A chanting voice greeted the rise of the new dawn, rousing Caesar from his uneasy dreams. He woke to find himself lying on the icy ground of the pen, still chained to the other apes, whom were stirring as well. The sound of marching boots accompanied the stern voice ringing out with a distinctly military cadence.
Still slightly disoriented, Caesar got up to move, but his shackles limited his movements greatly, causing him to fall over. Getting back up he looked around at his fellow prisoners, who all looked anxious, as they knew-and dreaded-what was coming next. The only one that looked just as confused as him was Koba, who stood up rigidly and looked back and forth at the strange spectacle. Making his way, with Koba and the others, Caesar drew near toward the bars of the pen and watched on curiously.
From his point, Caesar could see many of the human soldiers, marching in tight formation. Stony expressions upon the humans allowed showed no weakness among them. With intense, blazing eyes exposed a common sense of purpose. Caesar knew this look well, as he had once seen it on the faces of his very own apes as well. A look that states that any of them would gladly die for the cause-and their Colonel.
Chilled, and not just by the brisk mountain morning, Caesar watched as one of the human soldiers, led the massed troops in some sort of ritual or ceremony. Just briefly, Caesar had caught the eyes of Preacher, the young man giving him a side glance before following suit with the others in their chant. Caesar did not say anything to the young man, still much too unnerved by the ominous rite that he was spectating before him. Even the most brutal humans he'd encountered in the past had never displayed this kind of fanaticism. The soldiers and survivors back in San Francisco, after the plague, had only been scared, desperate and angry. He hand understood what had driven those humans there to violence, even if he had to fight back against them.
But this… this was something different. Something that was wrong.
And terrifying.
As the soldiers chanted the Colonel had finally stepped out onto the balcony high above his troops. He was bare-chested, despite the cold, as though he hadn't finished dressing yet. Casually shaving his skull with a razor, he gazed down at his cheering soldiers, who chanted and whooped at the mere sight of him.
There was silence and then from large speakers that hung around the yard, some type of music started to play, confusing both Caesar and Koba even more than what they are both seeing and hearing. The soldiers had then turned towards the apes in one swift movement. Again, Caesar caught sight of Preacher once more before the soldiers all suddenly stormed towards the apes within the pens.
With the gates unlocked armed guards, accompanied by Red and a few of the other turncoat apes, barged into the enclosures and forced the lines of chained apes to their feet and out into the yard. Barked commands were backed up by viscous leather whips, which were used to motivate the apes to move, whether they were needed or not. The whips cracked against the backs and shoulders of the prisoners, brutally reminding Caesar of the ugly welts that he had seen across Spear's back. The sight of apes whipping apes turned Caesar's stomach and made Koba growl in distaste.
Apes do not hurt apes!
Both still horrified by what they were seeing, Red had stood at the entrance of the pens and noticed the two apes looking on. Narrowing his acid-green eyes, Red approached both Caesar and Koba and took them by the arms, shoving them out of the pen as well.
The soldiers had marched the apes toward the other end of the compound, away from the mountain looming above the railway depot. Armed guards paced menacingly on large railcar tankers that lined up along one side of the camp. Both Caesar and Koba stopped briefly to eye tanks, which provided fuel for the camp's generators, keeping the lights on at night. Just a few heartbeats later the two apes were shoved roughly by Red and they continued on their way.
When they had finally pass the tankers, a tremendously high wall came into view. Sealing the front end of the canyon, the colossal structure was like nothing Caesar and Koba had ever seen before. Part of it, consisting of large cracked slabs of weathered concrete erected many years ago, appeared to be man-made. The rest and bulk of the wall was obviously ape-made by construction alone, as massive tree trunks were fasten together to form an enormous framework into which huge chunks of stone were being set, once by one. The sheer amount of manual labor required to accomplish this was astounding… which most definitely explained why the Colonel and his soldiers hadn't killed all of the apes yet and it also makes what Spear said true.
That the apes were being made to work.
"Apes are being used as slaves!" Koba hissed next to Caesar and Red, before the bonobo rounded to glare up at the gorilla. "To rebuild this wall?!"
Red narrowed his acid-green eyes at Koba and stared down at the once ape leader.
"It's what the kernal. Wants," Red stated simply.
"And you help him to make apes do this!?" Koba accused.
"No better than making apes go to war. Like you," Red signed back as he glared menacingly at Koba.
"Apes fight war to protect apes. Not to help humans," Koba hissed in a icy tone as he stretched up toward Red, the hairs on his body standing on end and muscles tightening underneath his taut skin.
"Koba, stop!" Caesar intervened as he quickly stepped in between both of the other apes. "Enough," Caesar said to the bonobo, as he met the other ape's eyes.
Still fuming on the spot, Koba had side glanced at Caesar then scowled back up at Red once more before easing himself and taking a step away from the gorilla. Taking a deep breath, Caesar then slowly rounded his heated glare up at Red whom stared back just as scornful. With nothing more to be said, Red then harshly shoved both Caesar and Koba toward the wall again, to where the other apes were herded around to be made to work.
Eventually both Caesar and Koba were separated from one another and it was then the ape king had experienced firsthand what his unfortunate people had been enduring for days on end.
...
Despite the wintry climate that he was in, Caesar labored underneath the sun, hidden behind the clouds, as he toiled ceaselessly upon the wall. He, just like the others around him, was now just another slave in a suffering mass of apes that were forced into hard labor by the Colonel's soldiers. Huge rocks, much too heavy for the average human to lift, were passed from ape to ape, while other apes strained on ropes to lift the boulders into place high upon the ever-growing wall. Armed soldiers supervised the construction, their weapons discouraging any opposition from the overworked apes, while Red and his fellow turncoats stood ready with their whips in case any of the ape workers slackened. Squinting as he looked around, Caesar saw even more apes perched precariously on a rocky shelf overlooking the tanker cars, where they were being compelled to quarry more stones from the ledge using picks and hammers. They of course, were being overlooked as well to ensure that the tools were not converted into weapons or to any other uses.
Caesar himself had picked out Tinker, Ash, Maple, Judy and of course Winter among the masses of apes that were being forced to work there. Next to him was Lake as she panted in exhaustion as she accepted the heavy boulder from the ape leader and passed it down along the line. Caesar could tell just by looking at Lake, that the apes were all being pushed to the limits of their endurance while they toil away. They were all weary, gaunt, on the verge of collapse. He had only been at it for less than a day and he was already bone-tired and ready to drop; he could only imagine how fatigued the other apes were, especially the weak and the elderly. For some reason, he himself was curious of Koba's whereabouts and looked about to see if he could see the scarred bonobo that was captured with him. Soon enough, Caesar saw the other ape working away nearby the wall, using a manual lift, made of rope to help bring the heavy stones upward toward the top.
Lake had noticed that Caesar was staring off and followed his gaze to where he was looking at, noticing his dismay.
"We haven't had food or water since we got here," she signed to her deceased beloved's father.
Caesar had not thought that he could be any more shocked or angry. Even the worst labs and zoos back in the old days had at least fed and watered their animals; how did the Colonel expect the apes to keep working without food and water?
In his anger, there came a rough shove from behind, causing Caesar to turn around to see a very tired and angry looking ape glaring up at him, barely holding onto the heavy boulder within his arms. Reaching to alleviate the burden the other ape roughly handed the stone into Caesar's hands, nearly causing him to drop it. Grunting, Caesar held firm before he slowly and gently passed it along to Lake.
"Why do they need a wall?" Caesar asked curiously.
Lake however merely shook her head, not having any answers for him, even as she strained to pass the hefty stone along the chain gang. Thinking again, Caesar wondered why the human would need the wall for? Was it to keep the apes in-or to keep someone else out?
In his musing, Caesar was interrupted by the arrival of the Colonel, who strode onto the scene to inspect the progress of the work. As he watched the Colonel the sounds of machinery caught Caesar's attention and he turned to look at the mounted rocket artillery that were turning around on top of the walls.
Slowly rounding himself back around and looking ahead, Caesar was surprised to see Winter glaring at him just a few paces away, lugging some heavy wood.
"Winter?" Caesar said quietly as the white gorilla's own chain gang stopped on by.
At the mention of his name, Winter had stopped briefly to acknowledge the ape leader, eyes narrowing all the while.
"You came back?" Winter asked with one hand.
At this question, Caesar was confused but nodded to answer the younger white furred gorilla.
"Why?"
Caesar blinked in surprise but furrowed his brows.
"I was trying to look for the Colonel and lead the soldiers away," Caesar answered as he passed a heavy stone off. "To protect apes."
Winter's brows only knitted together and he offered Caesar a scornful look.
"Lies," Winter bared his fangs. "You left us! Abandoned us to seek revenge!"
At this, Caesar brows furrowed in surprise at the usually timid gorilla.
"You left us, Caesar," Winter signed again. "You abandoned us so that you can chase after a human who had hurt you."
"Because they killed my family!" Caesar harshly growled back at Winter who was not at least bit deterred by the ape leader's sudden spike of anger.
"Humans. Killed my family. Too!" Winter responded just as strongly in a icy voice, causing Caesar to snap out of his anger.
The hairs on Caesar's body lowered as did his posture when Winter had spoken up to him..
"Humans killed Glade… my, Glade… Other ape families as well. But when it happens to you…. you ran away," Winter signed.
"Winter, stop this," Lake had signed when the white haired gorilla glared back at the ape leader.
But her words were ignored.
"I warned you Caesar. That we needed to leave that night. To get away as far as we can, so that the humans would not have followed us. But you didn't listen. You… You decided to stay… and because of that… Glade… Cornelia… Blue Eyes… they're gone now," the white haired gorilla continued.
Caesar wanted to argue back to say that Winter wrong… but he couldn't. No matter what he thought or tried to defend his actions, Winter was right.
"Winter, that is not fair," Lake jumped in. "Caesar did what he thought was best for all of us. You cannot put the blame on him."
"Why not?" Winter retorted. "He still left us to defend ourselves! No matter what had happened, he should not have left us like that! He was not the only one that was hurting too!"
Lost in his own thoughts, Caesar had looked down at his hands as Winter, Lake and a few other apes argued around him. If he hadn't chosen to stay in the first place, they all would have been at their new home by now. Instead he chose to stay and thus caused the death of his beloved Cornelia, his son Blue Eyes and Winter's mate. Not to mention the deaths of countless others before… Then in his selfish act of vengeance, he had caused their apes to be captured too. How many families were lost just that single day and how much loss did every ape suffered because of him. As Winter's words weighed down on him, Caesar felt his heart shattered into many pieces.
Finally Caesar reached out to take a hold of Lake's shoulder as she was still defending him. Meeting the younger female's eyes, Caesar gently shook his head side to side, telling her that it was okay. Turning to look at Winter and the few other angry faces, he took in a deep breath.
"I… I'm sorry, Winter. Everyone. I'm so sorry," Caesar apologized.
Many of the apes turned their heads away from the ape leader, others simply glared in Caesar's direction for a few brief moments before returning to their labors. Winter on the other hand, narrowed his own furious eyes at the ape king, skeptic of Caesar's supposedly sincere apology.
"Where. Is Luca?" Winter asked all of a sudden, causing Caesar's eyes to widen at the mention of the deceased gorilla.
Meeting Winter's angry gaze, Caesar opened his mouth to say something but instead opted to keep it shut and shook his head slowly in shame.
Seeing the ape leader, unable to answer him, Winter closed his eyes and took in a deep shaky breath. The one last ape that he had considered family, a father figure that he had looked up to, was now gone too. And it did nothing more but filled Winter's already hurting heart with more anguish. All because of Caesar's selfishness for revenge.
"Hey you! Move it!" one of the humans shouted and pointed at Winter and his chain gang.
Winter spared the shouting human a quick glance before he reached down and hefted the heavy wood back onto his shoulders once more.
"I. Hate. You." Winter spoke in a quiet seething voice as he passed on by.
Caesar was quite shaken to hear such strong words from the younger white haired gorilla. The look that Winter had given him, it was downright all too familiar to him as well, reminding him of… himself. While the ape leader stood there, still shocked and horrified by what Winter had said to him. It really made Caesar think on how he had been acting and treating others all this time.
Was this what he looked like to the others? An ape that exuded with nothing but pure hatred?
This sinking and shameful uneasiness that he felt now. Was this what it felt like? Was this what Koba was going through when Caesar himself was directing his anger at the scarred bonobo? It was absolutely terrible.
Seeing Caesar's distress, Lake had reached up and touched the ape leader's shoulder to get his attention.
"Don't worry about what Winter said. He is still… hurt by all that has happened," she explained slowly. "He doesn't… he doesn't really mean what he said."
"Yes…" Caesar responded in a defeated voice as he watched the white haired gorilla leave from where he stood. "Yes… he doesn't."
…
Ever since he was separated from Caesar and shackled with a few of the other apes, Koba worked laboriously at his tasks, ignoring the accusing glares and rough shoves that were aimed in his direction. He was made to carry many a heavy boulders and woodwork that were to be used to build this damn human wall of theirs. Panting heavily, Koba had paused momentarily take a few breaths as he adjusted the heavy log on his backside. There was another shove from behind and Koba nearly lost his balance as he caught the heavy wood within his arms and glared back at the ape behind him.
"Hurry, traitor!" the ape signed quickly with a bundle of stones under his arms, eyes glancing about to make sure that they were not spotted, slacking off.
Eyeing the ape behind him, Koba could see his two shackled members were none too pleased to have been paired up with him due to past events. Since he had been stuck with these two other chimps, Koba was made to do more of the… strenuous tasks. Such as carrying the heavier objects by himself and or made to hold something for long extensive periods of time. Whereas the two apes took more lenient tasks to rest their already aching and battered bodies. With a grunt, Koba adjusted the heavy log and carried on without a word, while the two other apes followed behind.
"Why. Koba come. Back?" One of the apes asked in a accusing tone.
"Should. Never. Come back. To. Us. Apes," the other voiced.
With a frown, Koba carried on, ignoring the words from his two chained members. Usually, he would not tolerate this from the other apes that would say this to him. But deep down, he knew that what they were saying to him were in just. Something that just added to his list of crimes that was committed to the colony. So, holding his tongue and keeping his temper in check, Koba continued on, letting the insults, accusations and scornful looks continue.
During their laborious tasks, Koba had taken several quick glances around to see if he can spot Caesar or the others but could never find them in sight. He had spotted Ash briefly, carrying a large boulder and passing it along down the line of other apes. Oh how much he wanted to see how his honorary nephew was doing and have his questions answered. But there was no momentary rest from him and Koba was pushed along by the others, as they all had work that needed to be done.
As the morning dragged on, Koba soon found himself working underneath the wooden frameworks that allowed the apes to get further up the wall. Using an old fashioned rope pulley system, he strained against the knotted rope as he lifted the heavy stone up towards the top by himself. Heaving deep breaths, Koba used every ounce of muscles within his arms to keep the lever steady so that the apes at the top could help lift his burden. Of course, his chained companions could have helped him too but they opted to instead make the scar bonobo work by himself, offering no support of any kind. Koba didn't care though, all he knew was that he would be relieved soon and that salvation came when finally the other apes atop took the stone from the rope.
Exhaling deeply, Koba had let his tired and sore arms fall to his side as soon as the stone was taken from him. Turning his gaze on over to his other two companions, he was only met with glares and contempt from them.
"We must go," one of the apes signed and then tugged on their shackles so that they would continue their duties, without rest.
Growling in annoyance Koba was about to follow but perked up when he heard a shout behind him.
"Hey!"
The sound of the voice had caught Koba's attention, as well as the other two apes he was chained to, causing them to freeze on the spot. Turning their attention in the direction of the voice, Koba could see that one of the human soldiers who had yelled out was looking upwards at the framework above him. Glancing upward, Koba himself took notice that all did not seem right. Hearing the weary sounds of what seemed to be an older ape above him, he gently leaned outward to see what was happening above.
Up at the top of the framework, Koba could see Percy, one of the elder apes, struggling with the rope lift that he was just using. Glancing at the rope just a few feet away from him, if he could make it there, he could help hold steady the rope and help out the older orangutan. Just as he was about to head toward the makeshift pulley, Koba felt his shackles yanked backwards.
"What are you doing? Your going to get us killed!" one of the apes signed.
"We need to help him!" Koba snapped back.
"We're not risking it, traitor. We stay!" the other chained chimp signed back angrily.
"And leave him to suffer?!" Koba growled as he marched up to the other two apes, causing them to cower slightly in his presence.
He may not hold the status as he once had in the colony but Koba was going to be damned if he was just going to stand around and do nothing as one of their own suffered. Turning back around Koba had rushed on over to try and alleviate the older orangutan's burden, but his other two companions-refusing to still listen to him- tried to hold the scarred bonobo back. This of course, only caused the three of them to fall on over each other. There were angry barks and grunts from the other two apes, but Koba got up quickly to try and make it to the rope, far beneath the lift.
Try as he might though, he was far too late.
Swaying unsteadily upon his shaky legs, the old orangutan lost his grip on the thick rope that was hauling up yet another painfully heavy boulder. Percy had collapsed and the boulder fell downward, smashing into their makeshift framework, knocking some loose stones and with that a large chunk of the structure came crashing down. Panicked apes, humans and Koba alike all dived out of the way of the tumbling boulder, which crashed into a bowl of flames and finally the heap of the wall, raising a choking cloud of dust, grit, smoke and flames.
As the whole framework came crashing down, Koba had jumped backward and slammed his body into the other two apes that were shackled to him, shoving them away from the danger that fell from above.
"Hey! Donkey!" The human soldier who called out earlier turned towards the turncoat apes as he quickly sifted through his belt and pulled out a key from it. "Get him!" the man shouted as he tossed the key toward Red, who caught it.
Shaking his head from the sudden crash, Koba slowly got up and looked around himself. Seeing the collapsed framework, he could only imagine what they would be in for at this destruction that had happened. Pushing that thought away, he then saw the other two apes beneath him, whom he saved. Reaching down to help his two chain gang members up, Koba's had was then smacked away from them.
"Don't touch us, traitor!" one of the apes signed at him, while the other merely glared in his direction, wanting no help as well.
Seeing such malice within the other two ape's eyes, Koba kept his mouth closed into a thin line and instead stood back up as the other pulled themselves together. Turning away from the other two, he could see that Percy and his own chain gang were getting back up themselves, miraculously unharmed by the fall. That was good too see.
Not for long though.
As soon as Koba was relieved to see Percy and the others safe, the sudden appearance of Red, caused the hairs on his body to stand on end. Red walked up toward the elder orangutan and unlock the shackles of the frail looking ape. He then saw that Percy was roughly grabbed by the arm and nearly dragged away by the red haired traitor. Unsure of where Red was taking him Koba had started to follow but was held back by the other two apes. Growling he turned around to glare at them but could see that something was off about his two chained members. They seemed almost scared, not at him but as if they knew something terrible was going to happen. Confused, Koba rounded himself back to see what was going on.
As Koba watched, he couldn't believe his very own working eye. Instead of tending to the injured old ape, Red had roughly dragged Percy from the rubble and brought him out into the yard where all could see them. The elder orangutan was then shoved down onto his knees, by the woodwork and with that Red took a whip and began to strike the elder ape with it.
The moment the whip had struck the older orangutan's weak and battered body, Koba winced as he heard Percy's cries of anguish. Letting out a breath in shock, Koba rounded his head to look back at the other two, whom shamefully averted his gaze, knowing well what was happening. As Koba looked at the other two though, he could then see the dark red lashes that marred underneath the other two ape's bodies.
They must have been struck the same was as well.
Hearing another cry from Percy, Koba angrily turned back around to glare up at Red. How dare he! How day he hurt his own people like this! This terrible and horrific scene drew Koba forward, dragging the rest of the chained apes behind him. Even though he felt them trying to resist him, Koba's own rage was boiling over, as he saw what was being done to his own kind, especially by another ape. As Koba was nearing the scene, a sound to his left had caused him to turn his head and he was met with the sight of Caesar, overlooking the atrocity before him as well. He could see the unbridled fury within the ape leader's eyes as well and as he too witnessed what was happening before him.
Before long, Caesar had finally gave voice to the volcanic fury that had been building up within him.
"LEAVE HIM!"
...
A stunned hush fell over the work site at Caesar's outburst. All heads turned toward the furious chimpanzee leader as he glared at the Colonel from the wooden timbers, unconcerned for his own safety. Apes and humans alike had stopped dead in their tracks, still stunned by Caesar's booming command. Even Red had lowered his whip, forgetting about Percy's punishment for the moment.
Turning his burning gaze upward, Caesar locked eyes with the Colonel, whom hid behind his dark sunglasses, neither leader budging. However, one by one, the other apes began to rally behind Caesar. It had started quietly, with just a few low grunts and growls, but then more apes joined in, hooting and shrieking defiantly. The scowling apes then dropped the stones they had been burdened with, even going so far to slam them onto the ground as well. Soon after, many of the other apes began tossing their tools, their ropes and whatever else they were carrying, off to the side.
With the sudden rally of the apes, Koba could also feel his spirits being lifted as all of the apes around him cried out in defiance with Caesar. Even the two apes that were shackled with him had too cried out along with the others, letting their own voices join in as they raised their fists into the air. Apes, who had previously rejected the chimp leader, rising in rebellion behind him, standing in solidarity with their fellow apes.
Caesar's heart swelled with pride and gratitude to the apes around him. That his people had not given up on hope… or him. As he looked about, Caesar then caught the gaze from Koba, whom was looking up at him in with just as much of awe and admiration, despite his fatigued looking self.
Apes together strong.
This was what Luca was trying to tell him. To remind him. That no matter who they were or what they did, they were all apes, as long as they were unified together. Caesar himself had been pushing Koba away, like the apes had done to him, and it now made him realize, just how selfish he was to try and not see that he was going against what he had told the apes over and over again. Koba was still an ape. Always had been and will always be, no matter what his misdeeds.
The human soldiers were at a loss as to how to deal with this unexpected turn of events. The fierce cries of the apes rising to a fever pitch, the troops looked to their Colonel for guidance, but the man merely stared balefully at Caesar. The Colonel then bent down next to Preacher and said something into the young man's ear before pointing toward Caesar himself.
Seeing the young man making his way towards Caesar, accompanied by Red and a few other turncoat apes, Koba seethed. He wanted nothing more than to tear each of their limbs apart. Not caring about the blood he will spill or what his actions would cause for him. He saw the ape leader stepping down to meet them, unafraid of whatever consequences lay ahead for him. That he had roused his apes from despair and inspired them to stand up to their oppressors. Whatever was going through Caesar's mind, he believed it had outweighed whatever punishment the Colonel might have in store for him.
"No," Koba said quietly as Caesar was unshackled from his bonds and was lead away by the ape traitors, along with Percy. "No… no no no!"
Koba moved forward but stopped short when he felt resistance upon his shackles.
"What are you doing?! You are going to get us killed!" Once of the apes signed angrily.
Sparing the other ape a quick glance and then looking down at his binding, Koba met the other two chimp's eyes once more and shook his head slowly.
"What are they going to do with him?" he signed.
Seeing Koba's signs, the two apes both turned their heads away, as if they knew something that he didn't.
"Nothing good," the other chimp gestured back. "Best to just let it happen."
"Let what happen?" Koba questioned before he rounded himself back around.
Craning his neck as far as he can, Koba watched as they dragged both Caesar and Percy toward the front and were roughly shoved down in front of the Colonel. Ape traitors then took a hold of Caesar's arms and then Red stepped up from behind the ape leader, bearing his whip.
"Cea-"
The moment the whip cracked savagely against Caesar's back, Koba froze and could feel his whole being shatter into pieces. As if he had just died the moment the whip cracked against the ape leader's own body. Gasping from the initial shock, Koba stared wide eyed from his spot among the apes as he watched the Colonel trying to make an example out of Caesar. Before long Red raised the whip in his hands again and brought it down against the chimpanzee body once more.
"Don't hurt him," Koba said in a shaky voice. "Don't hurt him. Don't hurt him. Don't hurt him," he continued saying, only to be ignored by the still ongoing screeches of the apes around him.
Another wicked slash mark cracked against Caesar's back. The ape king clenched his jaw to keep from crying out due to the pain and was determined to put up a brave front for as long as he could. He could not and would not surrender before the eyes of his very apes that looked up to him. Even so, the defiant hooting of the apes faltered as they witnessed their king being whipped over and over again. Many of the apes gasped and moaned in sympathy, even though Caesar made no sound.
Equally mute, the Colonel nodded at Red, who whipped Caesar again, just as hard before, with the strength of a gorilla. More of the protesting apes around them fell silent, shocked into speechlessness by the brutal spectacle. Beside the ape king himself, Percy had dropped his eyes and stared bleakly at the dirty slush, his spirit seemingly as broken as his body.
Caesar however, refused to give in. Keeping his jaws still clenched tight against the searing agony ripping across his back, he glared stubbornly into the Colonel's eyes that were hidden behind the sunglasses. Both of the leaders confronting each other, refusing to back down.
The sharp crack of the whip rang out in the appalled hush that had fallen over the camp. Wincing in pain, Caesar stubbornly endured the blows without a sound, even as he felt his own blood streaming down his back, wetting his fur. His tortured back felt like it was on fire. His whole body trembled, succumbing to the shock that followed soon after. He couldn't remember ever experiencing pain like this, not even when Pope had shot a bullet into him. He didn't even have the strength to brace himself against the blows anymore. He tottered unsteadily upon his knees, but kept his head high.
But how much longer could he stand up to this beating? He was only flesh and blood…
"ENOUGH!"
Again, all was silent when the thunderous and defiant voice rang out, causing all heads to turn in the direction from where it came from. To the ape's and Caesar's surprise, they saw Koba standing tall, shoulders rising and falling with each heavy breath he took. With a grunt the scarred bonobo then dragged his other two unwilling companions along with him, toward the front and stopped right where the vile human stood. The moment he had reached the Colonel the human soldiers had all raised their weapons and aimed them at him, but Koba could care less of those pathetic creatures. The man however, simply raised his hands to stop the other soldiers from gunning down the ape that had so foolishly approached him.
Right here and now, it was just him and the Colonel, staring each other down. The Colonel's figure was that of a calm and composed one, while Koba's was one full of agitation and passion. There was a drawn out silence within the camp and Koba spared Caesar a mere glance before returning his harsh malice gaze back upon the man in front of him.
"Leave. Him. Alone," Koba said in a cold voice.
"And why should I do that?" The Colonel asked simply.
"Because… This is my fault," Koba answered.
"Your fault?" The Colonel questioned. "And how was this your fault?"
Closing his eyes slowly, Koba took in a deep breath. Opening back up his eyelids, Koba met every single human's gaze before letting his attention fall back upon the human in front of him.
"I started the war," Koba said slowly. "So, hit me instead."
At this there was quizzical looks upon many of the human soldiers. The Colonel however seemed to narrow his brows as he regarded the scarred bonobo in front him, seeming to process the information within his mind. Reaching up slowly, the man took off of his sunglasses and stared down the bonobo, as if he were searching for something.
"Either you're telling the truth. Or you are very good at believing your own words," the man said slowly. "Donkeys!" at the name some of the ape turncoats turned their attention to the man. "Hold him down."
The traitor apes were quick to act as they charged the scarred bonobo and subdued him, slamming in hard onto the frozen earth beneath and beat him over and over again. After a moment Preacher approached the downed ape this time and unlocked his shackles from the others. The Colonel watched quietly as the apes Held onto the scarred bonobo's arms out as well and propped him onto his knees, just like Caesar. Squatting down in front of the bonobo, the Colonel met the ape's furious eyes, or rather one good working eye.
"And what is your name? If you even have one," the Colonel asked.
"Koba," Koba answered through gritted teeth.
"And you want to take his place?" The Colonel asked in his ever calming voice as he turned to look at Caesar, with Koba following the man's gaze.
"Yes… If… if you want to punish someone. Punish me," Koba answered slowly as he rounded his head back to the man.
Instead of looking up at the foul man though, Koba instead kept his gaze on the icy cold ground in front of him instead.
After a few heartbeats while staring down at the beaten and battered bonobo, a knowing and surprised look overcame the Colonel's features.
"I see," the Colonel said slowly as he glanced at Caesar and then back to Koba. "You care for him… don't you?"
As those words left that vile human's lips Koba felt his heart skip a beat and his body going stiff. Snapping his head to look up at the Colonel, Koba could see the man eyeing him with a look of knowing… but how? At a lost of words, Koba let is gaze fall momentarily before he turned to look at Caesar, who looked very confused at what the man had just said.
"Judging by the looks that you are giving this one here," the Colonel asked as he turned to stare at Caesar. "You did not know this, as do your apes."
Turning to look up at the Colonel, Caesar spared the man only a few seconds before he turned his gaze back toward Koba who was for the most part, silent.
"N-no no. I-I..."
"No need to say anything," the Colonel cut Koba off. "I know that look anywhere. Man or ape.
Gasping for breath, Koba swallowed hard and lowered his gaze to the ground in front of him, unwilling to meet the eyes of Caesar or the other apes around him, feeling nothing but shame.
"I… I-" Koba tried to speak but shook his head quickly.
"Hold him," the Colonel ordered the turncoats, causing them to subdue Koba once more.
The Colonel had placed his sunglasses back upon his face and nodded at Red. The red haired gorilla nodded and left Caesar to make his way on over toward Koba.
"I didn't say move," the Colonel said suddenly, confusing Red and everyone else. "Continue," he said simply.
Red halted and even he hesitated for a moment, as though surprised by the command.
"No. I said hit me!" Koba shouted in fury.
"And to that, I say no," the Colonel responded to the struggling ape next to him. "That would only give you the satisfaction that you are searching for. Your demands will not be answered today. But, for your honesty, you get to see him punished for both of your sins."
"No! Stop!" Koba cried out in desperation and like before, his pleas, whatever they may be, were ignored.
With a firm huff, Red braced himself and lashed against Caesar once more, causing the ape king to grimace against the pain.
"No! Don't hit him! Hit me instead!" Koba kept on screaming out as he continued to struggle within the arms of his captives.
Koba knew that the apes and especially Caesar did not deserve this and should not be dealing with this. However, just as before, like many a times in the past, his wishes were not answered. He so desperately wanted them to stop hurting Caesar. Wanted them to hurt him instead, with his already damaged and broken body. He knew he could take it. As to what more could the humans do to what they've already not done to him? But this, seeing apes being treated like this, especially Caesar. Is something he did not want to see. Instead of being physically punished, the Colonel was emotionally damaging him, by continuing to torment Caesar instead. Koba's eyes burned as they became wet while Caesar was struck over and over again, with him being unable to do anything about it.
As the lashes continued, Koba's cries echoed throughout the camp, begging for the punishment to cease or to be directed to him. Upon hearing the desperation within Koba's voice, many of the apes had turned to one another, unsure of how to feel for the traitorous bonobo who caused the war between them and the humans. However they could see one thing from Koba, and that was that he was willing to own up for all of the misdeeds that he had done, no matter what was going to be done to him.
Finally Caesar's strength had faltered; even he couldn't stand up to this much physical punishment that was brought upon him. Mournful gasps and murmurs from the apes rippled as his head sagged at last. With that, the turncoat apes finally released Caesar, letting the tortured ape leader crumple to the ground.
"Caesar!" Koba called out desperately, voice full of raw emotion as he tried to reach for the ape leader.
At the call of his name, Caesar was drawn back to the world from nearly passing out, due to the intense pain. Thankful at Koba for calling him, Caesar grunted as he brought himself back up onto his knees and spared the bonobo a quick glance. Definitely not finished yet, Caesar took in a deep breath and glowered furiously up at the Colonel as the man approached and knelt in front of him.
"Tell them to get back to work," the man ordered.
"Apes need food…" Caesar side glance at Koba, seeing the distress look upon the bonobo before glaring back at the Colonel, "and water," he growled back.
The Colonel turned his attention toward Koba for a second before he brought his hand up and placed it upon the ape leader's cheek, causing the bonobo to scowl at him.
"Tell them."
"Give them food and wat-"
Before Caesar could finish, the Colonel stood back up, drew his sidearm and shot Percy in the head, killing the elder orangutan on the spot. This sudden action and report caused all of the apes to flinch and cry out in despair. With chilling speed and efficiency, the Colonel then placed the barrel of his pistol against Caesar's temple.
When Koba saw the Colonel had placed his gun upon Caesar's temple, he desperately struggled harder against his captives, earning a few punches to his body and face.
The hot metal felt hard against his skin and skull but Caesar did not fear death and instead pressed himself back against the weapon. He stared at the Colonel fearlessly, hating him as he had never hated any human or ape before. This feeling of hate, paling in comparison to the hatred that he had toward Koba. Percy's pointless death was one more atrocity to add to the Colonel's list of crimes against the apes. No human words or speech could convey the depths of Caesar's fury. His abused body trembled with unbridled rage at the thought of it all.
"Five," the Colonel suddenly began. "Four…"
The gun pressed hard against Caesar's temple, but he did not flinch. If he had to die to prove to the Colonel-and his people-that the apes could not be treated like animals, then so be it. He had given his life to the defense of his apes. And he would be more than glad to do so again.
Then to Caesar's surprise, the Colonel then lifted the gun away from his temple and pointed it at Koba instead. So shocked by the sudden notion, Caesar faltered for a moment and was going to reach out, but stopped when he saw the steely anger upon Koba's face. Seeing that Koba too did not shy away from the weapon Caesar now realized that Koba also did not fear death and would gladly die for the apes… and him, too…
"Three…" as the man continued counting, Caesar did not know what to do. "Two…"
As the man continued to count, stones clattered from afar, drawing the Colonel's attention. Following the man's gaze, Caesar turned his head and he could see a lone ape had picked up one of the fallen boulders, and lifted it high above their head, straining under its weight. This ape was none other than Lake, as she held the stone up above her, panting underneath the heavy object, showing the will to work and desperation to save not just Caesar but Koba's life as well.
Lake's face and eyes were full of raw emotion as she strained under the heavy stone but she would be damned if she would allow another one of their apes to die, no matter who they are or what they did. Soon after, another ape much further down picked up a heavy stone and hefted it over their shoulder as well. This ape, of course, was Ash, his own dusty grey coat could be seen afar, who too followed suit after Lake. Then from among the apes, Winter could be seen moving and hefting up a large piece of timber, setting the heavy object onto his shoulder as he joined the others. That started a chain as another ape had bent down to lift another heavy stone, then another and another.
Both Caesar and Koba watched in awe and dismay as the apes resumed their labors on the wall, reclaiming their burdens and tools. Breathing heavily, Caesar turned back to glare at the human in front of him, whom lowered his gun away from Koba and putting it back into its holster. The Colonel spared both Caesar and Koba a quick glance before he turned toward Red and the other turncoats.
"String him up, donkeys," he said before slowly turning his attention to the bonobo. "Tie this one and make him watch."
Caesar gets a taste of his own medicine, slightly, and notices that he doesn't quite like being treated that way...