Editing Vexen

{{Game|COM|REC|KH2|FM2|358|UCX|KH3}}
{{suite}}
{{Character
|name=Vexen
|katakana=ヴィクセン 
|romaji=Vikusen
|type=Organization XIII
|spec=NobodyBoss
|image=[[File:Vexen KHIII.png|x400px]]
|orgnum=IV
|orgtitle=The Chilly Academic
|orgother=Even
|orgatt={{nihongo|Ice|氷|Kōri}}
|orgweapon=Shield (''Frozen Pride'')
|orglimit=Diamond Dust
|enva=Derek Stephen Prince
|java=Tatsuya Kando
|javan=<small>(''COM'' only)</small>
|java2=Nachi Nozawa
|java2n=<small>(''Re:COM, KHIIFM, Days'')</small>
|java3=Shigeru Chiba
|java3n=<small>(''KHIII'')</small>
|game1=Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories
|game2=Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days
|game3=Kingdom Hearts Union χ
|game4=Kingdom Hearts III
|s1=Vex Replica No. 44
|journalSS=A man absorbed in his dubious research in Castle Oblivion.<br>Vexen tried to destroy Sora by controlling Riku and pitting the two against each other. When this plan failed, he confronted Sora personally.
|journalRR=No. 4 in the Organization.<br>He, Lexaeus, and Zexion have been in the group since its inception, and there is no love lost between them and neophytes like Marluxia.<br>After battling Riku, Vexen turned to events unfolding aboveground, but successive failures led to his termination by Axel.
|journalKH2=Formerly Organization XIII's Number IV. He has been eliminated.<br>Vexen, Lexaeus, and Zexion were among Organization XIII's founding members, and there was no love lost between them and neophytes like Marluxia. Vexen opposed Marluxia's plans to take over the Organization, and was consequently destroyed by Axel.
|journal358='''Opening'''<br>No. IV VEXEN<br>Founding member. A brilliant scientist with dominion over '''ice'''...and a personality to match.<br><br>'''HD 1.5 ReMIX'''<br>A founding member of Organization XIII. A brilliant scientist who carries out research on various Organization projects. He was in charge of the Replica Program at Castle Oblivion, but someone disposed of him.
|journalUX='''Album'''<br>KINGDOM HEARTS CoM (2004)<br>The 4th member of Organization XIII. He, Lexaeus, and Zexion have been in the group since its inception.<br><br>'''Boss'''<br>This Chilly Academic is a powerful opponent with the ability to weaken your defenses.
|journalKH3=A reserve member of the real Organization XIII.<br><br>Despite being recompleted as a human, Vexen returned to the Organization willingly in order to pursue his research, which he values above all else.
}}
{{Q|I'm a scientist. Experiments are what I do, yes.|Vexen}}
'''Vexen''', the {{nihongo|''Chilly Academic''|いてつく学究|Itetsuku Gakkyū}}, is the [[Nobody]] of [[Even]], Rank IV within the original [[Organization XIII]] and a reserve member of the [[real Organization XIII]]. He controls ice and uses it to command storms and blizzards, freezing his opponents solid, while defending himself with his massive shield.

In ''[[Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories]]'', Vexen was the highest-ranking member of the Organization inside [[Castle Oblivion]], but ironically he is the first Organization member to be eliminated. He creates the [[Riku Replica]] and uses the Replica to carry out several experiments on [[Riku]] and [[Sora]].

In ''[[Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days]]'', Vexen appears and he is also a playable character in [[Mission Mode]].

==Story==
===Between ''Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep'' and ''Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days''===
During the course of experiments into the nature of the [[hearts]] and its [[darkness]], [[Terra-Xehanort]] resolved to cast off his [[body]] and become a [[Heartless]] himself, choosing to bring the other former apprentices of [[Ansem the Wise]] with him, including [[Even]]. Having regained his [[Keyblade]], he steals their hearts.{{storylink|Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance}} This splits them into Heartless and Nobodies, and those Nobodies became the founding members of [[Organization XIII]].{{storylink|Secret Ansem's Report 7}} Even as a Nobody, Vexen only cared for his research, and was assigned to duplicate the [[Keyblade wielder]]'s memories and powers via the [[Replica Program]]. Through this program, he created a Replica he named [[Xion]], as well as an inferior [[Riku Replica|Replica of Riku]].<ref>'''''[[Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days]]''''', '''Xemnas''': "The goal was to duplicate the Keyblade wielder's memories, and through them, his powers—thus making them our own. Vexen oversaw the project at Castle Oblivion. However, our efforts were severely derailed by his unexpected demise. And this particular Replica—the one we called Xion—came to form an identity of her own."</ref>

Some time before Marluxia's official recruitment, Vexen urgently questioned Zexion at [[Twilight's View]] about Xemnas's whereabouts, and was told that Xemnas was secluded at the [[Chamber of Repose]]. Frustrated, Vexen walked off.{{storylink|Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix}}

===''Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days'', prior to ''Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories''===
[[File:A Closed World 01 KHD.png|thumb|left|Vexen teaches Roxas the importance of being aware of his surroundings.]]
On Day 7, Vexen is present at Xion's induction into the Organization.

On Day 9, he informs Saïx that Xion should be able to perform as expected in ten days. Afterward, he loiters in the [[Grey Area]] until Day 12, and expresses interest in Roxas's ability to wield the Keyblade.<ref>'''''[[Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days]]''''', '''Vexen''': "A Keyblade wielder... This could prove quite enlightening."</ref><ref>'''''[[Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days]]''''', '''Vexen''': "Hee hee...Interesting...So much to inspect...To dissect..."</ref>

On Day 12, Vexen is assigned to train Roxas in reconnaissance at [[Twilight Town]]. Vexen asks Roxas to examine the [[Tram Common]] and report on anything unusual. He is unamused with Roxas's initial lack of insight, and prods him to draw conclusions from his observations. If Roxas takes to long to inspect the area, he will mock the younger Nobody's guesses.<ref>'''''[[Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days]]''''', '''Roxas''': "Business seems to be booming?" / '''Vexen''': "What, because you saw a couple of shops?"</ref> Disappointed in the results, Vexen gives Roxas permission to [[RTC]], but the indignant Roxas asks for a second chance. Vexen allows it, and congratulates him on being able to identify a side lot as the area's tram yard. As they return to the castle, Vexen informs Roxas of the existence of other worlds, as well as that he will be tasked with performing more reconnaissance every time he is sent to a new world.

On Day 23, he files a report postulating that Replicas should be considered a type of Nobody and notes that Xion has proven to be a great success. Afterward, he takes [[Riku Replica]] with him to [[Castle Oblivion]].
{{-}}

===''Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories''===
[[File:Vexen and His Replica 01 KHRECOM.png|thumb|Vexen asks the replica how it was to encounter the real Riku.]]
When [[Marluxia]] and [[Larxene]] begin manipulating [[Sora]] through [[Naminé]]'s ability, Vexen, [[Lexaeus]], and [[Zexion]] decide to try use [[Riku]], who has appeared in the castle's basements, to counter Marluxia's plot. Vexen engages Riku in battle, hinting towards the nature of Nobodies and the existence of [[Xemnas]] and taunting Riku about his nature as a being between darkness and [[light]]. Sensing formidable darkness growing within Riku, Vexen decides that he has gathered enough data and returns to program it into his second Replica. Once completed, the [[Riku Replica]] is sent to challenge the real Riku to test its powers. Despite freely using the darkness, the replica loses to the original Riku due to being recently finished and thus having less control over its abilities.

Even with the failure, Vexen decides that an obedient Riku is better than trying to gain control of the original. He decides to take him to the upper levels to help deal with Sora. He offers the replica's services in testing Sora to [[Axel]] and Larxene. However, they insist on changing his memories; Vexen rejects that idea, as he believes the replica would be strong enough to wipe out Sora even with different memories. They have [[Naminé]] manipulate the replica into thinking he is the real Riku and that he made a promise to Naminé, something that Sora also remembers doing. The Riku Replica confronts Sora multiple times, but he is defeated each time.

[[File:Marluxia's Graceful Blade 03 KHRECOM.png|thumb|left|Marluxia threatens to expose Vexen as a failure to their superior.]]
After the replica loses twice to Sora and fails to confront him a third time, Vexen is taunted about his replica by Axel and Larxene. However, they are interrupted by Marluxia, who deems Vexen's experiment a failure. Vexen is insulted, but when Marluxia makes the threat of reporting Vexen's failure to "[[Xemnas|the Superior]]", Vexen reluctantly agrees to face Sora himself. He meets Sora at the entrance to the 11th floor and states that Sora is in debt to him for reuniting him with Riku. Sora is angered, and the two battle. Having been pulling his punches, Vexen instead gives Sora a [[world card]] of [[Twilight Town]], claiming to have delved into Sora's heart and found the memories locked in the other side of it. Vexen tells Sora that if he wants to truly defeat him, then he must enter that world, before fleeing.

Meanwhile, Marluxia, Larxene, and Axel note that Vexen is jeopardizing their plans to overthrow the Organization; the scientist intends to reveal the existence of Roxas as well as Marluxia's plan to rewrite Sora's memories to turn him into his puppet. As a result, Axel is sent by Marluxia and Larxene to assassinate Vexen, not only to prevent Vexen from revealing their plan but also to gain their trust.

After exploring the memory-Twilight Town, Sora encounters Vexen at the gates to the [[Old Mansion]], where Vexen inquires whether Sora's memories of Naminé or of the town feel more real. Vexen informs Sora that his familiarity with the town is because the "other side of his heart" remembers it, referencing Roxas. Sora again denies that his memories of Naminé are false, and when Vexen mocks the boy for falling for Marluxia's trick, the two fight.

[[File:Vexen's End 01 KHRECOM.png|thumb|Vexen begs for his life as Axel is about to finish him off.]]
Vexen is again defeated, surprised that Sora has such strength even with his memory confused. Upon being told to restore Riku to what he was before, Vexen tells Sora that the replica is fated to sink into the darkness and that Sora will share that fate if he continues to seek out Naminé. However, right before Vexen can give a proper warning about Marluxia messing with Sora's memories, Vexen is knocked down by Axel's chakram. Axel explains that he came to keep Vexen from talking too much by eliminating him, claiming that he can now be nothing instead of a Nobody. Despite Vexen's pleas for mercy, Axel snaps his fingers and incinerates Vexen.

Axel's Secret Reports in ''358/2 Days'' would later reveal that he killed Vexen to keep the Replica Program from falling into Marluxia's clutches.

{{canon
|In the manga, Vexen creates a set of Vexen Replicas (failed replicas, according to the replicas themselves) and has a grave, which the Riku Replica visits before leaving Castle Oblivion.
}}

===''Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days'', after ''Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories''===
On Day 51, the rest of the Organization XIII learns of the deaths at Castle Oblivion.

On Day 194, Axel finds Vexen's notes on Naminé hidden within the library at the [[Castle That Never Was]].
{{-}}

===''Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance''===
After Vexen's destruction, Even's body and [[soul]] were swallowed by darkness to await his heart.<ref>'''''[[Director's Secret Report XIII]]''''', p. 29; '''Tetsuya Nomura''': "When a Nobody is defeated, it's a little complicated. If the heart has been released they will return to their original form as mentioned above, but if the heart is still dispossessed by a Heartless, the Nobody will be swallowed by darkness. If their heart, wherever it is in the realm, could be taken back perhaps they could return to their original human form." Translation via Goldpanner.</ref> At some point, Sora and his friends slew Even's Heartless,{{?}}<!--cite to journal--><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120220120211/http://sqex.info/2012/01/famitsu-weekly-nomura-interview-on-kh3d '''''Famitsu Weekly''''': "Nomura Interview on KH3D"], '''Interviewer''': "So their Heartless, you're saying they were defeated somewhere along the line?" / '''Tetsuya Nomura''': "Well Sora has defeated many Heartless before now, hasn't he? To say that they returned to being human, their Heartless was probably included among those, huh? Even when Sora became a Heartless, he was a normal Shadow type. The details of their Heartless aren't really that important."</ref> allowing Even to be reborn at the [[Heartless Manufactory]].<ref>'''''[[Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance]]''''', '''Ienzo''': " When someone who's lost their heart is recompleted, they should return to the place where it happened."</ref>

===''Kingdom Hearts III''===
[[File:The Plan 01 KHIIIRM.png|thumb|200px|left|Vexen is brought back to the Organization to help with the Replica Program.]]
To Even's surprise, [[Saïx]] gives him the chance to return to being a Nobody to complete his research on the [[Replica Program]]. Seeing it as his chance to atone for all the harm he caused others in the past, Even accepts and becomes Vexen again, becoming a reserve member of the [[real Organization XIII]]. At the [[Keyblade Graveyard]], Saïx questions the scientist's decision to abandon his humanity a second time; he adds that [[Axel]] gave him a second lease on life. Vexen lies that his research in completing the perfect vessel is all that matters to him. However, he does add that with some more time, they "will replace, not just replicate", becoming true people once hearts are given to them.  <!--not sure how to storylink, Ultimania makes it clear Vexen made the new Dark Riku prior to KH3D ending--> Due to the fact [[Xehanort]]'s younger incarnation, [[Ansem, Seeker of Darkness|Heartless]] and [[Xemnas|Nobody]] cannot coexist at the same time as the present-day version, Vexen had to make replicas to house their hearts in the present day, while also providing replicas for the hearts of [[Vanitas]] and [[Dark Riku|Riku Replica]]. Along with [[Demyx]], Vexen was designated a back-up member by Xehanort, leaving the group without thirteen members.

After Xehanort's failure to turn [[Sora]] into the thirteenth vessel, Vexen created a new replica, which Young Xehanort gave the past heart of [[Xion]]. In secret, Vexen also began work on additional blank replicas for housing the hearts of those who truly needed them.

[[File:Atonement 03 KHIII.png|thumb|200px|After having rescued Ansem the Wise, Vexen reveals that he wishes to make amends for all he's done.]]
Hearing of the [[Black Box]] and rumors of [[Davy Jones]] being able to exist without a heart, Vexen accompanies [[Luxord]] to [[The Caribbean]] to find out how this is possible along with whether or not the Dead Man's Chest is the box they are looking for. However, Vexen is disappointed when he finally sees inside the chest, and learns that it contains a physical organ, not a metaphysical [[Heart]].

Upon hearing that [[Ansem, Seeker of Darkness]] went to search for his former master, [[Ansem the Wise]], Vexen follows them to [[Twilight Town]]. He uses [[Dusk]]s to save [[Hayner]], [[Pence]], and [[Olette]] from Ansem's wrath. Finding them in the underground tunnel, Vexen appears before his former master and bows in respect, telling him that he became a Nobody again to make amends and thwart Xehanort's plans from within his group. Later, Vexen meets with Demyx at [[Radiant Garden]] and manages to convince him to take a blank replica and Ansem the Wise to [[Ienzo]], so they could prepare it to house Roxas's heart.

Vexen is later recompleted as a human again, and as Even he helps Ienzo and Ansem the Wise restore Naminé using Dark Riku's blank replica body as a vessel that was emptied by the Riku Replica.
{{-}}

==Other appearances==
===''Kingdom Hearts Union χ[Cross]''===
Vexen appears as an enemy in the April 2018 "{{khux|NEW XIII Event}}".

==Design==
Vexen wears the basic Organization uniform of a [[black coat]] with like-colored boots and gloves, though the sleeves of Vexen's cloak are a bit longer than normal and partially cover his hands. His cloak is also the longest out of all the members having it almost like a gown that covers his boots. Vexen sports platinum blond hair (which was a somewhat brighter shade of yellow in the Gameboy Advance version of ''Chain of Memories''), worn long with two slightly shorter (but still long) bangs that frame his face. He also has rather large, bright green eyes, though these become yellow when he briefly becomes a vessel for Xehanort.

==Personality==
[[File:Stolen Data 01 KHRECOM.png|thumb|left|200px|Vexen takes great pleasure in manipulating his opponents.]]
As a scientist, Vexen approaches problems like an intellectual, with a hypothesis and a method to test those hypotheses. Appearing very much like a stereotypical "mad scientist", Vexen views life as a grand experiment. More than any other member, save [[Xemnas]], he considers his numerical rank a literal one and often derides members with lower numerical rankings than his, such as when he reminds Marluxia of his superior rank when Marluxia orders him not to "disappoint us" again, and later [[Zexion]] when he laments Vexen's impatience. Vexen is often chastised by others for this behavior. Ironically, Vexen's throne is the lowest of the Organization in their meeting chamber known as [[Where Nothing Gathers]]. This is mostly due to his recurring incompetence and preference of not sullying his hands, like Zexion, though the latter can easily hold his own in battle. 

Vexen is also very cowardly and displays a fear of Xemnas, immediately bowing to Marluxia's demand to destroy Sora when Marluxia threatens to tell Xemnas of the failure of the Riku Replica. He also fears approaching Xemnas in the [[Chamber of Repose]], dismissing Zexion's suggestion thereof as a joke. In the ''Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories'' manga, Vexen is portrayed as a character who thinks that he doesn't get enough respect from the higher-ranked members.

In ''Kingdom Hearts III'', Vexen appears the same as he did in ''Chain of Memories'', devious and obsessed with his Replica research. He even declared that he did not require his humanity to complete his research nor does he care about how others may use his research, only that he sees it to fruition. In reality, this is a ruse Vexen made towards the Organization, as he actually regrets his previous actions and truly seeks to atone. Vexen came to the realization that as a scientist, mistakes are made toward the path of knowledge and wishes to ensure his research does some good, so that he may achieve a measure of forgiveness. To achieve this, he works behind the backs of the real Organization XIII to aid those fighting against Master Xehanort, such as aiding his former teacher Ansem the Wise and providing replicas for those who truly needed them, such as Roxas and Naminé.

==Abilities==
Vexen is one of the most prolific Organization members in battles, appearing as an opponent three times during ''Chain of Memories''. He fights with a large blue shield, which he uses to fend off frontal attacks, making it necessary to attack him from behind. He is also able to use the shield offensively, akin to [[Goofy]], but further enhances the style with the spikes lining the edge of his shield. He can use his cryokinetic abilities to blast his enemy with ice from his hand and can call forth large chunks of ice from the ground to freeze his opponent solid. He also has the power to create slippery ice patches on the ground, or summon icicles that rise from the ground and follow their target for several seconds. Finally, he can create an unavoidable blizzard that can be resisted only with a [[card break]]. In the remake, Vexen can conjure up a sword out of ice and whack his opponent several times with it before performing a final shockwave which destroys the sword and ends the sleight. Like several other members of Organization XIII in ''Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories'', Vexen moves by levitating, sometimes several feet into the air.

[[File:Vexen's Absent Silhouette KHIIFM.png|thumb|Vexen's Absent Silhouette portal from ''Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix''.]]
In ''[[Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix]]'', Vexen, as well as other members of the Organization that have already been eliminated, can be fought. Vexen's shield makes him completely invincible in this game, but the shield has an [[HP]] bar of its own and can be temporarily destroyed, allowing Sora to attack Vexen directly. Vexen has the additional power in this battle to create a copy of Sora's [[AntiForm]] to aid him in battle. Vexen still has his "freeze" attack when a blizzard freezes Sora, immobilizing Sora while Vexen gains data, but it can be stopped by a [[Reaction Command]]. He also has the icicle attack from before, but also returns with a new attack when he makes two spinning blades of ice and throws them at Sora. In the data battle against Vexen, he has a new attack when he throws giant chunks of ice at Sora.

Vexen also has the ability to collect and manipulate data. This ability allows Vexen to create Replicas, such as the Riku Replica, and his numerous Vexen Replicas. Not much else is known about this ability.  It can be assumed that he uses his shield, Frozen Pride, to absorb attacks, and collect data simultaneously.  

In ''Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days'', Vexen has a Limit Break called {{c|Diamond Dust|ability}}, which causes ice glaciers to protrude from the ground.

Initially appearing as a powerful foe to Sora, Vexen is revealed to be one of the weaker members of Organization XIII alongside [[Demyx]]. This is indicated by the fact that no one in the Organization seems to show Vexen any respect despite his high rank. Marluxia and Larxene seem to frequently poke fun at him with jokes and sneers, with Larxene going as far as to call him a "half-baked good for nothing". Vexen is also easily eliminated by Axel, who fought evenly with Marluxia. In Riku's story, Vexen seems to be below Zexion and Lexaeus in terms of authority as he is the one doing all of the work while the other two hide in the basement and direct him.

===Weapon===
Vexen, like Goofy, carries a shield into battle. His shield [[Frozen Pride]] is pointed and is colored blue and silver. He can use it to block attacks, but it is also used to slash foes. If turned upside down, the shield has the vague shape of the Nobody symbol. In ''Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories'' it can be changed during the sleight "Slide Break," where he freezes ice onto the shield to form a gigantic ice sword that he wildly slashes with before smashing the blade onto the foe. However, his Absent Silhouette does not use it to attack, instead of relying on his data replicas and ice magic for his offense, and uses his shield to block any attacks during battle. However, the Silhouette's shield has its own small health bar, and breaks after a while, and leaves him vulnerable until another shield is summoned. In ''Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix'', Goofy can obtain a similar shield through synthesis.

<center><gallery>
File:Frozen Pride KHII.png|Vexen's signature shield, the Frozen Pride.
</gallery></center>

==Notes and references==
{{reflist}}

{{358}}
{{COM}}
{{KH3}}
{{ShieldV}}
{{NobodyDirectory}}
{{Party}}

[[es:Vexen]]
[[fr:Vexen]]
[[de:Vexen]]
[[Category:Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories characters]]
[[Category:Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days characters]]
[[Category:Organization XIII]]
[[Category:Allies]]