The Lioness Prince (A Larry Stylinson Fan-Fiction.)

Prologue

I unsheath my claws and growl low in my throat, making the small cement room rumble with vibrations. I slowly run my claws across the cement floor, and it makes the screeching noise that I want.

"Would you please stop it with the nail screeching! I'm getting a head ache and you're not helping it at all!" The guard roars into my cell and I smile, showing my shiny, sharp teeth and laughing.

"Then let me out," I demand, and the shadow of the guard that I could see on the farthest wall from me slumps forward in annoyance.

"I'm bound by the law of the pride. I am never to let you out of your containment cell until you promise not to rebel against the council," he explains, and I roll my bright blue eyes.

"The council put me in this cell because I am different and 'poisonous to the pride,'" I growl, and the guard sighs.

"I would help you. I really would, but the law binds me to my duty. I don't like the council. No one does, but rules are rules. I have to follow them," he explains once again, and I form back into my human self and sit up against the cell door.

A heavy breath escapes my lungs, and I hang my head in misery. "Why can't they accept me for who I am? So what if I'm a male lioness? I'm still a living person with feelings!" I cry out and rest my head in my hands. "No one's going to accept me, Richard."

The guard by the name of Richard steps over to my cell's door and reaches through the single hole. "Louis, I just want you to know that I think you're perfect just the way you are," he smiles down through the hole, and I look up and sigh.

"That's only because you know me. They don't."

He pets my feathery, caramel hair, and I sigh. I form into my feline self and purr; my head instantly lifting for more of the affectionate stroking.

"If only the council could see your true colors," Richard sighs and continues to run his fingers through my fur, every once in a while scratching behind my ears.

~*~

[Next day.]

I prowl around the room, growing more and more agitated as I hear Richard talking with the owner of the prison with hushed voices. My tail furiously flicks from side to side, and my claws sheath and unsheathe. It's not like I can't hear them. Some people need to understand that lions hear a lot better than humans do.

"Could he at least have one more chance? I know that's asking for a lot, but he's dear to me. I don't want to lose him," Richard begs, and I can hear the other man sigh.

"I'm sorry, but the president made his decision. Louis is to be transported to another pride and cut off of all communications with his family, friends, and this pride," the owner explains.

Richard sighs and deeply breathes in before murmuring out, "It shall be done."

I scrunch my eyebrows in hurt. The realization that this is really happening drops a heavy rock into my stomach. I hear the footsteps of the owner leave, and the footsteps of Richard come closer. At that moment I felt like puking.

"I'm so sorry, but-"

"Save your breath. I heard the whole conversation," I whisper, and I could feel Richard's agony pour through the hole in the door. My eyes close, and I can feel the tears beginning to brim the edges of my eyes. "I am going to be transported to a new pride. I get it. The president's going to get rid of me," I breathe out, and I curl my tail around my paws and hang my head.

"I tried to reason with him, Lou," Richard confesses, and I nod and let the tears fall down my furry cheeks.

A silence covers us like a blanket, and all I could do at this point was cry. I was going away. I'd never see my mother or siblings again. My broken sobs echoed throughout my cell and the prison. I lift a paw and rub at my face to try and calm myself, and before I had time to think, the door to my cell was being unlocked and swung open.

"Richard, what the hell are you doing? Close the door!" I yell, and the tall man with jet black hair and amber eyes shook his head and got down onto his knees.

He grabbed my shoulders and looked deep into my eyes. "Go. Escape this prison. Make a new life for yourself on your own terms," he whispers fast, and my eyes widen, my body unable to move.

My mouth opens to speak, but words cannot express how I feel right now. Eventually, I choke on a sob and whisper, "Richard."

"What?" He replies and begins to look over his shoulder out of paranoia. He returns his gaze to me, and I press my forehead against his cheek.

"Thank you," I whisper in a purr, and Richard forms into his lion self and gives me a proper goodbye. He presses his forehead to mine and licks my cheek.

He settles his large, black paw on mine and looks deeply into my eyes once more. "Louis," he says softly, and I return the look. "Don't let anyone tell you you're not perfect. You're beautiful just the way you are," he says and pushes his nose to mine. Immediately, the tears start to roll down my cheeks once more whenever he pulls away and begins to run down the hallway to make sure the pathway out of here is clear. I quickly follow, and he nudges my backside with his head hard, "Now go. Make new."

I nod without hesitation and sprint down the corridors towards the exit.

"Don't forget about me!" Richard roars after me, and I find the large door that meant my freedom.

I turn around and see him in the distance, and I smile. I lift a paw and push the door to the prison open. Immediately, the alarms go off, and I jump from the noise. I frantically pelt out of the building and towards the setting sun.

I wasn't able to promise him that I wouldn't. But I can promise in my mind.

Richard, I will never forget you and what you have done for me. Thank you so much. I'll make you proud.

The tears fall for a third time as I run as fast as I can away from the prison. The alarms blare in the distance, and I can only imagine how badly Richard might be punished for letting me out. I close my eyes and force that thought out of my head. I keep my eyes closed and just keep running. I won't stop until I drop from exhaustion, and even then, I'll crawl.

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*This has been edited because I realized I wrote in past tense, and that's not fun to read. It's actually quite confusing at times. So yes. Enjoy.*