Disclaimer: I own nothing except my OC Willow and any alterations to the original storyline plot her presence creates to various readers amusement everywhere across the globe.

Born To Lead Chapter 2

2 Years Old:

From the moment she opened her eyes, Willow certainly grew into her father's expectations and then some. Normally when a baby ape was born it would usually stick close to its mother's side the majority of the time clinging to her back or chest shy and timid in this new strange world observing quietly. Well Blue Eyes may be following the laws of nature along those lines, but she was actually far from that perspective.

On her very first day out in the village instead of sticking close to her mother's side Willow, she ran and tumbled exploring this glorious new playground delighted. She was extremely inquisitive investigating everything including the other apes. And her interest seemed to be reciprocated. They were jus as curious of the newest arrivals as the twins were of them and even more welcoming. Sooner than anticipated the playground quickly became too small for the little one.

Besides healing one of the jobs the females were assigned was to forage for food to provide for the village. They usually searched for different kinds of plants and any wild fruits they could find. Having been actually born in the wild Cornelia was eager to teach her children what she learned as an infant. Plus it was a way to get Blue Eyes and Willow to burn through their endless energy faster.

On each foraging trip, Willow would always stay close to her twin. Sometimes they'd be seen snuggling together on their mother's back or trying foraging mimicking what Cornelia did. Usually, Blue Eyes became bored napping over their mother's shoulder, but Willow was quick to lose interest wandering away on her own. She never got more than a few feet before he mother or another female would pick her up.

Honestly, she caused so much mischief she drove her parents, particularly Caesar, to their wit's end trying to control her rambunctious spirit.

Eventually, Willow's adventuring got out of hand and Caesar decided to rectify this.

One day when Caesar and a group of warriors were out fishing at the river he took the twins with them. They'd never really been to the river before. Caesar hoped being exposed to something new in their eyes would occupy his children enough they wouldn't disregard it instantly.

The plan was successful to some extent.

Blue Eyes was very excited about fishing. He watched the warriors closely trying to mimic what they did spearing fish, trapping them with skilled hands. He was too little at the time so he didn't catch anything, but the fact he was trying wasn't missed.

Willow was very tricky. When Caesar was occupied showing Blue eyes what to do she snuck away when everyone else wasn't paying attention to her.

Happily, running, jumping, and climbing small trees Willow failed to notice how far away she was getting from the group.

Willow only stopped her exploration after she reached a small clearing where she encountered an unusual sight.

Before was a structure made whole from metal. One she would learn, in later years, was called a gas station for humans. A place for them to buy fuel for their multiple vehicles. It was now a human ruin faded into disrepair and rust, nature encroaching on it. On top of a tall steel pole was a large orange ball the numbers on it reading 76.

She approached it slowly marveling at it all. Intrigued she took in it all. Behind the walls, she saw there was more inside. She didn't get the chance to explore further.

So entranced with the gas station she didn't hear the rapidly nearing footsteps until the ape making them appeared beside her.

Engulfing Willow in a strong embrace, lifting her in his arms, Caesar signed "There you are, Willow. What are you doing? You scared me."

"What? I want to go back," signed Willow, confused.

"I know, I know," signed Caesar. "But you can't go near that place. It's dangerous."

He then turned making his way back to the group of fishing apes. After they met up everyone returned to the village. Caesar didn't put her down once not wanting to risk her running off. Blue Eyes tried to talk to her over Caesar's back. She didn't respond stewing in what she found. When everyone got back they went about their business. Blue Eyes jumped off Caesar's back running to play with his friends.

Caesar set Willow on her feet to join the other children, but she didn't follow Blue Eyes. She stood there sulking.

Kneeling to his daughter's level so they were eye to eye, Caesar signed "What's wrong, Willow?"

Meekly, Willow signed "What was that place, Father?"

"It's nothing for you to worry about. Just stay away from it," signed Caesar.

"But what was it? Why is it so dangerous," persisted Willow.

Caesar sighed seeing Willow wasn't going to be misdirected from this topic.

Taking her hand, he signed "Come with me. There's something I want to show you."

Caesar then brought her to the highest point of his family's tree.

"From birth every ape child, including you, has been told the story of how our people came to be on these mountains in the woods we call home. Breaking free from the humans who would imprison our kind, torturing us. Now you will see where we all came from," signed Caesar, pointing over the canyon through the light fog."Look there."

Squinting in the direction Caesar pointed, at first, Willow didn't see what he was talking about. When a breeze came pushing the fog off she finally spotted it.

San Francisco.

The city and the bridge were so tiny where she stood. Even from there, she could tell if she was actually in the city the structures there would be as tall as trees maybe even taller.

Willow was told tales about humans. What they were, what they did, where they lived etc. All this time she had no clue just how close the human city was.

Understanding the place she ran across was another thing belonging to humans, Willow signed "Was that place another thing made by humans?"

Nodding, Caesar said "Yes, it's what humans called a gas station."

"Gas station," signed Willow, repeating the symbols, excitement building inside her. "Can you take me there?"

"There's no need to remember the past, Willow. That part of our lives is behind us," signed Caesar. "We're safe and we're well provided. Inside the woods is all we need."

"But-," began Willow.

"As long as you live here it's who you are. As I am," signed Caesar, gently kissing her head."You'll understand someday."

3 Years Old:

Oh, Willow understood her father all right. She just didn't want to listen preferring her own way. From that point onward, whenever the opportunity presented itself, Willow was constantly running away trying to get to the human city for a closer look drawn to it. Each time Willow tried she was caught before she got too far. She was far from discouraged it never stopped her from trying again.

This was one such occasion.

After sneaking off from Maurice's lesson teaching the younger apes their history, numbers, how to read and write Willow went to make her escape. Reading and writing weren't human traits Caesar originally wanted to copy. He relented concluding it was a powerful tool no matter where it came from making apes stronger for it. In most of her past attempts Willow would always try to get out through the front gate, but she never got further than a few feet before a member of the Gorilla Guard snatched her. Well that wasn't going to happen again this time she had a brand new strategy.

Immediately Willow went for the very last place she knew anyone would think to look for her in this situation, which was her family's personal tree. She was aware that her parents were in the middle of duties of their own and her brother was following their father no one would disturb her there.

Safely hidden, soon enough, Willow could hear an alarm call sounded alerting the tribe she was trying to run again. Pressed low so no one would see her Willow peeked through an opening in the timber wall watching as a number of apes ran around searching for her a few even going for the gates. Carefully monitoring them she patiently waited until most were gone before deciding it was safe to emerge. Climbing to the top of the oak tree Willow had a pretty view of the desolated human city in the far distance. Often, when she wasn't doing anything, Willow went there just staring at it in longing wondering what was there, what she would find if she explored it, and if any humans remained alive. All questions she wanted to answer for herself.

Unlucky for Willow, stay in one place for too long you get noticed.

Suddenly a booming call echoed around her, and Willow recognized it immediately. Snapping her head downward in the direction it originated she located the source. Below her Maurice was looking directly at Willow an arm pointed in her direction.

When he was sure he got her attention, Maurice signed "Willow! Willow, I see you!"

Oh busted. The jig was up.

Giggling Willow took off again rushing down the steps encircled around the tree. Halfway there she skidded to a stop. The bottom was blocked by Rocket standing in the way.

Arms spread out to the side, Rocket signed "Where do you think you're going?"

Switching tactics Willow spun on her feet charging back up reveling in the thrill of the chase. She figured there remained one other way to go. Hearing her pursuers not far behind she acted. Willow launched herself off the tree, perhaps a little too fast, toward a ledge below. Willow overstepped jumping further than the ledge actually was positioned. Flailing her arms and legs she tried to catch onto something to cease her fall to no avail.

Then something caught her by the arm and with a gentle upward jerk stopped her fall.

She hung suspended by her father's hand, caught and held as if she weighed nothing.

Caesar had come back with Blue Eyes from their excursion in the woods. At the moment he was a father who had caught his daughter causing mischief.

As innocently as she could, smiling cheekily, Willow signed "Hello, Father. How are you today?"

Setting Willow on firm steady ground, Caesar signed "Willow, what have I told you?"

"I just wanted to see," defended Willow.

Rubbing his eyes in exasperation, Caesar signed "You know you're not supposed to go down there. You should be focusing on your lessons instead of this obsession with the humans."

"I don't like those lessons. They're boring," signed Willow. "Why can't I do what, Blue Eyes does?"

Blue Eyes had already started his training a while back. As Caesar's son and heir, he was going to be King one day either when their father stepped down or died. Secretly she watched him desperately wanting to take part. What stopped her was the consequences should she try knowing she wasn't allowed.

"Your brother is my heir. He needs to learn the skills required to be the leader when I'm gone," signed Caesar. "There's no need for you to trouble yourself with such things. It's far from necessary."

"It's not fair," signed Willow, stubbornly.

"Enough," signed Caesar, firm."I will hear no more of this. Now go to your mother. She's waiting for you."

Fuming Willow left storming passed Luca, Koba, Rocket, and Maurice as she did so. They watched her leave bemused and weary expressions on their faces.

Grunting, Caesar signed "I don't know what to do anymore with that girl. She just won't listen to me."

Signing, Rocket offered"We could begin to teach her some things."

"She should be able to defend herself," agreed Luca.

"From whom," signed Caesar, brow raised.

With conviction, Koba signed "In the event of an invasion."

Caesar knew just who they assumed would invade them in an instant.

"Humans destroyed each other. They aren't a threat to us anymore," signed Caesar.

"So you say," countered Koba.

"Caesar, we all love her as you do. But this is the only way to truly protect her," signed Rocket.

Wisely, Maurice signed "Even if there isn't an immediate danger, Caesar. You should at least consider this. Think of it this way. Having her undergo training might distract her from the human city to the point where she stops her relentless disobedience altogether."

That got Caesar's attention.

For the rest of that day, Caesar secluded himself thinking long and hard about what his friends said. Finally, he couldn't deny it was a sound strategy no matter the viewpoint.

Conceding, gathering them all together, he signed "You will train her harder than any ape before her. Five times harder-ten times harder until she is better than even me."

That night before retiring for the evening Caesar pulled Willow aside informing her of his revised statement.

With the events of the day Willow initially was shocked. She soon switched into an ecstatic youngster.

Willow hooted, hugging her father. Grinning, she signed "Thank you, Father. I promise I won't let you down."

Smiling, serious, Caesar signed "I know you won't, but there is something you must take to heart before you start."

"What is it," signed Willow, head tilted.

"Sometimes…who we wish we were, what we wish we could do…it's just not meant to be," signed Caesar, cupping her cheek in his palm, referring to the city."You and Blue Eyes are the future of our people, Willow. And they are not out there." He pointed where she knew the human city lay. "They are right here." He redirected his hand at the village."It's time to be who they need you to be."

6 Years Old:

As the years passed the resemblance between Caesar and Willow was unmistakable. Physically she was Cornelia's copy having her slender build, grace, and beauty with her father's green eyes sparkling hints of gold. But inside she was her father's total reflection in both mind and skill.

Willow advanced quickly excelling under the tutelage of Luca, Maurice, Rocket, and Koba in tremendous leaps and bounds. From them she was taught everything from hunting, tracking, fighting practically anything related to those lines. Before with Maurice's lessons she'd been uninterested and aloof, but now she had a newfound dedication to his teachings. Wishing to better her honor, Caesar, his name, and what he stood for. It was the same case with the healing and foraging lessons her mother and the other females put her through engaging each task with renewed vigor.

This was all well and good, but the most crucial lessons she learned were from her father. Caesar emphasized the importance of patience, strategy, heart, selflessness, honor, and compassion so on and so forth. She advanced quickly much to the astonishment and delight of the tribe. What most adolescent apes took their entire childhood to learn she achieved only in three years. The training was intense, extremely difficult, and long but she never complained. She simply took it all in stride.

Eventually, she progressed so fast that Caesar included her in his council meetings alongside her brother and the rest of his inner circle. Sometimes even permitted to speak at these gatherings. When she did Willow showed the qualities a leader should radiate. She was a born leader in their eyes, it was certainly said. The results of the training she'd undergone were unmistakable.

Willow's advancement came with a heavy price.

Willow and Blue Eyes were close, they always would be. But as the years slowly went by the two grew further apart from each other. The admiration, praise, and respect his sister earned from the tribe made bitter jealousy grow inside him. Blue Eyes hid it well so as not to hurt his sister burying them deep inside so no one would see, but those feelings were still there. No matter how hard he worked Willow constantly surpassed him in basically everything gaining their father's approval most of all. Everything came so easily to her that he had to use double the effort. These faults were doubts he never thought he'd be able to get over.

Oblivious to her brothers concealed resentment for her Willow continued to work to her limit wanting nothing more than to please Caesar to see him smile.

Caesar definitely made the right choice in training his daughter. The suggestion his inner circle gave believing training her would distract her enough she'd stop trying to see the human city worked like a charm. There were times when he saw her gaze at San Francisco every so often, but she restrained herself never trying to leave the forest again.

Caesar was content. There was peace, tranquility, harmony, and unity among his people.

Apes Together Strong. That's all he ever strived for. He'd achieved it tenfold.

Unfortunately, peace can never last forever.

Authors Note:

If you want to know what Willow looks like she is an exact replica of how her mother was is Rise For the Planet of the Apes. Like how she appeared at the watering whole when Caesar first walked inside observing him, but with Caesars eyes.

I hope you all like this one! I certainly did while writing it for your vast enjoyment! ;D

For those of you just starting out with my stuff there are other works on my profile that may catch your interest. I highly recommend you take a look as soon as the opportunity presents itself to you. Who knows, you may be pleasantly surprised by what you discover.

Stay safe everyone. Especially with all of these crazy natural disasters occurring a lot lately due to global warming and climate change everywhere for sure. I swear it's like they're getting worse and worse all the time and it's like officials are simply just ignoring it or pretending it doesn't exist entirely just to go on with their daily lives. Especially those in multi-million dollar companies that rely on certain elements of our planet that we rely on to naturally keep us safe instead of adapting and finding new safer ways to keep in business. There are so many options out there where they can adapt, but they just refuse to see it because all they care about is money. Climate change is altering so much faster than anyone can really keep track of.

So, in light of all this, it is important to live life to the fullest as much as anyone can.

I know I am. ;) See you guys next time.