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{{Game|COM|REC|KH2|FM2|358}}
{{Game|COM|REC|KH2|FM2|358|DDD|DHD|UCX|KH3|3RM}}
{{InfoboxOrg13
{{suite}}
|kana=マールーシャ
{{Character
|romaji=''Mārūsha''
|name=Marluxia
|name=Marluxia
|image=[[File:Marluxia Days.png|280px]]
|katakana=マールーシャ
|game=Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories
|romaji=Mārūsha
|number=XI
|fr=Marluxia
|title=''The Graceful Assassin''
|de=Marluxia
|weapon=Scythe ''(Graceful Dahlia)''
|es=Marluxia
|attribute={{nihongo|Flowers|花|Hana}}
|type=Organization XIII
|limit=Bloom-Out
|spec=NobodyBoss
|first=''[[Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories]]''
|image=[[File:Marluxia KHIII.png|350x400px]]
|original=Unknown
|game1=Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories
|engvoice=Tatsuya Kando <small>(''COM'')</small><br>[[wikipedia:Keith Ferguson|Keith Ferguson]] <small>(''Re:COM'', ''Days'')</small>
|game2=Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days
|japvoice=Tatsuya Kando <small>(''COM'')</small><br>[[wikipedia:Shūichi Ikeda|Shūichi Ikeda]] <small>(''KHIIFM'', ''Re:COM'', ''Days'')</small>
|game3=Kingdom Hearts Union χ
|game4=Kingdom Hearts III
|orgnum=XI
|orgtitle=The Graceful Assassin
|orgweapon=Scythe ''(Graceful Dahlia)''
|orgatt={{nihongo|Flowers|花|Hana}}
|orglimit=Bloom-Out
|orgother=[[Lauriam]]
|charworld1=The World That Never Was
|charworld2=Castle Oblivion
|enval=Keith Ferguson (voice actor)
|enva=Keith Ferguson
|java=Tatsuya Kando  
|javan=<small>(''COM'' only)</small>
|java2=Shūichi Ikeda
|journalSS=Lord of Castle Oblivion and a member of the Organization.<br>In a move to bring the group under his control, Marluxia used Naminé to overrun Sora's memory and tried to claim the power of the Keyblade.
|journalRR=No. 11 in the Organization.<br>Marluxia lured Sora to Castle Oblivion in hopes of using his power to seize the Organization.<br>He ordered Naminé to alter Sora's memories, and fooled Vexen into challenging him. All was going according to plan, but Marluxia's scheme dissolved when Axel set Naminé free.<br>Marluxia was ultimately destroyed by Sora.
|journalKH2=Formerly Organization XIII's Number XI. He has been eliminated.<br>He plotted an Organization rebellion and tried to seize the power of the Keyblade, but Axel's betrayal led to his destruction.
|journal358='''Opening'''<br>No. XI MARLUXIA<br>In the arc of his scythe, '''flowers''' grow and all else perishes. His pretty face hides ugly motives.<br>Weapon: Scythe<br><br>'''HD 1.5 ReMIX'''<br>A member of Organization XIII. Despite having joined late, he is sent to Castle Oblivion and named its lord based on his profound abilities. He is intrigued by the Keyblade wielder and harbors dark desires, but was disposed of by an unknown assailant.
|journalUX='''Album'''<br>'''Marluxia A/Boss Marluxia/Illustrated Marluxia (EX)'''<br>KINGDOM HEARTS CoM (2004)<br>The 11th member of Organization XIII. He tried to use Sora's power to seize the Organization.<br><br>'''Marluxia B'''<br>KINGDOM HEARTS CoM (2004)<br>The 11th member of Organization XIII. He lures Sora into Castle Oblivion to try and steal his power.<br><br>'''Boss'''<br>|The number above this graceful assassin gets smaller with every attack. Once it reaches 0, he'll unleash a powerful attack.
|journalKH3=A member of the real Organization XIII.<br><br>Despite his destruction at Sora's hands, Marluxia has returned to keep tabs on the "New Seven Hearts," whom the Organization may need should their original plan go awry.
}}
}}
{{Q|As lightless oblivion devours you, drown in the ever-blooming darkness!|Marluxia, before the final battle in ''Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories}}
{{Q|As lightless oblivion devours you, drown in the ever-blooming darkness!|Marluxia to Sora}}
'''Marluxia''', the {{nihongo|''Graceful Assassin''|優雅なる凶刃|Yūga-naru Kyōjin|lit. ''Graceful Assassin's Blade''}}, is Rank XI within [[Organization XIII]], the lord of [[Castle Oblivion]] and the main antagonist of [[Sora]]'s story in ''[[Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories]]''. He controls flowers, and uses his control to command beams of destructive energy from flower-themed minions and attack opponents with his massive scythe.
'''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.


Originally discovered by senior Organization members [[Xigbar]] and [[Xaldin]], Marluxia is the mastermind of an internal rebellion in the Organization against [[Xemnas]], and the primary antagonist and final boss in Sora's story of ''Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories''. Marluxia makes an appearance in ''[[Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days]]'' and is a playable character in [[Mission Mode]].
Originally discovered by senior Organization member [[Xigbar]], Marluxia is the mastermind of an internal rebellion in the Organization against [[Xemnas]], putting him at odds with fellow members [[Axel]] and [[Zexion]].


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


''No. XI MARLUXIA''
==Development==
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>


''In the arc of his scythe, '''flowers''' grow and all else perishes. His pretty face hides ugly motives.''
==Story==
===Between ''Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep'' and ''Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days''===
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.}}
<!--http://khenglish.wordpress.com/index/kingdom-hearts-2-short-stories-vol-2-axel-seven-days/episode-5-last-minute-to-the-castle-oblivion-->


''Weapon: Scythe''
===''Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days''===
{{Q|"So long as the Heartless are felled by your weapon the Keyblade, the hearts will be captured." / "They will gather as one, and create an almighty force known as Kingdom Hearts."|Marluxia explains Roxas's importance to the Organization}}
[[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.


===''Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories''===
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.
''Lord of Castle Oblivion and a member of the Organization.''
{{-}}


''In a move to bring the group under his control, Marluxia used Naminé to overrun Sora's memory and tried to claim the power of the Keyblade.''
===''Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories''===
{{Q|The Keyblade's power... How I've longed to make it my own!|Marluxia}}
[[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.


*'''''Reverse/Rebirth'''''
[[File:Marluxia's Graceful Blade 01 KHRECOM.png|thumb|left|Marluxia orders Vexen to eliminate Sora.]]
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.


''No. 11 in the Organization.''
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.


''Marluxia lured Sora to Castle Oblivion in hopes of using his power to seize the Organization.''
[[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.


''He ordered Naminé to alter Sora's memories, and fooled Vexen into challenging him. All was going according to plan, but Marluxia's scheme dissolved when Axel set Naminé free.''
[[File:Into Oblivion 01 KHRECOM.png|thumb|left|After his battle against Sora, Marluxia is defeated and fades back into darkness.]]
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.


''Marluxia was ultimately destroyed by Sora.''
{{canon
|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.
}}


===''Kingdom Hearts II''===
===''Kingdom Hearts II''===
Marluxia is seen guiding Sora towards Castle Oblivion in the last of Roxas's dreams.


''Formerly Organization XIII's Number XI. He has been eliminated. ''
===''Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance''===
After having returned to his human form, the [[real Organization XIII]] recreates him as the Nobody Marluxia and re-inducts him into the Organization.


''He plotted an Organization rebellion and tried to seize the power of the Keyblade, but Axel's betrayal led to his destruction. ''
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.


==Story==
===''Kingdom Hearts III''===
===''Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days''===
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:MarluxiaDaysFace.png|left]]
 
Like other members of the Organization, Marluxia aids [[Roxas]] in at least one mission. He is polite to Roxas in their misson. On the first, he teaches Roxas how to collect [[Hearts]] and explains to him about [[Heartless]]. He explains  the differences between [[Pureblood Heartless]] and [[Emblem Heartless]] and to only attack Emblem Heartless to release Hearts. He also explains to Roxas that after he releases hearts, they form [[Kingdom Hearts (world)|Kingdom Hearts]], and that Roxas is the first one to accomplish this. This also shows his greed over the [[Keyblade]]. On the next, he helps Roxas fight some Dire Plants by The [[Old Mansion]] and [[Zip Slasher]] in [[Twilight Town]]. Later, he is assigned to [[Castle Oblivion]] with the other members.
[[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.


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 Castle Oblivion, along with Axel who was given orders to eliminate any of the members that planned to overthrow the Organization.
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.


===''Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories''===
[[File:Reclaiming His Identity 01 KHIII.png|thumb|200px|left|After being defeated by Sora, Marluxia regains his humanity and fades away.]]
{|border="0" align="right"
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. 
|[[Image:Marluxia.jpg|thumb|Marluxia as seen in ''Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories'']]


====Rebellion against the Organization====
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.
{{Q|The Keyblade's power... How I've longed to make it my own!|Marluxia}}
{{-}}
{|border="0" align="left"
|[[Image:Marluxia-Sprite.jpg]]
|[[Image:Marluxia-Normal.jpg]]
|}
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 fight 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 a failure, after which Vexen arrogantly protests, claims that his mastery over Castle Oblivion allows him the authority to do so. Marluxia threatens to tell "[[Xemnas|the Superior]]" of Vexen's failure, but Vexen pleads with him not to do so. Marluxia agrees not to if Vexen eliminates Sora. Although confused by the order, Vexen agrees, and heads Sora off in the [[Twilight Town]] world. He fights Sora for the second time, but is again defeated. Before he can reveal Marluxia's plans to use Sora, however, Axel destroys him on Marluxia's orders, making Vexen the first Organization member to be eliminated.
==Other appearances==
[[File:Marluxia.png|thumb|Marluxia from ''Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories''.]]
===''Kingdom Hearts Union χ[Cross]''===
Marluxia appears as an enemy in November 2018 {{khux|NEW XIII Event}}.


====Failure of the Plot====
==Design==
Axel's assassination of Vexen allows him to gain the full trust of Marluxia and Larxene. As Sora nears the top floors of the castle, Axel is left alone with Naminé to keep watch over her. Instead of keeping an eye on her, Axel allows her to escape, freeing her from Marluxia's control and ending her continued restructuring of Sora's memories, effectively ruining the plot to manipulate Sora into fighting the Organization. This prompts Larxene to attack Sora shortly after he defeats the Riku Replica for the final time, but she is killed in the struggle, leaving only Marluxia to carry out the plot.
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.


Axel then confronts Marluxia, who is disgusted with Axel for betraying him, to which Axel replies that Marluxia is in fact a traitor to the Organization, and that Larxene paid the price for her own disloyalty. He then threatens to kill Marluxia, but Marluxia seems unfazed by this, stating simply "You can try.". The two then engage in battle, with Marluxia displaying an eerie speed. While they both attack one another powerfully, neither takes any actual damage and appear to be equally matched.
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 makes Naminé appear in front of him, apparently as a shield to prevent Axel from attacking him further, but Axel laughs it off, saying he's willing to go through Naminé to get to Marluxia. Marluxia, however, tells Sora (who had just appeared in the room, much to Axel's surprise) that Axel was willing to hurt her and vanishes with a laugh, leaving Sora and Axel alone. Axel sneers at Sora for having become Marluxia's puppet after all, but Sora resolves to eliminate Marluxia right after he finishes Axel. The two fight, and Sora comes out the victor, but Axel escapes death and vanishes.
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.


====Into Oblivion====
===Forms===
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 of his liking afterwards. However, Naminé, remembering Sora's kindness towards her, flat-out refuses the order, even when faced with death. 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 finds that the real Marluxia had been hiding in a back room and that his opponent had only been a clone. Sora advances into the final room to confront Marluxia, who was wielding a power that Sora, [[Donald Duck|Donald]], [[Goofy]], Riku Replica, and Namine can sense through the doorway leading into the chamber. who has combined with [[Marluxia (Second Form)|a large machine-like Nobody]] and [[Marluxia (Third Form)|a large angelic Avatar-like Nobody]] (possibly the embodiment of Marluxia's power). Sora defeats him again in the storyline's final battle, with Marluxia trying to reach Sora but then fades, making Marluxia the fourth Organization member to fall.
<gallery>
File:Marluxia (Second Form) KHUX.png|Marluxia in his second form.
File:Marluxia (Third Form) KHRECOM.png|Marluxia in his final form.
</gallery>


The [[Kingdom Hearts (manga)|manga version]] of these battles differs from the version of the ''Chain of Memories'' games. In it, Marluxia does not use alternate forms and is easily killed by Sora in the first battle. He is also surrounded by flowers or flower petals a good deal of the time. And he is sometimes even seen holding a rose.
==Personality==
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.


===''[[Kingdom Hearts II]]''===
Marluxia seems to have an obsession with his superiority over the other Organization members. Egotistical, Marluxia believes that he deserves more respect than he's given. As the lord of Castle Oblivion, Marluxia has the ability to keep many members of the Organization under his control, going far as to manipulate Vexen into fighting Sora by using Vexen's fear of Xemnas against him. Even though most of Marluxia's personality traits are negative, he does have a few positive aspects. He exhibits devotion and persistence to succeed in his goals and continuing his plans to overthrow the Organization, even after Axel's betrayal and the defeat of Larxene.
While Marluxia doesn't directly appear in ''Kingdom Hearts II'', he is seen in several flashblacks: Marluxia fighting Sora in the ''Kingdom Hearts II'' FMV and in the last of Roxas's dreams. His [[Absent Silhouette]] and Data Replica serve as optional boss battles in ''[[Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix]]''.


==Appearance==
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]].
A tall, elegant [[Nobody]] with feminine features, 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 the Gameboy version of ''Chain of Memories'' this color was more muted, appearing closer to light brown. Marluxia's eyes are blue and his lips are pale pink.


==Personality==
==Abilities==
Marluxia is quite deceptive in nature. He makes an attempt to rebel against the Organization by using Sora as a puppet to accomplish his goals. Personality wise, he is often portrayed as very arrogant and vain. For example, when Axel confronted Marluxia regarding his betrayal to 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, like most villains. He also takes great pride in his appearance. This is evident by the sakura petals that he often has surrounding him. He also flourishes his weapon after striking with it, occasionally leaving himself open, fitting his title in the organization. During battle, he uses unique tactics like a death counter to represent his devious personality. Also, it seems that by his tone of voice, which is dull and monotone, that Marluxia doesn't pretend to have emotions, like Xemnas or [[Saïx]], and sticks to his true emotionless nature. However, he does smirk and laugh at some points.
[[File:Marluxia's Absent Silhouette KHIIFM.png|thumb|Marluxia's Absent Silhouette portal from ''Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix.'']]
Marluxia fights using the attribute of ''Flower'' and wields a large, rose pink and dark green scythe. The petals he commands have the appearance of cherry blossoms in ''Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories'', but they have been changed to resemble rose petals in the remake.


Most importantly though, Marluxia seems to have an obsession with his superiority over the other Organization members. As the lord of Castle Oblivion, Marluxia has the ability to keep many members of the Organization under his own judgment. He even manipulates Vexen into fighting Sora by using Vexen's fear of Xemnas against him. Even though most of Marluxia's personality traits are negative, he does have a few positive aspects. Some of these include his devotion and persistence to succeed in his goals. He's a very adamant member of Organization XIII. Marluxia believes that he deserves more respect than he's given. All in all, Marluxia is a very egotistical, manipulative member of the Organization, who would stop at nothing to overthrow the Organization and become superior.
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


He is also one of the few members of Orginization XIII that does not appear to care about getting a heart.
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.


==Fighting Style==
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.
{{Main|Marluxia (Boss)}}
{{Main|Marluxia (Second Form)}}
{{Main|Marluxia (Third Form)}}
Marluxia fights using the attribute of ''Flower'' and wields a large, rose pink and dark green scythe. The petals he commands have the appearance of cherry blossoms in the Game Boy Advance release of ''Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories'' but have been changed to resemble rose petals in his console game appearances.
Marluxia has two forms in the original ''Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories'', and three in the ''[[Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories]]'' remake. While in basic human form, he can attack with his scythe normally, or use it to slash at an enemy from across a distance using energy waves. With his command of flowers, Marluxia can create a clone made of petals, send a flurry of blossoms at his opponent, and in ''Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories'', Marluxia uses a sleight in which he creates a powerful shockwave by hitting the ground with his scythe. Like the other 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 which he is constrained to the use of an actual deck.


In his first final form, Marluxia makes use of his mechsuit-like Nobody 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 rays and fire 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 whole field.
Marluxia's additional final form in ''Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories'' brings Marluxia and Sora into combat upon a larger version of the Specter from the previous battle floating in a starry-night environment surrounded by circulating rings. A large angelic Nobody stands behind Marluxia wielding a gigantic version of his Graceful Dahlia. Marluxia is held immobile during this fight by thornbeams and is, therefore, unable to dodge most attacks.


Marluxia's additional final form in the PlayStation 2 remake brings Marluxia and Sora into combat upon a larger version of Marluxia's phantom mech floating in a starry-night environment surrounded by circulating rings. A large angelic Nobody stands behind him wielding a gigantic version of Marluxia's [[Graceful Dahlia]]. Marluxia is held immobile during this fight by Nobody thorns and is, therefore, unable to dodge most attacks.
From his stationary position, Marluxia fights mainly by issuing commands to the angelic Nobody, who can create shockwaves, shoot a sweeping laser, blow gusts of wind that prevent Sora from moving forward, and create a whirlwind that scatters all of Sora's cards, including his reload card. Sora must then pick up the cards in order to reclaim them, including the reload card. During Marluxia's potentially most devastating sleight, "Doom," he shoots thornbeams at Sora that trigger a countdown timer similar to the recurring ''Final Fantasy'' spell of the same name in which, if the counter reaches zero, the fight is instantly lost. He can also trigger the one rotating ring around the battlefield, causing it to fire lasers from all directions in addition to reusing the ray-shooting rose petals.


From his stationary position, Marluxia fights mainly by commanding the Nobody, who can create shockwaves, shoot a sweeping laser, blow gusts of wind that prevent Sora from moving forward, and create a whirlwind that scatters all of Sora's cards, including his reload bar. Sora must then pick up the cards in order to reclaim them, including the reload bar. Marluxia's most notable sleight however, is that in which he shoots Nobody thorns that triggers a countdown timer similar to the recurring ''Final Fantasy'' spell "Doom", in which, if the counter reaches zero, the fight is instantly lost. He can also trigger the one rotating ring around the battlefield, causing it to fire lasers from all directions in addition to reusing the ray-shooting rose petals.
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.


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 countdown timer to appear above Sora's head based on his current level, similar to the hit point condition of the Titan Cup, and then spends most of the battle attacking Sora relentlessly with his scythe, with each hit depleting the timer by one, though causing no additional damage.. If the timer reaches zero, Sora loses the battle, but the timer can be increased by using the [[Reaction Command]] "Rob Count", in which Sora grabs Marluxia's scythe, knocks him into the air and hurls the scythe at him, adding thirteen points to the counter. Marluxia also can conjure black circles which cover most of the floor and deal damage to Sora's HP, but leave the death timer unaffected. Marluxia also wheels around the floor swinging his scythe, and can hover above Sora attacking him with his scythe while making pillars sprout up from the ground and deal damage to Sora.
In the original ''Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories'', the real Marluxia is only fought once, unlike most of the main antagonists, such as Ansem and Xemnas, who must be fought and defeated multiple times before they are finally eliminated.


The ''Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories'' manga shows Marluxia using somewhat violent plant-based powers; he uses thorny vines to restrain Naminé in a manner similar to crucifixion, and summons a Venus flytrap that captures Naminé, Donald, and Goofy and nearly devours them.
In ''Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days'', Marluxia's Limit Break, [[Bloom-Out]] causes him to swing his scythe radially around himself.


In the original ''Chain of Memories,'' the real Marluxia is only fought once, unlike most of the main antagonists like Ansem and Xemnas, who must be fought many times before they finally die.
In ''Kingdom Hearts III'', Marluxia shows the ability to create [[Heartless]]. He was able to turn the lingering essence of [[Mother Gothel]] into the [[Grim Guardianess]].


===Weapon===
===Weapon===
True to his title, the Graceful Assassin, Marluxia wields a large, elegant looking Scythe called the '''[[Graceful Dahlia]]''' in battle. The handle of the Scythe is a pastel green color, and the blade is a rose pink. This evokes an appearance of a plucked flower. The connection between them is yellow and resembles pieces of the Organization logo. Marluxia attacks with wide slashes and spins. He can also turn himself and his Scythe into a lethal pinwheel, and flies around the battlefield, causing heavy damage to anyone who cannot dodge out of the way.
True to his title, the Graceful Assassin, Marluxia wields a large, elegant-looking Scythe called the '''[[Graceful Dahlia]]''' in battle. The handle of the Scythe is pastel green in coloration, and the blade is a rose pink. This evokes the appearance of a plucked flower. The connection between the blade and handle is yellow and resembles pieces of the Nobody insignia. Marluxia attacks with wide slashes and spins. He can also turn himself and his Scythe into a lethal pinwheel and fly around the battlefield, causing heavy damage to anyone who cannot dodge the attack.


==Quotes==
<center><gallery>
*"''Along the road ahead lies something you need. However, in order to claim it you must lose something that is dear to you.''"
File:Graceful Dahlia KHIIFM.png|Marluxia's signature Scythe, the Graceful Dahlia.
*''"To lose and claim anew, or to claim anew only to lose...''"
</gallery></center>
*"''I've been entrusted [[Castle Oblivion|this castle]] and [[Naminé]] by [[Xemnas|our leader]]. Defying me will be seen as treason against [[Organization XIII|the Organization]].''"
{{-}}
*"''None of us wants to be suspicious of a comrade.''"
*"''That would be an unfortunate denouement.''"
*"''[[Vexen]] has clearly committed a treasonous act against the Organization. [[Axel|You]] must eliminate the traitor.''"
*"''What to do? Your [[Sora|hero]] is soon to be wiped from existence. But I believe there is a certain promise that he made you. Isn’t that right, Naminé?''"
*"''Rejoice, Naminé. The time is near for you to meet the hero that you’ve been longing for.''"
*"''Imbeciles... You would knowingly shackle your heart with a chain of memories born of lies? You would be one who has a heart yet cast aside your heart's freedom? You turn from the truth because your heart is weak! You will never defeat me!''"


==Trivia==
==Notes and references==
*Nomura has stated that Marluxia was originally intended to be a female character, which may explain his association with the color pink and attribute of "flower".
{{reflist}}
*All of Marluxia's scythes are the names of flowers along with some sort of descriptive term, with the exception of his Joke Weapon, [[Stirring Ladle]].
*Marluxia is one of four Organization members to have his own battle theme. The other three members are [[Roxas]], [[Xemnas]] and [[Xion]].
*All of Marluxia's boss themes are named after his overall concept. The first one, "Graceful Assassin", is also the name of his title. "Scythe of Petals" obviously refers to the weapon he uses. Finally, "Lord of the Castle" refers to his status in Castle Oblivion.
*Marluxia's association with cherry blossoms can be attributed to Japanese folklore, in which cherry blossoms can symbolize transient nature of life and death.
*Marluxia is only one of three Organization XIII characters to appear in CG. The others are Roxas and Xemnas.


==Gallery==
{{Party}}
<gallery>
{{NobodyDirectory}}
Image:Marluxia-Artwork.jpg|Artwork of Marluxia and his scythe.
{{COM}}
Image:Marluxia_Absent_Silhouette.jpg|Marluxia's Absent Silhouette portal from ''Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix''.
File:CGMarluxia.jpg|Marluxia in the opening FMV of ''Kingdom Hearts II''.
</gallery>
{{358}}
{{358}}
{{COM}}
{{KH3}}
{{MarluxiaWeapons}}
{{NobodyDirectory}}
{{Party}}
[[Category:Original characters]]
[[Category:Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories characters]]
[[Category:Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days characters]]
[[Category:Nobodies]]
[[Category:Organization XIII]]
[[Category:Allies]]
[[Category:Allies]]

Latest revision as of 18:13, 9 July 2024

Marluxia

Marluxia KHIII.png

Japanese マールーシャ
Rōmaji Mārūsha

Type Organization XIII
Title Number XI,
The Graceful Assassin
Orig. name Lauriam
Attribute Flowers ( Hana?)
Weapon Scythe (Graceful Dahlia)
Limit Bloom-Out
Voice actors (Ja:) Tatsuya Kando (COM only)
Shūichi Ikeda
(En:) Keith Ferguson
Homeworld The World That Never Was
Castle Oblivion
Games Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories
Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days
Kingdom Hearts Union χ
Kingdom Hearts III
Marluxia

Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories
Sora's Story
Lord of Castle Oblivion and a member of the Organization.
In a move to bring the group under his control, Marluxia used Naminé to overrun Sora's memory and tried to claim the power of the Keyblade.


Reverse/Rebirth
No. 11 in the Organization.
Marluxia lured Sora to Castle Oblivion in hopes of using his power to seize the Organization.
He ordered Naminé to alter Sora's memories, and fooled Vexen into challenging him. All was going according to plan, but Marluxia's scheme dissolved when Axel set Naminé free.
Marluxia was ultimately destroyed by Sora.
Kingdom Hearts II
Formerly Organization XIII's Number XI. He has been eliminated.
He plotted an Organization rebellion and tried to seize the power of the Keyblade, but Axel's betrayal led to his destruction.
Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days
Opening
No. XI MARLUXIA
In the arc of his scythe, flowers grow and all else perishes. His pretty face hides ugly motives.
Weapon: Scythe

HD 1.5 ReMIX
A member of Organization XIII. Despite having joined late, he is sent to Castle Oblivion and named its lord based on his profound abilities. He is intrigued by the Keyblade wielder and harbors dark desires, but was disposed of by an unknown assailant.
Kingdom Hearts Union χ
Album
Marluxia A/Boss Marluxia/Illustrated Marluxia (EX)
KINGDOM HEARTS CoM (2004)
The 11th member of Organization XIII. He tried to use Sora's power to seize the Organization.

Marluxia B
KINGDOM HEARTS CoM (2004)
The 11th member of Organization XIII. He lures Sora into Castle Oblivion to try and steal his power.

Boss
Kingdom Hearts III
A member of the real Organization XIII.

Despite his destruction at Sora's hands, Marluxia has returned to keep tabs on the "New Seven Hearts," whom the Organization may need should their original plan go awry.
"As lightless oblivion devours you, drown in the ever-blooming darkness!"
—Marluxia to Sora

Marluxia, the 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.

Originally discovered by senior Organization member Xigbar, Marluxia is the mastermind of an internal rebellion in the Organization against Xemnas, putting him at odds with fellow members Axel and Zexion.

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

Development[edit]

Originally, Marluxia was planned to be female, but he was changed to a man because of the balance with Larxene.[1]

Story[edit]

Between Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep and Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days[edit]

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.

This information is based on alternate scenes or materials and is not considered canon within the overall plot of the series.
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.

Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days[edit]

""So long as the Heartless are felled by your weapon the Keyblade, the hearts will be captured." / "They will gather as one, and create an almighty force known as Kingdom Hearts.""
—Marluxia explains Roxas's importance to the Organization
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 hearts 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 Plants 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.

Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories[edit]

"The Keyblade's power... How I've longed to make it my own!"
—Marluxia
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 orders Vexen to eliminate Sora.

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.

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.

After his battle against Sora, Marluxia is defeated and fades back into darkness.

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.

This information is based on alternate scenes or materials and is not considered canon within the overall plot of the series.
The 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.

Kingdom Hearts II[edit]

Marluxia is seen guiding Sora towards Castle Oblivion in the last of Roxas's dreams.

Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance[edit]

After having returned to his human form, the real Organization XIII recreates him as the Nobody Marluxia and re-inducts him into the Organization.

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.

Kingdom Hearts III[edit]

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.

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.

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 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.

Other appearances[edit]

Kingdom Hearts Union χ[Cross][edit]

Marluxia appears as an enemy in November 2018 NEW XIII Event.

Design[edit]

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[edit]

Personality[edit]

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.

Marluxia seems to have an obsession with his superiority over the other Organization members. Egotistical, Marluxia believes that he deserves more respect than he's given. As the lord of Castle Oblivion, Marluxia has the ability to keep many members of the Organization under his control, going far as to manipulate Vexen into fighting Sora by using Vexen's fear of Xemnas against him. Even though most of Marluxia's personality traits are negative, he does have a few positive aspects. He exhibits devotion and persistence to succeed in his goals and continuing his plans to overthrow the Organization, even after Axel's betrayal and the defeat of Larxene.

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.

Abilities[edit]

Marluxia's Absent Silhouette portal from Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix.

Marluxia fights using the attribute of Flower and wields a large, rose pink and dark green scythe. The petals he commands have the appearance of cherry blossoms in Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories, but they have been changed to resemble rose petals in the remake.

Marluxia has two forms in the original Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories, and three in 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.

Marluxia's additional final form in Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories brings Marluxia and Sora into combat upon a larger version of the Specter from the previous battle floating in a starry-night environment surrounded by circulating rings. A large angelic Nobody stands behind Marluxia wielding a gigantic version of his Graceful Dahlia. Marluxia is held immobile during this fight by thornbeams and is, therefore, unable to dodge most attacks.

From his stationary position, Marluxia fights mainly by issuing commands to the angelic Nobody, who can create shockwaves, shoot a sweeping laser, blow gusts of wind that prevent Sora from moving forward, and create a whirlwind that scatters all of Sora's cards, including his reload card. Sora must then pick up the cards in order to reclaim them, including the reload card. During Marluxia's potentially most devastating sleight, "Doom," he shoots thornbeams at Sora that trigger a countdown timer similar to the recurring Final Fantasy spell of the same name in which, if the counter reaches zero, the fight is instantly lost. He can also trigger the one rotating ring around the battlefield, causing it to fire lasers from all directions in addition to reusing the ray-shooting rose petals.

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.

In the original Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories, the real Marluxia is only fought once, unlike most of the main antagonists, such as Ansem and Xemnas, who must be fought and defeated multiple times before they are finally eliminated.

In Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days, Marluxia's Limit Break, Bloom-Out causes him to swing his scythe radially around himself.

In Kingdom Hearts III, Marluxia shows the ability to create Heartless. He was able to turn the lingering essence of Mother Gothel into the Grim Guardianess.

Weapon[edit]

True to his title, the Graceful Assassin, Marluxia wields a large, elegant-looking Scythe called the Graceful Dahlia in battle. The handle of the Scythe is pastel green in coloration, and the blade is a rose pink. This evokes the appearance of a plucked flower. The connection between the blade and handle is yellow and resembles pieces of the Nobody insignia. Marluxia attacks with wide slashes and spins. He can also turn himself and his Scythe into a lethal pinwheel and fly around the battlefield, causing heavy damage to anyone who cannot dodge the attack.

Notes and references[edit]

  1. ^ 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." Translation by Goldpanner