I was speechless when Berry finished. Her story shattered my previous beliefs that all the enemies enjoyed war. They too have suffered equally as I. But I still didn't understand why. Why did we go to war in the first place? Whose war, really, was this? Clearly, it wasn't the ponies' war. Nopony on either side wanted all this death and suffering. And certainly, we weren't the only victims of the war; in fact, we were nothing more than an insignificant speck in the sea of suffering souls.

I rested my head on her side. "I never thought that I would be able to put it all behind me, the things I saw." Berry's warmth spread to my heart. The frozen memories that plagued my thoughts were melted away.

I lost track of time sharing these war stories. I learned so much about Berry and myself. We grew closer, and to an extent, dependent on each other's company. But, I loved it. I loved being with her, somepony who could really understand me. The wounds and scars on my heart healed.

The stars in the sky began to fade away one by one as the Solar Goddess brought up the morning sun. It was a beautiful sunrise unlike any other I've seen. The day was beginning anew; the night had come and passed.

"Redheart," Berry said, as she took a hold of my hoof, "thanks for everything."

I smiled; something that I thought I've forgotten how to do. "We're not so different after all." Having somepony that knew the struggles I faced made me feel loved. Not only loved, but something beyond that; an unconditional love. If everypony could love and tolerate each other, maybe they would discover this magical feeling.

I felt the ghosts of my past begin to fade away. I knew deep inside that these experiences would never disappear from my memory, but now they would lay suppressed with the magic of friendship. I would no longer have to live in fear of the past. What I've seen and felt has shaped me into the strong willed mare I am now. Those ponies who wanted to damage me for life had failed; I am stronger today because of all the things I've gone through. I realized that the greater enemy resulting from the war were not the unicorns, but ourselves.

The bell in the center of the city rang seven times, signaling the break of day. Life quickly flooded the streets: mares chattered away and gossiped, stallions greeted each other while reading their morning papers, and the little colts raced to school. It was beautiful seeing life untainted by the war and everything seemed to be at peace. Even the animals always seemed to be cheery, jumping and prancing about in the field of daffodils.
To most in Ponyville, the war remains as nothing more than a mere legend - something so extreme and unpleasant that nopony would want to believe it to be true. But, the truth is the only truth and the reality of the world: every victim of war, the lives lost in the bunkers, the prisoners in the Grand Castle, and the millions of other sorrows of war are undoubtedly real. Denial of these things only leads to self-illusion, being void of sadness but also truth. Yes, many would rather choose to live in their own worlds where the war never occurred, but I refuse to do so. The truth can be a tearing pain, that weathers spirit down to nothingness. But, I have accepted it and moved on. The war in my heart is over.

Berry and I stood side-by-side, watching the sun slowly rise over the horizon. Neither of us spoke. We just stood there, watching solemnly in silence. We were both quiet for a moment, in memory for our fallen comrades. I knew that they also saw the war as pointless. I knew that they would have wanted for the next generation of ponies to forgive and make amends for their actions. Forgiveness.

"Let's go, Berry."

"Where?"

"Out there, the world, to live life. It's our life now." I truly believed those words. My life was in my hooves for the first time.

Berry dropped her bottle and walked outside with me. Berry would also regain control of her life from that day. She no longer required alcohol, and no longer wallowed in self-pity. The only sweetness she craved was friendship, and I was happy to deliver. We both discovered the true power of friendship that day, and how its strength could overcome any obstacle we faced.

We walked out, together, and began to live once again.

End