Lap 28 - Black Shadow's Invitation

Black Shadow's Invitation is the 28th episode of the F-Zero Farukon Densetsu anime.

## Overview

Black Shadow presents the preserved brain of Roy Hughes to Miss Killer in his throne room. He orders her to contact Dr. Stewart in order to repair Roy’s brain cells, though she retorts that Dr. Stewart is with the enemy. Black Shadow assures her that the doctor will comply simply to make the brain function again. As if the brain was “communicating” with her, Miss Killer receives a flashback of the Heru transport ship incident.

The Galaxy Police Chief discusses with Jody and Tanaka about Dark Million’s request. Jody deduces that because of Dark Million’s lack of doctors, they require Dr. Stewart’s skills to revive Roy. As for the reason behind the revival, they can’t figure out why. Tanaka expresses horror at the thought of Roy having died in action, with the only remains intact being his brain. The Chief explains that Roy was a spy for the Galaxy Police, and that they can’t just leave his brain in the hands of Dark Million. Jody insists that this information should be kept a secret. Tanaka assures them that he can keep a secret, as Jody plans to discuss further action with Dr. Stewart.

Dr. Stewart analyzes a DNA string, as Clank seeks out information pertaining to his father, albeit to no avail. He asks Dr. Stewart about Roy, and Dr. Stewart tells him that Roy was smart and brave, fighting with the enemy to the end due to his sense of justice. Jody calls Dr. Stewart from the room and briefs him on the situation. He decides to go, as the rest of the Mobile Task Force run into the room, also aware of his decision. Jody questions how they found out, as Jack credits Tanaka’s inability to keep a secret. Dr. Stewart assures the team that saving lives is his responsibility, no matter the risk. Everyone attempts to deter him, but he reminds Jody that Roy was one of her brother’s best friends and Clank’s father. Because of this, he has to try to save Roy, but also views it as an opportunity to figure out Dark Million’s plans.

At the Falcon House, Lucy finishes her coffee and asks Bart about Clank’s whereabouts. Clank soon steps in with a supply of coffee beans, greeting Lucy. She stares at him before asking if he remembers his father. He shows her his locket, and asks Lucy if she seems to know anything more. She hesitates before nervously retracting her statement, as Ryu watches from the outside.

The next morning, Tanaka reports to the Chief that Dr. Stewart has left. Unbeknownst to the doctor, the Dragon Bird follows the Golden Fox to its destination; Alcatrand (this was not caught by Dreadopp and Zedopp’s subs, but is audibly mentioned by Ryu when he speaks with Jody in an earlier scene). Above the meeting area, the Galaxy Runner pulls up a geographic map, showing the positions of both machines. After some time, a Dark Million battleship emerges from a pit. The Golden Fox boards the ship, as Jody urges Ryu to engage in pursuit. However, the Dragon Bird misses the opportunity to board, and the ship begins to fire at it. As Jody orders Mr. EAD to pursue the ship, Jack alerts her attention to

Dark Million’s henchmen take Dr. Stewart on board, as Miss Killer and the Skull approach him. Dr. Stewart makes a remark about the Skull, and Miss Killer sarcastically welcomes the doctor aboard. The Skull then uses his dark magic to render Dr. Stewart unconscious. Awakening in a room sometime later, Dr. Stewart is then informed that they are on a ship on the edge of the galaxy. The Skull takes Dr. Stewart to Black Shadow’s throne room, where the latter welcomes the former. Dr. Stewart remains skeptical about Roy’s brain in Dark Million’s hands, but Black Shadow assures him that it is the truth. Dr. Stewart then offers a compromise; Black Shadow can keep him, but Roy will be sent back to Earth upon being revived. Black Shadow commends Dr. Stewart for his bravery, saying that he will send both back to Earth.

In the lab, Miss Killer introduces Dr. Stewart to his 3 assistants. Dr. Stewart asks why Dark Million wants to revive Roy, and she claims that while it’s difficult to tell, even she doesn’t know. To challenge the doctor’s skepticism, the assistants ask Roy’s brain to confirm his identity, as a memory of him and Clank appear on the screen.

At the Galaxy Police headquarters, Clank is tasked with finding Dr. Stewart’s location. Jody enters the room, lamenting that they have failed their mission. Meanwhile, Dr. Stewart works with the other lab assistants to revive Roy as a cyborg. Once awakened, Dr. Stewart informs Roy of his current whereabouts and that Clank is fine. He then tells Roy that he’s going to wipe his memory, but to trust him. The lab assistants watch as Dr. Stewart inputs 4 control keys into Roy’s body. Roy, now active as Mighty Gazelle, is brought to Black Shadow’s throne room. Miss Killer questions why his name was changed, and Dr. Stewart retorts that Roy is dead and that his current body is not his own. He questions Black Shadow’s motives again, to which Black Shadow responds that while “God created Adam and Eve from love,” he too, believes in love. Gazelle and Dr. Stewart are sent back to Earth, but Miss Killer states that there is a catch.

Dr. Clash announces that two machines are arriving at Alcatrand, which puzzles the Task Force. Miss Killer appears on the screen, informing the Task Force that Dr. Stewart has been sent back through the warp gate, but is also accompanied by Mighty Gazelle. At the warp gate, the Golden Fox and Red Gazelle come through. Mighty Gazelle steps out of his machine, but Dr. Stewart remains in his own. As the Task Force approach him, Dr. Stewart warns them that there are bombs attached to both Gazelle and his machines. Miss Killer’s message appears on the screen, informing the Task Force that while Dr. Stewart implemented 4 control keys into Gazelle, Black Shadow implemented more. With only 5 minutes to figure out the rest of the keys, Dr. Stewart urges his team to stay back, but they refuse. Clank hastily attempts to disarm the bombs as the Task Force guesses what the remaining keys could be. They achieve success, as Mighty Gazelle becomes responsive. Dr. Stewart is sent to the medbay. Jack remarks that he wouldn’t have guessed for Roy to come back as Gazelle. Tanaka arrives to ask if Jody has found Dr. Stewart, but is startled by Mighty Gazelle.

In Black Shadow’s throne room, Miss Killer informs her master that the Task Force has figured out the remaining keys. He assures her that his plan has only just begun.

## Bart's Classroom

Bart talks about Dr. Stewart, considering him to be a talented F-Zero pilot.

* Dr. Stewart's full name is Robert Stewart.
* He lives in Mute City, and his machine was designed by his father, Kevin Stewart.
* As both a great pilot and doctor, the Galaxy Police respects him greatly.
* He also works with machines.
* He was born on February 14th, is 42 years old, has a blood type of AB, and happens to be single.

Bart remarks that "He's a great man, but he's not as good as me."