I'm Not a Hero, I'm X: Difference between revisions

{{quote|'''Batman:''' You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain. I can do those things because I'm not a hero, like Dent. I killed those people. That's what I can be.

'''Lt. Gordon:''' No, you can't! You're not!

 

Often preceded by "You're a hero!" [[The Hero]] will respond: "I'm not a hero. I'm _____!"

'''Chaos''': ''"I'm a Virus, Daemon. I'm not a good boy."'' }}

* Also played in ''[[Harry Potter]]'' fanfic ''The Apothecary Knows Best''. Severus Snape claimed to be ''just an apothecary'' when Harry called him a hero for having defeated a "Jester". (This fanfic's Dark Lord has his followers known as "Jesters" instead of "Death Eaters". Yes, this fanfic's Dark Lord ''is'' {{spoiler|Albus Dumbledore}}. Long story.)

 

== Film ==

'''Bella:''' You're not. }}

* In ''[[The Dark Knight Saga|The Dark Knight]]'', Batman delivers the page quote to reveal his [[Zero-Approval Gambit]].

* A variation of this occurs in in ''[[Spy Kids]] 3D''. After exiting the video game, Arnold's, Rez's, Francis's, and Juni's respective secret, non-virtual identities. Various types of this trope occur in the conversation that ensues:

{{quote|'''Juni:''' Hey, wait a second. [[Cyberspace|What happened]] [[Wish Fullfillment|to]] [[Smart Guy|Francis the Brain,]] [[Big Guy|Arnold the Strong,]] and [[Badass|Mister]] [[Lancer|Cool]]?

* In ''[[Twilight (novel)|Twilight]]'', Edward uses this trope as an attempt to warn Bella to stay away:

{{quote|''What if I'm not a superhero? What if I'm the bad guy?''}}

{{quote|'''Ron:''' I'm sorry. I'm sorry I left. I know I was a -- a-- (''trails off'')

'''Harry:''' You've sort of made up for it tonight. Getting the sword. Finishing off the [[Soul Jar|Horcrux.]] Saving my life.

'''Ron:''' [[Heroic Self-Deprecation|That makes me sound a lot cooler than I was.]]

'''Harry:''' Stuff like that always sounds cooler than it really was. I've been trying to tell you that for years. }}

 

* In ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer]]'' episode "The Gift":

{{quote|'''Giles:''' ...[Buffy] couldn't take a human life. She's a hero, you see. She's not like us.

'''Ben:''' ...us?

*Giles smothers Ben to prevent Glory from ever returning* }}

** Done again in ''"The God Complex"''. In order to save Amy Pond, The Doctor must {{spoiler|break her faith in the idea of him as a hero.}}

{{quote|''The Doctor'': I stole your childhood and now I’ve lead you by the hand to your death. But the worst thing is, I knew. I knew this would happen. This is what always happens. Forget your faith in me. I took you with me because I was vain, because I wanted to be adored. Look at you, glorious Pond. The girl who waited for me. '''I’m not a hero.''' [[Meaningful Echo|I really am just a mad man in a box]]. And it’s time we saw each other as we really are. Amy Williams. It’s time to stop waiting.}}