Clova *COMPLETE*

Chapter 34- The Assassination

Caesar and Clova had returned back to the Ape Village with some special guests. The apes welcomed the humans into their humble abode, they had never felt so embraced besides the friends they had back at home. As the apes parted into two so they could walked past, Caesar turned and gave Clova a smile. 

"Nice plan.", he signed.

Clova gave him a thumbs up and smiled confidently as they walked up a large rock. From there, the view was infinite and they could see distant lights beaming from the city. As Caesar helped Ellie onto the rock, he pointed his finger into the distance.

"The. Lights.", he said. Sure enough, the power had reached the city and the group embraced each other and rejoiced in a hug. 

Soft coos suddenly emerged from the bedroom above, they all turned their heads to the open doorway where Cornelia walked out hand in hand with Cornelius, his young face lit up seeing his mother well again. Caesar didn't waste a second, his face relieved as Cornelia made her way out to the balcony and walked up to see her. Ellie also had a huge grin on her face and was taken aback slightly when Clova jumped her in a surprise hug.

"Thank you...so much.", she said softly. Her heart melted and she returned Clova's hug, grateful for her kindness. When they parted, Clova also climbed up the balcony to rejoin her family.

Cornelius ran over to Caesar and grabbed his hand. "Father, mother is better!", he signed quickly, he was was overjoyed as he was unable to keep still. Caesar took his son in one arm and walked up to Cornelia. 

"Feeling better?", he asked lovingly as his hand gently traced her face. She responded with a soft nod as the two rubbed their heads together soothingly. Clova watched from a corner as her mother and father sweetly embraced one another, it made her heart throb. Absolutely nothing could ruin this sweet, sweet moment.

Unknowingly to them, there were a few apes who weren't rejoicing and began to put their sinister plan to action. Koba glared at the balcony oh how he itched to have his revenge, a whole group of humans right where he wanted them, including Clova. Whilst the crowd of apes were distracted and gathered closer to celebrate the recovering of their queen, Koba gave Grey the 'okay' and struck a spark from Carver's old lighter before setting the home ablaze. As the flame slowly progressed into a large fire, Koba grabbed a rifle he stole from the human's armoury.

"Keep everyone distracted...I'm going for Caesar.", he instructed. The apes nodded and kept watch.

Blue Eyes quietly appeared in the doorway and dropped his spear in surprise, the young teen couldn't believe his eyes. His mother was well, standing by herself, colour flushed back to her face, he had never been so happy.

"Mother?"

Blue Eyes walked closer and gave her a warm hug to which Cornelius and Clova joined in. Finally, they were all together again, Caesar couldn't hold back the massive, heartwarming smile he had on his face seeing his beloved family embrace each other. 

Suddenly, faint shuffles were heard from down below in the tree branches. Caesar walked out onto the balcony and lowered his head, he saw and was able to make out a distinct figure. That figure belonged to Koba, he wondered why the suspicious bonobo was lurking in the trees at this hour. His answer finally rang true as Koba slowly brought out an armed rifle from behind his back and raised it to Caesar. Before he even had to react, a loud gunshot echoed throughout the village immediately grasping everyone's attention. 

Clova's head shot up and looked out to the balcony where Caesar stood very, very still. Blue Eyes also took notice and before he could take action, they all witnessed Caesar's limp body slip off the ledge and into the deep, dark depths of the woods below. 

"Father!"