Lap 08
I Inspire a New Hero
Ok so, fighting a reanimated skeleton was one thing…what I'm about to tell you now is another can of worms. I hadn't seen The Skull since our fight about a week or so ago which was rather odd. I mean…I did hit him with a rather large piece of machinery going about Mach 1 so there's that. What I have been dealing with recently is the influx of copycat "heroes" of Mute City. Half of them were kids too. I even had to save a group of teens calling themselves "The Falcon Clan" from some high level alien gang. Long story. All of their parents were PISSED after the GSF and I brought them home. I think almost being murdered in broad daylight finally woke them up and must've made them realize that this was not "happy baby play time." I saw the group of teens a few days later when I was out with Sam in my civilian clothes.
"Are those the kids you told me about?" Sam asked. I nodded.
"What gave it away? The black eye on the oldest looking kid?" I asked. Sam playfully smacked my chest.
"Ok ow. You know what happened to my chest. That still kind of hurts," I said rubbing my pectoral muscle. Damn knives. Some criminal got a lucky swing on me a few days ago while I was arresting his boss for human trafficking. The resulting treatment from Dr. Narasu was rather nice though. Part of it was agreeing to take a few days off of being Captain Falcon. That was fine. I was making BANK right now. I've sent some of the excess off to charitable sources like Aunt DJ, Sam's Family (don't tell her), Roy and Lisa, the GSF and various other charitable organizations. Speaking of my Aunt DJ, Sam and I decided to visit her during a slow Monday afternoon. Sam had the day off as well. Aunt Josslyn saw us approaching as she looked up from her newspaper.
"Hey there he is! Can't stay away even on your days off huh Sam?" Aunt Josslyn asked. Sam smiled.
"When am I away from Captain Falcon Joss?" she said slyly. Aunt Josslyn looked from me to Sam and back again.
"Yes Auntie. She knows," I whispered.
"What, you didn't tell them?" Sam asked. I gulped. Well…no. I didn't. I don't even think they know we're dating either. My first girlfriend was the one that dumped me for someone else but I did have another one to help me get over Sam when she had her high school boyfriend. I forgot about her until just how…damn… that's pretty messed up Andy. Anyway that girl and I were together for about a year and a half before we amicably split so she could focus on her career. Never saw her again though. I remember what she looked like though…wait a minute…she's a circuit model now! That's right! What's that you ask? Well, they are very similar to ring girls from the 20th and 21st century. Like they stand near the starting positions for the pilots during F-Zero races. There was one near me during the Sapphire Cup. Think she wanted my autograph or something. I don't really speak Zou all that well….I do know enough to know what purring at someone and batting their eyelashes means though. Yes, I did give her an autograph but that was it. Anyway, back to the present. Aunt Josslyn's eyes widened as Sam grabbed my hand.
"I fell for him. Literally. Remember when that Goroh guy showed up and grabbed me? Well, his wife ended up dropping me off a cliff and Andy here caught me," Sam explained while Aunt Josslyn clutched her chest.
"You. Did. WHAT?!" she whispered. I shrugged.
"I figured that's what my dad would have done," I said.
"Done what?" Aunt DJ's voice said from behind me. I jumped. Sam laughed. Uncool. Sam quickly told Aunt DJ what happened between her and Goroh. Aunt DJ nearly fainted…twice. Once after the initial story and the other was after Sam kissed me on my cheek and said "You and I are now in competition over who loves him more now DJ. C'mon, I'm hungry."
Sam, Aunt DJ and I ate lunch together in the back room where Sam relayed pretty much everything that has happened since I last saw Aunt DJ and Josslyn.
"Muffins misses you Andy. I sometimes find her sleeping on your bed," Aunt DJ eventually told me. Sam pretended to pout.
"Who's this girl 'Muffins' Andrew?" she said in a mock angry tone.
"A girl that has loved me way longer than you mean lady!" I answered. Sam smiled back. I suddenly heard a very happy meow come from nearby followed by the sensation of a very fluffy creature trying to get pets. Aunt DJ smiled as I picked up Muffins who meowed again. She was wearing a red bandana on her neck with a simplified icon of Captain Falcon's helmet on it.
"I didn't want Muffins at the house as work was being done. You know how much she doesn't like loud noises without one of us near her," Aunt DJ explained. Sam had slowly reached her hand out to Muffins' nose. Muffins sniffed it a few times before she meowed again and rubbed her face against Sam's hand.
"What do you think Muffins? You think she's a nice lady?" I asked the cat.
"Mew!" Muffins walked over my lap to sit on Sam's and began purring.
"I'll take that as a yes," I said. "I assume you've started that project you've always wanted to do on the house?"
"Yes. You need to stop giving me so much money Andy," Aunt DJ said and put her hand over mine. "Joss and I are fine. We would like a visit from our nephew every once in a while now. That project is essentially a house for you." I spit out the drink of water I was currently taking.
"Wh-what?!" I said. Sam was staring at Aunt DJ incredulously and with tears in her eyes.
"Yes Andy. It was just supposed to be for you but I assume you want Sam to be there too. Don't argue or try to stop us. We've been watching what you've been doing for Mute City. It reminds me so much of…of…" Aunt DJ couldn't bring herself to say the name of her brother. Her brother who was murdered for doing the right thing. Then it hit me. She was afraid the same fate would happen to me. Pretty sure Sam shared the same sentiment by the way she was looking at me. I nodded, got up and gave Aunt DJ a hug.
"You are… you are so much like him…it scares me…" Aunt DJ managed to get out.
"Dad's always with me, Aunt DJ. Did you happen to see the alias I use?" I asked.
"N-no,"
"It's Douglas Jay Falcon," I said. Aunt DJ gasped. Sam looked confused.
"My parents Sam. I use my parents' names as an alias," I explained. Muffins meowed again as if she was agreeing. "We'll move into the house when it's done. I promise."
Following that display of hospitality, I happened to notice someone from my past. I froze. There she was sitting at the bar being attended to by one of my underlings. My ex-girlfriend and current circuit model, Donna Berk. She pretty much looked just as I remembered. Tall, blonde with an extremely pretty face. Nowadays, she was wearing a red/pink jumpsuit with a silver sports bra looking thing over her chest. Her purple sunglasses were perched on her head. Sam noticed the fact that I had frozen and narrowed her eyes.
"Who's that Andrew?" she said menacingly. Like I felt no trace of her bubbly personality in that question. I gulped.
"My...uh…ex-girlfriend…that I dated junior to senior year to get over you when I saw you were no longer single in high school…" I whispered quickly. Sam raised her eyebrows. Still no sense of happiness either. Oh boy. Not good. The bartender had noticed me standing there too. Also not good.
"Hey Andy!" they exclaimed. Great! Thanks chief! Donna turned to face us. I saw her squint before her eyes became very wide and I saw her say "Wow." Sam ordered me forward with a curt nod. I gulped again.
"Hi Donna. Long time no see," I said tentatively. "You remember Sam Narasu right?"
"Yes I do! Wow, a lot of Class of 2568 Alumni here huh? I actually ran into your friend Roy the other day," Donna said. Well, that explains the text I got from Roy that said "saw your old flame today Andy!" which, of course, pissed Sam off that night because she saw the text. Talk about a jealous pants huh? That was when I remembered Donna but I had told Sam that it was the girl that dumped me. What she didn't know was that that girl was now over in New Cali with her 4 kids she had before she was 24. Do NOT tell her that or I will end you. Sam elbowed me in the ribs.
"Ahem, yes. Right. Well, Sam is my girlfriend now. Finally got over those nerves in high school and college," I said. Donna smiled again.
"Seems you and I both needed each other at the right time then. I too have found my other half," she said to us. I felt Sam's "this is MY man" instincts fade a bit…5 credits I'm about to be assaulted back at home if you know what I mean.
"Oh really?" I asked. "Who?"
"Remember David Wells?"
"I think so. Guy was really into comic books right?"
"Yes, that's him," Donna said and stared at a point over my shoulder before she smiled. "There he is!" Sam and I turned to see an…well...absolutely JACKED man leaning up against the wall. He was dressed in a brown jacket and some jeans. Perched on his shoulder was an owl. Like really. I'm not kidding. It was my turn to give Sam a look as I totally caught her staring.
"Andy! What's up dude! Long time no see!" David said and walked over. His owl friend swayed back and forth on his shoulder but it still looked comfortable. I must have looked confused or something because he added "We had some marketing classes together in college. Of course, I wasn't as toned back then either. Before you ask, this is Aris. I do a lot of ornithology nowadays" David motioned to Aris who hooted. David then sat next to Donna and she put her hand on his shoulder.
"I know you work here Andy. I saw that news report on your solo takedown of those 2 goons. It really got to me," David said.
"How so?" I asked. Donna looked like she rolled her eyes.
"Made me realize that I too wanted to do something like that on a daily basis. Save people. Be a hero you know?" David explained. I saw Sam flash me a smirk.
"I keep telling you to join the GSF," Donna pleaded. "Going out on your own is too dangerous. I'll worry about you too much." David waved her off though.
"Glad I ran into you by the way. I know that you and Sam here have had a few run ins with Captain Falcon. I wondered if you could get him to talk to me," David said.
"About what honey?" Donna said menacingly. Aris looked as though he wanted to fly away from the impending angry girlfriend outburst.
"That guy I've been telling you about. There's gotta be a bounty on him," David answered. Donna's annoyance subsided as I quickly sent a message to Fal to tap my phone and listen in.
"You mean the crazy man that's been following you for the past few days?" Donna asked. David looked around the cafe before nodding. It was empty save for one or 2 people enjoying a late lunch. I could also see Aunt DJ and Josslyn talking to each other outside…most likely about me and Sam.
"Yes, why do you think I've been going to the gym so often? I need to keep you safe from him. I have no idea what he wants with me," David explained.
"What's this guy's name? Captain Falcon's in here from time to time, I'm sure myself or Sam will tell him about this man," I said. David looked around the area again, leaned in to me and whispered.
"Zoda. His name is Zoda."
Sam and I returned to the Falcon Lair following that trip to Falcon House. Fal had heard the name David told me and had been looking up any information on this clown named Zoda.
"Who calls themselves Zoda?" I asked as I pulled on my jacket and gloves.
"I have no idea but he seems to be quite the time traveler. He was a prominent criminal back in the day…hang on…says here he was chased by an officer named Ryu Susaku…oh my, he put officer Susaku in stasis for almost 150 years as well as himself. Then he was defeated by Ryu and went into hiding for many years," Sam read from the computer.
"Ryu Susaku was an old Captain Falcon I think. Well before your grandfather Andy," Fal added.
"And what does he want with our friends David and Donna? Have we deduced that yet?" I asked.
"From what I can gather, it looks like he's just crazy. I suspect Dark Million is involved somehow. That definitely looks like their tech," Sam said and pointed at the screen. I looked at the "man" named Zoda. If I didn't know any better, I'd say he was far from a human. First off, my guy was purple skinned and in like a mechanical suit with wires all over the place. If I were to guess, those wires pumped some kind of chemical into his body. Probably adrenaline or something which explains the absolutely insane grin stretched across his face. I bet 20 credits this man has said something like "I like to grow flowers…FLOWERS THAT KILL PEOPLE!" at least a few times in his multiple lifetimes.
"You gotta love the people that have comic book villain tendencies, cause this guy has that written all over him," I said and put on my helmet. I saw Sam tense a little when I did so. Easy there, missy. I know, I am incredibly handsome.
"Keep the comms open for any mention of him Fal. Also send a tip to the GSF to keep an eye on David and Donna. Make sure Officer Taylor and her crew get it," I told Sam and Fal.
"Affirmative Cap," Fal said. "Oh my…hold on, we have a transmission from Officer Taylor herself." Officer Taylor's image came on the screen and I also saw a frantic looking David behind her being restrained by her colleagues. Aris was still perched on his shoulder. Sam quickly ducked out of frame. Officer Taylor happened to know Sam's uncle.
"Cap? Is that you? We have a situation," she told me.
"I can see that. Did he steal the last donut from you guys or something?" I joked. Sam stifled a small chuckle and Fal's avatar (a cartoon falcon that Sam designed) was silently laughing in the corner of the screen.
"Very funny, no. We just heard from Mr. Wells here that his girlfriend was kidnapped by some guy named Zoda,"
"THAT SON OF A BITCH HAS DONNA! I WILL TEAR HIM APART WITH MY BARE HANDS!" David yelled in the background.
"Do you know where?" I asked and pressed a button on my glove and started up the Blue Falcon's engine.
"In the Aeropolis area I believe. You know, the one built and managed by that friendly supercomputer Mother-Q?"
"I am aware of it, yes." I said. Meanwhile Fal was typing messages like "If we go, can we stop by Mother-Q so I can say hi?"
"I assume you want to handle it? Mr. Wells seems to be a big fan of yours," Officer Taylor asked.
"Indeed, I'll take care of our comic book bad guy. Seems to have a little bounty on him too. Couple thousand could help you finance your wedding more eh?" I said. Officer Taylor gasped.
"That was you?!"
"Course it was. I'll find, uh Donna is it?"
"DONNA BERK! LET ME GO! I'M GOING WITH HIM!" David shouted.
"Mr. Wells, please calm do-" The transmission ended shortly after that. I cracked my knuckles and began walking to the Blue Falcon but I only went about 4 steps before I heard a *ahem* from behind me. Of course, how could I forget? I turned around and gave Sam a quick kiss on the cheek.
"Show him your moves, tiger."
I arrived at the Aeropolis area in about 15 minutes thanks to Fal's directions (and having to deal with her fangirling over Mother-Q who had noticed our approach). This place is massive. There were like mile high skyscrapers everywhere. Those things actually build themselves higher whenever more people move to this area of Earth. It's actually quite fascinating.
"Great, how am I going to find Zoda in this place?" I mumbled out loud.
"I can help with that, Captain Falcon. My builders spotted him and a young blonde woman speeding down the Multiplex," Mother-Q's voice suddenly said. She sounded more like a woman in her late 60s as opposed to Fal who sounded like she was in her late 30s...like my mom.
"Uh, thank you. Hey, can you like head him off for me or something?" I asked the air.
"Sure thing! Oh and F.A.L.C.O.N., you are an amazing AI companion. I have seen you assist Captain Falcon multiple times without any hesitation. And Miss Narasu, I know you are listening, I like your avatar design for F.A.L.C.O.N. I may need your skills one day," Mother-Q said. I know that Fal and Sam were blushing as I sped down the road towards the Multiplex. Robots were pointing my way for me so it was rather easy. I came upon the purple man himself along with Donna whose legs were tied together and her arms were tied behind her back. The pair of them were beside a…well, that thing looked like a missile that had been converted into an F-Zero machine. Bet you anything it boosted well and had a high top speed, but it was incredibly fragile. Zoda was trying to lead Donna away from the robots but they kept blocking his path. I could feel his rage even at this distance. I parked the Blue Falcon, hopped out and slowly walked over.
"MOVE YOU INFERIOR MACHINE!" Zoda's voice shouted.
"Negative citizen. Release the female," the robot responded. Zoda yelled in rage and turned to face me standing there with my arms crossed.
"So you must be Grape Man? Plum Pete? Mr. Eggplant Guy? OH I'VE GOT IT! The Onion!" I taunted. Donna heard me and I saw her demeanor shift from scared to relieved. Zoda, however, was not having my bullshit.
"I'm Zoda! I'd tell ya not to forget it but you won't be around long enough to remem- AHHH!" Zoda was suddenly attacked by an owl. An owl wearing what looked like a mask. I looked around to see where the owl flew from and saw a tall, muscular man dressed in brown spandex with a red cape and blue boots. Half of his face was covered by a mask that gave him the appearance of a bird. On his forehead, rested the letter A. The man jumped down off the roof he was standing on and landed with a hard thud on the ground. The owl landed atop the man's shoulder. Donna's eyes were now wide with recognition.
"Daffid?!" she said through her mouth gag. Zoda didn't really pay attention.
"And who the hell are you?! Falcon's sidekick?!" he shouted. Hardly. This guy was a bit taller than I was and just a bit more toned….wait a minute Andy…YOU DIPSHIT. This guy was David Wells! Like come on man! The owl was a dead giveaway!
"Wrong Zoda. I am Champion! I am Justice! I am Super Arrow!" David said and struck a heroic pose. I cocked my eyebrow under my visor. My video feed of Sam showed that she too was shocked to realize that David was now a costumed "superhero."
"Release her Zoda! At once!" Dav-, no…Super Arrow shouted at Zoda and punched his hand into his palm.
"And who's going to MAKE ME?!" Zoda shouted before he threw Donna on the ground and punched a button on his chest. I heard the sound of liquids going through tubes and I visibly saw Zoda get more jacked. Zoda took a wild swing at the robots and sent them flying.
"Your move hero! AHAHAHAHAHA!" Zoda shouted and assumed a fighting stance. Super Arrow and I exchanged glances before the pair of us charged at Zoda. I yelled "Falcon KICK!" while Super Arrow yelled "JUSTICE!" Didn't really help. My kick was parried and I was knocked aside. Meanwhile Super Arrow's punch had been caught by Zoda and he too was thrown aside. As we struggled to get up, Zoda had grabbed Donna and held her over the edge of the road we were standing on. I heard her screaming for David to save her as she was now dangling hundreds of meters above the nearest stretch of ground.
"One step and she falls! DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME?!" Zoda shouted. His voice sounded way deeper because of the surge of adrenaline in his system.
"Why do you want her anyway?!" Super Arrow shouted through his own pain.
"I wanted her for myself! That geek David Wells or whatever managed to get a babe like this for himself?! As if! I'll show her a real man!" Zoda answered and gave Donna a really creepy look. Not ok. Why do these bums ALWAYS have these kinds of tendencies? I meanwhile had been trying to devise a plan to save Donna from falling to her death. Zoda was still too busy ogling at Donna to pay attention to us…ANOTHER thing these criminals do way too often. I turned to Super Arrow who looked like he was absolutely fuming.
"Use the owl to distract him, you think?" I whispered.
"I don't want him to hurt Aris either," Super Arrow answered. I heard his voice crack a little. I nodded in agreement. Then I saw something out of the corner of my eye. My pistol. I hardly ever needed to use it and I'm pretty sure it's still set to stun.
"I have a plan but you need to be fast. I'll shoot him and you get the girl. Got it?" I whispered.
"You're gonna kill him?! No! I want to see him suffer in prison!" Super Arrow answered.
"I know, it's a stun gun," I said and quickly drew it. Zoda heard the pistol rub against the holster and turned to face us again but I was faster and shut a stun bolt right into his chest. He immediately tensed up…and dropped Donna. Thankfully, Super Arrow was indeed fast and dove for Donna and managed to catch her by the arm…but he too fell over the ledge.
"DAMN!" I yelled and dove for the pair of them myself. I managed to grab Super Arrow's outstretched hand and nearly felt my shoulder get dislocated. What was worse was that Zoda had recovered from the stun bolt because of his large frame. He got to his feet and walked over to me struggling to hold onto Super Arrow and Donna. He smiled and clapped me on the back which almost made me lose my grip.
"Well, I'd hate to hang around much longer! Toodles!" Zoda said, hopped into his missile machine thing and sped off while laughing maniacally. My grip was also failing. This was not good. Super Arrow was saying something to Donna because I saw his mouth moving but I couldn't hear what he was saying over my own grunting. Suddenly, he began lifting Donna to the edge of the road with his other hand almost effortlessly. As soon as he got close, he literally threw her with one hand to safety and reached out his now free hand which I grabbed with my other hand. With less weight on my arm, I was able to pull Super Arrow to safety. He immediately ran over to Donna with Aris on his shoulder. Aris held out his talon and Super Arrow used it to free Donna. Donna immediately threw herself against him and started bawling. I meanwhile was gingerly testing the use of my shoulder. Hey! You try holding up 2 full grown adults with one arm!
"It's alright honey. I've got you," Super Arrow said gently. Donna suddenly started slapping him against the chest repeatedly.
"WHAT THE HELL IS THIS NONSENSE DAVID?!" Donna shouted. "YOU THINK YOU'RE SOME COMIC BOOK HERO OR SOMETHING?! YOU COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED!"
"Quite the odd choice of words to say Miss Berk. He went for you over Zoda," I said, managing to fold my arms again like my dad. Fal had pulled up an old photo of my dad pulling the same move before what looked like an F-Zero race. I smiled under my holographic mouth.
"Why is that Super Arrow?" I asked.
"Because…you inspired me to become like you…to save innocent people like this…" he answered. I saw Donna squeeze his hand.
"I know it was stupid…but I couldn't let you die Donna not before…I asked you this…" Super Arrow said before he reached into a belt pocket and took out a ring.
"Will…you marry me Donna Berk? Will you be Mrs. Wells?" Super Arrow asked. I smirked. My man! What a freaking CHAD! (Did I use that 21st century slang right?) Donna looked from the ring to Super Arrow and back before she scoffed.
"No…I will not be Mrs. Wells," she answered. Well damn. That was not the answer I expected. I saw Super Arrow's face fall before it was grabbed by Donna and kissed vigorously.
"I will be Mrs. Arrow. And you and I will have some training to do if we are to take down Zoda before Captain Falcon over there. I hear he's actually entering the next F-Zero Race in a few weeks. I'll see if daddy can get us matching machines! He's always liked you David," Donna answered before she put the ring on her finger. Aris fluttered over to her shoulder and hooted happily. I walked over to the pair of them with my hand outstretched.
"I'm already entered in that race. I'll be happy to see what you've learned in a few weeks. Doubt you'll be able to beat me and my strong piloting skills," I said and shook Super Arrow's hand. Super Arrow smiled at me and said "The stronger my rivals are, the better I fight! I accept your challenge Captain Falcon!"
