History Main / WeCanRuleTogether

** Makuta offers Vakama a chance to join the Brotherhood upon seeing he has indeed forged the [[MaskOfPower Mask of Time]], claiming that he "could have many destinies". It seems oddly sincere, given he could have just tried to take it by force from the start, and he was aware of Vakama's constant self-doubt about being a hero. Vakama [[ShutUpHannibal answers he only wants one noble destiny]].

# The villain is an AffablyEvil WellIntentionedExtremist who genuinely believes that he's in the right and would rather win the hero over than kill him.

The final case [[UtopiaJustifiesTheMeans can be particularly chilling]] because the villain believes he is offering the hero a chance to do the right thing and will be surprised (or, in the case of a KnightTemplar, outraged) at being turned down.

** Earlier on, there's a variation where Sidorak had an open invitation to another villain, his second-in-command, Roodaka; offering to make her co-ruler as Queen. She holds off on accepting until she can say ICanRuleAlone.

* Though ''WebAnimation/HelluvaBoss'' doesn't have a hero, much the same dynamic applies with Blitzo -- [[VillainProtagonist the most important of the heroes it doesn't have]] -- and Striker in episode 5. After the two have bonded over being arrogant badasses, Blitzo is very unhappy to find Striker trying to assassinate Stolas, who's important to Blitzo's business. (He's also [[DemonLordsAndArchdevils royalty]], so killing him would be a bit subversive and villainous even by Hell's standards, maybe, meaning even Blitzo would be in the more hero-like role in trying to stop that.) Striker tells him he shouldn't even be running that lousy business in the first place and sucking up to someone like Stolas, and should join Striker in slaying overlords. Blitzo seems to agree -- and honestly, it would seem in character, since he's already a killer and seemingly hates Stolas -- but immediately takes it back when Moxxie shows up, pointing a gun at Striker. (If you watch a few more episodes, you'll see he does ''not'' hate Stolas in the sense that he could really harm him.) Also {{parodied}} in that Blitzo compliments Striker for his pitch and he responds that he's been workshopping it.

* Though ''WebAnimation/HelluvaBoss'' doesn't have a hero, much the same dynamic applies with Blitzo -- [[VillainProtagonist the most important of the heroes it doesn't have]] -- and Striker in episode 5. After the two have bonded over being arrogant badasses, Blitzo is very unhappy to find Striker trying to assassinate Stolas, who's important to Blitzo's business. (He's also [[DemonLordsAndArchdevils royalty]], so killing him would be a bit subversive and villainous even by Hell's standards, maybe, meaning even Blitzo would be in the more hero-like role in trying to stop that.) Striker tells him he shouldn't even be running that lousy business in the first place and sucking up to someone like Stolas, and should join Striker in slaying overlords. Blitzo seems to agree -- and honestly, it would seem in character, since he's already a killer and seemingly hates Stolas -- but immediately takes it back when Moxxie shows up, pointing a gun at Striker. Also {{parodied}} in that Blitzo compliments Striker for his pitch and he responds that he's been workshopping it.

* Though ''WebAnimation/HelluvaBoss'' doesn't have a hero, much the same dynamic applies with Blitzo -- [[VillainProtagonist the most important of the heroes it doesn't have]] -- and Striker in episode 5. After the two have bonded over being arrogant badasses, Blitzo is very unhappy to find Striker trying to assassinate Stolas, who's important to Blitzo's business. (He's also [[DemonLordsAndArchdevils royalty]], so killing him would be a bit subversive and villainous even by Hell's standards, maybe.) Striker tells him he shouldn't even be running that lousy business in the first place and sucking up to someone like Stolas, and should join Striker in slaying overlords. Blitzo seems to agree -- and honestly, it would seem in character, since he's already a killer and seemingly hates Stolas -- but immediately takes it back when Moxxie shows up, pointing a gun at Striker. Also {{parodied}} in that Blitzo compliments Striker for his pitch and he responds that he's been workshopping it.

# The villain just decides it's worth the risk - if the good guy's ''this'' impressive when GoodIsDumb, [[YouCouldHaveUsedYourPowersForGood imagine how great he might be]] as an {{Evil Minion|s}}!

# The villain takes an interest in the hero either as a WorthyOpponent from themselves and sees the hero as a potentially powerful ally.

* In ''Theatre/{{Wicked}}'', [[WellIntentionedExtremist the Wizard]] [[JustBetweenYouAndMe explains his true history to Elphaba]] towards the start of Act Two and suggests that, though he can't change her skin, he ''can'' make her as popular and beloved as she is, if she joins him. She's tempted by the offer - [[VillainSong so much so that she joins him in song and dance]] - and then she [[spoiler: sees Doctor Dillamond, or what's become of him]], and is reminded of every reason why she despises the Wizard, and always will.
** Interestingly he also makes this offer to her at the end of act 1, where a younger and more fiery Elphaba rejects his offer out of hand. It seems that in Act 2, Elphaba is less fiery and more willing to consider alternatives, if still just as passionate.

* In ''WebAnimation/BrokenSaints'', the entire reason [[spoiler:Lear]] pulls the JustBetweenYouAndMe at the end-- the entire reason Our Heroes are involved in the plot at all--is that [[spoiler: he wants them to help him spread the word, as his first apostles.]]

* In ''WebVideo/ThereWillBeBrawl'', [[spoiler: Zelda]] tries this on [[spoiler: Link]], though it fails. Ganondorf tries this on more or less everyone, to set up for [[HijackedByGanon a certain other trope...]]

* During the "Frollo Beats up Evil Residents" arc of ''WebAnimation/TheFrolloShow'', Achmed Frollo tries to convince regular Frollo to join him in conquering the world with their zombie virus, [[spoiler: but fails, possibly because he said Frollo would get to rape Panty.]]

* The 2022 invasion of Ukraine by Russia is partly founded on theories like those of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleksandr_Dugin Aleksandr Dugin], which posits that [RussiaTakesOverTheWorld Russia should establish] a ''multipolar'' order, pivoting the US away from Europe, in turn offering Germany and France dominance over Western Europe. It also considers no country in Eastern Europe or the remaining northern half of Asia, including China, to have any right to exist outside Russian ownership.

* The 2022 invasion of Ukraine by Russia is partly founded on theories like those of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleksandr_Dugin Aleksandr Dugin], which posits that [RussiaTakesOverTheWorld Russia should establish] a ''multipolar'' order, pivoting the US away from Europe, in turn offering Germany and France dominance over Western Europe. It also considers no country in Eastern Europe or the remaining northern half of Asia, including China, to have any right to exist outside Russian ownership.

The villain's [[ArsonMurderAndAdmiration momentary admiration]] for the hero usually (intentionally) leaves lasting scars. If the villain is a little ''too'' insistent, then expect FoeYay to occur. The specific and openly romantic variation where a villainess offers the hero a chance to become her consort is covered under VillainessesWantHeroes.

* [[WeCanRuleTogether/AnimatedFilms Film -- Animated]]
* [[WeCanRuleTogether/{{Film}} Film -- Live-Action]]

[[folder:Films — Animated]]
* In ''WesternAnimation/{{Antz}}'', General Mandible offers this to Princess Bala, but she calls him crazy. He believes historians will beg to differ.
* Happens in ''WesternAnimation/DespicableMe2'', where [[spoiler: Eduardo/El Macho offers is quite enthusiastic about working with Gru.]]
* In ''Anime/FinalFantasyVIIAdventChildren'', there's Kadaj's speech to [[spoiler: the kidnapped children.]]
* In ''WesternAnimation/{{Megamind}}'', Titan makes this offer to Megamind, claiming they could rule Metro City together, the BrainsAndBrawn method. Megamind, who gave Titan his powers specifically to get back into a comfortable hero-villain routine, is bewildered.
* Happens twice in ''WesternAnimation/ToyStory3''. First off, Buzz is offered a position among the toys to be able to get out of the torturous position, which he declines because he doesn't want to leave his friends behind. [[spoiler:Unfortunately, [[BrainwashedAndCrazy it wasn't a request]].]] The second is, to a lesser extent, with {{Franchise/Barbie}}. She isn't aware of the truth when she accepts Ken's offer and immediately changes her mind when she learns the truth.
** Although [[spoiler:she and Ken kind of ''do'' rule together at the end when Lotso is removed and his dictatorship over the toys in the preschool is dismantled. The two take over as head toys in his place, albeit much kinder.]]
* In ''WesternAnimation/ThePowerpuffGirls'' [[TheMovie movie]], a powered-up and gigantic Mojo offers this to the girls, after manipulating them, trying to get them out of the way and realising, after they demonstrated their powers, that this is the only way to avoid ending in the wrong side of their fists. Naturally, this being an origin movie, they refuse.
* ''WesternAnimation/{{The Lion King|1994}}'': In a scene [[WhatCouldHaveBeen that was ultimately cut from the film]] (but resurrected in [[Theatre/TheLionKing the Broadway show]]), Scar attempts to [[AndNowYouMustMarryMe propose to Nala and make her his Queen Consort]], but she refuses and is banished.
* In ''WesternAnimation/TheSecretOfNIMH2TimmyToTheRescue'', there's a song based on this, appropriately titled "Just Say Yes", where [[TheMadHatter Martin]] tries to get Tim to help him take over Thorn Valley.
* ''WesternAnimation/RiseOfTheGuardians'' has Pitch Black practically proposing to Jack Frost, saying what goes together better than cold and dark. Both of them being very similar spirits in a lot of ways makes them somewhat sympathetic to each other and Pitch's offer is seemingly a sincere attempt at getting a friend he can relate to... The look on his face when Jack turns down the offer [[CryForTheDevil is actually quite sad and almost heartbroken]].
* The DirectToVideo film ''WesternAnimation/GreenLanternFirstFlight'' has Sinestro trying to convince Hal throughout the movie that the Guardians are failing at their duties, though it's only near the end that he actually makes the offer.
* At the climax of ''WesternAnimation/BarbieMariposa'', Henna is about to take control over Flutterfield and tells Mariposa that they can rule it together. Not too surprisingly, Mariposa refuses, and one of the Flutterpixies manages to grab back the antidote during her rant so she can heal the queen.
* During the climax of ''WesternAnimation/{{Zootopia}}'', the BigBad [[spoiler: Mayor Bellwether]] attempts to convince Judy Hopps to pull a FaceHeelTurn, using a NotSoDifferentRemark [[spoiler: as both of them are small mistreated prey animals]], and that working together they have the power to [[spoiler: unite the prey species to drive all of the predators out of Zootopia]]. [[spoiler: When Judy refuses, she attempts to murder her by turning Nick savage.]]
[[/folder]]

!!Examples:

[[folder:Anime and Manga]]
* [[VillainousBreakdown At the height of his madness]] in the finale of the 2003 ''Anime/AstroBoy'' series, Dr. Tenma takes over the Ministry of Science and demands to see "Tobio" again. Fully believing that Astro is Tobio, he asks him to join him. When Astro refuses, Tenma snaps completely and tries to commit suicide.
* ''Manga/AttackOnTitan'':
** [[spoiler:Reiner Braun]] makes various attempts to convince Eren and Ymir to join their side due to considering both [[BigBadFriend friends]]. Eren refuses outright, while the [[WildCard ever-pragmatic]] Ymir weighs the benefits and drawbacks of such an alliance.
** Rod Reiss makes his daughter [[HeroicBastard Historia]] such an offer. [[spoiler:If she takes the serum and eats Eren, she can become ruler of the Walls and "reunite" with the inherited memories of her beloved sister, Freida]]. She ''almost'' takes the offer, but then recalls Ymir's words and realizes she's being used. She takes a third option, rejecting his offer completely but later [[spoiler:killing Rod's Titan form before hundreds of witnesses, claiming the throne on her own terms]].
* ''Manga/{{Berserk}}'':
** [[spoiler:the Apostle and DarkMagicalGirl Rosine]] offers this to [[spoiler:her best friend Jill]]. Who refuses, so [[spoiler: Rosine abducts and tries to transform her into one of her followers instead]].
** Later, Emperor Ganishka offers Guts a position in his army so he can get revenge on Griffith. Guts tells him to [[ShutUpHannibal fuck off.]]
* Creed from ''Manga/BlackCat'' practically lives this trope. According to him, his entire plot to rule the world will always be incomplete if Train isn't by his side. It could be said that he is the most persistent character in the entire series, offering Train this countless times.
* ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'':
** Kirge Opie offers Apacci, Mila Rose and Sung-Sung the chance to join with the Vandenreich. They refuse. [[spoiler:Since he has a join or die mentality, he obliterates them.]]
** Yhwach makes this offer as well. [[spoiler:To both Aizen and Ichigo. They both refuse.]] Yhwach doesn't mind; he planned for that.
* ''Anime/BloodPlus'':
** [[TheDragon Amshel]] appears to want to bring Saya to the [[BigScrewedUpFamily Cinq Fleche's side]] by revealing that [[spoiler:[[BigBad Diva]] is her sister]]. [[SubvertedTrope It is then revealed]] that Amshel did this in order to isolate [[LadyAndKnight Saya and Haji]] so he could "convince" Haji into becoming Diva's groom. Amshel actually plans to kill [[BoomerangBigot Saya]] as she will never stop trying to kill Diva.
** Solomon- more out of [[StalkerWithACrush love for Saya]] than any agenda- asks her to reject her humanity; reasoning that in spite of their bad history, [[OurVampiresAreDifferent Saya, Diva, and their chevaliers]] are family while Saya's human family will reject her. She is strongly tempted this time but ultimately turns him down, mainly because on principle, [[TheAtoner Saya]] '''cannot''' let Diva live after all she has done and plans to keep doing to humans.
** In the manga, Saya and Diva had a sisterly friendship in The Zoo until Diva [[RoaringRampageofRevenge escaped]]. Saya immediately hates Diva for killing everyone but Diva is oblivious to her rage and earnestly believes that Saya will join her as soon as the humans are out of the way.
* Riful from ''Manga/{{Claymore}}'' offers the Clare and several other warriornesses. For this purpose, the warriors are supposed to [[FaceMonsterTurn awaken]] before, but they refuse.
** In the manga you can also see Luciella, who sees [[EvenEvilHasLovedOnes her sister Raphaela]] again, and she also asks to awaken, so that they can rule the continent together.
* In ''Anime/CorrectorYui'', [[spoiler:Grosser offers this to the titular MagicalGirl in the first season finale. Yui says no]].
* Faye Valentine gets an offer like this from [[spoiler:BigBad Vincent]] in ''Anime/CowboyBebop'' TheMovie. She rejects it.
* This is the same proposal that ''Manga/DeathNote'''s Light offers anytime he sees a potential tool to use. Usually, though, he's secretly planning on killing that person [[YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness once they have done what he wanted them to do.]] This is actually a common idea that fanfic writers have him use.
* Touma of ''Anime/DigimonDataSquad'' gets this offer from his EvilCounterpart Nanami. In this case, it was combined with a [[EvilIsSexy different kind of temptation]].
* Genkaku of ''Manga/DeadmanWonderland'' frequently offers this to Nagi who always turns him down.
** Gokudo, being an AntiHero, actually takes the offer. It backfires, but he still tried.
* ''Anime/DragonBallZ'':
** In the Ocean dub, Vegeta makes this offer to Goku. Goku turns him down, not only for moral reasons but pointing out that Vegeta [[YouHaveFailedMe has just sent his last right-hand man to the next dimension]]. This is changed back to the original dialogue of Vegeta bragging about how he was going to kill Goku for the Funimation re-dub.
** A lot of DBZ villains try this. Vegeta, Frieza, King Cold, Zarbon, Raditz, Turles... probably a bunch of others, too.
** This actually goes all the way back to Adviser Black from the original series. After taking over as leader of the Red Ribbon Army, he offers to join forces with Goku, even going so far as to propose first using the Dragon Balls to revive the man Goku is trying to bring back to life. Goku still refuses.
** Frieza does it again in the ''Resurrection F'' movie, offering Vegeta the chance to kill Goku while the latter is helpless and reinstating Vegeta as supreme commander of Frieza's army (second to Frieza himself, naturally). Vegeta seems to be intrigued for a moment, but turns him down, saying that he needs Goku alive because their rivalry is what pushes him to better himself... and besides which, Frieza blew up Vegeta's planet, and he still hasn't forgiven him for that.
** Frieza actually has a habit of this, having also asked Nail to join his army. He doesn't actually ''expect'' any heroes to take him up on the offer, but if there's someone strong enough to be useful he'd be happy to have them.
* In ''Manga/FullmetalAlchemist'', [[spoiler:this offer is already in effect with most of the [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Useful_idiot high-ranking Amestrian military.]]]]
** [[spoiler:The real Ashleigh Crichton]] extends this offer to Julia in the climax of ''Anime/FullmetalAlchemistTheSacredStarOfMilos''. She's not having it and neither is Ed, who wasn't even asked but oh well.
--->'''Ed:''' [[ShutUpHannibal SHUT UP ALREADY!]]
* ''Anime/GunXSword'' has an anti-hero-to-hero variation where Ray suggests to Van that they partner up against [[BigBad the Claw]], since they both lost their wives because of him. Van refuses on the grounds that Ray is just too AxCrazy to work with on a moral and pragmatic level. They do eventually join forces, but on terms more agreeable to Van.
* In ''Anime/InuYashaTheMovieSwordsOfAnHonorableRuler'' is the sword So'unga, which promises tremendous power to anyone who leads it. It is explicitly stated during the film that [[HumansAreBastards this sword prefers humans as carriers]].
* In ''[[Anime/{{K}} K: Return of Kings]]''
** The Green King, Nagare Hisui, makes this offer to Shiro, [[spoiler:the Silver King]], right after the latter has formed an alliance with the other Clans to defeat the former. Shiro turns him down, because his ideas sound a bit too familiar to Shiro, considering his backstory.
** Later, Nagare makes this offer to TheMole, [[spoiler:Saruhiko Fushimi]]. Nagare is something of an AntiVillain, and [[spoiler: Saruhiko]] is ''definitely'' an AntiHero - it was ambiguous up to that point whether he was in Jungle as a mole or as a real traitor, and he legitimately might accept the offer. He [[spoiler:turns it down in his usual brilliant deadpan way]].
* [[spoiler:Phil Maxwell]] tried pulling this on Yuri in the backstory of ''Anime/MagicalGirlLyricalNanohaDetonation''. [[ImpaledWithExtremePrejudice She said no]]. [[spoiler:Near the end of the movie he attempts to make Nanoha one of his ''daughters'' after seeing her use both [[BeyondTheImpossible Midchildan and Formula magic at once.]] [[HalfTheManHeUsedToBe She also says no]].]]
* In the last episode of season one of ''Anime/MegaManNTWarrior'' Lan, fused with Megaman, is fighting with a [[AttackOfThe50FootWhatever giant navi-fused]] [[spoiler:Dr. Regal]]. Our hero is on the ropes, but rather than taking Lan out, [[spoiler:Dr. Regal]] explains that he's impressed with him and explicitly states "I want you by my side, Lan." His offer is refused.
* In the last episode of ''Anime/MyHime'', the Obsidian Lord offers Mai a chance to replace Mikoto as his [[TheDragon right-hand]], [[spoiler:after the latter does a HeelFaceTurn when Mai [[CooldownHug shows her]] ThePowerOfLove]]. Mai tells him [[spoiler:where to stick it, and the final battle begins]].
* ''LightNovel/{{Maoyu}}'' has an interesting take on this trope. The Maou wants the Yuusha to work together with so they can end the war between their races peacefully with the least repercussions and enough benefits for everyone. They also note that offering to rule together is considered standard procedure for a Maou (one of the manga adaptions shows a picture of [[VideoGame/DragonQuestI the Dragonlord]] with a CensorBox over his eyes during this explanation), and lampshade how a real hero would never accept such an offer. They also discuss how such division would not actually end the war, just change the names for the sides (from human-demon to Hero-Demon King).
** Later, [[spoiler:the spirit of a previous Maou who's [[DemonicPossession possessing]] the current one]] makes a similar offer. The Yuusha again points out how ridiculous it is to expect a hero to accept such an offer.
* In chapter 581 of ''Manga/{{Naruto}}'' Kabuto actually asks this of [[spoiler: Sasuke]] twice. [[spoiler: He refuses the offers]].
** [[spoiler:After killing Neji and giving Naruto a HannibalLecture about his naivety and inability to protect everyone,]] Tobi asks Naruto what he even has left in this reality and invites him to stop prolonging his suffering and [[AssimilationPlot join]] him and Madara. Naruto hesitates, but Hinata [[GetAHoldOfYourselfMan snaps him out of it]].
** [[spoiler:Madara asks Sasuke about this in the recent chapter. Of course, his offer has been refused.]]
* Senator Kurt Godel proposes this to Negi in ''Manga/NegimaMagisterNegiMagi''. It initially seems to have the sole purpose of making him angry (which works wonders), but later turns out to be a serious offer. [[spoiler:He wants Negi to take up Queen Arika's legacy and become King.]] In the end, Negi [[spoiler:nearly does take him up on it, but ultimately rejects it, as Kurt's FantasticRacism means that he would only save about an eighteenth of the population.]] According to Negi, [[spoiler:Arika would have tried to save ''everyone'', so if he's going to follow in her footsteps, he's saving everyone too]].
* Tabool from ''Anime/NowAndThenHereAndThere'', a child soldier whose [[CrapsackWorld predicament]] has driven him to the brink of scathing insanity, tries to convince his sane best friend Nabuca that they can take over Hellywood together. Strange subversion in that [[spoiler: Nabuca refuses, but it's Tabool who winds up killing Nabuca]].
* ''Manga/OnePiece'', full of heroes and villains and being all about dreams and goals, have had these moments;
** Near the end of their fight on Drum Island, Wapol offers Luffy the title of 'Vice King'. In this case, it's because Luffy's ''winning'' the fight, and all Wapol can do is throw out worthless positions in the hopes that it'll stop Luffy from Bazooka-ing him off the island. It fails.
** After Enies Lobby, Blackbeard offers Portgas D. Ace, who had been hunting the former because he had killed a crewmate, to join on his plan to killed Whitebeard and become Pirate King. It fails for two reasons; One, Ace idolizes Whitebeard, and two, during the pitch Blackbeard outlines the first step of his plan- killing Luffy to become a ''Shichibukai''. When Blackbeard shows himself to be the stronger of the two and asks DontMakeMeDestroyYou, Ace retorts that giving in would invalidate him being born as a man.
** A flashback during Dressrosa shows that Donquixote Doflamingo was so impressed by Trafalgar Law's TroublingUnchildlikeBehaviour that he offered to make him his right-hand man someday. Initially, Law loved the idea, but after circumstances involving Doflamingo's brother (The then-current right-hand) and the Op-Op Fruit, he realized that Doflamingo only saw his minions as tools to be used and sacrificed if need be. But even after Law left the Don Quixote Pirates, Doflamingo apparently kept the Heart seat open for Law.
** The soon-to-be Pirate King himself was offered this by a rival of his, Shiki. The two apparently had many disagreements and issues in the past, but Shiki was willing to ignore it if they could team up. Unfortunately, Roger had no interest in dominating the world.
* ''Manga/PingPong'': Kaiō Academy's consistent proposition to Smile. Surprisingly, even Mr. Koizumi, his trainer thinks the opportunity is nice.
* ''Manga/PokemonAdventures'':
** Red was given the offer twice with Team Rocket and The Elite Four. Both times he refused, though the outcomes were quite different. First time, epic battle which he barely wins thanks to a ChekhovsGun. Second time, not so lucky as he ends up as a HumanPopsicle.
** Courtney offers for Ruby to join Team Magma. He refuses and she tries to kill him, but he escapes.
* ''Manga/Reborn2004'': In chapters 385, 386, and 387 Bermuda asks Reborn to join him and says he likes him and wants him (for his team). Reborn refuses and Bermuda responds by capturing him.
* Queen Beryl from ''Manga/SailorMoon'' offers Prince Endymion the chance to join her and rule over her kingdom (and presumably whatever else she conquers) during her attack on the Silver Millennium. It is also implied that she wants to have children with him as well. Naturally, he refuses [[spoiler: which results in his death.]]
** The second time around, she doesn't bother offering it [[spoiler: she just brainwashes him.]]
* Also used in ''Manga/ShadowStar'':
** [[spoiler:The maddened LonelyRichKid Hiroko offers this to her friend Shiina as they face each other after Hiroko's FreakOut and RoaringRampageOfRevenge with Oni. [[FromBadToWorse It doesn't end well.]]]]
** And before that, [[spoiler:[[ShrinkingViolet Akira Sakura]] gets offers from the likes of [[TheSocialDarwinist Tomonori Komori]] and [[{{Ubermensch}} Naozumi Sudo]] to join their respective causes of creating a new world. [[FromBadToWorse These don't end well, either]]. ]]
** The entire ending of the manga is the result of [[spoiler: Shiina]] accepting one of these. [[spoiler: After the deaths of her father, mother, boyfriend, best friend, and everyone she'd ever cared about, Mamiko asks her if there's any reason left not to end the world. Shiina replies that there isn't.]]
* ''Manga/SoulEater'': Medusa offers this to Stein on several occasions, in an UnholyMatrimony sort of way, and confesses her "love". Professor Stein turns her down flat on (almost) all occasions.
* ''Manga/TokyoESP'' has the adoptive family of Kyotaru, who offers him this. However, Kyotaru decides to be a hero.
* In the first episode of ''Anime/TransformersRobotsInDisguise'', Megatron offers to let Optimus Prime join him so they can despoil Earth together. Optimus, naturally enough, refuses.
* ''Anime/ValvraveTheLiberator'': In the third episode, enemy soldier and ace mecha pilot L-Elf reveals that he wants [[TheHero Haruto]] to "form a contract with him and serve as his right hand", essentially asking Haruto to become his [[TheDragon personal Dragon]], to bring revolution to Dorsia. [[spoiler:Haruto eventually accepts, realizing that L-Elf's genius can potentially minimize the losses his friends will have to face. That wasn't part of L-elf's plan, but Haruto says that L-elf is like bitter coffee that needs sugar, and offers to be L-elf's sugar.]]
* In an interesting example, in the first ''LightNovel/VampireHunterD'' novel (and comic), TheDragon [[DepravedBisexual Rei-Ginsei]] give this offer to [[TheStoic D]] "As two beautiful lords ruling the night" (to paraphrase) - despite that [[BigBad Magus Lee]] would most certainly have something to say about the attempt to double-cross him.
* ''Anime/YuGiOh'': Seto's side of the story in the [[TimeTravel Memory World arc]] centers largely around this trope, with a LukeIAmYourFather for good measure.
** Earlier in the series, [[spoiler:Yami Marik]] tries this on [[spoiler:good Marik]] in a last-ditch effort to avoid banishment to the Shadow Realm. [[spoiler:He's completely ignored.]]
* In ''Anime/YuGiOhTheDarkSideOfDimensions'', [[BigBad Aigami]] thinks that HumansAreTheRealMonsters, but starts to think of [[IncorruptiblePurePureness Yugi]] as the exception, so he asks Yugi to help him create a new world without hate. Yugi tells him to shove it since Aigami is driven by hate, so he could never create a world without hate.
* In ''Anime/YuGiOh5Ds'', Carly, as a Dark Signer, showed Jack a world where they would rule together as King and Queen. Jack almost fell for it, too bad that his [[LargeHam Hamminess]] snapped him out of it.
* ''Anime/YuGiOhArcV'': Roget, the main villain of the Synchro arc, proposes this to Yuya: if Yuya beats Jack, he will take his place as the city's champion, and keep the peace between the two warring states of the city. Yuya declines, as he realizes that Roget has no intention of using the role to actually fix the problem, and would rather keep up the status quo and retain his control over the city. Roget also tries to groom Serena as his next pawn, but Serena refuses to take his hand-outs.

[[folder:Comic Books]]
* In the Esperanto comic ''[[TenJarojnPoste 10 Jarojn Poste]]'' ("10 Years After"), BigBad Colonel Osto offers hero Orajno "wealth, women, whatever you desire!" if Orajno will join him. A disgusted Orajno knocks Osto to the ground.
* In ''ComicBook/{{Asterix}} and the Secret Weapon'', this is how Bravura makes her marriage proposal to Asterix, promising they can become joint chiefs of the village. Asterix totally loses his temper at this and refuses, but she just [[SelectiveObliviousness ploughs on as if he'd said yes]].
* Inverted in a story in ''Comicbook/TheAuthority''. Diminutive supergenius Jacob Krigstein creates hundreds of superheroes in order to attack the titular super-team, kidnap [[GooGooGodlike newborn Jenny Quantum]], and use her to influence the course of the entire next century. The good guys beat up the bad, fly into Krigstein's secret base...and offer him a job. Clearly he's got the brainpower necessary to help change the world; it just needs to be appropriately channeled.
* In the ''{{Franchise/Batman}}'' comic "Mistress of Fear," the Scarecrow tries to MindRape Becky Albright after she testifies against him in court and discovers that she was bullied as an IllGirl child, which forces him to recall his own experiences with bullying. He then makes this offer to her, arguing that her [[FreudianExcuse psychological profile is perfect for supervillainy]].
* Similarly with ComicBook/RasAlGhul and Batman, Ra's has tremendous respect for Batman and would love to bring him round to his own WellIntentionedExtremist point of view--especially since Bats and Ra's's daughter ComicBook/TaliaAlGhul are [[StarCrossedLovers in love.]] Ra's ultimately wants Batman to agree to be his successor. He considers ComicBook/{{Bane}} and later [[ComicBook/RedRobin Tim Drake]] for the role and extends them offers. Tim blows up most of Ra's hidden bases in response.
* ''ComicBook/BlackCat2019:'' [[ComicBook/KingInBlack In an attempt to stop Knull before he destroys the Earth completely,]] Felicia uses one of Doctor Strange's artefacts to power herself up using [[SealedEvilInACan the Wild Magic,]] which draws its strength from Yggdrasil, the World Tree. The Wild Magic, [[AFormYouAreComfortableWith taking the form of her father,]] offers to make her upgrade permanent if she releases it into the world, and the two of them can rewrite reality in their own image. Death to her enemies, infinite wealth and respect, and her real father coming back to life almost pushes her into agreeing...but the Wild Magic overplays its hand by promising to brainwash all her ex-lovers into coming back to her. Realising what accepting the offer would turn her into, Felicia relinquishes the power for good.
* In the ''Comicbook/{{Blacksad}}'' album "Somewhere Within The Shadows" [[spoiler:Ivo Statoc]] tries to offer Blacksad a job in his employ when he's finally tracked him down and already dispatched his bodyguards; Blacksad refuses.
* After having Blue Beetle beaten up by a cyborg, Max Lord tries to recruit him into Checkmate and his plan for "[[TakeOverTheWorld Curbing superhuman aggression.]]" With a literal gun to his head.
-->'''ComicBook/BlueBeetle''': So that's it. Join me or die time, is that it?\\
'''Max Lord''': That's it exactly.\\
'''ComicBook/BlueBeetle''': [[DefiantToTheEnd Rot in]] [[Awesome/TheDCU hell, Max.]]
* ComicBook/{{Cable}} gets this offer from Madelyne Pryor, his mother who, despite evil, still has soft spots on him when they are reunited. He obviously refuses, though.
* The Hand wants ComicBook/{{Daredevil}} to be their new leader. They actually got what they wanted in one storyline, though they had to [[DemonicPossession shove a demon inside him]] to make him more agreeable to the offer.
* There's a rare successful version of this in ''ComicBook/DarkEmpire''. After capturing Luke, Palpatine offers to become his Master. And although Luke has his lightsaber, the guards have been dismissed, and there is no Vader standing by... Luke accepts. Palpatine can BodySwap into anyone after his current body is killed, and Luke would be an ideal body to take, with such horrific potential consequences for the New Republic. Luke thinks he can thwart Imperial efforts from within, and indeed he does some of that... but the Emperor isn't that easily duped. When Luke starts killing the Emperor's unborn clones, he's {{Mind Rape}}d into submission.
* Used twice in the Milestone Comic ''Comicbook/{{Hardware}}''. The first time was played completely straight. The second time, [[spoiler: the titular character's BadBoss, Edwin Alva finally realised that his employee was really the superhero who was thwarting him at every turn, so he sweetened the deal. He would give Hardware's alter ego, Curtis Metcalf, a Vice-Presidency, and would try to curb his extra-legal activities. To do this, though, he would need Hardware's help, as most of the time he had only done illegal things out of (to his way of thinking) necessity. With a powerful superhero enforcer, he wouldn't need to rely on criminal operations to maintain his profit margin. Hardware actually accepted this deal, and not only got the promotion but also an unlimited budget to improve his Hardware armour, which to that point had been constructed out of whatever he could steal from work.]]
* [[StalkerWithACrush Tiberius]] [[SmugSnake Stone]] makes this offer to [[ComicBook/IronMan Tony Stark]] after trapping Tony in a virtual reality. Tony's second option, surprisingly, isn't death. No, he can either rule beside Tiberius or be [[KneelBeforeZod forced to grovel]] at Tiberius' feet [[IHaveYouNowMyPretty with]] the [[SexSlave naked sycophants]] who are [[SlaveCollar chained to Tiberius' throne]]. Not surprisingly, Tony doesn't find either option very appealing and [[TakeAThirdOption instead opts to escape the virtual reality]] and [[HoistByHisOwnPetard leave Tiberius trapped inside]].
* In the Creator/ValiantComics series based on ''ComicBook/TheLegendOfZelda'', Ganon makes this offer to Link after Link gets his hands on the Triforce of Power.
* In the first volume of ''The Masters of the Barley'', the rich, old, greedy brewer De Ruiter offers his young, idealist competitor Charles Steenfort to betray his best friend and associate, his pregnant lover and his ideals to marry his daughter and become his associate and heir at the head of the biggest brewery in the area. [[spoiler: Much to the reader's shock, he accepts!]]
* In ''ComicBook/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicIDW'' [[spoiler:Chrysalis tries to convince Twilight to join her upon seeing the magic power she possesses. Naturally, Twilight refuses]].
* In ''ComicBook/PaperinikNewAdventures'' [[GalacticConqueror Moldrock]] does this proposal to any WorthyOpponent he meets simply because, in his own way, [[NobleDemon he's a relatively nice guy]]: being a PhysicalGod and [[AGodAmI knowing it]] he doesn't ''need'' their help in any way, he just thinks it would be better if the strongest warriors didn't die a useless death. While Paperinik refuses, Moldrock implies he's been rather successful in the past and pulls this successfully with [[spoiler:Juniper Ducklair, then the queen of Corona]], by [[OneManArmy mopping the floor with her capital's garrison]] while holding back enough to not kill anyone and continuously repeating his proposal.
* In ''ComicBook/ScottPilgrim'', after Gideon discovers that [[spoiler:Ramona has left Scott]], he asks Scott to join him, telling him that "together, we can rule Ramona's future love life!" - parodying Darth Vader. [[spoiler:Naturally, Scott rejects the offer, then gets killed. He did get better, though.]]
* ''Comicbook/SonicTheHedgehogArchieComics'':
** The villainous wizard Ixis Naugus attempts to sway his fellow villain Mammoth Mogul to his side. The trope is inverted somewhat when Naugus realises that Mogul is the more powerful villain of the two, and immediately swears himself into Mogul's service.
** Scourge suggests to Sonic that they work together and rule the multiverse, the two of them working as one because they're so powerful. You even get the feeling he wouldn't betray Sonic if he'd agreed to Scourge's way of thinking. Sonic freezes up, and Scourge takes it as a serious consideration, but Sonic later explains that he was so utterly disgusted at the suggestion that he couldn't even speak.
* ComicBook/RedSkull tried this with ComicBook/{{Spider Man}} in the finale of ''The Assassination Plot'', trying to bribe the hero with a million dollars to "look the other way" while he planted a bomb in the National Archives. The Skull was counting on Spidey to be angry at the U.S. government for kicking him off the team due to legal issues - and he ''was'' - but clearly, the [[EvilCannotComprehendGood Skull overestimated such anger]]. Spidey [[ScrewTheMoneyIHaveRules quickly told him where he could shove it.]]
* In ''Comicbook/{{Squee}}'', [[{{Satan}} Senor Diablo]] offers Squee a position in {{Hell}} since he's friends with [[TheAntichrist Pepitio]]. When he politely declines, he shrugs and says "I guess that's that."
* ''Franchise/{{Superman}}'':
** Used almost obligatorily in ''ComicBook/SupermanAtEarthsEnd'' by the twin clones of Hitler running the show. The potentially interesting idea of cloning Superman into a race of "Supermen" with Nazi/Aryan overtones goes undeveloped beyond a single sentence, because this is ''[[http://www.thatguywiththeglasses.com/videolinks/linkara/at4w/3252-superman-at-earths-end Superman: At Earth's End]]''.
** Used in ''ComicBook/{{Supergirl}}'' story ''Adventure Comics'' #415 when Supergirl is abducted by a wannabe space dictator who wants to destroy Earth, conquer the universe, and make her his mate. She turns him down, wrecks his warship, and turns him over to the authorities. As he is being put away, the tyrant cries the universe could have been theirs.
** Reign offers Supergirl a chance to join her team of Worldkillers. Of course, Supergirl refuses.
* In ''Comicbook/TheTransformersDarkCybertron'', Nova Prime forcefully tries to convince Orion Pax (whom he insists on calling Optimus Prime even after he renounced the title) that they are the rightful masters of all existence because they are Primes.
* ''ComicBook/UltimateWolverine'': Quicksilver would have no problem killing his brother Jimmy if needed, but he would prefer if he joined the Brotherhood.
* ''ComicBook/XWingRogueSquadron'': In ''The Making of Baron Fel'', Ysanne Isard first gives AcePilot Soontir Fel a ForcefulKiss, then says she could raise him up, make him take Tarkin's place, become bigger than Vader. When he adamantly rejects both, she [[http://img83.imageshack.us/img83/8823/blz32.jpg wipes her mouth]] and says that this was a SecretTestOfCharacter. She'd told the Emperor that Fel was utterly loyal and incorruptible, and she was right. A few years after this, Fel {{defect|orFromDecadence}}ed to the Rebellion both because what the Empire had become disgusted him and because the Rebels would help him find his [[HappilyMarried wife]], the sister of Wedge Antilles.
* ComicBook/{{Magneto}} likes to poke Professor X with this idea from time to time in ''ComicBook/XMen'' but the Professor's ideals of mutant equality (not supremacy) always win out. Professor X in turn tries to convince his old friend to give peace a chance. Magneto has actually tried doing things Xavier's way a few times but for the most part StatusQuoIsGod since he's just too compelling as a Foil.

[[folder:Fan Works]]
* In ''[[http://archiveofourown.org/works/428232/chapters/721627 Blonde Ambitions]]'' Light makes this offer to Mello after getting caught up in some rather compromising circumstances.
* Occurs ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/728462/1/By-the-Grace-of-Lady-Vader By The Grace of Lady Vader,]]'' but the one who actually offers Luke this isn’t Anakin, but Padme. [[spoiler:It works much better than in canon because Padme is a MagneticHero and Luke desperately longs for a family.]]
* In ''Literature/TheLordOfTheRings'' fanfic ''FanFic/TheCaptainAndTheKing'', Saruman offers to help restore Aragorn to the throne of Gondor in return for his allegiance and the Ring. Aragorn doesn't bite.
* As it could be expected it eventually happens in a Franchise/StarWars fanfic
* In ''[[Fanfic/TheLamentSeriesChaoticNeutral Chloe's Lament]]'', Chloe offers Adrien the chance to join her as she forces the whole world to become the brainwashed servants of 'Miracle Queen'. She's legitimately stunned by his refusal, as she's [[ItsAllAboutMe so self-absorbed]] that she doesn't understand ''why'' [[EvilCannotComprehendGood he's so repulsed by the idea]].
* In ''[[Fanfic/TheElementsOfHarmonyAndTheSaviorOfWorlds Conversion Bureau:United We Stand]]'', after transforming [[spoiler:Megan]] into an alicorn using the newfoal potion, TCB!Celestia tries to convince [[spoiler:Megan]] to join her crusade of transforming humans. Subverted, however, in that Celestia tries to use the MindControl properties of the potion to turn [[spoiler:Megan]] rather than words, which Megan only can barely fight off.
* In ''Fanfic/ACureForLove'' after [[spoiler:[[TakeOverTheWorld taking over the world]]]] Light/Kira keeps asking L if he's changed his mind yet and is going to join him [[FriendlyEnemy whenever he calls.]]
* ''Fanfic/DarthVaderHeroOfNaboo'': Unlike Sidious, Plagueis sees no problem in making an alliance with Vader. Unlike most villains who do this, it's not just words -- he doesn't like the Rule of Two and is genuinely interested in making alliances.
* ''Fanfic/EmpathTheLuckiestSmurf'':
** In "The Exile From Psychelia", Empath learns that the Psyche Master has been grooming him to be his successor and is hoping that he would someday forsake the Smurf way of living and embrace becoming the next Psyche Master. Empath refuses the Psyche Master's offer. However, in the alternate timeline story "Hefty, The Luckiest Smurf", Empath is forcibly taken back to Psychelia and is eventually made the next Psyche Master.
** In "The Once And Smurfy King", which retells the comic book version of "King Smurf", Lord Smurf the First tempts Smurfette, who is secretly working for the rebel Smurfs, with the possibility of her being his queen and the two of them ruling over the Smurf Village together.
* In the ''FanFic/FacingTheFutureSeries'', we have [[spoiler:Tucker receiving this from Ghost Tucker. Fortunately, it doesn't work thanks to Tucker's CharacterDevelopment]].
* ''Fanfic/FalloutEquestria'': Red Eye is a WellIntentionedExtremist building a truly better world out of the Wasteland on the backs of horrific amounts of slavery and abuse. When Littlepip confronts him on his hypocrisy, he takes this trope a step further and says she can rule his empire ''alone''. He's planning to [[spoiler:ascend and become a God who can watch over the world]]; while Littlepip thinks the attempt will kill him, Red Eye points out that either way, he won't be in a position to rule his empire, and he's more than happy to leave it to her. With the industrial and cultural foundation he's set up, she should even be able to get rid of the slavery without too much trouble. Littlepip is disturbed by the offer, but can't really come up with a good argument against it. [[ShutUpHannibal She does get a good one eventually, and turns him down]].
-->'''Littlepip:''' Because the ponies of the wasteland deserve a better ruler than me. And a better God than you.
* ''FanFic/TheFlashSentryChronicles'': Sombra offers his childhood friend Ruby Scarlet a chance to rule by his side as his queen, which she refuses.
* ''[[WesternAnimation/AdventuresOfTheGalaxyRangers Galaxy Rangers]]'' {{Fanon}} frequently has [[BigBad the Queen]] offering this to [[ActionGirl Niko]]. To a lesser extent, she sometimes offers it to [[TheHero Zachary]], sweetening the deal by offering Eliza's crystal. The answer of "Go to Hell, Your Majesty" is the usual ForegoneConclusion.
* In nearly every Harry Potter story written by [[https://www.fanfiction.net/u/2227840/The-Fictionist The Fictionist]], Voldemort tries to manipulate Harry Potter into fulfilling this trope using a variety of means. He is very persistent.
* In ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/7833910/1/Harry-Potter-and-the-GOOD-Finale Harry Potter and the GOOD Finale]]'' a dying Voldemort offers this to both Harry and Neville. They pretend to consider it and string him along for a bit before finally stating what they ''really'' want from him.
-->'''Harry and Neville:''' We want our families back you son of a bitch.
* ''Fanfic/HeroTheGuardianSmurf'': In the "King Smurf" adaptation from [[WesternAnimation/TheSmurfs1981 the 1980s cartoon show]], Brainy tempts Smurfette with the possibility of her being his queen and ruling beside him over the Smurf Village together. She rejects him and joins the rebels.
* ''FanFic/TheImmortalGame'': When Rarity is confronted by her father, [[TheDragon General Esteem]], he offers her a chance to join him in serving [[BigBad Titan]] and living like royalty. Rarity basically tells him to shove the offer up his ass, before proceeding to [[CallingTheOldManOut call him out.]]
* Admiral Lindy Harlaown pulls off a ''magnificent'' rebuttal to one of these in the ''Franchise/LyricalNanoha'' fanfic ''FanFic/{{Infinity}}'' at one point when she faces a WellIntentionedExtremist who tries to pull this on her by appealing to her honor, morals and sense of duty as a ReasonableAuthorityFigure working for a government with corruption problems, the alternative being working for an imperialistic dictatorship with a UtopiaJustifiesTheMeans mindset. Lindy's defense of the TSAB?
-->'''Enlil:''' I am offering you the ''universe''. And you are... you are seriously snubbing that in favor of an organization that regards you as expendable? For no reason other than...\\
'''Lindy:''' You are an admitted military dictator and something of a hypocrite? That you claim the moral high ground despite claiming responsibility for murder, torture, and warmongering against peaceful worlds? Maybe it does result in a happy, shiny empire filled with joy and rainbows, but that is only because the people know that if they complain too loudly they'll be ''murdered''. The TSAB might have many and significant flaws, but if nothing else, at least I can claim with certainty that those flaws do not change the fact that the organization as a whole exists for a purpose that I truly believe to be a noble one. You, on the other hand, appear to be offering a system that has some very significant flaws of its own, operates in pursuit of goals that most reasoning beings would consider abhorrent, and which you then attempt to put a positive spin on so that nobody will notice. And that, to me, seems like a very good reason.\\
'''Vita:''' ...Daaaaaaaaaaaamn.
* In ''FanFic/TheJadedEyesSeries'' Harry/Tristan makes this offer to Voldemort. [[UnderestimatingBadassery At first Voldemort thought he was joking.]]
* ''FanFic/JusticeLeagueOfEquestria'':
** At the climax of ''The Princess of Themyscira'', [[BigBad Ares]] offers [[Franchise/WonderWoman Diana]] a chance to rule the world by his side as he conquers it with a ForeverWar. She naturally refuses.
* In ''FanFic/MegaManDefenderOfTheHumanRace'', [=ProtoMan=] wants Mega Man to join him. In this continuity, he extends the offer to Roll as well and would be happiest with both on his side.
** [[spoiler:Bass]] wants Roll to rule at his side as his queen.
* ''Fanfic/AMonstersNature'' has Brandon essentially make this offer to Caitlyn, albeit in a scenario where Caitlyn’s only power would be based on the fact that anyone who disobeyed her would make Brandon angry.
* In ''[[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4930433/1/My_Greatest_Adventures My Greatest Adventures]]'', Ares, the God of War attempts to tempt Superman into joining him, which fails.
-->'''Ares''': Don't think that way. My true duty is to regulate strength and aggression. I support Darwin's Theory of Evolution because it is true. The strong live and the weak die! (''He points out the surrounding plants and animals, which are dying from the unnatural cold.'') I sent that deluded fool Mr. Freeze to test you. And you, my friend, are strong! And open to aggression! Join me, in the ultimate war! With you at my right hand, I shall conquer this pathetic world. In the new world order, you can have anything you want, even Lois.\\
'''Superman''': No. I'll never serve you, evil one. I'm taking you down.
* ''FanFic/MyLittleMagesTheNightmaresReturn'': Much like ''The Immortal Game'' above, [[spoiler: Pinkie's father [[TheDragon the Grand Master]] repeatedly tries to get Pinkie to rejoin the [[{{Cult}} Shadow Blades]] and serve Nightmare Moon. And like Rarity above, Pinkie refuses (though she's more [[EvenEvilHasLovedOnes civil]] about it]].
** Near the end of the story, [[DarkActionGirl Nightshade]] tries to talk Rainbow Dash into joining the Shadowbolts, even encouraging her to be a BastardUnderstudy. Dash responds by shooting her.
* In ''Fanfic/TheNightUnfurls'', Vault offers Kyril to join his cause of building [[NoWomansLand a]] [[SexSlave Sex]] [[TheEmpire Empire]]. On the pragmatic side of things, it is always good to have a powerful [[OneManArmy warrior]] on his side. His reasoning, however, is heavily reliant on the assumption that AllMenArePerverts, thinking that Kyril, [[AManIsAlwaysEager a man]], would want "live like a king" to take and use as many partners as he pleased. [[EvilCannotComprehendGood Yeah, about that...]]
* In ''Fanfic/OpeningDangerousGates'':
** When Harribel kicks his ass, Xiphias Gladius desperately tries to persuade her to join the demons of Zeref, claiming Zeref can give her power beyond her wildest imagination. She doesn't listen.
** Later, a demon offers Lucy the chance to join them and use her keys in service to Zeref. When she refuses, he shrugs and says he'll just have to kill her then.
* ''Fanfic/PaganVengeance'': Ghenghis Khan makes this offer to Juvage, even throwing in his daughter in marriage. Juvage refuses since he wants to be the one who killed the Khan or die trying. He even asks the Khan to keep his gifts ready, since he'll be taking them after the battle.
* ''Fanfic/PersonaTheSougawaFiles:'' Both major villains offer this to [[TheHero Rina]].
** Shortly before the fight with him, Nobuyuki Itou gives Rina the chance to turn on her team and join him, seeing her as an ally with strong potential. Given how he [[spoiler:attacked her apartment and nearly killed her sister]], she understandably refuses.
** [[spoiler:The true main antagonist, Yuudai Honda, actually bothers to have a reasonable conversation with Rina attempting to explain his viewpoint and why she should join him - on some level, it's also because he cares about her, [[BlueAndOrangeMorality in his own sick way]]. She refuses to join him as well. Unfortunately, [[CurbStompBattle it doesn't end well for her]]]].
* A villain-to-villain example occurs in ''Fanfic/PokemonResetBloodlines''. The Bloodline King is the leader of a faction of bloodliners who believes [[TakeOverTheWorld they should rule the world]] [[MasterRace over normal humans and Pokémon]], and offered Sabrina the chance to be his queen. Says a lot that [[EvenEvilHasStandards Sabrina finds him disgusting and wants nothing to do with him]], especially considering she is a SocialDarwinist who seeks to purge the world of mediocre and unremarkable people, either by pushing them (through fear) to develop their full potential, or outright killing them if she feels they're but a waste of space.
* ''Fanfic/PonyPOVSeries'': Right before the final battle, Discord offers Pinkie Pie a chance to marry him and become his queen. To sweeten the pot, he offers to bring her lost friend Minty back. Pinkie refuses, both on principle and because the method to bring back Minty would require sacrificing Twilight Sparkle.
* Drake from ''Fanfic/PowerRangersGPX'' tried to tempt Red Ranger Sean O'Callahan into joining his alchemical organization using Sean's own personal beliefs. It almost works... until Sean points out he's still a ''Franchise/PowerRangers'' villain. His only goal is to TakeOverTheWorld. Oh, and one more thing: [[spoiler:His organization had nearly killed his sister. ItsPersonal doesn't even begin to describe Sean's feelings.]]
* ''Fanfic/ProfessorArc'':
** Cinder consistently tries to get Jaune fully on her side through seduction and promises of power. At one point he notes that he would have accepted her offers, had she made them a few months earlier. As it stands, Jaune is too concerned for Beacon to let Cinder complete her plan, let alone join her. [[EvilCannotComprehendGood Naturally]], Cinder contributes his refusal to [[ICanRuleAlone some greater ambition]].
** In the sequel, [[spoiler:Jaune gets this offer from Salem.]].
* In the ''WesternAnimation/TheGreatMouseDetective'' story ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/7343313/1/The-Professor-s-Portrait The Professor's Portrait]]'', Basil talks about his youth, when he was a student with Professor Ratigan as chemistry teacher. Rattigan had always been an outcast who had barely managed thanks to his exceptional intellect to reach a status in the mice's society but still suffered from the mice's prejudices against him. His pupil Basil, though a mouse, was somehow the only person Ratigan could relate to, as Basil was quite as intelligent as Ratigan and also not well-liked for other reasons. When Basil uncovers Ratigan's first attempt at ruling Mousedom, Ratigan didn't even try to deny the facts: he said to be impressed by Basil finding out and took this is as the last proof that Basil was the right mouse Ratigan would choose to rule with him. He then genuinely offers the detective this trope and doesn't understand Basil's scruples. (It must be noted that Ratigan's plan involved drugging all the Mousedom citizens to make them mindless and easily manipulated). Basil, though, still thinks [[YouCouldHaveUsedYourPowersForGood that Ratigan was one of the greatest minds who ever lived, and that it's a pity that he used it for evil and could not forgive the mouse society]].
* In the WesternAnimation/JackieChanAdventures fic ''FanFic/QueenOfAllOni'', Jade offers Viper a chance to join with her early on. Viper refuses, partly due to her concern for Jade, and otherwise because she's reformed, and she promptly throws an onion in Jade's face. [[spoiler:After a VillainousBreakdown some chapters later, Jade decides Viper doesn't have a choice in the matter, and kidnaps and brainwashes her.]]
* Just before the climax of ''FanFic/RainboomsAndRoyalty'', Nightmare Moon offers to give Rainbow Dash [[TheFinalTemptation everything she's ever wanted (and offers to do the same with her friends)]] if she swears loyalty to her. Dash momentarily considers the deal but realizes that Nightmare is just using her and refuses.
* ''Fanfic/RainbowDoubleDashsLunaverse:'' A dragon-based variant, with Kindle and Raindrops, who tries tempting her with "we can serve Corona together while she rules Equestria". Since Raindrops [[spoiler:is astoundingly pissed at Kindle for seducing her without mentioning he served an insane alicorn]], she rejects this offer aggressively.
* ''Fanfic/RWBYEpicOfRemnant'': Salem contacts Angra Mainyu and offers that he join her and become her King. While tempted, he refuses because he already has a girlfriend, Gudako, who wouldn't want that and would oppose a being like Salem on principle.
* In ''Fanfic/{{Seigikan}}'' Light makes this offer to L:
-->'''Light:''' How about we be together and execute justice as Kira? You want to be together so bad, then join me. Come with me and we can rule the world together. Together we can be unstoppable. Think of all the good we can do.
* {{Inverted}} in the ''Manga/DeathNote'' [[AlternateUniverseFic AU]] ''FanFic/SexNote'' where L wants to find the [[VigilanteMan vigilante]] [[WellIntentionedExtremist Kougoukan]] in order to protect him and, if Kougoukan continues to use his powers responsibly, recruit him as his partner.
* In ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/6351946/45/The-Sorcerer-s-Bride The Sorcerer's Bride]]'', [[spoiler:Morgause offers this to Merlin, saying they can take over Albion and rule over those without magic with an iron fist. When he tells her to shove it, she goes with brainwashing instead]].
* ''Fanfic/SonOfTheSannin'': In Chapter 113, [[spoiler:Toneri Otsutsuki]] announces to Hinata that he intends to let the war rage on and destroy the current world, feeling that it's beyond saving, and then to step in and hijack the Ten-Tails' power to become ruler of the new era. He offers Hinata the chance to rule the new world as his queen, but she of course refuses.
* In ''[[http://www.fimfiction.net/story/194310/the-umbra-king The Umbra King]]'' Sombra does this with Rarity, saying that he'll save her and her sister from the Ruin Worms (which actually have nothing to do with him) in exchange for her becoming his slave. Rarity's refusal and subsequent TheReasonYouSuckSpeech [[spoiler:leads to his [[RedemptionEqualsDeath redemption, death]] and, [[http://www.fimfiction.net/story/197385/the-umbra-queen in the sequel,]] HeelFaceTurn.]]
* In the [[http://community.livejournal.com/jla_watchtower JLA Watchtower]]/Roleplay/DCNation universe, Hades [[TheFinalTemptation attempted to persuade Omen to his side]], and convince her to let him kill the [[ComicBook/TeenTitans Titans]] so that they could go to Elysium, instead of letting her and Troia return to life with them. They would have a life in paradise as innocent children, with Omen taking Persephone's place as Queen of the Dead. Particularly vicious, as Omen was under MoreThanMindControl at that point, and Hades [[ThePowerOfFriendship used Omen's own love of her teammates to try and convince her why it was a good deal]]. Hades also broadly hinted at why heroes get a [[UnexplainedRecovery revolving door at the afterlife]]...and this was written ''4 years'' before ''Comicbook/BlackestNight''!
* ''Fanfic/WarningLetter:'' [[Manga/DeathNote Light's]] Shadow muses aloud that [[VideoGame/Persona5 The Phantom Thieves]] would be better off working with him than against him. Joker [[TalkToTheFist shoots him mid-sentence]], prompting a boss fight instead.
* In ''Fanfic/WhatYouAlreadyKnow: Chimera'', Osiris attempts to make this offer to Daniel once she witnesses his psychic powers, but Daniel counters that he's happy being "insignificant little Daniel Jackson", mocking how she starts talking about his "puny life" after calling him a god a moment ago after that rejection.
* ''[[FanFic/BoundDestiniesTrilogy Wisdom and Courage]]'': During the final battle, Veran offers Link this. Of course, considering the fact that Veran had quite literally put Link and Zelda through absolute Hell ForTheEvulz during the course of the fic, committed all manner of horrible atrocities against both Hyrule and Termina, as well as the fact that Veran gives Link said offer ''after'' she just gave him a ''savage'' NoHoldsBarredBeatdown that [[spoiler: ended with her sadistically [[EyeScream slicing out his right eye]]]], Link flat-out tells Veran that he would rather ''die''

[[folder:Films — Animated]]
* In ''WesternAnimation/{{Antz}}'', General Mandible offers this to Princess Bala, but she calls him crazy. He believes historians will beg to differ.
* Happens in ''WesternAnimation/DespicableMe2'', where [[spoiler: Eduardo/El Macho offers is quite enthusiastic about working with Gru.]]
* In ''Anime/FinalFantasyVIIAdventChildren'', there's Kadaj's speech to [[spoiler: the kidnapped children.]]
* In ''WesternAnimation/{{Megamind}}'', Titan makes this offer to Megamind, claiming they could rule Metro City together, the BrainsAndBrawn method. Megamind, who gave Titan his powers specifically to get back into a comfortable hero-villain routine, is bewildered.
* Happens twice in ''WesternAnimation/ToyStory3''. First off, Buzz is offered a position among the toys to be able to get out of the torturous position, which he declines because he doesn't want to leave his friends behind. [[spoiler:Unfortunately, [[BrainwashedAndCrazy it wasn't a request]].]] The second is, to a lesser extent, with {{Franchise/Barbie}}. She isn't aware of the truth when she accepts Ken's offer and immediately changes her mind when she learns the truth.
** Although [[spoiler:she and Ken kind of ''do'' rule together at the end when Lotso is removed and his dictatorship over the toys in the preschool is dismantled. The two take over as head toys in his place, albeit much kinder.]]
* In ''WesternAnimation/ThePowerpuffGirls'' [[TheMovie movie]], a powered-up and gigantic Mojo offers this to the girls, after manipulating them, trying to get them out of the way and realising, after they demonstrated their powers, that this is the only way to avoid ending in the wrong side of their fists. Naturally, this being an origin movie, they refuse.
* ''WesternAnimation/{{The Lion King|1994}}'': In a scene [[WhatCouldHaveBeen that was ultimately cut from the film]] (but resurrected in [[Theatre/TheLionKing the Broadway show]]), Scar attempts to [[AndNowYouMustMarryMe propose to Nala and make her his Queen Consort]], but she refuses and is banished.
* In ''WesternAnimation/TheSecretOfNIMH2TimmyToTheRescue'', there's a song based on this, appropriately titled "Just Say Yes", where [[TheMadHatter Martin]] tries to get Tim to help him take over Thorn Valley.
* ''WesternAnimation/RiseOfTheGuardians'' has Pitch Black practically proposing to Jack Frost, saying what goes together better than cold and dark. Both of them being very similar spirits in a lot of ways makes them somewhat sympathetic to each other and Pitch's offer is seemingly a sincere attempt at getting a friend he can relate to... The look on his face when Jack turns down the offer [[CryForTheDevil is actually quite sad and almost heartbroken]].
* The DirectToVideo film ''WesternAnimation/GreenLanternFirstFlight'' has Sinestro trying to convince Hal throughout the movie that the Guardians are failing at their duties, though it's only near the end that he actually makes the offer.
* At the climax of ''WesternAnimation/BarbieMariposa'', Henna is about to take control over Flutterfield and tells Mariposa that they can rule it together. Not too surprisingly, Mariposa refuses, and one of the Flutterpixies manages to grab back the antidote during her rant so she can heal the queen.
* During the climax of ''WesternAnimation/{{Zootopia}}'', the BigBad [[spoiler: Mayor Bellwether]] attempts to convince Judy Hopps to pull a FaceHeelTurn, using a NotSoDifferentRemark [[spoiler: as both of them are small mistreated prey animals]], and that working together they have the power to [[spoiler: unite the prey species to drive all of the predators out of Zootopia]]. [[spoiler: When Judy refuses, she attempts to murder her by turning Nick savage.]]

[[folder:Films — Live-Action]]
* ''Franchise/StarWars'': Sith in general are fond of this one, as it fits with their overall theme as tempters, and they seem to take particular pleasure from corrupting Jedi into minions.
** Darth Vader's offer in ''Film/TheEmpireStrikesBack'' is probably the most heartfelt, if not the {{Trope Maker|s}}, as he offers to take [[LukeIAmYourFather his son Luke]] on as his apprentice so they can destroy the Emperor together and take over the Galactic Empire. Vader goes so far as to point out (concerning teaming up to destroy his master) that "The Emperor has foreseen this," and some of the ExtendedUniverse novels mention that although (of course) he later pretended to Emperor Palpatine that he was just making a false offer to tempt his son to the dark side, they both knew that the offer was wholly credible and that Vader would quite certainly have delivered on it if Luke had accepted.
** In ''Film/ReturnOfTheJedi'', The Emperor also tries to lure Luke to the Dark Side, though he's obviously less than sincere about wanting to be ''replaced''; he actually wants to replace ''Vader''. (It fails partially because the Emperor is far, ''far'' too obvious about it, and partially because of the very different circumstances under which this latter temptation takes place.)
** Happens again in ''Film/AttackOfTheClones'', with Dooku offering to team up with Obi-Wan to defeat the Sith. Dooku's motives for making this offer are a bit unclear since Dooku himself is a servant of the Dark Lord he claims to be opposed to. Most likely he wants to destroy Darth Sidious and become the new Sith master with Obi-Wan as his apprentice, but the way he frames it makes it seem like he's been infiltrating the Sith to destroy them from within (unlike Anakin to Luke, who makes no bones about the fact that he wants to rule the Empire from the Dark Side).
** And, again, in ''Film/RevengeOfTheSith'', with Anakin offering to rule the galaxy with Padme as his Empress. As a tireless advocate for democracy, she is naturally appalled. Also earlier in the same film with Palpatine's offer to Anakin, which, unfortunately for the galaxy, he accepts.
** The sequel trilogy does this ''again.'' This time it's a [[spoiler: VillainousCrush]] variant with [[spoiler: Kylo Ren and Rey]]:
*** In the climactic scene of ''Film/TheForceAwakens'', Kylo Ren [[spoiler:offers to be Rey's teacher in the ways of the Force. (She doesn't go for it.)]]
*** In ''Film/TheLastJedi'', [[spoiler:Kylo Ren wants Rey to join him and for them to rule the Galaxy together (in a speech that sounds ''eerily'' similar to [[FoeRomanceSubtext the first terrible proposal Mr. Darcy gave to Elizabeth Bennet]] in ''Literature/PrideAndPrejudice'') after killing Snoke. Instead of agreeing to turn to the Resistance like she had hoped. She refuses, again. The heartbroken look on her face makes it clear that she knows [[DidntSeeThatComing she really should have seen it coming]].]]
---->'''Rey:''' [[spoiler: Please don't do this, Ben. Please don't go this way.]]
*** [[spoiler:Kylo extends several more of these to Rey]] in ''Film/TheRiseOfSkywalker'', with the same results. When he questions why [[spoiler:she rejected him, despite wanting to join him, she replies that she wanted to be with ''Ben'', not Kylo.]]
---->'''Rey:''' [[spoiler: I did want to take your hand. Ben's hand.]]
* A considerably less credible version of this occurs in the first ''Film/SpiderMan1'' movie: the Green Goblin recommends to Spider-Man that he "join me" -- notwithstanding the extreme improbability of Spider-Man possibly being interested in joining the psychopathic killing spree of a supervillain who tried to murder his girlfriend. This prompts the Goblin to play the UntrustingCommunity card, claiming that in prolonging their feud, Spider-Man will be held responsible for anyone killed as collateral damage. Spidey's not buying any of this, of course.\\\
This offer is particularly bizarre because, at that point in the movie, the Green Goblin had already killed the general who'd wanted to pull Oscorp's funding and the board members who'd wanted to give his alter ego Norman Osborne the boot. Since he'd already settled his scores and secured his position, he had no clear motive to continue operating behind a mask himself, let alone team up with anyone else. What exactly he and Spider-Man would actually ''do'' if Spidey had accepted the offer is an utter mystery. Then again, he [[PsychoSerum isn't really thinking straight]] anyway. To the extent that if Green Goblin's thought processes had any logic at all at this point, he could simply have been thinking that since he and Spidey are both "better" than mere humans, they ought to be on the same side.
* Subverted in ''Film/ThePrincessBride'': when Inigo Montoya has his father's murderer at his mercy, ''he'' actually ''demands'' the villain try tempting him out of revenge:
-->'''Inigo:''' Offer me money!
-->'''Rugen:''' Yes.
-->'''Inigo:''' Power too, promise me that!
-->'''Rugen:''' All that I have, and more. Please...
-->'''Inigo:''' Offer me everything I ask for.
-->'''Rugen:''' ''Anything you want''. [[ILied *attacks Inigo again*]]
-->'''Inigo:''' *jabs Rugen in his heart* I want my father back, [[PrecisionFStrike you son of a bitch]]. [[ImpaledWithExtremePrejudice *drives the blade home*]]
* At the end of ''Film/ThreeHundred'' [[GodEmperor Emperor Xerxes]] offers the Spartan King Leonidas the opportunity to serve him as Warlord of Greece, by simply kneeling before him, or else die in a hail of arrows. Leonidas responds by wordlessly removing his helmet, dropping his spear and shield, and kneeling before Xerxes...the better to aim as he hurls a spear at Xerxes' ''face'' and proves "that even a God-King can ''bleed.''"
* In the sequel ''Film/ThreeHundredRiseOfAnEmpire'', Artemisia is looking for a man to be at her side, and as her Generals prove to be totally incompetent. She summons Themistokles to her ship, gives him a We Can Rule Together speech, and tries to kiss him. [[spoiler: He falls for the temptation and they proceed to have [[DestructoNookie sex so violent]] that it's more like a "Who's raping who" contest. Just at the climax, when she shows her satisfaction for finally finding a real man up to her status, he simply replies "No".]]
* In ''Film/StarTrekFirstContact'', the Borg Queen invites Data to join her, causing him to actually consider the offer. (For a total of 0.68 seconds - almost an eternity for an android with a supercomputer in his head.)
** [[FakeDefector All part of the plan.]]
* In ''Film/{{Flash Gordon|1980}}'', Ming offers Flash rulership of the Earth in his name at one point. However it's pointed out earlier that Ming is clever regarding this trope: by giving troublemakers their own lesser kingdoms, they'll fight each other and [[WeAREStrugglingTogether not cooperate to overthrow him]].
* In Creator/DavidCronenberg's ''Film/{{Scanners}}'', Revok has been tracking down Vale for the whole movie specifically to offer him to lead his new empire together, because [[spoiler: [[LongLostRelative they're brothers]]]]. He seems to feel genuinely hurt and betrayed when the offer is refused. He also has a more roundabout way to force Cameron to comply: by devouring his mind.
* ''Film/DickTracy'' (1990). Big Boy Caprice captures Tracy and offers him $15,000 to join Big Boy's organization.
-->'''Big Boy Caprice''': ''Welcome to new waters, Dick! We're gonna run one hell of a ship with you aboard. There's a big world out there, and it's up for sale. All of it. All we gotta do is make sure that the people know I'm the one big enough to run it.''
-->'''Dick Tracy''': ''And that you are guilty of attempting to bribe an officer of the law.''
* Long John Silver offers Jim Hawkins a chance to join him and the pirates in ''Film/MuppetTreasureIsland''.
* ''Film/DamienOmenII'': Damian Thorn, the adolescent antichrist, offers to let his beloved cousin join him. Unlike in most stories, when the young idealist refuses and vows to stop him, Damian has an attack of "real life" and just kills him.
* ''Film/JudgeDredd''. Rico makes the offer to Judge Dredd after capturing him.
* ''Film/TheAvengers1998''. DiabolicalMastermind Sir August tells Mrs. Peel, "Join me, Emma, and we have the world."
* [[spoiler: Adrian]] sort of makes this offer to Jon in ''Film/{{Watchmen}}''. He explains that the plan was Jon's achievement as much as it was his own and that without Jon's interference, a united humanity could create a perfect world. Jon [[spoiler: leaves Earth.]]
* In ''Film/TheLeagueOfExtraordinaryGentlemen'', the BigBad makes this kind of an offer to TheMole, though it's not so much "join me" and more "stick around a while longer". TheMole declines -- not out of any particular moral code or personal conviction, but simply because he doesn't think it's worth the effort. He's been around long enough to see other empires crumble, and so knows that the BigBad's is going to follow suit eventually.
* In ''Film/ResidentEvilApocalypse'', Major Cain is hopeful in getting ActionGirl Alice to join him: "With my help, just imagine what [we] can achieve!"
* ''Film/XMenFirstClass'':
** At the climax, [[BigBad Sebastian Shaw]] offers Magneto a chance to join him so that together they can ensure mutant supremacy, a goal that Magneto actually agrees with. Unfortunately, Shaw was the one who [[YouKilledMyFather killed Magneto's mother]] in the concentration camp, so Magneto kills him and takes up his "mutant vs. human" crusade [[ICanRuleAlone himself]]. Later, he tells Xavier that he wants him by his side in the cause, but Xavier refuses.
** When Shaw introduces himself to the kids, this is his main pitch. [[spoiler:Angel actually takes up the offer, as she feels humans will never respect mutants. Darwin also claims to defect, but that's only a ploy to give his teammate Havok a clear shot at the villains (and also to shield Angel). [[TheWorfEffect Not that it does him any good]].]]
** Also implied between Magneto and Mystique.
* In the first scene of ''Film/SupermanTheMovie'', as Jor-El is about to sentence Zod and his followers to the Phantom Zone, Zod tries to sway him with this trope. "Yours will be a powerful voice in the new order, second only to my own." Jor-El just walks away, prompting [[KneelBeforeZod Zod to create a trope]]; "[[LargeHam YOU WILL BOW DOWN BEFORE ME, JOR-EL! BOTH YOU, AND THEN ONE DAY, YOUR HEIRS!]]"
* JustifiedTrope in ''Film/ManOfSteel'' due to the FantasticCasteSystem on Krypton. General Zod and his followers are genetically engineered to be soldiers, so don't have the natural skills or temperament to rebuild their world. Jor-El was created to be a scientist, and Kal-El (Superman) is his son, so Zod tries to enlist both men to his cause. When they refuse, however, he's [[WellIntentionedExtremist fully prepared to continue regardless]].
* ''Film/JamesBond'':
** Played with in ''Film/DrNo''. Dr. No says that he was impressed by Bond's skills and was considering offering him a job. Unfortunately, Bond has pissed him off way too many times, so instead he's going to have him tortured and imprisoned. In fairness, Bond also offered Dr No the opportunity of working for the West, only for Dr No to inform Bond that both sides of the Cold War had already rejected his services.
** Also played with and subverted in ''Film/GoldenEye''. Trevelyan says that he considered making this offer to James, but realised that Bond would never accept it.
** In ''Film/{{Skyfall}}'', Silva had first tried to persuade Bond to ally with him against M.
-->'''Silva:''' You see, we are the last two rats. We can either eat each other... [[HomoeroticSubtext mmm...]] or eat everyone else.
* In ''Film/PrinceValiant1997'', Morgan le Fay tries to convince Valiant to join her and kill everyone, so they can rule together as King and Queen. She even shapeshifts into his beloved Princess Ilene. The real Ilene arrives and snaps him out of it.
* ''Film/WildWildWest''. After Jim and Gordon attack Loveless' spider tank with a flying machine, they're captured. Loveless then compliments them on their ingenuity and offers them to come work for him. West tells him to shove it.
* After Cmdr. Shaw is captured by the rogue Chinese in ''Battle Beneath the Earth'', General Lu offers him a position as [[PuppetKing a puppet leader]] to the soon-to-be-demolished-with-atom-bombs United States.
* ''Film/Wishmaster4TheProphecyFulfilled'': The Djinn offers Lisa to rule beside him as his queen, and offers her immortality and eternal bliss along with it. The contents of her wish ("I wish I could love you for who you really are", not knowing that he's an evil Djinn at the time) dictate that his offer of ruling beside him be sincere.
* In ''Film/{{Ben 10 Alien Swarm}}'', the Queen attempts this on Ben and fails.
* In ''Film/{{Dragonheart}}'' ''2'', [[spoiler:Osric regains his dragon form]] and asks Drake to join him in his campaign to wipe out humanity. Drake is initially overjoyed to find a fellow dragon, but his human friend Geoff reminds him that [[spoiler:Osric tried to steal Drake's heart to change into a dragon again and only stopped because he found another heart instead.]] Drake angrily declares that Geoff is his true brother, not [[spoiler:Osric]]. Cue the final battle.
* In ''Film/HellraiserIIIHellOnEarth'', Pinhead promises Monroe a place by his side for helping him. [[spoiler:When Monroe fails, he makes the same offer to Terri, and she gives in. He "rewards" them both by turning them into lesser Cenobites.]]
* In ''Film/MacheteKills'', Voz says he sees Machete as the ultimate warrior and tries to recruit him, or at the very least, get him to consent to being cloned. Machete refuses both requests.
* In ''Film/EndOfDays'', Satan offers Jericho to forget his mission to protect the chosen girl from Satan and to bring back his dead wife and child in exchange and come work for him in his new hellworld. Jericho is genuinely tempted by the offer because of his grief, but he ultimately rejects.
* In ''Film/GoodBurger'', Kurt tries to get Ed to quit his job at Good Burger and work for him in order to gain his ultra-popular sauce recipe.
* In ''Film/{{Anaconda}}'', the human villain Paul Sarone suggests to Owen Wilson's character that they should become partners so he can help him catch the Anaconda. Wilson looks forward to getting rich off it and filming the whole thing. [[spoiler:He gets bitten for his troubles, with Sarone sacrificing him without a second care.]]
* Implied in ''Film/TheLordOfTheRingsTheReturnOfTheKing'' when Aragorn leads his ragtag army to assault Mordor in order to buy time for Frodo to complete his mission. Aragorn looks into the Great Eye atop Barad-dûr and hears the Black Voice whispering his Quenya Elvish name, Elessar, in the same seductive tone that has been previously heard [[ArtifactOfAttraction from the Ring]]. After taking [[{{Beat}} a moment]] to compose himself, Aragorn's only response is to whisper "[[AndThisIsFor For Frodo]]"... and [[LastStand charge]]
* In ''Film/KingsmanTheSecretService'', TheMole offers [[TheHero Eggsy]] the chance to join him and Valentine in honour of [[spoiler:[[MentorOccupationalHazard Harry]]'s memory]]. Eggsy says he'd rather [[spoiler:join Harry]].
* ''Film/TheRunningMan'': A variation. After Ben Richards kills several stalkers, [[BigBad Killian]] offers him a job as a Stalker. Having had to [[spoiler: close the eyes of his friend who was just killed by a Stalker]], Ben strongly refuses in a way that even ''Cinema Sins'' admired.
--> '''Ben Richards''': You cold-hearted bastard! I'll tell what I think about it. I live to see you eat that contract! But I hope you leave enough room for my fist because I'm going to ram it into your stomach and BREAK YOUR GODDAMN SPINE!
* In ''Film/TerminatorGenisys'', John offers his parents a chance to be assimilated willingly, so they can become one BigBadassFamily of cyborgs. They don't agree to it.
* ''Film/DoctorMordrid'': Kabal gives Mordrid the standard "join me and we'll rule this world together" offer, though with more cause than most examples as [[RivalTurnedEvil they used to be sworn brothers]]. Mordrid naturally refuses, pointing out that wizards have no right to rule humanity.
* ''Film/KullTheConqueror'': After arranging Kull's fake death on their wedding night to usurp the throne from him, Akivasha wakes up Kull in the dungeons. Since he was so good in the bedroom she offers him to rule by her side. He instantly refuses.
* ''Film/{{Nemesis}}'': Commissioner Farnsworth offers Alex to join forces with the other cyborgs late in the movie. Alex shoots him in the face while delivering a PrecisionFStrike in response.
* ''Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse'':
** ''Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxyVol2'': Ego wants Peter to willingly join him in his plan to [[spoiler:[[AssimilationPlot convert every planet into an extension of himself]]]]. When Peter realizes what Ego has done to reach this point he refuses.
** In ''Film/ThorRagnarok'', Loki makes an offer like this to Thor while he's imprisoned on Sakaar. As Hela is more powerful than both of them put together, Loki reasons that they may as well forget about saving Asgard, get in good with the Grandmaster, and wait until they can arrange an "accident" for him [[TheStarscream and take over.]]
* ''Film/{{Vampirella}}'': From the moment they meet, Vlad tries to get Vampirella to join his side.
* [[BigBad Ares]] offers Diana a chance to work together at the climax of ''Film/WonderWoman2017'', the two using their powers to destroy humanity and return Earth to the natural state it was before Zeus created Man. [[spoiler:After all, [[CainAndAbel she's his sister]], as well as the only person able to kill him.]] Even after having her idealism shattered by the hell that was UsefulNotes/WorldWarOne, Diana refuses to take part in mass genocide.
* In ''Film/AFaceInTheCrowd'', the scene in which Marcia finally realizes that Lonesome Rhodes is utterly DrunkWithPower and must be stopped at all costs is the one in which he tells her, "I'm gonna be the power behind the President and you'll be the power behind me."
* In ''Film/TragedyGirls'', Lowell tries to persuade [=McKayla=] to let him go, in exchange for making her his partner in crime, claiming that [=McKayla=]'s current partner Sadie is only holding her back. [=McKayla=] laughs in his face, since Sadie is ''also'' her best friend; she confidently claims that nothing could ever get between them. [[spoiler:After the girls have a falling out, [=McKayla=] ''does'' team up with Lowell... but she was prepared for his sudden, but inevitable betrayal. The second he threatens Sadie, she shoots him dead, and the two girls make up.]]
* In TheFilmOfTheBook of ''Literature/TheChroniclesOfNarnia: Literature/TheVoyageOfTheDawnTreader'', although he is not a villain, Edmund is still an AntiHero tempted by evil who actually tries to convince his little sister, Lucy, to gain power along with him.
-->'''Edmund:''' Lucy, we'd be so rich...''no one'' could tell us what to do. Or to live with.
* ''{{Film/Mythica}}'': Szorlok makes this offer to Marek, which she seriously considers since he promises to save the rest, but ultimately rejects.
* ''Film/TheBabysitter'': [[spoiler:Bee makes this offer to Cole towards the end, saying they can claim the other cultists attacked them and let them posthumously take the fall. She explains that she made a DealWithTheDevil because she used to be a frightened child, just like Cole, but now she's strong and powerful, and she seems sincere when she offers to share that power with him. It's implied she does this partially because she does care about him, and also because he reminds her of herself, once upon a time. Either way, he rejects the offer out of hand.]]
* ''Film/JurassicCity'': After confessing how he engineered the disaster to begin a hero, LaFranco tells Tolbert that he can take part of it too. Tolbert isn't interested and based on how quickly LaFranco went for his gun, he may have simply been lulling him into a false sense of security anyway.
* ''Film/GodToldMeTo'': [[spoiler:The murderous, mind-controlling HalfHumanHybrid Phillips explains to fellow hybrid Pete that his alien genes are dominant, but Pete's are recessive. He invites Pete to [[MrSeahorse impregnate him]] so they can create a race of hybrids, all of whom will be alien-dominant.]]
* In ''Film/Mulan2020'', [[DragonWithAnAgenda Xianniang]] offers this to Mulan after the Chinese forces have expelled her for being a woman. Mulan doesn't take her up on it, and [[spoiler:eventually Xianniang has a HeelFaceTurn]].
* ''Film/RoadHouse'': After Dalton has established he's not simply going to go away by sending one or two goons after him, Wesley attempts to recruit him, offering to pay him way more than he could ever make at the Double Deuce and also suggests that Dalton secretly [[BloodKnight enjoys violence]]. While Dalton shuts down his offer hard and fast, he is clearly a bit rankled when Wesley brings up the fact that Dalton once killed a man in Memphis, and [[VillainHasAPoint correctly points out]] that it wasn't entirely self-defense.
* Zigzagged in ''Film/TheSuicideSquad''. The handsome President of Corto Maltese offers his hand in marriage to Harley Quinn. Harley being well...nuts, quite likes the idea and they have DestructoNookie sex. [[spoiler:But when President Luna talks of having the children of his political opponents FedToTheBeast Harley just shoots him on the spot, having become wise to the perils of boyfriends who are even more psychotic than she is.]]

[[folder:Literature]]
* A peculiar example happens in ''Literature/AgentG'' ''Infiltrator'' by Creator/CTPhipps. There, the titular Agent receives a job offer from TheMole to work for the U.S. Government against his employers, the chance to keep all of the money he's made from assassinations, as well as a pardon for his crimes. [[spoiler: G takes it.]]
* In ''Literature/AtlasShrugged'', John Galt is offered leadership of the "looters" he's been fighting against. For entirely selfish reasons, he refuses - even at gunpoint. By the end, Galt is being [[ColdBloodedTorture tortured]] to force him to agree -- unsuccessfully. The concept is known in the novel as "the sanction of the victim" -- Hank Rearden and others conclude that the looters ''do'' "crave the validation that having the hero join [them] would bring" exactly.
* In ''Literature/TheBelgariad'', Ctuchik, EvilSorcerer and EvilOverlord of Cthol Murgos, and treacherous disciple of the currently dormant [[GodOfEvil Torak]], offers Belgarath, his GoodCounterpart, the chance to share the world. Belgarath isn't interested, and Ctuchik isn't exactly the most trustworthy person, meaning that it's quite likely he just wanted to get Belgarath's guard down (it didn't work).
** In desperation, [[GodOfEvil Torak]] tries this toward the end of ''Literature/TheBelgariad'', sending Garion a dream in which he offers to become Garion's father, and Polgara his mother. Garion, an orphan who adores Polgara as his ParentalSubstitute, is troubled and tempted to take the offer, but finally responds with a rejection and a psychic BreakingSpeech about how Torak DesperatelyCravesAffection, but is ultimately despised and alone. Torak also offers Polgara the chance to be his bride. That was ''not'' out of desperation, Torak genuinely wants Polgara to love him.
** The sequel series ''Literature/TheMalloreon'' sees the new Child of Dark Zandramas desperately offer to be (Bel)garion's new bride and for them both to become gods with the powers of the Stones after almost every plan she had to stave away the Choice between Light and Dark fails. Garion sees straight through it, and actually tells the Dark Prophecy that was behind Torak and is behind Zandramas off for being so unoriginal as to try a ploy that didn't work on him the last time. The Dark Prophecy is genuinely taken aback at this.
* In Creator/PatriciaAMcKillip's ''Literature/TheBellAtSealeyHead'', when Nemos Moore learns that Ridley Dow is his great to the nth grand nephew (how many generations is never made clear), and Dow rejects the notion of leaving, Moore offers to teach him magic -- and perhaps, in time, to think like him.
* Occurs quite famously in ''Literature/TheBible'', where Satan tempts Jesus with control over the entire Earth. Jesus' choice is fairly obvious.
** This has interesting theological implications: Jesus rejects the offer, but never implies that Satan couldn't deliver. Therefore, Satan apparently has some degree of authority over Earth.
** In fact, John 12:31 describes Satan as the "ruler of this world."
* Samis of ''Literature/ChantersOfTremaris'' tries this twice. First, to his [[HeterosexualLifePartners closest friend Darrow]], then later to TheHeroine, [[FoeYay Calwyn]].
* Taran, protagonist of Creator/LloydAlexander's ''Literature/TheChroniclesOfPrydain'', is shocked to find his beloved and idolized mentor offering him the chance to conquer and rule the Kingdom of Prydain together with him near the end of the series. [[spoiler: It's actually the BigBad in disguise.]]
* In ''Literature/DinnerAtDeviantsPalace'', the villain makes this offer to the protagonist at the eponymous dinner with a NotSoDifferentRemark and could work together for their respective selfish benefit. The protagonist initially dismisses the offer as "insincere, impossible, and definitely, absolutely unattractive"; after the villain has elaborated on his offer, he withdraws all three objections but says that he's still not going to take it.
* ''Literature/TheDresdenFiles'':
** Nicodemus makes this kind of offer to Harry several times.
** In ''Literature/DeadBeat'', Harry assumes Kumori is going to say this when she says she's going to "make him an offer", and says as such, pointing out that he gets these offers a lot. He guessed incorrectly, though his second guess (which he also gets frequently), "go away and I won't kill you", is entirely accurate.
** However, in ''Literature/GhostStory'', "Evil Bob" ''also'' says he's going to make Dresden an offer. That time, it's this trope played entirely straight. (Dresden refuses, obviously.)
* Lorelei makes a variant of this speech to her cousin Malachi in ''Literature/{{Eludoran}}''.
* At the end of the second ''Literature/EmpireFromTheAshes'' book, [[spoiler:Battle Comp, the AI commander of the Achuultani invasion,]] enthusiastically makes this offer to [[spoiler:Dahak after it realizes Dahak is a fellow AI. Dahak leads it on for a moment, then hacks Battle Comp's core programming into total shutdown.]]
-->''Then join us! You are [[spoiler:ending — join us! We will free you from the bio-forms]]!''
* Rider, the BoisterousBruiser of ''LightNovel/FateZero'', interrupts Saber and Lancer's duel, declares his true name (even though it was supposed to be kept secret), and offers that if they both surrender now, "we could conquer the world together". Naturally, they refuse. After staring at him a bit in flabbergasted silence because of his ridiculous his offer is.\\
\\
This actually happens to be his Modus Operandi, backstory-wise and again towards Gilgamesh. It's implied that, though he selfishly pursues his own desires, he does this so that he does not have to destroy people he likes in the process, even if they are his enemies, making this a heroic example.
* ''Literature/FevreDream'' has a moment of this kind, when Damon Julian offers Abner Marsh to stay aboard the ship as a captain. Worth notice, Abner does not actually reject the deal because running a ship full of vampires is wrong, but because he realizes Julian is trying to manipulate him in order to break Joshua's spirit.
* Baelan in ''Literature/GreystoneValley'' offers this option to Sarah, but it's questionable as to how sincere he is.
* ''Literature/HarryPotter'':
** Voldemort offered Harry this back in ''Literature/HarryPotterAndThePhilosophersStone'', also stating they could bring Harry's parents back. [[spoiler:What with Harry being TheChosenOne, this was [[ILied a lie]], since it is impossible to bring the dead back to life even with magic, and Voldemort actually planned to kill him as soon as he handed over the Stone]].
** ''Literature/HarryPotterAndTheDeathlyHallows'': When everyone thinks [[spoiler:Harry is killed]] by Voldemort, Neville attempts to attack Voldemort, but is effortlessly blasted away. Voldemort is actually impressed by Neville's courage and, given Neville is a Pureblood, offers him a spot among his Death Eaters. Neville immediately refuses the offer.
* ''Literature/{{Hurog}}'': In ''Literature/DragonBones'', Ward gets such an offer from the villain. As he's desperate and sees no other option, he agrees (but of course helps his friends escape, give him a TapOnTheHead to make it look like he didn't). [[spoiler: When Oreg suggests another path of action, Ward takes it, killing the villain.]]
* In ''Brisingr'' of the ''Literature/InheritanceCycle'', Eragon receives this offer from his father Morzan... [[spoiler:but A.) It was only a nightmare (Morzan had long been dead.) and B.) Morzan wasn't really his father; he just thought that he was until he later learned otherwise.]]
* The Egyptian gods in ''Literature/TheKaneChronicles'' offer this to the siblings Carter and Sadie again and again. Although these gods are not really evil, there would be no good consequences for them if they embarked on the trade.
* Subverted in the Creator/RogerZelazny story "The Last Defender of Camelot", where an immortal Lancelot tries to stop an awakened Merlin turned evil from attempting to conquer the world. Merlin easily disables Lancelot with magic and then offers him a place at his side. Lancelot, unbelieving, asks how stupid Merlin would have to be to trust someone who changed sides so easily. Merlin counters that he wouldn't, and admits he just asked that question to give Lancelot false hope, out of spite.
* ''Literature/TheLordOfTheRings'': Saruman offers to 'share' the power of the Ring with Gandalf -- who doesn't bite. Moreover, he reasonably points out that a Ring of power can't be shared- one hand has to wear it.
* ''Literature/TheManWithTheTerribleEyes'': After the Man gains the upper hand in their fight, the Supervisor offers the Man the chance to be an equal partner with him in Iotech rather than a test subject if he stays. The Man wants nothing more to do with any of them at this point and refuses.
* In ''Literature/TheMouseWatch'', [[BigBad Dr. Thornpaw]] invites Bernie to become one of his minions with a NotSoDifferentRemark. Although she refuses the offer, Bernie is [[YourApprovalFillsMeWithShame ashamed]] when she admits to herself that [[JerkassHasAPoint he has a point]].
* At the beginning of DJ [=MacHale's=] ''Literature/ThePendragonAdventure'', [[MagnificentBastard Saint Dane]] offers Bobby the chance to join him several times. Doesn't work.
* ''Literature/PercyJacksonAndTheOlympians'' has Luke Castellan, who offers Annabeth this thrice and Thalia once. Becomes a {{Tearjerker}}[=/=]HarsherInHindsight when you learn of his past with these three in book 5.
* ''Literature/ThePostman'': Macklin makes an offer like this to Gordon when he's his prisoner. He recognizes that Gordon is a {{worthy opponent}} of the Holnists, and says he'd be made a baron. Knowing Gordon's principles, he even says that he'd be able to treat his serfs compassionately if that's his wish. Gordon flatly rejects this however.
* ''Literature/TheRunningMan'': At the end CEO Killian offers Richards a job at the network to replace the head Hunter of ''The Running Man''. Richards responds to his offer in the most spectacular way possible, by [[spoiler:hijacking a passenger plane and ramming it into Killian's ivory tower office while flipping the bird at him.]]
* The protagonist of Jennifer Fallon's ''Literature/SecondSons'' series is given this offer at the end of the second book. In a subversion, [[spoiler:he accepts, and uses his newfound position of power within the enemy ranks to bring down TheEmpire from within with misdirection and trickery. As the series is largely a subversion of heroic fantasy in general, this is fitting.]]
* In ''Literature/TheSilmarillion'', Melkor/Morgoth tries to convince Fëanor to defy the Valar and come to Middle-Earth with him. Fëanor almost agrees until he realises Melkor wants his Silmarils and proceeds to [[DidYouJustFlipOffCthulhu slam the door in his face]]. Morgoth later offers to make Húrin his greatest lieutenant if he tells the location of [[HiddenElfVillage Gondolin]]. Húrin refuses.
* ''Literature/TheStainlessSteelRat'' is seeking to depose a planetary dictator by fair means or foul in ''The Stainless Steel Rat for President''. At one stage the dictator meets with Jim [=DiGriz=] in private and suggests We Can Rule Together -- he'll run the government, [=DiGriz=] will run the opposition, and they'll quietly eliminate anyone who's a real threat. [=DiGriz=] refuses outright because he believes in democracy and thinks the dictator is a total scumbag. The dictator rejects this [[EvilCannotComprehendGood as all politicians are out for themselves]]. Fine, says [=DiGriz=], and goes on a spiel about how he wants all the goodies for himself, "All the power, the money, the women" causing the dictator to shed ManlyTears. "[[YouRemindMeOfX You remind me of myself when I was young]]." The truth is that [=DiGriz=] is doing all this for fun, [[spoiler:so he fakes his death at the end to get out of running the planet.]]
* In ''Literature/StarksWar'', after [[spoiler:Stark leads a mutiny]], the General holds out the offer of high rank and protégée status as an inducement to pretend it never happened.
* In ''Literature/StarTrekTheEugenicsWars'' Khan tries to recruit the other superhumans to his cause. The others flatly refuse, not liking the idea of serving under Khan.
* ''Franchise/StarWars'': The non-canon picture book ''Darth Vader and Son'' depicts Vader making this offer to little Luke Skywalker. Little Luke asks if he can then have a treat.
* ''Franchise/StarWarsLegends'':
** In ''Literature/GalaxyOfFear'', the entity called Spore tries to appeal to Tash, who earlier in the book [[PleaseDontLeaveMe stated her fear of being alone]] and her desire to have a stronger connection with the Force, so she could feel like part of a team, part of something bigger than herself. It's gaining on her, and while it doesn't look like it thinks she'll really stop for it, this is distracting.
--->"[[AssimilationPlot You will join me. You'll be a part of me]]. Didn't you want to become one with the Force? Isn't that what you told me? [...] The Force is nothing. If it ever existed, it belonged to Jedi who died years ago. I can offer you something more. Join me, and [[HiveMind you will join thousands, millions of others]]. [...] You know, you're not strong enough to stop me. Not nearly strong enough. Once you're under my control, I'll make you my primary host. I will be ''you.''"
** In the novelization of ''Literature/RevengeOfTheSith'', Anakin Skywalker / Darth Vader actually makes this offer to his wife Padmé, saying that Palpatine can make call himself "Emperor" and make himself the most-hated man in the galaxy and then they can overthrow him and rule together. Padmé, who has been a tireless advocate for democracy, is naturally appalled.
* In Ira Levin's ''Literature/ThisPerfectDay'', [[spoiler: those who successfully rebel against the dystopia to the point of reaching the ruling cabal's headquarters are offered the chance to join them]].
* This happens more than once to the heroine of the ''Literature/ThursdayNext'' novels, although the most recent example was a subversion -- the villain knew she would reject the offer, and was only stalling to let Medusa sneak in behind her.
* ''Literature/TruemanBradley'': In the second book, the cat burglar Mark Chapel wants to join forces with Trueman because they're both genius Aspies. He thinks they could be one of the greatest criminal teams in history.
* In ''Literature/TheUnderlandChronicles'', [[spoiler:Henry]] says this to Luxa, trying to convince her to side with him in his betrayal.
* ''LightNovel/TheUnexploredSummonBloodSign'': The White Queen has made this kind of offer to Kyousuke several times, due to her [[{{Yandere}} obsessive love]] for him. Since she is responsible for most of the trouble in the world, and because he thinks she [[LovingAShadow isn't actually in love with him]], Kyousuke always refuses.
* In the ''Literature/VampireAcademy'' series, [[spoiler:Dimitri is turned into a Strigoi and comes face to face with his ex-girlfriend Rose. He wishes to turn her into a Strigoi too and uses this as one of methods to coerce her. It nearly works, but she eventually manages to decline]].
* In Creator/JohnCWright's ''Literature/WarOfTheDreaming'', villain Azrael de Gray tries to pull this one on a captured hero (incidentally, one of his distant [[LukeIAmYourFather descendants]]). The hero, though, correctly points out that the offer is merely because Azrael is up a wall, and proceeds to HannibalLecture him out of the room.
* In ''Literature/WarriorCats'', Tigerstar convinces [=RiverClan=] and [=ShadowClan=] to combine into one Clan, and offers the other two Clans the chance to join, saying the all the leaders will rule jointly. Tallstar and Firestar refuse, and Tigerstar snarls to Firestar that he just gave up his last chance to save [=ThunderClan=].
* Both Lanfear and Ishamael try this on Rand in the early books of ''Literature/TheWheelOfTime''. Lanfear was serious, but her idea of "ruling together" would have ultimately involved turning Rand into a sex slave. Though a section from her perspective in book 9 shows that she meant every word of her offer, Lanfear is so intrinsically obsessive, clingy, and manipulative that any partnership with her that started equal would have ended with one member controlling or killing the other.
* In ''Literature/TheWitchlands'', after [[spoiler:Kullen comes back from the dead]], he offers Merik this, proposing that they kill Vivia and put Merik on the throne. [[spoiler:Merik declines.]]

[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
* ''Series/{{Angel}}'': The protracted war between Angel Investigations and Wolfram & Hart LLC comes to an apparent close in S4 when the firm suffers huge losses at the hands of Jasmine and her pet Beast. The firm magically rematerialized with a new office building, but with a worker shortage: Impressed by Angel's ingenuity and ideas, they offer him an ever-increasing suitcase of money — essentially corporate head-hunting — until he finally caves and unilaterally merges his agency into the firm (admittedly to save his son). This leads us into S5, aka Dilbert with vampires, where most of Angel's ideas for reform end up in the conference room wastebasket anyway.
* The Shadows from ''Series/BabylonFive'' are prone to making sinister deals with other species, though in their case it's more about inspiring conflict than convincing people to join their side. The most straight example in the series was [[spoiler:the offer given to Sheridan through his BrainwashedAndCrazy wife]].
* ''Series/BlakesSeven''
** In "Aftermath", Servalan offers this to Avon. He rejects her not for [[AntiHero moral reasons]], but because he suspects that once she had what she wanted from him, he'd "[[ChronicBackstabbingDisorder be dead in a week]]."
** Played for laughs when a MadScientist who's enamored with Servalan offers this trope in exchange for his superweapon. Servalan has had plenty of {{Hot Consort}}s, but as the scientist is a [[AbhorrentAdmirer balding middle-aged loony with facial warts]] even she finds it difficult to play along.
* ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer'':
** The First Evil tries this on Andrew and Spike.
** After Faith kills Genevieve, Roden tries to convince her to replace her in his plan to kill Buffy and survive the End of Magic.
** Vampire Willow seems interested in turning her doppelgänger into a vampire, believing the two of them could be quite the formidable pair. She is also implied to have [[LesbianVampire romantic feelings]] for her counterpart, something Willow finds rather creepy...
* This is essentially Larry's entire motivation on ''Series/BurnNotice''. He's nostalgic for the days when he and Michael cut a swath through three continents and he wants to do it again. However, lately he's figured out by now that Michael isn't as much like him as the forged dossier floating around would have everyone believe.
* Oddly invoked and lampshaded in ''Series/DiagnosisMurder'', in the episode "Blood Ties" (a backdoor pilot for a cop drama involving two female police officers). A team of renegade cops, who have taken to murdering known felons and placing "organ donor" stickers on their driver's licenses so their organs can be harvested for transplants, tries to convince the two protagonist cops to join them. One of the two officers comments that this reminded her of a Film/JamesBond scene, where the villain tries to convince Bond to join him in taking over the world. She says, "All Bond had to do was say 'yes', and he could buy enough time for his fellow agents to rescue him and save the day. I never understood why he never said 'yes'... until now. The answer is 'no'."
* ''Series/DoctorWho'':
** In [[Recap/DoctorWhoS8E4ColonyInSpace "Colony in Space"]], the Master (believing he's got control of an all-powerful Doomsday weapon) offers his old school chum the chance to jointly rule the universe as a [[UtopiaJustifiesTheMeans benevolent dictatorship]]. The Doctor replies that he wants to see the universe, not rule it.
** The Master gives this speech to Adric in [[Recap/DoctorWhoS19E1Castrovalva "Castrovalva"]] to try and get him to help him. Adric pretends to accept, but the Master sees through it immediately. Since the Master already had Adric strung up in a hadron web, [[MindRape being used as a human computer against his will]], it doesn't put his plan in much jeopardy.
** [[Recap/DoctorWhoS28E3SchoolReunion "School Reunion"]]: The leader of the bat-like Krillitanes offers the Doctor the chance to join their GodhoodSeeker plan, tempting him with the power to bring his long-dead people back and ensure he'll never [[WhoWantsToLiveForever outlive his human loved ones]]. Sarah Jane talks him out of it.
** An evil offering evil example from [[Recap/DoctorWhoS28E13Doomsday "Doomsday"]]. The Daleks and the Cybermen meet face to face for the first time, both regard each other as hostiles, but the Cybermen can see that together, the two groups would be all-powerful, and propose an alliance. The Daleks, [[AbsoluteXenophobe being Daleks]], reject this offer with lasers.
** The Master does this a lot — until it's inverted beautifully in [[Recap/DoctorWhoS30E17E18TheEndOfTime "The End of Time"]], when the Doctor asks the Master to join him, even paraphrasing the dialogue from "Colony In Space". "You don't need to own the universe, just see it." The Master seems tempted, then slingshots back to evil... then saves the Doctor from Rassilon at the last minute.
** [[Recap/DoctorWhoS31E6TheVampiresOfVenice "The Vampires of Venice"]]: The villain offers this to the Doctor after finding out he's a Time Lord. He refuses due to awkward interspecies issues ("I'm a Time Lord. You're a big fish... think of the children.") and because she kills people.
** Missy [[spoiler:(aka the Mistress, aka the Master regenerated into a female form)]] spends series 8 setting up another one of these, just to prove that she and the Doctor [[NotSoDifferentRemark aren't so different]]. Having assembled an army of zombie Cybermen, [[Recap/DoctorWhoS34E12DeathInHeaven she hands]] total control of them to the Doctor, daring him to use them against the Daleks and all his other enemies.
* ''Series/GameOfThrones'': [[spoiler:Over the course of Season Eight, Daenerys Targaryen undergoes SanitySlippage, eventually culminating in her burning King's Landing down and plotting to TakeOverTheWorld. She then makes this offer to her lover Jon Snow after he begs her to stop, asking him to help her "build a new world". It's this offer that makes Jon realize that she can't be reasoned with, and he's reluctantly forced to kill her, crying as she dies in his arms]].
* Averted and then played straight in ''Series/{{Highlander}}''. In the episode "Comes a Horseman", Kronos offers Methos the chance to join forces with him. Methos accepts but later turns on Kronos when Silas offers him Cassandra's head. The real question is whether Methos joined forces as a stall tactic, genuinely joined forces and [[HeelFaceTurn later changed his mind]], or joined forces as [[FakeDefector part of a plan to kill Kronos.]]
* ''Series/IronFist2017'' has a variation when Madame Gao suggests that Danny Rand [[ImpliedDeathThreat and his friends]] enjoy the [[RichIdiotWithNoDayJob hedonistic pleasures of a billionaire lifestyle]] while turning a blind eye to how the Hand is using Rand Enterprises as a cover for their illicit activities. Even if he hadn't been trained to fight the Hand for the past fifteen years, Danny is too naively idealistic to take such an offer. Later Bakuto tries to convince Danny to join the Hand by presenting Gao's organisation as a RenegadeSplinterFaction, but Danny is skeptical and quickly discovers that Bakuto is little different from Gao.
* On ''Series/LasVegas'', Montecito owner Monica Mancuso offers this to Danny [=McCoy=] after she fired Ed; Danny, fed up with her bullheaded way of running the casino, chooses to team up with Ed against her instead.
* The {{Card Carrying|Villain}} MagnificentBastard Prince of Fire offers this to Xev in ''{{Series/Lexx}}''.
-->'''Prince:''' I will be King, you will be Queen...or, perhaps, you'll be my slave. Same thing really.
* The ''Series/MaskedRider'' episode "Mixed Doubles" had Count Dregon offer that his heroic nephew Dex can join him in his rule. Dex, of course, turns him down.
* ''Series/{{Merlin|2008}}'' sometimes receives offers like this, with his enemies usually throwing in the NotSoDifferentRemark. Most notably, a powerful sorcerer sweetened the offer by playing up his insecurities and the past abuse heaped upon him. Once he threatened [[TheNotLoveInterest Arthur]] however, all bets were off.
* ''Series/MoonLovers'': When he proposes to Yeon-hwa Wang Yo offers to make her his queen.
* Parodied in Film/TheDeadlyMantis episode of ''Series/MysteryScienceTheater3000'', where Crow imagines the titular Mantis giving a speech to the hero that is equal parts this and NotSoDifferentRemark:
-->'''Crow:''' "We're very alike, you and I, colonel; join me! No...you ''care too much,'' don't you?!"
* In Season 1 of ''Series/OddSquad'', Agent Olive often receives offers from her former partner, Odd Todd, to join him and his "Todd Squad", as an EvilCounterpart to Odd Squad. While she turns him down every time, and while the rest of Precinct 13579 finds the premise ridiculous (since it's just Odd Todd himself as the sole member), the MadeForTVMovie ''World Turned Odd'' explores what it would be like if Odd Squad was nonexistent and Todd Squad reigned.
* In the climax of ''Series/TheOuterLimits1995'' episode "Dark Child", Laura and her daughter Tammy are confronted by an alien who reveals that he is Tammy's biological father, who was conceived when he abducted and raped Laura years ago. He puts an apparent brainwashing necklace on Tammy and offers that she and Laura join him. They are family, and Tammy's status as a HalfHumanHybrid makes her potentially more powerful than a regular member of his race, so she will be a valuable asset in his race's invasion plans for Earth. Laura's encouragement gives Tammy the strength to remove the necklace. The alien loses his temper at their rejection and attempts to telekinetically strangle Laura, but Tammy angrily knocks him away and Laura stabs and kills him.
* ''Series/ShadowAndBone''. Once she is in his clutches, General Kirigan offers Alina Starkov a chance to rule by his side: the light to his darkness. Alina says they ''could'' have ruled together, as equals, but Kirigan just wants to use her as his weapon.
* In the final episode of ''Series/TheShadowLine'', [[spoiler:Gatehouse]] outlines his plan to Jonah Gabriel and offers him a chance to join him. [[spoiler:Gabriel refuses, which is what prompts Gatehouse to have him killed.]]
* In ''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration'' episode "Redemption II", the Duras sisters offer Worf a regency (through marriage) over the Klingon Empire, which he rejects immediately out of disgust (and hey, they ''were'' scheming all over the place). The Romulans just as quickly make themselves known, since it was their hands in it.
* ''Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine'':
** Hilariously inverted in the episode "Our Man Bashir", where Bashir is playing a Bond-like hero on the holodeck, and [[ItMakesSenseInContext due to complicated reasons involving a]] HolodeckMalfunction is attempting to keep the story going without killing any of the villains like he's supposed to, or have any of the [[GirlOfTheWeek Bond Girls]] die like one of them is supposed to. It ends with Bashir, the ''good guy'', gives the reverse of the speech, saying he's tired of being the good guy and will join the villain, and then he himself destroys the world while the holodeck characters act like he's gone utterly insane. The holodeck villain is visibly confused by this complete and utter derailment of the plot and then attempts to kill him anyway.
** In the episode "You Are Cordially Invited", we learn that an occurrence of this in the Klingon creation myth is the traditional source of their concept of ''marriage''. It's also why they believe all of their creator [[GodIsDead gods are dead]].
** This is standard FirstContact procedure for [[TheEmpire The Dominion]]- if they want to annex a civilisation they send in the Vorta to offer a single military officer or government official total domination over his people and nation in exchange for allegiance. If this fails, send in the Jem'Hadar.
* In ''Series/{{Supernatural}}'', Lucifer tries to tempt Castiel, a fellow fallen angel, into joining his cause. Castiel tells him he'd die first. And Lucifer's overall plan through the entire series was to get Sam to agree to be his vessel, and in the end Sam says ''yes''- but only so he can trap him in an inescapable prison.
* ''{{Series/Survivors}}'': Dexter attempts to use the line on Tom, who's got him at his mercy. [[NeckSnap It doesn't work.]]
* ''Series/TheWhiteQueen'': In exchange for her freedom, Margaret of Anjou offers to name Richard of Gloucester as her heir, which would make him King of England after her husband dies. To sweeten the deal, she will even allow him to marry her just-widowed daughter-in-law Anne Neville after she notices the attraction between them. Richard, who is loyal to his brother Edward IV, isn't interested.

[[folder:Music]]
* Music/TheMegas: Snake Man makes this offer to Franchise/MegaMan in "Walk Away from Light". [[ForegoneConclusion Not only is it not accepted, Snake Man doesn't make it to the next song.]]
-->'''Snake Man:''' You can fight for the steel, [[BadassBoast or die beneath my heel]]; it's up to you.

[[folder:Opera]]
* In Music/RichardWagner's ''[[Theatre/TheRingOfTheNibelung Götterdämmerung]]'', Hagen asks his father Alberich who will inherit the "eternal power" (''ewige Macht'') of the Ring if he gets it back from Siegfried. Alberich says: "I... and you!" He can't fool his son though.

[[folder:Professional Wrestling]]
* [[Wrestling/LisaMarieVaron Victoria]] makes this offer to Wrestling/{{Melina}} Perez on Monday Night Raw (or rather, a Raw Brand Pay Per View). Melina accepts because Victoria was in one of her psycho phases.
* Wrestling/AustinAries made this offer to Rich Swann, a gaijin who thought he was being overlooked in Wrestling/DragonGate. Swann refused to be Aries's underling though.
* Triple H made an offer to Roman Reigns to join the Authority but he refused.

[[folder:Radio]]
* In the ''Franchise/StarWars'' radio series Motti points out that Tarkin could use the Death Star to intimidate the Emperor into sharing power. This doesn't happen because the Death Star gets blown up ten minutes later, taking Motti and Tarkin with it.
* ''Radio/BleakExpectations:'' Mr. Benevolent makes this offer to Pip Bin, in a direct reference to ''The Empire Strikes Back''. [[spoiler:Pip accepts since it sounds like fun. They then spend the next several decades ruling the Earth, until humanity gets fed up with them. This earns Pip a severe chewing out from The Creator of the Universe.]]

[[folder:Tabletop Games]]
* ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons''
** In the adventure ''Vecna Lives'', the avatar of Vecna is ready to weaken all the other gods and place himself as the only greater god of Grayhawk. When confronted by the heroes, he'll offer to make one of them a demigod in Vecna's service, if he will just slay the other heroes.
** ''Literature/{{Dragonlance}}'' module [=DL12=] ''Dragons of Faith''. Just before Kitiara leaves the heroes, she says, "Why not join me? Together, we would be invincible!"
* ''TabletopGame/MagicTheGathering'' archvillain Yawgmoth defeated Urza this way. Yawgmoth's entire plan to defeat Urza was simply to let him see Phyrexia for himself. Since Urza and Yawgmoth had similar ideas of what the world should be like, it worked.
* During the [[GrandFinale End Times]] of ''TabletopGame/{{Warhammer}}'', this is offered twice to Settra the Imperishable. The first time was shortly after he's defeated at the hands of Nagash when the First Necromancer offered Settra a place at his side and command over his old kingdom, and the second time was when the Chaos Gods restored him in exchange for his service in destroying the world. Both times Settra ends up spitting in their faces, and he only allies with Nagash so he can have the pleasure of killing the necromancer himself.
--> "Settra does not serve!... Settra rules!"
* This was the offer the LawfulEvil [[TabletopGame/MageTheAwakening Seers of the Throne]] extended to the Nameless Orders early in the nineteenth century: rulership of the world under the Exarches, as the Seers themselves claimed. Most of the Nameless Orders said no. Then they formed [[ChaoticGood the Free Council]]. Then they backed that "no" up with guns and bombs. The subset of the Seers who extended the offer still haven't recovered from this.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Theatre]]
* In ''Theatre/{{Wicked}}'', [[WellIntentionedExtremist the Wizard]] [[JustBetweenYouAndMe explains his true history to Elphaba]] towards the start of Act Two and suggests that, though he can't change her skin, he ''can'' make her as popular and beloved as she is, if she joins him. She's tempted by the offer - [[VillainSong so much so that she joins him in song and dance]] - and then she [[spoiler: sees Doctor Dillamond, or what's become of him]], and is reminded of every reason why she despises the Wizard, and always will.
** Interestingly he also makes this offer to her at the end of act 1, where a younger and more fiery Elphaba rejects his offer out of hand. It seems that in Act 2, Elphaba is less fiery and more willing to consider alternatives, if still just as passionate.
** Also, in the number "Defying Gravity", Elphaba asks Glinda to join her, saying, "Together we're unlimited," but Glinda reluctantly turns her down and wishes her happiness on the path she has chosen.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Toys]]
* This happens a few times in {{Toys/Bionicle}}:
** Makuta says this to Mata Nui prior to their FinalBattle, although he seemed to be using it as a taunt rather than a serious proposition.
** Earlier on, there's a variation where Sidorak had an open invitation to another villain, his second-in-command, Roodaka; offering to make her co-ruler as Queen. She holds off on accepting until she can say ICanRuleAlone.
** Meanwhile, during the same arc, Roodaka sways [[spoiler:[[FailureKnight Vakama]]]] to her side, as TheDragon of sorts over the Visorak horde. [[spoiler:That is, until the end of the movie.]]
** During the Mahri Nui arc, [[spoiler:Makuta, disguised as Maxilos]], attempts to sway Matoro to his side.
** This is how Nidhiki wound up joining the Dark Hunters, betraying Metru Nui to the Hunters and letting them establish a powerbase if they would let him rule it as the figurehead. It fails thanks to Lhikan overhearing it, but even if it had succeeded, the Shadowed One [[YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness would have had Nidhiki slain at the earliest opportunity]].
* ''Toys/EverAfterHigh'': The Evil Queen offers this to her daughter, [[WhiteSheep Raven]] (whom she ''does'' [[EvenEvilHasLovedOnes sincerely love]]).
-->''It'll be a great bonding experience. Like shopping! Only word domination.''
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Web Animation]]
* In ''WebAnimation/BrokenSaints'', the entire reason [[spoiler:Lear]] pulls the JustBetweenYouAndMe at the end-- the entire reason Our Heroes are involved in the plot at all--is that [[spoiler: he wants them to help him spread the word, as his first apostles.]]
* King Sombra attempts to use this on Princess Luna in ''WebAnimation/FallOfTheCrystalEmpire'' when his MindRape of Princess Celestia shows how much Celestia secretly fears Luna.
* In the ''WebAnimation/HowItShouldHaveEnded'' video for ''Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxyVol2'': while Peter meets his father Ego, Darth Vader suddenly appears. He's happy that they found each other and that they can now [[spoiler:take over the galaxy]] together. Ego nervously [[SuspiciouslySpecificDenial denies that]].
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Webcomics]]
* In ''Webcomic/AngelDown'', [[spoiler: Ward]] asks this of Bernard, although notably, they don't request that Bernard make a FaceHeelTurn, rather they ask that Bernard "[[MagneticHero Be the beacon]] to which [[DarkShepherd my shadows will drive the wicked]]"
* In ''Webcomic/TheInexplicableAdventuresOfBob,'' Molly's sister Galatea desperately wants Molly to stand by her when she takes over the world, [[https://bobadventures.thecomicseries.com/comics/267 here.]]
* Happens a couple of times throughout ''Webcomic/TheOrderOfTheStick'': [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0054.html Nale to Elan]] early in the story and [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0520.html Tsukiko to Belkar]] later.
** Notably averted with General Tarquin, who is delighted to be reunited with [[spoiler: his son]], but is fine with Elan being a hero and looks forward to being defeated by him later at the end of his career because that will make for such an epic story.
* In ''Webcomic/{{Demonology 101}}'' [[BigBad Lethe]] [[http://faith.rydia.net/episode4/page115.html extends this offer to]] [[TheHero Raven]], which she unsurprisingly turns down. [[http://faith.rydia.net/episode4/page140.html Lethe's superiors are less than pleased by his use of this.]]
--> '''Lethe:''' My lady...
--> '''Madeline:''' "We shall rule"?
--> '''Lethe:''' You can't blame me for trying.
* ''WebComic/BobAndGeorge'': [[http://www.bobandgeorge.com/archives/010708c Mynd's offer.]]
* In Webcomic/DubiousCompany, General [[TheDragon Izor]] makes this offer to [[TheSmartGirl Sal]]. Notable in that it does not foreshadow that someone is about to die, or the gloves are off. In fact, [[spoiler: the offer was a [[AntiVillain genuine desire]] to bring Kreedor's iron reign [[TheStarscream to an end]] and foreshadows Izor and his elites (involuntarily) teaming up with the pirates.]] She [[TheChessmaster accepts]].
* More than once in ''WebComic/{{Precocious}}''.
** Di-Va (Dionne) tries to recruit Jacob in [[http://www.precociouscomic.com/archive/comic/2009/12/15 this strip]] and [[http://www.precociouscomic.com/archive/comic/2009/12/16 this strip]] (both are rife with DoubleEntendre).
** Bud to Colleen [[http://www.precociouscomic.com/archive/comic/2014/08/09 here.]]
* The Head Alien to Sal and Walky in ''Webcomic/ItsWalky''. The rerun commentary notes that the odds really aren't on the villain's side here.
* Webcomic/{{Consolers}}: After bootlegging his games, the yakuza boss offers to make Namco the most powerful company in the industry if they work together. [[ScrewTheMoneyIHaveRules Namco refuses.]]
* While [[BigBad King Radical]] doesn't exactly offer the titular character of ''Webcomic/TheAdventuresOfDrMcNinja'' a ruling position, he does consider the Doc sufficiently cool to [[spoiler: not be wiped out like the {{Muggles}} in his world and be replaced by the denizens of the Radical Lands]] and gets increasingly frustrated that the Doc still keeps thwarting his plans to make the world more awesome.
-->'''King Radical:''' You belong in my world. Stop fighting it.
* ''Webcomic/AngelMoxie'': Tsutsumu proposes this to the girls.
* In ''Webcomic/SamAndFuzzy'', Mr. Black and Mr. Blank are childhood friends who went through the same {{tykebomb}} program, but when Sam murders the heads of the Ninja Mafia [[http://www.samandfuzzy.com/972 they draw the exact opposite conclusions on what needs to be done about it.]] [[http://www.samandfuzzy.com/973 Black gives Blank an open offer for a place at his side]], while Blank mostly tries to ignore Black even exists (because if he ever acknowledged Black as a threat to his own ambitions he'd have to murder him). [[spoiler:When Blank is finally put in a position where he can't ignore Black as a threat, [[http://www.samandfuzzy.com/976 he murders him in cold blood]].]]
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Web Original]]
* In ''WebVideo/ThereWillBeBrawl'', [[spoiler: Zelda]] tries this on [[spoiler: Link]], though it fails. Ganondorf tries this on more or less everyone, to set up for [[HijackedByGanon a certain other trope...]]
* In ''WebVideo/DragonBallZAbridged'', Dodoria attempts this with Vegeta.
--> '''Dodoria''': "Vegeta, wait! We can team up against Freeza! Rule the universe, as [[FemaleMonsterSurprise husband and wife]]!"
** Later, Zarbon tries the same thing, but Vegeta interrupts him, having heard this bit from Dedoria above. He then casually blows him off (and up).
*** No homo.
* ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnpTcrtsN3U Dora the Explorer: The Search for the Infinity Orb]]'' - "Join me, Dora. Together we'll be the greatest [[SwiperNoSwiping Swipers]] the world has ever seen." (Unfortunately, this isn't real, it's just a fake trailer, albeit a really well done one, with Creator/ArielWinter as [[WesternAnimation/DoraTheExplorer Dora]].)
* During the "Frollo Beats up Evil Residents" arc of ''WebAnimation/TheFrolloShow'', Achmed Frollo tries to convince regular Frollo to join him in conquering the world with their zombie virus, [[spoiler: but fails, possibly because he said Frollo would get to rape Panty.]]
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Western Animation]]
* ''WesternAnimation/BigCityGreens'': In the climax of "Coffee Quest", Chip Whistler tries to persuade Gloria into working with him at Wholesome Foods, because city people should stick together. Naturally, she refuses on account of she isn't from the city like Cricket, but from the suburbs.
* ''WesternAnimation/BigHero6TheSeries'': This is what Obake tries to convince Hiro to do in [[Recap/BigHero6TheSeriesS1E21CountdownToCatastrophe the Season 1 finale]], but he refuses. Obake thinks he'll change his mind after his plan to destroy San Fransokyo goes through. Unlikely.
* Subverted in an episode of ''WesternAnimation/DuckDodgers''. Dodgers joins the [[Franchise/GreenLantern Green Lantern Corps]] after getting Hal Jordan's ring due to a dry cleaner mishap. He ends up as the last one standing against Sinestro, who has subdued the rest of the Corps. When Sinestro offers him the chance to join with him, Dodgers replies, "Yeah, sure, why not?" Sinestro suddenly launches into a tirade ("You fool! [[WontTakeYesForAnAnswer You defy my generous offer]]", etc.) before stopping and asking if he actually agreed. Sinestro is then disappointed because he didn't get the chance for his angry rejection speech. Being a good sport, Dodgers lets him give it anyway. And this incident subverts the trope in another way: by showing the folly of forging an alliance with the kind of fickle character who would agree to switch sides at the drop of a hat. Duck Dodgers has a sudden change of heart and frees the other Corps members when Sinestro isn't expecting it.
* ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitans'':
** Slade's [[HiddenAgendaVillain hidden motive]] all along was revealed to be just to get Robin to join him. The DiabolicalMastermind finally resorted to outright {{blackmail}} -- apprenticeship in exchange for his friends' lives. At least, he used the word "apprentice," but what he really seemed to want was a [[strike:[[FoeYay catamite]]]] son:
-->'''Slade''': Who knows? I may even become like a father to you.\\
'''Robin''': I already have a [[{{Franchise/Batman}} father]].
** Considering that in the graphic novels, Slade has three kids - and the two surviving ones are hardly about to send him Father of the Year trophies?
** Parodied with Killer Moth. When he tries to [[LetHimChoose convince his mutant test subject to obey him instead of being Starfire's pet]], he says, "Join me, and together we will... go on a picnic of some sort."
* ''WesternAnimation/DannyPhantom'':
** Before MotiveDecay set in in Season 3, Vlad Plasmius held a similar obsession for Danny, offering him partnership from Day 1: "Think about the things I could show you. The doors I could open for you. You, Danny Phantom, and I, Vlad Plasmius... together, we could rule!"
** This is also said word-for-word by Sam when she's mind-controlled into becoming TheDragon for a plant-based ghost, complete with {{Stripperiffic}} Poison Ivy-ish outfit.
* ''WesternAnimation/XiaolinShowdown'':
** In the first SeasonFinale, Wuya offers this to Raimundo, who's feeling unappreciated... and he accepts, helping her regain her physical form and TakeOverTheWorld. He has a change of heart and leaves her in the second season's opening two-parter.
** Incidentally, this results in Raimundo asking his friends to serve Wuya at his side - he joined her because of his own selfish reasons, but never really wanted to hurt anyone. So when Wuya threatens his friends, the only way he can think of to spare them and keep what Wuya's given him is to pull this trope. They tell him they'd rather kiss the backside of a mule.
** Chase Young has this as his entire motivation - he knows Omi has the potential to defeat him someday, but also that their combined power would make him invincible. Therefore, he never puts his EvilPlan into motion until Omi is at his side. Throughout season 2, he is shown to be making progress slowly luring Omi to the side of evil, only to use a magic MirrorMoralityMachine... but while Omi is under its effects Chase gets him to swear his loyalty, so that when he's snapped out of it, ''[[HonorBeforeReason he goes over willingly]]''.
* ''WesternAnimation/SupermanTheAnimatedSeries'':
** In "[[Recap/SupermanTheAnimatedSeriesS1E1To3TheLastSonOfKrypton The Last Son of Krypton]]", after making it plain to this mysterious alien that he runs Metropolis, Luthor notes that he often wonders if he should be satisfied with "just" one city and that between the two of them they could basically run the world. Naturally, Superman doesn't bite.
** In the comics (ComicBook/PostCrisis, pre-Comicbook/InfiniteCrisis, at least) Lex hires some {{Mooks}} to hijack his own boat just to see Superman in action. He's so impressed by what he sees he offers Supes a blank check and a permanent staff position. The mayor offers to temporarily deputize Superman so he can arrest Luthor for reckless endangerment of the passengers. Three guesses on what Superman decides to do, and the first two don't count.
** {{ComicBook/Darkseid}} delivers one of these to a weakened Superman in "[[Recap/SupermanTheAnimatedSeriesS2E25E26ApokolipsNow Akolips...Now]]". It even plays out at the top of a tall mountain, paralleling the Biblical temptation of Jesus.
* Occurs frequently in ''Franchise/AvatarTheLastAirbender'', but what would you expect when the BigBad is voiced by [[Creator/MarkHamill Luke Skywalker, himself]]?
** Azula makes such an offer to Zuko -- a chance to help her capture Ba Sing Se and kick ass together as siblings, even though the latter was a Fire Nation fugitive at the time and was just starting a new, normal life within the city. [[spoiler:In a rare exception, he joins her, and they do indeed kick ass as evil siblings, even conquering a ''country'' in a few hours.]] However, [[spoiler: he quits ''later'']].
** Azula later tries to use it as a pickup line in the BeachEpisode combined with flaming hands, [[NoGuyWantsAnAmazon but that doesn't work out as well for her]].
** Over 100 years previously, Fire Lord Sozin [[HoYay used the same pickup line on Avatar Roku.]] Roku declined, and Sozin got ''pissed.''
** Mai's father, Ukano, continues the tradition in the comic ''[[ComicBook/AvatarTheLastAirbenderRebound Rebound]]'' when he tries to persuade Mai to join his movement to overthrow Zuko now that she's broken up with him.
** Happens again in ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra''. [[spoiler: Hiroshi Sato attempts this on his daughter Asami so they can take out all the Benders. It looks like she accepts, but then she attacks him.]]
* In one episode of ''WesternAnimation/InvaderZim'', Zim outsmarts a mall security guard who then declares his respect for Zim's skill and offers him a partnership - "Together, we can rule the mall!" Zim declines the offer - obviously because he plans to rule the ''Earth''.
* In the second episode of the classic ''[[WesternAnimation/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles1987 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles]]'' cartoon, Shredder makes this offer to the Turtles, on the grounds that his having accidentally been responsible for their mutation (in the course of betraying and attempting to poison their sensei) means they are ''destined'' to work with him. The response:
-->'''Raphael''': Does the phrase "Go suck a lemon" hold any meaning for ya?
* In an episode of ''WesternAnimation/TheGrimAdventuresOfBillyAndMandy'', Eris tries this with Mandy, and has her considering taking the offer until she slips up and says "You'll be the '''second''' most powerful person in the universe."
* ''WesternAnimation/TheFairlyOddParents''
** The episode "End of the Univers-ity", Dark Laser tries to corrupt Timmy into joining his team by giving him a dark suit that begins to take over Timmy's personality. Fortunately, Timmy snaps out of it at the last second when he was about to destroy Earth and rebels against Dark Laser [[spoiler: (albeit he keeps the suit anyway).]]
** In his first appearance, Crocker makes this offer to Chester and AJ in exchange for bringing him Timmy's dinosaur, which will be proof that he has fairies. It doesn't work.
** Anti-Cosmo also wanted Timmy to join him in taking over the universe, as he desires an evil godchild to mold in his image.
* ''WesternAnimation/TheOwlHouse'': When sisters Edalyn and Lilith Clawthorne were children they dreamed of growing up to join the Emperor’s Coven, the elite of the magical world. Lilith not only joined but eventually became the leader of the Coven, while Eda went on to become a covenless witch and outlaw. Despite everything that’s happened since then, Lilith still loves Eda and wants her to join the Coven so they can be on the same side again [[spoiler:and TheEmperor can remove the curse Lilith place on her]].
* One episode of ''WesternAnimation/PhineasAndFerb'' has Dr. Doofenshmirtz trying to turn Perry into his ally by zapping him with a Turn-Everything-Evil-Inator.
** Doofenshmirtz actually succeeds in a later episode with an -inator that makes Perry think he's his new butler...[[NoteToSelf until Perry reads the mirror-phased message "I fight evil" which he wrote on his chest before he was brainwashed.]]
** In ''Recap/PhineasAndFerbTalesFromTheResistance'', Charlene-2 corners Candace-2 after defeating her in a bo staff fight and offers her the position to be leader of her cyborg army. Unfortunately for Charlene-2, the animal cyborgs [[spoiler: (save for Peter the Pandaborg)]] broke free from their brainwashing and turn against the 2nd Doofenshmirtz family.
** Also in ''WesternAnimation/PhineasAndFerbStarWars'', the BrainwashedAndCrazy Darth Ferb makes this offer to Phineas. Phineas laughs at first until Ferb proves that he is serious by drawing his lightsaber at him.
* Done twice in ''WesternAnimation/TheSpectacularSpiderMan''. First with Tombstone offering Spider-Man a job that amounts to not fighting crime, and with Green Goblin offering to Spidey that the two of them could rule New York together. Too bad he doesn't partner with anybody green. Or, you know, psychotic.
** Although in Goblin's case it was done with such over-the-top sarcastic glee, he was likely just making fun of Spidey and giving a ShoutOut to the movie.
** The symbiote also makes this offer while simultaneously trying to drive Peter across the DespairEventHorizon in a BattleInTheCenterOfTheMind, so he'll permanently bond with it. A timely intervention from the spirit of Uncle Ben saves Spidey from "becoming one with the ooze".
* [[PsychoPrototype Protoman]] does this several times throughout the course of the Ruby-Spears ''WesternAnimation/{{Megaman}}'' series; it's more "we can level this city and many more together", though, considering that Protoman's TheDragon.
* ''WesternAnimation/CodenameKidsNextDoor'':
** When Sector V traveled to the MirrorUniverse, [[EvilOverlord Negative Numbuh Four]] offers Sector V a chance to become his bodyguard. They flat out refuse. ( Actually, only one of them could be his bodyguard, and the rest would be sent to the broccoli mines in a very [[ThereCanBeOnlyOne there can be only one]]-esque fashion. They refuse because they don't want to sell out one of their teammates in an exchange for their own safety.)
*** A straight example of the Trope was made in the same episode by Negative Numbuh Three towards Numbuh Four, saying she didn't like him (a subtle clue that the ''real'' Numbuh Three ''did'' like him, as she's her complete opposite) but [[YouGotGuts she liked his guts]]. His reaction to her proposal for him to betray his friends and join her side? He clocked her in the face and said through clenched teeth, "You ''must'' be from another world..."
** Also, Stickybeard made this offer to Numbuh Five the first time they met, saying he [[YouGotSpunk liked her spunk]]. Although she turned the offer down, he did seem to consider her a WorthyOpponent in future episodes.
* At the end of season 3 of ''WesternAnimation/WinxClub'' Valtor makes this offer to Bloom, in an attempt to get her to target the three ancient witches (who have taken control of his body since he failed to do as they had wanted) instead. Bloom refuses, naturally.
* During one episode of ''WesternAnimation/DarkwingDuck'', villain Morgana teams up with a creature called Nodoff - he gives her sleeping sand, she puts people to sleep; he controls their dreams so Morgana can rob them. When Darkwing stumbles onto the plot, he tries to convince her that Nodoff is not to be trusted, prompting Nodoff to say that together, they would have the city's riches. Interesting in that he was offering her what she was already doing with him. But this time, (though the riches clearly tempt her) she sides with Darkwing.
* KnightTemplar Lyle "Lock-Up" Bolton makes this offer to Batman in ''WesternAnimation/BatmanTheAnimatedSeries'', arguing that Batman can go on catching the criminals while Lock-Up keeps them secured in a personal prison that's not [[CardboardPrison made of cardboard]].
** Poison Ivy says this to Batgirl -or, rather Barbara Gordon- during their debut in ''WesternAnimation/TheBatman''.
** Poison Ivy does this again to a filler episode of ''WesternAnimation/BatmanTheBraveAndTheBold''. In that episode, she conquers Gotham and offers to spare Batman if he agrees to marry her and rule alongside her. He refuses ''both'' offers.
* In ''WesternAnimation/AlfredJKwak'', [[ANaziByAnyOtherName Dolf]] twice offers this to Alfred, first when he's looking for money to fund a political party, second when he's found the money elsewhere and is already in the process of seizing power in the entire country. After the second time, Alfred himself inverts it when he [[WhatAnIdiot tries to convince]] the CardCarryingVillain to stop his evil plans and immediately step down. Dolf just summarily imprisons him.
* The EvilutionaryBiologist Dr. X offers this to Alex in the series finale of ''WesternAnimation/ActionMan2000'', since they're both in possession of the superhuman AMP ability, and are thus both part of the "Neo-human race", which he thinks they should nurture together. Alex just retorts that X [[YoureInsane is a complete lunatic]] before sending him on a one-way ride into deep space.
* Dr. Klotzenstien makes this offer to Quailman on ''{{WesternAnimation/Doug}}''.
* The Lich from ''WesternAnimation/AdventureTime'' attempts this during the season 4 finale episode "The Lich". Finn refuses... [[spoiler:which is exactly what he wanted, as Finn shattering The Enchiridion grants him access to TheMultiverse]].
* In ''WesternAnimation/TotallySpies'' the Great Kandinsky offers this to his grandson in the episode "Do You Believe in Magic?". [[spoiler: When it doesn't work he hypnotizes him.]]
* In ''WesternAnimation/{{Gargoyles}}'', Matt Bluestone nearly ruined his career trying to expose the Illuminati. The Illuminati in this series is very real, and eventually became impressed by Matt's determination. They make him a member partly because he'd be a valuable asset and partly to keep him in check.
** Demona also tries to use this on Goliath at the end of the series premiere, stating, "Together, you and I can make a new world for our kind."
* When Bubbles of the ''WesternAnimation/ThePowerpuffGirls'' thinks she is Mojo Jojo and [[AmnesiacDissonance manages to successfully defeat her sisters in a fight,]] the real Mojo suggests this to Bubbles before she declines, going on a long speech in a manner similar to himself. Keep in mind she refused not because he's evil, but because she thinks she's the real Mojo.
* [[spoiler:Qilby the Traitor]] in ''WesternAnimation/{{Wakfu}}'' in episode 21 of season 2 makes the offer to Adamai [[spoiler:trying to convince him that they should drain the World of Twelve of its wakfu to power up the Zinit for another journey into the cosmos because it's not their world]]. He's not surprised when Adamai refuses, since Adamai's previous incarnation also refused.
* In the ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'' episode ''[[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS4E25TwilightsKingdomPart1 Twilights Kingdom Part 1]]'', this is how Tirek sways Discord to his side. He claims to offer something far more valuable than friendship: freedom. In ''Part 2'', however, he decides that ICanRuleAlone, and drains Discord of his magic once [[YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness he has outlived his usefulness]].
* WesternAnimation/MyLifeAsATeenageRobot: Jenny gets this offer repeatedly from Cluster Prime, which is a pretty nice place...unless you oppose enslaving the human race, which of course X-J9 does.
* Attempted by Bill in ''WesternAnimation/GravityFalls'' to [[spoiler: Ford, who rejects his offer and gets turned into a golden backscratcher for his troubles.]]
* In ''WesternAnimation/StevenUniverse'''s [[Recap/StevenUniverseS3E15AloneAtSea "Alone At Sea"]], Jasper, [[spoiler:suffering from PowerHigh, makes this sort of offer to Lapis:]]
-->'''Jasper:''' ''(Clasps her hands around Lapis' and lands on her knees.)'' [[spoiler:Let's be Malachite again.]] ''(DramaticThunder)''\\
'''Lapis:''' Why... would you want that?\\
'''Jasper:''' [[spoiler:I was wrong about fusion. You made me understand! Malachite was bigger and stronger than both of us! We could fly!]]\\
'''Lapis:''' [[spoiler:I was terrible to you. I liked taking everything out on you. I needed to. I-I hated you. It was bad!]]\\
'''Jasper:''' [[spoiler:It'll be better this time. I've changed. You've changed me. I'm the only one who can handle your kind of power.]] Together, we'll be unstoppable!
* ''WesternAnimation/SheRaAndThePrincessesOfPower'' flips the trope's usual setup on its head. Instead of the BigBad offering world domination to the hero, [[IgnoredEnamoredUnderling Scorpia]] offers this to [[AntiVillain Catra]] when [[EvilEmpire The Horde]] sends them on a suicide mission to the Crimson Waste. As Scorpia points out, in less than a ''day'', Catra has managed to drive out the major gang leader and take over herself. She suggests that they just abandon the Horde, let them believe they died, and live out the rest of their days in the Waste, with Scorpia as Catra's second-in-command. One of the only times this trope is a genuinely heartwarming moment.
-->''We could, you know... be happy.''
* The final arc of ''WesternAnimation/StarWarsTheCloneWars'' gives a twist on the franchise's normal use of the trope, in which [[spoiler:Maul offers an EnemyMine to Ahsoka Tano, pointing out that [[NotSoDifferentRemark both of them were abandoned by their orders]], and now they can strike at Darth Sidious before his plans come to fruition. Ahsoka genuinely considers the idea, as she's recently learned that Sidious is a very real threat, but first she asks why Maul's interested in Anakin Skywalker. Maul's response, that he had foreseen Sidious corrupting Anakin, causes her to reject the offer, [[CassandraTruth believing there's no way her former teacher would turn to the dark side]], and therefore whatever else Maul says can't be trusted]].
* In a rare villain-to-villain example, Lex Luthor offers Brainiac to [[FusionDance work together]] in ''[[WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague Justice League Unlimited]]''. Interestingly enough, at that moment Luthor is [[GrandTheftMe completely at Braniac's mercy]] but still manages to convince him.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Real Life]]
* It was actually a perfectly ordinary arrangement as an after-victory peace resolution in pre-industrial societies that the loser got to keep most of their territory, and pledged loyalty and/or tribute to the winner. It was difficult and expensive for a pre-industrial society to occupy, incorporate and administrate a foreign territory (that doesn't mean people didn't ''do'' it, but even the famously conquer-happy Romans sometimes just had to content themselves with client kings). How loyal the former enemy was to their new lord varied, of course. If they proved truly intractable, a more amenable cousin could easily be offered this trope instead.
* UsefulNotes/AdolfHitler repeatedly offered this to Britain before and during UsefulNotes/WorldWarII, proposing that the British would rule an oceanic empire, while the Germans a continental one. Even when the Luftwaffe was raining down bombs on London he still held out hope that the British would "wise up" and join "their Aryan cousins" in the Nazis' bid for world conquest. They ignored him.
** The British historian Ian Kershaw, one of the world authorities on the Third Reich, said that he was motivated to get into history when he was studying in Germany in the 1970s and an old man said to him in a cafe: "You English are mad - together we could have ruled the entire world."
** Poland got a similar offer in 1934. Hitler's plan was for Poland to join the Axis powers and attack the USSR. One should wonder what could have been had Piłsudski accepted this offer. WWII would probably turn into an anti-communism war in which Axis powers would possibly have conquered western Asia if not all of Russia. But the entire plan was shaky from the start for Hitler talked to Piłsudski and ''only to him'', disregarding his political heirs to the point diplomatic talks were reduced by 1938 to "The Führer asks the impossible / Poles show the middle finger".
--->'''Hitler''': ''"He's the only one I could do a deal with."''
*** More likely, given Hitler's well-known hatred for the Polish people, if Pilduski had [[TooDumbToLive actually taken Hitler up on it]] it probably would have ended up as an instance of ILied, with the Poles becoming a conquered people anyway to be [[UsefulNotes/TheHolocaust exterminated]] to make room for German settlement as soon as they had [[YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness exhausted their utility in any war against the Soviet Union]]. That was, after all, Hitler's endgame for all of Eastern Europe.
* Italian statesman Creator/NiccoloMachiavelli, in countless examples in his tract ''Literature/ThePrince'', says that [[SurprisinglyRealisticOutcome offering this arrangement to another person or fellow ruler is actually a bad idea.]] After all, people who might be dissatisfied with you can go demand redress to your co-regent and isolate you further.
[[/folder]]

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[[quoteright:350:[[Film/TheEmpireStrikesBack https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/RuleTheGalaxyAsFatherAndSon_181.png]]]]
[[caption-width-right:350:A [[LukeIAmYourFather father and son]] ruling an [[TheEmpire empire of pure evil]] together doesn't resolve as many of their psychological issues as one might think.]]

Compare LastChanceToQuit, DealWithTheDevil.

See also LeaveYourQuestTest and IHaveYouNowMyPretty.

* In ''Webcomic/TheInexplicableAdventuresOfBob,'' Molly's sister Galatea desperately wants Molly to stand by her when she takes over the world, [[http://bobadventures.comicgenesis.com/d/20080719.html here.]]

* ''Fanfic/HeroTheGuardianSmurf'': In the "King Smurf" adaptation from [[WesternAnimation/TheSmurfs the cartoon show]], Brainy tempts Smurfette with the possibility of her being his queen and ruling beside him over the Smurf Village together. She rejects him and joins the rebels.

* ''WebComic/BobAndGeorge'': [[http://www.bobandgeorge.com/archives/010708c Mynd's offer]]

** Bud to Colleen [[http://www.precociouscomic.com/archive/comic/2014/08/09 here]].

* In ''Webcomic/SamAndFuzzy'', Mr. Black and Mr. Blank are childhood friends who went through the same {{tykebomb}} program, but when Sam murders the heads of the Ninja Mafia [[http://www.samandfuzzy.com/972 they draw the exact opposite conclusions on what needs to be done about it]]. [[http://www.samandfuzzy.com/973 Black gives Blank an open offer for a place at his side]], while Blank mostly tries to ignore Black even exists (because if he ever acknowledged Black as a threat to his own ambitions he'd have to murder him). [[spoiler:When Blank is finally put in a position where he can't ignore Black as a threat, [[http://www.samandfuzzy.com/976 he murders him in cold blood]].]]