History Main / CooperationGambit

This sort of thing is ''never'' a HeelFaceTurn[=/=]FaceHeelTurn (although it can be part of a HazyFeelTurn, especially if a WildCard's involved) - the character or faction in question is still working towards their original goals. A low level hero or minion might still work against the boss's wishes (e.g. they let a prisoner go because they think they're more effort to keep imprisoned than they could get from holding them hostage... or maybe to keep their leader from JumpingOffTheSlipperySlope), however. At its most extreme, a character might join up as TheSixthRanger (either as a representative of their side or working on their own initiative).

* In ''Fanfic/SomeoneToWatchOverMe'', after [[spoiler: both Ladybug and Hawkmoth learn each other's identities]], Gabriel outlines his plan to make a Wish with minimal backlash. Neither Ladybug nor the Guardian are keen to work with him, nor to let the Wish be used, but they can tell that he's thought things through, and they don't want all-out war, either. [[spoiler: In the end, it [[DickDastardlyStopsToCheat would have gone according to Gabriel's plan if he hadn't tried to betray them partway through]], and the cost of the Wish leaves him in a coma.]]

* When Simi and Akash are tied up by the organ harvesters in ''Film/{{Andhadhun}}'', she suggests that she untie his hands in exchange for getting her blindfold removed by him afterwards, so she can guide him. He reluctantly agrees as he has no better options available. She proceeds to send him on a wild goose chase so she can find something to cut her own ties with while he's distracted, and then attacks him.

* In ''[[Film/OceansEleven Ocean's Thirteen]]'', the group gets financial sponsorship from the villain of the first two movies in exchange for the profits. The main characters are happy with this deal, since it's [[{{Revenge}} not about the money]] this time.

* In the ''Anime/{{Pokemon}}'' anime, Team Rocket have helped Ash and Co a couple of times to further their own plans. For example;

'''Thor:''' I don't. Mother did. You should know that when we fought each other in the past I did so with a glimmer of hope that my brother was still in there somewhere. That hope no longer exists to protect you. Betray me, and I will kill you.\\

The EnigmaticMinion is especially prone to these with the heroes, while a hero attempting this might make themselves a PoisonousFriend (and someone of any morality might suffer a NeutralityBacklash). If both sides join forces, it might lead to TeethClenchedTeamwork. Compare PunchClockVillain[=/=]PunchClockHero, GoKartingWithBowser, DealWithTheDevil, VillainTeamUp, and PragmaticVillainy. Contrast HostageForMacGuffin and BlackmailIsSuchAnUglyWord (for unfair deals).

* [[VillainProtagonist Kane]] and [[spoiler: Lages]] form an unlikely alliance at the end of ''[[Literature/{{Kane}} Darkness Weaves]]'', since they both want to see [[spoiler: Efrel]] dead--even though they have been actively trying to kill each other for a good half of the book. They still do not trust one another and the only thing that unites them is a common enemy. Due to said enemy's cunning, the alliance lasts even shorter than it was supposed to.

'''Loki:''' ''(smiling)'' When do we start?

->'''Thor:''' I wish I could trust you.\\
'''Loki:''' Trust my rage.

->'''Homer:''' All right, brain; you don't like me and I don't like you. But let's just do this and I can get back to killing you with beer.\\
'''Homer's Brain:''' It's a deal!
-->-- ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons''

* In ''Film/AvengersAgeOfUltron'', when the Avengers are clearly going to overcome HYDRA's forces, Strucker plans to surrender to the Avengers and hand over the advanced weapons HYDRA has developed, in the hopes that they'll take it at face value and ignore the more dangerous work HYDRA is up to. It doesn't go quite to plan, since the twins disobey orders to fight the Avengers, and Tony ends up finding their secret lab anyway.

** In "Time Teasers", Scrooge cooperates with the Beagles to escape pirates and get Franchise/BackToTheFuture.

* In the ''{{WesternAnimation/Transformers}}'' episode "The Return of Optimus Prime," the last few uninfected Autobots are forced to team up with the last uninfected Decepticon, [[BigBad Galvatron]], in order to stop the HatePlague. At one point, the Autobots' human ally Jessica Morgan asks if Galvatron can be trusted, to which Kup replies, "Not for an instant."

* In ''Anime/OnePiece'', Trafalgar Law, who previously considered himself a rival to the other Supernovas -- the Straw Hats in particular, forms an alliance with the Straw Hats to defeat Kaido (one of the Four Emperors) by cutting the weapons supply from his client, Doflamingo. [[spoiler:Turns out Law was really after Doflamingo himself. Kaido is merely his backup plan and he used the Straw Hats to destroy Doflamingo's weapons factory so that Kaido will punish him for it.]]

* The entire plot of ''Film/{{Exam}}''. All eight candidates are vying for the same job, but they agree to work together fully knowing only one can advance. Some are more genuine in their cooperation than others.
* The premise of the {{Wuxia}} movie ''[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warriors_of_Heaven_and_Earth Warriors of Heaven and Earth]]'' is based around this sort of deal between a military officer named Lt. Lai Qi and his predecessor, Lt. Li (who deserted). It turns out that Li has sworn to escort a group of monks (and refuses to come quietly if he's not allowed to do so), so Lai Qui agrees to help him escort them on the understanding they'll resume their battle afterwards.

* In ''Film/AvengersAgeOfUltron'', when the Avengers are clearly going to overcome HYDRA's forces, Strucker plans to surrender to the Avengers and hand over the advanced weapons HYDRA has developed, in the hopes that they'll take it at face value and ignore the more dangerous work HYDRA is up to. It doesn't go quite to plan, since the twins disobey orders to fight the Avengers, and Tony ends up finding their secret lab anyway.

* This is the entire basis of Kurosagi & Katsuragi's relationship in ''Manga/Kurosagi''. Kuro needs information to hunt down swindlers and Katsuragi gives it to him if it's someone he wants taken care of.