"That FUCKING JACK FROST"
The small mud-men flinched back and glanced at one another as a large projectile flew overhead.
"Making it snow, IN EVERY GODDAMN COUNTRY, at the same DAMN TIME. What the FUCK WAS HE THINKING?" With every word that was shouted, another tree or rock was flung across the sky.
"Honestly, was the little twat even THINKING?"
A mud-man squeaked shrilly as a rock landed on it. Immediately, Mother Earth dashed over, her face scrunched up with concern.
"Oh baby, honey. Are you ok? Momma's here, I'm sorry." With an easy flick, the boulder moved and the short woman scooped a slightly flattened mud-man. She fixed him up, leaning back on her dirty heels and regarded her babies.
They were all different, none higher that a foot tall or shorter than three inches. Varying shades of mud and dryness factored into their appearance and they all had lumpy hollowed out eyes and sweet hearts. Mother smiled at them and stood to look at the mess.
In her rage, much of the clearing had been destroyed; trees uprooted, empty holes, rocks cracked, the earth had heaved itself every which way and what appeared to be a small volcano blossomed.
"No more of that," she muttered and her home settled back into its normal state. "All right, my dears, time to get back to work."
"Hallo? Mum? Where are ya?" Bunnymund hopped through the tunnel of trees, ducking his head and watching the ground for mud-men, as they usually swarmed intruders' feet. The clearing appeared to be empty. "Mother Earth?"
He came around a large boulder and found the plump woman hunched over a bowl. Bunnymund hopped closer, even more careful where he stepped. Mud-men were gathered all around Mother and watched the bowl intently. Crouching, the Easter Bunny watched over her shoulder, which was a feat. Mother Earth had floor length dirt-brown hair that often housed leaves, twigs and other debris and at one point a bird's nest.
She glanced up briefly before returning to her task. In the bowl, thick black mud was lumping over itself with satisfying squelches. As the lump grew, Mother would stick an already muddy finger in and shape it in little ways.
Eventually, a very damp mud-man crawled from the mud, its face smooth as a stone. "Oops!" Mother pressed two eyes into the face with a smile. "There you are, love."
The small creature tumbled from the bowl and Mother Earth and Bunnymund watched silently as the group of mud-men surrounded the new-made one and helped it to stand.
"Wonderful," stretching slightly, Mother stood and grinned at Bunnymund. She wrapped her arms around his waist, her nose coming to about where his belly button would be. "How are you, dearest?"
Bunnymund grimaced as she squeezed tightly, "I'd be better if ya weren't stranglin' me ta death." She gave a high laugh and turned away, waving a hand.
As E. Aster Bunnymund followed he looked around the clearing. This had been like a second home to him, the soft moss and towering trees as familiar as his own hollow. Signs of anger were still evident. A new volcano sprouted, its crest glowing an angry red. "Huh, what's all this, then?"
Mother had reached two chair-like stones on either side of a low flat rock when he said this. Turning, she snorted. "Taking out my frustrations on my home, unfortunately."
He waited for an answer and when he got none "Frustrations on what, if ya don' mind me askin'." Bunnymund settled down in a chair, pulling a boomerang out and rubbed its surface.
She regarded Bunnymund from her seat, her lips slightly pursed. "The new Guardian, Jack Frost…" Bunnymund kept his face blank. "Do you know him well? Are you two, well, close?"
"Not at all, mum." His answer was prompt and his words short. Mother sighed.
"Well, the boy has been completely screwing the seasons up. I can understand a flurry here, or a snow day there. But he tried to make it snow in Argentina." She looked at him, "Argentina! The equator for heaven's sake." slouching back, she continued while waving her arms, "Do you know how badly that screws up the ecosystem? And don't get started on that Easter White-Out." She finished with a dark scowl. "It was an absolute-"
"No! Don' say it!" Bunnymund jumped across the table and landed cicada style above Earth with his fuzzy paw over her mouth.
Growling, Mother shoved his hand off. "Mess. It's a mess, Aster."
The large Australian stepped back and rubbed his neck awkwardly. Mother sighed and gestured to for him to come close. When he did, she wrapped her arms around his neck as best she could and stroked his head. "I'm sorry, dear, I know it was a rough year for you Guardians; always defending the children." He shrugged her up on his shoulders and she kissed the top of his head. "You were all very brave and I am very proud of you especially, Mr. Fluffybutt."
She chuckled as he growled and stood. "Where are we going today, my blossom?"
"The Gahdians wanter see ya 'bout somethin, not sure what though." Tapping the ground twice, a tunnel appeared and Mother Earth grasped the bunny by the ears. Making sure she held on tight, she closed her eyes and he jumped in with a whoop.