Sorry for the long wait! Here's the next chapter. It's a little short but its keeping things moving, if just a tiny bit.

The sound of pounding hooves echoed loud and clear with ragged breathing as a couple of horses ran through the lands. Muscles rippling with each hoofbeat; each of the horse's mouths foamed with saliva as they exerted their bodies while galloping relentlessly. They were led on by their riders, who made haste with them with the most dire of urgency. As if they were needing to get away from something or needed to get somewhere.

The world was nothing but a blur to Caesar. The grass, the trees, the river and the feeling of the wind that rushed past his face and ears. With each hoofbeat from the horse that he was riding on, slamming into the ground; a shocking pain kept him from getting a moment's rest. However, as they continued on, riding to wherever they were heading, it was getting harder and harder for Caesar to keep his eyes open. He was just so tired all the time now.

Why was he riding a horse again?

Letting his gaze fall down, Caesar could see two arms that were at either of his side that stretched passed him and held onto the horse's mane, right under where he held onto. These arms that were not his, bore scars and were disheveled. In dire need of grooming. They also acted as boundaries to keep Caesar himself from falling off of the great beast that they were on.

Who did these arms belong to?

Caesar's head dipped and a gentle nudge from behind, caused him to lift his head back up.

"Caesar, do not sleep!" a familiar hoarse and raspy voice bellowed out.

Taking a quick glance behind him, Caesar met Koba's fierce gaze, who spared him a quick glance before turning his sights back to what was in front of them and steered their steed onward.

That was right. They had left the other apes behind…

...

...Much earlier…

With Caesar and Rocket leading the hunt for the apes, Koba had decided to trail behind slightly the others, feeling as if he didn't quite deserve to be with them just yet. Even though the apes had already accepted him back among them, he still felt ashamed. Most may have forgiven him, others will still take some time. Some may never forgive him and that was quite alright, but Koba himself was not sure as of yet.

Idly following the others, Koba was surprised to see that Caesar and Rocket had stopped atop a tree. Curious, he ventured closer, wondering what they were talking to each other about. Koba could see a concerned look upon Rocket's features as the bulkier chimp was signing something to Caesar, something akin to "staying behind." This of course, Caesar did not agree on and the ape leader reassured Rocket.

The scarred bonobo could see brief hesitation upon Rocket's face but the chimp eventually, if reluctantly, rounded himself and leapt out of the tree that they were on. Seeing Rocket's odd behavior, Koba had then turned his sights back upon Caesar and focused on the other ape. What was Caesar hiding? Whatever it was, Koba did not like it. It seems he would have to pry that information from the ape king if he needed to. There was too much that had happened recently and he was in no mood for secrets.

Just as he had leaped onto some branches just a hop away from Caesar, Koba was about to call out to the chimp but noticed something strange. Caesar was simply standing there, all quiet and unmoving. With a blink, Koba then noticed that Caesar had suddenly dipped forward, causing his heart to leap into his throat.

Without even thinking, as if his body had a mind of its own, Koba had sprung into action and leapt off of the branch that he was standing on. The moment he landed he scrambled wildly, flailing his limbs, until his fingers grasped onto the bigger ape's forearm and being pulled down at well. With a strained grunt and using his other free hand, Koba latched onto the tree's branch and held on tightly. Koba gritted his teeth tightly while his muscles strained as he held onto Caesar, keeping the other ape from plummeting toward his doom.

"C-Caesar!" Koba cried out. " Caesar! Wake up!"

However, there was no response from the unconscious chimp, leaving Koba in a critical predicament. Growling the scarred bonobo quickly looked around and could not find a way to help themselves. He however, was going to hold firm and not let go, no matter what. So, the next best thing he did was cry for help and hopefully someone would come back for them.

…

Caesar had been keeping his distance from the other apes recently and Rocket did not like that. He was quite worried for his friend after recent events, noticing that, although Caesar looked proud and strong, he seemed… off. Of course, Rocket didn't question it and should have mentioned it to Maurice, Koba, or anyone really, but eventually decided not to.

Maybe Caesar would be alright and was just recovering, like the rest of them, Rocket thought. But again, as the journey continued and the days passed on, Caesar seemed to look… rather worse than better. And when Rocket had finally found the time to see if his friend was alright, Caesar had simply reassured him that he was well and sent him on his way...

Growling, Rocket restlessly scratched at his head. Thinking about stuff like this was not his strongest suit. He knew this. But if Caesar was not feeling well, he would tell them… right? Landing on a tree branch, Rocket stopped for a moment and let his gaze wander down toward the forest ground below.

No… Caesar would not.

Heaving out a tired and disappointed sigh, Rocket closed his eyes as he slumped his shoulders. Of course Caesar would never tell a single soul that he was never doing well. It was just the way Caesar was. The way his good friend did things was still quite very odd to Rocket sometimes. Doing things that he didn't quite understand himself… Caesar was raised differently than other apes. He was raised like a human and with that, he brought traits to the apes lives that had made it better for them but it did have its negatives as well.

Such as keeping things to themselves. In this case, Caesar's own secrets.

Before he could think of anything more, Rocket snapped his head up when he heard cries for help behind him. Turning around, Rocket listened and noticed that those were Koba's calls. Was he in trouble? Without another thought, Rocket leapt off of the tree branch that he was on and quickly made his way back, toward Koba's cries for help.

As he neared and broke through the foliage, Rocket was met with the sight of Koba hanging onto a branch and holding onto Caesar who seemed to not be responding to the bonobo. Bolting into action, Rocket maneuvered through the treetops and was at the both of the other apes' sides within seconds. Placing himself below the two, Rocket took a hold of Caesar's unconscious body and made sure he was secure first before letting Koba know. With relief, the scarred bonobo let go of Caesar into Rocket's hold and with both of them working together, they helped brought Caesar toward the forest floor.

"What happened?" he finally asked after he had helped Koba set Caesar down onto the grass.

"I-I don't know," Koba responded with a grunt before raising his hands. "I was following with the hunt. Saw Caesar speaking to you and after you left. I saw him fall."

Seeing Koba let him know what happened, Rocket couldn't help but feel as if what he had thought earlier were true. Rocket observed as Koba knelt down to Caesar's unconscious body and looked him over. As Rocke too went to Caesar's other side to see what was wrong with their friend, he stopped short when he noticed the hairs on Koba's body, standing on end.

"Koba?"

Rocket could then hear Koba's breathing becoming ragged, as if he was trying to not yell or shout. Then Koba suddenly stood up with his fists balled up so tightly that they were shaking by his side.

"Koba-"

"Stupid, Caesar!" the bonobo grounded out in anger, cutting Rocket off.

Confused, Rocket let his green eyes lower back down to their friend and knelt down by Caesar's side. As he got closer to Caesar's body, he took notice of the faint but unmistakable metallic smell of blood. Looking at his friend once over, Rocket saw the dark red spot at Caesar's side and reached out toward it. There Rocket could see the wound that their leader was keeping from them all and jutting out from the wound was what looked like a broken arrow.

"Caesar?" Rocket breathed worriedly.

…

Groaning slowly, Caesar opened his eyes and noticed that he was laying down on the soft grass. Curious as to why he was there, he made to get up but was stopped by a soft gentle hand that placed itself upon his chest. Looking to see who the hand belong to, Caesar was surprised to see Sparrow and a few other apes around her, seemingly to assist her with something. The older female then reached out toward Caesar, to which the ape king moved away from slightly.

"Do not worry my king. I am only trying to help close the wound that you have," Sparrow signed to the ape leader.

"My… wound?" Caesar breathed as he looked down and saw that the apes seemed to have been cleaning him up with what little tools they had.

Sparrow nodded slowly before she continued her work and cleaned the rest of the dried blood from Caesar's side. While they worked on him, Caesar let his gaze wander and he found himself back among the apes. They were all far away, probably ushered into the distance by what ape healers they had left. Just off to the side though there stood what was left of the ape council members, all seemingly in a heated argument with each other. Of what that is, Caesar was not sure of, but he most likely had an idea that it involved him.

"How many knows?" Caesar asked, eyes still upon the ape council in the distance.

"Most. If not all," Sparrow paused to sign before continuing.

Caesar closed his eyes and couldn't help but heave out a deep and annoyed breath. The secret that he had kept to himself in hopes to not delay the exodus, was now known to all. Because of this, it will no doubt bring about a delay for them, mainly because he knew that the apes would worry for his well being. Something he desperately did not want to happen.

Before more can be exchanged between Caesar and Sparrow, the sounds of approaching apes had caught their attention. Turning his head to see who it was, Caesar was met with the faces of most of the ape council. Most of them look worried, others disappointed and one that looked the most angry-Koba.

"Friend!" Bad Ape's voice could be heard as he was spotted.

Before the lanky chimp could rush on over to Caesar's side, a giant shaggy hand stopped the other ape. Bad Ape curiously turned to look at Maurice who shook his head slowly from side to side and signed the word "slow" to Bad Ape. The smaller chimp seemed to understand and took a more delicate approach toward Caesar instead, settling down by the wounded ape's side.

"How are you doing, Caesar?" Maurice asked as he too drew near and stood by, with Bad Ape making way for him.

"I am fine," Caesar answered as he moved to sit up.

Some of the apes took a step forward to help the ape king but Caesar held his hand up to stop them from advancing. After taking a moment to gather himself, he finally raised his gaze to meet the others.

"We need to move soon. Make it to where our new home is. So, that our apes can be safe."

This prompted Koba to angrily take a step toward Caesar.

"How can you say such a thing? After nearly dying!" the scarred bonobo grounded out in a frustrated voice. "You... You're… Why did you not say anything?!" he demanded.

Caesar turned his attention slowly to Koba and he could see the anger and hurt emanating from the scarred bonobo.

"There was no need to," Caesar stated simply as he brought his hand up to his wound and covered it. "Apes cannot heal me... This, I know already."

The look of anger ebbed away from Koba's face and was replaced with disbelief. Caesar however, kept his solemn eyes upon the other ape. He knew what was going through Koba's and the other apes' minds around him. If they could, they would do anything to help him. To heal him. But this is what must be done. No matter how much pain he was in. No matter how severe his injuries were. There was nothing that they could do. They simply were not advanced enough yet to make medicine like humans can. Therefore, it must be this way.

There was a murmur from the other apes as before Maurice decided to approach Caesar. "There must be a way to help you, Caesar. Just tell us what to do."

Caesar solemnly shook his head, the motion causing him to become nauseous, but he kept firm nonetheless. This only caused the worried murmurs to only grow among the other apes in front of him. He knew that they did not like his answer and that they wish to do something to help him. But they must accept the fact. Apes do not have the ability to cure such injuries like his and many others. It was impossible for them to do so, not at this stage in their newfound freedom of this world at least.

"And you are just going to give up?"

Hearing those words being uttered, everyone's attention centered on the ape who had spoken out. Koba had taken another step toward Caesar and looked the ape king in the eyes with his own, a slight sheen to them. The scarred bonobo then rounded himself at the others and met their stares as well.

"Are we going to give up on Caesar? After everything he has done for all of you? All of us?" Koba spat out.

"Koba, that is enough!" Caesar barked but faltered when pain shot through his side, causing him to heave.

Catching his breath, Caesar slowly raised his gaze once more, only to see the bonobo giving him one fierce glare.

A defying stare.

"Caesar may have given up on himself. Maybe you all too," Koba said in a low grave voice before he turned to the others. "But I will not."

They all became silent with only the sounds of Caesar's labored breathing filling the air. The were all unsure of what to do in this predicament. Caesar was right, what would apes do to help heal their king? There was nothing that they could do. In all of their ways, they were still incapable of healing injuries that seemed nigh impossible to do so.

"If we apes cannot heal Caesar, then who can?" Grey asked.

Koba let his gaze fall on his old friend and wondered about that himself. He had gone quiet for a moment as he looked around, trying to find an answer to Grey's question. Turning his attention, Koba's blind and working eyes fell upon both Ash and Rocket. He stared at the father and son duo before an idea came to him.

"Rocket. Ash. Come."

…

It was a full day of nonstop riding for Caesar, Koba, Maurice and the human child named Nova. They had travelled relentlessly across the plains and hills of the land, racing towards who knows where. The one leading the band was none other than the scarred bonobo who wouldn't say much while they kept their run.

Just before they had left on their journey, Koba had not given the apes much but instead disclosed some information to both Rocket and Ash, who had looks of bewilderment upon their faces. At first it looked like both Rocket and Ash were going to disagree with the scarred bonobo, but when they had turned their attention to where Caesar was, they solemnly nodded in agreement, agreeing to whatever Koba was planning, to be the best course of action.

It was there that the three apes had forced Caesar to ride with Koba. They had to, of course, subdue the ape king without causing any more distress to him as there already was. In the end, they had managed to get Caesar onto Koba's horse before the scarred bonobo hopped right on behind the furious ape king and secured them both.

Both Rocket and Ash were then asked by Koba to see if they would journey with him. From what the bonobo could see, however, the two had very much wanted to. But, after the recent events, Rocket couldn't bear to lose sight of his family once more and Ash needed to be there to be a beacon of hope for the rest of the apes. The father and son had agreed to lead the apes to where they needed to go, but they promised that they would find Koba and Caesar, after they had settled in. This of course had prompted Maurice to step in, indicating that he was going to follow after both Koba and Caesar. There was no protest from the apes as Maurice simply indicated that he was going to keep his promise to make sure that Caesar and whoever else there was, was going to get back to their new home safely.

Thus, did the four ride out into the unknown.

Caesar had struggled in his bindings and tried to stop Koba from taking him to wherever they were going. No matter how hard he tried though, he was not strong enough to overpower the determined bonobo, who kept a tight hold on him..

"Do not fight me. This is for your own good," Koba said to Caesar as they rode further and further away from the apes.

It was then, after a while, did Caesar finally concede and merely kept his strength to keep himself awake.

The day seemed to have passed by agonizingly slow as Caesar tried to keep his heavy eyelids awake. He didn't know how long it has been or how much blood he had lost. He did know that while they rode to where they were now, the sun had already dipped down nearly pass the horizon, taking its rays of light with it. And like the fading light, Caesar finally slumped over on the horse that he was on and slid downwards. While he fell, he thought he heard something. Something far and distant, full of emotion.

Next thing Caesar knew, he suddenly landed hard onto the ground and rolled around. He would have suffered much more but there was another body that had grabbed onto him and rolled with him, taking much of the physical trauma. Feeling strong arms secured around his body, Caesar blinked up slowly and was faced to face with a panting Koba, who was staring back down at him.

"Caesar!" a muffled voice filled Caesar's ears as he saw Koba's mouth moving.

A worried look overcame the bonobo, who looked ahead momentarily before glancing back down at him. Caesar could see Koba's mouth moving, as if the scarred bonobo was talking to him, but he unfortunately could hear nothing.

Was this the way it was supposed to end for him? Did he do the right things in leading his apes to safety? Was everyone going to be alright? Guess he'll never know for sure. As his mind dwindled away, Caesar could clearly see past memories of happier times coming back to him, causing him to smile. His smile must have affected the ape that was holding him to some degree, as Caesar was roughly shaken and his vision focused back to Koba's distressed face.

Koba.

The ape who was most filled with hatred in his heart for the humans. The ape who helped started this war… with the aid of Pope. The ape who was to be blamed when their peace and families were destroyed… But… Koba was also the one who taught and raised many great hunters as well. He, who helped the apes build their home and seeked a new one for them. The ape who had saved Caesar himself, many times before. The one whom he called brother.

Blinking, Caesar then reached upwards with a free hand, to which Koba took a firm hold of. It was at this time that both Maurice and Nova appeared behind the scarred bonobo as well, worried looks upon their faces too.

"Caesar?" Maurice signed.

"Please… look after my son. Help look… after the apes."

Hearing Caesar's words, Koba' eyes grew wide and he quickly shook his head, tears welling up within him. Caesar blinked slowly as Koba spoke, but could not hear what the other ape was saying. Caesar indicated so by signing with his free hand to which Koba immediately switched to using hand-signs.

"You need to stay strong! We are getting help, Caesar! Don't give up! We're almost there, please! Stay with us! The apes need you!" Koba signed desperately at the wounded king in his arms.

Caesar smiled solemnly at Koba, Maurice and Nova.

"It's okay… Do not… do not worry, my friends," Caesar breathed as he placed his hand over Koba's. "You should leave and… and follow the others… You will all be home, soon. Apes… apes are strong. With or without me."

Tears fell from Koba's eyes as he heard those words from Caesar and he slowly shook his head.

"No Caesar. I'm… I'm not strong," Koba signed tearfully down at Caesar. "I am only strong because you are here."

Caesar seeing Koba's signs, could feel strings being pulled at his heart. It hurt to see any ape looking so sad and for Koba especially. Caesar regretted treating Koba so terribly for these past few days. That was not him and he wished that the last memories that Koba was going to have of him was him treating the scarred bonobo, as lesser.

"Please… Please stay?" Koba begged.

Reaching upwards, Caesar placed a hand upon Koba's cheek and smiled at him.

"I'm sorry," Caesar apologized once more before he lost the strength and let his arm fall down by his side.

The moment Caesar's hand fell away from his face, Koba stared with wide wet eyes as the ape he was holding onto, slowly closed his eyelids.

"Caesar?" Koba breathed. "Caesar?!"

Maurice gently held onto Nova, close to his body as Koba yelled out Caesar's name over and over again. Nova, understanding clearly of what is going on, buried her face into the shaggy ape's chest and shuddered every time the scarred bonobo called out the other's name.

"Caesar!"