Born To Lead 2 Chapter 34

At first Willow failed to see clearly what was around her. The light had been so blinding that it took a little while until she could see clearly again. The way this happened is that Willow was required to blink a couple of times and with that everything was put back to rights.

What Willow received when it did came as a huge shock. Oh everything still looked exactly the same in her minds eye. She, the remainders of her family, and the Colony were stuck as prisoners behind bars in the Alpha Omega base of a compound except for three tiny little details.

Outside of the cage the Colonel had ordered her to be thrown into stood Cornelia, Blue Eyes, and Ash.

Ash!

All three of the already deceased stood there outside of the cage gazing at her with smiles on their faces along with a light in their eyes Willow never thought she'd see again. Plus it was really bright aura around them. Willow paid no attention to that factor.

Eyes wide, Willow whispered "How…How are you here?"

None of the trio spoke. They just continued smiling softly at her.

Willow didn't know how, she didn't see any of them carrying a key, they managed to somehow get the door to her cage opened. All three of them then came inside. Ash and Blue Eyes knelt taking one of Willow's hands into their own gently tugging the young female to her feet. Afterwards Cornelia claimed the space the boys vacated once they backed up. Cornelia wrapped her arms around her daughter as Willow merely stood there stunned. It took a couple of seconds, but Willow returned the hug with one of her own hardly believing her own eyes. It's at this very moment that Willow realized the voice that had been singing to her belonged to her own mother.

Separating from her mother Willow's gaze swept over them with such love in her eyes that she hardly knew what to say.

"I'm so happy you're all here," said Willow, voice cracking with emotion.

Cornelia stroked the side of Willow's face before stepping back and allowing the boys to briefly take over again. Willow then shared a duo hug with the two not being able to choose which one to hug first.

Filled with so much regret and remorse, speaking to Blue Eyes, Willow said "I'm so sorry. If I had only acted just a little bit faster-."

Whatever else there is to say was left unsaid. Blue Eyes raised a hand to halt her from speaking further shaking his head. He placed both hands on her shoulders pressing his forehead to hers. In an instant Willow knew that her twin didn't blame her for what happened to him. She did all she could to save him and mother from the Colonel's wrath. Honestly she couldn't have done anything differently even if she tried.

So why blame her when it is a human who is to blame?

Willow became even more tearful with Ash. She chocked back a sob as she and Ash embraced after so long apart. She relished in his touch as if not able to get enough. It may have only been two years, but to her it felt like an eternity.

Sniffling, Willow said "I've missed you so much."

For them there was no need for words. There never had been. Their love had been so powerful that their love could always be felt in the others presence no matter what.

As she stood there with them Willow couldn't help but feel how strange this all is.

How are they here? Why have they come?

Before Willow could press any of these questions Cornelia, Ash, and Blue Eyes took her out of the cage and began to lead her away. Ash did not talk. He simply took her hand and begin to walk her to the edge of the facility intent on taking her away from this dreadful place.

Funny thing is none of the humans paid any sort of attention to them. It's as if they weren't even there. It's weird because judging by how much hatred they've shown towards their kind you would think the humans would sound the alarm and shoot them dead right then and there. They didn't.

As this occurred Willow was led past the Caesar's strung up form, the pens in the yard filled with suffering children and adult apes alike. Willow couldn't tear her gaze away from them.

"Wait, what about the others," said Willow. "We need to help them."

Blue Eyes, Cornelia, and Ash didn't say a word. They just kept on walking.

They had finally reached the barricade still under construction heading directly for the opening in the wall. Willow stopped when almost there telling them she can't leave.

It hit Willow like a ton of bricks reminding her that she was needed here despite how much she wanted to leave. There are others she has to save. She apologized explaining this to them. She wanted to go with them so badly, but was duty bound to stay behind. Where Willow assumed she'd be met with objections instead they all look at her proudly for her decision.

Still without a word Cornelia and Blue Eyes turned to walk out of there. The very second they stepped out they vanished in a bright light.

Before following Ash kissed Willow on the cheek placing something in her hand.

The music box!

Willow looked up at Ash as he was walking away. As he did this Willow noticed something. While walking the same exact path as the others Ash didn't leave footprints in earth. She then learned that this had all been a dream from the state her body had fallen into. Right now she had been so close to death that these three probably came to take her away. Only this was yet her time.

Ash was nearly about to step into the light when Willow stopped him. She asked if this is all real or if this was all occurring within her head.

Ash laughed warmly fading in an overpowering light.

When the light hit her she instantly awoke.

Authors Note:

What do you guys think? Was it real or just an hallucination?

Yes after all this time we finally see Ash again.