This thread reminded me of a plot device I want to discuss. Have you ever read a book or watched a movie where you have a hero, and a villain, and they're fighting (of course). Then suddenly something else blows in; a huge evil that is much bigger than both of them. So big it makes their conflict seem small. So evil that both of them realize it threatens something they both love. So they call a truce, stop firing on each other and...
...start shooting in the same direction.

I've seen this happen a few times, and it was awesome. I think it gave me hope that the villain had something good inside him, that maybe he didn't hate the hero as much as he thought. That maybe, after this, they could become friends.
It didn't happen. But the hopeful feeling was so cool. (The Optimus Prime and Megatron team-ups are my favorite.)

Have you ever observed this? What do you think of the moral implications of temporarily teaming up with your enemy? Do you think this device is always awesome, or does it go wrong sometimes?

Hmm, I can't think of something I've seen or read this in, but I have a feeling that I have. I'm just not recalling it right now. However, I love this idea, it would be great to use to turn around the bad guy to being good. It doesn't happen often, but I love it when it does. It could go wrong in that evil could prevail and the bad guy could be entrapping the good guy; twist in the story maybe. However, I'd love to see it used more often!

I love this. They do this in Classic Who a few times, when the Doctor's nemesis, the Master, gets called in to help with something or other. Megamind doesn't have a big moment like that, but it's similar, when he comes to Roxanne for help because she's "the smartest person I know."

If you can give me other examples please, please give them to me. I adore this type of thing. I should write something like this... but I'm not sure I'm good enough to do that kind of characterization. Something to ponder, anyhow.

Another thing I love about this is that the hero and the villain start saying "we", instead of "you" and "me". They are on the same side, and it's the right side.

Oh, they do this in the last few seasons of Stargate too. It's quite hilarious. One of the Goa'uld, Ba'al, actually gets over his racial pride and starts behaving like your typical devious politician. On multiple occasions Stargate Command have to form a somewhat uneasy truce with him, to their mutual benefit. (And he's a very similar character to the Master, come to think on it...)

Well, this happens several times in the 1980's Generation 1 series, The Transformers. (A person can find these on Youtube.) Those times are cool because Megatron actually thinks about the greater good, instead of just himself and his faction.

Another time this happened was in a graphic "novel" (it was too short to be a novel). Iron Man was fighting the Living Laser out in Earth's orbit, when this giant robotic thing appeared. It had the ability to consume things and make them part of itself, and both Iron Man and Laser realized it could easily consume the Earth. So they started firing in the same direction, trying to take it down.
That story ended with Living Laser pushing the thing into the Sun, sacrificing himself to save the earth. So he died a hero. It was cool.

Awww.... that's so sweet. See? He's not so bad after all!

This happens in BBC's Robin Hood in season three. Robin Hood and Sir Guy of Gisbourne team up against the new sheriff of Nottingham. They both have different reasons, but the same outcome. One wants revenge; one wants to protect people, and if they work together they could both achieve their goals. So they start working together.

It was an interesting plot twist, especially since throughout the entire show they had us guessing if, maybe, Gisbourne could be a good guy.

I've been thinking about doing something similar with one of my villains, but I'm not sure how well it'll turn out. However, it certainly would be a fun concept to use someday.

It was probably a comic book. It also proves that comic books are not simple escapism. *ends rant*

I've thought about it, but I haven't done it yet. Something similar might happen in TPoF though.

Yeah, but it was a hardback from the library. I'll say! They have actual stories in them, which can get pretty serious at times.
Uh, cough, back on topic.

Right. *wonders where to make a thread on comic books*

Getting them to band together would be tricky to accomplish, but it could be done right, depending on the genre.

*begins plotting pulp story where it happens*

I think the best genres for this are the visuals. Comic books, TV shows, and movies. I have never really seen it in a book, but it could probably be awesome there, too.

Oh, I LOVE this trope. Come to think of it, however, I'm having a hard time thinking of a print version too. But I can't think of a reason it would mostly be used in visual mediums. Theories?

Maybe the visual image of the hero and villain shooting in the same direction is more powerful than the mental image. Maybe.