Left 4 Ape - Apes vs. Zombies

After a devastating airborne virus wipes out much of humanity and turns the remaining population into ravenous zombies, the apes of Southern California undergo a remarkable evolution, becoming stronger, smarter, and immune to the virus. As the evolved apes establish a thriving civilization, they face a constant threat from the hungry zombie hordes that roam the land. Meanwhile, the surviving humans, armed with advanced weaponry, view the evolved apes as a dangerous competitor for resources and territory. In this post-apocalyptic landscape, a tense three-way struggle for survival unfolds, with each faction fighting for dominance in a world where the line between predator and prey has blurred.

Historical Timeline:

1. Outbreak of the Virus (Year 0): The airborne virus, originally developed as a cure for a different disease, mutates unexpectedly, becoming highly contagious and lethal to humans. The virus quickly spreads across the globe, causing widespread panic and societal collapse.

2. Evolution of the Apes (Years 1-5): In the aftermath of the virus outbreak, the apes of Southern California begin to exhibit signs of rapid evolution. They grow stronger, more intelligent, and develop immunity to the virus.

3. Rise of the Ape Civilization (Years 5-10): With the human population decimated and most major cities in ruins, the evolved apes establish a new civilization in Southern California. They build fortified settlements, develop a complex social structure, and learn to use tools and weapons.

4. Conflict with Zombies (Years 10-15): As the ape civilization flourishes, they come into conflict with the growing population of zombies. The zombies, attracted to the living flesh of the apes, pose a constant threat to the safety of the ape settlements.

5. Human Resistance (Years 15-20): Meanwhile, a group of surviving humans, armed with advanced military technology salvaged from the pre-apocalypse era, organize themselves into a resistance movement. They see the evolved apes as a threat to their own survival and launch attacks on ape settlements.

6. Three-Way Struggle (Years 20-Present): The setting is now a battleground, with the evolved apes, zombies, and humans locked in a three-way struggle for dominance. Each faction fights not only to survive but to secure a future for their kind in a world where the rules of nature have been irrevocably altered.

Key Locations:

Ape Strongholds:

San Francisco Zoo (San Francisco, CA): The San Francisco Zoo has become a fortress for the evolved apes. They have adapted the zoo's infrastructure to suit their needs, creating a thriving community within its walls. The apes have also fortified the Golden Gate Bridge, using it as a strategic chokepoint to defend their territory.

Los Angeles Zoo (Los Angeles, CA): The Los Angeles Zoo has also been taken over by the evolved apes, who have transformed it into a bustling city. The apes have constructed treehouse-like structures in the zoo's enclosures and use the surrounding parkland as farmland.

Muir Woods National Monument (Mill Valley, CA): The dense forests of Muir Woods have become a refuge for the evolved apes. They have constructed elaborate treehouse villages among the towering redwoods, using the natural terrain to their advantage.

Human Strongholds:

Alcatraz Island (San Francisco, CA): The surviving humans have established a fortified settlement on Alcatraz Island, using its isolated location and sturdy infrastructure to defend against both zombies and apes. The humans have also converted the nearby Fisherman's Wharf into a bustling marketplace.

Edwards Air Force Base (Edwards, CA): The humans have taken control of Edwards Air Force Base, using its runways to launch reconnaissance missions and supply runs. The base has been transformed into a heavily fortified military outpost, equipped with advanced weaponry salvaged from the pre-apocalypse era.

Fort Irwin National Training Center (Barstow, CA): Fort Irwin has become a key stronghold for the surviving humans, serving as a training ground for new recruits and a strategic outpost for defending against zombie incursions. The humans have also established a network of outposts along the nearby highways to monitor zombie movements.

Zombie-Infested Areas:

San Francisco (San Francisco, CA): Much of San Francisco has been overrun by zombies, who roam the streets in search of prey. The city's iconic landmarks, such as the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island, are particularly dangerous, as they attract large numbers of zombies.

Los Angeles (Los Angeles, CA): Los Angeles has also fallen to the zombie horde, with many of its once-thriving neighborhoods now deserted and overrun by the undead. The zombies are particularly concentrated around major thoroughfares like the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Los Angeles River.

Joshua Tree National Park (Twentynine Palms, CA): The rugged terrain of Joshua Tree National Park has become a haven for zombies, who lurk among the rocky outcrops and desert flora. The park's remote location makes it difficult for humans to access, allowing the zombie population to thrive unchecked.

Key Battlezone Areas:

The Golden Gate Bridge (San Francisco, CA): The Golden Gate Bridge is a hotly contested area, with both the evolved apes and the surviving humans vying for control. The bridge serves as a crucial trade route between San Francisco and other settlements, making it a strategic chokepoint in the conflict.

Downtown Los Angeles (Los Angeles, CA): Downtown Los Angeles is a warzone, with pockets of resistance from both humans and evolved apes fighting against the zombie hordes. The skyscrapers provide vantage points for snipers, while the streets below are littered with wreckage and debris.

The Redwood Forests of Muir Woods (Mill Valley, CA): The dense forests of Muir Woods are a battleground, with the evolved apes using their knowledge of the terrain to outmaneuver both zombies and humans. The towering redwoods provide cover for guerrilla tactics, making it difficult for invaders to gain a foothold.

Plot Hooks:

The Quest for a Cure: Rumors of a potential cure for the zombie virus have surfaced, leading to a race against time as factions compete to secure the cure for themselves. The cure could be located in a long-abandoned research facility or guarded by a secretive group of scientists.

The Search for Allies: A group of survivors from outside California has arrived, seeking refuge from the apocalypse. They bring with them valuable resources and knowledge but are also pursued by a powerful enemy. The factions must decide whether to welcome the newcomers or turn them away.

The Discovery of a New Threat: While exploring a seemingly abandoned city, the factions stumble upon a hidden laboratory where experiments on the virus are still being conducted. They must confront the scientists responsible and prevent them from unleashing a new, more deadly strain of the virus.

The Betrayal of a Trusted Ally: A high-ranking member of one of the factions is discovered to be a traitor, working secretly with the enemy to undermine their efforts. The factions must uncover the traitor's motives and stop them before they can do further damage.