Lap 03 - Apprentice Trooper Lucy

Apprentice Trooper Lucy is the 3rd episode of the F-Zero Farukon Densetsu anime.

## Overview

On the planet Clifoto, a helmet-wearing pilot in a yellow machine is seen doing practice laps on the course. Meanwhile, Jody Summer and Dr. Stewart brief the rest of the Mobile Task Force on the condition of the track affected by the planet's hot weather, which is influenced by its sun. The pilot from earlier is seen again, stepping out of the yellow machine while offering race advice. Upon the removal of the helmet, the pilot is revealed to be Lucy Liberty, the avid F-Zero fan from the previous episode. This surprises Jack Levin, as Lucy reveals that she recorded data about the dash plate placements and that the data will be sent to the rest of the Task Force's maglets. Jody introduces her and assigns her to be Dr. Clash's apprentice, noting her skills as a mechanic.

Preparing for the upcoming race, Ryu Suzaku has some difficulty with boosting on the track due to the planet's heat. Dr. Clash and Lucy watch his performance, advising Ryu to avoid boosting often. A new machine comes up behind Ryu, but is not recognized by the Task Force. The pilot inside is Baba of Dark Million, who informs Zoda about Ryu's presence.

Ryu returns to the garage, suffering from the heat as Lucy hands him a towel. Jack starts up banter, bragging that he could beat Ryu with his eyes closed. Dr. Clash then informs Ryu of some new modifications to the Dragon Bird, but Ryu nearly falls over, and Clash recommends that he shouldn't race. Lucy volunteers to take over, much to Ryu's objection, and takes the Dragon Bird out for a test drive. Lucy is warned that she can only drive for only 3 laps, and can't exceed the green zone on the boost meter. However, Ryu's words fail to get through due to a communication malfunction. Lucy then compares the Dragon Bird's handling to her own machine. Jody informs her team that the F-Zero Committee added more prize money to the race in the hopes of attracting more pilots, considering the heat influenced by Clifoto's sun would result in "few people making it all the way."

Baba's Iron Tiger appears again on the track, as Lucy has some difficulty managing the Dragon Bird. Though Baba slows down, the sight of a woman in the Dragon Bird provokes him to clash with with the machine, declaring that he won't be beaten by her. Ryu, witnessing this, takes Jack's Astro Robin in order to help Lucy. During the fight, Lucy ends up exceeding the green zone, becoming stubborn and wanting to prove herself. She boosts, but grinds against the railing and falls off the track. Ryu finds her in an unconscious state.

At the garage, Lucy wakes up and apologizes to Ryu as the Task Force surrounds her. Ryu is glad to see that she's fine, but Clash remarks that the Dragon Bird is wrecked. Jody slaps Ryu for not keeping his machine and snaps at Lucy for trying to defend him. Dr. Stewart then informs the group that Zoda has joined the race, and Jody says that Ryu "screwed up his chance." Ryu runs to his wrecked machine, determined to beat Zoda as the memory of 150 years ago plays out. His emotions get the best of him as he nearly runs out onto the track with active machines. Jack drags him back from the railing and demands Ryu to calm down, saying that he won't get a chance at Zoda if he's dead.

Ryu is missing from the table as his fellow Task Force members are seen eating. Outside the race area, Ryu looks down upon it. In the garage, Clash fixes the Dragon Bird as Lucy ends up apologizing once more, but he tells her not to worry. The two mechanics get to work, shortly before Ryu arrives. Lucy works up another apology, but Ryu assures her there is no need. The rest of the Task Force also show up, with Jody stepping forward and picking up a pipe. Despite her team's concerns about her intentions, she smiles and assures everyone that she is willing to help fix the Dragon Bird with them.

In Dark Million's garage, the Dark Soldiers are seen working on the Iron Tiger and Death Anchor as Baba and Zoda go over their plans for the race. Zoda reminds Baba it is their duty to win and to take out anyone, but notices there is a red blinking indicator in one of the machines. Baba nervously informs Zoda that the machine is still missing some parts, before Zoda fires his blaster at a Dark Soldier behind Baba, providing him with "lots of parts." Meanwhile, the Task Force manages to finish repairing the Dragon Bird.

During the race, Jody informs her team that Zoda's machine number is "13" and to keep an eye on it during the race. Ryu attempts to catch up to Zoda as they hit the boosters along with Jack in the Astro Robin. With Clifoto's weather affecting machine engines, the Dragon Bird falls behind, but Clash simply tells Jody to keep watching. Cutting off the Astro Robin, the Death Anchor then manages to destroy Jack's machine with a boost, thanks to the Astro Robin's overheating engine. However, Jack ejects from his machine with a parachute.

Clash and Lucy explain the Dragon Bird's modifications properly as Ryu catches up to Zoda. The Death Anchor's heat meter rises, so Zoda slows down, but Ryu hits him with the Dragon Bird. Given a boost from a dash plate sending the Death Anchor off course, Ryu follows in the Dragon Bird. Still in the race, Baba is in the lead, but Dr. Stewart challenges him in the Golden Fox. Although both machines use their boosters, the Iron Tiger ends up losing, as Dr. Stewart remarks that the Golden Fox has a high rank booster in comparison. Off the track, Ryu and Zoda get in a fight, with Ryu managing to land a punch on Zoda. However, Zoda ultimately escapes in the Death Anchor, leaving a fiery blaze behind.

Following the events of the race, the Task Force returns to the Galaxy Police Headquarters in Mute City. Jody presents Lucy with her own Mobile Task Force shoulder pauldron, formally inviting her to the force, to which Lucy happily accepts. She turns to salute to the team, and they salute back to her.

In the preview for the next episode, Jack starts off by saying that "bravery is the making of a man" and that it "helps define his character." Ryu asks Jack what he's talking about. Jack mentions that a brave man has appeared. Ryu notes that the man is mysterious but also seems dangerous, and Jack agrees. 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 talks about F-Zero machines. A machine utilizes an anti-gravity drive to hover above the ground, and the needed field is generated by G-Diffuser technology. Besides this, a jet engine allows the machine to reach high speeds up to 200 km/s. Bart notes that technology has come a long way since older cars. While he states that "you could feel a shock wave as the machines fly by," he laments that buying race tickets is expensive.

## 4Kids English Dub Changes

* For the list of changes, see this page.