Editing Marluxia

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'''Marluxia''', the {{nihongo|''Graceful Assassin''|優雅なる凶刃|Yūga-naru Kyōjin|lit. ''Graceful Assassin's Blade''}}, is the [[Nobody]] of [[Lauriam]], Rank XI within the original [[Organization XIII]] and a member of the [[real Organization XIII]]. As the lord of [[Castle Oblivion]], he acts as the main antagonist of [[Sora]]'s story in ''[[Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories]]''. He controls flowers, and he uses this attribute to command flower-themed minions to shoot beams of destructive energy, as well as to bombard the opponent with flurries of petals. Scythes are his weapon of choice and he commands the [[Reaper]] Nobodies.

Marluxia makes an appearance in ''[[Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days]]'' and is a playable character in [[Mission Mode]].

Originally, Marluxia was planned to be female, but he was changed to a man because of the balance with Larxene.<ref>'''''[[Character's Report Vol.2]]''''', '''Tetsuya Nomura''': "During the plotting stage we intended him to be a woman, but we thought about the balance with Larxene and made him a man." [https://www.khinsider.com/forums/index.php?threads/characters-report-vol-2-translations.197305/ Translation by Goldpanner]</ref>

When [[Lauriam]]'s Heartless was created, his strong will allowed him to continue on as a [[Nobody]], Marluxia. Marluxia was discovered by Xigbar and became the eleventh member of Organization XIII.

{{Canon|width=70%|When the twelfth member, [[Larxene]], joined the ranks, she approached Marluxia and asked how he joined the Organization. He responded that it was no different from how she was first found, and they both shared their thoughts about how boring they find the castle. The discussion soon shifted to their roles in the Organization, including the importance of having hearts. When Larxene said that having a heart was painful and she was comfortable as a Nobody, Marluxia concurred that they were better off not regaining their hearts. As the two walked off together, they started formulating plans to overthrow Organization XIII.}}

[[File:Heartless 01 KHD.png|thumb|left|Marluxia teaches Roxas about the Heartless.]]

Like other members of the Organization, Marluxia aids [[Roxas]] in at least one mission, during which he is quite polite to Roxas. On the first, he teaches Roxas how to collect [[heart]]s and teaches him about the [[Heartless]]. He explains the differences between [[Pureblood Heartless]] and [[Emblem Heartless]] and instructs him to only attack Emblem Heartless, because only they release hearts. He also explains to Roxas that as he releases hearts, they will come together to form [[Kingdom Hearts]] and that Roxas is the first member of the Organization to be able to do so. This also shows his lust for the [[Keyblade]]. On the next mission, Marluxia helps Roxas fight some [[Dire Plant]]s by The [[Old Mansion]] and a [[Zip Slasher]] in [[Twilight Town]]. Later, he is assigned to Castle Oblivion with the other members.

Before Axel leaves for Castle Oblivion, it is revealed that [[Saïx]] knew about Marluxia's plans to overthrow the Organization. That is why he sent them and the other "suspicious" members to the castle along with Axel, who was given orders to eliminate any of the members that planned to overthrow the Organization.

[[File:Promise of a Reunion 01 KHRECOM.png|thumb|Marluxia lures Sora to Castle Oblivion.]]

Marluxia, working with Larxene and Axel, plots to overthrow the Organization. They formulate a plan to use a young girl named [[Naminé]], who has a mysterious power over memory, to deceive Sora into thinking he had sworn to protect her, and then have her use Sora to help them defeat the senior Organization members. This plot stems from a rivalry between some of the younger Organization members and the original six core members. [[Vexen]], Larxene, and Axel all do their part to feed Sora with information and lure him further into the castle. Each of them fights him on their own, although none of them use their full strength and throw the fights. They also make use of Vexen's [[Riku Replica]] to compete with Sora for Naminé's loyalty.

Marluxia and Larxene eventually learn that Vexen has been reporting back to [[Lexaeus]] and [[Zexion]] regarding their revolt. After Vexen loses control of the Riku Replica, Marluxia pronounces his project as a failure. Vexen tries to put Marluxia in his place, citing the latter's lower rank, but Marluxia reminds him that Xemnas gave him the authority to do so as to be lord of the castle, and as such, defying him means defying the Organization.  Threatening to report Vexen's failure to Xemnas, Marluxia tells the scientist to eliminate Sora to prove his worth. However, he is again defeated and, in taunting Sora, almost exposes Marluxia's plans. To prevent this, Marluxia has Axel kill him, allowing the latter to gain Marluxia and Larxene's full trust. According to the [[Secret Reports]], however, Marluxia also finds Axel's murder of Vexen suspicious, since the scientist had no real part in his plans. As Sora nears the top floors of the castle, Axel, left alone with Naminé to keep watch over her, allows her to escape, ending her continued restructuring of Sora's memories. This prompts Larxene to attack Sora shortly after he defeats the Riku Replica for the final time, but she is eliminated in the struggle, leaving only Marluxia to carry out the plot.

Refusing to concede defeat, Marluxia recaptures Naminé while Sora is absent and returns to his lair on the castle's thirteenth floor, where he is confronted by Axel. Marluxia accuses him of treason but is branded a traitor himself by Axel, making Marluxia realize that the Organization had anticipated his treachery. The two Nobodies fight, with Marluxia displaying an eerie speed, and they appear to be evenly matched. Marluxia gains the upper hand using Naminé as a living shield, and while Axel isn't daunted, Sora appears in the room at that very moment. Marluxia explains Axel's willingness to hurt Naminé to get to him and sets Sora on him, while he flees with Naminé in tow. Sora denies being Marluxia's puppet and defeats Axel in combat, but Axel manages to escape.

[[File:Phantom Promise or Not-- 01 KHRECOM.png|thumb|Prior to their first battle, Marluxia declares that Sora will never defeat him.]]

Sora pursues Marluxia into his inner chambers. Marluxia orders Naminé to completely erase Sora's memory and destroy his heart, hoping to rebuild him into something more to his liking afterward. However, Naminé, remembering Sora's kindness towards her, flat-out refuses the order, even when faced with elimination. Marluxia is perplexed when Sora orders Naminé to do so for her own safety, and even more so when the revived Riku Replica attacks. Confused and irritated that Sora and the [[replica]] would accept their memories of Naminé with the full knowledge that they are lies, Marluxia attacks them.

Sora destroys Marluxia, but he finds that the real Marluxia has been hiding in a back room and that his opponent had only been an imitation. Sora advances into the final room to confront the true Marluxia and defeats him in the final battle. Marluxia reaches out to Sora as he begins to fade back into [[darkness]], but he soon vanishes in a flurry of flower petals, effectively making him the fourth member of Organization XIII to fall.

|The [[Kingdom Hearts (manga)|manga version]] of these battles differs from the version depicted in ''Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories'' and ''Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories''. In the manga, Marluxia does not assume multiple forms and is easily destroyed by Sora in the first battle. He is also sometimes seen holding a rose.

 

Marluxia wearing his [[black coat]] appeared alongside his fellow members of the real Organization XIII at [[Where Nothing Gathers]]. As the heroes advance, the Organization's allotted time expires and its members, including Marluxia, retreat to their rightful points in time.

Following the failure to turn Sora into their thirteenth Seeker of Darkness, Marluxia is tasked alongside Larxene with searching the worlds for the next six [[Princesses of Heart]] - the [[New Seven Hearts]].

 

[[File:The New Seven Hearts 03 KHIII.png|thumb|Marluxia informs Sora of the New Seven Hearts.]]

In the [[Kingdom of Corona]], Marluxia visits [[Mother Gothel]] in her tower and offers to help her retrieve [[Rapunzel]] after the former discovers that Rapunzel has escaped. As he approaches her, Mother Gothel's eyes glow pink. Later, Marluxia encounters Sora, [[Donald]], and [[Goofy]], alluding to their encounter at Castle Oblivion, though none of them remember Marluxia, as their memories were erased. Marluxia asks Sora to guard Rapunzel, the [[light]] of the world, from its dark horrors. He claims the Organization's objective is not to clash with light, but rather, complement it. Marluxia disappears in a [[Corridor of Darkness]].

Marluxia reappears to Rapunzel as she sees [[Eugene Fitzherbert]] seemingly sailing a boat back to the castle. He proceeds to taunt Rapunzel, saying that she did not belong with him. He summons two Reaper Nobodies to scare Rapunzel away, and subsequently back into Mother Gothel's arms. Sora attempts to go after them, but Marluxia stops him. He suggests that Sora should leave Rapunzel be since she is reunited with her mother. When Sora questions why he is so interested in Rapunzel, Marluxia says that Rapunzel has a unique power that must be concealed. He believes Rapunzel to be one of the [[New Seven Hearts]] that inherited the [[Princesses of Heart]]'s light, and could be used as a fail-safe in case Sora and the others are unable to assemble their seven [[Guardians of Light]]. Sora prepares to attack Marluxia, who uses a gust of wind to knock Sora out.

Later, Marluxia observes Mother Gothel falling from Rapunzel's tower. Seeing that the woman has fallen to darkness, Marluxia realizes she could potentially sully Rapunzel's light and thus turns what remains of the dying woman into the [[Grim Guardianess]] Heartless for Sora and his allies to defeat.   

[[File:Reclaiming His Identity 01 KHIII.png|thumb|200px|left|After being defeated by Sora, Marluxia regains his humanity and fades away.]]

At the [[Keyblade Graveyard]], Marluxia meets up with Larxene, affirming his belief that [[Xehanort]] sees them as nothing but empty husks for him to put his heart in. He also informs Larxene that Saïx had brought back Vexen on board for the purpose of reviving the [[Replica Program]]. Larxene expresses doubt in the program's value, but Marluxia points out that [[Xion]] was realistic enough to join their ranks. Marluxia even says that the newest models will be fully human. Demyx and Luxord join them, with Xemnas appearing shortly thereafter, informing them that he chose them to join his original Organization due to their human selves' connections to the Keyblade.   

Sora finally encounters Marluxia in the Skein of Severance at the [[Keyblade Graveyard]], where he, [[Luxord]], Larxene, and Xemnas are seen fighting off [[Mickey Mouse|King Mickey]]. With the King's help, Sora slays Marluxia, and the darkness within him is expelled into the sky. As he fades away, he tells Sora that his heart has remembered how to feel once again and that he is on the cusp of regaining his identity. He smiles at Sora and thanking him before vanishing.

===''Kingdom Hearts Union χ[Cross]''===

Marluxia appears as an enemy in November 2018 {{khux|NEW XIII Event}}.

A tall and elegant [[Nobody]], Marluxia wears the basic Organization uniform of a black cloak, black boots, and black gloves. His hair is shoulder-length and rose pink with ruffles, though in ''Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories'', this color was more muted, appearing closer to light brown. Marluxia's eyes were blue, which become golden when he becomes a vessel for Xehanort's heart.

In ''Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories'', Marluxia is usually surrounded by cherry blossom petals, which symbolize the transient nature of life and death in Japanese culture. Marluxia drops these petals whenever hit during battle, and he fades back into darkness in a flurry of petals when he is destroyed. However, in the games released after, he is surrounded by rose petals instead.

Marluxia has a motif of death in all his appearances. His title is the Graceful Assassin, and his weapon of choice and the Nobodies he commands both references the Grim Reaper. He has a tendency to use Doom status effects in battle, and in ''Kingdom Hearts III Re:Mind'', he incorporates skulls into his attacks. Additionally, both cherry blossoms and roses can be used to symbolize death.

 

===Forms===

File:Marluxia (Second Form) KHUX.png|Marluxia in his second form.

File:Marluxia (Third Form) KHRECOM.png|Marluxia in his final form.

Marluxia is quite deceptive and manipulative in nature, as he makes an attempt to rebel against the Organization by using Sora as a puppet to accomplish his goals. He is often portrayed as very arrogant and vain. For example, when Axel confronted Marluxia regarding his betrayal of the Organization, he only taunts Axel and leaves Sora to fight the latter. Like Xemnas, Marluxia has a habit of being overly dramatic and giving long speeches. He also takes great pride in his appearance, flourishing his weapon after he strikes with it. It seems that from his tone of voice, which is dull and monotone, that Marluxia doesn't pretend to have emotions, making him similar to [[Xemnas]] or [[Saïx]]. However, he has been shown to smirk and laugh at some points.

In ''Kingdom Hearts III'', Marluxia seems to believe in Xehanort's plan to balance light and darkness, yet is aware that Xehanort sees the other Organization members as just vessels for his heart. He also seeks to protect the [[New Seven Hearts]] from the darkness. Upon his second defeat, Marluxia seems to recall a lost memory from his time as [[Lauriam]].

[[File:Marluxia's Absent Silhouette KHIIFM.png|thumb|Marluxia's Absent Silhouette portal from ''Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix.'']]

Marluxia has two forms in the original ''Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories'', and three in ''[[Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories|Re:Chain of Memories]]''. While in basic nobody form, he can attack normally with his scythe or use it to slash at an enemy from a distance using energy  

Despite his arrogant nature, Marluxia has proven to be quite powerful. With his command over flowers, he can create full-body replicas of himself made of petals, send a flurry of blossoms at his opponent, and in ''Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories'', create a powerful shockwave by hitting the ground with his scythe. Like most Organization members from ''Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories'', Marluxia moves by levitating. In the remake, he can also teleport freely. This is also the only form in which he is constrained to the use of an actual deck.

In his first final form, Marluxia makes use of a mech suit-like Nobody called the [[Specter]] to slash at Sora with its scythe-arms or charge him and cause massive damage upon impact. He can also summon three petals to fire pink beams of energy at Sora and send blasts of energy from the bottom of the contraption. In the remake, the Nobody is also capable of harnessing darkness, with which it can shroud the entire battlefield.

In ''Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix'', Marluxia returns in an optional battle with new tactics. He begins the battle by whispering in Sora's ear, which causes a counter to appear above Sora's head with its maximum value being his current level. Every strike from Marluxia's scythe decreases this counter by one point, and it is Game Over if the counter hits zero. Sora can increase the counter with the [[Reaction Command]] "Restore Count", in which Sora grabs Marluxia's scythe, knocks him into the air, and hurls the weapon at him, adding thirteen points to the counter. Marluxia also can conjure dark pools of energy that cover a majority of the battlefield and deal damage to Sora's HP, leaving the counter unaffected. Marluxia can wheel around the battlefield swinging his scythe, and he also can hover above Sora, attacking him with his scythe while summoning pillars of energy from under the ground to damage Sora.

==Notes and references==