Xehanort

Master Xehanort is the titular character and main antagonist of the "Xehanort Saga". He is the original incarnation of Xehanort. He is a Keyblade Master, the original master of Ventus, and the creator and master of Vanitas. Much like the members of Organization XIII, Xehanort's name contains the letter "X", along with the anagrams of "Another" and "No Heart".

Master Xehanort makes his debut appearance in Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep as the game's villain, tormenting Terra, Aqua and Ventus, and returns in Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance to challenge Sora and Riku.

Before Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep
In his youth, Xehanort lived on a beach, but had dreams of leaving his home in search for something greater. At some point he found a way to depart his home world and came across an unnamed Keyblade Master. He began training with this Master and his fellow pupil Eraqus in the Land of Departure, eventually coming to see Eraqus as a brother, though they disagreed on the role of Darkness and Light in the world. The Master taught the two the ways of the Keyblade, and that their role as Keyblade wielders was to protect the worlds of light from darkness. However, this answer was unsatisfactory with Xehanort, and he often visited other worlds without permission from the Master to learn more. During his travels Xehanort wore Keyblade Armor to protect himself from the darkness between worlds, but eventually he discarded it and sought to control the darkness, reasoning if he succeeded he would not need his armor for protection. Eventually both Eraqus and Xehanort became Keyblade Masters, and Eraqus was chosen as the Master's Successor to take over the Land of Departure. Xehanort was free then to take on apprentices of his own to train, and travel the worlds as he wished.

As he journeyed, Xehanort obtained vast knowledge concerning Keyblade lore, the Heartless, and the mysteries of the Keyblade War and Kingdom Hearts. Xehanort came to believe that darkness and light should be held in balance, but the "tyranny" of light had destroyed much of the darkness and shifted that balance. Thus, Xehanort's goal became to be the first to open the door to Kingdom Hearts and tear down the barriers between worlds. This would begin another Keyblade War that would blanket the worlds in darkness, at which point Xehanort would use the power of Kingdom Hearts to remake the worlds in perfect balance of light and darkness. However, by this time Xehanort had grown very old. He thus devised a plan to use his Keyblade to extract his own heart and transfer it to another body to prolong his life until his ambitions were filled. Xehanort discussed his plans with Eraqus, telling his fellow pupil that he sought to create the χ-blade, a legendary Keyblade capable of unlocking Kingdom Hearts. Though Eraqus warned it could lead to another Keyblade War in order to sate Xehanort's desires, he was undeterred. Eraqus attacked Xehanort, but Xehanort summoned the powers of darkness he had learned and struck him down, scarring his face before leaving.

When he met Ventus, Xehanort initially thought he could serve as his vessel, but came to realize Ventus was too good-hearted. Thus, he took Ventus as his pupil and devised another use for him - to split his heart in two, creating a heart of pure light and a heart of pure darkness. This was the secret to forging the χ-blade, which would be created with these two pure, opposing hearts of equal strength clashed. Xehanort extracted Ven's darkness to create Vanitas, but the ordeal left Ven weakened and nearly destroyed what was left of his heart. Deciding he was too weak to be of use now, Xehanort took Ven to Destiny Islands with the intent of leaving him there to die. However, unbeknownst to Xehanort, Ven's heart touched the newly born heart of Sora there, which repaired the damage to his own heart. Ven summoned his Keyblade, and Xehanort decided against abandoning him. However, Vanitas's darkness would consume Ven's light if he kept both of them to train, so he took Ven to Eraqus, believing that Eraqus' zealous beliefs in light would strengthen Ven's until he was Vanitas' equal. When the two arrived at the Land of Departure, Xehanort was surprised to be welcomed by Eraqus in spite of their last parting. At this time Xehanort also met Eraqus' two apprentices, Aqua and Terra. Sensing a lust for power and a lingering darkness in Terra's heart, Xehanort saw a new potential vessel in him.

Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep
With his bond with Eraqus repaired, Xehanort is called upon years later by Eraqus to witness the Mark of Mastery Exam to be taken by Terra and Aqua. Xehanort uses this chance to see Terra's darkness as he spars with Aqua. Because of this darkness, Eraqus does not make Terra a Master. Afterwards Xehanort speaks to him alone, telling Terra that Eraqus will never see him as a Master, and that he should learn to channel his darkness instead of repressing it. Shortly after, Eraqus calls the two to speak to them about a new threat, the Unversed. Creatures of negativity, Eraqus worries they could endanger the Princesses of Heart. Eraqus sends the two to combat the Unversed. Meanwhile, though he was not ordered to assist the two, Ventus also leaves, spurred by the words of Vanitas who warned Terra would be changed when they next met. Unknown to them, the Unversed were extensions of Vanitas born when he was created, and were spread through the worlds to lure Terra and Ven away from Eraqus and each other.

During his travels, Master Xehanort speaks to the evil fairy Maleficent, and tells her about the Princesses of Heart and Kingdom Hearts in exchange for her awakening Terra's darkness further. He later calls Terra to the Keyblade Graveyard and tells him an altered version of Vanitas's origins, that Ven was overtaken by his darkness and Xehanort extracted Vanitas to try and save him, but Vanitas left him and began spreading the Unversed. Xehanort asks for Terra's "assistance" in fighting his so-called rebellious apprentice and directs him to Radiant Garden, the city of light, claiming Vanitas will be drawn to it. At the Radiant Garden, Xehanort strikes a deal with Braig, who wishes to wield a Keyblade of his own. Xehanort and Braig stage a kidnapping and Braig battles Terra. Terra eventually scars Braig's face with dark energy, forcing him to flee, and Xehanort congratulates him on his victory. Though Terra is ashamed, Xehanort consoles him that because he is able to use darkness and sees that it is not evil, Terra shows the sign of the true Mark of Mastery that Eraqus refuses to accept. Telling Terra he can be his pupil now, Xehanort refers to him as "Master Terra" and encourages him to continue his journey to stop Vanitas using the darkness in his heart to his advantage.

Later, Master Xehanort has Vanitas abduct Mickey Mouse as bait to lure Ventus to the Keyblade Graveyard, where he reveals to Ventus the truth about his past and his plans to create the χ-blade, also stating that Master Eraqus knows about it. Sending Ven to see Eraqus, Xehanort then calls Terra to him, telling him that Ven went to see Eraqus on his own, and he fears for the safety of them both due to the "fury" in Ven's eyes as he left. Terra returns to Eraqus to find him preparing to destroy Ven to keep Xehanort from the χ-blade, and he intervenes and strikes down his master. Xehanort appears to deliver the final blow, and Eraqus dissolves into light in Terra's arms. Revealing his deceptions to Terra, Xehanort calls on him to return to the Keyblade Graveyard and learn the truth. He then covers the Land of Departure in darkness, completely destroying the world and leaving nothing but the castle's remains, before departing.

Terra arrives at the Keyblade Graveyard with Aqua and Ven, and Xehanort and Vanitas confront them. Eventually Terra engages Xehanort in a one-on-one duel while Vanitas battles Aqua and Ven, the elder Keyblade wielder goading him with his deceptions and the looming deaths of his friends. Terra gives into his darkness as he loses control of his rage and is able to defeat Xehanort. However, at this time Xehanort enacts his final scheme and stabs himself with his Keyblade, releasing his heart. With Terra temporarily caught off guard due to witnessing the creation of the χ-blade, Xehanort transfers his heart into Terra's body, possessing him and creating Terra-Xehanort, while his consciousness passes into Terra's mind and his original body fades into darkness with a triumphant smile.

Despite the possession, Master Xehanort still lacks full control of Terra's body, and Terra's heart fights unceasingly against Master Xehanort's control. During Terra-Xehanort's battle with Aqua at Radiant Garden, Terra momentarily regains control of his body. In response, Master Xehanort stabs their body with his Keyblade in a desperate attempt to rid himself of Terra's heart, but the technique fails, instead apparently sealing away both their hearts and memories, and leaving "Xehanort" with amnesia.

Blank Points
Master Xehanort and Terra continue to dispute over internal dominance within the new Xehanort. Despite Master Xehanort's insistence that he will soon incorporate Terra's heart into his own, Terra remains confident that he will win over and eventually expel Master Xehanort. Master Xehanort realizes that Terra is harboring the heart of Master Eraqus, which may allow him to resist his darkness for longer than he expected. Despite this, Master Xehanort shows no concern and names Terra as merely one of many roads he can choose to take, implying that he has made backup plans should he lose possession of Terra's body.

A fragmentary passage
Master Xehanort, his younger self, Ansem, Xemnas, and Sora appear on the beach on Destiny Islands.

Between Birth by Sleep and Kingdom Hearts
Following Xehanort's descent into darkness, Master Xehanort's heart is expelled from Xehanort's body and takes form as a Heartless, Ansem, while the body becomes a Nobody, Xemnas. Through Ansem, Master Xehanort comes into conflict with Sora and Riku several times.

Kingdom Hearts coded
After Mickey returns to the Mysterious Tower with the news that they have located Ventus's heart, Yen Sid explains that the revival of Xehanort following the destruction of Ansem and Xemnas will inevitably lead to the return of Master Xehanort. Furthermore, Yen Sid confirms to Mickey that Master Xehanort has indeed left many roads to victory open, as he previously implied to Terra. Master Xehanort himself appears as Yen Sid's mental image.

Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance
Following the defeat of Young Xehanort, Master Xehanort is revived as Yen Sid predicted. Sitting atop the highest throne in Where Nothing Gathers, Master Xehanort displays Sora's sleeping body to Riku and Mickey, revealing his intentions to continue his plans to repeat the Keyblade War using the X-Blade. But just as Master Xehanort moves in to finish Sora, Lea appears along with Donald and Goofy, who succeed in driving Master Xehanort, Ansem, Xemnas, Xigbar and Isa away and rescuing Sora from doom.

Appearance
Master Xehanort appears as an old man, bald except for thin eyebrows and a curled, silver goatee. His ears are pointed and his eyes are yellow. He has broad, hunched shoulders and a crooked back. He overall appears as a somewhat feeble old man, certainly deceiving given his immense power.

Master Xehanort's clothing is the same as that worn by his eventual Heartless, Ansem. It is composed of a white and black coat with a red inner lining, over a white shirt with two thin black belts, as well as white gloves and calf-high black boots. The major difference between the two outfits is that Ansem wears the shirt unbuttoned, exposing the Heartless emblem on his chest. However, there are a few minor changes as well; Ansem's coat has gold lining on its edges, where Xehanort's has black lining. Master Xehanort sometimes wears a Black Coat over this outfit.

In his youth, Master Xehanort had mildly tanned skin, golden eyes, and silver hair which both slightly spikes and falls past his shoulders in the back; it is styled similar to Xehanort's, albeit with four bangs framing his face - the back two thicker than the front two - and the two backwards spikes on the sides are absent, the topmost one slicked back. He wore the same style of white shirt, which only reaches to his thighs, a black vest with a high collar, long armbands which cover his forearms, and dark grey pants stuffed into his boots, similar to those worn by Organization XIII but absent of the silver lining on top, much like those worn by the guards of Radiant Garden. Interestingly, as a young man, he bears a resemblance to the Enigmatic Man in Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep, although whether or not they are the same person has yet to be revealed.

Personality
Much like Xehanort, Ansem, and Xemnas, Master Xehanort is shown to be a cunning, callous, and pragmatic being with the sole goal of merging with Kingdom Hearts, the lives of innocent people and even his closest friends meaning absolutely nothing to him. To this end, he is willing to put whatever he pleases on the line or destroy anything in his way, demonstrated when he manipulated several characters such as Terra, Aqua, Ventus, Braig, and even Maleficent; created Vanitas, a sentient being for the sole purpose of forwarding his evil plan; and slew his old friend, Master Eraqus, in cold blood after tricking Terra into defeating him in battle.

Despite his overweening malice, Xehanort has been shown to have some slight sympathy for his victims, such as when he takes pity on Ventus, following the rupture of his heart, and decides to leave him to die a peaceful death on Destiny Islands. All of Master Xehanort's other positive points are revealed to have sinister intentions behind them, demonstrated when he only took Ventus as an apprentice and cared for him solely with the intention of making the boy his vessel once he was strong enough, and only accepted Master Eraqus's invitation to witness the Mark of Mastery Exam to win back Eraqus's trust following their falling-out, sabotage the exam and put Terra on the path to darkness so as to make him his new vessel after deciding to instead use Ventus for the χ-blade.

Overall, Master Xehanort is the true catalyst of all the events in the series so far, effectively making him the true villain of the Xehanort Saga, having been responsible, either directly or indirectly, for the creation of Terra-Xehanort, Vanitas, the Unversed, the Emblem Heartless, the Nobodies, the Disney Villains' hunt for Kingdom Hearts, and Organization XIII. He shares most of his personality traits with Terra-Xehanort and Ansem, while Xemnas appears to be influenced several times by Terra's characteristics. He has a few unusual tendencies and quirks, however, such as turning away from the people he speaks to, or over-dramatizing his hand gestures when delivering a speech, even flexing his fingers in an unusual manner, as if itching to grab something.

Abilities
His age often causing opponents to underestimate him, Master Xehanort is an extremely skilled Keyblade Master and magic user. Able to teleport if he is in danger, Master Xehanort strikes opponents with powerful, fast-paced combos. He also can bombard foes with Thunder, Blizzard, and Earth-based magic. His magic skills are some of the most advanced seen in the series so far, able to create massive rock formations and pillars, encase Ventus's body in ice, project a gust of wind powerful enough to send Ventus and Mickey flying from his hand, block Braig's Arrowgun shots without raising his arms, and telekinetically control the Keyblades covering the Keyblade Graveyard to attack Terra and Aqua. He also possesses physical strength sufficient to grab a fully-armored Ventus by the back of the head and lift him into the air with one hand.

Master Xehanort shows a great deal of skill in utilizing the heart and its capabilities, able to create a living being, Vanitas, out of the darkness of Ventus's heart when he unlocks it and even able to direct his heart into Terra's body to possess it after his defeat in the Keyblade Graveyard.

Once he becomes the young man known as Xehanort through the possession of Terra's body, Master Xehanort proves to be the stronger of the two hearts residing within him. Master Xehanort's overpowering Terra's is demonstrated several times during the battle between Terra-Xehanort and Aqua, Master Xehanort's influence beginning the fight in the first place and even releasing Terra's heart from within the body of his younger incarnation when Terra begins to regain control.

Weapon
Master Xehanort is able to wield his Keyblade with great skill despite his age, and enough of his strength has remained over the years that he is able to use it in fast-paced physical combos. His battle pose is similar to that of both Vanitas and Riku, but he mainly allows the Keyblade to hang loosely at his side as he walks slowly towards opponents. Master Xehanort also uses his Keyblade to unlock countless hearts, including his own.

When Master Xehanort possesses Terra's body to become Terra-Xehanort, he abandons Terra's Keyblade and replaces it with his own. Terra-Xehanort wields the weapon with great skill, combining several of Terra and Master Xehanort's abilities to form his own deadly combos. As this Keyblade was gained by Terra-Xehanort through Master Xehanort's heart's more powerful influence, it is also used through Master Xehanort's influence to unlock Terra-Xehanort's heart.

Trivia

 * Leonard Nimoy, Master Xehanort's English voice actor, was chosen by Tetsuya Nomura specifically for his role as Spock in the  franchise. This was also originally intended to be Nimoy's final acting role before his retirement in 2010. He has since returned to acting, but will not be reprising his role in Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance.
 * In the Japanese version of Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep, Master Xehanort is voiced by Chikao Ohtsuka, who was chosen by Tetsuya Nomura specifically because he is the father of, the Japanese voice actor of Xehanort and Ansem. Chikao Ohtsuka also previously voiced Captain Hook in the original Kingdom Hearts but was replaced by for Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep.
 * Despite being the main antagonist of the Xehanort Saga, Master Xehanort does not appear in person until the series' sixth installment, and does not meet Sora until the seventh.
 * In Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep, David Gallagher goes uncredited for voicing Master Xehanort as a young man.