Here we are again and this is the final chapter. I hope to get another story going very soon. Just for the record the scenarios are not perfectly in tune with history; some things were added or changed for the story. The battle here is my rendition of what happened and will be different from the actual battle of Rome. Please review! KingOAnime

When in Rome- chapter five- Do As the Romans Do

Ten years had past and Ronicus and Kimonus were living Roman life perfectly.

The couple had two beautiful children; a nine year old son named Ronicus II, and a four year old daughter named Annious.

They all lived happily in Rome and despite the growing poverty, barbarian threats, and declining economy they lived quite comfortably.

Ever since they decided to stay in Rome Ronicus and Kimonus have completely embraced the Roman culture. They even called themselves by their Roman names.

They did wish that Larry would visit sometime; they never got to thank him properly.

"Supper!" Kimonus yelled as the rest of the family came in and sat at the table. After saying grace they began to eat. Ronicus gazed at Kimonus from across the table and couldn't help but stare; much to her delight.

After supper the entire family made their way to the public bathes. They met up with Felaxmius and Moniqus with their five year old daughter Lutucia.

The guys and girls separated and gossip soon ensued; guys discussed the growing barbarian threat while girls talked about what types of clothing they should try since Christianity was the new thing.

One thing was for sure in both Ronicus' and Kimonus' minds: they were happy.


Soon however a new danger came stomping at their doorstep. An announcement was made and a crowd gathered to hear the news.

The German barbarian armies were hours away from Rome. They had broken through the defensive lines and were coming to sack the city. People were in a panic and wondered where the main Roman army was.

The messenger proclaimed that every available man must report to one of the guard houses to be fitted for battle. Ronicus looked at Kimonus who gave him a worried look.

Soon the whole city was in motion; citizens were loading up their belongings and trying to leave the city while scores of men gathered armor, weapons, and shields.

Ronicus was about to leave, but Kimonus held him close.

"Don't go!" she cried out, "The city is doomed we need to leave."

"I need to stay; to let the people escape. You get what supplies you can, take the children, and get out of here!"

Kimonus stared at him and soon realized that he was serious; she gave him a strong hug and a passionate kiss. Then she took the children and left to prepare.

Ronicus made his way to the nearest checkpoint where dozens of Roman citizens were joining to fight. He could see Felaxmius, Joshonius, and Brickanta in the crowd holding swords and armor.

"Ronicus!" he heard them call; he rushed over and obtained his equipment.

"When is the Roman army supposed to arrive?" he asked.

Right on cue a messenger boy came running up with a note that had the royal seal on it. He handed it to the general in charge; which made him smile.

"It is from the head of the Roman army!" he cried out triumphantly; the rest of the men all cheered and hugged each other thinking that they will be saved, but as soon as he opened the letter the general's face changed, "Unable to get there in time, can reach Rome in three days; hold out until then."

Everyone grew quiet and somber. Their salvation was days away and the barbarian army was only four hours away from the city; how could they hold out?


Kimonus was frantically gathering food and clothing for the trip to Constantinople. Outside people were screaming and running away as fast as they could. Ronicus II and Annious came to her with a basket of food and water.

"Good children now go put it on the wagon we need to leave as soon as possible."

"O.K. Mother," they said as they left her to get more stuff.

"Please dear God let us all escape with our lives."

After preparations were done the Roman defense force consisted of fifty-thousand men including two-thousand cavalry. Most of the men haven't even seen combat and they were facing an eighty-thousand man barbarian force with the only intention to kill all Romans.

Ronicus had only some combat experience, but Felaxmius was a major and wanted him by his side.

The army stood in front of Rome like a giant wall. Ronicus sat next to his friend on horseback in front.

"Do you think we have any chance Felaxmius?"

"No I don't, but the longer I fight the more innocent people escape."

Ronicus thought about Kimonus and imagined her standing next to him giving him support. He knew that this was an unbeatable battle, but he would fight to keep his family safe.


Kimonus was done with the packing and ordered the servants to take her children and the wagons and go to Constantinople. She decided to stay and watch the battle from the top of the walls. Standing next to her was Moniqus, Taracus, and Bonniomus.

"You girls shouldn't be here," she said to them.

"You shouldn't be here either," Moniqus replied, "We made sure the rest of our family escaped, but our husbands are down there and we want to make sure they come with us."

Kimonus held the girl's hands and suddenly heard the beating of drums.

The opposing army came into view over the hills. They yelled out and clashed their axes and swords together.

The general in charge of the defense force rode out in front and began to talk, "You all are citizens of Rome. The city that stands behind you has been standing for centuries. We may lose our lives and we may lose our city, but never forget that we all fought and died as ROMANS!"

The entire army yelled a mighty roar which was louder than the barbarian's. Soon the Roman army charged head long at the barbarian hordes. With one quick motion the battle for Rome had begun.

The Roman's pierced the front lines of the barbarians and began hacking at everything. Ronicus used his horse to trample enemies until one of the barbarians pulled him off. He tried to stab Ronicus, but he rolled out of the way and slashed at the man with his short sword.

Then the Roman's issued a retreat and began running towards the city. The barbarians followed and were met with scores of arrows and flame bombs. The barbarians fell back to get out of the archer's range.

The Roman army once again charged, but was met by barbarian arrows. Ronicus was struck in the arm, but managed to pull it out.

Felaxmius helped him up and together they led a section of the army around the archers, who didn't see them, and attacked them from behind.

After several minutes of intense fighting the barbarians issued a full retreat and the Romans followed.

The barbarians were expecting this and suddenly the main army poured out of the forest and into the city. The Romans were horrified and ran back to the city only to discover that they were surrounded on both sides.

The retreating barbarians turned around and ran into the Roman lines as half of the main army slammed into the other side.

The Romans were caught in a pincer; Ronicus hacked his way through to try and get to the city, but was struck from behind by an axe. Amazingly he managed to stand up and stab the barbarian in the chest.


Kimonus and the rest of the girls began to run for cover as barbarians came running by killing anyone they saw. Suddenly Moniqus and Bonniomus fell when arrows pierced their backs. Kimonus and Taracus ran to their sides, but they were too late.

"Come on Taracus we need to leave now!" she nodded and together they rushed for the back exit.

Luckily they were close to Kimonus' house. They made their way inside as they heard screaming from terrified towns people.

"There is a back door that will direct us to the nearest exit out of the city; hopefully the barbarians haven't overrun it."

The two girls followed each other closely until they saw a small figure under the table. Kimonus knelt down to find a little girl crouching in fear. She looked at Kimonus with deep blue eyes that showed confusion and terror.

"It's alright; we'll get you to your parents." She picked the frightened girl up and turned to Taracus, but then she heard a sickening sound.

Taracus was struck from behind by a large sword. She looked down at this thing sticking out of her and cried out in pain. The barbarian quickly pulled it out and smiled at Kimonus as Taracus' body went limp.

"Now for you," he grinned as he approached the two civilians.

Suddenly the large bearded man yelled out and fell forward. Kimonus saw Ron on the other side bloody and battered. He collapsed from the pain and was lifted up by his wife.

"I thought you were leaving," he muttered.

"I was waiting for you," she replied. She looked at her hands and saw blood all over it; she then realized that it was Ronicus'

"Am I late?" he joked.

"You're hurt, I need to find some cloth or something," she frantically looked for something, but anything that could have been used was packed.

"It's O.K. KP I'm glad that I died serving Rome. You however need to leave; now!"

"What about Felaxmius or the others?"

Ronicus shook his head, "They all didn't make it."

Kimonus began to cry as Ronicus wiped away her tears.

Come on KP you need to be strong or else you'll never survive," he chuckled as blood began to come out of his mouth.

"I love you Roniucus," she slowly said kissing him.

"And I love you my darling wife," and his body stopped moving.

Kimonus grabbed the little girl and was able to escape the city. As she looked back she could see the once great city of Rome burning like an inferno. She joined a large caravan and made her way to Constantinople.


A month had past since Rome was sacked. The emperor of the Eastern Empire was able to pay off any barbarians who had similar ideas. Kimonus met up with her children and her parents. The girl who came with her found her parents and they were overjoyed to know that their child was alright.

Kimonus stayed secluded in her bedroom; coming out only for food. Her heart was broken and the sight of her family made her remember Ronicus.

Kimonus had finally had enough and holding a knife to her wrists she was ready to die, but an old acquaintance appeared after ten years.

"Hello Kimonus," Larry said.

"Go away Larry," she replied coldly.

"Why are you killing yourself? You still have a life here; your parents, your children."

"They aren't real; none of them are."

"You created this Hell-hole; only Ron and I were real everyone else didn't exist."

"So you're really going to die; to rejoin with Ronicus?"

"No; to join up with Ron," she then slit her wrist as her vision went blurry.


She then woke up to find Ron staring at her.

"Ron!"

"KP!"

The two embraced each other fondly and then looked around. They were back in Kim's room, they were teenagers again, and they were still alive.

Larry appeared to explain, "I told you you couldn't come back unless you lived and died like a Roman."

"You mean we had to die in order to escape?" Ron asked; Larry nodded and caused both of them to groan.

"What?" he asked puzzled.

"You should have told us that earlier; we would have killed ourselves right then to get out."

They all laughed together which made a lot of tension go away.

"Now I hope you have a deeper appreciation for the Romans?"

"We do now," they replied together.

"Well you two still have a paper to write so I will leave you to that," and he was gone.

At Middleton High Ron and Kim beamed over their A+; Mr. Barkin said that it was like they had lived the part; if only he knew.

The two teenagers decided to return to the museum and thank Larry for his help; even if it was a little much.

"Hi we would like to speak to Larry," they said to the main desk.

The woman looked at them and replied, "No one named Larry works here my dears; I'm afraid you must have us mixed up."

Ron couldn't believe it; Kim was confused as well.

As they left the museum the man known as Larry appeared to them again.

"O.K. so who are you really?" asked Kim.

Larry just smiled at them and said, "Let's just say I help those in need; just like you," he slowly faded away never to be seen again, but Kim and Ron would never forget the experiences they had and the times they shared. THE END


Well so ends another story; my next one will be a doozy I think. Please review! KingOAnime