As the groups of apes had first set their feet back into the familiarity of the redwoods around them, Cornelia herself had let out a relieved breath. Happy to be back within the green safety of their home that had hid them from the eyes of humans for many a winters now. And upon that first night back within the forest the giant group of apes that consisted many females, their children, the Gorilla Guards and the wounded, slept soundlessly.
It was when morning came, did Cornelia and a few others woke up with a start at the sounds of snapping branches. The Gorilla Guards were quick to act as they all immediately stood up and surrounded the cluster of females and children, their weapons at the ready. The all looked around but couldn't see much due to the thick fog that was low within the forest. Then all heads turned when they heard the sounds coming closer and closer, the gorilla's slowly making their way towards the noise, bracing themselves for what's to come.
Suddenly a chimpanzee darted out of the fog, landing onto the forest floor with a thud, standing up quickly to look at them. The hairs on the heaving chimpanzee's body were mangy and wet with the morning dew, his big wild green eyes looking at them. Upon seeing the familiar chimp emerging from the fog, the gorillas all lowered their guns and spears, relieved to see one of their own but confused at the same time.
The chimpanzee stood tall and craned his neck while he was looking at the group, as if he were searching for something. Then two figures, both female, emerged from the cluster of apes, slowly making their way towards the male chimp. The group watched from afar as the three chimps eyed each other for a brief moment before the two females suddenly bolted towards the male chimp and threw their arms around him, hugging him tightly. The male returned the embrace just as strong, as he lovingly stroke his mate's hair and peppered his daughter with small kisses atop her head, all crying joyfully.
Cornelia couldn't help but smile, along with the rest of the apes as they watched Judy and Lake reuniting with Andy. Oh how much her heart ached for her husband and eldest son be by her side again. Standing up tall, Cornelia made her way on over to where the small family was, seeing how happy they were and how much the male had missed his own family after having been gone for so long. Blinking, Cornelia turned her head as another chimpanzee emerged from the fog, he too panting and huffing.
"Jeanpierre," Cornelia greeted.
"Cornelia?" the older and grizzled chimpanzee signed back before he huffed and blinked in confusion, now noticing the large group of apes that stood before him.
"What are you two doing out here?" Cornelia asked as she held her still sleeping Cornelius within her arms.
"Andy," Jeanpierre gestured back simply and Cornelia turned to look at the small family, understanding all she needed to know why the male apes were all the way out here and not with the rest of the forest group.
Cornelia and the other apes around her then turned their heads as Ajax, Red, Rex and Tinker approached them.
"Where are the rest of the apes?" Ajax asked, seeing that only both Andy and Jeanpierre had come to meet them.
"Still hidden. Deep within the forest. Safe," Jeanpierre answered. "What about here? Where is Caesar and other apes?" he then asked.
It was then Cornelia, along with Tinker, Ajax and Red, had recounted to the two chimps about the explosion that had occured within the human city. The one that brought down that human building. Informing both Jeanpierre and Andy that it was deemed too dangerous for the females and healers to stay behind, that they needed to go back into the forest.
Andy and Jeanpierre then relayed their story of coming back into the forest, several weeks prior, at behest of Caesar. They were to inform the apes that were still here in the Redwoods to stay and not come back into the human city, no matter what happened. This had also extended to Jeanpierre and Andy as well, to which the latter did not like but did as he was told nonetheless. Both of the males then informed Cornelia, Ajax and the others how, after the recent collapse of the human building that day prior, they had moved the rest of the apes deeper into the forest, away from the fighting.
"Do Caesar and the others need our help?" Andy asked quickly.
"No. Luca told me to tell you that whatever warriors that were here in the forest already. Were to stay here and help us protect the females and young. To wait until Caesar and the others return," Ajax explained simply, gaining hesitant nods from the two other chimps.
"Are there any humans here? Dangerous?" Tinker asked next hesitantly to which, Cornelia reached out and took a hold of her arm for comfort.
"No Tinker. Have not seen humans here in the forest. But we must still be careful," Andy answered the petite female.
"Then what are we waiting for? Let us leave before the humans take notice of us," Red stepped in this time. "Hurry before humans sends soldiers into the forest too."
"I agree. Come. We will lead the females back to the rest of the apes that are in hiding. Then we move again," Jeanpierre gestured.
With that said between them, all of the apes slowly got up and followed the two chimpanzees deeper into the forest of their home, finally able to get away from the danger, if not for a little while.
…
As their cage bumped and jolsted around wildly, Ray couldn't help but glare at Fox who returned the look back a him to which Ash merely grumbled to himself quietly from one side. The three apes had been put into a new cage, this one made of heavy metals and cold metallic wire. Since their fight earlier, the humans had taken the precaution to bind the apes to each side of the cage so that they would not get to the other, lest they want another repeat of what had happened before. Their bounded wrists made it rather difficult to communicate with one another in hand signs and they didn't want to risk by alerting these new humans that they could speak. So both Ray and Fox settled instead to express themselves with facial expressions, whilst Ash merely deflated at the two frowning apes in front of him, wishing that they would stop in their animosity towards one then again, what was there left to say once someone had admitted that they wanted to kill you?
Watching both Ray and Fox continue to make frowning faces at each other, Ash couldn't help but look away from the both of them, letting his mind wander. While his thoughts escaped him, Ash thought back to when he was caged in that human town with the little ones.
He remembered when Carla had rubbed some strange smelling liquid onto his sore neck, causing the skin around it to warm up but in a good way, almost numbingly so.
"This will help," the human woman had said to Ash, as the young ape curiously touched at his neck.
"They're going being taken away," Feliz said in a small voice as she kept eyeing the apes and the people from Diablo.
Ash noticed Carla frowning as she too looked to where the other humans all stood. They were dressed funny. Covered from head to toe in a strange orange attire, that he's never seen before. He and Ray stared curiously as they spoke with the denizens of the town briefly but other than that they kept to themselves.
"We did what we could Feliz. But you know that the needs of the people here certainly outweighs the needs of a few," Carla explained as she gestured to the apes.
"But why though? Can't we… You know. Just let them go…?" Feliz asked in a quiet voice.
"Not anymore Feliz. You know what will happen if we don't offer these apes to the people of Diablo," Carla cautioned to the girl to which Feliz nodded slowly.
"I know… I just… Nevermind!" Feliz huffed before she stood up and was and was about to leave but stared directly at both Ash and Ray. "I'm sorry. Goodbye."
Before anything else could be said, both Ash and Ray watched as the girl quickly ran to the side, grabbed her rifle and bolted off into the distance, leaving them behind. Carla on other hand was still around, tending to their various wounds, even Fox's head wound before she was quite satisfied with what she's done.
"Stay strong now. All of you," Carla spoke to the three apes, confusing them. "You all need to be strong. Stay safe," the woman spoke softly.
Ash couldn't help himself as he tilted his head at Carla, trying to figure out what she had meant. The woman however gave him a second glance before she stepped away and turned her head into the direction of the other humans. Before Ash new it, the door to his cage was suddenly ripped open and both he and Ray were dragged away with some strange stick that had a wire at the end of it, looping over their heads. They were forced away and were quickly put into a new cage. It was there where they had their limbs bound, just in case they were to get rowdy. Desperately looking back around himself, Ash could see Carla worriedly watching him from afar, a hand to her mouth.
"H-help," Ash tried to mouth to the woman but a tarp was suddenly thrown around the cage, shutting him in within the cage and out from the world.
With a huff, Ash leaned his head onto the bars of the cage as the truck that he was now in, sputtered and jolted while it drove across the roads.
The three apes didn't know how long they had been traveling for but it felt like it was forever, causing Ray to feel a little sick, due to all the bumps and rough jostling of the truck they were in. Ash felt like he was going to spill out his insides as the ride continued and Fox on the other didn't show an ounce of discomfort on his face. But both Ash and Ray knew better that the older chimpanzee was quite sick of the moving vehicle as well. They could see it within Fox's eyes and by the bristling of hairs on his body. It did not help that the trip got worse as well, towards the end of it at least, with the bumps and jolting becoming progressively rougher and rougher.
Eventually the truck had finally slowed down to a stop with Ash, Fox and Ray all letting out a unified groan, glad that the shakings had finally ceased. The three apes couldn't see where they were but they could definitely guess. The could taste the salty sea breeze as it blew lightly into the tarp that covered their cage. They could hear the sea birds crying in the distance, as well as the slight crashes of the ocean's waves upon the the rocky shore. They were definitely by the ocean, that much they could tell.
In their brief moment of serene rest the sounds of doors closing, caused them all to jump. Warily the three apes glanced around themselves as they could hear footsteps all around them. Then they felt their cage being lifted by the humans and was then carried off somewhere. While being carried off to wherever they were being transported to, Ash, Ray and Fox worriedly glanced at each other, wondering on what the humans were going to do to them. While being carried the smell of the sea and the soft winds that carried the sounds suddenly disappeared all around them, replaced by a sort of hollowing echo sound. This strange new sound was something the apes themselves had never heard before. If they were to guess the sound that was being made was like as if they were placed within a sea-shell or an empty can that reverberated all over the walls, up down left and right of them. The three apes couldn't see what was outside, due to the tarp that covered their cage but they did see light that shone through the opening of the flaps. But this light was different. It didn't feel nor look like natural sunlight, much too white in color and small hints of blue within it. When their cage was finally put down onto the ground the tarp covering them finally came off, causing the apes to shut their eyes in pain, their vision suddenly assaulted by the blinding white light.
Ash groaned to himself and blinked the blurriness away from his eyes, he froze when he heard Ray letting out a painful screech. Craning his head around to look at the orangutan, Ash's eyes adjusted and he could now see Ray trying to back away from the human who was now standing and taking a step away from the still screeching orangutan, something within their hands. Ash hooted worriedly at Ray whilst Fox barked and growled at the humans. So distracted to Ray's cries of pain, Ash did not notice one of the humans approaching him too before it was too late. He suddenly felt a something sharp sticking into his arm painfully, enough to cause himself to screech in pain as he tried to move away from whatever was causing him such discomfort. He flinched when the object was quickly moved out of his skin and tried yet again to move away from the human that had hurt him. After calming down a bit and feeling that sharp pain turn into an aching throb, Ash glanced around himself once more, wondering as to why the humans were hurting them. He then watched as the human did the same to Fox. Sticking something into the older chimpanzee's arm who barked and snapped his jowls at the humans before they quickly yanked the thing away from Fox.
Panting worriedly, Ash rounded his head back to where Ray was and noticed that the orangutan was now no longer screeching in pain, but instead leaning heavily onto the metal bars. Ash was about to hoot at Ray, to get his attention when he felt a sudden drowsiness hitting him like a tremendous wave, causing his head to dip once before he raised it back up again. At first he didn't understand what was going on, only knowing that now he just felt extremely tired for some reason. With a huff, Ash turned back to look at Ray and now noticed the orangutan fully sliding down on his side of the cage and slumping over in a heap. Ash tried to force his limbs to move but they stopped doing what he wanted them to do, feeling more tired than before with every passing second. Soon enough his legs faltered and Ash slowly slid down to the ground on his side of the cage as well. Trying to blink the sleepiness away from his eyes, Ash glanced back to where Ray was and noticed that the younger ape was now in a deep sleep, his steady breathing filling the air while Fox was barking loudly next to them. Letting his eyes wander back up, Ash could see the humans staring back down at them, watching them silently as if they were waiting for them. Soon enough, He couldn't let his eyes open any longer and with a few more blinks, he allowed sleep to take him, the last things he heard was Fox's weakening barks in the distance.
…
As soon as the group of females and Gorilla Guards reached the inner sanctuary where the rest of the apes were located in, they were all warmly welcomed back by the rest of the colony. Happy hoots sounded throughout the area as families, mothers, fathers, lovers and other close kin were reunited. All greeting each other happily. Even though the time was dire and dangerous, this moment of rest and greeting was a welcomed one, a joyful occasion for apes who haven't seen each other since their separation many a sun cycles ago.
It may be a merry moment for most apes, but for others it wasn't so, this being Juno who stood off to the side and glowered. Juno watched his sister-in-law - Oaka, greeting her mother happily from off to the side. He couldn't help but huff aloud to himself as he then decided to sit upon one of the fallen logs. The withered armed chimp was then slowly embraced from behind, causing him to yelp in surprise, turning around quickly to see who it was that had snuck up on him. Upon seeing who it was, Juno quickly deflated and harraumped himself back onto the log.
The female that had surprised Juno had let out a small hoot of laughter as she eased herself down next to the younger male and hugged him.
"Juno. What is the matter?" Pauleen signed to her youngest, as she placed a finger under her son's chin and turned him so that he met her gaze, before tenderly grooming his disheveled hairs.
"Why did I have to come back here mother? I can fight with father and brothers. Help Caesar," Juno signed back indignantly.
"Juno. You know why your father and brothers sent you here with us," Pauleen tried to console her youngest.
"Father and brothers. Think I am weak," Juno grumbled silently as he pulled his knees close to him. "They think I can't look out for myself."
Pauleen frowned down at her youngest but reached out and continued to groom her Juno all the while, ignoring his little huffs of anger.
"Your father and brothers are only trying to keep you safe you know," Pauleen explained slowly.
"Not Tola!" Juno snapped, his hands signing violently. "Tola doesn't care," he continued to fume. "Thinks I'm weak."
At this, Pauleen couldn't help but let out a sigh. Her eldest could be… Difficult sometimes and she didn't know where she had gone wrong in raising him. But Tola had grown to be a fine and strong chimpanzee, but his attitude of having only strong apes was quite troubling to her. But she could only do so much.
"You know your brother Tola. He can be... Rather difficult. But he does love you and the rest of the apes," Pauleen signed.
"I don't think so mother," Juno replied with a frown. "Tola only acts nice when you and father are around."
At this Pauleen paused in her grooming to look at her youngest.
"Well, if Tola would not be kind to you then you also have Bryn. Bryn loves you too," Pauleen gestured.
"Bryn sometimes not nice either." Juno signed, "mean to me too," he explained to his mother.
Juno then paused, a look of confusion on his face.
"But then he would apologize," Juno signed slowly. "Sometimes I think he is not all there. Like he is different ape." he concluded.
"What do you mean Juno?" Pauleen questioned, now more concerned about her children.
Juno turned to meet his mother's eyes, seeing the look of concern set within those dark green orbs of hers. He hesitated, like he wanted to say more to her. Then suddenly his demeanor changed as Juno merely let out a series of pant laughs, surprising the older female.
"Scared you didn't I?" Juno chuckled.
Pauleen blinked several times before she had a scowl upon her features and lightly smacked Juno on the shoulder.
"Juno, do not scare me like that," Pauleen signed to her youngest son, not at all amused by his little jest.
"Sorry mother. You surprised me first, so I wanted to scare you too," Juno smiled.
The withered arm chimpanzee then frowned slightly before he offered the older female a sad smile.
" Sorry, didn't mean to worry you mother. Just thinking lots of things. Sometimes think too much and say things that do not make sense," Juno signed slowly to his mother, hopefully calming her.
The older female grunted in anger but she quickly deflated as she observed the genuine smile upon her youngest son.
"Oh Juno. Do not scare me like that. I am worried enough as it is," Pauleen signed to the younger male as she pulled the lanky chimp in close and hugged him tightly.
While in his mother's arms, Juno couldn't help but let out a small cooing noise, happy to be held by her, like she did many a times, even after he had grown much too big for her to do so. But Pauleen did not care, for Juno would be her one and only special son. One that she cared very much for.
It was this moment that Oaka had came over while holding onto her big stomach that contained both hers and Bryn's child. The heavily pregnant female huffed quietly before she straightened herself out and looked down at her two extended family members. Pauleen had then slowly stood up and approached Oaka, placing a comforting hand upon her daughter-in-law's shoulder.
"Are you alright? In pain?" Pauleen asked worriedly to which Oaka merely waived off with a hand.
"Just tired, but I will be fine," Oaka explained. "I think the others need you," she gestured to the older female.
Pauleen perked up at this, but nodded. She then turned to look at Juno and reached out to take a hold of his hand.
"Watch out for Oaka, Juno. Keep her well," Pauleen asked of her son.
"I will mother. Keep her safe," Juno promised.
"You be safe too," Pauleen gestured back as she hugged her Juno.
As Pauleen left the two of them alone, Oaka slowly turned her head towards her younger brother-in-law, narrowing her eyes at him. Juno had taken notice of this from Oaka, and hesitantly turned to look at her.
"Something wrong?" Juno asked.
Oaka frowned at Juno whom eased away from the female's intense glare.
"Juno. You must think. Before you speak," Oaka huffed out. "You made your mother worry about things that are not important right now," she gestured.
At this, Juno whimpered and lowered his head. He then felt a finger under his chin, lifting his face up, so that he was staring into his immediate sister-in-law's eyes.
"You know deep down why your father and brothers have sent you here with us. You are not needed there, in the human city. But are needed very much here instead," Oaka reassured. "Understand?"
At this, Juno huffed but nodded. Oaka took in a deep breath but smiled at the other male, reaching out to place a comforting hand upon the male's shoulder.
"Juno. You are like a little brother that I never had. I don't want to see you hurt," Oaka signed.
Juno took in a deep breath and closed his eyes, nodding.
"I know," he signed back.
All of a sudden, Oaka faltered and Juno was quick to react as he reached out to hold onto her, letting out small worried hoots all the while.
"Oaka hurt?" Juno said in a worried voice.
"Sorry. Just tired and… Yes, have stomach pains," Oaka signed back, huffing all the while, as Juno helped her sit down. "Very strong baby," she finished.
Juno looked up and down the heavily pregnant Oaka before placing a comforting hand upon her shoulder. He then met Oaka's eyes before he slowly reached out and placed a gentle hand upon her distended abdomen, feeling the strong movements underneath the skin.
"Strong baby. Indeed," Juno spoke quietly, beaming all the while.
Oaka then reached down as well and rubbed her stomach feeling her child within her a motherly smile upon her features.
"Stay here. I find roots. To help with pain," Juno said softly.
At this, Oaka turned towards Juno and reached up, to touch his arm gently.
"See. This why. Juno is. Here," Oaka panted tiredly.
At Oaka's words, Juno slowly turned back to face the heavily pregnant female and took her hands, smiling tenderly at her.
"I will. Be back. Soon," Juno promised her to which Oaka tiredly nodded at him.
With that said and done, Juno quickly stood back up before he spun around and bounded off in the direction that would contain the roots for stomach pains.
...
Malcolm sat there all alone within his cell with no one else there to keep him company. After he had told Carla about everything, from the apes to the battle of in San Francisco, the approach of the soldiers from the north and the purpose of their journey the older woman had contemplated silently to herself before the noise from outside had drew their attention. Carla had apologized and excused herself from the room, leaving Malcolm there. That had been hours ago. And now here he was, stuck here with nothing but the silence to keep him company. Oh how he should have never left Alexander and the other apes.
He didn't know when he had dozed off but eventually the sound of the door opening had woken Malcolm from his slumber, causing him to groggily turn around to see whoever it was that had entered the room. To his surprise, he saw that it was none other than Carla, who hurried to one side of the room, not without grabbing the map, picked up a familiar looking bag from the ground and walked on over towards his cage. Malcolm sat up straight this time, wondering what Carla was going to do but was genuinely surprised when he saw the woman taking out a ring of keys and unlocked the door to his cell.
"What are you doing?" Malcolm asked hesitantly, turning to look at Carla as she pulled the door open.
"They took the apes. The people from Diablo," Carla spoke quickly before handing the bag towards Malcolm. "Come. we must hurry before they notice," she finished.
Taking the bag, Malcolm slung it over his shoulder and immediately followed Carla out of the room. He was quite surprised by how fast the older woman in front of him moved but was curious to see that there were no guards that stood watch.
"Where is everyone? Malcolm asked as he followed Carla.
"Everyone else is out there, dividing the supplies that we acquired in the trade," Carla answered with a sigh to her voice. "The trade of your friends," Carla answered gravely.
At this, Malcolm stopped in his tracks, looking at the woman in front of him incredulously, not believing any word that she had just said to him.
"Y-you… You guys can't. They're… They're just kids," Malcolm huffed out.
Upon hearing the shock in the man's voice, Carla couldn't turned her dark brown eyes to the ground in front of them, unable to meet the man's gaze.
"I tried to talk the people out of making such a trade Mr. Malcolm. But the needs of this town the threat of the people from Diablo is very real. We just couldn't take that chance," Carla explained slowly. "I'm sorry."
"Then why didn't you just sell me off too then," Malcolm huffed back, throwing his arms into the air.
At this Carla turned back to look at Malcolm a small smile upon her features.
"Because you are needed," she said simply, causing Malcolm to become still at her words.
Soon enough Malcolm and Carla came upon a comfy looking house, just on the outskirts of the town. Walking up to the house, Carla slowly opened the door before turning around to look at Malcolm. Breathing slowly, Malcolm walked up towards the door and paused, turning to look at Carla.
"Go on. It's safe in there. I assure you," the woman said slowly.
Breathing deeply through his nose, Malcolm stilled his nerves and took a step inside the home. Nothing looked too out of the ordinary as he entered into what looked like a long hallway in front of him. Walking through it, Malcolm noticed that was an opening to the right of the hallway, which led into the living area. As he entered the room he was quite taken aback by what he saw. The room was simple with carpeted floors and neatly cleaned tables and furniture. However, what had shocked Malcolm though were the occupants within them, three in total and two of them were very familiar.
"Dad!" Alexander exclaimed from his spot on the couch, quickly rushing on over and throwing his arms around his father.
"Oh Alex. I'm so sorry. I should have never left you guys," Malcolm said aloud in a relieved voice as he held onto his son tightly.
"Its okay dad," Alexander breathed back.
Separating from Alexander, Malcolm turned and noticed Blue Eyes approaching as well, stoping a respectable distance away, staring at them. Then to the young chimpanzee's surprise, Malcolm had quickly closed the gap between them and embraced him too, holding onto him tightly and securely.
"I'm so glad your safe too, Blue" Malcolm said softly, feeling the ape tentatively reaching up to return his hug as well.
"Safe," Blue Eyes responded quietly with a smile on his lips as he separated from the man.
Wiping away at tears of joy from his eyes, Malcolm met both Alexander's and Blue Eyes' gazes before he noticed that someone else was missing. He then looked around himself once before he turned back to the two youngsters.
"Where's Rocket?" Malcolm asked, fearing the worst had happened to the nearly hairless chimpanzee.
Blue Eyes then took a step forwards towards Malcolm.
"Rocket. Go back to father. Warn Caesar about enemies," Blue Eyes informed in a hush.
Letting out a relieved breath, Malcolm then curiously met both Blue Eyes and Alexander's eyes once more.
"How did you two get here?" Malcolm asked.
"I did!" a new voice spoke up, causing all heads to turn to the girl who had just entered from the kitchen area.
"I'm sorry. We haven't met," Malcolm started before shaking his head. "Apologies. Where are my manners. My name is Malcolm. And you said that you helped these two Ms.?"
"The name's Feliz," the girl said aloud. "Yeah, these two are lucky I was there. If it were anyone else. They'd be shipped off to Diablo before you can blink!"
"Oh. Well thank you," Malcolm said softly to which the teen girl merely made a snorting sound and leaned onto the wall, with her arms crossed.
"We believe where they have taken your friends," Carla spoke up from behind all of them, causing the trio to turn and face her.
"Know where. Take friends?" Blue Eyes asked.
"Yes," Carla answered back the sky eyed chimpanzee before turning to face Malcolm. "What we did. Was wrong. But Feliz and I are going to make it right," Carla said aloud.
Malcolm blinked and turned to look at both Carla and Feliz, feeling hope fluttering within his chest before turning back to look at Carla.
"And how are we going to do that?" Malcolm asked hesitantly.
At the question, Carla merely offered Malcolm a smile in return.
...
There was a soft thud as Koba leaned onto the side of a wall for support. Closing his eyes in deep concentration, he was trying his best to not make a sound, lest it wakes up the human woman from her sleep, back within the open room.
It had been a couple of sun cycles since the explosion and building collapse within the human city had happened. Since that time, Ellie had deemed that it was safe enough to remove the cast around the bonobo's left leg. Once the thing had been removed from him, Koba had lightly tested himself by moving his limb around, testing it to see if there were any pains still. The human nurse had asked him to take it slow and to not rush himself, lest he wants to be couch ridden once more. Koba silently nodded back to the human woman and took her words to heart, knowing well that he did not need to be rushing things now, knowing that he was on the brink of being well enough to join the others again. But that didn't mean that he would try and get better himself as well.
Shaking the memory away from his mind, Koba grunted as he pushed himself off of the wall and resumed his journey through the rest of the household. Making his way through the empty hallways, Koba glanced about himself, noticing and seeing the many picture frames that hung around him. Pausing momentarily, Koba peered at one of the pictures and saw that it held a rather happy looking family there. Within the middle of that family though they held onto a very happy looking chimpanzee between all of them as well.
Caesar.
Koba huffed as he fondly looked at the image before he lowered his head down to the ground, frowning to himself as his own memories came into his mind. Memories of a darker past that still haunts him to this day.
Lingering on a little while longer with his dark thoughts, Koba roughly shook his head with a grunt and moved on, hoping to rid himself of these pains that still haunt him. By scouring the rest of the first floor of the household, Koba finally tried upstairs. As he climbed the first seven steps, he had to pause for a moment to catch his breath. Who knew that by not moving for so long would cause one to tire so fast? And he also didn't want to strain himself, remembering Ellie's warning about him pushing his body too far but he was sure that he could go on a little further. With that thought in mind, he determinedly moved forward.
The upper floor was had more or less housed the what seemed to be the sleeping areas for the humans of this household. Peeking into each and every room, Koba noticed that they were all differently decorated. One was filled with books and papers that were strewn about and another one was earthy colored in tone and was rather quite warming to be in. Stepping out into the hallway, Koba walked down it and turned towards his right to see a bookcase, still full of hardcovers of various works. Turning away from the bookcase though, Koba then saw a folding ladder that lead up into what looked like the attic; curiously he ascended the steps.
Entering the attic, Koba's breath was taken out of him. Walking through the room that looked a lot like a children's play area, he breathed quietly as he glanced about it. There were drawings and paintings of various things that were stuck to the walls, displaying a variety of bright his right stood a rather dusty piano; they even tuned when he had brought his hand down and pressed one of the keys. Continuing onward Koba could see a chained ball hanging down from the ceiling and in the middle of the room stood a small bed with a chessboard and it's pieces on it. What had caught his eye though, was the window of the room. Making his way towards it, Koba looked on in wonder as he could see the shape it took.
Caesar's symbol.
"Hope… Trust… Unity… Family…" Koba breathed softly aloud as he traced a finger along the frame, meeting each point of the diamond shaped star on the window.
While still marveling at the window, an ill thought suddenly crossed Koba's mind, causing him to frown deeply in on himself. He had hurt the apes, his only family, in more ways than one in his blind rage and vengeance. He had broken his closest friend's trust, especially Rocket and Ash's as he nearly killed the ladder in his blind rage of the young ape's unwavering loyalty to Caesar, who had disobeyed him in making the humans pay for what they did… To him. He was solely responsible for destroying the unity of the apes by leading them all into a false war because the mere thought of humans existing angered him. He had given up on hope the moment Caesar was taken away from them, from him… Replaced with a burning rage and hatred, causing him to not be able to think nor see straight, his vision filled with red. Like the burning flames that engulfed the human city that night.
Looking away from the window he balled up his fists and bared his fangs. How could he even think about facing them after what he's done? What he threw all the apes into.
While Koba stood there, thinking on what he had done to the apes, something out of the corner of his eye had caught his attention. Turning around, the scarred bonobo bared his fangs and snarled at whoever had dared to sneak up on him. He however blinked several times as he saw a familiar looking figure staring back at him. That figure was none other than he himself.
With a huff, Koba regulated his breathing and curiously approached the mirror that stood tall besides a wall, with a piece of fabric draped over it. Removing the cloth, Koba wiped the cool surface with the back of his arm, clearing it of the dust that had accumulated onto the mirror's surface over the years. Once that was done, Koba slowly took a step back to fully take a good look at himself. He noticed that he had lost a bit of weight as he lifted his left arm and could see some of his ribs poking out underneath the skin on his torso. Nothing a little food intake wouldn't fix. He couldn't help but frown at himself that along with the weight loss, he had also acquired more scars that decorated his body as well. Some big, some small, some even hard to see, like the one that ran down diagonally his back. While he was examining his body, something had caught Koba's eye, or rather that something was his eye.
His good eye.
Blinking unbelievably, Koba rounded himself back towards the mirror to look at that strange golden-green eye he now possessed. Huffing, he leaned in close to the mirror to take a long gander at it, wondering how he had attain such a new coloring? Was that why Luca and Maurice was staring at him so strangely for such a long time? After he had woken up? But how in the world did he recieve this coloring though? As he thought long and hard about it. Memories started to flow back into his mind, memories of the others talking and or signing. Talking with each other on what they did to Koba in order to heal him.
Caesar's blood.
Was this? It couldn't be? Koba breathed in on himself as he turned back to the mirror to look at his eye. Caesar's blood, it made sense now. Caesar gave him this eye through his blood. Gave him a second chance at life. But… Why?
Taking a step away from the mirror, Koba's leg bumped into the bed behind him, causing a few of the chess pieces to topple over. Looking down at the bed, Koba then noticed that here was a camcorder sitting on the surface of the old thing. He hadn't been curious about such human things before, but for some reason, the thing seemed so out of place, just sitting there among with the chess pieces, pillows and blankets.
Curiously, Koba then sat upon the springy mattress and flipped the side flap of the camera open. He had remembered fiddling with something like this before, drawing his memories back in the day while he was a lab rat and they would give him some things to test out. He pressed all of the buttons on the thing until the black screen of the side flap lit up blue with a beeping noise. Huffing, Koba could make out some of the letters and pictures but he merely grumbled to himself as he fiddled with the thing once more, trying to make it work. When he had pressed one of the buttons the bright blue screen of the flap suddenly came to life, with voices.
"Okay, Caesar. Look," the familiar looking man in the screen said as he got the attention of a very young Caesar, while they both sat at a table. "Apple. Apple," the man spoke aloud as he signed the word to Caesar.
Koba blinked as Caesar, who looked very young, would observe the older man and then repeat the gesture, eliciting a smile from the human.
"Good!" The human exclaimed before he slowly switched to another gesture. "Home. Home," the man said this time while making the hand gesture for it.
Caesar would glanced off to the side and then copy the gesture the human man was doing.
"Yes. This is your home," the man chuckled. "Your home," the man continued with a few more chuckles.
Caesar had then reached on over and gave the human a hug before the screen to the camera fizzled out and beeped.
Breathing quietly, Koba slowly pressed a button on the camera to turn it off, wondering to himself at what he had just saw. While his mind wandered to back to Caesar's life, as a child, living with these humans that definitely didn't show any animosity to the young chimp. Something stirred deeply within Koba's chest. Something that he hadn't felt for quite a long time. Letting his gaze wander up to the window as memories of recent years came back to him.
There was a great first from their very first successful hunt since their liberation from Caesar. Koba was sulking as he sat near a small enclave that seemed a little too tight for him, just out a bit of ways away from the other apes. He wasn't sure how to handle by being around so many others at once. It had delighted and frightened him to no end. But by being alone for so long, does things to you that cannot be explained. While he sulked, Koba then noticed a figure had separated from the giant crowd of apes and was making their way on over towards him.
"Koba?" Caesar signed to the bonobo.
"Yes Caesar?" Koba answered.
Caesar furrowed his brows before he glanced about the bonobo, as if he was looking for something before meeting Koba's gaze once more.
"Why are you out here? All alone?" Caesar asked.
Koba huffed and turned away from Caesar.
"Koba not like Caesar. Not like other apes. Different…" Koba explained.
At this Caesar frowned, not quite understanding what Koba was getting at.
"Caesar and other apes are whole. Not like Koba. That is ape home, with you. Koba stay here, " Koba explained.
"Our. Home," Caesar spoke up, causing Koba to go still and stare up at the chimpanzee with wide eyes. "This your home too. With all apes. Big. Small. Whole. Not whole. With us, Maurice, Rocket… Me. Our home. You understand?"
Koba couldn't help but open his mouth and close it several times, trying to think of something to say but couldn't. Seeing that he had no response, Caesar smiled at Koba and offered an inviting arm.
"M-my… Home?" Koba asked genuinely.
"Yes. This. Your home," Caesar finished, a smile upon his lips.
Huffing, Koba glanced down at Caesar's hand before he tentatively reached out and took a hold of it.
As the memory faded, Koba's vision immediately went blurry, causing him to blink and feel warmth flow down the sides of his cheeks. Then, like the walls of a dam, it suddenly broke apart, unleashing a forceful tide of emotions from within him. These emotions had washed over him so quickly and unexpectedly that he didn't even have time to keep it at bay. Once those first droplets of tears had escaped from him, he immediately closed in on himself and had let out a forceful, heartrending cry that howled throughout the Rodman household, his own voice shaking his whole being.
As he cried there, all alone. Koba could now see, hear and feel what his actions had caused him. His memories. Dark and unimaginable memories that he had kept locked away deep within himself rose up to meet him in the most gruesome of ways. The day he had lost his mother to their abusive caretaker Roger. The beatings he received from Tommy when he had failed to complete a trick with Milo. Those tortuous days he spent within the labs, cushioned only slightly by the presence of Amol who tried to help him. Only for the man to be ripped away from him by Steven Jacobs with the continuation of those awful tests. That painful moment when Caesar struck him down at the dam for trying to warn him about the humans and their guns. That night when he had learned that Caesar was killed by a human gun due to the ploy that Pope played on him. That moment when Caesar had said that he belonged in a cage. All of those memories, both old and new had hurt so much, tearing him from the inside out that it was unbearable for him. In that oceanic tide of anguish, Koba shut his eyes tightly as he was being suffocated, drowning in that sea of sorrow.
Then all of a sudden, in that deep despair, he felt something warm and soft wrapping their arms around him. With his shaking hands, Koba had then reached up as well and grasped weakly at that someone, almost desperately so. Through his fits of sobs he could then hear a voice, a soothing voice that seemed to cut through and pushed away at those thoughts that were belittling him.
"It's going to be okay. You're safe now," the voice would say over and over again in a calmly fashion.
With weak hiccups. Koba finally mustered up the energy to open his eyes again, finding himself being held tightly and securely within the arms of a woman.
"Mary?" Koba said in a quivering breath, turning his gaze upwards to get a better look at the human woman who was holding him.
To his astonishment, instead of seeing Mary holding onto him like he thought she was, he was met with the tearful smile of Ellie instead. He froze momentarily before easing himself slightly away from the human nurse, confusing her. Before he could stand up and walk away from her, Ellie had reached out and took a firm hold of his hand, preventing him from doing so.
"Don't Koba," the woman said in a quiet voice. "Stay."
Huffing, Koba closed his eyes tightly, half turning away from Ellie. He was so ashamed that she was there, comforting an ape like him.
"Koba. Look at me please," he heard the woman say. "You don't have to suffer alone. I am here for you. Remember?" she finished.
Letting out a long drawn out breath, Koba hesitantly rounded his head back to face the human nurse, meeting her eyes with his shocked ones. Hearing those words from her. Those words that held nothing but the most absolute of sincerity within them, filled him with a certain warmth, deep down within his being. Knowing that Ellie was not going to leave him alone helped eased him a great bit. Her words gently pushing away at that dark terrible stormed within him. Like a beam of sunlight that filters through the abyss, illuminating all in it's warming light.
Koba didn't quite understand the woman. Even after what he's done to her. Yelled at her. Attacked her. Even tried to kill her and her family. Yet here this human woman was, still showing him nothing but honest good compassion. And he was deeply moved and happy for it.
"E-Ellie?" Koba sobbed.
"Yes Koba?" The woman responded.
Koba at first didn't say anything as he sat there looking into the woman's eyes. He then shamefully lowered his head and paused a moment longer. Letting himself calm down as much as he could so that he could properly tell her what he needed to say to her.
"Koba... K-Koba is sorry. I... I am sorry. F-for… For everything," Koba continued with loud sniffles, still keeping his head low. "I… I hurt you. I'm… I'm-"
Before he could even finish what he was saying, Ellie had immediately embraced him again, hugging him tightly within her arms.
"Thank you," the woman whimpered out. "Thank you. So much."
"Why? Why are you. Not mad. At me?" Koba asked while he was still being hugged tightly by Ellie, confused.
"I was never mad at you," Koba heard the woman say quietly as she held onto him.
Koba then felt Ellie pulling back from him and she met his gaze.
"I was sad. Heartbroken that someone like you have suffered so much," Ellie continued as she took a hold of Koba's hands again. "I may not know you personally or know what you've went through. But that doesn't mean that I cannot see the scars that has marred your body or hear the pain in your voice. But I can feel Koba. Feel it in here that you are hurting," Ellie continued, reaching up and placing a hand over the bonobo's chest.
Koba looked down at Ellie's hand that was placed over his heart before she removed it. He then slowly brought his own hand and placed it over his chest as well, feeling the heart beating from within. He then curiously lifted his head to meet Ellie's gaze again.
"I just wanted to help you. See you happy. To live your life and believe in us humans again," Ellie spoke softly, offering Koba a teary smile.
At this Koba's nostrils flared several times before he practically wrapped his arms around Ellie once more, hugging her as his who body was wracking within another fit of sobs once more. The woman cooed to him quietly while reaching up and gently rubbing his backside, like a mother would comfort her child when they were in distress.
Koba had thought that he would never trust a human ever again. But thanks to this woman, who was sitting in front of him. She had showed him that there were very much humans out there that are good at heart, wanting nothing but peace and to reach out and heal. She had saved him from his darkness and he was glad of her for it.
They were both like that for a long while, just happy to be in the other's company. Eventually they had both seperated, with Koba timidly looking away from Ellie while Ellier herself was straightening out her clothes.
"Koba?" Ellie asked quietly, causing the scarred bonobo to turn back to her.
"Yes?" Koba answered hesitantly.
"Who is Mary? You've said her name a few times now, Ellie inquired through her gentle smile.
At this question, Koba simply looked away from Ellie and stared up at the window of Caesar's room. Thinking long and hard about it.
"I'm sorry. You don't have to. I was just curious," Ellie said lightly.
It grew quiet again and Koba took in a deep breath.
"Mary," Koba started, his eyes still staring out of the window. "Was a good human... To me," he spoke softly.
Ellie watched as Koba finally turned his gaze back towards her, staring at her with those golden-green and milky white eyes that no longer held any malice within them.
"You. Remind me of her," Koba spoke in a soft and congenial voice as he gestured towards her. "Ellie. Reminds Koba of Mary, he explained. "Ellie is nice. Like her. Make me trust in humans again. Reminds Koba. That there are still good humans. Like you."
Upon hearing this, Ellie couldn't help but let out a soft gasp as she placed her hands over her chest as a new set of fresh tears fell from her. Touched that Koba had considered her that much.
Koba blinked up at the woman, shedding a couple tears of his own. But at that moment, he really didn't care. Not anymore. For he knew that Ellie did not judge him. Would not judge him. Was not scared of him. But saw him, as who he is and what he was. An ape that had lost his way in the darkness and was now finding his way back, with a little bit of help.
"Thank you, Ellie. For. Helping me. Helping Caesar. Helping apes. Everything," Koba said softly, offering her a genuine smile.
"You're welcome," Ellie responded as she returned the warm smile from Koba.