"Caesar?"
"Koba."
Caesar watched as Koba stared at him with wide open eyes, as if in a trance before he snapped himself out of it.
"You… you're awake," Koba said apprehensively. "You're okay."
"Yes," Caesar responded. "Thanks to you and everyone else. I'm alive."
It looked as if the bonobo was going to reach out to the chimpanzee but the ape stopped himself and instead laid his hands down on the bedside.
"Are… are you in pain? Hurt anywhere?" Koba asked.
A small amused look spread upon Caesar's face as he remembered the same questions being asked of him earlier.
"Tired and sore. But I will be fine," Caesar reassured the bonobo.
Koba stared into Caesar's eyes for a long moment, as if still searching for something. Just as Caesar was going to ask Koba as to what he was doing, the scarred bonobo took in a deep breath.
"That's… good to hear," Koba responded finally.
Picking up on the odd response, Caesar decided to change the subject and cleared his throat, while looking around himself.
"Maurice said that we were saved by our human friends. Was this because you brought us to them?" Caesar asked the quiet bonobo.
Koba stared at Caesar for a moment before he glanced over his shoulder.
"You were hurt and I did not know what else to do. I remembered that humans were here. Good humans. So I made the decision to bring you here. So that they can help you," Koba explained. "I am glad that they were able to help you, in time…"
A small silence passed between the two apes and Caesar could feel the tension shift in the air.
"Why?" Koba suddenly spoke up. "Why did you not tell us that you were hurt?"
And there it was, the question that Caesar had hoped to avoid answering. He supposed that it was inevitable that Koba would ask him sooner than later and now it was for him to come clean. Closing his eyes and taking a deep breath, Caesar took a moment to gather his thoughts fully before he met Koba's stare.
"The apes needed to get to safety, Koba. That wouldn't happen until we reached our new home."
"Apes needed to get to safety?" Koba repeated. "Caesar! The humans died! Buried under the snow! Far behind us! The apes were safe! We were already safe!"
Steadying himself, Caesar's features became stern as he kept his eyes upon the scarred bonobo.
"We did not know that, Koba. Who knows if there were more human soldiers coming. Either to come fight the Colonel and his humans or to hunt us down," Caesar responded.
Koba bared his fangs at that half-hearted explanation and growled.
"And we don't know if there are any more humans left. You saw as much as I did that there were no more humans," Koba reasoned through his teeth. "You should have told us that you were hurt! So why keep your injuries to yoursel-"
"It didn't matter!" Caesar said loudly.
"It mattered to me!" Koba practically shouted back, his voice booming around within the small room that they were in.
At that, Caesar was stunned silent at Koba's sudden outburst. He watched as the scarred bonobo shoulders rose up and down as he heaved, hair standing on end. It felt as if Koba was ready to do battle at any moment. But, that was not the case here as both apes stood their ground and were simply having a disagreement.
As quickly as it had come, Koba's shoulders lowered and his features became crestfallen, causing him to look so vulnerable.
"It mattered to me…" Koba said once more, his voice nothing more than a whisper and full of raw emotion.
Seeing Koba's sudden change, Caesar was at a loss of what to say.
"Apes have already lost so much... You have already lost so much… I…" Koba said in a shaky voice as he drew in on himself, cradling his hands close to his body. "You keep hurting yourself to save apes. Do you not care, Caesar?"
When Koba had asked the last question, he stared back at Caesar, eyes wet and filled with a raw sadness that the chimpanzee had rarely seen from the scarred bonobo.
"Koba…"
Unsure of what to say, Caesar simply sat there in the quiet as he tried to gather his thoughts. Recalling his prior actions, Caesar could see where it was merely a selfish motive and with that, it nearly cost the lives of his friends and family. Koba was right, they had all already lost so much, so why drive him to death once more? He should have been the better ape and reached out to an offered hand for help.
"I do care, Koba," Caesar said after a few moments as he took a hold of Koba's shoulder.
"And, I'm sorry."
A small huff escaped from Koba as he reached up and placed his hand upon Caesar's, that was laying on his shoulder.
Hearing shuffling from the doorway to the room, Malcolm quickly appeared.
"Hey, what's going on? We heard shouting. Is everything alright? You two okay?" The man asked quickly.
Caesar kept his eyes upon Koba who had broken eye contact and lowered his gaze down onto the bed sheets. Taking a deep breath, Caesar turned his attention to Malcolm and gave the man a reassuring smile.
"We are okay. Just… talking," Caesar explained slowly.
Malcolm looked between the two apes and a knowing look appeared on his features.
"Ah… uh, alright then."
And with that, the man quietly left the room, leaving the two apes by themselves once more.
"Promise me that if you need help, you will let us know. Understand?" Koba asked, moments after Malcolm had left the room.
Turning his sights back onto Koba, Caesar met the scarred bonobo's stare, who waited for him to respond.
"I will, from now on," Caesar finally answered.
A few seconds more, the two heard a couple of soft hoots, causing them to look and see Maurice and Nova by the door. Accompanied with them, stood Malcolm with a tray within his arms.
"Sorry to disturb you guys but I'm sure you're all hungry," he announced.
It has been quite an emotional morning and it was indeed tiring all of them out. In that regard, a quick break to eat something and fill their bellies may be the thing they were all needing.
"Yes, thank you," Caesar answered, to which Malcolm simply smiled in return.
…
With the father and son duo, serving as the guide for all of the apes, both Rocket and Ash led their kin to their new home. The both of them were very lucky to have survived the trials and were able to keep them all heading in the right directions. Without the father and son duo, the apes would have been lost.
The journey to their new home was a long one, taking them over the mountains and down the other side of it. Cold snowy wastes tested the apes' endurance, as did the scorching sands of the desert beyond. The blistering sun and stark, barren vistas made them pine for the cool green forests that they had left behind. From the looks of many of the apes, Rocket and Ash knew that they were tempted to turn back at times, to risk returning to the forest that the humans had driven them from. Luckily however, the apes' trust in both Rocket and Ash never waned. Their newfound hope kept them all going.
The apes will have their future, no matter how far they have to go and how harsh their journey was.
As the apes finally reached the final steep climb of a mountainside they let out a collective sigh at what they all saw. A verdant green paradise with lush vegetation surrounded from all sides, stretching for miles and miles ahead. Within its center, held a sparkling blue lake. Its crystalline waters looked like heaven after the apes' long, thirsty trek across the harsh desert.
After recovering from their shock and awe the apes had all then turned to look at both Rocket and Ash. As if hoping that this would be confirmation of their new home.
A knowing smile spread itself upon Ash's lips as he eyed his father, who simply nodded back, a ghost of a smirk upon his own face. Taking a deep breath, Ash stood up to his full height before turning back to face the other apes around them. He could see their tired faces and could tell how much they have all struggled and suffered. It pained him to even see apes like this but through it all, he could make out the burning hopeful looks and determination behind their eyes. But now, their struggles are going to come to an end and with that, Ash took a deep breath.
"We are here!" the young chimpanzee announced loudly to the apes, some wincing at his booming voice. "We are home!"
Finally, after the confirmation, the apes had swarmed past the threshold, letting out excited chitters and hoots, eager to explore their final destination and taste its riches that waited for them.
Rocket stood next to Tinker and reached out to take hold of their youngest, easing his mate of her burden. After briefly touching brows, both Rocket and Tinker turned their gaze toward their oldest child, who was smiling from ear to ear, watching as the apes rushed past them all to explore their new sanctuary.
"I am so proud of him," Tinker had signed.
Rocket huffed and nodded.
"As am I," the bald chimp agreed. "He was such a small little thing when he came into the world."
"And now he has grown. Becoming into an adult ape of his own," Tinker finished for the both of them.
Staring lovingly at Tinker, Rocket nuzzled his mate, atop of her head before holding her close to him and turned his attention back to their firstborn.
Making sure to help wherever he could, Ash waited until the last apes were able to move forward onto their new home. He noticed a few of their warriors off to the side and signaled for them to go ahead and keep an eye out, just in case. Understanding what they needed to do, the apes bid Ash a quick salute before they too ventured off into their new home. Once he was done, Ash noticed that his parents were still standing off to the side and quickly went over to them.
"Mother! Father! We are finally home," Ash signed happily.
"Yes, we are finally home," Rocket agreed.
"It is just as beautiful as you had described it," Tinker signed, who was still in wonder as she held both Cinder and Cornelius within her arms. "Maybe even more beautiful, now that I have seen it."
At that, Ash smiled at his mother and gently touched his brows to hers.
"Now we are safe," Ash spoke quietly.
"Yes. Safe," Tinker repeated, her voice full of emotion.
A hand had gently placed itself upon Ash's shoulder, causing the white-flecked chimpanzee to turn around and see his dearly beloved-Maple. The brown haired female smiled lovingly at Ash before turning her sights onto the two older apes.
"Rocket. Tinker," Maple signed respectfully with a nod towards them.
"Maple," Tinker greeted as well to which Rocket simply nodded back.
Ash touched brows with Maple as well before slowly taking a glance back at his parents. Seeming to understand, Tinker merely chuckled merrily before flicking her free hand at her son, as if to shoo him away.
"Go on," Tinker mused.
With no more needing to be said, Ash happily took a hold of Maple's hand and quickly led her away with the other apes, toward their new home.
Cinder hooted excitedly, taking in all of the new sights and smells around her as she climbed around her father's arms. A spirited one if one could say. Cornelius on the other hand was still slightly distraught from being away from his father but was doing better in Tinker's care. The small male peeked curiously from Tinker's arms at the rambunctious Cinder.
Just then a wild troop of excited little apes ran past them, all jabbering and jostling each other playfully. Rocket and Tinker couldn't help but be envious of the little ones. Despite the rigors of the climb, the little apes still had energy left over to run and tumble and explore this glorious new playground.
Both Cinder and Cornelius eyed the other ape children with interest. Cinder was already climbing down from her father's arms, eager to join in on the fun that they were having. The little ape child stopped short to look back up at her companion, still sitting in her mother's arms and let out a small hoot at him.
Cornelius was a little more hesitant. He looked back up at Tinker who smiled warmly at him and rubbed down the small of his back comfortingly.
"It is okay, Cornelius. I will be right here," Tinker promised the child.
It took Cornelius a little moment and a bit of patience but eventually he was able to climb down from Tinker and uncertainly peered back up at his ward. He was torn between joining Cinder and the other ape children or staying in the safety of his caretaker's arms. Since he had been removed from his father once more, Cornelius had become distant and rarely ventured from Tinker's side. Tinker more than understood Cornelius' situation and did what she could to indulge the young prince during Caesar's current absence, but she knew that the young one could not cling to hers or Caesar's side forever. For they all need to learn, grow and live free, starting with being independent.
Tinker smiled gently at Cornelius and nodded at Cinder and the other children, encouraging him to go play. Cornelius once more seemed hesitant to move again but succumbed to the temptation of play and reached out to take Cinder's outstretched hand. Together the two scurried off in search of fun and adventure with the others.
Rocket's hand wrapped itself around Tinker's body and pulled her close, holding her firm.
"I wish Cornelia, Blue Eyes and many of our other brothers and sisters were here to see this," Tinker signed with shaky hands. "They would have loved it."
"I agree," Rocket gestured as well. "But all we can do now is keep their memories with us."
"Yes, we will not forget them and their sacrifices," Tinker agreed. "They will be remembered in our history. Our stories, so that new apes in the future will learn of what happened and what our struggles and loss were."
Rocket nodded solemnly and leaned his head atop Tinker's and held her body firmly close to his.
"I will need to leave soon," Rocket signed after a long moment of silence.
"I know," Tinker replied back as tears rolled down her cheeks and turned to look up at Rocket.
A pang of guilt clenched within Rocket's chest but he needed to leave and find the others. He and Ash were the only other ones who knew exactly where their human friends were but Rocket decided that son was needed here, to look after the apes should something happen. He didn't want to leave his family at all, but he needed to make sure. Reaching up, Rocket slowly wiped away Tinker's tears.
"Just… just make sure that you come back… That you all come back," Tinker signed. "Please come back safe. I don't know how much more loss we can handle."
Rocket leaned down and gave Tinker a gentle kiss upon the lips before pulling back slowly.
"I promise to do what I can to bring our friends back, safe and sound," Rocket answered. "And come back to you and our children."
As the two separated from each other, with Rocket just about to leave, the bald chimpanzee was surprised to see another ape standing not too far from him, with arms crossed.
"I guess we are leaving now," Grey signed.
"We?" Rocket repeated.
...
Adjusting the backpack he was wearing and traveling on the path within the Redwood Forest, Blue Eyes heard the low rumbling just up ahead. His spirits lifted slightly as he knew that he was coming closer to his destination. The rumbling grew louder and louder, right until a giant waterfall came into view for the chimpanzee. The white water cascading down a sheer rock face nestled deep in the primeval wilderness, falling hundreds of feet into the river below.
Home.
Or what used to be home, before the apes were all attacked and…
During his train of thought to himself Blue Eyes had grimaced while he held his head and hissed as pain flared through his skull. Memories, painful memories flashed through his mind as he was reminded of that night where everything went wrong. Taking in a sharp breath through gritted teeth, Blue Eyes folded in on himself where he stood. He stayed like that for a few moments before the pain finally subsided, allowing him to straighten himself back up, while taking in a few deep breaths of the misty air.
At that moment, he could then recall the events that had happened just earlier.
It had been several weeks now, since Blue Eyes was found by both Nicholas and Maxwell. With their help, the chimpanzee was able to recover well and learn many things from the two of them. Things that could prove to be useful, especially where it could come to help apes. Blue Eyes just found it interesting that he was lucky enough to strike a friendship with other humans who were not hostile towards apes, or didn't really care and only wanted to survive this world that they lived in.
With the two humans, Blue Eyes had again found it very interesting at how similar they all were with each other. To each their own, they had dreams and goals that they wanted to reach. Had burdens to carry, and worries that either was or wasn't important in their life. They joked and laughed, got emotional and angry at the life that they were dealt with. But the reality of it all, it just pointed out again that they were all not so different from each other after all.
Eventually, the day had come when the three had decided to leave the city and were now making their way across the Golden Gate Bridge.
"Are you sure you don't want to just stay with us?" Nicholas asked as he looked at Blue Eyes through the rearview mirror of their vehicle. "We can probably find a real doctor who can help you. And then after that, we can take you to your family, wherever they are."
"I cannot," Blue Eyes answered quietly. "I must go alone to find my kind and you both must go back to yours as well."
At that, it looked like Nicholas was going to reply but held his tongue and nodded slowly.
"Yeah… I guess you're right," the man finally responded.
As much as Blue Eyes appreciated the two humans and their help, he needed to get back to his family and friends, wherever they are. Not only that, Blue Eyes could tell that the other two were needing to get back to their own as well.
After all, family is everything that one can have.
Once they had reached the other side of the bridge and had made it to the edge of the forest, everyone got out of the vehicle.
"Will you be fine out there?" Nicholas asked Blue Eyes.
The chimpanzee turned to look at the forest that he's called home and knew it very well. For humans, it was just a forest, full of danger and the unknown. For apes, it was their home, their safe haven.
"Yes," Blue Eyes answered as he rounded back to look at the man.
"He'll be fine!" Maxwell had said loudly walking up to Blue Eyes and giving the ape several pats on the shoulder. "Remember, this guy's a tough sonuvabitch. He'll be okay."
Nicholas eyed his friend before turning to look at Blue Eyes who was staring quizzically at Maxwell, still not understanding the word. Sighing, Nick couldn't help but chuckle at his friend.
"Alright then, but before you go," Nicholas started before quickly turning around on the spot and making his way back to the vehicle.
Blue Eyes waited until the man found what he was looking for and quickly jogged back to them, something held in his hands.
"Here," Nicholas said as he put the thing around Blue Eyes and helped strapped it onto the ape. "This is a military grade tactical backpack. I've added some rations and other supplies within it for your journey," he continued. "Remember the things I told you before, about us soldiers surviving out here?"
At that, Blue Eyes did remember what Nicholas had told him and nodded back.
"Well, it's got mostly all of the stuff within it. Just essentials and what not. Max and I told you what those things can do and hopefully it'll help," Nicholas finished.
Reaching upward, Blue Eyes adjusted the straps to the backpack and patted down the strange material in front of his chest. He wasn't sure what it was for, but looked up at the man and nodded.
"Here!" Maxwell cut in and then tied something to the left strap on Blue Eyes. "That's my gift to you. It's my lucky knife! Hope it can help you on your way."
Blue Eyes reached out to the holster containing the blade and pulled it out to look at it. The knife was black with silvery edges and was just big enough for Blue Eyes to handle without much trouble.
Placing the blade back into its holster, Blue Eyes glanced back up at the two humans before him. Reaching up one at a time, Blue Eyes placed their brows together for a long moment before finally pulling back to meet their gaze once more.
"Thank you. Both of you," Blue Eyes said quietly. "I will never forget you two. Nicholas. Maxwell."
At that Nicholas smiled warmly in return while Maxwell simply crossed his arms and smirked.
"May your journey bring you back to your friends and family, safely," Nicholas said to the chimp.
"Yeah, that, and if there is anyone that is going to be trouble for ya, just kick their asses," Maxwell added.
Blue Eyes still didn't understand fully what the other man had meant but judging by his demeanor, he got a grasp of it.
"I guess this is goodbye then," Nicholas said after a moment.
"Stay safe, baldy. It was fun getting to know you," Maxwell said as well.
"Goodbye," Blue Eyes responded with a smile on his lips.
With that, the group had become two; one lone chimpanzee, making his way into the forest beyond and two humans getting in their vehicle and were on the road again.
As the memory faded and with him finally recovering enough to move again, Blue Eyes continued forward.
Remembering the path that his father had guided him and the rest of the ones that were tasked to find their new home, Blue Eyes made his way toward the outer edges of the falls. When they had first entered the place, he and the others were greeted with the hoots and laughter of the young ape children, who were chased by their mothers or caretakers. The warriors back then would have made their way to their families and embraced them in kind.
Now the only thing that greeted Blue Eyes was the dark empty cavern with moss carpeting the rough stone floors and its walls.
Blue Eyes honestly did not know why he came back here. Maybe he had hoped that the apes were still here for whatever reason and were waiting for him? But he was only setting himself up for disappointment. Of course, it would be illogical for them to stay, given the events that had transpired here.
Why would they wait for someone who was supposedly dead?
Making his way through the cavern, Blue Eyes observed the many things that were strewn about the cavern floor. Without much preparation, the apes had to leave some supplies behind as they must have quickly evacuated the premises. Sighing to himself, Blue Eyes knew that the journey to their new home, unprepared, would be an arduous one. Heaving out a breath, Blue Eyes continued onward.
The closer he got to the cavern that held his family, the faster Blue Eyes' own heart hammered within his chest. With every step he took, inching him closer and closer toward his destination, Blue Eyes could feel his arms and legs become numb and shake under his weight. He wasn't sure why he was heading back into that area. But for some odd reason, he felt a pull and strange tug at his being that wanted him to go there.
A dwelling, located in the upper levels of the cliff, hidden behind the cascading sheets of the waterfall, was the room that housed the royal ape family. Entering the cave quietly, Blue Eye made his way into the middle of the area. Looking around, it was as if Blue Eyes had remembered it, with everything in its place.
As it should be.
However, as Blue Eyes turned his gaze to the other far end of the cavern, he could make out just the faintest of the dark colors of blood that painted the rocky ground floor. Making his way over to the spot, Blue Eyes knelt down and placed a palm onto the spot where he and his mother were, after they were-
Blue Eyes suddenly felt warmth running down his cheeks. With a blink, he felt more warm liquid trailing down his face and reached up to touch them. Pulling his fingers back, Blue Eyes could see that the tips of his fingers were wet, not by the spraying mist of the waterfall, but but the tears that were falling from his own eyes. As he realized this, Blue Eyes could feel his chest tighten as his vision started to go blurry with more oncoming tears.
Wrapping his arms around himself, Blue Eyes broke down.
Blue Eyes sobbed to himself as he was reminded of the events that had transpired within this very room. For the loss of his mother. For the disappointment of his abilities to not be able to protect himself nor his loved ones from harm. For everything that had happened to everyone else that he's ever known.
His cries of sorrow were drowned out by the raging roar of the waterfall.
Eventually, Blue Eyes found himself out by the falls once more, standing idly, by the riverside. He looked past the trees above and right at the clear blue sky. Whatever that pull was for Blue Eyes, that led him back to the cave. It is gone now. It was as if he felt lighter, like something was removed from him when he was found by the river so long ago.
And now he needed to move forward.
Reaching up to touch the fractured stone necklace that was tied around his neck, Blue Eyes took one last glance back at the hidden fortress that hid the apes for so long. After a few moments, Blue Eyes had let go of the necklace, hefted the backpack he was carrying and made his way out of the forest.