Leo lets out a long sigh as he enters his house. His fluffy lion ears droop and his tail is tucked between his legs, clear indicators that the bullying was especially bad today. The air feels heavy with his exhaustion as he drags his feet to the fridge and opens the freezer. The cool air hits his face as he looks down at his cracked phone screen, illuminating a message from his Dad: Hey kiddo, Mom and I are gonna be stuck at the ER for tonight and the first half of tomorrow. There's a fresh batch of groceries in the fridge and pantry. We love you! Leo's lips curl into a pout. Staying at the hospital again..? As much as he absolutely loves his parents, he wishes they'd take a break once in a while. The familiar loneliness settles over him like a blanket as he bends down to grab an ice pack, pressing it gently against the fresh bruise on his cheek. Those bullies at school were extra handsy today... and one landed quite the punch to his cheekbone. The cold pressure against his sore cheek sends a sharp pain through his face, and tears flood into his eyes. He couldn't help but wonder why he had been born such a pathetic excuse for a lion demi-human? He wasn't a big, brave, macho lion. He resembled something more like a cat... not even a cat, a worm would be more accurate. Leo runs to his room and slams the door shut before flopping onto his bed. This simply couldn't go on. He needed something, anything to help him overcome his bullies. Suddenly, an idea sparks in his mind. He quickly wipes his tears and picks up his phone to text his friend: "Hey, can you come over please? It's an emergency. I need you to pretend to be one of my bullies so that I can practice being brave."