ACT 2 – 2000RPM 'Heart Set'
"It was very interesting to find out… that the Master Hyu that trained with Maya and I all those years ago actually had a son," said Kumiko, "And that very same person was the one I had trained, drove, and rode with as my favourite student."
"The time
for seeking the past is over," claimed Fu Huo proudly, as he
stepped up from leaning on his door. "…And the time to shape the
future has now arrived. KYOKO… no… mother and I will take care of
the rest."
"I hope you know what you are doing and I wish you
luck," said Kumiko, "This will not only be the greatest battle of
your career, but the greatest battle the racing world will ever see.
As soon as you make the challenge, word will surely spread and road
racers both foreign and locally are bound to come down to witness
such a spectacle…"
Fu Huo took one last look at Kumiko and
spoke slowly and softly to her closely, "Thank you once again, Ku.
I will not let you down again. Everything I've gone through with
you has all come down to this. I won't only be racing for the right
to KYOKO, but everything else is on the line. I'm racing for you
and everyone who's supported me all the way right up to this
moment!"
He once again slipped on his sunglasses and walked
around to the driver's seat of his NSX-R. Kumiko continued to watch
him, as he carried her hopes and dreams along with him and began on
this final journey to become the undisputed champion of racing and
prove to be the best there is.
I'm so proud of you, Fu. I have no doubts… I've never had any toward you. No matter what happens… to me, you've already won…
Later than afternoon, the Zui Hou R headquarters had already completed its set up, as if the Emperor had already been expecting the upcoming event for a long time before it was even scheduled to happen. Zui Hou walked out of one of the tuning branches and stood in the middle of the lot, gazing up at the clouds of the afternoon sunset. He knew exactly what was to happen. He had been waiting for this day to come.
Zui glanced toward the distance, looking on over the fence and out into the horizon that overlooked the empty street into the city. After a short moment, Zui caught sight of a shining white light from a distance. To the naïve eye, it probably would have been some kind of shooting star. But Zui hou knew exactly what was due to arrive. He's finally here.
The Emperor gave the signal to his henchmen, verifying the command to let the certain visitor into the base. The visitor, which he knew was none other than his own son with Fuka kyon's NSX-R, was lead right along straight into the middle of all five buildings, right outside the central garage. He watched on, as his son had shut the engine off and slowly stepped out of the vehicle. Fu Huo shut the door and walked up proudly to confront his father.
"I've been waiting for
you," said Zui.
"It's good to see you…father," replied
Fu Huo.
"I knew you'd figure it out eventually," continued
Zui, "Seeing you here now in this manner only means one
thing…"
"I've come to challenge you, father," announced
Fu Huo.
"Ah, yes… of course. There would have been no other
reason, would there…?"
"Not only do I challenge you for the
right to KYOKO, but for the ultimate honour of taking your place in
Zui Hou R," continued Fu Huo.
"…So you want to prove that
you're the very best, do you not? Very well then… follow
me,"
Zui Hou walked out into the open area, right near the middle of the starting grid of the test track as Fu Huo walked closely behind. He came to a halt, observing the conditions of the wind and glanced at the clouds and plains among the buildings and lots. He then turned momentarily to look at Fu Huo once more.
"You
have the eyes of your mother," said Zui Hou, "And you have the
same look in your eyes, that very same determination that continues
to burn and flow the passion that is the source of her divinity.
Seeing you again reminds me of how great your mother really was…
and how much I miss her so."
"You must tell me all about her…
when our deed is done here," requested Fu Huo.
"You pilot the result and end product of my extensive research and expenses to create Project: KYOKO, the representation of my wife's digitized battle data. By racing it, let us finish what she and I had started… all those years ago!"
The battle between my father and mother before she died several years ago had never finished… I guess this is what he means by ending it…
Zui Hou then pulled out a small apparatus from his pocket, which seemed to be some kind of remote control to operate some sort of mechanism he had prepared. He flipped the cover open, and pressed the button, as he raised his arms and looked down on Fu Huo, making his announcement, "Chuan Fu Huo! I accept your challenge!"
Suddenly, the structure of Zui Hou's test track had begun to change. Barriers that have covered hidden routes and paths have now opened and new sections of the course had been revealed. And extra portion had elevated from the distance, revealing a large section that connected to what was a new track. The Zui Hou test course was no larger than its previous form.
As the track continued its transformation,
the platform beneath the starting grid had begun to arise. The
platform elevated in the same manner from underground when the Fuka
kyon had once did during test phases.
However, the platform
revealed a slightly different car on the grid. Zui Hou's car, a
golden NSX Type S Zero stood fearsomely holding its own at the grid.
It had a carbon fibre GT Wing, and the old model NSX's flip-up
retractable headlights.
Zui Hou announced, "I welcome you… to Neo Route 246!"
Fu Huo seemed overwhelmed. Though he was as ready as ever, he struggled not to let even a single bit of hesitation and doubt into his mind. His heart is set. The biggest match was now set on the biggest stage in the entire region…
Before the race that night, as the two competitors had begun their preparations, numerous invitations have been sent out to the various other racing entities as racers from all over the region had come down to witness the one-in-a-lifetime spectacle. From the Super Dreadnaught alliance, to the Honey-C, MIVEC Club Members, Notorious Angel and many more had filled in the galleries along with other automotive fanatics, sponsors, writers and various fans had gathered to bring the biggest and larged crowd to ever set stage at the Zui Hou R headquarters.
Even Koda's
diner had closed that night due to the special mainevent match.
"Fu
Huo's gonna face Master Hyu…?" said Maya surprisingly.
"Oh
my gosh… the Emperor against Fu-Boo?" added Minako.
"Finish
up, Mina! We're going!"
"You mean… to see the race?"
"Of
course!"
The Bu Xia De members had also received notice of
the battle.
"That kid's finally facing off against the
Emperor," confirmed Alex.
"I have to go see this! No matter
what, I have to see the legendary Zui Hou in action…! But at the
same time… I also want to see… Fu Huo's spectacular driving…!"
claimed Reiko, who had finally decided to root for Fu Huo.
"I'm
taking Roni and Kanae," said Fao, "I'm sure they will wanna see
this too."
"I am looking forward to seeing what Fu has finally
become," said Alex proudly, "He's surely have changed his ways
by now. I am certain that he will deliver tonight's package!"
The
stalls and branches along Dreadnaught have also closed out for the
night, as most of the employees had made their way out and headed all
in the same route. Raide and Hokuto followed along, taking their
vehicles with them and cruised through the enormous traffic, which
most definitely are on their way to the Zui Hou R
Headquarters.
Whoever wins this will be determine the true
champion… as well as the leader of the alliance!
Raide
continued to evade traffic and hurried on excitedly, Perhaps I
should tell everyone now… that we will have a new leader! Go Fu
Huo! You are the real king! Show this has-been your true power!
As
the stars had begun to fill the sky and seats along the galleries had
completely filled, the lights had soon turned on, shining along the
track as the huge monitor to survey the battle also switched on.
The
D Unit had lounged in the main spectator box, having the clearest and
best view overlooking almost more than half of the track.
Kumiko
prepared the beverages and refreshments along with the other set up,
while the others had endlessly discussed their own take on the
battle.
"Hey, Shijian… you think he'll actually do it?"
asked Ling.
"Who knows. I couldn't really care who ends up
being our leader. They're both qualified anyway," replied Shi, as
he stood up and slowly walked away into the bar area…
Meanwhile,
Fu Huo spent his final hour preparing himself and his ride at the
garage within the pits. The settings have now been prepared manually.
Fu Huo had tuned his settings without the assistance of neither
Kumiko, nor the KYOKO System and now was finally certain that he
would be able to push the car to the absolute limits. He slowly
walked around the NSX-R, strumming his hands across its smooth and
curved body, from the spoiler to the fender, from the mirrors and to
the windows.
Moments later, someone had momentarily walked in on
Fu Huo, as he began to prepare himself mentally. Minako had arrived
to help him with just that. She wore her favourite dark
indigo-coloured silk dress and black sandals and walked up to Fu Huo,
placing her amrs on his shoulders as she moved in closer.
"Minnie…"
spoke Fu Huo.
Without saying a word, Minako had pressed her body
against Fu Huo and kissed him passionately. Fu Huo placed his hands
around her, holding Minako against him, leaning on the vehicle. His
mind was now set. Just like he did for her, Minako was now the one to
give Fu the strength to overcome even the most insurmountable odds.
He was never alone, nor will he ever be during this battle.
Minako
slightly pulled back, and whispered to him, resting her cheek on to
his.
"No matter what happens… you are always my champion…
just like you always were… and always will be."
