Chapter 1: The Beast Awakens

"Tetsuya is nothing more, than an out-dated prototype."

Hearing those words from his former captain, something in Kuroko shattered. Hearing those words from his creator, leader, Emperor...Everything felt hollow...the world around him swirled and went un-focused. Those words kept re-playing again and again, in his head while everything else was discarded.

"Out-dated...Prototype...Nothing more..."

The court was silent, as everyone was getting prepared for the third quarter. Rakuzan leading in with 35 points to 25. Tension escalated more and more with stolen glances from both teams. The constant murmurs of the crowd drowned out everything else. Hyuuga, seeing this took it upon himself to get everyone motivated again...even if it was just to not appear weak.

"Oi! Why the hell is everyone mopping! We've still got 2 quarters left!" Hyuuga bellowed to his team.

It appeared to have worked, seeing most of teammates perk up, with alight determined fire in their eyes. he couldn't help but let a smile grace his features, after seeing the new surge of power, Seirin was basically emitting in waves. That was until he looked over to the bench and frowned. Kuroko had his head down, with a towel draped over his head. He wasn't moving a muscle, Hyuuga couldn't blame him, after the shock he must have went through. He sighed and got ready for the next quarter.

"Out-dated...Prototype...Nothing more..."

Kuroko clenched his hands and his teeth ground in an attempt, to withstand the emotional agony he was feeling. Those words...those words left an ever-lasting mark on Kuroko. The person he looked up to, the person who made him who he was today...saw him as nothing more than a discarded project. That thought made an emotion Kuroko wasn't used to having seep through into his conscience...

Anger

He clenched his hands so tightly that blood seeped onto the ground, where he was sitting. Shadowed eyes glared at the ground with un-requited, un-censored, un-moving...Hatred.

The world seemed to slow down. Colour drained from his vision. Sound, went through a filter like water. There was nothing else to think about. Just Anger.

"..Coach.." A breathy voice startled Aida Riko as she was surveying the current situation on court.

She looked over to see Kuroko, Head down and now shaking in whatever shock he was put through.

"Hai, Kuroko-kun?" She questioned, feeling slightly disturbed at the sight.

"..Put me in.." She was about to protest when the warning bell sounded for the start of the third-quarter.

She took a look at him and knew she would be better arguing with a wall. She sighed and called for a member change.

Everyone was confused. Actually, a better term would be dumb-founded. Why would they bring back Kuroko, he couldn't really...do anything now on the court.

"Ehh!? Little Phantom comes out to play again~!" Hayama shouts annoyingly.

"But I wonder why~?" He continues, with a lower voice.

Akashi says nothing, and stares at Kuroko getting up from his place on the seat. Shaking from an unknown cause. That's when he looks into Kurokos eyes.

"Impossible..."

Kuroko slowly walked to his place on the court, ignoring everything. Even the questions and concerned whispers of his teammates. He could care less right now. His hair, over-shadowed his eyes, giving him an ethereal and haunted feel.

Then the Bell sounded and Kurokos instinct took over. He vanished on the spot...and no one even noticed.

Kagami jumps at tip-off and hits it to Izuki, who then continues to go on offense. He runs up, but is then blocked by Nebuya. He sees the familiar flash of teal-blue in the corner of his eye, and without thinking, proceeds to throw the ball in that direction...but instead of hearing the ball get passed, he hears the ball stop in the receivers hands. Everyone stopped to look up at Kuroko who stood holding the ball in one of his hands. Shaking, and clenching his other hand, he looks up...

Everyone Gasps, excluding Akashi and Kuroko himself.

The Zone

Kurokos face is twisted into disgust and anger, as he looks towards Akashi.

"..Do not take me lightly Seijūrō...A phantom is something you should fear.." and without another word he was gone.

"NANI?!" Most shouted, while looking around, panicking.

Baduum

The sound of a ball hitting the floor caused everyone to freeze again. All they saw was a see through blur in their vision before the net swished.

"..After all..I am everywhere.."