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Commander Red: [laughing] I don't really see this as losing a foe, but gaining 4 Dragon Balls! Just one more ball... and at last my dream to be as tall as a mountain will come true. Soon, no one will ever be able to look down at Commander Red again! I will become ruler of all I can see and my eyes shall tower over the heavens.
Staff Officer Black: Commander Red, what did you mean by that?
Red: [turns around to see Black behind him] You! You're still...!
Black: Alive? Yes commander, sorry to disappoint you, and I heard every word you said. Do you mean all of this was so you could gain a few inches?
Red: You bet! And what's wrong with that?
Black: It's a selfish goal that has nothing to do with the Red Ribbon Army!
Red: It has everything to do with this army and my plans for the organization! These Dragon Balls are the tools I need to make this army and myself huge. It would be a grave mistake to underestimate my plan!
Black: Your lame plan's going to get us all killed!
Red: I am the Red Ribbon Army! What's good for me is good for everyone, and I want to be taller! All my life I've drawn the short straw. I've had to contend with being a mere pebble in a land of giants. It is the curse of my existence! You couldn't possibly understand what it's like — The nightmare of being a genius, yet trapped inside this ugly little body!
Black: I understand that loyalty means nothing to you. You sold me out for your vanity!
Red: What's really eating you is there's no commander in front of your name and there never will be! Do you want to know why? Because you're small time, you're just a lackey, my errand boy! At your age it's pathetic! [cue Red getting shot in the head]
Staff Officer Black: Commander Red, what did you mean by that?
Red: [turns around to see Black behind him] You! You're still...!
Black: Alive? Yes commander, sorry to disappoint you, and I heard every word you said. Do you mean all of this was so you could gain a few inches?
Red: You bet! And what's wrong with that?
Black: It's a selfish goal that has nothing to do with the Red Ribbon Army!
Red: It has everything to do with this army and my plans for the organization! These Dragon Balls are the tools I need to make this army and myself huge. It would be a grave mistake to underestimate my plan!
Black: Your lame plan's going to get us all killed!
Red: I am the Red Ribbon Army! What's good for me is good for everyone, and I want to be taller! All my life I've drawn the short straw. I've had to contend with being a mere pebble in a land of giants. It is the curse of my existence! You couldn't possibly understand what it's like — The nightmare of being a genius, yet trapped inside this ugly little body!
Black: I understand that loyalty means nothing to you. You sold me out for your vanity!
Red: What's really eating you is there's no commander in front of your name and there never will be! Do you want to know why? Because you're small time, you're just a lackey, my errand boy! At your age it's pathetic! [cue Red getting shot in the head]
— Dragon Ball, "The End of Commander Red"
Vaccine Man: You're a fast one. Who are you?
Saitama: Just a guy who's a hero for fun.
Vaccine Man: You're kidding. What kind of half-assed backstory is that?! Mine's far superior!
(one Motive Rant later)
Vaccine Man: You say you do this for fun? FOR FUN!? How dare you confront Mother Earth's apostle for such a mindless reason! Yet what could be expected from a huma—
Saitama: Just a guy who's a hero for fun.
Vaccine Man: You're kidding. What kind of half-assed backstory is that?! Mine's far superior!
(one Motive Rant later)
Vaccine Man: You say you do this for fun? FOR FUN!? How dare you confront Mother Earth's apostle for such a mindless reason! Yet what could be expected from a huma—
Comic Books
"So that's the REAL reason you're after us: Because you're jealous. For someone who calls himself a "god", that's just PATHETIC!"
"Good news? That he did this to keep himself 'occupied'? You can't tell me this! You can't tell me that you - you violated, tortured helpless human beings - Just for FUN?!"
— Jolt, Thunderbolts
Kaga: What were you expecting? A master plan? A scheme to turn off the sun? This is the real world. Hatred and disgust are good enough reasons to want to kill people.
Cyclops: Seriously? There are people who hate us because we're not outcast enough?
Cyclops: Seriously? There are people who hate us because we're not outcast enough?
Superman: Do you mind telling me why it is you want to kill me?
Maelstrom: I intend to become the Queen of Apokolips! Darkseid will see the extent of my devotion to him.
Superman: How demented and sad, but I suppose that's par for the course on Apokolips. I'm not sorry to say that I'm sending you home empty-handed, Maelstrom. You seem like a very disturbed woman.
Maelstrom: I intend to become the Queen of Apokolips! Darkseid will see the extent of my devotion to him.
Superman: How demented and sad, but I suppose that's par for the course on Apokolips. I'm not sorry to say that I'm sending you home empty-handed, Maelstrom. You seem like a very disturbed woman.
Fan Works
Paragus: You are probably wondering where this unfettered hatred for Kakarot stems from.
Vegeta: Not... really? Hating Kakarot kinda gives me life, so—
Paragus: It all began—
Vegeta: Oh, I'm being ignored.
Paragus: —when they were but newborn babes. Their cribs in the maternity ward were right beside each other. And Kakarot cried, terrorizing my son!
Vegeta: And... then?
Paragus: That's it.
Vegeta: Didn't my father stab him?
Paragus: Indeed.
Vegeta: Then why doesn't he hate me?
Paragus: Oh, no, I hate you — well, I hated your father, and therefore you. Broly hates Kakarot. Because he cried. A lot. For, like, three hours.
Vegeta: But... that's really dumb. B-but he's so cool! BUT THAT'S SO DUMB!!
[later]
Vegeta: I don't know what's going on anymore... He's so cool but he's so goddamned dumb!
Piccolo: Okay, Vegeta, while you're here having this "crisis", we're out there getting beaten to a bloody paste!
Vegeta: But you don't understand, the Legendary Super SaiyanTM is motivated by a crying infant! HE IS A LITERAL GIANT FUCKING BABY!!
Vegeta: Not... really? Hating Kakarot kinda gives me life, so—
Paragus: It all began—
Vegeta: Oh, I'm being ignored.
Paragus: —when they were but newborn babes. Their cribs in the maternity ward were right beside each other. And Kakarot cried, terrorizing my son!
Vegeta: And... then?
Paragus: That's it.
Vegeta: Didn't my father stab him?
Paragus: Indeed.
Vegeta: Then why doesn't he hate me?
Paragus: Oh, no, I hate you — well, I hated your father, and therefore you. Broly hates Kakarot. Because he cried. A lot. For, like, three hours.
Vegeta: But... that's really dumb. B-but he's so cool! BUT THAT'S SO DUMB!!
[later]
Vegeta: I don't know what's going on anymore... He's so cool but he's so goddamned dumb!
Piccolo: Okay, Vegeta, while you're here having this "crisis", we're out there getting beaten to a bloody paste!
Vegeta: But you don't understand, the Legendary Super SaiyanTM is motivated by a crying infant! HE IS A LITERAL GIANT FUCKING BABY!!
"What you've gone through? Starlight...your friend moved away. That's it. I'll admit, when you and I came into conflict, I was thinking and thinking of all the things that could have occurred to you to make you this way. But this? I have to say...I am immensely disappointed. You know, as terrible as many of my enemies have been, I've at least understood why they did what they did. Chrysalis? She had an entire race to provide for and feed. Discord? He's the embodiment of chaos, so it's natural for him to do what he does. Sombra? Brought up isolated and often in pain because of where he came from. But this? This...this is nothing compared to all that!"
—Twilight Sparkle to Starlight Glimmer, ...That's it?
""You had potential, rookie! You were going places! Why the hell would you throw all that away? Over a stupid picture?!"
—Spitfire to Rainbow Dash, Solar Eclipse
"Going home, what a great motivation for genocide!"
—Sonic to The Exiled, Sonic Omens
Dartz: [Atlantis] was the gweatest civilization the world has avah known!
Yami: I assume your city evolved so much, the struggle to achieve greater and greater heights caused you to destroy yourselves? You know, classic case of "don't fly too close to the sun?"
Dartz: Nah, man. Our civiwization was destroyed by people turning into furries.
Yami: ...Ah. (clears throat) What?
Dartz: [...] I tried to pretend everything was fine! But then my byootiful, hot Atwantean wife, Queen Eaona, was twansfowmed by the Orichalcomalos into some kind of weird anthropomeffic monster! I was heartbwoken... and faster than you could say "yiff yiff," my entire wowrld... got wuined... Embwacing the magic of the Orichalcomalos had wevealed humanity's twue nature, and wavaged the person I loved. So I did what any weasonable person would do: I embwaced the magic of the Orichalcomalos.
Yami: Well, that checks out.
Dartz: The Orichalcos told me that it was my destiny to awaken the gweat Weviathan, and wipe the evil of humanity from the face of the planet.
Yami: So Let Me Get This Straight... you lived in a nice place, some rocks fell from the sky, the place wasn't so nice anymore, so now you're using these rocks to kill everybody?
Dartz: Well, you're skipping on the details a wittle bit, but yeah, the furry stuff was vast and deep and darker than you know, but yeah, that's about the sum of it.
Yami: Remember in Infinity War, when you realize that maybe what Thanos was doing kind of made sense? Yeah, this the exact opposite of that.
Yami: I assume your city evolved so much, the struggle to achieve greater and greater heights caused you to destroy yourselves? You know, classic case of "don't fly too close to the sun?"
Dartz: Nah, man. Our civiwization was destroyed by people turning into furries.
Yami: ...Ah. (clears throat) What?
Dartz: [...] I tried to pretend everything was fine! But then my byootiful, hot Atwantean wife, Queen Eaona, was twansfowmed by the Orichalcomalos into some kind of weird anthropomeffic monster! I was heartbwoken... and faster than you could say "yiff yiff," my entire wowrld... got wuined... Embwacing the magic of the Orichalcomalos had wevealed humanity's twue nature, and wavaged the person I loved. So I did what any weasonable person would do: I embwaced the magic of the Orichalcomalos.
Yami: Well, that checks out.
Dartz: The Orichalcos told me that it was my destiny to awaken the gweat Weviathan, and wipe the evil of humanity from the face of the planet.
Yami: So Let Me Get This Straight... you lived in a nice place, some rocks fell from the sky, the place wasn't so nice anymore, so now you're using these rocks to kill everybody?
Dartz: Well, you're skipping on the details a wittle bit, but yeah, the furry stuff was vast and deep and darker than you know, but yeah, that's about the sum of it.
Yami: Remember in Infinity War, when you realize that maybe what Thanos was doing kind of made sense? Yeah, this the exact opposite of that.
"You stole money from a man, and then used it to send Rogues to prey upon his children. You traumatized multiple people — multiple children. Onomatopoeia nearly killed one of Damian Wayne's friends. Jason Todd-Wayne was poisoned and thrown in the trunk of a car. The man you sent to watch Richard Grayson-Wayne would have raped and mutilated him if given half the chance. Both the men you chose to set upon Tim Wayne would have done worse. You arranged for a child to be tortured before being killed. All because you felt slighted''?
— Batman, Kidnapping the Waynes
"Y-You're going to destroy the Tokyo National Museum? Just because they're getting rid of some good-looking art? That— That's so stupid!"
"So because of the threat of losing your job, you decided to rape this country into submission. Ah... I have never heard such a vile, arrogant speech in my entire life."
—Kyril, The Night Unfurls
Film — Animated
"It's true, Batsy! I know everything. And kind of like the kid who peeks at his Christmas presents, I must admit... it's sadly anti-climactic. Behind all the sturm und batarangs, you're just a little boy in a playsuit, crying for Mommy and Daddy! It'd be funny if it weren't so pathetic... Oh, what the heck, I'll laugh anyway!" (mad laughter)
"You make me laugh... but only because I think you're kind of pathetic. (mocking laugh) So you fell in a tank of acid, got your skin bleached, and decided to become a supervillain. What, you couldn't get work as a rodeo clown?" (mocking laugh)
— Terry McGinnis, throwing back the trope at Joker, Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker
"You mean you killed off real heroes so that you could... PRETEND TO BE ONE!?"
— Bob Parr/Mr. Incredible, summarizing Syndrome's plan, The Incredibles
[Juniper Montage is revealed to be the one who stole the costumes and props, as well as sabotaged the set]
Canter Zoom: Why would you do this?
Juniper: I'm sorry, okay! I'm sorry, I just can't stand Chestnut! She's always eating the peanut butter praline crunch bars, which are the only candy bars I like!
Canter: That's hardly a reason to go—
Juniper: And I was mad at you for casting her as Daring Do! I mean, I have told you over and over again how badly I wanted to play Daring Do and you just ignored me!
Canter: But Juniper, you're too young, you don't have any experience!
Juniper: I know! But I thought if enough things went wrong, then Chestnut would then maybe back out of the movie and then... You would give me a chance.
Canter: Not only did you jeopardize the production, endanger the safety of the actors and the film crew, but you also lied to me and took advantage of my trust!
Juniper: I know... And I'm sorry. I never meant to hurt anyone, and I was going to return all the props just as soon as Chestnut quit. I hope you can forgive me.
Canter: You're my niece Juniper, so of course I can forgive you... But I'm sorry to say you're no longer welcome on this set [Calls a security guard with a finger snap] and it'll be a long time before I consider allowing you back here! [Holds out a hand] Keys!
[Juniper gives her uncle the keys, and as she's being escorted out by security, gives one glare at the Rainbooms]
Canter Zoom: Why would you do this?
Juniper: I'm sorry, okay! I'm sorry, I just can't stand Chestnut! She's always eating the peanut butter praline crunch bars, which are the only candy bars I like!
Canter: That's hardly a reason to go—
Juniper: And I was mad at you for casting her as Daring Do! I mean, I have told you over and over again how badly I wanted to play Daring Do and you just ignored me!
Canter: But Juniper, you're too young, you don't have any experience!
Juniper: I know! But I thought if enough things went wrong, then Chestnut would then maybe back out of the movie and then... You would give me a chance.
Canter: Not only did you jeopardize the production, endanger the safety of the actors and the film crew, but you also lied to me and took advantage of my trust!
Juniper: I know... And I'm sorry. I never meant to hurt anyone, and I was going to return all the props just as soon as Chestnut quit. I hope you can forgive me.
Canter: You're my niece Juniper, so of course I can forgive you... But I'm sorry to say you're no longer welcome on this set [Calls a security guard with a finger snap] and it'll be a long time before I consider allowing you back here! [Holds out a hand] Keys!
[Juniper gives her uncle the keys, and as she's being escorted out by security, gives one glare at the Rainbooms]
My Little Pony: Equestria Girls – Magical Movie Night, "Movie Magic"
Doofenshmirtz: I still don't get it. If we're the same person, why are you so much better at being evil than me?
Doofenshmirtz-2: True evil is born through pain and loss. You see, when I was a small boy back in Gimmelshtump, I had a toy train... Then, one day, I lost it!
Young Doofenshmirtz-2: (in flashback) Choo-Choo?
Doofenshmirtz: (beat) That... That's it?
Doofenshmirtz-2: What do you mean?
Doofenshmirtz: That's your emotionally scarring backstory? That's your great tragedy?! Dude, I wa—I was raised by ocelots! I mean, literally! Disowned by my parents and raised by Central American wildcats. A-and you're telling me, you lost a toy train, that's all! That's all you got, really? I had to work as a lawn gnome! I was forced to wear "hand-me-up" girl's clothing! Neither of my parents showed up for my birth!
Doofenshmirtz-2: Well, how did you feel when you lost that toy train?
Doofenshmirtz: I never lost that toy train...
Doofenshmirtz-2: Well, maybe if you had, you'd have gotten better.
Doofenshmirtz-2: True evil is born through pain and loss. You see, when I was a small boy back in Gimmelshtump, I had a toy train... Then, one day, I lost it!
Young Doofenshmirtz-2: (in flashback) Choo-Choo?
Doofenshmirtz: (beat) That... That's it?
Doofenshmirtz-2: What do you mean?
Doofenshmirtz: That's your emotionally scarring backstory? That's your great tragedy?! Dude, I wa—I was raised by ocelots! I mean, literally! Disowned by my parents and raised by Central American wildcats. A-and you're telling me, you lost a toy train, that's all! That's all you got, really? I had to work as a lawn gnome! I was forced to wear "hand-me-up" girl's clothing! Neither of my parents showed up for my birth!
Doofenshmirtz-2: Well, how did you feel when you lost that toy train?
Doofenshmirtz: I never lost that toy train...
Doofenshmirtz-2: Well, maybe if you had, you'd have gotten better.
Film — Live-Action
"You've been killing me over some stupid GUY?!"
— Theresa "Tree" Gelbman, Happy Death Day
Literature
Grimlock: Can you understand my fears? If we got back to the real world, and Yuuko asked for a divorce... I couldn't bear that disgrace. So... so it was best to act while I was still her husband. While I was still here, with a legal method of murder at my disposal. Can anyone blame me... for wishing to keep my memories of Yuuko pure and pristine?
Kirito: Disgrace... disgrace? Your wife wouldn't listen to you... and that's why you killed her? She was strengthening herself and your friends to help escape from here... and might have one day stood among the ranks of those advancing us through the game. And just for that...?
Kirito: Disgrace... disgrace? Your wife wouldn't listen to you... and that's why you killed her? She was strengthening herself and your friends to help escape from here... and might have one day stood among the ranks of those advancing us through the game. And just for that...?
— Sword Art Online, Volume 8
Live-Action TV
The Doctor: So that's the plan? A retirement plan? Two thousand people on board this ship, six billion underneath us, all of them slaughtered, and why? Because Max Capricorn is a loser!
Max Capricorn: I never lose!
The Doctor: You can't even sink the Titanic!
Max Capricorn: I never lose!
The Doctor: You can't even sink the Titanic!
Ashad: My new Cyberwarriors are purged of organic components. We shall rise towards full automation, driven by the intelligence of the Cyberium. And when that work is done, I shall join my warriors and make the final ascension to full mechanisation.
Greater-Scope Villain: [deadpan] Oh, you mean robots. You'll be robots.
Ashad: We shall be dominant.
Greater-Scope Villain: But robots. Oof. I'm a bit disappointed. I see how you got there - an AI wanting to create more things in its own image - but it lacks vision. Right, what if we, er, workshop this? You know, kick it around a bit? I have notes.
Ashad: You question the strategy of the Cyberium?
Greater-Scope Villain: I do. I mean, it's good, but it's not great. There's loads of robots. Throw a stick in this universe, you'll hit a robot. I used to do that. Any idiot can make themselves into a robot. It's not special.
Greater-Scope Villain: [deadpan] Oh, you mean robots. You'll be robots.
Ashad: We shall be dominant.
Greater-Scope Villain: But robots. Oof. I'm a bit disappointed. I see how you got there - an AI wanting to create more things in its own image - but it lacks vision. Right, what if we, er, workshop this? You know, kick it around a bit? I have notes.
Ashad: You question the strategy of the Cyberium?
Greater-Scope Villain: I do. I mean, it's good, but it's not great. There's loads of robots. Throw a stick in this universe, you'll hit a robot. I used to do that. Any idiot can make themselves into a robot. It's not special.
"That is why you killed my mother? That's why you ruined my life? Because you couldn't be me?"
— Barry Allen upon hearing the Reverse Flash's origin story, The Flash (2014)
Rand: You don't understand...
Angie: No, I don't, Rand. I don't understand. Your wife, your unborn child, Nancy. They're all dead. A man — a boy — is in prison because of your crime... all for what? Because you wanted a new girlfriend without the hassle of a former life?
Angie: No, I don't, Rand. I don't understand. Your wife, your unborn child, Nancy. They're all dead. A man — a boy — is in prison because of your crime... all for what? Because you wanted a new girlfriend without the hassle of a former life?
— Motive, "The Dead Hand"
Adrian Monk: So...You killed her, and then Trudy. And for what? For NOTHING! FOR A JOB?!
— Monk, "Mr. Monk and the End, Part 2"
Video Games
Actrise: You surprise me. To be able to defeat the Fernadez warrior... It is not too late. Give your soul and power to Dracula! It is a simple matter. Sacrifice the lives of 100 children... I slew my own child to attain this prize of eternal life!
Carrie Fernandez: ...She was really only my stepmother, But my mother gave her life to save mine. She truly loved me. She showed me happiness. Your child received no love from her mother... That's, that's pathetic.
Carrie Fernandez: ...She was really only my stepmother, But my mother gave her life to save mine. She truly loved me. She showed me happiness. Your child received no love from her mother... That's, that's pathetic.
"Fool...You would risk an apocalypse out of sheer curiosity?"
— Master Eraqus, Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep
"He did it all to draw attention... I can't get my head around that. It's just wrong. I mean, not that it would've been okay if he'd had a better reason."
— Chie Satonaka regarding the first suspect behind three murders, Persona 4
Yosuke: This is all a game to you... How dare you murder people... murder Saki-senpai for such a stupid reason! You bastard... I'll never forgive you!
Yukiko: Living is too painful for you, but you don't want to die... Of course no one would understand! It makes no sense! You're just throwing a tantrum like a kid who can't have his way!
Naoto: [...]though you claim to find life troublesome, you caused nothing but trouble for many others! Your twisted logic is that of an immature, egotistical brat!
[...]
Adachi: Sh-Shut up! Stop trying to act all tough... You guys can't even stand on your own unless you deny everything I said! S-Stupid teenagers...! You have no idea what kinda shit I've been through!
Yosuke: "Favored by the world", my ass... I'm gonna say it flat out. You're just a worthless criminal!
Naoto: [...]though you claim to find life troublesome, you caused nothing but trouble for many others! Your twisted logic is that of an immature, egotistical brat!
[...]
Adachi: Sh-Shut up! Stop trying to act all tough... You guys can't even stand on your own unless you deny everything I said! S-Stupid teenagers...! You have no idea what kinda shit I've been through!
Yosuke: "Favored by the world", my ass... I'm gonna say it flat out. You're just a worthless criminal!
Clank: There must be another way to make a home for your people!
Chairman Drek: You think that's what this is about? Who do you think polluted our last world? I did! This is about one thing and one thing only: cash, and lots of it. See, I've been paid for every square inch of my new world. Once the new inhabitants move in, I'll begin polluting this world as well, and the whole thing starts all over again. Ah... brilliant.
Clank: Why, you... you evil little...
Chairman Drek: You think that's what this is about? Who do you think polluted our last world? I did! This is about one thing and one thing only: cash, and lots of it. See, I've been paid for every square inch of my new world. Once the new inhabitants move in, I'll begin polluting this world as well, and the whole thing starts all over again. Ah... brilliant.
Clank: Why, you... you evil little...
"A darkly handsome demonic overlord who wants only war and suffering, and uses an ancient, sealed evil to achieve his ends? Nowadays? Are you serious? People will just laugh at you. I'm kind of embarrassed just listening to all this! Oh yeah, the "everybody kills everybody forever" stuff is dumb too, but the "Lord of Darkness" stuff is just... man!"
— Recette, Recettear: An Item Shop's Tale
Sly: So, before we finish this, let me get one thing straight: you came after the Coopers because of what happened to your father?
Le Paradox: No, you imbecile! I came after the Coopers to prove that Le Paradox is the greatest thief who has ever lived! Is there any doubt? Ask yourself this: if the Coopers were truly the greatest thieves in history, and I have stolen their most valued possessions, then what does that make me?
Sly: Ummm... an idiot? You had it made! You could have been the biggest thief of all time, but you had to target my ancestors and blow your own cover. You exposed your operation because of your ego! No Cooper would've done that. And for the record, can you really say you stole the canes? Seems like your "friends" did all the real work.
Le Paradox: No, you imbecile! I came after the Coopers to prove that Le Paradox is the greatest thief who has ever lived! Is there any doubt? Ask yourself this: if the Coopers were truly the greatest thieves in history, and I have stolen their most valued possessions, then what does that make me?
Sly: Ummm... an idiot? You had it made! You could have been the biggest thief of all time, but you had to target my ancestors and blow your own cover. You exposed your operation because of your ego! No Cooper would've done that. And for the record, can you really say you stole the canes? Seems like your "friends" did all the real work.
Varis zos Galvus: Zenos... My foolish, greedy son... Was a second life not enough? Was the Empire too rich a prize to ignore? True freedom for our nation—our people—will never be won by a spoiled princeling! The burden of this throne is beyond you.
Zenos yae Galvus: Hmph. 'Tis you, father, who have struggled with this burden. Simply holding the Empire together has occupied your limited faculties. But you may take comfort in knowing that I have no intention of pursuing your tedious agenda, nor am I interested in ruling over the Empire's lands. I came only to remove that which ruins my sport. I will not have my prey stolen by your petty wars and cowardly weapons.
Varis: You would kill me just for that…?
Zenos: I need no other reason. Any and all who interfere with my hunt… WILL NOT DO SO TWICE!!!
—Final Fantasy XIV Shadowbringers
Alisaie Leveilluer: Oh, for the love of- You cannot still be on about a rematch!
Zenos viator Galvus: That is and has ever been my sole concern. You, on the other hand, are fixated on a different quarry. [...] So I hone my blade, and I wait.
Jullus pyr Norbanus: That's it? That's all you care about? Garlemald is in ruins! Our homeland - the nation you rule! - is as good as gone. Along with so many of its people. Not just soldiers like us! Not only those who fought and killed for duty. Innocent civilians... Murdered by their own flesh and blood. Lost and confused as they breathed their last. While we who survived with our lives and our minds intact were left to freeze to death! The Eorzeans tell me all this was your doing. You slaughtered your countrymen. You did. For what?
Zenos: For nothing, in the end. So much wasted effort.
Jullus: You bastard! [...]
Zenos: Would you be "happier" had I a "good reason"?
Zenos viator Galvus: That is and has ever been my sole concern. You, on the other hand, are fixated on a different quarry. [...] So I hone my blade, and I wait.
Jullus pyr Norbanus: That's it? That's all you care about? Garlemald is in ruins! Our homeland - the nation you rule! - is as good as gone. Along with so many of its people. Not just soldiers like us! Not only those who fought and killed for duty. Innocent civilians... Murdered by their own flesh and blood. Lost and confused as they breathed their last. While we who survived with our lives and our minds intact were left to freeze to death! The Eorzeans tell me all this was your doing. You slaughtered your countrymen. You did. For what?
Zenos: For nothing, in the end. So much wasted effort.
Jullus: You bastard! [...]
Zenos: Would you be "happier" had I a "good reason"?
—Final Fantasy XIV Endwalker
Metal Face/Mumkhar: I wanted to get the Monado so I could be the new hero!
Dunban: Is that it!? That's the puerile reason you've killed all those innocent people? Ravaged our home?!
Dunban: Is that it!? That's the puerile reason you've killed all those innocent people? Ravaged our home?!
Kale: I know you probably think SPECTRA is nefarious, but I disagree. It’s simply nudging people into the Vandelay ecosystem.
Korsica: Wait, this is all an overly-complicated plan to sell more product!?
Kale: Do you have ANY idea how difficult it is to make something people actually want to buy? It’s ridiculously hard! "Hey, a new whatever! Well, what color? What model? Size? Speed? Do I need it?" All that stress — gone! Because we’ll subconsciously make that decision for you.
Macron: You’re enslaving them!
Kale: I’m freeing them! With the truth of having a better life.
Chai: This is so.. corporate.
Korsica: Wait, this is all an overly-complicated plan to sell more product!?
Kale: Do you have ANY idea how difficult it is to make something people actually want to buy? It’s ridiculously hard! "Hey, a new whatever! Well, what color? What model? Size? Speed? Do I need it?" All that stress — gone! Because we’ll subconsciously make that decision for you.
Macron: You’re enslaving them!
Kale: I’m freeing them! With the truth of having a better life.
Chai: This is so.. corporate.
Web Animation
Emerald: Can I ask you something?
Mercury: You're gonna.
Emerald: Why did you come with us, the night Cinder and I found you?
Mercury: Why are you asking?
Emerald: Just answer the question.
Mercury: Just made sense.
Emerald: It made sense?
Mercury: All my life, my father trained me to be a killer, an assasin like him. And then moments after I killed him, you two showed up looking for someone with my exact skills. Just felt like it was meant to be.
Emerald: [incredulously] That's it?
Mercury: Hey, what's your problem?
Emerald: I mean, there has to be something you want from this, right?
Mercury: You're gonna.
Emerald: Why did you come with us, the night Cinder and I found you?
Mercury: Why are you asking?
Emerald: Just answer the question.
Mercury: Just made sense.
Emerald: It made sense?
Mercury: All my life, my father trained me to be a killer, an assasin like him. And then moments after I killed him, you two showed up looking for someone with my exact skills. Just felt like it was meant to be.
Emerald: [incredulously] That's it?
Mercury: Hey, what's your problem?
Emerald: I mean, there has to be something you want from this, right?
Web Comics
Blitz: So you screwed over the police and your own boss, for what? What's your endgame?
Cebus: ...Let me tell you a secret. See, there's these things adults care about. Like money, and the ability to make more of it.
Blitz: That's it!? Money!?
Cebus: Yes, that's it! Do you have any idea what this kind of genetic engineering is worth to the right people!? And what these idiots waste it on!?
Cebus: ...Let me tell you a secret. See, there's these things adults care about. Like money, and the ability to make more of it.
Blitz: That's it!? Money!?
Cebus: Yes, that's it! Do you have any idea what this kind of genetic engineering is worth to the right people!? And what these idiots waste it on!?
Web Video
Spider-Man: You know, we've done this dance plenty of times, but I still don't know a thing about you. Why this? Why any of this?
Kingpin: I suppose I owe you that much. You see, Spider-Man, many years ago, I was a boy by the name of Wilson. My father was a famous mobster and decided to take me out on a job. The police were hot on our trail and we had to climb a fire escape to retreat, but I couldn't pull myself up 'cause of my weight. So, you see, Spider-Man, that's why I'm the Kingpin.
Spider-Man: [Blank Stare]
Kingpin: Oh, I'm sorry. Was my trauma not as thrilling as you hoped?!
Spider-Man: No, I mea— I mean, kind of, I gue— Look, I just— I don't see how that could be it. I mean, there wasn't anything afterwards that changed you in any way?
Kingpin: I, uh... got older?
Spider-Man: No, no, no! I mean, like, did something happen to you personally that might've changed you in some way? I mean, not to get personal, but did your dad maybe... die... soon after that, or something?
[Beat]
Kingpin: Nah, no, no, he was— he was fine. Actually, I saw him pretty much the next day when he testified against me in court and sent me to prison for ten years.
Spider-Man: You fu— How are you gonna leave that part out?! Of cour— Now it makes sense! All right, so your dad testified against you and that pushed you over the edge.
Kingpin: Not at all. As soon as I got out, we did some family counselling and reconciled. We do scrapbooking every Thursday.
Spider-Man: Scrapbooking on Thurs— Okay, so you're— so you're seriously telling me now that you became the Mega-Godfather... because you were a bit chubby as a kid.
Kingpin: I don't understand how this isn't clicking. Y'know, tell me where I'm losing you. Okay, I was fat, right?
Spider-Man: Okay.
Kingpin: I needed to climb the ladder.
Spider-Man: Uh-huh.
Kingpin: I couldn't climb up 'cause I was too big.
Spider-Man: Yeah?
[Beat]
Kingpin: ...So now I run all the crime in New York City.
Spider-Man: Why? How does that fix anything?!
Kingpin: I suppose I owe you that much. You see, Spider-Man, many years ago, I was a boy by the name of Wilson. My father was a famous mobster and decided to take me out on a job. The police were hot on our trail and we had to climb a fire escape to retreat, but I couldn't pull myself up 'cause of my weight. So, you see, Spider-Man, that's why I'm the Kingpin.
Spider-Man: [Blank Stare]
Kingpin: Oh, I'm sorry. Was my trauma not as thrilling as you hoped?!
Spider-Man: No, I mea— I mean, kind of, I gue— Look, I just— I don't see how that could be it. I mean, there wasn't anything afterwards that changed you in any way?
Kingpin: I, uh... got older?
Spider-Man: No, no, no! I mean, like, did something happen to you personally that might've changed you in some way? I mean, not to get personal, but did your dad maybe... die... soon after that, or something?
[Beat]
Kingpin: Nah, no, no, he was— he was fine. Actually, I saw him pretty much the next day when he testified against me in court and sent me to prison for ten years.
Spider-Man: You fu— How are you gonna leave that part out?! Of cour— Now it makes sense! All right, so your dad testified against you and that pushed you over the edge.
Kingpin: Not at all. As soon as I got out, we did some family counselling and reconciled. We do scrapbooking every Thursday.
Spider-Man: Scrapbooking on Thurs— Okay, so you're— so you're seriously telling me now that you became the Mega-Godfather... because you were a bit chubby as a kid.
Kingpin: I don't understand how this isn't clicking. Y'know, tell me where I'm losing you. Okay, I was fat, right?
Spider-Man: Okay.
Kingpin: I needed to climb the ladder.
Spider-Man: Uh-huh.
Kingpin: I couldn't climb up 'cause I was too big.
Spider-Man: Yeah?
[Beat]
Kingpin: ...So now I run all the crime in New York City.
Spider-Man: Why? How does that fix anything?!
Western Animation
Mertin: (shows a presentation of his childhood) This is me in grade school. I had already developed a method of hybridizing potato spuds. The other kids threw them at my head. Skip ahead to prom night. My hydrangea perciatelli put Betty Sue Johnson into intensive care. I never dated again.
Otis: So… boring! Can't… take it!
Mertin: This is me losing the blue ribbon at the county fair ten years ago. This is me losing the blue ribbon the next year. And the next, and the next, and the next, AND THE NEXT!!!
Otis: Hey Professor Mouth-Moving, is there a point in our future?
Mertin: (sadly) All my life, I have tried to create plants that people would find useful in their daily lives… acid-spitting ferns, avocado grenades, venomous Hollyhocks… (cries) …but my genius was never appreciated!
Otis: (mocking) Oh, did the poor little baby not get to make his poisonous pants on people? (angrily) Did I complain when the world didn't appreciate my hand-puppet version of the first Thanksgiving!?
Otis: So… boring! Can't… take it!
Mertin: This is me losing the blue ribbon at the county fair ten years ago. This is me losing the blue ribbon the next year. And the next, and the next, and the next, AND THE NEXT!!!
Otis: Hey Professor Mouth-Moving, is there a point in our future?
Mertin: (sadly) All my life, I have tried to create plants that people would find useful in their daily lives… acid-spitting ferns, avocado grenades, venomous Hollyhocks… (cries) …but my genius was never appreciated!
Otis: (mocking) Oh, did the poor little baby not get to make his poisonous pants on people? (angrily) Did I complain when the world didn't appreciate my hand-puppet version of the first Thanksgiving!?
—Back at the Barnyard, "Cowman: The Uddered Avenger"
Blossom: What's wrong with you people?! Why are you doing this?!
Mary Anne: Why am I doing this? I'LL TELL YOU WHY I'M DOING THIS! (calmly) We try to be good neighbors. We invite you into our home. We provide you with food and hospitality, and how do you repay us? You drove my husband insane. You sent him to prison. But on top of all that... YOU UNGRATEFUL LITTLE BRATS RUINED MY DINNER!
(Beat)
Bubbles: That's it?
Blossom: That's not a good reason at all.
Mary Anne: (dumbfounded): Really?
Buttercup: Really.
(cue the girls beating up the Smiths and having them sent to jail)
Mary Anne: Why am I doing this? I'LL TELL YOU WHY I'M DOING THIS! (calmly) We try to be good neighbors. We invite you into our home. We provide you with food and hospitality, and how do you repay us? You drove my husband insane. You sent him to prison. But on top of all that... YOU UNGRATEFUL LITTLE BRATS RUINED MY DINNER!
(Beat)
Bubbles: That's it?
Blossom: That's not a good reason at all.
Mary Anne: (dumbfounded): Really?
Buttercup: Really.
(cue the girls beating up the Smiths and having them sent to jail)
— The Powerpuff Girls (1998), "Just Desserts"
Superman: You destroyed those planets, didn't you? And every living soul on them!
Brainiac: Only their knowledge was important. It was what I was programmed to collect and protect.
Superman: But why kill?
Brainiac: The fewer beings who have the knowledge, the more precious it becomes.
Superman: You're Insane!
Brainiac: Only their knowledge was important. It was what I was programmed to collect and protect.
Superman: But why kill?
Brainiac: The fewer beings who have the knowledge, the more precious it becomes.
Superman: You're Insane!
— Superman: The Animated Series, "Stolen Memories"
