Nala stood at the last place she saw Simba run up Pride Rock after Scar while the rain began to fall heavily, soaking her fur. Timon, Pumbaa, and Ban'ai joined her, the hyenas had run off after seeing Scar fall to his death and they did not want to hang around seeing their leader fall. The lionesses of Scars pride also ran off, only a few had survived and now they were heading back to the outlands where they would stay until they became strong again under Zira's leadership.

It had taken quite a while for Simba to return from fighting with Scar and Nala was getting worried.

"What if he fell down as well?" asked Timon.

"I hope not," was all Nala could say.

"Do you want me to go up there and look for him?" asked Ban'ai.

"No wait, I think I hear him," said Nala who moved forward a little to see if it really was Simba.

Sure enough, Simba came limping down Pride Rock, looking quite exhausted from the battle. Nala smiled and ran up to him. Simba nuzzled her and then looked toward the pride who was standing in a circle waiting for him to come over.

"Is my father okay?" asked Simba.

"I don't know, Rafiki is looking over him now," said Nala.

Simba limped toward his family and was first greeted by Sarabi whose face looked grave.

"I'm so glad your home, you saved your fathers life just in time, though we are not sure if you were quick enough," said Sarabi.

Simba said nothing and limped between the lionesses who watched him go over to his father. Kamau was standing a few feet away from Mufasa his face was weary from keeping everyone away from Mufasa. Fresh scars proved his valiant effort to help the king in need.

"I tried my best," said Kamau sadly.

Simba put a paw on Kamau's wounded shoulder and moved closer to his father. Rafiki was still looking him over before he looked up at Simba with sad eyes.

"He has lost too much blood, he will not survive the night, but he would like to speak to you," said Rafiki.

Simba nodded sadly and walked over to his father. He noticed how battered his father was. The wounds that Scar made were deep and were being washed away by the rain, but the rain could not save him from his wounds. Mufasa opened his eyes and tried to lift his head to see his son for the last time. Simba then began to cry and hugged his father lightly.

"I'm so sorry father, if only I could remember who I was none of this would have happened," said Simba.

Mufasa slowly lifted a bloody paw and tossed Simba's mane back before setting it back down in pain.

"Shh, its okay. Things like that happen. Rafiki told me you had amnesia, so you could not remember who you were until someone you loved found you. I'm glad we found you before I died," said Mufasa.

"But Scar is gone father, we won, he will never try to take over the pride again," said Simba hoping to set a happier mood.

Mufasa smiled then coughed heavily, causing a small puddle of blood to come out of his mouth. "But Zira will most likely try again, so you must keep that from happening," he said.

"Don't worry father, I will be by your side at all times, helping you rule this land," said Simba.

"I won't be ruling this land any more Simba, the circle of life is completed with me," said Mufasa.

Tears began to form in Simba's eyes, he could not believe that he was hearing his father say that he was dying, he had hoped to return and help his father rule the Pride Lands for years to come.

"No don't go father, there is still so much I need to know, and I only just found you again," said Simba as sadness began to overtake him.

"Don't worry son, I will still be with you in the stars, and don't worry I know you will be a wonderful king, just rule fairly and be kind to those who need your kindness. Don't order those around you too roughly, and keep this land prosperous," said Mufasa.

Simba just nodded, the sadness in his heart now was so overwhelming that he could not speak and now all he wanted to do was run. Run to a place where he could think and be alone forever.

"I'm sorry son, but always remember to look to the stars," said Mufasa.

As soon as the old and injured lion finished his sentence, he gave one final shudder and his head fell to earth like a rock. The great King Mufasa had died.

Simba looked sadly down at his father. He could not believe that the father he came back to had died right in front of him. All his memories and all his love for his father seemed to have died right there in front of him as well.

For several minutes, Simba sat their crying and wishing with all his heart that his father would spring back to life and go back to ruling the pride lands.

The lionesses watched him from a few feet away, they knew Mufasa was gone and all of them began to morn with Simba quietly, hoping that the young lion would be ready to take his fathers place soon. Sarabi was the worst out of all of them though, she now lost a mate and lay on the ground covering her head while Nala stood by her side consoling her.

Ban'ai and Timon stood together side by side, even though Timon had never met Mufasa he was still crying over his loss on Ban'ai's shoulder while Ban'ai patted his back and tried his hardest not to cry. Instead a small tear fell down his cheek and landed in a puddle with the rain that was falling. Pumbaa was also crying, but he stayed where he was while letting the tears run freely down his face.

Kamau stood there crying too, Mufasa had done so much to help him in the past six months that now he was in total shock after seeing Mufasa die right there in front of him. Even though he did try to help the old lion from others, it was still not enough. Kamau was crying so hard that his shoulder hurt more than it ever had been but he did not care, all he cared about was Mufasa.

Rafiki had also been crying but now he knew he had to do something more important and walked over to Simba and put his paw on the young lions shoulder.

Simba looked up startled and then gave a weak smile to Rafiki.

"Are you ready to take his place?" asked Rafiki who then pointed to the end of the edge of pride rock.

Simba gave a deep sigh before answering. "Ready as I will ever be," he said.

"Then it is time," said Rafiki.

Simba then gave Rafiki a big hug and then started to ascend up Pride Rock. Everyone watched wide eyed and fascinated as Simba climbed up the slippery and wet rock towards the edge to announce his place as king.

It took a while for Simba to reach it because he was limping, but when he finally reached the edge, he looked up at the rainy sky and saw a cloudless piece full of stars shining down on him. And for one quick moment he thought he heard his father's voice speak out to him.

"Look to the stars," it said.

Simba gave a slight smile and with all his strength, he gave a mighty roar to proclaim that he was now king of the pride lands.


A/N: Hmm I think I just borrowed a few words from Dragonheart, eh oh well. How was that tearjerker for you? Well I have one more chapter to go before I am finally finished with this story, and don't leave because the next chapter will be interesting, you find out what happens to Kamau and I thank everyone individually for all their wonderful reviews. So don't miss the ending to Surviving the Stampede, coming next week. See you all next week.

oh yeah I forgot to mention that my interview was not a total loss after all, I've been accepted into Disney college and I am going to work at Disney world doing quick service food and beverage. I start on August 22nd. Well see you all later.