When the fog laid thick among the treetops, Cornelia soon rose from her hiding spot, as soon as she could see. When she had moved, Cornelius had protested with a few small chirps, so she soothed him by hooting back softly.

"The fog is our friend my son," Cornelia signed to her youngest child, even though she knew that he didn't understand her yet.

But Cornelius liked to watch her hands move, and every now and then he would mimic her. Smiling at Cornelius, Cornelia brought her snout close to his face and rubbed his cheek with it, causing her little baby to coo in delight. After a bit Cornlia had lifted her head up and looked at her surroundings. Indeed, the fog had always been a friend to the apes. It had been their ally when Caesar had first led them across the bridge to safety and hidden them when the flying machines had came to kill them.

And now, it concealed Cornelia and her little one from the other apes that were chasing them.

Cornelia now found herself in territory she knew very well and needed no landmarks to navigate herself. Before the village had been built, so many winters ago, there was just the land and the forest itself. Even after the humans had ceased coming for them, life was very close to the bone; foraging had occupied much of her time, even after Blue Eyes began to grow inside of her belly.

By mid-morning, she had finally found it; along a creek on the moss-covered south side of a canyon wall, protected by ferns and tangle of bushes. A place where an older, larger stream had eaten away at the stone and left a rock shelter behind. It was high enough at its tallest point to stand in and did not go very deeply into the canyon wall, but there was plenty of dry space inside.

Cautiously, Cornelia approached it; it had been many winters since she's been here, and it could be possible that wild and ferocious animals had made this space their home. Upon hearing a sound, Cornelia froze and stood still, hearing faint and familiar noises coming from within. Creeping a little closer, Cornelia pushed aside the vegetation and was met with both Tinker and Maple huddled within it.

"Cornelia!" Tinker gasped, quickly rushing on over and embracing her good friend. "Oh Cornelia, I had hoped you would com here," Tinker signed happily as she pulled back before smiling even wider and reaching out to hold her honorary nephew's hands. "I'm so glad to see you both safe," she finished.

When Ash and Blue Eyes had been born, the village had only just begun to grow. He and many others before him were not born within it, like Cornelius had been. Instead they were born here, in a place that only the females of their tribe knew of. It was also here where the midwives had first made their veils and taught the rituals of birth to each other. Why they had chosen to keep it a secret from the males had never been discussed among them.

After the village was build, it was much safer to give birth there, and in the ethos of the village, where all of the apes worked together. The females felt pressure to bring their new ways within the walls that enclose them all. And so they had.

But they had never forgotten this place, where so many of their sons and daughters had first drawn breath. And as far as Cornelia knew, it was still a secret to the men of their tribe. And she was glad for this, as it was now keeping her, her child, Tinker and Maple safe.

At the thought of Maple, Cornelia had quickly turned her head upon the young female and eyed her from where she stood. A concerned look overcame Tinker's features and she was about to speak up but Cornelia was already moving and was now standing in front of Maple, how had nervously looked down at the ground, not meeting the queen's eyes.

"Explain," Cornelia said simply.

Tinker reached out and took a hold of Cornelia's arm but her friend did not even turn to look at her, except she had kept her eyes upon the younger female.

Maple met Tinker's eyes momentarily before turning herself up to meet Cornelias'.

"M-my father has taken over the troop," Maple signed nervously. "He and the rest of the warriors told us that Caesar died. And that the warriors and guards were all fighting each other," Maple's hands were starting to shake now. "It was terrible. Saw my father speaking with Red. They… They killed Ursus," Maple signed, tears now falling from her eyes. "They tied up apes who did not follow. I'm sorry."

Unable to sign more, Maple buried her face within her hands and wept into them. After a brief moment, she felt an arm embracing her, holding her tightly.

"Thank you," Cornelia's voice said soothingly, causing Maple to look up and meet her with wide jade colored eyes.

Cornelia smiled warmly at the brown haired female before she turned to look at Tinker whom huffed at her before going over towards Maple's side and hugged her.

"She is just a child, she doesn't know anything," Tinker chastised Cornelia as Maple buried her head into her shoulder.

"Had to make sure. Enemies are everywhere now," Cornelia explained. "Young are easily manipulated," she finished earning another frown from Tinker.

Keeping her eyes upon Cornelia a moment longer, Tinker finally sighed and looked down to the weeping Maple within her arms. She then gently placed her cheek upon the younger female's head and had let out soft coos in order to soothe her, gently stroking her back like she would often times do for Ash when he was upset.

Eventually the other two females were well enough to seperate and the three of them sat themselves upon the soft earth beneath them.

"I saw you leaving with Red the other day, in the afternoon. I knew they were lying. And Ajax-I don't know where he is after the fight with Red and Grey's apes. Andy is wounded, along is tied with Jeanpierre and the others. When coming here I saw a trail of blood. Someone tried to cover it up, but I found it," Tinker explained.

"Then we are in more trouble than I thought," Cornelia replied as Cornelis started to clamber on over to play with Maple.

Soon enough, Tinker had provided some dried meat and fruit for them to eat. While they ate, the three females had tried to work out on what was going on and what they needed to do.

"I think they meant to capture you," Tinker looked to Cornelia. "I think they meant to force you to tell us to cooperate with them."

"That would make sense. Then the Gorilla Guard and out warriors would have surrendered without a fight," Cornelia agreed.

"Most of them didn't even get to fight," Maple jumped in as she held Cornelius within her lap. "Father, Red and the others had disarmed most of the warriors and guards while they were sleeping."

Tinker nodded at the young female before turning to look at Cornelia.

"That was when Jeanpierre, Andy, Ajax and Ursus fought - when they killed Urus and wounded Andy," Tinker explained sadly.

Upon hearing this, Cornelia absorbed all of this information silently before turning to look at both Tinker and Maple once more.

"Could it be true then? Is Caesar really dead?" She asked hesitantly.

"We had thought Caesar was dead once when he was not," Tinker started. "And many of the apes who came with Grey were followers of Pope and a few of Kobas; not one of Caesar's commanders is said to have survived. Except for Andy, Jeanpierre and Ajax now. Most of the females don't believe what Red and Greys says, or at least they doubt it. But they go along with Grey, for fear of their children's safety," Tinker finished, looking at Cornelia with trepidation.

"My father is lying, I know," Maple signed, gaining the attention of the two older females.

"How?" Tinker asked.

"I don't know. But I just know that he is not telling me the truth. Or at least he is hiding something and doesn't want me to know," Maple explained before turning to look at Cornelia. "Mother is declared queen now," she finished.

Upon hearing this, Cornelia nodded at the younger female. She knew Cedar well; she liked to be the center of attention, and usually thought she was being slighted, that she was never quite treated as well as she should be.

But as problems went, Cedar was not an important one, right now.

"We must find a way to tell Caesar," Maple said.

"No," Cornelia signed. "They will be watching for ust to do that. The way back to the city is much too narrow, too easy to watch. No, right now we must find Ajax and free Andy, Jeanpierre and the others."

"What about the troop?" Tinker asked now. "Grey is moving them north."

"Do not worry about them," Cornelia signed to her good friend. "They will be easy to follow. We don't even need a tracker to follow a group that size. We must find Ajax, for we will need his strength. And importantly we must stay alive, escape and stop those who are hunting us."

"Maybe they have given up?" Maple asked after a long silence.

"No, I do not think so," Tinker turned to the younger female. "They can't and will not allow Cornelia to go free. Or any of us for that matter. Someone with be hunting us, always."

"How long have you both been here?" Cornelia asked as she settled Cornelius into her lap.

"We arrived only shortly before you did," Tinker answered.

"If you are right, then they will find this place soon. Maybe very soon," Cornelia signed slowly. "We will need to go find Ajax. He most certainly will try to reach Caesar."

With that decided between all of them, the three females had then chosen that moment to leave before they were discovered.

Cornelia and the other two had made out of the cave and was just a stone's throw away from it when she had cautioned them all to halt. Turning her head upwards, she could now hear something moving through the trees. Thinking quickly, Cornelia signaled for the other two females to follow her and they all huddled on the south side of an immense redwood, waiting. As Cornelia, Tinker and Maple waited in anticipation they all held their breaths when an orangutan and a chimp came into view just a bit over them. Cornelia herself didn't have a good enough view to see who they were but they were moving slowly down the gorge, searching as their heads moved slowly back and forth, like predators.

After a moment the two apes had moved on and the three females had let out a unified breath of relief. However, Cornelius started to try and play again, making small squeaking noises, causing Cornelia to hold her son close to her. Terrified that his little cries of joy will give away their hiding spot. There was a small gasp, and Cornelia looked up from her son to Tinker who was gazing off into the distance. Following to where Tinker was looking at, Cornelia's heart pounded within her chest when she noticed the arm of a chimp, slowly coming around a redwood trunk that was three trees away from them.

The blood from Cornelia's face drained as Pongo came into view, his lip was still raw and his right ear, all but gone. She saw him touch his face and scowl as he looked about. Thankfully he hand't seen them yet, as he was looking the wrong direction. But if he were to just turn his head halfway and looked down…

There was a sudden short call of an orangutan, that caused Pongo to look in the direction of the cave, where Cornelia and the others had been just moments earlier. There was a low rumbling growl that was coming from the giant male above them and then Pongo suddenly leaped from his perch, crossing the distance between him and the next tree.

The three females stayed there in silence for a long while, until they were sure that the three apes were gone before Cornelia gave the signal for them to all move again, quickly.

...

When Ray had woken up, it was to unfamiliar motion' it somewhat resembles riding a horse, but the rhythm was much slower. The strange motion made him sick as if he were on the verge of vomiting, and realized by the mess not too far from him, he had already done so. Whimpering, Ray pulled himself up, trying to figure out where he was and what was happening. All he could remember clearly was the tremendous amounts of pain he underwent as he tried to answer Armand's questions, questions that the elder human was forced to ask by the other ones.

Sighing to himself, Ray looked around himself and noticed that he was no longer in the glass cage, but in another one, made of wire. Looking about, Ray noticed that he was in a gray-green colored room lit by several glowing tubes that hung in the very low ceiling. As the world rocked again, Ray couldn't help himself as he groaned at the motion.

"Yeah, me too," a human voice said aloud.

Slowly dragging his head up, Ray saw the translator, Armand, talking to him.

"The sea may be pretty but I'm not very fond of being on it honestly," Armand confided.

"Where?" Ray groaned in a hoarse voice, wanting to know where he was.

"We're on a boat," Armand turned to sign at him.

Curious, Ray met the elder human's eyes and noticed a worried look over them.

"Don't speak with your mouth okay? Just sign," Armand gestured.

Armand warily looked up at Armand but saw the sincerity within his eyes.

"Okay," Ray signed back finally.

Looking towards his right, Ray noticed then that Fox was in a cage right next to him, albeit the older chimpanzee was crouched on the far side of it, glaring up at the both of them. At this, Ray shot a look back at Fox.

Armand seemed to have taken notice of the two apes' hostilities towards one another.

"No, play nice, you two," Armand signed to the both of them.

"Go away. Human, go away," Fox signed back at Armand.

Ray was just about to sign something when he heard whimpering behind him, causing him to turn around. To his surprise, Ray saw another form, a familiar one, laying curled up in a ball.

Ash.

Upon seeing the other chimpanzee, Ray quickly walked on over and stuck his arms through the wiry bars and touched Ash's backside. As he placed a comforting hand upon the other ape though, Ray pulled his arm back slightly when Ash whimpered and tensed up before drawing him on himself more.

"Ash?" Ray breathed in confusion.

When Ash didn't answer him, Ray took a closer look at the older ape and noticed that the chimp had still not budged from where he lay. The elder human merely placed a finger in front of his lips for the sign "quiet," and then made the sign for "sleep."

"He's had it pretty rough," Armand explained, walking over towards Ash's cage and reaching in as well, rubbing a hand atop of the chimpanzee's head. "He's still sleeping and hurt from what happened," Armand explained.

"Because humans did this to us!" Fox growled while signing from within his cage.

"Yes," Armand agreed. "Because humans hurt you all and I'm very sorry," he apologized. "But please trust me. I am trying to help the three of you this time."

"No trust. Lies!" Fox gestured back, baring his fangs.

At this, Armand sighed and wiped a sleeve across his sweaty forehead.

"Look, both of you. I wouldn't trust me either, if I were an ape. But you two need to listen to me. What they did to the both of you, the pain, the questions. It's going to happen again. Unless you two let me help you," Armand pleaded.

Fox made an angry noise and retreated further to the back of his cage while Ray eyed Armand.

"If you two don't trust me. Then at least trust me now, for you friend's sake," Armand gestured slowly, reaching through the wiry bars and rubbing the top of Ash's head once more, earning a huff from the unconscious chimp.

Ray watched how Armand was looking down at Ash tenderly before meeting the elder human's eyes once more.

"Go on," Ray gestured back.

"I met your friends," Armand started, earning confused looks from both Fox and Ray. "Blue Eyes, Alexander, Malcolm and Feliz."

Upon seeing this, Ray's face lit up and he now stood attentively. The humans of their group were not officially given hand-sign names but for the time being Ash, Ray and Blue Eyes had thought up of some for Malcolm and Alex. Since Malcolm was like that of an architect, whatever that meant to the humans, they associated it with the hand letter "M" and sign for "build." For Alexander it was the letter "A" and the hand sign for "art or draw." These signs were only taught between the small group and only them. So since Armand showed these names to him, Ray knew exactly that the human elder was telling the truth.

"And Feliz," Armand finished in a soft voice, noticing Ray's eyes brighten up slightly. "We have a plan to get you all out of here. But I can't have you two fighting each other. Do you understand me?" Armand asked.

It was at that moment that Ray noticed that Armand didn't mentioned another member of their group.

"Rocket?" Ray asked, making the "R" symbol and tapping it over his heart.

At the name, Armand shook his head slowly. "Your friends told me that Rocket had gone back to inform your leader about something."

Nodding understandably, Ray lowered himself and turned to looked down at Ash before making eye contact with Fox who still glared at them.

"Can you get us out of the cages?" Ray asked this time.

Armand hesitantly looked about himself.

"I don't have the key yet. Sorry," Armand apologized. "But when it all goes down though, I will. We just have to wait." he finished.

"Still don't trust you," Fox signed from his end of the cage, a frown set upon his features.

"I know and I'm sorry. For what they did to you. At the time, I thought there was nothing I could do for you. Both of you. If I had refused to translate," Armand paused momentarily. "I'm not sure what they would have done to you three. And I know they wouldn't stop until they got what they wanted. Or wanted to hear what they wanted to. Anyways. I'm here now and this way at least, I'll be by your sides. With all of you. Able to make amends for what I couldn't do before."

It was at this moment everyone within the holding area turned their heads when someone new entered the room. To Ray and Fox's surprise, they watched as a woman with dark raven colored hair that was tied up behind her head, accompanied dark brown eyes, walked on over towards them. She was dressed in clothing that was the colors of an afternoon sky, all clear and light.

"Excuse me. Are you lost ma'am?" Armand asked.

"Oh n-no, I'm actually here to… To help that one," the woman said softly as she eyed Ash's form within his cage.

The others followed the woman's gaze before slowly turning back to look at her.

"I'm actually here to make sure he's not. Well… To make sure he is better," the woman finished.

"Did you help him?" Armand asked softly, gaining a slow not from the woman. "I'm Armand. The translator for these apes," Armand spoke up with a smile.

"Linda," the woman answered with a small smile of her own.

…

"Ta-da!" Feliz announced as she presented the vehicle later that evening to the others.

Blue Eyes, Alexander and Malcolm looked at the jeep wrangler and then back to the girl who was all smiles.

"How did you get a car?" Malcolm asked curiously as he inspected it.

"Oh, I have my ways," Feliz responded as she crossed one arm over her torso and held her chin with the other, eyes looking up at the sky.

"I think Armand gave you this right?" Alex asked.

"What!?" No!" Feliz shot back with a flustered face.

Malcolm and Alexander merely stared at the girl for a long while, with Blue Eyes curiously looking back and forth between all of them, before Feliz heaved out a deep breath.

"Fine! Armand gave me the keys," Feliz responded, face going red.

"Well alright then!" Malcolm spoke aloud as he looked into the vehicle before leaning back out. "Keys?"

"Oh no. Armand gave this baby to me and it is my responsibility to take care of it," Feliz responded.

"Something tells me you just want to drive it," Alexander jested the girl, who made a face at him. "Do you even know how to drive?"

"Do I- How dare you! I'll let you know that I am the best driver from the town of Esperanza," Feliz announced.

At this, Alexander couldn't help but roll his eyes at Feliz and turned to look at his father who shrugged in return.

"Well… I guess we get in then," Malcolm said aloud. "Come on. The boat left hours ago, if we don't move soon, we'll fall behind," he finished, jumping into the passenger seat.

"Got that right old man!" Feliz said excitedly as she jumped into the driver's seat.

"Old man?" Malcolm questioned, turning to look at Feliz, who seemed to be ignoring him and was putting the key into the ignition.

"Come on Blue Eyes," Alexander said to the chimpanzee as he climbed into the back seat.

Blue Eyes however stared at the strange thing and looked reluctant in getting in such a thing. He had seen these before, in the human city and had seen many of the humans using it as a means of transportation. Blue Eyes however had never been in one and didn't know what to think or do about it.

"Something wrong Blue Eyes?" Alexander asked from spot.

"This. Not for. Ape-"

Before Blue Eyes could even finish what he was saying he felt, rather than saw, something came rushing towards him. He tried to pivot away from whatever it was that now loomed in his peripheral vision, but it was much too late. The blow landed on his shoulder, sending shocks of pain down his neck and back, hurling him across the vehicle past Feliz's, Alexander's and Malcolm's surprise faces. He hit the ground roughly, but had managed to roll and regain his footing.

The car screeched in protest as Aghoo had leapt up on it, bending the hood beneath his massive weight. Feliz had yelped and scrambled out of her still-open door, along with Malcolm and Alex, as the hug gorilla raised up in a raw display of anger.

Panting, Blue Eyes looked up to Aghoo, seeming to be more massive that he had remembered. This was definitely not good. If Aghoo were to have a hold of him, he would definitely break Blue Eyes in half.

"Where is Fox?" Aghoo demanded, bunching up his shoulders and scowling in a obvious threat.

Involuntarily, Blue Eyes felt himself shrinking back, but stopped himself. With a shuddering breath, he forced himself to stand up straighter to the other ape.

"He is a captive of the humans," Blue Eyes responded, "In a cage."

At this, Aghoo bared his canines but Blue Eyes pointed to Alexander and the others.

"We are going to save him," Blue Eyes gestured.

"You, are working with them? The humans?" Aghoo growled, turning his head and baring his fangs at Feliz and the others, who backed away from him.

It was at this moment that Blue Eyes realized that Feliz's and Alexander's gun was still in the car, but the gorilla didn't know this. Aghoo however, had his slung his weapon onto his back, and although he made no move to use it, Blue Eyes noticed Stripe standing just a stone's throw away from them, holding his at the ready, a big grin on his face. That just left Bon, but he didn't see the older chimp anywhere at all. Maybe hiding?

"Yes, humans help," Blue Eyes answered. "We have to hurry. We do not have much time."

At this Aghoo snorted at him.

"Son. Of Caesar," Aghoo spat in Blue Eyes' direction. "Son. Of nothing."

As Aghoo said all of this, he took his gun and tossed it in Stripe's direction, the chimpanzee catching it with one arm before he aimed it at the three other humans.

"Caesar. Your father. Killed my king. And I, Aghoo. Will kill Caesar's son," Aghoo grunted whilst signing. "Blue Eyes will never be king. As long as I live."

"Listen to me!" Blue Eyes growled back angrily. "There is a boat - another boat. Ash, Fox and Ray are on it - they are going to be hurt, badly, and then they will die. There is also a weapon on the ship, a weapon the humans will use to kill all of the apes within the city and forest if we do not stop it!"

Aghoo paused for a moment, looking as if he was thinking on what Blue Eyes had just told him, but not for long. He suddenly hooted in contempt at the sky eyed chimp, seeming confused by his sudden laughter.

"Only the warriors should be left in the city by now. The ones that are loyal to your father. Females and children should be back in the forest. With our apes. Apes who believe in strong ones like Pope and Koba. It is good if Caesar and his warriors dies. It will make it that much easier for us to rule," Aghoo signed back, much to Blue Eyes' horror.

There was a single hoot that erupted from Stripe causing Malcolm to jump back and away from the vehicle as the chimpanzee glared at him.

"See. You. Shoot. You." Stripe warned, aiming one of the gun barrels in the man's direction.

Aghoo grunted, then jumped down from the car and raised up on his hind legs, barking once in Blue Eyes' direction.

"Will the son of Caesar fight? Or die like helpless prey?" Aghoo mocked.

At this, Blue Eyes couldn't help himself as he too rose up to his full height and bellowed a challenging roar at Aghoo. Staring down the bigger gorilla, Blue Eyes' gaze darted quickly to his companions momentarily, knowing well that they would not be able to fight back if Aghoo and Stripe were to attack them. Making a quick decision, he feint charged towards Aghoo before rounding himself and sprinted away on all fours, hoping that the gorilla would give chase on him instead. This tactic seemed to have worked as Aghoo roared in fury at him retreating and quickly chased after him up the hill.

As Blue Eyes ran, he quickly glanced behind him, seeing the bigger gorilla angrily charging after him. All Blue Eyes could do was run as fast as his limbs would carry him, trying his best to stay out of Aghoo's reach. He knew that he should be able to outrun the bigger ape; Blue Eyes' only fear was that Stripe would shoot at him and even if he would miss, the sound would sure alert the human soldiers from the compound to their location. But as Blue Eyes ran he quickly glanced in Stripe's direction, seeing the other ape following him with the barrel end of his gun but didn't shoot, a frown etched upon his features. It seems like both Aghoo and Stripe were not as stupid as he had previously thought. They too, knew the dangers if a gun were to go off in such close proximity to the human's town. They did not want a hundred humans swarming around them any more than Blue Eyes did. Aside from that, it clearly wanted to personally beat him into a pulp. That was if he could catch him. Aghoo was probably twice his weight, and what little of that weight wasn't muscle was bone.

"Blue Eyes!" Someone called out.

Along with his name being called out, Blue Eyes turned his head quickly to see Stripe hefting the two guns to his back and getting down on all fours, before giving chase as well. Even with the two guns on his back, Stripe was extremely fast, quickly gaining upon on Blue Eyes' left flank with Aghoo falling behind on his right. However if Blue Eyes were to veer towards his left, he would fall right along the gorilla's path. Both Aghoo and Stripe were herding him like game, pinning him to where they want him, but if he could only make it to the top of the ridge of that hill. Then maybe he might be able to break from the pin down and double back to the others down at the car. With that in mind, Blue Eyes sprinted faster, and after a few dozen yards, he did gain more distance from the two, but then his limbs started to tire out. Glancing back, Blue Eyes had hoped that maybe the others would tire out as well, but Aghoo - unbelievably- seemed to be picking up speed, and Stripe was easily gaining distance on him.

He was not going to make it.

It was at this moment Blue Eyes had to make a choice. If he had to go through one of them, it would have to be Stripe, and it better to do it sooner than later, when he was exhausted. With that thought in mind, Blue Eyes kicked up the dirt underneath him as he veered towards Stripe's direction. The white streaked chimp hooted, half-expecting Blue Eyes to come to such a decision; he dropped his weapons and charged head on to meet the prince.

At the very last moment, before they both collided with one another, Blue Eyes leapt into the air, putting one hand on Stripe's head as he vaulted over the other chimp. Blue Eyes' heart soared as he almost seemed to take wing, like a bird that soared high above the ground, free, and in that single moment, gone…

Stripe's fingers had reached up and closed themselves around Blue Eyes' ankles. Blue Eyes' flight ended with his face meeting the hard earth underneath him, his face radiating in pain upon the impact, tasting his own blood within his mouth. With a grunt, Blue Eyes then looked back at Stripe, who had fallen with him and kicked the other chimpanzee off of him. Rolling back up quickly, Blue Eyes held the side of his face as his head rang loudly. Hearing a quick series of grunts, Blue Eyes turned and saw Stripe quickly getting back up, charging at him once more.

Seeing Stripe running at him with his mouth opened, teeth all bared in a threat display, Blue Eyes' vision suddenly became red. All that sorrow, frustration, anger and hatred suddenly bubbled forth from within him, causing his heart to pound wildly within his chest. With a howling screech of his own, Blue Eyes balled up his fists together and swung it with all of his might, clubbing Stripe in the side of the mouth. The hit was so solid and impact so forceful, Blue Eyes was quite surprised to even feel the bones within his arms and chest shaking from the blow.

When his balled up fists had made impact with the other chimp, Stripe had screeched out in pain and fell aside. Seeing the other chimp falling down and then getting back up, staggering away; this would have been the perfect time for Blue Eyes to make a retreat. However, he was done running away, tired of being the one in hiding and or chased.

With anger and fury still set within his chest, Blue Eyes bolted after Stripe. As he neared the still recovering chimp, Blue Eyes pulled back his right arm, balled up his fist and struck Stripe in his left ear, earning a pained yelp from the other chimpanzee. The moment Stripe went down again, Blue Eyes was quick to attack the defenseless chimp. He screeched and growled as he kicked Strip in the chest, struck him in the face again and even tried to snap his fangs around the struggling chimp's throat.

Before Blue Eyes could do anymore, something like the wave of an ocean suddenly took a hold of him and he was suddenly flying again, his stomach having a strange tingling sensation as his weight went away. Before, he once again, met the hard, dry dirt of the hill as he crashed into it, rolling upon its hard surface. Catching his breath, Blue Eyes slowly pulled himself onto his arms and slowly lifted his head up to see Aghoo looming over him.

"Coward," Aghoo grunted.

Growling, Aghoo then reared himself upwards, bringing up his arms all the while. With a defeated breath, Blue Eyes waited for the gorilla to bring his arms down, to crush his skull upon the ground. But then, the gorilla in front of him stumbled forward, out of control. Blinking once, Blue Eyes couldn't see why Aghoo had jolted forward like that; but then he realized that another ape had leapt upon the gorilla's back. As Aghoo landed on his knuckles he jerked around in a semicircle, as the chimp that had attacked him hung on.

Upon closer inspection of his savior, Blue Eyes' eyes widened.

"Rocket!" Blue Eyes called out.

Rocket however could not respond at the moment as he held onto the raging Aghoo who twisted and turned, trying to buck the bulky grey chimp off of him. Reaching one huge hand behind him Aghoo tried to grab at the chimpanzee once more but Rocket had slung himself over the gorilla's head to somersault downslope. Landing with a grunt, Rocket glared up at Aghoo as Blue Eyes quickly backed up to join him, the both of them came together and watched for Aghoo's next charge.

Aghoo however glared at the both of them and quickly looked around, seeing both his and Stripe's guns on the ground a few feet away from him. Aghoo had then lurched towards both Blue Eyes and Rocket, but instead of attacking them like they thought he would. He instead rushed towards one of the guns and picked it up.

"Run!" Rocket barked at Blue Eyes.

Before Blue Eyes could even say anything to Rocket, the older chimpanzee was already charging towards the gorilla.

Baring his ivory fangs, Aghoo raised his gun and aimed it at Rocket, but then he suddenly straightened up, eyes wide, enough to see the whites of his huge green eyes at the setting sun's light. He then dropped the gun in his hands and clapped his hands around his throat.

There was a faint report that sounded from below the hill.

For a second longer, Aghoo collapsed onto the ground with a loud thud, no further sound coming from him. Stripe, who was now recovering and regaining his feet, now saw Aghoo's still body, lying on the ground. With a gasp, Stripe felled backwards, crawling away and screeching in terror, turning around and ran as fast as he could over the hill, away from the shore.

Both panting, Blue Eyes and Rocket stared down at Aghoo's now still form and could now make out the the dark puddle that was forming around the gorilla's head. At this, Blue Eyes reached out and took Rocket's hand, causing the older chimp to slightly turn his head to look at him, a somber look in his green eyes, squeezing back.

"Come," Blue Eyes said quietly, trying his best to not look at Aghoo. "We must go. Hurry."

Turning around the two chimps quickly descended down the hill and met up with the others. Reaching the bottom, Blue Eyes could see that Feliz had already started the car with both Malcolm and Alex already getting in.

"Come on!" Feliz called out. "Somebody was bound to have heard that!"

"Rocket!" Both Malcolm and Alexander greeted the other chimpanzee as both he and Blue Eyes jumped into the vehicle.

"I'm assuming he's friendly?" Feliz asked, perplexed.

"Friend. Uncle," Blue Eyes pointed out.

He then slowly turned his head to look up the slope of the hill, seeing Aghoo's body lay in a heap, unmoving. And that sight alone sent a chill down his backside.

"So dark out now," Blue Eyes breathed, turning his head slowly to look at Feliz. "You shot?"

"Yeah…" Feliz answered in a hesitant voice, sounding sad. "I'm not that great of a good shot as you would think. I just make it sound like I do… I just. I wasn't trying to kill him you know. Just hurt him. He was hurting you and then… I-I don't know I panicked," she voiced in almost a whisper. "I screwed up big time."

"Hey, it's okay," Alexander spoke up as he reached over and placed a comforting hand upon the girl's shoulder from the backseat area. "You did what you had to."

"Yes. Thank you," Blue Eyes responded to the girl.

They all turned their heads when they heard shouts of alarm coming from the direction of the village.

"Alright, let's get out of here," Feliz announced as she shifted into gear.

Then with a sudden lurch, both Blue Eyes and Rocket hooted slightly in alarm as the vehicle seemed to have leaped forward, so quickly that Blue Eyes nearly fell out the back portion of it. Luckily there was a bar for him to grab onto and if it weren't there, then he would have been sure to have fallen, as did Rocket. Within near moments, they were all flying down the road, swerving madly from side to side along the path.

"You sure you know how to drive this thing!?" Malcolm spoke loudly from his side in the passenger seat.

"Well… I've seen it done plenty of times!" Feliz spoke up, yanking on the steering wheel, causing the vehicle to jerk and the apes behind her to hoot. "Whoops! I think I'm getting the hang of it," she said happily.

Malcolm however was not amused as he eyed the girl in the driver's seat. However the windshield in front of them suddenly cracked. Upon noticing this, Malcolm quickly looked back and now the reports of gunfire could be heard in the distance.

"Jeez," Feliz grunted as she ducked her head low to look under the clearer part of the glass. "Talk about shooting without asking questions…"

"Yeah, tell us about it!" Alexander answered the girl as the engine roared louder as Feliz pressed doown on the gas pedal harder.

Both Blue Eyes and Rocket held on for dear life as they all went around a curve so fast, the two apes feared that the entire vehicle would turn over, but they didn't. Soon enough, the sounds of gunfire died behind all of them and the only sounds that accompanied the group was the roar of the engine and the sounds of the rushing winds, blowing past them.

"It's good to see you safe Rocket," Malcolm turned around in his seat to address the bulky chimpanzee, who grunt nodded in return.

"Happy to have you back," Alexander said as well. "We were worried. I'm glad to see you safe."

"Safe," Rocket responded as he tapped his own chest and reached out to place two knuckles upon Alexander's chest area as well. "Happy. That friends. Safe," he finished with a smile.

Rocket then felt a tap to his shoulder, causing him to turn and meet Blue Eyes, who smiled up at him. The two embraced each other for a moment before pulling back from each other.

"Did you go back to the troop?" Blue Eyes signed.

"No, I didn't get far before I ran into Aghoo, Bon and Stripe. I managed to get away from Aghoo and Stripe by going down southward but Bon followed me," Rocket answered.

"Is he?" Blue Eyes asked hesitantly, meeting Rocket's stern green gaze.

"Alive," Rocket breathed with a frown etched upon his lips, remembering his violent confrontation with the other chimpanzee.

Both Alex and Malcolm however merely watched the two chimpanzees as they signed to one another.

"Are you hurt?" Blue Eyes asked, looking his uncle over and noticing several bruises upon the older chimp.

"No, but Bon won't be waking up very soon," Rocket signed confidently with a grin to his face.

At this Blue Eyes couldn't help but smile in return as well but then a frown suddenly overcame his features.

"You shouldn't have come back. Should have gone to warn my father instead," Blue Eyes signed suddenly.

At this, Rocket waved a hand in between them while making a grunting noise.

"If I had, you all might have been dead," Rocket answered back.

Upon seeing what Rocket had just told him, Blue Eyes gazed off down to the side. He didn't want to admit it but Rocket might have been right. If he hadn't shown up when he did, he might not still be here and who knows what Aghoo and Stripe would have done to Alexander and the others. Rocket, seeming to know Blue Eyes' shame, casually reached out and patted him on the shoulder, causing him to look up. Rocket nodded once at the young prince before he raised his head up so the wind was blowing in his face as the vehicle continued on its course.

"Hey!" Feliz suddenly said aloud, causing everyone to look at her. "Aren't any of ya going to introduce me or what?" she demanded.

"Oh apologies," Malcolm suddenly spoke up as Blue Eyes and Rocket looked on in confusion, not sure what the girl had meant. "This is-"

Before Malcolm could even finish, Feliz had taken it upon herself to turn her head away from the road and look at Rocket.

"The name's Feliz," the girl greeted with a big grin to her face.

Seeming to understand a little better at what the girl had meant, Rocket nodded once at her.

"Rocket," the grey colored chimpanzee answered.

"The road Feliz! The road!" Malcolm panicked.

"Yeah, yeah. Geez," Feliz said casually as she turned her sights back onto the paved ground before her to appease the older man. "Rocket huh? The guys told me about you when we were traveling together. You're a bit bigger than I thought," Feliz continued.

"Where. Going?" Rocket asked.

"Right. Where to start," Malcolm spoke up this time.

And as the car sped along the road, kicking up clouds of dust and dirt, Blue Eyes, Alexander and Malcolm had filled the bigger chimpanzee on what was going on. From what had happened to the past several days to what they learned on what was going on with the people that took Ash, Ray and Fox. They have also informed Rocket on their new companion who was helping them as well.

"He said that there was a weapon on the ship," Blue Eyes signed.

"What weapon?" Rocket inquired. "Some new gun?"

"No," Blue Eyes breathed and tried to think of the sign for this new weapon but couldn't. "Gas," he finally said after a moment.

"What is. Gas?" Rocket asked, face scrunching up in confusion.

"Don't know," Blue Eyes responded.

"I do," Feliz suddenly spoke up, causing the two chimpanzees to look at the back of her head with both Malcolm and Alexander as well.

As they looked at the girl, her face was oddly emotionless.

"There are different kinds of gas. Some of it makes you puke up your lungs. Literally. There's another kind that sort of gives you the shakes, and you don't stop until you're dead," Feliz explained.

"There's also ones that causes your skin to burn too and various other things," Alexander voiced in as well with Feliz nodding in agreement.

"Jack told me that nobody is supposed to use it, but they used it anyways…"

"The higher ups from Diablo?" Malcolm questioned, earning a slow nod from Feliz.

"They… They used it over in the east, and down south. I mean… The people that they used it on were bad people. Really bad people. And there were too many of them to fight them in any other way. So, the Diablo folks used the gas. Problem is though, gas doesn't always go where it's supposed to go. It's just like the air, you know? Except it kills you," Feliz explained.

It was at this moment everyone noticed tears falling from the girl's eyes. As Blue Eyes watched something he remembered quickly sprung up from the back of his mind.

"Your mother? Die from gas?" Blue Eyes asked quietly.

"Yeah," Feliz answered, her voice slightly cracking. "She just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time you know? When the wind changed.

"I'm sorry to hear that," Malcolm said slowly, reaching up and placing a comforting hand upon the girl's shoulder.

"Thank you," Feliz said slowly as she too placed a hand over Malcolm's. "But it's okay. She's in a better place now."

"What mean?" Blue Eyes asked, tilting his head at her. "A better place?"

"Oh, you know. Someplace like heaven, with the angels and all that? Pearly gates, streets of gold? You've never heard of that?" Feliz asked.

"Don't understand," Blue Eyes responded as he tilted his head again, causing Feliz to smile at him.

"Well, maybe in ape heaven its roads are paved with bananas," Feliz said, earning more confused looks from both Blue Eyes and Rocket. "Anyways, I don't know about all that pearly and gold gate stuff. All I know is, if I could see my mom again-that would be the only heaven I cared about."

"I understand," Alexander spoke up this time. "I lost my mom too. A-a long time ago though. Dad and I… It was rough," he drew on then smiled. "But it got better. Dad and I, we found Ellie. Or rather Ellie found us and it's all been good."

"Oh? So where is Ellie then?" Feliz asked, not noticing Blue Eyes perk up at her question about Ellie. "She's not dead is she?"

"No! No… She's not dead," Malcolm answered with a chuckle. "But she's safe… At least, I hope she's safe."

It was at this moment Blue Eyes reached out and tapped both Malcolm and Alexander both on the shoulder, causing them to turn and face him.

"Where Ellie?" Blue Eyes questioned this time.

At this, both Alex and his father looked at each other, seeming unsure of what to say but Blue Eyes was not going to ignore this any longer. They had been traveling for many moons now and he had not questioned the two out of respect nor did they mention the human female that usually accompanied them. Something was off and it was about time he got some answers from the both of them.

"How come she is not with you?" Blue Eyes asked once more, in almost a demanding tone.

"She's uh…" Alexander slowly responded, not sure of how or what to say. "Dad should we tell him?" Alexander asked.

"Tell?" Blue Eyes asked curiously, turning to look at his uncle who too had gone quiet as well, a grim look upon his face.

Malcolm seemed hesitant as he met Alexanders and then Blue Eyes' gaze. He then slowly turned to look at Rocket, whom was still silent through all of this.

"Rocket?" Malcolm asked.

Becoming quite flustered at what was all the secrecy was about, Blue Eyes immediately turned to face Rocket and meet the older chimpanzee in the eyes.

"Rocket. What is going on?" Blue Eyes asked.

The older chimpanzee took in a deep breath as he met Blue Eyes gaze before turning slowly to look at Malcolm and Alexander once more.

"We need to tell him Rocket. He needs to know," Malcolm said in a quiet voice with Rocket nodding back slowly.

"What is up with all the secrecy?! Just say it already, jeez!" Feliz called out from the driver's seat and causing everyone except Blue Eyes to flinch.

It had gone quiet again, with nothing but the sounds of the engine running and winds blowing past them.

"Koba. Alive," Rocket finally spoke out, causing Blue Eyes to snap his head towards the older chimpanzee, the whites of the young prince's eyes showing.

"Koba?..."

"That is where Ellie is," Alexander spoke up this time, causing Blue Eyes to turn slowly and look at him. "She's helping him recover."

The only sounds were, yet again, just the noise of the running engine and the rushing of the winds that passed between all of them.

"Well there you go baby blue! Question answered!" Feliz suddenly said aloud after a long pause. "Now. Whose this Koba fellow? This is like the second time I've heard his name," the girl continued.

"I do not like her," Rocket signed with a frown to his face, earning a hesitant smile from Alexander.