~Tales from the Great Mountain~

The Waterfall of the Nine Heavens sparkled in the morning sun as it flowed ceaselessly down over the mighty grey slopes of Youkai Mountain. Its waters fell past trees and dove under rickety wooden bridges to tumble into a deep, clear pool at the deepest end of Genbu Ravine.

The swampy valley stood still in the warm morning light; only the river snaking between the muddy banks and concrete quays was going anywhere in a hurry. The gentle roar of the hydroelectric dam was always there, joining the snores of a several hundred kappa to form the world's most relaxing din. Most of the kappa would be snoozing until midday in their warm paddling-pools and communal swamps.

By contrast, the high slopes were a hive of motion. Flocks of tengu were steaming rice and grilling meat in the village square, warming their wings on the rooftops or soaring out over the forests. The printing presses were already clanking into action as Aya dragged Hatate out of bed and Momiji brought her some bacon and eggs, purely to annoy Aya. It was going to be a day like any other.

A few minutes' walk along the mostly-traversible path from the tengu village, a young goddess gazed out over the valley, the river, the fields and forests below. The mountains in the distance seemed to be dripping with gold as the sun rose over their peaks.

The girl was awestruck. Nothing she'd ever seen in the Outside World could compare to the wonder of nature. Not even Neon Genesis Evangelion.

Everybody was so happy and peaceful, even when they were fighting, and for the first time in her life, the living goddess felt truly at home.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?"

Sanae looked up in surprise as Kanako emerged from the ornate wooden shrine. The mighty storm goddess sat herself on the wooden decking, put her arm around Sanae's shoulders and gazed out over Gensokyo.

Sanae smiled. "You're so right. It's beautiful! I love Gensokyo so much!"

"And we live on the best mountain ever…" sighed Kanako.

"There's just so much Youkai Mountain to love! The grass, the boulders, the little streams, the waterfalls, the trees, the fairies…!" gushed Sanae.

"Oh, if only we could charge people for access! That'd make me the happiest goddess in the world!" cried Kanako, caught between desire and despair.

"…Um." Sanae had learned how to cope with Kanako's more mercantile moments. "Hey, Lady Suwako? Have you ever thought about charging for access to the beauty of nature?"

Kanako's eyes widened with horror. "Sanae, how could you think of-"

"Scourge Sign: Mishaguji-Sama!"

Sanae dove into the flower bed seconds before the shrine exploded. She'd been hoping Suwako would just have a few stern words with Kanako, but they did move in mysterious ways after all…

By-and-by, a storm brewed over the mountain.

"Now, that's rotten luck," sighed Momiji, handing her empty plate to the wolf tengu on washing-up duty. "I thought we had an agreement with that snake goddess! No storms during the Summer."

"I don't think it's Kanako's fault this time. Look up there!" cried Aya, pointing up over the highest rooftops to the stark grey slopes above. A red-and-green misfortune goddess was balanced on the very tip of the mountain, spinning so fast her whole body was a blur.

"Hi… Hina Kagiyama?! Up there?! We have to get rid of her!" Momiji drew her scimitar. "Aya, flank her from the rear! Hatate, get above her and pen her in with your stock images! I'll draw her fire!"

"Sorry, were you talking to me?" Aya was busy slotting a new reel of film into her camera. "Go ahead and pummel her. I'll just be over here."

Hatate gave her a look. "Don't blame us if your house gets washed away…"

"But Hatate, don't we live together?" said Aya sweetly. "Guess I won't bother getting your stuff out of the rain!"

"Rrrrgh! You-! You selfish, good for nothing bird-brain!" Momiji kicked at a random boulder, smashing it to rubble. "Fine, laze around while we fight bravely for queen and country. I'm sure that won't end badly for you."

"Don't let me keep you, then. Toodle-pip!" said Aya, waving cheekily.

Muttering furiously under her breath, Momiji stormed up the pinnacle of the mountain. Thanks to Hina, she stubbed three of her toes on the way. Hatate smashed face-first through several trees, getting all scratched and battered. She could hear Aya laughing at them both. Hatate sighed heavily, flew up and kicked Aya in the face.

"Hina! Oi, Hina!" Momiji grabbed one of the goddess's long ribbons and gave it a yank. Hina spun to a confused stop.

"Uh, c-can I help you?" Hina laughed nervously. "And can I have my shoulder-wrap back, please?"

"I'll say you can help me. Your misfortune is going to bring down the mountain!" snapped Momiji. "Well, um, theoretically. Look, we don't want you here!"

"What?! But it's so pointy!" whined Hina. "I can spin so well up here! How am I supposed to resist?!"

Momiji shrugged. "Willpower. It isn't my problem at the end of the day."

"That's easy for you to say. I'm not leaving, though." Hina retrieved her spell-cards. "Do you want to go, tengu? 'Cause I'm ready for you!"

"Count on it! Hatate, make sure you get my best side!" Momiji raised her sword above her head and flew at Hina.

~Author's Note~

I wasn't too happy with this story when I wrote it. It was all right, certainly, but kind of "average". I rewrote the first section entirely and touched up the rest to make the plot flow a little better, and added some Hatate, because she's lovely. Hope you liked it.