The Power of Nothingness

[Heroic Bilby]

The question at hand is simple: What is the power of Nothingness? Obviously, nothing is nothing. it isn't power. It isn't anything. So why is it held in such high regard by Xemnas? How does it do anything? How is it related to Nobodies?

I have a theory.

DISCLAIMER: I am well aware that the actual KH team probably hasn't thought about this or even care about it. I just have fun imposing possibilities upon the workings of the reality since I spend so much time in it. This thread is for fun, thank you.

The Nobodies of Organization XIII each possessed a signature power of sorts. Some type of "element" we'll say, whether it be as traditional as fire(Axel) or water(Demyx), the very fabrics of space(Xigbar) and time(Luxord), or even just pure power itself(Saix). Why is that? Why did being Nobodies suddenly grant them these abilities?

My theory:

Nothingness is just that. Nothing. Empty. Without form, purpose or power. And yet, in its emptiness, the force known as Nothingness is also "open". Light and Darkness both are what they are. When controlled or evoked by a will they simply share the power they already possess. Nothingness isn't anything, has nothing to share, and can not have any will imposed upon it... normally.

But then the Nobodies came. Beings with the will of a heart yet no heart. This non-existant existence brings them closer to nothingness than a real person, and suddenly Nothingness finds itself can be affected by the will of such a non-person as long as they have proven their strength by retaining close to their natural form. I mentioned before that Nothingness was open, but only this will of the Nobodies can fill it. And when filled, that Nothingness can suddenly be evoked or controlled.

But how!? Even if its controlled nothing is still nothing!

Yes!, which is where infinite possibilities arise. The Nothingness is now filled by the will of the Nobody and, when commanded, takes an actual form and power based on that individual's will.

THE RESULTS!?

Each Org XIII member's specific element is Nothingness given form by the quality of their will, each element as different from another's as they are different from each other.

The weapons created out of nowhere by the Nobodies? Nothingness given solid form and shape based specifically on that non-person's will to fight.

And what of Roxas? Did he turn Nothingness into Light or was true Light a power he could access because of his connection to the Keyblade? This question is very interesting in my theory because it bodes the potential of Nothingness to truly become either Light or Darkness if a will can manage it.

And what of Xemnas? If he wields the element of Nothingness specifically then his will can tap into its power in the rawest possible form, allowing him to manipulate it with the least required amount of forced change, letting him be less constricted to a specific type of power in fire or water alone.

I find the idea very amusing. What do you guys think? And also, what did any of you every think abotu the "Power of Nothingness?" Did it confuse you as much as it did I at first? Haha.

[Akito]

You're such a geek.

For me, I've always considered Nothingness the empty sheet of paper and the wielder of Nothingness to be the holder of the pencil. The kind of pencil that has an eraser on the other end. I think this is analogous to your concept of will. However, that said, nothingness here isn't 'emptiness'. Just a new beginning, just a final end.

With Xemnas, the KH team gave him a light and dark schematic in the final battle; does this mean that Nothingness is the interim between Light and Darkness?

To be technical about it, nothing would be an absence of will as well.

[Heroic Bilby]

Indeed(Especially to the geek part). Which is where the whole "Will of a Heart but no Heart" paradox of the Nobody's non-existence could make the impossible possible where a normal will could not.

... in theory.

[Shinn]

Sniffs* You soooo get me Bilbo it's almost scary.

I too believe that Nothingness is an essence that "exists" beyond the human grasp. It is the sheer answer to how all existence and its infinite splendor, can come from absolutely nothing and nowhere. Xemnas showed us this in KH2 when he made buildings appear out of thin air and threw them at Sora and Riku. I believe that since a Nobody is an existence that shouldn't exist they are the "essence" of Nothingness itself, and thus can utilize the power to their will. Nothingness I believe (or rather I believe for the Kingdom Hearts Universe as well as what I think Xemnas may believe) is the beginning of everything. Nothingness is the "alpha and omega" to say the least.

[prythian]

Perhaps, but that's not to say it's more powerful. Only less limited.

As for Xemnas making buildings appear from nowhere, I didn't get the impression that's what he was doing. *played that boss fight just today* Actually, if you look around, the entire area is styled like that, so I think he was using portals to move those buildings. Even when fighting him in his Knight form the second time, since the 'walls' of the area are made up of- you guessed it- those buildings.

Anyways, back on topic, I agree with your theory Bilby, with the condition that perhaps the reason it can be so 'shaped' is that the will of the Nobodies is actually used as a bridge between nothingness and existence, therefore the shapes are made from nothingness, but by borrowing 'existence', if you know what I mean.

[Akito]

Basically. The power to return to nothingness and the power to create from nothingness. Deducting to zero and adding from zero. It might be more easily understood if other powers were required to draw from a source (FMA equivalent exchange anyone?).

But eh, when another boss comes out, we'll all go "oooo" over his power as well.

[Heroic Bilby]

Yes Shinn I think your portrayal of Xemnas helped me finally click that together in my head a little while ago. Haha.

Less limited Pryth? Hmmm... technically, but not always in practice. For example, my theory involves the idea that Axel, as an example, can only make Nothingness become either his chakrams or fire. So in effect my theory states that the force itself has greater possibilities but the individual using Nothingness has their own type of "fingerprint" limitation of what their unique will makes of it.

Now what also interests me is actually Marluxia's optional battles in Final Mix +. Its as if his willed element of flower petals from Nothingness is almost constantly combined with the force of Darkness. As if he were utilizing both great forces at once in perfect harmony, something you couldn't do with Light and Darkness. Possibly one could do it with Nothingness and Light as well. And this also makes me think that Marluxia really was the second most powerful member of Organization XIII with the skill and power to pull of such a perfect combination of forces to increase his might.

^ That's just when I look at it from the window of my theory though. Haha. (Not that he probably wasn't either the 2nd or 3rd strongest anyway)

[Akito]

I also find it interesting that Marluxia was the one able to create a 'living' element and combine it with darkness. Playing god, he is Dx

Only second? Psh.

[Heroic Bilby]

That's also true! Good observation Akito!

Marluxia's element is practically life itself, if not a sentient one! This has such grand implications. If the right will came along could Nothingness take the form and power of... A HEART!?

Haha, pretend freak outs are fun.

That's still quite interesting for my theory about the living element thing though. Seems I had been thinking to limited even when I said infinite possibilities. The Graceful Assassin has exceeded my expectations yet again. Such an interesting character.

[kempff]

Err...remember the Org. Members are "so-called special Nobodies", factor in their desire for their past selves what with their abilities also being representations of their desire for life; hence this could simply be a way of saying they are special, therefore we don't explain why they're so strong. You don't see the "normal" Nobodies doing anything like that...so it seems they're similar to the Princesses with their power being a representation of their "hearts of pure light", perhaps the biggest baddest Heartless (not the artificial Xehanort type) with "true darkness", or the Keyblades being representations of the wielders. Other words, bad guys need to be strong and mystic like.

Interesting idea...but it's too vague still.

[Heroic Bilby]

The "normal" Nobodies didn't have the willpower to retain a humanoid form. In my theory the 'power' Nothingness would give would be equivalent to the will that fills it and gives it form, therefore only the "special" Nobodies of Organization XIII have the ability to evoke it in such a manner.

Their desire for life feeding their will is also symbolic of their wills giving Nothingness the shape and form of something that actually exists. Even more so for Xemnas, who probably desired "life" less than the rest of them so much as the "power" a heart can give, thus allowing him to manipulate Nothingness a a level where it does not truly imitate anything in the real world.

Hah, man I feel like I could make this stuff up off the top of my head forever. XD

[Shinn]

I think there are also other reasons for this Bilbo. Remember Xehanort was a unique individual before he became a Nobody and so was Kairi and Sora. I think these have a part to play in the way Xemnas, Roxas, and Namine came to be. But this may not cover the others, perhaps not only is it just a strong will that made them humanoid Nobodies, it is possible that their hearts were a special type that aided them in becoming special Nobodies. Their specific "element" could very well be a reflection of the heart they once had brought out in a physical form. I think since Xehanorts memories were forgotten not only in the mind but perhaps the heart as well, Xemnas could fully control the power of Nothingness in its purest form.

But as for Nothingness creating actual life itself, this is something that is still in the questioning board. Marluxias plant powers could have been fueled and given to life by either his own life force or with the power of darkness itself, since you didn't see him create plants by themselves. This is still unknown and can be interpreted differently though, if it is true that the plants are a living essence on their own then the possibility that a heart could be created is probable. But I feel that it would take more than just a power source to create a heart, they are after all something that has yet to be fully discovered.

[kempff]

Apr 5, 2009 11:02:49 GMT -5 Heroic Bilby said:

Hah, man I feel like I could make this stuff up off the top of my head forever. XD

That's the problem, in game evidence that's been cited here is nothing more than game-play mechanics. Where's the smoking gun, silver bullet?

[Akito]

If Xemnas was any indication, I'd say his power ought lie more in the realm of darkness. After all, Xehanort tampered with darkness during his existence. I don't believe the game made any indication that Xemnas forgot his memories at all, the opposite in fact. He remembered his old master Ansem, didn't he?

[parasiteeve]

I meant that the fact that Xehanort had lost his memories of his past before he became Ansems apprentice could have had something to do with his control of Nothingness itself. Or the creators could have just given him control Nothingness since he was the first human Nobody and the leader of Organization XIII. It would make more sense the other way I believe.