-Live And Forgive-
Sitting by himself on a tree branch, Ray's beady dark green eyes looked out at the land that spanned before him. From his point of view, the young orangutan could see an expanse of forest that stretched out far and wide, littered with oranges and reds. A color he was not so used to seeing as much but was welcomed anyways as it reminded him of the great summer days they all had when he was younger. The view was beautiful with the the chirping of the birds all but finally flying away to wherever they go when the world started to become cold.
Breathing contently, Ray then began to think about the time that they had first gotten here. They had travelled many days, heading towards the direction where the great sun rises from the land afar. Eventually, they came upon a forest, full of many different trees, streams and creatures as well. They've encountered some of the local wildlife, which consisted of smaller deer than they were used to, and bears that were smaller and darker in fur color. Eventually though, they all came to call this new place, this new land, their home. It is here where the tribe where Ray and the others had broken away from, had chosen to settle and make it as great as their old home.
Home…
At the thought of home, Ray frowned slightly. He wondered still, if this was the right choice for him to make. To suddenly pick up and leave Caesar, Blue Eyes, Ash and the rest of the apes like that. To leave everything he's ever known… behind. All that time he had spent with the others, befriending them, learning from them, especially from the humans. Was it worth it to leave all of that behind? But he really never did leave all that behind did he? He remembered Malcolm's stories about human cities, bigger than the ones they've seen. Remembered when he had encountered the place where most of their mothers and fathers had come from. Learned that humans were not the only ones capable of great evil and that they were very compassionate as well. All different, yet the same. Just like them. And just like them, some humans only wanted peace.
"Live and Forgive," Armand's words kept playing out within Ray's mind.
The elder human's words kept on playing over and over again, the sincerity laced within them.
Within the middle of his thoughts, Ray heard a few rustling sounds behind him, causing him to round his head to see what it was. To his surprise, Ray himself saw Fox emerging from the foliage and paused momentarily when they saw each other. The bigger chimp then huffed and limbered on over and perched himself on a branch next to him. It had been a while since they had journeyed and Ray was bigger now as well. Not as big as Fox or the others yet, but if he kept on at a healthy diet, he would definitely be bigger than the them in due time. But that wouldn't be for another long while.
"Looking out at our new home?" Fox asked.
"Yes," Ray answered as he turned his sights back to the orange and red colored forest before him.
Turning his sights back to Fox, Ray still couldn't believe that both he and the chimpanzee sitting next to him had become friends of some sort. Who would have thought that it was not that long ago that they were both at odds with each other, due to many differences but were finally seeing eye to eye, after their trip. It was a curious and odd thing to Ray but he welcomed it nonetheless. Happy to have called another ape his friend. Letting out a small whooping noise, Ray caught Fox's attention.
"How was the hunt?" Ray had asked.
"Hunt was well. Many deer to feed the tribe. Plenty of food and water to go around," Fox grunted back, a little bit of pride showing upon his face.
"That is good to hear. We must keep our families from starving," Ray answered.
"And how are things back here?" Fox inquired.
"We have finished the teaching area and elder Gary has taken it upon himself to teach the young ones," Ray replied. "Many of the females are foraging very well and our worker apes are in the midst of building up a wall to fortify us, if danger were to come," he continued. "Jeanpierre is leading the apes well with the other elders of the new council."
"He was there for most of Caesar's council," Fox signed in.
"As were many other apes," Ray gestured back.
"Yes. there were many others too," Fox agreed, nodding slowly.
"Many who believes that the fighting is no longer for them," Ray concluded. "Like us."
At that the both of them became silent. Discussing of what and why they had left was a hard topic. On one hand they wanted to stay with their friends and family but on the other they had to think about their future and how they will survive in all of this. Caesar believed that in order for the apes to survive, they must stay and fight. Caesar is a great leader and the first of their kind to start the revolt against the humans towards freedom. But it is now they all must think about and by fighting, it was not going to solve anything.
Sighing, Ray stared off into the distance once more before turning back to look at Fox, whose own features showed that he was still troubled at the thought. Figuring that it was probably not best to dwell on the subject, Ray decided to change it, moving forward and clicked his tongue to catch Fox's attention.
"I noticed that Flora has been looking at you a lot lately," Ray gestured at the other male, causing Fox to quirk his head at him.
"Flora? As in Hook's sister?" Fox asked curiously.
"Yes, the one with the red and brown hair colors on her arms and head. Almost like mine," Ray chuckled lightly, as the other older ape thought about what he had just heard.
"She's been watching me? When?" Fox inquired after a brief moment.
"Many of times. But only when you are not paying attention," Ray chuckled.
"Is this true or are you playing a joke on me?" Fox frowned.
At this, Ray had let out a series of long whooping laughs that only orangutans could do. Fox on the other hand was not amused and simply stared back at Ray with a deadpan face.
"I do not know. If you really want to know if this is true or not, you can go and ask Flora herself," Ray joyfully gestured.
At this Fox did not know how to react and became flustered on the spot while Ray let out another series of gurgling laughter.
"If you are afraid to speak to her, do not be. I think she is finding the right time to talk to you, or if you are curious, you should speak to her first," Ray informed the other ape.
"What do I say? Or do? All I ever know is how to hunt and fight," Fox spat out.
"I think the both of you will know what to say to each other. Do not think too hard on it, just do what you think is right," Ray hummed.
Fox huffed out another deep breath and turned away, but thought about Ray's words. He didn't think that Flora would be interested in an ape like him, especially after what he's done. But her and her family had decided, just like him, to no longer fight the war and move onwards. Maybe… maybe it was time for him to reach out. Seek another branch of a tree and start on a different path. A path towards something that could grow.
"What now?" Fox asked after much thought, causing Ray to turn and look at him. "Caesar and others. Gone. We left the fighting to seek freedom. Somewhere safe. To protect our future. We found it and it is well. But what of us? What should we do? How should we continue if something were to happen?"
Ray frowned at the thought. Sure they did find their new home and for a while now, it has been peaceful, but for how long? Who couldn't say that war would be brought right up to them too? And things were to just start over again with the fighting and killings. That is the question that Ray and many of the other elders ask themselves everyday, every second. What if that were to happen?
Just as Ray was going to say something, a call from below alerted the two apes. Quickly glancing at each other, both Ray and Fox descended their perch and landed at the bottom with a soft thud. There they both met Shell who was bristling.
"Shell? What is wrong? What is the matter?" Fox grunted, gesturing at the frantic white eared chimp.
"Scouts. They found. They find!" Shell spoke up.
"Shell. It is okay. Calm down. Fox and I are not going anywhere. What is the matter? What did the scouts find?" Ray asked quickly.
After a few moments both Ray and Fox let the excited chimpanzee catch his breath before he met their eyes once more.
"Apes! Humans!" Shell spoke aloud, causing both Ray and Fox to curiously regard the chimp. "Scouts found! More apes! With humans. Flint and others. With them!" the white eared chimp said excitedly.
At this news, both Fox and Ray held their breaths and looked at each other. Was this true? Did they find more apes? With them also living with humans? This is news indeed. With this revelation, it definitely means that they were not the only ones out there. That there are others, all around, living peacefully, with some humans no less, and only waiting to be found.
Ray now remembered a certain tale that Malcolm had told him while they were traveling down south. He had told Blue Eyes, Ash and him that there were many other zoos out there. Many other human cities that had apes, of all kinds. Some may have been lost during the great plague that destroyed the humans, but Malcolm believed deep within his heart that there are good humans still. He remembered clearly when Malcolm told them of tales about humans who had risked their lives to save other apes. Many of these humans died trying to save apes, but Malcolm believed that they are all still out there, somewhere, out in the world. This may be one of them.
"Lead the way. We will follow," Fox answered Shell who quickly obliged and sped off.
Before Fox could move, he was stopped by a hand to his shoulder, causing him to round himself to look at Ray.
"You say. How we live. Now?" Ray spoke up. "We live. And forgive. Like what Armand told us to."
Fox breathed deeply as he stared down at Ray and thought about the words for a moment.
"Live and forgive," Fox repeated, turning fully and offering and arm towards Ray.
At this, Ray smiled and reached out to take a firm hold of the older chimpanzee's arm. After that the both of them ran after Shell.
"Be sure. To talk. To Flora!" Ray called out as he followed after Fox.
The chimpanzee huffing in front of Ray, rounded his head back and nodded in confirmation. They both now knew what they must do. They will live and keep on living for the sake of both apes and humans. Just like what Armand had taught, as well as sacrificed for them. It doesn't mean that they could change the past. But what they could do now is move forward and progress into the future. Make a world where maybe both humans and apes could live peacefully.
"Hurry!" Shell barked behind him excitedly.
When Fox and Ray heard their companion ushering them on, the two of them picked up the pace to meet these new apes and humans, whoever they were. They will live and they will forgive.