Following his shocking return to an ape-dominated Earth, Leo Davidson is captured by this new society where apes have absolute control. Humans, though still present, are subjugated to a lowly status. Leo's unexpected arrival sparks curiosity among the apes' ruling class, who view him as a relic of the past and a potential threat to their order.
Leo is taken in for questioning, and through this, he learns that the alternate history of this Earth began with Thade's rise to power after his escape from the original planet. The apes built a new civilization on Earth after overthrowing humanity centuries ago.
