History Main / ReconcileTheBitterFoes

* ComicBook/{{Asterix}} in [[Recap/AsterixInCorsica the Corsica album]]. As the Corsican chief states (paraphrased): "Defeating the Romans is nothing special, but making two foes reconcile definitely is!"

[[folder:Film - Live-Action]]

* ''Literature/CradleSeries'': Makiel the Hound and Ozriel the Reaper, two of the Judges of the Abidan Court, have been bitter rivals for thousands of years--to the point that the rest of the Court eventually decreed they're not allowed to be in the same room together, as they're likely to ''destroy a planet'' with their "arguments." Suriel the Phoenix, however, is the healer of the Abidan, and more than anything she wants to heal this ancient wound. In the last book, ''Waybound'', [[spoiler:she convinces Makiel to help her rescue Ozriel from the Mad King, when his initial plan was just to wait and kill whoever survived. Makiel ends up sacrificing himself to save Ozriel, and goes to his death with a smile... because he knows that Ozriel is going to absolutely hate owing a debt that can never be paid]].

* In Creator/TerryPratchett's ''Literature/{{Thud}}'', it turns out that the most infamous event in the thousand-year war between dwarves and trolls started with a huge misunderstanding. The dwarves said that trolls ambushed them at Koom Valley, the trolls say the dwarves ambushed them. In reality, [[spoiler: a sudden fog that fell over what was supposed to be a peace-talk lead to panic on both sides, and the ensuing battle was interrupted by a flash flood that wiped out everyone left.]] The discovery of a secret message from B'hrian Bloodaxe, former king of the dwarves, and the [[RevealingCoverUp clumsy attempts by some extremist dwarves to cover it up]] leads to the truth finally coming out and the beginning of a true peace between trolls and dwarves.

* On one episode of ''Series/{{MASH}}'', Hawkeye, incensed at learning that due to a regulation change, he was going to be stationed in Korea for longer than he thought, drives to the Peace Talks in Panmunjom on a whim, bluffs his way into the tents where the talks themselves are being held, and makes an impassioned plea for the two sides to reconcile. It doesn't work, but he manages to [[UltimateJobSecurity avoid getting busted for it]], and when he gets back to camp, the rest of the outfit throws a party in his honor.

** ''Series/StarTrekTheOriginalSeries'': In "[[Recap/StarTrekS1E23ATasteOfArmageddon A Taste of Armageddon]]", [[ForeverWar the planets Eminiar 7 and Vendikar have been at war for 500 years]]. However, for most of this time, [[AMillionIsAStatistic the conflict has been completely simulated on computers]]. When the computers tell the inhabitants of the planets that they've been "killed", they obediently file into {{disintegration chamber}}s and are executed. [[CuttingTheKnot Captain Kirk destroys the computers running the conflict after they target his ship]], which will force the two planets to fight their war for real if they want to continue. He figures that [[WarIsHell the horror of possible planetary obliteration]] will cause the two populations to seek peace instead. He turns out to be right -- the planets do start negotiating.
** ''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration'': In "[[Recap/StarTrekTheNextGenerationS2E5LoudAsAWhisper Loud as a Whisper]]", after fifteen centuries of war between two factions on their planet, the Solari calls for Riva to lead the peace negotiations. Riva a deaf-mute, but gets around this by having a "chorus", three people who can read his mind and speak for him, each covering a different aspect of him.
** ''Series/StarTrekVoyager'': In "[[Recap/StarTrekVoyagerS2E14Alliances Alliances]]", Captain Janeway tries to act as this between the Kazon and their former rulers, the Trabe. Unfortunately, the Trabe can't resist an opportunity to take out the major clan leaders.

* The eponymous station in ''Series/BabylonFive'' starts as an attempt to create a FictionalUnitedNations to peacefully mediate disputes between the various alien species. When Earth itself falls to a [[AbusivePrecursors Shadow]]-backed dictator, they're paid back for their efforts when the long-warring Narns and Centauri take the lead in getting the other races to back the forces loyal to the former democratic regime.

* In the video for Music/MichaelJackson's song "Music/BeatIt", Michael ends the animosity (temporarily or permanently is up to interpretation) between two rival gangs through the power of dance.

* ''TabletopGame/MageTheAscension's'' concluding book, ''[[EndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt Ascension]]'', allows players the opportunity to bring a peaceful end to the conflict between the Technocracy and the Traditions, with a little help from the [[BoldExplorer Void Engineer]] master [[FriendlyEnemy Tychoides]]. At this time, the two factions are preparing their remaining forces for a battle that will probably end with one of them annihilated once and for all; however, Tychoides reveals to the players that the [[PowerBornOfMadness Marauders]] are planning to ambush and kill the survivors, before going on to dominate the world. Surrendering access to the Technocracy's command network, he allows the players to unite both sides against their enemy, resulting in a truce that lasts for the remainder of the Ascension event.

* Step 3 of ''Theatre/{{Hamilton}}'''s [[TheCommandments "Ten Duel Commandments"]] was to have each side's seconds attempt to negotiate a settlement acceptable to both sides, or set up a time and place for a DuelToTheDeath if one cannot be found. It get revisited at Step 8 when both participants are facing each other with pistols in hand, the last chance for both sides to agree to back down before the shooting starts.

* In ''VideoGame/FalloutNewVegas'', you can convince both the [[spoiler:Great Khans and the Brotherhood of Steel]], both longtime foes of the [[spoiler:New California Republic]], to support the latter at the Second Battle of Hoover Dam during quests.

* In ''VideoGame/MassEffect3'', Shepard has a chance to end the war between [[spoiler:the quarians and the geth]] peacefully, though there are many conditions that have to be met for this to succeed. Also, the Krogan/Salarian/Turian enmity can be mended to the point where the three races start cooperating--something deemed impossible for at least several centuries. The Turians and the Humans have the latest in species grudges, but the Turians are the most willing to help humanity out (though they have their own problems).
** And as the Extended Cut shows, [[spoiler:the Control and Synthesis endings both result in a lasting peace between the Reapers and the galactic life, though only in the latter is it completely voluntary (in Control, Shepard becomes the new Reaper overmind and basically forces them to obey organics)]].
* In ''VideoGame/{{Wasteland 2}}'', you can reconcile the warring "train tribes", the Topekans and the Atchisonians, by getting their leaders to recognize that prolonging their conflict will ultimately destroy both groups, whereas seeing past their old grudges will actually let them get the trains up and running again.
* A major plot point in ''VideoGame/{{Wild ARMs 5}}'' is to reconcile the ancient conflict between the humans and the Veruni.

* Parodied in ''Webcomic/{{Wondermark}}'' -- [[http://wondermark.com/657/ page #657, "The Negotiator".]]

* The episode "The Great Divide" of ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender'' had Aang do it with two tribes of SlobsVersusSnobs [[spoiler:by saying that he had witnessed the birth of their conflict (since he ''is'' [[ReallySevenHundredYearsOld Really 112 Years Old]]), which had been twisted over the century and was in fact no more than a children's game. And once the now peaceful tribes are out of earshot, he confides to Katara and Sokka that he made the whole thing up.]]
** GoneHorriblyWrong for [[WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra the first Avatar, Avatar Wan]] when he [[spoiler:separates Raava--the World-Spirit of Order--from Vaatu--the World-Spirit of Chaos--and thereby sets up the latter to plunge the world into a 10,000-year age of, you guessed it, chaos and darkness. To be fair, Vaatu abandoned his pride to take advantage of Wan's kindly nature and manipulate him whereas Raava was extremely condescending and dismissive of Wan, refusing to explain her motives for keeping Vaatu entrapped until ''after'' Wan had freed Vaatu]].

-->'''Popeye:''' ''Nobody'' wins! And I'm gonna steps on both of ya if ya don't shakes hands and makes peace! ''(They do)''
* In ''WesternAnimation/{{Rahan}}'', Rahan tries to build a lasting peace between the Wolf Clan and the Cave-Dwellers. He temporarily manages to build one in episode 21 but when [[spoiler:Wolf Clan chief Mogo dies and his son]] Enok takes over his tribe at the end of episode 22, he breaks the peace. It isn't until the series finale that a lasting peace is built between both tribes.
* The episode "Targets" of ''WesternAnimation/YoungJustice2010'' had Lex Luthor do it with North and South Rhelasia, which were expies of the Koreas.

* ''Fanfic/DualDestinies'': After Ranma is split into twin brothers, Shampoo and Ukyo get officially engaged to each of the brothers, who then point out that they'll eventually become sister-in-laws after both couples get married. While they were bitter rivals before, both recognize that there's no reason for them have any further animosity towards each other, as they're no longer rivals.
** Later on, both wind up reconciling with Akane after she's [[spoiler:brought back from the dead, having been DrivenToSuicide and going through literal Hell]].

* ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry5'': Nero, refusing to lose anyone else close to him [[MyGreatestFailure as he did Credo]], plants himself right between [[CainAndAbel Dante and Vergil]] and demands an end to their feud. When an [[OOCIsSeriousBusiness indignant Dante]] storms up to him telling him to stand down, Nero [[OffhandBackhand backhands him so hard he goes flying]] and reaffirms that he won't let the two kill each other.

[[folder:Film]]
* A large portion of ''Film/TheMatrixRevolutions'' revolves around Neo traveling to the Machine City to call for an end to the war between humans and machines, [[spoiler:in order to allow him to stop [[BigBad Agent Smith]] from destroying both races]].

* On one episode of ''Series/{{MASH}}'', Hawkeye, incensed at learning that due to a regulation change, he was going to be stationed in Korea for longer than he thought, drives to the Peace Talks in Panmunjom on a whim, bluffs his way into the tents where the talks themselves are being held, and makes an impassioned plea for the two sides to reconcile. It doesn't work, but he manages to [[UltimateJobSecurity avoid getting busted for it]], and when he gets back to camp, the rest of the outfit throws a party in his honor.

* In ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'', the Githyanki and Githzerai have been at each other's throats since overthrowing their Mind Flayer overlords due to disagreements over what they should do afterwards, with only [[EnemyMine temporary alliances of convenience to deal with any Mind Flayer threats]] to break up the constant infighting. However, Dungeon Magazine #100 introduced the Sha’sal Khou, a secret society of Githyanki and Githzerai who want to end their age-old enmity.

* Step 3 of ''Theatre/{{Hamilton}}'''s [[TheCommandments "Ten Duel Commandments"]] was to have each side's seconds attempt to negotiate a settlement acceptable to both sides, or set up a time and place for a DuelToTheDeath if one cannot be found. It get revisited at Step 8 when both participants are facing each other with pistols in hand, the last chance for both sides to agree to back down before the shooting starts.

* In ''VideoGame/{{Wasteland 2}}'', you can reconcile the warring "train tribes", the Topekans and the Atchisonians, by getting their leaders to recognize that prolonging their conflict will ultimately destroy both groups, whereas seeing past their old grudges will actually let them get the trains up and running again.
* In ''VideoGame/FireEmblemFates: Revelation'', your goal is to end the ForeverWar between Hoshido and Nohr so you can fight the true enemy, [[spoiler:Anankos]].
* In ''VideoGame/FalloutNewVegas'', you can convince both the [[spoiler:Great Khans and the Brotherhood of Steel]], both longtime foes of the [[spoiler:New California Republic]], to support the latter at the Second Battle of Hoover Dam during quests.
* ''VideoGame/DevilMayCry5'': Nero, refusing to lose anyone else close to him [[MyGreatestFailure as he did Credo]], plants himself right between [[CainAndAbel Dante and Vergil]] and demands an end to their feud. When an [[OOCIsSeriousBusiness indignant Dante]] storms up to him telling him to stand down, Nero [[OffhandBackhand backhands him so hard he goes flying]] and reaffirms that he won't let the two kill each other.

* GoneHorriblyWrong for [[WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra the first Avatar, Avatar Wan]] when he [[spoiler:separates Raava--the World-Spirit of Order--from Vaatu--the World-Spirit of Chaos--and thereby sets up the latter to plunge the world into a 10,000-year age of, you guessed it, chaos and darkness. To be fair, Vaatu abandoned his pride to take advantage of Wan's kindly nature and manipulate him whereas Raava was extremely condescending and dismissive of Wan, refusing to explain her motives for keeping Vaatu entrapped until ''after'' Wan had freed Vaatu.]]
* The episode "Targets" of ''WesternAnimation/YoungJustice2010'' had Lex Luthor do it with North and South Rhelasia, which were expies of the Koreas.

-->'''Popeye:''' ''Nobody'' wins! And I'm gonna steps on both of ya if ya don't shakes hands and makes peace! (''They do'')

** In the ''Series/StarTrekTheOriginalSeries'' episode "[[Recap/StarTrekS1E23ATasteOfArmageddon A Taste of Armageddon]]", the planets Eminiar 7 and Vendikar have been at war for 500 years. However, for most of this time, the conflict has been completely simulated on computers. When the computers tell the inhabitants of the planets that they've been "killed", they obediently file into {{disintegration chamber}}s and are destroyed. Captain Kirk sabotages the computers running the conflict after they target his ship, which will force the two planets to fight their war for real if they want to continue. He figures that the horror of possible planetary obliteration will cause the two populations to seek peace instead. He turns out to be right -- the planets do start negotiating.
** In the ''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration'' episode "[[Recap/StarTrekTheNextGenerationS2E5LoudAsAWhisper Loud as a Whisper]]", after fifteen centuries of war between two factions on their planet, the Solari calls for Riva to lead the peace negotiations. Riva a deaf-mute, but gets around this by having a "chorus," three people who can read his mind and speak for him, each covering a different aspect of him.
** In the ''Series/StarTrekVoyager'' episode "[[Recap/StarTrekVoyagerS2E14Alliances Alliances]]", Captain Janeway tries to act as this between the Kazon and their former rulers, the Trabe. Unfortunately, the Trabe can't resist an opportunity to take out the major clan leaders.

* In ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'', the Githyanki and Githzerai have been at each other's throats since overthrowing their Mind Flayer overlords due to disagreements over what they should do afterwards, with only [[EnemyMine temporary alliances of convenience to deal with any Mind Flayer threats]] to break up the constant infighting. However, Fifth Edition introduces the Sha’sal Khou, a secret society of Githyanki and Githzerai who want to end their age-old enmity.