History Main / TheCreon

The Creon is basically the [[NumberTwo right-hand man]], king's ([[TheGoodChancellor good]] or [[EvilChancellor evil]]) advisor, chief general, TheDragon, or other somesuch person of considerable power or influence who is not himself at the pinnacle of the pyramid. He's the second-in-command. However, unlike TheStarscream, The Creon is decidedly ''not'' gunning for the first spot. Maybe he doesn't want the responsibility; maybe he's just fine where he is; maybe [[TheChainsOfCommanding the position leadership is far too stressful]] or he has seen [[VetinariJobSecurity countless other underlings seize control only to realize that they were unqualified for the job]]; maybe [[VillainousFriendship he respects his boss too much]]; maybe he [[UndyingLoyalty values loyalty above all else]]; or maybe the culture is such that the top spot is [[KlingonPromotion just too dangerous a place]] for a person like him. His job as second-in-command suits him just fine, and even if offered the top spot he just won't take it - regardless of how lucrative the offer.

Creons can be of any morality or personality. Their motivations may be completely selfless or completely selfish. On occasion, a Creon will be [[LoyalToThePosition perfectly willing for his superior to be replaced by someone else]] - but not by the Creon himself. Most often however, The Creon will be the best right-hand a leader could ask for.

This trope is the opposite of the LeaderWannabe and TheStarscream, who spends almost all their time trying to assume the top spot. The Creon may be TheConsigliere, TheGoodChancellor, a SarcasticDevotee, a reliable DragonInChief or even a PsychoSupporter - there are many options. Contrast with VolatileSecondTierPosition, where whoever is the second in command is the person who will be blamed and [[YouHaveFailedMe suffer the consequences]] if anything goes wrong.

* ''Anime/VoltesV'': The [[StupidEvil buffoonish]] Emperor Zambajil has the equally buffoonish Marquis Zaki, his chief inspector. He writes reports for him based on events he observes, but highly exaggerates them, which leads to the deaths of many innocents at his hands. Zaki sarcastically gloats to [[ConqueringAlienPrince Prince]] [[PrincelingRivalry Heinel]] that he better perform well in battle so that he can send Zambajil a positive report, but in a twist of DramaticIrony, Heinel's battle strategy [[GoneHorriblyWrong goes horribly wrong]] and he accidentally kills Zaki instead.

* ''ComicBook/{{Batman}}'': Unlike Bruce's other ComicBook/{{Robin}}s, Tim Drake does not want to become Batman or replace Bruce's position in Gotham whatsoever, instead preferring to work as the Dark Knight's partner. While he's made it clear he'll take on the mantle if necessary he's also made it clear he absolutely hates the idea.
* Outside of ''ComicBook/Earth2'', where he very much was TheStarscream, Steppenwolf of the ''ComicBook/NewGods'' is perfectly content with his hunting and leadership of the Parademons.
%%(ZCE)* ''Franchise/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles'': Donatello may be smarter tahn his older brother, Leonardo but never seeks to lead in his place.

--> '''Rys''': Father was Master of Coin, King's Hand, and then [[ManOnFire King's candlestick]] in turn. A remarkable rise, that I alas, lack the ambition to repeat. Make me your Master of Coin, Your Grace, and if I please you, keep me there, and if I do not, send me back to my home and forget about me.

[[folder:Films -- Animated]]
* Donatello in ''WesternAnimation/{{TMNT}}''. After Leonardo's departure, Splinter makes Donatello the team's leader, much to the engagement of Raphael.
[[/folder]]

* ''Film/Alpha2018'': Despite some FauxShadowing that the second-in-command of Tau's hunting party is TheStarscream, he prevents Tau from going on a suicidal climb down the cliff to recover the body of Tau's seemingly dead son. He tells Tau that their tribe still needs his leadership, while showing no interest in having that leadership for himself.

* Alexander Tagere in the ''Literature/ArciaChronicles'' does everything in his power to avoid the crown despite widespread popular support, just like his father Charles before him, as they both believe (correctly) that power corrupts or, at the very least, brings utter misfortune. Unlike his father, however, Alexander is eventually forced to take the throne when it turns out he is the sole remaining legitimate heir.
* ''Brotherhood of the Rose'' by Creator/DavidMorrell. John Eliot was offered the directorship of the CIA but turned it down, as it's a political appointment and he'd be replaced when a new government came into power, interfering with the conspiracy that he's involved in. The other members of the Abelard Conspiracy have taken a similar position in their own intelligence agencies.

* Captain Carrot Ironfounderson in ''Literature/{{Discworld}}'' is this to both City Watch Commander Vimes, and to Lord Vetinari. While Carrot is more than capable of running the Watch, and is (most likely) the rightful heir to the King of Ankh-Morpork, Carrot is content to be a simple policeman while subtly ensuring that both the Watch and city run smoothly. His major misgiving is people would behave not according to the law or a sense of right or wrong, but simply because they're obeying the king.
** A secondary example is Fred Colon's reluctance to ever be promoted, being simultaneously dismissive of officers and surprisingly honest about his lack of qualifications. When Sam Vimes and Carrots are on temporarily leave, he's thrust in the a position of Captain purely based on seniority. It goes about as badly as anyone could have predicted.
* The Bene Gesserit from the ''Franchise/{{Dune}}'' universe do this for many, many centuries. They hold that if you grab supreme power, you're going to fall just as hard. Instead they manipulate power in the known universe from the position of a "trusted advisor" to Emperors and great houses. In addition, much of what they do is a huge breeding program designed to create a super-being to serve as the ultimate emperor and be directly under their control, so even at their greatest moment of triumph they're still not looking for the top position, just to have full control of the person in the top position. Naturally this fails once the super-being comes to existence and basically turns the tables on them.
** Part of the purpose of the 3,000-year highly oppressive reign of Leto II was to force the Bene Gesserit to get out of the shadows and take over. Millennia later, they have started to do so, controlling dozens of worlds directly. Herbert's notes (thoroughly ignored by the "sequel" writers, whose sequels were in turn [[FanonDiscontinuity ignored by devotees]]) indicate that the Bene Gesserit, whose internal procedures had long been essentially democratic (if heavily deferential to seniority), were to form the nucleus of a new democratic galactic government.

** Moneo could fit this in ''Literature/GodEmperorOfDune'', Malky even comments to Leto II on how Moneo has never tried to take the "whole shebang" from him.
* ''Literature/TheGeneralsPresident:'' General Thomas Cromwell is brought to the White House during the middle of a national emergency and told that the beleaguered president is ready to resign as soon as he appoints a new vice-president. He wants Cromwell to be that Vice-President. Cromwell is told that new legislation will allow the president swear in Cromwell as vice-president without the approval of Congress and will also give him unrestricted powers to solve the financial crisis. [[WhatYouAreInTheDark Cromwell has the opportunity to seize all of that power with nothing standing in his way. Instead, he emphatically refuses and sets out to find someone better qualified for the job.]]
--> '''Cromwell:''' I'll accept if it comes to that. But don't do it to me, Charles, unless you absolutely have to. My first name is Thomas, for Christake, not [[UsefulNotes/OliverCromwell Oliver.]]

* In the ''Literature/HonorHarrington'' story "Queen's Gambit," Jacob Wundt, the longtime Lord Chamberlain of the royal family, is embarrassed and horrified at the idea of being nominated as royal regent, even as a short-term placeholder.
* ''Literature/JohnPutnamThatcher'': In ''Ashes to Ashes'', after the head of the Flensburg Parents League community activist group is murdered, two of his main lieutenants display this in different ways: Mary Foster, the organizing genius of the group, declines to step up while Bob Hovarth is shocked to be nominated and feels that Mary is the natural choice. Bob only accepts the job after realizing that Mary's reluctance may be out of fear that she'd be the next victim that it would be cowardly of him to assume a risk he is better prepared to fight than Mary. [[spoiler:Actually, it turns out that Mary is the killer and is simply trying to stay BeneathSuspicion, which would fail if she was openly deciding the group's agenda (which she is manipulating to prompt a real estate selling spree so she can buy local buildings cheaply).]]
* Faramir from ''Literature/TheLordOfTheRings'' is this in the novel: He outright rejects the power that The One Ring could've given him, contrary to his brother Boromir who desired that power (albeit briefly).[[note]]In the movies, Faramir starts out just like his brother, and Frodo has to convince him that the Ring is just too dangerous to wield.[[/note]] Furthermore, whereas Faramir's ancestors (and particularly his father) ruled as Stewards while coveting the kingship, Faramir himself does not covet that title at all: He gratefully accepts the titles of Steward and Prince under Aragorn after the war without so much as a question.

* ''Matt Jensen: The Last Mountain Man: The Eyes of Texas'': Longtime Deputy Wash Prescott outlives four bosses who die trying to tame their unruly town and always refuses to become Town Marshal himself due to being a LovableCoward who feels that he's too old to survive getting into regular fights with lawbreakers instead of just watching the jail and providing the occasional backup.
* ''Literature/ThePeoplesChoice'': Republican Majority whip Connor Doyle is arguably the most competent politician in the novel, but he has no plans for being president himself and works hard to support the party and whoever its candidate is. [[spoiler: He ends up the president anyway when Block gets him made Speaker of the House before he and Phelps resign, due to the current speaker of the house being a Democrat. Doyle is shaken by this, but accepts the job, ending the novel on a hopeful note]].

* ''Franchise/PiratesOfTheCaribbean: Legends of the Brethren Court:'' Sri Sumbhajee's brother and heir Mannajee may enjoy taking naps on his brother's throne whenever he's left in charge of their palace, but he is uninvolved in the attempts on Sumbhajee's life and doesn't really want to be Pirate Lord due to how dangerous the position is. When Sumbhajee decides to make their other brother his heir instead of Mannajee, Mannajee exclaims, "Oh, thank the gods."
* In ''Literature/APracticalGuideToEvil'' the Black Knight, Amadeus, took control of the Dread Empire of Praes with the help of his [[TrueCompanions friends, the Calamities]] and the army he got by uniting many disgruntled tribes of orks and goblins under his banner, yet he gives the throne to his [[VillainousFriendship childhood friend]], the former bar-maid and imperial courtesan Alaya. He then faithfully serves her as TheDragon for ''decades'', and they make a truly terrifying and effective duo [[spoiler: until she eventually betrays his trust]].
** This trait then gets passed on to Catherine, and her eventual patronesses. Her TokenEvilTeammate on a leash (meaning traditional evil, in this case) is trusted with enough power to break free and set herself up as a serious threat in her own right tn the course of Cat's plan in Iserre, but chooses to use it as planned rather than seize it for herself. A similar moment happens much later, when a priest has the chance to usurp their god in [[OneGenderRace its]] own right, but relinquishes it with the line [[spoiler: "[[BadassCreed maybe tomorrow]]".]]

* In Creator/RobertHeinlein's future history, Andy "Slipstick"[[note]]The nickname is perhaps worthy of comment. When Heinlein wrote the stories, every single one of his readers knew that "slipstick" was a slang term for a slide rule. Which ''itself'' may need to be explained nowadays; a slide rule was a fairly sophisticated but mechanically simple calculating device used by scientists and engineers in the days before computers and pocket calculators became ubiquitous. Libby earned the nickname for being able to do mental computations extremely quickly and accurately.[[/note]] Libby plays this role to Lazarus Long's captain. Specifically, in Literature/MethuselahsChildren he is offered command of the ship, as he is the only person aboard who even begins to appreciate how the ship works at all, but he insists that he is not suited to command and prefers to be a staff officer. In that position, he carries out his duties admirably.
* ''Literature/ShadowsOfTheEmpire'': Black Sun Vigo Vekker isn't the ''second'' in command, but one of nine equally ranked lieutenants in an NGOSuperPower intergalactic criminal organization. He qualifies otherwise, though, as he's the only one specifically mentioned as being content with his position. In ''Shadows of the Empire: Evolution'', he doesn't push to be Xizor's successor (which does him no good as he's framed for an assassination attempt on the newest Vigo and is targeted himself by Vigo Sprax in retaliation)
* ''Literature/TheSilmarillion'' shows us that ''Sauron'', is actually this. It is because he is [[DragonWithAnAgenda goal-oriented]], rather than self-indulgent: he wants the world to be in perfect order. He only wants power if he is clearly the one best suited to building and maintaining the New World Order: it is not a goal in itself for him. As long as his goals are met, Sauron does not care what his position is in the pecking order. Indeed, this is one of the reasons he is so dangerous: he is perfectly capable of sincere loyalty to someone else as long as that person is achieving his goals, and thus he can get even very wise people to trust him. Sauron only becomes the DragonAscendant when a laundry list of other possible New World Order leaders has been knocked off.

** Ser Kevan Lannister is the non-ambitious yet highly competent younger brother to the powerful Lord Tywin. While set up as a yes-man with no ambition, it is revealed he followed Tywin because he believed his decisions were mostly right. ''Literature/ADanceWithDragons'' reveals that he fits this trope even better than previously thought; many characters (while acknowledging him as an exceptional HyperCompetentSidekick) believed he would be completely lost without someone strong to follow, but in the aftermath of [[spoiler: Cersei]]'s EpicFail at ruling, he takes the reins in his own right (though not in name) and does an excellent job. [[spoiler:This is why Varys murders him, to plunge the realm back into chaos.]]

* Gekkei from ''Literature/TheTwelveKingdoms'' is a DoubleSubversion of this trope. Firstly, although he is initially portrayed as loyal to the king, he later leads a rebellion and kills him. The subversion is doubled because [[IDidWhatIHadToDo it was what he needed to do]], and once the revolution is successful he rejects the other officers' pleas for him to take the throne, and is even about to quit his charge after the incident. He then reconsiders and stays in charge - not because he wants to, but because if there's nobody in charge, the kingdom will fall (literally, since each kingdom is ruled by a FisherKing). He is just faithfully holding the throne for the next true ruler.

* In ''Literature/WarriorCats'', a Clan leader is an absolute ruler. Their word is law, and they are to be obeyed unto death[[note]] although being too forceful is considered a sign of poor leadership, because a strong leader can persuade rather than outright order[[/note]]. Graystripe ended up as [=The Creon=] to Firestar because he had to temporarily rule in his place, and the power he briefly held over his friends and family terrified him. Afterward, being deputy was enough responsibility for his taste.

* ''Series/CriminalMinds'': Agent Morgan is this. The team's leader, Agent Hotchner, has to strong-arm him into taking the leadership position when the meddling bureaucrats try to break up the team. When Hotchner can return as leader, Morgan is genuinely relieved even though he did a great job as the team's leader. Morgan just hates the pressure of being responsible for other people: understandable since the team regularly risks their life on the job.

* Zoe from ''Series/{{Firefly}}'' fits this trope perfectly-- she's always supportive of Mal, despite having had plenty of opportunities to take over (and possibly being a much better potential captain).
* In a story like ''Series/{{Gotham}}'' where TheStarscream is more the rule than the exception, Butch Gilzean stands out as someone who was fine being the underboss for Fish Mooney [[spoiler: and later for Cobblepot even after the brainwashing effects wore off]], and for the brief time he was in charge of the underworld, he seemed a bit out of water and less than enthusiastic about the responsibilities.

* Zigzagged on ''Series/ItsAlwaysSunnyInPhiladelphia''. Dennis usually tries to fill this role for Frank in his various enterprises--acting as the middleman between Frank and the public so Frank's [[FatSlob manners]], [[TheHedonist hobbies]], or [[{{Gonk}} troll-like appearance]] don't creep people out. It's often subverted because Dennis is not nearly as intelligent or suave as he believes he is, and he therefore commits just a grand a faux pas as Frank would have (when not dealing with other members of the gang, who he can and does play like a fiddle). Regardless, Dennis acts as TheCreon in "Sweet Dee Gets Audited", "The Gang Hits the Slopes", and "Wolf Cola: A Public Relations Nightmare" (where he even remarks how he never actually receives any perks from taking on this position).

* This type of [[TheDragon Dragon]] outnumbers most others in ''Franchise/PowerRangers''; notable mentions:

* ''Series/StarTrekTheOriginalSeries'':
** Spock was a clear example of this during the show's original run. He did become Captain of the ''Enterprise'' at the start of ''Film/StarTrekIITheWrathOfKhan'', but relinquished command to Admiral Kirk as soon as the mission turned from a shakedown cruise to SeriousBusiness. At the end of ''Film/StarTrekIVTheVoyageHome'' Kirk is demoted from Admiral to Captain (on account of having disobeyed orders in ''Film/StarTrekIIITheSearchForSpock''), meaning that he and Spock now hold the same rank-- yet Spock still remains Kirk's first officer. In fact, they weren't even the only captains (by rank) on the ''Enterprise''-A; Chief Engineer Montgomery "Scotty" Scott and (briefly) Helmsman Hikaru Sulu (before being transferred to command of the new starship ''Excelsior'') also held that rank. While Kirk did have a decade's worth of seniority over all of them, having so many captains on a single ship was highly unusual.
** In the episode "[[Recap/StarTrekS2E4MirrorMirror Mirror, Mirror]]", alternate-universe Spock is this too, claiming to have no desire for the Captaincy for the same reasons as the original Creon did-- avoiding supreme responsibility while keeping much of the power. Plus, he is minimizing his profile in a society where KlingonPromotion is quite common. Mirror!Spock taking over at the end actually causes a ''major'' shift which reverberates throughout the Mirror Universe (unfortunately, to the detriment of his society).
* Commander Riker of ''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration'' is a famous example of this. During the many seasons and movies, he's been repeatedly offered his own command of various starships, yet chose to remain as second-in-command on the ''Enterprise'' regardless. He didn't want to be promoted to command of his own ship, because it would be a case of KickedUpstairs; he'd much rather serve as the second-in-command of a prestigious flagship than command his own tiny ship out in the middle of nowhere. Additionally, it's hinted that Riker wishes to become Captain of the ''Enterprise'', and feels that it would be easier to do so by advancing from first officer to captain, instead of getting shipped elsewhere and hoping he'd get transferred back.
** In "The Best of Both Worlds", his entire subplot revolves around him learning to accept having command of his own, which he eventually does... only to be [[StatusQuoIsGod right back in the first officer's seat in the next episode]] (and for another whole decade).[[note]]Out-of-universe, it was uncertain during the filming of part 1 of "The Best of Both Worlds" whether Patrick Stewart was going to renew his contract for the next season. Had he not returned, part 2 would have resulted in Picard's death and Riker becoming the captain of the ''Enterprise'' permanently. Whether Commander Shelby ([[TheStarscream who openly wanted to take the captain's chair from Riker]]) would have joined the cast, or Data would've been promoted in turn to be the new first officer, is less clear.[[/note]] He even sticks with Picard after the loss of the ''Enterprise''-D instead of taking the opportunity to request command. Eventually, he does decide to accept command of the ''Luna''-class USS ''Titan''.
* On ''Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine'', Major Kira starts out quite irate that the Federation placed one of their own people in charge after her people had spent decades fighting the Cardassians. She eventually turns around and becomes extremely loyal to Sisko.
** At the end of Season 6, Sisko leaves the station to do some soul-searching. Sometime before Season 7, Kira receives a promotion to Colonel and also receives command of Deep Space 9. Nevertheless, she refuses to accept Sisko's absence as permanent despite pressure from Admiral Ross, and returns to her previous role as soon as Sisko returns. It should, however, be noted that the station ''is'' supposed to be under Federation administration, and Kira is ''not'' a Starfleet officer, making Admiral Ross's desire to have her take over quite inexplicable.
* On ''Series/StarTrekVoyager'', Chakotay starts out as the captain of his own ([[DeathByOriginStory doomed]]) ship, making his reassignment to first officer of ''Voyager'' something of a demotion. Nevertheless, he immediately becomes one of Captain Janeway's strongest supporters, and even makes it clear to his Maquis that he doesn't want them even thinking about mutiny.

[[folder:Pro Wrestling]]
* During Wrestling/ChrisJericho's run as the inaugural [[Wrestling/AllEliteWrestling AEW]] World Champion, his Wrestling/InnerCircle associate [[Wrestling/JackSwagger Jake Hager]] showed no apparent interest in taking the belt from him, instead content with his position as the group's enforcer, only briefly pursuing the title when Jericho had already lost it to Wrestling/JonMoxley and was more focused on captaining a feud against Wrestling/TheElite.
* For much of Wrestling/{{Evolution}}'s run, Wrestling/RicFlair was content being the OlderSidekick to leader Wrestling/TripleH and mostly focused on keeping the group together so the championship remains on HHH's waist. HHH betraying Flair despite his UndyingLoyalty was notably the official end of the stable's (well, TagTeam by that point) original run.

* One sample [[PrestigeClass Entitlement]] in ''TabletopGame/ChangelingTheLost'' is ''Office of the Vizieral Counsel''. It's an advisory position to the Freehold's ruler that's LoyalToThePosition and be neutral from politics. In return, they are granted [[TheAgeless agelessness]] and [[SanityStrengthening better focus in resisting Derangements.]]

* The {{Trope Namer|s}} is Creon of Thebes, Son of Menoeceus and brother of Queen Jocasta, a character who appeared in several Ancient Greek Dramas. In Sophocles' ''Theatre/OedipusTheKing'', he defends himself against his brother-in-law Oedipus's accusations of treason by saying quite frankly that he's not interested in being king, finding it much more pleasant to be the one with the power and not the responsibility. However, he does become leader of Thebes in Sophocles' ''Theatre/{{Antigone}}'', and sure enough, doesn't do very well. The name "Creon" (Κρέων) is in itself an ironic subversion, since it means "ruler" in Classical Greek. Other Creons (such as Creon of Corinth in Euripides' Medea) tend to simply be straightforward in-charge types representing power, rulership and authority.

* In ''VideoGame/CrusaderKings'', any powerful direct vassal with the "Content" trait is likely to be this. The trait makes him much more fond of his liege, and thus far less likely to rebel or conspire. Players will often choose to take their vassals' heirs as wards, specifically to try and teach them to become Content - grooming the future generation to be nonthreatening to the liege's title.
* Alistair from ''VideoGame/DragonAgeOrigins''. First, he's the most senior Grey Warden still alive in Ferelden, and should by all rights be the one in command of your party - but instead leaves control to the PlayerCharacter and even actively avoids bringing up the issue altogether (''you'' can bring it up though). But much more than that, he doesn't even want to [[spoiler: inherit ''the kingdom'']] because leadership is not his thing; you have to talk him into it, if that's the route you want the game to take.

** In ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIIIMorrowind Morrowind]]'', Percius Mercius was formerly the Master of the Fighters Guild in Vvardenfell. However, Sjoring Hard-Heart took over and [[spoiler:is leading the Guild down a very dark path as TheMole for the [[TheSyndicate Camonna Tong]], to whom he owes a lot of money (implied to be a gambling debt)]]. Percius aids [[PlayerCharacter the Nerevarine]] in overthrowing Sjoring, at which point Percius is perfectly happy to let the Nerevarine run the show.

** Brynjolf from ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsVSkyrim Skyrim]]'' actually ''can'' be the Guildmaster of the Thieves Guild, but serves as Mercer Frey's, the current Guildmaster, right-hand man [[spoiler: and yours after you complete the Thieves Guild questline and become the new Guildmaster.]] He even outright tells the [[PlayerCharacter Last Dragonborn]] that he is not interested in being a leader and prefers supporting roles.
* ''VideoGame/EnsembleStars'': During the war, Keito was Eichi's right-hand man, his most trusted advisor and top enforcer. However, he did not join fine, the group they were working to empower - instead, he created a new unit Akatsuki which had the sole purpose of supporting fine, and was really an idol unit on paper only. When Akatsuki did start actually putting on performances, Keito as unit leader always held back so Akatsuki would never truly challenge fine. Eventually, due to becoming closer to the others in his unit (and in particular as a result of [[TheHeart Souma's positive influence]]) Akatsuki does become fully independent, but by that point the war is over and they are simply competing with one another honestly. All of this is because Keito never really wanted to be an idol initially - he was really passionate about being a manga artist, but followed Eichi into Yumenosaki out of UndyingLoyalty towards him. Similarly, Tsumugi (Eichi's left-hand man) ''was'' part of fine, but he never had any intention of challenging Eichi's authority; on the contrary, when he found out that Eichi had also thrown him under the bus as a scapegoat, his only response was to praise Eichi for such an intelligent move. (Eichi, who genuinely believed Tsumugi ''was'' using him for selfish purposes, was stunned.)

** In ''VideoGame/Fallout3'', Bob from the [[{{Egopolis}} Republic of Dave]] is Dave's son and second-in-command. When the [[PlayerCharacter Lone Wanderer]] tries to convince Bob that he should run for President of the Republic, he refuses saying that he's fine just where he is. However [[ImmediateSelfContradiction in the same conversation]] he also says that he does want to inherit the presidency ''naturally'' from Dave some day, but only in order to make himself the Republic's dictator.
** In ''Videogame/FalloutNewVegas'', Benny's right-hand man Swank is stated to be "reliable and unimaginative" by Mr. House (IE, he likes his cushy job and is afraid of getting on House's bad side) and if told that [[TheStarscream his boss is making moves against House]] will help the player out by letting them carry weapons in The Tops casino and allow you free access into Benny's personal penthouse to snoop around for clues. If Benny dies, he'll happily states that this make him the boss
** [[AffablyEvil Porter]] [[TokenEvilTeammate Gage]] from ''VideoGame/Fallout4: Nuka-World'' has no interest in becoming the Overboss of the [[WretchedHive Nuka-World]] [[BadassCrew Raiders]], fearing that he'd be in the crosshairs of any Raider [[KlingonPromotion with the slightest inklings of ambition]]. Instead, he's content to let the [[PlayerCharacter Sole Survivor]] take the role after they kill the previous Overboss, Colter, in [[YouKillItYouBoughtIt gladiatorial combat]], and use his experience of working with Raider gangs to help you get comfortable in your new position.
** [[OfficerAndAGentleman Preston]] [[NiceGuy Garvey]] also seems to be this in the base game. He controls a ''huge'' portion of the [[WeHelpTheHelpless Commonwealth Minutemen's]] remaining administrative duties, but gave away his ''actual'' position as leadership to you a few days after [[BigDamnHeroes you saved his life and that of his charges]]. Both Justified and Lampshaded, as Preston admits that while he's not fit to be [[AsskickingLeadsToLeadership General]], he knows that ''[[YouAreBetterThanYouThinkYouAre you]]'' are.

* ''VideoGame/HenryStickminSeries'': Comes into play after the ''Rapidly Promoted Executive'' ending, where Henry becomes leader of the Toppat Clan. [[spoiler: While Reginald starts off desiring to [[TheStarscream backstab Henry]], in two ''Completing the Mission'' routes, ''Toppat 4 Life'' and ''Toppat King'', he sees Henry put his life on the line for the clan and falls into this trope. He even lampshades it in the latter ending- when put in a situation to dispose of Henry with no witnesses, he refuses it and tells Henry that he's finally earned his respect.]]
* ''VideoGame/HyruleWarriorsAgeOfCalamity'' has Sooga, TheDragon to Master Kohga and second-in-command of the Yiga Clan. Master Kohga is a bit of a [[LaughablyEvil bumbling idiot]], and [[BrilliantButLazy would rather spend his time napping and eating bananas]] than threatening Hyrule, but Sooga remains completely loyal to him regardless, and [[spoiler: even sacrifices himself in order to let Kohga escape the Blights]]. The reason he is so loyal to Kohga is because [[spoiler: when he was a young boy, he was almost half-dead and starving when he encountered the Yiga Clan. [[PetTheDog Master Kohga gave him food and took him under his wing]], and thus Sooga is eternally grateful]].

'''Kohga:''' I can't split- you're my best lackey!\\

* Shintaro Kazama in ''VideoGame/{{Yakuza}}'' serves as the Clan Captain of the Tojo Clan after his success in claiming the Vacant Lot from his power hungry Patriarch Sohei Dojima while Masaru Sera is considered the proper chairman as Kazama believed in controlling the Clan from behind the scenes is a more effective way to carry out his agenda than being the actual leader. His influence is great enough that Kazama was allowed to name the successor to the Clan in case Sera dies.

* Thomas in '' Webcomic/BetweenFailures'' outright says on multiple occasions how managers of the store only have 6 months before being fired, and whereas he is the longest running employee and the guy controlling everything with minor recommendations behind the scenes. Not only that, but he was offered multiple promotions and has turned every single one down.
* Feneris The Grey from ''Webcomic/{{Evon}}'': He is the only member of [[NebulousEvilOrganisation The Cabal's]] inner circle (other than the BigBad himself, Sevarian The Powerful) comfortable in his position and isn't looking to usurp Sevarian and/or other Cabal members to elevate himself. In fact, he thinks Sevarian's obssession with the title character is a waste of time and resources.

* ''WesternAnimation/CountDuckula'': Igor spent likely centuries in the castle without a boss, but always chose to reincarnate the Count since he wanted him to be in charge and slaughter the peasants. That is why he is loyal to the title hero [[ToxicFriendInfluence despite the fact that he hates his friendly disposition and that he spends most of his time trying to make him like his previous masters.]]
* In ''WesternAnimation/ThePenguinsOfMadagascar'', Maurice serves King Julien [[ServileSnarker reluctantly]], but never even considers taking over -- even though he'd be much more capable. At least, except for that time he went mad because of eating (unknown to everyone at the time) spoiled lychee nuts.
* Donatello in ''Franchise/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles'' to his older brother, Leonardo. Being the smartest and most level headed of his brothers, he is instantly Leo's right hand man, giving mission intel and creating weapons for the team. Despite being the second youngest, he ranks over his other older brother, Raphael in the command structure due to Raph's quick temper and attitude.
* ''Franchise/{{Transformers}}'':
** Cyclonus is smart, strong, and sane enough to rule the Decepticons outright or as a power behind the throne, but instead dedicates his life to carrying out Galvatron's every whim. Which is very wise because he saw what Galvatron did to the {{Trope Namer|s}} of TheStarscream.
** On the Autobots' side, we have Optimus's second-in-command, Ultra Magnus. Strong, brave, respected, and honorable to a fault, he's naturally the dying Optimus Prime's first choice to succeed him as leader. Magnus accepts the post very reluctantly, feeling he isn't worthy--and sure enough, [[ThePeterPrinciple he actually doesn't do a very good job because he's too inflexible]]. Yet when Rodimus becomes leader, Magnus goes back to being second-in-command and excels at it.
** Soundwave from ''WesternAnimation/TransformersPrime''. Officially the communications officer of the Decepticons, he's unofficially Megatron's right-hand man and most reliable soldier, having been with him since the very beginning in the gladiator pits of Kaon. It's hinted that he's actually almost as strong as Megatron, but unlike [[TheStarscream Starscream]] he has no desire to usurp Megatron's position.
** His original namesake from G1 is similar, following either Starscream or Megatron, depending on who's got command at that time.
** In a bizarre twist, ''Prime's'' incarnation of [[spoiler: ''Starscream himself'' ends up as this in the back half of the series due to Megatron giving him more chances than he feels he deserved and saving his life from Dreadwing, to the point where he's ''legitimately'' devastated when Bumblebee kills him in the Season 3 finale. He's [[StatusQuoIsGod back to basics]] in [[WesternAnimation/{{TransformersRobotsInDisguise2015}} the follow up series]] however, [[MistreatmentInducedBetrayal out of anger at the revived Megatron disbanding the Decepticons and leaving him at the Predacons' mercy.]]]]
** As the natural MirrorUniverse inversion of [[TheStarscream his self-named trope]], the Starscream of ''ComicBook/TransformersShatteredGlass2021'' is an [[UndyingLoyalty unfalteringly loyal]] lieutenant to Megatron. After he went into SelfImposedExile, Starscream sought him out to retake command of the Decepticons because he believed that Megatron alone was equipped to lead them (something that [[HeroicSelfDeprecation Megatron himself was significantly less confident in]]).
* Shego of ''WesternAnimation/KimPossible'' is quite happy being the dragon to Draken, and the one time she does take over due to an alternate future version of herself she finds it too much of a bother and happily goes back to Draken.

The TropeNamer is Creon of Thebes from Sophocles' ''Theatre/OedipusRex'', who states quite frankly that he's not interested in being king, and finds it much more pleasant to be the one with the lesser power and not the responsibility.

** On [[PlanetBaron Olban]]'s end, there's Georiya, [[spoiler: who killed Richter's father and pinned the blame on the humans]]. He remains loyal to him even when he shouts abuse at him and demeans him.
-->'''Olban (talking about [[spoiler: Erika]])''': ''"Doing well, are you?"''
-->'''Georiya''': ''"Oh, yes! Thank you, my lord, since coming to Earth I haven't so much as caught a cold..."''
-->'''Olban''': ''"Shut up, you idiot. I haven't the slightest bit of interest in your health problems. I want to know about my flower."''

* Gekkei from ''Literature/TheTwelveKingdoms'' is a DoubleSubversion of this trope. Firstly, although he is initially portrayed as loyal to the king, he later leads a rebellion and kills him. The subversion is doubled because [[IDidWhatIHadToDo it was what he needed to do]], and once the revolution is successful he rejects the other officers' pleas for him to take the throne, and is even about to quit his charge after the incident. He then reconsiders and stays in charge - not because he wants to, but because if there's nobody in charge, the kingdom will fall (literally, since each kingdom is ruled by a FisherKing). He is just faithfully holding the throne for the next true ruler.

* Rebel leader John Kelly in ''Literature/{{Victoria}}''. A bright tactician and leadership talent who prefers not to lead, recognizing his fellow revolutionist Rumford's lesser experience but greater natural ability. He remains loyal to Rumford and the revolutionary cause throughout, and is happy to take less responsibility as Rumford matures into the leader role.
* The ''Literature/VorkosiganSaga'': Aral Vorkosigan. He does (reluctantly) take the top spot, as Regent of the Barrayaran Imperium, for sixteen years. He then hands off power to the young Emperor, right on schedule. (He does also accept a job as that Emperor's "right-hand man", faithfully serving him for many years more as Prime Minister.)

* ''Series/Babylon5'': Londo Mollari ''desperately'' wants to be this, and gives a near verbatim version of Creon's speech above to his aide Vir after turning down the role that would put him in the prime spot to be the next Emperor. Disingenuous as it may be (he knows that being Emperor will doom him and, for quite a while, his beloved Republic), he still fits the trope.
* Saul Tigh from ''Series/{{Battlestar Galactica|2003}}''. He is forced to take command of the fleet briefly [[spoiler: when Boomer shoots Adama]], but it doesn't go very well and he happily returns command to Adama.

** Mike Ehrmantraut is Gus Fring's NumberTwo and enforcer. He has no interest in running Gus' empire, preferring to quietly do his job and get paid so he can [[EvenEvilHasLovedOnes take his granddaughter to the zoo]]. So, he's justifiably pissed when [[spoiler: Walter assassinates Gus over a petty dispute between them, throwing the whole operation into chaos and necessitating that Mike take on more administrative responsibilities]].
-->'''Mike:''' We had a good thing, you stupid son of a bitch! [[spoiler: We had Fring]], we had a lab, we had everything we needed, and it all ran like clockwork! You could have shut your mouth, cooked, and made as much money as you ever needed! It was perfect! But no! You just had to blow it up! You, and your pride and your ego! You just had to be the man! If you'd done your job, known your place, we'd all be fine right now!
** Despite Gus asking him to learn everything he can about Walter's cook so he can replace the man Gus fears is an unstable loose cannon, Jesse Pinkman remains loyal to Walter, to the point where Gus acknowledges that if he has Walter killed, he'll lose Jesse. [[spoiler: Jesse eventually grows to hate Walt's guts, but by that time, he's not involved with the enterprise anymore]].

* The TropeNamer is Creon of Thebes, Son of Menoeceus and brother of Queen Jocasta, a character who appeared in several Ancient Greek Dramas. In Sophocles' ''Theatre/OedipusRex'' he defends himself against his brother-in-law Oedipus's accusations of treason by saying quite frankly that he's not interested in being king, finding it much more pleasant to be the one with the power and not the responsibility. However he does become leader of Thebes in Sophocles' ''Theatre/{{Antigone}}'', and sure enough, doesn't do very well. The name "Creon" (Κρέων) is in itself an ironic subversion, since it means "ruler" in Classical Greek. Other Creons (such as Creon of Corinth in Euripides' Medea) tend to simply be straightforward in-charge types representing power, rulership and authority.
--> '''Creon:''' Would any mortal choose a troubled reign of terrors rather than secure repose, if the same power were given him? As for me, I have no natural craving for the name of king, preferring to do kingly deeds; and so thinks every sober-minded man. Now all my needs are satisfied through thee, and I have naught to fear; but were I king, my acts would oft run counter to my will. How could a title then have charms for me above the sweets of boundless influence? I am not so infatuate as to grasp the shadow when I hold the substance fast. Now all men cry me 'Godspeed!', wish me well, and every suitor seeks to gain my ear if he would hope to win a grace from thee. Why should I leave the better, choose the worse? That were sheer madness, and I am not mad. No such ambition ever tempted me, nor would I have a share in such intrigue.

* ''VideoGame/{{Fallout}}'':

** Cyclonus is smart, strong, and sane enough to rule the Decepticons outright or as a power behind the throne, but instead dedicates his life to carrying out Galvatron's every whim. Which is very wise because he saw what Galvatron did to the TropeNamer of TheStarscream.

* John Geary, commander of ''Literature/TheLostFleet'', has this attitude towards the government of TheAlliance. He's a good fleet commander and leader of men but he has neither the talent nor the patience for politics and takes his oath of service ''very'' seriously.

* ''Fanfic/CheatingDeathThoseThatLived'': Bronze Marley has no official position in the Capitol hierarchy and, as a district-born citizen, is ineligible for the presidency, but he is President Snow's closest and longest-lasting advisor and has no greater ambition than to wallow in luxuries whenever Snow doesn't need him. It's likely that Bronze's district citizenship and lack of an official title are the reasons for this stability: he and Snow both know that Bronze couldn't threaten to supplant Snow even if he wanted more power (and the cumbersome responsibility that comes with it).

--> '''Rys''': Father was Master of Coin, King's Hand, and then [[BurnedAlive King's candlestick]] in turn. A remarkable rise, that I alas, lack the ambition to repeat. Make me your Master of Coin, Your Grace, and if I please you, keep me there, and if I do not, send me back to my home and forget about me.

%%(ZCE)* ''Franchise/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles'': Donatello to his older brother, Leonardo.