[ WP ] The Bringer of End Times and The Savior of the World were born as a pair of twins . Except they think the other is cooler .

`` How was your first day of school?'' 
 
 Damian and Joshua exchanged glances, then grinned boyishly back at their mother. 
 
 `` It was great,'' Joshua said cheerily. `` The other kids were really nice. I made a lot of new friends today!'' 
 
 `` Yeah, I think he might be the most popular kid in the class!'' Damian chimed in. `` I'm not, but that's okay; I'm just happy the other kids do n't pick on me. And I learned some new things too!'' 
 
 ``'Course they do n't pick on you,'' Joshua replied before their mother could interject. `` They know you're my brother.'' 
 
 `` Yeah, you're right,'' Damian said with a shrewd nod. 
 
 -- -- - 
 
 `` Are you sure you're alright?'' 
 
 `` It does n't hurt that much anymore, Mom,'' Damian assured her, suppressing a sniffle. ``'Sides, you should have seen what happened to them.'' 
 
 `` Really?'' she pressed. `` What happened to them?'' 
 
 Joshua and Damian looked at one another, briefly panicking as they contemplated how to answer their mother's question. 
 
 `` We do n't want to talk about it,'' Joshua whispered at last. 
 
 `` Yeah,'' Damian agreed slyly. `` Josh stood up for me today, and that's what matters.'' 
 
 Joshua gave his brother a doting smile. 
 
 -- -- - 
 
 `` I mean it,'' Joshua repeated, bewildered. `` That's amazing.'' 
 
 `` It's not that amazing...'' Damian shrugged. 
 
 `` What's amazing?'' 
 
 `` Mom, Mom!'' Joshua exclaimed. `` You know that one kid who used to pick on Damian all the time? The two of them are friends now!'' 
 
 Damian turned away, smiling roguishly, as their mother cheered in congratulations. 
 
 `` Last week, the teacher taught us about putting ourselves in other people's shoes,'' he explained meekly, `` so I talked to him, he talked to me, and yeah...'' 
 
 `` That's really cool, though,'' Joshua assured his brother. `` If it were me, I'd have just... y'know...'' 
 
 `` Yeah, but you do n't know what he's been through. He told me that his parents would... no, I probably should n't tell you guys that. Anyway, what are you gushing at me for? You're the coolest kid in the *class* - everybody says so!'' 
 
 It took their mother several minutes to stop the ensuing argument over which of the two brothers was cooler; neither wished to stop idolizing the other. 
 
 -- -- - 
 
 `` So how are your friends doing?'' 
 
 Damian furtively glanced at his feet, collecting his thoughts, while Joshua contemplatively turned his gaze to the side. 
 
 `` Actually, I made a new friend today,'' Damian announced. `` The other kids said she was bad news, but I did n't think so.'' 
 
 `` Yeah, I saw you two talking earlier,'' Joshua noted. `` So she's the newest member of your posse, huh?'' 
 
 `` I guess so.'' 
 
 `` Speaking of which,'' their mother interrupted, `` the two boys who tried to steal other students' lunch money have n't been up to anything since then, have they?'' 
 
 `` Not since I invited them to play, no,'' Damian replied. 
 
 `` It's really neat how well he gets along with troublemakers,'' Joshua mused aloud. `` It's like he brings out the best in them. He's a really good leader, y'know?'' 
 
 `` You are too,'' Damian assured his brother, embarrassed. 
 
 `` Well, what about you, Joshua?'' their mother inquired. `` How have you been getting along with your friends?'' 
 
 `` Great,'' Joshua answered. `` My best friends and I been playing a new game at recess that I think is really fun.'' 
 
 Damian twitched uncomfortably, but said nothing as Joshua explained the rules. 
 
 `` It's kinda like a cross between tag, hide and seek, and the floor is lava. So basically, the four of them are my helpers, who ride - er, run - around the playground, and...''
