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6[[quoteright:175:[[Webcomic/{{Oglaf}} https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/oglaf_turnip.png]]]]
7
8->'''Bart:''' Work here is done. I'm needed elsewhere now. I'm needed wherever outlaws rule the West, wherever innocent women and children are afraid to walk the streets, wherever a man cannot live in simple dignity, wherever a people cry out for justice!\
9'''Crowd:''' ''[in unison]'' Bullshit!\
10'''Bart:''' ...all right, you caught me. Speaking the plain truth, it's getting pretty damn dull around here.
11-->-- ''Film/BlazingSaddles''
12
13AKA "Mary Poppins Syndrome". An easy way to add anywhere from a twinge of sentimentality to a whole extra TearJerker scene to the end of your movie: after helping out and saving the day, TheDrifter character must leave forever. It's used a lot in solo series of many an EnsembleDarkHorse, as their adventures alone can't keep them in the small town forever; they have to plausibly be able to get back to the team.
14
15Excuses for why they need to leave are varied. Perhaps once their job is done, they are no longer needed and must set off for a new job, as with the KnightErrant, or fulfill their longstanding promise to return to their distant home. Perhaps they are bound by a supernatural curse or spell that states they can only come back every X years or they can only stay for X days. Maybe they're really some kind of {{Fantastic Sapient Species|Tropes}} or godlike being, unable to settle down in this world and enjoy human comforts. Maybe they're just a traveler and can't deny [[WalkingTheEarth the call of the open road or the cry of the sea]]. Maybe [[InHarmsWay they seek further adventure and danger]] or maybe they see civilised society as having [[NoPlaceForMeThere no place for rough men like them]]. Maybe they're a DestructiveSaviour whose continuing presence could do just as much harm as the threat they helped neutralize. Maybe they must AscendToAHigherPlaneOfExistence. Maybe they are starting or completing the JourneyToFindOneself. Maybe they want their heroism to remain ShroudedInMyth. Maybe the final cut is missing some scene that could explain this.
16
17It doesn't count if the character was already dying for some understandable reason, has some kind of good, understandable, plot-related reason to leave, or goes off to a HeroicSacrifice. This is when the character has become loved and respected by other characters and has to leave for no other reason than "he must".
18
19This tends to happen a lot in {{Yuri}} anime, especially if the lovers in question don't end up [[PsychoLesbian crazy]] or [[BuryYourGays dead]].
20
21Compare RidingIntoTheSunset, OffIntoTheDistanceEnding, SaveTheDayTurnAway, NoPlaceForMeThere, WalkingTheEarth. Also see IChooseToStay, which is the polar opposite. [[JustForFun/IThoughtItMeant Not to be confused]] with PottyEmergency.
22
23'''As an ending trope, expect SPOILERS.'''
24----
25!!Example subpages
26[[index]]
27* [[ButNowIMustGo/AnimeAndManga Anime & Manga]]
28* ButNowIMustGo/VideoGames
29[[/index]]
30!!Other examples:
31[[foldercontrol]]
32[[folder:Advertising]]
33* A Verizon cellular phone commercial has a biker getting ready to leave and telling his lady love that she can't come with him because he rides solo... and then she asks about the crowd behind him. "Well, except for my Network."
34* In [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFDqvKtPgZo the original final video]] of Old Spice's Advertising/TheManYourManCouldSmellLike video series, the Old Spice man gives a fond farewell to his viewers:
35-->'''Old Spice Man:''' Well, friends, like all great things, this, too, must end. There's giant oaks that need chainsawing into yacht boats, Bermuda Triangle mysteries that need solving with huge magnifying glasses, and everyone knows I could use one or twelve medals for winning exotic car-drawing competitions. I must ride my jet-ski lion into the sunset. I know a lot of you have written me and commented on my works, but I am just one ridiculously handsome man. I can't write to everyone, but please know that I consider you my dearest and closest Internet friends. I'll never forget this time we've spent together. I love you, always. [[spoiler:SILVERFISH HAND-CATCH!]]
36[[/folder]]
37
38[[folder:Comic Books]]
39* ''ComicBook/{{Batman}}'': ''ComicBook/BatmanInDarkestKnight'' ends with Bruce Wayne flying into space to go after Sinestro, Star Sapphire and Binary Star while leaving the newest Green Lantern recruits Superman, Hippolyta and Flash with the responsibility of defending Earth in his absence.
40* ''ComicBook/LuckyLuke'': Lucky Luke rides off singing into the sunset after every adventure.
41* ''ComicBook/NewAvengers'': Fongji, the Iron Phoenix, just disappeared after she merged with the Phoenix Force.
42* ''ComicBook/StarLord'': A concept was that it was a disguised training manual to allow humans to survive the imminent [[AlienInvasion invasion]] by the [[TheEmpire Interstellar Federation]], and was published and edited by a benevolent being named the Starlord. In the last issue before ''Starlord'' merged with ''ComicBook/TwoThousandAD'', the Starlord said he had trained humanity so well that the Federation was too scared to invade Earth, and so he was leaving to help other planets.
43* ''ComicBook/{{Superman}}'':
44** ''ComicBook/LetMyPeopleGrow'': When Superman and ComicBook/{{Supergirl}} finally succeed in enlarging the Bottle City of Kandor, the Kandorians choose to live on a Theatre/{{Brigadoon}}-style planet called Rokyn, which phases in and out of the universe at lengthy intervals.
45** ''ComicBook/{{Crucible}}'': After succeeding in saving the titular interplanetary superhero academy, Supergirl is offered a job as a Preceptor, but Kara politely declines the offer and returns to Earth where she's starting a new a life and her help is very needed.
46** ''ComicBook/ManyHappyReturns'': After failing to save Kara, Linda retires from heroing and leaves her hometown forever.
47** ''ComicBook/TheImmortalSuperman'': After saving Metropolis in the year 121,970 Superman finds he has no reason to stay in that era, so he jumps back into the timestream.
48** ''ComicBook/TheAmazingStoryOfSupermanRedAndSupermanBlue'': After eradicating crime across the world and restoring Krypton, Superman Red, Lois and Supergirl move to New Krypton. Superman Blue stays on Earth, but he retires.
49** In ''ComicBook/Supergirl1984'', after defeating the witch Selene and restoring Midvale to normal, Supergirl says goodbye to the people she met and flies back to her hometown.
50** ''ComicBook/TheDominatorWar'':
51*** At the end, Cosmic Boy is visited by the Tempus Knights, a super-team hailing from the 41st century, who offer him membership. Cosmic Boy takes up their offer, goes away with them and is not seen again.
52*** It is mentioned during the final sequence that Supergirl is again looking for a way to go back to the 21st century after the war.
53** Crossover ''ComicBook/FromEterniaWithDeath'' ends with Superman admitting that, although he is happy to have helped to vanquish Skeletor, he does not yet understand a lot of what happened (including his arrival on Eternia). He-Man is willing to explain everything, but Superman has noticed another dimensional warp which can take him back to Earth, so he says goodbye and hurries into the rift before it disappears.
54** ''ComicBook/LegionOfSuperHeroesBugsBunnySpecial'': After helping the Legion defeat Validus, disable Computo 2 and cure Supergirl, Bugs Bunny returns to his century and his carrot garden.
55* ''ComicBook/UltimateXMen'': After defeating Apocalypse, Jean Grey took off into the outer space. She returned in the next issue, as it was revealed that was causing problems in the galaxy during her journeys.
56* ''ComicBook/XMen'': After the events of ''ComicBook/{{Fatal Attractions|MarvelComics}}'', Wolverine decides to leave the X-Men temporarily as he tries to figure out what to do while his body mends.
57[[/folder]]
58
59[[folder:Fairy Tales]]
60* "Literature/{{Reygoch}}": After saving the valley's children from a flood, the giant Reygoch immediately rushes back to Frosten, determined to never leave his beloved, lonely -and thankfully quiet- city ever again.
61[[/folder]]
62
63[[folder:Fan Works]]
64* [[Fanfic/AbraxasHrodvitnon AbraxasVerse]]: The Timeline reveals that within a year following the main story's events, [[Characters/AbraxasHrodvitnonTitansAndOtherCreatures Godzilla]], who's been active for nearly two years and forced to fight for the fate of the world twice in that time, seeks out a new lair and goes into dormancy until his global territory needs him to maintain the balance again.
65* The ''Fanfic/PonyPOVSeries'' uses this at the end of the [[BadFuture Dark World Series]] -- Twilight, having worked hard with her friends to [[EarnYourHappyEnding earn their happy endings]] and succeeded, [[spoiler: becoming the [[AnthropomorphicPersonification Alicorn]] of {{Happy Ending}}s in the process]], accepts that she now has a duty to help as many beings everywhere earn their happy endings as well, and tearfully says goodbye to her friends (with [[AscendedFanboy Apple Pie]] admitting that while she doesn't like it, this is how it has to be).
66* ''Fanfic/TheGodEmpressOfPonykind'': After turning back the forces of Chaos in the Siege of Terra, [[TabletopGame/Warhammer40000 The Emperor]] leaves the Imperium [[YouAreInCommandNow in the hands of the surviving Astartes and Imperial commanders]] before ascending into the Warp to fight the Gods of Chaos, beginning the path that would lead Him to [[ForcedTransformation becoming]] [[WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic Princess Celestia]].
67* ''Fanfic/TheUltimateEvil'':
68** After the last Demon Portal is closed, [[HunterOfMonsters Nataline]] parts ways with the J-Team to continue hunting monsters elsewhere. However, she makes it clear that if they ever need help with demons again, she'll be more than happy to help.
69** The story ends with Valerie leaving Uncle's Rare Finds to catch up with her mother in Toronto and sort out her mixed feelings about everything that's happened, promising to return (which she does in the beginning of the sequel).
70* ''Fanfic/TheVow'': In the epilogue, [[spoiler:[[SparedByTheAdaptation Zhan the Wolf Boss]]]] leaves China and takes [[spoiler:his pack]] with him in order to find for all of them a new life somewhere in the West, free from the [[FantasticRacism impressions]] of China's people that have been worsened due to their actions under Lord Shen. [[NinjaMaid Jade]] accompanies them out of love towards [[spoiler:Zhan]].
71* ''Fanfic/ChildrenOfAnElderGod'': After the War, Shinji and Asuka leave their remaining friends. Misato and their friends ask them if they really have to go, and Shinji and Asuka reiterate that they can't stay because they don't belong among humans anymore. Subverted because [[spoiler:Misato and their friends followed them a while later and they were together again.]]
72* In ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer''/''ComicBook/{{Supergirl}}'' crossover ''Fanfic/TheVampireOfSteel'', Supergirl must leave Sunnydale after the team manages to defeat Zol-Am. Kara doesn't want to go but Buffy warns her the Powers That Be might hurt her if she stays, and asks her Kryptonian friend to trust her to handle Sunnydale.
73* In the ''Series/{{House}}'' fanfic "Invasion of the Cuddy Snatchers" the homeless man who thinks he's Batman [[spoiler: and may actually be Batman!]] says this to Foreman.
74* ''Fanfic/ThePiecesLieWhereTheyFell'': Variant at the end of the fourth arc, in which it's the ''main characters'' effectively saying this [[spoiler:to the characters from Canterlot High]] before returning to their native dimension, and the story continuing their adventures from there.
75* Subverted and Defied in ''WebVideo/VisionOfEscaflowneAbridged,'' in an ending that's widely considered better because it ''doesn't'' involve this trope. [[spoiler:And unlike the MaybeEverAfter of canon, in the abridged ending, [[RelationshipUpgrade they get together]].]] When Hitomi tells Van she can't stay forever since she has a family, friends, and life back on earth...
76-->'''Van:''' Oh, well... [[IWantMyBelovedToBeHappy I understand...]]\
77'''Hitomi:''' Oh, don't take it like that. We can see each other any time we want.\
78'''Van:''' Well, yeah, but you mean in that lame, symbolic, "I'll see your face whenever I close my eyes" way, right?\
79'''Hitomi:''' What? No! What kind of a [[TakeThat weak, cop-out ending]] would that be? I mean, I have a magic "instant teleport anywhere" pendant, and since Gaea runs on NarniaTime, if you play your cards right, I can be Queen of Fanelia during passing period and never be late for math.
80* ''Fanfic/FireDarkMark'': After the conflict is over, Thor, his wife Sif and their Asgardian companions return to Asgard permanently.
81* ''Fanfic/InfinityTrainKnightOfTheOrangeLily'' opens this way, as Gladion decides to tackle the Grand Trials in order to become stronger. He also has no intention of letting anyone know what he's doing; Ash and Lillie only find out because they catch him out on the beach before he goes. The confrontation that follows triggers the {{Crossover}} element of the work, as he finds himself pulled onto the Train instead.
82* At the end of ''Fanfic/TheDayAfterYouSavedTheMultiverse'', ComicBook/{{Superboy}} has rescued his parents from a Mafia Boss, but he realizes that his presence is putting them and his girlfriend in danger, so he leaves a goodbye note and takes off for parts unknown.
83* ''Fanfic/GuardiansWizardsAndKungFuFighters'': After waking from his [[DemonicPossession Oni Mask]]-induced coma, [[spoiler: Aldarn]] leaves the Rebellion to [[WalkingTheEarth wander Meridian]] in order to try and learn to let go of his hatred for the nobles that [[HeWhoFightsMonsters consumed him]].
84* The first installment of the ''Star Wars: The Clone Wars'' fanfic ''Fanfic/ByTheSea'' ends with Cody reluctantly leaving Obi-Wan behind to [[spoiler:return to the war that nearly claimed his life and fight alongside his people]]. Cody begs Obi-Wan, with everything he has, to stay and wait for his return so that they can get married.
85* ''Fanfic/SkylandersAcademyNewHorizon'' ends with Cyrus leaving to try and find his and Spyro's parents, feeling that they're the only ones who'll be able to forgive for the actions he committed while he was the TykeBomb of Omen, and offers to let Spyro come with him. Spyro rejects the offer saying that he has his duties as a Skylander, with Cyrus admitting he figured such would be the case, though Spyro tells Cyrus that he'll be waiting for him if ever decides to come back.
86[[/folder]]
87
88[[folder:Film — Animated]]
89* ''WesternAnimation/AllDogsGoToHeaven'': Charlie leaves Anne-Marie for Heaven, despite saying that goodbyes aren't forever.
90* ''WesternAnimation/{{Cars 2}}'': Lightning [=McQueen=] leaves Sally to go with Mater in the World Grand Prix.
91* ''WesternAnimation/HowToTrainYourDragonTheHiddenWorld'' [[spoiler:The dragons leave to stay in the hidden world.]] The film leaves the possibility of [[spoiler: them coming back]] without definitely saying they will, by having [[spoiler: Toothless reunite with Hiccup years later,]] but it's unknown if this was just a temporary reunion or not.
92* ''WesternAnimation/TheJetsonsMeetTheFlintstones'': In this crossover film, Creator/HannaBarbera's two well-known families meet each other in the past after Elroy Jetson invents a time machine. They switch places (The Flintstones as well as the Rubbles go to the future where Fred and Barney work for Mr. Spacely while George works for Mr. Slate). Also in the past, Judy falls in love with a "stone-ager" named Iggy. At the end of the film, The families return to their respective time periods. Judy is crushed to leave behind Iggy but is consoled when she meets [[DoppelgangerReplacementLoveInterest his descendant in the future]].
93* ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeagueCrisisOnTwoEarths''. Rose Wilson asks the Martian Manhunter to stay, but he's promised to protect our Earth. Wonder Woman tries to comfort him by pointing out there's likely another Rose Wilson on their Earth, but the Martian Manhunter gripes that [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rose_Wilson she's probably evil]].
94* ''WesternAnimation/{{Pocahontas}}'' -- John Smith must return to England and leave Pocahontas's side.
95* In ''WesternAnimation/PoohsGrandAdventure'', Christopher Robin has to go to school, starting the end of his childhood. As he puts it himself, he's not "going to do just nothing anymore". This also leads to a ''BittersweetEnding''.
96* ''WesternAnimation/RalphBreaksTheInternet'' [[spoiler: Vanellope decides to stay in Slaughter Race, but she and Ralph keep in touch.]]
97* In ''Animation/TheReturnOfHanuman'', Maruti must leave the village and AscendToAHigherPlaneOfExistence after turning into Hindu God Hanuman [[spoiler:and saving the village from the volcano monster]]. [[spoiler:He did seem to came back in the series adaptation though.]]
98* ''WesternAnimation/TheSecretOfNIMH'': In the first movie, Justin & the rats leave Mrs. Brisby for Thorn Valley. In the sequel, Timmy leaves his family behind to fulfill an off-screen prophecy in the valley.
99* ''WesternAnimation/ScoobyDooAndTheCyberChase'': The gang leaves their clones for the real world.
100* ''WesternAnimation/TheSwordInTheStone'': Merlin blasts away to Bermuda after a falling out between him and Wart about becoming a squire instead being "able to amount to something" with knowledge. [[spoiler: Merlin returns after Wart/Arthur became king after pulling the sword from the stone at the end of the film.]]
101-->'''Wart:''' Where did he go?\
102'''Archimedes:''' To Bermuda, I suppose.\
103'''Wart:''' Where's that?\
104'''Archimedes:''' Oh, an island way off somewhere that hasn't been discovered yet.\
105'''Wart:''' Will he ever come back?\
106'''Archimedes:''' Who knows? Who knows anything?
107* ''WesternAnimation/ToyStory4:'' [[spoiler: Woody decides to stay with Bo Peep and says goodbye to the others.]]
108[[/folder]]
109
110[[folder:Film — Live-Action]]
111%%* The eponymous gunslinger in ''Film/{{Shane}}''.
112* ''Film/AtFirstSight'': At one point during the movie's second quarter, Amy calls Virgil to tell him that she won't be able to visit him in a while due to an emergency regarding a construction project she's helming. Virgil is so emotionally affected that, when he tries to resume his dinner cooking, he accidentally burns his hands by touching the oven (he's blind, so he had no way to avoid it). Luckily, she returns to him later.
113* ''Film/JamesBond'': 007 leaves every single Bond Girl to date, because he travels the world without a relationship.
114* Franchise/MonsterVerse: [[Characters/MonsterVerseGodzilla Godzilla]] is (whether he's conscious of it or not) devoted to maintaining and upholding the natural order by destroying rival Titans who threaten it, but not only is his mere presence a threat to human life if he sticks around, the ''Godzilla: Dominion'' graphic novel also confirms that he suffers from TheChainsOfCommanding. In most of his appearances (sans ''Film/GodzillaKingOfTheMonsters2019''), once the hostile {{Kaiju}} threatening the world has been killed, Godzilla returns to the sea and implicitly doesn't approach humanity again until a new threat surfaces.
115* ''Film/PetesDragon1977'': Once Peter is safe and HappilyAdopted, Elliot tells him that it was time for him to go, as there was another orphan who needed him. Adding that they'd never see each other again. Peter is saddened to hear it, but says he understands and [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApO_u1hhfaI sees him off.]]
116* ''Film/MaryPoppins'': Once the affairs of the Banks Household are in order and properly squared away, the eponymous nanny [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g89NxTTycxc takes her leave in search of another family]] in need of her services. The [[Film/MaryPoppinsReturns sequel]] follows suit too of course.
117* ''Film/NannyMcPhee'', A.K.A. the "modernized" Mary Poppins. She even lampshades it: "There is something you should understand about the way I work: When you need me, but do not want me, then I must stay. When you want me, but no longer need me, then I have to go."
118* ''Franchise/PiratesOfTheCaribbean''
119** Used movies [[Film/PiratesOfTheCaribbeanTheCurseOfTheBlackPearl one]] and [[Film/PiratesOfTheCaribbeanAtWorldsEnd three]], with Captain Jack Sparrow.
120** Also with [[spoiler:Will Turner]] at the end of the [[Film/PiratesOfTheCaribbeanAtWorldsEnd third movie]], due to his new curse. However, [[spoiler:a scene after the credits shows him returning to Elizabeth and their kid ten years later]].
121* ''Film/BlazingSaddles'': Sheriff Bart provides the page quote, after saving the people of Rockridge from [[LaughablyEvil Heddy Lamar's]] ([[InsistentTerminology "that's Hedley!"]]) ''ee-VILL'', which [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MySGAaB0A9k can be seen, here.]]
122* ''Film/TheSantaClause'': Scott leaves Charlie forever, because a lot of kids are counting on him, and he couldn't let down, he had a lot of work to do, so Charlie let him go, even if it meant that he would miss him.
123* ''Film/PaleRider'' plays the trope straight, with the mysterious "Preacher" leaving town on his pale steed, after freeing its citizens by dealing with [=LeHood=] and his HiredGuns.
124* ''Film/TheLordOfTheRingsTheReturnOfTheKing'': the Ringbearers Frodo and Bilbo, together with Gandalf and the other bearers of the Elven Rings, take a ship from the Grey Havens to Valinor, leaving behind a world which they saved. The last Ringbearer, Sam, also departs 63 years later.
125* ''Film/{{Michael}}'', a movie starring Creator/JohnTravolta about an archangel who visits Earth. He [[AscendToAHigherPlaneOfExistence ascends to a higher plane of existence]] at the end of the movie. Since he has used up all his visits to Earth, he can never return again.
126* Happened in ''Film/JackFrost1998'' (The family movie). The titular main character is trapped in the body of a snowman in order to say goodbye to his family. They spend a good deal of the movie trying to keep him from melting and getting him to a nice cold mountaintop. Upon accomplishing this task, he drops "but now I must go" for seemingly no reason and disappears into the wind.
127* The movie ''Theatre/FiniansRainbow'' ends with the dad (Fred Astaire) picking up his carpetbag and cane and heading out. On his beloved daughter's wedding day. And the only reason she gets to say goodbye and get half an explanation is that she spotted him leaving. Way to make your daughter's anniversary memorable, Daddy Dear.
128** Subverted in the musical theater show. Dad gives an explanation of what he's going to do next.
129* Averted in ''Film/{{Chocolat}}''; Vianne and her daughter Anouk had spent their lives moving multiple times per year, in part because they were often forced out of whatever town they were in, but also because Vianne's mother didn't like to stay in one place anyway, and Vianne just got used to living that way. After this story has settled, despite the fact that this town has accepted them, Vianne gets set to move on as she's always done -- but then realizes that she wants to stay after all, and instead chooses to scatter her mother's ashes to the wind, leaving her mother's spirit free to roam while no longer forcing her descendants to accompany it.
130** This trope is played straight in the original novel by Joann Harris, however.
131* The titular characters of ''Film/ThreeAmigos!'' pulled this one at the end of the movie because their characters in their ShowWithinAShow always did it.
132* Subverted at the end of the ''Film/GoodBurger'' movie: Ed gives Dexter a teary, heartfelt farewell speech, though neither of them is going anywhere.
133* ''Film/TheHangover'' has Stu say his farewells to Jade as he must leave Las Vegas (and her by extension) to resume his usual life as a dentist in Los Angeles but does agree to one more date with her in Vegas.
134* Kevin Costner's character in ''Film/{{Waterworld}}'', who decides to set out on the ocean again once the protagonists and their people have found and established themselves on "Dryland", partly because he's used to the solitary life and also an ocean native, saying that solid ground "doesn't move right".
135* In ''Film/ShaolinPrince'', after the titular Prince had killed the main villain and avenged his family's death, he actually relinquishes his throne to his younger brother instead, deciding that he's better off spending the rest of his life in the Shaolin temple where he was adopted and raised by the monks, and to become the new head abbot of the temple.
136* ''Film/Terminator2JudgmentDay'': Invoked after the [=T1000=] terminator has been destroyed, along with the other traces of Skynet technology, leaving only one to be disposed of: the chip in [=T800's=] head. But because its programming [[ICannotSelfTerminate wouldn't allow it to self-terminate]], it needed John to do it for him.
137-->'''[=T800=]:''' "There is one more chip. And it must be destroyed..."
138* The plot of ''Film/MrMagoriumsWonderEmporium'' revolves around the titular character's sudden plans to [[NeverSayDie "leave"]] for absolutely no reason.
139* The penultimate scene in ''Film/BigTroubleInLittleChina'' inverts this when loner, truck-driving hero Jack offers would-be love Gracie the opportunity to settle down, only to have her lament that the only way she would stay with him is if he maintains his nomadic lifestyle.
140* ''Film/BackToTheFuturePartIII'':
141** Doc Brown tells to Clara that he has to leave her and the town. He explains the reason to her, but she doesn't believe him (and thinks he got too obsessed with science fiction). This breaks his heart, but things get better for both of them since the parting doesn't stick.
142** Marty finally returns to the year 1985, but without Doc, who remained back in the year 1885 to save Clara Clayton. Before he can dwell on it, Doc appears in his newly created steam locomotive time machine, to let Marty and Jennifer know he was alright... and introduce them to his new family: his wife Clara, and their two sons, [[ShoutOut Jules]] [[Creator/JulesVerne and Verne.]] Doc also leaves Marty with a copy of the photo they took together, back in 1885, as a parting gift. Then [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6O-8W4TykdQ bids him and his girlfriend farewell.]]
143* Lisa, at the end of ''Film/WeirdScience''. She has successfully transformed the lives of Gary and Wyatt, getting them popularity, girlfriends, and most importantly confidence. So she decides to become a gym teacher...
144* ''Film/PlayItAgainSam'': Alan Felix (Creator/WoodyAllen) imagines that Humphrey Bogart is with him and confers with Bogey to take decisions. In the end, Humphrey Bogart chooses to leave as "You don't need me any longer."
145* ''Óscar, Kina y el láser'', a 1978 Spanish movie (adaptation of a short story) about a child who builds a speaking laser device. "The Laser" helps Óscar in his adventure and, when the plot is over and Óscar goes to bed saying goodnight, the Laser farewells him, apparently feeling there was no need for the Laser to stay.
146* In ''Film/GoingMyWay'', Father O'Malley likes St. Dominic's and would probably prefer to stay and be the parish priest. But he was sent there to right the ship for a church that was struggling financially, and that having been achieved, he is dispatched to another ailing parish. Father Fitzgibbon, the old priest at St. Dominic's, is disappointed.
147* ''Film/{{Sanjuro}}'': The Lord of the region offers him a job, but Sanjuro doesn't show up. The Lord reveals that he knew Sanjuro would never be able to settle down like that, and the young samurai Sanjuro had been tutoring chase after him to change his mind. [[spoiler:Ends up subverted; after having to kill his adversary, Sanjuro's too upset to stay, but he won't be venturing on either, with the implication that it's time to retire his blade.]]
148* In ''Film/{{Moonwalker}}'' Michael Jackson turns into a spaceship and flies away, while his young friends say "He's going home." Subverted though in the fact that he comes back...immediately.
149* In ''Film/{{UHF}}'', Philo makes his grand exit this way.
150-->'''Philo''': You're welcome. Well, it appears that my work on this planet is finished, so I must now return to my home planet of Zarquon.\
151'''George''': [dubious] Oh...okay. Have fun!
152* In ''Film/TheLegendOfBaggerVance'', after helping Creator/MattDamon's character regain his golf swing, Bagger Vance leaves never to return, cementing his MagicalNegro status.
153* PlayedWith in ''Film/PulpFiction'', when Jules has a near-death and then near-life in prison moment in the same day, he decides he must leave and travel the world. Not only is he not a heroic character, but the story is told out of order.
154* In ''Film/{{Prancer}}'', the title character leaves Jessica Riggs for Santa's sleigh, in a streak of light.
155* In ''Film/StuartLittle2'', Margalo leaves Stuart to fly south for the winter. However, Stuart believes that in a silver lining, Margalo would be back in the spring. This happens in the animated TV series.
156* ''Film/DoctorMordrid'': The all-knowing Monitor commands Mordrid to return to the Magic Dimension after the villain's defeat so that the wizards' existence doesn't become known to humanity, though Mordrid returns right before the credits roll to be with his LoveInterest.
157* At the end of ''Film/MadMaxFuryRoad'', Max doesn't join the rest of the heroes on the Citadel's elevator. He shares one last look with Furiosa before vanishing into the crowd. He helped them take the Citadel but he has no desire to rule it with them.
158* ''Film/RolloAndTheSpiritOfTheWoods'': As soon as the {{balance between good and evil}} in the forest is restored and [[TheNightThatNeverEnds the eternal darkness]] is lifted, the Master of the Scales continues his journey without even joining the DancePartyEnding or offering more than a wave for the protagonists.
159* Averted in ''Film/QueenOfOuterSpace''. Once their rocketship is repaired the astronauts must depart to Earth, much to the disappointment of the LadyLand they've just liberated from the evil Queen Yllana. Then they receive a VideoPhone message from their superior ordering them to remain on Venus rather than risk using a damaged rocketship. Unfortunately, it will take a year for a rescue ship to arrive. The final scene is the middle-aged professor saying joyfully, "A whole year!" as he's glomped en-masse by gorgeous man-hungry Venusians.
160* ''Film/{{Wolves}}'':Although all the bad guys are dead and [[TownWithADarkSecret Lupine Ridge]] is now safe, Cayden and Angel end the film riding away together on Cayden's motorbike (because Cayden being a fugitive no longer matters, apparently?). They plan to come back, though.
161* Cheeky version in the teen comedy ''Don't Talk to Irene''. The titular outcast is a megafan of Creator/GeenaDavis and talks to a ''[[Film/ALeagueOfTheirOwn League of Their Own]]'' poster on the ceiling of her bedroom when she needs advice and encouragement, imagining her responses -- which are spoken by Davis herself, who also appears in a DreamSequence when the heroine faces her DarkestHour. After Irene proves her doubters wrong, she has one last conversation with Davis in which the latter says she must now go to inspire other girls, and Irene actually senses her leaving. Confirming that Davis is in fact a SpiritAdvisor, the next day the bully tormenting Irene the entire movie apologizes to her, whereupon ''she'' hears Davis's voice in her head...
162* Hercules in ''Film/JasonAndTheArgonauts'' steals a giant pin on the Isle of Bronze, which awakens the titan Talos. When Talos is defeated, he falls and crushes Hylas. Hercules leaves out of guilt; Hera explains this is actually because Zeus has other plans for Hercules at the moment.
163* A more extreme version of this trope happens in ''Film/HaroldAndMaude''. When Maude determines she has healed Harold from his self-destructive belief system, she decides to ''commit suicide'', since her work is done.
164* ''Film/MachoDancer'': Disillusioned by his experiences in Manila, Pol decides to leave and return to the province at the end of the film. He asks Bambi to come with him, but she refuses.
165* At the end of ''Film/ViolentNight'', Santa tells Trudy that there are still kids on the Nice List who haven't gotten their presents yet, so he has to get back to work.
166* ''Film/TheElectricGrandmother'' must leave the family she was sent to, because of her 30-day money back guarantee. If the family isn't satisfied and happier within 30 days, she must return, and the daughter, Agatha, is very unhappy about a robot replacing her dead mother. At the same time, this trope is subverted in that ultimately, the grandmother does get to stay after Agatha warms up to her after the grandmother saves her life.
167[[/folder]]
168
169[[folder:Literature]]
170* ''Literature/{{Animorphs}}'': In the final book, [[spoiler:Tobias]] vanishes after [[spoiler:Rachel]]'s funeral and isn't seen for three years, until [[spoiler:Jake brings news of Ax's capture by the One and he joins him and Marco to go rescue him]].
171* ''Literature/TheCalfOfTheNovemberCloud'': After his name has been cleared thanks to his elephant friends, Konyek walks out of his hamlet to see them again. When he spots Konyek, baby elephant Ol-Kulto cheerfully rushes to greet him, but his family calls him back. As the elephants trudge back into the trees, Ol-Kulto stares back at Konyek for the last time and trots behind his family. Konyek feels deeply saddened, but he realizes that his friends must say goodbye to him.
172* ''Literature/{{Dragoncharm}}'': Wood pulls this on Fortune in [[spoiler: the Heart of the Maze]].
173* ''Literature/KinosJourney'': A recurring theme since the main character, as a drifter, has a self-imposed limit of staying three days upon reaching a town or rest stop and can give no exceptions regardless of the situation. This is in order not to form attachments to prevent the ideal of traveling. A little different in that the plot follows Kino to each next place. [[spoiler: This is explored deeper when the main character, eventually revealed to be female, discovers a place she can finally grow used to loving while becoming acquainted with someone sharing many common and reminiscent traits with her. Coping on her decision on whether or not wishing to finally settle down, the conclusion is the final episode of the anime adaption, whilst the light novels simply continue, and still are, after that point.]]
174* ''Literature/{{Discworld}}'': Mightily Oats leaves Lancre in ''Literature/CarpeJugulum'', after he and Forgiveness help fight the vampires; justified since he was a temporary stand-in for the injured Brother Perdore. He is spoken of later in ''Literature/UnseenAcademicals'' and ''Literature/IShallWearMidnight''.
175* ''Literature/SolomonKane'': Creator/RobertEHoward wrote this kind of ending for "The Blue Flame of Vengeance":
176--> ''"I am a landless man." A strange, intangible, almost mystic look flashed into his cold eyes. "I come out of the sunset and into the sunrise I go, wherever the Lord doth guide my feet. I seek...my soul's salvation, mayhap. I came, following the trail of vengeance. Now I must leave you. The dawn is not far away, and I would not have it find me idle. It may be I shall see you no more. My work here is done; the long red trail is ended. The man of blood is dead. But there be other men of blood, and other trails of revenge and retribution. [[MissionFromGod I work the will of God]]. [[WithGreatPower While evil flourishes and wrongs grow rank, while men are persecuted and women wronged, while weak things, human or animal, are maltreated, there is no rest for me beneath the skies, nor peace at any board or bed]]. Farewell!"''
177* ''Running with the Demon''. John Ross drifts back out of town.
178* After half a book of back story, this trope basically becomes the entire premise for the ''Castaways of the Flying Dutchman'' books by Brian Jacques.
179* Joe Haldeman's ''Literature/TheForeverWar'', resulting from Mandella and Potter's return to Earth after their first tour of duty, during which thirty years have passed on Earth due to TimeDilation from FasterThanLightTravel. [[spoiler: Mandella's father is dead; his mother is dying of cancer which The Government's socialized medicine system refuses to treat because she is not worth it, and she has taken a lesbian lover. Potter's parents are forced out of their home for defying government regulations and end up on an agricultural commune under assumed identities. They are killed while Mandella and Potter are staying with them by raiders looking for food.]] Needless to say, [[ButNowIMustGo the two re-enlist in the Army and get off that]] CrapsackWorld.
180* ''Literature/UnLunDun'' by Creator/ChinaMieville's [[DefiedTrope defies]] this trope. At the end of the book, the protagonist Deeba is told that she has to return permanently to her home in mundane London because travel between London and [=UnLondon=] is too difficult to allow her to return. Her response is to burst into laughter, systematically list all the people in the book who've traveled back and forth between the two along with how easy it was for them to do so, and say, "Of course I'll come back!"
181* Five of the seven books in ''Literature/TheChroniclesOfNarnia'' involve the heroes being sent back to England in the end. Averted in ''The Horse and His Boy'' because the main characters were natives, and subverted in ''The Last Battle'' where [[spoiler:they were DeadAllAlong]], so going back wasn't an option.
182* In ''Literature/PosterGirl'' [[spoiler: the main character Sonya Kantor eventually leaves the Megalopolis and everyone she knew behind, reasoning that as the titular Poster Girl she can never have a normal life there. So she instead settles in a place where nobody knows who she is. Though she still keeps in contact with her friends via letters.]]
183* ''Literature/AWrinkleInTime'' has this with [[spoiler:Mrs. Who, Mrs. Which, and Mrs. Whatsit.]]
184-->''"I'm terribly sorry, but we can't stay. You see, we have to..." [[TheUnReveal But what it was they had to do was never said, as there was a gust of wind, and they were gone.]]''
185* At the end of the first part of ''Literature/ThusSpakeZarathustra'', Zarathustra tells the group of followers that have gathered around him "Now I bid you lose me and find yourselves, and only when you have all denied me will I return to you." He does, indeed, return.
186* At the end of the Franchise/StarTrekExpandedUniverse novel ''Kahless'', the original Kahless tires of his life as TheEmperor and decides to leave. His subjects ask him where he will go. Deciding to play up on their myths of him (mostly so they'd leave him be), he points to a random star and tell them to look there. 1500 years later, they do.
187** The whole point of the novel is demystifying the figure of Kahless and showing him as just a man. In fact, the whole idea of forging the first bat'leth from his own hair dipped in lava was merely a dream he had. He promptly makes a sketch of the weapon and takes it to a blacksmith.
188* Franchise/StarWarsLegends:
189** Obi-Wan Kenobi's Force Ghost continued to advise Luke Skywalker for a while after ''Film/ReturnOfTheJedi'', but he eventually moves on to the afterlife, much to Luke's sorrow.
190--->'''Obi-Wan:''' Not the last of the old Jedi, Luke. The first of the new.
191** Obi-Wan's Force Ghost does make two more appearances in the ''Literature/NewJediOrder'' series. First, to congratulate Luke on the birth of his son, then to celebrate the defeat of the Yuuzhan Vong.
192** In ''Literature/StarWarsKenobi'', the living Obi-Wan defies his character role as TheDrifter by ''not'' leaving at the end of the story, even though it would be the simplest solution to the problems caused or aggravated by his arrival. Instead, it's [[spoiler:his love interest Annileen and her family]] who leave, because Obi-Wan has to settle in as TheHermit to watch over the infant Luke Skywalker. [[spoiler:Annileen's]] shock and dismay when he tells her that he can't go with them play out similarly to a scene of the Drifter saying he can't stay in town.
193* In ''Literature/WarriorCats'', several characters do this, most notably [[spoiler: Cody, Shortwhisker, and Snookthorn.]]
194* In ''LIterature/HowToSayGoodbyeInRobot'' by Natalie Standiford, [[spoiler: Jonah does this. After the death of his handicapped twin brother, he leaves for good. He even makes sure nobody can find him by taking all pictures of him post-puberty and putting his baby picture in the yearbook.]]
195* In ''Literature/TheDivineComedy'', Virgil, being one of the damned, must return to Hell at the end of ''Purgatorio''. [[ManlyTears Dante does not take this very well.]]
196-->'''Virgil to Dante:''' Await no further word or sign from me: your will is free, upright, and whole.
197* When deciding whether to stay Literature/TrappedOnDraconica, Ben [[spoiler: tries to TakeAThirdOption and go home but use his power to travel between worlds to visit Draconica, but Dronor says he has to take that power away. After thinking about his worried sick mother and encouragement from Erowin he decides to go home.]] It ''is'' understandable why he chooses to go back but why he has to choose at all is less so. [[spoiler: Its a dampener on an otherwise unambiguously happy ending.]]
198* In ''Literature/AlanMendelsohnTheBoyFromMars'', the title character has to return to his home planet in the end.
199* In the 1980s ''Franchise/CareBears'' book ''The Trouble with Timothy'', Friend Bear explains herself this way to Timothy. "I'm your friend, your snuggly, furry friend. In fact, that's my name, Friend Bear, and I come from the land of Care-a-lot. I'll be around as long as you need me, but when you don't need me so much, I'll be on my way."
200* Due to her conscience conflicting with the group decision, Johanna Reyes leaves Amity in ''Literature/{{Insurgent}}''.
201* The Cloud in ''Literature/LoskutikAndTheCloud'' can't stay in the same place for very long, especially on the ground, so they have to leave in the last chapter, bringing a bittersweet tinge to the happy ending.
202* Inverted at the end of ''Literature/SeekersOfTheSky''. [[spoiler:The protagonist Ilmar decides he can't follow Marcus (a possible messiah) where he's going and stays behind. The rest of the group rightly views him as a traitor, but he knows he's probably the only one who realizes that Marcus will never be a true messiah and will, at best, repeat the Redeemer's mistake (becoming a king of men rather than redeeming humanity in the eyes of God) and, at worst, become the [[TheAntiChrist Tempter]].]]
203* ''Literature/ForestKingdom'': Rupert and Julia at the end of book 1 (''Blue Moon Rising''), because Rupert is ''not'' gonna be king, and no way is Julia gonna stay around for an ArrangedMarriage with [[EntitledToHaveYou Harald]].
204* In ''Literature/TheLightJar'', {{imaginary friend}}s always leave when they're not needed anymore. [[spoiler:After Nate finds his mum, his childhood imaginary friend Sam leaves, although Nate begs him to stay.]]
205* Justified in Literature/TheMurderbotDiaries. At the end of the first novel, the humans whose lives Murderbot saved buy it off the company and offers it a place on Preservation. However Murderbot would legally be required to have an 'owner', even of the token kind, and it also resists trying to fit in with a human society according to [[CondescendingCompassion how they believe it should act]], so [[LeavingYouToFindMyself Murderbot runs off instead]]. It does eventually return to Preservation however, but on its own terms.
206* At the end of ''[[Literature/ItsKirbyTime Together with Kirby]]'', [[spoiler:the flower that had been growing on Kirby's head has turned into a seed head and tells Kirby its puffs must now be scattered on the wind to see the world. However, one puff takes root just outside of Kirby's house.]]
207* ''Literature/GoblinsInTheCastle'': In the final chapter of ''Goblins on the Prowl'', once they have the Black Stone of Borea, Edrick and Sophronia announce that they're planning to go to another world and take the Stone with them, to keep it away from evil wizards who would seek to use it.
208
209[[/folder]]
210
211[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
212* Used straight in ''Series/TheAdventuresOfPeteAndPete''. In the two-parter "Goodbye, My Little Viking", Little Pete parts ways with his best friend and personal superhero Artie (the Strongest Man - in the world!), who realizes that he is no longer needed more, and sets off to find a new kid who does.
213* ''Series/{{Angel}}'':
214** Parodied when Wesley joins the cast in "[[Recap/AngelS01E10PartingGifts Parting Gifts]]". Wesley pretends he must do this, while secretly hoping to be invited to stay, but Angel and Cordelia play along with the pretense.
215** Later played straight in "[[Recap/AngeLS05E12YoureWelcome You're Welcome]]" when [[spoiler:Cordelia comes back for one last guest spot, gets "her man back on track", then basically says "now everything's going to be OK, a pity I won't be here to see it since I must move on".]] It's more TearJerker in the show than that description, obviously.
216** Also Lorne's final fate in the post-series comics.
217* ''Series/{{Arrow}}'': A few in quick succession in the season 7 finale.
218** In the flash-forwards, the older generation of heroes decide to take the blame for the damage done in the course of saving the city, meaning they have to go on the run. But they know the younger generation will keep the city safe without them.
219** Oliver and Felicity decide to move out to a small town where Felicity can give birth and they can be safe from the villains hunting them. They plan to return eventually, but [[spoiler:the Monitor shows up to call in Oliver's deal. Oliver needs to come with him to help save the universe, and he will inevitably die during the coming Crisis. Oliver tearfully says goodbye to Felicity and their infant daughter]]. Partly averted because [[spoiler:the Monitor uses TimeTravel to allow Oliver to spend some time with his grown-up children and to properly say goodbye to them]].
220** Back in the flash-forwards, Felicity says this is the last time she'll see her children. They're confused since she's been on the run before and managed to stay in touch. She says it's different this time. [[spoiler:She then meets up with the Monitor, who warns her she won't be able to come back from where he's taking her. She accepts that and just wants to see Oliver again, and they walk through a portal]].
221** Later on, [[spoiler:Lyla uses a device the Monitor has William build, before telling John she has to go and steps through one of the Monitor's portals. However, she comes back at the end of the episode in a new outfit, claiming that she's Harbinger now, moments before the sky turns red]].
222* Also the default for ''Series/TheATeam'', as they couldn't stay in one place too long without being caught by the military.
223* In the final episode of ''Series/{{Battlestar Galactica|2003}}'', [[spoiler: Adama]] does this rather abruptly. [[spoiler: Starbuck]] jumps on the bandwagon and immediately [[AscendToAHigherPlaneOfExistence ascends to a higher plane of existence]].
224* On ''Series/TheDailyShow'', when a longtime correspondent or contributor leaves the show, they receive a farewell, which includes a montage of amusing moments during their time. In 2015, before then-host Creator/JonStewart himself left the show, Creator/StephenColbert came back and humorously complained about how he didn't receive such a send-off, playing a self-prepared montage.
225* In Series/{{Diablero}}, [[spoiler: Mayaken feels that he's a monster and he doesn't deserve a happy home with Keta, so he tells her that he'll come back to her when he's had time to figure things out and flies off]].
226* The Doctor from ''Series/DoctorWho'' shows something of this; he saves the day, and then leaves again, never staying. It's been suggested in the show this is because he's afraid to look back at the trail of destruction he leaves behind — or, more humourously, because he's worried about [[HeroInsurance being asked to pay for the collateral damage he's caused]].
227** A strange subversion of this trope is used in the Doctor's regeneration in [[Recap/DoctorWhoS27E13ThePartingOfTheWays "The Parting of the Ways"]]. He tells Rose he'll still be there, "but not like this. Not with this daft old face."
228** He is forced to face the consequences of his own actions a few times, such as in [[Recap/DoctorWhoS27E12BadWolf "Bad Wolf"]], which takes place a century after [[Recap/DoctorWhoS27E7TheLongGame "The Long Game"]]. Instead of freeing Earth from the tyranny of the Jagrafess, his actions result in a complete shutdown of the government, followed by decades of chaos before an even worse example of tyranny takes hold, forcing people to participate in deadly games and others to watch them.
229* ''Series/GameOfThrones'': Benjen leaves Bran and Meera at the end of Season 6 as the Wall has magic spells carved into it which prevent the undead, and by extension him, from passing.
230* No matter how much the people he interacted with wanted him to stay, ''Series/TheLittlestHobo'' would always leave at the end of the episode. As the show's theme song sums up: "There's a voice...that keeps on calling me...down the road, that's where I'll always be..."
231** Spoofed in an episode of ''Series/CornerGas'', and Hank wanted Hobo to stay in Dog River. When Wanda explains that leaving when the trouble is over is what Hobo does, Hank wants to stir up more trouble to get Hobo to come back.
232* Chef Gordon Ramsay sometimes has this effect on ''Series/HotelHell'' or ''Series/KitchenNightmares'' when he's finally fixed the restaurant or hotel, but the owner(s) wish he could stay longer.
233* In ''Series/LegendsOfTomorrow'', several characters leave the show in this manner. Some of them return for a brief time, though. For example, Jax leaves the show halfway through season 3 after [[spoiler:Stein's death]]. He returns for the season finale and reveals to have a wife and a daughter now. Rip also leaves the team in the season 2 finale... only to come back in the season 3 opener, revealing that he has set up a new TimePolice agency to replace the defunct Time Masters. Amaya has always been aboard on borrowed time, knowing she would have to return to the [=1940s=] eventually in order to ensure the existence of her granddaughter [[WesternAnimation/{{Vixen}} Mari]].
234* Used quite a lot in ''Series/TheLoneRanger'', as he goes off into the sunset...leaving grateful townsfolk behind, wondering, "Who is that Masked Man?"
235* One episode of ''Series/TheMandalorian'' has the titular character arrive in a small town that's coming under attack from raiders, and he agrees to teach them how to defend themselves and help them fight off their enemies in exchange for room and board. As it goes on he bonds with a woman there, they clearly have some feelings for each other, he wants to stay, she wants him to stay, The Child is happy there... and then a bounty hunter arrives gunning for them. He realizes he needs to keep moving to keep him, The Child, and the village safe, and so he bids them farewell and [[RidingIntoTheSunset flies off toward the sunset]].
236* Franchise/PowerRangers did this a few times:
237** ''Series/PowerRangersTurbo'': The Phantom Ranger makes this sort of exit. He does it again in ''Series/PowerRangersInSpace.''
238** ''Series/PowerRangersTimeForce'': The rest of Time Force does this to Wes in the finale, going back to the year 3000.
239** ''Series/PowerRangersWildForce'' ends with Princess Shayla taking the Animarium back into the sky. While that may have been necessary, not allowing Merrick, who loved her, was from her own time period, and had nothing in the present, to stay with her was not.
240** ''Series/PowerRangersMysticForce'' does this with Nick, in keeping with his entrance as TheDrifter, but uses a version of TheLadysFavour to show he intends to return soon.
241* In the final "Adventures with Bill" segment of ''Series/TheRedGreenShow'', Bill reveals he's found love with a nurse and is moving out of the Possum Lake area to be with her. He and Red spend a last few moments remembering their time together before he hops in her car and heads out on what Red dubs "the biggest adventure of his life".
242* Played in ''Series/TheSecretCircle'', as Jake does this after saving Cassie, though he soon returns.
243** Diana does the same in "Family" since she's lost her father and can't handle having dark magic.
244* In ''Series/{{Supernatural}}'', the Winchesters are constantly moving on to their next hunt, even if there are some cases where they meet someone who might inspire them to want to stay longer (Cassie Robertson, Sarah Blake, Lisa Baerden, etc.)
245* This is the default ending for most of the ''Franchise/UltraSeries'', as the Ultras are assigned to Earth from their homeworld and when their tour of duty is complete, they must return. In ''Series/{{Ultraman}}'' and ''Series/UltraSeven'', this was given further meaning, as they were badly hurt and they couldn't be healed on Earth.
246* ''Series/VanHelsing2016'':
247** Early on in Season 5, Doc parts ways with Julius and Axel so that she can finally be reunited with Jolene and ride off into the sunset with her.
248** In the series finale, [[spoiler: Ivory leaves Jack to scour the Earth for other surviving members of the Sisterhood]].
249[[/folder]]
250
251[[folder:Music]]
252* "I'll Follow the Sun" by Music/TheBeatles
253-->''And now the time has come and so my love I must go''
254* "Heard It in a Love Song" by the Marshal Tucker Band.
255* "Free Bird" by Music/LynyrdSkynyrd.
256* "Sous le Vent", by Garou and Celine Dion.
257** ''Fait comme si je quittais la terre / J'ai trouvé mon étoile / Je l'ai suivie un instant...''
258* Music/JanelleMonae's song [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin BaBopByeYa]].
259-->''My freedom calls and [[PunctuatedForEmphasis I MUST GOOOOOO!]]''
260* Music/LedZeppelin's "Ramble On"
261* Scot-Irish traditional song "The Parting Glass" doesn't make it clear whether the singer is dying, or simply leaving forever:
262** ''So since it falls unto my lot/ that I should rise and you should not....''
263** The same goes for "Loch Lomond", in which the singer is most definitely dying. ''Me and my true love shall ne'er meet again...''
264* "Farewell" by Music/GammaRay is a clear example.
265* Music/TheAllmanBrothersBand, "Ramblin' Man." "When it's time for leavin', I hope you'll understand..."
266* Music/{{Supertramp}}: "Goodbye Stranger, it's been nice/Hope you find your paradise..."
267* "Back on the Road Again" by Music/REOSpeedwagon.
268* "The Stranger Song" by Music/LeonardCohen: "He'll say one day you caused his will // To weaken with your love and warmth and shelter // And then taking from his wallet // An old schedule of trains, he'll say // I told you when I came I was a stranger".
269* ''Music/KidsPraise'': The end of the second album has Psalty tell the kids that he needs to go visit other kids, but that he'll see them again.
270* Music/TomPetty's "[[https://youtu.be/pDPq1QbGAAk Time To Move On]]".
271-->It's time to move on, time to get going
272-->What lies ahead, I have no way of knowing.
273-->But underneath my feet, grass is growing.
274-->It's time to move on, it's time to get going.
275* Music/{{Zucchero}}: The theme of "Il Volo" (The Flight) tells about Zucchero's LoveInterest needing to go elsewhere and thus preparing to bid him farewell. Over the course of the song, the poor man tries to convince her to stay, because he needs someone to bring light to his life.
276[[/folder]]
277
278[[folder:Myths & Religion]]
279* ''Literature/TheBible'': After His resurrection, UsefulNotes/{{Jesus}} says goodbye to His disciples and returns to Heaven.
280-->'''Jesus:''' "In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also." (John 14:2)
281* In the canonical form of the legend of [[Myth/SaintGeorge St. George and the Dragon]], George refuses all offers of rewards for liberating the town and saving the princess, and instead rides away right after the whole town has been baptized. This does not apply to the many popular adaptations in which St. George marries the princess (which is out of place for a true saint).
282* After Myth/PaulBunyan was beaten by a man with a steam-powered chainsaw in a tree-cutting contest, he and Babe the Blue Ox packed up for the Alaskan wilderness, realizing the era of the lumberjack was drawing to a close.
283[[/folder]]
284
285[[folder:Professional Wrestling]]
286* Wrestling/HaystacksCalhoun was an attraction for [[{{Acrofatic}} the athleticism which seemed to clash his enormous girth]] and was an overall nice guy beloved by fans and other wrestlers alike, except for bullies and trouble makers that he tended to show up to make fools of. But when that was done, he tended to depart, leading his role to be called a "traveling {{face}} enforcer".
287* This was used to even greater effect by Wrestling/AndreTheGiant in the 1970s and early 1980s. Andre spent most of his career under contract to Vince [=McMahon=], Sr. and the WWF. [=McMahon=] realized that [[InvincibleHero having a guy on the roster whose gimmick was utter invincibility would quickly get boring]], so Andre spent most of his time wrestling in other territories, often coming to the aid of a [[{{Face}} babyface]] who had been injured by a heel contingent. After the score was settled, Andre went to his next destination.
288* TheGimmick of Nikki Saint John for a while, who was on a quest to wrestle in every state of the union.[[/folder]]
289
290[[folder:Tabletop Games]]
291* ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragonsFourthEdition'': [[EmpathicWeapon Artifacts]] are intelligent and self-motivated and will inevitably disappear to find a new owner. If the owner has been worthy, the artifact generally leaves with some kind words after they've shared a significant victory. If not, it might ditch them at the most inopportune moment.
292* ''TabletopGame/{{Exalted}}''
293** There is a charm, ''Hero Rides Away'', that rewards heroic-themed Solar Exalts for doing this.
294** For the [[AntiHero heroic Abyssals]], they must do this even if they want to stay. Otherwise, the folks they just saved will be hit by an ultra-lethal death-wave, or worse.
295* This is implicitly part of the vows of the Brettonnian Grail Knights in ''TabletopGame/WarhammerFantasy''. They are sworn to never sleep in the same place two nights in a row, so whenever they complete a quest, they are invariably required to leave in search of a new one, until the day when they either fall in battle or are judged worthy of drinking from the Grail.
296[[/folder]]
297
298[[folder:Theatre]]
299* This is merged with AndTheAdventureContinues for Willy Wonka in the West End musical ''Theatre/CharlieAndTheChocolateFactory'', in what amounts to a NotHisSled twist on the ending of [[Literature/CharlieAndTheChocolateFactory the source novel]]. In the book, Charlie won't inherit the factory until he comes of age, but here he becomes the new owner ''immediately'' and after a wild celebration, the boy and his family realize Mr. Wonka has already left ("Looks like he's left you to it"). After they enter the factory to begin their new lives, Mr. Wonka -- concealed in the KingIncognito disguise of an elderly tramp ([[AnonymousBenefactor who was last seen in Act One encouraging Charlie to buy the Wonka Bar that turned out to contain the last Golden Ticket]]) -- appears and reveals to [[BreakingTheFourthWall the audience]] that he is moving on to other worlds, such as ''theirs'', to continue creating wondrous things now that he is no longer tied down to the factory. With that, he vanishes into thin air...
300* ''Theatre/{{Hamilton}}'' features the song [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRHOcskOudg "One Last Time"]], dramatizing UsefulNotes/GeorgeWashington's decision to step down as president, as noted in the real-life folder.
301* The opera ''Theatre/PaulBunyan'' ends with the unseen title character bidding his friends goodbye, saying that he has to move on now that they have succeeded in taming the wilderness:
302-->All I had to do is done,\
303You remain but I go on;\
304Other kinds of deserts call,\
305Other deserts whisper Paul;\
306I must hasten in reply\
307To that low instinctive cry,\
308There to make a way again\
309For the conscious lives of men.
310* ''Theatre/PeerGynt'' invokes the trope in running away from every responsibility and his true love in the process.
311-->I have a heavy burden to shoulder, I must carry it alone. You have to wait for me.
312* In ''Theatre/LOrfeo'', Hope can guide Orpheus to the gates of Hades but no further, and when he presses on she returns to her usual abode.
313* ''Theatre/{{HereLiesLove}}'': Ninoy Aquino's "Gate 37" is his farewell song (to his family and the audience) before he is assassinated.
314[[/folder]]
315
316[[folder:Toys]]
317* [[spoiler:Mata Nui]] in the conclusion of ''Toys/{{Bionicle}}'' after having completed his destiny.
318[[/folder]]
319
320[[folder:Visual Novels]]
321* ''VisualNovel/AkaiIto'': In the end [[HunterOfMonsters Tsuzura]] must go, because she [[TheMasqueradeWillKillYourDatingLife lives in a completely different world from Kei.]] She even enforces a LaserGuidedAmnesia to make sure it sticks! [[spoiler:But if Kei's love for her is strong, she will overcome this amnesia.]] It's actually rather jarring because, in one of her non-true endings, she actually transfers into Kei's school because she loves her a lot.
322* Multiple characters do this at the end of ''VisualNovel/DaughterForDessert'':
323** Saul [[spoiler:after getting the protagonist acquitted at his trial]].
324** [[spoiler:With his nameless mention in Double Homework, it is clear that Mortelli does this as well.]]
325** Lily will eventually leave the diner to travel around again. [[spoiler:In her own "bad" and "neutral" endings, she leaves alone, but in her "good" ending, the protagonist travels with her.]]
326* ''VisualNovel/DoubleHomework'':
327** Subverted with Dr. Mosely/[[spoiler:Zeta]]. After telling the protagonist that he’s in the clear, [[spoiler:taking Dennis to his fate,]] and assuring the protagonist that he won’t see her again, [[spoiler:Zeta returns to the ski lodge after learning that he knew too much about her experiment]].
328** [[spoiler:Played straight with Dennis’s dad. After questioning the protagonist for details on Dennis’s death, he promises not to contact him again out of respect for his supposed friendship with Dennis.]]
329* Two of the endings in ''VisualNovel/SayaNoUta'' don't really count, since the eponymous character had completely uncontrived reasons for leaving Fuminori in the asylum ending, and was killed in battle in one of the other endings. However, in the remaining ending, Saya becomes ill and dies after just having killed Kouji. We know it's [[{{Utsuge}} meant to be depressing and cynical]], and we know this is what leads up to the worldwide plague of mutation spores, but she seemed perfectly fine up until that point, and nothing was ever mentioned that she would die after fulfilling her biological purpose of reproduction.
330* [[Franchise/{{Nasuverse}} Kinoko Nasu]] loves doing this to his characters, apparently:
331** [[spoiler:Saber]] in ''VisualNovel/FateStayNight'', in a tear-jerking scene in which she finally confesses to the protagonist that she loves him, right before vanishing forever. [[spoiler: Although in the True Ending of Fate in Realta Nua, it turns out that Saber and Shirou are reunited in Avalon after his death, as long as their hearts and feelings are still connected and they're willing to wait for one another.]]
332** [[spoiler:Archer]] does this at the end of ''Unlimited Blade Works'', as well as [[spoiler:Saber]] in one of the endings.
333** Several endings in the first storyline of ''VideoGame/MeltyBlood'' have female protagonist Sion Eltnam Atlasia leaving the town for various reasons, [[spoiler:generally to continue her research on curing vampirism]]. Just about the only exception is the ending where she and Akiha bond. Shiki ponders cutting himself.
334** In the original ''VisualNovel/{{Tsukihime}}'', it happens to Arcueid in her route. And since the anime is based primarily on the latter, it features this as well. Made extremely jarring by the fact that [[spoiler:literally the only difference in her two endings are whether she thinks she can restrain her vampiric impulse. Her "True End" fits this trope and is [[TearJerker quite moving]]. Her "Good End" has her instead laying low until enough of her power returns to resist the impulse, and sticking around]].
335* The [[MultipleEndings Bad endings]] of ''VisualNovel/YoJinBo'', usually thanks to [[spoiler: the pendant taking Sayori back to her own time in spite of her wishes.]] In Jin's Bad ending, [[spoiler: he beats it to the jump, taking off without even waiting around to get paid.]]
336* Done by [[spoiler: Rin Tezuka]] and [[spoiler: Lilly Satou]] in their {{bad ending}}s from ''VisualNovel/KatawaShoujo''. [[spoiler: Rin transfers from Yamaku to an art school in Tokyo to pursue her artist career, though she's aware that this will emotionally wreck her in the process]]; [[spoiler: Lilly goes to Inverness (Scotland) to rejoin her parents, who left her in the care of her older sister Akira as a child and now want to mend their family bonds (Lilly doesn't want to leave her quiet life in Yamaku, but she feels obligated to reconcile with them.).]]
337** Additionally, [[spoiler: in Lilly's Good Ending, Lilly stays with Hisao after he pulls an almost fatal RaceForYourLove... but Akira and her boyfriend decide to go to Inverness instead.]]
338* ''VideoGame/TalesOfAsteria'': After the events of the main story, [[spoiler:Tirug decides the world of ''Asteria'' no longer needs his help or protection, and decides to leave for the next world that might need him.]]
339[[/folder]]
340
341[[folder:Web Comics]]
342* ''Webcomic/EveryoneIsHome'': At the end of the "Reviving Characters" arc, [[VideoGame/AnimalCrossingNewHorizons Isabelle 2]] claims that since her work is done reviving the [[VideoGame/SuperSmashBros Smashers]] murdered by [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII Sephiroth]], she has to return to Buttville, and she and [[VideoGame/AnimalCrossingNewLeaf Isabelle 1]] are shown to have had a [[InelegantBlubbering very tearful goodbye]].
343* At the end of ''WebComic/JoyceAndWalky'', which ended the ''WebComic/{{Walkyverse}}'' as a whole, Dorothy, who spent the last story arc possessed by [[spoiler:Head Alien]], and was modified into an abductee, decides to go with Joyce and Walky's KidFromTheFuture Bobby to the future, citing that her family was dead and her business failed, so there was nothing tying her to the present, and that she felt she could do a lot more in the future with her superpowers, especially since the Martians had returned in the future. [[spoiler:It's probably for the best anyway, as Bobby was only able to suppress Head Alien's influence in her mind, and there was always the chance he could resurface.]] Bobby...is okay with this.
344-->'''Walky:''' Yeah, watch her closely.\
345'''Bobby:''' [blushes] [[ShipTease I...I will watch her v-very closely.]]
346[[/folder]]
347
348[[folder:Web Original]]
349* Hamburger Pattie in the ''Roleplay/LeagueOfIntergalacticCosmicChampions'' to return to her own universe (another cybersoap) to settle things there & when things were settled that universe was sealed off & she could never return.
350* The Meme [[http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/i-must-go I Must Go, My Planet Need Me]].
351* [[http://theoatmeal.com/comics/dog_paradox "My Dog, The Paradox"]] by Webcomic/TheOatmeal:
352--> "Hello friendbeast, I'm 15 years old now. I have chewed, licked, and humped everything I was put on this Earth to chew, lick, and hump. For now, I must die."
353* Surprisingly for {{Creepypasta}}, a few of them pull this off:
354** [[http://creepypasta.wikia.com/wiki/Love Love]], wherein the girl learns that the ghost of her fathers' war buddy was watching her, but now had to leave because she was 18.
355** [[http://creepypasta.wikia.com/wiki/Sim_Albert Sim Albert]], about a haunted Sims Game where the player [[VideoGameCaringPotential saves a sim named Albert from a fiery death and gives him a happy life]]. Then learns that the sim was a ghost who used the game as a second chance at life, and having been granted it, can finally leave.
356* The ''Website/SCPFoundation'' tale [[http://www.scp-wiki.net/quiet-days "Quiet Days"]] depicts the organization disbanding after [[TheMagicGoesAway all the weird phenomena they'd been keeping under control suddenly vanish]], leaving them with no further purpose.
357* Vegeta leaves with Nappa, Raditz, Buzzkill, and Mufasa at the end of ''WebAnimation/{{Ducktalez}} 7'', as he regained his confidence.
358* In the WebAnimation/MyLittlePonyMeets, whenever the character the episode is focused on, needs to return to their daily lives or their destination
359* [[DeconstructedTrope Deconstructed]] in ''WebAnimation/RedVsBlue'' where Epsilon decides to leave with Carolina to investigate Freelancer equipment without saying goodbye to Caboose or Tucker. The next two seasons show the results of this, as Caboose spirals into a depression and latches onto a very dangerous Mantis assault droid as a replacement for Epsilon and Tucker becomes very bitter and angry at Epsilon for essentially abandoning them and constantly clashes with the latter when they are reunited. Epsilon later admits it was a jerk move to do to his friends.
360* WebVideo/CaptainDisillusion used to end his videos by realizing some far-off event needs his attention and saying "But now it's time for me to go, kids."
361[[/folder]]
362
363[[folder:Western Animation]]
364* ''WesternAnimation/{{Amphibia}}'' ends with [[spoiler:Anne, Sasha, and Marcy, the three human girls who lived in Amphibia for months, parting ways with all their loved ones there and returning home to Earth permanently, as they have no way of coming back there once they leave.]]
365* Numbuh One chooses to leave in the GrandFinale of ''WesternAnimation/CodenameKidsNextDoor'' to join the Galactic Kids Next Door.
366** Also done to a degree at the end of ''WesternAnimation/OperationZERO''; Numbuh One's dad Monty Uno, the titular Numbuh Zero, allows his restored memories to be re-erased as part of the plan to destroy Grandfather, and beforehand destroyed the Recommissioning Device so Numbuh One can't re-restore them. As Monty says in a recorded message, he did it because, "…I'm…just not a kid anymore. I'm an adult. And I have the most important mission of all; Being a good father to my son." In this case, Monty's not physically going anywhere, but removed his Numbuh Zero identity as part of this trope.
367* In the first episode of ''WesternAnimation/DarkwingDuck'', after dropping off a couple petty criminals at the police station: "Now I must go: The scent of crime is in the air!"
368* ''WesternAnimation/FinalSpace'':
369** Little over midway through Season One, Nightfall takes her leave of the Team Squad after bringing them to Bolo, saying they don't need her anymore. She returns at the start of Season Two full-time.
370** Midway through Season Two, Tribore leaves the Team Squad so he can rebuild the resistance.
371* A recurring theme of ''WesternAnimation/TheGalaxyTrio'' was how, whether they wanted or were even invited to stay on whatever planet they had just saved, the Trio had to move on: "Our job is out there."
372* ''WesternAnimation/GravityFalls'':
373** Played for laughs in "Irrational Treasure". After escorting Dipper and Mabel back to Gravity Falls, [[TheWonka Quentin Trembley]] announces he's "needed elsewhere" and, after a brief reassuring speech, rides out of town on horseback facing backwards.
374** In the final episode, [[spoiler: Stan announces at the Twins' 13th birthday (which also happens to be their last day in Gravity Falls) his intention to join on Ford's expedition at sea, like they planned to do as children, and puts Soos in charge of the Mystery Shack. And at the very end, Dipper and Mabel return to California. "Ready to head into the unknown?" "Nope! Let's do it."]]
375* ''WesternAnimation/HarveyBeaks'' ends with Foo and Fee reuniting with their long-lost parents, and moving away from Little Bark to live with them. While Harvey is initially upset, he's able to accept their absence, appreciates how they helped him grow as a person, and it's shown they'll be sure to keep in touch.
376* ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague Unlimited'':
377** In "For The Man Who Has Everything" Franchise/{{Superman}} is attacked by a [[LotusEaterMachine plant called Black Mercy]] and lives an "ideal" life, complete with a son called Van-El. When he realizes this is just a dream, he has to say goodbye to him as he returns to real life.
378--->'''Superman''': You are everything I ever wanted in a son. This is everything I ever wanted in a life. But I have responsibilities, Van, and [[DreamApocalypse I... have to go now]].
379** In "Divided We Fall" [[Franchise/{{TheFlash}} Flash]] is sucked into the Speed Force and nearly dies (sort of) to it, until the rest of the Founders form a ChainOfPeople to pull him out.
380--->'''Flash''': [[ComicBook/{{Hawkman}} Shayera]]? It's so beautiful here. There's a force. A Speed Force. I have to go now.
381* "The Boys of the Chorus" from the [[WesternAnimation/LooneyTunes Bugs Bunny]] cartoon "What's Up Doc?" is a quick hello-goodbye.
382-->''Oh, we're the boys of the chorus,''\
383''We hope you like our show.''\
384''We know you're rooting for us,''\
385''But now we have to go!''
386* ''WesternAnimation/TheLooneyTunesShow'': In the episode, "That's My Baby," Daffy derails into mentioning frozen yogurt, leaving Tina behind, into the sunset.
387* ''Franchise/MyLittlePony'':
388** ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyAndFriends'':
389*** "[[Recap/MyLittlePonyAndFriendsE14TheGhostOfParadiseEstate4 The Ghost of Paradise Estate, Part 4]]", after helping the heroes defeat Squirk, Pluma and Ruff announce that they must depart for their own homeland and leave Dream Valley behind.
390*** * In the episode "Crunch the Rockdog", a tale told by one of the ponies ends with the hero leaving the heroine [[RidingIntoTheSunset at sunset]]. While the other ponies are touched, the [[TheSpock ever-logical]] Wind Whistler is unmoved, remarking that [[FridgeLogic it's stupid to start off on a long journey at night]].
391** ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic:'' In the GrandFinale episode ("[[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS9E26TheLastProblem The Last Problem]]," where the [[PassingTheTorch torch is officially passed]] to Twilight Sparkle), this is how Princess Celestia and Princess Luna officially signal their retirement to Silver Shoals.
392* ''WesternAnimation/TheOwlHouse'':
393** After spending the first few episodes of Season 2 as part of the titular house gang, Lilith decides to leave in "[[Recap/TheOwlHouseS2E4KeepingUpAFearAnces Keeping Up A-fear-ances]]" to reconnect with her parents, much to Hooty's dismay.
394** From the very beginning of the series, it's made clear that Luz will eventually have to go home to her mother at the end of the summer no matter how attached she may grow to her new friends and loved ones on the Boiling Isles. [[spoiler:The series ultimately subverts it though, as while Luz does go back to Earth after Belos' defeat, she still has ready access to the Demon Realm thanks to the Collector building a new portal door and remains in constant contact with everyone before eventually moving back to the Boiling Isles full time after graduating from high school so she can attend Eda's new University of Wild Magic.]]
395** [[spoiler:The Collector decides to go on a journey of self disovery in space after the final battle, though it is at least indicated that he visits every once and a while (even briefly stopping by to put on a light show for Luz's 18th birthday party).]]
396* Disney's ''WesternAnimation/PaulBunyan'' ends with Paul and Babe leaving after losing a logging contest to a steam-powered saw and locomotive, realizing that their time has passed. Still, they're happy horsing around in Alaska.
397* Parodied in an episode of ''WesternAnimation/{{Recess}}'' where Gus goes to his old alter ego of El Diablo the Dodgeball Player in order to win the game for his friends. After he wins, Gus turns around and goes off into the sunset...until one of the kindergarteners reminds him that school wasn't over yet.
398* Parodied with ''WesternAnimation/{{Rugrats}}'' after dealing with a bully, Tommy and Chuckie prepare to head home for the day. The girl the two befriended is sad and asks when they'll come back. Tommy shrugs and goes "I dunno. Maybe tomorrow."
399* ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons''
400** Parodied in "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS8E14TheItchyAndScratchyAndPoochieShow The Itchy & Scratchy & Poochie Show]]", where this is the extremely poorly-done manner in which the hated Poochie is PutOnABus out of the "Itchy And Scratchy" cartoon, from out of nowhere. Apparently Poochie is an alien. And his home planet needs him. [[BusCrash And he dies on the way back.]] Afterwards, Krusty and a lawyer make it clear that he is never, ''ever'' coming back, much to everyone's delight...with the exception of Homer, his voice actor.
401** Played straight for the episode "Stark Raving Dad", when Michael Jackson/Leon Kompowsky [[WalkingTheEarth leaves for places unknown]] after saying "My work is done here."
402** Parodied in "Marge Vs. The Monorail", after the monorail crisis is resolved:
403--->'''Creator/LeonardNimoy:''' Well, my work is done here.\
404'''Barney:''' Whaddaya mean, "your work is done"? ''You'' didn't do anything.\
405'''Leonard Nimoy:''' ''[chuckles knowingly]'' Didn't I? ''[[[Franchise/StarTrek beams away]]]''
406** In "Lisa's Substitute", Mr. Bergstrom leaves Lisa for another school in Capital City.
407** In the [[WholePlotReference Mary Poppins parody]] episode, "Simpsoncalifragilisticexpiala(Annoyed Grunt)cious", [[CaptainErsatz Sherry Bobbins]] leaves the Simpsons after she thinks her work is done, but agrees to stay when it's clear the family won't permanently change. Eventually does leave at the end, but not because her work is done:
408--->Don't think it's sour grapes,
409--->But you're all a bunch of apes,
410--->And so I must be leaving you!
411** In "The Homer They Fall", Moe of all people does this: After hijacking a one-man propelled flying machine to save Homer from being beaten to mash in a boxing ring, he says goodbye to the Simpsons, telling them that he needs some time to think over everything and then takes off with said flying machine. [[TheGreatestStoryNeverTold The epilogue reveals he is doing charity work all around the world]]. This is all the more surprising considering we're here talking about... well... [[{{Jerkass}} Moe]].
412* ''WesternAnimation/StevenUniverseFuture'':
413** In the episode "Little Graduation", Lars and the Off Colors decide to return to space to explore various planets and meet new people across the galaxy.
414** In the finale, Steven himself decides the best thing for himself would be to move out of Beach City and start exploring the country.
415* ''WesternAnimation/AThousandAndOneAmericas'': After having barely survived a violent tropical storm that ravaged a local coastal village in the eighth episode, Chris is told by Tiau (a little girl he met in that episode) that she has to leave him so she can help the villagers rebuild their homes. She silently part ways, and Chris immediately begins looking his pet dog Lon (who got separated from him by the violent waves during the storm).
416* WesternAnimation/TomTerrific and Manfred are in the Old West helping a prospector to the California gold rush (story arc "Go West, Young Manfred"). Towards the end of the arc, Manfred is taken in by a tribe of Indians. Tom asks him to come back home with him and he'll get Manfred a new mattress and an extra jar of peanut butter. Manfred is sold, and he addresses the tribe:
417-->'''Manfred:''' Dear fellow native Americans...it behooves me on this great occasion to leave the home of my redskin blood brothers for the home of tiny paleface Tom Terrific who needs me on his next really great adventure. Farewell, kemosabes!
418-->'''Chief:''' Kemo ''who''?
419* This is how the final episode of ''WesternAnimation/TransformersPrime'' ends. Their mission over, the Autobots must leave Earth and their human friends behind. [[spoiler:Except Ratchet, [[IChooseToStay who decides to stick around]].]]
420[[/folder]]
421
422[[folder:Real Life]]
423* UsefulNotes/GeorgeWashington: served two terms as President, then retired. The precedent he established protected the United States from strongman rule for more than a century afterward.
424** In fact, it wouldn't be until Franklin Roosevelt served four terms as president (he died in office during his fourth) that the government felt it was necessary to add a "two-term limit" stipulation for the president to the constitution.
425** During their last week, the departing president typically delivers a farewell address to the nation.
426* The letter anime director Creator/SatoshiKon wrote when he learned he was dying of cancer ends with the phrase "Now, if you'll pardon me, I have to go". The Japanese phrase used has the connotation of someone apologizing for leaving the office before everyone else is ready. This only adds to the TearJerker quality of the farewell.
427* Inverted at many graduation ceremonies. Many a commencement speech can be boiled down to "But now, YOU must go."
428* Taken to nations range during UsefulNotes/WorldWarII for the Americans and the Soviets. After pushing the Nazis all the way back to Germany, most coalition soldiers only stuck around long enough for the fires and shooting to stop before redeploying to the Asian theater of the war, where they did it again after Japan signed its capitulation treaty and left only a token force there while the rest went home.
429* Dave Della Terza, the creator of the infamous ''Series/AmericanIdol'' snark blog Vote for the Worst, [[http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/idol-worship/american-idol-vote-worst-shutting-412138 gave this as his reason]] for shutting down the site in 2013. By that point, the show's ratings were circling the drain (it would only last another three years afterwards), so as far as he was concerned, he and others like him had effectively won in terms of shining a spotlight on all the show's flaws and making it impossible to take it seriously, and there was no point in kicking a dead horse any further.
430* Hồ Chí Minh wrote in his will that he's "leaving a few lines so that, should I go to meet with Karl Marx, Lenin, and other predecessor revolutionaries, my countrypeople, Party comrades, and friends everywhere would not feel it so sudden" because he was already 79 with a heart condition (which was what ultimately killed him) when people weren't expected to live past 70.
431* UsefulNotes/AcademyAward-winning visual effects artist Creator/CarloRambaldi gave this as the reason for his retirement in 1989, citing his belief that advances in CGI had rendered his line of work obsolete.
432[[/folder]]
433----

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