#imaginary energy

[silyabeeodess]

FusionFall Headcanons: Magic, Mana, and Imaginary Energy

To recap, imaginary energy (IE) is described as a force between science and magic.  Meanwhile, according to the Ben 10 wiki, mana is “the supernatural substance that is the essence of magic and life itself.” By their definitions, it’s clear that these powers have some relation to one another.  However, comparing what we know about how they’re utilized, we may be able to make some more solid distinctions between the three. 

Neither IE or mana is necessary to live depending on the species, and both are produced to varying degrees by different lifeforms.  For example, imaginary friends are made entirely of IE, but can’t emit it to create more of themselves.  Anodites are made entirely of mana and have no trouble controlling it while Ectonurites don’t have mana at all.  Humans can produce/manipulate both IE and mana, but to what degree differs from person to person. 

The main thing that ties these two is their connection to magic, which in itself is powered by mana.  However, while IE can manifest desires into a corporeal state, mana leans on the supernatural and incorporeal.  It can affect matter and other forms of energy through magic, but things like object creation are extremely advanced and often unstable, summoned with difficulty and easily destroyed--hence the overall preference for energy barriers/blasts rather than physical ones.  Two instances where Verdona created objects in the AF episode “What are Little Girls Made of?” were duct tape and a disco ball; however, neither of them lasted long. (It’s worth noting that both short spans were by choice, but the fact that Ben experienced no pain from the tape being removed and the disco ball was just hovering in the air without being connected to an energy source to function shows that neither truly followed reality.) The only cases of more permanent creations by Verdona were her flowers and “body,” both of which might have more to do with specifically warping the mana around her given how the flowers were clearly unnatural and her “body” was more a skinsuit. It doesn’t seem like Anodites can progenate/create life through mana either.

I’d like to bring up the Celestialsapiens into this: While they can’t directly manipulate mana according to Matt Wayne from a 2011 Q&A, this is partly because they would have to “change the nature of mana” to do so. This may give us some insight into how IE works through its reliance on science.  We see through the creation of imaginary friends and environments that what can manifest from IE is pretty boundless; however, I think it’s also safe to say that whatever is created must also follow certain rules--just like how Celestialsapiens have them to regulate how they control reality.  Whereas the Celestialsapiens laws seem to be more self-orchestrated though, those with IE would need to follow the laws of science/nature as people know them in the world of Fusionfall.  For instance, an imaginary friend may be made from IE, but as organic, corporeal beings, they still require food to survive.  There are some ways these rules can be bent--likely thanks to the magical side to IE--but there’s still a limit.      

While a better understanding of those laws may help someone sort out the particulars of their creations, children of course wouldn’t necessarily be thinking of them to create imaginary friends: It seems more likely that their creation figures itself out in response to the child’s needs/desires and the massive surge of energy involved. If anything, overthinking the details may prevent the use of IE in a similar way to how a Celestialsapien’s two personalities bicker over their powers--also paralleling how they don’t have multiple personalities as newborns. Instead of it being a decision-making concern though, it would be more of a reluctance to create by what one deems ‘improbable’ or ‘can’t exist in the world.’  It’s further limiting the near-limitless nature of IE via mental block. 

Another similarity is how the Forge of Creation, the home of the Celestialsapiens, is described as the place “where ideas become real.” This absolutely fits with the nature of IE. As such, it could be possible for IE to originate from that place, with humans capable of wielding it as a much weaker form of the power the Celestialsapiens possess. 

Both magic and IE can be channeled through physical objects to amplify the wielder’s abilities.

Research into IE is still very new, so beyond the rare creation of full environments that seem to exist within their own pocket of reality, like World’s toybox, or warping IE through technology such as weapons or the Spinal-ARCH, people can’t seem to manifest powers that parallel all that mana users are capable of. It’s hard to say what its full strengths and weaknesses are, like how some technology was made to block mana use or how some species aren’t affected by mana attacks.  The few facts on IE include its creation-based power, strength against the destructive force that is fusion matter, and that humans and possibly the Glorft are the only known species capable of controlling it thus far.    

[silyabeeodess]

FusionFall Headcanons: Imaginary Energy Levels

Imaginary energy (IE) isn’t a new phenomena in the world of FusionFall, but it is extremely difficult to trace and there’s been little research conducted on it in the past.  From what people do know, however, it seems to be a blend of both science and magic.  Whether or not IE is particular to Earth and its lifeforms, it seems to flow heavily on the planet as a force of creation--greatly countering Planet Fusion’s destructive power and even breaking through the minds of Fusions based on Imaginary Friends.  

IE is typically an invisible energy that Earthlings, especially humans, are enveloped by to varying degrees.  While Imaginary Friends are made up entirely from IE, its power is devoted into keeping their physical forms intact.  However, being made of physical matter, humans can instead manipulate their IE as a means of creation and protection against fusion matter.  Technology has been designed to channel IE at its fullest through both armor and weaponry, and other devices are constantly being built upon to further push new boundaries regarding its use.  

Individuals with high amounts of IE tend to be naturally more resistant to fusion matter.  These individuals tend to be younger, although age seems to have no affect on how much IE a person has.  Rather, it’s that younger people--especially children--tend to use their IE more often without even knowing it.  This again leans on IE being a force for creation, with people who rely more on their creative abilities wielding it best. The best example of this can be seen in the creation of Imaginary Friends, which--while often uncontrollable--are almost always created by children.

It’s not so easy to just say that people who fall into “creative” outlets necessarily have a high IE though.  While this can be the case for artists and writers, it can just as easily be so for anyone from a scientist, to a teacher, to a military general.  This is because a creative nature isn’t restricted to any particular skillset.  Instead, one’s creative power is determined by how they use it in their daily lives.  Vice versa, just because someone does seem to be a “creative” type based on their skills doesn’t necessarily mean that they’ll have a high IE or that they can use it well. Such can be witnessed from children who manage to bring Imaginary Friends into the world, but they’re copies of things that the child has seen rather than completely their own selves.  

These aspects are what make IE so hard to trace, an issue made even more difficult by the fact that--simply put--people grow and change. Their appliance of IE in their lives alters day-by-day based on their experiences, desires, and state of mind.  Some theorize that IE may, at times, even go through dormant periods depending on the human using it.

Despite this, there are some cases where there are safe assumptions about individuals having a naturally high IE.  This individuals include Goo, Madam Foster, World’s creator, Father, Dexter, and Mandark.

[silyabeeodess]

FusionFall Headcanons: Fusion Fighter Standard Equipment

Weapons, wardrobes, and add-ons may differ for each individual Fusion Fighter, but there is some basic equipment in their arsenal that tends to spread across the board:   

Wristcom: This unit was wired specifically to limit Fuse’s ability to highjack communications between Fusion Fighters. It comes with a mission log, audio and message transmitter, and holographic maps. It can connect to other systems in order to send/receive additional data. 

C.A.T.A.L.O.G.: (Contains Atomized Tools And List Of Gadgetry) A small pack that can hook to a Fusion Fighter’s suit and atomizes materials for easy storage and transport. It keeps track of what’s stored and can transfer items to and from shopkeepers and banks or during trades. The wristcom also registers to it so Fusion Fighters can review their inventory via hologram, keep track of their taros, and send/receive items by email. All items can be re-materialized by a quick selection, and it really comes in handy when fighters find C.R.A.T.E.S. out on missions. The one downside is that space is limited. 

Nanochips: These Pokeballs are used to transport Nanos while on missions and to transfer them to and from the various Nano Stations. They are called ‘nanochips’ for their small, computer chip-like design, and can hook to a fighter’s suit similarly to the C.A.T.A.L.O.G.  Whenever a Nano is resting inside one, a small panel on the front of it will glow the color matching whatever the Nano’s Power is, and will also list a small, specific code for that Nano (For example, OGM-1 for a Buttercup Nano).  Nanos can be summoned from them by a quick click of a button; However, in the event of the chip falling into enemy hands or if a situation becomes too dangerous for a Nano–such as heavy injury or overexertion–it contains a locking mechanism to keep a Nano safely inside. 

FM Converter: A small tool that siphons Fusion Matter for IE (Imaginary Energy) Donors to later purify and synthesize into Nanos.

NanoSynth: If an IE Donor cannot reach the Great Machine to create their Nano, they may be able to use this device in order to create one out in the field so long as their Imaginary Energy can stabilize its creation. To use it, the FM Converter must be slipped into a compartment along the device’s side with the right amount of Fusion Matter. Then, using either a gathered sample of the model hero/villain the Nano is based from or a sample already set into the Great Machine’s data files, the IE Donor will use neurotransmitters to help manifest their own IE for the process. 

IE Spinal-ARCH: (Spinal Architect) An experimental technology that fits under the clothes and attaches along the Fusion Fighter’s spine. This device is the combined efforts of DexLabs and Mandark Industries. In order to help Fusion Fighters stand on their own against Fuse’s army, the Spinal-ARCH traces IE for fighters to manipulate it around their bodies–often invisible, but also taking various forms following specific codes and data readings imported into the system. It also can help Fusion Fighters disguise themselves on various missions. However, while Fusion Fighters have shown to have some control over the forms the IE takes, the IE itself currently proves too unstable for fighters to have real use out of without dissipating (such as fighters being able to summon wings and move them, but not actually use them to fly). One theory to improve the device has been to include the DNA or data from the personal affects of other beings, similarly to how they were used along with Fusion Matter to create Nanos. However, some scientists such as Azmuth and some of the Plumbers have stood against the idea and even refused to help with research for the device because of it. Meanwhile, no one’s willing to risk directly using Fusion Matter on the fighters due to its toxicity and other negative effects. (Except, possibly, people like Mojo Jojo…)  Still, the device has widespread use–if only because so many of the Fusion Fighters just like it and think it makes them look cool. 

[silyabeeodess]

I’m thinking about doing some larger comics for FusionFall (more like minisodes, really), so for story purposes, I’m putting down some ideas and headcanons regarding Nanos. Check it out below the cut if you’re interested:

Using Fusion Matter alone, Nanos could only be synthesized into creatures similar to Fuse’s monsters. However, by combining it with Imaginary Energy (IE), the effects of Fusion Matter are offset, making the Nanos independent of Fuse’s influence and allowing them to quickly establish a bond with the individual whose IE is used.

IE also affects a Nanos’ initial personality. Rather than inherit all traits of the hero/villain they’re modeled from, Nanos may also exhibit some similarities to their IE donors. This use of personalities as basic templates makes them differ from many imaginary friends, who can instead take on the specifically desired personality traits of their creators/traits for their creators to benefit from.         

A Nano’s creation gives them a state of mind similar to that of their model hero/villain. Despite this, they’ll often exhibit child-like tendencies. Whether it is because of their actual age, because of the effects of IE, or both is debatable.

Some of the Nanos have shown an inclination to naturally draw energy from their IE donor’s essence.  As a safety precaution, the donor can take no more than three Nanos with them at a time while on missions. 

Individuals show separate capacities for their use of IE. Some can easily create Nanos independently so long as they have enough Fusion Matter and the proper equipment: Others require the use of the Great Machine to help Nanos manifest. At large, however, a person’s use of IE is often random and unstable. While a person can “train” their abilities to certain degrees, it’s highly unrecommended to attempt to physically manifest anything using IE without some means of stabilizing the creation. The slightest problem can have serious consequences. In the case of Nano’s specifically, it can make them weak or physically unstable.  

Nano Stations allow IE donors to change out their Nanos while in the field often by two means. First, the Nanos can be transferred to/from a specific location (such as Dexlabs or someone’s residence). Second, a Nano can be transferred to/from a simulated environment while under the care of Dexbot operators.

Similarly, IE donors may carry Nano Transporters that basically act as Pokeballs with them in the field. This allows the Nanos to conserve their energy for battle, but also to protect them.      

[silyabeeodess]

Do you have a list ranking characters with the highest IE to Lowest? Like Highest would include jakethedog | Extremely high would include dee dee, ice king | High would include Goo and jonny | high mid would include mac, billy, powerpuffgirls, Ed | Mid would include Ben, flapjack, numbah 3, terrance | low Mid would include Ace, coop, edd and eddy, mandark | low would include dexter, PB, finn, doc, numbah2 | extremely low would include rex, max, gwen, mandy, numbah1 | (PS thanks for prev replies)

Although I haven't done much of a ranking for IE, I have made a post for headcanons on IE levels here. To summarize, I'd say there are two big factors with IE that can affect how much an individual has. It doesn't usually keep to a stable level nor do people with traditionally creative outlets necessarily have high amounts of IE:

To elaborate on the first point, IE is always waxing and waning throughout a person's life. That's simply the nature of human beings, as we can't constantly run at full sprint. Factors such as age, experience, burnout/blocks, and physical and emotional health all play a role. This is one of the reasons why it can be difficult to study and/or master. A big example of this is how children are much more likely to creative imaginary friends than adults.

For an example of how difficult it can be to find patterns of high or low IE, let's focus on the matter of experience: A person closed-off from experiences is likely to have a low IE, but even a person with many experiences under their belt may also have a low IE if they're the type to copy rather than create. There's an example of the latter in one of the FHFIF comics, with a child who originally comes to Foster's to adopt an imaginary friend, but ends up creating one instead only after by combining the traits of Coco, Wilt, and Eduardo in his head for the type of friend he wanted. Even Wilt in one of FHFIF's first episodes would acknowledge this lack of creativity by pointing out a Mojo Jojo friend. It's not a lack of inspiration causing this, but rather an inability or lack of practice building off of said inspiration.

As for the second point, there are several ways people across various fields and hobbies can show off their creativity and in-turn high or low IE. They won't always be traditionally creative types as we often think of them--artists, writers, etc. A strategist needs to think outside of the box to outsmart their enemy. An inventor or businessman needs to be innovative. People like Dexter and DeeDee both have high IEs, they're just channeling that energy differently.

For others on your list, I agree that Goo, Jonny, Jake, Ice King would all have high IEs as well. However, I would also move Numbuh 3 to that list. She has a tendency to drift into her own flights of fancy, even on missions. She's noted to possibly be responsible for many of the KND acronyms--which aren't always easy to make, especially the longer they get--in The Grim Adventures of the KND crossover. I also imagine she's greatly imbued many of her stuffed animals with her IE because of how much she treats them as living beings.

Mac, Billy, Blossom, and Bubbles would likely be high-mid. However, as Buttercup tends to be more direct and simplistic in her thinking, not really strategizing, but just willing to power her way through everything she does and relying more on impulse, I'd say she's more in the mid-range. All three of the Edds would be high-mid though. Ed is almost always living in his imagination, but it also takes a lot of creativity to constantly come up with new ideas for their scams, as Eddy does, and bring them to life through inventions, as Edd does. Terrance can also be included in this list, however, I feel like his IE is also rapidly declining. He can still create imaginary friends, like Red or Pizza, but he's also pretty much a copycat. Pizza was brought to reality because Terrance was hungry and Red exists as a foil to Blue. His destructive nature wears on his IE too (more on this later).

Coop is kind of a step below this, as he's pretty accepting of new experiences and is shown to seek improvements through Megas' upgrades and personalization. His IE was also imbued into Megas, which allowed the creation of Megas nanos. However, what inhibits his IE is his laziness/lack of self-improvement. He likes working on cool machines as a hobby, but he was also known to constantly sit around playing games rather than really work toward building anything. In short, he has a lot of potential he doesn't use. I'll place Mandark here too, simply because I think placing him on more of a mid-tier is a bit much, but his obsessive rivalry with Dexter and destructive habits both hold him back. You can't grow personally when you're constantly worrying over or trying to one-up others. As such, the moment Mandark devoted much of his scientific goals to simply beating another person, he gave himself a major obstacle.

I think Numbuh Two, Flapjack, Rex, Ben, Numbuh One, and Max would be more mid/low-mid IE in that order from greatest to least. Numbuh Two is constantly inventing and striving to improve the KND arsenal, to an almost tireless degree, so he'd have to be at a decent level--probably even higher than what I'm giving him. Flapjack is still a young, easily impressionable kid with a strong sense of wonder. With Rex, how he controls his nanites by creating various machinery shows off his somewhat creative side and willingness to learn/adapt. Ben can come up with unorthodox, yet impressive strategies as a leader. Meanwhile, Numbuh One, while also very strategic and often more driven than Ben, can have a bad habit of getting trapped in his own head. I place Max on the low end of this mainly from his age. He can be clever, open, and experimental, but is also highly likely to have reached a point where he's pretty settled with his way of life. In his mind, he's also done so much that it's become a block all to itself.

Of the ones you mentioned, Ace, Mandy, PB, Finn, Doc, and Gwen would have the lowest levels for three separate reasons. For Gwen, she can't help it: It's mainly her Anodite side conflicting with her human one. (See more on why that is here.) I won't say it's impossible for her to use it altogether, but she'd struggle with how the two powers separate themselves, especially with being so used to her Anodite abilities already.

PB, Finn, and Doc, all have a mental block through their inability/unwillingness to use their imaginations and/or accept things like magic. Ironically enough, the denial of reality will make you less imaginative. Closing your mind to truth means closing it to learning, growth, and a willingness to see beyond what you think you know or even the simple fact that you just won't understand everything. Magic exists in FusionFall's world, but instead of accepting it for what it is, those like PB and Doc try to twist it to fit their worldviews, which obviously can backfire.

For Ace and Mandy, it's their destructive sides. Pretty basic: You can't hope to create if you focus on destruction. This can come from many types of flawed personalities. Instead of taking inspiration from the past or from old stories, there are those who think they're better than the people who built what came before them. Rather than look for ways to actually improve or do anything original, thanks to their hubris, they just end up ripping things apart. There are those who, rather than try to add to the world, only desire to take from it. Ace, fortunately, is on a better path along with the rest of the Gangreen Gang since they've formed a band and are now using that as a productive outlet, so their IE levels can rise over time. Mandy, however... she's pretty set with who she is. She has little to no wonder for the world. She sees little to no good in it and her plans for world domination set her on a bad path.

My idea for why Terrance--and others like him--doesn't have a low IE, despite how destructive he is, is because of how he grew up. Keep in mind, he and Mac are in the same boat as kids left home alone while their single mom works without giving them the proper care they need. (It's not entirely her fault, but when she has one child that's basically one more hole in the wall away from juvie and then she looks to her younger child and tells them to get rid of their one friend and protector from that nut... Yeah, I wouldn't say it's outrageous to call her a bad parent either.) Terrance has issues. He's undisciplined. He throws more tantrums than his "baby" brother. And yet... he's still basically a kid. He's only thirteen. He should be more mature for his age, but not enough for his mother to give him with both the freedom and responsibilities that she does leaving both of her sons alone day after day.

Moreover, consider what kind of friend Terrance made with Red. Again, he's Blue's foil. Imaginary friends are partly made not solely by the desires of their creator, but what their creator needs. While Mac needed Blue to be confident, outgoing, and brave where he was lacking, there's a good chance Red's empathetic and sensitive side is a reflection of what Terrance needs. He still has a strong imagination, but for the wrong reasons, and as such, it's eventually going to shatter if he can't develop it properly.

[ffplanetfusion]

Head Canon #1: Imaginary Energy

The reason Fuse and his minions are weak to Imaginary Energy is because they lack any imagination. Planet Fuse goes around absorbing other worlds, and civilizations. Feeding on their ideas, their creations. Mastering their arts, sciences, and magics. Only destroying never creating. Anything that comes from Fuse takes on the form and properties of other things. Nothing is original.

The people of earth posses such an overwhelming amount of imagination, they can create life out of nothing (the imaginary friends), and make even the silliest of ideas a practical reality, (such as many of the KND weapons, or the Box fort in the Cul-de-sac). When doing so they also give off Imaginary Energy, which is just pure distilled creativity and imagination. Potent enough to cause harm to something so utterly devoid of imagination.