Disclaimer: Monster Rancher does not belong to me, but the Guardians and Eternity Mountain are mine, so don't take them without permission. Tiger x Hare yaoi!

Memories of Eternity Mountain

Up on the cliff top, Tiger of the Wind glared his hatred at the dino posed above him, ready to slash. ~I refuse to lose to this...~ A red glow suddenly appeared around their enemy, engulfing the dino completely in a blood red haze. 'Tiger,' Genki whispered even as he stared at the light. Shocked yelps from near the forest alerted them that the same crimson beam had captured every single enemy that had attacked them, flowing up from the very ground they stood upon. As suddenly as it had appeared, the glow evaporated into a clear mist. Shocked eyes took in the mystery disks that littered the ground.

Golden orbs narrowed as the tiger stood. 'What the hell was that,' he growled into the air, not expecting an answer from the unknown. 'Hare!' the boy's voice broke the silence. Tiger turned to find the youth perched on the edge of the cliff, staring down at the raging river below. 'He's gone,' Genki whispered, his bangs shadowing his tear-filled eyes.

(Memories of another time)

'It is imperative that we all get ready for the coming of Moo. His forces are set to attack at any moment, we must shield ourselves away from this realm,' the ancient voice filled the air atop the giant mountain. All eyes were focused on the form of a young boy with golden dragon wings curving into the wind behind him. 'If we shield ourselves away, we will not be in a position to continue our roles as guardians over this planet,' another voice echoed. A pixie winged female came forth from her perch high in a twisted tree. 'This is true,' an older looking teenager with stone-like blue skin stood amidst the mass of halfling creatures. 'We should fight!' a hare eared youth leapt to his feet in response. 'That is madness. We will surely be destroyed if we try to stand against Moo,' a one eyed, yellow skinned boy frowned at the over-hyper hareboy. The hare youth bristled, ears standing straight over his head. But, before he could speak, his companion stood up beside him.

'Although the hare guardian is a fool, his words are noble. We were created at the beginning of time, each of us given a species to guard and protect. Till Moo came our charges grew and flourished, but now they dwindle in numbers, some even joining the evil that is trying to conquer us all. If we do not stand and face Moo, then this world will not be worth guarding for much longer,' the tiger maned teenager remained calm even as his words were realized by the rest of the guardians. 'How do you suggest we fight against an evil with powers far greater than our own. Even the Phoenix has not shown himself in this time of need,' the dragon youth stated abruptly. 'Um, we could attack him first,' the hare guardian suggested, a wide grin growing on his face. 'Suicide,' many voices echoed into the air. Wincing at the tone, the hareboy's ears drooped. 'Any other ideas?' the dragon youth glanced around at the other guardians who mumbled amongst themselves.

'I have one. We could bring someone to aid us. A warrior from another world,' the tigerteen's voice shut everyone up. 'It would take a great amount of power from each of us to do such a thing. It also means that Moo will be able to attack us without any trouble at all. No, the shield is the only solution. We can evade the attack and decided what to do from there,' the dragon boy turned away as the large group of halfling guardians began to file out of the glade.

The tiger guardian glanced around, only to find that the hareboy had disappeared. ~Damn that hare.~

(towards the cave)

The hare youth stumbled into a dark cold cave, a forbidden cave that lead deep into Eternity Mountain. When they were created, the guardians were given the mountaintop for their home, to watch over the monster and human races that lived upon the land below. The most ancient of all monsters lived within the mountain itself, a creature with no single race, or guardian. The Phoenix.

The air became heavier as he made his way down the twisted path, the humid temperature growing hotter and hotter, getting almost too much even for a guardian. A spark of red suddenly appeared in the blackness, leading the hare guardian towards his fate. ~Spooky, really spooky. I hope the Phoenix doesn't try to barbecue me for dinner.~ The youth was frightened, for this fire powered creature was known for its equally fiery temper. It might just decided to attack first and ask questions later. The hareboy was in the Phoenix's lair, intruding where he should never have gone. The youth froze when one giant black eye stared down at him from the huge bird form perched in the centre of the room. ~Who are you?~

(Eternity Mountaintop)

Tiger gazed around at the proceedings. Every guardian was in his or her place, each gathering up their own energy to create the barrier. All except one annoying bunny-eared boy. Grunting to himself, the youth turned, his long blue and white streaked hair floating in the icy wind, to walk away from the circle. He had enough time to find the boy and drag his brown bunny-tailed behind back before the barrier was put in place. Even with that thought, the tiger youth began to run as fast as the creatures he guarded, even on two human legs. A long blue tail disappeared into the emerald forest.

(Deep in the Cave of Fire)

'I...I...' ~Calm down, Hare. You came all this way, don't back down now.~ 'I am the Hare Guardian and I have come to request your help,' the boy finally stated, trying to sound brave. ~I wish Tiger was here. He'd be able to do this without even breaking into a sweat.~ ~'You are trespassing!'~ a voice boomed in his mind, nearly knocking him down. 'I know, I'm sorry. We need your help. Please, Moo is going to attack us, and the other guardians are planning to shield the mountaintop from the rest of the world. Please, we need your help. If you don't help us, then the mortal monsters and humans down on the surface will be killed or worse. Please,' the youth was nearly in tears as he forced himself to bow low before the crimson winged Phoenix. The creature gazed at the guardian youth for a very long time, making his decision.

~'What do you want me to do?'~

...tbc...

Author's Note: Sorry for taking so long to update, too many chapter fics going at once. The next chapter is already half written, so it will be up soon, I hope. Please review!