//------------------------------//
// Insubordination 
// Story: The Magic of Friendship 
// by Darkswirl 
//------------------------------//

"G-General, you can't go in there!" a guard called out as Starshine trotted past him and towards the royal bed chambers.

Starshine ignored the guard as he started to explain the punishment, as Starshine had been relieved of his command.

But Starshine could care less for politics and the military anymore.  Equestria hadn't seen a war in over forty years and he had a duty to protect his people from anything; even an incompetent princess.

Pinning the guard against the wall and threatening to have him excommunicated from Equestria, the general successfully got him to shut his snout and continue guarding his post as if nothing had happened.

"I hope you're happy with that little stunt you pulled, Celestia.  Nearly half of the remaining guard just quit after they heard you fired me.  I'm a very popular pony, you know." Starshine said irritatedly as he stood outside the door, not even bothering to knock.

"Must I remind you the punishment for this, general? Technically you are trespassing and this could be considered an attack on royalty." Celestia said irritatedly through the door.

"Everypony keeps telling me that, but I haven't heard one pony address me without using my rank." Starshine said with a smirk.

Celestia hesitated before reluctantly opening the door, glaring once more at the smiling pony in front of her.

"Permission to enter?" he asked.

"Denied." Celestia answered quickly.

"Princess...I apologize for my outburst yesterday and I understand your emotions, but Equestria is in a chaos that would put Discord to shame.  Something needs to be done and you're the only pony who can do anything about it.  We've lost three pegasus teams after they tried clearing the skies and one weather patrol team is in the hospital after they tried to do the same." Starshine begged.

Celestia's eyes clouded in pain as she held her glare, fighting with herself on what to do.  Part of her wanted nothing to do with any other pony anymore.  She just wanted to cry and hope her sister learned her lesson before she returned.

And yet another part of her realized how foolish and inconsiderate she was being.

General Starshine had done nothing but try and help her using various yet subtle methods.  And he was right; Equestria did need her right now.

"Princess, you haven't raised the sun in five whole days.  You and I both know that an alicorn goddess looses their power if they don't do their job within seven days.  You have two more before Equestria crumbles." the general whispered; a slight, begging tone coming from his voice.

The general and the princess stood in the doorway, staring silently as Celestia's head churned.

Closing her eyes in decision, she then open them slowly...