If Cadenza had known there was a chance of failure, perhaps they would not have gotten to where they were, held back by anxiety. There were very few things that could deter them from the idea of having their own children now, but that would have been one of them.

But Cadenza had not hesitated a moment since they had first seen the glowing fish and knew this was the perfect opportunity. They had not paused to accept the stone from Tourmaline to add to their potential brood, instead taking it eagerly.

And now here they were, on the shores of Leo. Just high enough on the sands that the water did not quite reach even at the highest point. Cadenza had carefully observed it to be certain.

They had decided to begin with the stone they had last acquired, a pyrite stone. They focused on the stone with their magic, and they desperately wished to give it life.

Cadenza could feel their magic bloom within the stone, and they felt a great deal of love for it already. After all, it was their child.

Since they had already begun going in the reverse order of when they had acquired the stones, Cadenza decided the Pink Diamond from one of the two glowing fish would be next.

The deer-dragon placed the gem on the sandy shores, and they focused upon it. Contentedness practically radiated from Cadenza.

In this one too, the magic took. Not that Cadenza was aware of any other potential result. They gazed adoringly on the growing chrysalis.

Last was the stone that Cadenza could not help but hold particularly dear. The first stone they had acquired from the glowing fish, the Purple Amethyst. They would love all there children equally, of course. Cadenza could not even fathom doing any other path regarding that.

But the stone itself was special, if only for being the stone that had started it all. They focused both their love and magic upon the stone.

And, miraculously (not that they knew they could fail), the third and final stone took.

The chrysalises had begun to grow, and Cadenza was full of contentment and love. They very much wanted to call their dragon-dad over, but... They were rather drained after giving life to three stones. A nap first would not hurt.

Cadenza curled their large body around the three growing chrysalises protectively.

Not for a moment would they leave their children alone before they hatched, the deer-dragon decided. They needed to keep their children safe.

Their children...

It was an amazing thought that stayed prominent in their mind as they drifted off to sleep.

[Exit Cadenza]