DISCLAIMER: THIS PICTURE WAS NOT DRAWN BY ME. IT WAS DONE BY THE INCREDIBLY TALENTED   jpgr87

"Ta-da! What do you think, Shantae? Amazing, right? You still got your ponytail for all that baddie-whipping you do, but now you don't have to worry about the rest of that hair weighing you down! I told ya it'd be the perfect compromise! And stop being so darn bashful about it with that coy smile of yours - you look like a total knockout this way! I know, I know, I'm the best hairstylist you've ever had, no need to thank me...

"... Hmm? What's that? Where did I even get this idea from? Eh, my brother Poe plays this dorky tabletop game with tons of little figures and stuff, and one set of figures was rocking this hairstyle. What can I say? Inspiration can come from anywhere!"

Part 1: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/55332234/