Rose's Lion

by Artemis the Rebel

This is the tale of how I think Lion was created, why, and how he is connected to Rose. Rating will probably not change. One-sided Pearl/Rose and Rose/Greg so far. The story will center around Rose and Lion. I hope you enjoy! (WARNING, there are some spoilers, but most of them I'll make sure to keep small.)

2. Chapter 2

2

Rose glanced around, then took a deep breath, her smile fading away as it rarely ever did. This wish was going to be her hardest and most complicated wish yet - and most likely her last.

Rose exhaled and focused, feeling her gem begin to glow on her stomach. "Room... there will be a day when I give up my physical form to become part of another. I need a being who can protect and guide that someone. A being who has all the abilities needed to take him anywhere he wishes, defend him with the ferocity of a lion, and connect us - and a being who he will undoubtedly love. And... who has the ability to function as its own self, outside and independent of you, Room." Rose lifted her head. "If you need something from me to create this individual... then, please, take it."

Slowly but surely, a mound began to rise from the room's cloudy floor. It lifted, shifted, and churned. Rose stood for five whole minutes, watching in awe as the clouds took shape.

She was surprised at first to see that the room had formed a lion made of fluffy clouds, but she certainly wasn't disappointed. And besides - her astonishment faded some once she realized she'd asked the room to create a being who could defend with the ferocity of a lion.

Rose warily approached the lion. It didn't react to her presence, and didn't look very real at all. Her heart would have sunk, had she shapeshifted one.

"No, Room," Rose moaned softly. "I need it to -"

Suddenly, a single bubble of cloud rose up from the floor. She stared it for a stunned, curious moment. "Room, what-"

Rose cut herself off with a shriek of surprise and slight pain as the cloud unexpectedly merged with her gem. She felt abruptly weak, and even began to feel dizzy. She nearly started to run for help from Pearl, but before she could, the little cloud left her gem again.

Rose stared after it in alarm, her dizziness and fear already beginning to subside, as the ball of pink cloud (which was now glowing brightly) drifted up to the lion the room had made. The orb stopped, split into two, and flew into the lion's face, forming the two, angular eyes. They blazed ominously into Rose's very soul.

Rose stepped back, almost starting to feel afraid.

Is this really what I wanted?..