001 Video

[redenzione]

[It's been around two weeks and finally Dante's making his first post on the network. He still seems rather tense around the Gear, almost as if he's expecting some demon to pop out of the screen, but two weeks isn't enough to catch up on nearly 900 years of technological advancement.]

Good day. My name is Dante Alighieri and I have been here for twelve days. The last sight I remember before I awoke here was a tall mountain in the distance, it's peak stretching far into the clouds in the sky. I had thought to begin my ascent, to submit myself to further trials and redeem myself of my sins, but before I had yet to take the first step I found myself here instead.

Wherever here may be.

I must ask; is this Johto part of Purgatory? Are these children's battles and pets part of my penance?

Even if you do not have an answer, I would like to hear of your thoughts.

Thank you for your time and God bless.

[The feed then switches off after some minor fumbling. Serious one, isn't he?]

Comments

[enjoymyatelier]

Well, that's what you yourself called it-though perhaps that was a different you. Honestly, after finding out what King Arthur and Emperor Nero were truly like, I wouldn't be terribly surprised if you weren't actually a poet.

Perhaps, perhaps not... but that's just adding more difficult questions when there are already far too many to think on.

Well, if nothing else, as soon as this place decides to send you back you'll find yourself at the same point in time as you left, as though you were never gone in the first place.

voice;

[necessaryrisks]

[Uuuuh...]

It's more of an alternate universe than the afterlife, actually. I don't remember dying.

[video]

[easy_as_cake]

[Trance isn't laughing at Dante so much as with him. Even though he's not laughing. Still.]

No, they're supposed to be fun and a big adventure. Why do so many people end up here that don't know how to have fun?

[redenzione]

...I suppose since I am flesh once again, that I am again a man.

[Speak olde English Blake, he doesn't get a single word you just said.]

The words used in this land are very new to me, I'm afraid I do not understand.

[redenzione]

[You kids with your modern 20th to 21st century vocab and pop-culture knowledge, alternate universes weren't invented in 12th century AD just yet. But Dante does at least understand what dying means.]

I have realised that not all who enter here have passed on. It seems that this may be yet another of the unexplainable acts of Our Lord. However I shall not question any further; if it is in His will then so be it. I shall continue to seek Heaven's gates here.

[redenzione]

My situation is rather serious. I have no mood for games.

I have been thrice parted from my love, I do not want to keep her waiting any longer.

[redenzione]

I have faced all my sins and acknowledged that I have done much wrong, but my repentance is not complete. I know there is more still that must be done.

[Dante considers her advice carefully; it makes sense, and he deems it worth listening to.]

I shall remember your words should the shadow of my past re-emerge to plunge me into despair. You have my thanks and gratitude.

[redenzione]

[You should ask him about that some day Henry. It's really quite an epic saga. It could make a beautiful poem, nearly a Divine Comedy.]

Hope, love and God's grace is all I have left. But it shall be enough. I will trust in Him for deliverance.

[redenzione]

I would ask for further explanation, sir.

What do you mean when you say there was a 'different me'?

[no_ufo_ending]

_{[Henry kind of wishes he could have that kind of comfort...but he's kind of got to kill a god when he goes home so...the photographer just nods respectfully.]}

You're probably one of the most chill people I've met dealing with this place.

[islandshore]

[And here we have one silver haired young man. Contrary to his icons, he is now eighteen rather than fifteen.]

Purgatory? I doubt it. Not everyone who gets dragged here has sins weighing them down. There's no real pattern to when we do show up... we just do.

[Johto's kinda funny that way. Riku's had three years to adjust, at any rate.]

I wouldn't call battles penance, either. All the locals do it; it's just part of the culture.

[lieutenantantichrist]

Oh, so you were a ghost. [Sure you were.]

Nobody does to start with.

[He looks into the guy's quizzical expression and realizes he's going to have to take this slow. It's been long enough that it's hard to remember not being used to this bullshit.]

Okay, start at the beginning. You should have some kind of animal, and a bag some crazy lady gave you.

[stressed]

If I may ask, why do you feel as though your repentance is not complete?

[ her tone of voice remains happy as she continues. ]

You're very welcome! If there is anything else you need, please just ask and I'll try my best to help you.

[necessaryrisks]

[Well, he wouldn't really put it that way.] I don't think the Lord really planned on putting us in a different world with different rules. That's just too bizarre for a trial, don't you think?

[redenzione]

Much harm has been wrought with my hands. And still the stain of my past follows me with every step that I take. I am neither fully chained nor am I fully free. Mine is not the easiest path, but it is one that must be walked.

Before I may presume to ask more questions, might I have your name?

[redenzione]

I cannot think of any place worse than the Inferno. Here there is light, happiness, and much hope for what may come. It is a welcome change.

[redenzione]

The poor woman thought I was her son. I tried to explain myself but it was a futile endeavour.

[redenzione]

Trials come in many different shapes. It could be a beautiful women. Or the allure of gold.

I have learned much in my travels and emerged a new man. It is time to test if I have truly turned back towards all that is good and holy.

[redenzione]

No obvious pattern, but there is always a reason. It has just not been revealed to us yet.

That is a relief to my ears; I have lost the appetite for battles of any kind, even if in sport, if I am to believe that these Pokemon battle only as a challenge to determine who is the stronger in a fight.

[lieutenantantichrist]

See, there's your proof. There's no crazy ladies trying to hand you lunch in any afterlife I've heard of.

She thinks the same thing about everybody. There's no social services to call on her, and she looks happy enough about it. The food she gave you doesn't have any cyanide or anything in it, so it's safe, but you're gonna want to get some more before you hit the road. It's three days to the nearest excuse for anywhere.

[Blake's an old hand at this by now.]

[redenzione]

...I suppose that is all there is left for me, to take to the road once again.

[He...doesn't exactly like Blake's tone; it seems to be almost mocking. But the man is giving him advice, so Dante keeps his voice perfectly cordial.]

Thank you sir. I will be sure to gather supplies before I begin my journey.

[necessaryrisks]

[God really has a strange way of testing them. Guess he didn't think pixels were challenging enough. Not that he says as much.]

And you're doing this. Through pokemon. Training to be the very best?

[VIDEO]

[greatestcool]

[Oh boy, someone to talk religion with! It's been awhile since Ryuunosuke's gotten to share his views! He sits forward in his seat, hands laced in front of him. He looks incredibly pleased, but the expression doesn't quite reach his eyes.]

Nope, Johto isn't part of purgatory. You're in another world, sir!

[Now that that's out of the way...]

Why would you want to redeem yourself of sins? Don't you know that our God is a loving God? He loves everything that we do - both the good and bad! For every good person, there needs to be a bad one to balance it out! God loves the sinners as much as the saints - the sinners make things interesting for Him to watch!

[...Ryuunosuke, you're crazy.]

[lieutenantantichrist]

Yeah, the road trip is about your only option, unless you want to stick around with those idiots.

[Blake's not taking the guy quite seriously, but he hasn't decided to go poking at him yet. Seems like he's a few cards short of a full deck, but around here, who isn't?]

[And calling Blake sir always helps.]

Pick up some more of those red and white baseball-looking things, too. Toss them at some wildlife after yours beats the crap out of it, and then they're yours too. Don't ask me how it works.

Where're you from, anyway?

[stressed]

All of us have difficult paths to walk in our lives. Do not let yourself be defined by the past you carry. It isn't your past that builds the future ahead of you, it is the person you are today that does.

I digress! it was very rude of me to keep speaking and not tell you my name. It's Tsubasa Hanekawa.