358/2 Days Xion and the Way to the Dawn (Days spoilers)

And now that I have your undivided attention! :D

Not really. But let's see where I can steer this ship to and see where we end up at, mmkay?

I will warn you now.
This is all but a fanfic theory that makes too much sense x_x ._.;.
It is the longest theory I have written up to date (not that you know as it was all on other sites)
Here we go.

SPOILERS! TURN BACK NOW IF YOU CARE!​

Due to the nature of what I'm about to throw up I mean out at you, I have installed a new system for the sake of this theory.
So now that we have this absurd theory title and me behind the wheel, let's get this show on the road, shall we.

Xion and the WtD
AKA "the big Rion theory" >3>;

Logic Level: Canon Likely


Black hair?​

I would like to direct the court's attention to exhibit A.

Spoiler

​

We all know this person. Love her or hate her, her name is Xion, and many people would like to write her off as contained within Days, so she has no implications beyond it.
The things we should care about here is the fact she's essentially a Kairi with black hair.
Now, Kairi is a redhead. Namine, being her Nobody, has no doubt the Ven factor going for her as far as being blonde goes, as she was born at the same time as Roxas was, from the same source as him, and we all know he's Ven's spitting image.
The question remains -
Why oh why is Xion black haired?

I would like to direct the court's attention to exhibit B.

Spoiler

​

Before you is the Oblivion. One of Sora's Keyblades that Roxas used during Duel Wielding, and that Xion spoke to Riku through once he held it during the Deep Dive fight.
Why should we care? Well, here's why.

Spoiler

​

Mmhm. You heard me, I'm going there.
The reason Xion's hair is black is because she's linked to the Oblivion, giving us the same black outline with her radiant blue eyes serving as the blue gem at the base of the blade (Ok so in the game play the gem was purple. Why I don't care - basic concept. And her eyes still stand out in the black area. Also all the models I've seen were from KH2, show me from KH1 and we'll talk).
Now you can tell me the Coat is part of her being in the Org, and you'll be right. However, we're talking character design here. And that means that the end justifies the means.
Even if you want to ignore the coat, the hair has a legitimate explanation - what with her speaking to Riku through the Oblivion and all, indicating she's related to it, something Nomura himself confirmed in the Days Ultimania.

This is rather an interesting tidbit as it just might come to explain something many a fans contemplated over -

Why the Oblivion and not the Oathkeeper?​

If Xion is based on Sora's Memories of Kairi, why is it she communicates through the Oblivion, and not the Oathkeeper?

Well, despite common belief or what I prefer to call - misconception - Xion wasn't literally made up of Sora's Memories of Kairi. She was shaped by them and they served as basis, but there was more to her than that, even from the very beginning, and even then with Nomura confirming the difference in personalities, it seems the effects were only on the outside - and even then, to a point, as different people saw her in different ways.
Why does this add up, you ask? Because obviously, with not enough of Sora's Memories leaking out into Xion at the time she uncovered her face to Roxas, she would've gotten only Kairi's face, but not more. The rest would be shaped by her relation to the Oblivion, namely - black hair.
And therefore, once she gave back the Memories that shaped her into a Kairi once Roxas defeated her, there still remained in Xion her stronger link to the Oblivion, which seems to be more at the core of her being than her relation to Kairi.
That is why she managed to speak to both Riku and Roxas through the Oblivion.
That is why once Riku held the Oblivion, he saw his Memories of her - and looked at the Oblivion as though that was the cause for it.
That is why when Roxas tried to recall Xion's name and Riku managed to remember it - he did, because he was holding Xion, and to top it all - once he said her name, he looked at the Oblivion, as though speaking about it.

Now at this point you MIGHT wanna tell me "what does a Keyblade design have to do with Xion's hair color", but the design the Keychain gives the Keyblade is a direct result of the Memories it's based on. So if Xion - whose appearance is dictated by Memories - is based on Memories that made up the Oblivion, or that influenced the Oblivion, she'd have a similar "design".
And if you look up - you'll see she does indeed have ties to the Oblivion.

Now, why does this make sense?
Or more importantly - why am I squeeking like a rabid fangirl, I mean do I care?

Because of this:

Spoiler

​

Taken from KHInsider's translations of the Days Ultimania's Timeline

The very same Day Xion uncovered her face and became able for the first time to wield Roxas's Keyblade - was the Day Riku arrived at Castle Oblivion.
And need I remind you, boys and girls - It is Memories of Riku that the Oblivion Keychain is based on.

Yes, I know this is retcon. The reason why Roxas threw the Oblivion at Riku was probably more because the Oathkeeper was too girly for Riku to wield (much like he handed Kairi the Gayblade when he had it), before we get to it being based on Riku, and them shoving Xion into the mess was because they couldn't change the fact that it was the Oblivion Roxas threw Riku. But it works :D

Logic Level: Where things get tricky​

So now that I hopefully convinced you Xion's tied to the Oblivion, it's time to try and show how this can be, or in other words -

Why and how is she related to Riku?​

The prime motif behind this is this:
She is a clone, a replica of Sora - but she looks like Kairi. So needless to say, not only are her links not so obvious, they're also tricky.
Let's see what we have here then.

Where, or rather - how it all began​

Something we don't even have confirmed for Sora, not even today - is when it was all based. When was Xion's link to Memories was established.
With everyone's permission, I will go with my long lasting theory that seems to make the most sense -

Xion's ties to the Memories was established when Xemnas went to Hollow Bastion and fought Sora there, as shown in the first Final Mix. The very next Day that this took place - Xion joined the Organization.

But how would this link to Riku?​

Hush, child. This is where the fun begins.
Xemnas was in Hollow Bastion to gather Memories for Xion's construction. However, can one truly say that he knew Sora would be there? I doubt it. Then again, I never really properly saw that scene.
And hence, I will say this.

The Organization created devices that were able to gather Sora's Memories of the worlds they were placed in, and transfer them into Xion. In the novels, an interesting tidbit was said that they could extract 'fragments' - in order to create a connection - without Namine's interference. This ties in nicely with the logic saying that's why Xemnas was there then.
Well, Xemnas was then in Hollow Bastion to gather up Memory fragments of the Keyblade Wielder.
What if using a similar technique to what was eventually utilized through the machines he did the same... to Riku?
He'd collect Sora's Memories of the place, was lucky enough to gather Sora's own Memories, the general Memories from that location and the events that transpired there - as well as Riku's own Memories, strong, powerful, Dark Memories of when he actually managed to Wield the Keyblade.
Those Memories would no doubt be filled with imprints of Kairi in them due to the events that took place there. And hey, Hollow Bastion was the world in which Kairi had the most importance in KH1. No doubt some of Riku's Memories of her would be picked up along the way...

Far too much symbolism? Probably...​

Something to note is that on the very first Day Xion used a Keyblade, she was actually using Roxas's very own Keyblade. Not a copy of his wielding ability over an imitation of a Keyblade, but his very own Keyblade. Later, Xion would take much, much more from him in that aspect.
Seeing how Roxas later on dreamed about the scene where Riku took the Keyblade from Sora when Xion began taking more from him than she needed to (Day 321), I think it all adds up if only on the metaphorical level to make sense. Even the Ultimania drew lines between the events.

Riku and Sora both had one true Keyblade in KH1, and the Soul Eater, which despite evolving into the WtD Keyblade eventually, was not a proper Keyblade from the get go. Doubtless it was utilizing Riku's skills as a wielder, however.
I wonder if Riku reaching Castle Oblivion made it possible for Xion to somehow get that from him as well, and hence she would share with Roxas a bond similar to the one Sora and Riku had over the Keyblade in KH1 (if she could copy the wielding ability, I fail to see why she couldn't copy this - as no doubt the Memories would hold it within them).
That would link her back to Riku though, and as the "Riku" in this Memory-relation, she would be snatching the Keyblade from the "Sora" - being Roxas.

To wrap up the metaphor completely, we have the infamous innuendo quote that many of us Xion fans love to joke about.

A stick. It is made of wood and was used as a weapon.
Similar to a wooden sword.

Ok, back to Xemnas now.​

One thing I am eternally grateful about is that I replayed the game. Depends on how much you like me, this next bit can be seen as semi confirmation to this whole mess.
Back to you, Xemnas, you rotten evil pedo you.

Xemnas never said anything about Sora specifically. They needed the power of the Keyblade and Sora was the one that had the Keyblade at the moment. They needed Memories of the Keyblade Wielder - who might as well have been Riku going by what went on in Hollow Bastion.
At the very least, if they snatched Memories of Riku wielding either the KK - or heaven forbids, the Heart Unlocker - they'd still get what they needed.
Also -

Repliku began "production" before they reached castle oblivion, meaning there just might've been a base to go with - namely, they were aiming at Riku. However, even if that was not the case, in the secret reports it was said that any other Replica they had already created could take Xion's place. In other words they have no attachments - they take what is given to them, put inside them. So there would be no true reason for Xion not to have Riku's Memories as well, if she ended up getting her paws on them. In fact, it just might come to explain how come until later on, she didn't "see" those Memories - as they wouldn't have tied in yet with the rest of her Memories, which belonged to Sora.

This silly theory could actually also explain why Xion's different from everyone she's supposed to be like - unlike Repliku who was a Riku once he got the Memories - not to mention that she strayed from the Org's original plannings - she was linked in fact to two people, not just one.

And now, the moment you've all been waiting for! Or not...

Logic Level: Snarl of Memories
Yes, it gets its own level of logic since it DOESN'T MAKE ANY o_o​

There are several things to pay attention to when approaching this horrible topic.
Day 255 - Xion was in Castle Oblivion, and watched "her" Memories. She then says she is not the person she "used to be". I'm not saying she saw Riku's Memories, as she certainly had no idea who he was when they met on DI several Days later (identity wise - she fought him, true, but as to who he was beyond that - nothing)... but she was in CO, where it all began, and where experimentations were being conducted with Riku's Memories as well, not to mention the Castle's nature could've had to do with the mess.
Nice catalyst opportunity there, especially seeing how - 20 Days from this - she would give us Snarl of Memories.

I do hope I need not explain to anyone why I think Snarl ties Xion to Riku's Memories. I don't think I need to explain why this shows the two are related. Be it because she picked things while being in Castle Oblivion, or complications from the Keyblade copying, or through Sora, or hell, even Riku's Memories leaking out seeing as there's no doubt a relation was established there, going by the Oblivion. Whatever the reason may be, there is one fact no one can really say is false (or at least, so I hope).

Xion picked up on Riku's own Memories. Not Sora's Memories, not Memories of Riku that had Sora in them or what not, Riku's own Memories that Sora wasn't in them.
Dare tell me something isn't fishy there.

And here is where I say screw it, take on a stand I usually don't support but adds up a bit too nicely for me at the moment, and prepare to burn at hell for all eternity, for stating in here something that was originally in one of the lower Logic Levels (I'll leave it up to you to figure out which).

Here we are in Snarl of Memories, where they say, rather bluntly, that Riku's Memories, aside from his Darkest ones - are gone.

Xion gained a face at the same time Riku arrived at Castle Oblivion.
Riku had it said that all of his Memories that weren't Dark were gone.
Xion eats Memories up.
o.ò
So if Xion was to eat up his non-Dark Memories, wouldn't that include - le gasp, Sora and Kairi, which would only tie in too nicely to what Xion already had inside her?
Xion turned into Kairi because of someone inside the Memories, not who the Memories belonged to. What if there's a lot more truth to Zexion telling Riku his Heart's empty, and Riku stuttering at what everyone in the Islands were - than just symbolism?
Kairi shaped Xion because supposedly, she's the strongest Memory in Sora's Heart. Well... wouldn't that be the same for Riku then, only Riku threw those strong Memories away? Not to mention, had given them new strength as far as Kairi is concerned, due to what happened in KH1?

It would certainly add up with this following tidbit from KH2 that seems to contradict Days somewhat.

DiZ went on to say that's what happened to everyone who had ties to Sora, but while Riku remembered Sora all along - Namine said in Days that if Sora was to wake up before they pieced his Memories together, no one would remember him. That means that the Memory delinking took place early on in the restoration process. Yet Riku alone seems to have been spared, remembering enough about Sora to call him best friend, and to taunt Roxas about it.
Is it possible Namine took apart his Memories as well once Roxas - and through him, Xion - were brought in?
Yes. I'm not ruling it out. In fact, I'd prefer it.
However, I just ranted to you a whole bunch about how Xion ate up Riku's Memories.
What if through the restoration, Riku got back his Memories from Xion as well, Memories which now rested inside Xion for Namine to give back to Riku? Or were even given back once Xion was defeated by Roxas, and they linked during the week afterwards? Hence -

Logic Level: Conclusions​

Because I fear that if you'll read what's coming up ahead first, you'll stop taking me seriously if you haven't already.

What did we have thus far?

1. Xion is tied to the Oblivion, to downright based on it.
2. The Oblivion ties to Riku, which would mean Xion is tied to Riku as well. Also note - in the Deep Dive battle, Xion speaks out to Riku - even after he has given back the Oblivion to Roxas.
3. Snarl of Memories all but confirms the relation is there, judging by Xion's nature of existence and her acquiring some of Riku's own Memories, and ones that had nothing to do with Sora.
4. Xemnas had all the chances in the world to snatch Memories that belonged to Riku so they could find their way into Xion.
5. Repliku actually ties stuff up nicely. Read ahead to find out how.

Logic Level: Baseless speculation?​

Here is where I'll just throw out everything I was wondering over.

Something I'd like to know is at which point in time did Riku ditch Mickey and gotten the blindfold, seeing how he had it when we already see him fighting Xion, and how going by Re:CoM's credits, he did not have it on when he was still with Mickey - part of why he left Mickey behind, he attested to as much himself.
I'd love it if it'd tie in with when Xion lost and reacquired her Keyblade. Something along the lines of "Riku left Mickey - Xion loses Keyblade, Riku begins useing Blindfold - Xion reacquires Keyblade".
And yes, I know an explanation was given from Sora's side. Perish the thought that I'm denying the established explanations or the link between Xion and Sora - I'm just saying that in light of the relation that seems to be there, it would be really nice if he affected these occurrences as well. Would certainly make my job easier, but seeing how we don't know Riku's side of the story here, I'll remain curious.

Another thing I'd LOVE to know is what happened to Riku on Days 171-193, which was the period of time in which Xion fell asleep and was said to reconnect to Sora's Memories.
What got her to pass out, though, truly? And what got her to wake up all of a sudden? If stuff happened to Riku during that time, it might all tie in gloriously.

Day 352 - "Do you hate me for taking your friend away from you?"
Ok, this is just a random tidbit I personally found to be a nice similarity, and possible hinting towards Riku's issues in KH1. He had obvious jealous issues towards Sora over Donald and Goofy, and possibly even Kairi as well.
Could be to show Riku grew over it.
Could be to show Riku-Kairi interaction as that's who he saw her as.
Could be to show she understood how he felt, or at least did at one point in time - because she 'remembers', despite not seeing the Memory itself.

Now about the Replica project, Xion and Repliku.
I do have to wonder though about this scenario.
Xemnas went to HB. Snatched Memories both of Sora, and of Riku. However, Xion, being one to take more than she needed to, as seen with Roxas, took all the Memories.
It could explain why Repliku was left as unfit for Number status - Xion ate up what he was supposed to get of Riku. But I wonder.

Logic Level: Random tidbits I noticed​

On Day 96, Xion attempts to summon her Keyblade and fails. There was, however, a spark, much like when one does manage to summon. My bet is - she has the Keyblade, but not the ability to wield.
This would put her in contrast to Riku on Day 150, who reached out and tried to wield - but while he arguably still had the ability to wield, going by the Soul Eater - had no true, proper Keyblade to wield with that ability.
I have to wonder though, seeing how Xion no doubt had Memories of Riku's inside her, especially going by Snarl - if she didn't have Memories of when he did wield the Keyblade. Since those Memories would be his as well, holding her Keyblade stirred it inside him as well.

Another lovely tidbit is how after Riku saved Xion from - whatever - on DI, he was detected in Castle Oblivion.
Xion was with him at the time, as seen when Roxas and Axel see the both of them together in TLTW - and confirmed by the Ultimania's Timeline, where it was said that

I would love to see what's went on there.

tl;dr!
What is your point already?!​

tl;dr?
I wouldn't be surprised in the least if much like how Xion "awakened" that extra Keyblade inside Roxas - she had something to do with Riku wielding the Way to the Dawn - hence this theory's ridiculous name.
I said it once, I said it twice, and I'll keep on saying it until the canon disproves me -

Here's to having Xion's face on the floor in Riku's Destati​

There. I'm done.
Happy flaming.

~Bee, over and out.

 

I read a little over half.
And so far, it makes complete sense.
I'll finish reading in a minute, but had to say that so far, I agree completely.
Xion took Riku's forms in one of her "dreams", so it was hinted that she had some connection to his memories as well.
The Oblivion connection, though, I didn't even think of. That's pretty genius.

 

Ok, ok, ok...so to wrap it up, Xion is not only the memories of Kairi, but also of RIku but in a less obvious way?

And in the KH 358/2 Ultimania quote, are you talking about Riku receiving the Oblivion in the fight with Roxas or WtD?

But in the end, it is epic and downright believable. Not sure I understand it all, but I think it's got a lot of credibility.

 

I like to think
Oblivion is a bit of Xion's being, and she gives it to Roxas through the shell at the her dieing scene.
And Oath keeper is a bit of Kaire, and she gives it to Sora through her good luck charm
You can see her charm as the safety boost charm on Oath Keeper.

........
I read only half and I agree as well!
Were you fed smart juice?UwU
​

 

Wow. That makes perfect sense. Here's to people who think deeply about the games, come up with theories, and amuse people (like me) who play a game they enjoy while thinking "I'M PLAYING A GAME!!!" :lol:

 

Read the rest of it, and I stand by my previous statement. Very well thought out. Great analogy on Sora/Riku and Roxas/Xion.
I was wondering however, (Since I mostly skimmed through it and haven't played Days yet), what is Snarl of Memories?

 

I actually have a whole "Logic Level" dealing with Snarl of Memories XD;

Wouldn't go that far, but thank you XD

Memories that belonged to Riku, not only were of him, that's the point in here, which in part would give reason for Sora's Memories of him to tie into the mess.

When did he use the WtD in the Deep Dive fight?
Oblivion.

If you don't understand, ask.
But thanks :3

Only Nomura confirmed in the Ultimania interviews that Xion didn't give Roxas his second Keyblade, but rather "woke it up" inside him.

I always found it amusing how the original design had Namine's Paopu charm.

Maybe. Lolololol.

^___^ I'm glad the rest of it didn't let you down.

Snarl of Memories = the name given to when Roxas/Xion see Riku's Memories of his talk with Zexion.

 

Oh ok thanks!
​

 

Very well thought out and makes complete sense bee...I have another piece of evidence to back up the theory of Xion being connected to Oblivion.

During the Riku v.s. Roxas scenes while Rikus on the floor asking why roxas has the keyblade just before roxas finishes him xion tells riku to stop him, this is while riku still has oblivion. But knowing how close roxas and xion are then it would have been more effective t tell roxas to stop and go with riku right? and after roxas gets back oblivion but is defeated pretty much straight after xion tells him not to be sad, this happens almost straight after he has oblivion back o would this not mean she was talking through the oblivion blade. Also in kh2 roxas's memories of the organization are wiped...He remember axel when he dual weilds so I was thinking that maybe he got the memories from Xion.

 

Actually, Mvalentine, as I wrote above - Xion called out to Riku, begging him to stop Roxas - after he had already given Roxas back the Keyblade.
You did bring up a good point of why Xion spoke to Riku and didn't try harder to turn Roxas away from going along with his suicidal plan. The question now is if Riku didn't simply "go along with it" when it came to what Xion wanted simply because his goal was already to take Roxas back, and keeping him from offing himself against the Org o,o

 

Well thought.
Pretty much everything you said makes complete sense.

Now i just wonder if Sora remembers about everything, i mean, he fused with Roxas and now remembers Naminé...not like it really matters though.

 

I'd hope so, I replayed the game for this XD;

Well, I tend to believe that Riku got his Memories back, but seeing how neither Days nor KH2 bothered to show us too much about him, basically everything's up in the air.
As for Sora remembering... well, we can't say "the Memories were of other people so he wouldn't remember them" as Xion's existence is based on that not being true, but then again she was a Replica created to absorb other people's Memories. So time will tell.

I do like to think that Xion is why Sora ended up remembering Namine. Going by how she told Axel that she met him in Castle Oblivion, it seems she also had Sora's Memories of what took place there - which would make sense as those would be Memories Namine would no doubt leave delinked, thus letting them leak out to Xion easily enough. So once Sora received those Memories through Xion through Roxas - he remembered Namine.

 

well thought out, but what about oblivion in kh1, how does that tie in

 

Why should it tie in? The Oblivion was there first. Xion having the same times as the Oblivion - to both Sora and Riku - would explain her being related to it.

 

Nice, and makes perfect sense. +rep.