Character Questions: Dakini Maddox

Full name: Dakini Murai Maddox

Nickname: Daki (nickname by her family members), Nightwolf (former moniker), Kiddo (by Callie Ann specifically), Sky Dancer (a translation of her name)

Occupation: Former Nightwolf

Appearance: Looks eerily similar to Jade and the last chapter revealed why. Jade's family were humans who worshipped Ishtar, the Babylonian Goddess of Love and War. Out of affection for her worshippers, Ishtar blessed all the Verdigris clan's firstborn daughters to be gifted with her facial features.

Age: 327 (has the body of a young adult due to her present self being born.)

Mannerisms: Since Mulan takes after Callie Ann and Kung Lao, Dakini takes after Benji and Jade. She's kind, respectful, and caring. She also has her father's wrath and her mother's skill, though she lets it out during physical confrontations.

What does he/she wear?: During her time as a Nightwolf, Dakini has grown accustomed to the wardrobe. Vests, headbands or headdresses, denim jeans, and tassel boots. Even when she no longer was Nightwolf, she wears a variant of the outfit to pay homage to her past.

Favorite color: Jade Green

What is he/she good at?: Dakini is one with nature. As such, she can understand and talk to animals. In Kombat, Dakini is an expert in Tae Kwon Do and Savate. Thanks to her Nightwolf training, she is also an expert with dual Tomahawks and a Bow and Arrow. She also has access to the Emerald Light but can't control it yet. (Her next character and power development)

What is he/she bad at?: Can be somewhat impulsive when her father's anger comes out. Her lack of control over the Emerald Light contributes to this. She's also young and had to learn everything she knows under dire circumstances.

What does he/she want?: To make sure her family survives long enough to live normal lives.

What is his/her goal?: To make sure a repeat of her time doesn't occur.

What lie does he/she believe?: That despite her efforts, the same tragedy that happened in her time will occur again.

What flaw results from the lie?: Dakini has PTSD from her experiences in her time. Even hearing Onaga will give her flashbacks. She'll shut down after seeing anyone she remembers who is associated with him.

What truth does he/she learn?: That the future is bright for the Maddox Family and reality itself.

What is his/her background?

The first revealed child of Benji Maddox and Jade had a tragic upbringing. Originally from a timeline where Onaga ravaged the realms after creating the One Kamidogu, young Dakini watched her parents die and was left powerless to save them. She was saved by her aunt Callie Ann. However, this version of her was bitter due to her strained relationship with Dakini's mother, Jade. Adding to the tragedy, Dakini's second mother, Sareena, suffered a miscarriage.

As if things couldn't get worse, Onaga absorbed the power of the One Kamidogu, bringing the One Being back to her timeline. Dakini thought she was doomed with no apparent way out and was prepared to accept death, taking solace in knowing she'll soon be reunited with her parents in the next life. That was until her cousin Mulan intervened. She informed Dakini there was a way to save another reality from Onaga's madness. With consent, Mulan sent Dakini to another reality long before Onaga was in the picture. Instead of going straight home, Dakini decided to stay where she first arrived and trained to hone her powers as Nightwolf.

After several years, Dakini would reunite with this reality's Benji and Callie Ann, both of whom are younger than the ones Dakini was used to. She explained her existence and relationship to her father and aunt. After clearing everything in Seido up, she moved in with her past parents. She was instrumental in preventing a repeat of Jade and Callie's deteriorated relationship in her time with the help of her pet husky in Hamlet Maddox. She contributed to stopping Shao Kahn's invasion of Earthrealm and personally saw to it that her brother and present self were born. However, her present self being born made Dakini lose connection to the Great Spirit. Therefore, she lost her Nightwolf powers. Thankfully, her godfather Shio Xan provided her with replacement weapons.

Nowadays, Dakini is living with her parents in Edenia as her mere existence pushed Callie to separate Edenia from Outworld. She ensures that no one goes too crazy as she's one of the mediators in the family. Ask around; everyone (who likes her, anyway) says Dakini has done nothing but help.

Additional Questions for the now former Nightwolf?

Does Dakini want to match or surpass her mother's legacy as the story continues? (More so about Jade's development to finish the story)

Dakini's the type to not think about things like that unless her family brings it up. Subconsciously, every kid wants to match or surpass their parents' legacy. That's not Dakini's priority. All she wants right now is to become strong enough to stop a repeat of what happened in her time. Though her parents can possibly convince her to use their legacy as a motivator.

Who do you want to see Dakini interact more with that she didn't up to the latest Arc?

Dakini's role in Arc IV was surprisingly minor due to Kim and Xan's debuts. Hopefully, with Mulan's inclusion, Dakini might get more screen time. The reason is, Mulan and Dakini are close to the point of sisterhood. As the older cousin who knows her circumstances, Mulan won't hesitate to bring Dakini on the job.

Where does Dakini draw her biggest inspiration?

This is an admittedly vague question. Her motivation and inspiration stem from what happened in her time. It doesn't help that she's an infant in an adult's body. In her eyes, what happened is worse than what she will admit. Stopping Onaga may as well be her sole reason for living.

Is being an older sibling tough for Dakini?

Technically, Dakini's the younger sibling due to Ted being born first. The age gap is small with Ted being older than the present Dakini by a year and ten months. Future Dakini (who we're covering now) is the oldest sibling. She's great with Ted and found adjusting to having him around the house easy. She's already amazing with animals. In comparison, baby Ted is not a problem in the slightest.

What does Dakini want to accomplish when reality is no longer under constant threat?

Dakini's so tunnel-visioned with making sure Onaga dies, she hasn't had time to think about what she might do after he's gone. She might not know what to do, but we can weigh her options.

1: She leaves this timeline and her past family as a result. It won't be hard with Mulan around. Though everyone might convince her to stay.

2: She stays in this timeline but won't contact her family due to present Dakini's presence. Two Dakinis might drive her parents crazy. Once again, they might convince her to be a part of her present self's life.

3: She moves away from The Maddox Family or out of Edenia and wanders. Dakini's childhood has prevented her from finding her own identity. She looks like Jade and still fights like a Nightwolf. Her learning Tae Kwon Do and Savate was from Nightwolf himself. Think about it. Dakini has not one shred of originality in her. After everything ends, Dakini may have an identity crisis. All her life has been dedicated to killing Onaga. When he's gone?

Lost may be an understatement of the century to her.