My summoning was not a coincidence. It was fate. Fate that I could proclaim my joy, my sorrow, and my convictions to others in a world beyond. Fate to be bound to a most chivalrous and lonely young lady. While the three friends who sought The Invisible Swordsman in my own world did not understand my wisdom, I was certain that this was my second chance. I would bring about a new renaissance here, in this simple world, by virtue of my grand appearance and flawless voice.

A new day dawns for Halkegenia…


"Cheater, cheater, pumpkin eater…" it sang.

"That. Is. IT! Valliere, have your familiar in Vestori Square in one hour! We shall settle this with a duel!"

Louise looked back and forth between Guiche and her verbose familiar. "Are you… sure?"

"Ring around the rosies…" came another verse.

"YES I'M SURE!" Guiche huffed off, and Louise began to think about the logistics of getting her large, heavy, and rather uncooperative familiar halfway across campus.

She wasn't terribly concerned. Not that her familiar would stand a chance, but she didn't even think it even understood what was happening around it.

"Three blind mice. Three blind mice. See how they run! See how they run!"

…Maybe. There was no way to know.


The entire audience was frozen in shock. Guiche had lost.

To a shrub.

"Goodnight ladies, goodnight ladies, goodnight ladies, we're going to leave you now!" it sang cheerfully, its arm-like branches waving back and forth in a parody of a dance. It hadn't even moved from where Louise had set its pot down.

Valkyrie remains laid scattered around it, with the exception of an arm. That had landed on one of the waving branches, and been flung casually-yet-energetically towards its opponent. Louise had no idea whether or not this was a coincidence or intentional on the part of her familiar, but the results spoke for themselves. Guiche was laid out on the floor, sporting a bruise on his eye.

"All around the mulberry bush, the monkey chases the weasel…"

Louise picked up its pot, grunting over its weight and trying to keep her balance.

"The monkey thought it was all in good fun…"

Finally, she got it stable.

"POP GOES THE WEASEL!"

She shrieked and fell on her butt as the dancing plant jolted in her arms.


And so the battle was won. My honor had been satisfied, and Louise's, defended. On we would go, together, our talents combined to save the world and fulfill an ancient promise. On the way, an old foe returned, new friends were made, and Louise and I would fall deeply in love.

But those are stories for another time.


A/N: The Singing Bush from The Three Amigos. For those of you who have never seen it, I encourage you to look up the Singing Bush on Youtube.