Movie
Description
Publicly known as Marimeia Barton prior to the Mariemaia Rebellion, Marimeia Khushrenada was presented as the daughter of Treize Khushrenada and Leia Barton. Born in After Colony 189, she lost her mother at age two and was raised by her maternal grandfather, Dekim Barton. Dekim instilled in her the belief that her destiny was to fulfill her father's legacy by ruling the Earth Sphere. Unbeknownst to her, Dekim viewed her primarily as a puppet figurehead for his own ambitions, intending to rule through her should his Operation Meteor plan succeed.
Her upbringing resulted in a personality marked by extreme confidence, pride, and a demeanor of superiority atypical for her age. She carried herself with formality and dignity, often appearing to look down upon others. Despite this cultivated facade, underlying childishness occasionally surfaced, revealing vulnerability. She deeply treasured a music box left by her mother, keeping it with her constantly as a tangible connection.
In December A.C. 196, one year after Treize Khushrenada's death and the formation of the pacifist Earth Sphere Unified Nation (ESUN), Dekim initiated their plan. Marimeia became the figurehead leader of the Mariemaia Army, composed largely of former Treize loyalists equipped with modified Serpent mobile suits. The rebellion commenced with the kidnapping of ESUN Vice-Foreign Minister Relena Darlian from Colony X-18999. Marimeia broadcast a declaration of war to the Earth Sphere, revealing her identity as Treize's daughter, declaring the colony's independence, and asserting her claim as rightful world leader. Initially dismissed as a hoax, the rebellion gained credibility when her forces swiftly captured the ESUN presidential office in Brussels using overwhelming numbers of Serpent mobile suits.
During the occupation, Marimeia and Dekim moved into the underground shelter beneath the presidential office with Relena as their captive. Marimeia explained the necessity of the shelter system to Relena, framing history as an "Endless Waltz" of repeating cycles of war, peace, and revolution. She confidently asserted her ascension would break this cycle. When Relena interrupted a broadcast to encourage resistance, Marimeia countered by accusing Relena of betraying pacifist ideals only because she was losing, while asserting her own inevitable victory.
The rebellion faced opposition from Preventer agents and recovered Gundam pilots. A pivotal moment occurred when Heero Yuy, piloting the damaged Wing Zero, arrived and targeted the presidential shelter. Despite Marimeia's defiant declaration that the shelter rendered him powerless, Heero breached its defenses with precise shots from the Wing Zero's twin buster rifle. This shattered Marimeia's composure, exposing her terror. Before Heero could fire a third, potentially fatal shot, he shifted his aim, causing partial collapse within the shelter. Marimeia and Relena were saved by Lady Une, who had previously infiltrated.
As public resistance in Brussels grew, bolstered by Gundam pilot Chang Wufei, Dekim desperately urged Marimeia to assume her role as ruler. Marimeia mechanically complied, displaying emptiness and detachment. Witnessing this, Relena intervened, slapping Marimeia to force her to confront her fear and recognize her mistakes. Dekim, enraged, threatened to shoot Relena, proclaiming history favors victors. Marimeia intervened, taking the bullet intended for Relena and collapsing. Dekim callously dismissed her sacrifice, claiming he created her and could replace her, before being killed by one of his own officers for betraying Treize's memory. Marimeia then apologized to Relena.
Heero Yuy arrived shortly after and offered Marimeia symbolic freedom by pointing a gun at her and pulling the trigger. The gun was empty; Heero declared Marimeia "dead" and stated he would never kill again. Marimeia survived her gunshot wound but was left using a wheelchair. She was placed under the guardianship of Lady Une. In A.C. 197, Une took her to visit Treize Khushrenada's grave, marking the beginning of her rehabilitation and a deeper understanding of her father's true legacy. This experience, coupled with the rebellion's failure, led to a significant shift in her character, resulting in a more humble and remorseful demeanor.
Official sources present ambiguity regarding Marimeia's true origins. While Episode Zero depicts Treize meeting Leia Barton, leading to Marimeia's conception, contradictory evidence exists. Dekim's dying words in the Endless Waltz OVA/movie ("I made her! I can create another Marimeia!") and the manga (outright stating she was "just a kid he picked up off the street") suggest she may not have been biologically related to Treize or Leia. Physical inconsistencies, such as Leia Barton's depicted tan hair contrasting with Marimeia's appearance, further fuel this uncertainty.
Her upbringing resulted in a personality marked by extreme confidence, pride, and a demeanor of superiority atypical for her age. She carried herself with formality and dignity, often appearing to look down upon others. Despite this cultivated facade, underlying childishness occasionally surfaced, revealing vulnerability. She deeply treasured a music box left by her mother, keeping it with her constantly as a tangible connection.
In December A.C. 196, one year after Treize Khushrenada's death and the formation of the pacifist Earth Sphere Unified Nation (ESUN), Dekim initiated their plan. Marimeia became the figurehead leader of the Mariemaia Army, composed largely of former Treize loyalists equipped with modified Serpent mobile suits. The rebellion commenced with the kidnapping of ESUN Vice-Foreign Minister Relena Darlian from Colony X-18999. Marimeia broadcast a declaration of war to the Earth Sphere, revealing her identity as Treize's daughter, declaring the colony's independence, and asserting her claim as rightful world leader. Initially dismissed as a hoax, the rebellion gained credibility when her forces swiftly captured the ESUN presidential office in Brussels using overwhelming numbers of Serpent mobile suits.
During the occupation, Marimeia and Dekim moved into the underground shelter beneath the presidential office with Relena as their captive. Marimeia explained the necessity of the shelter system to Relena, framing history as an "Endless Waltz" of repeating cycles of war, peace, and revolution. She confidently asserted her ascension would break this cycle. When Relena interrupted a broadcast to encourage resistance, Marimeia countered by accusing Relena of betraying pacifist ideals only because she was losing, while asserting her own inevitable victory.
The rebellion faced opposition from Preventer agents and recovered Gundam pilots. A pivotal moment occurred when Heero Yuy, piloting the damaged Wing Zero, arrived and targeted the presidential shelter. Despite Marimeia's defiant declaration that the shelter rendered him powerless, Heero breached its defenses with precise shots from the Wing Zero's twin buster rifle. This shattered Marimeia's composure, exposing her terror. Before Heero could fire a third, potentially fatal shot, he shifted his aim, causing partial collapse within the shelter. Marimeia and Relena were saved by Lady Une, who had previously infiltrated.
As public resistance in Brussels grew, bolstered by Gundam pilot Chang Wufei, Dekim desperately urged Marimeia to assume her role as ruler. Marimeia mechanically complied, displaying emptiness and detachment. Witnessing this, Relena intervened, slapping Marimeia to force her to confront her fear and recognize her mistakes. Dekim, enraged, threatened to shoot Relena, proclaiming history favors victors. Marimeia intervened, taking the bullet intended for Relena and collapsing. Dekim callously dismissed her sacrifice, claiming he created her and could replace her, before being killed by one of his own officers for betraying Treize's memory. Marimeia then apologized to Relena.
Heero Yuy arrived shortly after and offered Marimeia symbolic freedom by pointing a gun at her and pulling the trigger. The gun was empty; Heero declared Marimeia "dead" and stated he would never kill again. Marimeia survived her gunshot wound but was left using a wheelchair. She was placed under the guardianship of Lady Une. In A.C. 197, Une took her to visit Treize Khushrenada's grave, marking the beginning of her rehabilitation and a deeper understanding of her father's true legacy. This experience, coupled with the rebellion's failure, led to a significant shift in her character, resulting in a more humble and remorseful demeanor.
Official sources present ambiguity regarding Marimeia's true origins. While Episode Zero depicts Treize meeting Leia Barton, leading to Marimeia's conception, contradictory evidence exists. Dekim's dying words in the Endless Waltz OVA/movie ("I made her! I can create another Marimeia!") and the manga (outright stating she was "just a kid he picked up off the street") suggest she may not have been biologically related to Treize or Leia. Physical inconsistencies, such as Leia Barton's depicted tan hair contrasting with Marimeia's appearance, further fuel this uncertainty.