4 years later, Muir Woods
Four long years of fighting…yes, the ape colony had seen four more years of fighting since Emilia and Gabrielle joined the tribe.
Six years in total since the original great ape escape, and no matter how many years has passed, it seemed the human resistance was never going to truly be finished.
Fortunately for the colony, the past year they had seen a significant decrease in human attacks at the border…they didn't know when all the fighting would cease completely but, any decrease was a good sign to them.
This decrease had actually begun two years prior but last year's decrease was way more potent.
In this time of semi-peace, the apes had the perfect time to design what many would call a kingdom or a utopia…but Geleel prefered to call it home.
They had created many wooden huts, a tool making area, a stable-like area for their horses…yes horses, the apes had bred a small herd of horses, a wide array of species too.
Perhaps the most striking part of the ape kingdom was the entrance, it was a clearing created with the use of the gorillas and their strength…the entrance was then crowned off with the window symbol Caesar loved so dearly, it had become somewhat of a beacon of hope to all apes in the tribe.
The tribe's home was deep in the woods, even if the human's got past Luca's gorilla guard, they would have a long trek to search for the colony after.
Geleel, now about the age of twenty-six, walked through the village with Gabrielle's hand in his, the young girl had grown a bit from the wide eyed five year old he had met all those years back…that's right, she was nine years old now.
The ape man couldn't help but smile to himself…he still remembered telling her that he was her father like it was yesterday.
He was ghastly terrified that she would reject the idea and call him a liar or something…but when she ran to him and leaped into his arms with the most entrancing laughter he had ever heard, after her mother ofcourse…he knew that this was really it, life's peak, Gabrielle was really her father's child.
He then looked down at her as she fiddled with the rock she had picked up some time on her journey, Geleel had to admit, the kid was even more inquisitive than he was at her age.
The ape man looked straight ahead once more as they continued on their journey, they were supposed to meet up with Caesar, Rocket, and a group of Chimps who were setting up a mission.
Geleel was pulled out of his thoughts when he heard an anguished chuff, his head immediately snapped towards it as he instantly noticed the all too familiar white fur of his son, Winter.
Something was wrong with the young gorilla though, as he sat solemnly by himself, a spear slung by his side.
Ever since he was integrated into Geleel's family, they had all known, even Gabrielle had realized it, but Winter was terribly shy in any and every situation that required confrontation.
Despite the fact Winter was about 7 or 8 years old now, which were the early adult years of a gorilla, he was still family to Geleel, so naturally, the ape man had led his daughter over to Winter.
"Winter." Geleel said out loud as Winter almost leaped out of his seat in shock and surprised.
Gabrielle looked from her father to her brother in utter confusion, why did Winter seem so jumpy this morning?
The ape man arched his brow in confusion as he watched Winter mentally try and calm his nerves…he must've been lost in deep thought or something.
"Hello father." Winter signed to his father who nodded at him.
The albino gorilla then tilted his head down at Gabrielle, even though he was logically younger than her, his genealogy had caused him to evidently be much larger than her, he was a gorilla, she was a human child.
"Gabrielle." Winter then signed to his sister as she beamed at him, she was still confused as to why he was so jumpy but, she would never frown at her brother, she loved him too much.
"What is the matter Winter? Why do you look so lost right now?" Geleel questioned his son who averted his gaze…he was embarrassed to explain why he was so out of it.
"It is nothing father." Winter lied as he signed slowly.
"Winter." Geleel stated his name in a tone that let him know he wasn't buying the lie…his father was determined to get the truth out of him.
Winter closed his eyes and drew in a deep breath…he opened them again as he faced his father once more.
"The other apes…do not want to hunt with me." Winter finally admitted as Geleel frowned at that.
"Why?" He questioned the gorilla, he could not see why they would not want his son on hunts, Winter wasn't as big as Luca is or Buck was but he was still a pretty powerful ape for his age…
"They said my white fur is too noticeable and that I would be a liability to them on every hunt…said I would be better off leaving the tribe because I…am useless." As Geleel paid attention to his son's signing, he grew more and more irate with every second that passed.
Gabrielle looked up at her father with a wary expression as she could physically feel and see him tensing up in sheer anger.
Geleel was seething with anger, the colony was supposed to accept and treat every ape with equal respect, yet here they were shunning his son because he was different…
Gabrielle then pulled her eyes away from her father as she looked back to her brother who held his head low once more, tears coming to his eyes.
Winter didn't deserve that, he was her brother, as far as she was concerned, he was the best gorilla ever! White fur and all.
Geleel let out a deep and drawn out breath before opening his eyes, brown orbs were trained onto Winter's downtrodden form.
The ape man gently cupped his son's chain as the latter inadvertently sobbed.
Winter's eyes were moist with tears as his green orbs locked onto his father's.
"Winter, as I've told you since you were below my knees, you are the only one who can write your story…no other ape can do that, we are all different in many ways, but the strength that lies within here…" Geleel trailed off as he placed his free hand onto Winter's heart.
"Can never be taken away from us, you must not let the words of others stop you from achieving your true potential." Geleel continued as Winter took in another deep breath and nodded to his father, he was trying to be strong now.
"Wipe your tears, you never let them see you cry." Geleel said as Winter immediately swiped his forearm across his own face.
"Puff out your chest and square those shoulders." The ape man continued instructing Winter as his son complied.
"Look me in the eyes and make sure you get this message son, you are strong, and once you remain persistent and humble, nobody, ape or human, can tell you otherwise." Geleel finished as he made sure Winter understood him thoroughly.
The gorilla nodded and stood tall now, his spark had been rekindled slightly, leave it to his father to always know what to say to remind him of his power.
"Thank you, father." Winter then signed before picking up his spear.
"Don't thank me Winter, just continue being strong and writing your own story." Geleel said as he smiled at his son.
Winter nodded to him, letting his father know the information was relayed.
Gabrielle smiled up at both of them, she was saddened when she first saw the state her brother was in…but her father bringing his spirits back up was the perfect shot of serotonin for her.
She then took her left hand out of her father's grip much to the latter's confusion.
"Winter." Gabrielle called his name as he looked at her expectantly.
The curly haired girl then pointed at him and beat against her chest lightly, letting him remember how strong he truly was.
Winter smiled at her before lightly beating against his chest as well.
He was so happy to have this family…sure he knew they weren't biologically his family but…he wouldn't trade them in for any other family, they gave him hope.
Geleel and Gabrielle then said their goodbyes to Winter before turning to get back on their journey.
The ape man was content with what he had just done, he couldn't help but look at his adoptive son and think of his own story.
Both of his parents were tragically taken from the world…just like Winter's…he would be damned if he let anyone bring his son's spirit down because they felt the need to.
After a short moment had passed, Gabrielle silently tugged on her father's hand whilst they were walking.
"Look father." She stated out loud as she pointed to the unfinished ape school.
It was an idea Emilia and Maurice had come up with together, it was an easy way to teach the younger generations of apes how to speak sign language and what certain letters meant.
Throughout her four years in the tribe, Emilia had garnered the respect of many apes due to her ideas, kind hearted nature, and all around innovativeness.
While Geleel was accepted by the apes for his compassion and battle prowess, Emilia had earned her stay due to her inventive nature, she was the one that designed the idea of some new weapons and even the one that started an agricultural practice for the apes.
All of this had earned her a spot on Caesar's ape council alongside her husband, Maurice, Rocket, Luca, Koba, a chimpanzee named Grey and another chimp named Stone.
Gabrielle thought both of her parents being on the ape council for different reasons was the greatest thing ever…she vowed one day to do something so memorable that she'd earn a spot on the council…it was her dream for whatever reason.
Geleel and Gabrielle finally made it to the destination they had set out to be in the first place.
They watched as Caesar, Rocket, Stone, Grey, a relatively sizable number of chimpanzees, Maka, Talon, and two other gorillas were setting up for their mission.
"Caesar." Geleel called his brother's name as the latter peeled his eyes away from the horse he was prepping for the journey.
"Brother." Caesar signed as they embraced each other firmly.
The Ape King then looked down to Gabrielle with a smile which she returned.
"Hey uncle Caesar!" She stated in an exciting tone as she hugged Caesar tightly, he chuffed out a slight laugh and patted her back, the two of them had grown quite close in the past couple of years.
Geleel smiled at the relationship before his eyes, it warmed his heart to see his baby brother and his daughter being this close.
The ape men then turned as he noticed two chitters coming from his left.
He immediately noticed both Tinker and Cornelia walking towards him.
Tinker had her and Rocket's son, Ash, holding her hand as they were there to say goodbye to the bald chimp.
Cornelia, much like Tinker, had Blue Eyes' hand in hers as they had come to say goodbye to Caesar.
"Cornelia." Caesar said out loud as he immediately embraced his wife once Gabrielle had let him go.
The Ape King then grasped his son's head gently as he placed both of them into the embrace, Blue Eyes wasn't going to talk much, he just wanted his father's touch before Caesar would have to embark on this mission.
Tinker and Rocket had done their own powerful embrace as the latter now kneeled down to his son.
"Behave yourself Ash, do not give your mother any trouble." Rocket signed to his son.
"I won't father." Ash affirmed with a smile as Tinker gave him a knowing look.
The young chimp had just as much energy as his father, and when he was with Gabrielle and Blue Eyes there was no telling what kind of mischief the trio would get themselves into.
Geleel hugged Gabrielle to his side once more as they both smiled and watched the other apes say goodbye to their families…it was so beautiful yet saddening…but this wasn't really a goodbye…it was a see you soon.
Suddenly the clicking of hooves against the floor drew everyone's attention as they turned to see an all too familiar white stallion approaching them.
Geleel let out a smile as he noticed his wife riding atop her horse with some sort of paper in hand.
As soon as she got off the horse she was met with a warm embrace from her husband and daughter.
"Mama!" Garbrielle shouted as they all kept the hugging going.
"I missed you guys too." Emilia said with a chuckle as she reached into her deer hide top's pocket to fish out some berries that she had picked for the kids.
She handed some to her daughter who immediately beamed and began examining the berries.
Emilia smiled at her daughter before realizing Ash and Blue Eyes immediately advancing her once they realized the treats Gabrielle had gotten.
"Hey, slow down boys, there's enough for all of you." Emilia said with another chuckle as she handed them their own treats, which they took with gratitude before running over to Gabrielle.
Emilia and Geleel smiled at the kids before turning to each other.
"How was your journey?" Geleel questioned her.
"Oh you know, almost got mauled by a bear, accidentally walked into wolf territory…so yea, easy." Emilia said with a shrug as Geleel chuckled at her.
Despite everything that had happened to them…and despite their age, they always could find time to joke with each other.
"Did you miss me?" Emilia then questioned her husband.
"Hm, I don't know." Geleel said as he hummed in thought.
"It looks like you don't want any of these berries then." His wife threatened as he immediately straightened up.
"Okay, okay relax now." Geleel said as she chuckled at him.
"Emilia." They both turned to Caesar's gruff voice.
The Ape King had walked up to them with Cornelia, Rocket and Tinker in tow.
"Was the trip good, are you unharmed?" Cornelia questioned Emilia in sign as the latter nodded.
"The house was untouched as expected, fortunately no officers or anyone for that matter was there." Emilia revealed as they all visibly relaxed at that notion.
"Did you find what you were looking for?" Geleel questioned his wife.
"Yes…and Caesar." Emilia addressed the Ape King before reaching into her pocket once more.
She brandished a folded up paper and handed it to Caesar.
"It's a map, I drew a path for you guys to take on the mission, it will be easier to free those other apes without running into any humans." Emilia began as Caesar opened the map fully, everyone minus the former began to examine the map as they noticed the window symbol at the bottom of the map, they quickly made the inference that it represented their current location.
They then noticed a long red line that led all across the West Coast and back to them.
"The yellow marks are zoos or shelters that any apes should be at, be careful with those though, humans could still be working there, and they will not be pleased with what you all are trying to do." Emilia finished as Caesar looked up at her with a smile.
All of the other apes on the mission couldn't help but do the same.
"Thank…you." Caesar said in a halting tone, Emilia had done so much for this tribe when she didn't really have to.
But, she felt as though she did have to, if the apes were her husband's family, then they were her family too, and she'd do anything for them and her daughter.
"Of course, best wishes on that mission…" Emilia said sincerely as Geleel embraced her.
They all stood their together trying to get as much affection in for the time being…soon they would have to embark on the journey, and it was not a guaranteed return.
After finally saying their last goodbyes, Caesar, Rocket, Stone and Grey sat atop their horses.
The other apes would be making the journey on foot but they were prepared for it regardless.
After ensuring he had said goodbye to his wife and son, Caesar made sure to address his brother.
"Make sure, you make it back." Geleel said to Caesar as the latter nodded to him.
The Ape King then turned his horse around and made it walk forward slowly.
He looked back once more at his family, Cornelia, Geleel, Emilia, Blue Eyes, Ash, Gabrielle, Tinker, and all the other apes who were there were his family in a way…
They all raised their fists into the air and brought them together…this was the tribe's special sign to signify their best virtue ever.
Even the kids did the sign as they mimicked their parents.
"Apes together strong!" They signed as Caesar fully turned his head now as his horse continued walking forward.
The Ape King then raised his fist into the air as he let out a loud roar…the journey had begun.
His group began advancing behind him now as the tribe members began hooting and grunting in encouragement.
They were all wishing them a safe journey and a successful one as well.
When all the hooting and screeching had subsided a bit, Geleel turned to his wife.
"You did good, my love." Geleel complimented his wife as he raised her hands to his face and placed a kiss on both of them, stopping slightly to admire the wooden ring he had given her for her hand in marriage…the sky blue rhinestones in them contrasted her eyes perfectly.
"Thank you, I missed your touch so much." Emilia stated as she reached up and kissed her husband on the lips ever so slightly.
Their moment was broken up when they heard the sound of someone blowing a raspberry.
They both looked down to notice that it was Ash as he stood besides Blue Eyes and Gabrielle, all three of them shared the same sour expression.
"You guys are too affectionate." Ash signed perfectly as his friends nodded in agreement.
"Really, my own daughter too?" Geleel questioned Garbrielle who shrugged.
"Sorry dad, but I have to side with the boys on this one." Gabrielle said with a shrug as Geleel shook his head.
Emilia, despite being way older than the kids, had become sheepish at their comments, judging by the red tinge of embarrassment present on her face right now.
Cornelia and Tinker looked to each other with a knowing look before walking over to Emilia.
"Come Emilia, your journey was long, we will tend to you and your horse's fatigue." Cornelia signed as she and Tinker began leading the red faced Emilia away from the situation…whilst it was true that the blonde woman needed rest, this was definitely part of the distraction.
"Adults kiss too much." Blue Eyes signed to Gabrielle and Ash as they pretended to be sick at the thought
"Oh really now?" Geleel questioned his nephew who gave him a challenging smirk.
"Well how about…this!" The ape man exclaimed as he swiftly picked Blue Eyes up by the legs, eliciting a shocked screech of surprise from the young chimp as Geleel put him over his shoulder.
Geleel's feigned assault of Blue Eyes was cut short when Gabrielle and Ash both tackled him to the ground, did he make it a little more dramatic for their sake? Yes he did, but he would do anything to make them all happy, he loved these kids to no end.
"Okay, okay, you guys win!" Geleel exclaimed as they all playfully punched him and attacked different parts of his body.
"Not until you surrender!" Gabrielle shouted as she softly brought her semi closed fists down onto his chest.
The other apes in the colony watched as Geleel…one of if not their most fearsome warriors, rolled around on the floor with the three children, playing as if he was their age.
They didn't know what to make of it, how could someone be so fundamentally sound in battle…yet this lighthearted in the village.
Unfortunately for their perplexed minds…that was just who Geleel was, just cause he was a warrior did not mean he couldn't show affection to the kids.
Even though they were confused, the other apes ultimately began smiling at the sight before them…it was wholesome.
Only one ape in the crowd wasn't smiling…and ofcourse it was none other than Koba.
The scarred Bonobo watched in disgust as he still after all these years loathed Geleel, his family and anyone who loved them.
In the prior years many of the apes that had once hated Geleel had now begun to respect him and his family much to Koba's dismay.
There were still some apes like Koba who hated them but…not nearly enough in the Bonobo's eyes.
The blind ape then looked down to see his own son, Limbo, smiling at the scene before him as well.
Koba grunted to gain his son's attention, he did not want the latter to fall down the path of trusting these humans.
"Come; we must find your mother." Koba signed for his son to follow as they left the crowd.
Geleel was obvious to any of this as he continued to play with the kids on the floor…in the back of his mind he knew the next few months would be some of his hardest, he had to protect the family until Caesar and the others came back.
A Week Later
Despite the vast majority of apes worrying over Caesar and the others on their journey, the apes all knew there was still one major problem at hand; the human resistance was still there, faint, but there.
So naturally, Geleel had called an ape council meeting being that he was once again the acting Ape King.
He was happy that Gabrielle, Blue Eyes, and Ash were being taken care of by a female Chimp named Faith, they usually sat at the council meetings with their parents but, the meetings were never serious with their playful natures, but this meeting was very detrimental.
To his right Maurice, Luca and Koba sat, the latter was begrudged at the fact he was forced to sit at a meeting that was headed by Geleel but…he had no choice.
On the left side, Cornelia and Tinker were supposed to be there but they were ensuring that Faith knew how to keep the young trio of children at bay.
By Geleel's side was Emilia as she rubbed his shoulder gently, she could tell her husband was stressing about how to lead the meeting.
"What will be our next move in case the humans start making stronger attacks again?" Luca signed out.
"We can fortify the gorilla guard and start setting up more traps along the border, there must be something we can do to get them to quit." Geleel spoke out loud.
"What if that doesn't work? At some point we must find a way to avoid humanity completely…we cannot continue fighting them forever." Maurice signed to the acting Ape King who could only sigh…the Orangutan was right, even though they were WILLING to fight forever…Geleel knew they couldn't do it for the rest of their lives.
"I understand what you are saying Maurice but…we have to at least try something, we cannot just lay down and die…the best thing we can do is to keep fighting." Geleel once again spoke out loud.
"We…must…attack." Koba spoke out loud, everyone's head snapped to his shrill and hoarse voice.
"If we continue to only fight back against humans they will win, we must attack them back, kill so many of them that they would never think to come into our home ever again." Koba signed with an irate expression on his face; they couldn't understand why he was oddly eying Geleel and Emilia when he said that last part.
The plan he had proposed was not only madness, but it was virtually stupid.
"The police have guns and explosives, if we attack the city it would be suicide." Emilia spoke up, detesting the Bonobo's crazed idea.
Koba bared his teeth at her in annoyance as this caused Geleel to immediately send a glare his way.
"Enough." Geleel stopped the blind ape from causing any problems among the council.
"Emilia is right, attacking the city would only give humans more of an incentive to attack the family, we have no weapons to combat them if they decide to give us everything they've got, we have to continue playing defense before we even think about offense." Geleel explained to Koba, Emilia smiled at him, he was gradually getting better at using human sayings.
Koba didn't share the same smile Emilia had towards Geleel…he was grimacing.
He thought Geleel's decision was the decision of someone who was weak or cowardly…the ape man did not deserve the position of power he had right now.
Geleel then sighed again as he tried to regain his thoughts, Maurice placed a comforting hand on the ape man's forearm.
"We will figure things out." Maurice signed in reassurance as Geleel nodded.
Before the meeting could continue, a loud thud and screech had happened simultaneously, effectively drawing all of their attention.
Emilia was the first one to catch a glimpse of what was happening…she almost gasped when she realized what was happening.
She knew the culprit all too well as she watched a teenaged gorilla with red hair at the crown of his head bring his hand back and slap a much smaller female chimpanzee to the ground.
Now everyone on the council and all around them saw this.
Every ape began hooting and screeching in distress as the gorilla kicked the female chimp while she was down, no remorse in his form.
The gorilla's assault ceased when he had picked up a piece of fruit from the ground; it had belonged to the chimp he had just assaulted but it was his now.
"Stop being a bully Red! Give her food back!" A bonobo signed as he screeched in annoyance at the now dubbed Red.
Red roared loudly, effectively telling the other apes to back off.
They cowered in fear; Red was a large gorilla for his young age.
They instead opted to tend to the chimpanzee on the floor as her face was stained with blood from her mouth and nose; she had refused to give Red her food, but being the bully he was, he got it anyway.
Red didn't care who he had to hurt as long as he got what he wanted.
The gorilla was about to bite into the fruit only to grunt in pain as someone's shoulder was sharply driven into his side; causing him to fall to the ground with a thud, he dropped the fruit in the process.
Red shook his head in confusion as he tried to regain his surroundings, who would be crazy enough to actually initiate a fight with him?
That's when he saw him…the human, their supposed Ape King until Caesar was gone.
Geleel was paying Red no mind as he picked up the fruit and handed it to the young female chimp who was being held up by the other apes.
"Are you alright Fawn?" Geleel signed and spoke at the same time, as the now dubbed Fawn, nodded to him and sat up.
"Thank you, Geleel." Fawn signed gratefully to the ape man as he offered her a small smile and a nod.
"Make sure she gets to the healers." Geleel said this to the bonobo from earlier as he nodded.
Before anything else can be said or done, a loud roar is heard from behind Geleel as his face morphed from a smile into a deep frown…he knew Red had risen once more.
Geleel turned around fully as he stood to his full height, he didn't even seem phased when the slightly larger body of Red stood before him angrily.
"Why did you stick your snout into something that wasn't your business?" Red signed to Geleel irately as the latter continued to frown at him, brown eyes clashed with green wildly.
"Anything that happens in this family is my business, especially when one of mine is being assaulted by the likes of you." Geleel simply stated as Red's eyes widened in a crazed way.
Now the other apes surrounded the two of them, even the members of the ape council had stood up now, was Red about to challenge Geleel?
"One of your own? You are not even ape…how can you defend a weakling as your own?" Red questioned as Geleel sighed…there it was, everytime an ape like Red had a problem with him, their first dig was always about his humanity.
The situation was heating up now, Emilia couldn't keep her eyes off of the chest match between her husband and the gorilla, but that didn't stop her from tending to Fawn as she tried to inspect the young chimp's new wounds.
Luca, Maurice, Koba, Cornelia and Tinker were now right beside the two as they continued their staredown.
"You cannot question my apeness when you are less of an ape than any individual in this tribe, you're weak Red." Geleel finally answered back to Red's dig as the gorilla snarled at him.
"If you want to show everyone here who's truly weak, I challenge you…for control of the Ape Kingdom." Red finished signing as Geleel's frown deepened and every ape present began to hoot loudly in anxiousness, this was the first time a challenge for leadership was ever issued in this colony.
Cornelia, Tinker and Emilia looked around at the colony in anticipation…the whole crowd was in a frenzy, this was getting out of hand.
Luca roared loudly as he tried to quiet the crowd down, but it was to no avail…Red's challenge had riled them up way too much.
"This isn't what we should be doing right now Geleel, there are bigger matters at hand than fighting amongst ourselves." Maurice signed to his friend who once more sighed.
The Orangutan was right…they had much more dire things to worry about right now.
However…apes like Red were already a threat to the unity among the apes if his attitude was enough to cause this type of outrage from the colony.
What Maurice failed to understand was…Geleel had to accept this challenge if he wanted to protect the unity of the family…
"Do not be a coward…accept my challenge." Red signed once more with a smirk as the crowd continued the noise.
"Fight." Red spoke out loud as Geleel's frown continued to deepen.
"Okay that's enough, let's go Red." Luca signed as he stepped in between Red and Geleel.
"I…accept." Geleel finally answered as everyone minus the crowd of apes around them, fell silent.
If anything, the other apes rose in excitement as Geleel accepted the challenge.
Maurice, Luca, Cornelia, and Tinker all shared the same wide eyed expression…was this really happening?
Emilia immediately stood up Fawn when she heard what her husband said, was he insane?
Even Koba was in utter shock, he knew Geleel was brave but was the human really stupid enough to fight a gorilla one on one? Even if Red wasn't fully grown…
Red smirked at Geleel, he was going to enjoy breaking the acting Ape King in half.
"There is one condition to this challenge." Geleel began speaking again as everyone listened in, even the crowd quieted down for this part.
"Whoever comes out of this battle as the loser…must be isolated in another part of the forest…away from the rest of the family." Geleel finished as this stipulation once again sucked the air out everyone.
Koba had figured it out now…Geleel wasn't brave…he was insane.
The scarred bonobo smirked to himself, maybe this was finally the scapegoat to get rid of Geleel and his family…once and for all.
That was it, no more words between Red and Geleel had to be said, the challenge was set.
Red offered an arrogant smirk to Geleel before turning to walk off, the young gorilla was not taking this challenge seriously, it would be the lightest victory ever.
Geleel turned swiftly with an irate glare directed to no one in particular, he was already mentally prepared for the fight.
He was ignoring Maurice and Luca as they tried to get him to see reason.
Cornelia and Tinker followed after him as Emilia ran up beside her husband.
"Geleel this is not a wise fight, especially given the time it is happening." Emilia said in hopes of getting him to understand than fighting right now with a vast majority of their best warriors including Caesar AND Rocket gone.
Geleel did not listen to his wife as he continued storming through the crowd.
"Please Geleel, you DON'T have to do this." Emilia shouted as Geleel rounded on her.
"I must." He said gravely before swiftly turning again, not even giving Emilia a chance to say anything else.
She watched as he got further and further into the crowd.
Cornelia and Tinker walked up beside her as the Ape Queen placed a hand on Emilia's shoulder.
"We will go retrieve the children…before this madness begins." Cornelia signed to Emilia who nodded to her.
Tinker and Cornelia then left Emilia tonher thoughts…which were naturally plagued by the upcoming fight between her husband and Red.
Later in the Afternoon
There was no more talking…no more debating, this fight was going to happen no matter what anyone had to say.
The two combatants stood adjacent from each other in the clearing that was designated for challenges.
The entirety of the ape kingdom, save for the apes that had left with Caesar and Rocket, had formed a large crowd as they prepared to watch the red haired gorilla and the ape man clash.
Geleel stood in between two dual spears that he stuck into the ground; his eyes were closed as he was mentally preparing for the fight to begin.
The ape man dropped his deer hide shirt to the floor as his well conditioned upprt body was exposed to everyone present now, they could see every muscle and vein on Geleel's body was seizing a bit…he was not relaxed at all…but he didn't seem worried either, it was caution.
Red wasn't doing any type of mental preparation, he still didn't think this fight was worth really caring about, he beat against his chest and roared loudly, the gorilla planned to make a mockery out of the ape man before beating him.
Geleel finally raised his head as his eyes opened slowly and took in everything that was happening right now…no matter the size difference between him and Red, everyone knew when an individual was fighting for a reason or a cause…they were at their strongest mentally and physically.
The acting Ape King turned to the crowd as his eyes immediately locked onto his family…the kids looked a bit wary yet determined to support him in this fight.
His eyes traveled from Gabrielle, Ash, Blue Eyes, Cornelia, Tinker and his wife…he was doing all of this for them…for all of the other apes too, even Fawn was there to show support to Geleel despite her wounds.
Geleel then turned back to Red as his glare hardened at the young gorilla…the latter had chosen no weapon, his arrogance and confidence was admirable but…you can't win any fight if you underestimate your opponent.
The oldest ape in the colony, an Orangutan named Kaaro stepped forward.
This was part of challenge traditions, he would be the one to let them know when to begin fighting.
There were only a few rules to these type of challenges set in place, even though this was the first, the fight would continue going until someone submitted power or was physically unable to continue fighting.
There was no killing in these challenges, after a tragic incident that happened years ago, a law was set in place that prohibited apes from killing other apes, that law was 'ape not kill ape.'
Kaaro raised his orange furred arm into the air slowly.
Geleel gripped his spears firmly whilst Red dropped down to all fours.
The old Orangutan then dropped his arm as they both rocketed forward.
The ape man sprinted forward with both of his spears in hand; an irate glare never leaving his face.
Red shared the same glare as he grunted loudly and charged forward on all fours.
When they closed the gap with each other, Geleel slid under Red's body and swiped at the gorilla's underbelly.
Red grunted in pain as he accidentally flipped over Geleel and rolled backwards.
Geleel rose to one knee as he held his spears to his side and watched Red come to a stop.
The crowd erupted in noise again, Geleel had rendered the first hit in the challenge.
Despite being worried for him, he heard his wife and the rest of his family begin to cheer him on.
They had decided that their best course of action right now was to give him support because it was already happening…
Red stood up after realizing that he had actually been hit…he thought this fight was going to be simple and easy.
The gorilla rubbed the new wound on his belly as he brought his finger up to notice the blood seeping out of the wound.
Red's face had morphed from the smirk he had before to an irate glare now.
He sent the glare towards Geleel who returned it…that's when it him, the ape man really wasn't afraid of him, most of the other smaller apes were…yet this human stood before him with zero visible fear in his eyes.
Geleel had no reason to fear Red; they both bled the same…the ape man was more scared about the colony being destroyed from within by ignorance.
Red roared irately before charging at Geleel again, the latter once again utilizing the matador strategy, dodging the gorilla's charge and letting him run head first into a mound of rocks.
Another pop from the crowd had ensued when Red's head collided with the rocks.
"Come on!" Emilia shouted out as she cupped her hands to her mouth and shouted.
Cornelia and Tinker hooted loudly in support of the ape man.
"You got this dad!" Gabrielle shouted as well.
Geleel watched as Red winced in pain and stepped away from the rock mound.
His cranium now had a giant wound in it as blood profusely leaked out of it.
The young gorilla was already getting tired, all sense of arrogance was now out of his mind, he had to actually fight with strategy now.
Geleel wasn't any regular human that he could bully…he was an actual fighter, a warrior.
Red then began slowly advancing Geleel as the latter stayed poised with the spears in his hand…he could tell Red was trying to be more careful now.
Red then decided to swing at Geleel only for the ape man to dodge the attack.
Geleel then saw an opening as his first thought was to swing his right spear at Red.
Fortunately for Red this time, he was able to stop the attack and knock that spear out of Geleel's hand.
Emilia gasped as she squeezed Gabrielle's hand in her own.
The ape man panicked as Red squeezed down on his hand, eliciting a grunt of pain from the latter, the crowd's noise was beginning to die a little now…
Red then placed his head under Geleel's arm as he wrapped his own large gorilla forearms around Geleel's midsection.
The gorilla was able to lift Geleel up in the perfect bear hug position.
The ape man tried to bring his spear down and stop Red from locking the submission hold in, but it was too late.
Red cinched in the hold as Geleel immediately grunted in pain and dropped his only remaining spear to the floor.
Gabrielle gasped as she noticed Red had begun squeezing her father's midsection tightly.
"No…no…" Emilia trailed off as Red kept the hold locked in, all the while Geleel writhed in pain, he was beginning to internally bleed judging from the fact his own blood was seeping through his mouth right now.
How had this fight changed momentum so quickly? Once Red had locked that bear hug in…it was all over but the whining now.
The crowd of apes had been drained COMPLETELY now as Red continued squeezing Geleel's midsection.
"Do not look son…" Tinker signed to her son who did not comply…he could peel his eyes away from the brutality that was happening before him.
Blue Eyes could not believe his eyes either…his uncle was his hero, seeing him be battered like this was devastating.
No one was in more horror than Gabrielle, she didn't want her father to lose this fight…but she didn't want him to lose his life either.
Red had felt Geleel's body almost fall limp in his arms…
The gorilla then dropped Geleel onto the floor roughly.
The ape man coughed and sputtered up his own blood before rolling over onto his stomach.
It felt hard to breathe…he could hardly register the fact that he had spit his own blood onto the grassy forest floor…the green coloration of the grass was spittled with the dark red liquid.
"No!" Emilia shouted as Red walked over to Geleel with a smirk.
The gorilla placed his foot onto Geleel's back, it was almost time to finish this fight, but he had to rub the loss into the ape man's face a bit.
Red grabbed Geleel's right arm with both of his hands as Emilia gasped.
Was he going to break her husband's arm?
However, that was not Red's intention, the gorilla then wriggled Geleel's arm around whilst smirking at his family.
They all frowned deeply at his smirk, but they also couldn't help but give Geleel's unresponsive form wary gazes…they had hoped the ape man was alive.
Red then dropped Geleel's arm before placing his face near his ear, all the while Geleel struggling to stand up again.
"So…weak." Red said with a rasp before standing up fully.
He took one last glance at the crowd as he arched his brow a bit.
The young gorilla then swiftly raised his arms above his head.
"No!" Emilia shouted out as Red brought his forearms directly into Geleel's back with all his might, a sickening thud reverating throughout the challenge field.
Red huffed out a few ragged breaths as he watched Geleel's body lay still on the floor…he then let out a deranged smile before slowly turning to where Geleel's family was.
Everything seemed to move in slow motion as Red smiled at them.
Emilia was screaming and clamoring to get out onto the field, Cornelia and Tinker were stopping her from doing so.
Blue Eyes and Ash both had dull expressions behind their eyes as tears began welling up…they couldn't believe it.
Garbielle had dropped to her knees…her father…was he…was he actually dead?
Red reveled in the defeated look on their face as he turned to the rest of the crowd, Maurice shook his head…he had warned Geleel against taking this battle.
The gorilla then noticed Koba standing next to Cleo and their son…the scarred bonobo had a smirk on his face, it seems at least someone was happy he had won.
Red didn't care about the sour look that the majority of the crowd had on their faces…one thing was for certain, he was the new Ape King…that was actually a stipulation…this was their leader.
The gorilla then began beating against his chest as he let out a loud triumphant roar…all that was left was for Kaaro to determine him the victor.
Gabrielle still couldn't believe this, her father had lost the fight…it was really over, Red was sure to exile them, what was going to happen when Caesar came back? Where were they going to go?
She watched her father's lifeless form as her tears became more potent, her mother was still being held back by Cornelia and Tinker as she cried out loudly trying to get to her husband.
Gabrielle then noticed her father's hand twitch slightly…he was alive…he wasn't done.
No, this fight could not end like this, her father was the most amazing human in her eyes, she couldn't stand the idea of losing Blue Eyes, Ash, and the rest of the family like this…he was their last hope.
"Father!" She suddenly shouted out as everyone turned to her voice.
Red was still too busy reveling in his victory to pay her any mind.
Gabrielle continued to scream and shout for her father to get up.
Geleel laid face first on the forest floor…his eyes shot open at the sound of his daughter's voice.
He lets out a few husky coughs before placing both hands onto the ground.
When he first tried to get up, the sharpest pain he'd ever felt shot through his body.
"Get up dad!" His daughter's voice rang in his ears…it was her, she was calling to him.
He tried to get up one more time, only to fall back onto the floor with a grunt of pain.
Gabrielle called out to him again as he tried to steel his mind with a few ragged breaths.
If he laid down here…he would be letting his daughter down…his wife down…the family down…he couldn't give up, he had to get up.
Geleel began slowly rising up again, this time the rest of his family and the crowd realized this.
They began joining Gabrielle in the shouting and hooting in hopes of encouraging Geleel to get up and fight.
Emilia had stopped struggling against Tinker and Cornelia when she noticed her husband beginning to stand again.
She then opted to join the others in encouraging him to stand.
Red was confused when he heard all the apes grunting and hooting before he turned to see Geleel had made it up to one knee.
The gorilla was in utter shock…why did this guy never quit?
The ape man's own blood stained his chest and mouth area as he breathed heavily.
Geleel then looked to the crowd, mainly his family and friends as he offered them a small look of gratitude…silently thanking them for motivating him through the pain that was running through his body.
They all smiled at him and rejoiced, Emilia especially couldn't help but smile through her tear stained face.
Geleel then grasped one of his spears that was on the ground in front of him and picked it up.
He slowly turned to Red with an irate glare as he held the spear in his left hand and held onto his side with his right hand.
"I…never yielded, and I am still standing, this fight is not over." Geleel said, specifically to Kaaro who was prepared to raise Red's hand as the victor.
The old Orangutan nodded before backing away slowly to allow the challenge to continue.
Red's once smug face was once again replaced with a snarl as he growled in annoyance…this human was far too persistent.
When Geleel motioned for Red to run at him, the gorilla had finally had enough and decided to charge at Geleel with a loud roar.
After closing the distance between them like last time; Red had decided to try a less brute like approach as he raised his arm up to slam an open palm down onto Geleel.
The ape man swiftly raised his spear up and jammed it into Red's palm as the gorilla cried out in pain.
He swiftly pulled his hand back to see a big gaping wound had been pierced into his hand…it burned like never before as blood leaked from it.
The crowd erupted in an array of hoots and screeches as Red seethed.
Red growled to himself before swinging his other open palm down onto Geleel as much like before, the ape man jabbed his spear into his palm again, giving him a matching wound on his one good hand.
Now both of his palms were practically useless…he couldn't do anything with them.
Before Red could even make another move, Geleel swiftly sweeped his leg and snaked his body behind Red's.
The ape man ignored the pain burning through his body as he now held the shaft of his spear against Red's neck.
"Yea!" Gabrielle explained as her father finally got the upperhand again.
Ash and Blue Eyes hooted excitedly as Geleel was trying to lock Red into the submission hold.
"Come on!" Emilia shouted out after finding her energy again, Tinker Cornelia and most of Geleel's supporters were hooting loudly…even Maurice was getting into it as he chittered loudly.
Geleel was like a shark who had sniffed out blood in the water as he relentlessly tried to lock in the hold.
As soon as he saw the opening it was over with, he had locked Red into a rear triangle choke submission hold, the shaft of the spear being pressed against Red's throat made the hold even firmer.
"Yield!" Geleel shouted as Red choked and sputtered, he did not want to submit to a human.
The gorilla relentlessly tried to grab onto Geleel, but the wounds in his hands pained him so much that he couldn't grasp anything, realization had hit him while he choked…the ape man had systematically broken him down.
"Yield Red! I do not want to kill you!" Geleel shouted as he tightened the hold on Red's neck, the leader could feel the air in his body leaving him.
Red gasped for air as he still struggled…he was just standing supposedly victorious…now he was being held in a chokehold, and the ape man's adrenaline was rushing…he wasn't getting out of this hold anytime soon.
This battle was a prime example of determination versus arrogance…and determination had clearly won.
Red was a prideful gorilla…but if he was one thing, he was an ape who valued his life; he didn't value his pride over living…some called it spineless, but he called it smart.
So despite how embarrassing it felt, Red begrudgingly tapped out.
Geleel immediately lets the hold go as Red gasped for air and rolled off of him.
The ape man lets out a few ragged breaths as he tries to soak in what had just happened.
He stared up at the sky…that fight was taxing but…he had done it, he had won.
Geleel felt a few pairs of hands touch his body as he looked up to see Kaaro and a few other apes had begun to get him to stand up.
He slowly stood up as his adrenaline was beginning to wear off, the pain from before had returned full force now…
The ape man stumbled a bit but he was being supported by that same bonobo from before.
"Thank you." Geleel roughly stated as the bonobo nodded at him.
The acting Ape King then looked back at the roaring crowd, more so his family.
The kids were all screaming and cheering loudly for him, Cornelia and Tinker smiled at him and Emilia was practically ecstatic to see her husband not only alive but standing victorious in the fight.
Everyone watched as Luca, Maka and Ursus began leading a taxed Red away from the challenge area…he lost, he actually lost, now he had to be isolated as part of the stipulations, the gorilla would be sick to his stomach when he fully realized everything he had just lost.
All of the bullying and assaulting of other apes was no more now that he would not be allowed to actually live amongst the family.
Geleel closed his eyes as he turned away from Red, he wished every ape could just live amongst the family peacefully, but apes like Red simply could not coexist with the others, he was going to be a plague to the unity of the colony.
The ape man then opened his eyes before tapping the bonobo who was supporting him.
He nodded to the ape, letting him know it was okay to let go…Geleel had to stand tall on his own now as the victor and the undisputed Ape King, until Caesar returned ofcourse.
Geleel limped forward a bit, but he stood by himself as he looked all around the crowd of apes who were cheering on his victory.
Kaaro then idly walked over to Geleel as he took his left hand into his own.
The Orangutan then slowly raised Geleel's arm into the air as the crowd's decibel levels rose even more.
Kaaro then dropped Geleel's hand as the latter smiled at the crowd, his teeth were stained with his own blood but he didn't care.
Geleel then raised his two fists together slowly to signify their main law.
"Apes Together Strong!" The entire crowd mimicked Geleel and returned the sign.
He specifically looked for his family to see them doing the sign as well, he almost chuckled a bit when he saw Gabrielle, Blue Eyes and Ash doing it, they were so adorable doing it.
Almost everyone was in bliss right now…almost everyone.
Koba glared at Geleel irately as his son and wife stood beside him.
The scarred bonobo grunted at Cleo as she turned to him with a questioning gaze.
"Take Limbo home, I will be there soon." Koba signed to his wife as she nodded; she had become used to her husband's cold nature but…that was odd.
Cleo then turned back to Geleel, she was very conflicted, part of her wanted to congratulate his victory but…when he looked down to see Emilia and Gabrielle attacking Geleel with an embrace right now…her blood boiled…he didn't deserve her congratulations.
"I was so worried for you…" Emilia said to her husband as he tried to wipe some of the dried blood off his chest.
"Why? I was perfectly fine the entire time." Geleel said as he flashed her a bloody smile.
Cornelia and Tinker chuffed out laughs as Emilia gave her husband a knowing look.
"You do know I'm not letting you go to bed without a check-up right?" Emilia questioned her husband as he sighed.
"I never had a choice from the beginning." He said as he hugged her again.
"Uncle Geleel is so cool! Did you see how he took that big bully down?" Blue Eyes signed to Ash as they playfully fought, trying to reenact the fight they had just watched.
"Be careful boys!" Tinker warned them.
Gabrielle was holding onto her dad's arm as she noticed the boy's rough housing.
Before she knew it, she had charged into the fray and began rough housing with them as well.
"Children!" Cornelia hooted warningly as she and Tinker began trying to get them to settle down.
Geleel smiled as the children played, he was glad to not only rid the colony of a bully…but he ensured that Gabrielle wouldn't be separated from her cousin and her good friend in Ash…that was the best outcome of this fight.
Red
Red sat alone in a designated part of the forest, Luca had informed him that other apes would get to work on his hut as soon as the Sun came out tomorrow.
He knew they weren't going to do their best work, one, he lost to the human, his respect had dwindled.
Alas, most of the apes that were coming to build his hut were probably victims of his abuse and bullying…they didn't owe him any kindness.
The young gorilla still couldn't grasp the fact that he had really lost…now he had to live all alone, fitting, he didn't need those other weaklings anyways.
Red then looked down at a puddle of water as he saw his reflection, the bloody wound on his head was just a gash with dry blood now.
He only needed himself, he didn't need any other ape to pick up slack for him.
Red's head snapped towards the crackle of a branch as he looked up to see an all too familiar face perched in a tree.
There stood Koba, staring down at him, that white cloudy eye piercing a hole through Red's green orbs.
Red was confused as to what Koba was doing here…but when the scarred bonobo dropped to the floor with a smirk, he was beyond confused.
Emilia
Emilia sat behind Geleel was it was now night time.
She had fixed him a plate of food, it consisted of fruits and cooked elk meat.
The ape man ate the food as Emilia massaged some of her soothing balm into his back.
Geleel couldn't help but think of what was to come in the future, his fight was Red had happened today but it already left his mind now…he was more worried about the possibility of the human resistance becoming strong again…little did he know…that resistance would never be the same again.
Emilia then rested her head onto her husband's back as he was brought out of his thoughts by this.
"What are you doing Em?" Geleel questioned her.
"I just…I just can't believe I was so close to losing you today." Emilia said as Geleel heard her voice hitch.
"Emilia…I know you were worried for me but, you know this family does not live in what ifs…I am right here for you, and I will not leave you or Gabrielle to be alone, I'm going to be here for many more years to come." Geleel said as he had turned around to hug Emilia fully.
"You promise?" Emilia questioned him.
"You couldn't get rid of me even if you tried." Geleel answered her as she raised her head up.
"Shame, a bit of peace and quiet from my local ape man would be nice from time to time." Emilia said with a teasing shrug.
"Oh really?" Geleel questioned as he tackled his wife onto the bed and placed his body onto hers.
"Hey, I thought you were sore from the fight?" Emilia questioned as they kissed each other slightly.
"Not that sore." Geleel answered her as they kissed again.
"What…about…Gabby?" Emilia questioned through the kisses.
"It's okay, she's with Cornelia and Blue Eyes right now, she wouldn't mind sleeping over." Geleel said as he kissed Emilia on her neck, the latter let out a giggle as she grabbed onto the back of his head instinctively.
"Mom! Dad! Can I sleep at auntie Corn-woah!" Gabrielle exclaimed as she immediately picked up on what her parents were about to do.
Geleel and Emilia had scrambled to separate when they heard their daughter entering the hut, but they were not nearly fast enough.
"Ew…just…ew." Gabrielle simply stated before turning and leaving the hut.
"Wait, Gabby-" Emilia cuts herself off and lets out a sigh.
"Well, that was awkward." She then stated as her husband nodded in agreement.
"Wait, how does she even know what we were about to do?" Geleel questioned as Emilia arched her brow.
"What do you mean?" Emilia questioned him.
"How does she know what sexual intercourse is?" Geleel questioned once more.
His confusion only grew when Emilia chuckled at him.
Emilia found it funny that Geleel really thought his mother didn't already warn her daughter about the birds and the bees so to speak, she didn't want the girl being confused about anything on that topic considering she was living in a colony of apes.
Her daughter had seen her first blood a few months back too, even though that was a necessary conversation to have.
However, Geleel was completely naive in this topic being the father of this situation, so Emilia continued to laugh at him.
"This isn't funny." He reminded his wife, only for her laughter to intensify.
Geleel then let out a sigh as he slammed his body down onto their bed, she was sitting there giggling and laughing and he was genuinely lost…this was not fair.
Chapter Fin
Author Note-The next chapter will be the final chapter of this mini interlude series. This chapter was pretty hard to write, I think the fight scene between Geleel and Red was pretty mid, not my best work. But other than that, I think I'm doing good with building relationships between the characters. Also if you're wondering why some of the canon characters aren't getting as much shine as you'd expect, I already said the interlude story was to build up OC characters more. The canon story will build up the canon character. Next chapter will be the last interlude once more, after that I'll do a cast chapter to show the new cast of OCs for Dawn Of the Planet Of the Apes. And then I can finally start writing for that movie…