Wow, this story is finally coming to a close… or is it? Nope! After this there's actually at least 2 more bonus chapters, but I'll explain those in the after story author's note, so make sure to check it out! ^_^ This story has been hanging over my head for way too long now. I can't believe this is the last official chapter (with the other 2 being bonus chapters). So sad… But anyways! Okay gang! Let's travel 15 years into the future! Whoosh!

Note: This story takes place after Season 3.

Disclaimer: I don't claim to own Monster Rancher or the characters. I'm just a huge fan. Tecmo owns everything. I just own the plot.

Moments We Share

Z: Zen

"Are you being serious? I've heard the rumors, but I thought it was just a myth."

"Why the hell would I lie about that?"

"Well, it just seems a little… uh… exaggerated."

"Exaggerated? I wouldn't lie about that! Honest! He told me about the whole journey from start to finish and my grandma even said that all of it was true!"

"I still can't believe your grandfather and grandmother defeated all of the Big Bad Four and General Durahan."

"Hey, they defeated Moo twice, right? He was harder than any other monster they fought, so why can't you believe they took down the Big Bad Four and General Durahan?"

"I read history books about it that made it sound rather, uh, fake. A lot of them said how the heroes had magical powers and-"

"Hold on. My grandparents didn't have magical powers, but they really did save the world! That whole myth came about because of my grandma's power over the Magic Stone like I have. Back then she was one of the only people in the world who had that power, so a lot of people later thought she had other magic that helped to defeat Moo. She honestly didn't, though. She was just a regular human."

"I suppose…"

"You still don't believe me…?"

"Aw, are you pouting? Come on! I was just kidding with ya! Everyone knows about your grandparents' heroics and what not. I was just messin' with ya. You're so cute when- Ow! OW! OW! Okay, okay! I'm sorry!"

A young couple walked down a dirt path, one holding a bouquet of flowers and the other holding their sore arm. The day was a beautiful one and it marked the five year anniversary of the death of the last hero who defeated Moo. The sky was a soft shade of blue that mirrored the young woman's mood while she opened the gate leading to the town cemetery. In the middle of the holy place was a circle of graves that surrounded an elegant statue of the Phoenix, and the young woman couldn't help but let a small smile cross her face. Slowly the couple made their way to the circle of graves while being careful not to disturb anything. At the sight of the first grave, the young woman felt her body go rigid, but a calloused hand taking hers put her mind at ease.

"Mia, we can leave if you'd like."

"No, it's alright, Isaac. Thank you, though."

Mia had grown up to be a beautiful young woman just like her mother and grandmother had. Her clear eyes flashed in the direction of her companion to let him know she was alright before she strolled over to one of several Lost Disks that were among those in the circle. She looked down at the vine-tangled disk with hard eyes and she carefully took off some growing moss from the disk's front.

"This first Lost Disk here is my great Uncle Hare. He was the planner of the group and was the Phoenix's intelligence. I don't remember much of him because he was killed when I was very young, but I do remember I loved his laugh." Mia chuckled softly at remembering in her youngest years, playing with the rabbit monster's ears and getting one of his trademark laughs in response.

"He was the thief that didn't get along with another one of Searchers, right?" Isaac asked softly while placing a flower from the bouquet at the base of the Lost Disk.

"Yeah, him and Tiger never saw eye-to-eye, but they were the best of friends," Mia spoke while walking over to the next disk in the circle. "This is Tiger of the Wind and the Lost Disk directly behind it, but not exactly in the circle of the Searchers, is his little brother, Gray Wolf. Tiger was an excellent fighter and was the Phoenix's anger. He use to patrol Toriyama to make sure everything was safe." Mia smiled at the vague memories she held of the wolf monster and how he would secretly give her piggyback rides when no one was looking. A smile graced her lips again as she watched Isaac put another flower from the bouquet at the edge of Tiger's and Gray Wolf's Lost Disks, and she carefully walked to the next grave.

"This is my great Uncle Golem and the Lost Disk next to him was his wife, Undine. He was a gentle giant and he was the Phoenix's kindness. He used to save the group all the time by acting as a shield and my grandma use to joke that he spent more time protecting her than he did anything else," Mia bit her lip as it trembled, but she shook the feeling off to avoid any tears from forming. A flower was placed on both Lost Disks and the couple moved to the next one in line.

"This is my great Uncle Suezo. He was my grandma's best friend and was the Phoenix's pride. I remember him being really sarcastic, but he was really nice once he opened up. Sometimes he could teleport, but my grandma said he was too lazy to ever master that technique. He had amazing eyesight, too, though especially if he sensed a pretty woman was nearby. Kind of like you, Isaac."

"Like me?"

"Yeah. I mean, you did find me in a crowd and I'm the prettiest woman in the world."

"Ah, true!"

The couple laughed at their silliness before placing another flower at the base of the Lost Disk. After a moment of silence, the duo made their way to the next Lost Disk. Mia could feel Isaac tighten his grip a little more on her hand as a comforting gesture and even though she was too proud to say it, she really did appreciate it.

"This is Mocchi, my grandpa's monster and best friend. He was really cute and was the Phoenix's courage. Mocchi was really tough even though he was small. Did you know he won the Legend Cup so many times that they forced him to retire?"

"Really? That's incredible!"

"Yeah, he was amazing. He was always a kid at heart so when I was little, I always had someone to play with. Suezo and Mocchi lived with my grandparents so whenever I visited them, Suezo and Mocchi were there, too. Suezo would always scold me for doing dangerous stuff while Mocchi was way more laid back. I got away with a lot of things because of him," Mia spoke gingerly while placing a white flower near the Lost Disk. The young woman felt her body tense up as she noticed the last grave in the circle of heroes, but the man standing near her gave her a comforting kiss on the cheek; urging her to go on. With a gulp, Mia slowly approached the large grave stone and she felt the edges of her eyes prickle with tears as she read the SAKURA inscribed elegantly at the top along with a silhouette of the Phoenix.

"…hey, grandma and grandpa. I'd like you meet someone," Mia spoke softly while dragging Isaac by the arm so he could stand at her side. "This is Isaac, my husband. I know you told me no guy would ever be good enough for me, but Isaac really is. He's sweet and caring. He's also kind of a smart ass, so I know you two would have gotten along great," Mia giggled while speaking. "I got a job as a nurse and we're buying a house. I wanted to tell you both that… well… I'm pregnant. Isaac already told me that depending on the gender, we're going to name our child after one of you two. I… I wish you could be here…"

"…I miss you two so much. I wish I could have been born earlier so I would have been older. Then I would have appreciated you two so much more." Mia felt her throat constrict slightly, but she swallowed hard to force herself to keep talking. "The world doesn't feel as safe without you guys around anymore. I sometimes find myself looking up at the sky hoping to see the Phoenix flying overhead, but I never do. If Moo ever comes back, what will the world do without you?"

"… what am I saying? I know you'll still protect us wherever you are now. That's just how you two have always been; always helping others regardless of the situation. Do you know you guys are in every history book out there? It was so weird learning about you in school, especially since I know the real story…" Mia fell silent for a moment, her eyes still glued to the grave stone in front of her.

"…Mia?" Isaac spoke with concern, even more so when her shoulders began to shake.

"I…I m-miss everyone s-so much… I wish I k-knew they were h-happy where t-they are!" Mia choked out a whimper while bringing up her hands to cover her tear-stained cheeks.

"Oh, Mia… No one here would want to see you sad like this. They're happy when you're happy." Isaac pulled the trembling woman into his arms, and she was quick to latch onto his shirt. "I'm sure they're very happy where they are since I'm sure all of them stayed together."

Mia clenched her clear eyes shut and allowed tears to slide down her rosy cheeks. Her head whipped up, though, when she heard her name being whispered softly. Sitting at the edge of the graveyard was a young boy and a young girl. The young boy wore an orange hat, baggy clothes, and strange wheeled shoes on his feet while the young girl had her hair pulled back in a messy ponytail and wore a traditional Toriyama outfit consisting of a red shirt, maroon vest, and baggy brown pants. They looked happy as they laughed with one another while holding each other's hands and occasionally sharing a shy kiss. Besides them, a purebred Golem, Mocchi, Suezo, Tiger, and Hare sat near the couple while flashing them grins and laughing happily along with them.

"Mia?"

Mia slowly lifted her head to look up at her husband, who was looking down at her with concern, and when she looked back across the graveyard, the two children and the monsters were gone. For a moment, she felt disappointment at their disappearance, but her mood suddenly lifted and a grin spread across her face.

"Mia? Are you alright?" Isaac asked in concern as he studied the woman in his arms carefully, who was quickly wiping any stray tears away with the back of her shirt sleeve.

"Actually… I feel great," Mia replied with a content smile.

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah… you were right."

"About what?"

"…they're happy together where they are."

The young couple laid the remaining flowers on every grave in the cemetery before leaving it in harmonious silence, their hands still intertwined. Mia couldn't help but smile as she looked up into the sky with a feeling a peace, and her smile only grew as she caught sight of the silhouette of an enormous bird flying into the distance. It didn't matter where she went, her grandparents and the other Searchers would always be there watching over her and the rest of the world.

Can I get a woot woot? *Crickets chirp* Damn it! XD Anyways, the main arc of this story is done! *Throws some confetti* Woo! Kind of emotional, but happy, right? ^_^ Okay, now onto the bonus chapters. One is the original chapter F, which is F: Flowers. I just need to find it on my laptop. XD The other is a bonus chapter at the request of ripitupgenki, who wanted a chapter about Genki and Holly's wedding night in the Moments We Share universe. I'm so gonna write it! :D So yeah! Unless other requests are made, they'll only be 2 more chapters. Thank you everyone for your support! A special thanks to ripitupgenki for reviewing this story constantly and Flying Star for also being a top notch reviewer. This story wouldn't exist without you guys! Also a thanks to archsage328 for reviewing when he can! I LOVE YOU GUYS! *Hugs everyone* ^_^ This chapter is called Zen because in the end, Mia finally found peace with the deaths of the Searchers. Also, if you get the Mia and Isaac naming thing, you're flippin' awesome. Until next time, thank you guys!

RockyRoadSmith: Signing off! :3