Sorry for the long wait. Here's the next Chapter. There are some slight language further in the chapter, but its not too bad, hopefully.

Jojo, Einstein, Arnold, Gregory, Hamlet, Twine, Sheath, Bark and Charlie. These were all names that Maurice must keep to memory as they buried their fallen warriors, whom were so ruthlessly strung up on those crosses and could not be saved. It hurt his dear aching heart as he watched Rocket and Bad Ape, laid the others to rest, for the better part of the morning. Feeling small fingers wrap themselves around his own hand, Maurice gently looked down and could see the sad look that the little human girl was giving him, as if she knew that he was in deep wanting her to worry, Maurice instead sniffed quietly and offered the child a gentle smile, to which the young girl silently eased into.

Shoving one final dirt upon the pile, Rocket dropped to his knees and huffed quietly as he stared at the giant mound. Bad Ape himself was unsure but he slowly approached Rocket and sat down next to him, his face a worried and sad one as well.

"So sorry," Bad Ape spoke softly.

With a gruff, Rocket stood back up and rolled his shoulders. From among the few dozen of apes that were so mercilessly tied to the crosses, they could only save three of them. Those three apes were Spear, Andy and Grey, the latter having the less extensive wounds of the previous two. Rocket, Bad Ape and Maurice were able to haul the three wounded chimps and set them down not too far and did their best to make the three feel as comfortable as they can. In all seriousness, Maurice would had thought that the three wouldn't make it through the night but miraculously, they did. The hard part now, was just keeping them alive and the apes did not know what to do to that extent. They had no food and the only source of water was a frozen river nearby. Luckily Rocket and Bad Ape were able to break the river's surface and fill their canteens with freezing cold water, but the two bared through it and gently helped the other three apes drink, as weak as they were.

"What do we do now?" Rocket asked as he helped Grey drink. "We haven't gotten any food to help these three and if we don't do anything soon. We might lose them."

"We do our best to keep them alive and warm," Maurice gestured. "After that we need to find something to feed them. Then-"

Before Maurice could finish, they all heard the sounds of crashing down below. Maurice, Rocket, Bad Ape and the little girl all looked at one another in confusion before they raced toward the edge of the cliff and observe to see what was going on. To witness what had happened next, brought much anger and fury within Rocket. Maurice was filled with dread and hopelessness while Bad Ape was filled with only fear and shock. The apes had never seen such a thing before, to see the lashing of apes. It was something… something that wrong and not meant to be. From there they all saw Caesar taking a stand and being punished for it as well with Koba following after but instead was made to watch.

"Bad," Bad Ape said slowly. "Bad humans. Hurt apes."

Rocket and Maurice couldn't agree more as they watched their friends and family be tortured. These humans… they were the worst kinds.

Eventually the ape turncoats had brought both Caesar and Koba to the center of the prison yard. Red had bound Caesar to the tall wooden X on top of a makeshift platform. Koba on the other hand was bound with his arms behind his back and knees on the cold ground, to a wooden pillar in front of Caesar's platform.

Maurice lowered the binoculars, horrified by what he had just witnessed before and handed the object to Rocket.

"Bad place," Bad Ape insisted, not for the first time as well.

When the other apes did not respond right away, he addressed his warning to the girl instead, fearfully seeking anyone who might listen to him.

"Bad bad place," he repeated as the child curiously stared at him.

Bad Ape's bright green eyes then wandered on over toward Rocket.

"What you see?" Bad Ape asked his friend.

"We have to save them," Rocket signed toward Maurice as he handed the binoculars back to the shaggy orangutan. "We are the only ones who can do this now."

Although Maurice agreed with Rocket, it was unclear of what they could do under these circumstances.

"But how?" Maurice gestured back. "Must think!"

They had already lost Luca, and many of the other apes they had found as well. Not only that, Caesar and Koba had both been captured, after they had left. Who knows what the human are going to do to their friends next. How could only three active apes-including Bad Ape-do to free their very own from the army of humans? Especially with three other wounded to care for.

"What would Caesar do?" Maurice continued, glancing backward to check on the other three apes.

"Oh no!" Bad Ape suddenly exclaimed.

This had caused both Maurice and Rocket to turn toward the smaller chimp in surprise, waiting for him to say what he had discovered that was so shocking.

"Why so small?"

Both Maurice and Rocket couldn't help but let out a unified breath at the clothed chimp. Sighing, Maurice reached out and flipped the binoculars around before handing them back to the confused Bad Ape, who still looked puzzled as he lifted them to his eyes once more.

"Ohhh," the small chimp said a second later.

Maurice and Rocket couldn't believe that Bad Ape was their only remaining companion still at this point. However, they were going to need all the help they could get in order to save their friends and family.

…

Red had finished binding Caesar to the X, tugging on the knots to make sure that they were tight upon the chimp's limbs. Caesar winced, but said nothing, much too exhausted and discouraged to object to what was being done to him. From behind Red, Caesar could see the young soldier-Preacher-frowning at the rough treatment.

"Okay, that's good." the human said before rounding to face the other apes behind him, whom were tying the bonobo to the pole. "You all too."

Red and the other apes looked at Preacher before turning back to their captives. Red's lips curled as he gave Caesar a contemptuous sneer before heading down the steps. The other turncoats did the same as they left Koba kneeling there as well. Lingering, Preacher watched as Red and the other turncoats depart, the approached Caesar hesitantly. The young man glanced about to make sure no one was watching and lowered his voice, just so that Caesar could hear him.

"Look, I owe you one," Preacher began, "so let me set you and your buddy straight here, okay? I think he respects you. Both of you. He does… that's why you're both still alive. But believe me, he can do a lot worse than this. I've seen it."

A haunted look within the young man's eyes hinted at horrors from the past.

"You don't want to mess with him. Understand? So just… back off," Preacher warned.

After saying what he wanted to say, Preacher still glanced about nervously, before retreating down the steps, leaving both Caesar and Koba alone. The young soldier's disturbing warning made Caesar all the more fearful for his ape's safety. If even the other humans were afraid of what the Colonel was ultimately capable of, what did that mean for them?

Aside from the horrible thought, Caesar slowly rounded his head forward until he could see the lone figure of Koba, tied to the wooden post in front of him, head lowered toward the ground. As he watched the scarred bonobo, Caesar himself was quiet as he watched the other ape, unsure of what to say or do.

…

The next time Blue Eyes was awake, he had cleaned himself of all the grime that was still coating his body. Nick and Max had fashioned some running hot water and Blue Eyes was quite surprised at how relaxing warm water on his aching body could be. Not only that, he had to endure Nick cutting off the rest of his head hair, as the man patched him up with whatever wounds he still had left.

"Alright. Now I don't want you to pull off the bandages alright? They need to stay on so the medicine could heal you properly," Nicholas explained.

Blue Eyes didn't answer and instead was looking down at the stone from his necklace that now laid in the middle of his palm. His gaze was fixated on the shattered stone that yet still held together. During all the time that he had received this gift from his dearly beloved, he had not once seen the stone shatter like this. It was as if the stone was now broken… much like him.

"You okay there, Blue Eyes?" Nick asked quietly.

Blue Eyes closed his eyelids and took in a deep breath as he head the stone close toward his chest. Opening back up his eyes the scarred prince nodded slowly.

"Stuck here," Blue Eyes stated simply.

"I know," Nick replied. "But you can't leave right now. Not in your current condition."

"Soon then?" Blue Eyes asked hesitantly as he turned to look at Nick.

Nick stared at Blue Eyes and paused momentarily… unsure of what to say to the ape prince.

"Maybe," a voice suddenly erupted.

Both Blue Eyes and Nick jumped slightly at the sudden voice and turned to see their third occupant - Maxwell, making his way on over toward them with nothing but a pair of pants and a towel around his shoulders.

"Seeing you kick our asses not that long ago, shows me you've got the guts and will to move on," Max said nonchalantly. "A human in your condition wouldn't be able to even sit and talk like you can right now. Makes me kinda envious you know?"

Blue Eyes tilted his head while Nick simply let out a small chuckle.

"Is this your way of cheering up someone?" Nick spoke as he stood up from his chair, giving himself a stretch.

"I'm just saying that baldy there is one tough son of a bitch. And if he's strong enough to still kick our asses while on the verge of death? Well, he'll be alright in no time," Max answered as he turned a cheeky smile at Blue Eyes' direction.

"Son of... a bitch?" Blue Eyes asked, turning to look at Nick.

"Uh… don't you mind that," Nick quickly said to the confused chimp. "He means it in a good way. A… compliment of sorts."

Blue Eyes blinked once at Nick before turning his attention back toward Max and giving him a slight nod. The dark eyed man nodded back before turning around and walking off.

"Nick, you guys had any food in this place? We need to eat."

"Yeah, we had a small garden in open area just outside of the food storage house. I'll come help," Nick called to Max before rounding himself back toward Blue Eyes. "Max and I are going to get some food and water for us okay. I need you to just stay here and rest. No good for you to be up and moving about."

Blue Eyes gave the man a skeptic look but remained silent.

"I know you wanting to get back to your family as soon as you can. But as of right now you simply can't and I can't work miracles, unfortunately. I promise that once you are properly healed, you can go back to your family and apes," Nicholas said to the ape prince.

Blue Eyes lowered his gaze for a moment and thought it over once more. Heaving out a tired sigh, Blue Eyes glanced back up at the man and nodded slowly.

"Thank. You," Blue Eyes said in a tired voice.

Nick smiled and placed a hand upon Blue Eyes' shoulder.

"Get some rest. Before you know it, you'll be with your family again."

Blue Eyes then watched as the healer followed after the soldier and disappeared off into the distance as well. After a few quiet moments, Blue Eyes slowly lowered his gaze back down at the necklace in his hands. Looking at the fragmented pieces of the stone that were still holding together, Blue Eyes finally took the loop of the necklace and wrapped it around his necklace.

The ape prince felt like he was the stone itself. Shattered and broken into many pieces but still held firm, moving on with perseverance. With that in mind, Blue Eyes laid his head back down and closed his eyelids, letting rest come for him and heal him, so that he may return to his family as soon as he can.

...

You care for him… don't you?

The Colonel's words kept on repeating itself within Caesar's mind as he tried to make sense of it all. What did he mean by that though? During his cruel punishment, Koba had pleaded to take his place instead, willing to bear the pain for what he himself had done. It just didn't make sense for Caesar, but the sound of Koba's desperate cries to him during his ordeal… there was quite something to the other ape's voice that Caesar himself couldn't quite pinpoint. Something that was… warm to it.

Letting his gaze wander to where Koba was, Caesar could see that the scarred bonobo on his knees, with his arms and legs tied behind him, around that wooden pole, head slumped forward. How long had they been there? Minutes? Hours? He guess that it mattered not. Not for the humans at least but if his sore limbs would say anything, it might as well have been days. Clearing his throat, Caesar made an attempt to at least make conversation at least.

"Koba?" Caesar called out in a soft gravelly voice.

At the call of the other ape's name, Caesar could see Koba stiffen slightly but did not raise his head up to meet his own.

"Koba. Look at me." Caesar said once more. "Please."

Caesar kept his gaze upon the other ape, hoping that Koba would listen to him. After a long while, Caesar could then see the other ape's shoulders rising, as Koba had taken in a deep shuddering breath. Then, ever so slowly, the bonobo lifted his head up, at the request. When Koba had lifted his head up toward him, Caesar could see that the bonobo was keeping a firm and neutral expression to show that he was strong. However, Caesar could see right past the bonobo by the slight breaths that the other ape took and sheen within those puffy red eyes. Caesar couldn't help but pity Koba slightly. The other bonobo had always put up a front to not show any form of weakness to others around him. But they all knew better. Even if Koba would to give a stern expression, his eyes always showed how vulnerable he was, no matter how he looked.

Koba suddenly dipped his head downward again, surprising Caesar.

"Everyone always look at me that way…" Koba said slowly as the sounds of apes working around them continued.

Caesar himself was even quiet for a moment, still processing on what he was going to do and or say to the other ape. Koba then raised his head again and gave Caesar a long hard look, with his only working eye.

"You're hurt," Koba said finally as he lowered his gaze once more. "I'm sorry… I'm so sorry. For everything."

Hearing Koba's quivering and emotional voice as he spoke only caused Caesar to feel terrible. Even after all that he's done to Koba, the other ape's main focus was to still apologize and worry for him? Why do this for him even after he himself had treated the bonobo so cruelly the past few days. He just couldn't quite understand it. Taking in a deep breath, Caesar calmed his own nerves before deciding to speak out again.

"No," Caesar said in a grave, but calming voice, causing Koba to glance back up at him. "Not your fault."

Upon hearing what Caesar had just said, a look of confusion crossed Koba's face. Not understanding why Caesar was suddenly reassuring him. Taking a deep breath, Caesar closed his eyes momentarily before opening them back up and aimed them at the bonobo tied to the wooden pole.

"Apes would have gone to war… eventually. Only a matter of time before it happened…" Caesar continued. "Both you and Luca were right. Humans would have eventually came for us. Always have and always will. This… where we are now... This is not your fault, but mine. I should have listened, should led the apes to our new home. Then maybe…"

Caesar paused for a moment as brief images of Cornelia and Blue Eyes flashed across his mind, causing him to dwell on his beloved lost family. Along with the images of Cornelia and Blue Eyes, Glade also came to mind. The young bonobo, full of life and love for Winter, was always an exceptional warrior among their ranks. Finally Luca formed as well and Caesar remembered his conversation with the silverback. Warning him that he was going much too far with Koba with his anger. Telling him to see the bigger picture… Then the question was asked.

Was he truly angry at Koba?

This was the very question that he kept asking himself as he and Luca had went further down the cliff. Was the bonobo the main source of all of his blame for what had transpired that night? The loss of his beloved family? But what Luca had said was right. Koba was not the main source of the danger that would have came and was not the one to take his family away from him. Yet, what was this boiling anger that Caesar still felt deep within his chest?

As he looked upon Koba, something dawned on Caesar and gave his mind a sense of clarity. Caesar could hear the Colonel's words being repeated back to him when he was captured.

I'm sorry. I was there for you.

The Colonel's main goal had been, and always was, on that night…

To kill him.

Caesar himself had chosen to leave their nest that night, put Blue Eyes in charge of protecting their family while he ran off. If he had stayed… if he had stayed, he would have prevented the deaths of his beloved family. Or die trying. The main cause of his anger and hatred…

Was at himself.

He was truly never angry at Koba. He was angry with himself. Infuriated that he couldn't protect Cornelia and Blue Eyes from the Colonel. Causing himself to spiral out into anger and despair, wanting nothing else but the sweet grace of revenge for the deaths of his family. Koba, he had done nothing wrong when he had returned and was just another ape who was only there to be the main target of all of his anger and fury. One of the apes who were partly to be blamed for all of this… but the main fault of it all. Was his, and his alone.

Oh, what had he done?

"Caesar?"

At the sound of his name, Caesar blinked and a few tears fell down from his eyes as he glanced at Koba and could see the look of concern on the other ape's face.

"Koba?"

Confused, Koba looked Caesar over and was wondering on what on earth was happening to the chimpanzee. For a moment Caesar was talking to him but then a far off look overcame the ape leader's eyes and then… tears. Quite taken aback but the sudden tears, Koba had then called out to the chimpanzee that was tied to the cross.

Caesar stared long and hard at Koba, as if he were looking at something deep within him, searching. It was then when Caesar shut his eyes tightly before he opened them back up to reveal his golden-green irises, regained his composure and met Koba's own gaze.

"What did the Colonel mean… when he said that you care for me?" Caesar asked.

At the question, Koba's eyes widened momentarily before he lowered his head and and turned his gaze away in shame.

"Koba. What does he mean?" Caesar asked once more.

Caesar could hear Koba say something but the bonobo's words were hard to make out, causing Caesar to tilt his head. Koba's eyes darted in Caesar's direction momentarily before he exhaled deeply.

"You… and other apes were not supposed to know," Koba breathed out.

"Not… supposed to know?" Caesar repeated slowly, a frown forming on his face, not understanding on what Koba was meaning.

There was a pause and Caesar himself could see that Koba had his mouth slightly open, as if he were going to say something but couldn't.

"Koba?" Caesar called out to the other ape again. "Is what he said. True?"

Koba took in a deep shuddering breath and shut his eyes tightly again before opening them back up slowly. After a brief moment, Koba finally lifted his head up to meet Caesar's gaze. The heartfelt look that the scarred bonobo was giving Caesar, was all he needed to understand.

"When?" Caesar asked after a few heartbeats.

Koba features became somber, before he lowered his head slightly and averted Caesar's gaze once more, as memories started to fill his mind.

"Long time ago," Koba breathed. "When we were running from the humans and there was the loud fire in the sky. You, Cornelia and Herman fell into the river. All drowning and trying to breath through the smoke. We all saw you and went over to save you all from the river. I… I pulled you from the water" Koba continued as he lifted his head upward to meet Caesar's gaze. "When you woke… You… I… You said… that I was your brother. That we were family," he continued to explain as he met Caesar's gaze.

An endearing smile then formed upon Koba's lips as he gaze fell back toward the ground in front of him.

"That was when I…" Koba paused for a moment and slowly shook his head.

Caesar remembered that day well. He had thought that both he, Cornelia and the gorilla named Herman was going to drown that day as they crossed the river. It was soon after that he himself had came to, finding a very worried bonobo looking down at him. To be honest, Caesar himself could have not been more happy to see the bonobo's face, after such an event.

The more Caesar thought on Koba's words, the more questions he had about the other bonobo. Instead, he will start to make amends with his friend and other who he had wronged.

"I'm sorry Koba," Caesar sincerely apologized. "For the way I had treated you. I'm so sorry."

The hairs on Koba's body stood on end for a moment before he relaxed himself and glanced back up at Caesar and shook his head.

"Its okay," Koba replied.

"No. It is not," Caesar responded. "What I did to you… how I treated you… it is wrong. You should have never been the source of my anger. It was not right," he said shamefully.

Hearing Caesar say these words, caused Koba's eyes to slowly well up.

"Still my fault," Koba answered in a broken voice.

"No. Not all your fault remember?" Caesar spoke up. "It is mine too."

Caesar paused as he watched Koba, seeing the other bonobo looking at him intently.

"Please. Forgive me?" Caesar asked.

Hearing Caesar ask him for forgiveness was something oddly strange for Koba. Usually, it was the other way around, as he would step out of line most of the time. But now the roles were slightly reversed, in the way Caesar had been treating him and it caused a lump to form within Koba's throat. As Koba continued to stare, he could see that Caesar was still awaiting for his response. Unable to form any words at the moment, Koba closed his eyes and nodded his head, feeling his tears flow down his snout.

"Always forgive," Koba said quietly, causing Caesar to breath in relief. "Caesar… forgive Koba?" he then asked next.

Koba did not even need to ask Caesar, as his actions proved more than enough in the ape leader's eyes.

"Yes. I forgive you," Caesar said slowly, a warm smile spreading upon his lips.

If you guys don't understand the part where Koba talks about saving Caesar from the river, please do read the official novel "Planet of the Apes: Firestorm" to understand it all. You don't really need to, but you readers would be able to have a better context of what both Caesar and Koba are talking about, should you read it.