Vulture and the Dark Emperor

    “Okay, Class,” Mr. Lunblok said, “Today we’re learning more about Rome today.” Vulture looked up. He was interested in Rome ever since he landed in Pompeii. He sat by Senek and Zathilkon, two of his best friends. Vature and Fire Trident sat in front of him, and Caratil three desks away. “I hope this will be exciting,” Senek said.

    “Today we are learning about Nero,” Mr. Lunblok said, “The cruel emperor.” Zathilkon whispered to Vulture, “I’d say the dark emperor, from what I know about him.”

    “He was born into a cruel family,” Mr. Lunblok continued. “His grandfather was a charioteer and was a soldier. His father killed a low-class person and killed a boy on a famous road.”"The Appian way?” Asked Silent Turtle, the smartest person in 5L. “Yes,” said Mr. Lunblok. “But he was dead by the time Nero was three and his mother was away, so he lived with his aunt until his mother came back. His mother, named Agrippina, was a weapon for fame, and killed the aunt, also the grandmother of Brittanicus. Brittanicus wanted to be emperor, I think.” “This is getting cool,” Zathilkon whispered to Vulture.

“He took his toga in the year 51,” Mr.Lunblok said. “Octavia, the emperor’s daughter, was made to marry either Brittanicus or Nero…. ..But I do know that Aggripina poisoned the emperor for Nero. Meanwhile, in fifth grade Nero was taught by a Spaniard named Seneca. He was once banished for going on a date with a Julia. Seneca was helped by Burrus, a calm man from France.” “When will we get to the wars?” asked Lare of Battle.

    “It seemed like Nero and his group would be good rulers” Mr.Lunblok said. “Nero spoke respect to Claudius, who they thought was a god.  Seneca said for Nero to use Clemency- Trying  to act like Augustus, the first Emperor. Nero was the fifth. Nero said he would give some power back to the Senate. When he had to sign an excecution, he said ‘How I wish I never learned to write!’ He kept the calender from being changed to start at December. He allowed some Plautius guy to return from exile.”

   “He also had his mother as a co-ruler” Mr.Lunblok said. His password to the guards was “the best of mothers”. She wasn’t allowed to go to Senate meetings but could listen to them. But their friendship was growing apart. She then decided the power should  go back to Britannicus, son of Claudius. But Nero murdered him at the table, showing the true Nero for the first time. And now for the math test.” A series of groans came, and for a while Vulture thought about battling the Dark Emperor of their time- the Green Spiral.