That evening the young ones were watching as their brothers and sisters were preparing in their own ways to be as sharp as they have ever been. Looking with jealousy and admiration towards they siblings, the little ones were also longing for the day that they got to prepare for the same trials. Chatter in the trees could be heard from all the families of The Red Tribe for many swings away. The whole tribe has been longing for this and today is finally here. The mothers and fathers are trying to come up with last minute advice to tell their sons and daughters before they head towards the mountain. They want their children to be confident and to believe in their capabilities. Most of the parents seemed more eager to learn about the fate of their young ones than the challengers themselves because they knew the importance of today. It will not only shape their children’s future but also the future of the entire Red Tribe. New Leaders always set new priorities and hopefully they will align with the needs of the tribe.

Marcus had finished his preparations for tonight and thought to himself that he might as well swing over to Chim and see if he was as eager to start the trials as he was this morning. When nearing Chims family tree he decided to stop and hide behind a big branch. He did not want Chim to notice him, yet. He was curious to see how Chim prepared himself. He saw him beat his chest like his father had shown him and found it amusing because Chim was tiny compared to the other apes. He did not have the posture and body of a Guardian. He was very quick, had great speed and a stable grip. Perfect traits for a Spotter. Chim was also the one that enjoyed sitting around and eat fruits and sunbathe rather than protecting the group or fending away intruders. “Maybe he has grown?” he thought.

Remembering all the times he had asked Chim to follow him out in the rainforest so they could hopefully find new fruits to eat or new ground animals to see, but he was always so lazy. There were moments when dragging him out from his favorite branch holding his tail was the only option.

”I still hope that he becomes a Guardian though. Mostly I wish for him to join me so we can have awesome adventures around Big Red Mountain but Chim seems determined to follow my father’s way of life and he is fortunate to have found what he has been looking for. I am happy for him.” Marcus said to himself. It was impossible for Marcus to know what the future held for him but his purpose in this life is about transformation. A change so great that it will alter the course and history of this planet forever.

Chims mother and father was also preparing for tonight, along with all the other families that have children that will compete in the trials this season. Their only child was about to do the trials. A moment they both had been waiting for since the day they received him from Elen. He was just a tiny little chimpanzee and now he is ready to take on the challenge to defend the Tribe. They could not have been prouder of him, regardless of what happens tonight.

Usually the rainforest is dense around the canopies. The tress has branches that reach out far towards the glowing orb in the sky and its twigs are often covered in moss that are so thick that it barely lets any sunlight pass towards the ground. But not during this day. Today a route has been shaped and formed to guide the whole tribe towards the mighty volcano. Like a tunnel pointing the way out of a mountain but instead of lights there are red and pink flowers hanging from the trees. It is a beautiful sight. The whole tribe has worked hard since morning to prepare for this occasion.

The Elders of the tribe have already begun the swing from tree to tree towards their favorite spots on Big Red Mountain. They want to take in the atmosphere and find the best places up in the trees to watch the event unfold in front of their eyes. An event that they had had once done, long time ago. This tradition is the highlight for Red Tribe. The Ritual always starts after the great rain has fallen on them for many moons. They know the time has come because Shado told them so.

Marcus was still hiding behind the tree. His patience when observing some of the big cats had made him able to sit and watch for longer periods of time but he decides whistles to Chim. It was a special kind of whistle that they both had come up with. Chim recognized it immediately and turned his head towards the sound.

Chims starts to look around for Marcus and he hears the whistle again.

“Where are you? Stop hiding. It is almost time for us to start swinging. I must go back to my mom and dad. I guess they have some words of advice for me before the big night.” Chims says with an exciting voice.

“I am a master of disguise! Almost as excellent at hiding in plain sight as the slow animal with those big eyes that could move and see in every direction. Do you remember that it just vanished somehow? One moment it was there and the next it was gone!”

“Yes. But you are not nearly as remarkable at hiding as he was. Do you know why? Because you smell very bad! I could smell your scent from three swings away, M.” Chim laughs at him.

“Then why are you looking at the wrong direction when speaking to me?” Marcus sneaks from behind the branch and appears in front of him. The act was almost as impressive as the chameleons.

“Ok I’m heading back. Just wanted to see you how you were holding up. See you soon! Say hi to your parents from me!”

He grabs the lianas and with that short visit to Chim he heads back towards his family tree. When reaching his home, he sees that his parents are almost done preparing themselves. He looks over to his father and notices that he seems stressed. Every time the great Zahn is stressed, he tries to look for something to eat or lies to pick, and then eat. Zahn the Guardian of the Canopy, Leader of the Guardians, who has fought all kinds of apes that has come to into their territory and ground animals trying to snatch young ones from the trees, is nervous for tonight.

”Is he nervous for me? I guess that even the strongest of us can feels ape.”

He looks over to his mother. The beautiful Elen, Leader of Red Tribe. Elegant with red-brown braided hair. She is as stunning as the glowing orb overlooking Red Mountain. She has taken care of the tribe for almost eleven seasons now. She has sacrificed a lot during these periods. The sacrifices that has been made has sometimes benefited the tribe more than the family but that is what it means to be a Leader. All the decisions that are made are not always beneficial for herself, but the family has endured through the hard times and have come out stronger because of it.

Eleven years is the cycle it takes to see another glowing orb in the sky which is orbited by four smaller lights but does not emit any glowing at all. It is a sign that it is time for a new Leader to emerge. A transition in Leadership. (Jupiter and it is four moons can be seen in the sky roughly every eleven years. This event, amongst other, is information that has been given to the tribe by the Stargazers and their Leader Shado.)

”It is my pleasure and honor to announce my last Lava Ritual as the Leader of this wonderful tribe. Red Tribe. A name that means more than just words. A name that represents loyalty, love, strength and unity” Elen spoke with such a passion that the words that were heard must have come straight from her heart.

”We are a family with strong bonds and traditions that has been with us since the first Great Leader Bono. We are here today to continue these traditions and as...” Elen notices something in the corner of her right eye. It is her young challenger. He was glancing at her and admiring what he was hearing.

”Mom that was breathtaking. I have never heard you say these words and show such emotions before” With tears in his eyes he climbs down the branch and goes towards his mother and hugs her.

”Thank you, my son. I hope that you now understand that it is of utter importance that you choose the path that you want to walk for the rest of your life. I made my decision time long ago and I am pleased that I did. Me, your father and all the Elders are only trying to guide you all, into the paths that you were meant to take. This is what is best for the tribe and yourselves.”

He had tremendous respect for both and that is why he sensed that tonight is going to be hurtful, for all three of them.

”Let’s get ready. We need to start moving towards Red Mountain. Your father and I have to be there before the rest of the tribe arrives. I trust that you prepare yourself well for tonight.”

”Ok, I will see you there, ready or not!” says Marcus.

That evening Red Mountain had a certain eerie glow that lit up towards the sky and that set the perfect atmosphere for the tribe to start their Ritual. For tonight was going to be a long night full of joy, happiness, failures and as always, some disappointments.

All the challengers had now reached Red Mountain, all twelve of them. They had now lined up in front of the tribe Elders and their Leaders. Friends and family were also staring at them with high hopes and expectations, as if the pressure of tonight were not enough on their hairy shoulders. Amongst them were Marcus and Chim. They were not the smallest in statue of the candidates but certainly not the biggest either. There was one huge fellow that really stood out from all other challengers. There was no doubt in the minds of the other contenders what trial he will choose.

”Good evening everyone. I am very happy to see so many of us here tonight. I want to say that we have grown in population since last season. It is my pleasure to announce my last Lava Ritual…” Elen continues her speech from home… ”We are a family with strong bonds and traditions that has been with us since the first Great Leader, Bono. We are here today to continue this traditions and as many of you know, it is a great honor for the challengers to stand here tonight for only the best of Red Tribe are here to announce themselves to the life in the Canopy.”

”I cannot believe that it has already been eleven seasons since I did The Troop Challenge. I am standing in front of you today, older and maybe a bit wiser but nonetheless ready to pave way for a new generation of Leaders.”

”Your words are truly echoing in us all. We have been grateful for your guidance and dedication to Red Tribe since the day you took over. We survived The Great War because of your knowledge and experienced decision-making. It will never be forgotten for as long as tribe exists and even after that!” One of the Elders, Onob, said with a proud voice. Beating his chest towards the crowd to show his gratitude to their queen.

”Infront of us we have the mightiest of warriors, scouts, spotters, shamans and Leaders that Red Tribe has to offer and before we start, the rules of each trial will be explained by the respective Leaders. Listen carefully and choose wiser because there is no going back after tonight.”

”Thank you Onob.” Elen bows down towards Onob to show appreciation and respect.

”Every challenger will be allowed to choose one of the trials that they think they are most suited for. If they fail or loose towards a fellow challenger then the Tribe will choose for them. It is mandatory to follow this path for as long as your arms can swing” Elen says with a smile and encouragement.

”My last words of advice before I let the Leaders speak are that I really hope that all twelve of you understand the opportunity that lies before you tonight. Not every child in the Tribe has the chance to choose their destiny and therefor I want you to take it!”