The Next Day
Geleel walked through the playroom as he noticed Caesar was sitting where the ape man would usually sit with Maurice.
He smiled at his brother as he was going to go up there and join him soon.
Cleo chittered to Geleel as she hugged him swiftly from the side.
She hooted at him in hopes of getting him to play with her, it'd been a while since they played…as Geleel grew older, she noticed he had been more distant, but these past few days he'd been smiling more, all thanks to that new chimp.
"I'll play with you today Cleo I promise." Geleel hooted at her with a smile as she returned it and let him go.
The ape man then swiftly made his way up the rock foundation and found a seat besides Caesar.
"Hello brother." Caesar signed to Geleel as they brought their foreheads together in greeting.
"Freedom…is finally upon us." Geleel signed back as they took note of how much happier the apes seemed since last night…even Rocket seemed a bit more spirited and less aggressive than before.
"Yes…soon we will escape and free apes from Gen-Sys too, no ape will see life in a cage after this." Caesar vowed as his brother smiled at him, that was their one mission right now, ape liberation.
Their conversation was broken up when Cornelia poured some water into her hand and presented the empty bottle to Caesar in hopes of getting him to play.
Caesar huffed out a laugh at her playfulness before politely declining her request to play.
Geleel gave his brother a knowing look…much like-
Suddenly Maurice's form sat down besides Caesar before they could continue any conversation.
The two young males greeted the wise Orangutan who seemed to be perplexed at the moment.
"Why cookie Rocket?" He signed to Caesar after removing the stick he had in his mouth.
Caesar thought it over, he didn't really know how to sign it out, unity was the key to everything…but he needed a simple way to say that.
The chimp then grabbed the stick Maurice had in his hand.
Geleel was confused when Caesar snapped the stick in half, even Maurice was shocked if his widened eyes were any indication.
"Apes alone…weak." Caesar began as he broke the stick into much smaller pieces.
"Apes together…strong!" Caesar finished as he tried to break the sticks to no avail this time.
Geleel smiled silently at that…Caesar was definitely Alpha's son, judging by the nobility of that virtue; the apes were unstoppable just so long as they stuck together on this quest for freedom.
It was true…apes together- Geleel's thoughts were interrupted by a loud screech as his head snapped towards it.
Caesar and Maurice turned to the commotion as well as they all watched with wary expressions.
Three chimpanzees were attacking one male chimpanzee because he had accidentally splashed water at them.
All that unity was seemingly temporary if something that miniscule had caused a fight.
The buzzer rang as the chimps had broken up the fight, playtime was cut short, it would appear that Cleo wasn't going to get her promise fulfilled Geleel thought as the apes began going back to their cages.
Maurice sighed as Geleel and Caesar turned to him with solemn expressions.
"Apes stupid." Maurice said with an exasperated expression before bounding off of the foundation.
Caesar shut his eyes in anguish, he really thought they were getting somewhere with this quest.
"Hey, we didn't come all this way to give up now, we have to keep trying." Geleel signed to Caesar as the latter drew in a breath and nodded.
"You're right…we just have to think." Caesar said as they looked around the playroom in thought.
Caesar's eyes then locked onto the keypad on the door where only the humans could go in.
"Do you know the combination to that lock?" Caesar questioned Geleel who nodded, Emilia had given it to him years ago…he never forgot it.
"Why?" Geleel questioned Caesar.
"We're leaving tonight." Was Caesar's cryptic response as Geleel was puzzled by that, but ultimately complied, he was sure Caesar had a new plan, but he'd wait to figure it out.
Night Time
Sure enough, Caesar and Geleel were in front of the door whilst the latter was punching the code in.
They made sure the humans weren't paying attention and swiftly slipped out of their cages to come out here.
Geleel gets the door open as they immediately make their way up the stairs and begin to open the atrium with a lever.
Caesar then led Geleel to the dome as they both climbed up to the atrium of itself whilst the former exited the glass sphere and slid down first.
Geleel couldn't believe it as he pulled himself out of the atrium…even though it was night time, he could hardly believe he got to see the outside world after all these years.
He took a deep breath to really bask in the fact that he was technically free right now…this wasn't the beautiful jungle he grew up in but…it was open space, it wasn't, a cage.
Caesar hooted softly to remind him that they were on time crunch and had to move fast.
Geleel immediately nodded and began sliding down the atrium.
"Where will we go?" Geleel signed to his brother as they began ascending onto the roof of Landon's office.
"The house I grew up in." Caesar signed as they quietly exited the zoo and began moving slowly at first.
"Why?" Geleel questioned Caesar.
"Because…it is the only way to free the apes." Caesar signed before bounding off on all fours.
Geleel was puzzled by this, he wasn't sure what was in Caesar's house that could help them right now but, up until now his brother had given him no reason not to trust him.
So naturally, the ape man began running after Caesar, easily catching up as they ran side by side.
Caesar's House
The two males were perched in a tree as they made sure not to make themselves too noticeable, it was night time but, if any human was to spot a large chimpanzee and a wild looking human with only some tattered pants on…it would lead to a very difficult situation to get out of.
"This is…my home." Caesar formally introduced Geleel to his house.
The ape man immediately locked onto the window at the top of the house…it was the same symbol Caesar drew on the wall…everything made sense now.
"Will's medicine made our mother smart, and it inherently made me smart, if we can give that medicine to other apes, we have a much better chance at escaping." Caesar finally revealed his plan to Geleel as the latter understood it.
It was a smart plan, the apes couldn't stay unified or be of any use if they weren't intelligent.
Geleel and Caesar then silently got into the house through an open window.
The chimpanzee made his way into Will's room as the latter slept next to his wife, Caroline Arahna.
Geleel for whatever reason had stumbled upon Will's living room.
He never thought he'd end up in this man's home…their last meeting ended with Geleel beating Will relentlessly and the ape man being put on the floor with the use of a tranquilizer.
However, he knew better now, Will was not the enemy, he was just someone trying to help people…but he was doing it all wrong.
Geleel then picked up a picture frame as he was extra careful not to make any noise.
He held the picture up in the moonlight as he noticed it was an image of Will hugging a young Caesar.
Geleel couldn't help but smile at this…Caesar was really raised by this man, their love was real.
Perhaps the chance that Malu took on accepting Geleel was the same one Will had to make with Caesar…no one told either of them they had to adopt an individual of a different species but…their hearts made them do it.
Geleel gently placed the picture down as he noticed Caesar enter the room.
Caesar grunted in exasperation as Geleel signed a question mark to him.
"Usually Will has the medicine in the form of liquid…I've never seen them in this can form." Caesar signed as he presented the silver cans to Geleel who grabbed one to examine it.
'ALZ-113.' Geleel mentally stated as he read the can in hopes of finding any instructions.
'Pull this lever to release the gas, warning, this experimental drug may be harmful to humans, make sure you are wearing a CDC approved mask when operating the drug.' Geleel read in his head as he sighed, it was risky but…he had to do it.
So of course, he pressed down on the lever and a mist was released into the air.
Caesar was shocked by this as the mist floated into his mouth and nose.
He then looked at Geleel with squinted eyes as the latter shrugged at him, reading was a skill he thanked Emilia for teaching him.
"Maybe…the gas is better than the needles." Geleel signed as Caesar couldn't help but agree.
With the liquid medicine, they could run out of doses…and injecting every ape individually sounded way too chaotic and time consuming.
"We have to go, now." Caesar signed as he realized how late it was getting, they had no more time to waste.
They definitely left in a louder manner than they came, both males had jumped onto the hood of a ford Mustang, not even caring when the grill of the car fell off.
The brothers took off through the trees as the car alarm went off, it was time to reform the apes at San Bruno shelter.
Inside the Zoo…
After sneaking back in, Caesar had another plan that involved stabbing the cans directly in the middle and rolling them forward so that the gas could make the other apes smarter.
"I hope it releases slowly enough…" Geleel signed to Caesar as the chimp stabbed both cans and rolled them down the hall.
Somehow all this commotion did not wake up all the other apes.
The gas rose all around Geleel and Caesar as every sleeping ape in the shelter was getting a dose of it…
Caesar and Geleel gave each other a glance; they both hoped that everything would work out the way they wanted it to…if it did work out, there was genuinely nothing stopping them this time.
The Next Morning
Both Geleel and Caesar were already up, they were up the earliest because they were eager to see if their plan had worked.
"Come on you dumb monkeys! Get up! Rise and shine!" Dodge shouted as he banged his baton against the cages, per usual.
The apes in the zoo rose up…but everything felt…different.
This wasn't how they felt normally, it was like they were reborn, the realization that they were actually…beings was apparent, they weren't just dumb animals that belonged behind a cage, they were sentient beings.
Geleel and Caesar sat idly by as the apes had seemingly gained a newfound sense of identity.
Dodge and Rodney then opened the top cages…it was time to go outside and check every ape's eyes, Caesar had made it clear to Geleel, if their eyes were not green, the drug did not work.
They both stood on respective sides of the playroom entrance as the apes came through one by one.
The first chimpanzee was Cleo, Geleel held her chin up to face him, her once hazel colored eyes were now a deep forest green, he nodded to her before allowing her to go.
The next ape was Wolfie the chimpanzee, he looked to both Geleel and Caesar as they took note of his green eyes and let him pass.
Then out came Rocket, Caesar held him by the chain as he noticed the former's once tantalizing brown gaze was now a light green.
Caesar tapped Rocket's cheek softly with his knuckles, allowing the bald chimp to pass.
Then out came Maurice as his eyes had thankfully turned green as well.
Maurice grunted in thanks to both Geleel and Caesar, he wanted them to feel appreciated for granting the apes this intelligence.
He nodded to both young males before walking forward…they stared at his red furred back as they prepared to inspect the rest of the apes.
Caesar had asked Geleel how fast he suspected that the apes could learn sign language with this newfound intelligence.
Geleel didn't know, but of course they were going to try in order to find out.
The ape man and the chimpanzee both stood side by side in front of the army of apes.
They both grunted and barked out different orders, the apes seemed to understand them.
Geleel had taught them the sign for hold, which he knew would prove detrimental in the near future.
As they continued to bark out orders, Wolfie chittered a bit before gesturing behind Caesar and Geleel.
They both turned around slowly to notice it was none other than John Landon eyeing them suspiciously.
The ape man secretly signed for the apes to begin acting dumb and incoherent again…all the while he and Caesar continued staring at Landon.
Landon shook his head…he had given up, they thought as he walked away.
The two young males then turned back to the ape army.
Caesar let out two grunts as the apes got back into place and stood in position.
The ape leader and Geleel, who was practically his right hand man at this point began discussing the plan to escape…and that plan involved Caesar standing up to their human oppressors.
Geleel had hoped Caesar was prepared for this…because if things went wrong the revolution would be over before it even began.
Later
Dodge and Rodney had rang the buzzer so every ape was inside of their respective pens now.
Every ape except for one sole Chimpanzee and one stubborn ape man.
It didn't take long for Dodge to take note of Caesar standing in the middle of the playroom with a sneer.
Dodge was shocked to say the least…but he was also pissed so naturally, he made his way into the playroom.
"Rodney, get to the platform now!" He shouted urgently into his walkie talkie as he approached Caesar who was making no incentive to back down.
"Rodney!" Dodge urged the man again.
The blond haired boy then brandished his baton as he advanced Caesar once more.
"What the hell is your problem, huh?" Dodge question Caesar as the latter bared his teeth slightly.
"Go…get back in your cage." Dodge urged Caesar as if he was a dog, but the ape didn't budge.
A sudden thud drew Dodge's attention as he realized Geleel had dropped down from the tree…he didn't even know the ape man was in here too.
"What is this?" Dodge questioned with a disbelieving chuckle, Caesar and Gelee were certainly not amused.
"I'll give both of you 10 seconds…to get back to your cages." Dodge said as he lost his laughter, he was dead serious now.
"I'm warning you…" Dodge said as he feigned a strike at Caesar with his baton, the chimp was not phased.
Geleel eyed Dodge irately, Caesar had to show strength so he wouldn't step in for his brother unless things became life threatening.
"After I'm done with him, you're next." Geleel heard Dodge say as he gestured the baton towards the ape man.
"As for you…well…" Dodge then grunted loudly before jamming the baton into Caesar's shoulder causing the chimp to yelp in pain of being electrocuted.
Geleel yelled in anger as Dodge continued to prod at Caesar's body with the button, an electric spark following each time.
The other apes had begun screeching and hooting loudly as Dodge continued attacking their leader.
"Dumb monkey!" Dodge shouted as he swung the baton at Caesar.
Unfortunately for him he missed completely, Caesar had swiftly dodged the attack.
Dodge was growing more and more angry as he noticed the other apes hooting and screeching loudly.
He then grunted again as he brought his arm back to hit Caesar with the baton only for the chimp to shock him by catching his hand and holding it in that firm chimp grip.
"Take your stinking paws off me you damn dirty ape!" Dodge shouted in sheer anger as he tried to rip his arm out of Caesar's grip.
Caesar's face had grown into one of pure anger and disdain as his chest rose up and he was seemingly gathering a breath.
The entire world seemed to fall silent for the briefest moment as no one was prepared for what was about to happen…not even Geleel.
"NOOO!" Caesar shouted…he actually shouted out loud, and defied Dodge's wishes.
The zoo actually fell silent for quite a while this time…no one could believe what had just transpired…the other apes, Dodge, Rodney on the platform, Buck in his cage…even Geleel was so shocked and taken back by the fact that an ape had just spoken for the first time…
This moment was surely to be etched into ape history for generations to come.
Then without so much as another word, Caesar swiftly slapped Dodge across the face with the baton, knocking the latter unconscious.
Then the screeching began again, every ape was showing their support for Caesar.
Caesar had seemingly shocked himself even, was he in disbelief of his own speech?
He quickly got over that surprise as he turned to the caged apes who were still hooting and beating against their cages in triumph.
"NO!" Caesar shouted loudly again as he ran up to the cages.
"NO! NO! NO!" He continued to shout that word as he held onto Dodge's baton.
Geleel's confusion and shock at Caesar's speech was subsiding…the chimp wasn't just shouting no because that was the only word he knew…it was deeper than that.
He was shouting no because this would be the last day apes were treated like prisoners, no to oppression, no to abuse, no to brutality against apes, no to cages.
"NO! NO! NO! NO!" Geleel then began shouting the word as well, him and Caesar both pumping their fists and chests at the apes…the revolution was upon them.
Caesar then grabbed Dodge's collar as he began dragging his unconscious body into the cage area.
Geleel followed as they both loaded him into a cage, they didn't want to kill him even though he was a psychopath that mistreated the apes…but, their quest was for freedom, not revenge.
So that's what they began to do, they began setting every ape free one by one.
As the cages opened, the apes all scurried out and took in the fact that they were practically free.
Caesar stopped at Rocket's cage as they shared a staredown…the bald chimp half expected Caesar to leave him caged out of spite…but when his new leader freed him, he knew his decision was made for him, he would remain loyal to him for life.
Geleel opened Cleo's cage as she immediately thanked him for freeing her.
He then brought their foreheads together as a sign of gratitude before swiftly moving on to Cornelia's cage.
The ape man noticed that it was empty and locked…the Gen-Sys tag told him everything he had to know, the scientists had taken Cornelia.
Geleel growled to himself in annoyance, he didn't want to make the journey to freedom without her.
Before Geleel could think on this situation some more he heard Rodney shriek out in terror as he was being attacked by a group of apes.
Both Caesar and Geleel sprung into action as they yelled at the apes to cease attacking Rodney.
Geleel looked down at Rodney's quivering body…he was nice to them, he didn't deserve to be treated like such.
The ape man pulled Rodney up by his arm as he and Caesar ushered the man into a cage softly, just as long as he complied he'd be alright.
A sudden movement causes all of the apes to snap towards it, they quickly realize it was Dodge…he had regained consciousness.
Dodge reached down for the hose that was at his feet; unfortunately for him, Geleel had swiftly pulled the hose away from him.
Caesar swiftly picked up the hose as Dodge growled in annoyance at the ape army.
He then swiftly picked up the stun baton that Caesar had dropped, powering it on at the same time.
"I swear I'm gonna skin each and every one of you!" He shouted as he prepared to utilize the weapon.
Caesar then turned the hose on as the powerful stream went directly at Dodge.
The water mixed with the electricity caused Dodge to be electrocuted…he was basically killed where he stood.
When his limp body dropped to the floor; Caesar breathed heavily in realization, he…he had killed someone.
The other apes ran over to Dodge's deceased body and began inspecting it.
Geleel brought a hand to his brother's shoulder…he knew the ape hadn't killed someone before…and he never wanted to.
"No more death…from now on." Geleel vowed to his little brother in sign.
Caesar drew in a breath before making his face serious once more.
They still had a mission…a revolution to complete.
Caesar ran to the top of the steps as he began opening the atrium.
Geleel stood in the middle of the atrium as he grunted loudly.
"Females and young go first! Everyone go! Go!" Geleel hooted as all of the apes began climbing up the tree and out of the dome in the order that Geleel designated.
Suddenly a loud clang drew Geleel's attention as he turned to notice Buck bounding out of his cage with a roar.
The gorilla ran up the tree, freedom felt even better when he broke through that dome and felt the cold outside world's air.
Geleel then realized that Caesar was nodding to him…he couldn't help but smile at his brother before climbing the tree himself.
When he made it out of that dome he saw Caesar waiting for him.
He promised him freedom…and freedom was granted to him.
They both watched as the ape army ran away from the zoo, the city was off in the distance, but that wasn't their goal…their goal was the Redwoods, that was freedom.
Caesar huffed to his brother before they leaped off the building and bounded forward, they had to get to the front and lead the apes towards freedom.
Chapter Fin
A.N.-The Next Chapter will be the last canonical chapter for Rise of the Planet of the Apes(2011). The chapters that follow will give a bit of exigence before Dawn of the Planet of the Apes(2014) begin.