Apologies readers! I'm sorry for taking so long. I had just been a tad busy as of late and was slowly writing this chapter out, so forgive me.
I wanted to give a shout out to MeZaki93, as they are helping me with what to write in terms of Koba's injuries. So thank you!
Okay enough talking, on with the story.
Running along with Rocket trailing right behind him, Malcolm finally sighted the house that Caesar had called home, peaking just down the street.
"We're almost there!" he announced happily.
Running up to the Rodman house, Malcolm opened the door and stepped inside, finding both Ellie and Alex sitting on the couch. The other two occupants shot up from their spot and quickly ran over towards him, throwing their arms around him as they hugged him as if he was going to disappear right before their eyes.
"Oh Malcolm, I'd thought that we lost you!" Ellie heaved out as she held onto her husband, tears gently flowing down the sides of her cheeks.
"We thought we lost you… We heard the explosion. And… And…" Alexander couldn't even finish as he buried his face into his father's chest.
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to scare you two," Malcolm apologized as he kissed the top of both Ellie's and Alex's head, while holding onto them tightly.
While the family were hugging each other, Rocket quietly entered the household and stared at them curiously. He observed as the three humans were hugging one another, happy to see each other. Looking out of the doorway towards the outside, Rocket slowly lifted a hand up and placed it over his chest, where his beating heart was. Seeing the three humans reuniting together had suddenly reminded him of his own family, causing him to think about them.
When he had gone off with Caesar, Rocket himself had left Tinker behind, informing her that he needed to be with their leader. Of course Tinker had not wanted him to go as she held steadily onto his big hands, looking up at him with worried eyes. Rocket had not wanted leave as well, especially after that horrid fight that both he and his son had experienced during Koba's leadership to attack the humans. He wanted nothing more than to go back home with both his mate and child and live like they did before, but now… That is a far off dream and Caesar needed him now more than ever.
Taking his hand, Rocket had then brought it up towards Tinker's cheek and caressed the back of his thick finger across her cheek, hooting lowly all the while. At this gesture, Tinker had closed her eyes and leaned slightly into it before opening back up her lime green eyes. Rocket furrowed his brows apologetically at her, knowing that she did not want him to leave after seeing him again. However Tinker knew that Caesar needed him now and she slowly nodded at her Rocket, letting go of his other hand. The two then brought their foreheads together and after a moment Rocket leaned back and informed Tinker that he will come back to her. Understandingly, Tinker nodded back and said nothing as usual. Instead she reached up and cupped Rocket's face and brought her lips onto his, kissing him. After that sweet kiss, Rocket stared into Tinker's eyes lovingly as he slowly backed away from her, before he fully rounded himself and followed Caesar and the others to wherever Malcolm was leading them to.
Blinking several times at himself, Rocket glanced behind him when he heard the humans talking amongst each other once more, this time a voice of urgency within the male human's voice.
"Dad I want to come too!" Alexander hesitantly spoke up.
"No, stay here. Your mom and I will be right back understand? We're bringing somebody here," Malcolm replied quickly as he walked out towards the doorway.
"Malcolm?" Ellie inquired.
"I'll explain on the way there. We have to hurry, I don't know how much time he has," Malcolm answered.
With that Malcolm bolted out of the room while carrying Ellie's backpack. Rocket slowly looked at both Ellie and Alex seeing the confusion on their faces. Taking in a deep breath, Ellie closed her eyes momentarily before she turned towards Alex and said something to him, hugging him before she too followed after Malcolm, leaving just Rocket and the teenage boy still there. Turning to look at Alex, Rocket could see the fear within the human's eyes, reminding him of his own son Ash. Huffing out a puff of air Rocket had decided to slowly amble up towards the human, stopping before just the frightened teen.
"Young. Human. Stay. Mother. Father. Will come. Back," Rocket spoke and signed at the same time, causing Alex to look at him.
Rocket stared a little longer at the boy, hoping that the teen understood him. Seeing the human boy nodding slowly, caused the side of Rocket's lips to pull upward into a slight smilel. With that said between them, Rocket took a step backward before fully turning around and following both Malcolm and Ellie back outside.
…
Knuckle-walking alongside Pongo and the others in silence, Grey had kept his eyes down at the ground at his thoughts raced across his mind. Feeling a nudge on his shoulder, Grey glanced up to see Pongo staring at him.
"Something wrong Grey?" the other chimpanzee asked curiously.
"Just tired," Grey signed back.
Pongo nodded understandingly and signaled the other apes to go on ahead. Taking a glance back at Grey, Pongo then huffed aloud before he too turned around and followed the others into the open square.
Watching Pongo go, Grey observed as the other chimpanzee as well as the troops walked idly by the other apes and towards a giant red haired figure in the distance. Grey's eyes lit up at the sight of Red whom was standing in front of a few others, along with Rex. Red made eye contact with him briefly before he looked away and greeted the troop that Grey was with. Huffing to himself, Grey looked away from them momentarily before deciding to make his way through the busy crowd.
As he walked among the mass of bodies and dark hair, Grey could see many of his fellow brethren, some wounded and others looking quite lost, eyes full of anguish and misery. Brows furrowing, Grey couldn't help but sympathize with them. He had never wanted this to happen to the apes of the colony. The apes did not deserve this, especially the ones that came from the labs.
Even before the great awakening, Grey had known that his people had suffered tremendously by the hands of the humans. However this was not all true… Some of the older apes had missed and even wished to go back to the company of their caretakers, the nice ones who had fed them, played with them, back when it was simple. Now though, here they all are, free from the cages that the humans had put them in and are free. But at what cost?
Just then, during his thoughts, Grey heard a familiar hoot, causing him to veer towards his left. Upon turning he was met with the sight of his beloved Cedar making her way towards him. The dark haired female ran up towards Grey and wrapped her arms around his torso, causing him to grunt, as she buried her head into his chest, careful to not irritate his earlier wound whilst letting out small hooting noises.
"I've missed you. Are you hurt?" Cedar had sign worriedly at Grey, pulling herself back as she look him over, searching for any new wounds that might have appeared.
"I am alright Cedar," Grey reassured his mate as she fussed over him, grunting slightly when she pressed her hand upon his chest where the iron beam had fell on top of him when the human tower had shook.
Cedar gasped and drew her hands back quickly when she had accidentally put pressure upon her mate's old wound. Glancing up at her mate, Cedar could see the straining grimace upon Grey's face, causing her heart to ache for him.
"I'm sorry Grey," Cedar signed, hooting sadly as she gently placed her hand upon her mate's chest once more.
Taking Cedar's hands into his, Grey smiled down at her and slowly shook his head.
"Don't be sorry. I know you did not mean to," The brown haired chimpanzee signed with a tired huff.
Heaving out a relieved sigh, Cedar beamed back up at Grey and slowly she pulled the bigger male into a hug, placing her head upon her mate's chest while he wrapped his strong arms around her. Closing her eyes, Cedar listened to the steady thumps that sounded from within Grey and smiled to herself. Ever since they had been mated those many winters ago, Cedar had always placed her head upon Grey's chest, just to listen to the steady beating of his heart. Grey had thought that it was odd that Cedar herself was interested in something so insignificant as a heartbeat but to her it had meant so much more. She relished every moment when she would wake up with her head upon the bigger male's chest every morning and would hear the still steady beats from within. These sounds might have not meant anything to Grey himself but to Cedar it had meant the world to her. It informed her that the one ape she had come to love was still alive and with her and their child, among the living.
Glancing back up at Grey, Cedar tilted her head in curiousity when she noticed a certain look upon the male's features.
"You seem troubled. Are you alright?" Cedar asked, reaching up and caressing Grey's jawline to which he gently leaned into with his eyes closed before he reached up and took her hand into his.
"It is nothing," Grey waved it off, not wanting to concern his mate.
Cedar however did not relent and took a hold of Grey's waving hand and stared into his dark eyes with her bright jade colored ones.
"Grey… Do not hide these things from me. If something is troubling you. Please let me know," Cedar signed desperately at her mate.
Upon seeing his mate signing her concerns towards him, caused Grey to smile warmly at Cedar as he stared longingly into her eyes. How did he ever get so lucky to have found an ape like his Cedar? Exhaling a tired breath, Grey had wrapped his hand that was held by Cedar, around hers while he closed his eyes and brought his forehead onto hers.
"I. Will. Tell you. Later," he breathed quietly before opening back up his eyes.
At this Cedar frown but did not push her mate for any more questions. As they took a step back away from each other, Cedar had kept her head pointed down for a moment before she glanced back up at her Grey and gave him a warm smile of her own.
"Later. Then," she whispered.
Upon hearing her words, Cedar noticed her Grey relaxing himself and then looked up and away from her, as if he was searching for something.
"Where is Maple?" Grey questioned after a moment of searching.
At this, Cedar let out a smiling huff, turning around and pointing with a finger.
"They are over there," Cedar informed.
Following with his eyes to where Cedar was pointing at, Grey could see two distinct figures that was of his daughter as well as Ash, the son of Rocket and Tinker, sitting off to the side. Looking back at Cedar the female chimpanzee let out a small chortle.
"They have been like that for a while now," Cedar signed.
Humming in response, Grey turned back to look at his little Maple and a ghost of a smile slowly appeared upon his lips. From where he stood he could see both of the young apes signing as well as grooming one another lovingly. It still astounded Grey that out of all apes, his Maple had chosen the rambunctious Ash. At first he was concern for the safety of his daughter when the young male had seeked out the attention of his little maple tree. But as time went on, Grey noticed the young male had done quite a lot for his daughter. When Maple was having trouble carrying several heavy wood piles, Ash would hopped in and take the piles from her, laughing all the while before asking her where she needed them to go. Ash would also run errands for Maple as well when she needed things for her medical training, such as herbs and tools as such. To Grey's surprise, Ash would even sometimes bring food on over to where the young female was and share with her. It was then Grey had decided to let the two young apes relationship continue and was not surprised that both Rocket and Tinker had agreed as well.
Grey watched from afar as Ash had glanced his way and then turned back to Maple, signing something to her. Curious, Grey watched on until Maple suddenly looked in his direction as well and stood up from her spot. The young brown haired female chimp then darted across the square and practically threw herself onto him, grunting as he felt the young female chimp hugging him.
"Father!" Maple cried out in happiness as she hugged with all her might before taking a step back to look up at the older male.
"Maple," Grey answered back, lowering his head to kiss his daughter upon her temple.
Feeling a hand upon his shoulder, Grey turned slowly to see Cedar smiling warmly at the both of them as she pulled their daughter in close and hugged her as well. He then slowly enveloped his small family with his arms and held them tightly, relishing the fact that no harm had befallen them. It was small moments like these that filled Grey with hope and eased away the realities of pain that he and the apes had endured. Looking up from the faces of his two family members, Grey looked passed them and sighted Ash standing a respectable distance away from them, watching them with warm green eyes.
Glancing down at Maple, Grey noticed that the young female had turned to look at her beloved before she slowly turned back towards him. With a knowing smile, Grey turned back towards Ash and beckoned the younger male to join them. Curiously and timidly, Ash slowly approached before he was immediately pulled in by the older male and was placed right next to Maple, whom hugged him tightly. At this notion both Grey and Cedar couldn't help themselves but chuckle softly among each other but was glad that their little Maple tree was happy with Ash there.
…
Approaching the bridge, Winter hesitantly peeked over the wagon that was being pulled by a couple of their large horses. Upon sighting the large building structures that spiraled up towards the heavens, Winter couldn't' help but shudder a little. The first time he had seen such things they were so foreign and alien to him. Big metal objects that towered into the sky, cold, hard and dead, unlike their trees from home that were warm, soft and brimming with life. So, when he was informed by the older apes about the humans living in them it had confused Winter. He wondered why though, knowing that humans were terrible at climbing from what he's heard. Why would the humans build such large oddities that stretched far into the heavens? Were they trying to prove their worth? A statement to show that even if they could not climb well that they could still reach for the stars themselves? With a groan, Winter held his head with one hand, trying to make sense of it all as he walked along with the others. Maybe he'll never get an answer for why the humans did such things and he was fine with that.
The Golden Gate bridge had about eighteen posts, guarded by ape sentries that kept on the lookout as apes crossed the human city back into the safety of the forest. Stopping by each point, Winter and the others gave the sentry apes food and water and was thanked by his brother in arms. With a smile Winter happily nodded in return and was glad to be of some sort of service to the apes. Looking around Winter could see that Glade offering a small gourd of water to another chimpanzee before he glanced on over and offered a big ole smile, to which Winter reciprocated.
All was going rather well until Winter and the rest of the apes that were providing food came upon the seventeenth post. As the slowly approached, Winter's eyes caught two familiar looking apes who stood with scowls upon their features. Upon closer inspection, Winter's breath caught in his throat. He knew these two apes that stood guard upon the Golden Gate bridge. They were none other than Aghoo and Stripe.
Aghoo is a large gorilla from the Gorilla Guards with massive forearms to match his giant body and angular head. He was quite the known bully as well among the younger males as he would often times challenge whomever came within his sights, to a fight. Winter never understood why the other gorilla would do this. Winter believed that it was Aghoo's way to prove himself the stronger ape and wondered why such a gorilla was allowed among the ranks of the Gorilla Guard. But this was in the end Luca's decision and he would not disrespect the older gorilla's choice in the matter.
Then there was the other ape, a chimpanzee with a long streak of white hair that ran from the middle of his head all the way down to the back left side of his shoulder blade - Stripe, his namesake. Unlike Aghoo, Stripe was not so much of a bully but moreso a lackey, whom tend to follow stronger apes than himself and Aghoo is one such ape. One shouldn't underestimate Stripe though from what Winter had observed. The smaller chimp can hold his own quite well in a fight and has a wild attitude to cause the most hard heartened of apes to think twice before going in on him if they were to suddenly have a scuffle.
With a low groan the wagon containing food and water stopped as the apes unloaded their offerings to the apes stationed here as well. Instead of helping the others hand out food, Winter had gone around the wagon and decided to check the wheels or some other sort as he hoped to avoid being noticed by the two notorious sentry apes. Unfortunately for Winter, fortune did not smile on him as Stipe had rounded the corner of the wagon and grabbed a piece of cooked meat before his wild green eyes spotted Winter by the large wheel. The two stared at each other for a moment before an amused smile spread upon Stripe's mouth and he turned around, letting out a bark all the while. Winter stood there, shocked, and could only stare as Striped turned his grinning face back on over towards him while the giant shape of Aghoo appeared from around the corner as well.
"Winter?" Aghoo signed, tilting his head and giving the albino gorilla a hard stare whilst Stripe merely sneered and watched them.
Winter however kept his head low and turned slowly away, avoiding making eye contact with the much bigger gorilla. Aghoo however did not like this and approached the albino gorilla, stopping before the smaller gorilla and looking him over. Still avoiding eye contact, Winter was about to ask something, that was until Aghoo abruptly cut him off.
"Why are you not at your post?!" Aghoo demanded with a growl, taking a step forward and bumping chest with the white gorilla.
"I-I was told to help with the foraging… To help bring back food," Winter responded as he took a step backward as Aghoo walked into him, leaning in and breathing into his face all the while.
"Lies! No ape told me!" Aghoo signed back with a growl at the timid white gorilla. "You snuck away didn't you? So that you did not have to stay in human city or stay guard here like the rest of us." Aghoo accused. "Winter. Coward," Aghoo finished with his low grunt, shoving a finger into the white gorilla's chest.
The moment Aghoo pressed his finger into Winter's chest, something deep within the white gorilla's chest rose upwards. Letting out a low growl, Winter had bared his ivory fangs and shoved Aghoo backwards, for just the disrespectful display. The wagon containing all of the food that they had gathered and hunted, groaned as Aghoo's backside slammed into it, groaning under his added weight. The sound had caused all of the apes to pause in what they were doing and turn to see what had caused the noise.
Huffing with still wide green eyes, Winter looked down at his shaking hands and then back up at Aghoo, whom was now pushing himself off of the wagon. Did he just do that? Did he just pushed Aghoo away from him? He hadn't meant to do it. Something deep within him had snapped when the bigger gorilla had shoved his digit into Winter's chest, causing instincts to take over momentarily.
"Aghoo I'm sorry, I didn't mean to-"
Before Winter could even finish signing, Aghoo had let out a mighty roar and launched himself towards the white gorilla, knocking him onto the hard pavement beneath them. Briefly stunned by the action, Winter's eyes caught the sight of two fists raised over him and he reacted by bringing his arms to protect his face. The first blows connected with Winter's chest, causing him to groan in pain before he turned to his side and tried to crawl away. However Aghoo was relentless and kept on his assault, bring his giants fists upon Winter's body over and over again with unrelenting force. With a rather loud yelp, Winter had fallen onto his side and covered his torso and head with his arm as he rolled into a fetal position as Aghoo kept on attacking him, roaring all the while, accompanied with hoots and screeches from others as well.
Whimpering in fear, Winter closed his eyes tightly, begging, wishing for everything to stop. Then to his surprise it did. The hitting the roaring the screeching, all stopped. Opening his eyes, Winter had let out a breath and turned his attention upwards to see what had happened to Aghoo. To his surprise, Winter could see the big gorilla struggling with something wrapped around his neck, tossing and turning to get at whatever it was. As Aghoo spun around, Winter's green eyes widened when he saw Glade swinging into view, dangling there as he held onto Aghoo's neck in a choke hole. Amazed that he was rescued by Glade, Winter stared in wonderment as the bonobo grunted, increasing his hold on Aghoo, managing to cause the big gorilla to slump onto all fours.
Glade's moment did not last there unfortunately as Aghoo made one final attempt to grab at him and took a hold of the bonobo's left leg. Feeling that he had gotten a hold of his surprised attacker, Aghoo yanked with all his might and managed to pull the offending ape off of him and throwing Glade onto the ground. Taking the moment to catch his breath, Aghoo reached up and touched at his neck, breathing haggardly due to the strong pressure that was put there. After a brief pause, Aghoo huffed and turned his attention towards Glade whom was slowly standing back up, panting from his own adrenaline rush. With a growl, Aghoo rushed forward and tackled the bonobo back onto the ground and grabbed him by the arm. With a roar, the gorilla then threw Glade like a rag doll and the bonobo went flying, yelping aloud as he slammed into one of the old broken down vehicles a few feet away before falling into a heap.
Landing back down on his knuckles, Aghoo made his way on over to where the other ape was and glared down at him. Aghoo stared down at Glade and saw that while the bonobo was still breathing, did not get back up. Satisfied with that Aghoo rose up onto his legs and let out a mighty bellow as he beat on his chest to announce his victory while many of the other apes hooted in as well while others merely stared on disdainfully at the display. Landing back down onto all fours, Aghoo had let out a gruff at Glade before he turned around and made his way on over to where Winter still laid, with still fearful wide green eyes. Finally standing before Winter, Aghoo huffed aloud, causing the albino gorilla to blink and timidly look up at him.
"Your turn, coward" Aghoo signed and raised his arms again, ready to strike.
Before Aghoo could bring his arms down upon the still stunned Winter, a loud roar pierced the air, causing the gorilla to freeze mid swing. All of the apes looked around to see who made that noise and were all surprise to see Ajax making his way towards them. Backing away slightly, Aghoo and the other apes waited as the older gorilla approached them, stopping and looked around with his sharp green eyes. Ajax then turned his attention onto both Aghoo and Winter, the white haired gorilla uneasily standing up, before his gaze wandered on over to where Glade was slowly propping himself up into a sitting position, leaning his back onto the human vehicle behind him.
"What! Meaning of this!" Ajax bellowed, turning his head to and fro, staring down at all the apes before his eyes landed onto Aghoo's.
"He was not at post Ajax. I was just questioning him why he left and he got upset. Then he attacked me!" Aghoo responded, glaring at Winter.
"He tried to interfere and was beaten up by Aghoo too," Stipe barked in, signing furiously and pointing and accusing finger at Glade.
"No he-" Winter started but stopped when Ajax snorted and glared at him, causing him to stop mid sign.
"We apes should not be fighting. The enemy are the humans that are trying to kill us. If we fight among ourselves now, we would be nothing but standing targets. Understood?!" Ajax signed furiously at everyone whom all lowered their heads and nodded in agreement. "Winter!" Ajax grunted, causing the white gorilla to flinch and give him his full undivided attention. "Take Glade. Go with others. Feed our apes," Ajax commanded.
Winter frowned at this but he looked up at the older gorilla and saw Ajax slightly shake his head side to side, telling him to listen. Exhaling through his nose, Winter closed his eyes and nodded slowly, walking on over to where Glade was sitting and helping him up. The both of them glanced back at Ajax for a moment before they walked on over to where the wagon was and it was ushered forward again.
Once Winter and the others were out of earshot, Ajax's face turned stern and he rounded to face Aghoo and his lackeys that were guarding this section of the bridge.
"Aghoo!" Ajax barked, causing the younger gorilla to give him his attention. "You and other apes break formation or cause any other disturbances again and you all answer me, understood?!" Ajax signed, turning around slowly to face all of them, daring them to go against his orders.
"Understood..." Aghoo grumbled before he too turned around and rejoined Stripe and the others by the vehicles.
With a grunt, Ajax slowly walked passed the apes sentries of this section of the bridge and stared them all down before making his rounds on the bridge to see how everyone else was doing.
Glancing back over his shoulder, Winter breathed through his nose, grateful that Ajax had come to their rescue and was quite relieved to just be away from Aghoo and his lackeys. There was a grunt to his side, causing him to startle and round on over to see Glade groaning and cradling his right side.
"You are hurt," Winter grunted, reaching on over and hovering his hand over the other ape's wounded area.
Glade glanced down at Winter's hand and slowly peered up at the white gorilla, offering a reassuring smile.
"Glade is alright… Do not hurt much. What about you?" Glade asked instead with a pant and one eye closed, face in a pained grimace.
At this, Winter couldn't help but stare at Glade, wondering why the bonobo was worried about an ape like him instead of themselves. Looking down shamefully for a moment, Winter brought his hands up to ask the bonobo a question.
"Why help me? Why worry for me?" Winter signed.
At this question, Glade looked down to the side for a long moment while they walked in silence before he glanced back at Winter and took in a deep breath, offering Winter a pained, sad smile.
"Glade don't know. Glade sees Aghoo hurting Winter. Glade only wanted to help. In my nature," he answered honestly.
Upon seeing what Glade had signed, Winter's eyes widened momentarily, surprised by Glade's compassion for him. Gritting his teeth, Winter had turned his head away from the bonobo, huffing out in shame at his cowardice. It was when Winter had only heard Glade's concerned hoot, did he round his head back to face the bonobo.
"I am sorry. You got hurt because of me," Winter signed apologetically eyes becoming wet with tears.
Upon seeing how sorry Winter was, Glade instead offered the white gorilla a reassuring smile, shaking his head slowly all the while.
"Don't apologize. Glade help because fellow ape was in danger," the bonobo reassured. "Besides, Aghoo is stupid ape. Always picking fights for no reason," Glade concluded with a wave of his hand.
At this, Winter couldn't help but return the infectious smile that Glade was giving him while he boldly signed aloud the stupidity of Aghoo, to which he agreed of course. After several panting laughs from the both of them while they walked alongside the food wagon, Winter touched Glade's shoulder, gaining the other ape's attention.
"Thank you Glade. My friend," Winter signed to which Glade's eyes lit up.
"You are welcome," Glade signed back, beaming back up at Winter.
...
Making his way back to where the apes were with Cornelia and Luca by his side, Caesar had caught sight of the ape that he had left in charge during his absence - Andy, Lake's father and Judy's mate. Upon noticing Caesar and the others making their way towards him, Andy lowered his gaze and offered a supplicating palm.
"Caesar. Welcome back," Andy greeted once Caesar had graced his hand, his leader nodding back at him.
"How goes things here?" Caesar asked the other chimpanzee.
"Many apes are still wounded during the fight with the humans. Others still missing after Koba had taken over. But apes here are making progress.," Andy reported, stepping aside and allowing Caesar to see for himself of what the apes had been doing since his absence.
"And what of the humans?" Caesar questioned, turning to look at the other ape he had put in charge.
"Many humans are accepting ape help to leave the city," Andy informed, not missing Caesar's face going stern.
"And the ones who don't accept ape help?" Caesar probed, causing Andy cautiously look away for a moment before turning his attention back towards him.
"Other humans…. Tried to fight back when apes offered help. Killed many apes in surprise. Apes… Apes fought back," Andy informed, noticing Caesar heaving out a breath and closing his eyes at this news.
"How many apes?" Caesar asked in a weary breath.
Andy furrowed his brows before glancing on over to where Jeanpierre stood watch and, signing at the other chimp. At this time Caesar had opened his eyes again and observed the two chimps conversing with each other before Jeanpierre finally turned his attention towards him.
"Twenty seven more apes dead when we tried to lead humans out of the city," the older ape informed.
Upon this news Caesar huffed, and looked down slightly as he took in all the information. A hoot had caught all of their attention and Caesar looked up, seeing Grey and Pongo approaching them.
"Add two more to that as well," the brown haired chimp signed as he approached Caesar and the others, stopping just by Jeanpierre's side.
"Caesar. I know it is not my place," Andy started hesitantly, turning back to face his leader. "Is it really necessary for our apes to risk their lives for the sake of the humans?"
At Andy's words, Caesar closed his eyes and thought long and hard, debating with himself to see if what he had planned was really worth the investment. Was it right of him to ask his apes to aid the humans whom still attacked them? Risking their lives so that the remaining humans could live? Was his compassion towards the humans overriding the need to protect his own people?
Opening his eyes and glancing up at the other apes again, Caesar then peered past the others into the distance. It was there he could see a few humans walking around and tending to their wounded. Working together to heal both of the species. That was all the answer he needed for now.
"Yes. In order for apes to live peacefully we must be better than the humans. Extend our help to them. Make them see that apes only want peace. Not war," Caesar spoke slowly, turning to look into Andy's bright green eyes.
Andy stared at Caesar for a long while before he too closed his eyes and nodded, a understanding smile appearing on the slightly younger apes features.
"I understand," was all Andy signed with a few of the other apes agreeing as well.
"What do we do with the rest of the humans then?" Jeanpierre asked this time.
Caesar glanced at the older ape for a moment before he turned to look at the humans with his mouth setting into a thin line.
"Like other humans we need to lead them out of the city," Caesar signed to all of them.
…
Maurice did not know how long he had sat with Koba for he had not way of telling the time while sitting here at the bottom of the human tower. Looking upwards towards the top of the tower, at its unfinished top section, Maurice could make out just the barest of sunlight that filtered in from above. If he were to guesstimate, he would probably conclude that it was roughly close to still early to midday morning. Then again he wasn't so sure since he didn't have a good grasp of where the sun's location was in the sky. With a grumbling sigh he just hoped that his friends and the other apes were doing alright out there in the human city. Who knows what else was out there that could possibly bring them harm, especially since Caesar had given them the news that these human soldiers were coming.
During his thoughts, Maurice flinched slightly when he heard an audible gasp coming from his charge. The orangutan then worriedly turned his attention towards the bonobo, noticing the other ape's lips pulled back in a tight grimace, body shaking slightly and chest rising and falling rapidly with each breath intake.
"Koba?" Maurice grunted out, still not used to using his vocal chords to speak.
Instead of getting an answer, Maurice could hear the wounded bonobo huffing out in pain. Reaching out, Maurice hovered his hand over Koba's body and held it there, not knowing what to do. Looking up from his charge, Maurice looked around himself to hopefully find something that could help soothe his distress friend. Finding nothing in sight, Maurice glanced back down, seeing Koba's brows furrowed as his body was starting to feel the effects of all of his wounds. Reaching out to touch Koba's left arm, Maurice had hoped that this gesture would help soothe the other ape. Maurice however was proven to be quite wrong. The moment he had applied pressure upon the other ape's arm, Koba had let out a rather loud painful grunt, causing Maurice to quickly jerk his hand back as if it were suddenly burned.
Grumbling in his throat sac in a apology, Maurice kept his hands to himself and looked around once more. He had never felt so helpless before when helping an ape. Maurice had some sort of primitive knowledge of how they would heal their apes, but not like this. This kind and type of injury was beyond him and he cursed himself for not being able to learn the medical expertise like that of the humans. Now here he stood with possibly, maybe losing another ape and friend.
Just then Maurice's ears picked up another sound and he stood up, looked around and noticed that the noise was coming from the end of the tunnel where Malcolm and Rocket had disappeared down to earlier. Maurice stood at the ready, in case some humans had found their way down here and could not be friendly. However to his great relief, out emerged both Malcolm and Rocket, both seeming to carry something long between the both of them and upon hearing Koba's pained grunts rushed on over towards him. Then to his surprise as well the human woman - Ellie followed right behind the other two and took notice of him.
"I'm sorry we're late! We had to make a few stops and-"
"No time Malcolm! He's going into a state of shock," Ellie cut in, quickly kneeling down next to Koba' side and opening up her backpack.
Nothing more was said between them as the woman quickly pulled her hair back, rolled up her sleeves and began to work on Koba. Maurice watched as the woman observed Koba quickly, touching him gently in the arms, legs, chest and face. She tried to open his mouth but the bonobo would not let the human do so and instead he whipped his head away from her with a low growl. Even in his delirious state of mind and pained state, Koba still detested the humans for some odd reason. Maurice noticed however that Ellie did not care for Koba's little actions and instead she ignored them for the time being, set on helping her patient instead. Diving into her bag, Ellie pulled out a small glass bottle, along with a small syringe. Filling up the needle with the clear liquid, Ellie reached out for Koba's right arm and searched momentarily for his vein before she injected the ape. Maurice watched in wonder as the human woman started to put her things back into her back and turned to say something to Malcolm. Letting his eyes fall back to where Koba was, Maurice soon noticed the other ape's breathing slowing down and body relaxing slightly. Whatever Ellie had injected Koba with seemed to be dulling whatever pain he was in for now.
"Thank. You," Maurice grumbled out, happy that these two humans were helping their friend out.
"Don't thank us yet," Ellie responded with a solemn smile before she whipped her head back around to address Malcolm. "Malcolm I need your help to lift him onto that portable stretcher. We need to be careful. It seems like he has some broken bones and I don't know where he's bleeding from," Ellie informed.
"Alright then," Malcolm replied as he knelt down beside Ellie to help her lift the heavy bonobo onto the stretcher.
Both Rocket and Maurice observed with worried eyes as the two humans carefully lifted Koba from his crater. The bonobo had let out a pained groan when they did and Maurice's heart jumped slightly for the other ape. When they had lifted Koba away from his crater, they all did not miss the rather large stain of blood that decorated the spot. However once both Malcolm and Ellie placed the ape back down onto the portable stretcher the ape had went back to his ragged breathing.
"Sorry we took so long. We had to make some stops, Malcolm apologized to Maurice, whom gave and understanding nod.
The two humans looked at one another and they both gave a knowing nod.
"Tell Caesar that we will be at the house. Don't worry. Ellie and I will take care of him" Malcolm reassured as both he and Ellie bent down to lift Koba up in the stretcher.
Maurice watched as both the humans both carried Koba away and looked down, noticing that Ellie had left her medical bag in her haste to move their friend towards a better spot. Leaning down and picking up the bag, Maurice glanced back up into the direction and pondered if he should follow or not. Rocket taking notice of the bag in Maurice's hands, huffed to himself before he reached a hand out towards the older ape.
"I can still reach and follow them. You will not be able to fit into their vehicle. I'll go back with them and you go tell Caesar what is going on," Rocket signed quickly.
"Are you sure Rocket?" Maurice asked to which the bald chimpanzee merely grunted and nodded once.
"No matter how much I still hate Koba for what he did… He is still ape. And if Caesar wants to save him then I will follow," Rocket signed back.
At this, Maurice smiled genuinely at his old friend. Relieved that Rocket was putting aside his hatred, Maurice had come to respect the other ape just a little more. Glancing back down at the backpack within his hands, Maurice slowly lifted it up and offered it to the bald chimpanzee. Rocket took the bag and slung it over his back like a human would and glanced back up at Maurice.
"Tell Caesar where we are. We will be waiting for him. Also let Tinker and Ash know that I am fine," Rocket signed, Maurice nodding back.
With nothing else to be said between them, Rocket soon bolted after the two humans down the subway tunnel, leaving Maurice there all alone. The orangutan had then closed his beady green eyes and took in a deep breath, silently thanking that their human friends had arrived just in time to help Koba, and Rocket for being the much stronger ape to cast aside his hatred to help another. Turning around slowly, Maurice ambled his way back to where Caesar and the rest of the apes were, ready to relay the messages of what had just transpired.
So OC apes that are mentioned in this chapter is just Glade, everyone else is cannon.
In Revelations, Stipe and Aghoo's physical descriptions weren't described so I described them myself.
Not much else is happening in this chapter unfortunately but it is moving on now. Again sorry for the late post but better late than never eh? Anyways I hope you all enjoyed this section. Happy Readings! And I hope to see you all again in the next chapter.