”I am Lia and I have admired our queen since I was a little baby. My mother, Caht, has always told me that if you want to mean something in this tribe, then prove your worth in the Troop Trial, by winning it! Since she spoke those words to me, I prepared my whole life for this day. I now feel ready to show you all what I can do and ultimately win this challenge and begin my life as your new queen.”

There was tension and excitement in the air. They have all been waiting for this. The Leaders has now turned to spectators. Most of the apes in the tribe gets to witness this event once in their lifetime and if one is lucky, maybe twice. Somehow, this is Shado’s third time. No one knows how.

The second challenger steps up.

”My name is Lyn and I have not had the privileges like so many others here, to have a mother that taught me how to become and think like a Leader. I have had it rough and for that I know my limits and hopefully the limitations of my fellow bonobos. I have already been tested, throughout my whole life and I will prove to all of us that I have what it takes.”

”Thank you, Lia and Lyn and good luck. You will both need it.”

It was time for the rest of the challengers to introduce themselves to the tribe and state which pathway and Leader they wish to join.

”There will be a minimum of six trials today. One of them will be The Troop Trial. The rest of the ten challengers will choose between the remaining four. As I said before, if you fail in the trial, then the tribe will choose what will become of you.”

”Who wants to present themselves before us and state their trial?” Elen asked.

The challengers were standing next to each other in a row, facing the Leaders and the Elders. None of the challengers seemed eager to state their paths, but on the edge of the row, to the right, Jon decided that he did not want to be the last one so he might as well be the first.

He takes a step forward. He looks nervous. Not as sure of himself as Lia or Lyn appeared to be. “Maybe that is why one of them will be our Leader” he thought to himself.

Standing in front of the whole tribe, while they are watching and judging, is not something every ape is comfortable with. He begins nonetheless with a shaky voice.

”I...I am Jon. I will undergo The Speedsters Trial.” He musters up some courage.

”I see great potential in Neleem and the fact that she is the youngest Leader and acts like one of us is a feature that I value highly. I will do everything to try to follow her path and I will show it tonight.”

“That is lovely Jon. Do we have another brave ape that wants to face him in the trial or is he going to challenge Neleem herself?”

Atu is on the other end of the lineup and he begins to stare at Jon. He notices that he still looks nervous. Apparently, the courage he had before is gone. His own speech did not calm him at all. Atu has dreamt about this moment since he can remember, and he will take Jon’s insecurity and make it to his advantage.

”A Spotter. Me? You guessed it!” He says to himself. It is my turn now. He takes a step forward.

”There is nothing that Jon has on me. Ok maybe, just maybe, I am a bit heavier than him but I mean, I love fruits more than anything. It is going to be an excellent contest. I am coming for you Jon. Uh-oh, sorry. Yes, my name is Hungry Atu, I mean Atu. I love everything about this trial. My need for hunger overpowers you Jon! My appetite cannot be matched.”

Elen thought to herself that,

“Maybe Atu believed that this was an eating trial. Did he not listen to Neleem? One needs speed for this and Atu, well, he is fat compared to Jon. Compared to almost every challenger. Maybe The Guardian Trial is more suited for him? I do not know about the big leap either, oh well. We’ll see what happens.”

It did not matter. Atu could not wait any longer. He was ready to start at that very instant. It was almost as if they had to start The Speedster Trial right now and skip the rest of the introductions.

Four out of twelve. Eight more challengers to present themselves. One Troop Trial and two Speedster Trials so far.

It was Chims turn. He felt ready to step up. In the midst of all the crazy things that Atu said, he somehow felt inspired. He did not share Atus vision for food obviously, but he understood his desire to win and be able to do what he loves. He knew that he must approach The Guardian Trial in the same was Atu approaches food. Head on and with no regrets.

”I’m going to do it.” He says inside his head and practically jumps forward out of the line-up.

”I am Chim. I would like to start by saying that I am more than grateful for what you all have done for me. I cannot say that I know any other tribe that would have taken me into their home and given me so much love and affection as Red Tribe has. Everyone and I mean everyone have made me feel like I belong here and that I am one of you. I guess all of you know my story, but I just want to express my gratitude. I originally intended to become a Spotter in order to alert the tribe of any danger that might come our way, but I have been inspired to choose a different path. I will undergo The Guardian Trial. I want to protect the things I have come to love. Just as our great Leader Zahn said before. I will fight for what we have built up together, even if it costs me my life!”

”Inspiring words little one but you are no match for me.” That voice was not of a normal four-season-old bonobo. He sounded considerably rougher and manlier than the rest of the challengers. Chim knew who he was going to face but deep inside he wished he could fight someone else. That ape had bigger muscles and was almost twice the size compared to Chim.

Maimut was the biggest challenger in this seasons group. He could be the biggest one that has ever done the challenge that is for sure. He was born to be a guardian if you ask the tribe.

”Is he really four? His voice is more mature then my fathers.” One of the challengers said.

”Chim is going to lose, no doubt about it!” Could be heard from the others.

”Do not worry Chim. He is not going to defeat you just because he is bigger than you! Bigger means slower and it also means more areas for you to hit him in the one on one combat. You have to be smart. Let him get exhausted, maybe take a punch or two, then I believe you will have a chance.”

”Do I even believe that? I had to say something encouraging, right? Marcus thought to himself. Maimut is gigantic. Almost the size of the orange apes we sometimes see that come from Orange Tribe to the far north. Chim should have went for The Speedster Trial.