Line #1 Main/KidWithTheLeash


1	[[quoteright:350:[[Anime/FullMetalPanicFumoffu https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/kid_with_the_leash.png]]]]
2	[[caption-width-right:350:And if he goes the whole day without shooting someone, he gets a biscuit!]]
3
4	->'''Yami Yugi:''' Couldn't I just mind-crush him?\
5	'''Yugi:''' You can't fix all your problems by mind-crushing people!\
6	'''Yami Yugi:''' Oh, come on! Just one little mind-crush, it'll barely hurt him.\
7	'''Yugi:''' No! Bad pharaoh! No mind-crush!
8	-->-- ''WebVideo/YuGiOhTheAbridgedSeries'', Episode 18
9
10	TheKidWithTheRemoteControl, but with a twist: the controlled partner or servant is [[ShootTheDog pragmatic at best]], and [[HeroicComedicSociopath a raving loon at worst]]. The loyalty of the servant varies, but the typical example is essentially a portable version of SealedEvilInACan -- though a very loyal one can be even creepier. The servant [[TokenEvilTeammate openly admits]] his opinion that the best way to deal with obstacles and enemies is [[MurderIsTheBestSolution through complete annihilation]]. The kid (who is usually younger) is the moral compass who has to keep it under control (with a little help from the RestrainingBolt), and more importantly not fall victim to temptation.
11
12	Naturally, this works both ways, where the monster learns empathy and grudgingly accepts his master might not be so bad, while the handler learns not all things are as black and white as they think.
13
14	This is one of two things that can result from trying to control SealedEvilInACan. For the other, more cynical outcome, see EvilIsNotAToy. Compare GuardianEntity and MoralityChain, when the restraining is more emotional. Also, see VillainHoldsTheLeash.
15
16	----
17	!!Examples:
18
19	[[foldercontrol]]
20
21	[[folder:Anime & Manga]]
22	* ''Manga/Bastard1988'''s [[NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast Dark Schneider]] was all about this. A virgin maiden's kiss and a spell released him from his childish body and transformed him onto the cruel, evil, and horny black mage. Dark Schneider only cares about himself and his desires, and Tia Noto Yoko, the person who freed him, is the only person who can cow him into some semblance of behaving himself.
23	* ''Manga/BlackButler'': Ciel is a 12-year-old rich kid in control of a demon who just happens to be working as a butler in his mansion. Sebastian, the demon, pretty much does whatever Ciel tells him to do. He won't do anything without Ciel ordering him to. Of course, it's also quite clear he will eat Ciel's soul as soon as he fulfills the admittedly vague terms of their contract.
24	* ''Manga/ChronoCrusade'': Subverted (and sometimes [[DoubleSubversion subverted again]]). Considering Rosette is in a contract with a demon, it seems like they'd have this sort of relationship, and Rosette's commander, Sister Kate, is openly suspicious of her partner. But Chrono himself is a kind-hearted person that, in the words of another character, "wishes not to harm anyone." However, he does have a BerserkButton that sets off his demonic instincts at times -- meaning that occasionally Rosette ''does'' have to step in and order him to stop.
25	* ''Manga/{{Claymore}}'': In the recent chapters, it's shown that Raki has essentially become the leash-holder for Priscilla, who's taken on a much smaller form since she apparently hasn't been eating people lately and has been helping Raki find Yoma. Priscilla, by the way, is more or less the strongest awakened being '''ever'''. Raki, however, admits that he may have to kill her at some point and that she likely will eat him first if he tries.
26	* In ''Manga/Cyborg009'', we have a boy (0013) and a MysteriousWaif (Princess Ishuki) as the controllers of two enormous, murderous robots. Neither case goes well.
27	* The pot of ''Manga/DemonLoveSpell'' has the priestess Miko as the kid with the leash of the {{youkai}} Kagura, whom she sealed into a SleepModeSize.
28	* ''Literature/{{Durarara}}'':
29	** In an omake story, Tom's relationship with [[HairTriggerTemper Shizuo]] is shown to actually be a subversion. Tom is actually insulted by suggestions that Shizuo is his to control ("The kid isn't a ''dog''.") and, despite the fact that Shizuo was hired to be Tom's bodyguard, Tom actively ''avoids'' making Shizuo fight for him. In fact, several details (such as who pays for Shizuo's property damage) imply that Tom offered the job mostly for ''Shizuo's'' benefit.
30	** There is however, a straight example with [[spoiler:Anri]] and [[EvilWeapon Saika]]. Saika basically spends all of its time in [[spoiler:Anri]]'s head incessantly suggesting that she should let it [[MindRape "love"]] anyone and everyone, [[CargoShip especially]] [[InLoveWithYourCarnage Shizuo]]. [[spoiler:Anri]] is understandably a little distressed by this.
31	* ''Literature/FullMetalPanic!'': In a mild version of this trope, Kaname Chidori inspires a great deal of loyalty and protectiveness from her bodyguard Sōsuke, who is both capable of and willing to unleash copious amounts of carnage to keep her safe (much to her chagrin). The pair's relationship is at one point described as that of "a rabid dog and its master".
32	* ''Manga/FutureDiary'': Yukki is the only one that can stop [[{{Yandere}} Yuno]] whenever she tries to kill people. Considering they are in a [[ThereCanBeOnlyOne life or death survival game]], he has to let her loose more often than most.
33	* ''Manga/{{Gangsta}}'': Worick is the "kid" holding [[AxeCrazy Nicolas']] leash, and that's only due to the deep relationship and respect between the two. [[NeighborhoodFriendlyGangsters Though hardly a saint himself]] Worick has been [[MoralityChain responsible for preventing Nicolas from attacking or killing unnecessary targets more than a few times.]]
34	* ''Manga/{{Hellsing}}'': After her father's death, Integra Hellsing likely spent the rest of her childhood holding the leash of the ravenous vampire [[{{Dracula}} Alucard]] -- which could well explain a ''lot'' about [[IronLady her personality]]. Something uncommon about this example is that Alucard's loyalty is ''real''. He truly likes to serve Integra, he even respected her ancestor (Abraham van Helsing, the man who defeated and sealed him) having thought of him as a WorthyOpponent.
35	* ''Manga/InuYasha'', initially; in early episodes Kagome made Inu-Yasha behave himself with the help of a magic necklace that slammed him to the ground when she said the command word (''osuwari'', or "Sit"). She never actually ''stops'' doing this, but in later episodes, it's usually provoked more by [[BelligerentSexualTension romantic-comedy wackiness]] than actually restraining him from violence... except in regards to his SuperPoweredEvilSide.
36	* ''Manga/KamenNoMaidGuy'' has Naeka's hold over her 'servant' Kogarashi, who will use his wacky superpowers in increasingly outlandish and sociopathic ways to 'help' her. Said hold was tenuous at best even ''before'' the RestrainingBolt broke in the second episode and the only way to restrain him after that is with [[MegatonPunch the good old Ultra-Violence]].
37	* ''Manga/KamisamaKiss'': An ordinary teenage girl, Nanami Momozono, is made the new Land God of the Mikage shrine and ends up with Tomoe, [[AsianFoxSpirit a powerful and ruthless demon]], as a familiar. He is none too pleased about having to serve Nanami [[spoiler: at least initially]] but thanks to the familiar contract is forced to obey any order she gives him.
38	* The ''Manga/{{Loveless}}'' manga seems to be headed this way, with Ritsuka holding Soubi's leash when he wants to "deal with" Ritsuka's mother in a violent (and permanent) fashion. Lately, he's also started down the "teaching morality" track.
39	* ''Manga/{{Naruto}}'': In a way, the title character embodies this trope, as did Gaara before the events of Part 2. Naruto's "partner" is concerned mainly with protecting himself and therefore Naruto, and only aids him if he is in danger. Besides keeping itself alive, the fox has an ulterior motive to letting Naruto draw on its power: [[spoiler:once enough tails are released it starts to regain physical form. And the more often Naruto draws on its power, the easier it becomes for the Kyuubi to influence him]]. [[spoiler:As of chapter 570, Kurama (the fox) is now very willing to help Naruto out, having grown to deeply care for him and possibly believing him to be the reincarnation of the tailed beasts' father figure, The Sage of the Six Paths.]]
40	* ''Manga/NegimaMagisterNegiMagi'':
41	** Evangeline's first partner, the doll Chachazero, is a bloodthirsty thing that would rock ''Chucky's'' boxers. She often councils her mistress towards violence, murder, and mayhem. This is despite the fact that Evangeline herself is already a notoriously evil vampire sorceress with a huge bounty on her head...
42	** Also inverted in Evangeline's relationship with her other partner Chachamaru, a gentle-souled FriendToAllLivingThings of a RobotGirl.
43	* ''Manga/{{Nora}}'': Magari Kazuma is a rare example of a KidWithTheLeash who really isn't shy about yanking it; both he and the Dark Liege view his contract with [[{{Hellhound}} Nora]] ''entirely'' through the lens of "obedience training" ([[DogsAreDumb not]] [[CrouchingMoronHiddenBadass that]] [[GeniusDitz you]] [[WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity can]] [[BookDumb really]] [[HotBlooded blame]] [[IdiotHero them]]).
44	* ''Manga/PandoraHearts'': While Alice likes to pretend otherwise, it ultimately IS Oz who holds the leash. The terms of the contract between the teenage nobleman and the demonic, scythe-wielding 'Bloodstained Black Rabbit' are uncertain at best, but Oz's superb willpower means that he can effectively shut down Alice if she gets out of hand. [[spoiler:Or the fact that those powers were his to begin with, and Alice was just a vessel for said powers.]]
45	* Shin'ichi Izumi from the manga ''Manga/{{Parasyte}} / Kiseijuu'' exists in an uneasy partnership with "Migi", the parasitic alien that took over [[BodyHorror his right hand]] while attempting to eat his head.
46	* ''Manga/Reborn2004'': Tsuna and Gokudera have a relationship rather like this. Gokudera seems rather eager to kill people he dislikes (which includes pretty much everyone except Tsuna), with Tsuna constantly having to restrain him. [[HoYay His love for his boss]] is pretty much what [[MoralityChain keeps him from killing / beating up most people]].
47	* ''Anime/SamuraiSeven'' has Komachi and her "sidekick" Kikuchiyo.
48	* ''Manga/UshioAndTora'' has the title characters. Ushio's the kid who keeps the demon Tora at heel with a magic spear, as the two begrudgingly cooperate in fighting demons.
49	* ''Manga/VirginRipper'': Nagi is a kitten who becomes a cat-boy shinigami (think [[Manga/{{Hellsing}} Schrodinger]] with [[Manga/OnePiece Captain Kuro's]] [[WolverineClaws sword gloves]]). After being traumatized he thinks the title "Ripper" is his mama and will do anything to protect her, including [[AmbiguousInnocence "making squishy"]] anyone who threatens her, even her friends. She will no doubt try to correct this but trauma or not Nagi [[BlueAndOrangeMorality is still]] [[CatsAreMean a cat]].
50	* ''Anime/YuGiOh'':
51	** Yugi once he figures out how to communicate with the [[SuperpoweredEvilSide 3000-year-old pharaoh]] [[SealedGoodInACan possessing his necklace]], and tells him that [[DisproportionateRetribution ideas of justice]] have changed somewhat in the last couple of millennia.
52	** While the Pharaoh/Yami Yugi stops mind-crushing people in shadow duels after the Duelist Kingdom arc and becomes much more merciful and reasonable out of his own free will, sometimes he still needs the leash -- for example, when he wins in a duel that Pandora jury-rigged so that the loser will have his legs cut off by circular saws, and Pandora starts screaming and begging in terror as the saws approach him, Yami folds his arms and doesn't make a move to help him, incensed that Pandora tried to kill him and Yugi. Yugi has to forcibly take back his body in order to rescue Pandora. Additionally, in season 4, when an enraged Yami breaks the leash and blocks Yugi from his mind and body to stop him from interfering in his attempt to punish Rafael for claiming he was a bloodthirsty tyrant when he was a king, the results are predictably disastrous.
53	[[/folder]]
54
55	[[folder:Comic Books]]
56	* ''ComicBook/BlueBeetle'': Jaime Reyes with the [[PoweredArmor scarab]]. Much of the dialogue between the two consist of Jaime rejecting its suggestions to [[MurderIsTheBestSolution kill somebody]]. According to Metron, it shouldn't even ''have'' a "non-lethal setting."
57	** The DC-Verse being pegged way on the sunny end of the SlidingScaleOfIdealismVsCynicism, though, the scarab eventually comes around completely to its partner's way of thinking.
58	** Early on in the 2011 reboot things took a downward turn. The scarab is an AxCrazy killing machine that barely responds at all to Jaime's wishes. Jaime had to flee his hometown to prevent the Scarab from killing everyone around him. This is still a better deal for Jaime, since the Scarab normally should have taken full control of him. Jaime has recently gained much more control, though the Scarab's Plan A is always to kill.
59	[[/folder]]
60
61	[[folder:Fan Works]]
62	* In ''Fanfic/AllYouNeedIsLove'' [[Manga/DeathNote Naomi]] feels like this. She knows Light is a psycho [[MoralityChain but he could be so much worse...]] Also Naomi with [[spoiler: her son]] [[OriginalCharacter Duck]]. [[PathOfInspiration "No starting religions!"]]
63	* ''WebVideo/DeathNoteTheAbridgedSeriesKpts4tv'':
64	-->'''L:''' Bad Light! No killing!
65	* In the [[AlternateUniverseFic AU]] ''[[http://archiveofourown.org/works/367504/chapters/597522 Green Glass]]'': when four year old Harry Potter receives Tom Riddle's diary...
66	-->'''Tom:''' There are all sorts of spells; hexes and jinxes, curses, charms... there are spells to find things, to protect you, to hide things, and spells to hurt the people who hurt you.\
67	'''Harry:''' Like Abra Kadabra?\
68	'''Tom:''' Yes. Like [[OneHitKill Abra Kadabra.]]
69	* In ''[[https://archiveofourown.org/works/17545865/chapters/41522255#workskin It Takes a Child to Teach a Village]]'', Izuku ends up in this role for an entire slum, including three different gangs, because he's tutoring all of them. In the first five chapters, Izuku breaks up a gang brawl twice by threatening to ban people from his classes. The second time, his students who were participating are forced to write a ten page essay overnight as punishment.
70	* ''Fanfic/PassioneSpeedrunAnyPercentWorldRecord'': [[Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventureGoldenWind Bruno Bucciarati]] reputation as [[spoiler:TheDon of Passione]] is as the ReasonableAuthorityFigure that is able to guide and keep in line the supernatural force known as Giorno Giovanna, who's essentially [[LikeASonToMe one of Bruno's kids]] rather than an unnatural attack dog as most of Passione sees him.
71	* From ''Fanfic/TheJadedEyesSeries'':
72	-->'''Tristan:''' [[Manga/{{Hellsing}} Alucard]]... [[ThisIsGonnaSuck go play...]]
73	* In ''Fanfic/SolInvictus'', Zoro would only take orders from Luffy. The other characters note that she seems to be the only one who can do it.
74	* Takato fulfills this role towards [[spoiler: Chaos]] in the ''Fanfic/TamersForeverSeries''
75	* [[Literature/{{Worm}} Taylor]] is this towards ''the Endbringers'' in [[https://forums.spacebattles.com/threads/with-friends-like-these-altpower-taylor-worm.312205/ With Friends Like These]].
76	[[/folder]]
77
78	[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]
79	* The premise of ''Film/DannyTheDog'' (known as ''Unleashed'' [[MarketBasedTitle in some countries]]) is a variation in which a gangster has raised a man as a dog -- a dog with deadly martial arts skills -- who, when he has his collar removed, serves his master's whims rather than his own, mainly debt collection and pit fighting. [[GladiatorRevolt Guess what happens...]]
80	* ''Film/GingerSnaps2Unleashed'' ends with [[spoiler:[[CreepyLonerGirl Ghost]] becoming this after Brigitte fully transforms into a werewolf, locking her in the basement to unleash on anybody who crosses her]].
81	* ''Film/KingOfSnake'' is a giant monster B-Movie where the kid is a little girl who found a stray snake, and somehow had it exposed to high-tech deffractor rays turning the snake [[TheGreatSerpent titanic sized]]. Said snake monster is docile when with it's owner, but when the child was abducted by a criminal syndicate the snake goes crazy on a rampage and destroys half of Taipei trying to locate it's owner.
82	* In ''Film/PGPsychoGoreman'', siblings Mimi and Luke accidentally revive an intergalactic overlord but are able to use a magical amulet to control him. The kids (mainly [[BigSisterBully Mimi]]) dub him Psycho Goreman ("PG" for short) and force him to be their playmate and instrument of revenge against bullies and nuisances.
83	* In ''Film/Terminator2JudgmentDay'', John Connor discovers early on in the film that he has complete verbal control over the Terminator cyborg played by Schwarzenegger. Of course, he also learns he has to [[ExactWords word his instructions carefully]] -- an instruction to not kill anyone leads to a guard getting shot in the leg, with the explanation, "[[OnlyAFleshWound He'll live]]."
84	[[/folder]]
85
86	[[folder:Literature]]
87	* Deconstructed/subverted in ''Literature/TheBartimaeusTrilogy'': Nathaniel (an apprentice magician) firmly believes that demons are AlwaysChaoticEvil, and that elaborate incantations and [[ExactWords careful wording]] are necessary to keep enslaved summons in check. While this is not entirely unjustified (Bartimaeus is very open about his willingness to free himself by killing Nathaniel if he had the chance), Bartimaeus -- the demon -- is often [[NobleDemon more moral]] than Nathaniel. He complains about being given less-than-ethical tasks, and there are hints throughout the series that both the djinni and the boy would be better off if Nathaniel relaxed the restraints and simply ''trusted'' him.
88	** The rule is kept, however, with Bartimeaus' favorite master, [[spoiler:Ptolemy, who was able to form a strong bond of trust through his companionship until his death. He is the one who originally formed Bartimaeus' ethics.]]
89	* ''Literature/{{Discworld}}'': There's an odd example with Death and his servant Albert, with Death being the "kid" and Albert the one on the leash. In life, Albert was a malevolent wizard and, when he knew he was going to die, performed -- in reverse -- a ritual that was supposed to summon Death, on the logic that it would send Death away from him. Instead, it sent him to Death. Albert has "lived" for centuries in Death's Domain and can now only spend a limited time on earth before his remaining minutes of life are used up. While Albert is not a physical threat to Death, he is much more cynical than his master, and in several books evidences a willingness to betray his master and regain his status in life.
90	** It helps that Albert is heavily implied to be ''vastly'' more powerful than his wizened, chain-smoking form would lead you to believe. Albert and Death are ''fond'' of one another in an odd way though.
91	* In ''Literature/DragonBones'', the AffablyEvil villain has a servant who is ''very'' sadistic, and has to be held back in order to achieve his long-term villainous goals. He also has a big, scary monster, that is held under control by several wizards.
92	* Heroine of several Literature/ForgottenRealms short stories (''Thieves' Reward'', ''Thieves' Honor'', ''Thieves' Justice'') by Mary H. Herbert, thief Teza managed to [[strike:swindle AntiVillain out of]] magically bind an [[http://forgottenrealms.wikia.com/wiki/Aughisky aughisky]] - a very rare sentient [[CarnivoreConfusion humanoid-eating]] [[HorseOfADifferentColor horse]]. She both rode him and got rid of many enemies by her monster's teeth. Teza loved even ''normal'' horses and cared ''very'' well for the most cool and beautiful mount she ever saw. That paid off when control was broken: instead of simply devouring her, the aughisky [[spoiler:saved her life and left. And even allied with her later on.]]
93	* ''Literature/TheGirlAndTheGhost'': Suraya frequently stops her ghost friend Pink from using his powers to take revenge on her bullies, thinking it makes her no better than they are. Not that this stops him from doing it behind her back.
94	* ''Literature/GoodOmens'': To signify TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt, the Antichrist is sent a fearsome and terrifying hell hound that is his to command. However, as the Antichrist has grown up as an ordinary boy who is completely unaware of his destiny, upon its arrival he unwittingly commands it to become an ordinary pet dog -- and as the novel progresses, the hound becomes progressively less interested in tearing the throats out of the innocent and more interested in chasing cats.
95	* A mild version in the ''Literature/HonorHarrington'' series. Sphinxian Treecats believe that there are only two kinds of enemies: Those who are dead, and those who are not yet dealt with. This is due to a combination of the unforgiving deadliness of many predators on Sphinx (including the Treecats themselves), and the fact that the Treecat trait of {{Telepath}}y means that there's no point to being subversive or subtle in Treecat society: They all know what you're thinking anyways. It's a mild example because, while that's a rule in Treecat society, they understand that such a mindset is not shared by most Humans and behave themselves while amongst them.
96	* ''Literature/JourneyToChaos'': The adult in this case and the leash is on BloodDrinker. The only thing stopping this EvilWeapon from eating everyone in sight is Basilard's will.
97	* ''Literature/JourneyToTheWest'': This is the very essence of the dynamic between Xuanzang and Sun Wukong, the BloodKnight Monkey King only following the ActualPacifist monk due to the constricting circlet about his head.
98	%%* Alexa from ''Literature/TheLastDragonChronicles''. One could make the point that she's the mastermind behind it all...
99	* Mogget in the ''Literature/OldKingdom'' trilogy by Creator/GarthNix. He's an incredibly powerful and very, very angry Free Magic creature, but a powerful Charter Magic spell in his collar locks him into serving the Abhorsens and [[RestrainingBolt cuts off a lot of his power]]. If the Abhorsen takes off his collar, he returns to his original form and helps them for a little bit. Unfortunately, he then starts on a RoaringRampageOfRevenge against the people who've been controlling him for centuries. ([[spoiler:Although it's not a matter of him having something [[ItsPersonal against the Abhorsens personally]]; it's just that he ''really'' wants to get back at the Seven for binding him in the first place, and guess who happens to embody the remnants of Saraneth?]])
100	* In the ''Literature/RavnicaCycle'' novel ''Dissension'', the young Myczil savod Zunich ends up with a PsychicLink to [[DemonLordsAndArchDevils Rakdos the Defiler]] due to an ImperfectRitual. This gives Myc a measure of control over the demon's actions. Rakdos isn't happy about this in the slightest, as he wants to go on a bloody rampage and doesn't like that the small child in his head is giving his prey a chance to run away, and he warns Myc that he will destroy him as soon as he can figure out how to do so without potentially harming himself. Sure enough, Rakdos immediately tries to kill Myc once their link is broken, though he is interrupted before he can do so.
101	* Possibly the most extreme leash is from Creator/TerryPratchett's ''Literature/SmallGods'' where Brutha -- the humble servant -- holds Om's -- the omnipotent deity -- leash as the last person who believes in him. Since a god's power and very existence is based on belief, Om has to follow Brutha and keep him interested in worshipping him. [[spoiler:Even once he manages to win back more followers than ever, he's still loyal to Brutha's commands.]]
102	** Sam Vimes spends most of ''Literature/{{Thud}}'' fighting off, and eventually besting, a quasi-demonic entity called the Summoning Dark which begins as a Dwarfen concept of vengeance and retribution for crimes committed. Once Sam masters it, in the suceeding novel ''Literature/{{Snuff}}'', it becomes not a spirit of pitiless destructive vengeance, but, in its way, a supernatural policeman who actually investigates crimes for Vimes - but after providing evidence, it leaves justice and punishment to others.
103	** And of course, Rincewind theoretically has this relationship with The Luggage, occasionally trying to stop it from ''completely'' slaughtering everything in the vicinity.
104	* ''Literature/ASongOfIceAndFire'':
105	** The Stark children's direwolves have grown up into ''extremely'' dangerous animals. The wolves have also saved their owners' lives on several occasions.
106	** Daenarys Targaryen's adorable little baby dragons grow up into, well, ''dragons''. Take all of the problems associated with the direwolves and add a few tons of muscle, wings, the ability to breathe fire, and a voracious appetite.
107	* ''Literature/{{Temeraire}}'': {{Subverted\|Trope}} regarding dragons, which the British believe to be violent beasts who are uncontrollable unless bonded to a [[DragonRider Captain]] fresh out of the shell. The first book shows that they're completely sapient and generally moral, if a bit alien in their mindset. The second visits China, where riderless dragons are fully integrated into society with equal rights to humans, and where bonding of hatchlings is considered ''child abuse''.
108	[[/folder]]
109
110	[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
111	* ''Series/GameOfThrones'': Essentially how Tywin views Tyrion's relationship with the wildling clans.
112	* ''Series/TheGirlFromTomorrow'': At one point, one of the protagonists has the BigBad under control with a device that controls his every movement. Eventually he's trusted enough to go places -- heavily guarded and with the device at the ready -- and saves a boy from drowning in order to convince his master that he's undergone a HeelFaceTurn so he'll deactivate the device. It works, much to the distress of the title character, who doesn't buy it.
113	* In ''Series/PersonOfInterest'', the Machine becomes this to Root. To clarify: the [[BigBrotherIsWatching all-seeing]] [[SinisterSurveillance surveillance state]] [[ArtificialIntelligence AI]] is the benevolent leash-holder, and perky Creator/AmyAcker is the barely-restrained avatar of chaos and doom.
114	* In ''Series/{{Scandal}}'', Huck informs Olivia that, contrary to what she might think, he is very much a RetiredMonster. Her taking him in gave her his UndyingLoyalty but it did ''not'' change what he is. It's just that he has a leash now, which she holds.
115	-->'''Huck''': "You took in a wild monster, and you groomed me and petted me and trained me to sit at your feet. But that doesn't make me a puppy, Liv, that just makes me a [[UndyingLoyalty very loyal monster]]. So I didn't go too far, I went exactly as far as my leash allows. And you hold the leash."
116	* ''Series/TheYoungOnes'' has [[TheAce Mike]] hold the leash of [[HeroicComedicSociopath Vyvyan]].
117	[[/folder]]
118
119	[[folder:Puppet Shows]]
120	* On ''Series/TheMuppetShow'' and all movies featuring the Muppets, Floyd seems to be the only one who can keep Animal under any sort of control.
121	[[/folder]]
122
123	[[folder:Tabletop Games]]
124	* An example of the rarer, more loyal variant: In the ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'' campaign setting ''TabletopGame/{{Ravenloft}}'', the class-based critters of wizards (familiars) and paladins (holy steeds) are transformed into entities known as "Dread Companions". These perverted versions of the ordinary companions are totally evil, but remain slavishly devoted to their master, to the point of acting on his or her subconscious desires.
125	* ''TabletopGame/LeviathanTheTempest'': {{Deconstructed}} with Atolls, who effectively have the ability to enthrall Leviathans much as Leviathans enthrall ordinary humans. A few words from an Atoll can permanently add dots to a Leviathan's KarmaMeter … or take them away. The book makes it very clear that these relationships tend to be incredibly dysfunctional on both sides.
126	* ''TabletopGame/MonstersAndOtherChildishThings'' is essentially KidWithTheLeash : The RPG. The player characters are ordinary children whose best friends happen to be hideous, often-Lovecraftian monsters.
127	* Zealotry abound in ''Tormenta''. Servants of the goddess of Life revere fertility, healing, life and the product of those: Kids. The city of Smokestone is home to the Children, a group of clerics of Lena that pledged their loyalty to a group of kids that they raise. Even though they learn to never harm other people (it's part of Lena's restrictions), having kids leading over a bunch of adults with the power to channel the wrath of a god is an excellent way to show how evil those little bastards can get.
128	[[/folder]]
129
130	[[folder:Video Games]]
131	* ''VideoGame/AtelierIris2TheAzothOfDestiny'' has Felt hold the leash of the Azure Azoth. The all-powerful sword (capable of destroying continents) insists on killing to get rid of obstacles and complains about Felt's moral choices.
132	* ''VideoGame/BeyondTwoSouls'': The protagonist, Jodie, has spent her entire life with a {{Poltergeist}}-like entity called Aiden. [[MoralityPet Aiden seems to genuinely care for Jodie's wellbeing]] and does what it can to protect her, usually taking orders from her, but sometimes, Aiden acts on his own and can get quite malevolent if provoked. For this reason, hurting Jodie is generally a very, ''very'' bad idea.
133	* ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'': Summoners in general count as these are nasty creatures and the summoners are typically children to young adults.
134	** ''Videogame/FinalFantasyIX'': Eiko is the last of the summoners and is one of the two youngest in the group.
135	** ''Videogame/FinalFantasyX'': Yuna A 17 year old girl (so yes, she's still a 'kid' ) who can summon a large number of beasts to fight for her.
136	** ''Videogame/FinalFantasyXII'' The summon creatures in this game are explictly evil and bound by magic seals to obey the heroes.
137	* ''VideoGame/OkageShadowKing'': The premise of the game is somewhat of an inversion of this, as the kid with the leash is actually ''subservient'' to the Omnicidal Mani... er... [[MikeNelsonDestroyerofWorlds evil demon king]]. At least, in theory...
138	* ''VideoGame/{{Outlast}}'': The [[EldritchAbomination Walrider]] can only exist while bonded to a human host, and will obey that person's every whim with mindless determination. If said host wants someone dead, [[NoHoldsBarredBeatdown the Walrider makes sure they are very dead]]. [[spoiler: By the end of the game, the protagonist is the Walrider's new host, and now has an extremely violent, [[PhysicalGod extremely powerful entity]] under his control.]]
139	* [[spoiler:Wendy]] in ''VideoGame/RuleOfRose'' controls [[spoiler:the serial killer Stray Dog by pretending to be his dead son, and literally walks him on a leash and trains him like a dog. Once she sets him loose, there's no stopping him, however.]]
140	* Several of the demons/personae in the various ''Franchise/ShinMegamiTensei'' games border on this. You know, because so many of them are OlympusMons.
141	* The protagonist of ''VideoGame/SoulNomadAndTheWorldEaters'', who keeps [[OmnicidalManiac Omnicidal]] SociopathicHero Gig on a very short leash by having imprisoned Gig's soul inside his/her own body and extracting minuscule amounts of godly power from Gig as a form of lease for having him stay there. Gig, on his side, finds the protagonist repellently noble and constantly tries to goad the protagonist into doing acts of evil or tempting him into accepting more of his powers, which will grant Gig more control over the protagonist's body.
142	** An interesting subversion can happen during a NewGamePlus, [[spoiler:where the protagonist has the option of becoming enamoured with his power and lets go of the leash, resulting in him becoming an OmnicidalManiac who's as bad as, if not ''worse than'', Gig himself.]] Who of course finds the whole thing hilarious and starts handing out power like it was Christmas time. Right up until he realizes that [[spoiler:[[EvilIsNotAToy maybe supporting the crazy wasn't such a good idea]] when he gets [[YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness eaten by the protagonist himself]]]]
143	* In ''Franchise/StarWars: VideoGame/KnightsOfTheOldRepublic'', the assassin droid HK-47 enthusiastically offers to kill almost every character you meet. (Whether or not you allow him to do so is up to you.)
144	* ''VideoGame/StreetFighterIII'' has Hugo, a brutal, beastly mountain of a man... who is kept in check by his manager, [[GenderBender Poison]].
145	* In ''VideoGame/SummonNight: Swordcraft Story 2'', the player may choose the half-angel, half-devil Dinah as their [[TheKidWithTheLeash Guardian Beast]]. Her devil half ''claims'' to be [[NobleDemon heartless and evil]], and that she's forced by circumstance to work for the main character. Her catchphrase is "I guess I don't have a choice", whenever Edge/Air announces his/her plans to do ''anything''. Her failure to be ''completely'' evil is just that blasted angel interfering plus enlightened self-interest, honest! No, really!
146	* Van Vat Tran and his minion Archibald Grimms in ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWarsOriginalGeneration 2'', who keeps Archibald in line with careful instructions, insanity notwithstanding... mostly to keep him from slaughtering civilians. For a villain, Van isn't a bad guy.
147	* Subverted in several ways with ''Franchise/TouhouProject'' and Remilia/Flandre. Fits because Flandre is AxCrazy insane and only Remilia (and to lesser extent Sakuya, her maid) keeps Flandre under control. Subverted because Flandre is actually younger than Remilia (not by much though), because they're both about 500 years old vampires, and because they're actually sisters.
148	* In ''Wayward Souls'', this is the entire driving force behind the Cultist's storyline. Her cult runs on PowersViaPossession, using tattoos and raw willpower to keep the demons from taking over completely. She enters the dungeons to test the capabilities of her new demon, who is still fighting hard for total control. [[spoiler:She wins by threatening to repent (which, judging by the demon's Villainous Breakdown, would banish it) if it goes too far, though each still sees the other as a pet for the rest of the game.]]
149	[[/folder]]
150
151	[[folder:Web Animation]]
152	* ''WebAnimation/{{RWBY}}'': Played with. While both are dangerous criminals, according to commentary, Neo would actually be ''more'' dangerous without Roman. Seems to be proven as, before Roman died, Neo only killed those she was ordered to- currently, she aims to hunt and kill ''anyone'' associated with his death.
153	[[/folder]]
154
155	[[folder:Web Comics]]
156	* ''Webcomic/CobwebAndStripes'': Lydia is this quite literally for Betelgeuse in the first several chapters. He invokes an ancient magical law which changes his punishment from straight-up imprisonment to being bound to a mortal anchor, and invisible chains prevent him from moving far from her side.
157	* ''Webcomic/GirlGenius'': The Heterodyne family serves as a family of [[PsychopathicManchild psychopathic]] {{mad scientist}}s with the leash to Castle Heterodyne.
158	** Agatha is one of the few with any empathy, kindness, or respect for other humans. However, Agatha has to watch how she orders the Castle. It tends to interpret her orders... creatively.
159	** Agatha's father and uncle were the "Heterodyne Boys", heroic adventurer sparks who tried to help other people as well. This trope applies in several more cases, too; the Heterodynes had ''lots'' of servants to the line, including the Castle itself, the Jagers, and the people of Mechanicsburg. Agatha, through her mother's CompellingVoice, also has some degree of control over several of the geisterdamen, the slaver wasps and creatures, and anyone infected with the new slaver wasps.
160	* ''Webcomic/{{Goblins}}'' has an inversion in Kin, a kind and heroic yuan-ti (snake-person), kept on a literal magical leash by the significantly less benevolent Captain Goblinslayer.
161	* ''Webcomic/GunnerkriggCourt'': The fox spirit Reynardine possesses one of Antimony's old toys. Unfortunately for Rey, because she owns his current host, she also owns him; he more or less has to do as she says. The court isn't very happy about it, but confiscating Reynard wouldn't be a legitimate ownership transfer and could free him. As of Chapter 52, [[spoiler: Antimony has given Reynard to Kat rather than give him to her father.]]
162	* ''Webcomic/LookingForGroup'': The undead warlock Richard is an OmnicidalManiac held back (sometimes) by group leader Cale. Though as Richard is, by far, the strongest member of the group, Cale has had to be a bit more tolerant than Roy.
163	* ''Webcomic/ManlyGuysDoingManlyThings'': Jared the ex-Pokémon trainer has a Gyarados which he named Mr. Fish as his partner. He was kicked out of the Pokémon League because he wasn't tight enough with the leash and allowed Mr. Fish to ''eat'' his competitors. Aside from this Mr. Fish is completely loyal to Jared.
164	* ''Webcomic/TheOrderOfTheStick'': Roy (Lawful Good fighter and party leader) is one of the few things keeping Belkar (ChaoticEvil halfling ranger and barbarian) in check. Occasionally with a magical RestrainingBolt, but not as the main tool.
165	* ''Webcomic/SluggyFreelance'': The cast try to do this with Bun-Bun. They don't have much in the way of actual ''control'' over him, but they've gotten rather good at arranging situations so it's in Bun-Bun's best interest to help them. Or at least in his best interest not to skin them alive.
166	[[/folder]]
167
168	[[folder:Web Original]]
169	* Though not exactly a kid, the ''Website/SCPFoundation'' has [[spoiler:SCP-1055, a biomass that resembles a teddy bear under normal conditions and will spontaneously and unceasingly grow in size in relation to the number, proximity, and emotional state of people who are aware of it. The only known method of containment involves Mikey, a man with autistic spectrum disorder and Down's syndrome: his condition means he does not properly register as aware of SCP-1055 and he feels genuinely protective of it, thus not triggering its growth.]]
170	* ''Literature/{{Worm}}'':
171	** Kevin Norton is an old British hobo who calls himself "The Most Powerful Man in the World". Most assume he's just crazy, but there is a reason behind his words: [[spoiler:Scion, the most powerful superhero in existence, listens to him and does what he says. He doesn't know why, but for whatever reason Scion occasionally visits him, and when Kevin tells him he should do something, he does it.]]
172	** Tattletale [[spoiler:figures out how to direct [[EldritchAbomination the Endbringers]].]]
173	[[/folder]]
174
175	[[folder:Western Animation]]
176	* ''WesternAnimation/{{Beetlejuice}}'': Lydia Deetz is the only character who can keep the eponymous AntiHero under control. She's a blend of this trope and MoralityChain; he genuinely adores her and will (however reluctantly) behave himself if she asks.
177	* ''WesternAnimation/TheGrimAdventuresOfBillyAndMandy'': TheGrimReaper is forced to become the best friend of Mandy (a sociopathic CreepyChild) and Billy (who's dumber than pond scum).
178	* ''WesternAnimation/JackieChanAdventures'': Jade once got control of the Shadow Khan. It was... interesting, to say the least; they were perfectly loyal to her, but maintaining control of them turned Jade evil.
179	* ''WesternAnimation/MinaAndTheCount'': Vampire mellows out for a little girl.
180	[[/folder]]

Context Main / KidWithTheLeash