Lap 31 - Vestige (Traces Of You)

Vestige (Traces Of You) is the 31st episode of the F-Zero Farukon Densetsu anime.

## Overview

On the anniversary of Andy Summer’s death, Jody visits her brother’s grave in Mute City before stopping at a cafe for a cup of coffee. She reflects on her brother’s sacrifice to save her during the Galaxy Police’s standoff with Zoda. The flashback ends, and Jody remarks that the present “isn’t how it used to be.” Suddenly, she sees Bart Lemming walk by, and recognizes him as Andy, her brother.

Jody then visits the morgue where her brother’s body was held. Strangely, the body is revealed to be missing. On her return to the Galaxy Police headquarters, Dr. Stewart is surprised to learn about the situation, and Jody adds that any data about the body is missing as well. Ryu walks in, noting the date’s significance as Jody walks past him. Dr. Stewart asks him to help in the search.

At the park, Jody asks a former Memory Park guide about her brother, but he claims he is too old to remember anything. She continues to ask around, to no avail. Baba informs Miss Killer of Jody’s search for answers, which gives her an idea for a plan. When Ryu asks the Memory Park guide for information, the guide notes that all of the workers at Memory Park were dispatched by Jody before the body arrived. Ryu contacts Jody, telling her that something is suspicious about the circumstances, but Jody reminds him that they have a mission to focus on.

Mr. Zero announces that the race will take place on Big Canyon (Dreadopp and Zedopp’s fansubs have rendered this as Red Canyon, though it is audibly “Big Canyon”). As Jody prepares her machine, Billy approaches her to ask for help. He informs her that Miss Killer has threatened to punish him if he doesn’t help defeat her rivals. Jody inquires about the rivals, but the other machines begin to move out for the race. Before leaving, Billy mentions that he knows about Jody’s brother. Mr. Zero introduces Billy and his machine, the Mad Wolf, before the start of the race.

The White Cat takes the lead, with Jack and Ryu commending Jody on her skills. When the Mad Wolf clashes with the White Cat, the Dragon Bird and the Astro Robin bash Billy’s machine off the course. However, a group of Soldier Anchors start to attack the Mad Wolf, and Jody orders Jack to stay in the race while she takes Ryu in order to help Billy. The Moon Shadow and the Astro Robin clash with each other as Dr. Stewart takes the lead. To his surprise, the Blue Falcon steals the victory. After the race, Billy introduces himself to the Mobile Task Force. He explains that he and his friends endured harsh conditions in a Dark Million pilot training base, forced to win for Miss Killer. Jody remains skeptical, even as Billy tells her that one of his friends at the training base knows about her brother. She tells Billy that the Galaxy Police will protect him, but she declines to help him.

Jack, without knowing Jody even had a brother, asks Ryu about the situation, which prompts both Dr. Clash and Mr. EAD to state that they also weren’t aware of Jody having a brother. Lucy questions why Jody refused to help Billy even though he had information, and Dr. Clash suggests that she just didn’t believe in the story. Mr. EAD adds that she didn’t seem to want to talk about her brother. Jody makes her way to the director's office to inform John Tanaka about Billy, but Ryu stops her along the way. He insists on helping Billy, even if it’s a false lead. Jody states that her brother is dead, and although Ryu retorts that he isn't dead if he's still in her heart, she orders Ryu not to pursue the subject further.

At the Falcon House, Ryu dwells on the situation, wondering how Jody can be so calm about it and refuse help from others. Bart asks if Jody is Ryu’s boss, and tells him that destiny may have something in store for them. Clank tells Bart that his advice may have only further upset Ryu, and Bart apologizes. Back at the Task Force meeting room, Jody announces that Ryu has decided to quit the team, planning to pursue Billy’s lead on his own. The Task Force then confronts Billy about having led Ryu to the alleged training grounds.

At the area, Ryu investigates a building, noticing a machine and a person inside. He approaches a cell, only to realize it was a trap. Miss Killer appears on a screen, lamenting that the entire Task Force didn’t fall for the trap, shortly before Blood Falcon breaks out of the cell. He attacks Ryu, but Captain Falcon arrives. Blood Falcon fights him instead, while a group of Dark Soldiers hold Ryu back. After a series of blows, the two Falcons’ fists collide with each other, as their visor eyes glow with a yellow color. More Dark Soldiers hold Captain Falcon in place as Blood Falcon punches him repeatedly, but the Task Force arrives on the scene with the Galaxy Runner. Ryu and Captain Falcon break free, leaving the building in their machines. The Blood Hawk also exits the building, knocking out the Elegance Liberty, Crazy Bear, Great Star, Golden Fox, and the Astro Robin. As Blood Falcon taunts the Task Force, the Dragon Bird intervenes, with Ryu asking if everyone was alright. Blood Falcon drives back to finish what he started, but the Blue Falcon appears and rams into the Blood Hawk as Blood Falcon attempts to turn. The two continue to clash until the Blue Falcon turns to face the Blood Hawk. Blood Falcon pursues Captain Falcon as they face each other, but as he accelerates, he fails to notice Captain Falcon leading him off the cliff. The Blood Hawk drives off and explodes, and the Blue Falcon leaves.

Jody ponders how Captain Falcon found their location, as Jack scolds Ryu for falling for the trap. Mr. EAD attempts to discourage Jack, but the latter insists on continuing. Jody intervenes, stating that she has finally found peace. She thanks Ryu for his words in the hallway earlier, encouraging her to keep Andy alive in her heart. Jack later scolds Billy for tricking the Task Force, and Ryu asks if anything Billy said was true. Billy insists that he actually did receive training from Dark Million, but wanted to escape. Jack then encourages him in becoming a better pilot. Back at the cafe at the start of the episode, Jody takes another coffee break, looking over at a pair of siblings greeting each other at the same place. Unbeknownst to her, Bart Lemming passes by again.

In the preview for the next episode, Jack and Ryu are surprised to see Zoda in Dark Space. They also note the presence of the Reactor Might. After Ryu announces the title of the next episode, he tells the viewer to use their heart and Boost Fire.

## Bart's F-Zero Classroom

In this Classroom segment, Bart expresses gratitude for his birthday presents on April 10th, though he notes that his gratitude is a bit late. He eveals that he received an apron and a tea cup through the warp gate, and says that they will come in handy to him when he has extra work to do. While Clank also gave him a gift for his birthday, Bart laments that Jack forgot, and Ryu didn't even know in the first place.