so I'm sure there's a straight example somewhere. Like Sam to Dean around the end of Season 4 or something.
* ''StarTrekTheNextGeneration'': Riker, to his new girlfriend Yuta, who turned out to be a villain (the misguided type).
* From ''BattlestarGalactica'', when Kara and Sam reunite after New Caprica:
-->'''Kara:''' [to Sam] I'm in a different place now. I... I, I don't know how else to explain it to you, but I got out of that cell and it's like someone painted the world in different colors. And I look at you and I want to tear your eyes out just for looking at me. I just want to hurt someone and it might as well be you. So you should probably go before that happens.
* From {{JAG}}, when [[AuthorityEqualsAsskicking Adm. Chegwidden]], a former SEAL, gets into a scrape with a mafioso:
-->'''Admiral:''' Signor Amati, many people have tried to kill me one time or another. They're mostly dead. So there's a good chance that your brother-in-law will join them if he does come after me.... Does he have other sons?
-->'''Enrico Amati:''' Uno.
-->'''Admiral:''' When he comes, I'll regrettably kill him too. And after him?
-->'''Enrico Amati:''' My sister will expect me to uphold the honor of mi familia.
-->'''Admiral:''' Then I'll have to kill you. I don't want to have to do that.
-->'''Enrico Amati:''' [in Italian] You're either a very * bold* man, or crazy!
-->'''Admiral:''' [In Italian] Not crazy. Practical.
* Willow says this to Xander at the end of ''BuffyTheVampireSlayer'' Season 6 though, when he stops her from destroying the world.
* [[DoctorWho The Tenth Doctor.]] All the time. Other incarnations as well, but for Ten this was almost a catch phrase.

[[AC:RealLife]]
* [[AuthorityEqualsAsskicking The page quote above.]]

[[AC:VideoGames]]
* [[SubvertedTrope Subverted]] in ''{{Halo}} 2'':
-->'''Sergeant Johnson:''' [while he is fighting the Covenant] I don't want to kill you, it's just that you're too ugly to let live!

[[AC:WesternAnimation]]
* ''StarWarsTheCloneWars'' episode "The Lair of General Grievous":
-->'''Nahdar Vebb:''' [to Grievous] Don't make me destroy you!
* Part of Mojo Jojo's WeCanRuleTogether HannibalLecture from ''ThePowerpuffGirls Movie'' ("We are kindred spirits whose powers spring from the same source, so, girls, ''do not make me destroy you!''"), resulting in a very painful ShutUpHannibal.
* In ''TheSimpsons'', included in Homer's advice to Lisa:
-->'''Lisa:''' What do you say to a boy to let him know you're not interested?
-->'''Marge Simpson:''' Well, honey, I...
-->'''Homer:''' Let me handle this, Marge. I've heard them all: "I like you as a friend," "I think we should see other people," "I no speak English"...
-->'''Lisa:''' I get the idea.
-->'''Homer:''' "I'm married to the sea," "I don't want to kill you but I will"...
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<<|AuthorityTropes|>>

* ''Spies Like Us''. The two title spies are undergoing harsh training and ask to quit.

-->Draco: I don't want to kill you; I never did! And I don't want you to kill me! [Bowen looks at Draco] How do we gain? If you win, you loose a trade. If I win, I wait around for the next sword slinger thirsting to carve a reputation out of my hide. And I'm * tired* of lurking in holes and skulking in darkness. I'm gonna let you up now, and if you insist, we can pursue this fracas to its final stupidity... or... you can listen to my alternative.