Sorry everyone for taking so long. I promise I'm not dead. The holidays took a lot out of my time and unfortunately it took me a long longer that it was intended to get this chapter out. So to make up for it, this chapter is a tad longer than usual and I hope it makes up for me not posting in a while. Anyways I hope you all enjoy chapter 18.
With the last of the humans guided out of city safely, Caesar himself had declared that the apes needed to prepare themselves for the soldiers that were coming for them. They all needed to plan ahead for what may come and seek out a way to defend themselves. They were all weary by this burst of grim news, already disheartened by the fact that they've lost so many already. Caesar however told them, told them to stay strong, vigilant and stand their ground in this new threat.
That had been hours ago and soon enough Grey found himself knuckle-walking through the empty streets that were littered with the bodies of both apes and humans. Like all of the other apes around him, they were tasked to gather any weapons that they could find as well as take their dead, so that they may be placed back into the forest where they rightfully belong.
This process was hard for many of Grey's fellow apes as he noticed fathers, brothers, sons and close kin going back to retrieve their lost loved ones. Stopping on one side of the street, Grey could make out the form of Jeanpierre. The older ape staring down at a curled form by his feet. Grey and a few other apes watched as the older chimpanzee bent down and picked up the smaller form and cradled the body close to him while he placed his head upon the deceased chimp's forehead. All of them knew exactly who that young ape was that Jeanpierre was cradling. That limp form belonged to Noble, Jeanpierre's eldest son who had perished much too soon from this world.
The apes then proceeded to keep a respectable distance from the older chimpanzee as he silently weeped for his son. It had hurt every single one of them to see an ape this way. However, what's done is done and they could never go back to the things they were.
Moving one from the scene, Grey bounded down another end of the street and came upon another gruesome sight of bodies. Most of these were humans but there were a few apes that were spotted here and there. Letting his dark green eyes scan the area, Grey's sights soon came upon two bodies that laid not too far from each other. Knuckle walking over slowly towards the two still forms, Grey noticed that they looked somewhat familiar. Reaching out to the both of them, Grey gently turned them over and was met with half lidded glassy eyes.
Meeting their dull eyes, Grey couldn't help himself as he quickly looked away, staring at anything else but those glassy eyes that seemed to stare endlessly into him. After recovering somewhat, Grey made an effort to slowly look back down at the deceased apes.
He knew these two young chimpanzees - Green Leaf and Woodrow. Two troublemakers who were often not very far from the other. Where one was sighted one could count that the other was very close by. Green Leaf and Woodrow both had a special connection to one another, something like a brotherly bond. It was akin to what Grey himself believed the young prince Blue Eyes had with his very own daughter's close friend - Ash. Witnessing the sight of these two young apes, taken from this world had really hurt Grey. Not physically but something much deeper. A feeling that he couldn't quite put to hand signs nor words.
They were never meant to be in a war, no ape should.
Kneeling downwards, Grey eased his arms under Green Leaf and gently lifted his body up, carrying his lithe body all the way back to the wagons where they were to put the bodies in. Setting Green Leaf's form down within the cart, Grey slowly turned back around and walked back to retrieve Woodrow's body. Finally placing Woodrow's bulkier form down with Green Leaf's lithe one, Grey stared at the two chimps, noticing how they both were were looking at each other with their glassy eyes. Heaving out a breath, Grey reached down with both of his hands and gently closed both Green Leaf's and Woodrow's eyelids fully, giving them the image of two young apes soundlessly sleeping. However Grey knew otherwise and his heart ached deeply for their loss.
Grey then glanced back up at the afternoon sky and stared at it, hoping that these two apes as well as the rest of their lost ones found peace at last, away from this harsh world that they were now thrown in.
Farewell young ones.
After the deed was done, Grey slowly backed away and proceeded to finish what he and the other apes had set out to do. To gather weapons, supplies and rest of their lost kin before the human soldiers arrived.
The whole process went long and well into the late afternoon, with the apes taking a break every now and then to gather themselves or take a momentary rest from all of what has happened to them. It was when Grey had noticed a hulking figure approach him, causing him to turn and face whomever it was. To his surprise, Grey noticed that the figure belonged to none other than that of Rex, one of the apes that seemed to have followed Pope and now was following Red instead.
He wondered what the gorilla wanted from him.
"Have you made up your mind yet?" Rex asked as he looked down at the brown haired chimpanzee.
Heaving out a tired sigh, Grey casted his head down to the side, now understanding why Rex was there.
"About Red's offer?" Grey questioned , not even facing the gorilla whom he heard grunted in confirmation, possibly nodding at the same time as well.
Taking in yet another deep breath, Grey turned to look up at Rex, his own dark green eyes full of determination.
"I have already made my decision. I will need to speak with you, Red and the rest of the apes if we are to save our apes from Caesar's rule," Grey signed closed to his chest, so that only Rex could see.
At this Rex huffed out an amused breath, nodding once in approval before laying a hand upon the brown haired chimpanzee's shoulder.
"I knew you would make the right choice Grey. You will make a fine leader. Red chose well," Rex complimented.
"Too much ape blood were spilled during the battle and much more were lost just trying to save the humans whom never wanted out help in the first place. Caesar's love for humans… It will be nothing but cause destruction for the apes," Grey explained, gesturing to the many ape bodies that were still strewn about the city streets to which Rex followed with his eyes. "We will need a good plan if we are ever to escape Caesar's grasp for a better future," Grey concluded.
"Well said," Rex complimented with a giant smile. "What should I tell Red...? My king," Rex asked finally.
"Tell Red. To meet me on the human buildings. When the sun is about to disappear. There we will talk. Talk about what we need to do in order to save the rest of the apes. Until then, do as we were told by Caesar. To avoid suspicion from ape that follow Caesar," Grey finished, earning a few pats on the shoulder from the bigger gorilla.
"You will make a fine leader indeed," Rex signed with a giant smile.
Seeing Rex beaming down at him, Grey couldn't help but offer a grin of his own. With that being said between the both of them, Rex turned around and proceeded to return to the job at hand, moving away from Grey. Watching Rex's hulking form take leave, Grey paused for a moment and stared up at the orange colored sky before letting his eyes wander back on over to where the human tower stood.
...
Taking Caesar's arm, Ellie hesitated briefly, hovering the needle right above the skin that held the vein underneath. She met Caesar's eyes momentarily and the ape leader merely huffed, nodding his head at her, giving her the okay. That was all the confirmation Ellie needed as took in a deep breath before silently sliding the needle into the ape leader's arm.
Maurice, Rocket and Luca all watched curiously, noting that Caesar's life blood flowed through the clear small tube, finally reaching the other end with a needle at the tip. Carefully Ellie maneuvered the other end over Koba's arm and just like she did with Caesar, inserted it into him as well.
"Keep your arm still and sit right here okay? I don't want you to move," Ellie said quietly as she gently guided Caesar onto the recliner chair that was moved to where Koba laid.
"How. Long?" Caesar asked, turning to look up at Ellie.
"A little while," Ellie responded softly, taking Caesar's hand and patting it. "If you feel any form of discomfort or anything wrong. You let me and the others know immediately. Alright?" Ellie finished, to which Caesar merely stared and nodded at her once.
Taking a deep breath, Ellie looked like she wanted to say something else but stopped herself. Looking away she stood up slowly and with Malcolm and Alex, gathered the medical equipment, silently taking their leave.
Watching the humans making their way down the hall and disappearing from sight, Rocket turned back to where Caesar sat and approached him. His emerald dark green eyes looked from Caesar's tired form to where Koba lay, panting in his sleep.
"Caesar. Why?" Rocket questioned, turning back to meet his friend's eyes not understanding why Caesar was willing to do anything to help out this traitor.
"No more death. Apes. Must save. Apes," Caesar panted meeting Rocket's stern gaze.
Even though he did not like the situation that Caesar had put himself in with a burning passion. Rocket, with all of his heart, understood why Caesar would go through such lengths in doing this. He knows that Caesar was willing to sacrifice himself for all of them, to protect them, to heal them, at the expense of his own self and it annoyed Rocket to no end. Surprisingly enough this was probably a question that was brought up by Koba himself, if Rocket could recall.
"Why?!"
"Tried. To kill you!"
"I understand."
"Stop all this."
Those were the words that were exchanged between both Caesar and Koba while they stood at the top of the human tower. Koba, whose words were fueled with emotion contrasted to Caesar's who was fueled by rationality. Back then, surprising even him, Rocket had agreed with Koba for a brief moment, wondering why Caesar would spare Pope. The one ape who had tried to kill him and usurp his rule and leadership. But then again, that was what made Caesar Caesar, the single ape that was like them, yet so different in his way of thinking.
Caesar was willing to forgive and make peace, no matter what was done to him, be they humans or apes. Rocket himself comprehended why Caesar was like that but couldn't help himself as a thought entered his mind. How long would Caesar's forgiveness last? How long would his best friend and leader be able to endure such atrocities that were thrown at him? Before it reaches a breaking point? Before it finally tips Caesar over the edge, causing him to lose all sense of reason and hope? Rocket feared for that day to come and hopes that, that day, would never arrive for his friend. For Caesar deserved better than this.
Rocket watched as Caesar reached out, touched his shoulder then his cheek, a smile upon his features.
"You. Helped?" Caesar asked, indicating with a head nod down at Rocket's red stained hands.
Following Caesar's gaze, Rocket looked down at himself and had just now noticed the red colors that were upon his hands. Bringing his fist upwards, he stared at it for a moment, flexing his red stained fingers before turning his attention back to where Caesar sat.
"Humans could not hold down Koba… Had to help," Rocket explained himself begrudgingly, letting his eyes wander back to where Koba laid, still slightly panting.
Looking at Caesar again when he heard his friend give out a soft grunt, Rocket noticed that Caesar had beckoned him on over. Curiously, Rocket approached his old friend, wondering what Caesar had wanted from him. The other chimp then reached out and cupped the back of his head, slowly bringing both of their foreheads together.
"Thank you. My friend," Caesar spoke quietly.
The touching of heads, a symbol of trust. This was something that Caesar himself did not do often, only displaying it to the ones that he'd really cared for or put a lot of faith and hope in. This was the second time that day that Caesar had placed their foreheads upon each others. Feeling Caesar lifting his head away from him, Rocket glanced up at his friend's tired eyes, seeing the trust and warmth within them. Exhaling through his nose, Rocket eyed Koba's form once more but did nothing else. If Caesar was willing to forgive an ape then he too can learn as an example.
…
After his meal, Blue Eyes had taken the opportunity to just sit there and rest, letting his mind wander back to the events that had unfolded the past couple of days. Sniffing quietly to himself, Blue Eyes glanced around and noticed that he was not the only ape that was having these thoughts. The others had a forlorn look within their eyes as they stared at the ground or past the other apes while many of the young ones teetered around them. Those eyes, eyes that were remembering the horrors of their fight with the humans and what they had lost during the process, all because they wanted to avenge his father.
Oh, how stupid and gullible was he as well…
While he was deep within his own mind a hand had placed itself upon Blue Eyes' arm, causing him to blink and turn to see who it was. There with a concern look upon her face sat Lake the smaller female gazing up at him with her evergreen colored eyes.
"Blue Eyes?What is the matter? Something wrong?" Lake asked worriedly.
Taking in a deep breath, Blue Eyes turned away from the female, avoiding her worried stare.
"Nothing is wrong," Blue Eyes signed close to his chest, so that Lake could see.
No… Everything was wrong, Blue Eyes had wanted to tell Lake. The apes, the humans, his family? Everything that used to be peaceful, joyful and full of merry times, gone within one single night. Now nothing else filled their hearts except fear and dread due to the news of human soldiers coming for them. What were they to do? His father had explained that they needed to prepare themselves but prepare themselves for what? They had never fought with humans before and with what Blue Eyes saw, they are more than capable of great destruction. Apes and humans died from both sides and for the ones that survived the battle were forever ruined as they lost loved ones. Many others will most likely ever be the same again due to the injuries that they've sustained. So no, everything is wrong and it scared him, and it frustrated him so to no end.
Feeling gentle hands cupping his face, Blue Eyes was then guided by them, letting his gaze fall back to where Lake was. To Blue Eyes' surprise he now saw a the smaller female silently shedding tears as she held onto his face. Why was Lake crying? Was she hurt? Was she in pain? What was going on? As more questions swirled within his mind, the sensation of a thumb caressing his wet cheek brought him out of his thoughts. Wet cheek? That wasn't right? Why was his cheek wet? Confused Blue Eyes blinked and he felt warmth flowing down the sides of his face. Reaching up slowly, Blue Eyes touched his face before bringing it back to see that they were wet from his own tears. Huffing quietly, Blue Eyes glanced back at Lake whom held her hands close to her bosom.
"It's okay Blue Eyes. We are all scared," Lake signed as she reached up to wipe away at her own tears with the back of her hand.
Was it that obvious that he was afraid? He'd thought he had hid it well. However Lake had seemed to have seen right through him. She had then seemed to share his pain as well, this pain that wasn't on the surface but something deeper. What was it that his uncle and teacher Maurice had told him earlier?
"Pain is here on the surface," Blue Eye recalled the orangutan's hand signs as he older ape traced his hands over his scars he received from the bear. "Pain is here too, much deeper and not on the surface but inside," Maurice had finished as he placed a finger upon the prince's temple and chest, where his heart pumped within him.
But how does one remedy such a pain like this one? What does an ape do when they were feeling this way? Was there ever a way to soothe such a thing?
Letting out a shuddering breath, Blue Eyes was about to say something to Lake but the young female instead reached out and hugged him, holding him tightly. Surprise was the first thing that ran through Blue Eyes' mind. However hearing Lake's small whimpers, Blue Eyes suddenly realised that he wasn't the only one that had suffered as well. Like him, Lake must have been put through quite a lot in the aftermath of what had happened to them. She and the other females had to tend and care for many of the injured after the battle. Not just that they must have also faced the fact that they couldn't save all of the apes, especially the ones that were beyond saving and had succumbed to their grievous wounds.
Oh how selfish was he in his way of thinking to have think that he was the only one that had suffered from all of this. Relaxing his body, Blue Eyes slowly wrapped his arms around Lake's small form and held her close to him. Placing his chin upon Lake's head, Blue Eyes closed his eyes and brought his hand up to hold the back of the female's head.
"I'm sorry," Blue Eyes apologized.
"Its. Okay. Not your. Fault," Lake answered back, moving her head to look up at Blue Eyes.
Surprisingly enough, what Lake had said to him rang true. For the apes to see a better future, they must indeed face this hardship that lay before them. And to overcome this unknown pain, they must be there for one another, like Lake was here for Blue Eyes now and he vice versa.
Hearing approaching footsteps, both Blue Eyes and Lake turned their heads when they noticed an older looking female chimpanzee with an elegant slender form with dark hair that almost seemed like it was gleaming under the sun's light. What stood out about this older female though were her evergreen eyes that seemed to glow, a stark resemblance of Lake's very own eyes. With a sniff, Lake separated herself from Blue Eyes and dried her tears before making her way on over towards the older female.
"Mother," Lake greeted with a sad smile.
"Lake," the older female signed before she brought her daughter close in for a hug, her movements full of affection as she cradled Lake. "What is the matter Lake? Did you hurt yourself? What is wrong?" the female asked.
From where Blue Eyes stood, he could see both mother and child signing to one another before the older female had a look of understanding before she directed her attention to him and slowly walked over.
"Hello Blue Eyes," the female greeted.
"Hello aunt Judy," Blue Eyes signed back.
There was a call in the distance and the three apes turned around, seeing a group of females looking in their direction. Turning back around slowly to look at the two youngsters, Judy couldn't help but let a small frown cross her features.
"Is something wrong mother?" Lake asked curiously, wondering why her mother looked so troubled.
"Many apes are still injured Lake. Not enough ape healers to go around," Judy explained sadly, disheartened to have to come retrieve her daughter for such terrible things, especially when Lake was having a moment with the one chimpanzee whom she had a certain fondness for.
Holding her hands close towards her bosom, a look of sadness crossed Lake's features while she looked up at her mother. Glancing around, Lake could see that many of their injured still needed to be tended to and as much as she wanted to spend time with Blue Eyes, her duty was to the apes first. What she wanted would have to come later. With yet another defeated sigh, Lake turned to look apologetically at Blue Eyes, offering him a sad smile.
"I am sorry Blue Eyes, but I have to go help my mother and the other apes," Lake explained. "Maybe if you are free when I am done. We can meet up with each other again?" Lake offered.
Understanding well that duties often calls, Blue Eyes nodded and looked away from the smaller female. Hearing Lake approach him, Blue Eyes then felt Lake's hand upon his chest before it moved up to touch his cheek. Meeting her gaze, Blue Eyes could see the serene and apologetic look she was giving him. Leaning slightly into her touch, Blue Eyes was quite disappointed when Lake finally removed her hand away from his face and started to walk back to where the healers were with her mother.
Watching the two females take their leave, Blue Eyes unconsciously reached up and touched the side of his face where Lake had her hand there. Watching Lake take her leave though, Blue Eyes suddenly felt… Empty, like something that kept his complete was being pulled away from him. Like a part of him was leaving him behind. He couldn't place this feeling, but spending time with Lake was one of the greatest things that had happened to him, since all of this had started. With Lake, Blue Eyes could feel at ease, comforted by her presence, as if her being there abated those ill feelings that he held deep within him.
Huffing, Blue Eyes finally turned away from both mother and daughter to look elsewhere. To his surprise though Blue Eyes spotted Ash and Maple in the distance. In his curiousity, Blue Eyes could make out Ash helping the brown haired female wrapping up one of their injured ape's arms. Once they had finished patching up the injured ape, Maple had congratulated the bigger male and kissed him upon the cheek. Watching those two work together had suddenly reminded Blue Eyes of his father's words. Those words that were yelled out by his would be then, deranged uncle - Koba.
Apes. Together. Strong.
As if knowing that Blue Eyes was watching them, Ash had sighted the young prince and waved ecstatically back at him. Letting out an amused huff, Blue Eyes waved once back at his friend and honorary brother before he turned away from him. Thinking upon it Blue Eyes then let his gaze fall back to where both Lake and her mother was still walking away. As his thoughts wandered back to Ash helping Maple, Blue Eyes understood what he needed to do and he bounded after both Lake and her mother.
"Let me help," Blue Eyes gestured as he skidded to a stop in front of both Judy and Lake, startling the two females.
"Blue Eyes?" Lake signed confusingly.
"I want to help. Help you, help apes," Blue Eyes signed, panting with every breath he took and for some reason his heart was hammering from within his chest as he stood there.
"Help?" Lake asked in a quiet voice.
"Yes. Help," Blue Eyes answered back with his own voice, full of determination.
Curiously, Lake paused to think for a moment before she turned to look up at her mother. The older female however had a warm smile set upon her lips and she slowly turned to look at Lake as well before turning her gaze back on over to where Blue Eyes stood.
"Of course Blue Eyes. You can help Lake. Come, follow. We will will need your strength," Judy informed the young prince as she walked passed him.
Upon seeing this, a genuine smile spread upon Blue Eye's face and he turned to look at Lake whom couldn't help but beam right back at him. He then watched as Lake slowly walked on over to where he stood and gently took his hand into hers, holding onto it tightly. She smiled up at him and together they both made their way to where the rest of the apes healers were at.
…
Hissing in pain, Koba drew his hands back from the cold water from the river and stared down at them. They were filled with bruises and cuts, and for the life of him he could not remember how he got them. Closing his hands into tight fists, the bonobo lowered his arms down to his side and looked around himself, wondering where he was. To his surprise all Koba could see was a thick dense fog that surrounding him from all sides, leaving just him by the river's side that was visible. Why was he out here? All alone? Away from the safety of their home back within the forest? Usually he'll be within his hut and or within the colony grounds but for some reason he found himself all alone today.
Curiously, Koba's good eye finally travelled back down to where his image reflected off from the water's surface and stared down at it. Unsurprisingly, Koba could see a broken and miserable looking bonobo, staring back at him. With bruises and cuts that also marred his face, along with the noticeable scar that ran down his left eye, leaving it blind. The longer he stared at his atrocious reflection the more Koba hated it, he was but a reminder to the apes that humans were nothing but cruel and took what they wanted from him, no matter what damage they did. It made him sick and thus was the driving force for him to keep all the humans away from the apes, lest they suffer the same fate as he did.
While looking down at his reflection, ripples suddenly disturbed the water's surface, surprising Koba. Snapping his head up, Koba looked around to see what could have caused the ripples. Letting his gaze wander around, Koba himself had let out a low growl before he took in a deep breath and eyed his reflection again. To his surprise the ape that stared back at him was shedding tears, his tears, and with a blink a few droplets caused another series of ripples to disturb the water's surface.
Sniffing loudly, Koba reached up with one arm and furiously wiped at his eyes to rid himself of this weakness that he was suddenly displaying. Letting out a small whimper, Koba glanced back down at his reflection, wondering why he was crying all of a sudden. What had caused this spontaneous emotion of sadness within him? The pain was unbearable and he could not figure out why or where it had come from. Yet, for some reason this pain that settled within his heart was very familiar, as if he's experienced it before.
Lowering his arm, Koba looked back down at his reflection and was quite startled to not see not himself, but the image of another ape, one that bore crosshatched scars upon the left side of his face. Stunned, Koba was staring down at Pope, whom seemed to sneer at him from within the water.
"Ape. Not kill. Ape," Pope's voice seemed to echo all around Koba.
Panting slightly, Koba winced when he heard a loud explosion that seemed to be coming from beneath him. Looking around frantically, Koba had suddenly found himself standing atop of a girder, high atop of the human tower. Everywhere he looked though his vision was filled with that of the raging flames that danced all around him. Coughing and sputtering, Koba tried to run away from the fire, quardrapeding across the girder and jumping off of it, landing hard onto the concrete floor that jutted out of the side of the building. There was another roar and a explosion as flames rose from where he had stood just momentarily before, engulfing the girder within it.
Getting up slowly from his spot Koba was now panting and confused all at the same time. Wincing and falling onto his knees, Koba had looked down at himself as he noticed scars starting to appear on his body with blood running down them. The pain, it was immeasurable as he suddenly convulsed within himself, groaning loudly as his back, torso, arms and legs all flared through him.
While in the throes of his newly acquired scars and injuries a shadowy figure was running towards Koba. With heaving breath, Koba glanced up when he heard pounding footsteps and was suddenly knocked backwards onto the ground. Before he could recover himself the figure had suddenly landed on top of him and wrapped its hands around his neck. Gasping for air, Koba reached upwards and try to pry his attacker's hands off of him. Unfortunately his attacker did not let go of his hold and when Koba glanced upwards to see who it was, his eyes widened at who he saw. To his shock, Koba's attacker was none other than Pope, bloodied and beaten, whom was baring his fangs as he glared back down at him.
"Po-pe?" Koba gasped.
"Ape! Not Kill! Ape!" Pope seethed through his clenched teeth as he tightened his grip upon Koba's neck.
Trying his best to pry Pope's hands off of his neck, Koba's vision started to flicker in and out as he looked up at his attacker. Oddly enough as his vision started to fade, Pope's image slowly morphed into that of Caesars, confusing him. It seemed like both of the chimpanzees were choking the life out of him, both working together as one being. No longer having the strength to fight back against his aggressors, Koba's hands fell down to the sides as he allowed both of the chimpanzees to end him, closing his eyes finally.
...
With an upstart, Koba heaved out a gasp, as his eyes flew open. Breathing heavily, Koba looked around frantically, wondering as to what and where he was. Grunting and hissing, Koba flinched as his body screamed during his sudden movement.
"Koba," a familiar voice called out, causing the bonobo to go still.
Panting, Koba's good and blind eye wandered on over to where he had heard the voice and was stunned to see Caesar, as well as the other apes standing there, all looking at him.
"Ce… Cea… Ceazar?" Koba slurred as pain flared every time he tried to move his mouth to speak.
"Koba," Caesar answered in a tired but hopeful voice.
Breathing hard, Koba recollected himself and laid back down, unable to even move as he kept his gaze upon Caesar. Letting his eyes wander around, Koba tried to get a sense of where he was at but all he saw was an unfamiliar setting, which confused him even more. Why was he here, all injured and unable to move?
As he tried to remember as best as he could, images of screaming in pain and hands touching him resurfaced back into his mind. Scrunching his face up at those brief flashes of images, Koba had shut his eyes tightly before he heard movement a few feet away from him. Cracking open his good eye, Koba looked to whom had entered the room and was quite shocked to see three humans standing in the hallway entrance.
With the appearance of the humans, memories that Koba himself was trying to recall, came flooding back into him. Memories of hearing that piercing gunfire in the dark that started everything. Caesar's death. The attack on the humans. Almost killing Ash. Refusing to listen to Maurice. Pope's betrayal and lies. Caesar's voice stopping him from killing Pope. Happiness that Caesar was alive. Disappointment at Caesar's forgiveness and wrong way to lead the apes. His fight with Caesar. Caesar telling him that he belonged in a cage, hurting him more than he could ever know. The tower's collapse. Pope firing a gun at Caesar and the others. Him taking action and knocking the crazed chimpanzee off of the ledge. Caesar trying to hold onto him. Him letting go to save his Caesar.
"Caesar. I…" Koba voiced, turning to look at the ape leader.
What Koba saw though was Caesar's stern face, staring back at him with those piercing golden green orbs. Silence fell between all of them and Koba knew that no matter what he'd say to Caesar, his words were nothing to the ape leader now. Instead, Koba casted his gaze downwards and heaved out a weary sigh. Most likely Caesar was disappointed and furious for what he had done to the apes. As the silence drew one the sound of creaking floorboards caught everyone's attention.
"Caesar we need to check on him," Koba heard the human woman speak.
"Yes," Caesar simply responded, keeping his gaze upon Koba as the bonobo brought his gaze back up to glare at the humans.
Seeing the human approach him, Koba's breathing hitched and he tried to sit up, to back away from the the creature that had caused him so much pain and misery. The human woman had paused for a moment when Rocket and Luca stepped in, ready to defend her from Koba if necessary. To everyone's surprise though, the woman simply laid her hands upon both Luca and Rocket's shoulders, nodding at them once before moving on towards the injured bonobo.
"It's okay. I am not going to hurt you," the woman spoke aloud in a soft and gentle voice.
"Human… Lies!" Koba wheezed, trying to sit up and baring his fangs at her.
Again Rocket and Luca made to move but the woman simply held her palm out to them, reassuring them that all was well. Taking in a deep breath, the woman sat on her knees next to the couch that contained the injured ape and made eye contact with the bonobo.
"No. No lies. I promise. No one is going to hurt you," the woman reassured.
Koba's breathing quickened as he saw the human woman slowly reached out towards him and placed her hand upon his scarred arm. If he was not so injured, he would have lunged at the human and ripped her face off with his bare hands, even if Luca and Rocket were to jump in. She was lucky that he was in no position to do so. However to his surprise, the human was rubbing and patting his arm gently, like a mother would often do when their child is hurt or in distress.
"It's going to be okay. You don't need to be scared. I'm going to help you okay," the woman explained as she offered him a smile.
Confused by this, Koba let his eyes wander on over to where the others stood and he saw both Maurice and Caesar nodding at him. Panting still, Koba looked away for a moment before he glared back at the human, relaxing his body a little bit. Seeing this as an okay the human woman started to tend to his wounds.
…
While he observed Ellie taking care of Koba, Caesar turned to his right as the orangutan neared him, curiously looking at the iv that connected to both he and the bonobo.
"It worked. Your blood. Saved Koba," Maurice beamed, causing a smile to spread upon Caesar's lips as well.
"Yes. It did," Caesar answered back tiredly, noticing that Koba was looking at him from the corner of his eyes.
"Even we apes did not know that such a thing was possible. Could it work for all apes I wonder?" Maurice kept on signing as he took a closer look.
Caesar himself did not know that answer Maurice's question. Maybe Ellie and or if his human father was still around, could probably enlighten them with the details about blood sharing. But even then, it was a dangerous process if Caesar himself could recall, one that they need to understand more.
With that thought in mind though, Caesar and the other's noticed that Ellie had finished tending to Koba as she had patiently waited for Caesar and Maurice to finish with their talk. Fully giving her his attention, Caesar looked down at the human woman.
"Caesar, it's been over an hour. We need to take that off. You've done more than enough," Ellie explained.
Looking down at his left arm, Caesar couldn't believe that an hour has already gone on by. Of course he had become severely tired throughout the whole process but the others wouldn't let him sleep nor would their human friends allow it either. During that time though, Ellie had instructed Caesar to take in some food and drink some water, in which he did of course. Now knowing that Koba was alright for the time being, Caesar presented his arm in which Ellie medically pulled the iv from his arm out and quickly bandaged it up.
"Are you in pain Caesar? Does it hurt anywhere?" Ellie asked quietly to which Caesar merely shook his head.
"Just. Very tired," Caesar huffed back.
"I bet," Ellie said aloud in just as much of tiredness to her voice as Caesar's. "I can't believed it worked. You've done amazingly well Caesar. There's no words to put on how happy and proud I am at what you did," she praised.
Gathering up her equipment, Ellie took one last glance at Koba, whom simply look at her still before meeting Caesar's gaze once more.
"Make sure that both you eat and drink lots of water alright? Rest easy now," Ellie said slowly as she reached out and placed a hand upon Caesar's shoulder.
With that said from the human woman the other apes step aside as Ellie walked back on over to where Malcolm and Alexander had kept a vigil watch upon them from the hallway entrance.
With a sigh, Caesar sat down onto one of the reclining chairs and turned to look at Koba who had kept quiet still all this time. After a brief moment, Caesar turned back to look at Maurice, Rocket and Luca.
"We need to go back to the apes. It is getting very late and they will start wondering where I have disappeared off to," Caesar signed.
"Caesar, are you well enough to make it back to the tower? You are still very weak from giving Koba blood," Maurice explained.
"I do not have a choice. I must show strength and guide the apes," Caesar gestured back.
Maurice, Rocket and Luca all glanced at one another. They all knew that if Caesar had his mind set on something there was nothing that could stop him. With a grunt, Rocket step forward and pounded his chest once with his fist.
"If that is what you want Caesar. You have my support," Rocket signed earning a smile from the ape leader
"And if you fall, I will be there to pick you up until we reach the apes," Luca jumped in gaining a nod from Caesar himself.
"What about Koba and the humans. Not safe to leave them here with him," Rocket gestured, taking the moment to glare at the injured ape momentarily before looking at the others again.
There was noise and they all turned to look at Maurice whom was rubbing his chin before his beady green eyes turned to look on over at Koba and then back at them.
"I will stay here for the time being. Keep an eye on Koba. You three are needed back with the apes much more than me," Maurice offered.
"You sure?" Luca questioned the older orangutan to which Maurice merely grunted and nodded with a smile.
"I have done this many times before, This will be no different," Maurice answered with a smile while both Rocket and Luca hesitantly looked at one another, feeling uneasy about leaving the orangutan behind. "I can take care of myself. Always have. Always will. The trouble is not here, but out there, in the unseen," Maurice indicated, pointing out at the window towards the dark orange and red colored sky.
Both Rocket and Luca followed Maurice's hand and they too gazed out at the world outside. The older orangutan was right. The trouble was not here right now but out there, where the human soldiers were coming for them. And they all needed to prepare of what is to come.
"Go. The apes need your guidance Caesar. I only wish you were in better condition to do so. In the meantime. Rest easy for the rest of the night," Maurice advised, placing a hand upon his old friend's shoulder, gaining a nod from his king.
After speaking with Caesar, Maurice then turned to face both Rocket and Luca, looking at them both in the eyes.
"You two support Caesar. For he needs both of your strengths now, more than ever," Maurice informed with a sad smile.
With that both Rocket and Luca nodded in unison before they both pounded their chests with with one closed fist, over their heart, signifying that they both understood with absolution. Smiling at them both, Maurice then slowly turned to look at Caesar.
"Be well my friend," Maurice signed.
"We will see each other soon," Caesar signed back before stepping in and placing both his and Maurice's foreheads together. "Take care of the humans and Koba," Caesar gestured as he pulled back, gaining a nod from the orangutan.
With that said between all of them, Caesar, Rocket and Luca made their way out of the house.
"Wait! Where you guys going off to?" Malcolm called out from the end of the hallway as he heard the apes leaving.
Caesar paused momentarily to look behind him as Malcolm, Ellie and Alexander came running up to them.
"Apes. Need me," Caesar breathed.
"Caesar… You're in no condition to be moving around," Ellie said aloud in a worried tone.
Caesar however merely turned to look at the small human family and offered them a small smile.
"Thank you. For all. You have done," Caesar said simply before he turned around and started to walk away.
Malcolm, Ellie and Alex however hugged one another as they watched Caesar, Rocket and Luca taking their leave.
"Caesar," a voice spoke out, causing the family of three to quickly turn around, surprised to see Maurice there. "Will be. Fine," he finished.
The family stared in awe and shock at the orangutan as this was the second time he's ever said anything to them.
"The surprises never end. Do they?" Malcolm sighed before a smile enveloped his face, with it spreading upon Elllie's and Alexander's as well.
Back in the room, Koba had kept his eyes shut tightly and sniffed quietly to himself while everyone else was distracted, allowing one single tear to fall from his closed lids.
...
As nightfall finally came upon them, the apes all hid themselves among the human city remains for the evening. Tinker, along with Cornelia and the rest of the apes healers were just finishing up for the rest of the evening, preparing to continue their work tomorrow. While she was helping them clean, Tinke glanced up and noticed something dark moving along the building's shadows, climbing upwards upon them. Squinting her eyes she tried to make out to see if her eyes were playing tricks on her. After a long while of seeing nothing else, Tinker waved the thought away and resumed her task at hand.
While in the middle of her duties, a series of hoots had caught Tinker's attention. Rising up from her spot, Tinker looked back to where Cornelia had stood as well, making eye contact with her friend before the two quietly strode to stand at the top of the stone steps. Both of the females observed a crowd of apes as they all hooted and shouded before they bowed unanimously as several apes walked among them. Letting out a small gasp, Tinker unconsciously reached out and took Cornelia's hand as they both gazed down upon the familiar apes making their way towards them.
Tinker's eyes became wet when she sighted Caesar, Luca and finally, her Rocket, whom was now standing at the base of the stone steps and looking up at her. With a small hoot, Tinker quickly descended the steps and practically threw herself upon the male that awaited her, wrapping her arms as much as she could around the bigger male's torso. Taking in Rocket's familiar scent, Tinker buried her face into her mate's hairless chest as the male wrapped his strong arms around her, embracing her and holding onto her smaller body.
"Rocket," Tinker whispered tenderly."My. Dear. Rocket."
"Tinker," Rocket answered back just as affectionately in his unique grunting voice that Tinker was so very fond of.
Reaching up with her hand, Tinker placed it upon her mate's cheek and looked up at him, meeting his eyes with hers. Rocket however reached up as well and placed his hand over Tinker's, leaning into her touch with his eyes closed. The two chimpanzees stayed like that for a moment before Rocket opened his eyelids halfway while Tinker couldn't help but huffed out happily as tears fell from her eyes. Both rubbed foreheads momentarily before Tinker drew her head back and leaned upwards, placing a gentle kiss upon Rocket's lips.
"I see you Rocket," Tinker signed.
"I see you Tinker," Rocket signed back before he nuzzled Tinker's cheek with his snout, causing the smaller female to let out a small series of pant laughters.
The two were then interrupted as they felt a set of arms wrapping around them, tightly squeezing them into a hug. Knowing exactly who this newcomer was, Tinker turned to smile up at her son whom grinned back at her with his eyes closed. Reaching out, Tinker embraced her only child and kissed Ash atop his head, happy that her family was whole again.
Letting her gaze wander away from Rocket and Ash for a moment, Tinker glanced back to where Cornelia was. She smiled when she saw that Cornelia, Caesar, Blue Eyes and their little one - Cornelius were all embracing each other lovingly as well. With a sigh of contempt, Tinker looked back up at her mate and laid her head upon Rocket's shoulder, holding onto him as they all watched Caesar and the others separating from one another.
Soon enough after their reunion, both of the families turned in for the evening, as they were all weary both physically and emotionally. The rest of the apes that stayed in the city did the same, with them all finding a safe area to sleep for the night.
Settling herself next to Rocket, Tinker laid her hands upon his broad chest while Rocket himself draped his arm over her protectively. Smiling, Tinker lifted her head just slightly just to see Ash's form just on the other side of them, sleeping soundlessly. Seeing that their child was safe and sound, Tinker laid her head back down and closed her eyes as she snuggled closer to her Rocket. Tinker relished in the presence of her two boys and hoped that no harm would befall either of them, so long as she lived. With that thought in mind, sleep finally came for Tinker as well as the rest of the apes for that evening.
OC Apes mentioned in this chapter.
Judy - Mother of Lake and Andy's mate.
Noble - Jeanpierre's eldest son.
Green Leaf - 1st Young chimpanzee that Grey recovered.
Woodrow - 2nd Young chimpanzee that Grey recovered.