A temporary truce between the Zeo Rangers and the Machine Empire would have been one of the most shocking twists in Saban history. If a rogue alien warlord, perhaps tied to the Zeo Crystal’s origins, arrived to conquer Earth, Mondo might have realized his own empire was at risk.

The Rangers would have been forced to swallow their pride and fight alongside their enemies. The visual of the Zeo Megazord and the Machine Empire’s Cogs fighting back-to-back against a common foe would have been mind-blowing for a kid. It would have raised complex moral questions about the nature of evil and survival.

Trust would have been a massive issue. Every time the Rangers turned their backs, they would have expected Mondo to betray them. Billy or Jason would have likely built a failsafe into their alliance, perhaps a remote detonator for the Megazord’s weapons aimed directly at Mondo’s palace.

The alliance would have inevitably collapsed in the finale, but the aftermath would have been fascinating. Mondo, having seen the Rangers’ true power and determination, might have become more cautious and paranoid. The Zeo team would have gained a grudging, albeit temporary, respect from their metallic foes.

I am a huge sucker for the “enemies to allies” trope. Seeing Goldar or Mondo actually coordinate a battle plan with Tommy would have been phenomenal television. It would have added layers to a show that was often very black-and-white. It’s a mature storyline that Power Rangers rarely gets the credit for attempting.