A/N: This is my songfic for HyperAndProudOfIt's contest. I hope you like it!

Disclaimer: I don't own TKC or the song, "Skyscraper" by Demi Lovato.

Skyscraper

I think everything is ready; in fact I hope everything is ready. The war against Apophis isn't something I look forward to-not even close-It's something I want to be done and over with. Even so, there is one worry along the way. That Carter won't make it. Apophis has already taken everything from me.

I turn on my iPod, and the first song that I hear is perfect for my situation.

Skies are crying, I am watching

Catching teardrops in my hands

Only silence, as it's ending, like we never had a chance

Do you have to make me feel like there's nothing left of me?

Only Apophis would do this. I feel anger and sadness well up inside of me. My fists clench and a tear streaks down my cheek. My parents, my siblings, my village, even Iskandar…All gone.

You can take everything I have,

You can break everything I am,

Like I'm made of glass

Like I'm made of paper

Go on and try to tear me down

I will be rising from the ground

Like a skyscraper, like a skyscraper

Only with help did I get this far from the pain. Carter supported me throughout the entire healing process, and I don't think I could bear to lose him.

As the smoke clears

I awaken and untangle you from me

Would it make you feel better to watch me while I bleed?

All my windows still are broken but I'm standing on my feet.

Am I as strong as Carter thinks? I lost everything…yet I still stand defiantly. Maybe there is a chance.

Go run, run, run I'm gonna stay right here

Watch you disappear, yeah

Go run; run, run yeah it's a long way down

But I'm closer to the clouds up here.

I start to realize that in this short, 4 minute song, I've gotten stronger. This battle will be fierce, yes, but we will make it through.

You can take everything I have,

You can break everything I am,

Like I'm made of glass,

Like I'm made of paper

Ohh

Go on and try to tear me down

I will be rising from the ground

Like a skyscraper, like a skyscraper

Like a skyscraper, like a skyscraper

Like a skyscraper

I wipe the tears from my eyes. I am stronger than I thought I was. And only thanks to Carter and a song do I know that.

I jump up from my bed and race out of my room, almost running into Sadie Kane.

"Do you know where Carter is?" I ask.

"The library, I think," she answers. "Why?" I'm already gone, but I yell, "Thanks!" over my shoulder.

When Carter sees me, he stands up, and I run over to him and throw my arms around his neck. He staggers backwards, and I laugh.

"What is it, Z?" he asks. I kiss him.

"Thank you," I say. "For never giving up on me." He smiles.

"You listened to Demi Lovato?"

"Of course I did."

*:*:*

I am Zia Rashid. I have lost almost everything; my family, my home, my old life. But Apophis will not take everything from me. I have a new family, and they have helped me to rise from the ground. I am Zia Rashid, and I am a skyscraper.

A/N: Please review, because I wrote this straight from my own emotions. (Not the last part…That would be strange if I was Zia.) But, please review. They make me happy!