Lap 30 - Only One Falcon

Only One Falcon is the 30th episode of the F-Zero Farukon Densetsu anime.

## Overview

The Blue Falcon and the Dragon Bird go head to head in an F-Zero race, with both machines using Boost Fire on the final lap. However, just before reaching the finish line, an explosion occurs. The two machines come out of Boost Fire, as Blood Falcon makes his entrance. He introduces himself and calls out Captain Falcon to race him. With another explosion, he disappears.

Jody questions Blood Falcon’s origins, as Dr. Clash determines that he was transported to the venue by a Dark Million battleship. Because Blood Falcon bears a heavy resemblance to the original Captain Falcon, Jody wonders what Dark Million has planned. Tanaka informs Jody that the F-Zero Committee has allowed Blood Falcon to race, despite the clone's destruction to the main circuit. Although Tanaka doesn’t approve of the decision, he simply relays the Committee’s words, as the concept of a Falcon VS Falcon scenario would be a “media gold mine.” Regardless, he states that the Mobile Task Force will have to stop Blood Falcon anyway.

At the Falcon House, Jack, Lucy, and Clank have a discussion about Blood Falcon and Captain Falcon. Clank is assured that Captain Falcon will win, declaring him to be the number one racer. Jack takes mild offense to this, only for Clank to bring up his loss record in comparison. Lucy attempts to encourage Jack, although it hardly makes a difference. Bart warns the group about Blood Falcon, stating that he didn’t challenge Captain Falcon for nothing. Ryu then bursts in, urging Jack to join him in special training, refusing to be stood up by Blood Falcon.

Jody visits the Cyborg Graduate School, finding Dr. Stewart in his lab. Dr. Stewart insists that they speak outside, where they discuss Blood Falcon. Since Blood Falcon has taken the Falcon name, they can only assume he’s just as good of a pilot as the original. Jody asks if he’s worth looking into, but Dr. Stewart doesn't see much of a point and excuses himself to continue his work.

On the planet Lightning, continuous thunder storms and lightning surround the track. Mr. EAD expresses his fear of lightning due to being a robot, and because machines are made of metal. Dr. Clash assures him that a pulse system prevents machines from being struck by lightning. Ryu asks if there will be an audience due to the danger, and Dr. Clash tells him that F-Zero fans will go wherever a race is, with Lucy adding that Blood Falcon’s appearance will only further increase the excitement level. Jody asks her team for Dr. Stewart’s whereabouts, noting that he hasn’t responded to her. Dr. Clash tells her that Dr. Stewart went to go see the other machines, but it turns out that the only other machine in the venue happens to be the Blood Hawk.

Dr. Stewart prepares to aim his gun at Blood Falcon, only to find that he and the Dark Soldiers are suddenly gone. Blood Falcon then ambushes him, disarming and incapacitating him. Ryu and Jody arrive to handle the Dark Soldiers, then Jody tends to Dr. Stewart. Ryu and Blood Falcon engage in a fight, but Ryu is easily overpowered. As Blood Falcon chokes him, Jody attempts to intervene, but Blood Falcon tosses Ryu in her direction, knocking her down with Dr. Stewart. The clone approaches the three Task Force members, but Captain Falcon intervenes, also reminding Blood Falcon that their fight will be during the race.

The race begins, with Mr. EAD, Jack, and Ryu participating while the rest of the Task Force watches. Lucy asks Dr. Stewart why he pursued Jack on his own, and Jody inspects his gun. Dr. Stewart attempts to explain himself, but Dr. Clash insists that they watch the race instead, seemingly covering for Dr. Stewart. The Dragon Bird and the Blue Falcon remain in the lead, as they navigate Thunder Road’s turns. Miss Killer orders Blood Falcon to defeat their enemies and declare victory in the name of Black Shadow, but the latter drives in reverse, colliding with every other machine except the other three in the lead. With only a total of 4 machines left in the race, Blood Falcon returns, pursuing the Blue Falcon. Ryu attempts to stop him, but Miss Killer clashes with him. Captain Falcon and Blood Falcon race alongside each other, with both machines in near perfect sync. Ryu refuses to be underestimated, calling on Captain Falcon to use Boost Fire with him. The two machines then use the technique to shake off their opponents, but Blood Falcon reveals his own variation, Blood Fire. Although the Blood Hawk takes the lead for a short moment, his machine’s engine overloads, as the Dragon Bird and Blue Falcon cross the finish line.

Ryu and Falcon attempt to confront Blood Falcon after the race, but the Blood Hawk is struck by lightning and explodes. As the Task Force watches the footage, Dr. Stewart then realizes that Black Shadow stole his data when the former was reviving Roy Hughes in Lap 28. He then explains that he was working on a serum to degenerate cells, attempting to take responsibility for indirectly causing Blood Falcon's creation. Jody questions how Black Shadow managed to get Captain Falcon’s DNA, and Dr. Stewart assumes that because Blood Falcon was a clone, Dark Million surely has a bio study. Jody gasps, seemingly coming to a realization.

The Blood Hawk’s flames are extinguished as Falcon and Ryu watch from a short distance. Without even looking at Ryu, Falcon states that “Only the one who surpasses Falcon, can become Falcon” before walking away. In Black Shadow’s throne room, he thanks Miss Killer and takes her to the bio study. Miss Killer inquires to know where they are, as Black Shadow laughs and reveals a group of Blood Falcon clones.

In the preview for the next episode, Jack hesitates to tell Ryu something about Jody, eventually revealing that she never wears skirts.

## Bart's Classroom

Bart answers a viewer's question about how to become an F-Zero pilot.

* An F-Zero license is required.
* The person must also be a top student and past the Zero Test.
* The person also requires an F-Zero machine.

Bart also notes that Black Shadow has a dark driver's license, while declaring his hatred for the villain. He also remarks that Black Shadow can't intimidate him.