Marie Heinlein (メアリー・ハインライン) is a character in the Fatal Fury and The King of Fighters series, first mentioned in Garou: Mark of the Wolves. She only appears in the game as a large mural in Kain's palace.
Story
Marie is the older sister of Kain R. Heinlein. As children, she, Kain, and their close friend Abel Cameron shared a happy life despite hardships. However, as they grew up, Marie caught the attention of Geese Howard, a crime boss. They eventually married, but due to the dangers posed by Geese’s enemies, and because of his cursed fate as a villain like his Jin ancestors, Geese and Marie have no choice to part away with each other, so Marie can live in seclusion and peaceful, and wishing Rock to find his own brighter path than falling into following his father's downfall path.
During their marriage, Marie gave birth to a son, Rock Howard. Unfortunately due to the dangers posed by Geese’s enemies, and because of his cursed fate as a villain like his and Rock's Jin ancestors, Geese and Marie have no choice to part away with each other, so Marie and Rock can live in seclusion, peacefully, and wishing their son to find his own brighter path than falling into following his father's downfall path. Tragically, she fell ill and was believed to have died from her illness. However, when Kain later invited Rock to the King of Fighters tournament, he revealed a shocking truth—Marie might still be alive, contradicting what Rock had believed about her fate.
Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves
Despite widespread doubt and distrust toward Kain, it is ultimately revealed that he was telling the truth—Marie is indeed alive but being held captive by his enemies. This revelation explains Kain’s true motivation for securing Rock Howard’s cooperation in Mark of the Wolves.
As it turns out, Kain and Billy managed to cooperate with Geese's former rival, Mr. Big to protect her. Ultimately, the mother and son reunites, after her son is freed from the Jin dynasty's reincarnation curse. Despite their reunion, Rock finally made his choice to find his own path as Geese wanted, with Marie now lives with Kain, while Grant is now under the cares of B. Jenet's Lillien Knights for a medical attention, after he passed one of his mask to his disciple turned successor Vox Reaper as a memento while he is away.
Fate
In a fan Q&A, the developers hinted that Marie’s death was never officially confirmed by a doctor, suggesting the possibility that she survived and went into hiding, with her existence hidden from both Geese and Rock. Kain claims Marie is still alive, using this revelation to manipulate Rock into joining him.
While the story’s continuation remains unresolved, fans speculate about the true nature of Marie's fate and Kain’s intentions. Some believe Kain may be hiding critical information, while others suspect deeper motives behind her disappearance. New developments towards Marie's fate were finally seen in Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, revealing that she is alive.
Personality
Although little is officially known about Marie's personality, she is portrayed as a loving and humble mother. She initially dissuaded Rock from inquiring about his father, not telling him anything at all, hinting that she was aware of Geese's criminal activities. But when she fell gravely ill, she begged in vain to Rock not to burden his father. She bore no resentment toward Geese for leaving them in modest but peaceful conditions in their apartment, and was later revealed Geese himself wanted to protect mother and son through obscurity. Not wanting his family to walk through criminal path, and wishes his son to escape a fate of being a vessel of Jin Tairyu.
Game Appearances
- Garou: Mark of the Wolves - in a painting in Kain's stage.
- Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves - Full first appearance.
Cameo Appearances
- The King of Fighters: Another Day - mentioned by Rock in episode 2
- The King of Fighters XIV - in Rock's winquote against Geese
- The King of Fighters: Destiny - mentioned by Rock in episode 11
- The King of Fighters XV - mentioned by Rock in his pre-battle dialogue against Geese
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
