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

( video )

[stressed]

Hello sir! Welcome to the wonderful world of Pokemon.

[ yeah.. she started it out like that. ]

Johto is not a part of purgatory as far as I'm aware! Though you have been sent here with an unknown purpose, I'm sure that you received a starter Pokemon and a goal? I'm assuming Pokemon Trainer by the sound of it. Please try not to worry, and I assure you this world is very friendly. The worst you might encounter is a grumpy Pokemon.

[ with that she releases a faint laugh and continues.. ]

I haven't been here for very long either, can I assume that you came from a world very different from this one?

[redenzione]

Before my current state I served under the banner of King Richard the Lionheart of England. I have fought many battles for the Holy Land, yet I was more damned than any of those that I slew. Such were the weight of my sins.

I find this land filled with surprises. There is much that I thought of as sorcery, but kinder souls than I have explained my errors to me. But I must dedicate my time to observing the ways of Johto, if I am to resume my travels yet again.

[stressed]

[ the more she listened the more she was thinking he sounded like a character out of the divine comedy.. the name itself was uncanny. but that wasn't possible, was it? then again, she's met people like jack frost. this world is a very strange place indeed! ]

Oh my! That sounds like such a long time ago. Regardless of what happened to you before arriving here, it seems as though what you have been repenting for has been lifted off of your shoulders. From what I have gathered so far, everyone is pulled from different places and worlds and brought here. The meaning behind it is still unclear to me, but no one I have met appears uncomfortable.

[ tapping her chin with her index finger she thinks for a moment before putting on a smile. ]

The best advice I can give you is to relax and enjoy the ride! I'm certain your Pokemon companions want nothing but your best interest and will stay by you through thick and thin. If you ever feel the heavy burden on your shoulders once again, you should talk to them. They will give you the listening ear and patience that you need.

<audio>

[firstnothing]

Where you are is a matter of personal perspective. Some believe this place to be a slice of heaven, I'm sure there are others who feel it to be their own personal hell. For many, it is a second chance, one they may ... or may not, deserve. A higher power than mere men saw fit to bring you here, I would not waste the chance if I were you.

But be advised. The 'pets' you speak of are as intelligent as a man. They will understand you, though you may not understand them any better than the barking of a dog. You have been granted a companion, yes? Learn to rely on it, for weapons of other sorts are forbidden.

[redenzione]

...so perhaps it is yet another step in this new path that I walk on. I do not know why I was brought here, but God works in His ways. There must be a reason that has not been revealed to me.

I no longer seek battles; I seek peace and redemption. Though I am in agreement that these Pokemon are far more intelligent than a common steed. I have not spoken to them of my past life yet I feel that they know of the burden I carry. It is due to their help and the patience and kindness of the locals of New Bark Town, that I am slowly able to understand Johto.

[firstnothing]

Perhaps then you are here to recover from your ordeals. This land is by and large a peaceful one, the troubles and risks not terrible to the wary and the experienced. I am told it is easy to find great comfort in the companionship of one's pokemon as well. For a battered soul, perhaps few better places to be in this lifetime.

[video]

[no_ufo_ending]

I don't think so...I mean, zubats are pretty awful and it kind of feels like a punishment to deal with them...but no.

[redenzione]

Correct me if I am wrong but is a Zubat...another of these Pokemon creatures?

[no_ufo_ending]

That's right. They live in every cave.

[video]

[enjoymyatelier]

[...the most dubious of squints]

Dante Alighieri? Well, I suppose some version of existence where the Divine Comedy was actual fact isn't terribly unlikely...

[...even if he doesn't look much like a poet to Kayneth's eyes.]

In any case, you've taken a detour into a completely different universe, I'm afraid. This place is no purgatory, though it may feel like one at times.

[redenzione]

If you know of my story, sir, then you must know that it is no laughing matter.

So Our Father has created yet another earth for Man to walk on.

...I may not be in Purgatory, but I shall continue to seek my redemption here, for through the road of absolution lies the gates above, and a reunion with my beloved.

[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.

[video]

[lieutenantantichrist]

[Great, a religious nut. Blake has some experience with those, but none of it's good.]

Sorry to burst your bubble, buddy, but you're not dead. Whatever your sins are, the magic starfish don't give a damn.

[redenzione]

I am not dead, but neither am I alive.

[The most helpful of helpful corrections, ever.]

But four others have explained this land of Johto to me and though it is not Purgatory, I see no reason why I cannot continue to seek penitence for my sins.

[lieutenantantichrist]

[He's inspired some religious feeling, all right, because Blake just muttered] Oh lord.

[sarcastically] What are you, a ghost?

If you did something bad that electrocuting mice will help with, knock yourself out.

voice;

[necessaryrisks]

[Uuuuh...]

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

[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.

[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]

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.

[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.

[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.

[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.]

[redenzione]

It is true that God loves the sinners, for if He does not then He would not have sent his Son to die for us. But surely if you were to love God and accept his Son as saviour, then you would turn from your wicked ways and live your life according to His word and abandon all sin.

video;

[punches]

'God bless'? [ Here's that kunoichi from before, still all smiles, but curious. ] Are you alright?

[redenzione]

Good day to you Sakura. I am fine; I merely wish that God will bless everyone.