F-Zero: The Rising Hero

Chapter 4: Captain Falcon

        Ace was thrilled that he would meet Captain Falcon at the race tonight! He was also so grateful that Jody Summer registered him for it! Ace knew that the Green Amazone would need to be tuned up to race against an F-Zero master like Captain Falcon. Captain Falcon won the very first F-Zero race when F-Zero started. There were only four pilots who survived at that time, they were: Captain Falcon, Dr. Stewart, Samurai Goroh and Pico. Nowadays, F-Zero was changed to be safer for younger pilots like him and Lily Flyer.

Ace now arrived to the federation garage to see his machine, but John Tanaka had beaten him to the punch. John Tanaka was......DISSASSEMBLING THE GREEN AMAZONE! Ace ran towards the hapless goof. "HEY! Crusty Clown! What the heck are you doing?!" He shouted. John Tanaka turned towards Ace. "Relax," he said calmly. Ace didn't even know how Tanaka was able to act so calm, he was destroying someone else's machine! "I'm making adjustments on your machine. I've amplified your engines velocity, I've also adjusted it's boost system! When I'm finished, I'll give it a nice polish."

"Alright," Ace said. "But if you break something important you'll answer to me!" Tanaka just winked and gave a thumbs-up before he resumed his work. Jody Summer next appeared into the garage. "Tanaka, when you're finished with the Green Amazone, you can start on the White Cat." "Of course dear-I mean-of course Jody!" John Tanaka said. "You're racing too Jody?" Ace asked her. Before Jody could reply, John Tanaka spoke up. "Of course she is why wouldn't she? I'll compete too! My machine is pumped and ready!" Ace then noticed another machine. It looks like skiis, he thought, of a big hunk-of-junk. It had the name "WONDER WASP". "Is this your machine Tanaka?" Ace asked the mechanic. "Yes it is," Tanaka replied. "I built it with my own design." "Just make sure our machines don't look like dishwashers like yours," Ace started to laugh. Jody laughed also, and Tanaka got frustrated. "You're going to need backup tonight Jody," he said turning his attention to his colleague. "So I'm racing too."

"That won't be necessary John," Jody responded. "You can take the night off." "IT IS NECESSARY!" Tanaka exclaimed. "Who knows how many thugs are out there?" Ace waved his hand. "John Focus on the machine," he said. "Hey!" Tanaka spoke. "Since when can he call me John?" He was turning towards Jody for support. "Just now, I guess," Jody shrugged. Her and Ace laughed, but once again. John Tanaka was not amused.

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Port Town was a harbor town that had been a relay point for intergalactic trade. Ace just stared at its purple skies and distant mountains. He also noted the city in background. The machines were slowly arriving on the track Jody, Tanaka and Ace were one of the first to arrive. The young pilot looked at the adjustments John Tanaka made to his machine. It did look sturdier. Ace looked up to see Tanaka and Jody approach him. "Captain Falcon will be arriving soon," Jody informed him. "Alright Ace," Tanaka started speaking. "The new adjustments to your machine will make it a bit better. This is a booster race, so your boost will be your machines power." Jody handed Ace his helmet. "There's a comlink on the helmet, you can communicate with us that way."

"We're right behind you," Jody smiled before jogging to the White Cat. "Remember to fasten your seatbelt!" Tanaka shouted to Ace as he jogged to his machine. "Okay..." the young racer said confused. His thoughts were interrupted by the roar of a familiar engine. Ace knew who it was but he wanted to turn anyway and see. He turned to see a Blue Machine with the number 07 on its sides and the white letters engraved with the words "BLUE FALCON". The cockpit open-ed the reveal the greatest racer in the galaxy CAPTAIN FALCON! Ace totally geek-ed out and ran up to Falcon. "CAPTAIN FALCON!" He said shaking his hand. "I'M ACE! I'M A HUGE FAN!" "Thank you," Captain Falcon smiled as Ace shook his hand.

Ace finally realized the problem. "Oh!" (He was shaking Captain Falcon's hand too long.) Ace quickly let go of the legend's hand. "It's a pleasure to race with you," Captain Falcon replied. "Jody Summer told me about you." "You-You know Jody?" Ace responded surprised. "We're good friends," Captain Falcon smiled. "FALCON!" a voice screamed behind Falcon. Captain Falcon turned to see a familiar face, even Ace Winters knew who it was SAMURAI GOROH. Goroh was the arch-rival of Captain Falcon, he always wanted to beat him. "This race is mine Falcon!" Goroh hollered. Captain Falcon ignored the bandit and turned back to Ace. "You'd better get in your machine, the race starts in one minute!" Ace nodded and sprinted to the Green Amazone. He was now more ready to race than ever.

After fastening his helmet on, he gripped the steering wheel. The countdown had begun. 3....2....1...GO! Every Drivers' engines screamed to life asthey floored on the gas. The Green Amazone's acceleration as usual was extraordinary, so he zipped up to the lead. The machines he passed were: The Wonder Wasp, The White Cat, The Hyper Speeder, The Golden Fox and the Blue Falcon. "Ace," Jody spoke to him. "Don't underestimate the other racers, they can shoot ahead at any time". "Got it," Ace acknowledged. Ace now successfully led the pack through the first four turns of the course. "Rookie Ace Winters is holding a firm lead!" Mr. Zero shouted. "No one can touch this guy!" The race was a three lap race. On the second lap is when the machines' booster was ready.

When the second lap came, Ace immediately slammed on the boost. He boosted several times, he wanted to get ahead of the pack. "Ace, your machine is low on power!" Jody shouted alarmed. "Don't worry Jody, I got it," Ace reassured her. As soon as the racer finished his sentence, the Green Amazone passed over the pink Pit Areas and its power was restored to 100%. "RIGHT ON! YOU'RE WAY OUT IN FRONT!" Mr. Zero shouted to Ace Winters. "YEAH! THE FINAL LAP!" Ace was positive he owned this race, he knew he could win. If he won this race, he would prove his potential to Jody. "WATCH YOUR BACK!" Mr. Zero suddenly shouted. Ace turned to his right to see Captain Falcon beside him, the bounty hunter boosted ahead of Ace, he knew how to handle all the turns. Ace struggled to keep up, but Captain Falcon's racing skills were too good.

At least I can get second place, that will be good enough to impress Jody, he thought. His peaceful thoughts were interrupted with John Tanaka's scream coming from his comlink. Ace whipped his head around to spot the Wonder Wasp catch on fire and explode. Then, a big orange machine flew by Tanaka. "WATCH YOUR BACK!" Mr. Zero warned again. The orange machine managed to get next to the Green Amazone. The machine had the number 24 WILD BOAR. The driver of the Wild Boar cackled and did a terrifying side-attack on the Green Amazone, the machine spun out of control. "ACE!" Jody Screamed. The machine began to catch on fire, then it skidded to the side of the track. Ace leaped out of the cockpit as the other racers flew by. He tore off his helmet in anger. He was fine physically, but disappointed. He had won 29th place.