Editing Zexion

{{InfoboxOrg13|Zexion|VI|Cloaked Schemer|Unknown|Illusion|Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories|Zexion.png|125px|Ienzo}}

[[Zexion]], the ''Cloaked Schemer'', is number VI in [[Organization XIII]], and the youngest of the original six members.  He appeared in [[Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories]] as a participant in the struggle within the Organization between the newer and veteran members. He is also central to the plot to use [[Riku]] as a puppet in [[Castle Oblivion]].

Unlike the other Organization members, Zexion's weapon is unknown, and his talents lie outside of normal combat. In an effort to keep Zexion's weapon unknown, his gravestone in the [[The World That Never Was]] was destroyed by the makers of the game. This was because all the gravestones, besides the title of the member, also depicted their weapon of choice.

After Sora had been lured into Castle Oblivion, Zexion discovers two other scents deep in the dungeons of the castle. One of them belongs to a Maleficent formed from someone's memory, having been given life by Castle Oblivion's unique properties. Originally, he mistakes the other scent to be that of "[[Xemnas|The Superior]]", an (at the time) unnamed entity within the Organization. Eventually, however, Zexion and his cohorts determine that the scent belongs to [[Riku]], who had appeared in the Castle by force of will after Sora arrived. Vexen hypothesizes that the darkness in Riku's heart caused Zexion to mistake him for "the Superior" ([[Xemnas]]), calling the effect "fascinating". Specifically, Riku's heart is plagued by the presence of [[Xehanort's Heartless|Ansem]]. The relationship they share is that "Ansem" and Xemnas both originated from [[Xehanort]]; "Ansem" is Xehanort's [[Heartless]], and Xemnas is his [[Nobody]].

==Opposition to Marluxia==

Zexion, as well as [[Lexaeus]] and [[Vexen]], come to see that [[Marluxia]], keeper of Castle Oblivion, intends to take control of Organization XIII, with the help of [[Larxene]], by using Sora as their puppet. Though they see that they can use Riku to counter Sora, they decide to oppose Marluxia's plot by having Vexen investigate Marluxia under the guise of offering to help using the [[Riku Replica]] he creates with combat data from the real Riku.  However, Vexen is eventually killed on Marluxia's orders by [[Axel]], whom Zexion and Lexaeus had been unsure about trusting.  Axel later tells them he had performed the deed only to gain Marluxia's trust, and continues to cooperate with Zexion in tracking Sora and Riku.

Seeing that Vexen's efforts to derail Marluxia's plan had failed, Zexion sends Lexaeus to sway Riku into joining them, but Riku refuses to allow darkness to control him and kills Lexaeus in combat. With the last of his strength, Lexaeus tries to envelop Riku in darkness, but Riku breaks free and continues ascending Castle Oblivion.

==Confronting Riku==

Zexion appears before Riku while he is between floors of the castle, shortly after the death of [[Marluxia]]. As the force of Marluxia's death shakes the castle, Riku halts with surprise and comments how a very strong scent in the air has died. Zexion materializes in front of him and tells him that [[Sora]] has just defeated Marluxia. Riku is surprised to learn that Sora is also in the castle, but Zexion tells him he would never be able to face him after having such darkness in his heart. He gives Riku a [[World Card]] to [[Destiny Islands]], and Riku winds up facing a [[Darkside]] Heartless. After he defeats it, Zexion reappears, and continues to play on his guilt, telling him Sora will always oppose him as a host of the dark. Sora then appears himself, brandishing his [[keyblade]] and accusing Riku of being corrupt. He envelops Riku in light, rendering him unable to do anything. Instead of drowning Riku into helplessness, however, the predicament causes him to draw on the power of darkness within him to free himself of the oppressing light and strike out at Sora. He wounds Sora, whose disguise falters to reveal Zexion, who had been using his powers of illusion to deceive Riku. Zexion, astounded at Riku's ability to wield the darkness so well, vanishes.

After escaping from Riku, Zexion appears in a room, where [[Axel]] and a companion are waiting. In a panic, Zexion thinks Axel's companion is Riku himself, but then realizes it's only the [[Riku Replica|replica]]. Axel and the replica then approach Zexion, and Axel directs the replica's attention to his lack of wholeness. He tells him that if he can find strength that the real Riku doesn't have, he can become a whole person of his own, rather than a mere puppet or whole copy of Riku. Axel then suggests that he should start by eliminating Zexion. Zexion is horrified by Axel's suggestion, and Axel says that it would be far more entertaining to watch Riku and Sora than to aid Zexion any longer. The replica strikes Zexion down, leaving Axel as the only survivor of [[Castle Oblivion]] among the Organization.

Zexion is distinguished from the other members of [[Organization XIII]] by his approach to dealing with his enemies; namely, he does not fight them outright, but uses schemes and illusions to bring them down. He wields the element of "illusion" and has no visible weapon during the game, although he does have a weapon. His weapon panel in the Proof of Existence (an area of the [[Castle that Never Was]] displaying the Organization members' weapons and titles) is shattered but not blank, and he was designed with a weapon in mind, although it has never been made public what it is. Zexion also has the ability to identify the "scents" of others, with great accuracy and at great distances. The "scent" he smells may be based off other things than mere odor, and is affected by presence of [[darkness]] in the [[heart]], an entity's power in the castle, and other factors.

Zexion is the [[Nobody]] of '''Ienzo''', who was the youngest of [[Ansem the Wise]]'s original six apprentices. Ienzo was the apprentice who tried to persuade Ansem to go further with his own research, and helped [[Xehanort]] complete the research into the secrets of the [[heart]] once Ansem refused to continue experimenting. He, along with Xehanort and Even (the original name of [[Vexen]]), is one of only three apprentices to be mentioned by name outside of the listing in the [[Secret Ansem Reports]].

==Trivia==

*Zexion can't be battled in Chain of Memories, but in the 2007 Play Station 2 remake, he will be.

*Zexion in the manga is usually seen cooking and is killed by the real Riku.

<big>'''Zexion's Death'''</big></center>

[[Category:Castle Oblivion]]

[[Category:Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories]]