Questions for Callie

Has becoming the Messenger made life more difficult or easier for Callie? Considering she's now married.

Callie is no stranger to responsibility, considering she ran three armies. (Four, if you think the same way as she does and consider her and Benji a two-man army) The powers and responsibilities of being a Messenger are something she can and has managed with minimal difficulty despite being a happily married woman.

Most of the focus was on Callie and Jade's relationship in Arc III when the two were butting heads. Because of that, has Callie and Sareena's relationship changed at all?

Callie is not the one to seek out an argument if it can be avoided. Someone like Tanya? She'll enforce Black Air Force Energy and would do anything within her power to make Tanya's life a personal hell. She likes Sareena, and as we saw in Arc II, she was the final push for Sareena to go after what she desired, which was her brother.

In Arc III, the argument between her and Jade was something Callie didn't want to happen. She said so herself. Yet Jade kept pushing her, and we knew what happened next. (AD: We both believe the two are on better terms now and should remain that way)

Nothing detrimental has happened to her and Sareena's relationship. If anything, Ted's birth only served to further improve and cement the bond they share.

Does Callie regret her decision to not have kids after seeing Dakini and Teddy?

No.

It has caused Callie to think about the possibility of being knocked up. She made the conscious decision that she won't be a good mother. Unlike Sareena, Jade (or JJ as Callie likes to call her), or Mai. But, in terms of us meeting her children if she ever had any, I'll say this.

Never say never... (AD: Duly noted)

In your opinion, what do you think Callie still needs to improve when the story continues?

Callie's biggest problem was her lack of trust towards anyone that wasn't Benji. While that problem has been fixed with the introduction of her mother, sisters-in-law, husband, and niece(s), she still has high standards people have to meet to get and stay on her good side.

So while nowhere near as bad as it was, Callie's trust issues are still an issue.

How do you see Callie changing after Skarlet's painful betrayal?

We never saw the aftermath of Skarlet's betrayal, so I can't say how she'll react exactly. This is the first time something like this has happened to her. She's going to be put through the wringer, that's for sure. If anything, the people she's close to will have problems with how to help her. Lao and, surprisingly, Khameleon will be pillars in helping her recover.

(AD: I believe this would be an excellent time for Jade and Sareena to step in and assist. You could say Kim, but we know Callie doesn't know or trust her like that. Callie helped her sisters-in-law with their particular problems earlier in the story. It's time for them to return the favor. That's what family is about)

Questions for Benjamin

How has Benji adjusted to being a father? Is it similar to how he was raised?

Benji has become more protective of what he has since becoming a father. He was protective of Callie when they were growing up. (Despite Callie Ann not liking him much during that time) As they became adults, he learned to let her defend herself since she's more than capable. While he is protective of his wives, they both are similar to Callie in that they can protect themselves.

Once Dakini was introduced? Ted's birth? And the eventual birth of Ruby and Randy? Benji rarely gets angry. But threatening their children introduces a vengeful Benji.

The only difference between his parenting and Mai and Joseph's parenting is that Benji, Jade, and Sareena love all of their kids equally as opposed to Joseph favoring Callie, which ended up with Mai preferring Benji. (AD: Agreed, and the kids' needs will differ as well)

Same as Callie, what can Benji improve as the story progresses?

Benji can serve to have fewer enemies. As the Arcs went on, the legend of the Maddox Siblings grew. The only thing that came with it besides Edenia's restoration is a Rogue's Gallery of enemies: The Deadly Alliance, Shinnok, Kotal and his Court (Save for Ermac because of Mai's intervention), Reiko, and Tanya. (AD: Possibly add Daegon) They either want his head on a pike, have him in their bed, or a combination of the two.

Benji's compassion is running dry, and unfortunately for his enemies, they're going to get caught in the crossfire. We already saw the threats he made to Kotal in the final stages of Arc IV. We all know that Benji isn't the type to make baseless threats.

He will collect. (AD: No question about that)

Do you feel as though Benji can reach another level of development?

Of course.

Until the story's done, Benji and the entire cast can improve as people. In lore, he can still learn a lot. In terms of age in Edenian, Benji's barely younger than me, and Jade even more so. The entire Edenian cast, especially Benji, Callie, and Jade, is just beginning their lives. In spirit, Sareena, Xan, and Kim are all older and wiser than them.

Alas, it's not their story. It's Benji and Callie's. (AD: Of course, as they are the stars. But the supporting cast always makes the story or movie)

What does Benji do now in Edenia? Or is most of his time spent at home?

Benji doesn't have much to do, though that hasn't stopped the brass from getting him involved. Since Edenia's restoration, he's spent every moment helping his family settle in, assisting Mai with Jade's therapy, or easing Sareena's pregnancy with Kim.

Sindel has asked multiple times for Benji to return to his former position as the royal family's doctor and advisor. But he refused every offer due to the taint that Jerrod left on him while he was their employee before. Sindel then offered him a role as the Freedom Fighter's Battle Medic. However, Jade vehemently and nearly violently refused to have him in the line of fire.

(AD: I think I know the reason for that. Jade doesn't want history to repeat. Having Dakini and Teddy live their lives without their father present. Exactly what happened with Benji and Callie with their father. I'm almost certain Sindel backed off after that exchange)

It's like everyone knows how important Benji is to the natural order. He's starting to become Switzerland to the other Kombatants. Heads will roll if he's harmed in any way, shape, or form. Which is another reason why his enemies want him dead. (AD: If only they knew by now)

Does Benji ever enlist help to watch the kids if he wants to take Jade and/or Sareena on a date?

Of course.

Kim is the number one person he asks for help since she's phenomenal with kids. Once Xan and Jade buried the hatchet, the Shio family became a package deal. Thanks to the reveal that Kim and Xan are blood relatives, we now know where she got her love of kids from. If Xan and Kim can't be reached, he asks Mai, who's almost always a yes. (AD: I imagine so since she's a grandma) She brings Fujin along, who adores children, though not as much as Kim.

If they can't be reached, Callie and Lao (and Skarlet when she was around) are more than happy to help.

Last resort? Sindel and Kitana. However, Benji tells them that they're not obligated to help and knows they're the last ones he asks for in times like those. Still, the Queen and Princess have quickly grown fond of his children.

Did Benji show Sareena around Edenia when they first arrived?

At first, Benji was afraid of how the public would react due to Sareena being a former demon. But everyone involved helped alleviate the pressure. The two people who neutralized the people's tension:

Xan and Baiken.

They effectively scared the public so much that any fickle behavior and fury the populus had was erased. Benji was finally allowed to show Sareena and Dakini around the realm thanks to them. Afterward, it was then that Jade wanted to get pregnant.

More Questions

How much will Callie depend on Lao in this next Arc?

Without going into details, Lao is probably the biggest pillar of support for her, next to Benji, of course. Skarlet's death will shake up the cast in different ways. So Lao has a big job to do. (AD: Probably the most crucial task he's ever had in his life, training notwithstanding)

Does Callie still rely on her rifles and guns as much despite being the Messenger?

She may be a young dog (for an Edenian), but her choice in using firearms is a trick Callie will never forget. It's a simple and uncivilized weapon to some of her allies. (like Kitana and Jade) She appreciates its straightforward function and how her Hawkeye makes them even more effective. A Sniper Rifle bullet started Darrius' Resistance to collapse after all. (AD: Excellent points on all fronts here)

What has Callie done to this point that has impressed you?

Callie may have only done it because she loves her sister-in-law and niece, but being the significant reason why Edenia was brought back as opposed to being merged with Outworld per Argus. And Orion's design is single-handedly the most impressive thing done in the story's run.

Did Benji find a way to get rid of Sareena's demonic heritage to prevent it from resurrecting?

Not Benji specifically, but Edenia as a realm.

We don't know the official lore as to why Edenians live so long, but I have a fan theory on the matter. Edenian longevity isn't a gene but a product of the realm. Unlike Earth's atmosphere, Edenia's is as clean and pure. Disease is a rarity, if not impossible. The only way for people to die in Edenia is through acts of war or old age. Sareena's compassion and desire for motherhood gave her a piece of her humanity back. Getting pregnant made her demonic form impossible to achieve. Edenia's atmosphere essentially finished her acts of compassion started with curing her demonic genes.

(AD: Honestly, I couldn't argue this even if I tried)

Benji has to choose between one of the two: Jade or Tanya? (Mind you, this is bearing in mind that Tanya did none of the deeds toward his family or himself in this story. And her betrayal of Edenia never happened. All things are even. Sareena wasn't added because we know how Benji feels about her. It's strictly to the first two women that caught Benji's eye)

Amazing question! But admittedly not a hard one. Benji chooses Tanya for many reasons.

One, they've known each other longer than Benji and Jade.

Two, they're in the same age group, and Jade is 10,000 years younger than Benji.

Three, considering Tanya's still a Freedom Fighter and Benji has patched her up in the past (some of those cases would be for Tanya to see him), they're already close and share a bond of camaraderie at the bare minimum.

Four, Jade's a royal, as Tanya revealed during Arc IV. (AD: I knew this was coming) The Maddox Clan, while heavily respected by the Edenian populus (save for the Dacarthi Family), aren't royals. So a crossing of social hierarchy won't happen, even for one of the most well-respected Edenians in Benji.

Five, we as viewers and readers saw Benji and Tanya's near perfect chemistry with our own eyes through 'A Night of Malice' and the very first Prompt Response, 'The Confession Prompt,' with me choosing Benji and Tanya as the pairing. On top of one of the dialogues I wrote for the two, Benji himself said:

Benji: Things could've turned out differently, you know?

Tanya: If I just came to you instead of committing betrayal?

Benji: I really would've considered courting you.'

That's straight from the horse's mouth. (AD: I will say I was the one who edited that piece)

Six, Callie would most likely approve. Sure, she would still be a hardass as General, but Rain's failure to get Tanya to become a turncoat with him would earn some brownie points with Callie, which ties into the final reason.

Tanya is many things during GbNF's run. One thing she isn't? A bad soldier. Up until her betrayal of Edenia, we have not heard a solitary flag in Tanya's performance as a member of the Freedom Fighters. Assuming that won't change in this AU, she'll be just as respected and often compared (in a positive light) to Callie since they're similar.

Probably not the answer you expected, but you can't hide the facts. (AD: Yeah, I really can't) When it comes to how I make my pairings, I'm unbiased.

(Nothing wrong with that, trust me. Because I'm the same way. As long as that's your truth and you're sticking with it, you'll hear no argument from me. Though both are about as close to neck and neck, I'd still go with Jade. She arrived first, will be loyal to you, and represents everything you want in a lover. Being a badass General is the icing on the cake)