(Nine Years Ago)
Isopod and Viperfish looked at the dark-green egg resting in the hatchery. A few cracks were showing through, and they waited anxiously for it to hatch. Isopod looked at Viperfish and asked in Aquatic, What should we name him? It should be something subtle yet dangerous.
Viperfish looked back at her husband and said, What about Angler? It's very dangerous but it looks simply odd, after all. Not to mention it's related to my family name.
Isopod thought for a few moments. What if we name him after an aquatic phenomenon? How about Shorebreak or Surge?
Viperfish considered what Isopod said. Surge is too blaringly militant, and Shorebreak sounds too common. How about Whirlpool?
Isopod smiled. That's perfect. A force striking without warning and completely unstoppable once one gets far enough in. Better yet, the name sounds quite innocent without sounding suspiciously innocent.
Viperfish nodded. Whirlpool it is. I hope he likes it.
Isopod said, I think he will. After all, with a scientist as his father and a spymaster as his mother, he would love a name so deceptive.
The dragons smiled at Whirlpool's egg, which appeared almost ready to hatch. Viperfish said slowly, I think… he'll do things beyond what we can imagine. Whatever field he chooses, he will excel more than anyone alive. He has some of the most potent genes in the kingdom, and he's of noble blood. He may even be king one day.
A few minutes went by with Isopod and Viperfish staring intently at Whirlpool's egg. The cracks were now quite wide. A moment later, a cute little dark green hatchling poked his head out. He smiled eerily. He smiled the way a dragon smiles when he or she knows a secret that can be used against someone. It was truly unsettling to see an adult expression on a hatchling, especially one as adorable as he was.
Whirlpool sneezed, bubbles shooting out of his nose. He looked at his parents. A few flashes of light came out of his photophores. It didn't mean anything coherent, but a rough translation would be Igubkigsody. Viperfish picked Whirlpool up and swam out of the hatchery, Isopod close behind.
Whirlpool poked his head out of the water. It had taken several minutes of coaxing from his parents to get him to start breathing air, but holding some fish pulp just out of the water did the trick. Whirlpool snapped up the fish in a few small gulps. He made an indecipherable happy sound and swam next to his mother.
Viperfish hugged him close. "You're my little Whirlpool. You are going to be the most important SeaWing who isn't of royal blood. You will do great things someday because you have the greatest gift. Not of blood, strength, or political power, but of intellect. Nothing cuts deeper or strikes faster than intellect. Not even magic."
Whirlpool peered at his mother. He wasn't old enough to understand what she said, but he felt the comfort of her words and the tone of kindness. He snuggled close against her side.