Top of Summer Mountains Epilogue (Abridged)

 [Note for anyone who reads my posts here and not in the Housamo Discord channel I hang around and put these in first: I'm skipping Tokyo Dancing Saturday for the time being and doing the AGF bit with Manticore next.]

Zao is walking into the middle of the event singularity while there's blinding light all around. He has the power to talk to mountains with his third eye and also the power to conquer mountains by hiking them. The ability to talk to mountains does not guarantee the ability to understand them. It's like the app's translation magic being able to interface with mountain leylines while the conquering ability is simply declaring "I'm better than you." If Zao makes it up top, then he demonstrated himself to be above that mountain, which means he can gain full understanding of it. As he's doing now with the event singularity.
Zao: (frowns)
MC: What's up, Senpai?

Zao's looking at the script for what the hell happened this whole event. He's also seeing why he saw a phantom of MC up top. If the singularity was running some sort of pseudo kodoku with dragons and snakes, then whatever that would end up surviving would face a situation like himself. Having always lived in confined bounds, could he actually hack it outside them? He was afraid to find out, so if he could go back, he'd do it all over again. Which is why taking that step out wasn't something he could've done alone.
Zao: ...Kouhai, I'll be leaving ahead of you, but I'm sure I'll see you again.
(Even if there's nothing out there for me.)
Zao: I'll broaden the world for you. What you do with that is up to you.
MC: Cool / oh you
And so Zao takes a step towards the unknown. The event singularity calms and fades, and time marches forward.

Later
It's been a few days since the singularity went away, and now the party's back together at the mountain foothills.
Kumano Gongen: ...hey again, MC.
MC: S'up / what is it, bitchface?
---
(A) Kumano: Okay so I was psyching up for you to be totally casual but DAMN this is weird!
(BC) Kumano: !?
---
Aww, MC and Kumano being honest with each other.
Kumano: ...welp, I at least know I'm never letting you get ahead of me.
He seems happy, despite what he says.
Kumano: So...we're both dragons, yeah? I've always told other ones to stay away, but that's not gonna happen with you. I don't really want to be captain after Himavat, but if you're captaining Shinjuku's team next then I'll do what I can. I want us to stay equals, able to say any dirty shameful thoughts out loud to each other. So...I'm sorry for what I said that first time. I'll make it up to you however you want.
MC: it's cool / you owe me for life / giggity
(A) Kumano: Are you TRYING to make this difficult?
(B) Kumano: GODDAMMIT
(C) Kumano: I KNOW THAT LOOK

The captains are here!
Himavat: Good job with the investigation thing again, everyone! We didn't settle our rivalry, but we're here for a friendly get together, sponsored by AndvaResort! Obligatory group chorus call, everybody!
Everyone: Andvari Ropeway!
Kumano Gongen: Oh god do we have to do that every time!?
Xi Wang Mu: Maybe!
Kumano: Oh well, you get in first MC. Watch your step.
MC: Thanks / (rush in)
(B) Kumano: Slow down, it ain't going anywhere yet! ...oh you wanted to get in before me? Oh okay th--wait where are you touching!?

Ding ding, tram's moving!
Durga: Wow again, that view! Way different than climbing on foot!
Chernobog: We could never have seen it without the trams. I must thank my friend once more.
Tanngrisnir: What a beautiful vista.
Himavat: Hmm. So the Shinjuku club looks over all of the mountain rather than the beginning and end?
Zao: ...you mean you don't look where you're going and you AREN'T this totally detached guy?
Xi Wang Mu: Well what can you do? We have to climb mountains for work.
Kumano Gongen: I guess they can see some things because they do it for fun.
Durga: I don't think you get it either, Kumano. How about a club contest since we aren't working together this time!?
Kumano: N-no I do! And how would this contest even work when--
Xi Wang Mu: Kumano sweetie, stop right there. Mommy is on break and wants to stay that way.
Enigma: I for one adore your various imperfections. That aside, no geomagnetic interference detected. All is safe.
MC: I wonder why that even happened?
Bigfoot: MC.
Bigfoot wants a private talk.
Bigfoot: Me, saw friends came to deal with it. Things okay. No repeats, maybe.

Flashback!
Christine: So this is the event singularity keystone Bigfoot was talking about. Magic network and creation of new life, I see...
Yep, something that couldn't interface with Tokyo Babel Tower's authority was here.
Alice: ...so what now? Tape off the door to Wonderland?
Christine: No, let's mark it Outside of Tokyo. I brought her here for that.
Karen Curren: Hmm, a parliamentary system exceeding the current bounds of human cognition? Since it uses time as a resource, I can cut it off from the game with time control.
Bwoop!
Curren: Okay, done. Shouldn't affect the game anymore as long as we have control.

Present
Zao: So I tried coming back the other day and I could talk to the mountains again. They said they tried talking to me the whole time and I just couldn't hear them. New goal, if something like that happens again, I want to still be able to be on equal terms with the mountains.
Enigma: Now that the event singularity is gone, the sleigh route is safe too.
Tanngrisnir: Indeed! Headmaster Ded will be pleased Christmas will be on track.
Enigma: We will be arriving at the station soon. Do not worry, I will be there to pick up anything your useless organic brain forgets and leaves behind.
Claude's Chapel
Claude: Hello again, Bridegroom and compatriots!
Belphegor: Thanks again for your help earlier!
Claude: Yes, business has been booming since.
Snow: Very popular with nature lovers.
Claude: We even hired those strange pirates!
Belphegor: Oh yeah, we also do unorthodox marriage ceremonies too! Call us if you ever want to arrange anything!

Later
Time to hoof it up to that lake!
MC: Nice... / (dying...)
---
(A) Enigma: I see you're acclimated to mountain climbing, but I know you still need me.
(BC) Enigma: Master, let me carry your bags while you take a breath. Normal people would say don't push yourself, but I will compensate for your failings.
---
Enigma: I will always be with you as your secretary, butler, whatever you wish. In sickness and in health, I suppose?

Later
Oh hey it's that campground.
Maria: Oh hello everyone! Thank you for before. Both the cooking camp and the rescue mission turned out well.
Bigfoot: Me, glad children found. Me do job good.
Tanngrisnir: Thank you too. Your help was indispensable to finding those lost campers...also something smells good. Did we interrupt lunch or something?
Maria: Oh we just started making something. Would you like to join us?
Tanngrisnir: Oh, I didn't mean to fish for an invite, but it would be nice to sit by a fire.
MC: You wanna help, don't you? / mommy I'm hungry! / Captain, can we stop for a bit?
---
(A) Tanngrisnir: You know me so well, MC. Yes, I'd like to help cook. And I'll serve stew too!
(B) Xi Wang Mu: Oh you~. Well it is lunch time so okay, I'll make something!
(C) Zao: Sounds good. Okay, break time everybody!
Kumano: Whoa, this always happen with you guys?
Himavat: Zao must have planned this to happen!
Zao: No????
---
Bigfoot: Oh, Xi Wang Mu? Talk private? Me, have favor ask.

Later
Chernobog: Captain, is this a big enough stone hearth?
Zao: Yeah, thanks. Should be for Tanngrisnir's stewpot. I'll make the fire, go help the Missionaries with Durga.
Bigfoot: Good, like this?
Xi Wang Mu: Yes, it's great! It'll surprise everyone!
And so the party and Missionaries make lunch together.
Tanngrisnir: Special mountain stew, ready! Stew for everyone! (runs off)
Durga and Chernobog: WHAT
Zao: Huh. Well I guess he'll be back after handing stew to everyone. Oh well, lunch time! Also Bigfoot made something?
Xi Wang Mu and Bigfoot bring something over.
Bigfoot: Me, make handmade noodles. Soba, good. Have some!
MC: Wow! / how'd you pull handmade noodles off

Himavat: Thank you for the Shinjuku special.
Jersey Devil: Aww yiiiissss.
Jersey Devil just drooling like a dog.
Chernobog: Simple yet toothsome. Impressive!
Durga: Yeah! You really made this, Bigfoot?
Bigfoot: Himavat, gave soba. Xi Wang Mu, taught making. Chapel, gave idea. Good food, people happy. Me, wanted people remember that. Me, glad tried hard. Zao, you like?
Zao: Yep.
Kumano Gongen: Lotta soups so far, but eh it's cool.
MC: Thanks Bigfoot! / Well if you don't want it... (take Kumano's noodles)
---
(BC) Kumano: No wait, I wasn't trying to complain! Thanks, Bigfoot!
---
Bigfoot: Me glad, hehe. Also, where Tanngrisnir?
Something bright is coming this way!
Tanngrisnir: I was thinking of how to make my stew better and then this suddenly happened!
MC: MY EYESSSS
Nisroch: Welp! Next time I'll be even better and treat you to the Forbidden Full Course!

Later, the lake
Durga: Oh god the last day of summer vacation, whoooo!
Tanngrisnir: Could my sleigh be used as a jetski...? Actually I should just swim first.
Zao: It feels weird wearing a swimsuit, but we came all this way so...bombs away!
Chernobog: Captain, maybe you shouldn't go jumping into everything?
Bigfoot: Mm. Nice, cool. Reminds snow. MC, enjoy together!
Almost Everyone: Yay!
Enigma: Hmm. Does the Setagaya Mountaineering Club not waste its time like the Shinjuku Wandervogel Club?
MC: RUUUUDE / You said you'd always be with me, right? / (group splash Enigma)
Enigma: No wait, stop! Ahhhh!

Jersey Devil: Bitches get hit, right Kumano? Anyways, I'mma swim with the Shinjuku peeps!
Xi Wang Mu: Wow, so lively. Mommy's going to set up a tent, okay?
Kumano: I'll help. What about you, Captain?
Himavat: (GASPS) Zao, how could you go spelunking in some other strange mountain when you have ME!? Kumano, let's go! We can't fall behind Zao and Number 2!
Kumano: What does that even me--WAAAA
Himavat drags Kumano into the water!
Andvari: Hey gang, thanks for the investigation work. Went crazy there but it all ended good! So now we got extradimensional scenery and a lake up here. My resort's getting better and better! Anyways, here's a big guild party invite, have fun!
The Missionaries, Berserkers, and Tycoons are here!

*Later*
Kumano Gongen: Oof, that was a lot. Still kinda fun tho.
MC: So what's next for you? / C'mon, you can tell me! *(lean on Kumano)*
---
(BC) Kumano: Goddammit, this is Kiyohime all over again!
---
Kumano: Besides the club? Well I'm already in forestry training...so maybe I'll just stay in the mountains and avoid people? Or I had thought about it, anyways.
Kumano looks right at MC.
Kumano: But things change. I wanna be on equal footing, and I feel like I finally took a step towards that.
MC: I'll come again / I'll hang out if I feel like it / (no filter your thoughts)
---
(A) Kumano: ...sure, I was just thinking that too.
(B) Kumano:  Sounds good.
(C) Kumano: Heh!
---
Kumano: ...what about you?
The next day
Zao sits somewhere up top on Mt. Hakone. Coffee in hand, video on stream, a memory of an old friend.
Zao: Welp, time to get going!
And so Zao holds his hand out to the one with him. They'll keep going on, off to see new mountains.
The End 

Top of Summer Mountains Episode 6 Part 2 (Abridged)

Flashback!
Zao: Marriage?
So Kumano once told Zao about what happened to him.
Zao: Ah yes, one of those things you need to climb mountains!
Kumano: No it isn't you dumb bitch. Make a litte space in your brain for this while I explain this for five year olds...
One explanation later
Zao: I don't get it. If she loved you so much, why did she want to marry you instead of doing something else?
Kumano: Oh, NOW you act all sharp and observant. Marriage is like the best part of people's lives. Some people don't see a point in living if they don't get it...I guess?
Zao didn't get it then, but he gets it now. If this is the best part of his life and everything is downhill from here, why not just...stop?
Zao: Kouhai, you remember when we first met? When I invited you to the club? ...when you took my hand?

Present
Something has Zao at the bottom of the caldera lake!
Enigma: Sensors back online now that geomagnetic interference is down! Zao's bio signal is disappearing into another dimension!
Zao is falling out of the realm of human perception!
MC: Senpai! / Enigma, help!
---
(BC) Enigma: Excellent judgment of my competency, asking my help first.
---
Enigma: Temporarily designated target Lebensraum, quarantining with Noble Phantasm! Subsystem tags attached, tracking route...calculated!
MC: Tracking? Bigfoot!
Bigfoot: Understood. Me, can track unearthly things. Noble Phantasm activate!
What would be untrackable by humans has now been traced!
Bigfoot: That way! But, too fast!
MC: Tanngrisnir!
Tanngrisnir: Need lightning speed? Of course! Noble Phantasm activate!

The party gets chumpblocked by Shadow Wyverns!
MC: Oh no! (swing back)
Bigfoot: Must be intruding in territory. Careful MC, Kumano! More coming!
Chernobog: Ahh, doesn't this bring back memories?
Durga: Our turn to help!
Chernobog: In the name of the Lord of Bald Mountain, I command thee to sleep. Noble Phantasm, freeze!
Durga: Victory is mine! Noble Phantasm, fire!

Meanwhile
Zao (narrating): ...I'm falling to oblivion, holding hands with Something that looks like Kouhai. It's fine if it's not really them. They'll love me and stay with me forever.
Distant Voices: (gibberish)
Zao (narrating): Something's coming, saying...stuff. I can't tell what, but it looks like an attack. I was about to run, afraid, but then I noticed something. I remember back when only the mountains understood me, when I was all alone. I kept trying to invite people to join me, which now seems a little weird in retrospect. Honestly I was scared and didn't understand anyone...but then you took my hand and opened up my world. I didn't stop being scared because I knew where we were going, but because...
Himavat: Zao! You once said that height doesn't make mountains alone, and that you'd keep climbing if there were more mountains to see! Even if no one can see it, it might still be there!
Zao (narrating): Because I'm your senpai, and I wanted to look cool in front of you.
MC: (grab Zao's hand) / (let Zao grab you) / (hug Zao)
Zao comes back into clarity!
Zao: ...sorry about the wait. I'm back!

The Singularity mountains writhe! Something cries!
Kumano Gongen: ...Mt. Kumano. I dunno what you're saying, but I know I'm back then to the time I couldn't explain myself to Kiyohime. Here we go, Noble Phantasm activate!
Kumano (narrating): I'm sure we could've done something else if I didn't run and trap myself in that bell.
Kumano: ...I'm gonna live and change, no matter how dirty I get. I'm not the clean and pretty guy you thought I was, but I'm sure there was always other choices for us.
BATTLE START (more happens after)

Too bright. Zao is holding hands with someone.
Zao: ...hey Kouhai, you mind if I look uncool for a minute?
MC: Sure / you weren't already?
---
(C) Zao: Well damn, do you always have to be such a little shit?
---
Zao: So...I was afraid I'd lose contact with you, and everyone, once I graduated. That this is the best time of my life, here in modern Tokyo. I thought if this was it, maybe it should just end there. But I was wrong. I never knew where I was going with you from the start. This is just the first step...
Zao takes a step forward and turns to MC.
Zao: And I want to take it with you, not just as part of the Wandervogel club. Uhh...what was I trying to say?
MC: Let's keep climbing mountains after / Let's make a new club after graduation / Marry me after graduation
(A) Zao: ...maybe. Well, actually no but it could go there. So, will you climb mountains with me even after graduation?
(B) Zao: ...maybe. Well actually no, but that sounds good. Let's make a club where anyone can join! And I want you to be its first member!
(C) Zao: ...maybe. Well actually no, but that sounds good. Marry me, Kouhai! ...do I even know what I'm asking? Uh, yeah. Maybe?

Zao: What Himavat said to me actually bothered me a little. Maybe I'd be a little more proud of myself if I went pro mountain climbing. But I'm not him...and I don't need to be like him or anyone. Right?
Kumano: ...I could have said anything, but I should have actually talked it out with you, Kiyohime.
Kumano talks to the Singularity Shadow Wyvern thing.
Gibberish.
It's not clear if Kiyohime is really in there, but he had to say something at least.
Kumano: Me not getting across isn't a surprise, but...
Kumano (narrating): I always thought things could only end one way. We both did.
Kumano: Sorry it took so long, but I have my answer for you. I can't marry you because I can't connect with anyone. But thanks. It was just an unlucky matchup.
Himavat would probably go "pffft" if he heard that. Different beings can't understand each other as a rule, but...
Shadow Wyvern: [Unknown response]
And so the event singularity is solved as Mt. Hakone returns to normal.
To be continued in the epilogue!

Top of Summer Mountains Episode 6 Part 1 (Abridged)

Kumano Gongen (narrating): So like back when I was still just human...
Totally Not Anchin: What do you MEAN you're in love with me!?
Kumano (narrating): I rolled up in this one village and some girl I literally just met proposed to me. She was all "omg ur so pretty you're my pure soulmate" but I couldn't say yes because Buddhist monks are supposed to be celibate. Girl's mind lived on another planet though, so just saying that didn't work. So my genius ass said...
Totally Not Anchin: Maybe there's someone else better for you?
Kumano (narrating): You know how country villages are. Everyone hears EVERYTHING and everyone's grandma knew about the dumping in fifteen minutes. I claimed I didn't want to embarrass her as I bailed without saying anything, but really...I didn't think we were anywhere close to being the same kind of beings. She turned into a dragon because I kicked her out of my world and wouldn't accept her as an equal, Tenshin Kasho Zanmai'd my ass, then according to local faith unalived herself.
Kumano Gongen (narrating): All that up there is the origin story of Kumano Gongen's faith. Which is to say, this fusion body that's probably my punishment for not picking that one right choice. Back then, back there, yes was the only right answer. But if this was some story, what's the takeaway supposed to be?

Later
Himavat: Kumano, you're too fussy and serious about these things.
Himavat's talking to the Setagaya club members about their futures.
Xi Wang Mu: Yeah, take your human responsibilities and live in that body. Mommy thinks you can forget about what happened already.
Himavat: Yeah, that's what I love about work. But seriously what horror story did you fall into? ...I like your thought patterns like she did, though.
Jersey Devil: Same, captain dude! Your feels ain't my business. Having religious faith and finding god? Pfffft, like that'll get me rich! Whatever work gets you ain't related to faith at all, yo. (leans on Kumano in exaggerated crudeness)
Kumano (narrating): Anyway this is Setagaya's Mountaineering Club. Interpersonal relationships here are dry, but that makes it paradise for me. No one's demanding total honesty with me (and threating to burn my ass over lies).
Kumano: Thanks Jersey Devil. If you want my body as is, I can lend myself out.
Himavat: So that's why you don't care about your body? It's dirty anyways, so it's easier doing everything? I think you care about it being dirty too much.
Kumano: ...I don't think you'll ever get it, Mr. Clean and Upright.

Kumano Gongen thinks Himavat would've managed to finesse Kiyohime's proposal somehow. Look at Mr. Long View over there, always being right. It'd have been nice to be like that, giving his whole heart and soul to someone.
Kumano: (...then again, Himavat's into Zao with all his Zao-ness.)
God it'd be nice to be perfectly right all your life. Not that he can do that.
Himavat: I'm not always right, Kumano.
Kumano: what
Himavat: It's just that I can only take the right way. It's why I like Zao.
Kumano: (stares)
Himavat: Hey Kumano, why did you come to Tokyo?
Kumano (narrating): Yeah I didn't get anything he was saying then. What else is new?

Present
So reminder, the party fell into some interdimensional caldera lake and the wires going up to Mt. Hakone are possessed or something.
Distortion Wyvern Thing: <>?!@#
MC: Another one!
Himavat: (regains clarity) Is it working now? Stay close, MC Fullname.
MC: Whoa how'd you do that? / (chestglomp)
(AB) Himavat: ...uhh, same thing Zao does?
(C) Himavat: !?
Himavat: Not that close.

Himavat: Accepting you as Zao Fan 2 is kind of weird. But anyways, I'm touching you with my artifact so we can now see the same things through memory shenanigans.
MC: You can do that? Sounds familiar. (remembers Pillars)
Himavat: Anyone with a World Pillar can do this. Mind sharing! Communication is a lie, personal cognitions make up the world. So if anyone can't do this, I guess they're stuck looking at glitches.
Distant fighting noises.
MC: Oh no, are the others fighting without knowing what's up!?
Himavat: Unfortunately likely.
MC: But why? What's that dragon thing I keep seeing?
Himavat: TLDR version, cognitive bugs preventing us from seeing each other as lives with value. If we can't communicate we see each other as incomprehensible things. I think.
MC: what

Himavat: Remember how Enigma said he popped out of Tokyo's information pool?
So if human consciousness comes from electric signals going through nerves, you could argue electric signals going through networks could make other consciousnesses. That's not enough for most people in this age though, which is why people attack AI. But anyways mountains are alive! They have dragon vein leylines to work as blood vessels, and Mt. Hakone being a mountain singularity makes it a mountain network. That means it too can spawn life the way Enigma popped out of comm nets and boy is it spawning them.
Himavat: Focus, MC. Do you feel the distortions nearby?
Something squirms.
Himavat: That's what the event singularity caused. Connecting so many leylines in one vessel is like stuffing a bunch of fish into a tiny aquarium. Know what happens?
MC: what / I think I've heard of that...
Himavat: They start attacking each other. Gu, kodoku, that sort of thing. They lose sense of their relations. Other beings having worth comes from there not being too many of them. Otherwise you instinctively get threatened over your survival.

Elsewhere
Kumano and Xi Wang Mu are running from confused event cast members!
Kumano: OH GOD HELP
Xi Wang Mu: Nobody is listening to Mommy! Keep running!
Outside the Singularity
Randos are crowding up to see the news. Mt. Hakone acts like it's a living animal! Some randos start sending secret messages to somewhere.
Somewhere aka Yurakucho
Oscar is getting reports.
Oscar: So...something seems to be trying to break out of the singularity? If it gets recognized as alive, the in and outside states of the overworld shift might flip. Before now, most of the shifts just collapsed because they got outnumbered by the outside.

Back inside the Singularity!
Himavat: So what now, Zao's heir?
MC: Um...
Himavat: Since Zao is gone, the investigation is down to us. I have three probable suggestions. One, the two of us retreat and get outside guidance. No guarantees we'll make it in time to solve anything, but we'll technically complete the job. Two, we drag our parties out, give up on solving the plot, and leave. I can probably fix them after we beat them over the heads, but then the plot still goes unresolved. We can run away and bunker down somewhere else, but who knows what'll happen to Tokyo? Three, we accept the event singularity and join fates.
MC: wait what does that even MEAN

Himavat: So our clubs have gone blind and are attacking each other. If we stop them, maybe whatever's being created here won't attack us either. Maybe it's evolution!
Mr. Incomprehensible To Normal People Galaxy Brain sometimes sounds like he's suggesting giving up. It's just that taking a view that long sometimes says "hey maybe large scale destruction is the right thing."
Himavat: Three is the most realistic if the goal is to preserve life. I don't know what kind of life it'll be though, mind you. So which do you think we should do, MC?
MC: What the hell kind of choice is this!?
Himavat: ...you have to pick even if there isn't a good choice. It's what being in charge and responsible means.
MC: But picking any of them means sacrificing things and--
Himavat: Yes, sacrifices will happen and our job is to carry that burden. (frowns)
MC: (thinks)

Earlier, Enigma noticed that there can be life viewpoints in other directions. Bigfoot showed everything can be replaced. Tanngrisnir showed everyone chooses what is right for them.
MC: And if Zao were here...
Himavat: ...time's up MC. What's your answer?
MC: I reject your suggestions and will come up with my own.
Himavat: wait what
MC: If there's no right answer and things are too cramped for everyone, then we will sidestep it and go some other way. That's what Zao would do.
Himavat: >:(

Plot twist! Something breaks through a nearby wall!
Himavat: Oh there you are, Jersey Devil.
Jersey Devil: (walks up and handshakes) Brooooo, you hit the jackpot again! Made it in by the deadline, so I could show up when you called, dude.
MC: WHOMST / hot
---
(C) Jersey Devil: bruuuuh thanks
---
Himavat: Okay, the Setagaya Mountaineering Club is all here. We're betting on your idea then! This'll be a big two-step plan, so we'll handle the first part! Let's go, team!
BATTLE START (more happens after)

Flashback!
Kumano Gongen: I hate people like you.
Kumano (narrating): I let that slip earlier. Maybe I should've said something else, but I ran off before resolving anything. Ugh, it's like with Kiyohime all over again.
Present
MC: (garbled) this way!
Flashback!
Himavat: MC, go get everyone's attention while we work. Don't worry, Xi Wang Mu will be with you. Even if she can't get through by speaking she can still see things like I do.
Himavat starts scouting for their positions with his artifact.
Himavat: She's one of the longest serving members on our team.
Present
Xi Wang Mu: Is it time for Mommy to do her magic? Okay, Noble Phantasm activate!
Xi Wang Mu flaps her tablecloth and wafts the smell of forbidden fruit to get the attention of all that lives.

Elsewhere
Jersey Devil: Y'all gotten to safety yet? Cool, underground expansion time! Noble Phantasm mining, go!
Jersey Devil starts expanding the Enclosed Area down!
Himavat: Hmm, I don't think I've worked on anything this big in ages. Noble Phantasm activate! Rise, mountains, rise!
Himavat starts expanding the singularity upwards too!
The confusion effect has been dispelled now that it's not too crowded!
Kumano Gongen: wait what just happe--OH GOD
Kumano starts falling!
MC: (save him)
Kumano: MC!
Kumano: (frowns)

Later
Kumano Gongen: Why'd you save me even after I said I hated you?
MC: Let's talk / Oh I hate you too, jackass! / Uhh, hot bod.
---
(A) Kumano: ...you really are an ass, stealing my lines from under me.
(B) Kumano: Damn, harsh. Good thing I never said this to her.
(C) Kumano: Pffft, you can't just say that! I feel relaxed now though.
---
Kumano: ...I wanted you to hate me because I'm afraid of being liked. It's not just with Kiyohime, but with everyone.
Kumano (narrating): This isn't a big deal to the Setagaya Mountaineering Club but I still didn't want to tell them. How can I keep my life going if people knew I worked as an escape? Not when so many people actually like working.
Kumano: I've always been running from my life. God DAMN I suck so much!
Deep feelings.
MC: Can't you run from things? It's how I got here since I didn't want responsibilities.

Kumano: (stares in shock)
Himavat told MC to take responsibility. MC said no. And here we are!
Kumano: HA! Damn you sure told me!
Kumano doesn't know why he's laughing either. But it feels like there's some sort of interpersonal understanding now.
Kumano: You're as dirty as I am. Heh!
Kumano hasn't laughed so hard in forever.
Kumano: ...I feel better now. So this is what it's like to talk to someone on equal footing. Maybe I should've talked to her like this.
MC: I feel more rumbling. Wait, something's wrong!
Kumano: ...it's HER.
Mt. Kumano. Where she left her heart behind.
Kumano: Kiyohime.
Giant dragon! Also she ate Zao or something.
End of Episode part

Top of Summer Mountains Episode 5 Part 2 (Abridged)

So, Himavat is different from the Gongen thing. He's both a representation of the Himalayas and a a human-made form. A watcher from the highest point over 50 million years. He's seen the rise of humanity, though none ever came to his heights. That place was called the Ceiling of the World, a pillar that supported the world with all the memories carved into it. Himavat has those memories, and getting the top of success in Tokyo was easy for him. He became a famous sports brand model! And when you stand that high above society, it's easy to make your way through. Top of his school class! Tokyo's top fashion model! Everyone was in awe of him, but Himavat never really cared because he couldn't really talk to people. How dare people not have his perfect memory and repeat some mistake they made a century ago? Aliens, the lot of them. And then one day he met Zao...

Present
Some cave
MC: where am I? I saw Zao before and...
MC: I got flooded? Then there was a giant hole...
Welp, MC and Zao fell into the big sky hole together!
MC: Oh right where is Zao?
MC thinks back to finding Zao and Not MC up top. Zao stepped forward and then fell into the hole. The hole swelled as it filled with water, and MC fell in too.
MC: Where's Zao!?
Flashback!
Himavat: You're a terrible club captain for not setting it up to be able to work without you!
Zao: !?
Himavat: You know what the difference between work and hobby, right?
Present
MC: Right, calm as the mountains. Zao would want to make sure everyone's okay!

Elsewhere
Himavat managed to stop himself from falling by sticking a stake into the rock wall.
Himavat: I've seen this happen before. Keep calm and carry on.
This is some world's caldera lake. A natural phenomenon.
Himavat: That hole opened like a snake's mouth. Seen it before too...seems like the other investigation members fell in.
Himavat calmly descends in. Then he picks up on something invisible.
Himavat: Geomagnetism. That explains the comms jamming.
Himavat checks his ski pole artifact. Enigma would say a magnetic storm is warping spacetime. The big hole is collecting energy like some antenna. Himavat then holds his poles up.
Himavat: Show me what happened with Zao.
Memory replay!
Zao: KOOOOUHAAAAIIII
Himavat: (frowns) You care about MC that much...?
Himavat starts remembering his first night with Zao...

Flashback!
It happened one night at some overworld shifted mountaintop.
Himavat: Someone actually made it up here? There's no oxygen! Who are you!? ...whoa!
Zao: I made it! Also who are you?
First person to ever make it asks that while hugging him. They talked all night, and it was a first of many things for Himavat. First contact, impressed by Zao's passion.
Himavat: Why go back down? This is the highest mountain in the world!
Zao: Who cares about height if that's all it has? I just came because I felt like it, and I'm going because I like people.
That smile.
Zao: I'm gonna start a mountaineering club!
Himavat decides he'll go down too then. And make his own club so he can stand equal to Zao forever!
Present
Himavat: Why do you care so much about a normal human...? ...hm?
Something's there. Weird wyvern MC thing!
Later
MC: wait what I can't see what's happening
Wyvern Himavat thing!
MC: wait WHAT
BATTLE START (more happens after)

MC: What the hell is going on!? Wait this is like before with Zao!
That was earlier, when he tried attacking but then fell into the hole. Maybe their recognition of what's happening is wrong.
MC: Hmm...
MC: (push back) / (spread your arms) / (judo catch)
Strange noises!
Eventually the distortion disappears and Himavat is revealed!
Himavat: Huh. Didn't expect that to be done.
MC: Himavat? I can finally see I guess? Good thing we can stop now.
Himavat: You did that as a blind guess? Who would actually--no wait, it suddenly makes sense you're Zao's heir now.
MC: where are we? / where's everyone else? / Is Zao...okay?
(B) Himavat: You're always so concerned with others. But I'm sure they're okay. My school's at least.
(C) Himavat: ...I didn't expect you to look like that too.

Himavat: ...we're in a tunnel towards a caldera lake basically. I'd bring along my team if it were safe, but somehow you landed outside my hypothesis.
Himavat looks right at MC.
Himavat: I lost sight of things. You did well after Zao disappeared. Even if you all don't individually remember, you showed you're connected on a scale bigger than I am. I was jealous that Zao cared about you so much, a human. But now I greet you, Zao Fan 2!
MC: excuse me???
Himavat: I'm Zao Fan 1 by the way.
MC: explain later! / what? / let's go somewhere next time, the three of us
---
(C) Himavat: Okay! I'll tell you about the time we first met!
---
Himavat: Well you're the first to meet up with me, so I'll tell you my experience-based guesses. I've sensed the atmosphere from the dragon vein leyline in here lots of times before. Snake dens from different worlds, a trap to speed up competitive scrambling for survival!
Tram Station
Andvari: What the hell, the phones aren't working!
Andvari's waiting at the station. Wires surround the mountains like snakes!
Elsewhere
Kumano Gongen: ...I sense Mt. Kumano. Are you there, Kiyohime?
Her. The one who chased him for marriage. Kumano's artifact rings quietly, an invitation to hell.
End of Episode

Top of Summer Mountains Episode 5 Part 1 (Abridged)

Zao (narrating): You know, I used to be the only member in the Shinjuku Wandervogel club. Not for lack of TRYING mind you, but it was okay because the MOUNTAINS talked to me! In retrospect I thought that time period would go on forever, with me being a school slacking mountain hobo. But then I got new kouhais in the club! And then I reached the top of the mountain and the end of the road.
Zao: I still can't hear the mountains up here, and there's nowhere else higher to go. I wanna stay here, not graduate and go away. I wanted to believe things would never end, but that's just wishful thinking on my end. The march of time SUCKS! Hey, would I get a do-over if I mess everything up?
Still no response from the mountains.
Zao: I don't know what to do, but I'm pretty sure I'd do anything if there was a chance to go back in time to where I first met you, Kouhai.

Rewind to before the rescue dispatch from last time! Meeting time at the tram station.
MC: Are we here to go over the event plot?
Engima: Yes. Investigation has uncovered things but raised further questions. I'd like us to to share information, incompetent though you may all be.
MC: RUUUUDE / Hi I'm Incompetent / Keep that a you-and-me thing mkay
---
(C) Enigma: ...ahem, understood. Please try your best, Master Useless.
---
Zao: We should talk about the overworld shift first. It...used to be not as bad. Well, for hikers I guess?
MC: literally what
Zao: Stop getting on my case, Kouhai!

Kumano Gongen: Can I go first, Captain? I wanna bring up how MANY people got into accidents and incidents up here, and I think that's what Zao meant by not so bad.
Chernobog: Are you saying the mountains are actively trying to hurt people?
Zao: No! Well, not the mountains I knew. Maybe the time scales they're working on is different from ours?
Chernobog: ...I see, thank you Captain.
Himavat: :slight_smile:
MC: (what's Himavat getting so happy about?)
Kumano: This is gonna sound weird for me, but maybe what's going on is actually our side's fault and not the mountains?
Xi Wang Mu: Huh, feeling guilty is so you. Go on.
Kumano: Could you not? This just feels familiar. Like, every problem we came across came from people hiking up a different mountain than they thought they were. They couldn't all have not noticed, but maybe they just saw what they wanted to see? But then some mountains can't be boiled down to just their unique bits...
Himavat: (stares)
MC: (wait why is Himavat staring at me)

Kumano Gongen: Uhhhh shit what was I saying? Captain, take over for m--Captain?
Himavat: (frown)
Himavat: Oh! Excuse me I was thinking about stuff. Were we talking about Zao's nice gut?
Zao and Kumano: NO????
Bigfoot: Hmm. Everyone, different thought focus.
Enigma: I shall go over our investigation results then. I've added the new strata we have encountered and confirmed the event singularity is expanding.
MC: So every mountain is linked to one of the other worlds...
Enigma: I've lost almost all contact with our starting position. Wifi connection is untenable. There is also evidence part of the investigation party has seen something unusual. I have detected heavy electromagnetic waves, though possible correlation is unknown.
Zao and Kumano: !!

Later
Tanngrisnir: !!
MC: did you guys feel that too
Enigma: Yes, specifically Zao, Himavat, Kumano Gongen, and MC.
Durga: Uhhhh...oh, they all have Gongen in their names!
MC: Only two of us! BTW what's it mean
Zao: Oh right I never told you. Well does anyone else not know?
MC: (shake head) / are you brothers? / I FEEL YOUR SMUG AURA MOCKING ME
---
(B) Durga: OMG really???
Kumano: Nah. If we were, that would suck bad.
(C) Zao: I'm trying to be serious here!
---
Zao: Okay so there's different kinds of Gongens, but Kumano and I are fusions between mountains and people or Transients. Me with Mt. Zao and Kumano with Mt. Kumano.
MC: So Himavat is... / So Bigfoot is... / So Chernobog is...
(A) Himavat: Oh I'm not actually a mountain fusion.
(B) Bigfoot: Bigfoot Gongen???
(C) Chernobog: Bald Mountain Gongen?

Zao: What? Gongen's not something you just slap on willy-nilly.
Kumano Gongen: People also call me Kumano Sansho Gongen. It's both a faith term and what you call a person/dragon/mountain fusion. I'm a human soul, a half dragon body, and a dragon's artifact put together, which is arguably a living mountain according to some people.
Himavat:  I see. You're wondering what Gongen has manifested in this singularity?
MC: So...Mt. Hakone's soul or personality whatever changed?
Zao: Mt. Hakone seems to be drowned out by other voices. I can't prove it though. What do you think, Kouhai?
MC: I believe you of course / talking to mountains is all you're good at so yeah
---
(C) Zao: RUUUUDE
---
Zao: ...thanks Kouhai.
Enigma: ...if Mt. Hakone really is one terminal in a cluster system in this analogy, bringing it to the fore is likely impossible.
MC: what
Enigma: Call it a futuristic application of majority rule. Think of how a mind hive could be called a godlike being normal people could actually talk to.
Xi Wang Mu: Hey, we should go soon! Which way?
Enigma: ...too many unknowns, not enough time to discuss. Majority rule it is.

Later
Kumano: So. We split up like this because we couldn't come to a majority decision.
Zao: Guys, if anyone doesn't find those SOS callers, go on ahead to the top to wait for everyone else!
MC: Okay! You aren't coming back?
Q'ursha: If these are the mountains I know, the paths don't follow normal physics. They only connect up top.
Zao: Also we're in a singularity. Going down is dangerous. Climbing higher is more reliable.
Kumano Gongen: So Captain, who do you think will find those people needing help?
Himavat sounds confident.
Himavat: MC and Tanngrisnir. Conceptual conditions matching for Kitezh's legends about a mountain hero and a magic animal.
Kumano: Aww. Then can we get a move on for the top?
Himavat: You seem to be butting heads with MC a lot. But Zao will get to the top first because that's his thing. But shortest way up doesn't always lead to the highest peak.
Kumano: Zao beating me to the top is whatever. Just don't want to lose to MC.
Xi Wang Mu: Ooh, you care a lot about MC!
Kumano: wait what
Xi Wang Mu: You actually said you don't like them even though you couldn't say it to Kiyohime or whoever it was.
Kumano: uhhhhh
Xi Wang Mu: I know you think it's easier for everyone to hate you, but you wouldn't say that to people you want to be equals with.
Kumano: wait WHAT

Later
Durga: Wait, you shouldn't split off, Captain!
Zao: I'll be fine, I trust you guys. We need to find those people quick, and my class--actually can we just do this? Sorry, I want to help you guys, the people, and the mountains.
And so Zao walks off alone into the event singularity. He gets to the top first as Himavat said. He tries to talk to the mountains again, but...
Zao: ...wait, who are you? Are you the mountain I know? And why do you look like that!?
It's a fake MC who seems really big and giving off WRONG vibes! Imposter! Faker! Something of unequal status that turns into a wyvern!
Zao: Say something!
Very faint Mt. Hakone vibes.
Zao: Did you do something to Kouhai!?
Zao steps forward! He then gets flooded by wyverns!

Elsewhere
Kumano Gongen: Hey wait there's suddenly tons of dragons up top!
Giant hole opens up beneath Kumano!
Kumano: !!
Elsewhere
Q'ursha: ...this is the seven mountains of my home world.
The mountains connected to the timeline, the gods, and snakes. Also there's a hole at the top.
Kumano Gongen: ...Kiyohime?
Everyone falls into the sky hole!
Meanwhile, MC's subteam reaches the top with the SOS group from last time!
MC: Plot Sword activate! (swings) Senpaiiii!
MC reaches the top! Zao is there! Along with...
MC: whomst
And so Zao walks in to hell or something.
End of Episode part

Top of Summer Mountains Episode 4 Part 2 (Abridged)

Tanngrisnir (narrating): I'm from Yggdrasil, the Paradise of Divergence propped up by the World Tree. The world's faith causes us to have a multiverse of parallels, so somewhere out there is a version of me that DIDN'T get this leg scar. Anyways I used to pull Thor's chariot with Tanngnjostr, and he could pass as my twin except he doesn't have a leg scar either. I had to retire from battle because of it. If an unscarred version of me is running around, which of us is real? Who's the real star?
Some time later
White: I don't think we can figure that out at this point since Tokyo has only one world state going at a time. We're Proper Human History and every other possibility is a Lostbelt. Kind of presumptuous to put it that way as the winners of fate, huh?
Tanngrisnir: ...I've heard how your friend gave his role to make sure you all lived on. I think we may have made the right choice, but I wonder what the right choice is for others?
Tanngrisnir (narrating): So then Ded said...

Present
Tanngrisnir: Hey MC, still up?
MC: I was waiting for you. How's the investigation?
Tanngrisnir: Enigma and I just finished and came back.
MC: So, can I talk to you?
Tanngrisnir: Hmm, this sounds serious. I hope I can help!
One explanation later
Tanngrisnir: So you regret what you said to Kumano Gongen?
MC: Yeah...he's still being unfairly bitchy though!
Tanngrisnir: Ah, this reminds me of my old self. Or of Tanngnjostr.
MC: what?
Tanngrisnir: Oh yes, we had our fights. Harsh, but warm.
MC: I wish I could've seen you then.

Tanngrisnir: Oh...! Well thank you. Special advice: never look back on your life, go full steam ahead!
MC: Okay! / How is that special!? / (wait)
Tanngrisnir: We can't go back in time. Or if we did, it wouldn't be us who made the choice we did. So live as happily as you can since that's all you can do.
MC: But what if I'm talking to someone who thinks it could be better? / (wait)
Tanngrisnir: Well if someone else thinks there's some other choice, that's not something you can do alone. So everyone should just choose what they think is best.
MC: what?
Tanngrisnir: Hmm. Well I'm sure you'll figure it out. I'll support you when the time comes.
MC: (thank him) / (bow in true Japanese fashion) / (hug)
(AB) Tanngrisnir: You're welcome!
(C) Tanngrisnir: UHHHH, student/teacher relationships are frowned upon! If you graduate first, then...ahem.

Elsewhere
Dramatic thunder!
Zao: (stares)
Kumano Gongen: Can't sleep?
Zao: ...I can't hear it.
Kumano: wait what
Zao: I can't hear Mt. Hakone.
A first for the Mountain Whisperer!
Zao: Something is up.
Kumano: (frown)
Kumano: Can I talk to you about that?
BOOM
Zao and Kumano: !!
Something just happened!

Back to MC's position
MC: hmm, bad feelings. What just happened?
Bigfoot: MC! Tanngrisnir! Captain calling!
Party regrouping!
Himavat: So we have an emergency rescue request now.
MC: It's near here?
Zao: At least one of the callers has a bad leg injury.
Tanngrisnir: !!
Durga: W-wait, could it be my friends!?
Himavat: We leave at sunrise. Get ready to go by then.
MC: Oh no it's too dark at night to go!
Durga: WHAT!? Why don't we just go now and--
Himavat: Don't underestimate the mountains.
Durga: !?
Himavat: Executive decision. I'm not repeating myself.
Damn, super mountain aura pressure.
Himavat: I'm sure you'll see why in time.

Sunrise
Zao and Himavat: !!
Time to roll out now that the paths are barely visible!
MC: wait, the path splits into seven roads!?
Seven parallel roads!
Q'ursha: ...this is Zeskneli and Kveskneli, the seven mountains that divide my homeworld.
Q'ursha's temp joining the party for the rescue thing. Also, the seven mountains he's talking about are said to only let heroes who go through a spiritual transformation and get help from magic animals to pass through to the home of the gods or home of snakes.
MC: Another singularity stratum?
Q'ursha: Heads up, which path is real is a toss up and the wrong ones are hellish. Also I used my power to ask the Missionaries for help.

Azazel: Hello, I am help. I'll use my power to figure out which paths to ignore.
Zao: And I can use my power to keep the number of paths from going up. But it's temporary and I can't make them go lower.
Tanngrisnir: We should hurry before long term effects kick in. We don't even know how many people we're looking for and we can't check everything as a group, so I suggest we each pick what we feel is right.
MC: Whoa, bringing up your advice already?
Tanngrisnir: Since we can't discern the right answer, we should figure out how to get everyone there. So, we should split up and search. Whoever finds the SOS comes back.
Chernobog: So we're deliberately running into whatever pitfalls are in the other paths?
Tanngrisnir: Yes, but we're going in teams still. If we can't work something out together as opposed to individually there was never a point to teaming up to begin with.
Chernobog: Hmm, indeed.

Later
For teamwork considerations, MC is put with Tanngrisnir and Enigma.
Tanngrisnir: Oh, we're working together Enigma?
Enigma: Everyone is too worked up over this. I will be working the backline comm link to the rest of the party.
Kumano Gongen: ...so we're on different teams, MC.
Kumano seems to want to say something but can't get it out.
MC: (get mad about before) / (talk later) / (stare)
Kumano: ...I'd never have been here in Tokyo if I could talk things out. So all I know how to do is work things out by hand, so I'll check everything on my route...I actually did want to team up with you.

Later
Tanngrisnir: (panting)
MC: Tanngrisnir are you okay? / wheeze
Tanngrisnir: Oh I'm fine, I have your support on my side with the bad leg.
Tanngrisnir doesn't have enough Santa Power on his own, but right now he has some of it back.
Tanngrisnir: It's like I have Tanngnjostr again! I'm glad I picked this!
Flashback!
White: Try having everyone pick what's right for them. I believe that's how we can get to the true path forward.
Present
Subteam MC has found some kids!
Kids: WAAAAH
MC: Welp, we found them. / We're here to help! / (remember what Senpai said)
Flashback!
Himavat: If you find the SOS party, calm them down and check for injuries. Give first aid if needed, then bring them to the Missionaries campground.
Kengo: Yeah, Ryouta can probably fix whatever!
Orgus: Sol might be able to help too.

Present
Subteam MC decides to bring the SOS party down.
Tanngrisnir: We can use my flying sleigh to transport them.
MC: I'll pull with you!
And so Subteam MC heads off while paying attention to the weather.
Tanngrisnir: The rain's slowed down, let's go!
Smooth riding. Until...
Tanngrisnir: We're almost th--wait MC, stop!
Wyverns incoming!
MC: WHAT
Tanngrisnir: Okay we can't stop in time. Hang on, evasive maneuvers!
MC slips and gets hurt! Also!
MC: Oh no, the sleigh!

Tanngrisnir: Not if I have anything to say about it!
Tanngrisnir takes hold of the sleigh! Kid A hangs on for dear life and seems to be dissociating for a bit.
Kid A: wooow a reindeer. when I grow up I wanna be Santa
Tanngrisnir: (frowns)
Tanngrisnir: It's okay, I'm Tanngrisnir. Relax, maybe have some stew, and get some sleep.
Kid A smiles and passes out as Tanngrisnir puts him back in the sleigh.
MC: wait what's happening again
Tanngrisnir: We just put a future Santa in the sleigh.
Now that Tanngrisnir is running with a partner towards one path like he originally would, his leg injury is no problem!
Tanngrisnir (narrating): I'm at this point because of the losses and path I've taken, and I have things I'll fight to keep despite it all.
Tanngrisnir: I'm honestly glad I came down this path in life and found a partner in you. Now, to the skies!
MC: Okay! ...wAIT
Fly reindeers, fly!
Tanngrisnir: No roads shall restrict us. To the finish line! Thank you MC. Will you pull the sleigh with me all the way?
MC: Okay! / OMG a proposal!?
---
(C) Tanngrisnir: !!
Tanngrisnir: Actually, yes!
---
Tanngrisnir: I eagerly await your graduation. For the day we can be together as reindeer and partners!
MC: Wyverns? Wait, something's up with them.
Tanngrisnir: The job's not done until we deliver what we set out to deliver. Let's go!
BATTLE START (more happens after)

Later
Kid A: um, where am I?
Sol: Oh, you woke up? It's okay, Lord Ryouta and I--
Kid A: Oh the Christmas priest! I met a reindeer! He was cool and had stew like mommy! I wanna be a reindeer like him!
Tanngrisnir: (quietly watches)
MC: Nice work! / (high five) / (jump into him)
Tanngrisnir: Yep. But I pushed too hard and now my leg is acting up. But I still feel good though.
MC: What WERE all those wyverns?
Elsewhere
Zao: I always figured it was fine for me to climb mountains alone, so I never really thought about what being club captain meant.
Zao (narrating): Climbing alone was fine. Climbing with a team was great. So I need to decide before I graduate.
Zao: What do I do for my kouhais? And why won't you talk to me, mountains?
And so Zao stares at what he's looking at.
End of Episode

Top of Summer Mountains Episode 4 Part 1 (Abridged)

Tanngrisnir (narrating): Life has many paths. If I make a wrong turn, that's my problem. If I send a student down a wrong turn, that's a huge worry for me. But then I remember what Ded told me when I was hired.
Flashback!
White: So Tanngrisnir, now that you graduated, are you going onto teaching here? You seem conflicted though.
Tanngrisnir: Yes, I'm worried about whether this is the best for me.
Right, that old leg injury. Is a jock who can't run a good fit for the jock reindeer department of Santa School?
Tanngrisnir: Black did say the injury meant I had a good in on teaching though.
Tanngrisnir (narrating): What if I could keep being a jock? Tokyo medicine's developing further, so maybe that could help me. But can I really counsel students if I'm confused myself?
Tanngrisnir: I still keep thinking about that one summer.
White: ...you're from Yggdrasil, correct?
Tanngrisnir: Y-yes? Why?
White: Let me give you some advice from the world of coexisting divergent points: how can you make your course of action the correct choice for you?

Present
Back to continuing with the event plot!
Chernobog: Mm, pretty flowers.
Chernobog is taking pictures as the party climbs down a rope. This area investigation is done.
Enigma: Scanning... scanning complete.
Tanngrisnir: This place is so peaceful...
Bigfoot: Hmm. Tokyo summers hot.
Enigma: What kind of singularity is so empty of things happening? Well I suppose there IS something happening...
Mostly everything is okay!
Himavat: (stares)
Zao: (stares)
Kumano Gongen: (stares)
MC: (stare back) / (ignore) / (eyebang)
(C) Kumano: Fuck off.
It wasn't very effective...

Durga: What's up with them?
Chernobog: Who knows...?
Xi Wang Mu: Perspective differences? But if they're getting things done, it's fine.
Tanngrisnir: I miss this energy!
MC: What kind of teacher are you!? Oh right, a dumb jock.
Tanngrisnir: Competition can be a good thing! If there's no correct answer, just remember not to hang around too long.
Enigma: Area analysis complete. I suggest moving on.
Zao: Yes, weather changes quick in these mountains so--
Himavat: There can be sudden disasters.
Zao: >:C
Himavat: :)
Durga: Welp.
Enigma: At least avalanches aren't a possibility.
Durga: Don't jinx us, god!
Chernobog: Oh!
MC: Snow? In the middle of summer? / Deja vu I've been through this before
(C) Zao: That's right, Kouhai!

Zao: This happened back on Bald Mountain, so we're probably connected to another mountain again.
Chernobog: Fear not, this isn't Bald Mountain's snow at least.
Tanngrisnir: We should still hunker down somewhere though.
Durga: But we're so far from the campgrounds. Where do we even go?
MC: Enigma, halp / You’re a furry, do something! / Help us, mountain mans!
---
(A) Enigma: Yeees, rely on me you helpless monkey. Activating radar and cross-referencing data... unusual windflow detected 5km east. It is likely to be a singularity stratum entrance point.
(B) Durga: Geez don't expect a miracle out of me or anything, MC.
Tanngrisnir: I suppose we must step up regardless.
Chernobog: ...Tanngrisnir, could you put away your stew first?
Tanngrisnir: Oh right! Let's try that again!
Sniiiiff.
Tanngrisnir: ...sweat from 3 o'clock???
Kumano Gongen: It's not me for the record. I think.
(C) Kumano: ...I wanna say no but that bugs me too.
Zao: My time has come! Let me talk to the mountains...
Himavat: I should use my dowsing ski poles too.
...
Kumano, Zao, and Himavat: IT'S THAT WAY!
---
Xi Wang Mu: zzz...oh are we going? Mommy can help!

Later
Chernobog: Hmm. The wind is picking up.
Himavat: Right. New formation everyone!
Tanngrisnir: We should see the new path soon so--
Tanngrisnir suddenly stops.
MC: What is it?
Tanngrisnir: Sorry, I thought I heard something. We should hurry, it's getting dark.
Later
Kumano Gongen: Any changes, Enigma?
Enigma: Dimensional layers increasing. Sensors mostly unusable.
Bigfoot: Wind, even stronger. MC, stay close.
Durga notices something!
Durga: Quick, hide in the tall grass!
Everyone does so. Tensions rising!
Durga: They're here!
What could be???
Jock Mobs: Yoyogi Track Team, ho! (runs by)
Durga: ...okay they're gone.
MC: ...Durga?

Durga: Yeah that's the track team I'm in at Yoyogi.
Himavat: ...so?
Durga: So being spotted would be awkward! I'm here as part of Shinjuku's Wandervogel club right now!
Kumano Gongen: Ditching for something else? I know that feel. Uh I mean, nothing Captain!
Tanngrisnir: Double clubbing? Impressive!
Kumano Gongen: Isn't going half and half--
Durga: HEY! I got permission to be doing the mountain thing!
Enigma: Am I the only one concerned about the stormy weather here?
Xi Wang Mu: Now now kiddies, he's right. We need to get to safer ground!

Later
The party enters the next stratum and finds a huge waterfall!
Shiva: You call that a kick, Kengo!?
Kengo: I'mma break through your perfect form sooner or later!
Kumano Gongen: !?
Kumano: ...welp, we seem to have walked into some training ground, Captain.
Himavat: A free for all, I see.
Moritaka: I can't believe the Fire Dragon Sword stopped my Ice Sword!
Orgus: Is that it, boy!? (swings)
Moritaka: Not yet! (swings back)
Chernobog: I've seen them come to Bald Mountain too. Otherworld waterfall tourism has become popular.
Kumano: Classic training ground. I did that when I was human too.
MC: I've been here before / oh right Kengo said something about this / good, we're safe
Himavat: It's rough, but yes we're safe.
Zao: We're camping here, people! Get set up.
Himavat: Wait where'd Durga go?
Xi Wang Mu: She hid in her tent from even more Yoyogi students.
Zao: Oh okay, let's leave her alone.
MC: Shouldn't we tell them about the event plot nonsense?
Zao: We're under some NDA stuff, but we can tell them a bit.

Later
Kengo: Hey bud!
Moritaka: Wow, welcome everyone!
Tanngrisnir: Hello, haven't seen you guys since the Santa event!
Kengo: Wow, Tanngrisnir-sensei. You advising the Wandervogel club? Also what the hell are you guys wearing?
MC: why is there so many people here for the training thing
Kengo: I know right? It's a whole setup up here now!
Stomach growling.
Kengo: Talk later, food now! What are you guys gonna have?
Xi Wang Mu: We just set up, so we'll be thinking about that now.
Moritaka: Why not join us for dinner at this nice establishment then?
Tanngrisnir: Up here? Really? Is it...?
Moritaka: Showing you will be faster. This way.

Later
Barguest, Q'ursha, and Bohemio: Welcome to Mountain Mayoiga!
MC: WHAT / hey again Bohemio! / is this a Wanderers thing
Bohemio: Oh hey you, fate works in mysterious ways. We're just renting the place for business for however long we got. Food's good though, thanks to our guild's cook!
God I Just Want to Write This As Nisroc: Hello I'm Nisroch! Enjoy my Forbidden Menu!
MC: Why's a chef up here!? / You training too? / BIG GUNS
---
(C) Nisroch: Aw, thanks!
---
Tanngrisnir: I knew it was you, Mr. Nisroch!
Nisroch: Wow, Mr. Tanngrisnir! I haven't seen you since the Forbidden Food Seminar we had with Mr. Surtr.
Tanngrisnir: Indeed. What a coincidence seeing you again.
MC: You know him? / You know Daddy Surtr!? / What do you MEAN Forbidden Food nonsense

Nisroch: We research foods Tokyo's forbidden and uh... oh right, I'm getting close to buying my own food truck Mr. Tanngrisnir! It'll be great!
Kengo: Nice. Good to have better food up here.
Xi Wang Mu: Ohhh, you can't cook?
Kengo: Nah, cooking outside's cool, 'specially with the new camp sets they sell! But sometimes I just can't be bothered, ya know.
Moritaka: Time problems, yes. But still, eating's part of training.
Xi Wang Mu: Details please!
Himavat: She's a pro at that. And Sir Nisroch, please pardon all our noise.
Nisroch: It's cool! Anyways, here's the Devil's Beef Bowl!
MC: huh / stew, I see / (stare at Nisroch's horns)
Nisroch: Oh this isn't just any beef bowl. It is the ultra special FORBIDDEN™ Beef Bowl!
MC: Awesome! / can I just get a common boring beef bowl?

Nisroch: It's not called the Devil's Beef Bowl for nothing! I was supposed to deliver this to my other self or something Belphegor, but then he fell into some singularity so I got the food for cheap!
Zao: Cool. Thanks for the--
Nisroch: WAIT IT'S NOT DONE YET
Zao: wait what
Nisroch: Special seasoning! (taps)
Party: OH MY GOD IT'S GLOWING
Nisroch: Yep! Doesn't that look good!?
Kumano Gongen: You expect me to eat that???
Nisroch: It's a work in progress, but yeah!
Xi Wang Mu: No time like the present!
Party: Thanks for the food!
Shokugeki no Soma foodgasm! The birth of a legend! Back to camp.
Durga: Ok cool the Yoyogi peeps went away! Sorry I didn't help mu--why are you glowing MC?
MC: Stuff. We brought takeout.
Durga: Thanks I'm starving! Wait why's it glowing? ...oh god it's so good! My EYEEES!

Some time later
Durga: Thanks again! But how am I supposed to take pics if the light messes up my phone camera?
Xi Wang Mu: Um, there are no lights but the tent is lit up???
Durga: Weird. Something's coming, Xi Wang Mu-senpai.
Xi Wang Mu: Ooh, a message from Kumano!
MC: what?
Durga: wait it's for me?
Xi Wang Mu: "I'm sorry for what I said." Also "don't regret your extracurriculars."
Durga: O-okay.
Xi Wang Mu: I bet he has things he wants to say to others, but he can be fussy sometimes. (glances at MC) Oh well, it's important to say what you can when you can. That's not an ominous hint or anything. Anyways, I'll wash the dishes. Nighty night~!
Enigma: Recording data...transmission error, cause unknown. Retrying...transmission error again.
Tanngrisnir: I guess that happens at times. Also do you have to stand so far away?
Enigma: Your leg scar leaks lightning and that risks blowing up this body. Kind of important.
Tanngrisnir: Oh, I'm sorry about the power my old master Thor gave me. That happens if I get careless.
Enigma: Oh no it's fine. Reattempting connection...
Enigma keeps trying and trying.
Tanngrisnir: Hmm, scar's acting up. A storm's coming.
End of Episode part

Top of Summer Mountains Episode 3 Part 2 (Abridged)

In Great Spirit, the concept of owning things doesn't exist. Instead, everything is borrowed. And the men of the Shaggy tribe pray that they be the epitome of that idea. What other people believe, they do, and that plays into Bigfoot's artifact. By abandoning all that they have, they can be nobody and be nowhere in particular. It's what Bigfoot was born for, and what he's continued believing in when he came to Tokyo.
Present
Himavat: Everyone, we're helping look for the missing children! Inventory check!
Info has been sent to everyone's phones!
Zao: Okay so putting together our info and Claude's... we seem to be on the Jebel Quruntal mountain stratum of the plot singularity.
The Mountain of Temptation where Christ hallucinated the Devil apparently.
Zao: Buddy system, regular checkins. Prioritize the children and keeping each other safe!
Himavat: If you get separated or something happens, fall back to base and wait. Move out!

Later
Zao, Himavat, MC, and Bigfoot are searching to the east of the camp area.
Zao: Kouhais, no touching plants without gloves. And watch your heads!
Bigfoot: Okay.
MC: Yes Captain! / Wow you're so handy on the mountains / Senpai, stay forever
---
(A) Zao: Stay on my or Himavat's trails, okay?
(BC) Zao: WHAT... ahem, stay on my or Himavat's trails, okay?
---
Himavat: So you DO see me as an equal, no matter what nonsense you say Zao! Rivals! I am the peak who will always stand in your way!
Zao: Get away from me you weirdo!
MC: Wow Zao actually called someone weird / God I wish that were me / Take ME, Himavat!
(C) Himavat: You aren't on Zao and my level.

Zao: OOF I can't BELIEVE you almost smothered me in your fur collar! ...ooh Himalyan jasmine. Never met a mountaineer who cared so much about their personal presentation before though.
Himavat: You've said that before!
Zao: But isn't this literally the first time we've met?
Himavat: ...I'm the only one who remembers all those hot, passionate mountain times we had together?
Zao: NOOOO, PHRASING
MC: omg Zao??? / Just like we have! / a fantasist?
---
(B) Zao: Not you too, Kouhai!
---
MC: (Hmm, deja vu I've felt this before)
Himavat: I'm a little disappointed in you as another club captain now.
Zao: what
Himavat: You have your successor next to you and you've watched them this entire time.
MC: wait what / ...
(AB) Himavat: Quiet, you aren't peak enough to talk while captains are speaking.
Zao: (frowns)
Himavat: But back to what we were talking about...

Himavat: I sent my successor Kumano on a different team and I'm not worried about him at all. Not like you. You're doing the whole captain thing wrong.
Zao: !?
Himavat: Have you gave ANY thought about what you'd do if you weren't around anymore? You can't be club captain forever! Can you be the meme baboon throwing the lion king off Pride Rock!?
Zao: !!
Himavat: Your hobby and work are different things, Zao.
Zao: ...
MC: No bully!
Himavat: Quiet, peon. Zao, you're too good for these mountains!
Zao: YOU TAKE THAT BACK
Himavat smiles.

Himavat: The area up ahead is dangerous. You and me should go while the others should go somewhere else.
MC: now hold up
Zao: No! I actually agree with Himavat here, but I'll be okay. Check somewhere else, please.
Bigfoot: ...okay.
Zao and Himavat leave.
Bigfoot: ...it okay. Captain went because cares...MC, sad?
MC: ...Zao's graduating soon. Feels unreal.
Bigfoot: (hugs MC) It okay. Me still be here.
Bigfoot's smile seems so familiar.
Bigfoot: Captain, good guy. Captain thinking. We go too!

Later
MC and Bigfoot are investigating the Mountain of Temptation.
Bigfoot: !! MC, there dangerous. Might break.
Bigfoot pulls MC closer!
MC: O-oh, thanks. You were like Senpai just now. / Doki doki!
---
(C) Bigfoot: T-teasing, bad. Me definitely protect you.
---
Bigfoot: Me, fill in for Captain while Captain away.
Bigfoot awkward smiles.
MC: How am I supposed to be a senpai like this?
Bigfoot: Me understand! Work important to MC!
MC: Well, not really / (shakes head)
Confused Bigfoot.

Sun's setting. No luck finding them kids.
MC: Did they really come this way? How did we find literally nothing!?
Bigfoot: ...MC, that must be right.
Bigfoot: Last night, Missionaries say fence up. But no traces of movement, no alerts on equipment.
Bigfoot seems to see something in the ground.
Bigfoot: Many children footprint. But trail suddenly disappear. Me good at tracking, sure about that.
MC: wait what
Bigfoot: ...remember yesterday? What Berserkers said?
MC: Overlapping? So the kids teleported to some other mountain? But why--
Sudden motion in the bushes!
Bigfoot: MC, quiet!
MC: Mmph! / (nod) / (rub against Bigfoot's face)
(C) Bigfoot is surprised but pleased!

Bigfoot keeps watch.
Monstrous noises!
MC: (OMG suddenly bears!?)
Completely surprised Bigfoot!
Bigfoot: Definitely no one else around before! But...!
Much illusion. Suddenly, kid shadows!
MC: (Oh no, we have to save them!)
Bigfoot: No! Me protect MC as work. Me protect children as work. Me play decoy. You take children, go. Me come after, me be okay.
Bigfoot pushes MC and jumps out!
MC: Bigfoot! (run after Bigfoot and jump in front of the children)
More animal noises!
BATTLE START (more happens after)

Flashback!
Oscar: Okay, so we're the backup cast this time Bigfoot. The stars of the show are the ones after the trophy! And you know who the star is this time, right?
Bigfoot: Yes. Me, stand-in. Me, like work.
Oscar: Cool! On another note, I like your Hulk caveman speech patterns and pro attitude. Did that feel weird? Well I hadn't planned on saying so. You're an Urban Legend I made and not a normal Transient, so I guess the regular app translation doesn't work right. Which reminds me! If OTHER people make the translator bug out in the plot singularity, that's A Problem. Babel Tower runs the translator for Tokyo, so it not working means you probably aren't in Tokyo anymore, and that puts you Outside the Management's Jurisdiction.
Present
Growling gibberish!
MC: (block for Bigfoot)
Confused growling!
Bigfoot: MC!?
MC: Come at me bears! But not too hard!
Voice: [Strange Noise]--wait, MC?
MC: wait what

Later
MC: my bad
Leib: Nah, it's cool. It was freaky suddenly being attacked with random gibberish.
Ashigara: We were doing Bear Camp on another mountain. Except we somehow got here and where even are we!?
Kimun Kamui: Wasn't Maria's Cooking Camp supposed to be further away?
Ciramanteps: Play more with us, old guys!
So unconcerned.
Ashigara: Pffft, I'll show you old!
Ciramanteps: Whee!
So the bear guys seemed to have found the bear kids and tried to bring them back. Also Zao and Himavat are coming back because of the noise, probably.

Bigfoot: MC, why save me? Me be okay. Because senpai work? Or...???
MC: No, saying that is depressing me / (hug)
---
(C) Surprised Bigfoot.
---
Bigfoot: *(stares in cryptid)*
MC: So other people could always fill in and I don't know what your job really is...
MC: But that can't be your whole life. That's all so sad! / (cry)
Very surprised Bigfoot.
Bigfoot only knows how to live for work and copy someone to be a stand-in. Which might be why he copies something he saw the other day.
Bigfoot: Me, want marry MC. Be together forever.
MC: wait what
Bigfoot: Me found dream. Me want be star of your life. One day, pick me? This, love confession? Wait, maybe bigger. Me want be everything for you.
End of Episode

Top of Summer Mountains Episode 3 Part 1 (Abridged)

So! Great Spirit. The world where the Great Mystery sits up on high judging everyone and making sure everyone's equal while the Great Mystery is deliberately kept isolated. They aren't the only one with the role though, because every System needs its backups!
Sort of flashback!
Bigfoot: Hmm. Storm.
Ah yes, son of the hairy tribe, the only one who can hear the words of the Great Mystery and passes it on to others. But that only applies when people believe he's actually the Great Mystery's medium, whether or not it's actually true. Existential fusion! Which the Tokyo geniuses call a backup World Rep. And backup World Reps are people with the power of being immune to exile.
Oscar: Sealed worlds only need one person with a specific class/power combo at a time though. Spares only matter if something somehow happens to the original. And on that note, Bigfoot! Go infiltrate Shinjuku's mountain investigation party and help move the game along. But subtly! Fill in if someone gets taken out somehow, and keep us posted on the plot singularity.
And so Bigfoot gets to work without question.

Present
Back to the tram station after the wedding chapel nonsense!
MC: So, Claude's notes...
Flashback already for some reason!
So Claude threw in some other info after passing over his investigation report.
Claude: So about the plot singularity? The word of the day is overlapping! For example, how do you put more than one piece on the same spot in Othello?
MC: Impossible! / ...wait, no it's not.
(C) Claude: Indeed! I love me a smart cookie!

Claude: Right, stack on those pieces and see how they exist on different heights! But for the plot, it's about dimensions. Well, something close to that.
Snow: You might have heard about these physics concepts in class before, Master MC.
MC: Yep / I have? / (look at Chernobog)
---
(C) Chernobog: Wave physics.
---
Claude: The plot singularity is a wave thing! The mountains are alive!
MC: what. well actually we do have a mountain whisperer...
Zao: What? Yeah, mountains are alive.
Kumano Gongen: To you, yeah. Most people can't talk to mountains.
Bigfoot: (stares in surprise)
Kumano: Well, same dirty job either way.
Himavat: Indeed, Kumano! I'm sure you'll keep the club going even after I'm gone.
Kumano: (frowns) gee thanks, captain
MC: (Hmm...)
Claude: Ooh, sounds like fun. Come back if you ever need my chapel. But enough of my hobbies! It seems Tokyo's populace and faith has turned the event plot into an extradimensional singularity thing and common sense need not apply. Good luck with the investigation!

Present
Time to take the tram up!
MC: Well if Claude is right, going up should take us up to the next stratum or whatever.
Beep boop, going up.
Bigfoot: Look! Mountain, changing!
What is it going to be???
MC: ...hey wait isn't this a campground?
Shirou: MC? Why are you here? And what are you wearing?
MC: Shirou? Ryouta? And other familiar faces. / (sigh)
Maria: Oh, MC? Are you and your friends volunteering for our fun camping cooking class?
MC: what / This a Missionaries thing then?

Maria: Yes, cooking camp for elementary students, native and Transient. Shirou and Ryouta among many others are helping.
Shirou: Don't worry, Ryouta's playing with the children and not causing wildfires.
Sol: This activity is wonderful!
MC: Sol? How you doing? / Why are you here!?
Sol: Oh hello MC. I used to work at an orphanage and now I decided to help here. Such adorable innocent children!
Sol hugs and headpats nearby kids.
Teda: More!
Koropokkur: Stop looking like that, Sun Creep.
Teda: You are ruining the moment here!
MC: I don't see any adorable innocent children here / OH NO / (stare)

Teda: Pffft, you came to give me and Michael headpats way back when.
Koropokkur: Nooo my cringy past--wait you remember that!?
Teda: Pillar Plot Magic! Uhh you said... Big Bro will help you!
Koropokkur: Freeze and die, jerkface!
Teda: NO U
MC: (I pretend to see nothing)
Maria: So...we're about to some scouting activities for the children. Would you like to join us? We're making dinner after that.
Himavat: Hmm...
MC: What do you guys think? / I'm in!
Zao: Well Kouhai, Himavat... we're supposed to investigate anyways so why not? And we can show children the wonders of the mountains too!
Himavat: Ah yes, the presentation of mountaineering benefits to society!
Zao: Um, i-it's not that deep.

Time passes. Fun times!
Kumano Gongen: MC, give me the dirty dishes. I like cleaning up, and keeping busy keeps my mind off things.
Kumano is making a face again.
MC: So, do you not like Himavat or something?
Kumano: What? Oh, yeah it does look that way, huh? I like him enough to give myself to him. Wait, NOT LIKE THAT! But I also don't like him to the point it all evens out. I mean, he's so casual about talking about not being in the club anymore. And he's just as casual making me the next in line. Flattering but weird.
MC: I know that feel. Real sad.
Kumano: what
MC: You want them to stay and not say depressing things!
Kumano: ...the hell do you know about anything?
MC: wait why are you mad

Flashback!
Himavat: Kumano, you're the next captain if something happens to me.
Kumano: But I'm a background worker! I'm a quitter, so how am I supposed to stand in for a super awesome guy?
How does a loser hold a position that means being a constant winner?
Himavat: Think about it. People like you right away, you volunteer to do the crap no one else wants, and you stick around for all your moaning about quitting. You're a good guy.
Kumano: ...uhh, y-you just want me...as a workhorse, don't you?
Himavat: But you were happy to be a sub-in, weren't you?
Kumano: !!
Bullseye.
Himavat: I know about Kiyohime.
Kumano: B-but how? I never said anything...
Himavat ignores this and acts like Kumano actually did once.
Himavat: You were totally human then and actually said "marry me" to her. Then you ran away from her and she burned you inside Dojoji's temple bell. And then you reincarnated as a half dragon with the power to fuse things with fire.
Kumano: !! ...oh.
Himavat: All that, and you never ditched your duties. Nothing in this world is replaceable.
Damn, Himavat doesn't really know what a normal person feels like. He's so far away from people that Kumano decided he doesn't like or dislike him.

Present
Kumano Gongen: ...I hate people like you, MC. Whores who immediately say they love people, ask to marry them, casually talk to people...
MC: WHAT / okay that last one is true but still / WOW RUDE
Kumano: You don't just say those things without getting burned! ...you smell like a dragon, those big selfish assholey ones. Like half of me. Anyone but you winning against me is fine...that's all, I'm outta here.
Elsewhere
Xi Wang Mu: Aww, and we were all having a good time. Also, a storm's coming. (stares into the sky)
Welp, time for bed.
Later
MC: (Can't sleep. Time for a walk.)
Bigfoot: MC? Something wrong?
MC: I could ask you the same thing / I sensed someone
(C) Bigfoot: Really? But me have Presence Concealment EX.

Bigfoot: Today fun. Like old tribe parties.
MC: Wow it's like you've been with us the whole time.
Bigfoot: Thank you! Me love you, MC.
So innocent.
MC: Say Bigfoot, you're some mountain shaman right?
Bigfoot: ...you want know my past?
MC: Yes please / just so I don't trigger anything / (nod)
Bigfoot: ...me, shaggy tribe. Born shaman. Shaman important work. Shaman become one with Great Mystery.
MC: Nice / good thing I asked / Home stuff. Hmm...
Bigfoot: Yes. Me hope one day--oh...sorry, me forget. MC no know past.
MC: It's cool. I just shoved my foot into my mouth five minutes ago.

Bigfoot: ...thank you MC. Me love you! ...if MC sad, me sad. Me become substitute for lost things.
Bigfoot suddenly gets close to MC!
Bigfoot: MC be happy if me become someone MC lost? New guy work!
MC: What do you want to do? / maybe later
Bigfoot: !?
Bigfoot: Umm...
Bigfoot thinks.
Bigfoot: Dunno. But me like soba! Me want to learn to make soba from scratch. Soba from Himavat's homeworld apparently? One day, me want everyone to try soba me made.
MC: Sounds good! Let's get on figuring that out tomorrow!
Bigfoot: Okay!
Morning
MC: Mkay I'm up. What's all this noise?
Zao: Oh you're awake Kouhai. Wake everyone up and get ready to go!
MC: wait what's going on
Zao: The children suddenly disappeared last night!
End of Episode half

Top of Summer Mountains Episode 2 Part 2 (Abridged)

Enigma: I hope you'll be an incompetent loser forever to justify my existing.
Coding and cyphers are still important in the modern age to keep things secret from other people, and somehow those cypher codes somehow created a person in the mass hallucinations of society. First time technological threshold breakthrough!
Enigma: I do things people cannot comprehend because that is who we are.
Pseudo-parthenogenesis! Or just copypasting, whatever. Copypasting yourself like this does mean vulnerability to extinction threats though, so Enigma chose to evolve with individual incompetent meatbags. There's like tens of thousands of him out there on people's phones or whatever.
Enigma: Master MC, I have been customized to go with your outdoor investigation. I need you to be incompetent so I can live. I suppose that's the [REDACTED] of humanity that I'll never have since I can't hold responsibility.

Present
Bathym: Put the flowers there! They'll be just as nice as the bride and groom!
Beowulf: Damn, you're hardcore Bathym!
Macan: I got sideshow fights on! Come at me, anyone and everyone!
Garm: Me work hard at anything!
Ikutoshi: ...groom's side, family of four, mom, dad and two older sisters. Bride's side party of three, two dads and one little brother.
Pollux: Cool. Groom's family this way, bride's family that way.
Ikutoshi: No they aren't! Oh wait actually yeah. Ugh, I hate this stuff.
MC: ...time to get ready! / Oh my god the Berserkers are here!

Belphegor: Snow called Andvari who called everyone up! And we're STILL shorthanded so thanks for helping!
Enigma: Such impressive butlering! For an event I cannot begin to understand! I must watch...
Competitive Enigma.
Kumano Gongen: Why bother with marriage? Just be friends with benefits.
MC: LEEEEWD / FWB is fine too!
---
(C) Kumano: Uhhhh I mean, kidding! no WAIT
---
Kumano: I mean, oops. I mean, what's wrong with lying? I MEAN--well really I don't want marriage. Bad memories.
MC: Huh. Well it happens, but don't say that here.
Kumano: Well I'm not shitting on other people wanting marriage. It's just in my case--never mind.
Kumano shuts up and touches his dragon half.
Enigma: I agree, Kumano Gongen. (nods) Marriages are so old school!
MC: wait what you too? / But I wanna marry you, Enigma
---
Enigma: !?
Enigma: Y-you can only be SO unorthodox, Master! (blushes)
---
Enigma: Redacting response. [REDACTED]. Redaction complete.

Later
Claude: We have a grand opening wedding lined up for business but the plot is threatening to cancel it!
Snow: We showed you the part of our own investigation results on whether we could solve the plot.
Enigma: Except you are shorthanded and on a time crunch.
Belphegor: Yeah the bus bringing in all the hired help fell into a warp hole or something! The people are fine somehow BUT STILL!
MC: Damn. Good thing for the hired help, but isn't that when...
Claude: Yes, we called in our guild since they can handle all sorts of nonsense. But we still need help! So we ask you to solve the plot for us. For the wedding!
MC: You are just not letting the wedding thing go, huh? / Something up? / Maybe I'll get married too!
(C) Claude: We'll keep a slot permanently open for you!

Enigma: ...why do you care so much about marriage?
Claude: Huh. Why do you ask?
Enigma: I know you are the colosseum king. You are an elite in Tokyo, marriage is only to your detriment and filled with conflict. Such a ceremony may decline in the future. Theoretical proposal: immediately scrap this business.
Kumano Gongen: (stares)
Claude: Wow, you should see my home life! Yes, marriage is historically bloody, but that's why it's worth it!
Enigma: ...incomprehensible. You would fight even a losing battle?
Snow: Master Snow is saying progressing history is worth investing in.
Enigma: ...I see. Did you suggest that?
Snow: A butler would never. I just think through everything all the time.
Belphegor: Okay everybody I have all the work instructions printed! Now let's make it all work out!
People start marching in.
Snow: By the way, will you help us Enigma?
Enigma: (looks at Snow) Very well then.

Later
MC: oh noooo if only some superpowered AI can help with all this work
Enigma: Ahh yes, the cries of incompetent meatbags.
MC: OOF / stupid meatbag needs help! / are you helping or what
---
(AB) Enigma: ...please let me finish, Master MC.
---
Enigma: I shall help you because that's what gives me meaning!
Later
Belphegor: Thanks for everything! Snow-senpai told me to ask for help when I'm in trouble, sorry for all the flailing...
Snow: Just something to learn as an intern.
Belphegor: Okay finally the assignments I put together with Enigma's help! Xi Wang Mu, Bigfoot, Tanngrisnir, Cthugha-senpai and I are in the kitchen. Himavat, Chernobog, and Durga handle the chapel area. Zao, Kumano, Enigma, and MC are floaters helping with whatever!

Kitchen
Xi Wang Mu: You need cooking done? Mama can do it!
Tanngrisnir: Stew!
Nomad: I'm supposed to be a DETECTIVE! ...okay prep work done, gimme the next part!
Tanngrisnir: Ahh, the tension. Brings back memories.
Cthugha: OOF I burned myself!
Bigfoot: Me, done peeling. Did lots back home.
Horokeu Kamui: Impressive!
Bigfoot: Me making friends!
Party Hall
Garm: Napkins folded! Garm, good boy?
Durga: Wow, you are! Keep folding them napkins!
Ikutoshi: I'm surprised you aren't cooking, Chernobog.
Chernobog: My cooking skills are on the simpler side still. I'm better at these things.
Pollux: I know that feel, bro. We'll make it work one day!
Chernobog: Heh, you've seen through me.

Later
Taurus Mask: MIC TEST!
Oniwaka: You're cracking the windows, dammit!
Enigma: You are both too loud. I shall adjust the sound settings.
Taurus Mask: But how else are you gonna raise the roof!?
Enigma: ...and now you broke the microphone. Try not to crush the next one, Loud Boy.
Chapel
MC: Wow, everyone's working hard. Somehow it's coming together.
Belphegor: Yeah I thought getting the Berserkers to decorate and stuff was a terrible idea at first, but now we're gonna make it work!
Snow: It's the right person for the right job. And even if Master Claude weren't here...
Belphegor: Right, we'll get it done!

Later
Macan: ...who the hell decided to make me the receptionist!?
Snow: Our first customers here are Berserkers fans, because who else would ask us to host their wedding? Also you need more watching than anyone else.
Beowulf: Haha!
Snow: ...as do you, Beowulf.
Showtime!
Taurus Mask: Uhh, which was which again? Whatever, the happy couple's here! Round of applause...please!
Hooray for Cat and Screenhead!
Enigma: That passes for acceptable announcing? Clearly you humans were built defectively in different ways.
MC: Thanks for helping us get it all together, Bitchy McSmugface!
Enigma: ...no, excuse me. I was just jealous that I cannot get married in Tokyo's current state.
MC: what?

Enigma: We've been copied and personalized for our individual Masters. If I were to have quirks, it is only because of you, Master. I want you to need me because you suck at something. I know how rude I am, and I apologize for that. May mankind be a mess for eternity.
MC: Ruuuude. But still...
MC: That's what makes you, you Enigma. / I'm glad we're together / Marry me, Enigma.
Enigma: !!
Enigma: You sure are casual about saying what it is you cannot--
CRASH
MC: WHAT JUST HAPPENED
Enigma: ...third party sensors have been deactivated. Ahh yes, the incompetence...
MC: We're gonna help. Come on, Enigma.
Enigma: ...! Yes Master!

Later
Pirates: HEY HO
Belphegor: WHAT
Pirates: We were sailing and now we're here somehow! Give us your money!
Macan, Snow, and Belphegor: Sign in please.
Pirates: WE'RESORRYWE'RESORRYWE'RESORRY
MC: Well damn.
Pirates: wAIT, you're up man!
Fafnir: My time has come! Bring me treasures, humans!
MC: WHAT / oh my god the singularity spread that far!? / Hi Fafnir
Claude: YES, this is what marriage should be like! Welcome to the Berserkers Wedding Chapel!
Fight Ring
Claude: Spouse and Spouse, if 'til death do you part is what you seek, it is time to put your bonds to the test and fight! May fortune smile upon you!
MC: Oh my god???
Belphegor: It's cool, this was already part of their program! Well they signed up to fight the guild, but pirate mobs and dragon man is close enough! Get ready to RUMBLE!
MC: Welp!
Enigma: Then we shall join in their customs, Master Useless!
BATTLE START (more happens later)

Pirates: Retreat! We'llgetyouforthisSORRRRY!
Fafnir: ...wait what was I doing? I was looking for the puny hero, then... oh no, I got carried away! My apologies!
MC: Welp.
Belphegor: Well it's all cool now. Time for the toast! You too, Dragon Lord.
Fafnir: Very well, I shall give a treasure for this toast!
MC: Wow, Belphegor.
Zao: Okay that went well. And now the Berserkers will give us their data.
Later
Kumano Gongen: Okay that worked out. Still, marriage is--
Zao: Now now, no complaining about marriage right now.
Kumano: Oh, right. Yeah. I should say, marriage led to my death as a human. I'm surprised you cared to say anything now though, Zao. I...
Kumano claps for the happy couple!
Taurus Mask: Okay, everyone got their drinks? Okay time for the Berserkers special toast!
Panning shot of everyone in attendance!
Cthugha: Cheers, bro!
End of Episode

Top of Summer Mountains Episode 2 Part 1 (Abridged)

So like Enigma just popped out of the internet one day. He's some data conglomeration beyond human understanding. He's an AIDA. And he can think so much faster than you. So how DOES he get defined as a data life form? Let's ask Turing!
Turing: Well it's very simple, loves! The big sticking point is whether he can cross the bounds of human cognition. Humans can't consider anything that can perfectly predict the future as an equal. Give some money to a machine and it's probably going to dump a toy on you. Give money to a person and hello, what's going to happen here? If someone can guess everything that happens in a given interaction with A Thing, then that Thing isn't worth paying attention to as it is a tool and not a person.
So Enigma is superior to people in various ways, but humanity has something he doesn't.
Turing: That's the ability to take responsibility for things. Transients from other world Systems get that, but not him! Since Enigma was barfed out of computer data, Tokyo legally and colloquially considers him some program tool. How stereotypically droll. I mean, Enigma might as well be a Transient from System Tokyo. But you know how cause and effect goes. Modern society is all about something having to take responsibility, and no one believes Enigma can do it. If he shoots someone, the one who told him to do it gets blamed. No responsibility means no borrowing allowed. No marriage either. Can you believe it?

Present
MC: OMG SO MANY MOUNTAINS
Team Shinjuku has never seen any of this before! A bunch of overworld shift singularities are moshpitting it up in the mountains!
Enigma: Technojargon scanning...complete. File formatting, compressing data... connecting to server... connection failed. Retrying...retrying... connection established on the 13th try.
MC: How can you work at a time like this!? / would it kill you to play along / uhhh, competency!
(AB) Enigma: Currently busy. I shall leave the reactions to the incompetents.
(C) Enigma: Why yes, I am. Now keep the compliments coming, caveperson.

Himavat: ...your thoughts, Enigma?
Enigma: Yes I am getting to that, Setagaya Club Captain. So I've detected unnaturally large radio wave interference from the plot singularity and connection levels are degrading rapidly. Measurements seem likely to be restricted to short range.
Tanngrisnir: Hmm. Those clouds...
Strange airflows.
Tanngrisnir: Headmaster Ded felt worried about them.
Zao: Is that storm bringing the mountain's network down?
Enigma: Unknown, but highly likely.
Himavat: (stares)
MC: There's a network up here? / aren't we supposed to be in an enclosed space? / Enigma, were you doing this earlier?
Andvari: We have intranet up here like a respectable tourist trap! It ain't connected to the outside internet tho, but it's still a HUGE problem if it's down! But here we are. The public ain't even ride the ropeway yet either.
Durga: Damn. Cool view though.
Andvari: Yeah. But too dangerous to be showing.
Enigma: Additional problem report: life signs detected within anomalous region.
MC: How's that a problem? / !! / what
(C) Enigma: Their origin is unclear.

Enigma: The area is currently isolated from the outside via mysterious weather phenomena, so scanning from the outside is impossible. Scanning may be possible if the barrier is broken or the majority within outstrips Tokyo. How it may affect the outside is currently unpredictable, but severe disaster is possible.
Himavat: (stares)
Enigma: I suggest we pull back and martial an army to deal with this situation.
Casual Enigma.
Himavat: I see...how smooth.
Enigma: ...wha--
Zao: (stares)
Bigfoot: Everyone, thinking something. What wrong?
Zao: I guess the rest of us are on the same page? Bigfoot, just watch us as we do a group yell!
Chernobog, Durga, and Zao: 1... 2... 3!
MC: Let's go check it out! / We got mountains! / Zao's the best!
(C) Zao: ...wait what
Bigfoot: !?

Enigma: !?
Enigma: ...did you not understand my explanations?
Andvari: Yeah, what the hell are you guys thinking!? If the singularity got into my resort then... then...that'd be SO COOL! It'll be a great tourist spot!
Enigma: Excuse me???
Andvari: Okay I was worried at first, but maybe this can make me some money....
MC: Welp! There goes the man who turned Bald Mountain into a hot springs resort. We got this!
Himavat: Zao, a question. Why do you guys think you should do this?
Zao: The mountains tell me to!
Himavat: ...well okay then!

Enigma: You are all incomprehensible.
Himavat: Do you plan on making everyone stop then?
Enigma: I cannot. I am here to help the investigation.
Himavat: ...okay. So what do you want to do?
Enigma: I...want to help humanity with what they can't--
Himavat: If you call that work, you suck at this.
Enigma: EXCUSE ME!?
Himavat: Okay so you get points for your comms specialty, but work's about taking responsibility. The rest of your team's cleared a bunch of mountain hikes. Zao took responsibility. Your thinking is logical, but logic alone won't get you to the top.
Enigma: ...!
Zao: why does he know so much, Kouhai I'm scared
Chernobog: Himavat reminds me of someone...
MC: Zao is to Himavat what mountains are to Zao.
Durga: Wow...
Zao: Oh! Is that a compliment?
MC: Yes / Not really
(A) Zao: Finally you get it!
(B) Zao: Would it kill you to be nice to me!?

Tanngrisnir: Himavat, you should stop it at that point.
Enigma: ...Tanngrisnir?
Tanngrisnir: Everyone has their sore spots. Teams are all about covering for each other there, no?
Himavat: I disagree but I'm not going to argue any further.
Enigma: ...why did you cover for me, Tanngrisnir?
Tanngrisnir: ...I just think it's nice to have multiple ways to the top.
Enigma: ...oh. I apologize then.
Xi Wang Mu: Oh look we're near the top. Can we keep going, Andvari?
Andvari: Not on the ropeway! Get to walking people, good luck out there!

Later
Durga: Huh. I can't see the Plot Thing anymore that we got off the tram.
It looks like a single mountain instead of a mashup singularity now.
Chernbog: May I ask you a question, Enigma?
Enigma: By all means, I will answer if I can confirm your incompetency.
MC: Are you suddenly nicer? Oh wait, no not really. / Stop being an ass to Chernobog!
---
(C) Chernobog: That's very kind of you, MC, but I've lived through worse on Bald Mounntain.
---
Chernobog: So the president and I have come here often, but we've never seen what we saw before on the tram. Why is that?
Enigma: I only have theories, but the simplified version is that you normally saw the mountains from a different vantage point.
Durga: what
Enigma: Do you not know what overworld shifts are?
Chernobog: (stares)
Enigma: Master MC, you must know. You run into one every other month.
MC: Uh yeah, I think / PTSD!
(C) Bigfoot: That many? Really? Oh. Big oof, MC.

MC: In retrospect I don't think we ever saw it from that high before.
Enigma: Yes. You can see what the original memory holders could see if you were at their same position. Perspectives change even if people look at the same thing, which I hypothesize is why the layers are different.
MC: what? oh.
Chernobog: So entering by foot is different than entering by tram?
Enigma: Yes, though I am unable to ascertain its significance.
Durga: Too hard for my brain. Can we talk about something else?
Bigfoot: Okay. Where are we?
Zao: Hmm, based on this compass and my calculations...
Tanngrisnir: I believe we're on the eastern path. The sightseeing path is to the north.
Kumano Gongen: I get charcoal wood here. Most tourists don't come around here.
Chernobog: But the path is maintained. Is something around here?
Tanngrisnir: Hey I see a sign...

Suddenly a chapel!
Party: WHAT
MC: WHAT / awesome, captain!
Zao: How wonderfully complementary!
Durga: Let's go inside!
Chernobog: Yes, for the investigation!
Kumano Gongen and Enigma: Hmm...
MC: What?
Belphegor: OH MY GOOOOD I HAVE TOO MUCH TO DO
Tanngrisnir: Wow he's fast.
Chernobog: Excuse me, may we ask you something?
Belphegor: Oh, gimme a second! Ahem, welcome to the Capitoline Hill! For all your wedding needs! What brings you here?
MC: This is a real chapel? / what / So who are you, fluffcheeks?

Belphegor: Oh my god I smell MUSK! Oh wait I'm working. Ahem, I'm Belphegor, an intern and planner. Whatever your wedding plans are, I'll help you make them!
Xi Wang Mu: Weddings? In mountains? Kids these days!
Bigfoot: Home, something similar. Responsibility contract.
Enigma: (stares)
Belphegor: EUREKA! I need to tell Claude about my new wedding idea!
MC: wait what
Snow: Belphegor, what is going on? ...oh, I see now.
MC: Snow!
Enigma: (gasp!) A real butler!
Snow: Yes. I am Snow, and I serve the Berserkers guildmaster. Claude manages this place as part of his wedding business, and this one is based off one of the hills of Rome. Very auspicious, so construction is being expedited. So MC, what brings you here?

Later
Claude: Well hello my fine hero! Fate works in mysterious ways. Choose your wedding attire!
MC: welp / I'm busy now / you have a wedding business?
Claude: Indeed. I started by ordering all manner of outfits and suddenly I went and started buying a whole business. Life works in mysterious ways.
Snow: By the way, the rental outfits are Claude's own property.
MC: rich people are aliens
Himavat: Lots of students find their calling during school.
Himavat seems to direct his comment at Zao for a second.
Himavat: That happens a lot in our school at Setagaya.
Claude: Anyways, let's talk about the event plot again. Behold!
Snow gives Enigma an envelope.
Enigma: What!?
Claude: Our own local area investigation results. Or part of it.
MC: giv pls

Claude: I'm open to negotiations.
Enigma: Hmm...
Enigma connects to the network.
Enigma: I think I will just hack into your cloud data and--wait I can't find it!?
Shocked Enigma for once!
Enigma: It's analog only!? In this day and age!?
MC: So you need to physically jack in?
Claude: Pffft. A wedding ceremony should be witnessed in person rather than streamed!
Enigma: Maybe, but that denies the point of my existence!
Enigma actually sounds a little upset.
Claude: Fighting it out is all well and good, but I have a better idea!
MC: Enigma, let's hear him out. So what's your better idea, Claude?
Enigma: ...understood. What do you propose?
Belphegor: I NEED HELP RUNNING THINGS
Party: (stares)
And that's how teams Shinjuku Wandervogel and Setagaya Mountaineering became venue workers.
End of Episode part