Once they've had their fun and all but tired out, the youngsters of the traveling crew finally laid upon the sands, basking within the sun's warm embrace, while Rocket and Malcolm went to go clean themselves up.
"We should get ready too. While it's still early," Blue Eyes informed the others, propping himself up onto his elbows.
"Do. We have to?" Ash complained aloud in a whine, moving into a sitting position as well.
"Yes. We must," Blue Eyes answered back, chuckling lightly at Ash's antics.
With that said between all of them, the four of them finally got up off from the sandy beach and dusted themselves off. Making their way to where their horses were, Blue Eyes was just about to untie his horse when he heard an amused voice off to the side. Rounding his head around to see what was going on, Blue Eyes was surprised to Ash amusingly looking up at Alexander who was looking.. A little different. Abandoning his horse for the moment, Blue Eyes wandered on over and joined but Ash and Ray, the three of them forming a circle around the human teenager.
"Guys? Hey what the!" Alexander protested when Ash had suddenly reached out and touched the side of his naked torso.
"Where hair?" Ash asked earnestly as he inspected Alexander's body, reaching out again to poke at Alex's side and causing the human teenager to grunt again.
"What? I… Uh… I don't have any?" Alexander answered back. "Hey stop doing that!" Alex grunted, moving away from Ash as he was poked in the ribs again.
"Why?" Ash asked curiously, pausing.
"That… tickles…" Alexander bemoaned slowly, averting his eyes.
This however prompted Ash to grin at both Blue Eyes and Ray mischievously, confusing the two a moment as realization hit them. Before Blue Eyes or Ray could stop Ash, the bulkier chimp had suddenly leaped up at Alexander, surprising the teen and knocking him down. Ash then reached out and ran his fingers all over Alexander's side, causing him to laugh aloud uncontrollably. Soon enough, Ray joined in, he too assisting Ash in the tickle play by using his longer arms to get to the other teen's side.
"Guys! Stop! I can't breathe!" Alexander wheezed in between his fits of laughter.
Blue Eyes however merely watched Ash and Ray tickle Alexander within the sands, a small smile upon his own features. It was odd to him, he had only thought that apes had enjoyed the tickling sensations that they all provided to each other. Yet here he was, seeing that a human too enjoyed being tickled. How strange. So different, yet the same.
It was a little longer before Ash and Ray finally stopped in their tickling, leaving Alexander a mess upon the sands. While the teen was recovering, both Ash and Ray inspected the human teen's body a little more now.
"Where toe-thumb?" Ray asked as he stared at Alexander's bare feet, with Ash looking down as well.
"Toe... Thumb?" Alexander inquired, recovering enough finally to comprehend the question, looking deeply confused this time.
"Toe-thumb!" Ash perked up before lifting his right foot and wiggling the thumb like digit around to show Alex. "Toe-thumb!"
"Oh… I uhh… I don't have a toe thumb? Just a toe," Alexander answered back, lifting his foot up slightly and wiggling his toe.
Ash and Ray hummed in unison and took a closer look at Alexander's foot. Blue Eyes on the other hand peered behind the other two apes, unsure on how to feel about all of this revelation. Humans were so strange to him. They looked almost exactly like apes, but lacked the proper necessities of what a normal ape should have. These are thicker limbs and toe-thumbs used for climbing, thick coarse hair to keep the cold away and among other things. It was baffling to Blue Eyes to say the least. It was as if the humans were made to mimic apes but were poorly made in the process, a mockery of what they are.
"How do humans keep warm with no hair?" Ray signed to both Alex and then to the others.
Alex had to narrow his eyes at the hand signs and think for a moment before he figured out what Ray was asking.
"We wear clothes. I guess…" Alexander answered and signed at the same time, getting some of the hand-speak words wrong.
"Why do humans. Have long legs?" Ash asked this time as he poked Alexander in the thigh, causing the teenager to move away from the bulky chimp, remembering the tickling assault that he had received.
"I don't know man. It's just how we are," Alex answered.
"Hard for humans to climb?" Ray asked, his dark green eyes wide and seeking.
"Uh… Some humans can't climb I guess…" Alexander responded slowly.
Ash then peered up at Alexander for a long while before he spoke up again.
"Humans don't have. Snout. Have long pointy nose. Flat face…" Ash pointed out Alexander's oddities, causing the teen to frown in return. "Ugly," Ash finished causing Blue Eyes and Ray to pant-hoot in laughter among themselves.
"Hey! I'm not ugly!" Alexander responded, going beet red in the face, amusing the three younger apes.
The teen frowned at Ash for a moment before he crossed his arms and seemed to smile down at the ape.
"You're one to talk, you should look at yourself in the mirror sometimes," Alex shot back, causing Ash to tilt his head in confusion whilst both Ray and Blue Eyes pant-laughed at him this time.
Looking dumbstruck, Ash glanced from Blue Eyes to Ray quickly before he let out a screech and tackled Alexander back into the sands, resuming in his tickling of the teenager. Unbeknownst to the four youngsters, Rocket and Malcolm had gotten themselves ready and came back to get them.
"Children," Rocket grunted with a unamused frown, while Malcolm merely smiled at the scene before him.
Malcolm had then placed a hand upon Rocket's shoulder before moving towards Alex and the three young apes.
"Okay, you guys ready to go?" Malcolm spoke up.
All four of them stopped in their playing, the young apes turning to grunt in response while Alexander answered with a "yeah," instead. The boys then quickly cleaned themselves off and retrieved their respective horses, finally making their way on over to where Rocket and Malcolm were.
"You guys had fun?" Malcolm asked.
Ash and Ray both nodded happily, Alexander smiled while Blue Eyes grunted once in reply. With that Rocket then took the front of the group and began leading them away from the coast, back onto the roads.
…
While busying himself to get ready to be with the next group of apes to divert the humans, Glade perked up when he heard his name being called out behind him. He froze in what he did and slowly turned around to see Juno happily approaching him. As Juno approached the withered arm chimpanzee reached out and touched knuckles with Glade before pausing momentarily, noticing the gun strapped to the bonobo's back.
"Glade where are you going?" Juno asked curiously, looking his friend over.
Glade hesitantly smiled at Juno.
"Glade is suppose to go with other apes. To lead human soldiers away from the females and wounded. Towards the west. Of human city," Glade answered back slowly.
Watching Glade's hand gestures, Juno's smiling face slowly faded.
"Why was I not selected as well?" Juno asked earnestly, noticing Glade's hair starting to stand on end and the bonobo averting eye contact.
"Because Juno-"
"Because Juno. Is not needed. Out there!" a deep voiced rumbled from the side, causing both Glade and Juno to jump, turning to see who had spoke aloud to them.
There with a fierce glare upon his icy colored eyes stood Tola, Juno's oldest brother. The bigger chimpanzee approached the two and glared down at the withered armed ape who cowered slightly away from his older sibling.
"What is Juno good for? In a battle?" Tola belittled the now cowering ape.
"Tola!" Glade spoke up, getting in between the two brothers. "Enough," Glade voiced lowly.
Tola huffed in amusement, turning his icy cold stare onto the bonobo who stood between him and his youngest brother.
"Why does Glade even stay with Juno? Juno is weak. Cannot fight," Tola growled, eyeing Juno who cowered slightly behind the bonobo.
Glade huffed and took a step to the side, using his body as a shield to block Tola's glare at Juno. When his view was blocked, Tola then turned his cold stare upwards and met with Glade's bright warm green ones.
"Tola is wrong. Juno not weak. Juno is strong," Glade spoke to the icy eyed chimp.
At this, Tola huffed in amusement before his face turned into that of a smirk.
"You are the one who is wrong. Juno will never be strong. Look at him," Tola pointed out with a jutting finger.
Glade glanced slowly behind him, seeing his best friend keeping his head low while Tola berated him. Huffing, Glade turned back to the older chimp.
"Tola may be right… Juno may not be strong like Tola or Glade… But Juno is stronger, in here," Glade indicated by pointing towards the middle of his own chest. "And here," he finished quietly by tapping his head. "There are different ways. Of being strong Tola," Glade finished.
At this Tola narrowed his eyes at the bonobo before shooting Juno one last glance. After a brief moment, Tola huffed out and a sneered back at Glade before he turned around and let out a bark, rallying the other apes to him.
Watching Tola take his leave, Glade heaved out a breath he didn't know he was even holding. Tola may be difficult to handle but the chimpanzee did admire strong apes that would stand up to him… Sometimes. Glade only wished that he was more reasonable like his other two brothers - Bryn and Juno who were accepting of all apes… His features slowly softening, Glade finally turned back around to get a good look at Juno who was watching Tola still. Reaching out, Glade placed his fingers under Juno's chin and raised the cowering chimpanzee's face to meet his.
"Is Juno okay?" Glade asked worriedly.
Juno lowered his head again but his eyes darted quickly to where Tola was at momentarily before eyeing the ground again. He then nodded silently to respond to Glade's question.
"Do you really think that I am strong?" Juno asked, lifting his head up to look up at Glade, his eyes slightly wet.
Glade looked at the withered armed chimp but couldn't help himself as a warm smile spread upon his lips. He then reached out and slowly took a hold of Juno, pulling the other ape into a warm embrace, nuzzling his snout with Juno's. This small action seemed to have had a immediate effect as it caused Juno to start pant-laughing silently.
"Don't listen to Tola. Juno always strong," Glade pant-laughed in reassurance as Juno returned the nuzzling before finally taking a step back away.
"So strange you," Juno signed, a smile upon his face.
"But, made Juno happy," Glade responded, seeing the mirth return into his friend's face.
"Thank you. Glade," Juno thanked softly, reaching out and placing a hand upon the bonobo's shoulder.
Glade smiled warmly back and reached up to tenderly place a hand upon Juno's cheek. As they both stood there, Glade perked up when he noticed that the group of apes were now leaving. Turning back to Juno, Glade reached out and placed a hand upon his friend's shoulder.
"Glade is sorry that Glade did not tell Juno. Very dangerous. Please understand Glade," Glade signed to his best friend.
Juno however smiled sadly and nodded to the bonobo, understanding why his friend didn't tell him, even though it still hurt him. Juno then watched as Glade's bright green eyes wandered and spotted something in the distance. Following his friend's gaze, Juno could see a particular white gorilla helping many of the females carry the wounded into the building afar. Turning back to his best friend, Juno could see the tenderly look within the bonobo's bright green eyes.
"Juno help look after Winter?" Glade asked, turning back to look at Juno.
"Alright. I will keep my eyes on him for you," Juno pant-laughed as he lightly pushed at Glade's chest. "But you must come back or Winter and I will be sad," Juno finished.
"Okay," Glade answered with a big smile.
As he turned to leave, Glade had paused momentarily before he turned to face Juno. He then brought his forehead down and touched it with Juno's, the two of them standing there quietly for a moment before Glade finally pulled back and bounded off into the distance.
...
Alexander settled into the journey, not really worrying much about what he and the others were going to find along the way. Instead he, like Ash and Ray, simply enjoyed each new turn of the coast as it came into view. He had found that he really enjoyed the rambunctious Ash and curious Ray. Blue Eyes on the other hand seemed to be a bit too focused within their small group, always seeming to be conversing with his father and Rocket about which way they should take. Hardly taking the time to join in with them to enjoy the scenery.
About mid morning, they had stopped momentarily by the ruins of a large house and found pomegranates growing among the side. Alexander and the others had all taken the moment to stop and eat the red bearing fruits. He and his father watched the younger apes amusingly as they each cracked open their fruit and excitedly picked out the red juicy seeds, having never seen such a fruit before in their lives.
"Fruit! Red! Frog eggs!" Ash exclaimed loudly in a cheerful voice as he picked out a few and ate them, smiling all the while.
"Those are seeds. And they're called Pomegranates," Malcolm corrected.
"Pom… Gran... Nat?" Ray tried to say the word, tilting his head up at Malcolm.
"Nevermind. Just enjoy it," Malcolm waived it off with a chuckle, confusing Ray.
"For what it's worth, you were close enough," Alexander leaned in from the side to whisper and sign to Ray, who beamed up at him before happily going back to eating his fruit.
While they all ate away, Blue Eyes had curiously looked at the weirdly named fruit with the red frog like eggs and turned to face Rocket.
"Know what these are uncle Rocket?" Blue Eyes gestured to the older ape whom was slowly eating at his own fruit by the mouthful, spitting out the seeds, once the sweet red juices were extracted.
"Just sweet fruit. I think I had it before. A long time ago though," Rocket simply informed.
At this, Blue Eyes merely shrugged and decided to eat the tart sweet fruit as well.
Watching them, Alexander had decided to pick a few more off of the trees and stuff the fruits into his bag. Things such as these were considered a delicacy and maybe if he took great care, maybe they can grow elsewhere too. It wasn't long until the group found more arrays of fruit along the way. They had found green grapes, raspberries, blueberries, figs, with Alexander making sure to collect a nice amount of them.
Eventually they all decided to rest again for the night near a secluded open area. Alexander had just fallen asleep when he was awaken by the ape's alarming calls. Bolting upright quickly, Alexander looked around himself as he could feel the ground beneath him shaking, enough to cause the tree to shake violently that held the apes. He was just about to stand up when his father had quickly taken a hold of him.
"Hey! It's okay! Stay calm!" Malcolm turned around to call out to the apes that were holding onto the tree tightly.
It felt like a long time before the shaking beneath all of them had stopped. As Alex was slowly released from his father's grasp, he took a wary step forward and looked about as the apes continued to screech and hoot above them. Alex could then distinctly hear his father calling to the apes in a soothing voice. Turning back around the then walked on over and stood by his father's side.
"It's okay guys. Come on. It's gone now. No need to be afraid," Malcolm spoke softly, encouraging Blue Eyes and the others to come down from the tree.
Eventually they all eventually came down from their perch, Rocket being the first one to test out if it were safe for them or not. Then Ash, Blue Eyes and Ray finally followed once they saw that the older chimp seemed to be okay. Alexander watched as his father had walked on over and placed a hand upon the ape's shoulders. Looking down to the side, Alex was about to reach out for Ray, that was until Ray had suddenly reached out and clung onto him. His dark green eyes looking around frantically still.
"Hey buddy. It's alright," Alexander soothed the still tembling orangutan.
"What. Shaking?" Blue Eyes spoke aloud, his eyes wide as well.
"That, my friends. Is an earthquake," Malcolm said aloud with a tired sigh.
"What earth… earth… What?" Ash asked, having giving up to pronounce the word properly.
"An earthquake. It's what happens when tectonic plates converge and-"
"Dad. Not now..." Alexander couldn't help but groan to his father before giving Ray a few reassuring pats on the back.
"Right. Sorry… Uh… How about you all just sleep down here on the ground with Alex and I tonight? I don't think you all should sleep in the trees in case we have another quake again," Malcolm suggested.
Noticing that the apes were still apprehensive and still couldn't quite understand his father. Alex however merely smiled and persuaded the apes to nest on the ground with them for the rest of the evening. He watched as the apes all signed to each other quietly before they all seemed to nod and agree with what was proposed.
So now here laid Alexander, in a pile of hairy limbs and snoring bodies. Looking towards his left, Alexander could see that Ray was holding onto him tightly, the young orangutan sleeping soundlessly after the earthquake. Smiling at the ape's form in the dark, Alex had turned his head to stare back up at the twinkling stars. He didn't mind Ray holding onto him in his sleep. Honestly he sort of enjoyed it, knowing that he was comforting someone who was scared. It made him feel like a big brother of sorts. And he cherished it.
…
"Grey?" Cedar spoke softly as she watched her mate tearing something down from inside the human building.
Taking a step back, Cedar observed as Grey huffed and puffed as he dragged the large sheet of fabric and padded his way on over to a secluded spot within the building. After the battle on the bridge, Caesar had deemed it now too dangerous to cross and had found them all this giant human building that housed all of their wounded, healers, females and their children. It was grandiosely spacious and all of the apes had built themselves sleeping areas, a hearth for a fire, had a store of food. They had, for the most part, built the start of a very small village within the building.
Watching Grey work away furiously at their own nest, Cedar approached her slightly younger mate and reached out to touch his shoulder, causing him to stop and turn to face her.
"Grey, why won't you speak to me? What is wrong?" Cedar asked, noticing Grey flare his nose momentarily.
For days on end now, Grey had disappeared out of sight very often. Not to go with the party of apes to lead the humans around the city but off… Elsewhere and it was concerning to her. Grey sure has done this many a times before but usually he would inform her of it. However this time he was being quite secretive from her and it worried her.
"Nothing for you to worry about Cedar," Grey signed back with a huff before turning back around and continued to build them their nest, tying the sheet of fabric into tight knots and weaving them into a large bedding.
At this, Cedar huffed out sadly and was about to reach out to her Grey but stopped herself. Instead she turned around and left him alone for the time being and went in search of their daughter.
Climbing down the stone steps, Cedar looked about and can see that many of their apes were all strewn about, with many of the females tending to the wounded, the children and each other. As soon as she reached the bottom floor, Cedar located Maple sitting alongside with Lake and two other female chimps; Primrose and a very heavily pregnant Oaka, whom seemed to be the center of attention as the three younger females excitedly signed to the pregnant female.
Slowly approaching them, Cedar stood a ways off and waited for her daughter to notice her. Soon enough, Oaka had caught sight of Cedar and lightly tapped Maple on the shoulder gesturing off to where the older female stood. The brown haired female had glanced back at her friends momentarily before she made her way towards her mother, embracing her.
"Mother," Maple cooed.
"Maple," Cedar answered lovingly before pulling back and looking down at her child. "How are you doing? Eating well?" She asked.
Maple nodded up at her mother and slowly looking around a small frown upon her lips.
"More apes are getting hurt everyday and we cannot go back to the forest because it is too dangerous," Maple gestured sadly.
"More apes get hurt everyday, yes," Cedar agreed as she rubbed Maple's arm up and down. "But they do it to protect us and the little ones."
"What about the ones that are in the forest? Are they not in danger too?" Maple asked hesitantly.
Cedar had remembered Caesar and the others talking about the apes that were sent back into the forest. Ever since the bridge was closed off, Caesar had sent a small band of apes to cross the bridge at night to warn the apes of what was happening. Of course during that time they had all heard the distinct reports of gunfire, even those dark hours and only hoped that their apes made it.
"Caesar had sent a few apes to them. They will most likely be waiting for all of us to return," Cedar answered.
At this Maple, nodded, slowly and took in a deep breath before looking away momentarily.
"How is Father? He looks troubled," Maple asked, turning back to look her mother in the eyes.
So, she wasn't the only one that noticed how troubled her mate looked, even enough to worry their own daughter. Blinking down at Maple, Cedar offered the younger female a gentle smile.
"You need not worry about your father. Your father is strong, just very busy and tired from what is happening around him. That is all," Cedar answered before she hugged Maple tightly. "Now go. Your friends are waiting for you," Cedar pushed Maple towards the other three female apes waiting for her.
With that said between the both of them, Cedar watched as Maple glanced back behind her for a moment before fully turning around and facing Lake and the others. Cedar however merely sighed and turned her sights towards the outside where darkness was soon drawing near them.
When nightfall finally came upon them, Cedar, finishing with the last of her duties, was about to make her way back to where her Grey was but stopped when she had sighted Maple standing close by with Tinker. Her daughter had asked and begged her to allow her to keep Tinker company for the night as she really had no one else. Cedar of course was against it at first, but as she watched her daughter and Tinker from afar, both signing about missing Ash, did she finally relent and allow the younger female to stay with the other female. It had hurt her dearly but she understood that Maple's kind gentle heart wouldn't allow her beloved Ash's mother to be by herself.
Making her way back up the steps to where Grey had been building their nest. Cedar padded through the long hallway until finally she came upon the room where Grey had built them their nest, the brown haired male sitting within the middle of it, staring out of the windows at the bright moon. Tapping the side of the wall to announce her arrival, Cedar watched as Grey turned slowly to face her.
"Where is Maple?" Grey had asked.
"She is keeping Tinker company for tonight," Cedar answered as she approached her mate and sat down in the nest bedding with him.
Grey merely grunted lowly before looking off down to the side, seeming to think silently to himself. Cedar sat there with him, staying silent and just watching.
"Cedar?" Grey spoke quietly.
"Yes Grey?" Cedar answered, perking up slightly at hearing her mate say her name.
"Do you think… I am terrible?" Grey asked as he turned to sign at her.
Upon seeing this, Cedar's eyes widened and she quickly shook her head at him.
"No Grey. You are not terrible. You are my mate. My husband. A good ape who protects us," Cedar answered.
Grey huffed as he turned his face away from her, looking back up at the moon once more.
"I. Do not. Feel that. Way," Grey answered slowly. "Should. Have stopped this. Prevented this. But now. Apes in danger."
Hearing his broken hearted words, Cedar couldn't help but feel for her Grey. Sure he had kept secrets from the other apes when Koba was still around but they did it out of protecting the apes. Of course Grey had only told her recently and it shocked her but he was still her mate and she understood why he, Koba and wherever Stone was, did what they did. If only Pope didn't scheme everything then maybe things would have turned out differently. Tenderly, she reached out and took a hold of her mate's cheek, turning his head so that he was looking at her.
"This. Not your fault. Grey," Cedar spoke softly. "Caesar. Will know. What to do. For us."
Upon hearing his mate's words, Grey couldn't help but look away from her in shame, confusing Cedar.
"What. should I. Do?" Grey asked quietly, not meeting his Cedar in the eyes still.
"You. Will know. In here," Cedar beamed as she slowly placed her hand upon Grey's chest, feeling the strong heart that beat within it.
Grey looked down at himself, where's Cedar's hand was and he slowly let his dark green eyes trail back up to meet hers. There in the moonlight, she glowed beautifully just as he had remembered her all those years ago.
Cedar smiled warmly at Grey and decided to affectionately groom him, reaching up and picking out the small pieces of fabric that was stuck within his hair. Blinking slowly, Grey reached up and took a hold of Cedar's hand, stopping her from her ministrations. Surprised by this, Cedar curiously looked at her mate but the male merely stared back at her before he leaned in, tenderly rubbing his cheek with hers. Huffing with a small pant-laughter, Cedar returned the gesture, which soon developed into light kisses and more soft touches.
Eventually Grey placed himself over Cedar, pushing her into their bedding with both of his arms to the side of her as he met her serene eyes with his dark ones. Cedar reached up and placed her hands upon her mate's chest, feeling the warmth of his skin and hard muscles that flexed ever so slightly underneath it. Grey then reached down and caressed Cedar's cheek with his hand, staring intensely into his mate's eyes. With a low huff, Grey then bent downward towards Cedar and locked lips with her. The two of them then began exploring each other's body with their hands as if it were their first time together; Grey's form was muscular and hard whilst Cedar's was soft and supple. And with that the both of them coupled that night, unifying their bodies in love and passion, not having the care about the worry of the world around them.
...
A few more days had come to pass for the traveling group as nothing particular happened. Upon a particular morning, Rocket had climbed down from the high thrust of stone where he had been standing watch, while the others were eating quietly around him.
"We are. Being. Followed," Rocket growled lowly, causing everyone around him to stiffen.
"Are… Are you sure?" Malcolm asked in a low voice, trying to look as calm as possible.
Rocket nodded at the man.
"Seen them up on the hills over there. I thought I saw them yesterday, but was not sure," Rocket signed slowly.
Ash and Ray had stopped eating as well to watch Rocket sign while Blue Eyes had taken a step forward.
"I didn't catch all of that," Alex tapped Ash on the shoulder.
"Father says. He saw followers upon on hills," Ash explained.
"Maybe they are humans?" Blue Eyes asked hesitantly.
"No," Rocket said simply before looking around at all of them. "Riders. Not humans. Apes," he grunted before his face darkened. "And they have guns."
"Wait!" Malcolm perked up as he had just remembered something and looked down at all of them. "You're telling me that I was wrong? That those weren't humans that shot at us at the sanctuary weeks ago? That those are apes?" He finished incredulously.
Rocket however merely grunted and nodded once in confirmation.
"Apes. Tracking us?" Ash voiced in, seeming just as confused.
"Who?" Ray asked this time.
"And why?" Alex joined in as well.
Rocket merely shrugged.
"Maybe apes who still follow Pope… Or Koba…" Rocket voiced lowly, noticing Blue Eyes stiffen at the name. "All still unhappy," Rocket grunted, meeting all of their eyes before his gaze finally fell upon Blue Eyes. "Maybe they follow Pope and Koba's way still. Maybe want to kill. Or capture son of Caesar," Rocket finished, leaving them all in a eerie silence.
"What should we do then?" Malcolm asked hesitantly, turning to look at Rocket.
Rocket seemed to ponder for a moment before he glanced back up at the man.
"We hide. Wait for them. Give them a surprise," Rocket said aloud as he tapped his rifle, gaining a concerning look from the younger apes.
"Ape not kill ape," Blue Eyes protested in an astonished voice.
"Tell. Them. That," Rocket answered as he jutted his head in the direction of the hill where the older ape had seen their followers. "I'm sure they'll listen. They tried to kill us once already, remember?"
"I… I don't want to kill. Anyone," Blue Eyes said hesitantly.
"You think! They care!? They will. Kill! You. Blue Eyes," Rocket grounded out, approaching the prince.
For a moment the two seemed to face off. Ash, Ray and Alexander looked from one ape to the other, seeing the intense body language between the two, or rather from one of them. Suddenly though, Ash had quickly bounded towards the two apes and stood right in between them, meeting his father's gaze.
"Father. Think, before you act," Ash gestured towards Rocket who huffed and puffed once before his shoulder deflated and he looked away.
Rocket stared long and hard into Ash's serene green eyes before grunting and turning his glare elsewhere. Barking, Rocket waived his hand, looking frustrated all the while.
"Then. We hide. Let them pass. Lay a fake trail. Then take. Another way," the bald gray chimpanzee grunted.
"You think. It will work?" Blue Eyes asked after recovering himself.
"I think it'll work. Sounds like a good plan," Malcolm voiced in.
"Killing them. Would be better," Rocket said, looking a little agitated, gaining a sigh from Malcolm.
"Look, I don't mean to intrude on your argument but Alex and I have a say in this too. I understand that these apes… Whoever they are. Is bad business for all of us. And I truly understand that you want to get rid of them. For god knows what reason, but I agree with Blue Eyes here. We need not kill Rocket," Malcolm voiced.
Seeing that nearly everyone was against his ways Rocket turned his attention on over to where Blue Eyes stood, looking hesitant still. Heaving out a deep sigh, Rocket walked up towards Blue Eyes and touched his forehead to the younger chimp's.
"Sorry. Your way is Caesar's way. We will not kill, unless we have to." Rocket apologized, pulling back to see the relieved look upon the young ape's face.
"Thank you uncle," Blue Eyes smiled up at the older chimpanzee.
…
More days had gone on by and Koba was still bed ridden for the most of it. The human… Ellie, however thoroughly kept him company for the most part. Ever since that day where he had lost himself, knowing that he couldn't help the apes, Koba had felt… Different. He didn't know what to think nor what to do. His hatred of the humans, the very thing that had kept him going all these years and made him who he was was now gone and it left him feeling… Empty, not knowing what to do or think.
"How are you doing today?" a light voice cut through the silence, disrupting him from his thoughts.
Naturally Koba would have yelled at the human named Ellie for disrupting his thoughts or at least thrown something at her. Instead though, he turned slowly to look at Ellie quietly.
"Better today…" Koba answered slowly.
At this, Ellie furrowed her brows and slowly knelt down besides Koba.
"Is something wrong Koba? You've been acting like this for a few days now. This isn't good for you, you know?" Ellie asked as she reached out and placed a hand upon Koba's right arm.
Koba looked down at Ellie's hand before slowly meeting her olive colored eyes with his golden-green and milky white ones. Since his episode a few days ago, Koba himself had felt very lost, not knowing what to do or how to feel. It was as if he's lost a piece of himself, that hatred that made him who and what he was… But then again, did he really want that piece of him back?
"Just… Very tired," Koba answered quietly, shifting his arm to scratch at his other arm, or what he could of it due to the cast.
Ellie frowned momentarily before she eyed the cast on Koba's arm.
"Well… Are you in pain?" Ellie asked, getting a silent head shake. "Are you hungry?"
Another silent head shake.
Taking in a deep breath, Ellie exhaled and eyed the part where Koba was scratching at his left arm.
"Do you want to take that off?" Ellie asked this time, indicating to the cast on Koba's arm.
The bonobo stopped scratching and turned slowly to look at Ellie before eyeing the cast. It was a very long silent moment before Koba slowly rounded his head back towards Ellie and nodded once at her.
"Okay, we'll get that off okay?" Ellie said softly as she placed her hand upon Koba's shoulder who simply binked back once at her.
With a sigh, Ellie stood back up and made her way towards the back of the house, where her medical supplies were. While walking away from Koba, Ellie couldn't help herself as she glanced behind her, seeing the silent bonobo staring off into the distance again.
...
Ray and the others continued to camp in the hills near the coast by the sea, like they did every night. But after about an hour after sunset, they would pile plenty of wood onto their fire and then leave, continuing down the human road until the moon rose into the dark sky. While traveling the dark the group of that there were many rivers and streams that flowed frequently from the mountains towards the ocean. While continuing on they all eventually they came to upon one of these rivers that had what used to look like a bridge that ran across it.
"Seems like we're not crossing here," Malcolm informed the group in the dark as he got down from his horse and inspected the dangling rope of the bridge.
"This good spot," Rocket announced, causing everyone's head to turn towards him. "Cross here," he finished.
They all turned to look at Blue Eyes who seemed hesitant for a moment and eyed the dark flowing stream. He wasn't sure about this plan but what choice did they have? With a grunt, Blue Eyes nodded to the others, letting them know to go with Rocket's plan.
Silently they all crossed into the river with their horses and eventually found the road once more. They continued their trek through the dark of the night along the dark road until most of the mud, caking the horses' hooves had come off. They eventually entered the other side of the broken span of the river and edged their mounts to go within the water's edge. Both Rocket, Malcolm and Alexander had dismounted from their horses and did their best to erase their tracks that showed up in the wet mud, leading into the river. Once that was done they all silently rode upstream, wading within the frigid cold waters.
Ray did not like the night, very few apes did. Darkness for apes usually meant missing branches and being met with hard painful falls. It also mean that predators of the night such as cougars, whom could see better than they could. A fire within the night only made it bearable for apes, keeping the hungry eyes of the dark forest away. But now they were without fire nor the strange light that both Alexander and Malcolm produced, lest they be caught by their followers within the dark. No, they had only need to rely on the light of the stars and moon in the heavens that guided their way.
It was strange to Ray, he had told Blue Eyes, Ash and Alexander about this, about his dreams of strange creatures that came for him. Ferocious strange monsters, he had recalled telling the others within the group. Blue Eyes had only seemed curious about the dreams, Ash equally as afraid like him but Alexander was quite reassuring. Telling him that they were nothing but the mind playing tricks upon oneself, something called nightmares. Ray didn't quite understand what a nightmare was but knew he did not like them. But as he looked into the dark trees around him he thought he could see black shadows moving through them. Was this what Alexander had meant when he said that the mind was only playing tricks on him?
They all traveled in the river until more than half the night was gone and they were all sagging their shoulders tiredly. When Blue Eyes was finally satisfied and felt that they were far enough, he gave the order to rest. The banks of the river where they were all at were clear of trees, covered instead with grass and weeds. Coming out of the cold stream the group had found the ruins of a house. Both Malcolm and Alexander had told the apes to wait as they quickly hopped into the deserted home, filling up the inside with their small strange light. After a moment the two humans had came back out to meet the apes.
"It's deserted but I think we can rest easy for the rest of the night," Malcolm spoke quietly.
The apes all agreed and followed the man back into the home. With that, they then decided to keep watch in pairs, with the first two being both Malcolm and Rocket. Then Alexander and Blue Eyes; finally ending with Ash and Ray.
As the barest light of the sun began to peek from afar, both Ash and Ray perked up when they noticed the horses whickering nervously. Taking this as not a good sign, Ash and Ray quickly stood up, bringing in their weapons at the ready. Ash had then poked his head outside, to get a better view of what was going on while Ray eyed the older chimp by the window.
"Hear that?" Ash asked.
"Hear. What?" Ray responded, getting off from his small perch and making his way on over to where Ash stood.
The two then eased themselves out of the house, making their way onto the grass. Beneath their feet both Ray and Ash could feel the tremblings of the earth. Was this another one of those earthquakes that Malcolm had told them about? It felt like it but to the two apes knew that it wasn't it. The ground shaking felt more like the beating of a thousand drums that did not stop, but kept going. Both Ash and Ray met each other's eyes as the drumming sounds grew louder and louder. Finally they both stared off to the side and saw what was making the ground shake.
With the rising of the sun, its light finally revealed the creatures that were creating such drumming sounds. There in the valley before them, with wooded mountains and fields of yellow dancing grass by a the small river. A wave, a wave of brown rolling towards them from across the fields.
At this time the sound had also awoken the others and both Blue Eyes and Rocket came out, looking around nervously for the source of the noise while both Malcolm and Alexander groggily stepped out into the grass.
"What… What is it?" Blue Eyes asked in a tired voice.
"Cows?" Ray replied, pointing a finger out towards the plain with Blue Eyes following his finger to see the creatures from afar.
"I don't think those are cows…" Blue Eyes gestured slowly two which Ray merely shrug.
Ash had then turned around and tapped Malcolm on the arm, causing him to look down at the white flecked chimp.
"What those?" Ash asked.
Taking in a deep breath and heaving slowly, Malcolm narrowed his eyes at the creatures before straightening his back.
"Those are bisons, a whole heard of them," he answered tiredly.
Ray had seen these creatures once before with his father. The creatures were big, maybe the biggest animals he's ever seen, with hooves like an elk, covered in thick hair, massive humped back, and finally horns. Horns that were not branching out like those of a deer or elk that they hunted, no, but curved and sharp, like knives that stuck out of their heads. Back then he had only seen about five with his father. Now though, there were so many of couldn't count them all, even if he wanted to. The creatures looking like a giant mud-slide that had come down from the side of the mountains, covering most of the open prairie. The group watched as the bisons all stampeded towards the river at full pace, the pounding of their feet so loud that it was hard to hear much else around them.
"Be still," Rocket told him, and Ray realized he had been fidgeting on the spot.
"They running. For a reason," Rocket spoke up, his eyes narrowing at the big beasts. "Wolves. Maybe bear."
Upon hearing Rocket, Blue Eyes ran his fingers over the scars forming over his ribs, not going unnoticed by Ash, Alexander and Malcolm whom all eyed one another before looking at the prince again.
"Where?" Blue Eyes asked Rocket, not noticing the worried frown that Ash was giving him.
"Around," Rocket said. "Behind. On the edges. Watching. For the weak... The small."
When he said that last, he turned his gaze right onto Ray who stared back with big green eyes.
"Very funny…" Alexander deadpanned, as he made to stand next to their smallest member - Ray.
"We have guns," Ray responded as he presented his weapon and waived it, enough to case Alex to take a step back from him.
"Hey careful with that!" The boy exclaimed.
"Yes," Rocket signed. "But. Be still. No waste."
"Yeah I agree with Rocket here. Let's not waste our bullets on something that's not attacking us," Malcolm voiced in.
As they all continued to watch the bisons stampede across the plain, Blue Eyes had curiously taken a step forward and looked around them quickly.
"Where are the horses?" Blue Eyes asked, suddenly.
Both Ash and Ray balked as they both turned to look at each other before looking about quickly, having lost track of all their horses. Soon joining with the two young apes to look for their horses and after a frantic moment they finally spotted them down by the riverside. A few ways away from them, right in the path of the oncoming bisons.
"We need to get them," Blue Eyes grunted in annoyance as he shot both Ash and Ray a disappointed look, causing them to lower their heads in shame.
Rocket however took a hold of Blue Eyes' shoulder and pointed, causing the others to follow at what he was indicating at.
There across the field and behind the bison herd, the grass rustled in several places. A lean gray form appeared, then another and another, soon disappearing again once more.
"It looks like wolves are hunting the herd," Malcolm concluded as he too now could see the forms of the wolves.
It had been a while since Blue Eyes, Ash and Ray had seen a wolf. Their fathers and many of the elders had told tales of their early years of freedom. When little ones who had strayed too fary from their mothers were often snatched by wolves, and the apes competed with the pack carnivores for game. Over the years though, the wolves seemed to have all but abandoned the forest, seeking easier prey elsewhere and leaving the apes.
Well… Now Blue Eyes, Ash and Ray finally knew where this elsewhere was and it was here, far away from their forest home and human city. These wolves did not know apes and humans, showing no fear of these two species. And now the six of them had to cover the open ground between the pack and the river to reach the horses.
"Alex and I will go first. You all catch up to us," Malcolm said aloud, with Alexander nodding in confirmation.
The apes curiously looked at each other and then back up at the two humans.
"We're faster. Trust me," Alex shot the younger apes a smile.
Before anything else could be said the two humans suddenly bolted towards the horses the apes staring in awe. It never ceases to amaze Blue Eyes, Ash and Ray, that, even though humans looked like them, they were yet still so different. Watching the two humans run the apes could see why the humans had such longer legs. It looked like both Alexander and Malcolm were sliding across the top of the grassy earth, never ceasing in their advancements as they grew smaller and smaller in the distance.
"Let's go!" Rocket barked.
And with that the four apes immediately followed after the two humans, with Blue Eyes taking the lead, pacing right behind him was Ash, then Rocket and finally Ray taking the rear.
While trying his best to run after the others, Ray kept glancing back and to the side, to see if the wolves were going after them yet, but luckily he didn't see anything. However the herd of bison were close now, a ferocious wall of brown with sharp dagger-like horns, running in, crushing the ground beneath them. The horses were now stamping and whinnying, terrified by the stampeding bison that neared them.
As Ray huffed and puffed, trying his best to catch up to the others, he had thought he heard Rocket shouting something. At first he didn't understand but then the older chimp repeated it more clearly.
"Wolf!" Rocket had shouted over the roaring of the bisons hoofbeats and mooing.
Ray looked back and his green eyes widened, now knowing what Rocket had meant. From Ray's perspective he could see three of them running right after him, spreading as they came, and closing in. It was obvious that the wolves were targeting him and at three different directions as well. The wolves were fast and Rocket was already beginning to slow down his pace. Huffing, Ray knew that they weren't going to reach Alex and Malcolm in time as the humans finally reached the horses in the distance. Either the bisons will run them over or the wolves would pull them down.
"Guys! We got the horses! Come on!" Alexander shouted from afar.
"Ray!" Blue Eyes shouted, his eyes wide.
Thinking quickly, Ray then decided to try another tactic. It was reckless but hopefully this will allow him to reach the humans and the horses faster. Taking in a deep breath, Ray quickly ducked towards the side and ran through the tall grass. This brought him closer to the predators but by cutting along through the grass he'll hopefully reach the others sooner.
Seeing what Ray was doing, Blue Eyes, Ash and Rocket quickly backed up their smallest member and followed in after him. Jumping into the tall grass as well and making a beeline towards the red haired orangutan.
Rushing through the grass, Ray had thought he heard panting behind him, causing the hair on his body to stand on end as the panting got closer. However the sudden bark from Rocket, sent relief through Ray's body as the older chimp had suddenly stood in between Ray and the wolf that was closing in on him. Glancing back, Ray could just barely see the furry tail of the wolf darting away as Rocket quickly rounded and followed him. Heaving and coughing, Ray finally reached Malcolm and Alexander, the two humans reaching out towards him and immediately threw him up upon his horse.
"Where others!?" Ray panicked as he was handed the reigns of the other horses by Alexander.
"They're coming! Stay here!" Malcolm shouted as he ran in towards the tall grass, Alex soon following in after his father.
Before long, Ray flinched as he heard the reports of gunfire that echoed all around them. As he watched hesitantly, Ray's eyes widened as he noticed the herd of bison suddenly change course due to the sound of gunfire and ran straight towards him and the horses. Everything happened so fast. He had remembered losing control of the reigns of the other horses, his own mare bolting off in one direction, causing him to drop his gun. Then one of the bisons rammed right into him and his mare, smashing his left leg in the process and causing him to howl in pain. Flipping over, Ray luckily held onto dear life as his mare galloped at full speed. Looking around wildly Ray could make out one of the other horses go down, dragged beneath the hooves of the herd of raging bisons.
Through the whole ordeal of it all, Ray had thought he heard more gunfire and shouted from his companions through the thundering rumble of a thousand hooves. As his horse galloped away from the bisons, Ray could now feel the inkling of the water's surface touching at his dangling legs as he held onto the mare while she slowed down. Huffing, Ray reached up and patted the mare's neck, thanking her for saving his life.
His momentary grace however was short lived as the bison suddenly turned again and were thundering towards him and the mare, flowing like a river of muscle and hooves. There was not time to act nor do anything, Ray could only watch as he and his horse were suddenly re-engulfed within the stampede. The only thing Ray could remember was that he had felt the hard violent shake again as he and his mare were slammed by the giants beasts, sending them carading into the waters.
While Ray was submerged within the cold of the river he tiredly look up, seeing nothing but giant shadows blinking in and out of existence above the waters. Too winded to even try to pull himself out, Ray had thought he was going to die here in the river. That was until a arm suddenly broke the water's surface and yanked him out of it. Coughing and sputtering, Ray took in one large lungful of air and was about to see who had saved him but didn't get the chance to as he and his savior was met with the skull of one of the bison. Knocking out all senses from him finally.
Whoo boy! 2 chapters to start off this new year aye? Hopefully you all enjoy this newest chapter. Things are slowly picking up again for everyone.