Inspired by this game called 'United Kingdom' on my last PE lesson for the whole of my school life. My class had actually truly enjoyed PE for the final time... Everyone was having fun throwing those large shuttlecocks around and trying to 'kill' each other. This happened on 3rd October, which just happens to be the day before Atobe's birthday, so I decided to make this tribute not just for this Hyotei diva, but for my classmates as well. Hopefully I can finish this long birthday fic before Tezuka's birthday, which is on the 7th. Happy Graduation Day to all my peers and schoolmates!

Warnings: Might contain hint pairings (probably the more common ones, closer to canon)

Rating: T, just to be safe.

Chapters: 4. Had planned out two chapters already. The 3rd chapter will most probably be a Hyotei-only chapter and the 4th chapter includes a mild Atobe x (someone in Hyotei) pairing. It might be more obvious in the 2nd chapter which won't be out for now (hopefully before 7th, so yeah).

Rules of the game:

1. Once hit by the shuttlecock(weapon) = Dead (stay rooted on the spot and sit down).

2. Each player can have as many weapons as possible.

3. The attacking side must bring the 'king' (cone) back to their own side to win the game. If all the attacking soldiers died, then the defending team wins.

4. Tennis rackets are PROHIBITED. HOWEVER, tennis attacks/techniques are ALLOWED.

"I would like to thank everyone for coming to my 15th birthday party today." Atobe Keigo, the heir of the Atobe cooperation and Hyotei's tennis club captain spoke on the microphone with Kabaji Munehiro, his childhood friend by his side. He made a dramatic pause before raising his right hand and make his signature snap: "Be awed by the plans Ore-sama arranged just for today!"

The crowd that mainly consisted of tennis regulars from 4 different schools just watched the whole thing deadpanned. They just wanted to get this done and over with since there is school the next day. The 4 schools invited are Seishun Gakuen, Rikkaidai Fuzoku, Shitenhouji and of course, Hyotei Gakuen. Atobe had decided to invite them over to celebrate his birthday in a grand manner (for his last middle school year as well).

"This time he actually dragged guys from other schools just to celebrate his birthday!?" Mukahi Gakuto groaned in disgust as he slumped against his doubles partner, Oshitari Yuushi.

"As flashy as always, that Atobe..." Oshitari Yuushi, the tensai of Hyotei tennis club sighed in agreement. He turned towards a panicky Ootori Choutarou soothing Shshido Ryou in a very failing attempt. The latter was swearing things about not getting enough rest for lesson the day after. Akutagawa Jirou was sleeping on a bench somewhere near the Hyotei gang, while Hiyoshi Wakashi was muttering "Gekokujyou" all the time.

"I wonder what is that monkey king up to this time." Echizen Ryoma tugged at his white cap, not bothering to listen to the rest of Atobe's speech.

"Perhaps some tennis matches... is what I predict." Tezuka Kunimitsu, the captain of Seishun Gakuen tennis club replied with a stoic face.

"I beg to differ." Inui Sadaharu interrupted, "There's a 90% chance that we won't be doing anything tennis-related today, seeing it as his birthday party after all."

"What about the remaining 10%?" Oishi asked.

"'I have this gut feeling that it is tennis-related, but it isn't about playing the tennis sport.' is what you would say right, Sadaharu?" Yanagi Renji from Rikkai popped beside Inui.

The data man of Seigaku nodded. "As expected of Kyojuu."

"Another 5 minutes of saliva-wasting speech before we can actually proceed on with the party." Chitose Senri stated while emitting light.

"I call this 'Ability Abuse'." Shiraishi Kuranosuke, captain of Shitenhouji shook his head at the sight of Chitose using the Pinnacle of Intellection.

"Where is Koshimae~? I wanna play against him~!" Tooyama Kintarou exclaimed with eagerness.

After 5 minutes (as Chitose predicted), Atobe started to guide the 4 schools into what it seems to be an indoor sports hall. No bigger than a soccer field, but it's still quite wide to accommodate 34 people.

"The highlight of the day is this game called United Kingdom: Atobe's Empire." The silver-haired diva of Hyotei announced. "However, since we have 34 people, 2 people must step out from the game."

"Wait, this doesn't make sense." Sanada interrupted. "Since 34 is an even number, this shouldn't be a problem."

"Well, Ore-sama has decided to let only 8 people from each school to participate. Rikkai and Shitenhouji have only 8 regulars each, so someone from Seigaku and Hyotei has to step out of the game," Atobe clarified.

Echizen raised his hand upon hearing this. Kikumaru looked like he wanted to cry. "Ochibi, are you sure about this!?"

"I don't really care," came the nonchalant reply.

Kintarou wailed this time around, "NO! I WANNA PLAY AGAINST KOSHIMAE!"

"Well, I don't mind stepping out," Taki volunteered. "I believe Shishido can do this much better than me."

"Oi! What's that for!?" The blue-capped regular shouted back. Choutarou was restraining his doubles partner from going berserk (again).

"Well, now that little issue is settled, let's announce the rules for this game!" Atobe took out a piece of paper and flashed it on the screen for the regulars to see.

"The weapons are shuttlecocks with ends made of rubber. Each person will have one. Once you threw it and hit a person, the person 'dies'. In other words, he's out of the game. The person will then sit down and watch the others play. However, if the receiving party manages to catch the weapon, then the shooter dies. A person can have as many weapons as possible, so it's a Finders Keepers thing."

"I'm sorry, but I don't see how is this related to the title of the game."

"This is how the soldiers invade the kingdom of another country to bring the king of the other country back to their king's side. For example, King A and King B are kings of their respective countries. They are also long lost brothers. When the soldiers of King A knew that King B was his long lost brother, they tried to get King B to their king. However, they must fight the soldiers of King B in order to reunite King A and B together. That's why this game is called UNITED KINGDOM."

"Then why add 'Atobe's Empire' behind the name then?"

"Because the great Ore-sama has graciously added a special rule to the game."

A few pukes can be heard.

"So, the new rules are...?" Jackal wondered.

"Atobe's special rule: Tennis rackets are PROHIBITED. However, everyone is allowed to use their tennis skills in the game."

Momoshiro gasped in disbelief. "Isn't that cheating!?"

"It's called 'Putting Abilities to Great Use'." Shiraishi corrected.

"So it's this rule after all..." Both Inui and Yanagi muttered in synch.

Atobe then proceeded to take out a brown box. "Well, now that Echizen and Taki had stepped out from this game, I'll be randomly splitting everyone into groups of 2."

"Wait!" Kikumaru sprang up from his seat, "What if every strong players are in the same team? It wouldn't be fair!"

Atobe rolled his eyes at Kikumaru. "There are 2 different coloured papers inside. The ones that have the same colour will be in the same team. If what Kikumaru said happens, then I'll do a revaluation."

The regulars then proceeded to take turns and get their draw from the box.

Team A (Attacking side. Task: Defeat Team B and bring King B (large cone) back to their side.)

From Seigaku: Tezuka, Oishi, Inui, Kawamura, Momoshiro.

From Hyotei: Atobe, Jirou, Mukahi, Shishido.

From Rikkai: Sanada, Yanagi, Niou, Marui, Kirihara.

From Shitenhouji: Yuuji, Zaizen.

Team B (Defending side. Task: Defeat Team A and bring King A (large cone) back to their side.)

From Seigaku: Fuji, Kikumaru, Kaidou.

From Hyotei: Oshitari, Kabaji, Ootori, Hiyoshi.

From Rikkai: Yukimura, Jackal, Yagyuu.

From Shitenhouji: Shiraishi, Chitose, Koharu, Gin, Kenya, Kintarou.

"Eh!? Most of the Shitenhouji regulars are in Team B!" Mukahi pointed out the obvious.

"Zaizen, we mustn't be soft on on them, even if they are our comrades!" Yuuji sobbed.

"Obviously."

"So we're on the same team, Renji."

"Uh huh, Sadaharu. Besides, the pairings are quite unique."

"This is kind of interesting. I'm in the same team as Yukimura and Shiraishi."

"Oishi~ we're being separated here~"

"Don't worry Eiji, let's just do our best!"

"Yay! I get to play against Mamushi~"

"Trying to start a fight!?"

"Chill... seriously..."

"2 captains per team, with 2 tensai, 2 data masters, and all the doubles partners separated. Is this what they call fate?"

"Um Yagyuu, you're being overly dramatic here."

Atobe clapped his hands, "All right, chit chat's gonna end here. Both teams will be given 5 minutes to discuss the strategies to win the game. Of course, winners will be rewarded handsomely. Now, proceed to your respective strategy rooms. Taki, start the timer now!"

The beep on the timer was the signal for them to advance.

Next chapter: The attacks begin! How will both teams work out their strategies?