Brilliant Man/Vir Clarissimus (Latin)

Chapter 25 Junction Globetrotters

Ozwald's large group – together six people – moved up the steady stream of Junctioners navigating the dusty streets.

On each side grew teams of small hut-dwellings, assembled with local materials and wood imports. Although occupied, these rickety spaces appeared more dead than alive, smelling of rot and veiled in thick dust.

From onwards, seller-stands replaced these tiny dwellings, and they dominated the streets; whenever a large mob of pedestrians cleared, these sellers always seemed to be in the mix, leading Ozwald to believe there were much more stands to come as they walked – he'd already reached three counts since this encounter.

Shortly after, the next phase introduced rectangular, bricked tenements; the road shrunk, sacrificing size to accommodate the line of complexes. As the group moved, Ozwald debated on which side to pick. Indeed, the government had found a way to increase funds, utilizing its slaves to make the capital look more appealing, but for all that had changed, their leadership remained the same, citizens bleak. This was not Pluto's future, but instead humanity's belief of the past. There was very little change, as roads, street-sellers, and "change" still could not cover up the same unhealthy Pluto.

The revelation was like a gunshot – a quick but lasting pain. Because of their conflict, the dwarf would be lost to humanity; the ended trials would drag Pluto down with them. However, this must happen, for a world under Zed's rule was no world at all.

"Many celestials ago, the existence of Pluto remained unknown; however, when the planet was officially discovered, it must have been a terrible effort for their Earthlite minds to believe this was also home to undead." The team laughed half-heartedly, happy for anything that could steer their minds off deleting Pluto. Keeping their heads down to repel any unnecessary attention, the four became camouflaged in the rush of Junctioners.

The winding trail of buildings and lampposts stopped at a quarter-mile circumference plaza. Sprinkled all throughout Ozwald's field-of-view were flapping, orange objects, all which read the same, vague text. Every building, lamppost, rooftop, even individuals joined in this highlighter-orange protest.

On a nearby staircase, Ozwald found a small flag captioned with the native language and a crinkled newspaper.

Bringing down each item, he read in total:

__________________________________________________________________

As'embling all ulf membres Juncti'ant! All unt Unit'a!

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Plebs of the Junction Zone...

Address to the Proletariat

"Despite the great labor put in by our powerful, Plutonian spirit, alas, our nation has reached a depression. This peril extends far and wide, including, also, danger."

Our emperor, Johnathan Albert II, tyrant of Junction Zone, has become a problem. It wasn't always this way – at some point, even us journalists agreed he was "a good leader doing philanthropy for his indigent people" – however, as time went on, greed, deception, and fraud have all helped bring down this false picture, revealing that he, indeed, has turned against us.

Now.. a quality which our friend Crooke – alongside many of history's leaders – bear is this.. a failure to uphold the identity of their nation – justice, peace, and brilliance – for instead hollow victories which fatten their pockets at their people's expense. The prime example of this is our oil; it's profits have mainly gone over to the government.

Yet he still blames us.

We, the strong men and women that have shed blood, sweat, and tears in the name of Pluto pride are slandered? And we allow this? We are a strong, numbered, and experienced people, and yet we fall to our knees in surrender, rather than rise up in rebellion. This government and the vile man in control of it must be overthrown.

It's Not A Duty, It's A Responsibility!

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After resetting the article back to its spot, most of Ozwald's concerns with Pluto were confirmed. Its emperor had deceived his nation then sold them to slavery, all while neglecting their needs. All these decisions influenced the patriots – all of whom opposed him – in their seeking of his impeachment.

Thankfully, all of Pluto would be transported to the digital world, leaving this vile man to die in his own land.

Zed, David, and Luther had gathered near the mermaid fountain while he read. After running through hundreds of skeleton and rock bodies down a descending sidewalk, he found his team.

Athena, Patron Goddess of Craft

Patron for Nearly Eleven Celestials

-

Half off on Corse when purchased during Stadium hours.

This week's skirmish in the Trollessuem: Brutus, Avitus, and Merphin vs. Drusus the Mighty

David patted his back. "You see all the orange, right?"

He laughed, looking startled, stammering, "Yeah, yeah, I do.. What was it all for? The trip here, I mean.."

"The signs, newspapers, orange.. It was why you brought you guys along... so that you could see us."

"Your power struggle?"

David smiled grimly. "And our suffering... We need your help, Ozwald."