A Saga of Tanya the Evil/The Irregular at Magic High School crossover.

I do not in any way, shape, or form lay claim to either of these works.

This is just a work of admiration from one fan, to those others that share the same interest.

The only characters or places I lay claim to are those solely of my own creation

Chapter 36, The Seven Schools Competition: Fly high, Oh Devil on the wings of an angel that flew too far.

Sunday, August 8th 2094. 5:00 PM

Newcomer Mirage Bat.

Tanya smiled as she looked through the news for the day and relaxed. The past few days had been full of revelations. Attempted assassinations, potential betrayals, and the subtly shifting nature of her relationship with Visha. She had to admit, now that Visha was no longer sneaking around behind her back, she hadn't slept this well in either life. Certainly not since the war had started in earnest, and definitely not since the events of Arene.

Tanya cast a covert look at the back of the woman who was finishing up Tanya's coffee and making sure that both plates met her high standards. Tanya could not imagine her world, who she would have been without Visha in her life. She knew that she had grown from that cold, calculating salaryman she had been. People saw her as a monster at times, but she would have been one in truth without Visha to make her confront her own humanity.

That said, she had to confront tonight, and what the costume that was carefully laid out represented. Tanya smiled ruefully as she started to get ready for the night. She would take her shower and dress in that costume after supper, and then she would get to demonstrate the tactics that they had worked out.

After that… She would face one of the greatest challenges she had faced in either life, as long as no other countries decided to give them some combat experience. She would confess her feelings to the one person who's opinions mattered to her. And it had better work, since this balcony was not as optimal for her exit strategy.

The pair sat and ate in relative silence, the companionable quiet built over the years they had spent together through the years, both good and bad. They had been forged in the fires of the greatest war that their old world had ever seen, and hopefully would ever see again. Perhaps she was being a bit prideful, but she believed without her presence to egg on Being X, perhaps it would not be quite as insane

For the sake of all those that the four temporal refugee's from the 203rd had left behind, that was her sincere hope.

Tanya was lost in her thoughts, unaware of the gentle scrutiny of her companion who sat across from her and watched her with subtle intensity. Visha still couldn't believe that she had taken the rather bold and audacious actions that she had recently. Sneaking into the bed of the Argent was one thing, but actually inviting her to join her? She would never have believed she was capable of it. As Tanya would have put it, the risk-reward benefits of the co-sleeping arrangement seemed to have turned out favorably. Visha smirked as she had reflected on the events that had happened during the time they had been here, and the changes that had happened to both of them

If Tanya hadn't literally broken time and space to drag them both here, she would never have gotten this chance. Her story would have ended with her bleeding out in the arms of the person she wanted to stand beside until the very end.

She just hoped that the end was many, many years down the road for them both.

As Visha cleared the table, Tanya made her way into the bathroom to take her shower and get ready for the night. It was going to be a big day for both of them, and for the first years, as well. After this, the only contribution the first years would be able to make was in Monolith Code. Tanya just hoped that they were capable of following her guidance and executing the plan as directed.

Something to worry about tomorrow. For now, Tanya had best keep herself focused. It was time to commit herself to her plan of action, and make sure that both missions were executed flawlessly.

She exited the bathroom and spied the eager face of her companion as she looked up from where she had carefully laid out the costume just like it was her old dress uniform. Tanya had to chuckle a bit as she shook her head ruefully.

"I think that you are more eager for this event than I am, Visha." Tanya said with an amused tone in her voice.

Visha blushed and looked down for a moment before she smiled at Tanya. "Well, it is a chance for you to prove your theories and procedures to the school, much less the world in general. I can't wait to see peoples reactions to the practical application of the aerial mages training that you refined in the fires of war. How could I not be excited?"

"And you get to see me in that ridiculous outfit." Tanya added with a small smile on her face.

"...And I get to see you in this wonderful costume that one of our dear friends created especially for you. Instead of the usual style of costume, which I think you would look amazing in, by the way. You were known as the fairy of the battlefield, after all." Visha added in a sweet tone of voice.

"...You know, I think I have gained a new found appreciation for its ascetics." Tanya deadpanned.

Visha just smiled happily as she offered the outfit, one piece at a time, to her longtime companion.

Tanya donned each piece, well aware of how much more starry eyed her companion became as she was 'properly outfitted for her engagement' as Visha would put it. Honestly, the woman seemed to love to treat her as her own personal doll that she got to play dress up with. At least it was not 'The Dress.' Tanya gave a resigned sigh as she pinned the cap into place and regarded herself in the mirror. She would never admit it to anyone, especially Visha, but she had to admit that she looked good in it. Not as good as a proper uniform, but she would have to remember to thank Willa once more when she saw her next. Probably at the same time they grilled her on any details she might have on her ancestor. Talking to her family about him would probably not be a bad idea as well. They could always make up some story about their own ancestors serving in the same unit.

It was not like it was a lie, after all. Just that they were much closer related than could be reasonably expected in someone who was alive in this current time and place. Now, with any luck and no more assasination attempts, hopefully that fact would remain true. Tanya regarded her companion who just had to use the camera feature of her handheld terminal to snap yet another picture of herself. Honestly, she would probably have to 'thank' Jane at some point for teaching Visha about that functionality.

That was, of course, if she could get the Project onboard, and didn't have to liquidate Jane herself. She hoped not, since it would break Visha's giant, open heart. And in the grand scheme of things, Tanya had to be honest with herself. That was something she would not allow to happen if she had any say in the matter.

Hopefully the operational plan and tactical assessment paper that she had sent to the good doctor would convince that worthy of the value of cultivating a double agent who was already fairly compromised in their favor. Honestly, you would think in this day and age that they would know better than trust a teenage girl to maintain her loyalties in the face of something as personally important as developed friendships. Despite her own… Unique… viewpoint on the matter, she would have to admit that she would never understand the mind of the teenage girl.

Even if she did happen to currently be living the life of one.

Speaking of the good doctor, she had messaged them earlier that day that she would be joining them tomorrow, so that she had a chance to better absorb the full impact and implications of the operational plan of action that Tanya had sent her.

Personally, Tanya suspected that the good doctor was going to arrive early, and watch the competition covertly before talking to them both tomorrow. It fit the personality of the woman, and was well within the expectations that Tanya had for her. Honestly, the woman was impossible at times. Swinging from the mad scientist that she shared a name with, who was more than willing to throw Tanya into one crazy situation after another, to someone who had an almost parental level of care and worry about the health and well being of the two she had taken under her wing as her charges. Of course, Tanya suspected the latter was so that they would both be ready to be treated as lab rats.

The meetings earlier that day had gone well enough, and besides the competition that started shortly followed by her confession afterwards, she felt rather good about the day. Now, as long as Visha seemed receptive to her intent Tanya would be able to declare the entire event a success on an operational level.

Now, as a sporting event, there were still things to be desired. As well as the first years had done after Visha and herself had taken them under their guidance, the same could not be said about the older students. Perhaps next year they would do the reasonable thing and let Tanya and Visha handle all the training.

Tanya would even be willing to promise not to completely break all of them.

As the pair made their way to the venue for that evening's competition Tanya could not help but notice how Visha looked in her school uniform. It was nice to see her companion in a more peaceful setting. It was honestly something that Tanya could grow quite used to. She just hoped she hadn't just jinxed them both with her wishful thinking.

They were greeted by the other first years, and the members of their own little inner circle. Jane was flanked by Frieber and Sieber, as seemed to be the norm anymore. It really did seem like her presence served to keep the other two boys in check. It was always important to recognize a good HR person when one found them. As long as the good doctor was on board with their plan, it would be good to cultivate Jane's potential.

Jane smiled warmly as she took in Tanya's appearance. "Ohhh, I wish Willa could have been here to see this in person! It really does fit you, you know? Almost like you were born to wear a uniform. Am I right, Visha?" Jane asked excitedly as she grinned at the suddenly blushing girl.

"It… Really does suit her. Almost like she had spent years wearing something similar." Visha said with a secret little grin for Tanya.

Tanya rolled her eyes and smoothed out her outfit one more time. "I am going to stand out like a weed amid all the colorful young women out there."

Visha pursed her lips as she faced Tanya directly. "No, you will stand out like a wolf in a flock of sheep, Tanya. There is no mistaking you for anything else." She said with firm conviction.

Tanya laughed and shook her head. "I will yield the field to my worthy opponent at this time."

"Darn right you will." Visha said, then blushed as she looked down. "Sorry, Tanya… I guess I got a little carried away."

Tanya laughed fondly as Jane smiled at Visha. "It just means you are passionate about the subject, and care about how she sees herself. Nothing wrong with that." Jane said as she winked at Visha, which just caused her to blush even more.

As the group broke into companionable laughter, Tanya bowed to them as she took her leave to head to the competitors staging area. She checked in with the judges and retrieved the wand she would be using along with the CAD that was loaded with the movement magics that she would be allowed to use for the event. As much as she would love to test the theory behind entropic stasis being combined with barrier creation to create mid-air platforms to work from, she didn't think that this was the correct time or place for that.

Perhaps another time.

Tanya looked over the other girls in her group, as she quietly assessed them. None of them struck her as being any particular threats. She just had to score in the top three of her group to advance to the finals where the top nine girls would compete to see who came out on top. Two long matches lay before her, but at the end was another first place finish and the inertia she needed to be able to properly confess her feelings.

It was definitely time to take this on seriously. She had to make a good impression on the other first years, after all. If Visha and her were to lead them going forward, then this was the chance to properly prove her capabilities. It was impossible, of course, that she merely wanted to show off for Visha, after all. That would be preposterous.

With her mind settled, Tanya prepared herself and waited for the event to begin.

In the stands, the students sat together, with Visha claiming the seat next to Jane. The two smiled at each other as they waited, while Visha observed their friend out of the corner of her eye. What she saw helped ease her mind over the course that the two of them had plotted out. She could see the worry in Jane's eyes, as well as the genuine relief that they were both there and unhurt. Like Tanya had taught her, overt reactions could be faked, but the little nuances that were part of the unthinking brain were much harder to hide and create over any period of time. And what she saw just made her more sure of the path that the two of them had decided on going forward.

Visha nodded as she looked forward, then said quietly to Jane. "We will take care of you, Jane, if you let us help you. Don't make any overy movements, since we know that they are watching you all the time. Unless they have a microphone on you, we were sure that in here, as the event started, they wouldn't be able to hear what you are saying or hearing accurately. It's a calculated risk that we thought was worth it, since you are our friend."

Jane blinked and started to look around in a panic until she felt Visha's hand land on hers and give her a reassuring squeeze. Jane swallowed hard and smiled and nodded, as she tried to make it seem like she was answering whatever Visha had asked her about.

Visha smiled and nodded as she pointed to where Tanya was standing, acting very much like the excited schoolgirl she was. "This is Tanya's idea, by the way. She believed in you enough to take this risk." Visha said as she smiled at her friend.

Jane swallowed and smiled back. "Thank you. I.. I don't have a microphone on me."

Visha nodded and grinned. "We know. Tanya checked before she went into the competitor's area. Not that I ever thought you would have one, but… Well, it's Tanya." Visha said with a little shrug as she pulled Jane to her feet to wave excitedly at Tanya.

Tanya saw them and waved back, as she seemed to wriggle her fingers in greeting.

Visha grinned and sat down, as she dragged Jane back down as well. "There are two watching you actively, but the other agents are watching me, not you. I think it's going to be okay."

Jane relaxed a little as she looked at her friend out of the corner of her eye and chewed on her lip. She couldn't help but wonder what they had planned, and how they had figured her out. She glanced at Tanya, who met her gaze directly for a moment before the Beast of Berlin looked away with a smirk. Jane shuddered a little then relaxed as Visha gave her hand another squeeze. It was going to be okay, because she had the sweetest and scariest people that she knew on her side.

At least she hoped it would be okay.

Tanya looked away from Jane, as she gazed at Visha with a warmth in her usually cold heart. It seemed that everything was going according to plan. Some of the elements were Visha's ideas, to help comfort and ease Jane so that she didn't give things away until they had a chance to talk to her and the good doctor. It was just good business to headhunt out assets from a rival company and thus strengthen your team while weakening theirs. That was all it was. It had nothing to do with friendships or making sure a certain brunette was happy and not crying.

Not at all.

Tanya sighed as she took her place, having already determined where the other girls were likely to start their initial leaps from and thus the paths that were most likely to be taken. Several of them were bound to launch as soon as the event began, it was simple human nature to want to be in action, to feel that by acting first you were in control. Some would have hesitated, unsure of where they should go, what their first priorities should be. In the face of randomly occurring targets, that was also a natural reaction.

Now, her plan was built on something in the middle. The first spheres would set the patterns for the next, and thus those that followed after. It would be a simple execution of a standard recon in force sweep and destroy pattern to predict where she should go to maximize her own results. Her practice sessions, which all used a previous years algorithm, had poven her theories. Now, it was simply a matter of executing them while making sure that she didn't run afoul of the other fledgling birds as they leaped blindly into the air.

This should prove most enlightening.

Then the game started, and it was time to hunt.