An original short story by;Peter Younan, Gaby Elsusu, Shrey Anand, John Lahoud, Jason Layug & Tanuj Kakkar

Prologue

They were born apart yet they breathed life together, they grew together, they lived, laughed and prayed together. Niko & Dimitri

were two orphans in the Country of Elbayza. The most beautiful Country on earth for it ourished with vibrant colours like a VanGough oil painting, every street corner, every town, every building was sculpted by gods as if this was heaven on earth. Water wascrystal clear, were not even a shark could hide its presence, Valleys of mountains and Trees glazed over with shades of ery redsand erce golden tones and grass so green, mother nature herself uses it as her place of rest. The town like a family was close likea cub of lions. Small shops, Houses and business’s were neighbors, and industrialized business does not exist, hand made are allthings of great importance and a frown on a face, to never be seen. People beamed sunlight out of their pores The way life waslived in Elbayza was like how a dream plays out in your head at night and in this dream lived Niko & Dimitri. Young children whohave no idea of the Lives they would change, what they would bring to the place they live in and how Elbayza would one day be at

their feet.

But how this would occur does not come easy, For anybody. It was a late December morning the bright Elbayza sun is creep

ing over the mountains. Elbayza General Hospital is in a rush. Doctors and nurses are delivering two young twins from a womennamed Evangeline with her husband Peter by her side. After and hour of labor Niko & Dimitri are brought into this world. In theFollowing months the family would be raised in their small town cottage.Years would slowly pass as Niko & Dimitri would learn to read, write, and grow together. As one they would take their rst stepstogether, graze their rst knees, and have their rst Kiss. The teenage Niko & Dimitri still living in their small town cottage weredevout Christians and prayed at church every Sunday and on Saturday would help clean Elbayza park. Niko & Dimitri were modelCitizens known by name to everyone in Elbayza. At home Evangeline and Peter would keep Niko & Dimitri quite distant fromworld affairs believing that War, Criminals and Politics was not of importance to their Sons. Niko & Dimitri were close and their relationship never seemed to stumble. They were close not only as brothers but as friends.They were honor students at Elbayza high and received Distinctions in Public speaking as both of them had a great love of Speak

ing to an audience. During group activities at school they were the two boys who declared themselves as the “Unofcial Leaders”

and had always planned work for their friends. Many would say that Niko & Dimitri were born leaders, others that they were a Tad bossy, But all in the town of Elbayza would undoubtedly agree that Niko & Dimitri would grow up to be Mature, Model ElbayzianCitizens.

I - The Rise

Time went by like a missile speeding towards its target. Before we knew it ten long years had passed. Time had healed many of

the scars, which were given by a bloody war. This conict had changed not only Elbayza, but its people as well. Land which onceourished with beautiful owers and trees, now remained black and white, desolate with death. Places where once lively familiesstood talking, only the wind that passed by ,singing her mournful song. Once, greenery which could seen from any angle of Elbay

za, but now it seemed that the mother nature had turned its color into black. People were scared to put one single step out of therehouse for it was not known where lie the unpredictable mines, Elbayza had turned into hell on lavishing Earth. It was as though this brutal conict had drowned all the happiness out of the people of Elbayza.Dead in the war were family members of two homeless children – Niko and Dimitri. These children had great potential, eventhough they were not academic, yet they were clever. They hardly received any education, still they had a gift of talking, it wassaid that they could turn black into white and white into black. It was this talent that they used to their greater ability. They hadnever been exposed to the outside world as a result they never appreciated there unnatural talent. They had learned to live life thehard way, but one thing that kept them going was the brotherly love. They cared and were willing to give up life for one another.

With all the hardship that people had to face because of the war, public of Elbayza were outraged by the actions of the politicianswho were in charge of this devastated town. This called upon a new feudal system, and leaders who would manage and take careof heartbroken community of Elbayza. Two brothers saw this as an opportunity to gain power and become rich a dream that they

had always dreamt of.

After many days of planning two brothers came up with an idea of holding a campaign. The campaign would depict the messageto the public about the current situation of Elbayza, and ways that these two brothers can work to turn around the situation. Bothof the brother took turns to convey their thoughts and messages to the public , they used a persuasive and emotional tone, in order to win over the hearts of the each and every individual.Slowly they gained power, power which could either develop or completely ruin a plundered town. People of Elbayza were

slowly starting to meet with the needs of there rations. Niko and Dimitri were soon starting to gather up followers in large num-

bers, this called upon an early election.Election day was going be held in another 3 days. Boys worked day in and day out, persuading each and every individual, show

ing them the vision of a new and improved Elbayza. It was then that Nicko and Dimitri gave there epic speech. “Fellow Elbayz

ians, I welcome you to this night. Night which is bounded to open your eyes and see the current state of Elbayza. It wasn’t manyyears ago when the battle took place in the town where the terms - happiness and love were always used. It was town which provided comforting hositatility to its visitors. But now only poor citizens of Elbayza remain, but even they are dieing from sar

vation. If something it not done quickley you will be next line to die. Elbayza needs a change, a change which will provide its citi

zens to live a better lifestyle. So hereby we stand together, to revolusionise and econmically develop this country which we knowas Elbayza. We are ordinary people, we have seen the suffering, we want a change. But now its up to decide weather you want towork hand in hand with us, the power lies in the hands of the public. Now its all up to you.” At ending of these words the crowd broke into a cry of – long live Nicko! Long live Dimtri!.Soon the names of Niko and Dimiri became famous, they were all over the public in the media. Many newspapers posted up ar

ticles with names such as- “The brothers take pride”, or “Together they stand”. With many foreign television talkshows discussingthe matter of the econmic standard of Elbayza, they were willing to offer substantial prices to get an interview with the two broth

ers. It was as though Niko and Dimitri were starting to become gods for these local Elbayzians. There was so much craze aboutthem and there plans for Elbayza’s greater good. Things were soon staring to fall into place for Elbayza. Could this be the start for Elbayza becoming revoulusionise? This was question which remained on the minds of many ofcials.

II - The Over Rule

Situated outside Elbayza’s government house the unruly mob paced back and forth with signs of protest rmly grasped in their hands. They screeched, whined, and yelled at the top of their voices “A change, a change! Your time is up, our time is now!”. Thearmy-like mob was in it’s thousands with people of all professions, cultures and backgrounds showing their support to the biguprising. The country was on the brink of revolution the sky as gray as gravel, the great uproar even enticed local villagers outsidetheir houses and in no time at they had joined the protest. Dimitri and Niko were sitting on a shed overlooking the house. Of all protesters they were the loudest, the most passionate, their tears dropped from their eyes as they fought for their country. Theyscreamed on an old megaphone exclaiming the words “You pigs, you slobs, your greed will be your undoing. We will have our justice! We will be victorious! The revolution is at hand! We will NOT stand down!”. The crowd roared promptly in strong agree