The Pest

Not be be confused with the Vermin, a broader version of the Pest that also appears in non-adventurous franchises.

That worthless dumbass who calls themselves the Hero's "teammate" that everyone would be better off without. The Pest more often gets themselves in trouble than not, placing their worthiness of being on the team in a questionable position. Pests are more commonly female than male since those characters tend to be less able to fend for themselves. Such vulnerable victims to danger can't be counted on to be aware of how terrible they are, making them even greater pains to the audience. If the creators know what they're doing and how to do it, they'll make the Pest an unbearable whiner or sassy ingrate who should be grateful they have friends who are willing to go through such treacheries to help them yet again. What hurts more about Pests is those around them are clueless to how much they should hate them. Anybody whose purpose we have to question might not do anything other than make things worse and should be sent off the team as soon as possible if not right this very moment.

Aside from being a terrible teammate to the Hero, a Pest is also any character the audience mostly dislikes, such as someone who clearly exists for merchandising or is too irritating or stupid for the audience to enjoy.