"What are we going to do for Summer? For Fall? For Winter? Trees and animals need to hibernate in winter to stay alive. We can't just... leave time stopped this way!" While Princess Platinum was performing the more social tasks that she was so good at, the other leaders of Unicornia were discussing the topic at hoof around a different long table.
'Discussing' was a euphemism; most of it was shouting, "The first batch of unicorns burned out yesterday! Who knows when they'll be well enough to cast spells again? We'll run out of unicorns at this rate!"
Clover the Clever argued in a less abrasive tone, "But we can leave it stopped for now, and come up with a better solution later! Until then, we can use Celestia and Luna, as we did today."
"And that still doesn't solve the problem with seasons. Rain? Snow? Anything! How is the groundwater going to get replenished? How are crops going to grow?"
"And these are all problems with solutions, even if we don't see them right now. Let's simply take the problems as they come, and establish temporary solutions until we can solve them permanently. We can do the best we can, and for now that's good enough!"
* * *
"I had good and sufficient reason to set Home as a target." Commander Hurricane said.
"I didn't say you didn't," Homeshine replied.
"It saved many lives!"
"I'm sure it did."
"It was a sound strategic decision!"
"Note that you are the one making the arguments. This is YOUR guilty conscience talking. This is a forgiveness only you can grant yourself, once you feel you have made up for it in your own heart."
Commander Hurricane stopped and stared at his plate. "This is the first meal I've eaten in a week. We didn't tell anyone, but we were on our last legs."
He continued staring.
He stared for a long, long time.
He must have been famished, but he didn't eat yet.
He just stared.
"We all would have starved, even you; even my... daughter," his eyes teared up a bit at the end of that, and dripped a single drop into his precious food. "For what it's worth, the civilian leadership heard about it, too; I may lose my commission over it. Does that make you happy?"
Oh.
"No, it does not." She reached across, and rested one hoof on top of the Commander's. "For what it's worth, * I * forgive you. Let's eat. I'm sure you're as least as hungry as I am."
* * *
'
To whom it may concern:
As Matron at the (formerly) Pegasopolis Home for Wayward Youngsters, I feel duty-bound to commend Commander Hurricane for a sound strategic decision. Even though it did tremendous damage to a great deal of property, his very difficult decision allowed the war to finally come to its end. It was an action borne out of desperation, instead of malice. Even though it caused a not inconsiderable amount of consternation at the time, upon further reflection I believe he did the best he could under very difficult circumstances, which is all that we may ask of anyone, anywhere.
'
"Whatcha doin'?"
"Writing a letter," Homeshine replied to Luna and Celestia peeking over the drawing table in a very cute manner. "it's for Commander Hurricane."
Celestia scrunched up her face, "Why?!"
Homeshine took a deep breath, in and out, before answering.
"Because it's important we forgive our enemies, especially in wartime. On both sides. It's important for you two to remember that. Always."
"Like when my sister and I make up when we fight," said Celestia.
"Exactly!" Homeshine agreed, and hurried off to give the Commander the letter, which might sway The Powers That Be, or at least, give them a nudge in his favor.
She still didn't believe she was doing this.
* * *
'
To: The War Council
cc: Homeshine, Matron of the Home for Wayward Youngsters,
To whom it may concern,
In light of the strategic importance of the Home in the ending of the war, and the responsibility by ourselves that we must bear for its destruction:
By the power vested in me over the military budget of Pegasopolis, I hereby request to grant the Matron UNLIMITED funding for the rebuilding process. Signed and seal laid,
-Commander Hurricane
'