Mariemaia Khushrenada

Mariemaia Khushrenada (マリーメイア・クシュリナーダ, Marīmeia Kushurināda), publicly known as Mariemaia Barton (マリーメイア・バートン) prior to the Mariemaia Rebellion, was the supposed daughter of Treize Khushrenada and Leia Barton. Born in AC 189, she lost her mother at age two and was raised by her grandfather Dekim Barton to be the figurehead leader of the Mariemaia Army in their coup attempt against the Earth Sphere Unified Nation in AC 196. At only seven years old, Mariemaia was manipulated into believing she would “fulfil her father’s wishes” by becoming ruler of the world.

Personality

Raised from a young age by Dekim to believe she would fulfil Treize’s wishes by becoming world leader, Mariemaia was extremely confident and prideful. She acted in a dignified manner unbefitting her age, constantly giving the impression that she looked down upon others. However, being only seven years old at the time of the Mariemaia Rebellion, her childish side occasionally slipped through beneath the facade.

Mariemaia had no memories of her mother Leia, having lost her at age two. However, she greatly treasured a music box that Leia left her as a Christmas present, always keeping it on her person. This attachment to her mother’s final gift revealed the vulnerable child beneath her imperious demeanour.

Following the Mariemaia Rebellion, Mariemaia recognized the errors of her ways and became much more humble when dealing with others. The experience of being shot by her own grandfather and rescued by those she had declared enemies fundamentally changed her understanding of the world.

Biography

Early life and indoctrination (AC 189-196)

Born to Leia Barton and Treize Khushrenada in AC 189, Mariemaia lost her mother when she was only two years old. She was brought up by her grandfather Dekim Barton, who taught her that as Treize’s daughter, it was her destiny to become ruler of the Earth Sphere. Unbeknownst to her, however, Dekim saw her as nothing more than a puppet. Presumably, if Operation Meteor had gone as planned, he would have ruled Earth using Mariemaia as proxy. When the G Team (Gundam pilots) subverted the operation, Dekim began building alternative plans.

Undeterred by Operation Meteor’s failure, Dekim began building a private army with Mariemaia as the figurehead leader. He raised her to believe in her father’s supposed vision of world conquest, manipulating her love for a father she never knew to advance his own ambitions.

Mariemaia Rebellion (December AC 196)

In December AC 196, one year after Treize Khushrenada’s death and the transformation of the World Nation into the pacifist Earth Sphere Unified Nation, Dekim and Mariemaia put their plans into action. Colonists loyal to the Mariemaia Army drugged and kidnapped Relena Darlian during her visit to Colony X-18999.

Shortly after, Mariemaia broadcast a speech to the Earth Sphere, revealing her identity as Treize’s daughter, declaring X-18999’s independence, and declaring war against the ESUN. Though most citizens dismissed the declaration as a hoax, hundreds of MMS-01 Serpent mobile suits soon descended upon the ESUN capital of Brussels, allowing the Mariemaia Army to effortlessly take over the ESUN presidential office.

Confrontation in Brussels

After Mariemaia, Dekim, and Relena moved into the presidential office, the building’s shelter system was activated, causing the entire structure to retract deep underground, protected by multiple layers of blast doors. Mariemaia proclaimed to Relena that such a shelter was needed even in peacetime, since war, peace, and revolution was a trend that repeated throughout history “like an endless waltz.” She proclaimed that history would change with her ascension to the throne of world leader.

Preventer agents Lucrezia Noin and Zechs Merquise engaged the Serpents outside the presidential office but were outmatched by the Serpents’ massive numbers. They were later joined by Duo Maxwell, Trowa Barton, and Quatre Raberba Winner in their respective Gundams.

Dekim broadcast the fight to the public, declaring that the Preventers and Gundam pilots were fools futilely resisting the new order. However, Relena interrupted the broadcast, encouraging people to resist the Mariemaia Army. Mariemaia pointed out that doing so contradicted Relena’s ideal of total pacifism, to which Relena replied that the willingness to fight for peace was more important than any dogma. Mariemaia simply retorted that Relena only said so because she had lost, whilst she herself was destined to be the victor.

Defeat and redemption

Heero Yuy suddenly arrived at Brussels in the heavily damaged Wing Gundam Zero. Heero contacted Mariemaia, asking if the shelter system was active. Mariemaia confirmed it was, declaring Heero could see for himself how powerless he was. To her shock, Heero began firing on the presidential office using the twin buster rifle, breaking through the shelter with two pinpoint accurate shots. Mariemaia desperately tried to maintain her posture, but Relena pointed out she was now terrified.

Just before Heero could fire a third shot and annihilate the shelter, he had a change of heart and shifted the aim slightly. The third shot did not destroy the shelter but caused the command room to partially collapse. Mariemaia and Relena were saved by Lady Une, who had infiltrated the shelter beforehand.

At this point, the people of Brussels began to rally against the Mariemaia Army, backed by Chang Wufei in the Altron Gundam. Refusing to accept defeat, Dekim asked Mariemaia to take her place as world ruler. Mariemaia stiffly walked forward with an empty look in her eyes. Lady Une was about to slap her, but Relena did it first, saying that now that she knew fear, it was time to realize her mistakes.

Dekim threatened to shoot Relena, saying people would always favour victors, but Mariemaia took the shot instead and collapsed. Dekim callously stated he had created Mariemaia in the first place and could make another, but was then shot dead by a Mariemaia Army officer for betraying Treize. As Mariemaia apologized to Relena, Heero arrived and offered to set her free, pointing a gun at her. He fired, but the gun was revealed to be empty. Heero declared that Mariemaia was now dead—freed from her grandfather’s manipulation—and that he never had to kill again, then collapsed as well. Lady Une called for a medic to treat Mariemaia.

Aftermath (AC 197)

In AC 197, Mariemaia was revealed to have survived her wound, though now in a wheelchair. She was taken to visit Treize’s grave by Lady Une, who had become her mother figure. Following the rebellion, Mariemaia recognized the errors of her ways and became much more humble when dealing with others, freed from her grandfather’s manipulation and able to live as a child rather than a political puppet.

Relationships

Dekim Barton

Dekim raised Mariemaia from age two after her mother’s death, indoctrinating her to believe she was destined to rule the world as Treize’s daughter. However, Dekim viewed her merely as a puppet for his own ambitions. When she was shot, he callously remarked he had “created” her and could make another, revealing his complete lack of genuine affection. His willingness to shoot her when she hesitated demonstrated his ruthless pragmatism.

Lady Une

Lady Une became Mariemaia’s mother figure after the rebellion. Having served under Treize and understanding his true ideals—which Dekim had twisted—Une rescued Mariemaia from the collapsing shelter and ensured she received medical treatment. In AC 197, Une took Mariemaia to visit Treize’s grave, helping her understand who her father truly was and providing the maternal care Dekim had denied her.

Relena Darlian

Initially viewing Relena as an obstacle to her supposed destiny, Mariemaia learned from her the true meaning of courage and conviction. Relena’s slap—delivered at the crucial moment when Mariemaia walked towards supposed victory—shocked her into recognizing reality. Mariemaia took the bullet meant for Relena, an instinctive protective act that revealed she possessed compassion beneath her indoctrination.

Appearances

Mariemaia Khushrenada appeared in the following works:

Mobile Suit Gundam Wing Endless Waltz (OVA and movie)
New Mobile Report Gundam Wing: Blind Target (manga, mentioned)
New Mobile Report Gundam Wing: Frozen Teardrop (novel series)

External links

Mariemaia Khushrenada on the Gundam Wiki