The dragon plays with your tail, wrapping it around his claw.

You giggle, as you sort of enjoy the feeling of being played with.

The dragon proceeds to make a ponytail out of your — well, tail.

“Hey don’t style my tail into something I can’t fix. . . please.”

The dragon looks around. “That reminds me, I need something permanent to tie it with to maintain its knots.”

“Nuuuuuu.” You squirm.

The dragon turns to a dark corner of the cave.

“I have a feeling that what we have here is a failure to communicate. Though to be honest, I was actually afraid that you wouldn’t even understand me. Is Ponish your mother’s tongue?”

After some jerking and slashing, he pries out a decaying tongue into the open. “This is my mother’s tongue.”

“That’s not what I meant…”

He ties the tongue so that it holds your new chaotic tail-style together. “Who’s a pretty little pony?”

You shiver. “I, I don’t like this…”

The dragon boops you on the muzzle. “You are!” He boops you again. “You’re a pretty little pony princess with a pretty ponytail.” He keeps booping you.

You put a hoof before your muzzle because it's starting to hurt from all the boops.

“You’re a pretty, pretty princess.”

“I’m no princess. I don’t even have a single follower.”

The dragon caresses your mane with his sharp claws. “I’ll call you Lucy.”

“Hey! How dare you assume my gender! I haven’t even announced any of my many pronouns yet.”

“Dow. The little spoiled”—

“I’m not spoiled!”

—“princess tries to act all tough.”That’s so cute, Lucy!”

“My name’s not Lucy…”

“Go on, press your lips together as if you’re angry.”

“I’m not angry!” You press your lips together in anger.

“Oh, is the little princess gonna cry now? Did somepony forget to feed her mammal milk this morning?”

“You’re a big bully dragon!” You pound a hoof on the ground.

“You’re so cute when you pout, Lucy.”

You sniff and curl into a ball.

“Oh, the princess is sulking because she didn’t get her way. But don’t worry. I know what’s bothering you. Your mane is so unbefitting a princess. What you need is another ponytail. I bet the lack of pretty is what you’re sad about.”

“You’re the sulking one. You tease me because I’m not playing your game the way you want.”

“I’ll sharpen my claws for you, okay?” The dragon scratches his claw on a nearby boulder. ”And then I’ll be able to comb that royal mane of yours properly.”

You sigh. Knowing that the brute is set in his ways, you change the topic. “So, what should I call you, mister dragon? You can’t really be called Bad, can you?”

The dragon grumbles. “I’ve introduced myself so many times with a roar before, but everypony seems to have trouble with hearing. Especially after my piercing roars. Whenever I do something, they disregard my name and just tell me I’m Bad. I got tired of repeating myself. The more I roared, the more they called me Bad. It’s easier to simply go with the name they keep giving me. So, you might as well call me Bad as everypony else does.”

“Oh is the big bad dragon throwing a temper tantrum now?” You nuzzle his tummy. “It’s okay you can talk to me.”

“It’s just hard sometimes, you know?” The dragon strokes your mane with a sharpened claw. “Just yesterday, I met a farmer who tried to drag a pig out of the mud. The pony said to the pig, ‘You know what, I wish you would just die in that filth, you stubborn pig.’”

You look up at his big eyes. “You didn’t actually...”

“I wanted to make a good first impression for once, so I fulfilled the farmer’s wish. Again, I was instantly named Bad, and she gave me other bad names on top of that. Everypony is just so unappreciative. I don’t think I’ve met a decent pony in my whole life.”

“I think I know why the farmer called you bad.”

“And you won’t believe what immensely evil act she resorted to next. She… she rolled up a newspaper and smacked me over my snouth with it… My ego never recovered from that brutal assault.”

“I think she thought that you were a bit bad.” You hug him. “I think you have been a little bad towards me too… But I still like you despite that. You may be bad, but I bet you have a good heart.”

“You don’t have to tell me. I already know. Ponies have bad hearing and they’re too proud to admit that they’re thankful when receiving help from a stranger. I accepted dismissive ponies for what they are a long time ago. I just think the world would be a better place if they were a bit less evil, you know?”

“I don’t think that is the reason…”

“And yes, I do have a good heart.” He squishes you between his claw and chest, making you listen to the strong pounding inside.

You try to wiggle out of the bind. “Ponies may have bad hearing, but I think you have bad understanding. Two bads do not make a good. We must overcome our own bads before putting blame on others.” You cease your useless struggle. “But what do I know, I’m just a pony.”

“You’re my pony.” He puts you down and brushes through your mane with his claws. “A pretty pony.” He boops you on the muzzle. “Not evil like the rest of you ponies.”

“Yes, I’m your pony… I knew that even before I came here.” You look forlorn for a moment before laying on the big tail. “What do you wish for, dragon?”

“Just to bring closure to everycreature, I guess.” The dragon shrugs his shoulders. “Now stand still while I make a ponytail out of your mane. I’m going to make you even prettier than you already are.” He ties your mane together into a knot.

You force yourself to stay put even though it’s hard with all the tugging on your mane. “If you wish me to be your princess, where is my castle?” You ask teasingly.

The dragon jerks, throwing you off his tail. “I’ll build you one right now! Anything for my pretty princess. I just need to gather some construction materials.” The dragon jumps from one corner of the cave to another, throwing bones and hides before your hooves.

“I think I have a better idea. Come here please.”

Author's Note

Gdoc