The Empress Chapter 30, a Prince of Tennis + Kuroko no Basuke/黒子のバスケ Crossover fanfic

"Love is the absence of judgment."
—The Dalai Lama

The Empress | Chapter 30

Fuyuki knew exactly where the number one arrogant First Stringer would be; making her way through the empty halls was dead gave away.

Her heart was pumping.

Can you really win against him?

Perhaps. Perhaps not.

It didn't matter so long as she can strike him where it hurts. To ensure he could never be able to pick up a racket again.

Thankfully, she had researched his playstyle. He was arrogant enough to give away so much and still expect to keep winning.

Fuyuki knew she had more to lose than him if she failed. Yet, more than the fear, more than the unease, she wanted- nein, she needed to do this.

She had arrived at the open courts. And although she had wanted to avoid as many players as possible—mostly anyone that knows Ryoma, his teammates, rivals, and that person—she found her uncaring for the consequences for once.

It was painfully obvious where the Number One stood, his underlings surrounded him. He watched the current match with bored eyes.

She hated how similar they were at that moment.

It was a match between two high schoolers she didn't recognize at the moment. Or perhaps her mind was too clouded to recognize.

At this point, some of the players had noticed her. Their curious gaze shifting between her and the person her cold eyes locked with.

Ignoring the whispers and mumbling, she approached Kurobe first.

"Yukio," she stood directly in front of him.

He gave her what looked be a sympathetic look, which she promptly ignored.

"The First String list isn't official yet is it?"'

Seeing the expression on her face, Kurobe knew the answer she was looking for. At times like this, he was reminded of the first time she arrived at this camp as a child. That lifeless child that considered winning like it was breathing. Those eyes sent shivers down the spines of adults, people twice her age.

"Not yet. Coach Mutobe will be the one to announce the listing soon."

"Good. So that means..." she rose her voice much louder than her speaking volume to inform her target of her intent, "I am free to take the Number One badge." she turned towards him.

There were gasps around her, which went ignored by Fuyuki and Byodoin.

"Frei-chan?!"

"What is she doing...?"

"After Echizen... she shouldn't do that!"

Approaching her victim, she stopped a couple of feet away from him. His eyes never left her form as she tilted her head slightly to look directly at him.

"Let's play for your badge."

He raised a mocking eyebrow, "And you are?"

She glanced at the badge before meeting his eyes again. Ignoring his question, she replied, "Quite frankly, I am not the aggressive type. However," she roughly gripped the front of his jersey until he was eye-level with her, "When you try to hurt what's considered mine, I have to make sure I slaughter yours."

"Hey girly-" Duke was about to warn her a stern voice, but Byodoin interrupted with one hand raised.

"I see what this is about." he removed her grip of his jersey, which she didn't fight against. "Sure, let's play," he smirked. "But you won't be able to use the badge anyway since it's a boys tennis team."

Fuyuki stepped back to make her way to one side of an empty court. "That doesn't matter. Once I crush you, I will give the badge to one that's more fitting of it."

"Oh? Like the shrimp that was forced to leave the camp?"

Fuyuki had to physically stand her ground from attacking him. A proper match be damned. She knew he wasn't trying to enrage her on purpose, he was just a natural ass.

"Listen girl, I'll only say this once. I'm not going to hold back. If you want to back out then do it now."

"Back down? Against you? You must think of yourself as unbeatable. Let me say this once, even if one of us is permanently damaged, I won't be stopping this match."

"You're a dangerous girl... that's why I'll enjoy crushing you."

Tokugawa slowly opened his eyes to see the white ceiling. The first thing he noticed was the bandages wrapped neatly around his chest. "This is..." he lifted himself slightly, despite the pain.

"Oh, Tokugawa-kun, you're already awake?"

Finally noticing the two, Tokugawa asked, "What happened with Echizen-kun..."

"He was ejected from the camp after protecting you. In the end, the second string only took the first match... it ended with the Genius 10's complete victory."

"That kid.. is quite amusing," he remembered seeing the Samurai behind Ryoma.

"Don't say stupid things. That goes for you too."

"I... need to apologize for what happened. After all that training, I got from the both of you..."

"That's right. That was the first time I've ever seen Byoudoin make a face like that." Kanata smiled with his eyes closed.

"!" Tokugawa was surprised, he didn't know that.

"Don't apologize. Just win next time." Oni said. "That's why for the time being, get some rest, and then you can give it your all again."

"Thank you." Tokugawa was grateful for the two that have helped him so much.

"Hmm, Oni? Didn't you say that the only time it's okay for a man to cry is when he fulfills his deepest wish?"

"D-Don't be stupid! This is just sweat!"

The three were interrupted by the commotion in the hallway. There were some shouting and loud thumps of running.

Kanata made his way to the doorway and peeked outside.

There were many high-schoolers running towards the exit.

"Is she serious?!"

"Byoudoin will crush her!"

"Should we inform the coach?"

"I'm sure the coaches already know since there are cameras all around the camp!"

"I can't believe Frei Fuyuki is going against Byoudoin!"

To say Kanata was shocked would be an understatement. With one look behind him, he knew the other two clearly heard as their expression was grim.

The match began immediately.

When Fuyuki served, she had no desire for a warm-up round. She is going to make sure her message is loud and clear.

When Fuyuki gripped the tennis ball in her hand, all Byodoin saw was the ball soaring before he heard the sound of the ball hitting the ground. The ball was already gone from the beauty's hand and on his side of the court.

"Fifteen-Love."

"What..?"

To say Byodoin is confused is understated. He noticed black smoke surrounding the ball while the spot where it was hit dented slightly.

"I-Is that State of Self Actualization?"

"No," Yukimura said, "That has the same darkness as..." he narrowed his eyes.

"I guess I should thank you," Fuyuki said, "It's been a long time since I've felt so strongly about inculpating someone." Some of the bystanders flinched at the seriousness in her tone. "Which is how you helped me unlock my State of Self Destruction."

"State of Self Destruction?"

"!" Byodoin then noticed the darkdarkdark aura surrounding the beauty.

After a moment, "Interesting," Byodoin said. Her playstyle was one he had yet to come across.

When she got ready to serve again, Byodoin was more prepared for another attack. Yet, to his surprise, when the ball glowed, he was taken back. The glowing shot.

He had clearly underestimated her.

"No way!"

"Destruction?!"

Fuyuki wanted to return the pain Ryoma would have been in. Unfortunately, Byodoin dodged.

"Twenty-love."

Fuyuki didn't hold back. She served with her fast swing based on a sword-drawing technique and combined the move with destruction. So when the ball had bounced on his side of the court, not only did the balls split into eight pieces but each of the spots where they landed was destroyed like Byodoin's Destruction.

"Is- that Vier Slice..." Fuji began.

"...with Destruction?" Yukimura's eyes widened like saucers.

Seeing the continuous points, Byodoin gritted his teeth.

"Don't worry, we're not finished yet."

"Game. Frei Fuyuki." The umpire announced.

This had to be one of the fastest records of him losing game.

Byodoin had wanted to defeat her without the use of his ace moves to put her in her place but that doesn't seem to be possible anymore. He had thought she was all talk. A girl fighting to avenge her boyfriend.

The match continued as Fuyuki conquered the court. Or at least someone who looked to be Fuyuki, conquered. Not only has the dark energy surrounding her intensified since her last match but was also a dark shadow hovering over her. The figure took up so much space that it covered half the court of her side.

The figure looked so menacing that Kato coward and took a step back, "Just now... Did you also see something that resembled a shadow?"

"W-hat is that?" Horio questioned in fear, pointing at the shadow behind the beauty.

Before they knew it, Byodoin was on his knees as he tried to counter her Vier Slice Destruction. Whenever his racket comes in contact with the ball. The strings shatter. Byodoin Hoo thought her Vier Slice was already powerful, like his Pirates of the American. But Vier Slice seems more so because of the advantage of ruining the opponent's racket strings. And because she could return eight pieces of the ball, he knew Snake Charmer of India would also be useless against the beauty as the ball splits into 7 balls.

Pirates of the World. The shot makes the ball split into a vast amount of copies when hit. Fuyuki knew Tokugawa's Black Hole is a counter to the attack. The more difficult method is she would have to successfully hit back all the copies of the ball in order to return the shot. That's impossible given her state. But while she's in State of Self Destruction, Fuyuki should be able to copy any shots she had previously witnessed.

Except, her body and stamina weren't on par with her mind and willpower. She would only be able to continue for a bit longer. Otherwise competing in her Skating Tournament tomorrow would be impossible; she would be too sore.

Matryoshka of Russia. Byodoin serves, and his tennis ball opens. Inside comes out a smaller tennis ball, still traveling forwards and then another smaller tennis ball pops out (Kirihara makes a reference to matryoshka dolls here). This process repeats 7 times. the tiny ball on the end flies and explodes.

"Do you know what the strongest emotion is?" Fuyuki watched Byodoin kneeling figure. "Fear." she picked up the ball. "Fear grips you by the throat and chokes until you can't breathe. And with fear comes anxiety and helplessness. Yet beneath those emotions, there is hate. You hate the feeling of fear, you hate whatever caused you to fear." she served Destruction to Byodoin's stomach, satisfied with watching the male in pain. "State of Self Destruction fuels on negative emotions. It comes alive when the user reaches the highest level of it."

Despite the pain, he paid close attention to her. As did the observers. "Just like how State of Self Actualization exists, there is also State of Self Destruction. Just like how love for tennis exists, there is also hatred for it. While the State of Self Actualization is achieved by remembering how much one enjoyed tennis for the first time, State of Self Destruction is being consumed by abhorring for it but being unable to stop playing. It's the dark side of the State of Self Actualization. It controls you like a puppet to push past your limit. To keep playing and ensures that you are willing to sacrifice anything to achieve victory. Anything means limbs, organs, the mind." she paused before greed conquered her hazel eyes. "For great reward, there must be great sacrifice."

Fuyuki had opened the final gate. Pinnacle of Desire. Pinnacle of Perception. And—

Pinnacle of Pluperfect.

It was getting too easy so Fuyuki wasn't surprised when Byodoin stood up and activated his Inner. "Don't underestimate me, Girl." His glaring eyes could have killed her.

But Fuyuki glared back and played Vier Slice Destruction again. She wasn't shocked when he returned every piece of the ball. This time, his strings weren't destroyed like the attempts before.

Because he had used the edge of his racket to return the shots.

Gritting her teeth, Fuyuki ran to return all eight pieces of the destroyed ball.

She didn't want to give him any point.

The eight pieces were thrown back and forth between him.

Unfortunately, Fuyuki knew her limit.

You can't keep up with him.

Shut up.

I told you, let me take over.

Shut. Up.

You're too weak Yuki.

Shutupshutupshutupshutup.

"Is that it?" Byodoin could see her stamina wasn't on par with her desires. He had the nerve to look almost disappointed. That same look. The same sickening look mama used to give her. "What happened to all that strength?"

See? Even he agrees.

Fuyuki's hands trembled. When Byodoin scored the point she tried so hard to save, she knew it can't go on. She was going to lose. She knew. She just knew it.

At this rate, you'll lose. Then, mother-dearest will be disappointed in her dear Yuki. So will Ryoma and papa. But then again, Ryoma already left you behind.

You win... Fuyuki.

The middle-schoolers were both concerned and worried when the girl stood still as another ball flew past her. Her eyes were shadowed.

When she looked up, both her eyes changed color. They were blood red that sent shivers down anyone's back because there was not an ounce of mercy in those unforgivable eyes.

"Wh-at happened to Frei-chan?" Oishi asked.

Kikumaru shivered. Those eyes were the same ones he saw before.

"Finally," the girl said, "she let me out."

Byodoin raised an eyebrow before serving an ace at the still girl. His Inner Pirate behind him.

Only to be taken aback.

"Impossible!" The number one's widened in saucers when a shadow formed behind her back just like him. The dark mist formed into a shape of a spirit. It looked blurry due to the shape being a mist but it was clear to Byodoin, it was her Inner.

"Hahahaha!" she laughed, almost in madness."Surprised?" she asked. "Good. Because you will regret ever facing me."

"Now," she extended her hands with her racket in her left hand, "It's no fun unless we're covered in blood."

Her return was faster than anything Byodoin had seen. The ball just disappeared when the sound of the ball hit against her racket and he felt an excruciating pain in his abdomen. When he looked down, he saw the tennis ball spinning on his lower stomach,

Gritting his teeth, Byodoin could feel the blood spill from his mouth. He glared at her once the ball dropped on the ground. The high-schooler was no longer sure if it was even the girl. Sure, her style was violent. But this was on another level.

"I love that look on your face." the look of pure glee on her flawless face almost scared Byodoin, "Nee, show me more."

Now, he was absolutely sure the girl in front of him wasn't Fuyuki. At least, not the same Fuyuki that initiated the battle.

During the monologue, the high-schooler managed to catch her off guard. His inner struck her with his sword.

"...!"

The blade had pierced her abdomen, the same spot where she hit Byodoin.

"How do you like it being returned, Girl?"

"Heh," She gripped the shape blade stuck to her chest and pulled it out without any sign of pain, "I love it. Give me more!"

Blood poured out before her blood eyes stared at him with a wicked smile that was too big. He noticed the spirit behind her freeze the bloody aura, stopping the bleeding.

When he served a destructive move, he didn't expect the girl to use her own body as a mediator to lessen the impact of it.

"That's crazy!"

The girl had used her shoulder as a sacrifice to make the ball weaker so she would return it.

Yukimura flinched when he heard a crack.

Byodoin was so shocked that he couldn't react even when the ball bounced and went past him.

"Ah," Fuyuki held her right shoulder with her left hand. "It's dislocated."

They all heard the sickening crack again when she popped the bone back in place made the middle-schoolers both scared of her and scared for her.

Ryuzaki trembled in fear. This isn't tennis... This can't be tennis.

Osakada also edged back.

It was like the girl didn't even care about her body. Like it was nothing compared to winning against Byodoin.

It scared them deeply.

"That's enough, Fuyuki." Kurobe stepped in. He didn't think it would get this bad. "I'm going to have to stop this match before you hurt yourself further."

"Get lost, Yukio. It's not over until I say so."

"You have a skating competition tomorrow. You can't afford to be injured like this today." Kurobe watched the male behind Fuyuki with an expecting look.

"It doesn't matter. I'll stop right after I destroy him."

A loud sigh and shadow caught her attention. She looked up at the teenager that dared stand in front of her in court and interfere with her victory.

"I see you haven't changed, Fuyuki." That annoying male, the "brother" of her loved one, grinned at her, "I had a feeling you would do this so I stayed behind."

"Scram Ryoga. I have no time for you."

"Now, now." he held his hands up with his palms showing, "No need to be so hostile. Ryoma wouldn't want you to do this."

The girl flinched.

Taking the reaction to be a good sign, he continued, "You really shouldn't obsess so much about Chibisuke, it's really not healthy." despite seeing the draggers directed at him, he continued, "One might think there is something more between you two." He paused to take in her reaction, "Other than being cousins, that is."

There was a moment of silence.

The middle-schoolers were shocked beyond belief. Being related was the last thing they thought of. The two always looked more like a couple than a distant family.

"Cousin?!'

The girl looked unhinged, "SHUT UP RYOGA!" she lifted her racket and prepared to bring it down on his face harshly. But before she could, her eyes started closing as she began falling forward.

The middle-schoolers watched as Haru held her up with a dangerous look. In no way did he look like the usual butler. His grip on the girl looked painful as he changed their position to carry her in his arms. "Thank you Ryoga-kun, Kurobe-san."

The man nodded hesitantly while Ryoga narrowed his eyes.

"Was that necessary?" The older Echizen brother asked.

"I know what's best for Fuyuki-sama, and I intend to do what's best." The butler didn't hesitate as he took the beauty and headed towards the camp gates.

Haru knew there was only one person who can turn her back to normal when she got like this.

Even when the butler left with the girl, everyone remained tense.

"That's not Fuyuki-chan." An said in fear, as she gripped her upper arms in self-comfort. There's no way that could be her idol.

The word pluperfect comes from the Latin phrase plus quam perfectum, "more than perfect." The Latin perfect tense refers to the past, while the pluperfect references "more than past."

I know the tennis match was very dramatic but that's PoT. It's literally so dramatic about the matches xD but that's what makes things more interesting. Hopefully, I didn't make Fuyuki too OP, just the classy amount while sticking to her character.

Also, I was reading some comments and someone asked who Krauser is. Krauser is this person:

He's a first-year exchange student from Nagoya Seitoku. I think he's first introduced in the U-17 camp.

One last thing, I can't guarantee when I'll be updating The Empress next but I'll do one chapter of the other two books just to let everyone know I'm alive and I haven't given up on my books. The others are harder to write since I forgot the plot and characters but please be patient with me. I will update them in the next two days.