History Main / TheCreon

* On ''[[Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine Deep Space Nine]]'', 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/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine Deep Space Nine]]'', 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.

* Monkey D. Garp in ''Manga/OnePiece'' has remained a Vice Admiral in the Marines for decades. He has been offered a promotion to a full Admiral more than once but has always turned it down, the idea being that as an Admiral, he'll have to spend most of his time stuck in an office doing administrative work and tend to the World Nobel's, the settings biggest villains, whereas if he remains a Vice Admiral, he can travel around where he wants and only has to answer to people who are on better terms with him than said Nobel's.

* In ''Film/TheAmericanPresident'', White House chief of staff A.J. implies he is one when President Shepherd angrily demands to know why throughout his political career, A.J. has never sought office and has always been one step behind him, content to work as a loyal advisor. As A.J. puts it:
-->'''A.J.:''' Because if I wasn't, you'd be the most popular history teacher at the University of Wisconsin.
* In ''Film/DeathRing'', EgomaniacHunter Danton Vachs has the slavishly loyal, hyper-competent DragonLady Ms. Ling as his second-in-command.

* ''Literature/DiaryOfAWimpyKid'' provides a non-leadership example. Though Greg fantasizes about being famous for a good portion of the series, at the beginning of ''Diper Overlode'' he decides he'd rather be friends or family with a celebrity so he can enjoy the benefits of their fortune without dealing with [[CelebrityIsOverrated the burdens of fame.]] As such, he spends most of the book trying to help Rodrick with his plans to make his band Loded Diper famous, usually to disastrous results.
* 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.
* 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.

* ''Literature/ASongOfIceAndFire'':
** 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.]]
** The mighty Tywin Lannister himself is this to King Joffrey and later king Tommen. He even chides Tyrion for calling Joffrey "the most powerful man in Westeros". It's clear that Tywin effectively rules Westeros at this time, but does so on behalf of his grandson(s), i.e. his personal dynasty.
** Similarly Eddard Stark was quite content to be Lord of Winterfell and rule the North, he never expected this position due to being a second son. When his best friend King Robert asks him to be Hand of the King he is reluctant, and only sees his position as adviser to the King, not realizing that under a lazy and incompetent king like Robert he effectively runs the Seven Kingdoms. Sadly his lack of knowledge on this and his lack of political experience, along with the corruption in King's Landing, leads to his arrest [[spoiler:and execution]] for trying to stop Queen Cersei's family usurping the throne [[spoiler:after Robert's death.]]
** Barristan Selmy, the former Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, never sought any great political influence and considered doing so the worst thing any Lord Commander could do. After this, he serves as an advisor to Queen Daenerys Targaryen, and only very reluctantly agrees to act on her behalf when she goes missing.
** in the prequel stories, Grand Maester Munkun becomes Hand of the King after Thaddeus Rowan resigns, but feels unfit to pass judgment over lords and knights due to his vows of service. He resigns as soon as he can.
* 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.
* Marshall Roque Alva in ''Literature/ReflectionsOfEterna'' is the main reason the Ollar dynasty still keeps their throne, but he is perfectly fine with just being the first among their generals, actively resists all attempts to put the crown on his head, and will risk his life and honor to protect his sovereign, the current Ollar king. Whether he knows that [[spoiler:he is a Rakan (i.e. a descendant of the previous imperial dynasty) by blood and the designated successor to the throne (by the will of the first Ollar king) in case the Ollar line ends]] is left ambiguous.

* 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.
* 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.
* 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.)
-->'''The dying Emperor Ezar:''' ''[[[ThanatosGambit when offering Aral Vorkosigan the job of Regent]]]'' And you are the one man — the only man on that list[[note]]of men whom Emperor Ezar claims have "a better right by blood and law to the Imperium of Barrayar than mine"; according to Ezar, Aral Vorkosigan is at the very head of that list[[/note]] who I am absolutely certain, by [[DeathOfAThousandCuts the scattered remains of Yuri Vorbarra]], ''truly'' does not wish to be Emperor.\\
'''Aral's son, Miles:''' ''[musing to himself about his dad]'' Admiral Aral Vorkosigan, space master strategist, conqueror of Komarr, hero of Escobar, for sixteen years Imperial Regent and supreme power on Barrayar in all but name. And then he'd capped it, confounded history and all self-sure witnesses and heaped up honor and glory beyond all that had gone before by voluntarily stepping ''down'' and transferring command smoothly to Emperor Gregor upon his majority. Not that the Prime Ministership hadn't made a dandy retirement from the Regency, and he was showing no signs yet of stepping down from ''that''.[[note]]He would eventually step down after suffering a heart attack, "retiring" to a "mere" Viceroyalty, and would continue to hold that post until his death from a stroke.[[/note]]
* ''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]].
* 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.
* In Creator/PaoloBacigalupi and Creator/TobiasBuckell's ''The Tangled Lands'', Magister Scacz is the jealous last great Magister in the world. He can create a palace in the sky and roast armies with flames out of nowhere. He's addicted to using magic and cares little for day-to-day management of the city of Khaim. However he's happy to leave governance to the Mayor, a murderous and greedy man who won't use magic himself. Scacz is just as evil and likes the Mayor because of those traits. So long as the Mayor keeps purging the city of anyone who tries to use magic, Scacz will loyally do the Mayor's bidding.

* ''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.

* 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.
* 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).
* [[TheConsigliere Silvio]] in ''Series/TheSopranos'', in his own words, always pictured himself as a behind-the-scenes advisor and, though his wife urges him to consider the possibility of taking over, very much does not enjoy his reluctant role as regent while Tony recovers from his gunshot wound.

* This type of [[TheDragon Dragon]] outnumbers most others in ''Franchise/PowerRangers''; notable mentions:
** Goldar from ''Series/MightyMorphinPowerRangers'', whilst not 100% behind Rita Repulsa (except for the first season) is undoubtedly loyal to Lord Zedd.
** Ecliptor from ''Series/PowerRangersInSpace'' stands out because he reared Astromena, and yet serves ''her'' for the forces of evil.
* ''Series/HouseOfCardsUS'' has Frank Underwood's vice-president Donald Blythe. After Lucas Goodwin's assassination attempt puts Frank in the hospital, Blythe becomes Acting President under the TwentyFifthAmendment. He shows surprising mettle during his time as acting president (with help behind the scenes by Claire, of course), but has no interest in leading, and is happy to relinquish power when Frank returns.
* 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.
* ''Series/TrueBlood'' has Eric Northman, who is much older and stronger than the queen of Louisiana, but chooses to serve under her instead.
* ''Series/DeusSalveORei'': Prince Rodolfo is an UpperClassTwit with no interest in gaining power because he'd have a [[TheChainsOfCommanding responsibility to the realm]] and prefers spending his time [[TheHedonist partying, drinking and bedding girls instead]]. He is quite scared about the possibility of being king when his [[TheWisePrince older brother Afonso]] is presumed dead since he [[SelfDeprecation he is aware]] that he would have been a SketchySuccessor.
* ''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.
* ''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.

* 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.]]

* ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII'':
** Cid. While he's older than Cloud, far more learned than Cloud (e.g. a science education and an accomplished pilot as compared to Cloud's InformedAbility) and arguably shouldn't have given Cloud leadership back after Cloud's incident... decided to do so anyway because being TheLeader wasn't his thing.
** Barret eventually becomes this. He's originally the leader of AVALANCHE and gives the orders to Cloud in the game's first act. However, by the time of Cloud's incident, he states that he thought he should be the leader, but realises that he isn't cut out for it.

* 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.
* F.A.N.G. in ''VideoGame/StreetFighterV'' has an obsession with the number 2 and is proud of his position as Shadoloo's second-in-command.

* Sanada Yukimira of ''VideoGame/SengokuBasara'' has all the personal ambition of a rock, having no desire to ever lead the Takeda faction because he finds being Shingen's second in command fulfilling enough. Shingen frequently [[DopeSlap tries knocking this trait out of him]] so he'll be a suitable replacement when he's gone.
* Central Officer Bradford from ''VideoGame/XCOMEnemyUnknown'' is the loyal second-in-command to XCOM's mysterious [[NonEntityGeneral Commander]]. His chance to take over comes when, canonically, XCOM's HQ falls to the aliens early in the invasion, setting up the AlternateTimeline that you play in ''VideoGame/XCOM2''. With the Commander MIA and XCOM reduced to a scattered guerilla resistance movement, Bradford assumes command to keep on fighting the aliens, but the moment the Commander is finally located twenty years later, he personally leads the rescue mission, then immediately steps down again to resume his old duties. It's never explicitly mentioned that Bradford doesn't want to lead, but it's clear that everyone including himself knows that the position of NumberTwo is where his true strengths lie, and he's totally okay with that.
* ''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.)
* ''VideoGame/MadMax'' has Stank Gum, a particularly depraved example of this trope and second in command to the BigBad, Scabrous Scrotus. He has no aspirations to greater power - as long as he gets to [[GenuineHumanHide peel his victims]] like bananas and make accessories out of them, he's perfectly fine with his place in the post-apocalyptic world.
* ''VideoGame/SixAges'' has the sun god Elmal, who sort of got the role by default after [[GodIsDead his father's death]]. At first he was just protecting Yelm's empire from being splintered by various selfish usurpers, but after a while he realized Yelm wasn't coming back. [[JustSoStory This is why]] Elmal's people, the Riders, live in many tribes instead of one big city like they used to. Their ''true'' king is gone, so everyone can live wherever they want and however they want; Elmal only guides them from a distance. [[EndOfAnEra They are free.]]
* In ''VideoGame/AssassinsCreedIII'', the Aquila's First Mate Robert Faulkner is explicitly described in his bio as having adamantly refused to ever command the ship, despite being more than qualified to do so.
* 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.

* Executive Archer in ''VideoGame/PokemonGoldAndSilver'' is the effective leader of Team Rocket after [[TheDon Giovanni]] went into hiding. However, he is absolutely loyal to his former boss, to the point that his grand plan to hijack a radio tower is so that he can use it to broadcast a plea for Giovanni to return and lead them once more.

* 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.
* ''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.]]

* ''Franchise/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles'': Donatello to his older brother, Leonardo.

** 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 ''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 a KlingonPromotion is quite common. Mirror!Spock taking over at the end actually causes a ''major'' shift which reverbrates 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 if Data would've been promoted in turn 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''.

* 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.
* 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).

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

** [[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 [[AsskickingEqualsAuthority General]], he knows that ''[[YouAreBetterThanYouThinkYouAre you]]'' are.

** 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 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.]]]]

** 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 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.]]

* In ''Literature/APracticalGuideToEvil'' the Black Knight, Amadeus, took controll 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 truely terrifying and effective duo.

* ''VideoGame/MadMax'' has Stank Gum, a particularly depraved example of this trope and second in command the the BigBad, Scabrous Scrotus. He has no aspirations to greater power - as long as he gets to [[GenuineHumanHide peel his victims]] like bananas and make accessories out of them, he's perfectly fine with his place in the post-apocalyptic world.

--> '''Cromwell:''' My first name is Thomas, for Christake, not [[UsefulNotes/OliverCromwell Oliver.]]

This trope is the opposite of TheStarscream, who spends almost all his time scheming to get rid of his superior and assume the top spot. The Creon may be TheConsigliere, TheGoodChancellor, a SarcasticDevotee, a reliable DragonInChief or even a PoisonousFriend - there are many options.

* ''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 [[PoisonousFriend 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.]]

Creons can be of any morality or personality. Their motivations may be completely selfish. On occasion, a Creon will be 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.

[[folder:Films]]

* Donatello in ''WesternAnimation/{{TMNT}}''. After Leonardo's departure, Splinter makes Donatello the team's leader, much to the engagement of Raphael.

* 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).

* ''Franchise/StarTrek'':
** 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 if Data would've been promoted in turn be the new first officer is less clear. What's even more unclear is ''why'' (which Stewart did renew his contract and thus Picard survived the cliffhanger) Riker reverted to the rank of Commander. Riker was ''not'' an "Acting Captain" in Picard's absence (he'd been given a proper promotion to the rank by Admiral Hanson), and as seen below with Kirk and Spock there's no rule in Starfleet against a ship's commanding officer and first officer both holding the rank of Captain.[[/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''.
** ''Series/StarTrekTheOriginalSeries'':
*** Before Riker, Spock was this. He did become Captain of the ''Enterprise'' at the start of ''Film/StarTrekIITheWrathOfKhan'', but relinquished command as smoothly as [[HalfHumanHybrid half]]-humanly possible -- and not just because Kirk outranks him either. At the end of ''Film/StarTrekIVTheVoyageHome'', Kirk is demoted from Admiral to Captain on account of having disobeyed orders ''Film/StarTrekIIIITheSearchForSpock'', meaning that he and Spock now hold the same rank yet Spock is still Kirk's first officer. Nor were they the only captains (by rank) on the ''Enterprise''-A; Chief Engineer Montgomery "Scotty" Scott and (briefly) Helmsman Hikaru Sulu (before transferred to command of the new starship ''Excelsior'') were also captains. 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 "Mirror, Mirror", alternate Spock is this too: claiming to have no desire for the Captaincy, for the same reasons as the original Creon did. Plus he minimizes his profile in a society where a KlingonPromotion is often very common.
** In ''[[Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine Deep Space Nine]]'', 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, and not just because he's the MessianicArchetype of her religion.
** In ''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.

* ''Literature/TheVorkosiganSaga'': 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.)

* ''Literature/HarryPotter'': Horace Slughorn is described by Dumbledore as never having wanted power for himself (despite being a Slytherin), instead enjoying his influence on former students who still send him thank-you gifts for using his connections to get ahead in life. Harry has a vivid image of a spider twitching a leg here and there to bring a fly closer.

* Unlike Bruce's other children, [[ComicBook/RobinSeries Tim Drake]] does not want to become ComicBook/{{Batman}} or replace Bruce's position in Gotham whatsoever,[[note]]Dick is offended when Bruce considers others to take the mantle without first talking to him when Bruce has to temporarily set it aside, Jason thinks Bruce's methods are ineffective and he needs to be replaced, Cass wants to be the next Batman, Damian thinks Batman is his birthright[[/note]] instead preferring to work as Batman'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.

* Donatello in ''Franchise/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles'' to his older brother, Leonardo.

* The TropeNamer is Creon of Thebes, Son of Menoeceus, a character who appeared in several Ancient Greek Dramas. In Sophocles' ''Theatre/OedipusRex'' he defends himself against 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.