Lap 50 - Black Shadow

This article is about the 50th episode of the F-Zero Farukon Densetsu anime. For other uses, see Black Shadow (disambiguation).

## Black Shadow

### Episode

50

Black Shadow is the 50th episode of the F-Zero Farukon Densetsu anime.

## Overview

Recapping the later events of the previous Lap, Ryu briefly returns to the park by the Brooklyn bridge. Clank then bursts into the Task Force’s meeting room, shocked to hear that Ryu is missing. Dr. Clash suggests for Clank to understand Ryu’s emotional position, knowing Haruka was captured by Black Shadow. Tanaka then remarks that Miss Killer was Black Shadow’s subordinate, and Ryu happens to be a subordinate of a woman, before asking what makes her special. Lucy confronts him by asking if he’s ever been in love before, and defends Ryu’s dedication. Jody enters, recalling Ryu questioning his ability to save the galaxy if he couldn’t save Haruka, and then states that he will return. She then receives a call from Ryu as the Task Force crowds around the communicator.

On the planet Cryton, Ryu meditates under a waterfall, as Goroh approaches him. He notes that a person’s mental effort cannot be measured, and while a godlike power is strong, a person’s determination can be just as powerful. Ryu moves aside, watching Goroh slice through the waterfall before it comes back down again. Lisa arrives, alerting her husband, as Ryu notices that Lucy and Clank have come along. Ryu later explains to them that he wanted to “rediscover” himself after feeling weak. He blames himself for not focusing on his duty because of Haruka, but Lucy tells him that’s not the case. She retorts with Ryu’s own words about not being able to save an entire galaxy if he couldn’t save one person, which encourages him. Goroh notes Ryu’s maturity.

A Dark Million battleship arrives at the location of the Dark Matter Reactor, as Black Shadow turns to a petrified Miss Killer and tells her to stay put. Zoda arrives, declaring that he found Black Shadow’s secret base and questions what he plans to do. The clouds disperse, revealing the Dark Matter Reactor, functioning as a high energy furnace. Utilizing the dark energy gathered in the Dark Matter Reactor, Black Shadow explains that he plans to stop the expansion of the universe and create another Big Bang, resulting in a new universe ruled by evil. He then proposes that if Zoda reaches the Dark Matter Reactor first, it will be his but only if he beats Black Shadow. They race along the Reactor’s track, with Zoda noticing the core. Zoda uses Death Fire and attacks Black Shadow, unaware that it is powering the core. Black Shadow tells Zoda that he has managed to hone his Reactor Might’s power before using Black Fire to attack the Hyper Death Anchor. Zoda loses control of his machine and spins into the Reactor’s core, where he becomes trapped.

Jody brings Ryu to the hangar, where Dr. Clash and Lucy reveal that the Dragon Bird now has two Reactor Mights in its engine. Ryu inspects his machine, and Jody adds that Captain Falcon was able to take the other Reactor Might from Blood Falcon after the Tank incident. Dr. Clash advises Ryu to be careful due to the power of two Reactor Mights, before the latter tests out his machine on the practice track. Ryu has difficulty navigating with the machine, but Dr. Stewart warns that trying to revert the machine back to its “simple electronics” won’t help the Reactor Mights evolve. Just then, the Task Force notices that the formation of several rainbows in the dark sky, along with an aurora, as a warp gate malfunctions.

The Galaxy Runner arrives on the planet, where its defense systems attack the ship. Ryu, Jack, Lucy, and Mr. EAD navigate the area with their machines, as a group of Red Bulls appear and attack them. Ryu faces off with Don Genie, damaging his Red Bull and forcing him to retreat. Captain Falcon arrives, following after Ryu. Ryu confronts Deathborn in a dark area, but Deathborn claims that he is a Galaxy Police spy sent to investigate Don Genie. He urges Ryu to pursue Don Genie, but Captain Falcon warns Ryu that the ship is a trap to take his Reactor Mights. The ship explodes as Deathborn chuckles, and Falcon advises Ryu to look at Deathborn’s shadow to find his true identity. Deathborn changes his form to Don Genie, then finally reveals himself to be Black Shadow, before explaining that the other two were merely his “shadows.” Black Shadow invites Ryu and Falcon to join him in darkness or else the universe will shrink, but he leaves in the Black Bull. The Elegance Liberty and Astro Robin arrive, but Falcon urges everyone to escape, before calling on Ryu.

Lucy and Jack return to the Galaxy Runner, but the ship explodes. Falcon calls Jody and assures her that Ryu is with him on the Falcon Flyer. Ryu apologizes for worrying his team but informs them that he is going to the Dark Star with Falcon. Clank points at the screen, as an entire fleet of Dark Million battleships stand in their way, and the Task Force provides cover for the Falcon Flyer. On Falcon’s ship, Ryu asks what lies on the Dark Star. Falcon tells Ryu to not be afraid of growing up, and tells him that he is the savior of the galaxy. Ryu deduces that it is the reason why he was given the Reactor Might, and Falcon smiles. The Falcon Flyer continues to its destination.

In the preview for the next episode, Jack and Ryu state their mission; Stopping the Dark Matter Reactor from activating. Ryu states that he and Captain Falcon will face the ultimate battle to save the galaxy, and Jack assures him that the Mobile Task Force will help. As Ryu declares that he’ll defeat Black Shadow, Captain Falcon urges him to get going. Ryu is surprised by Falcon’s appearance, but Falcon drops his serious tone and remembers that he has one last class to teach, leading into the final Bart’s Classroom segment.

## Bart’s Classroom

Bart laments that it is the last day for his classroom, and thanks the viewers for their postcards. He is once again presented with the question about his scar origins, but before he can say much else, Jack interrupts and claims to know. Bart confronts Ryu with the assumption that he told Jack, with Ryu apparently unaware that it was meant to be a secret. As Jack attempts to tell everyone, Bart delivers his Sensei Kick and Sensei Punch to silence Jack. Ryu reaches out for Jack in horror. The segment ends with a visual of Bart removing his tie, as the puppet says farewell.