There was only the sound of Starlight’s footsteps as she jogged back to Twilight's bedroom. Star had needed to make sure Spike didn’t come around, curious why Twilight hadn’t shown up for their research session. That had been as simple as triggering him and telling him to accept that Twilight needed to cancel. It had meant leaving Twilight alone for a while which, she managed to take advantage of, though it was less than ideal. Now she was winding her way back, her body shaking slightly in anticipation.

This was what she’d been waiting for. This was the culmination of her months and training and planning and two weeks of constantly hypnotizing and grooming Twilight. It was the end, and also the beginning.

Star caught her breath before opening the door. Twilight lay face up on the bed, staring unblinking into the swirling magical spiral above her. A variation on Flare’s Fire Invocation and Durian’s Dry Eyes Remedy had allowed her to prep Twilight to sink deeper while Star ran her errand. She’d had Twilight put on her pajamas as well to make certain she was comfortable. There was no way she would let a draft ruin her chances now.

Twilight mumbled a soft mantra over and over. “I am being brainwashed by the spiral. My mind is open for Mistress Starlight. I am wrapped in her control. I must obey. I love to obey. I need to obey. Starlight’s control completes me. I am being brainwashed by the spiral…”

This would be the deepest Twilight had ever gone. Star had to methodically strip away everything except Twilight’s need to submit. Then she would be able reshape Twilight’s deepest beliefs with Twilight as her active ally.

Star crawled up onto the bed, sitting next to Twilight. She slipped one hand under Twilight’s pajama top and slowly stroked her tummy. Twilight let out a soft groan as the touch led her even deeper. Her nipples were poking up through the pajama’s thin cotton. Star moved another hand over and lightly brushed each nipple with her fingertips. Twilight arched her back slightly in response as her mantra became huskier.

Starlight shifted her position, cradling Twilight’s head in her lap. She adjusted her pose to make sure Twilight’s horn wouldn't poke her in the stomach. She leaned back against the end-board of the bed and gently massaged Twilight’s temples.

“Good girl. Stop chanting now and just focus on my voice as you sink even deeper into the spiral, feeling how it swallows up all your thoughts and pulls you deeper and deeper. You’re so deep in your mind...down near your core. The spiral washes away all the parts of your mind that try to resist my control. It lets you focus on the truth that you need my control more than anything in the world. It lets you focus on the truth that obeying Mistress Starlight is the most important thing in the world.

“Feeling how true happiness comes from being my perfect slave. You’re so close to making it there. As my perfect slave, you’ll always be perfect at everything else, because you only need to obey my commands. You’ll be set free from all those worries.” With a soft flick of her horn, Starlight dispelled the magical spiral and dangled her gem pendant over Twilight’s eyes. The sight made Twilight gasp. It was the strongest association she had with trance. Starlight had used the gem to put her under dozens of times now. It was the perfect final touch to push Twilight all the way to the bottom.

“The gem pulls you all the way to your core, and the closer to your core we get, the stronger that need to be my perfect slave becomes. The stronger that need becomes the heavier your eyes become. You can feel those remaining thoughts that aren’t focused on your need to be a perfect slave lingering, trying to delay your eyes from sinking shut. But as all those remaining thoughts fade away, your eyes will close completly.” Twilgiht’s eyes were already growing lidded, but there was a teeny bit of fight left. This technique would help Twilight actively hunt down any remaining resistance and offer it up now giving a smoother transition as she changed her.

Twilight began to blink, taking longer and longer to reopen her eyes. After so much time with her eyes unfocused, keeping locked on the gem was taxing. Soon the last bit of her resistance faded and her eyes stayed closed.

“Good girl. Even with eyes closed, you can feel the gem pulling you deeper in my control, isn’t that right?”

“Yess.” Twilight whispered weakly.

“Good girl, we’re so deep now, down in your core, the deepest part of your mind. This is where you keep all the parts of your mind that make you Twilight. It’s like a library with bookcases full of the details of your life, memories, values, friends and everything in between. The library is made up of many many rooms that reach deeper and deeper in your mind. We’re in the outermost layer now. All the books have to do with simple pleasures and desires. There’s a book about your favorite food, one about how you get embarrassed for people to know we’re dating, and many books about how much you love submitting to me. Can you see them all?”

"Yesss."

“Good girl. We're here so you can be a perfect slave for me. This room is simple to give over. There is a pedestal in the middle of this room with an index to all your likes and dislikes. You can feel a collar in your hand. To give me control of the room, place the collar on top of the index, representing how my control comes first.”

“Yes.” She said more firmly. "I put the collar there, on the index."

“Good girl. You can see it now. The room glows softly as my cutie mark appears on all the books. It shows they are mine now to change and control as I desire. You can feel how your mind is molded to fit this new truth. You can feel how I can control these simple desires, letting you become an even more perfect slave. How does it feel?”

“It feels wonderful. I want to be perfect for you.”

Starlight smiled. This was the easiest step but a positive one. Even this far along, Starlight had to take things slowly. Altering Twilight’s deepest loyalties took time and patience. Trying to subjugate a value too quickly and things could unravel. There were miles of loyalties to overwrite, but they all could be done a single step at a time.

“Good girl. You see there is another door, leading you to the next room. Grip the handle and walk through the door. This next room is where you store your values relating to being the Princess of Friendship. The books are about maintaining your princess duties and promoting friendship across Equestria. And right in the middle of the room is the manifestation of this room. It's you dressed up for an official ceremony, with your crown and princess dress. Can you see it?”

“Yess. I look beautiful and comfortable. Being the Princess of Friendship is so important."

“That’s right, good girl. And this manifestation can speak with you. It can tell you about any lingering doubts this part of your mind might have."

"Yes, she speaks to me." Twilight whispered. "What will the people of Equestria think if they find out their princess kneels to someone else? Can you be a good princess when following Starlight comes first?" Twilight's voice became firmer as she spoke and Star realized she was speaking for her manifestation.

"Good girl. Those concerns are understandable. But you can feel how obeying me is far more important than what people will think. Isn’t that right?”

“Yes, it’s much more important.”

“Good girl. You know that you'll always be a perfect princess as long as you follow my commands. You can feel a collar in your hand. To give me control of this room, wrap it around the Princess Twilight's neck That shows that obedience to me comes first. Describe what you do.”

“Yes I...wrap it around her neck. I tell her I’ll be the best princess possible by doing what Starlight tells me to. She smiles and sinks to her knees.”

“Very good girl. The room glows softly and all the books get marked with my cutie mark. You can feel how your mind is molded to fit this new truth. You feel how I will decide for you the best way to be a perfect princess. Isn’t that right?”

“Yesss.” Twilight said just as forcefully. She shivered a bit, the effects seemed quite visceral. There were many more rooms to go. Each one would give Starlight more access to Twilight’s mind. Each one would give more sweeping control.

********************************************************************************************************
The doorknob was cool against’ Twilight’s hand. She knew on some level this was a world Starlight had created for her, but it felt very real. She could feel the changes too as Starlight took control of deeper and deeper parts of her mind. Each shift made her eager to reach the end and become the perfect slave for her.

She looked back briefly at her family. This had been their room. All the books had to do with them. Just as with other rooms, her family members had been here as manifestations of the room. She had wrapped a collar around each of their necks. They now were kneeling on the ground. She loved them deeply, but could feel the truth now that Starlight’s control was far more important. It had been hard telling them how much more important submitting to Starlight was compared to them, but it had to be done. Further rooms wouldn't be easier and she suspected what would be next.

She stepped into the next room and found her friends. Rainbow Dash was slowly flying around the ceiling. Pinkie Pie was handing out drinks at the table where all the others sat. Fluttershy had a baby rabbit in her lap she was feeding carrots while listening to Applejack and Rarity. The two of them were discussing something to do with fashion as Twilight caught Rarity remarking on “the right fabric…” As she stepped into the room, they all turned to look at her.

“Well howdy Twilight.” Applejack said. “What brings yah round these parts?”

“You’re obviously welcome to join us darling.” Rarity added. “What kind of friends would we be to turn you away?”

Twilight felt a lump in her throat and smiled weakly. “You’re all the best friends I could have ever hoped for. I can’t imagine where I’d be if I hadn’t met all of you.”

“Is everything alright darling?” Rarity asked with a look of concern. “You sound almost like you’re saying goodbye.”

It made Twilight wince. The lump in her throat grew heavier. Was she betraying them giving everything to Starlight? “No, not goodbye. But things are going to be a bit different now. You see, I’ve discovered something about myself. I’ve discovered something that I’ll never be truly happy without. It’s the most important thing in the world, even more than friendship.”

Pinkie Pie bounced over to Twilight, handing her a drink. “Wow! It must be something super duper amazing if the Princess of Friendship says it’s more important.”

“It is.” Twilight smiled, “More amazing than I could ever imagine. But it has to take precedence in my life before anything else.”

The group all looked at her curiously for a moment. She felt the lump in her throat grow again. “Are yah sure about this Twilight?” Applejack finally asked. “Friendship has been what let us save Equestria over and over again. There have been heaps of times I thought we were done for, but knowing we could rely on each other has pulled us through. There might be something you’ve taken a fancy to, but I’d never believe you’d pick anything over your friends.”

Three weeks ago she would have agreed. But now she knew her true nature. The need to submit was as much part of her as laughter was part of Pinkie Pie and honesty was part of Applejack. She looked at them all with a wistful smile. “We’ll never stop being friends. I just have to be true to myself. Part of our friendship is accepting what each makes us unique, and our friendship is strong enough that you’ll understand when I say that Starlight has to come first.”

She felt five collars looped along her arm. She strode forward and began to lock them around her friend’s necks. First Fluttershy, then Pinkie Pie, then Rarity. Each one fell to their knees as they were collared.

“Nothing is more important than obeying Starlight.” Twilight declared as the last collar clicked into place around Rainbow Dash’s neck. The room began to glow and Twilight saw as all the books in the room shifted. Starlight's cutie mark appeared on each one. She could feel her mind shifting as Starlight’s control rushed in. The lump in her throat disappeared and Twilight felt a great comfort wash over her. Her friends were still important, but Starlight’s power went far deeper. This was as it should be.

"We want yah to be happy Twilight." Applejack said, smiling up at her.

"Mhm, and it's awesome you've found something that makes you feel so amazing." Pinkie Pie added.

Twilight smiled and knelt down to give each of her friends a warm hug. She stood and waited for what would come next. She was sure this was the last chamber. Her friends were the most important people in Equestria to her. But then Twilight saw there was another door, a deeper place of her mind. This door looked different. It had a loop handle instead of a knob, and Twilight’s cutie mark was etched into it. It had to be the last door, based on how unique it was, but what could be even more important than her friends?

The answer was obvious as she stepped through the door. Sitting in her favorite chair, with her favorite tea set, was Princess Celestia. “Hello there Twilight. Come and have some tea with me.”

Twilight nodded meekly and sat across from her teacher. They’d spent countless hours just like this. Twilight poured herself a cup of tea and sipped. It was the same strong black tea Celestia had always served for these times. Celestia towered over Twilight at the table. She seemed unusually tall, nearly twelve feet. Twilight realized she was imagining how Celestia looked to her when she was young.

Celestia set down her teacup and smiled in that knowing way, seeming to look right through Twilight. “This is the final room, in case you were curious. You’re in the deepest part of your mind, home to your deepest values, those things even more important than your friends. Do you understand why I’m the one waiting for you here?”

A puzzle, just as always. Celestia often gave her questions about magic or logical puzzles to solve as they talked. It had been part of her way of priming Twilight to understand the deeper magical concepts. She recalled the time two scones had become two guards, one who always lied and one who always told the truth, but they were identical to each other. But this wasn’t that kind of puzzle. The question was why Celestia would be the manifestation of her deepest values. The answer would come from self reflection. Twilight had always been better at the logical puzzles, but had become much more in tune with her feelings since those old days.

“You’re here because you’re my hero. You taught me everything I know. You always have been so wise, so powerful. Even when you’ve needed my help, like with Chrysalis or Discord, I can’t help but suspect that you’re holding back to give me a chance to learn instead of fixing things yourself. I idolize you, and aspire to be as wise as you. My deepest values would be represented by the standard I try to live by.”

Celestia smiled approvingly. “Very good, my student. As always you exceed my expectations. You’re exactly right. This room holds the values, ethics, and morals that I instilled in you and which have been tempered by your life. For you to truly have no limits in Starlight’s control, she has to own even this place. And so, I am your final hurdle.”

Celestia waved her hand over the table and a final collar materialized. “Wrap this around my neck and you give Starlight total dominion over you, or you can break it in half and draw the line.”

“And you’re here to tell me to stop, that it’s wrong to go this far.” Twilight whispered mournfully. A new pit formed in her chest.

“No Twilight.” Celestia replied. “I’m not here to argue you in either direction. I am here just to explain the weight of this decision. I could detail how giving up this room means surrendering your free will, but you understand such things academically. The choice can be explained much more simply.

“One day, Starlight and I may be opposed to each other. You can’t argue about the probability of this happening, or the severity of our disagreement, or any other nuance, because there is no nuance the decision you face. So you have to choose based on the most extreme conditions. In that moment when Starlight and I have an irreconcilable difference, who will you stand with? If you can answer that, you’ll know what to do with the collar.”

Twilight picked the collar up and looked it over carefully. It was her entire fate resting in her hands. The decision was hers alone. All she could really do is follow her heart. With that the choice was clear.

She stood and walked around the table to Celestia’s side. Each step she took made Celestia shrink a bit more until she stood at her usual height, only a few inches taller than Twilight. “You taught me so much about magic, friendship, and how to be a good person. If it wasn’t for you I would never have met all my wonderful friends. You’ve helped me slowly but surely on my path to becoming a princess. But I’ve learned some things on my own as well. I’ve learned that just like friendship, Obedience is Magic, and it’s the strongest magic of all.” She clasped the collar around Celestia’s neck.

Her teacher smiled as the collar clicked into place. “Well done, Twilight. You’ve chosen you’re own path. You’re a very good girl.” Celestia knelt on the floor.

The room began to shake with the force of Starlight’s power flowing in. Books started to fall off of the shelves, landing in piles on the floor. Twilight felt a surge of magic from her horn lighting up the room with a purple glow. Her eyes went pure white with power as a hurricane of wind scattered more books around. All the opened pages with lines of text morphed into pictures of Starlight’s cutie mark.

A silver ring appeared around Twilight’s neck. This was her true collar, wrapped around her mind. There were no more latches or joints. The collar was smooth, continuous metal, impossible to ever remove. Twilight moaned in bliss, cumming as the truth overwhelmed her. Everything was perfect. Starlight had total control. A soft voice echoed through the library, counting upwards from one to five. Twilight began to float up from the ground more and more with each number. She knew that she was about to awaken to her new destiny.

Author's Note

And here we are with the bonus chapter, watching as Starlight enacts her final conquest on Twilight's mind. To see all the implications of Starlight's brainwashing (and learn what has been happening to Spike) you'll have to tune in to Chapter 10: On the Nature of Dragons

The original impetus for this chapter was based on the fact I'd thus far had a regular alternation between Starlight's POV and someone else's POV. Chapter 9 and 10 are both set to be someone else's POV (is that a spoiler? I'm not sure) and I wondered if I could maintain the alternation. Originally I was going to have this 9.5 chapter be entirely from Starlight's perspective, but I soon realized that based on the chosen brainwashing method, getting an up close look at Twilight as she helped to enslave herself and confronted Celestia in her mind was too interesting to have told second hand.

Some readers who have also read Wintermists's Friendship is Mind Control may note the similar trope of talking to parts of your mind while in a hypnotic hallucination state. This is not a trope FiMC originated by any means, but it's a good one. You are welcome to compare the nature of these moments with the ones that happened in FiMC, as I think there are some good examples of the thematic differences between the two works when you compare these moments.

Expect Chapter 10 in about 2 weeks, and if we can get this story on the featured page, I'll have another bonus for you then. Just kidding. I'll have a bonus for you no matter how well these chapter updates do, and it may or may not be ready in 2 weeks, but look forward to another bonus in the near future.