The more Ocellus got to know Smolder, the more she found in common with her dragon friend. Smolder started to feel the same way about her. Both of them loved arts and crafts. Both of them loved bathing in lava. Soon enough, Ocellus found that she loved lava surfing. To Smolder’s surprise, she found that she started to love astronomy. In some sense, it was like opposites attracting – but in reality, they were not as different as they first seemed.

Ocellus always admired how tough and confident Smolder could act. Smolder always admired how a powerful creature like a changeling could be so gentle and kind. Moreover, both knew what it was like to be bad guys – and then reform. Each saw in the other something they longed to express in themselves. The more they started to bond, the more they started to like activities they had never liked before. To each of them, everything started to become more enjoyable when it became a way just to be with each other.

One day, Smolder introduced her best friend to her big brother – Garble. By this time, Ocellus was fully embracing her dragon form – especially in the Dragonlands. The two seemed to have a crush on each other almost immediately. To Ocellus, Garble was big and handsome. He looked kind of ugly, but she loved his manly appearance. Garble really loved Ocellus’s dragon form – cute and beautiful yet rugged, with just a little hint of delicateness. The two felt kind of shy, but it was partially masked by how big and confident they looked as dragons.

One day, for Hearts & Hooves Day, Celestia and Discord wanted to pull a great prank that tied into the power of love. Previously, Smolder got to destroy a city for a prank doubling as an urban renewal project. Now Celestia was inviting Smolder’s big brother – plus his new girlfriend – for a great big adventure. Along the coast, there was a great big sprawling city, where the forests had been replaced with miles of skyscrapers. Garble thought, it would be a wonderful place for some fun at the beach – if he could be much bigger.

Celestia and Discord were thinking the same thing. With a sudden burst of magic from the Crystal Heart, Garble and Ocellus found themselves far bigger than they could have dreamed of. At first, they weren’t sure where they were. It looked like a flat coastal plain with gray sand and dirt. Then they realized … they were standing on a great big megalopolis. They were so massive – skyscrapers were like sand under their feet! They had a nice relaxing walk, enjoying the feelings of buildings crumbling under their feet and between their toes. Afterward, the two sat down for a bit of a picnic. Not to eat anything – but just to talk and enjoy each other’s company.

As Garble and Ocellus talked, they wiggled their toes. Many city blocks were trapped between their toes – and it felt so good feeling them crumble like sandcastles! The two loved the feeling of sand and dirt between their toes. For it to be the remains of great civilizations made it feel especially satisfying. By now, they must have stepped on millions of people. And tens of thousands were probably caught between their toes and under their feet. But there was no need to worry – Celestia could honestly assure them that no creatures were harmed as part of this silly cartoon.

In the history of the world, this was probably the most loving and romantic apocalypse. At first glance, the two dragons seemed terrifying – especially Garble. But one couldn’t help but appreciate how gentle and kind they seemed to be to each other. It almost seemed like an honor that they should find this city a worthy place to wipe out for a romantic get-together. Their looming feet and their looming bodies made the city look much more beautiful.

With each footstep, Garble and Ocellus could end one civilization after another. Every step was like a miniature apocalypse. Even wiggling their toes could cause world-changing events. But by the next episode, everything would be almost as if nothing had happened.

Garble wondered, how could a sweet girl like Ocellus enjoy destroying cities? Ocellus reminded him – she’s a reformed villain, too! Both of them love the feeling of power from having others helpless and at the mercy of their feet. But these days, they don’t want to hurt anyone – they want everyone to have fun with them!

Ocellus really loves her dragon form. She feels so much more powerful and confident!

Art by Rai-Kun. Colors slightly edited by me.