My Brother
Chapter X: Know Yourself And The Other,
One Hundred Battles No Fear
I load the video clip on my browser...I've been meaning to do this for a while. It's been a few weeks since the Agumon incident, Ken's...slowed down a little. There are the occasional days we don't go to the Digital World, even. Even with me showing up, it's just...Go in, destroy dark towers. Kunemon often sits on the sidelines until he can evolve, but...Most of the time, the others take care of it. I really feel out of place among them, my partner doesn't have a Digimental and it seems like everyone's getting two, now.
I really...don't understand my place in all this. Why me? Why am I a "Chosen Child?" Is it because I'm Ken's brother? Or is there another reason?
Either way, I'm spending today doing some research...
"...And here we have our report on the New Ichijouji Genius, Ken." The reporter says.
Minomon is at the side of my keyboard. "So, this is...Ken before he was the Kaiser?"
"Not so much before...but when he's not the Kaiser." I reply. "...There's something I want to see..." I have dozens of clips in separate browser tabs, sorted by date. From when Ken started being...Well, The New Ichijouji Genius to when he ran away.
...This... ...is going to be interesting, I think.
"...He entered the Toudai Programming Competition, designing the winning program. Here's what he has to say..."
The screen shows a clip of Ken at a computer. "I couldn't believe someone my age actually managed to win the contest...It was very surprising." ...He's so...formal and a little humble about his talents. The Kaiser... ...Is "superior in every way" and doesn't make any secret of it. This is definitely an act...
...I-I thought...this was Ken, the real Ken when he was the Next Ichijouji Genius. ...I fell for it, Ken, but... ...if this all goes the way I think it will, I don't blame you. I really, really don't.
"Here, we speak to one of the judges at the competition."
The clip shows a close-up of an old college professor, speaking into a microphone. "I was shocked to hear the age of the competitor. I had to meet him personally to believe it. Though, when I heard the name Ichijouji, I at first assumed it was Osamu Ichijouji, the competitor's elder brother." I don't know why, I'm not a computer expert in the slightest. That was definitely where Ken had me beat: Computers. I'm more into literature and history.
"Ken Ichijouji excels in computer programming but also so many other activities. In school, he has the highest marks in his class. Recently, he played chess against twenty adults," the clip shows Ken at the chess competition...Yeah, someone at Ken's school set that up to prove that Ken was, indeed, a genius...
...Ken won all twenty games. I-I don't think even I could have done that. I can beat Ken, still, but...
...Twenty games at once? Gods, Ken...I-I was so amazed that day. I was so proud. I was in the audience, I even spot myself there in the video. I wouldn't have missed it for the world. My little brother...The Greater Ichijouji Genius...
...No, I say that now...But...Even back then, I still thought of myself as...The Original Great Ichijouji Genius...I was...superior to Ken. I never said that to him of course, but...I still thought Ken was amazing.
"He's not just good at his studies, he's also the star player of his soccer team. Just look at that shot!" And the screen shows just that, Ken making a goal...He's better than I was at soccer, definitely. That I admitted to after the first time I watched him play...Ken is by far the more athletic one in the family, even when I didn't have this cane.
"Now we speak to the parents of Ken Ichijouji," the reporter is speaking to our parents outside of the apartment complex. "What's it like to raise a genius son like Ken?"
"It's really amazing," Mom says. "He's so much like his brother, Osamu." ...Gods, not even ONE SENTENCE without mentioning me..
"It's like the ugly duck that laid the golden egg, sort of. Except we had two, Osamu and Ken. Ken takes after Osamu in so many ways." ...Gods, Dad, please...Stop saying my name...
"...Osamu? What's wrong?" Minomon looks up at me as I watch my parents endlessly praise me during Ken's news report.
"...I can see why Ken wants to be the Kaiser," I say.
The Digimon Kaiser is...Well...The Kaiser! He rules the Digital World. He is the most powerful person in the Digital World, he is the smartest and (again, going by that flying backwards leap onto that Airdramon) most athletic person in the Digital World. EVERYONE talks about The Digimon Kaiser (granted, most don't have anything good to say, but there's no such thing as bad publicity - Though Ken's working at proving that dead wrong). And, until recently, The Digital World was an Osamu Ichijouji-Free Zone...
...The rest of these clips are going to be very painful, I think...
"Tell me, how has the Original Ichijouji Genius been doing? Not much has been said about him for a few years, now," the reporter asks. ...Amazing, they...turned the whole thing into a report on me. Gods, I wish I had seen this sooner...As much as I love praise, this would have made me so angry at them if I had seen it before now. This is Ken's spotlight! Stop putting me in front of it!
"Osamu...Ever since that accident..." Mom looks...as sad as she always is when she mentions the accident. It's part of why I want to get her to laugh at one of my jokes at some point, I don't want her to be that sad when the subject comes up...Or when she sees me limp around, she told me once that it's painful for her to watch. "...He's devoted himself to his studies, he's smarter than ever now."
"Yes, I understand that he was struck by a car a few years ago. It's a miracle he survived."
I hate miracles...
Osamu, Osamu, Osamu, Osamu, Osamu, Osamu, Osamu, OSAMU, OSAMU, OSAMU, OSAMU, OSAMU, OSAMU, O SA MU, O SA MU, O SA MU, O SA MU, O FREAKIN' SA MU!
EVERYTHING is about him! EVERYTHING!
"Ken-chan-"
"DON'T CALL ME THAT!"
"D-Digimon Kaiser...What...are you watching?"
"...Some old video clips. I was feeling nostalgic..." ...And after the 'fun' little chat...Gods, I can't believe I said any of that to him of all people... ...After that, I needed a reminder of why I HATE OSAMU!
"Osamu Ichijouji is currently taking college courses online, is that true? At his age?"
Yes, he is. NOW SHUT UP! Th-This...This whole report...was about KEN Ichijouji. NOT OSAMU ICHIJOUJI!
...I was so excited when this report first aired. It was the first time Mom and Dad were interviewed about me I wanted to know what they had to say about me...
...THEY HAD NOTHING TO SAY ABOUT ME! BECAUSE MY NAME ISN'T OSAMU! DAMN IT! I-I ALMOST SCREAMED WHEN I SAW THIS! ...I-I didn't though...
I walked out of the room, I said, "I need to get something" and didn't come back. ...I was so angry. ...I went to The Digital World instead. ...I had some fun at the Coliseum for a bit. THAT made me feel so much better...Until those stupid cheaters showed up and DESTROYED IT! My favorite mini-game... ...Damn them!
I-I can't be happy, can I? I'm not allowed to have a little joy in my life, am I? ...Because my name isn't Osamu.
"Yeah, he...has to take courses online because of his health now. The accident makes it hard for him to walk at times." Not hard enough, Dad. He's in MY EMPIRE! MY WORLD!
...Yukio Oikawa is the world's worst driver... Do a better job next time, idiot!
Why the hell did you come here, Osamu? Why are you a Chosen Child, too? You're just so damned special, aren't you? Even the Digital World loves you! WHY? WHY YOU? Why are YOU the smart one? You admit I'm a better soccer player, you admit I'm better at computers! LIAR! YOU THINK YOU'RE THE GREATEST PERSON ON EARTH! OSAMU IS JUST SO AMAZING! EVERYONE TALKS ABOUT HIM, EVEN WHEN IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE ABOUT KEN!
"After the accident, I heard he was involved with some study programs, is that true?"
Oh, I just LOVE that look on Mom and Dad's face. Th-The reporter knew about that? Ha ha ha! The blemish on Osamu's PERFECT record! "H-He helped tutor some students at home, it helped with his studies." LIAR! YOU'RE A DAMNED LIAR! Osamu NEEDED. A. TUTOR! He fell so far behind in school HE NEEDED A TUTOR! Why? BECAUSE OSAMU'S AN IDIOT!
But, of course, HIS Mom and Dad would NEVER admit to Osamu being anything but PERFECT. Nope, he was the tutor...I remember coming home from school, I'd see Osamu at the table with his 'study friends' and before I could say ANYTHING to him, Mom hurried me off to my room to do my homework and go play alone...Ugh...I didn't even know any of their damned names, I was thrown aside so quickly! I just knew this - Osamu Ichijouji needed HELP in his studies...
...And no-one would ever admit to it because Osamu has to be PERFECT!
"Oh? He was involved with a home-tutoring program as a tutor?"
"Yes, he helped some older students from the local high school."
...Gods...Th-They're...lying...! On television...I-I wasn't tutoring, I needed help with my studies! I-I just...
...After the accident, when it came to school or any 'genius' crap...I didn't care, I-I was miserable and my grades plummeted. The Great Ichijouji Genius was failing school...I can only imagine how hard it was for Mom to ask for a tutor after seeing this. I'm willing to bet they said the tutor was for Ken...And...If they did do that, I-I swear...I will scream at them!
...This isn't right, and it's so unfair to Ken.
...Ken...I-I can't even begin to tell you how sorry I am for this.
I missed this interview when it aired, I was studying and lost track of time at the library. I told Ken how sorry I was and that I wish I had seen it. ...I remember what he said, "You didn't miss much, don't worry." ...Gods... ...I-I...I'm so sorry, Ken...
Mom and Dad said he left the room in the middle of it for "some reason." ...How could they not know why...?
"Osamu?" ...Shuo Cao Cao, Cao Cao Jiu Dao. Speak of Cao Cao, Cao Cao is there. ...I picked up some Chinese from a friend online, Lau Hoi.
I turn. "Mom?"
Mom comes into the room with a snack of iced tea and a slice of cake, plus some chopped up carrots for Minomon. She wants him to 'eat healthier.' I'll give him some of the cake, too, when she leaves, not that he doesn't love carrots (it's food, after all). "I thought you might want a snack." She sets it on my desk.
"Thanks," I nod. "...Mom, please explain this." I rewind the clip, I show the part that goes on about my 'position' as a tutor. "...Why would you both do that?"
She looks a little embarrassed, watching the clip. "Osamu, you...You were very depressed after the accident, that's why your grades fell. You only needed a tutor for some of your classes-"
"-And the reason you didn't say that, was...?" I trail off. I honestly wouldn't care, I was hit by a car and they thought I'd be the Great Ichijouji Vegetable! As smart as one of those carrots Minomon's wolfing down right now! To come out of all that and still be the so-called Great Ichijouji Genius is a complete MIRACLE!
...I'm starting to hate that word.
"...We didn't want to embarrass you. It was...national television and all."
"Mom, I-I gave up on crap like this after the accident, I wouldn't have cared if you told the truth. I'm more upset you turned the entire interview, that was supposed to be about Ken, into something about me! Why?"
"...Because...Osamu, when you were younger, we were so happy to be the parents of someone everyone was calling a genius. We were so proud of you. And, it always made you happy to hear that people were talking about...how smart our son is." ...It doesn't make me happy anymore. Trust me. "We were so, so thankful that you survived the accident...We came so close to losing that special son forever. We were...Osamu, we were so scared that we lost you that day. And...so long...after that..." ...I-I feel really bad that she's...tearing up right now. I pass her a tissue from the tissue box off to the side of my computer. She dabs her eyes. "We've always been proud of you, Osamu."
"And the fact that you got second genius means nothing?" I-I have to say this now...For Ken, I have to say this. I'm sorry, Mom. "Mom, this is why Ken ran away. I'm sorry, but... ...He couldn't take this anymore. He's not the Next Ichijouji Genius...Not to you and Dad...He's just...Ken, Smarty Pants Osamu's little brother. Nothing more. ...Mom, when...When Ken gets back...Things have to change..." ...Just...by the upset look on her face right now, she's...this close to crying. I realize I should have held back but...
...This had to be addressed at some point.
"..I...I know. I've thought about that, ever since...You told me about the...Digimon World he's gone off to. ...He goes there to be special, right?" ...Sort of.
I nod. "...Mom, just...Go to Ken's room and look at everything. All the grades, all the awards...Just try to tell me why he isn't amazing...Why he's been put in my shadow, even after things like that. ...I-I can't believe this, Mom. I wish I had seen this so much sooner..."
Mom just leaves in silence...I don't know if she'll go to Ken's room or I just...really upset my Mother. In which case, I feel terrible for it but...
...I can't believe they did this. The rest of these clips are going to be painful, I think. I know that's not their only interview...
"...And when Osamu was in...physical therapy...Ken would help him now and then."
Now...And...Then?
Now and then?
NOW AND THEN?
EVERY DAY! EVERY SINGLE APPOINTMENT! YOU BOTH SHOULD KNOW, WE FOUGHT YOU TWO TO HAVE ME THERE TO HELP HIM!
Ken...How could they say that...?
HOW DARE THEY SAY "NOW AND THEN?"
You know what, though? I'm a reasonable Kaiser, I understand, they didn't want a little kid around, y'know, helping his (former) big brother walk again. That would be bad thing. Especially for Super Special The Gods' Own Gift To Mankind Osamu Ichijouji! Why should he be so mobile? Let him limp-No, let him crawl, like the spineless insect he is. Crawl on his hands and knees... ...He'd probably move faster that way!
...And you know what else? I realize, Osamu is a very special person. He's not a bad guy, it just went a little to his head. He thought everything was his, because...Well, he's Osamu Ichijouji. Everything should be his. And everyone just loves him and that big special brain of his. And maybe, just maybe, he really is as smart as everyone says. So he deserves a lot of the praise he gets. I shouldn't judge him so harshly, I really, really shouldn't.
So, I don't hate Osamu any more. I really don't.
I, The Digimon Kaiser, do not hate Osamu Ichijouji...
...I HATE THE ENTIRE ICHIJOUJI FAMILY! ALL OF THEM! I HATE THEM! I NEVER WANT TO SEE ANY OF THEM EVER AGAIN! A TRUE TESTAMENT TO HOW MUCH THE UNIVERSE HATES ME WOULD BE IF SUPER SPECIAL OSAMU AND THAT PATHETIC KUNEMON SHOW UP WITH MOMMY AND DADDY ICHIJOUJI AND THEIR DIGIMON PARTNERS! AND IF THEY DID, I WOULD PERSONALLY CAPTURE THEM AND HAVE THEM RIPPED APART BY TYRANOMON! I WOULD WATCH WITH GLEE AS THAT HAPPENED! I HATE THEM ALL SO MUCH!
STAY OUT OF MY EMPIRE, OSAMU! YOU SHOULDN'T BE HERE! YOU SHOULDN'T EXIST!
...I am the ruler of this world...
...The one place...
...I am...
...The greatest...
...The most powerful...
...The smartest...
...And no-one dares question me...
I. Am. PERFECT!
Osamu's special, I'M PERFECT!
I'm free here...Free from all that bullshit back on Earth...Free from those...those...THOSE INSECTS!
Or at least I will be once I conquer it all...
...That does it!
"Wormmon!" I shout.
"Y-Yes, Ke-" He cowers as I focus my glare on him. Ken Ichijouji is dead, Wormmon. I am the Digimon Kaiser...Learn that. Or my whip and I will kindly give you a reminder. "D-Digimon Kaiser?"
"I'm going to do some work on my 'side project' for the next few days. At least. Keep an eye on things, if those kids show up...I'll give proper orders, but for now I need to work." I'm going to prove that I'm the greatest...
...I'm going to win the game now. I will show them all that I am superior!
Superior to the Chosen Children and that goggled fool they call a leader...HA! They don't even respect him, he's an idiot!
Superior to all the Digimon, who will all soon be subjects in MY empire...
And...
Especially...
Superior to Osamu Ichijouji, who I hope enjoys his new status as an only child!
...I know I would have, but like I said...
...I hate miracles!
Ori's Notes:
...And another weird narration chapter. The italics represent batshit insanity!
I felt with the emphasis I was putting on Ken still being in Osamu's shadow despite the same media coverage he has in 02 I should show an example of it.
The reporters lines are based on the lines in the subbed version I'm watching. ...And I am SO happy to have finally seen that clip without hearing the words "self washing dishes" or "world's largest checkbook." And, specially, without the words "Donkey Madness." ...What the HELL is Donkey Madness, anyhow?
...Is it like Donkey Kong...?
I know I should have gone back and made a few changes to some stuff that was based on the dub but...There are a few things that actually worked more in favor of this fic than the original version. Best example is Ken's letter, in the dub it's a little longer and more dramatic ("My destiny awaits!"). In the original, it's "Goodbye Insects! -Ken" so I think the dub's version works better for Osamu's whole "Is Ken...roleplaying?" thing. So I'm mixing the two versions just a little.
And, yes, Ken's freak outs ARE FUN to write! I seriously underestimated how much fun The Kaiser is to write...If you see a string of Kaiser fics after this, this is why. I LOVE writing the Digimon Kaiser in this! Granted, The Digimon Kaiser has always been one of my favorite characters, ever since 02 first aired. He, Vamdemon (01, not 02...02's Vamdemon...was too bad-evil even by his standards, 01's Vamdemon was good-evil, you know?) and The Dark Masters are my top favorite villains from any season...
...Also, Etemon's kinda growing on me since I'm watching Adventure 01 subs. Rock and Roll, baby! Hail to the King of all Digimon! In the Japanese version, he's not an Elvis impersonator but...I really enjoyed that in the 01 dub, he made me laugh a lot. He is sort of Rock and Roll obsessed (and INSANELY narcissistic) in the original. Fun fact: In the Dub, Etemon and Myotismon have the same voice actor, Richard Epcar.
Anyway, there are five chapters left to go: Hope you like how it all ends!
Taiki's Notes:
I admit, although the Digimon Kaiser's actions are beyond evil at times (especially this time around), I did feel a bit sorry for Ken when I read what his parents were saying in that interview. My God, that isn't being in Osamu's shadow! That's borderline non-existence!
But, again, it does not excuse The Digimon Kaiser's, well, KAISERNESS! Though I find his use of the word "mini-game" this time and once or twice before more than a bit interesting. Ori, what are you up to? Well, as you said, I have five chapters to find out!
Onward, to the document manger to edit the one of those five he's sent me! It'll go up tomorrow morning and Ori tends to send me two or three chapters at a time, so we'll have the finale up by probably this weekend!
Thank you everyone who's been reading and reviewing, we're so happy you're enjoying The Limping Osamu Project 2011!
-Taiki Matsuki