It was nighttime, and the circus was in full swing.

Several acts had already come and gone, and the packed crowd was in good spirits. Yiaz lounged near the front wolfing down a bucket of popcorn (his seat, of course, came courtesy of being a “very special guest” of Mesmareino’s).

Eris sat not far away. A special VIP box had been reserved for her, no doubt by the security, who’d decided appeasing her would be far better than combatting her. Fortunately, so far, for the staff and audience, it had worked, resulting in only minimal “adjustments” to the show—a manticore transmogrified into a flamingo, a trampolinist faceplanting into a giant pie, nothing that couldn’t be played for laughs.

So, to the others in attendance, Eris had been nothing more than suitable entertainment. To Yiaz, it had meant… so much more.

Admittedly, it had been the closest he’d ever been to her. From his vantage point, he got to see her snow-white mane, mismatched body, and lithe figure better than he ever had. She was sleek, suave, poignant.

They were a match. They must have been a match—he was simply sure of it!

Of course, that hardly stopped the nerves. He had long stopped paying attention to how hard he was grinding his teeth against the popcorn kernels.

The lights in the circus tent dimmed, and the crowd began to hush.

The sound of a trumpet blared through the tent. The ringmaster, a burly earth pony, trotted to the center ring, a megaphone held firmly in his mouth. With a dramatic flourish, he gestured toward the shadows behind him.

“Ladies and gentlecolts, fillies and foals!” his voice echoed through the big top. “Prepare to be amazed by the master of mental manipulation, the sultan of suggestion, the hypnotic hero himself… the Grrrrrreat Mesmareino!”

Now this was what Yiaz had been waiting for. Lights, camera, action.

A spotlight illuminated the back of the stage, where Mesmareino awaited. As he travelled down the tunnel to face the crowd, and if things went right, he wouldn’t be in any more than a slight daze. There would be a small gap in his memory, easily explained away by zoning out during his final practice, and a little nudge in his mind to proceed as normal with the show.

As he stepped into view, the audience began to applaud. From Yiaz’s front row seat, if he squinted, he could see the hypnotist’s smile was slightly strained, his attention not quite fully there, but not enough to alert the audience. Perfect.

As Mesmareino must have rehearsed, he raised a hoof to silence the applause, the glint of a gold pocket watch visible from beneath his suit and cape. “Thank you, thank you!” he called out, voice shaking ever so slightly. “Tonight, I will take you on a journey into the depths of your own minds! Watch as I command even the strongest wills to bend and submit!”

Yiaz watched as the banners overhead began to wriggle and distort, and glanced behind him. Indeed, Eris, lounging comfortably in her VIP box, twirled her claw lazily as she watched on. Yiaz couldn't help but notice the amused glint in her eyes as she observed Mesmareino's performance. Good, she was interested.

In one sweeping motion, Mesmareino withdrew the pocket watch and swung it in front of the audience, who oohed and aahed. “I need a volunteer,” he announced. “Someone brave enough to delve into the mysteries of their own mind…”

Patience. It wasn’t time yet. Yiaz kept put and watched as a few eager mares in the audience excitedly waved their hooves.

Mesmareino tipped his top hat. “How excellent. How about… you, and you. Now, for all of you to understand the complexities of the equine mind, we must go back. Back until the very beginning of our kind…”

As the show wore on, Yiaz quietly admitted the unicorn had a flair for presentation. Though most of his tricks were fairly standard, he always presented them in an impressively grandiose way, as if weaving a continuous story about the history of ponykind.

Of course, throughout his performance, audience members were brought on and made to think they were the creatures that only existed in the far past, then the first ponies, even historical figures spoken of in pony legend. During intermezzos, ponies were hypnotized into thinking they were unmovable planks, tasting apple juice while drinking water, and much more.

Finally, as Mesmareino’s act began to draw to a close, he approached the history of Equestria’s present era.

“We stand at a pivotal moment in Equestria's storied history, a realm brimming with magical creatures and adventures untold,” Mesmareino narrated. “Home to a myriad of ponies who embody the very essence of harmony and magic…”

And then, Mesmareino’s mouth twitched.

It was the smallest of tics, but it was all Yiaz needed to know to confirm it was time.

“...as well as the other creatures who live amongst us.”

A deviation from his normal script, and an invitation for something more.

As the hypnotist's voice carried through the tent, the spotlight dimmed for dramatic effect. A smattering of hushed murmurs filled the air.

“May we have two volunteers from the audience, please?”

Yiaz couldn't help but smirk. It was all falling into place perfectly. With an exaggerated motion, he leapt up from his seat, sending popcorn flying. “Oh, pick me! Pick me!” he shouted, his tone dripping with faux excitement.

In Mesmareino’s normal script, picking a draconequus would have been virtually unthinkable. Draconequui were mysterious, unpredictable, and volatile. He had no experience with hypnotizing them, nor had any interest in learning so.

But for some reason, these thoughts refused to cross his mind. He simply saw a blur of motion, and felt his own hoof draw toward it like a magnet. His eyes momentarily unfocused as he forgot to think, and without prompt, his mouth almost began moving on his own.

Just in time, his eyes briefly flickered into awareness before resuming their normal flair. “Ah, we have an eager participant! Come forth, brave sir, and prepare to be mesmerized!”

The crowd, whispering at the surprise choice, parted to allow Yiaz through, and he slithered into the center ring, grinning like a predator closing in on its prey.

Mesmareino’s mind fought off the memories that threatened to invade him. The draconequus was… familiar. Had they met before? Why was his smile so recognizable? Surely, he could not have simply forgotten… right?

The unicorn clutched nervously at his pocket watch. He still needed another volunteer.

And against his better judgement, his lips began to move again. “For our second… why not complete the collection? I invite our very special guest of the evening, Eris, Goddess of Chaos, to the stage, if she would so fancy it.

Yiaz fought off the urge to laugh. Mesmareino had succumbed to his triggers perfectly. Now, it was up to Eris to accept the bait.

The crowd went silent. All eyes focused on the very amused draconequus.

She gazed around, soaking in the attention of the spectators. After a moment, she licked her lips. “My, my. You’re a confident little unicorn, aren’t you?”

And with a flick of her tail, she came swooping down onto the stage, right beside Yiaz. “I hope you understand how foalish trying to hypnotize someone like me can be, but I’d certainly love to see you try.”

Bait: accepted.

It was the first time she’d spoken all evening, and her voice rang like sweet honey to Yiaz. She was within arm’s width of him, though for now, she barely paid him any attention. If he wanted, he could easily just reach out and grab her and…

Not now! Follow the plan!

Yiaz knew that beneath Mesmareino’s cool exterior, he must’ve been instinctively in full panic. It was only appropriate Yiaz had sealed this bit of him deep within his subconscious, so he would be emboldened to continue the show.

“So,” he continued. “Who would like to go first?”

Yiaz stepped forward immediately, his grin broadening. “I volunteer!” He shot a playful wink at Eris, enough to satisfy his urges for now, and enough to give her a light snort. If he wanted the plan to work, then he’d have to endure knowing Eris’s first impression of him was as an overeager, naive fellow.

Mesmareino's hooves trembled slightly as he nodded. “Very well.” Leaning in to the pair, he whispered as gently he could, “Please, just play along, even if you can’t be hypnotized.”

Of course, Eris rolled her eyes. Yiaz made a show of doing the same.

Clearing his throat, Mesmareino began his grand spiel. “Ladies and gentlecolts, we are about to witness a truly unprecedented event. I shall attempt to delve into the mind of a draconequus, one of Equestria's most enigmatic and powerful contemporary beings.”

The crowd gasped in anticipation as Mesmareino withdrew his pocket watch once more, swinging it in front of Yiaz's eyes. “Now, my brave volunteer, I want you to focus on the watch. Let its rhythm guide you… back and forth… back and forth…”

Mesmareino’s mind suppressed alarm bell after alarm bell. Why was this so familiar? When had he done this before?

Fortunately for the poor stallion, Yiaz felt no need to challenge him. It was in his best interest to play along.

So, he dutifully followed the movements of the pendulum, his eyes tracing its path with exaggerated focus. Of course, he was merely pretending, but he kept his act convincing, even allowing his eyelids to droop as if succumbing to the hypnotic rhythm.

Mesmareino continued his speech, voice trembling slightly. “As you fall deeper into trance, your mind will become an open book, your thoughts and secrets laid bare for all to see.”

Yiaz fought the urge to roll his eyes. It was almost too easy. He feigned a dreamy expression, his body swaying gently.

From the corner of his eye, he observed Eris’s expression. She had her arms crossed, her mouth shaped into a frown—clearly disappointed by her fellow draconequus’s lack of willpower.

“Now, repeat after me,” proclaimed Mesmareino. “My mind is yours, my thoughts are free. Show me off for all to see.”

Yiaz had picked that phrase himself. It sounded quite pretty! “My mind is yours, my thoughts are free. Show me off for all to see.”

With that, he slumped his head forward. He bit his tongue and tried his best not to smile as the crowd began to cheer for Mesmareino’s seemingly larger-than-life feat.

In the hypnotist’s mind, there must have been a whirlwind of emotion.

I did it…? I did it!

I DID IT!!!

And with the burst of confidence that followed, it was only a matter of time before he could gather the willpower to turn his attention toward his next subject.

So, he faced Eris, and wrote his own demise.

“And now, for the true challenge. I shall attempt to hypnotize the Goddess of Chaos herself!”

Eris smirked, her eyes glinting with mischief. “Give it your best shot, dear. I could use a good laugh.”

Mesmareino swallowed his hesitation and presented his pocket watch one last time. He swung it before her eyes, adrenaline pushing him onward. It all led to this. “Just focus on the watch… back and forth… let yourself relax…”

Yiaz peeked at the unfolding scene from underneath his mane. He saw as Eris watched the pendulum for a moment, her smirk never fading. Unlike Yiaz, she had no reason to fall under its spell. Instead, she yawned exaggeratedly and stretched, causing the audience to giggle.

“Oh dear,” she said mockingly, “I'm afraid your little trick won't work on me.”

Try as he might, Mesmareino (of course) could not get Eris to budge. His face flushed with embarrassment as he fumbled with his words. “Uh… p-perhaps another approach, then.”

But before he could even try, Eris leaned in close, her eyes locking onto his. “Too late. My turn.”

With a sudden snap of her claws, Eris materialized the pocket watch in her grasp. Before Mesmareino could protest, a cloud of smoke enveloped it, and a little bird stood in place where the watch used to be. Mesmareino could only watch helplessly as it tweeted noisily, then flew into the air, far, far away.

“N-no! That was my-”

His sentence cut off midway as, for the second time that day, he found himself face to face with a pair of swirling eyes.

“That’s right, dear.” Eris’s eyes were awash in a sea of mesmerizing color as she leaned in and scooped up the helpless pony in her arms, tilting his chin to comfortably rest on her gaze.

“You dared mess with the Goddess of Chaos,” she monologued, “and I commend you on your… boldness. But it’s time to show a true Mistress at work.” She turned toward the crowd.

Her voice was silky and alluring. “Ladies and gentlecolts, it seems our dear Mesmareino here has gotten himself in a bit of a pickle. You see, hypnosis isn't just about flashy pocket watches and parlor tricks. No, it's about control. Power. And what better way to demonstrate than by showing just how much control I have over him?”

She glanced around, her smile predatory, before focusing her full attention back on the brain-blasted hypnotist. “Now, my dear Mesmareino, look deeply into my eyes. Feel yourself getting lost in the swirling colors. You can't look away, you don't want to look away. You are completely and utterly under my spell.”

Mesmareino's body went rigid, his eyes wide and unblinking as Eris's hypnotic gaze took hold of him. He tried to speak and merely babbled, before being shushed by a single claw.

“That's it,” Eris continued, her voice dripping. “Feel the weight of your own mind slipping away. Let go of all your thoughts, your fears, your resistance. You are mine now, Mesmareino. Completely and utterly mine.”

And so, Yiazmat eagerly awaited as his trap was sprung.

He decided to savor the moment forever as Eris, seemingly confident in her victory, said her next line.

She moved her claw to gently stroke Mesmareino’s cheek. “Repeat after me, dear: I am yours, Eris. My mind is yours to command.”

Somewhere deep within the recesses of the entranced unicorn’s mind, a lock unclicked, and a box was opened.

He began to remember all that had happened earlier in the evening. Meeting Yiaz, falling under his spell, and being made to remember a very specific set of commands.

Of course, he’d known he could never hypnotize Eris. Of course, she would have turned the tables on him. Even in chaos, there were behaviors that were oh so predictable.

Yiaz had simply… “convinced” him it would have been tremendously entertaining to not let her get her prize at the end of the tunnel, and of course, being the compliant fellow he was, he’d agreed.

Mesmareino opened his mouth to speak. “I am yours, Yiazmat. My mind is yours to command.”

Eris’s lidded eyes immediately widened. “W-what? Eris, not ‘Yiazmat’, you fool. Pledge your loyalty to Eris.”

But he would not be stopped. “I am loyal only to Yiazmat,” he babbled. “He put me under his spell, and I belong to him and him alone. My pleasure is his, and his pleasure is mine.”

“Who even is this Yiazmat?” Eris hissed, baring her fangs. “Is this some kind of setup?”

It was time to shine. Yiaz shook his head and awoke from his fake slumber. Slowly, he began ambling toward the frantic draconequus, who was still too busy in her disbelief to notice him.

“Yiazmat is wit. Yiazmat is mischief and independence.” Mesmareino continued to ramble off his memorized script.

“I swear, I’ll turn you into a potted plant.”

Yiaz was so close. Eris was in arm’s reach again, and now, he could finally reach out and touch her for the first time.

“Yiazmat is more than just a concept. More than just a pony. Yiazmat is… here!” Mesmareino gestured.

And with one continuous movement, Yiaz swept the confounded Eris around, and bowed deep to the crowd. “Very nice to meet your acquaintance, Goddess.”

He closed his eyes and soaked in the thunderous applause as the lights dimmed and the circus prepared to transition to its next act.

Author's Note

I channeled my best Trixie for this one