#mandrake epic 2013

[magicalus-godslayer]

Yesss, a dream come true! I've made a post some time ago about how cool would have be a crossover between Strange Magic & Arthur and the Minimoys, and now you're making one plus added Epic to it! So cool <3 I'm excited to see more of it.

Working on a crossover au rn lol

It's something like the rise of the brave tangled frozen dragons if you think about it

So there's: Arthur and the mininoys, Epic (2013) and Strange Magic all together

[withered-tears]

Mandrake (Epic 2013) nominated best animated movie villain dad.

Like holy shit a villain dad who legitimately likes and compliments and loved his son?? With literally ZERO passive aggressive bullshit comments???

Kid was excited to show off his new coat cuz it looked like his dad's and he literally just compliments him?? Says it looks good on him??

More villain dads like him plz

[luvendiary]

HII ITS THE NOD LOVER🫶🫶 CAN YOU DO A NOD X READER WHERE THE READER IS CHOSEN AS QUEEN AFTER THE POD BLOOMS AND ITS JUST FLUFF BC NODS GF IS NOW QUEEN<3

a/n: hello! long time no see. i´m in college now! life´s been crazy latelly, but i tried to clear my mind from the stress of it by writing for a while. i had such a hard time with this request. i have a draft of it that might never see the light that i worked on for months. eventually i just decided to start from scratch and wrote this in three hours. hope you enjoy!

Queen Of The Pod

Your muscles were aching and begging at you to give them a break. But you couldn't, not yet. You groaned as you tried to crawl back with whatever energy remained in your body. 

Your leafman uniform was plagued with burn marks from Mandrake´s rot. Some of it had managed to singe your body, but it had been stopped from doing any major damage by your protective pieces.

You lifted your head up just to see Ronin struggling on the floor, being held down by Mandrake´s staff. 

“Don´t touch him, you decaying shit!” you groaned out as you reached for your blade -or attempted to.

“Lie down princess”, Mandrake said, barely sparing a glance at your weak figure. “I'll be with you in a second”. 

He then refocused his attention on the General and with an evil grin pushed the rot towards his face.

Ronin´s eyes went wide as he attempted to put as much distance as he could between him and the black gooey substance. You knew he wouldn't be able to hold for much longer. His face was covered in bruises, and he had been through hell and back just to be able to protect the pod.

At the very last moment, Mandrake rerouted his staff, and brought it down on Ronin´s chest, burning deeply into his chestplate. As the General winced, he took advantage of his weak position and pinned him down to the floor with his foot.

“What is that saying you leafmen have?” Mandrake mused as he nonchalantly threw his staff over his shoulder. “Lots of leaves…something, something. Very inspiring”. He then raised the staff over his head, and his smirk turned into a look of rage and anger. “But in the end, every leaf falls and  dies alone…”

Ronin´s eyes went wide as the staff came down towards his face with sudden speed. However the blow never landed, and when he opened his eyes two blades were protecting his face from being completely consumed by the rot.

“No one is alone”, Nod said as he pushed the staff away from Ronin.

As if on cue, an army of leafmen dropped from the sky in perfect formation. You came to the sudden realization that moonlight was now filtering through the chamber, meaning that the pod would be able to bloom after all.

“Not even him”, you added as you pointed your blade menacingly towards Mandrake. 

The arrival of your boyfriend had been timed perfectly. You had the urge to jump into his arms and make sure he was alright, but you limited yourself to a discreet smile.

‘I'm glad you´re okay’.

Mandrake seemed to come to the same conclusion as you had. The leafmen´s presence meant that they were not occupied with his soldiers; the darkness was not a threat anymore. Frantically he tried to break through the soldiers and get back to the pod, however you and Nod intertwined your blades once again, blocking his way to the center of the chamber.

Mandrake let out a growl of frustration as he pushed and fought harder, but the blooming pod seemed to give you newly renewed energy. You felt Tara with you. It was because of her that you were doing this, you would make her proud. 

With your fuelled energy, you both thrusted your blades forward at the same time that the pod bursted with energy, throwing Mandrake backwards. You hurriedly ran towards the entryway ready to fight him in case he wasn't ready to give up yet, however his drowning screams caught your attention as he was swallowed into the trunk of a tree by his own rot.

You allowed yourself to sigh out in relief, exhaustion washing over your body once again. You saw Nod already helping Ronin up from the floor, and offering him his shoulder as support. 

“You alright old man?” you asked as you sheath your sword. 

“I´m fine. A little bruised is all”, he replied. “How's your leg doing? He burned you pretty badly”. 

Nod approached you, after making sure Ronin was in fact okay, and made you place your arm around his shoulder as he held you securely by your waist. 

The sudden weight of the situation dawned on you. It was over. He was gone, and so was she. You missed her. From the moment Tara died, you had not been able to process her death but rather had been focused on fixing the disaster it had caused. Now that you weren't on this quest anymore, her absence was palpable.

“I wish she could be here”, you blurted out. You felt Nod hold on tighter to your waist as he rubbed comforting circles with his thumb on it. 

“She is,” Ronin said breathlessly, as his gaze landed upon the blooming pod. Now that the battle was over, the people of Moonhaven had come out of their hiding places and were staring in awe at the light emanating from the pod. 

The light particles hovered over the flower before gently flying out. They traveled along the chamber, as if greeting everyone there. As if Tara was happy to see them safe. It slowed down as they reached your small group, stopping ever so slightly in front of Ronin and shimmering a little bit brighter, before making its way over to you and Nod. You expected the same greeting as Ronin had had. A final goodbye from your sister. However, the light did not leave your side, and instead it started to shine brighter and bigger. 

Nod carefully  removed his arm from around your waist, and gave you your space.

The light suddenly took the shape of Tara. You tried your best to remember your training and straightened up with your arms by your side. However, you couldn´t stop the few tears that had formed in your eyes from escaping.

“You did alright kid,” she said with the kindest of smiles. “You're in great hands”.

She glanced back at Ronin, prompting the General to smile.

“There's that smile…” Tara said as she returned her loving gaze back to you. “Take care of them for me”.

“I can´t. I´m not fit for being a queen”, you whispered as your voice broke slightly. “It should be you. You should be here…with me”.

Tara held on to your shaking hands, “I'll alway be with you”.  With a final smile, she placed a tender kiss on your forehead. A bright light suddenly surrounded you and before you knew it, Tara was gone. Well, not really. That deep sadness you had been holding on to was gone. You could feel her. She lived within you. And you would make her proud, her legacy would live on through you.

A soft calling of your name broke you out of your trance. Your head snapped towards your awestruck boyfriend who was looking at you as if you were a star. You came to the sudden realization that the pain in your leg was gone, and as you glanced down to check on your wound you were surprised to see your runiform replaced with a stunning green and white dress. The queen's dress.

“You look stunning…” he breathed out. A smile crept onto his face as he approached you and wrapped his arms around you. You buried your head in the crook of his neck and let out a small laugh as he lifted you up from the ground and spun you. 

“Nod!” you laughed out. “Put me down”. 

“As you wish, your majesty”, he said as he set you down once again and playfully bowed. 

The people cheered, in celebration of their new queen. To which you offered them graceful smiles.

“You know what this means…” Ronin said as he stood next to you, his helmet held firmly on his right arm.

“What?¨ you asked.

“Nod better shape up”. 

You laughed at that, and glanced back at your boyfriend who was staring at you with a lovesick smile.

“I guess he does”.

[fangirlingatstuff]

I’m genuinely so happy to find more people who still remember epic, and more importantly mandrake. I’m here to request a fic, a list of headcanons, just anything about this man being a devoted husband. This man is just bug Gomez Addams and I’m so here for it.

Please *shakes my little tin can at you* just a crumb of bug dilf

Absolutely!! I need more bug dilf as well 😔😔😔

There’s not as much of him in here as I intended, I need to write more fluff with him.

Enjoy!

Mandrake x Reader

Tentative Truce

—

Voices. Thats what you heard past the deafening sound of ringing in your ears. Hushed voices whispered to each other in panic. It was hard to breathe, like something was pressing tight against your chest and ribs, resisting every time you inhaled.

Your eyelids felt heavy as you forced them open, however they didn’t stay open. Regardless, everything was blurry, fading in and out of focus, and unbearably bright. So bright, it made you flinch and groan.

The voices quieted for a moment, then shuffling.

“Why did bring you here?!” A voice hissed.

“She was hurt! What was I supposed to do? Leave her to die in the mud?!” Another voice whisper-yelled.

“Not bring her to Moonhaven, are you insane?!”

Two voices, both male, arguing. At first, your brain could only register “two voices” and immediately thought of your loving husband and son. But…no, that wasnt right. Mandrake wouldn’t be bickering with Dagda, he would be at your side the moment he heard you stir, holding your hand, fussing over you.

Moonhaven…

Moonhaven?

In your exhausted and bleary state, you felt a hand against your forehead, soft and gentle and warm.

“Easy now,” a voice as smooth as the river spring said as the hand brushed the matted hair from your face. “You need your strength.”

“Ugh,” you let out another groan and tossed your head, eyes squeezing shut. “What—where-…where am I?”

“Nod you just put the entire forest at risk!” One of the voices snapped. “What do you think Mandrake will do when he finds out she is here? Hm?”

“Relax, Ronin! I was just trying to help—“

“Oh yeah, and Im sure he’ll understand. Here! Why don’t we just tell him exactly how you KIDNAPPED HIS WIFE—!”

“Both of you! Enough,” the woman cradling your head spoke.

With another groan, your eyes peeled open for the last time. The room was spinning, but over time it stilled.

The blinding light you were seeing was the sun, shining through tall green leaves and reflecting off of polished stone walls. There was never this much color in Wrathwood.

Another brush of hand against your side made you wince. Looking down, you see a slim dark hand against your side, pressing against a blood stained bandage that was wrapped around your chest. So thats why it was so hard to breathe in.

As you lay amongst soft white petals, you furrowed your brows in confusion. Then you looked up.

“Oh.” You blinked in surprise.

The woman gave you a friendly smile like you had been friends your whole life. She had a simple beauty to her, like how a breath of fresh air or the sight of blooming flowers felt beautiful. Natural, grounding and familiar.

“Sorry,” Queen Tara chuckled, raising a hand off of your body as you lay in her lap, “we couldn’t get you to the healers in time. This was our next best option.”

You swallowed and looked at her strangely. “It’s…okay?”

You sat up, the bandages pulling tight on your body as you held your head and tried to get rid of the airy feeling behind your eyes. “What happened?” You groaned, shaking your head.

“I think you got knocked off your bird by a hawk or something—“ a boy with brown hair said, before getting hit by a man in green armor. “Ow, hey!”

Ronin sneered and looked at you cautiously. The feeling was mutual as you bore your teeth in a hiss, although, it wasn’t nearly as effective when you weren’t a boggan yourself.

“Nod here found you on the forest floor bleeding,” he said, gesturing his head to Nod. “And stupidly,” he glared at him, “brought you here.”

“I didn’t know who she was!” Nod said, trying to defend himself. “I’ve never seen her without her helmet before!”

“That doesn’t matter!” Ronin said back.

“Boys, boys!” Tara spoke up, and instantly they both quieted. “Ronin, Nod did a good thing,” she smiled. “If he had left her there, who knows what would’ve happened. And then we’d have to deal with the consequences.”

You only looked back and forth between them with a raised brow.

“Uh, I’m sorry,” you interjected, eyes darting between them before looking at Tara sheepishly, “your majesty? Uh—“

“Please,” she snorted and waved you off, “you’re as much of a queen as I am! Call me Tara.”

“…your majesty,” you repeated, making clear the extent of your relation. “You…know who I am,” she nodded with a smile, “…so why in the seven hells did you allow me to be brought into your inner sanctum?!”

You looked at her in bewilderment. You were her enemy, the partner to the man who threatened her entire realm. So why on god’s green earth did she just so nonchalantly bring you in, heal you, and just idly keep you at her side?!

“You were hurt,” Tara answered bluntly. “Despite Ronin’s insistence,” said general crossed his arms with a glare towards you, “I would’ve have done the same for anyone.”

The irritation in you subsided. You blinked in surprise, looking at her with astonishment.

“Huh,” was all you could say.

“We should really send her away,” Ronin stepped forward, his hand never leaving the hilt of his katana. “Her being here is a threat, your majesty. We can’t risk her bringing the rest of the Boggans here.”

“She is our guest, Ronin,” Tara said firmly. “And besides, I can only heal so much!” You looked down at your torso, at the blood stained bandages that wrapped around and under your unclothed chest. It still hurt. “She still needs to rest.”

“If Mandrake figures out she’s here—“

You all stopped in place as a sudden boom rattled the ground beneath you, followed by the sound of screeching birds.

“Too late,” Nod said.

You sighed and shook your head. Always one for the dramatics, your husband.

You pushed off of your knees, grunting and wincing and pain as you tried to stand. Nod and Ronin rushed to your side, arms under your armpits and helping you stand.

“That’s my cue,” you grunted, the sound of clashing metal and shouts echoing down the stone halls.

“Come on,” Ronin scoffed. “Let’s get you back before your husband tears through my entire guard.”

“Wouldn’t be the worst thing,” you retorted, limping beside him.

You barely went out into the open without your weasel cloak, or the shrew skull you wore as a helmet. Ronin had been the only one in all those years to have seen you without your armor, at least when alongside your husband. So to the rest of the leafmen you were nothing more than an injured leafwoman or jinn, an associate, a peer, collateral damage that had been ushered in to be healed or a fellow soldier. They didn’t bat an eye as Ronin and Nod ushered you through the halls, your eyes squinting against the bright light of day outside the stone stronghold as the sound of battle grew closer.

You threw up your hand and winced at the bright sun light, glaring at it until the loud growl of your husband turned your head.

Looking left and right, you almost pushed Ronin away before your eyes fell onto the towering frame ahead among the many bodies of boggan soldiers versus leafmen. And damn it if you couldn’t stop the smirk on your face seeing Mandrake’s cloak swirl around him as he threw leafmen off the stone awning and slammed his cudgel against the ground. Damn it all if he wasn’t hot as hell when he fought with that sneer on his face.

“Mandrake!” You yelled, holding your side.

He didn’t even have to stop fighting to look up and spot you immediately, standing at his full height while kicking a leafman in the chest.

“Y/n!” He turned back to the leafman he was holding up in the air by the collar and growled. He slammed his head against the soldier’s, dropping him before stomping forwards.

Ronin gripped your arm tightly as you tried to pull away, glaring ahead as you tugged and cursed at him.

The moment he laid his hands on you once more, your carefully tuned ears picked up the sound of many many arrows being drawn.

You looked around, spying the dozen boggan archers hidden in the rocks now aiming their weapons towards Ronin and the leafmen who came to your side with shields raised. Your eyes fell on one particular archer, the familiar rat-pelt donned figure of your son Dagda.

“Weapons down,” your voice gave Mandrake pause as you yanked your arm once again to no avail. Ronin’s grip did loosen, however. He looked at you in surprise.

You looked up and made eye contact with your son, giving him a stern look.

Dagda glanced at Mandrake, then back at you, as if to say “are you sure?”

You nodded curtly.

He frowned and lifted his hand in a closed fist, telling the archers to hold as he lowered his bow.

With a huff, you got your arm out of Ronin’s grip, shooting him a glare and a well placed huff in his direction before running a hand over your head and sighing.

“Mandrake,” you said in relief and pushed past the leafmen who watched in shock and bewilderment.

Mandrake’s look softened and he let out a huff, shoulders relaxing. “Oh thank the gods,” he grumbled under his breath while rolling his eyes, his large hands settling on your shoulders as you stopped in front of him and he immediately began to fuss over you. “Are you ok? What happened—?”

“I fell off my bird,” you assured him and cupped his face with two hands, mostly to keep him from looking at your bandaged sides. “I’m fine, really.”

You stopped, sighing and looking back at where the leafmen were now parting, standing at attention as Tara made her way out of the palace walls. “She fixed me up,” you said, brows knitted together as you looked up at her with your arms crossed.

Mandrake looked up, his gaze immediately narrowing as he stood at full height once more, looking down at her.

“Tara,” he said with disdain.

“Mandrake,” she stopped and held her hands in front of her. That was one thing you respected about her, she wasn’t afraid to look her enemy in the eye. And she did it with grace too, even as her general behind her was biting his tongue until she returned to the safety of Moonhaven’s stoney walls.

“I apologize for the trouble,” Tara said with a smile. “Someone had found your wife badly injured on the forest floor without knowing who she was and brought her here.”

She raised her hands and looked at them. You noticed she still had some blood on her fingers.

“I healed as much as I could,” she added, looking back up and clasping her hands together and looked at you with a warm, friendly smile. “But you’ll have to figure out the rest. Personally, I’d recommend staying in bed for a bit, some good ole TLC never hurts.” With that, she winked at you, and it made you feel…strange. Tara was…a lot friendlier and more casual than you expected her to be.

Mandrake made a noise deep in his throat, moving his cudgel from one hand to the other.

“She’ll be fine,” he said bluntly, his hand itching to be somewhere on your body or to pull you closer. “Our healers will take care of everything.”

“Of course,” Tara bowed her head.

He let out a sharp exhale from his nose, putting a hand on your shoulder and pulling you back towards him, wrapping part of his cloak around you as he turned around and began walking away.

The other boggans cleared out, snarling and chittering both with each other and at the leafmen, mounting their birds as Mandrake’s grackle soared down and landed, ducking her head.

He was just about help you up onto his bird, Nightshade, when he stopped and turned his head slightly to look over his shoulder at Tara.

To your surprise, he gave her a slight nod, before heaving you up onto his bird and settling right behind you.

As he nudged his bird to take off, he pulled you into his lap, arm wrapped around your waist possessively as you took into the skies, leaving Moonhaven behind.

He was being unusually quiet. You almost said something, but he beat you to it.

“You’re not going to be leaving the nest for a while.”

You groaned and threw your head back as he didn’t even bother looking at you. “It wasn’t even my fault!”

“We need to find your bird as well,” he added.

“Hah! Good luck! I don’t know where those mockingbirds chased him!”

He looked down at you with a smirk and held you closer, nudging you and teasing, “Mockingbirds?”

“Oh don’t get me started,” you huffed and looked away, cheeks turning red as he chuckled and led the way back to your home.

[that-one-weeb-buts-its-the-main]

Heya! Genuinely obsessed with your epic writing, there's so little content out there and even fewer for mandrake especially. I beg for another fic with him please. Not asking for anything specific, just wish for more of the bug dilf please

BRO WAIT- I ACTUALLY- HOLD UP I ACTUALLY HAD A GREAT FUCKIN BRAIN IDEA IDK WHY PONYO- BIG WOMAN SMALL MAN BIG WOMAN SMALL MAN THEN I CHANGED MY MIND

Family Bonding| Mandrake

Reader: female | she/her

Warnings: mentions of prego, and prego sadness

Note: Am...Am I back??

"Momma..." Dagda shook the sleeping woman, "Momma."

Y/n shifted, as her husband pulled her closer in, "Momma..."

With the third chime of her name her eyes slowly opened: it dark outside: moonlight breaking through the open window, a viable light source to see her child; no older than seven year old, looking up at her in her bed with big amber eyes.

"Dagda? Honey?" She muttered.

"Momma I heard something in my room." He spoke, he speaking uneasey, trying to be strong like she had taught him.

"Hm..." Y/n answered half asleep still, her body too tired and too comfortable to get out of bed she managed to wiggle herself free of her husbands grasp, keeping towards her usual side of the bed she opened the comfortor, inviting him to join her for the rest of the night, "nothing will get you in here. Come."

Dagda was quick to get up and climb himself in beside her, nuzzling into his mother with ease and comfort. Her aem drapped comfortably around him as she pulled the blanket closer, leaving Mandrake partnerless, and with a little less blanket.

She fell asleep with Dagda quiet quickly, the little boy doing the same in the safety of his mother's arms. Yet so enough, Mandrake grumbled, upset with the lack of body warmth, and reached to grab Y/n, he tried to roll her over, he willing to meet half way yet she mummbled something in annoyance and shifted. Annoyed but not willing to give up he moved himself, her back to his chest as his arm drapped over her.

It was a good twenty mintues till y/n had started to get hot, and wake up, she sighed getting up carefully, Dagda in her arms she got off the bed, replacing herself with her son, the two sleeping peacefully.

"Come back to bed." Mandrake mummbled towards her.

With a groan she fell back onto the bed, her back to Mandrake's as she nuzzled her way back in comfortably before falling asleep.

Sometime during the night Dagda woke up again, switching to lay between his parents backs, and then finally between them as they turned on there backs to lay comfortably with the new body between them.

"Your Majesty." A woman shook the woman's shoulder.

"Mhm..."

"Your majesty it's about to be sunrise." She cooed to the sleeping woman.

"Five more..."

"Ah..five more mintues never hurt-"

"Hours..." Y/n grumbled.

"I'll set up the extra strong tea then ma'am." She responded softly, leaving the family to sleep for a few extra minutes.

Y/n sighed; half-awake half asleep, she knew she'd have to get up, reluctant to do so, she stayed down for another full minute before doing anything. she shifted, ready to get up for the morning-

"Lay down," Mandrake grumbled, Y/n looked over at him half. way sat up.

"Someone has to do the morning-"

"Don't worry about that, I'll have it handled," he complained, eyes still closed, Y/n fell back into her spot, no one had to tell her again as she let herself fall back asleep.

Mandrake would take her spot, tired? Oh absolutely, but they had fallen into the routine of Y/n setting the kingdom up for the sun rise, usually handing rule over mid-day and staying by his side until late hours of the night.

He found himself in the kitchen, Y/n's right hand, Yemen preparing the usual pot of tea for Y/n's morning wake up. So when she turned around- surprised, she almost dropped the pot in shock to see the King there rather than the Queen.

"Oh! My-" She sighed, "You scared me your majesty, are you joining My Queen for tea?"

"Y/n is sleeping," Mandrake answered.

Yemen sighed, yet a smile stayed on her face, she knew the woman all to well now; "I'd like her to stay that way," Mandrake interrupted Yemen's thoughts.

"Oh," She responded pouring the cups of tea, "Then, I will awake the book keeper to assist you as you like him to in the evenings-"

"You will assist me, as you assist Y/n," Mandrake ordered as she placed the cup infront of Mandrake.

"Very well, would you like to follow the routine of my queen to the truest we can,"

"That'd be ideal."

Yemen nodded, "Well then theres...quiet...a bit of differences if you'd like to have those implemented too-"

She looked at the sundial hanging from her neck, turning towards the window.

"For a few more moments I will only be able to address you as My King. My queen prefers her name over anything. Breakfast will be finished at that time as well. My Queen would take half of it and some fruit. Never really finishes a plate of food, does she? She prefers her subjects to be friends rather than subjects, but understands the line between the two. A fine line she likes to keep that way. She'll feed My Prince during the small break she has between the early morns guest and the late morns guest, and She'll take them till you wake. Usually around late mid day? Then you run the Kingdom My King and she tends to the ladies and meets Ayana for tea. Then again, You have gotten lucky, Mrs. Y/n isn't scheduled for much this day, you have finished your breakfast?"

"I haven't picked up a fork,"

"Very well, you're first subjects arrive momentarily,"

Yemen walked off, Mandrake trying to sneak a bite of food "Come along now!" Yemen called for him.

He sighed and was quick to follow the woman.

Yemen had explained the moring wasn't going to be busy as usual, yet the line already forming told him differently.

The first set of his people in a distraught land argument. Surprised to see Mandrake rather than the Queen.

"Where is Mrs.Y/n the Queen!" One demanded.

"I am perfectly capable of running my kingdom without my love besides me."

"Yemen!"

"This is the arrangement for today, Fogo." Yemen commented, " If you three are dissatisfied with today, you may leave and take it up with Mrs.Y/n, With no ill will as she goes by."

The three looked at each other, and bowed, then left.

Turns out. Many came in the morning just for Y/n to rule and guidance from them. The few that did stay assumed Mandrake had known of there situation, off the top of his head, which he didn't- Y/n did and Y/n wasn't there.

From the number walkout he had he was finished early, and was allowed a proper meal, his son just waking up.

"Momma's still asleep." Dagda pulled at his father's cloak.

He picked up his son, "Your Mother deserves some rest. Here."

Dagda took the piece of mole bacon he was handed and ate at it.

"When will Momma get up?" Dagda asked.

"When she's not tired anymore." Mandrake answered.

In came Yemen with a envelope, she setting a tray up and on it tea, and a small breakfast.

"That is not for Y/n is it?"

"Yes sir. It is." Yemen answered.

"I will take it."

"Very well." Yemen answered, removing the letter and setting the tray straight.

"I will take both." Mandrake answered.

"It is addressed to the Queen." Yemen answered.

"I will take both." Mandrake ordered hand extended.

Yemen sighed, reluctance on her face as she handed over the letter. He didn't have to open it. The heart at the end of her name told him it all.

"If it makes your anger disappate." Yemen spoke turning towards the cupboard where she unlocked a lower draw, and pulled the whole thing from the frame, "she leaves them all. Unopened."

Dumping them onto the unoccupied counter space she set the drawer down.

"He writes but she does not answer." Yemen responded.

"What does he want?" Mandrake asked.

"I do not know."

Mandrake looked at the writing before sliding it to Yemen to add to the collection.

"Very well if that's what's she wishes."

Yemen nodded and added the letter to the drawer before returning it to the cabinet.

"Lets bring your mother her breakfast." Mandrake spoke, returning his attention to his son who was more than delighted to help.

With tray in Mandrakes hand, and a single team cup by two hands by baby Dadga they walked down the castle halls together.

"Is Momma sick?" Dagda asked.

Mandrake looked down at his son, "No."

"Oh. I thought she was." Dagda told his father, "she's only in bed like this when she's sick."

Mandrake was quiet, his wife ran his kingdom better than he ever would. He's have to apologize for it- they made it to the bedroom Dagda pushing past the existing opening in the door.

Y/n was right where she was left, still sleeping.

"Momma! Momma!"

Y/n hummed as Dagda put the cup on the night stand and climbed on the bed before Mandrake could even make it inside.

"Momma! There's breakfast for you!"

"Dagda don't wake your mother-"

It was too late she hummed and looked up and over at her son. Wait.

Why was Dagda up? He's never up before-

She shot up quickly in realization, "what time is it?!-"

"Everything's taken care of." Mandrake commented as Dagda moved to besides her.

She looked at the tray set besides her, then her husband, Dagda placing himself in her lap with a smile.

"Thank you...uh...thank you," she spoke unsure if she was dreaming or not looking at the single teacup, "maybe...you could go get some extra teacups please?"

Dagda looked up at his mother nodding at her request and was quick to move his way along off the bed out the door.

"You...you didn't have to do this." Y/n spoke, "I could have done it."

"You do it every day, I'm sure one day off won't hurt," Mandrake spoke, his clawed hand reaching out to rub along her cheek, which she only flinched the slightest, and he retracted.

"What was not done?" She asked quickly attempting to avoid a conversation.

"Y/n," He started.

"I'm assuming they-"

"Y/n" He repeated as she grew quiet she looking down at the tray.

"I... feel guilty..." She started, she could feel the tears welling up in her eyes.

"Love-"

"You can get up and do this but I get up at the same time every day and can never even find time..." She sniffled.

"Please try not to feel guilty, you run my kingdom better than I, my people enjoy you better than I." Mandrake tried to reassure, wiping her face of large tears.

"I can't do this baby Mandrake," Y/n told him, "I can't last until winter like this,"

"Look at me," Mandrake lifted her chin up, "I know it's difficult, and I know it was not planned, what do you want to do?"

"Cry." was her only answer.

As quick as she answered the tray was moved to the floor and she was in his arms, a few more weeks until winter, three to be exact, and if it was anything like when she was pregnant with their eldest, this would be the start of her sleepless nights filled with sobbing and praying filled days to whatever part of the forest that would listen to her sobs, these last weeks were the hardest in his eyes, without her brother.

She cried into his shoulder as he rubbed her back in small circles, giving her temple a long kiss as she only held onto him tighter. Dagda came back in carefully with extra cups, and at the sound of his Mother's crying he set them on the floor and rushed over in anger.

"What did you do to her!" he argued.

"Dagda, your mother is just upset-"

"Why'd you make her upset!" He argued, "Why were you being mean to Momma!"

Dagda was quick to climb onto the bed and wedge his way somewhat carefully between his mother and father.

"Dadga!-" His father scolded.

The little boy pulled on his mother's shirt, he looking from her hidden place on Mandrake's shoulder.

"I'll beat him up!" Dagda declared, "If dad's being mean I'll put him down in the dungeon! With all the other meanies!"

Y/n couldn't help but chuckle, despite the tears that ran down her face, she pulling him up and closer between the two.

"your father's not being mean, he's being nice, giving me a shoulder to cry on."

Dagda looked at his mother, "Why are you crying then?"

"Sometimes...everyone just needs to cry," Y/n smiled smally at him, "But thank you for trying to help."

Dagda cuddled into his mother, Mandrake holding the two of them close, nothing could be as perfect as his family, good days, bad days, sad days and happy days, as long as they were together.

[ssunrey]

I need him

[weepingjesters]

Epic art time!

Just like I am doing with Trollhunters, I'm going to do a lil rewrite/rework of the world for Epic. Plotlines and all kinds of stuff is going to change.

Anyways, not much to show, but I thought I'd share anyways.

Art below the cut.

First things first, my friend---who is also working on this au with me---didn't really like the helmets the Leafmen wear in the movie, so I just did a little redesign.

Not really needed and probably not going to stick, but it's Epic related, so it's included.

A random arch fae I sketched out.

I want to lean farther into the fantasy aspect of Epic, while still keeping it semi-grounded in the premise of life vs decay.

Solution? Dark fantasy with random other fantasy creatures sprinkled all around.

There's going to be nymphs (The flower people and the mimics of the story), Dryads (very few still around. They're saplings that faeries enchanted to come to life), and Naga (a lot of different reptiles and such). And of course Boggans and Leafmen/Jinn.

And finally, we have Dagda, Mandrake's head general and the heir to Wrathwood's throne!

Boggans are way more creepy and bug-looking in my redesigns so far. Dagda's mother is still a WIP but I'm pretty sure she's gonna be some type of spider Boggan. Dagda inherited her mandibles, and the extra eyes.

I didn't really manage to capture his canon personality very well in this headshot, but I like the outcome anyway. The skull needs a little bit of work, though. A little wonky looking.

Also, Dagda could totally rock the snakebites piercing.

That's all, hope you enjoyed 😁

[circusclownsam]

He was evil but he was a good dad.

[slimypaws]

Commission for my lovely friend, Spoods @hearts4mandronin! [Full pic on my Aethy ⬇️]

⬇️ The Link [NSFW!]

[crazynerdandproud]

I just rewatched Epic and yeah it was great. First time I’ve seen it literally since it came out. I could go on for hours about the different relationships and Ronin and Tara especially and yeah I love this movie.

[mortallyclearwonderland]

Epic 2013 - NAMES

In this post, I would like to talk about the meaning of the names of the characters from the movie Epic.

Either people think long and hard about how they are going to name their children (or anything for that matter), while others just pick a name that they like without looking any further.

Names are especially important in stories like books and movies.

While in the real world you can have 6 girls named Olivia in the classroom (something that really happened to me), writers can give every character in their story a different name to avoid confusion.

It can be as simple as ''This character is from Japan. Let's give him a Japanese name.'' or ''My movie takes place in the 80s in the US let's give characters names that were popular at the time.''

Sometimes names can give you an insight into what is character's personality, talent, etc. Some are more subtle than others. (Dr Evil or Dr Doom)

Let me start by saying this, names in Epic are all over the place. Let's get the simple ones out of the way.

Susan comes from Persian and it means lily flower. In modern Hebrew this also means rose and a flower in general. It's a standard name for the setting and the time period, modern times (the 2010s) somewhere in North America.

Professor Radcliffe Bomba, his title is supposed to explain how he knows all this ‘’scientific’’ stuff. Bomba means bomb in most Slavic languages. It's supposed to showcase how wacky, clumsy and does things that are detrimental to his own safety. Radcliffe derives from the place-name Radcliffe meaning “red cliff.” I didn't even know he had a name but fandom has spoken and it won't kill me to include it.

Mary Katherine is named after the daughter of the author of the book the movie is based on. Mary means Star of the sea/Drop of the sea ; Bitterness; Beloved. Meanwhile, Katherine means pure. Mary Catherine is a name that signifies a freedom-loving and free-spirited individual.  

Bufo is just an American bull frog. Bufo is a genus of true toads in the amphibian family Bufonidae. Bull + Frog = Bufo

Grub and Mub. I put them together because they're a comical duo and that's why their names rhyme. Common thing. Grub is the larva of an insect. To grub is to dig or poke about in the soil. I couldn't find what Mub means, just a bunch of acronyms to stuff. Their names are supposed to sound funny and disgusting.

Nim Galuu is weird. Nim is a game in which two players alternately take one or more objects from one of a number of heaps, each trying to take, or to compel the other to take, the last remaining object. Galuu means to enter and the main characters go into a tree to meet him and even deeper into the tree to see the scrolls. Also, Nim reminds me of The Secret of NIMH. It's probably just a coincidence.

Then there's a bunch of other characters that are just names of the species/plant they're based on. Dandelion, Pinecone, Stickman, Marigold Girl, etc.

Now we get to the interesting names!

Nod, in Biblical Names the meaning of the name Nod is: Vagabond, fugitive'. At first, I thought his name, Nod, is referring to the action of nodding, agreeing with someone. Because he's a rebel, his not doing what he's told, so he's not nodding. Irony! Him being a vagabond or fugitive shows in his concept art a lot more. In the movie, he deserts the army for like 5 minutes. I'm going to go into detail about it in another post.

Ronin, is  a wandering samurai who had no lord or master. This goes with the samurai-inspired design of the Leafman. Tara is the master that he lost. Again, not executed to its fullest potential. Also, there's a huge difference between a ronin and a samurai. Many times when movies portray samurais or cowboys they're more like ronins.

Tara, in South Asia, such as India and Nepal, Tara is a word originating from Sanskrit, meaning star, and it symbolizes the light of the soul. Tara is the soul of the forest.  

Mandrake, a Mediterranean plant of the nightshade family, with a forked fleshy root that supposedly resembles the human form and which was formerly used in herbal medicine and magic. It was alleged to shriek when pulled from the ground. Mandrake lets out a loud shriek to alarm his army.

Dagda, (Celtic: “Good God”) also called Eochaid Ollathair (“Eochaid the All-Father”), or In Ruad Ro-fhessa (“Red [or Mighty] One of Great Wisdom”), in Celtic religion, one of the leaders of a mythological Irish people, the Tuatha D�� Danann (“People of the Goddess Danu”). Highly skilled and wise beyond measure, he was not only the god of life and death, but of seasons, agriculture, fertility, magic, and druidry as well. There is so much lore behind this guy's name. He had so much potential! I'm going to rant about it in another post.

I think the naming system really shows the problems with this movie. It's all over the place and there's just too much.

Inspiration from the Bible, Slavic countries, Japan, India, Scotland, Ireland, and many more.

There are so many things that nothing gets enough focus. We got:

Romance

Tara and Ronin

MK and Nod

Mub has a crush on MK

Parent-child relationship

Ronin and Nod's father-son relationship

Mandrake and Dagda's father-son relationship

MK and her father's relationship

Deaths

Nod grieving over his dad

Mandrake grieving over his son

Ronin grieving Tara 

Ronin grieving Nod's father, his friend

MK grieving over her mother  

Magic

Plant manipulation

Shrinking and biggering people

The Rot

Anything involving this stupid bud

Resurrection?

Dark Prince?

Scrolls in the oldest tree 

Other stuff

Nod not following orders and not being part of the team

Bird racing  

Gambling? Some criminal stuff

Random song number

Shenanigans with the dog

MK's parents being divorced

MK running away from home

Believing in what you can't see

WAR!

Queen dying and finding her successor

Pointless fight with a mouse

Grub wants to become a Leafman 

The people behind this project wanted to make this movie awesome, deep and mature but they wanted too much too fast.

Nothing gets properly set up. The creators had all those cool backstories for the characters but we don't get to see them. The movie throws us into the middle of the action. It feels like we missed a previous movie. This movie should've been a trilogy and it shows.  

[fangirlingatstuff]

I saw you were doing stuff for epic and I just had to put a request in if that’s ok and if you’re too busy that’s ok too. Sooooooo We all love Mandrake and I thought of this idea where what if once the reader was shrunken down they’d be kidnapped by the Boggans and brought to Mandrake’s kingdom but upon seeing them Mandrake would tell his guards to unhand them and he’d start to kinda sorta catch feelings. And the reader takes a little time getting used to him but can’t deny that he’s kindaaaaaaa. It can be in the form of head cannons or an x reader doesn’t matter to me. if you can’t it’s totally fine but if you can thank youuuu!

I am SO SO SO SO SORRY THIS TOOK SO LONG DEAR GOD IM ASHAMED OF MYSELF

I’ve been going through a very bad writers block and havent worked on anything the past two years but Im working on it!

Kts not much, but this is what I have!

Barely a Mandrake x Reader imagine

You’re accidentally shrunk, how, nobody knows.

But you end up captured by equally confused boggans.

When they bring you up to Mandrake, you’re kicking and trying to break free, being very feisty and oh my god you are so cute cursing them all out oh no—

Mandrake orders them to let you go, and apologizes for the boggans before helping you up.

When asked and you tell him you’re a stomper, he’s both annoyed and curious.

Basically makes a reference to MK and your like “Wait this has happened before?”

Mandrake can only huff “Unfortunately”

He decides to take you to Nim so they can find out what to do (and he secretly enjoys having you wrap your arms around his waist)

Mandrake, basically barging into the tree, is shouting while having a hand on your shoulder (and its taking everything out of you to keep your face from burning up) “Nim! Where is that damn inch worm? NIM!”

He turns and looks at one of the white moths that flutter about, frowning. “Where’s your boss?”

Meanwhile Nim is walking by in and nearly has a heart attack before turning around and running behind a corner.

He peeks around and looks at the moth while making the neck slicing motion, “Tell him Im not here!”

“Nim, I hear you, you know.”

Nim smacks his face.

“Heyyyy Mandrake! Uh, what-what can I do for you?”

When Nim comes out and sees you beside Mandrake, mouth gaped open upon seeing a talking caterpillar, Nim freezes.

“Oh no not again.”

[that-one-weeb-buts-its-the-main]

Blood Upon the Snow part 3

✧▬ ▬▭▬ ▬▭▬ ▬▭▬ ▬▭▬ ▬▭▬ ▬▭▬ ▬✧

reader: female

notes: RAHH PART THREE WHO TF IS LIVIING AT THIS POINT IN THIS STORY???? Also, I had a whole nother "good ending" written out but you dont get that :) I might right like an after math chapter, @fangirlingatstuff @majestichugs

Warnings: damn, death, i had reader rip a head off a body...god damn? Blood warning, Sad warning

✧▬ ▬▭▬ ▬▭▬ ▬▭▬ ▬▭▬ ▬▭▬ ▬▭▬ ▬✧

"Come on!" Flint rushed everyone out the cells, the leafmen gathering quickly together, holding lovers, brothers, sisters, and friends in relief, "Listen!"

Leafmen took attention quickly; "We don't have time, and there's alot of us," Flint commented, "Princess Y/n is alive!"

They looked amongst each other in relief, "She wants everyone to make there way into Wraithwood, we'll grab stragglers along the way-"

"No way!" A woman argued, "We're not leaving Moonhaven!"

"These are our people! We're sworn to protect them!" A man spoke up, "We won't let them stay this way!"

There was an uproar as Flint gulped, "L.Listen!" He ordered, the commotion stopping.

"I get it," He told the, "I do, trust me....but if we do this- we- we have to do this smart,"

"The armory and forgery will have weapons." Someone told.

"We can start there," Flint told.

"Come on," Dagda led the kids into the empty kitchen, he setting on of the little girls down as they grouped up, he kneeled down, "We're okay? All of us?"

They nodded, "See nothing to be scared of-"

Relaxation turned into fear as the kids screamed; "Jael look out!"

He turned his back; a large form bigger than the door frame behind him; axe in hand.

"Oh...shite..." He gulped.

"Don't just stand there move!" Dagda shouted as the axe came down he pushing Jael to the ground.

Dagda and Jael scrambled to there feet as they backed up, "Run North!" Dagda ordered the kids, "To Wraithwood!"

The kids stood in shock, all gathered around and scared, "Listen to him go now!" Jael ordered.

"Come on!" Coral snapped, she helping pull the kids out the back door in haste.

"Can we take this thing?!" Jael argued, the thing roaring at them in response.

"We have to!" Dagda argued back.

The axe swung and they back up, it rushing Dagda, heavy swings; one hit could end it all, there was no use in attempting to block such a hit, and avoidance was all he could do, he tripping over a stool, just for the axe to come down besides his head.

"Hey! Fuck face!"

The thing turned around, Jael holding a large kitchen knife in his hand, he gulping as it picked up its axe with ease from besides Dagda's head, it marching towards him.

"Get your father and the others!" Jael ordered, backing up towards the back steps and to the door, "Come on!"

Jael was quick to make it out the back door, the thing following him. Dagda sat there panting to catch his breath; he standing up to look for a weapon, a large kitchen knife similar to the one Jael had grabbed and rushed off to find his father and the other royals in the only reasonable place; the throne room.

Flint and the leafmen had made it to the amrory, they had taken any gaurds out along the way. Everyone grabbing what little there was left, some left to large daggers and cracked swords.

The plan quickly talked about and discuss; what leafmen where there would spilt in two; one team to storm the throne room; the other half to start making there way to civilians in support.

"Princess Y/n in the throne room- we take out people along the way and storm the throne room! Your target is The Mother of the Fungus! The Queen of the woven in-between!" Flint announced, "We'll need her head- break her neck and spine connection and we'll kill her for good."

Y/n sat at sword point with a glare on her face.

"Split Queen Tara's head open," She ordered the woman with the drink tap.

The guards who had dragged the dead bodies in went over to Tara , cutting her connection to the others and dragged her over.

Y/n didn't even look at Tara; she holding eye contact with the woman above her, a smirk growing on Y/n's face, "What the hell are you smirking at?"

"Too pussy to do things yourself again?" Y/n snarked, the woman growling.

"Do you not see what I'm capable of!" The Mother argued, throwing her sword to the side, picking Y/n up by her neck; if Y/n wouldn't shut up; she'd shut her up; and for good this time, Y/n choked, a hand punching at the woman's wrist to let her go.

"Let her go!" Tara shouted, "Don't! Don't hurt her!"

The Mother too enraged by some bratty comments didn't realize Y/n had held her sword loosely in her hidden hand.

"I. I.!" Y/n choked out pushing on the womans face, trying to get free.

"What? No comment now!?" She laughed.

Y/n's hand gripped on the sword as the woman degrade her, "All this for what!? A boy!?" She laughed, "You're a pathetic excuse for a woman!"

With a quick movement Y/n drove the sword through the Mother's side, she dropping Y/n as Y/n pushed the sword further into her rotted gut, "You bitch!-"

Y/n walked her, grabbing her by the hair as she pulled the sword out. Y/n kicking her in the back of her knee, causing her to drop and tossing her to the ground, she growled as she got up to swing at Y/n.

Y/n grabbed the womans arm tossing it to the side,

"Fucking kill-"

Y/n was quick to reach for the woman's hair, pulling it hard causing her words to be cut off and a grunt of pain to replace words.

"Sad excuse for a woman?" Y/n asked, "Me? Would you Look at yourself,"

The Mother tried to pull off Y/n's hand, yet it didn't work, Y/n's glare down at the woman was nothing but full of anger, Y/n looked at the sword in her hand, and then back down at the woman.

"You know," Y/n spoke, "Before this, before this experience, I would of just tried to sympathize with you, tried to have empathy- try and help you and your people even,"

She tossed the sword off the the side, it sliding across the room; "I have no more... no more empathy, or sympathy, I don't even have rage."

Y/n forced her to lay along the step, "You think I would- after all look- my kingdom? My people? Have just been taken over- you killed my people, my family-"

Y/n pulled her hair again; her mouth opened and out came pain, Y/n forced her jaw down, kneeling down to force the woman to bite the stone step.

"Y/n...Y/n what are you doing?" Tara questioned, the grip on her arms tighter as the guards watched in fear.

"Now, Now I'm just fucking annoyed." Y/n snapped, hand on the back of the woman's head in support, leaning her weight, keeping the woman down, it doubled a balance as she raised up her free foor.

And hard came down Y/n's foot on the back of her head, a distinctive crack heard.

Tara was dropped, and the crashing of glasses shattering as they hit the floor was heard.

Dagda turned the corner, as did the other leafmen charging behind Flint, ready to turn into the mall hall and rush past the doors into the throne room. There was only a nod between the leafmen with Flint and Dagda, and just like that they were following Dagda's lead into the throne room; The doors slammed opened, two guards, backing up the first thing in sight, fear on there face, Dagda following the line of sight.

The room was filled with silence; and then they heard it.

Crack.

It was loud, and distinct.

Another crack and a grunt of exhaustion.

Finally the loudest once, and the twist that came with it, distinctive from the blunt crack, another one, and then a pulling crack; like the sound of cracking your neck after a hard day of work and finally consist heavy breathing of exhaustion.

Y/n kicked the body off the steps, she turned her head just enough to see the guards fleeing.

Y/n holding the Mother's head in her hand; she gripping the hair, "Your queen! Is dead!" She shouted.

They were quick to get down on their knees with their heads touching the ground. Y/n turned back towards the other who had the tap in her hand, she on her knees as well.

"Y/n?"

She turned her head quickly to see Dagda, her expression lightening at the sight of him, but her attention changed, and Dagda's eyes followed, Flint on his knees, he quick to bow with his head touching the ground for her, she looked at her grasp, blood dripping onto her shoes and onto the steps below, with it in hand she walked forward.

She stopping infront of Flint, "Revive my people, as you did me,"

"Yes my Queen," he answered hastily raising to his feet.

"Help him," She ordered the men and women behind him.

Yet they were still- "Now!" She demanded and they rushed along with her order.

Dagda was quiet as he looked up at her, and she only glanced his way, before walking away.

"Y/n-" He tried to stop her, "Y/n stop!"

Yet she only continued forward, walking past the guards still on their knees and out into the open, past the grand double doors.

What a beautiful thing it was; people of this kind; this army...all collected at the bottom of the stairs. They all like her; rotted from the inside out; eyes missing and replaced with the beautiful bloom of fungi, heads re-constructed by the maze of colors, throats slit and covered just as hers had been, all intwined, all together.

And it was snowing...

She lifted the head up to the crowd, shouts and war cries of praise filled her ears, before she chucked the thing down the stairs, allowing it to hit the steps and roll into the crowd, her hand covered in blood.

Looking back, Y/n saw Tara, not moved from her spot but turned her way; an unplaced look on her face, as the children ran into the throne room from up the stairs. Queen's thankful filled cries as The Nothern Kingdom Royals could only cry in despair of there now missing son. Mandrake hunched over his slowly waking sister, thankful she would be okay. Other soldiers over an awake Finn, they'd squeeze the life out of him he just got back, others trying to attend to Nod and Ronin.

Then there was Dagda.

"Goodbye," She nodded to him, turning around-

"Was it a lie!" He shouted to her.

She paused, "Did you really love me the way I loved you!"

Y/n glanced back towards him, before turning herself back towards him; "I've loved nothing more than you,"

"Then where are you going!?" He questioned, "Why are you going!?"

"Six sets of seven days," Y/n answered, "The rot and fungi that is now mine will spread with snow, all things natures given; I take all those things back from the living, they will be with me, you will see it travel, in packs, in trios, in duos, a deer and a wolf, or a fawn and a hawk, no matter the land of orgin two will be together, nothing will be alone,"

"Except you," Dagda commented.

Y/n was silent, "let me come with you," Dagda pleaded.

"I won't take a child away from a Father." Y/n told, "I am...already taking a child away from two..."

Y/n curtsied to him, a hand extended out in her bow, "Until I see you again. Prince of Wraithwood; holder of my heart, my soul, and my mind."

She turned and walked away, she walking her way down the steps, bloody foot prints being left behind in the ever building snow.

She could feel her heart ache, and her head hurt, her eyes starting to water as she reached the end of the stairs, a sob stuck in her throat as her people parted for her.

She could hear a cry of sadness from behind her as it echoed in the quiet every growing dusk, Tara calling out for her in pleads to whoever was holding her broken form, it had finally set in.

Flint had caught up to her, "I want you as my right hand," she told him.

He bowed his head, "of course my queen."

"Are they alright?"

"Everyone will be alright." He answered.

"Good."

Dagda walked out the doors, standing at the top of the steps he watched Y/n and the army marching behind her. A hand coming up to his shoulder. He looked over his father beside him- he could only hug him, Mandrake rubbed the back of his sons head: the past had been repeated...again.

Love doesn't coquer all.

[starsstims]

Hey! Unsure if requests are still open but...

Stimboard for Mandrake from Epic (2013), mayhaps?

(I don't know what to add in terms of aesthetics, but as one says "The strongest thing imaginable is the imagination", so do whatever seems to fit...)

yes yes YESS i love this movie!! thank you for requesting!

Mandrake

🐦‍⬛ | 🪱 | 🪰

🥀 | 🌑 | 🌫️

🪳 | 🏹 | 🦇

[beas-whump-blog]

@chrumblr-whumblr day 3! The prompt is "carrying".

Fandom: Epic (2013)

-

Ronin flew through the boggan base at speeds that would have impressed even Nod. Every so often he came across a boggan or two that spotted him quick enough to try and fight, but they posed no challenge. Or maybe they did. He was so focused on his mission, it was all a blur.

He hated Wrathwood.

He was heading for the lowest level of the enemy's stronghold, knowing that's where he'd find what he was looking for. It was a trap, he was certain, and he was walking right into it. He had to. Mandrake had gone too far this time.

Ronin finally jumped off his shimmering mount as he reached the lowermost level, not waiting for the bird to land before leaping to the ground.

“Nod,” he hissed, making his way down the long tunnel, peering into cells made of metal and rotting tree roots. “Nod, where are you?”

He was in such a hurry he almost missed the slight gleam of green armor in one corner of a cell, and a person-shaped lump in the other. He pulled out an arrow and used it to saw away at the weakest root he could find.

Crude, but effective.

He shoved the two pieces of root out of his way and rushed to the back of the cell, kneeling before a familiar figure.

“Nod,” he whispered, rolling him gently onto his back. “Nod, wake up. We have to go.”

The boy groaned softly, not opening his eyes.

“…Dad?” he mumbled, and Ronin almost smiled, brushing the boy's matted hair out of his eyes and wincing at the blue and purple bruises that marred his face.

“Not quite. Come on, we need to get out of here.”

Nod’s eyes cracked open, seemingly struggling to focus on the man before him.

“…Ronin? What are you doing here?”

“Saving your sorry self, what does it look like?”

Nod shook his head as he gained some clarity.

“No, you don't get it. You can't be here, Ronin, it's a trap. Mandrake doesn't care about me, he wants you!”

Ronin just looked at him.

“Are you done?”

“Ronin, I'm serious! You have to believe me, you-” he stopped as he understood Ronin's unfazed expression. “You knew.”

“I didn't earn the rank of Commander by being an idiot, Nod.”

“No, just by being cozy with the queen,” he retorted. “But then… why are you here?”

“See, that's why you quit the leafmen. You have no concept of anybody caring for anyone other than themselves. Well guess what kid, I lost your father in this hellhole and I'm not about to lose you.”

Nod was silent for a moment, then grinned slightly.

“Man, I knew you were getting old, but seriously? Ronin, what happened? You're getting emotional! I think it may be time you considered retirement.”

“You’re just asking to be left behind, aren't you?”

“Alright, sorry! Touchy subject, I see.”

Ronin shook his head.

“If you weren't as injured as you are, I'd smack you all the way to Moonhaven.”

“And if you weren't as old and weak as you are, I might actually bother to try and stop you.”

“Can you walk?” Ronin asked, electing to ignore that last comment.

“Hm? Yeah, yeah, I can walk. Just gimme a sec.” He tried to sit up and winced with a shout of pain.

“Oh, you can walk, can you?” Ronin couldn't resist asking.

Nod glared.

“I'll manage.”

“And waste time getting out of here? I don't think so.”

Ronin slid his arms under Nod’s back and knees and got to his feet, stumbling slightly.

“Hey, careful!” Nod exclaimed painfully. “I can do it, put me down!”

“No time,” Ronin said curtly, carrying him out. “What have you been eating, pebbles?” he asked when Nod turned out to be much heavier than he'd expected.

“You're hilarious, old man,” Nod said through gritted teeth, trying not to cry out in pain.

Ronin placed the boy on the back of his hummingbird, and he slumped forward as he climbed on behind him.

“Y’know… I didn't think you were coming,” Nod admitted as they took off.

“We're leafmen, Nod, we look out for each other. Not that you ever took that lesson to heart.”

“You don't get to use that anyway. I quit, remember?”

Ronin nodded.

“Fine, then how about you and me? We look out for each other.”

Nod was quiet, then nodded.

“I think I can work with that.”

[heavenboy09]

10 Years Ago Today

On May 24th, 2013

20 Century Fox Animation Invites You

To A Beautiful & Magical Animated World 🌎 Created By Blue Sky 💙 Studios 🎙

Deep In The Forests 🌳

Spring 🌱 is here and soon The Nature Of The Forest will call to us all.

There Is A Balance Of Struggle Between The Life Of The Forest 🌳

& The Souls That Help Keep It Alive & Thriving

A Living & Breathing Society Of Nature's Helpers Keep Nature Striving Towards A Beautiful Tomorrow

Some People Would Not Be Able To See The Truth Or Face The Reality That We Are Just Part Of A Larger Community, That Lives In Our Own Backyard ....

If you can't see that.

Look Closer

& If you still can't see it

Then Take a Even Closer Look

A Young Girl Named

Mary Katherine, or M.K., is a headstrong, spirited teenager who has a strained relationship with her father.

She loses patience with her dad's tales of unseen people who live in the woods, but when she is magically transported to that mythic realm, she gains new perspective.

M.K. joins a race of beings known as The

Leafmen in their battle to protect their Queen Tara 👸🏾👑

from their enemies, evil Mandrake 😈 and his crew of Boggans

This Is The Story Of A Epic Tale

For we are the Leafmen 🍃 and we will bring Balance to The Forest 🌳

The Life Of The Forest depends upon us to protect it.

Do what you can, to be a Hero of Nature.

Many Leaves, One Tree 🌳

We're all Individuals, but we're all still Connected.

No One's Alone.

From 20th Century Fox Animation & Blue Sky 💙 Studios ☁️ Presents

Based On The Classic Children's Book The Leaf Men 🍃 & The Brave Bugs 🐛 By William Joyce

A Chris Wedge Film

Starring Amanda Seyfried

Josh Hutcherson

Colin Farrell

Christoph Waltz

Jason Sudeikis

Chris O'Dowd

Aziz Ansari

Steven Tyler

Pitbull

& Beyoncé Knowles As Queen Tara 👸🏾

1 Of The Best 3D Animated Films 🎥 Of Blue Sky 💙 Studios Of All Times

TIME TO GO OUT AND BECOME

EPIC

HAPPY 10TH ANNIVERSARY TO 20TH CENTURY FOX'S & BLUE SKY STUDIO'S

EPIC

Go and Be EPIC #Epic2013 #TheLeafmenandTheBraveBugs