AN: Hello, everyone! I'm honestly shocked that it's been over a year and a half since I last updated this story; real life got in the way for a while, and after that I think I just totally forgot most of what I had planned for this story. I'm putting it back together, though, and I like where it's going now, so I guess it's all for the best! For those of you who have been following this story since before that huge gap, welcome back and thank you so much for your patience, and for those of you who are new, I hope you've been enjoying the story so far!

Thank you all for reading! Like always, I'd love to hear what you guys think, but most importantly, enjoy!

Finding the Hatchery took much longer than it logistically should have, and Orca couldn't honestly say she was sorry about that. Searching for something for an extended period of time was usually an interesting experience, especially if it was a team effort. And being on a team could teach one quite a lot about its members.

Orca never objected to being with her youngest brother, and this Pufferfish dragon was quite cute, really, with his dark blue scales and bright green eyes. It was a shame he was only a worker here at the Deep Palace instead of some kind of fancy noble.

Coral would definitely object to Orca trying to court him this way.

Not that he wanted to court her—at least, not yet. The poor dragon seemed frankly terrified of her, something which had the potential to become tedious down the currents but which she found immensely amusing at the moment. He kept shooting her nervous glances out of the corner of his eye whenever she swam sort of close to him.

They circled the palace, hoping that it would be clear which of the rooms branching off the Deep Palace was the Hatchery. Orca couldn't remember what it was supposed to look like, because she honestly couldn't care less about a bunch of eggs.

It's not like they can do anything besides hatch, she thought. It was once the shells broke, the smooth orb giving way to horns and wings and claws, that they would be truly interesting. All dragons were, to her, in one way or another. Even the stupidest dragons could be fascinating, because they were the ones who could be manipulated most easily; a few words here, the right amount of attention, and they'd belong to you.

I'm sure Blister knows that, she thought. But Mother doesn't.

But that wasn't surprising to any dragon who had spent more than a few hours in conversation with Orca's mother. Queen Coral had never been the image of royalty that Orca always turned to. It was their historical leaders she admired most.

Queen Algae the Wise was her personal favorite, her animus patron saint, but there were also Queen Saline the Great and Queen Mysid the Peacemaker, among others.

It had been disappointing to her to learn that animus dragons couldn't bring back the dead. Orca would've given almost anything, even half her soul, for a chance to talk with her ancestors. They were dragons who had shaped history and who had held the same power she'd longed for ever since she'd learned what being a princess meant. They'd created the whole Sea Kingdom as she knew it, and they'd even created her.

All of their actions over the course of history had ultimately led to her being here right now. Orca knew that one day she'd be each of their greatest achievements.

She wasn't ready yet. But Orca knew patience like she knew her own scales. She could wait at least until she was full grown, and spend the rest of the time (two-and-a-half years) until then studying history until she knew better than to make any of her ancestors' mistakes. She already knew better than to make Coral's.

Honestly, I don't know how I came out of one of her eggs, she thought. I hope the rest of these dragonets take after my brothers and me instead of after her.

Teal didn't know where the Hatchery was, either. Though he had an excellent eye for detail and great memory, he could never be bothered memorizing maps and similar charts, which he found boring. It didn't really matter much, though, in the long run; he never went anywhere alone anyway, preferring to stay in his room with a scroll whenever he wasn't obligated to be someplace else.

I can stop at the kitchens and ask one of my fellow workers for directions, Puff offered, but Orca brushed off the suggestion. She didn't like mingling with other dragons. The only major downside to having a massive number of wild rumors following her around was that dragons were always whispering when she was in a room with them, and that could be immensely distracting. After a while, it itched her ears.

It could be this way, she suggested, pointing in a random direction that looked like it might be promising. We haven't checked over here yet.

That's assuming the Hatchery is even attached to the Deep Palace, Puff pointed out. We might be looking in entirely the wrong place.

I think you have to take some currents to get there, Teal offered helpfully.

Probably, said Orca, rolling her eyes.

I'm going to stop and ask someone, decided Puff. I'll be right back. He swam off quickly back towards the Deep Palace, leaving Orca and Teal behind.

Oh, that's interesting, she thought. Normally, dragons did as she said, even when she could tell they didn't agree with her. Pufferfish, despite being afraid of her, apparently had no qualms about openly disagreeing with and even going against what she wanted.

For a moment, Orca wasn't sure how to feel about that. She was going to be queen one day, and disobedience wasn't something she was going to want to deal with.

But then again, she had other ways of securing obedience than just intimidation. And as much as she trusted her own mind over everyone else's, she supposed that being around dragons with different points of view could be beneficial.

Mindless servants would be boring. Independent, loyal ones would be invaluable.

She knew this because she'd read about it. Coral was the only SeaWing queen who wasted her time on poorly-written novels and plays and other dramatic nonsense, but she wasn't the only queen who'd decided to leave a legacy in writing as well as blood. Several of the queens had either chronicled their own reigns or chosen a scribe, usually one of their brothers, to do it for them. Orca had spent countless hours in the library poring over the books of her ancestors until she felt like she knew each of them.

One day, she supposed, she'd probably write her own.

What title will they give me in all the history scrolls? she wondered; it was her go-to topic whenever she had time to kill. Queen Orca the Shrewd? Orca the Magnificent?

Those might be accurate, but they were typical titles for royalty. Hers needed to be something that would make a lasting impression on everyone who heard of her.

How about Queen Orca the Undefeated?

That had quite the ring to it.

To earn that title, though, she'd have to win the current war for Blister. And she'd have to make it through the entirety of her reign without being overthrown in a challenge, until she died peacefully of old age. Or something like that.

Orca didn't like thinking about her own mortality.

Slowly but steadily aging, becoming old and feeble, was not a pleasant idea to dwell on. It made Orca's scales itch and it made her hate waiting, which she was normally very good at. She had to take deep breaths and remind herself that she was young and healthy right now, and that it would be a very long time—unimaginable to a dragon as young as herself—before she started to feel the effects of age.

But even though she could put it temporarily out of mind, growing old was the one thing that Orca truly feared. It was the one thing that came back to her at night and kept her awake for hours, tossing and turning in the darkness.

Thankfully, Puff returned quickly with the information they needed. It turned out that the Hatchery was indeed a few currents away, and the staff member who Puff had asked had helpfully sketched out a map of the ones they needed to take.

Puff held onto the scrap of paper and led the way, Orca and Teal following him.

Orca wanted to hear the other dragonet speak more. She flashed the stripes on her wings to get his attention and then said, You told me you're new to the Deep Palace. So where did you come from? The Summer Palace, perhaps?

Puff just looked at her for a moment, his reaction slightly delayed. No, I've never been to either of the palaces until a few weeks ago. Before this, I was located at one of the bases at the kingdom's outskirts. My parents are soldiers there.

You don't speak Aquatic there? Teal asked curiously.

Puff looked startled. Not much, actually. We spend most of our time above water. But I didn't say anything about that just now.

I know, said Teal. But I could tell. It takes you a while to hear what Orca's saying.

Puff was silent for a moment, perhaps trying to work out exactly what Teal meant by that. I'm better at it now than I was when I first got here, he responded eventually. But Orca's Aquatic is a little tricky to follow. She doesn't use tone modifiers.

Orca let out an amused huff. Few dragons would be so straightforward about what could potentially be seen as criticism of the kingdom's only heir. But she doubted Puff realized he was being daring. He was just saying what he thought. Usually, Teal was the only dragon who was so straightforward about whatever he said.

Teal shrugged. She doesn't really need to. I can always tell what she means.

That's because you're my brother, said Orca. Puff doesn't know me yet.

Yet? asked the navy dragonet warily.

You're interesting, she explained, smiling. Why wouldn't I want to know you?

Besides, Teal seemed to have taken an immediate liking to the skittish blue dragon, and Teal's first impressions were nearly always right. That meant Pufferfish was worth keeping around, even if he didn't always listen to orders.

Puff didn't respond to that. Orca doubted he knew how, and by the time he figured it out, the moment to reply had passed. But she wasn't ready to drop the conversation.

So what do you like to do? she pressed on.

He hesitated, as if worried that she had some kind of ulterior motive or that she would laugh at his answer. I play the cello, he said at last, or at least I did before I came here. It's not really possible to make music underwater.

Orca tilted her head to one side, intrigued. I've never really listened to music.

I doubt most SeaWings have, he responded, looking disappointed.

You'll have to play for me sometime, she said, genuinely curious. I like learning new things; I'd like to learn about musical instruments. Not that I'll probably be able to tell if your music is very good. You could play your absolute worst and I'd probably just applaud because I'd assume that's what the cello is supposed to sound like.

He stifled his laugh, as if worried she might not be joking. She grinned in response to assure him that she was. Although she did sort of mean it, too.

So what else do you like to do? she prompted.

I guess I enjoy cooking, he said. Since I work in the kitchens.

I like to work with sharp objects, too, Orca said. But I sculpt stone, not food.

I know, Puff responded. I've seen some of your work.

What did you think of it?

Your sculptures? They're… nice. The pause was just a little too long.

You can tell me how you really feel, she said. I don't bite.

Puff looked like he very much doubted that.

Honestly? he said. They're kind of creepy. I feel like they're watching me.

See? That's a compliment! And you actually meant it this time.

I… didn't realize that was a compliment, Puff admitted. You like scaring dragons?

It can be highly entertaining sometimes, Orca said, laughing. But that's not what I meant. If you feel like my statues are watching you, that means they seem real. Alive. And that's the biggest compliment you can give an artist.

Oh, he said, looking thoughtful. That's interesting.

Orca was pleased to see that most of the nervousness had left his expression. He seemed more genuinely intrigued by her than frightened now.

She studied his back as they swam onward. It was useful to know that Puff wasn't experienced in Aquatic. She could see it easily now that Teal had pointed it out, but she wouldn't have thought of that on her own, at least not right away.

It wasn't much longer before the current they'd been riding ended and they were deposited at the entrance to another, smaller reef. By studying the shape of it, Orca could tell that it was technically still a part of the Deep Palace, but not one she had ever been to before. It didn't look at all familiar. She hadn't expected to remember it, but she was sort of surprised she didn't feel any kind of attachment to the place where she'd taken her first breath. There was no deep-seated recognition, no feeling of warmth.

Is this it? she asked the others.

They seemed equally at a loss. There was nothing about this section of the Deep Palace that screamed eggs hatch here!, at least not from the outside.

I guess we should just go inside, said Puff. And hopefully some guard will realize we're lost, take pity on us, and point us in the right direction.

Right, said Orca, flicking her tail decisively. Let's go.

As they swam into this unfamiliar part of the palace, Teal gazed up at the ceiling. He looked absentminded, but Orca knew that he was having some kind of deep thoughts beneath the surface. He always was, even if she could never tell what those deep thoughts were. Her youngest brother had always been a bit of an enigma, even to Orca herself, who understood him best out of anyone in the kingdom.

Thankfully, the building had a very simple structure. There was only one entrance, which led to a straight hallway with only a single doorway at the opposite end. A pair of guards were stationed on either side of the doorway; they nodded respectfully to Orca as she approached. One also nodded tentatively to Teal, who only blinked back.

Pufferfish hesitated in the doorway, as if unsure about whether he was supposed to still be there, but Orca curled her tail around his wrist and pulled him through with her. He gave her a confused look, which she deliberately ignored.

Everyone else had already gathered in the Hatchery. They turned to look at Orca and her entourage as they swam in. Gill and Gyre looked relieved, while Brine wore his resting smug expression, and Coral seemed a bit put out for some reason.

Was it because she'd been worried that Orca and Teal might miss the hatching? Or was it because she'd noticed Puff and disapproved of Orca's bringing a mere servant with her to such an important family gathering?

It was probably the latter, but it would be easy enough to pretend it was the former.

Sorry I'm late, Orca said, adding an apologetic tone modifier that she didn't really mean. I didn't know where the Hatchery was. But Pufferfish here helped Teal and I find it. Puff, these are my parents, Queen Coral and King Gill, and my brothers, Brine and Gyre. Oh, and my cousin, Moray. She gestured to each of them in turn; she almost hadn't noticed Moray, who was lurking by the far wall of the Hatchery as if she was as unenthused about this as Orca herself. And those are the eggs, obviously.

Brine gave her a puzzled look, as if he didn't understand what she was trying to accomplish by introducing Puff to their family. Orca only smiled. Her older brother and their parents could be snobbish at times, without even realizing it, but ultimately she was the heir. She could associate with whoever she wanted. And they'd understand that later, if she and Puff started to spend more time together.

She hoped they would. It was refreshing being around someone who didn't know exactly how to be polite. Dragons who didn't were the only ones she could count on to be completely honest with her. And honest dragons were rare and valuable.

So I have to make him like me, she surmised to herself. This should be interesting.

She'd never really had to win anyone over before. All the dragons she'd met either liked her or feared her, and she had never particularly cared which. Perhaps this would be a good opportunity to find out if she could follow in Blister's charismatic footsteps.

Thank you for escorting our children here, said Gill, nodding politely. He didn't think Puff was important, but he always treated dragons like they were anyway.

My pleasure, Your Majesty, responded Puff, bowing deeply.

Brine looked mollified by the gesture. Coral merely turned away, as if keeping Puff out of sight would banish him from her mind as well.

Everyone returned their attention to the eggs, which were positioned in a way that seemed to intentionally build suspense. Each egg had its own nest, which was large and bowl-shaped, so that the egg couldn't roll itself out with the vigorous motions of hatching. The nests were elevated off the floor of the hatchery, which was completely covered in steam vents to warm the water in the room.

The eggs were fidgeting in their nests. Every once in a while one gave a particularly fierce wiggle that attracted everyone's attention, only to relax again a moment later. They seemed to be competing to see which one could make the most dramatic arrival.

It looked like this would take a while longer.

Orca folded her wings back.

I can't wait to have more brothers, she said to Coral. I can teach them everything I know. Maybe I'll make one of them into a miniature, male version of me.

Well, you're only getting one more brother today, her mother responded, looking amused. The other two will be sisters, and they'll need you to show them the best way to be a princess. I know you'll be a great role model.

Orca didn't respond.

I've never had a sister before, she realized, unsure of how to feel about that. She was startled to realize that the idea had never occurred to her. She'd always been the only daughter, and she'd somehow assumed she always would be. Sisters are just like brothers, right? Except… they can also take the throne. And they'll probably also want the throne, regardless of any sister who was already here first. I have magic, so they probably wouldn't be able to defeat me, but… what if one of them turns out to be an animus, too? Then they'd be extremely dangerous. Maybe even stronger than me. I could actually lose a challenge from another animus.

Suddenly, she felt a lot less secure. Danger crept along her spine.

Aren't they beautiful? said Coral, interrupting her silent thoughts. Orca's mother was gazing proudly at the gently rocking eggs. One had started to crack, but the other two still seemed content to take their time. For now.

Orca obligingly nodded, privately coming to her own decision.

If her future sisters really were a danger to her, then she'd simply have to eliminate that danger. Right now, she was powerful and they were powerless. But they wouldn't be powerless for much longer. She had to act now.

Can I touch them? she asked. They're just so… fascinating.

Coral beamed, apparently pleased by Orca's big sisterly instincts. You can as long as you're gentle with them, darling. And I know I don't have to worry about that.

Orca swam up to the two female eggs, one pale blue and the other pea green, resting one set of webbed talons on each of them. They were smooth to the touch, and warm.

Orca had never seen anything in her precious scrolls about animus powers being able to enchant dragons, which made sense—they weren't really objects. But eggs were a different story. Perhaps she couldn't do anything with the egg as a whole, but she couldn't come up with any reason why she wouldn't be able to put a spell on their shells.

She didn't have a lot of time to think it out, but she was careful to keep her wording specific so that the spell wouldn't go awry. It had to be straightforward enough that she would see the results she wanted, but vague enough that those results couldn't be pinned down as magic. She couldn't afford to rush.

Uncertainty would not make her reckless.

Still, within a few moments, Orca was ready.

I enchant these eggshells, she thought, to curse the unhatched dragonets inside so that their lives will be full of misfortunate accidents, which will ultimately cause both of them to die before they reach adulthood or challenge for the throne.

For the first time, she felt the spell she'd casted take effect—although the Hatchery was very warm, a sudden chill ran beneath her scales. Her whole body stiffened for a few seconds, as if her own muscles were momentarily beyond her control.

Heart pounding, Orca did her best to shake off the ominous feeling.

She couldn't help but feel uneasy about what she'd just done. However useful this spell would be, perhaps it was still too big of an enchantment to cast. It might have just taken something crucial away from her, something she'd never get back.

But… she also felt safer. No sister could really threaten her now.

This has to be the smartest choice, she thought. Right?

She backed away from the eggs and waited.

I remember when you and your brothers hatched, Coral recalled fondly, oblivious to Orca's actions and the resulting shift in her mood. You've all grown up so much since then, but somehow it still seems like it was just yesterday!

Teal, on the other talon, gave Orca a concerned look. She shook her head slightly and he blinked back, understanding that she didn't want to talk about it. Even if she did get the urge to confess her worries, Teal wouldn't understand. She'd never told him, or anyone, that she was an animus, and she didn't intend to.

Orca glanced sideways at the queen, curious. She, of course, could not remember anything about the earliest part of her life, but she wanted to see where her mother was going with this. Had Coral looked down at her newly hatched daughter and been able to see, even then, how much potential she had?

One day (one day soon), Orca would be queen.

The four of you were always together, her mother reminisced, roughhousing and playing games of your own invention. You were always much closer than I was with any of my siblings. In a way, you were like a bunch of MudWings!

I was worried about Teal, because he didn't learn to talk until he was almost a year old. Your father and I were convinced that he never would. But Orca, you were always with him, talking to him. You never seemed to think of him as being any different from you and Gyre and Brine. And eventually, he started talking back. You taught him how to speak, when no one else could get a word out of him.

I did? Orca asked. She didn't remember that at all.

She glanced at Teal, wondering what he made of Coral's story, but he just blinked, unconcerned. Even though she'd forgotten all about teaching him how to talk, it was more likely than not that her brother had not forgotten.

You don't give up on dragons, he said. That's why you're my favorite sister.

Orca laughed. Teal, I'm your only sister.

He only shrugged, as if that point were debatable.

Not for long, Coral agreed, nodding towards the eggs.

Orca didn't respond. Yes, I might have sisters soon, she thought, flicking her tail with grim satisfaction. But thanks to my spell, that's what really won't be for long.

Just as she thought that, the first egg gave shuddered violently. A moment later, it split open, revealing the only male dragonet of the hatching. A shard of eggshell clung to the top of his head, but he shook himself vigorously and it floated away.

The pea green dragonet looked just like a miniature version of Gill. All of the bigger dragons immediately began to crowd around him, cooing in Aquatic.

He was still tiny, but Orca could already tell that he'd probably grow up to be big and stocky like Gyre and her father. The familial resemblance was charming.

Hello, brother, she said in Aquatic, smiling.

He looked up at all of the watching dragons with curious eyes.

Coral swam closer and scooped the newborn up in her talons. Isn't he perfect?

Orca nodded in agreement. She wasn't worried about him.

There was a loud cracking sound, and she turned her head just in time to see the other green egg collapse. The dragonet inside squeaked triumphantly.

She was the same color as the male, but a little smaller, with pale blue eyes instead of green. She stretched her tiny wings, seeming to marvel at the wide open world she'd discovered outside of her eggshell. She stumbled forward, already eager to explore.

Coral smiled down at the dragonet, as if this new daughter was the best thing she had ever seen. She wrapped her tail around the newborn in a gentle embrace, careful to keep the narwhal horn at the tip out of reach. Welcome to the world, little one.

Orca tried not to feel jealous, which was absurd. She had never once cared about her mother's attention. So what if Coral replaced her with a new favorite? That would only make killing Coral in a challenge for the throne even easier.

I was here first, she thought. I'm the heir. These dragonets are nobodies.

She turned her attention to the last egg instead, not wanting to look at her mother's radiant expression. It was rocking back and forth, and a small grunting sound came from within, as if the dragonet was frustrated by the confinement of her eggshell.

Suddenly, the egg rolled towards Orca, pitching itself over the edge of the nest. She instinctively held out her talons to stop it, only for the shell to splinter and the dragonet inside to tumble head-over-heels into her chest. The impact was too small to hurt, but it did startle her. Suddenly she was holding not an egg, but a living dragonet.

She blinked, and saw that the dragonet was looking up at her from upside down, her tiny feet pointing up towards the ceiling and her wings splayed out to both sides. The dragonet's short tail was hanging down in front of her face. Her scales were the same pale blue as the egg had been, her eyes a much darker shade of the same color.

After a moment, the dragonet's round eyes shifted from her older sister to her tail, which she grabbed gleefully between her talons and nibbled on experimentally.

Orca barked a surprised laugh.

Strange little creature, she said in Aquatic, amused despite herself.

Reaching out, she picked up the dragonet and set it down right side up in the nest. She could easily lift it with one hand; the dragonet weighed less than a paperweight. Once she put it down, it stood up and took a wobbling step towards her.

They're all so wonderful, said Coral, beaming. Three perfect dragonets.

What are you going to name them? asked Gyre.

She paused for a moment, gazing intently at the tiny dragonets in front of her as if they were the only things that mattered. They were all starting to try walking around in their nests. Gill, what do you think of Swordfish for the male?

That's a wonderful name, Orca's father agreed.

The newly-named Swordfish sniffed at his own tail, and then blew a small bubble out of his nostrils. He watched it float up to the ceiling of the hatchery. When it popped, the dragonet let out a delighted squeak, repeating the process.

Orca couldn't help but smile at his antics. She supposed her new brother was the only one she'd grow to care about. He was already starting to win her over. Despite being a tiny, almost mindless creature, he really was quite cute.

How about Chartreuse for the green female? Gill suggested.

Coral nodded. Chartreuse. I like it.

Chartreuse peered over the edge of her nest, curiously. She took a step off the edge, and Gyre leapt to catch her before she sank to the bottom of the Hatchery.

Be careful, he scolded gently. You'll frighten everyone doing things like that!

She'll be fine, said Gill. The geysers would've prevented it from being too bad of a fall. But it's reassuring to know that the four of you will be looking out for her.

Was that my spell already taking effect? Orca couldn't help but wonder. Or is it just that newly-hatched dragonets are naturally clumsy?

What about the last one? asked Brine, nodding to the little blue dragonet.

Orca looked down at the dragonet in question. It was now reaching out for her leg with tiny talons. Orca backed away hurriedly. The dragonet squeaked.

Everyone had turned to look at the third dragonet. Brine and Gyre looked amused by how much the hatchling was flustering Orca, while Teal was just curious. He seemed to be fascinated by the little dragonets that had been motionless eggs only a few days before. Orca wondered what was going on inside his head.

Even Pufferfish was hiding a smile. Orca flicked him with her tail.

Gill laughed, a cloud of bubbles streaming from his snout. It seems she's already taken a liking to you, Orca. And she's certainly an adventurous one.

Yeah, yeah, said Orca, shooing at the dragonet with her wings as she edged away. I like her too, but that doesn't mean I want her climbing all over me.

It was a lie. She couldn't care less about the tiny creature. All that mattered was that it wasn't an animus and wasn't going to steal the throne that was rightfully hers.

But she couldn't let anyone know how much she resented the idea of having sisters. They'd be gone soon enough. All Orca had to do was wait patiently for her spell to take effect. And she was a master of patience; she always had been.

She looks like she's made out of clear water, Coral said. How about Lucid?

Gill voiced agreement. Perfect. Swordfish, Chartreuse, and Lucid.

Now that the main event of the hatching was over, everyone began to remark about how lovely all three of the dragonets were and how exciting it would be to have new members of their family. Coral was commenting on how this dragonet had inherited her nose and this one had her grandmother's ears and that one's tail looked just like her father's. Gill scooped up an already sleeping Swordfish and cradled the dragonet in his arms. Brine and Gyre, who were usually nearly opposites, were chatting excitedly about what the dragonets' personalities might be like, and all the things they wanted to teach them. Even Teal seemed totally absorbed by the new dragonets, flicking the tip of his tail and watching attentively as Chartreuse pounced on it.

Pufferfish and Moray were still there, but no one payed them any attention. They were all fixated on the newest prince and princesses. Puff was looking down awkwardly at his talons. Orca wondered distractedly if she was imagining the frosty look on Moray's face as she watched Lucid bat at stray bubbles.

Meanwhile, Orca's spell was running through her mind on repeat.

Don't dwell on it now, she told herself. It's done. It's as if they're already dead.

Every once in a while, someone would say something to Orca. She wasn't paying much attention, but she smiled and nodded and agreed. No one noticed how distracted she was, too caught up in the excitement of watching the new dragonets.

No one except Puff.

Are you okay? he asked in Aquatic.

Orca shook herself. Yes, I'm fine. It's just a lot to take in.

No one would ever know how she really felt.

And no one would ever know what she'd done.