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

[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.

[islandshore]

Hey, I won't argue that. Problem is, we've got no way of finding that reason, and I say that as someone who's been here for three years.

[The world has its share of mysteries. At this point, he's chosen to just roll with the punches. Fewer headaches in the long run.]

It's not just a challenge, though. Battling's the only way for most Pokémon to mature. Has to do with these things called levels. More battles mean more experienced gained and a stronger companion to top it all off.

[redenzione]

Finding a purpose isn't merely as simple as looking at a map and following its instructions. It would be even more frustrating if the purpose you seek is one without a clear path. But continue to walk the road of light and goodness and perhaps one day you may just find it. You might even have found it without knowing.

I do not look for strength of body, but a strong heart and mind. Surely love and guidance would suffice?

[islandshore]

Huh, that's awfully poetic. Not that I'm knocking it-- it's a good outlook, but you'll find that not everyone here sees it that way. But isn't that how it is in any world?

[Strength of heart, though... This guy would get along with Sora. Before answering, Riku shrugs.]

It could, and it does depend on the Pokémon's tastes, but you might want a bigger, tougher Pokémon to watch your back in case you hit a rough spot. Case in point? You just missed a slew of prehistoric Pokémon on a wild rampage.

[redenzione]

What you say is very true. Fear not, I do not intend to force my believes on anyone, but I see no harm in sharing my experience.

I would not want my Pokemon to take up arms; though my body is frail here, I will ensure they will at least be safe.

[islandshore]

True. And it sounds like you've got tons of experience under your belt. I wouldn't mind hearing about that sometimes.

Won't push you to battle, either. Everyone's got their own way of adapting to this place. Usually you can get by without too much strife, and if your Pokémon don't mind a laid back lifestyle, then it's no big deal.

[redenzione]

I am willing to share as much as I should. It is not because I would hide my past, but such dark stories are ill-advised for young men as yourselves. Name a place and time, fair stranger.

[islandshore]

Hey, I've got pretty thick skin. Dark or not, I'm sure I could handle it.

As for a place... I'd say over the network, but if you'd rather do it in person, I'm sure we can work something out. Right now, I'm all the way out in Kanto, so it could be a while.

[redenzione]

Do not be as confident as I was in matters of light and darkness. I thought I knew what it meant to work as a servant of God, but in fact I was nothing more than a soldier for the Prince of Darkness.

I will await your return. Some stories are best shared in person; these moving tapestries are very convenient, but rather impersonal.