Lap 49 - The 150 Year Duel

Black Shadow is the 49th episode of the F-Zero Farukon Densetsu anime.

## Overview

Continuing from the previous Lap, Black Shadow tells Miss Killer that she has betrayed him. She stands before him in the throne room, questioning why she was brought to the present. He explains that Ryu is the savior of the galaxy, and that she, Black Shadow's last resort, was brainwashed to destroy Ryu so Black Shadow could take over. Zoda also questions Black Shadow’s reasons, as the latter states that he is a magnanimous person and wouldn’t kill someone who has served him so well. He pushes Miss Killer into a containment pod where she is rendered unconscious. The pod is released into space as Black Shadow laughs, telling Miss Killer that she was revived after being placed in cold sleep, and will now spend the rest of forever, floating through the galaxy.

Ryu refuses to sit still, but Dr. Stewart attempts to reason with him, telling him that he can’t confront Dark Million alone. Zoda remarks to his henchmen that Black Shadow should be destroyed, planning to take a ship to retrieve Miss Killer so he can gather information from the chip she used. At the Falcon House, Jack, Lucy, and Clank discuss Miss Killer’s true identity, and Clank laments that it must be difficult for Ryu. Lucy recommends that they help Ryu and Haruka reunite, and Jack praises her for her kind heart.

The Galaxy Police hold a hearing against the F-Zero Committee, with Deathborn present. Jody notes his presence, confirming her brother’s suspicions about a connection between Dark Million and the Committee. Falcon suggests that he should track Black Shadow while Jody tracks Deathborn, and Jody agrees. He advises his sister to be careful, and assures her that he’ll be right behind her. Later, Jody and Mr. EAD investigate Deathborn’s stay at the Mute City hotel. Deathborn heads into a room, but Don Genie comes out, prompting Jody and Mr. EAD to enter. They find out that it is a trap set up by Black Shadow, and the room explodes as Mr. EAD uses his jet boots to escape with Jody.

On the Fire Needle, Sasuke reports an unidentified object on the main screen, and Samurai Goroh orders Gensai to retrieve it. As Goroh’s crew investigate the pod, Goroh slices it open and finds Miss Killer inside. His crew ask for Goroh’s input on their next move, and Goroh recommends returning to Cryton. Dark Million’s forces follow them to the planet, where Zoda confronts Goroh in a bar, seeking out the pod that contained Miss Killer. He explains to Goroh that Miss Killer is Misaki Haruka, Ryu’s girlfriend from the past. Baba and the Skull attempt to threaten Goroh if he doesn't comply, but Goroh slices the Skull’s arm bones off. Zoda mocks Goroh for defending Ryu, just as the Fire Needle emerges from the ground and takes flight. The Skull’s head rolls along the ground behind Zoda.

Sasuke arrives at Ryu's apartment during nightfall, reporting to him that Goroh has found Haruka. Ryu asks if Haruka is alright, and Sasuke informs him that Zoda attempted to take her. Returning to the Galaxy Police headquarters, Ryu enters the hangar, only to find Lucy working on the Dragon Bird. Lucy asks if he’s going to Cryton, and Jack shows up to ask if Ryu intends to go alone. Ryu insists that there’s no time, and for Jack to tell Jody before he leaves. Jack advises Ryu not to die before the rest of the Mobile Task Force arrives, and assures Ryu that he is the savior of the galaxy.

Meanwhile, the Fire Needle fights off several Dark Million battleships. Tsukikage reports that their engines have become weakened, and the ship crash lands. Goroh orders his crew to defend Haruka until Ryu arrives, and later confronts Zoda. Zoda uses his Reactor Might’s power to create a sword of his own, gradually powering it up to overwhelm Goroh. Gensai, Hakuun, and Tsukikage face off with Baba, the Skull, and a group of Dark Soldiers, but Sasuke disarms the Dark Million henchmen. Miss Killer awakens as Zoda arrives, but Goroh slices through the wall and tells Miss Killer to run. Goroh’s crew standoff with Dark Million, and Ryu arrives. Lisa and Bibiribitch’s crew also arrive, scaring off the Dark Million henchmen with their weapons. Goroh almost collapses, prompting Lisa to tend to him as he encourages Ryu to go after Miss Killer.

Outside, Miss Killer's path is blocked by Zoda's Hyper Death Anchor. The Dragon Bird arrives, to Miss Killer’s relief, but faces off with the Hyper Death Anchor. Zoda bashes his machine into the Dragon Bird, declaring that he was created to destroy Ryu, and can only become himself by killing him. His Reactor Might activates as the Hyper Death Anchor releases an energy wave and a projectile towards the Dragon Bird’s windshield. Ryu almost relives the incident that put him in cold sleep, but he hears Haruka call out for him. His machine’s Reactor Might activates, which sends out an even stronger energy wave than the Hyper Death Anchor’s. Zoda is knocked out of his machine, and he begins to cry upon realizing that he can’t defeat Ryu. Dark Million battleships fire at the Dragon Bird as Ryu attempts to find Haruka, but the Galaxy Runner provides him with cover.

Miss Killer continues to run before she falls over, and Ryu manages to find her. She tearfully warns him to stay back, pointing a gun at herself with the claim that she is no longer the woman Ryu once loved. Ryu blames himself for getting her involved in the entire situation, and extends his hand to her. She puts the gun down, but is abducted by a Dark Million battleship. Black Shadow tells Ryu that he can’t hand over Haruka just yet, and thanks Zoda for allowing Ryu to hone his Reactor Might. Zoda expresses outrage before Black Shadow’s hologram fades, and Ryu calls out for Haruka.

In the preview for the next episode, Ryu and Jack pretend to be Black Shadow, saying that his “glorious dream” will be realized soon by utilizing the dangerous Dark Matter Reactor. With Don Genie and Deathborn’s help, the galaxy will be dumped into a black hole. The real Black Shadow’s voice laughs and then states that he can’t wait for the next episode.

## Bart’s Classroom

Bart announces that he has some presents for 10 lucky viewers:

* F-Zero Climax, a game which would be released for the Game Boy Advance on October 21st, 2004.
* A handmade Bart puppet.
* Jack’s debut album.

In order to win these gifts, the viewer would have to write their name, address, age, and their opinions of the show on a postcard. The closing date was September 30th.