Lap 43 - Awakening

Awakening is the 43rd episode of the F-Zero Farukon Densetsu anime.

## Overview

Miss Killer rests in her pod as Zoda uses his Reactor Might to restore her memories as Haruka.

At the Galaxy Police headquarters, Jody briefs her team that Dark Million will continue with Black Shadow’s plan despite possible power struggles. As for the upcoming race, Ryu is ordered to sit out of it, with Dr. Stewart explaining that Jody is concerned for Ryu. In the hallway, Ryu asks for the reason, and Jody points out that Miss Killer keeps distracting Ryu. She asks him what he would do if it turned out that Haruka and Miss Killer were in fact the same person, but Ryu hesitates for a moment before declaring that he would fight her.

In Black Shadow’s throne room, Zoda addresses the rest of Dark Million and announces that Miss Killer is a spy. Miss Killer asks him for proof, and Zoda insists that she is Haruka, Ryu’s girlfriend from 151 years prior. She defends herself, claiming that she has been working for Black Shadow since she was born and that Zoda is simply trying to gain power. Zoda asks her to prove it, prompting her to announce that she will deal with Ryu personally.

At the race, Ryu looks around, making eye contact with Miss Killer. Jody informs the rest of her team to keep an eye on Ryu and Miss Killer. Ryu attempts to reason with Miss Killer, but she refuses, and the Moon Shadow and Dragon Bird clash with each other. Zoda watches the race while consuming desserts. Octoman and the Skull discuss if Miss Killer is Haruka, as Zoda orders Bio Rex to follow her. Dr. Stewart notes Miss Killer’s aggression to Jody, as the White Cat catches up. Ryu tells Jody to leave it to him, but the Moon Shadow attacks the White Cat. The Astro Robin and Elegance Liberty arrive to help, but the Moon Shadow evades, causing Lucy to ram her machine into Jody’s by accident. The Astro Robin also temporarily loses control, and Miss Killer repeatedly rams the Moon Shadow into the Dragon Bird before leading Ryu off the course.

The Moon Shadow reaches the edge of a cliff as Ryu steps out of his machine to confront Miss Killer. She attempts to attack him with her knife as he tries to reason with her. She refuses to listen, blaming him for the reason that everyone believes she is Haruka. However, he continues to refer to her as Haruka, even when Miss Killer holds him at knifepoint. He manages to toss her in defense, but a Dark Million battleship looms overhead. Jody, Lucy, and Jack arrive at the cliff only to find that Ryu and Miss Killer are gone.

Ryu stands in the middle of Black Shadow’s throne room. Zoda sarcastically welcomes him, regarding him as the enemy. Ryu fires back by saying that Zoda “seems even crankier” after killing Black Shadow. Miss Killer uses this comment to declare Zoda as the spy, before he grabs her and activates his Reactor Might. She reels in pain before seeming confused, declaring that she won’t be tricked. Locking eyes with Ryu, she suddenly beats him to the ground. Ryu attempts, again, to reason with “Haruka,” but she continues to relentlessly beat him to prove herself. Zoda laughs and orders Bio Rex to lock Ryu in a cell, before telling Miss Killer that this isn’t proof of anything. As Miss Killer walks through the hall, a tear falls down her cheek.

Miss Killer enters her room and begins to cry, recalling more memories of spending time with Ryu, up until she receives the call about his accident. On the Galaxy Runner, the Mobile Task Force searches for Ryu. Jody blames herself, but Dr. Clash and Dr. Stewart assure her that it’s not her fault. Miss Killer approaches Octoman and Bio Rex, asking for Ryu. They tell her that Ryu is in his cell, and she enters. Ryu lays on the floor and states that he was wrong about Miss Killer. He declares that he will defeat her, but she taunts him. Zoda asks Ryu for more information regarding the Reactor Might, stating that the secret is within Ryu, but Ryu denies knowing anything. As Zoda beats him, Miss Killer overhears and walks into another room. She cries again, recalling her encounters with Ryu, as Miss Killer. Composing herself after, she releases a signal to the Galaxy Runner, leading them to Ryu’s coordinates.

Ryu’s cell door opens as he realizes he is not longer restrained. He exits, finding a group of disarmed Dark Soldiers on the ground. An alarm blares as Ryu heads to his machine. Zoda announces that he can’t let Ryu go, and notes that because Ryu escaped, Dark Million was betrayed. Miss Killer steps forward, stopping Zoda from shooting Ryu, and states that Ryu’s life is in her hands. As she points the gun at him, she is reminded of when she pointed a gun at Zoda in the past, which makes her hesitate. An explosion causes her to pull the trigger, hitting Ryu in the shoulder. Zoda questions how the Mobile Task Force found them, and orders his men to return fire before leaving. Miss Killer calls out to Ryu in a seemingly concerned tone and expression, but reverts back to her stern expression before he uses Boost Fire to escape.

Jody notices the Dragon Bird as Jack asks Ryu if he’s alright. Ryu confirms his status, watching the Dark Million battleship explode in the distance. Zoda returns to Black Shadow’s throne room with Miss Killer, as both are shocked to see Black Shadow alive. Black Shadow states that he won’t die no matter how powerful Zoda becomes, because of his dream. Zoda disregards this and attempts to use his Reactor Might’s power to destroy Black Shadow, but Black Shadow sets him on fire. Miss Killer kneels before her master as he reminds her that anyone who betrays him will be killed by him, even someone as loyal as Miss Killer.

Later, at the park by the Brooklyn Bridge, Ryu comes across a woman in a trenchcoat looking out towards the water. When she turns around, it is Miss Killer. The two lock eyes in silence before Miss Killer drives away.

In the preview for the next episode, Jack rings Ryu’s doorbell, announcing that he has come over to play. Jack insists on Ryu letting him in, only to find that Ryu is wearing women’s clothes. Ryu confesses that he enjoys crossdressing, only for Jack to confess the same.

## Bart’s Classroom

Bart starts the segment as normal but doesn’t finish his usual question, instead lamenting over Black Shadow’s return. He remarks that Zoda can never seem to beat his superior, and decides to provide some information about Black Shadow, while making remarks about how “he’s a devil.”

* Black Shadow’s birthday is August 15th.
* He likes hot food and hot springs.

When asked if Black Shadow is as good of a pilot as Captain Falcon, Bart notably becomes more agitated and states that he doesn’t agree.