Oh... Wow. This came out of nowhere.

A Few more days and I would have but this in my Unlikely to Update Folder.
Thank you for preventing that.

Now that's a pleasant surprise. I thought you'd left fimfiction; loved both your stories!

this is a great chapter

Life comes at you fast and I've had troubled times, but I'm making an effort to come back and continue my projects. It's therapeutic in its own way. Sorry for the long absence and I'll hope not to create a second one.

It's fine, man. Writing is hard and life has been, weird. Especially in America. I'm just glad you're safe.

Goodness, Star is taking some very real risks, here. It's interesting seeing her work on Shining Armor, who was already mind controlled at one point in the past by Chrysalis.

Wow, surprise OiM out of nowhere. What impresses me most is the consistency of your writing, given how long it's been. Your interpretation of Starlight as a competent (albeit perverted) villain is a joy to read.

10376747
I agree a very good chapter

yes!!!!

Princess what is it they've sent us? Looks upon the new Chapter. Hope...

Also i feel like Cadence after dealing with Chrysalis would be extra tuned to mind stuff.

HOLY SHIT! I was NOT expecting an update to this! If this becomes somewhat regular, I'm gonna have to re-read it from the beginning.
Welcome back.

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As a hardcore StarBurst shipper, I'm both excited and terrified of the next chapter

I never had any guess as to where this story might be going so I'm very happy there is a chance for additional chapters. I never expected cannon events would continue. I now wonder how much longer this can be sustained until the changes make it impossible and what that breakdown will be like. 🤔

Looking forward to more.

Oh, I've been looking forward to this moment. Not that Starlight knows that her actions may have doomed an entire city-state, but it's nice to see those actions catch up to her.

Granted, I do hope they find a way to prevent the deaths of thousands. Given that Sunburst will be involved, they probably will, but oh, the awkwardness that will ensue...

(Also, Cadence is not going to be happy if she hears someone else toyed with Shining's poor, pliable mind.)

love to see you back, wonder what Starlight putting her magic into the Crystal Heart will do to it

HOLY SHIT IT'S ALIVE!

How did I miss this update? Well, now it's on a tracking bookshelf.

You’re like Celestia’s grand-student, in a way.”

BWA! That is pure Twilight.

“Don’t worry. I know what it's like to meet old friends, and I'll be right there along with you. I planned our itinerary ahead of time, and even broke the whole lesson down into a few easy steps.”

Oh, sure, just like meeting your old unicorn friends. All planned out. Yep, that's perfectly normal Twilight, nothing suspicious at all.

As he carried on, Star noticed the huge bags under Shining’s eyes, his five o'clock shadow and disheveled hair. His white suit was wrinkled, had no tie and one of the buttons was undone. Everyone else was noticing how off kilter he was.

Oh my ... Suddenly, I'm wondering if mind-controlling Starlight will realize that Shining is under mind control ... now THAT would be a really good twist.

"Twilight, someone is mind controlling your brother"
"How do you know?"
"Trust me, this was my thing. I recognize all the signs"

...

"Why are all 7 of you working together against me? Your friendship was supposed to be destroyed!"

...

"Great Job Starlight! We're so glad you're reformed and trustable."

Yea, this is going to be Perfect for Her! Right?

Oh, this isn't the wedding, this is the crystalling. DARN. That would have been perfect.
Never mind.

Well ... That's an interesting technique to use on Shining. It starts with a perfectly normal, therapeutic hypnosis session, to relieve stress, provide a sense of safety and comfort, reveal what's bothering him, and ... yea, not getting release after several weeks would be excessive. Even if he's aware of what's happening there -- and he probably is -- it doesn't seem like anything more than help with a needed release. And the afterglow, along with relaxation/deepening, ... yea, he's gone.

So Celestia won't notice. Luna won't notice unless she's visiting someone's dreams when they are so strange and different -- which is her biggest risk right now. And Cadence? ...
"Dear, I know you're stressed. Starlight was able to help me with my stress, why don't you let her help you?"