Final Act – 'Realize and Believe'
"There's one more thing needed to be recognized as the undisputed champion…" said Zui Hou under his breath, while the white NSX slowly strayed right past his vehicle. Meeting with his opponent's taillights, he continued, "…a strong, pure and honourable heart – the heart of a true champion. Perhaps it could be someone like Fu Huo. He is young and charismatic. Laying the past aside, it is correct to believe that he deserves to be at the highest pinnacle, and this stage of his life, he has done well to have earned it…"
Meanwhile, Kanae ran down through the aisle, hoping to get a closer look at the grid. She anxiously leaned her head forward, desperately looking onward into the horizon. From the beginning, the time she was recruited by Dreadnaught at F5, then merging with Bu Xia De, all the way to the time at Zui Hou R and the merging of all three factions – everything came down to it all as Kanae finally saw the bright white light, shining from across the distance, signifying the herald of the new Emperor of Zui Hou R…
( 'Fly' – Heartsdales)
The crowd leapt from their seats the moment the sight of the white NSX Type R had graced them and sped along the finishing line right before the golden S Zero shortly behind. The cheering was intense, and the two behemoths of the track had finally landed their vehicles. Kanae and the others jumped the barriers, running toward the competitors wildly in excitement as the galleries cheered on, "Fu Huo! Fu Huo! Fu Huo!"
Even the pits have
gone wild, storming across the grid, roaring in enthusiasm. Fu Huo
remained in his vehicle, his head faced down and limbs almost frozen
as if glued to the wheel and shiftknob. We did it… Mother…
We've done it…
He finally exhaled in relief and slowly
turned the engine off as he slipped his door open and stepped out.
Overwhelmed by the grand stage and the ovation, Fu Huo looked at the
vast sea of smiling faces and could not grasp on such a monumental
turning point of his career.
His peers have come to join him
momentarily, with his comrades from the Super Dreadnaught alliance,
as well as the Divine Unit Generals all gathered to congratulate the
champion.
First up was the two whom Fu Huo would never have
expected to come congratulate him first. Alex and Reiko faced him up
close, and each offered a handshake.
"I would have never
expected… meeting you again like this, Chuan Fu Huo!" greeted
Alex cheerfully.
"I never had the chance to confess… I
actually admire you, Fu Huo! I am proud to be able to race alongside
you, I'm looking forward to having you as our new leader!"
followed up Reiko.
"That's right… you haven't forgotten
our merger, have you? The Emperor of Zui Hou is now also the leader
of Super Dreadnaught – we're all one team now. I'd be honoured
to be able to race for you, and so is my SW20!" continued
Alex.
"All I wanted from you two was to believe that I was
at least worth your time," replied Fu Huo humbly.
"Oh, don't
say that. You're the man, Fu," added Reiko.
Another voice had made its way along, catching Fu Huo's attention, "Like we ever had a single doubt! It's not like we didn't plan this from the beginning, Master!"
Raide and Hokuto had joined Fu Huo
briefly, hailing him as an even greater figure than that of their
alternate symbol, Bao Fu.
"So this was your true objective from
the beginning," confirmed Raide, "Your calculations were
one-hundred percent accurate… There is no one I know who is a match
for you,"
"Raide just said it all, Fu!" added Hokuto, "I
hope you just don't end up firing us for being way behind your
league!"
"Haha… nah that won't happen," said Fu Huo
shyly.
"Fu Huo!" yelled a soft, feminine voice from a
short distance. Fu glanced to its direction and saw Kanae hurrying
past the crowds, making her way along the grid to greet him.
She
stood nearby him, as she layed her eyes on him and could not hold
back what was probably the biggest and only smile she had ever done
in her life.
"Kanae…" spoke Fu Huo.
"You were right,
Fu…! You were right…! It was all worth it! It was definitely
worth it for this!"
Kanae began to sob in front of Fu Huo. She
was too happy for him and knew for certain that as long as her future
was with Fu Huo and the new Zui Hou R, she was guaranteed stability.
"Hey, Kanae, calm down," said Fu Huo softly.
Moments later, the crowd had began to move out of the way as a certain group of individuals had made their way to greet Fu Huo once again. He had never gotten much focus and attention in all his life. This was the biggest impact he had ever created.
"Oh would ya look at
that!" called out Stephen.
"Looks like we got ourselves a new
boss!" said Ling.
"You better gimme a new car!" teased
Mark.
The brothers have locked fists with Fu Huo and gave
their regards, fully accepting him as the new leader. Having high
hopes for him the whole time, neither of them was surprised of Fu
Huo's results.
The crowd had suddenly grown silent for a short
moment, while a familiar and well-known figure had emerged from the
crowd and came face to face with Fu Huo. Their former heroine, Fukada
Kumiko moved in closer to Fu Huo and looked at him
teary-eyed.
"Welcome…" said Kumiko, as she slowly knelt down in front of him, "Emperor Fu Huo…"
The crowd
had begun to cheer even more wildly and madly once again, as they
finally saw their icon pass the torch to their new hero.
The
previous Emperor, Chuan Zui Hou had also come to join them. He met up
with Fu Huo and raised his hand high in the air, once again declaring
the victor and winner of the bout.
"Father…"
"I've
fulfilled my goal," settled Zui Hou, "You have now become far
greater than your mother and I ever were. The future is yours, Fu
Huo. Enjoy it. Go and celebrate this victory, as you will taste the
many more victories you will claim for the rest of your
career,"
"Thank you…"
"Now go. I am certain there is
someone quite important who is patiently waiting for you… over
there," added Zui Hou, who pointed in the direction, away from all
the crowds and audiences, along the corner of their eyes, waving and
smiling as the figure of the young and innocent Koda Minako…
'All
you gotta do is
Fly…!'
One day, alone within the halls of the Chamber of Fuka kyon deep beneath the Zui Hou R main headquarters walked in Fu Huo. Turning the lights on, wearing a white suit with a navy blue office shirt and some expensive shoes as he stepped up the platform once again. It was a very nostalgic feeling, though Fu Huo knew that it would be the very last time. He slowly walked toward the NSX-R, opening the driver seat door once again with a lone objective in his mind…
Several
moments later, he emerged from the vehicle carrying a disk with him
along with a certain headset and lens. He glanced at the devices and
closed his eyes for a moment.
No sooner had Kumiko arrived, as she
stepped up the platform to greet him, though wondered about his
appearance.
"Good day, Emperor…" she said.
"Good day to
you, Ku," replied Fu Huo, walking past her calmly and leap off the
platform.
"Um… Master Fu, may I ask what you are doing?" added Kumiko.
Fu Huo held the disk and visor in his arms and
said, "There is no longer a need for something like
this,"
"But…"
"There is no need for any form of
motorsport to have one of these," Fu Huo explained further.
As Fu Huo turned his back and continued through the back door, Kumiko had smiled at him and realized such a great change in her former student. It seemed that he has still kept his sense of integrity and believed that his true intentions never condoned such a means to dominate unnaturally among the roots of racing. As he had once said, "No taking shortcuts, true skill does not come from a machine helping you…"
Fu Huo had then entered a small, private room, which had been sealed away for almost a decade. He had only discovered its existence from his own father, whom had locked the chamber away and had left it hidden all this time. Fortunately, it had already been programmed to accept Fu Huo through biometrics. In the small room sat nothing but an altar-like gravestone and a medium-sized photo on the wall of a beautiful Japanese-looking woman with dark layered hair and dark brown eyes. Fu Huo glanced at the portrait, as he knelt down in front of the tombstone, placing the disc and other devices along the altar as he softly spoke, "Mother… may you finally rest in peace."
The
car park was dry and silent; the white armor-like body of the NSX-R
sat like a dormant beast. In a dead instant, the white dragon made a
soft cry…
The headlights lit up like the beast opening its eyes
along with the white light that filled the aura and presence of the
divine vehicle.
The windows close up, and the music began… (
'Real Emotion (DJ MSK Remix)' – Koda Kumi)
The bass
jammed and echoed along the parking lot, as the NSX-R slowly backed
out.
In an instant, the NSX-R accelerated out of the area, like a
hunter with an objective.
'riaru na sekai ni yureteru…'
Minako had just finished her work, but had decided, she had nothing left to do. She was basically free for the rest of the day, so she decided to go for a little walk on her own. Her sister had taken the car again, so Minako decided to spend her time in the city for a while…
'riaru na sekai ni yureteru…'
A
short moment later, Minako's phone started to beep, receiving an
SMS:
'Meet D1 bridge. Bout 5 minutez'
A smile graced Minako's face. She continued to walk on, making her way to where her heart told her she had to go…
'riaru na sekai ni
yureteru kanjyou maketakunai
mou tada hashiru shikanai kono mune
ni
kikoetekuru
kimi wa hitori jyanai'
The NSX-R bolted across the streets, avoiding the traffic, cut through the lights and sped away.
'Ano hi kokoro no kanata ni
egaiteta basho ni iru
tohou ni kuretetari suru keredo mou
modorenai'
The NSX-R revved up, engine roared, and wheels spun. The car sent itself flying sideways along the route D1 downhill.
'Yume ni mita katachi to wa
Nanimokamo ga
chigau'
Minako walked slowly, big smile on her face, but yet she still felt a bit worried. Soon did she realize, this was not a moment to be worrying. It was a time to let go of all her fears of the future and regrets of the future.
'Genjitsu ni wa... memai sae suru'
The driver of the NSX-R made no hesitations. Bass pumped along the interior as he revved higher. He opened his windows, and threw pieces of wires and a plug out the window.
'Riaru na sekai ni yureteru
kanjyou
Maketakunai
Mou tada hashiru shikanai kono mune
ni
Kikoetekuru
Kimi wa hitori jyanai'
Minako carried her bag on her shoulder, and gripped her phone tightly in excitement.
'Kesshite furimuki wa shinai anata ni wa
toyoranai
Nanika ga areba kanarazu suguni kite kureru kara'
The engine roared, again, the NSX-R kept its pace, while skillfully avoiding the mild traffic.
'Ima boku ni
dekiru koto
Sore wa shinjiru koto...'
Minako took her wallet out of her bag. She looked on at her photos, cherished them, but closed them away with no more regrets. Her hair blew softly through the wind as she walked on, heart beating fast.
'Shinjitsu nara kono mune ni aru'
At the end of Route D1, the NSX-R slowed down its pace, bass still pumping, making its way through the intersections, music echoing along the sidewalks, as paper bags and confetti were flung across as the car flew past.
'Riaru na sekai ni yureteru
kanjyou
Sasaeru no wa
Sou anata ga oshietekureta subete
Ima
no watashi
Dakara, hitori jyanai'
The D1 first bridge, Minako leaned against the rails, waiting as she gazed at the sunset, heart beating faster.
Out the corner, the NSX-R
made its presence known as it came roaring down the street. It slowed
right down, but accidentally drove right past Minako.
The car
stopped, and then backed out in reverse, positioning itself beside
Minako.
The windows rolled down. Fu Huo flicked his head sideways,
his fringe rocking to the right, as he motioned Minako to get in the
car.
She jumped in the car, no questions asked. Doors shut,
windows opened, bass jamming through the chassis.
'Riaru
na sekai ni yureteru kanjyou
Maketakunai
Mou tada hashiru
shikanai kono mune ni
Kikoete kuru
Kimi wa hitori jyanai'
The NSX-R accelerated and zoomed across the freeway, scanning the road, the other cars and scenery were just little blurs to them.
'Yeh-heh
Ooh baby
Oh-oh'
The NSX-R reached top speed, and soared into the wind. Entering Route D1, the car didn't slow down for anything, until the first hairpin curve. Gears down, revs high, the NSX-R shot itself sideways and disappeared from view, along just like the sun…
STREET
TALES: 'Legend Of Zui Hou R'
The End
