Lionfish blinked at the dragons before her. The three dragonets she had seen talking to Fishscale were drawing in the sand. Another dragonet, one older than her, was growling about something she couldn't recognize. And, in the corner by herself, was the dragonet Lionfish had seen in the current. The dragonet looked up and smiled, then swam over. 'Fishsticks,' Lionfish cursed in her mind, not daring to flash it. She wasn't that brave, was she? To be mad just because someone wanted to talk to her? /Hello,/ the dragonet flashed. /Who are you? I haven't seen you around here before./ Lionfish gulped. /I worked for the queen,/ she explained. /In the Island Palace. Not here./ /Woah- you worked for the queen?/ the dragonet flashed. /I guess,/ Lionfish flashed, unsure how to take compliments. /That's interesting. What's your name?/ /Challenger. You?/ /Lionfish./ Lionfish rested on a rock jutting out of the ocean. Nearby a group of dragonets played a game. Lionfish snorted. "LION!" Screeched a voice, shooting up in front of her. Lionfish jerked back. "WHAT THE FLOUNDER!" She cursed, then blinked at the dragon, who was climbing onto the rock. "WHAT THE FISHIES!" Lionfish cursed again. "Challenger!" Challenger snorted. "Guess what!" Lionfish sighed. "Lemme guess; someone is new? Fishscale is retiring?" Challenger huffed. "Nooooo. The queen- ANGLER- is HERE!" she said, half whispering. The SeaWing dragonet flicked her tail at a large, bright blue dragon sitting on the beach. She was talking with someone else, a dragon with yellowish, greenish scales. "FISHSTICKS!" Lionfish cursed scrambling up. "GAH SHE'S HERE!" Lionfish leaped into the water, Challenger behind her. Challenger swam beside the darker SeaWing, her face twisted in confusion. /What's wrong with the queen?/ she flashed, swimming in font of Lionfish to block her. Lionfish flicked her tail. /My father,/ she flashed simply, then pushed pass Challenger. The SeaWing climbed onto the beach, making Tang glance at the two dragonets. "Little Lion!" He exclaimed, opening his wings. "This is Queen Angler. You worked in her palace a while ago, but from my recollection, you never met her." Lionfish looked at the queen. She was larger than Tang, with pearls wrapped around her neck and horns. Her snout was crinkled as she looked around in disdain. Her bright blue scales were almost blinding, and her white claws were polished to perfection. She was worse than Lionfish feared. "Your highness," said Challenger, coming up from behind Lionfish. "An honor to meet you. Perhaps I co-" The queen flicked her talon. "Interesting. A peasant talking to ME. How... disgusting. Tang, should we talk in private?" Tang blinked. "Yes, of course, your majesty. Could Lionfish join?" Angler looked over Lionfish. "She's a little... young. Just like that Delta. Now, where should we talk?" "The Summer Palace, perhaps?" Angler nodded and slunk into the water, Tang behind her. "WHAT THE FISH GUPPIES!" Challenger screeched. Lionfish jumped back, her eyes wide. "THREE MOONS WHAT A FLOUNDER!" Lionfish snorted. "Understatement of the year."
"Lionfish would've been able to come, your h-" "Quiet, Tang. She's a dragonet." Tang sighed. He knew first-talon how hard it was to convince the queen. "Yes, of course. What was it that was so urgent?" "Delta, your niece I believe, has been demoted of her position. Not only that, but she refused to leave the palace. I will send her into exile if she doesn't get her act together. Your sister died from a disease recently, making Delta an orphan, and she does not have a home. You will have to take care of the little brat." Tang gulped. Delta, while a strong young dragon, wasn't the kindest or well-mannered. "What sickness did Fish-fiddle get?" he asked cautiously. "Vibrio vulnificus," Angler said coldly, her eyes focused on something over Tang's shoulder. Tang gulped. "Sa- what? I thought that was gone, since the wipeout of a town SeaWings." "It came back, apparently. Calm down, Tang. Well just quarantine them again." Tang sighed. Lionfish wasn't safe with this illness. She was never safe, really. Not if anyone found out about who she really was. "Is that all?" Angler sighed. "Impatient, Tang. We need to gather the council. You wait in your spot while I gather everyone else." Tang watched the queen go, feeling helpless. (FUN FACT: Vibrio vulnificus is a real disease. It also killed Sapphire. YEEEEE)
