Since Bandai isn’t going to give us a good translation of this story, I’ve taken it upon myself to give it a proper revision. Make sure you always check out the original release, but come check out my version the following Monday. If you’ve been enjoying this project, don’t forget to like, comment, subscribe, and share this with your friends.
The GriMM network was home to a myriad of chatrooms and message boards. You can find just about anything on GriMM if you dig deep enough.
The Sons of Chaos host a special channel on Grimm for current, new, and prospective members. Their front page is dedicated to the recruitment of new members. The page is full of propaganda and information about the Digital world designed to attract prominent code crackers to their ranks. It also hosts an active marketplace for all kinds of Digimon tools.
Active members of the Sons of Chaos have access to a special virtual lounge where their avatars can hang out and chat. The room is rather plain-looking, especially if you compare it to modern VR Chat games, but it serves its purpose. It’s a small room with a dirty cyberpunk aesthetic. It looks like a factor city with rows of pipes that wrap around the room in different directions, rusted metal plates, and vents that occasionally let off steam.
Eiji logs into the room for the first time.
YO! Eiji’s here!
That’s the dude who took out the squad of DigiPolice!
What a legend.
The chat quickly filled with voice memos. Soon, the whole room is talking about Eiji and his bout with the DigiPolice. Eiji walks through the chatroom with every set of eyes looking over him. The sudden popularity shocks him, but if he is going to get close to Tartarus, it is a necessary evil. Eiji needed to raise the ranks quickly. He needed to own his popularity.
Eiji sits in his room looking down at the virtual monitor transmitting from his Digimon Linker. His eyes move over the virtual chatroom as he studies the details. The voice chat bounces off the walls of his small loft. Next to Eiji’s avatar, Loogamon sits and scans the lounge for danger.
“Looks like you’re a popular guy Eiji,” Loogamon says flatly.
“That’s the plan,” Eiji responds cooly. Eiji and Loogamon are in a private chat room. No one else can hear them speak.
“It’s a little offensive that they think you beat the DigiPolice all on your own. They think you’re some kind of hotshot code cracker.”
“Well,” Eiji says, getting cocky, ” I kind of am. Only top-rated code can use mindlink.”
Mindlink is inaccessible to most code crackers. Mind Link requires special equipment like Eiji’s DigiLinker and compatibility with a Digimon. Most code crackers lacked the skill and resources to even attempt such a procedure. In this way, Eiji wasn’t lying.
Loogamon scoffs at the response. The pair continue their stroll through their lounge as strangers watch them closely.
Loogamon starts sniffing at the air. The fur down its back begins to lift. “Someone’s running a search on me,” it whispers. “We’re being watched.”
Eiji keeps walking, doing his best to look inconspicuous. “Should we be worried?” Eiji whispers back.
Loogamon shakes his head. “I don’t like it.” He turns his gaze towards a Digimon with large ripped wings, a dragon skull for a head, and a snake’s body.
Below the Airdroman stands an avatar with thick long dreds. It walks towards Eiji and Loogamon. “My name is Marvin. It’s a pleasure to meet you Eiji,” it says with a warm and friendly tone.
In the heat of the moment, Eiji forgot to use an alias. Eiji is a common enough name that shouldn’t be a problem, but it was jarring to hear his real name used on GriMM.
“The pleasure is all mine Marvin. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“So, you’ve read my messages then?”
“Yep! And this is my partner, Loogamon.”
Loogamon appears to say something to Marvin, but his chat is muted. Airdramon lets out a sharp cry.
“Your partner? Ok. I see how it is.” Marvin responds, looking impressed.
“So? What’s up?” Eiji asks.
“According to my records, you applied to join the Sons of Chaos only a couple of days ago.”
“That’s right.”
“Have you ever applied under a different name or belonged to another code cracking team?”
“Nope. I freelance a bit, but nothing serious like this.”
“You sure about that?”
“Are you always this suspicious of people?”
“Only under certain circumstances. A rookie joining the ranks after beating the DigiPolice single-handedly is a bit sus. It’s either a lie, or there’s more to it.” Marvin goes quiet for a moment.
Eiji’s heart pounds against his chest. He keeps quiet. Maybe Marvin’s suspicion was standard procedure.
“I uh..” Eiji starts to stutter. He feels compelled to break the silence.
“But a code cracker who can mind link can’t be that stupid. Follow me, we need to talk somewhere more private.
As they walk away from the crowd, Eiji gets an invite to Marvin’s private room. Eiji finds himself in a smaller version of the lounge he was just in.
“This is my place,” Marvin says as he sits on a chair.
“So you’re a big deal in the SoC?” Eiji asks.
“I’ve got a few extra permissions in the channel, but I’m no more important than anyone else here.”
“I’ve heard you’re the guy who built GriMM. Is that true?”
“I was one of the first core members of the project, but it was a pretty big team. I did a bit of the code and suddenly everyone thinks I’m the creator,” Marvin says with a smirk.
“So you make all the Digimon tools then?”
“I do. Let me know what you need. First one’s free”
Eiji glances at the Airdramon above them. It curls its tail around a catwalk. Loogamon sits near Eiji, sniffing at the air.
“Anyways,” Marvin starts. “Down to business. The Sons of Chaos are planning something big, but we don’t have the numbers to pull it off.”
“Don’t have the numbers? Aren’t there a ton of people in the SoC?” Eiji starts to pry for information.
“Oh, we have more members than we need, but not enough skilled code crackers who can mindlink. Not many of them can hold their own against the DigiPolice.” Marvin smiles at Eiji. “But then here you are.”
“I’m in,” Eiji says bluntly.
Marven is taken aback. “That was quick. This is going to be dangerous, I hope you know that.”
Marvin takes a breath. An uncomfortable silence hangs in the air. All Eiji can think about is completing his mission. He needs to get close to Tartarus.
“It can’t be more dangerous than facing off against the DigiPolice,” Eiji says, breaking the silence.
Marvin snickers. “Look I get it, you beat a bunch of Commandramon and the deputy squad leader, but now you’ve got a huge target on your back. If you get caught, their locking you up.”
“And?”
Marvin relaxes a bit. “As long as you know the risks. I mean you’re good Eiji, we wouldn’t be having this conversation if you couldn’t hold your own. I just want you to understand what’s at stake.”
Eiji nods. “So what’s the mission? Is Tartarus involved?”
“You want to know about Tartarus?”
“Well.. Yeah? He’s a legend! Right Loogamon?”
“Woof!” Loogamon wags its tail excitedly.
Marvin looks down at Loogamon. “You’ve got a good dog here.”
“He’s a wolf,” Eiji responds.
Marvin bends over to pet Loogamon. It happily accepts the affection. “It sure acts like a dog.”
Eiji is at a loss. “He’s never done that kind of stuff with me!” Eiji can’t help but feel a bit jealous.
Marvin stands up and turns to Eiji. “Tartarus seldom comes around. The higher-ups don’t know much about him either. We just have the orders they give us.” Marvin sends Eiji an invitation to the private channel: Mission Infinity.
“That’s where we discuss the mission. I’ll share the files with you. It’s going down tomorrow at…” Marvin catches himself. “You’ll get the rest of the details once we’re all assembled here. You’ll need to mindlinked obviously. I’ll get you money for whatever you need.”
“Cool, I’ll see you then.” Eiji starts to log out.
“Wait, there’s one more thing,” Marvin’s words stop Eiji and Loogamon in their tracks. They stare at Marvin nervously. “You know anything about Black Agumon?”
“All I know is people are looking for it.”
“We’re looking for it,” Marvin corrects Eiji.
“You’re the ones offering the Million DC reward?!” The news stuns Eiji.
Marvin nods his head. “Tartarus wants this Agumon. It’s become his obsession…”