War for the Planet of the Apes: Simian Surprise (Part Two)
The following morning after the Baboon attack there was a large pile in the center of the colony. Bodies of the ‘wolf monkeys were being put together and counted by the Gorillas. There were a few casualties on the Ape’s side, mostly younger males that got in over their heads and two females who couldn’t get away fast enough.
Boulder approached the rest of the council, blood still staining his own fur and skin as he looked to Cornelius. “32 Wolf-Monkeys. All males. 6 male and 2 female apes dead as well… One chimpanzee, one orangutan.”
Any blow to the orangutan population was always bad… They seemed to breed so slowly compared to the other apes so the loss of a female was especially bad. Maurice nodded to Boulder. “Wolf-Monkeys too dangerous. I am not one for violence but they need to be dealt with sooner than we had expected…” He then looked to the others in the council. “Anyone injured badly?”
Boulder shook his head. “Small cuts, a little sore…but Gorillas all made it out alright.”
Billy shook his head as well. “Startled me… Was in my nest when I went to get my spear. It grazed me with it’s fangs but I killed it before it did too much damage.” He pointed to the torn skin on the hairless part of his arm, which would make for a new scar when it healed up.
Bad Ape scratched behind his ear. “Kept Nova safe… No Wolf-Monkeys made it to my nest. I fine. Nova fine.”
@pookyhorse
Cornelius clambered down to his mother. It hurt so much but he cared more for their wellbeing than his. Lake was fine and so was his sister. Rocket was also looking over his mate. She was okay but it was Rocket who needed a good grooming. He had bites and cuts all over him from the teeth of the wolf-monkeys. And then Bad Ape showed up with Nova, the ape child. Cornelius was quite aware of how much weaker his human friend was. She would have no chance against a baboon. Cornelius buried his face into hers, smashing his nose against her. It was his own way of greeting someone he loved deeply. At least all those close to him survived. He pitied the ones who didn’t. Their mates and family would mourn them. “We must secure the borders..” Rocket signed. “They can sneak in so easily..” “Make them stronger with more branches, logs, and more apes to watch?” Cornelius suggested. “Yes..we clearly don’t have enough eyes to watch for enemies. And the walls are too thin..any predator can get over.” Rocket nodded. But it wasn’t just the baboons they had to watch. Cornelius recalled the group of apes that would sneak off during the night. He looked to Maurice and the rest of the council. He gazed out to the vast land. He had no idea of they were still even out there. It could be a problem in the future and his thoughts drifted to his father and the apes that betrayed him. “We must talk…not just about wolf-monkeys..but other matters..” Cornelius felt his legs shake, going weak. “There are things that just seem to refuse to die..”
Maurice looked to Cornelius and gave a nod. Fingers scratched through his shaggy arms as he then began to use his hands to sign. “Cornelius is right. Some apes still seem disloyal to the ways of Caesar and further Cornelius. We must stop them before things get out of hand.”
Billy rose a brow at this and began to sign as well. “Followers of Koba? I thought they all died out with humans in the avalanche?” He frowned a bit. He remembered watching other apes get lashings from Red under the Colonel’s command.
Boulder grunted to the thought. “I think I know which apes you mean. Always going out late at night to go ‘hunting’. Conveniently not around also when Wolf-Monkeys attacked. I remember which apes they were, want me to get them next time I see them and bring them to you?”
Nova sat with Bad Ape, understanding the signing better than him. She held up her hands as she looked confused, signing to the apes of the council. “Why would someone not like how Cornelius will lead? Isn’t he a good leader so far?”
Maurice couldn’t help but to smile at the young human and reached to pet her head. “Some apes not as smart as they like to think… Think they can do better than what they have but don’t really know how to do it so act on instinct.”
It was a whole week till Cornelius was healed enough that he could walk and ride unassisted. But for awhile he would limp, mostly when he ran. He’d carry a scar for sure. Just perfect. Well at least he’ll be recognizable from the rear. But in the meantime he had been pampered like a white-tail again by his mother. And he got to spend some time bonding with Berry, whom begun to recognize his scent. But the wolf-monkeys have kept a low profile. Probably overwhelmed by all his powerful apes. He felt proud and strutted about, letting all those his age peek at his wound. Rocket was amused by the young king’s showing off. It reminded him of Ash and Blue-Eyes when they’d show off to each other. But strangely enough Cornelius rarely played with those his age. He always sought the attentions of the much older males and Nova. But now that the healing time was over and Cornelius felt stronger again. There were matters to settle. During this week his focus had been on the group of rogues that Maurice informed him about. He had set Billy and Boulder to spy on them. He even had a trustworthy she-chimp infiltrate them. She was in estrus so her presence would be nothing but welcoming to the mostly chimpanzee occupied group. She gathered much information on them and left them after her fertile period was over. There was no suspicion as it was normal for a female to do.. “They knew about the wolf-monkey’s…” she said as she gobbled up the delicious deer liver Cornelius gave her. “They said even Koba did but they ignored them because they were few…they were disappointed that Cornelius wasn’t killed..they were hoping you weren’t going to survive the night when the village heard you were wounded..” Rocket snorted and stomped the ground in a many display. “It will be me they’d have to worry about as I am alpha..” “Oh they have plans for you too…since you are old now..” she glanced down submissively, not wanting to upset him. “They want to lead you off…” Cornelius was puffed up. He slapped the ground to and leapt into the air and snorted with great frustration. How dare they! “They won’t stomp until I am dead…they won’t stomp until all of Caesar is dead..his blood, his friends..” For the first time the young king started to show how unlike his father he was. His brow furrowed with dark intent. For a long time he stared out, his expression brooding and dark. The law had been broken long ago by his father. It no longer stood in today’s society. That was clear enough. “They need to go!” He hooted, glaring at them all. “They NEED to go..for GOOD.”
“Ape not kill Ape.” Maurice reminded the two angry males as his throat rumbled. “If Apes keep killing Apes, nothing will be solved and we will all be dead. Violence just leads to more violence… But Cornelius is right. They must go for good. Banishment.”
Boulder huffed lightly, to the Orangutan and pursed his lips together. “Like… Send them into the desert to never return? What if they come back with humans? Not all humans can be gone.”
Billy began to sign then. “By now, remaining humans all sick and can’t talk like Nova. Except Nova learned hand speak like apes. Other humans didn’t learn so they may not be a threat even if these disloyal apes find them.”
Maurice looked to Cornelius pleadingly. “Apes killing Apes is Koba’s way. We need to be better than Koba and not revert back. Caesar only killed Koba because he had tried to kill him and started a war… Winter died by accident because Caesar was trying to keep him quiet…”
Bad Ape seemed to stay quiet for once as he looked away, not sure what he could add to the conversation. Boulder then looked to Cornelius. “If banished… Gorillas could lead disloyal apes out far into the desert. Covers eyes so they have no way to know how to get back. Leave them for whatever may come.”
Cornelius scrunched up his face. His skin felt on fire. No! This could not do. It was not enough. He felt his pelt began to rise off his trembling skin. He snorted heavily through his nostrils. Bristle could see a tantrum coming on. But before he could disrupt it Cornelius roared at the top of his lungs. “Father followed rule and died still! Stupid apes want me dead!” He spun around and tossed a rock out of his pathway. Then directed his frustration out on a sapling pine. He shook and pulled at it violently and stomped the ground beneath him. After a few tugs he managed to yank it free by its roots and drug it about. Bristle never seen him display before. But the males kept silent. It was best to let him let it all out. Rocket tried to placate the teenage king. “Regal display. But Caesar wouldn’t have wanted this. We know this to be true.” But Cornelius was still a youngster mostly ruled by emotions. He ignored Rocket’s pleas. But a bold idea crossed his mind and he clutched onto it voraciously. He would face them himself and show him what a king he was. His eyes snapped to Bad Ape. He charged towards him. Rocket and Bristle, confused, froze in their place. Cornelius quickly ripped something away from the small, bald male. It was the antler knife Rocket had carved for him. “Cornelius get back here you foolish brat!” Bristle hooted like an outraged father. He signaled to Billy and Boulder to get after him. His bad leg was still acting up and Cornelius, though so small, was so fast. The young king’s rage gave him a heavy dose of adrenaline. Cornelius ignored their cries. His focus was linear, his mind red. It drowned out everything reasonable. He darted past startled apes, growling at anyone in his path. It felt like he ran forever but he knew the scent of the males. He knew where their nests were. But before he could make it there a familiar scent hit him. His bloodlust deepened. It was one of the males. He charged down a worn path towards a social area surrounded with bonfires, flanked with tall trees decked with nests of chimps. He heard the leader cackle, sitting by one fire and roasting some fish. But Cornelius’ entrance was clumsy and the apes saw him right away. But his boldness got the better of him still. He pounced on the leader, rolling them both over the bonfire. The surrounding chimps hooted shrilly at this outrageous scene. “You fucking little brat.” The singed male chimp snarled. “Stronger than I thought!” The male felt his shoulder, his hand warm with gushing blood. “I guess you want to end this now eh?” Cornelius hissed at him, flashing his canines. Both males flaunted themselves, clapping their hands and swaggering as they displayed their strengths to one another. The other males were amused by the young king. He was so hopelessly small, being too young to face a male in his prime. The king charged in first but the older male quickly grabbed him and slammed his small body into the ground with no effort. Cornelius struggled, kicking at his chest. The male’s stinking breathe smothered his face. He felt the male’s hands clasp and tighten around his throat. Now he felt real dread. The rage inside him slowly replaced by immense fear. His chest heaved, fighting for air. All around him he could hear pant-hoots of laughter and other screams. His vision blurred. He saw the male’s face warp…warp into…somebody else. A scarred face with glowing eye seemed to be jeering him. He never met this face but instantly he knew who it was… Then the world blacked out.
Bad Ape of course cowered when the young king charged at him, not sure what he did wrong but trying to look as small as possible. He then felt something yanked from him and blinked. “That mine!” He said in shock and confusion as Cornelius ran off.
Billy ran in as fast as he could but soon found himself being outpaced by longer, thicker arms. As Cornelius was in the process of blacking out, there was the sound of chest drumming and a roar. Chimps scattered in all directions as Boulder had entered the scene. He grabbed the male by the leg with ease and dragged the startled male who was less then half his size. Then with minimal effort, the large gorilla tossed him against a tree and roared. He moved to stand over the unconscious king, his much larger fangs bared to anyone who came near.
Billy arrived in time to see the impressive feat of strength. He had forgotten just how much stronger the Gorillas were… Thank goodness they were generally peaceful unless provoked. Billy strutted up to the fallen male and hooted, holding his spear at the leader of the rogue males and hooted as his hair poofed out. “Stay… Down…!” He barked out as now Maurice was slowly making his way over.
Maurice of course was the slowest because he walked differently than the other. He took Boulder’s place over Cornelius as more of the Gorilla Guard began to arrive to see what the commotion was about. Quickly the Gorillas surrounded the male that had been fighting Cornelius as Boulder called out to Rocket and Bristle to try and let them know their location.
Cornelius soon regained consciousness. He stirred, yanking himself upright. Foe a moment the world seemed to spin, his chest burned. Then he remembered it all and his rage. The great shadow of Maurice was cast over him but he paid no attention. Whatever fear he felt in that moment had dissipated and his rage welled up again. The bastard tried to kill him! He scurried past the orangutan and darted in between the gorillas and shoved away Billy. He was still shaky after the first attack but he was set on more. His fury not yet quenched. The chimp leader was too busy focusing on the looming gorillas to spot him in time. The young king was like a bloodthirsty weasel, latching onto his vital parts. The male shrieked from the enormous pain. He lurched forward and grappled Cornelius, trying to beat him off. The king felt his enemy’s teeth sink into his shoulder but he continued to rip and pull. His face covered with spurting hot blood. The male could do little else as the gorillas fought to protect their king. Eventually he felt someone yank him back by the foot. His teeth still clenched, ripping away one of the male’s testicles. He felt a firm hand grab him by some loose skin on his neck. He was looking into the face of a very angry Rocket and Bristle. The two males drug him away with no dignity. In their eyes the brat deserved none right now. “That was most unleaderly! Are you trying to kill yourself?” Rocket hooted at him, signing feverishly. He thumped Cornelius on the back of the head. The bratty male took a swing at him but missed. He was immediately dropped to the ground in a heap. Cornelius only lay there, not caring anymore. “He fucked up that male pretty good..not anything your parents ever done! Where’d he get it from?” Bristle snorted, still stunned over the ferocity of Caesar’s offspring. Rocket thought about the wolf-monkey..maybe he saw that? “Well..you just can’t do that with other apes anymore.. you have to be more superior than that..” Cornelius touched the blood on his mouth. He didn’t kill him but he made the asshole pay his dues in another matter. He won’t be fathering offspring anymore that was for sure. “You got nuts on your face. Not a look for a king..” Rocket sighed but didn’t try to beat him anymore. Would be no point. It was obvious that it’ll only piss him off more. Cornelius got up. He felt dignified. He taught the other male a lesson. The other two males kept their eye on him. But Cornelius only strode about the battlefield, strutting stiffly as he bobbed his head. His pelt erect as he’d pause and swagger a bit before strutting across the same path again. A victory display. Rocket could see now the youngster had left his childhood behind. He had entered that rocky phase where his hormones were taking control and making him fly off uncontrollably. It that was the whole point of having older male chimps to guide such youngsters and to teach them how to embrace that new fire.
Other males cringed at the sight of the emasculated male as he lay there bleeding. Even Billy had to turn away from it and shake his head… As well as gently cup his own balls to make sure they weren’t missing. He left the male surrounded by Gorillas as the medical chimps began to come in to try and stop the bleeding.
The apes who had witnessed it were in shock, not knowing what that male had done wrong. They simply looked to Cornelius in fear as some of the females clutched their infants and moved away from him.
Maurice sighed as he approached the strutting king. “Congratulations. You have made the tribe fear you… Like they feared Koba.” He motioned to all the apes that were now slowly leaving to go back home, but looking over their shoulders to make sure the king wasn’t about to come after them as well.
“He deserved it.” Boulder chimed in to the Orangutan. “No one will be disloyal to Cornelius if they know their balls are on the line.” He tried to joke but got a stern look from Maurice. He then lowered his eyes and looked away as the Orangutan looked to Rocket and Bristle.
“I have to go explain this to the other apes now… Make sure he stays out of trouble.” It was one of the rare instances Maurice seemed genuinely angry or upset with Cornelius. He shook his head as he began to move away from the chimps and Gorillas, making a long call to signal that he wanted to speak with the tribe as a whole.
Cornelius, feeling burned out, strolled off quietly on his own. He felt what he did was justified. How else is he going to deal with others that want him dead? He didn’t want his people to fear him yet he didn’t want to appear an easy target. Being king wasn’t all that cracked to be. He felt an immense weight on his shoulders. Every decision was like a double-edged sword. Speaking of shoulders, he felt his left stinging badly. It spread out like a dull ache. He forgot the male bit him savagely. He touched his shoulder, slippery with warm blood. It dribbled down his arm and pooled in his hand. But he wasn’t going to go seek out his mother. He wasn’t no child anymore. Just look at him! Now he was sporting an erection from the excitement. Something that normally happens in males. He remembered Rocket would joke how a child truly becomes a male when he can get it up. He plopped next to a stream that led to the big lake. It was a far walk and he wasn’t even sure he’s been there before. It was peaceful here away from other apes. They were all afraid of him anyways…like with Koba. He remembered the ugly face he saw when he was being choked out. Maybe it was his ghost that mocked him. He scooped up some water and trickled it down his new wound. He felt tired, needing a good nap. He laid down on the soft bank and curled up. He didn’t know how long he laid there but he felt delirious. Shadows rolled over him. Old scents seem to come to him in waves. A bold one came in strong. He rolled his head back and tried to concentrate on this looming face. Maybe it was another of Koba’s minions wanting to finish him off. But its expression was gentle, yet stern. Like his father was. Wait… “You’re dead..” Cornelius murmured. The face only stared back, expression melting into sadness. A face of pity.. “I can’t..” “A heavy burden..” The gruff voice said. “But you will grow like no other..” “More than I ever had. This wasn’t to be yours to bear..I’m sorry..” Another voice whispered weakly. “You will learn and grow. Just like we all have.” A sweet and light voice said to him. Instantly he felt a pull. His mother’s soft face before him. He tossed his head and stretched his arm out to her fuzzy form. She seemed to reach out to him. He grasped a hand. It was real. Warm and solid and alive. Was he even alive? Then he felt himself lifted off the cool sand. His head fell back weakly. Something soft like fur pressed against his wound. Now reality was coming back to him. The face wasn’t of his mother’s but…a naked and pale, surrounded with long brown hair. It reminded him of Nova. Then two others surrounded him. They all had pale naked faces. Their noses were pointy..just like Nova’s. Then it hit him. These were not apes. he started to struggle but was too weak. The motherly voice crooned at him. No. She didn’t speak. She only made odd moaning sounds. The others did too. Like their ability to speak was stunted. He was wrapped in an elk pelt and carried away. He couldn’t resist them and had to submit. The soft thudding of their feet lulled him back to sleep. From time to time they’d wake him up and give him water and pieces of dried fruit. He was still very weak and couldn’t escape even if he wanted to.. Still dizzy, he looked around him. Territory was unfamiliar to him… ————- Rocket and Bristle had been looking everywhere for him. He had snuck off so quietly. It was almost night fall and still he was not sighted. His blood trail was tracked up on the outskirts of their territory next to a secluded stream. Then it suddenly ended. It was like he suddenly disappeared. But Rocket snorted abruptly. Humans had been here..and they were long gone.
Boulder had accompanied them out there, carrying their weapons as he grunted and looked around. He also found signs of humans, picking up some long blonde hair off of a cactus and showing it to them. “Caves nearby… Humans might be hiding there with Cornelius.”
Bad Ape and Billy were left back at the tribe trying to explain why Cornelius snapped the way he did with the male. Many of the chimps questioning his sanity for the moment.
Maurice also did his best to reassure the others of Caesar’s son would still make a good leader, but the seeds of doubt had already been placed. And in the future this would come back and bite the young king.
Boulder lead the two male chimps to the caves he had mentioned, indeed finding fresher tracks. He dismounted his horse and looked to them as he sniffed and made a face. “Smells like humans. Dirty humans.”
Rocket and Bristle cautiously inspected the cave. The humans had been here but they were long gone. They brushed the ground where they had slept. Male and female humans made up this pack. How many? They were not sure how many but it only seemed like a few. And then there was Cornelius’ scent. There were bloody rabbit pelts left behind. Rocket felt his chest go stiff. They should have kept a closer eye on him. By the amount of blood they have tracked he would have bled out had the humans not picked him up. He would never forgive himself if Cornelius died.
“The humans are probably a day ahead of us..” Rocket sighed. Humans weren’t strong creatures but their endurance was unmatched. They could travel farther distances on foot than any tree-dwelling ape could. Why would they take Cornelius alive?
Cornelius was riding on the back of one of the male humans. His arms folded over either side of his shoulders and held onto by the male’s hands. He wasn’t too afraid now that he could see the humans were trying to keep him alive. He was still weak but he wasn’t dizzy anymore and was regaining his strength. The humans seemed to be aware of this and kept his arms and feet hobbled with leather.
The nicest of the humans was a young female human. She would feed him and pet his head like he was some pet. But Cornelius never experienced the life of one so couldn’t compare. He figured this was something they do.
None of them talked either. But would only grunt and groan and fling their arms around. They also hobbled about like chimpanzees to. They didn’t remind him of anything he’s heard in the stories. He would try to sign to them but they didn’t understand.
It wasn’t till the sun was disappearing over the flat plain that he heard loud whoops and hollering. He glanced up, seeing a few more humans jumping in the air. He felt himself bristle again. The man that was carrying him held out his arm and shushed the others. They fell silent and oh’d at the new chimp they had brought in. Another woman came forward and Cornelius felt her hand pat softly down his back and rump. He felt her poke at his sensitive parts too and he snorted in disapproval.
The humans settlement was surrounded by a few trees. Their little huts made up with bones and hides. They were poorly compared to what was in his village. Then he spotted something that baffled him. There were more apes! Two baby chimps and a teenager older than himself. He was brought inside one of the tents and placed down on a rough deer hide. The chimps eyed him suspiciously from the entrance. The women kept them out. He had many questions and knew they couldn’t answer any.
The trio was tracking Cornelius into the next day, being able to move much faster than the humans since they were on horse back. Boulder rode ahead after he motioned for the two chimps to stop further back. He got off his horse and began to investigate the tracks ahead of them and grunted. Green eyes looked towards a tree line and he sniffed the air… Then noticed a particular black cloud rising into the air from that direction. He looked back to the chimps and snorted.
“Smoke. Fire. Maybe where humans took Cornelius. I’ll scout ahead, let you know what I find.” It was often surprising how stealthy the large apes could be. Mainly because they didn’t vocalize as often or as loud as the chimps did. He left his horse with Bristle and Rocket as he then moved to where the sparse trees were to investigate what was going on.
One of the younger chimps looked to Cornelius excitedly, barely able to keep it’s mouth shut even when the woman tried to shush him and keep him away. He reached out a tiny hand, wanting to touch the other chimp but was soon stopped by a different human who was cautiously curious as well.
Boulder snorted silently as he watched from the foliage. So far they didn’t seem to be doing anything malicious to their king… But that could change in an instant… Also, why were there young chimps there? He didn’t recognize them… Were they part of their tribe?
Cornelius watched the crowd of humans and little chimps from inside. He wanted to roam about and plan an escape but how? He had no idea on where to go. Being that he was passed out for most of the trip. And he was still too exhausted from his blood loss to do much else than stagger a few feet. He reached back and softly stroked his shoulder. They had wrapped some old cloth scraps around it. His whole body was stiff. Damn that stupid male bit him good! But he got the better of him in the end. Rather a wounded shoulder than missing testicles.
“Thirsty…” He murmured. ‘Want..”
A woman approached with a chipped dog bowl. She seemed motherly enough but he couldn’t help but notice a vague sense of stupidity in those eyes. It wasn’t like he remembered in that camp with the evil Colonel. He shuddered at his memory but at least he was gone now. And the fact that she wore no clothing. Another white-tail came squirming in to investigate. The woman grabbed and scooped him up off his feet. He giggled and clamped around her waist. And to his astonishment, starting nursing. Did these babies lose their parents?
Outside more humans were grunting and scooting about in that same jumped back manner. Just strange, all of it. They acted more animalistic than his kind did. But they weren’t threatening. Funny, it seemed like the apes were more dangerous now. They had practically saved him. Maybe it wasn’t such a bad thing to stay here? He had no responsibilities and the environment was carefree. He didn’t have to be king here, just another chimp in the fold.
He hooted weakly at them. The nursing woman always came to his call. She was the least afraid and sat down next to the feral chimp. She rubbed his scalp, and behind his ear. The milk-chinned baby attached to her pressed his little feet against his muzzle, pant-hooting. Cornelius thought of his new sister, Berry, he missed them all. No, he wanted to go home..
Boulder looked in in surprise as he snorted. Humans had changed so much already… This was his first time seeing them naked, as Nova seemed to retain her like of clothing around the apes. Green eyes studied how they behaved around the young apes. Were they orphaned? Were these humans helping to raise them?
Long ago, Caesar had told them that not all humans were bad. His only experience really with good humans was Nova. Green eyes watched as she nursing woman would go to Cornelius when he called and then decided to report back to Rocket and Bristle. He went back to them and pointed to where the trees were.
“Cornelius is safe with humans. Baby apes there with naked humans. Humans don’t seem smart. I think the young apes are orphans. What should we do?”
Back at the village, some of the apes were curious as to why their young king wasn’t present for the evening meal. Obviously Maurice could not say he was missing so he signed that he was out on a long hunting trip with Rocket, Bristle, and Boulder to get his mind off the disloyal male. The aging orangutan grunted as he walked himself over to Nova, who was looking out into the desert with worry.
“Where is he?” She signed as she looked to Maurice. She was close to the prince, having helped him escape personally from that horrible place. Maurice rumbled his throat sac he signed back.
“I am not sure… Rocket, Bristle, and Boulder are looking. They will find him and bring him back.”
Nova frowned a bit in return. “Why didn’t you tell the others? We could all be looking for him.”
Maurice shook his head. “More apes that do not like Cornelius would take it as a sign that he is a weak leader if we told them he ran off.” He put his hand on her shoulder then to comfort her. “They will bring him back..”
Rocket figured it would be best to rescue Cornelius at dusk, as he knew the humans were night sleepers like them. By then they’d be drowsy and settling in. When the sky was a deep orange he led the way into the human’s camp. The air was filled with the strong odors of the humans. They always smelled pretty sharp in his opinion. He stalked slowly on all fours, with Bristle just behind him than everyone else.
He peered into one sad looking tent hide and saw some resting couple and a few young chimps of various ages. Why would they take care of them? What was the benefit? They seemed to treat the youngsters as their own family. No collars or leashes. They all spooned together. So alien to him.
He moved on to another stiff hide and looked in there. He was sure in the mass of young chimps and humans there was Cornelius. He could make out his bandaged figure. But before he could try and figure out a good plan he heard Bristle flinch behind him. A rock came spinning at him, clocking him right in the muzzle. He stood up and hooted at them in warning.
Cornelius felt his new friends stir around him. He snapped awake and stared hard at the entrance. He heard angry cries from outside, both man and chimp. Those hoots familiar…Rocket? He clambered over the sacred bodies of his younger friends and stuck his head outside. It was members of his clan. Loyal to him, they tracked and found him!
“Rocket! Bristle! Boulder! I’m here!” He called out. He glanced behind him, seeing the woman and the young chimps huddled to her, horrified of what was going on. He felt a pang if pity and drug himself out.
Boulder felt a rock hit the back of his head as well as he turned and bared his fangs. The large male gorilla reared up and looked at the male human who assaulted him and Rocket and beat his chest. He let out a loud roar then and slammed his hands to the ground, kicking up some dust as the man backed down quickly at the display. Boulder then saw Cornelius come out of the tent and nodded, pointing for him to escape to the horses as he looked to Bristle and Rocket. “We should capture these humans and bring them to live with us. Give Nova company. Also give young apes proper parents.”
The young curious chimp that wanted to grab and touch Cornelius earlier had already clambered onto Boulder innocently and nestled against his fur. Boulder made a face at this but allowed it since the young ape probably hadn’t seen an adult in quite some time.
Back at the ape colony, Billy sat high in one of the trees and was keeping lookout for the others. It was going on three days now since they had left and some of the colony was getting restless because of the long absence. He had hoped the others were alright, hoping they had not been ambushed by Wolf Monkeys or other defectors.
If something had happened to not only Cornelius, but also Rocket, Bristle, AND Boulder… That would mean leadership would have to fall on Maurice. The idea made him snicker a bit inwardly. Orangutans in charge… That would never happen. It was about as probable as humans living underground and mutating. Not that Maurice wouldn’t make an excellent leader, but Orangutans seemed to be.. A bit too sensible. A good leader has to be smart, strong, and be able to follow his gut instincts… Maurice was a bit too over analytic.
Bristle helped Cornelius safely onto the back of his horse, noting just how weak the king seemed to be. Which concerned him. Just how bad was that would he received from the opposing male chimp? He could smell the sweet tinge of old blood in his hair.
Rocket strutted back to the horses, even while rocks and sticks bounced off his chiseled muscles. His indifference to their throws seemed to discourage the humans, whom put some distance between them and the strange apes.
“No. Perhaps another time we will come and get these chimps. We don’t have enough supplies to travel with.” Rocket finally said as one more pebble bounced off his ear. “They’re just scattered now anyways.” He took note of the fleeing women with their young ape offspring off into the woods. His curiosity still peaked. Maybe some of them picked up from other clans out there? Or maybe some from their own after the the battle with the Colonel. Who knew.. They had at least one of the young chimps who was keen to join them.
“Leave them alone..” Cornelius finally spoke. “They’re not harming anyone.”
Bristle rubbed the back of his head, feeling blessed to have him back. “I’m sure Lake is freaking out by now. It’s been three days since your departure.”
That long? Cornelius thought to himself. “I wanna go home now.” He sighed, his lower lip pouting. He was honesty having a well needed rest back there.
“Let’s get away from here before it totally gets dark.” Rocket pointed back towards home. “We’ll try and stop at our last camping point if we can make it.” Though Cornelius found himself dozing off long before then.
Boulder grunted but nodded to the king’s order, getting on his horse as well as rocks were being thrown at them. Green eyes looking to the naked humans as they continued to throw sticks at them. It was odd. He remembered his father telling stories of how apes were once stupid and would do things like this… Was this how humans were going to be now? It didn’t matter. His king was safe and they had rescued one young chimp who clung tight to his fur.
“Should give this to Billy, he always wants to help raise babies.” Boulder signed half-joking to Bristle and Rocket as their horses began to gallop away from the human caves. It wouldn’t be until the sun was fully set that they arrived at their camp site, Boulder tying up the horses and looking to the other three. “Two things we need to talk to the council about now… When to attack Wolf Monkeys and now what we discovered about humans…” He looked to the tired Cornelius. “Wolf Monkeys could attack and kill them if they stay out there. I think we should capture them and bring them back to the village at some point to keep them safe before too long.”
As he signed the baby chimp climbed onto his arm, making him chuckle a bit. “Obviously these humans do not hate apes. These are good humans that are raising orphaned babies. We should make sure they are taken care of in return.” Boulder then moved his large arm over to Bristle, handing off the green-eyed baby to a more suiting father figure.
Lake moped about in her nest. It had been nearly a week since Cornelius had suddenly disappeared and some of the council members, including her mate, went looking for them. Rumors had it that humans were at the root of this issue. She sobbed almost daily. Her daughter Berry seemed to feed off of her stress, mewed constantly. Her mother warned her that she could dry up if she allowed the stress to overwhelm her. She had to keep her head together. She could only dream of Caesar, face etched with disappointment as the last of him died out.
But mid the sixth day there came hoots and hollers that someone was approaching. Wolf-monkeys maybe? No. It was the missing council members. But was Cornelius with them? She couldn’t tell. She called out in exhilarated shrieks to her mate.
Cornelius wasn’t in the mood for his specie’s dramatic displays. They always did too much. He strode his horse forward straight for his mother’s nest, ignoring his people’s pressing bodies. What he really wanted to do was just pass out for several days. The whole month had been crazy for his young mind; the wolf-monkeys attack, Koba’s loyal followers attack and then the humans taking him…..
He pulled himself up into her nest with sheer will even though his body was still getting over the shock of what it had endured a week prior. He was greeted with Lake’s screams of relief and joy, typical chimpanzee style. Cornelius felt her grab his face and press it into her chest. The smell of her scent, laden with milk and newborn, brought calming relief to him. The sight of the warm hues of the nest was so inviting. He plopped face first into hers and curled up. He wished to turn into a winter bear and hibernate.
Lake noticed new wounds on him. Mostly a very deep one on his shoulder coated in dried and matted blood. Sighing dreadfully she pulled one of the hides over him and pushed the straw in around him to form a nest. Soon she heard others clamber up onto her nest. She stood at the entrance, her shoulders bristling. It was her mate and right behind him, Rocket. Bristle could see the burning look on her face. So did Rocket and he decided maybe later was best to check up on him.
“What has happened to him? He looks near death! I’m sick of him being put into harms way!” She snorted. “Why does he smell so evil..” There were so many questions for everyone.
“It’s a long story.” Bristle sighed. “He’s fine now. I will tell you about it but let’s let him sleep it out. He looks comfortable for a change.”
“I heard about Koba’s followers attacked him. But I never got to see his return! Did they do that?” She wrinkled her muzzle. “Well one of them died anyways.. He bled to death. They said Cornelius ripped his testicles off. Suits him. Nobody attacks my son. He was lucky I wasn’t there. I would have ripped his throat out.”
Bristle didn’t know about this. So Cornelius killed his first ape after all. Well, it’s not like Caesar’s hands were clean. He could use that as an argument if it was brought up…
Boulder had made his way to Maurice and greeted the old Orangutan, signing to him about their return… And what he found out about humans. Maurice knew that Cornelius needed his rest and would not bother him for the moment, but wanted Boulder to get Rocket for him. As Boulder turned to leave, Maurice noticed the baby on his back and looked very confused for a moment.
Billy was also on his way to see Bristle and Cornelius to see how they were doing, escorting Nova who seemed desperate to check on her friend. On the way, he bumped into Boulder who seemed to have a present for him. “Boulder?” He signed as the gorilla held something behind his back.
Boulder then offered the baby chimp to him, it quickly jumping ship. “Orphan we found among humans. You always say you want white tail of your own. This is your chance. May also make females more interested.” He grunted in a chuckle as Billy held the baby to him and nodded, cradling it close. They all arrived at Bristle and Lake’s home and Boulder signed for Rocket to come with him to see Maurice.
Billy held his new baby against him as he sat with Nova and looked to Cornelius and his parents. “I heard he dragged you a long way into the desert. I bet he is exhausted.” Nova wanted to get closer but knew better than to disturb him as he rested, especially with the way he had been lately.
Cornelius peered out from his snug nest, eyeing everyone. He wished they’d all go away and leave him at peace. He only wanted to hear the lovely sounds of trees swaying and the insects. Then he looked at Nova, she sat close by, eager to see him. He did miss her. He missed the softness of her skin and her head rubs. He could sure use those.
He poked a foot out and grabbed her, pulling her under the deer skin like a trapdoor spider and its prey. He wrapped his legs and arms around her and snuggled close, snuffling in her hair. Now he could really sleep with a Nova as his pacifier. Lake pushed some more straw around them protectively. She turned to Billy, noticing the new baby he had attached to him. An orphaned child.
“He still looks like he needs milk. You should find him a nursing female willing to share milk.” She plucked softly at the child. Having a newborn of her own she had no room at the milk bar for a big boy like this. Instinctively, her child came first. “It is getting dark. It’s time to leave. Tomorrow if Cornelius is up to it then but not now.”
Rocket headed over to Maurice’s place, seeing what he needs to be told. The other apes were all gossiping about Cornelius’ return and rumors about sneaking off with humans and how he killed a chimp. Seems like his kind were turning to be just as stupid as the humans. At least Cornelius was still alive! He’d have to set these fools straight. Only he, Bristle and Boulder knew anything.
“I’m guessing those silly wolf-monkeys gave you lot no trouble while we were gone.” He settled close to the aging orangutan. “I’m just glad I found Cornelius alive.” Rocket wasn’t proud to admit it but if the humans didn’t find him they would have come across the lifeless husk of a once great blood line…lost. He could only release a trembling sigh of relief. Seeing Caesar like that was enough for him.
Nova grunted as Cornelius dragged her over. Unfortunately for her, being around apes meant she was often dragged around and occasionally tossed and bitten when Cornelius or the other high ranking males were around. She quickly learned not to struggle when an ape grabbed her, just to go limp until it was over. So when Cornelius pulled her over the first thing she did was just let him drag her over. When she felt him holding to her and nuzzling into her hair she then smiled and relaxed a bit more in his hold.
Billy watched this action and chuckled to himself, then looking to Lake as she touched his new baby and nodded. “Hopefully I can find him a good mother. I will see you both in the morning.” He nodded his head as he left the family to themselves, keeping the young chimp against his chest as he went to try and find something for him to eat and to hold over the baby.
Maurice looked to Rocket and shook his head as he signed. “No wolf-monkeys. Think we scared them off with last attack but we still need to deal with them…” He then pulled out an empty book he had that he had been practicing writing in. “Writing down ape laws so future apes don’t forget. Should also right down ape history so we can learn from the past.” He then acknowledged the part about Cornelius. “He is young and needs your guidance more than ever. Being a leader is never easy, you know this. I am glad he is alive and you found him.” He then looked a bit concerned. “Boulder told me about humans… Are they really acting like apes before wakening?”
His thoughts then went to Nova… She still seemed to act like a human outside the fact she couldn’t talk… Why was she different? Was it because she was still developing when she got the sickness as opposed to adult humans who got it? He wished he knew more about it as he then looked to Rocket. “How many humans? How many baby apes?”
Rocket scratched his chin, dwelling. “Well I’m not too sure exactly. But probably no more than a dozen humans and a handful of young apes. We can definitely overwhelm them. They seemed harmless enough. Only chucked rocks at us but most ran off. I’m not sure why they took in apes as children. Maybe some mothering instinct like with Caesar’s childhood. I’m sure we can go back with support and take them but what if the humans? I doubt they’d stay. We don’t have room for slaves. Nova is only ape child and bonded with Cornelius.”
Soon after his briefing with Maurice he retired to his own nest. To his warm welcome his mate had prepared a light dinner for him; mostly cold cooked fish and steamed carrots and potatoes with berries on the side. She must have missed him.
“Wish you would have told me you were going. I fretted for days. Felt so alone..” Tinker whined, sitting next to him and grooming while Rocket shoveled the food down. He was almost finished till the most alluring scent in the entire world overtook him. Of course he knew what it was right away and he sighed heavily. It wasn’t going to happen, hasn’t since Ash passed away. He continued to finish scrapping up the last fragments of his meal with little enthusiasm.
“Since you abandoned me for so long you should groom me.” She said almost flatly. Rocket was confused but obeyed anyways. He did owe her that. And he followed her back to their nest. He stared at the ground, huffing as he went. She squatted down in the typical mating position. Rocket felt cross, this wasn’t a proper grooming position and he wasn’t in the mood to be teased. She glanced over her shoulder. “Well? Are you afraid now to mount me?”
What? Mate? Really? Rocket needed no further motivation and pounced on her. The neighborhood would have to put up with the alpha male’s mating song tonight.
Back in Bristle’s nest he too set on grooming his mate. She was ruffled up from stressing the past few days. All while Lake did a little grooming for Berry and turned her attention to Cornelius, whom was sleeping soundly with Nova. It did take her awhile to get adjusted to having a human child poking about the nest but she quickly grew used to it. Now that Berry occupied the spot of her belly he once held claim to he turned to Nova and clasped himself around her. He just enjoyed having a body to snuggle with. Some apes were like that, some weren’t.
Unfortunately Billy would have a rather sleepless night as he lived not far from Rocket. He cradled the baby, surprised at how deeply he slept while he held him close. He cooed a bit softly to the infant as his rough fingers ran through the baby’s hair, admiring his child.
The next morning rolled around and Billy went about to try and find a suitable mother for the child, and possibly a potential mate for himself. The chimp strutted around the village, hooting softly at certain females who cooed at the baby but none of them seemed right… In his mind he knew what he was looking for for the two of them but he couldn’t put it into words.
Boulder ate fruits with Maurice in the morning and looked on to the poor ape trying his hardest. It wasn’t hard for Boulder to find a mate, he was the largest Gorilla male and leader of the Gorilla Guard. Maurice was high ranking but for now just had no interest in finding a mate. They looked to each other and began to sign.
“Why is he having such a hard time? He’s a high ranking male. Should be easy to find a mate.” Boulder signed a bit confused.
Maurice shrugged a bit. “He’s picky about females I suppose. Maybe has high standards?”
Meanwhile Nova was beginning to stir. She was still wrapped up in Cornelius’ hold and knew better than to pull away until he let her go. Instead the teenager made herself comfortable against her hairy friend, happy to have the contact.
A few females tagged along to see Billy’s new child, curious about the story around him made it all more intriguing. But Billy was asking for much, a role very few females would take on. And most of the females were not suitable; some being in heat and some young and not bred, therefore not lactating. The fact was most females weren’t up to adopting children that weren’t their own blood, a relative’s? Fine…but a child completely outside the clan? Very few…
There was only one female and she had lost hers a few days earlier to one of the baboons. The dreadful creatures had snatched her week old infant from her grasp as she fled too late. She didn’t want to dive into any relationship either but she could see this scarred male had a bond with this child too. But that bond won’t feed the poor thing, she’d have to tolerate Billy’s presence if she accepted the orphan. She eyed the white-tail nestled in the burly male’s grasp. Her breasts ached, stiff with milk. With no ceremony she peeled him from Billy’s grasp and pulled him to her chest and retreated to a nearby tree, climbing up to a heavy, low branch. She offered a nipple to the child, his hair wispy, especially the top of his head. She glanced over her shoulder at Billy, not knowing or really caring if he followed. Unless she was in the pink, she had little time for her counterparts.
Cornelius was late to rise, he rolled away from Nova, spreading out his limbs as far as he could. The stretch in his muscles gave him temporary relief and he laid still with his head back. He heard Lake acknowledge him but he remained listless. Finally she reached over and tickled his belly. His legs curled in, he lifted his head and huffed. His shoulder ached as a reminder and he winced.
“King Cornelius sleeping…” He said slyly, bristling slightly. Oh he was cheeky this morning…
Lake narrowed her eyes, she jabbed him in the gut. “Your mother doesn’t care if you’re ruler of the whole world..”
“Still hurt…” He whimpered, hoping she’d give him some needed pity like she did last night. “Journey so long…Humans..” He thought of his hallucinations. “Is it normal to see those of the past?”
It was a random question but she could see he was bothered by something buried deep. He was thinking of that night perhaps, dwelling on that dark past. She tried not to much. She stroked his head and groomed the tangles from his belly.
Billy was startled as the female took the baby from him so abruptly and quickly followed her to make sure he was okay. He sat behind her in the tree as he looked to the nursing infant. He reached over to him to touch his ear before looking to the female. “Thank you… What is your name?” He signed as he looked to her fur. She could use a good grooming it seemed and Billy decided it would be a good way to thank the female for her help.
Boulder and Maurice saw the change in Billy’s luck and looked to one another. They would leave him to his new female and child as they went to see Rocket for the morning… Both stopped a few yards away from his home though, she scent of the prior night still lingered and the two decided it best to wait for him to come out on his own.
Nova watched his hands moved and looked to her own. Humans? She looked to Cornelius and patted his shoulder. “I see Luca some times. I see Caesar in my dreams.” She wondered if that was what he meant as she then went back to the other things. “More humans? No talk like me?”
The female sighed, turning her head to answer him. “Moss..” Her mother had given her that name, as she said her pelt felt as such. She wasn’t so sure about that anymore. She groomed the child while he nursed. It was obvious he hasn’t had a good meal in awhile as he was a bit rough on the nipple. She eased up a bit and closed her eyes while the male behind groomed her. It wasn’t long till another young male, probably no older than five or six, came and investigated the new charge. He peered over her shoulder, just noticing Billy.
“Who’s he?” He questioned her, keeping hidden behind her form.
“Father, I guess, to this child. I’m taking this baby. He needs me..” She groomed the youngster, getting familiar with his scent. He may not be hers but her mothering instinct was still strong and fresh. She had mourned long enough. This was better than having to endure another estrus in a few weeks time and get swamped by eager males again. Some things haven’t changed much from the old. Her oldest son sat close to her and laid his chin on her knee, inspecting his new brother.
Rocket, late to wake up, felt a great pressure on his chest all of a sudden. He snorted and jerked his head. Ah, it was Tinker, up and ready to start the new day with some morning sex. Of course he was ready. He wasn’t aware of some of his council members waiting outside for him so he crooned to her quiet loudly. Just how she liked it. Afterwards he poked his head out for some fresh, crisp air. He was in a grand mood this morning. Then he spotted Maurice and Boulder. How long have they been sitting there? Well he hoped they enjoyed the noises of a horny chimpanzee.
“I’m considering taking a day off…or a few…” Rocket slowly crept down to meet them. “Tinker needs my attentions.” He glanced back over, her small face peering out from their nest. It was customary for a couple to go off on “honeymoons” when estrus came about. Caesar did it too! Nothing stopped such intimate events. It was a time to run off, eat good food, court and mate…..bond with your partner all over again. Wolf-monkeys, humans or not. “Maurice likes playing alpha! Billy and Boulder know all about the humans..I entrust this mission onto them.”
Cornelius sucked on his upper lip. He never liked discussing his father, just the mere mention of it brought terrible memories. He wasn’t sure he’d ever get used to it like Rocket said he would. “Yes, other humans. not mean..” Thankfully, at least they didn’t yield guns..
Nova looked to him and put a hand on his arm to try and soothe her friend, looking to him and tilting her head. “When you are better will you play with Nova like before? I miss when Cornelius played like youngster and wasn’t so busy being king.”
Maurice and Boulder endured the chorus of chimp lovemaking until Rocket peaked out. Maurice made a disgusted face and rolled his eyes. “Apes stupid.” He teased to the chimp but nodded. “Three days away. I can only deal with chimps without your help for so long.”
Boulder snickered at that and signed “Have fun!” to Rocket as he left with Maurice. “I will get supplies ready to capture humans and bring them back. I will leave another male in charge of Guard until I return. I will need Billy and other chimps though to help me.” Maurice nodded to this and gave him permission to head out as soon as he was ready.
Meanwhile Billy was getting to know Moss through grooming her and watching the new baby. He hooted softly to her and her son. “He doesn’t have a name yet… You two can name him if you’d like.” He looked to the five year old curiously, wondering which of the lower ranking males was his father and how he had died. He decided to make a peace offering to the young male to try and win over the family. “I am in the Ape Council. If you would like… You can come with me to see how we make decisions at our next meeting.”
Moss listened to Billy. A council session? So this must be a high ranking male! To be able to speak directly to the king. She mused thoughtfully, this wasn’t about love but perks. She’d be able to get the best meat, the best browsing spots and a nice nest in a safe place with such a male. Her status would rise. He may be scarred up but that mattered little as long as he was strong. That would call for her to be his mate though, which was a tradition she hadn’t followed. Her mother was a lone female that followed the old ways and so did she. Her oldest child would never know his father, nor would she as she had allowed any suitable male to couple with her freely. Same for her last and deceased infant. Maybe this was a sign. Her life had been shattered and then this little one and this grand male came from no where…
She thought about a name for this new child of hers too. A single word popped on her mind, that seemed to fit that wispy tuft of hair just…sprouting from his head. Sprout! She nodded and signed the word. That will be his name. And her older son would have support too from Billy, giving him a chance. Her son shyly nodded, his mother seemed to approve so it was okay.
“Fine..” Moss decided, seeing this was the best outcome. “I’ll be your mate if you’ll have me..” She wasn’t sure about how this new tradition went. Was there a ceremony? Or did they just couple and call it a deal? She didn’t mind either way. “Do I move to your nest?” She questioned, she’d have to pick up the few things she owned.
Cornelius frowned. He’d never stop from growing up or being king. Like all the apes, he’d age faster than her, though she was still older than him. She’d always be giddy and playful. “Maybe, Cornelius still like playing. But someday will be big chimp like father..” Though he was sure he smiled more than he ever did. “Someday Cornelius grow up, have family..”
Then a fabulous idea emerged in the young and innocent ape’s mind. He smiled broadly at Nova. He signed fervently. “I know! Nova be mate with Cornelius when older! Make happy family!” He looked to Lake who was blinking hard. “Can Nova And I make babies?”
He had never seen such an expression on her face. Did he say something wrong? Lake rubbed her forehead, sighing bitterly. “Will have to speak to Bristle about this…no…Maurice.” It seemed like she wasn’t directly speaking to him. Well, Maurice was all knowing. He figured maybe the wisest of all knew. Lake sat at the opening of her nest, huffing sadly. Her poor, confused and broken child. Oh what would Caesar think…
Billy seemed very excited about this and hooted happily to his new family. There were no real traditions for being paired yet, just set rules for couples. Billy smiled as he pet Sprout’s head as he still nursed. He smiled softly then nodded. “Move in to my nest. Live near Rocket and Tinker. Will introduce you at next meeting.”
He seemed so happy until he saw a large ape approach the tree from the ground. It was Boulder. He looked up to the new family and began to sign. “Sorry to interrupt. Billy, I need your help making traps and capturing wild humans out in the desert. Same place your new baby comes from.”
Billy exhaled loudly and looked to Moss. “Important. I’ll come back soon. You stay at my nest.” He rubbed her shoulder gently and looked to his now two sons. He smiled as he began to climb down the tree, looking to Boulder as the two left to get Billy’s supplies.
Nova blinked to the suggestion and her face turned red. She was raised among the apes and knew that it was a high honor to receive such an offer. The look on Lake’s face however made her lower her eyes and look away. She was glad Rocket wasn’t there to hear that… Poor Cornelius would probably either get hit or laughed at.
Bristle returned back to the nest not long after, with some breakfast for his mate and Cornelius and his friend. Lake seemed especially distraught and distant. What did that boisterous boy do now. He was in no mood for two cranky family members. He dragged his ass back up, ready for some verbal beatings. Lake shook her head and pulled him outside from the entrance. He was worried.
“You need to have Maurice talk to Cornelius and Nova…” Lake had a hint of disgust and pity on her face. “They….umm…Cornelius.”
All sorts of dark thoughts flooded his mind, ones that made him wince. Was she suggesting? Why is she stuttering? He hated cliffhangers and this seemed like it was going to be much worse than any ball snatching Cornelius did earlier. This child was a mess. Where did they go wrong? Forgive us Caesar….
“What? Did they mate? Spell it out.” He grunted impatiently, not caring if she got cross with him. This was a very serious matter. One that could ruin the young king’s position.
Lake thunked him on the head. “No! But he suggested it. Suggested making her his wife and even asked me if they can have babies. They need to know now. Don’t want him growing up confused and thinking Nova is attractive..” She took pity on the child. She had no ill will towards the human girl but such feelings were strictly taboo and they both were getting at that age were such play was physically possible. “Go to Maurice and bring him here.”
Bristle sighed and left. He hoped neither of them saw their discussion..Nova was particularly sensitive. He felt a cold confusion course through his body. Oh how was he gonna tell Maurice in the right way. no point in pussyfooting. He slunkered down next to the old orangutan. He gazed around him. “We need to talk and I need your help.” He told Maurice. He didn’t want to upset him as Nova was like a daughter to him..
Cornelius, feeling unsettling vibes from his mother, wasn’t sure if he wanted to be in this nest. It felt uninviting. Maybe they didn’t like Nova because she was human and humans killed his whole family. But she never did! Father approved of her! The slow ache in his shoulder jerked at his emotions. He stood looking out at the horizon, his pelt erect with angst. Can he do anything right? Or was he going to be lectured like a fool again.
Nova looked quietly at Lake as Bristle left. She had seen everything. She looked… Sad… Confused. She looked down as she began to sign to the female. “I will stop spending time with Cornelius… Don’t want him to think I am attractive.” A tear rolled down her cheek as she left the nest very disheartened. It wasn’t her fault she was human… She tried to be an ape, she did ape things like climb, play, groom, sign… Why did she have to be so different?
Maurice was enjoying some fruit when Bristle came to him and he perked a brow. “What is wrong? Did Cornelius do something? I don’t want to lecture him again, he’s been through so much these past few days.” Maurice himself was getting exhausted from all that Cornelius was putting him through… Soon he would be as grey as Caesar was! He sighed and relented a bit. “Talk about what?”
Meanwhile Boulder and Billy were heading out on there way to round up the humans. Many other chimps were brought with them since they needed help capturing all the humans and carrying back the orphans that were there. Billy though had his mind on his new family though, hoping they would like his nest and welcome him back home with open arms.
Boulder looked over to the distracted Billy and smirked. “Stay focused, we want to return home to the females alive.” Billy looked to him and nodded, looking back to the other chimps as they rode out into the desert.
Cornelius followed after his friend, not knowing where she was going but he cared little. They can go away forever if need be. Lake enquired why he was leaving but he only huffed at her. It took determination to get back down to the ground with his injuried body but he felt a rage burning in his chest. He wasn’t sure why it was so intense but as the months wore on it only magnified and he felt it hard to control.
“You will not leave. I am king and she is only my mother.. but I am king!” He signed to her, still poofy as ever. He grumbled loudly and strutted about, attacking another sapling oak. Here he would display his strength and prowess to his friend so she’ll be reassured that he was strong enough to hold his position. He stomped on the roots and clapped the ground loudly for measure, letting all those around him to know he was to be taken seriously.
But quickly after, his little bout of adrenaline drained and he was reminded of his healing wounds. He sunk down onto his rump, nostrils flaring. But still he held a dignified reserve. Instinctively he knew it was not wise to show your weaknesses.
“Thought a long while…” He told her. “I am nearly six years old. No longer a suckling white-tail. Will need nest of my own. A proper nest for a king, son of Caesar. You can stay with me. We can stay up and play games and tell stories. Lake or Bristle cannot tell me what to do if I have my own nest. Let’s make one!”
Bristle made sure no one could see his hands as he talked with Maurice. “Cornelius and Nova are confused. Lake told me they want to couple and make babies. I know they’re young and that can’t happen but Cornelius cannot grow up feeling attracted to her. He’d need to find a proper she-chimp later. Nobody will follow an ape that loves a human like that.”
Bristle groaned. Like Lake he too felt pity for Nova. “Maybe it is time we found Nova a human tribe? They all seem dumb and harmless.. Maybe that tribe we saw earlier with the infants. There she could live a proper human life..”
But he knew Cornelius wouldn’t take it well. No, he’d probably be violent about it. Chimps always were when it came to their feelings. Even the level-headed Caesar had to give an opposing male or two a beating so great it was a wonder it didn’t kill them. Even the best were prone to fits. And Cornelius was definitely becoming a sharp male real fast. Already threw himself into two nasty fights, killing one opponent. He wondered if Billy and a Boulder already left…
Maurice made a face at the mention of them being a couple. Sure, he had seen Chimps and Bonobos hybridizing and even seen Bonobos try to have fun with Orangs and young male Gorillas… But humans? His throat rumbled uncomfortable as he looked to Bristle. “I will talk to him… Explain to him why he can’t and shouldn’t.” He frowned though at the other thought. “But Nova stays. She helped apes escape the human zoo. She helped Caesar. No, we bring humans to live here and she can spend more time with them.” He got up as he looked to Bristle. “Where are they now…?”
Nova went to his side as he sat there and talked about making his own nest. She was entering in her early teens now and puberty was hitting her as well… But she was a bit more rational than him as she signed. “You are not old enough to be on your own fully. Even with me in the nest. You need Lake and Bristle. And you should be with ape, not Nova.” She put a hand on his cheek reassuringly and smiled. “Cornelius is strong male, will make a great leader.”
Billy and Boulder were leading the chimps through the desert to where the human tribe was when Boulder raised a hand, signaling them to stop. He sniffed the air and growled. He then pointed to the ground. Both he and Billy got off their horses and looked at some foot prints… Wolf-Monkeys… They had been here. The tracks were heading in the direction of the humans. Boulder got on his horse and roared loudly, Billy hopping on and hooting to make sure everyone knew they needed to move and fast!
Cornelius sighed, feeling his rage ebb away. “I suppose you’re right. But I won’t allow you to leave. I would be very sad. I will have a mate someday and children but you will always come first. If you need protection, food, a home, I’ll provide. Even if we can’t make love like Lake and Bristle do..” He moved over to a shady spot by a tree that had a comfy bed of springy leaves. “I still don’t understand it though..Maurice says you are ape. We all are ape..”
He pulled Nova close, grooming her head as that was the only good place to do so. He needed something to pick through and satisfy his primate urges. “The humans saved me, you know.. I see it now. I was about to slip off. I saw my family. They looked sad. Then the humans came and made my wound stop bleeding. I would have been dead. They act like ape. Smell like ape. I don’t understand why we live apart if we same things. I know mother would be mad if I said that.. they killed my family yet so did apes. I heard the stories. Ape started the war. Human not forgive. Maurice said that. But other apes ignore him.”
He thought of his stomach too as it grumbled loudly. He forgot he hadn’t eaten at all this morning. He smacked his lips. Nova had no bugs on her to still his stomach. “Let’s go to the big rotten log by the river and look for grubs before others do…then blackberries next.”
Bristle led the old orang back to his nest. He figured the two were still nestling while the poor Lake kept a stern eye on the two budding lovebirds. But when he arrived he found Lake already roaming the walkways. She was put-out and tired. Not a good morning at all.
“Where are the two? Still in the nest?”
Lake shook her head and waved her hand. “I don’t know where they went..but they had seen us talk about them. Both were upset. Cornelius should be resting. Not throwing tantrums. I don’t know what to do..” She was relieved to see Maurice. “He followed Nova.. I’m not sure where she likes to hide exactly.”
The woman laid huddled in her poorly made tent. It would often collapse. Her meager mind, stunted by the virus, could only offer bits n pieces of knowledge. Her memories scarred forever. She didn’t know why she made this tent out of a dry-rotted animal hide propped with sticks, only recalled some vague pictures in her head. She just knew it kept some of the sun and rain out. Though a tree would probably be better. She peered down at the infant chimp clutched to her middle. She didn’t remember where he came from. Only found herself drawn to the mewing baby. Her mind was gone but her mothering instincts were not. She had almost forgotten about Cornelius. He had only appeared like a flash in her life. But soon her life would be disrupted once again…
Maurice rolled his eyes as they had just missed them. He went to the nearest tree and climbed up it with little effort as he looked around. He spotted them making their way to the river, nearly there. He sighed and began to head down. He looked to Bristle and Lake. “Down by the river… I will talk to them alone.” Slowly he began to make his way there, other apes getting out of the way of the high ranking Orang.
Nova had gotten to the river and began to pick berries while Cornelius picked around for grubs under a log. She would eat insects if they were cooked but was still human enough to be somewhat grossed out about eating them alive. She got some of the blackberries and brought them over to him as he looked for food, popping some in her mouth before putting the rest down and running her fingers through his pelt gently. She smiled softly to her closest friend as she sat beside him and enjoyed looking out over the river.
Billy and Boulder had made it to the human camp but were not alone. They had caught up to the Wolf-Monkeys now who were preparing to attack the sleeping humans in their tents. One began to creep in to where the female was with the orphaned chimp and got ready to lunge. It shrieked and leaped into the air only to be grabbed by the leg and dragged out, a fist coming down on it’s skull as Boulder pounded his chest. The other chimps began to keep the Wolf-Monkeys at bay as Boulder approached the naked female human. He stuck a hand out to her, trying to show her he wasn’t here to hurt her but to get her out.
Billy was trying to round up the young chimps that weren’t attached to humans, trying to keep them out of the way of the Chimps who were fighting off the evil monkeys. He hooted as he guided them to where the horses were, other chimps waiting to carry them off to safety as the others fought.
Cornelius squeaked contently as he felt Nova’s fingers glide through his pelt. With a few fat grubs in his palm he piled them next to her berries and rested his head affectionately in her lap. There he could have a snuggle, a snack, and a lovely scenery to enjoy. Maybe this will be a good day. He hoped, with no wolf-monkeys or stupid rivals to disturb their peace. He blinked dreamily, popping a juicy grub inside his lip. There he squeezed it, feeling the insides pop out and ooze over his teeth. Delicious…for a chimp.
“I think here I should build my nest. When I’m old enough I guess. Maybe when Berry is older I will. I think she’d miss me.” He thought about the humans again across the desert, and all the infants. They weren’t so treacherous. “If you saw other humans would you go live with them? If you wanted to? They weren’t afraid of apes..”
Then he thought about himself. Who would he hang out with then? He hadn’t thought about it much but he rarely ever socialized with other apes his age. He only hung out with Nova and most of his council members. He had a much different path than others did. He was thrust into a serious role at a young age. His bloodline was a privilege and a curse. It was like an invisible cage around him. Now he wasn’t all that interested in the games of the other chimps. Oh they lived such carefree lives. Nothing much was expected of them. They were commoners and some may join the ape army and progress upwards if they had what it takes. But not him. Already he fought two battles and both nearly killed him. He’d have two scars soon enough.
So Nova was his playmate, his shoulder to cry on when he felt his past family’s oddly cold presence over him. She too had lost her family. Oh why did she have to be human? He felt that he could trust her with his secrets more than anybody else. He wasn’t sure if he could really bond and connect with anyone else on such a level. He heard a soft crashing in the trees. Usually only orangs made such noise. He glanced up lazily, not budging from his comfy spot. It was Maurice.
The human woman shrieked at the sight of the looming male gorilla. He may have meant the best but to a terrified human he was a monster. She curled up into a ball, unable to move. The baby chimp attached to her instinctively kept himself clinging to her middle. His eyes wide open as he shivered. He could hear the threatening barks of the wolf-monkeys and now this great looming blackish creature before him. He squeaked and buried his head in her chest.
Nova shook her head. She pointed to the ground then to him, then simply signed “Home.” She smiled as she rested with him in her lap, idly letting her fingers run through his hair. She made soft noises since she could not speak as she looked to him with her blue eyes. “This will make a good nesting spot.” She signed and smiled a bit before her own head turning to see Maurice coming through the trees then descending down to them.
The old Orang approached them in his normal slow matter and plopped down by the two. “Nova. Cornelius. Bristle and Lake are worried about you two. Wanted me to lecture you on why you cannot be mates.” He sighed and rubbed his head as he looked to the young king. “But Maurice knows that Cornelius is tired of being told what to do. So I am only here to answer questions you may have then I will leave you two be until it is time for Nova to return home.”
Nova looked to Cornelius then back to Maurice. “You told me humans are apes. Bonobos can mate with chimpanzees… Why is it frowned upon that Cornelius would want to make me his mate.”
Maurice looked to her and simply signed. “Never done before.” He shrugged lightly. “Bonobos and chimps very close. Have similar bodies and faces. Humans look different from any other ape. Also many still look at humans badly for what has happened in the past.”
Meanwhile Boulder was trying to still convince the human woman he was not a threat. It seemed as if most of the wolf-monkeys were being fought off and killed so he seated himself next to the curled human and touched her gently. He made a soft noise as he then grabbed her leg and tugged lightly, wanting her to come with him without him having to drag her out.
Cornelius listened to Maurice, his brow furrowed in deep thoughts. But he has seen some things that just didn’t fit with his excuses. “Rocket and I saw a bonobo mount a gorilla once…nobody scolded them.” Yes, he and Rocket saw plenty of things that would make Lake want to want to give the balding male a pair of very sore ears. But he best not open his mouth too much. “And Nova isn’t bad like other humans..She is my best friend..”
The young king got up, wanting to explore the rotten log for more tasty grubs. Further more, he no longer wanted to continue this conversation. He still didn’t understand it. But maybe someday he would. Someday the scent of a female in estrus will capture him in a way it never had and the sight of it will be a major focus in his life for decades to come. Someday he’d be a father of plenty, more than enough to secure Caesar’s lineage. But for now he was a budding teenager in a confusing and conflicted time in his life. Nova would never be lost on him however, to his dying days. The sweetheart he could never have. He dug deeper into the log, ignoring the pain in his shoulder, determined to nab those salty gooeys. He wondered what his father would think. But why fuss over this now? It would be a few years before he’d need to mate..
The woman, perhaps quite a sensitive being, only fainted as she felt the giant ape’s hand clasp onto her leg. The infant stared out at Boulder with fear and desperation. Was he to die? His little mind could only soak up so much but he believed as long as he clung to his mommy then all was fine. Even if she had fainted. The big ape before him reminded him of one he saw before. It had taken another small ape and he had never seen it again. His little toes clung to her tightly. The big black monster would just have to take them both.
Boulder sighed as he saw the woman go limp. He looked to the baby chimp terrified and dragged them out and brought them to where Billy and the others had rounded up the other humans. Boulder grunted as he heaved the woman and the baby chimp onto one of the horses since she was unable to walk it seemed. Some of the male chimps were now carrying the babies and young. Others were dragging Wolf-Monkey bodies.
Billy looked to them all, wondering about Moss and Sprout and her other son. He grunted as Boulder got on his horse, always wondering how the horses could carry so much weight on their bodies. He then hooted and they all began to head back, tied up humans and babies in toe.
Maurice made a face. What the hell was Rocket showing this boy? He rolled his eyes and grunted as Cornelius walked away. He then moved beside him. “Cornelius will find a good female chimp to mate with. Billy and Boulder are bringing humans here soon so Nova will not feel so isolated. See if we can teach these humans ape ways.”
Moss and her two sons, Branch and Sprout, moved into Billy’s nest with their meager belongings. She decided to tidy up the place to her own specifications, males were messy to begin with. Some surrounding neighbors poke their heads out from their own. Either Billy had died or he finally found a mate? With such baggage? Not all chimps would have taken such a female, she had gotten lucky.
“So much room.” Branch hooted, excited he didn’t have to live in a separate but close nest anymore to his mother, just like in the old days. “Does this mean I can snuggle again?” He asked with a hint of embarrassment.
“Well he’s a well-off, high ranking male. There’s plenty of room so we can all sleep in here.” His mother began fixing up the bedding, shuffling around straw and soft pelts.
“When will he be back?” Branch asked.
“I’m not sure. He had to go do something about some apes and humans..” Moss sighed, she hoped Billy wouldn’t get killed. Would be depressing to gain all this and just lose it. And she knew that no other male would likely be so kind to her. No, others would chase off her oldest son or ignore him completely since he was weaned and would ignore or even kill Sprout. Some males sadly were like that. She brushed her lips against Sprout’s forehead. Branch sat down next to his mother and groomed her.
Cornelius’s shoulder started to feel better on each passing day. Lake gently picked at the scabs. He’d have another scar, at least this one had better placement. The young king seemed distant from her lately, detached. He felt like she had passed judgement on him and Nova. Lake started suggesting to him to play with certain females. He wasn’t simple. He knew what she was doing. If he was feeling the desires to play around and fuck than might as well find ones interested. In most human societies this would be looked down on but not amongst chimps. Play mating was a normal thing with budding teens. The desire for a nest of his own was growing greater. He really wished he was a few years older so he’d be really strong enough to fend for himself.
The following day there was a lot of commotion from the guards at the front, both Chimps and Gorillas. It seemed the males that went on the special mission had returned. Boulder rode at the front with Billy riding behind him. Billy was excited to be home and check on his new family. He dismounted his horse and quickly made his way to his nest to check on how Moss, Sprout, and Branch were as he hooted his arrival.
Boulder watched his eagerness to check on his family and grunted lightly. He looked to the human captives as they were tied up and led into the city, some of the apes seeming confused by this. Maurice was quick to meet them with Nova, Nova somewhat hiding behind the large ape as she looked to the other humans… It had been so long. Maurice looked to the humans then noticed some of the apes were injured. “What happened?”
Boulder snorted and pointed to one of his own injuries. “Wolf-Monkeys.” He then motioned back to one of the horses which had a stack of dead monkey bodies on it’s back that was being unloaded by a chimp. “Becoming a real problem… Would have killed the humans if we didn’t get there in time.”
Maurice frowned at this. He then noticed Nova was no longer behind him but walking towards the human woman who carried the baby chimp. She offered the two a soft smile and put out her hand in friendship, trying to calm them and let them know they were safe now.
Maurice moved past her and began to collect some of the younger apes up to introduce them to other young apes until they could be adopted… However he avoided the one attached to the human woman since they seemed too deeply bonded at the moment. Maurice looked to Boulder then and signed. “Cornelius is feeling better. Soon your troops will be able to deal with the Wolf-Monkeys. For now, make sure apes don’t kill these humans.”
Moss and her two sons heard the chorus of chimps as they were napping. She pride open an eye. Why does her kind have to be so dramatic… Looking up she could see a chimp running rather frantically for her nest. Was it Billy? She could recognize his scars. Her oldest son clamped his ears in annoyance of the hoots and screeching as he tried to finish his nap. Sprout decided it was time for a suckle. She gazed over the entrance. She wasn’t sure how to properly greet Billy so only hooted quietly in response. She tugged on Branch to get him to join in.
Cornelius too ventured down to the source of the sounds. The rank stink of humans crept into his nostrils and he felt himself poof up like never before. He looked like a straight up brown cotton ball. He watched as Nova approached the humans. He couldn’t help but feel a tingle of jealousy. Why bring them here? Were they trying to take Nova away from him? He only snorted and joined everyone in sniffing and inspecting the petrified humans. The woman with the baby chimp seemed to recognize him as she gasped at him. Reaching out, she ran her fingers over his fluffy head. For a second Cornelius felt like biting those fingers off but remembered she and the others rescued him from a lonely death. He sat there tight-lipped, tolerating her fondling for a moment. She picked at his scabbing shoulder wound, patting his rump too. He felt silly. He probably looked silly. He felt a tiny foot plant itself on his forehead. The infant seemed to know him too.
Billy returned to his nest and hooted to her gently in return. He had the carcass of a Wolf-Monkey with him that he brought home to his family, proving himself as a provider for them. He looked to Moss and Sprout, reaching to touch the baby before her. He seemed happy and nursing. “I missed you all. I hope my nest wasn’t too messy when you arrived.” He chuckled a bit. Since he had been single for so long, he didn’t really pick up after himself... A habit he was sure she would force him to change.
Nova naturally tried to sign to the other humans and they looked at her blankly. She pouted. She tried a few things. “Home.” “Family?” “Human.” They just either averted their gaze or looked at her like she was an oddity, waving her hands around like that. Maurice felt a bit sad. Even with her own kind, now she was a bit of an outcast. Maybe in time that would change. Maurice noticed how Cornelius watched Nova, seeing jealousy spark in his eyes. He rumbled his throat pouch though in warning to the young king as his attention then shifted to the female and baby chimp that began to pet him.
Boulder came up and looked to Cornelius. “We saved them from the Wolf-Monkeys. Where does Cornelius want humans to live?” He wasn’t sure how they would do living freely with the apes. After all, many of the apes still had bad memories of humans even though Caesar showed them not all were bad. Some barely tolerated Nova’s presence. “Not sure how apes would live with them walking free... But... I remember when Koba locked humans in cage, did not like that.”
