At Momoshiro's suggestion, the Seigaku Regulars head off on one of their group outings - this time to a video arcade. But as always these seemingly harmless outings evolve into something entirely unexpected as one by one they find themselves in a new and strange world. Elsewhere, others are also launched into a similar fate; nothing is what it seems anymore. How will they get out? And will they want to? For as we all know, boys love video games.

Disclaimer:

I do not own Prince of Tennis. Which is probably a good thing, since I'd probably torture all the poor TeniPuri characters. Except Kaoru-kun. I have a soft spot for him. Besides, he gets enough torture in the anime.

Author's Note: I finally got myself to actually write a fanfic. I'm marveling at that. I'd be happier if I knew where my plot is going to take me, but I suppose having it open means I'm still free to change it. This fic is dedicated to Jesus Christ, who rocks my world.

Translations:

There will be some Japanese words peppered here and there (because it sounds better that way). But it will be ones that every good TeniPuri fan should know. ) Nonetheless, I will give explanations to them in every chapter (though I must say my Japanese is very limited, so correct me if I'm wrong).

baka - stupid, idiot
Mamushi - Viper (Kaidou's nickname)
ochibi - generally used to call short people in a more insulting manner, but in Eiji's case I suppose it's an endearing term for Ryoma
sempai - upperclassman, used to refer to your seniors
buchou- captain
ii yo- In the context of this chapter: it's fine/alright

Chapter 1: Press Start

Somewhere in Japan, a young group of boys were walking to their doom – er, I mean to the video arcade on one of their friendly non-tennis based outings (which usually resulted in doom).

"We're going to the video arcaaade!" sang the ever hyper Eiji who was bouncing up and down with one arm locked around his doubles partner's. He was very excited about their plans for the day. So much that he stayed up all night practising. For as we all know, boys love video games.

"Eiji, would you mind not jumping so much? It's a bit hard to walk like this," winced Oishi.

"This is indeed an interesting idea, Momo. Playing video games is something up my alley," Fuji gave one of his enigmatic smiles.

"Yeah, I think this will turn out to be really fun," noted Kawamura.

"Of course! This has got to be one of my best ideas so far," beamed Momoshiro, "After all, we've already tried bowling, pool and volleyball so it's only natural we'd play some video games as well. And I'll have you know that I'm unbeatable at video games so you'd better watch out."

"Video games have nothing in common with those other games. It's not even a sport, baka," Kaidou snorted.

"Hey! It's something that requires skill and concentration just like all sports, which is something I doubt you'd be able to pull of, Mamushi," retorted Momoshiro.

"I have more skill and concentration than you'll ever have, you muscle-bound idiot!" Kaidou shouted back, launching the two rivals into a full blown verbal assault which involved a lot of glaring and overused insults.

No one really bothered about the squabbling duo as they were more than used to it and Oishi the would-be peacemaker was busy struggling to walk with Eiji clinging to his arm.

"There is 75 percent that there will be trouble today," noted Inui.

Tezuka, sporting his perpetually stoic expression, wondered why he had bothered to come. He never really had an interest in such things. After all, his time could be better spent doing more profitable things like studying. Or practising tennis. Or tending to his beloved bonsai.

"I've never played video games before," declared Ryoma.

They all stopped to turn and stare at the shortest member of the group.

"You what? How could you not have played video games before? You must have played something. A gameboy at least?" exclaimed Momoshiro, who had been startled enough to break away from Rival-fight #863.

"Nope," replied Ryoma bluntly.

"Huahh! How could our ochibi not have played with any video games before?" cried Eiji.

"My dad was only interested in getting me to play tennis. He never really bought me video games or other such things to play," answered Ryoma.

The two sempais looked at one another and nodded knowingly. With Momoshiro on the left and Eiji on the right they grabbed Ryoma by the arms and ran towards the nearest video arcade.

They finally came to a run down looking shop with game posters plastered on the windows outside. The paint was peeling and as far as they could tell, it was dark inside.

"This place looks kinda creepy, nya," commented Eiji, "Maybe it has ghosts?"

"G-g-ghosts?" Kaidou's eyes darted back and forth. He considered frantically whether it would be safer to stay with the crowd or dart off. For all he knew, this creepily silent alley could be housing other... unwanted creatures. He shuddered at that. Mind over matter, mind over matter, "Fshuu."

Inui pushed the door open, "Hmm... It appears to be empty. There is a 35 percent that the arcade is closed."

"Huh? But the machines are up and running," Kawamura pointed towards the arcade machines.

"Who cares if no one is here? We still have to put coins in the slots. Let's start playing!" yelled Momoshiro as he rushed up to one of the machines.

"Well, we'll be paying so I guess that's fine," said Fuji.

"Eh? This one isn't working. Mou, this one isn't either. Hey, are any of you all facing problems?" he turned to see all his friends already busy at many of the other working machines. Except for Ryoma, who was standing by the side staring blankly at everyone. "Hey, that's not fair, these ones are out of order," he pouted.

Grabbing Ryoma by locking his arm over the poor boy's head he proceeded to test each and every unused machine, but alas they were all not fit to be used. "Man, this stinks. We're the only ones left without anything to play."

"I'm fine, really."said Ryoma, "Or at least I will be once you let go of me..."

"No, this is not fine! You are supposed to get a taste of video gaming and you will!" he stomped off with Ryoma still in tow. "Hey, there's a room here. I wonder if there're anymore machines inside?"

Meanwhile, the team's beloved buchou was engaged in a staring contest with his game machine. Slowly, he reached for a coin and inserted it into the coin slot, picking up the plastic gun which was attached to the machine. Moments later, Tezuka Kunimitsu was lost in a world of damsels in distress and bad guys spouting cheesy threats. For as we all know, boys love video games.

The door squeaked open to reveal a dimly lit room. It was fairly small and had a musty smell which resembled moldy cheeseburgers and various other odd fragrances. A flickering screen in the corner of the room caught Momoshiro's eye. "Hey, if it isn't a playstation! We lucked out Echizen! Now we can play games and not have to pay at all."

"Are you sure it's alright Momo-sempai?" queried the young boy still locked beneath his sempai's arm.

"Ii yo, ii yo. We'll just take a look at the games they have here. Hmm... It seems that theres already a CD running," said Momoshiro.

The screen was black except for a small panel with the words 'Press Start' flashing across the screen in white. Momoshiro took the controller in his hands and did just what the game asked. The screen turned completely black.

"Maybe it's broken," mused Ryoma.

"Aww, why do we always get the broken down ones?" complained Momoshiro.

Just then, the screen turned white and light began to creep out of the screen into the room.

"Err, is this supposed to happen, sempai?"

Brighter and brighter it shone until finally, the whole room was engulfed in white.

A/N: I hoped you enjoyed reading it as much as I did writing. I didn't think it would be quite so fun to write this. I poked fun at boys and their love for video games but of course everyone has their individual tastes. As a girl myself, I enjoy video games too, and TeniPuri of course; hence this fic. I will do my best to continue this to the end even if no one really reviews. But I hope you do.