Editing Pod

A {{nihongo|'''Pod'''|ポッド|Poddo}} is a flower-shaped device constructed by [[Organization XIII]]. [[Naminé]] placed Sora, Donald, and Goofy in several Pods to sleep as she reassembled their memories.

In order to better understand their own nature, Organization XIII sought to perform research on the nature of Nobodies and the mechanics of memories, with a secondary, secret purpose for Xemnas of uncovering "something important related to 'memory'".<!--does any source clarify that Xemnas was looking for Master Xehanort/Chamber of Repose memories, or something else?--> To this end, they conducted experiments located at [[Castle Oblivion]], a location that affects memories, and involving [[Naminé]], a Nobody who affects memories. They constructed the Pods as part of these experiments into breaking and recovering memories.<ref>'''''[[Director's Secret Report XIII]]''''', p. 27-28; '''Interviewer''': "There are also many things regarding Castle Oblivion that remain mysterious. Did Organization XIII build that castle themselves, with Naminé the original subject of the experiments they conducted there? Please tell us the details of the experiments the Organization were carrying out. Also, was that pod that Sora entered something the Organization built in relation to those experiments? Are they the same pods in Twilight Town?" / '''Tetsuya Nomura''': "The ultimate goal of the Organization was to obtain a Kingdom Hearts of the hearts of people and become complete beings, and because Nobodies were a new kind of being beyond all expectations, said to be "nonexistent beings", the lack of background knowledge made it necessary for them to collect information relating to their own condition. One major feature of the Nobodies is that they form personalities and feelings through memories without hearts. This means that "memory" is a very important element to them. The creation of Castle Oblivion itself is still a mystery, but, as you can guess from the cutscenes added to this title, you may consider that the Organization discovered the castle, which was there since before the Organization was created, at quite an early stage.<br>And also, around the same time that Roxas woke up in Twilight Town, Naminé woke up in Castle Oblivion. This means that she was found by the Organization after that. Just as each Organization member has an attribute ability, Naminé possesses the power to manipulate "memory", and they thought that this ability was the key to illuminating the truths of the condition of the Nobodies. This means that in that place that affected the "memory" of those who entered they carried out experiments relating to memory. Above all, Xemnas, the leader of the Organization, seemed to be searching for something important related to "memory". Some of their experiments involved the breaking and rebirth of memories, and those pods were for that purpose indeed created by the Organization. The pod that Sora woke up in in Twilight Town was the same one from Castle Oblivion. DiZ had moved everything as it was in order to escape pursuit by the Organization. Also, as Xigbar says in a cutscene added to this title: when the time comes to reveal the details of "the true purpose of Castle Oblivion", all the mysteries regarding Castle Oblivion will be solved."" Translation via Goldpanner.</ref>

After defeating Marluxia, Sora meets with Naminé in a room within Castle Oblivion and she offers to reconstruct his memories. However, due to the extent of the damage, he, Donald, and Goofy would have to go into stasis within the Pods, in order to keep them safe and cared for while Naminé conducts her task.<ref>'''''[[Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories]]''''', '''Donald''': "To remember again, we have to sleep in that?" / '''Naminé''': "Yes. It's going to take a little time, but I'll take care of you."</ref><ref>'''''[[Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance]]''''', '''Chronicle: ''Chain of Memories''''': "She offered him a choice: he could either put his scattered memories back the way they were and lose all memory of this castle, or keep his memories the way they were now. Sora chose to get his old memories back by going into a deep sleep until they could be repaired."</ref>

After defeating the [[Riku-Replica]] within the castle's [[Twilight Town]]-styled basement, Riku meets with Naminé and is shown Sora sleeping in his Pod. Naminé offers to use her powers to seal away Riku's memories, permanently locking away Ansem,<ref>'''''[[Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories]]''''', '''Riku's Tale VI''': "When he found her, he also found Sora and friends in a deep slumber, waiting to get their lost memories back. Namine told Riku he could seal Ansem away forever by giving up his memories, but Riku refused to forget his friends."</ref> but Riku refuses, and instead asks her to promise to look after Sora.<ref>'''''[[Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days]]''''', '''Riku''': "You made me a promise." / '''Naminé''': "To look after Sora. I remember. I'm sorry...I'm not sure I've kept that promise very well."</ref>

DiZ works with Naminé to restore Sora's memories as he slumbers in the Pod. He persuaded her to move the Pods to his secure laboratory in the basement of [[Twilight Town]]'s [[Old Mansion]], as Castle Oblivion was too at risk to intrusion by [[Organization XIII]].{{storylink|Secret Ansem Report 10}} During the reconstruction, he digitized himself and his research on [[Roxas]], [[Axel]], [[Naminé]], [[Xion]], [[Terra]], [[Ventus]], and [[Aqua]], and hid them within Sora's memories, hoping they could eventually be used to find these lost friends.{{storylink|A Fragmentary Passage}}<ref>'''''[[Kingdom Hearts Re:coded]]''''', '''Naminé''': "These people are waiting for Sora—the only one who can put an end to their hurt. DiZ told me...he hid something inside you during the year you were asleep. I asked him what, and all he would say was that he was "clearing his conscience." Sora must be the key to saving the people you saw—"</ref><ref>'''''[[Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance]]''''', '''Ansem the Wise''': "Perhaps I wanted to atone for events of the past, even if no apology can undo the harm I have wrought. I felt...that I ought to leave at least something behind. So I digitized myself and my research, and hid them within Sora."</ref>