A/N: Hello my dears. I do hope this next update finds you well. So, yesterday was my little sisters' birthday, yes I mean that plurally...they are now nine year old girls and as much of a handful as they've ever been. Haha! But my point is they got one of those newer Spyro games; I want to say it's called Spyro: Dawn of the Dragon...something like that. I sat down and watched them play it for a moment and good grief. Spyro sure has changed since I played him as a kid. The once cute little dragon who defeated weird, but still slightly cute looking enemies is now one buff dude, and this haunting temple "on the verge of an epic war to end all wars" music plays, AND...he has a girlfriend. (*waggles eyesbrows).

Wow, things sure do change.

And speaking of change, in the last chapter we began to see a different side of Uru. So we will continue to see how our three girls, Tamalei, Kanala, and Uru get through this nightmare.

And what better way to do that than through the song; Stronger by Kelly Clarkson.

Oh yeah. It's time for some female empowerment! Crank it up boyz!

Enjoy. :)

Chapter 34: The Will to Survive

You know the bed feels warmer

Sleeping here alone

You know I dream in color

And do the things I want

Yeah she was hard, she had a reason to be. Everyone she'd ever known had done everything possible to tear her down. Buiding up her defenses and lashing back were the only ways she could ensure that she didn't EVER break down the way she'd done that day.

But it didn't matter now. She was glad that it had happened in a way, she was glad that she'd seen how weak and vulnerable she'd been. How utterly fragile she was.

Oh how things can change.

Now, she was held in contempt, asked what had happened to the sweet little princess that'd known, she was looked down upon and feared all at the same time.

But she was glad they feared her, the intimidated looks in their eyes when she released her terrifying temper made her feel strong, made her feel powerful, made her invincible.

One thing was for sure, never could anything turn her into the sniveling fool that she'd been on that AWFUL day.

(Flashback)

"Oh how light hearted and free she felt. This new feeling, this feeling of the purest love. As she trotted through the green savannah grass her heart gave another leap as she thought of the object of her affection.

Abdul.

Oh how she loved him, with his sweet and gentle affection and support.

In a weeks time, they would be married and she would take her place as queen; and he would by her side as king- guiding her, protecting her, and most of all, loving her.

Smiling to herself the young lioness set off to find her fiancé, in hopes that they could spend a few moments together before he left with the other young males; it was tradition in her kingdom that the groom and a set of his closest friends leave the kingdom for a week before the wedding-coming back the eve of the ceremony.

Unable to find him anywhere, a thought suddenly came to the lioness. She nearly hit herself with her paw for not thinking of it sooner."

Of course, that's where he is!" she thought to herself.

There was a small cave, hidden from view by a grove of trees that they had discovered when they were cubs. It had become their secret hide out from that point on. Even as adolescents and adults, they still went there when they wanted to be alone, whether that be to goof off or if someone needed a shoulder to cry on.

As she approached the cave, she was startled to hear soft moans and stifled whispers coming from the interior.

"I don't know what I'm going to do while you're gone." a feminine voice moaned.

"It won't be forever. I'll be back soon." a male voice answered.

"But what about after the wedding?"

"It doesn't matter. We'll figure it out. You're the one I love."

The lioness listened in shock and before she could realize what she was about to do, she stormed into the cave's entrance.

As the two lovers looked on, they immediately broke apart, their heart's pounding at the realization that they had been caught.

"How could you?" the angry lioness shouted at the male.

"It-it's not what it looks like-"

"Don't play that game with me! I'm not stupid!"

The angry lioness then turned to the other female.

"How long has this been going on?"

The other lioness sighed, she couldn't bring herself to look into the other's eyes.

"A year." she whispered.

"Why?! You, you're my own sister. How could you do this to me?"

"Sister, I-I don't know what to say. I-I'm so sorry."

"SHUT-UP! I don't what your apologies. You betrayed me, you both did!"

The angry lioness, who by this time had hot tears pouring down her pale fur turned and ran.

"Kanala! Wait!" her sister cried.

But it was too late, her sister was gone.

Think you got the best of me

Think you've had the last laugh

Bet ya think that everything good is gone

She couldn't comprehend the pain that was tearing her apart. The sting of heart break and betrayal pulsed through her quivering body as she ran into the cave she and the other members of the royal family slept in.

Her mother had seen her bolt into the cave and came to see what in the world had left her daughter so distraught.

Before the older lioness could enter though, she saw her other daughter and Kanala's fiancé coming up to her.

"Jumala dear, do you know why your sister is so upset?"

Jumala set her eyes on the ground.

"Yes mother. And-" she trailed off.

"I'm afraid that Jumala and I have some explaining to do." Abdul said.

(A few days later)

She hated the sympathetic looks the members of her pride constantly gave her. The news of Jumala and Abdul's affair had spread like wild fire. The two lions had received strong reprimands, but because they were young, the Kanala's mother and her new king had let them off with a light punishment.

It was Kanala who was left with the shame of it all. Everyone looked at the heart broken lioness with both disdain and pity. She knew what they were all thinking.

Poor, weak little fool.

Well, she would saw them. Oh, she would show them.

(End of Flashback)

Think you left me broken down

Think they'd I come running back

Baby you don't know cause

you're dead wrong.

Kanala sat in the royal cave as her mother lectured her.

"Mother. I understand, but as you said there is no law that states that I can't." Kanala said rolling her eyes.

"Yes, thank you for that observation Kanala. Law or not, it is tradition that a lioness be married before she takes and while she holds the throne."

"Ugggh, well maybe it's time for that tradition to be broken."

Her mother gave a sigh,

"Dear, when your father past away-the Kings rest his soul-I remarried because you were not of age to take the throne. A queen needs a king dear, it's for the good of the kingdom. Jumar may not have been my true love, but we were friends and have come to love one another as a husband and wife should."

Kanala rolled her eyes.

"Oh yeah, if you call a husband who tells you what to and runs around with other lionesses behind your back a good one; then yeah, sure, Jumar is a superb mate." she thought bitterly to herself.

"Alright, I won't lecture you anymore. Just think about it darling. It's the responsible thing to do."

Kanala watched as her aging mother left the den. She loved her mother, she really did, but to Kanala, everything about the older lioness screamed weakness-a trait Kanala despised.

Kanala wasn't going to be like that. She could rule any kingdom just as good without a mate as she could with one.

Giving a sigh, she was about to exit the cave when one of the lions that she never wanted to see again stepped into the cave.

"Hey, I heard you and your mom's conversation." Abdul said.

"What affair is it of yours? My business is no longer your concern." Kanala spat.

"Look Kanala, when are you going to let it go. I said I was sorry didn't I?"

"I don't want to talk to you. And I especially don't want to have a conversation about that."

"Ok, you're fifth birthday is in a week, which means your coronation is a week away as well. If you don't have a mate by them, you will be violating a tradition that has been set forth since our pride's founding."

"Oh, ok, so now your an expert on tradition. So tell me, Abdul, since when is it tradition for the Queen's fiancé to screw her sister?!" Kanala spat.

"I'M SORRY OK! It was a mistake. Look, what I'm trying to say is that you don't exactly have a line of suitors knocking down your door. So, why don't you just get over this whole bitter betrayed victim act, and give me another chance."

The nerve. The sheer nerve of this lion. All she felt at that moment was pure, uncontainable rage.

"Get out of here. I never want to see your pathetic, snivelling face in my presence again." she said, a dangerous tone edging her voice.

What doesn't kill you

Makes you stronger

Stand a little taller

Doesn't mean I'm lonely

When I'm alone

(Two weeks later)

She was queen. The sole ruler of her kingdom. She knew about the whispers behind her back. But she didn't care. She was the Queen and there wasn't anything those little gossips could do about it.

And she knew exactly what her first act as the new queen would be...exile.

When she'd announced to her pride that her sister and Abdul were no longer welcome in her kingdom, the pride had been shocked and many had voiced vehement protests against her decision.

But Kanala had exploded with a furious roar, silencing the protests and declaring that any who questioned her decision would be exiled as well.

She watched with pleasure as their scared faces looked up at her. She felt good, this violent, unquestionable power giving her a sense of security and of protection.

A few days later, she watched in triumph as the two lions who had betrayed her were escorted off the land.

Jamala could have Abdul all to herself now, but she, Kanala, had the throne and she had power.

oOo

What doesn't kill you makes a fighter

footsteps even lighter

Doesn't mean I'm over

Cause you're gone.

Kanala, Tamalei, and Uru had finally made their way out of the great mountain forests of the north.

"This is the way?" Uru asked.

Stretched out in front of the three lionesses was the glaring, sandy expanse of a blazing desert. A scorching death march for any creature who dared enter.

"Yep. Crossing the desert is the only way to reach the southern marshes without cutting through the Pride Lands-which we obviously can't do." Kanala replied.

"Well, I suppose we have no choice then. I'm sure with the Great King's guidance we'll make it through this" Tamalei said.

"Don't worry Tamalei, with or without them, we will make it." Uru said, leading the way into the desert.

"Oh great, so basically, we're going to die." Kanala mumbled.

oOo

What doesn't kill you makes you

Stronger! Stronger!

Just me, myself, and I

What doesn't kill you makes you

Stronger stand a little taller

Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone

Daylight was brutal; the sun was killing. The air, dry as brittle bone, and the heat was unbearable.

Nighttime was cruel; the plummeting temperatures threatening to freeze the very blood in their veins if they dared stop.

But still, they marched on.

They had gone four days now without food or water, and much as she hated to admit it, Uru knew that time was running out for them-if they didn't find shelter from the heat of the desert and some form of nourishment, they would die.

Tamalei was in the rear, she tried to keep focus on the two lionesses in front of her, but her vision was swimming and she felt dizzy. After a moment, she felt a sharp pain in her front paw as she fell to the ground, sand going into her mouth and nose.

With the small amount of strength she had left, she called out to the lionesses in front of her.

"Uru. Wait!"

Uru heard her friend's cry and she immediately turned to the golden lioness.

"Tamalei!" she called. "What's wrong?"

"Oh, it's my paw dear. I'm afraid I sprained my ankle."

"Ok, it's ok. You're going to be fine. Here, you lean on me and I'm going to help you get up-do you think you can stand?"

"I don't know. It's worth a try."

As soon as the golden lioness was on her feet, she let out a cry of pain and collapsed back to the unforgiving ground.

"I can't Uru. I'm so sorry. I just can't." Tamalei said, tears falling from her eyes.

"No, it's alright Tamalei. You just need some rest. Don't fret about it, you'll waste too much energy." Uru replied.

"No. You and Kanala need to go on. If you stay, we'll all die. I'll be alright."

"Tamalei. You're talking crazy. Everything is going to be fine."

"She's right Uru. We can't stay out here any longer. I'm afraid Tamalei will d-" Kanala said.

"She's not going to die!" Uru cried.

"Look, she's weak and injured. You should know by now that only the strongest can survive. That's the way it is! Get used to it!" Kanala spat.

Uru lunged at the other lioness, pinning her to the ground.

"Look, we're all exhausted. But we are not leaving anyone behind. Do you understand? And I don't want to hear anymore of that NONSENSE come out of your stupid mouth again. Getting out of this desert is going to be hard enough without your snarky little comments narrating the experience. So unless you want to be the one left out in the middle of the desert I suggest you keep your opinions to yourself. Got it?" Uru snapped giving the older lioness a shove.

Kanala rolled her eyes as she got to her feet.

"Tamalei. I'm going to try to carry you ok. But you're going to have to work with me. I need you to use your front paws to lift yourself off of the ground.

"Uru. You can't carry me." Tamalei said.

"Don't worry about that. Just try to do as I said. Ok?"

Tamalei nodded and wincing in pain, she managed to lift herself up so that Uru could slide her own body under the golden lioness's.

With all the strength she could muster, Uru hauled Tamalei onto her back and steadied herself. The weight was excruciating on her already worn body, but Uru managed to take a few steps forward until she settled into a steady walk, fighting back at the unbearable strain of her muscles that were trying to give out.

oOo

"Uru. LOOK!" Kanala shouted.

Uru looked up from the sand that she had been staring at as she struggled to carry Tamalei.

She turned her gaze to the direction Kanala was pointing, a green leafy expanse lay just ahead of them.

"C'mon, quick!" Kanala shouted increasing her pace.

"Please let it be real." Uru said.

Uru had never felt so much relief when they reached the oasis. As they searched for a watering hole, she didn't stop to notice her colorful surroundings as vibrantly colored plants blew in the cool wind and exotic birds chirped happily in the thick trees. All she could focus on was the large watering hole bubbling in front of her.

Laying Tamalei down so that she could reach the small watering hole as well, the three lionesses plunged their heads into the cool liquid, greedily quenching their parched throats as they tasted the sweet water.

When they had finally sated their ravaging thirst, the three lionesses sank under the shade of the thick canopy, instantly falling into much needed slumber.

oOo

You heard that I was starting over

With someone new.

They told you I was moving on

Over you

"Uru, I promise you that whether we are in the heat of battle tomorrow or are gray old lions ten years from now, I will love you just as much as I do right now."

Uru gave a bitter laugh as remembered the words that Dameii had told her. It had barely been three months since then, and yet, it felt like a lifetime ago. This was the first time since his betrayal that she allowed herself to think about Dameii.

Before he had done the unthinkable, when his face came to her mind, she always felt warm and happy. Now, she felt coldness and anger.

He had made a fool of her.

"I will love you just as much as I do right now. So did that mean you never loved me at all and never would?" she asked herself.

Whatever. Dameii didn't matter anymore. He'd never loved her. And now, she didn't love him. She was glad he was dead, so that she wouldn't have to face him again. Glad that he would never have the satisfaction of seeing what he had done to her.

And anyways, she had better things to worry about. Like finding Kanala's sister and her pride and finally being able to take a stab at Kambili's tyranny.

Tamalei and Kanala finally began to wake and as Uru stood and stretched, she heard her stomach begin to rumble. They would have to find something to eat.

You didn't think that I'd come back

I'd come back swinging

You tried to break me

But you see

As they moved deeper into the interior, the lionesses caught the sound of running water and the tempting scent of prey.

The three quietly made their way to the sound and smell until they heard a low bellowing.

Coming up, they saw a water buffalo standing near a small river. It was an old bull, who had clearly been deserted by his herd.

"Anyone up for some buffalo?" Kanala asked.

"No way Kanala. There's no way we could bring it down, even if it is old."

"You're quite right dearie, we can do nothing because you are incapable of hunting due to your injury. However Uru and I can." Kanala said.

"You're insane!" Tamalei exasperated.

"Actually Kanala. You and I are going to do nothing together. We don't know if his herd is somewhere around here. One of us has to stay with Tamalei in case they try to stampede. I didn't carry her across that desert just so that she could be trampled to death. So you're going to stay with her Kanala, cause, let's face it, you are getting kinda old." Uru said with a smirk.

Kanala stifled a growl.

"Uru. No, there's no way it's even possible. You're just going to get yourself either killed or injured. Please Uru, use some common sense. This is madness!" Tamalei pleaded.

"Yeah well, my life seems to be pretty full of madness. I don't see how a little more is going to hurt anything." Uru replied bitterly.

And before Tamalei could protest anymore Uru began to stalk away, Kanala right behind her.

Crouching in the bushes, the two lionesses obsevered the bull as he snorted about and tore at the ground. He was limping slightly, but that didn't seem to stop him from causing a stir.

"I don't know. Maybe I'm being foolish, Tamalei is probably right. I'm going to get myself killed." Uru said.

Kanala chuckled,

"Uru, what if I told you that you could have everything you ever wanted in life?"

"I would say you're even more of an old bat that I first thought."

"Cute." Kanala snorted. " But listen to me Uru, you can have everything you desire. You just can't be afraid of the price. If you want something Uru, take it."

Uru looked over at the pale lioness, but Kanala had already slinked away, leaving Uru alone.

Taking a deep breath, the young lioness began to prepare for her attack.

What doesn't kill you

Makes you stronger

Stand a little taller

Dosen't mean I'm lonely

when I'm alone.

She took the huge animal completely by surprise when she launched herself at him taking a large chunk of flesh out of his left flank. But it didn't take long for the lumbering creature to begin striking back.

She quickly side-step the bull's horns as they came barreling toward her and she managed to land another blow to him, this time to his shoulder.

The new pain enraged the animal and he gave a furious snort as he charged at the lioness again. This time, she wasn't so lucky as the bull's large head managed to hit her shoulder, causing it to ebb in pain.

She had to take this animal down before it killed her.

Carefully running behind the fuming bull Uru took a sprinting leap and managed to claw her way up the bull's back as he bucked about trying to dislodge her.

The lioness felt herself slipping and she dug her claws even deeper into his flesh before she could fall to the ground, where she would surly meet her end under those pounding hooves.

She scrambled her way up, trying tor reach his head and before he could buck her off, the lioness sank her teeth into the thick skin of his neck, trying to get a grip on his jugular vein. As she continued to tear away at his flesh, to her dismay, Uru realized it was no use, his neck muscles were much too thick.

And before she could devise another plan, the bull heaved her off his body and sent her flying through the air.

Uru landed with a hard thud, it sent a pain through her body, but as she sat up, she was grateful that nothing was broken.

What doesn't kill you makes a fighter

Footsteps even lighter

Doesn't mean I'm lonely

When I'm alone.

Uru watched the bull tear around the area trying to find her. She was about to turn and give up when a memory of a dark-maned lion crossed her mind.

"If your enemy is too large for you to kill quickly, you have to use...alternative methods to weaken them before you go in for the kill."

Such methods were strictly illegal in the Pride Lands. The kill was supposed to as painless and fast as possible, but then again, this wasn't the Pride Lands.

Uru made her presence known to the bull when she landed another blow on his shoulder.

The hunter and hunted looked each other in the eye -one of them wouldn't walk away from this match to the death, this battle for stamina- and Uru knew this daring dance was a deadly game to play indeed.

oOo

The bull was weakening. Uru's claws had done an effective job cutting his flesh to pieces, causing him to bleed profusely.

But Uru wasn't exactly worse for wear either; her shoulder was throbbing and chunks of her own flesh had fallen victim to the bull's hooves and horns.

Finally though, the animal sank to the ground, blood loss taking its toll on him.

Uru walked over and clamped her powerful jaws over his snout. The bull barely stuggled, accepting his fate. Uru looked him in the eye as she suffocated the life out of him and after several moments, she felt him go limp.

To her relief, the great beast was dead.

"Kanala! How could you? She could be killed!" Tamalei shouted.

"Oh, she is fine. Will you please stop yelling and making yourself into such a ninny!" Kanala growled in frustration.

"I will do nothing of the such and further more-"

Tamalei stopped when she heard someone clear their throat, and both lionesses turned to see a very worn Uru standing before them. The young lioness was covered in blood, both her own and that of her prey.

Her body looked exhausted, but her eyes told a different story; they were awake and dancing-but not the happy sort-no, they held a dangerous gleam, one that was twisted with bitter anger and laced with coldness.

"It is done." Uru said.

oOo

Thanks to you I got a new thing started.

Thanks to you I'm not the broken-hearted.

Thanks to you I'm finally thinking bout' me

You know in the end

This is just my beginning

In the end

Uru had decided it was time for them to move on. The day after she'd brought down the buffalo, Tamalei recovered well enough to set out, and the three lionesses had begun to prepare to leave the oasis. Kanala seemed to think it would only take them a few more days to reach her sister's pride.

And so, after getting as much sleep, water, and food as they could, the lionesses left the safety of the cool oasis.

Kanala- not looking forward to facing her sister, Tamalei-uncertain of the future, and Uru-hungry for revenge.

As they disappeared into the last strip of the desert they would need to cross, neither of the lionesses noticed a mandrill swinging about in a large baobab tree; and the mandrill did not notice them.

Rafiki gave a pleased nod, his old tree still had some of the herbs and other necessities he'd stored away when he had left the blazing oasis. Deciding to give his old home a look, the mandrill swung down from his large tree.

He was glad to see that the once destroyed oasis had now recovered and was again flourishing; testament that the Circle of Life never ceased.

As he waddled along, the mandrill came across the body of a buffalo. It was clear the beast had been killed and consumed by the bite and claw marks left on the decaying body.

Rafiki was puzzled, there were no animals large or strong enough to bring down a water buffalo, at least there were none when he resided in the oasis. As he investigated the area, his eyes spotted a chunk of dark brown fur caught on the branches of a small tree.

Picking up the small bit of fur, Rafiki pondered for a moment, before bringing the fur up to his large nostrils and taking several large whiffs of it.

And for the first time, in a very, very long time-

Rafiki smiled.

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger!

A/N: Thanks so much for reading, I really hoped that you liked all of the scenes in this chapter-I certainly enjoyed writing it.

And I hope you thought it was appropriate that I drew upon a scene from the movie for a small bit of this chapter.

Notice any reference to Book One?

Please let me know how I did!

Forgot to mention at the top,

I have two theories about Rafiki's tree; one-it was a symbol that there was still hope for the Pride Lands and two-I believe the tree was on the border so (this is for the logics of it) perhaps it was still receiving sufficient nourishment... IDK, maybe Rafiki is just a really great gardener haha.

I don't think Simba recognized him because Rafiki didn't play a significant role in the everyday life of the Pride Landers during Simba's cubhood. And I believe Simba did his best to block out as many memories from his childhood as he possibly could.

As much as I hate myself for saying it, I think a lot of what Katie Hopkins has to say is true. And if she wouldn't put herself into an obnoxious spotlight, people might have more respect for her opinion-which, when not blow out of proportion or presented with a close-minded manner (as she often assumes) are largely correct. I especially like her opinions on women's rights-to an extent.

1. What is a song that you feel describes you right now in your life?

2. If you could write a scene with any two Lion King characters- who would it be and what would they do?

Thanks guys, next chapter is on its way!