The Power of the Falcon

A short story that follows the legacy of Captain Falcon carried by Rick Wheeler. He and Tinsel head to the planet, Giant, and meet up with a young tomboy, Lily Flyer, from the Galaxy Forces. He later develops his newfound abilities and goes on a quest as the universe's new savior when he faces off the three Deities and Don Genie in order to restore Giant from impending chaos.
== Lap 1 ==
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This starts in a little flashback as Rick narrates that life has been great, despite the fact on being the new Capt. Falcon. He said we have been doing well, meaning that he and Tinsel are engaged! Recently, they decided to spend a week on Planet Giant to take a break from it all; although their vacation won't be what they had anticipated.
While Tinsel was packing up for their week-long break, she received an urgent message from Jody, instructing her that she and Rick must save a damsel in distress within the Mute City backstreets. Rick arrived first and ambushed a band of street thugs who were abusing a young woman. He fought off each one, even one with a knife, though it was thanks to Tinsel's quick thinking and her ice pistol that froze his legs, and Rick finished the job. The Feds arrived and apprehended the crooks. Their victim introduced herself as Lily Flyer, and she was on her way to Planet Giant to capture Don Genie. They brought her back to base and Jody was astonished that Don Genie's still at large, as rumor has it, he wanted to awaken the three Materia Deities/Deities of Matter. Beastman said that there are ones of solid, liquid, and gas; Genie may want to wreak havoc and the sell them for hefty profits. Since he's the savior of the universe and took Falcon's mantle, and because he and Tinsel crossed paths, he decided to come along while also enjoy themselves of course.
== Lap 2 ==
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It was finally time to head to Giant and Tinsel and Rick boarded Lily's own spacecraft from the Galaxy Special Forces. She was actually 15 years, yet she still functions as a prestigious officer. Hours later, they finally arrived at their destination, and she landed in a discreet location complete with a large pad near a waterfall! Rick wondered why Genie would decimate a primitive place, though Lily urged him to never be fooled by his motives. They took the hover yacht toward the archipelago, and the couple took in the scenery, the beaches and ocean nearly reminded Tinsel of Big Blue. Rick drifted back to the time when he took Haruka on an enjoyable cruise together as she was feeding seagulls; he was so glad he'd have a similar moment with Tinsel.
Till the weather suddenly got violent and the waves were choppy! They carefully headed below decks, and even Lily was bothered as the climate never changes so rapidly. It's usually slower than Earth's. They were able to head for shore, and the skinny inhabitants helped tie the yacht; some actually expected Lily's arrival, although they got a little too curious inspecting the outlanders, Rick and Tinsel. An elderly man broke them off as he announced the strangers had arrived to fulfill a prophecy and tame the awakened Deities of Materia! Lily declared it to them as Capt. Falcon and Tinsel were assigned to do so! The elder announced they'd found the chosen one they longed for!
He and Lily escorted them thru the village, and they stored their belongings. Tinsel saw Lily in a brand-new getup, a flowery dress; Lily said this can be something for Tinsel to consider, if she ever wants to get married. She replied she'd rather have things that're shiny and lustrous. They then went to a large tent where the Elder sat, and ancient masks and engravings surrounded the bonfire and a long, wooden table. Lily played the flute she had earlier before she was attacked and that put Rick in a sort of trance. He nearly realized that the Giant legend was about to take place. Lily announced he must reunite all the orbs of Materia from within the temples of Holidus, Lixa, and Gastro. He offered to take on the task at hand! The Elder then decorated his face with war paint and it was made official, even if Lily and Tinsel should keep an eye on him.
The ceremony started and the inhabitants were less timid to Rick. As he was watching a feisty dance, he noticed Tinsel who was amazed everything was organic, and they hardly allow technology; Rick can relate since he too is a traditionalist. Though Lily reprimanded he mustn't judge them harshly, even if it's over 150 years ago! And he shall enjoy the festivities before their mission. He questions why she keeps saying 'we'. Tinsel offered him a place where they can be away from the noisy party animals.
They came across the shoji again, and they both settled down. As they listened to the exotic, enticing drums, they began to feel...awkward, and pleasant. They looked deep into their eyes, their hearts racing, and they kissed slowly and passionately. The pace quickened and became tense, as did they when they began to get intimate. As the percussion increased, so did their urges, till the drums and themselves silenced and blackened out within their arms. Thank goodness they had protection, though.
== Lap 3 ==
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The next morning, they got themselves clean and shaven in preparation for their mission. They met up with the villagers, and the Elder informed them Lily has already left and is waiting for them at the Materia shrine; luckily, Rick had a honing signal on his maglet to show the location...but they needed to travel on foot thru some thick jungle, and a little debris damaged from the storm. They made a few short breaks, and during the trek, they discussed of their future, even while spending it in Port Town someday.
A couple hours later, they finally arrived, and Lily awaited them. Rick decided to take Gastro's Crag first as he expected there'd be tests for the chosen one, and maybe the Deities'll be awaiting them. Tinsel volunteered, as two adventurers'll have a better chance. Lily downloaded the data, although it was sluggish since there was little reception and technology. So, Rick found a hidden passageway thru the rocks and emerged in a cavern with green gaseous geysers. He then found a large map and he entered the chute into a hazy maze! The fumes were becoming hard to breathe, so he activated the oxygen unit on Falcon's helmet. He eventually heard Tinsel as she offered him a hook after he found Gastro's orb! It felt warm to his touch but not to Tinsel's.
They also spotted the Fat Shark speed up Lixa's Lair on the icy path and the Dragon Bird EX and Silver Comet gave chase! It was a slippery slope, but they managed to reach the top; however, to Rick's shock, it was a hologram! Rick suspected that Don can be watching them get the orbs and they must hurry. They entered the wet interior where there was a sudden downfall causing some deluges. Lily downloaded data for Tinsel's alt outfit which made trekking a little easier. The platforms were small and wet causing less friction, and Rick helped Tinsel get from spot to spot, till they'd reached a precipice. Tinsel shot out ice and created a temporary path, they made it across and attained Lixa's orb! Lily's craft welcomed them from above, offering them a lift! But then they encountered their first enemy, Lixa, who has awakened! She attacked the ship, and it was rendered powerless against Don's tractor beam! They were drawn in, and the trio were trapped! Rick was unsuccessful on bashing out and Don was amazed he encountered the Young Capt. Falcon, as well as the savior of the universe. Rick was surprised of him knowing the latter, and he was pleased to have him in his possession, although he was willing to wipe out his friends as he wanted no witnesses. Rick immediately activated his oxygen unit again as nerve gas rendered the women unconscious! Then, Don activated intense gravity immobilizing the hero, and even trying to make him gaze into a pulsating spiral. He persuaded Rick to sleep, and he did in a manner of minutes.
== Lap 4 ==
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Tinsel and Lily were the first to come to, yet everyone was still trapped but in a separate chamber, one encased with impenetrable emerald walls. Rick was still comatose even when Tinsel shrieked for him as Don's control chamber was being shook up! Lily couldn't use her craft since Don'd notice, as they can't summon their machines. However, the Deities can provide a distraction. Tinsel was desperate, so much so that she subconsciously gave Rick a frigid awakening thanks to her Reactor Might restoring his. Rick was relieved the women were alright. A corner of the walls broke off thanks to a rainbow-colored arm from a wrathful Holidus! It was finally their chance to escape!! Rick jumped down first, then caught Lily, though Tinsel hesitated. He promised to catch her, and she fell onto him. Lily shrieked it's no staring contest and tried to retrieve her ship.
Rick and Tinsel summoned their machines and performed the Booster Fire simultaneously! Lily was amazed of the stunt, as it was taught to them by the late Falcon! The world was being torn asunder as the Materia Deities combatted each other! Even a ravine was widening rapidly, and since it had less weight, the Silver Comet sped over it! The Dragon Bird wasn't so lucky!!
However, his machine was caught by a neon green tractor beam. He was relieved he wasn't falling, and he assumed it could be...
Tinsel and Lily were happy to see him alright, but Lily's ship has been disabled. To their surprise, the Galaxy Runner followed them!! Rick was indeed shocked, though he never wanted the Task Force to get involved. Stewart assured it was Jody's idea; she followed an SOS emanating from Rick's vehicle. Once she gets an objective, she won't stop till it's over. Though, their reunion was short-lived as the Deities' assault reached the central shrine!! Suddenly, a meteor shower aimed at the trio got them dazed for a short while and a serpentine, winged creature descended from the clouds! It was the legendary plasma being, Plassein!!
Lily and the others were astonished to see it in person, and Rick bowed to the magnificent creature, even when it sang a few notes of the song Lily played last night. Unfortunately, it was three against one as Plassein sorely lost when they ganged up on it!! Then, they resumed their war against each other! Everyone was nervous there'd be no hope, but Lily played the Resolution song on her flute. It soon revived Plassein and it spoke that it alone can't prevail against the three Deities. And only the chosen one shall reunite all the Deity orbs! So far, he assembled 2, and he must find 2 more. Plassein shall give him the Plasma orb when the time comes. Rick donned on Falcon's uniform proudly as Jody urged him to save the galaxy and fulfill both destinies.
== Final Lap! ==
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She assigned Tinsel and Jack to go with Rick and Plassein, while the rest stay for analysis, healing duties, and abducting Don. Their final destination was the Home of Holidus, and Rick took the Blue Falcon GT. He and Tinsel entered the temple, while Plassein and Jack monitored the war. It descended beneath the surface, and they slid to a dead end as a magma pool awaited them. As well as an intruder, a lizard bipedal monster! Tinsel shot out her ice pistol to stun it, till Rick strategized to break the rocks causing a gaseous fume and choke the beast! It backed away to the edge, which collapsed, the monster drowned, and spat out a red-hot orb. It was the Holidus stone!!
Meanwhile, the lair was collapsing as Holidus fell while Lixa and Gastro gained on it!! The heroes narrowly escaped, and they joyfully raced each other back to the main shrine. But they weren't in the clear, as Don Genie unleashed a large, electric flytrap catching Plassein and Rick in fatal shocks! The machine malfunctioned ejecting Rick into the volley! Plassein conjured its strength and unleashed a strong beam as Rick made a punch in the shape of a dragon breaking apart their captor and destroying Don's hideout! Plassein unleashed its energy onto Lixa and Gastro, and they fell onto the earth! Little did they know that Plassein passed on and unleashed a few pyroflies.
Jack and Tinsel ran to his side but were unable to awaken him. She on the other hand couldn't touch him, as she always kept receiving small shocks. The Comet and Robin sped to the central shrine and Robert and Rodney got to work. The dad instructed to get a couple pairs of rubber gloves as well as a device to restart his heart. Within several tries, Rick suddenly woke up, though he seemed hoarse and paralyzed. He whispered to Tinsel she must finish what he started and reunite the 2 orbs of Holidus and Plassein. While the planet was being torn apart, Jody urged it's her mission now! She did just that and Lily played the song while Jack volunteered to play along with his electric guitar! It was as if he was home with his band playing on a stage!!
Rick heard some of the song in the darkness, though he was still too weak to notice the world repair itself, and Don was severely crippled and captured by Jody and EAD. Night fell, and Rick woke up slowly. He saw a pair of electric crutches and used them to get to the main shrine. Clank noticed Rick leaving the Runner itself. The 3 Deities met up with him, and he was startled, wanting to blow them to bits! They assured they weren't there to attack, but to thank him for restoring peace to the planet and onto them! They offered him a silvery sphere made by their essences, which cured his ailments. Plassein shall rest easy now the planet's in good hands.
Stewart was impressed how fast he's recovered. And he gave him a pair of red, rubber gloves to absorb the misfires from his...new molecular makeup. He assured him his body'll get used to them eventually. Tinsel was so glad she can embrace him again! And they still have 5 days to enjoy themselves. They did just that, as well as mourn for Plassein's loss. The villagers and the Elder wished them a safe voyage back, when their vacation was up. They shall accept technology from now on as they see it as beneficial rather than being used as weapons. They'll look forward to the day they'll meet again.
=== Victory Lap ===
Back at Falcon's Fortress, Rick had been training himself to harness his new abilities. With the help of Samurai Goroh's tutelage, despite his jealousy of Rick having similar abilities to Falcon, he was able to exceed his limits. Even perform new techniques such as the Dragon Punch, Dragon Kick, Dragon Kiss, and Dragon Dive. There was some footage recorded/enhanced to show them off!
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Rick now understood that he's the chosen one to harness the name and the power of the falcon!
== Trivia ==
* This is a short story set after Rick and Tinsel's engagement.
* It is the new Capt. Falcon's 51st bounty-hunting mission as they'd decided to spend a week in the primitive planet, Giant, the same home of Baba.
* Admittedly...this was loosely based on Pokémon the Movie 2000, albeit has a more in-depth look on the temples and mission.
* Instead of the Legendary Birds of fire, ice, and lightning, there are the 4 forms of matter/Materia in Giant: Plassein/plasma, Holidus/solid, Lixa/liquid, and Gastro/gas. Holidus was a mashup of a Latin word, solidus, and holo which means solid in Greek. Lixa is Latin for water, and Gastro was made up for gas. Plassein was a Greek word meaning to mold and sounds similar to plasma.
* All of Rick's vehicles were used here, including the Dragon Bird EX and the Blue Falcon GT.
* In Fantendo, one page described Rick Wheeler as a potential Smasher as well as his abilities; he receives his powers here as severe electric shocks changes his molecular outlook, much like Samus while absorbing the enlarged baby Metroid, the X-Parasites, and Phazon.
* This is also when we see Samurai Goroh as more as Rick's mentor/sensei, and there are appearances by Don Genie and Lily Flyer.
*Ikran has also planned to make a podfic marathon, hopefully so people can hear it this time around...
== Soundtrack ==
# Regeneration (F-Zero EXpansion Kit)
# Lily's Theme (F-Zero GX/AX)
# Facing a Huge Reaction (Metroid Fusion)
# To Planet Zebes (Super Metroid) start at 0:11
# The Serpent Trench (FF6)
# The Beast of the Sea Stirs (Pokémon the Movie 2000)
# The Scroll (Temple of Doom)
# Primal Rave (DKC2)
# African Dance in the Park (Sesame Street) Start at 15:15-17:29
# Sand Ocean (F-Zero Climax)
# Hazy Maze Cave (Super Mario 64)
# The Door of Time (Ocarina of Time)
# Climb Up! and get the Last Chance! (F-Zero EXpansion Kit)
# Tension (F-Zero GP Legend)
# Level 3-2 (Mickey Mouse and the Castle of Illusions)
# The Skull's Theme (F-Zero GX)
# Don Genie's Theme (F-Zero GX/AX)
# Environmental Disquietude (Metroid Fusion)
# Environmental Shock (Metroid Fusion)
# Mute City 3.0 (anime)
# Unknown (Alternative Theme) (F-Zero Climax)
# My Final Race Version 2 (F-Zero: Overdrive)
# My Final Race (F-Zero Overdrive)
# Cliffhanger (F-Zero Overdrive)
# Norfair Hot Lava Area (Super Metroid)
# Big Boss Confrontation 2 (Super Metroid)
# Serris/Yakuza (Metroid Fusion)
# White Land (F-Zero Climax)
# Lugia's Capture (Pokémon the Movie 2000)
# Metamorphosis (FF6)
# Trust in Samus (Metroid Fusion)
# Regeneration (reprise) (Remix Rave)
# Answer is a Mystery (anime)
# Credits Theme, first 18 seconds (Super Metroid)
# Samurai Goroh's theme (F-Zero GX)
# Grand Prix Results (F-Zero Maximum Velocity)
=== Bonus Track ===
Meaning of Truth Instrumental (anime)
Category:Fanfiction
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