Lap 8
As they stepped into the bar, the smell of roasted coffee and old engine oil filled the air. It was exactly like the anime warm lighting, wooden textures, and a sense of history.
Kuma walked toward the counter, his eyes scanning the shelves.
Kuma: "This place... it's like a piece of the past in the middle of a neon jungle. Truly nostalgic."
Ryu, who was standing by the jukebox, didn't take his eyes off them. He gave Jack a subtle nod. Jack, usually the loud one, remained unusually quiet, watching the couple's every move.
Haruka Misaki smiled at Kamui, though there was a flicker of surprise in her eyes.
Haruka: "Thank you! But... how did you know my name? Most people just call me the waitress here."
Kamui froze for a split second. She realized her mistake. In the current timeline, Haruka was supposed to be "just" a waitress to the public, her past as a racer or her connection to the Task Force was not common knowledge.
Kuma quickly stepped in, leaning on the bar counter with a charming grin.
Kuma: "Oh, don't be so modest! We've heard stories about the legendary Misaki family. In our... uh... 'hometown', your reputation for being the most elegant person in Mute City precedes you."
Ryu stepped forward, his boots clicking on the wooden floor.
Ryu: "Is that so? You know her name, you know about the race at the cliffs, and you even know about Andy Summers."
He stopped right in front of Kuma, his arms crossed.
Ryu: "There are only three types of people who know these things. Friends, enemies... or ghosts. Which one are you, Kuma?"
The air in the bar grew heavy. Even Jack looked serious now.
Kamui looked at Kuma, her heart racing. They were at a crossroads. They could keep lying, or they could use their "Future" story to gain Ryu's trust.
Kuma sighed, his gaze dropping to the countertop before he looked back up at Ryu with an expression they hadn't seen before serious, almost mourning.
Kuma: "We aren't ghosts, Ryu. But where we come from... you are. In the history we know, most of you didn't survive the final war. We came here because we wanted to see the legends while they were still breathing."
Jody, who had been standing near the entrance, felt a chill run down her spine.
Jody: "What do you mean... we didn't survive?"
Kuma sat donw and started explaining.
Kuma: "to say it very simple, you all died.
The world as you know it is no more." After a while EAD and Dr. Clash arrived too, they sat down as well, interested in the story now they all listen intensivly.
Kuma took a deep breath, his eyes fixed on the condensation on his glass. The playful "Gaming Master" persona was gone, replaced by a weight that made everyone in the bar lean in.
Kuma: "To put it bluntly, you all became myths because there was no one left to tell the truth. In the history we know, the war with Dark Million didn't just end, it consumed everything. The Reactor Accident wasn't a one-time tragedy; it was the beginning of a chain reaction."
He looked at Jody, whose face was pale.
Kuma: "Jody, you led the final assault on Black Shadow's stronghold. But it was a trap as the others tried to help you it was to late the cave which you were in exploded. Left you burried underneath it. Mute City formed into a graveyard of fire. And Ryu..."
Kuma turned his gaze to Ryu, his voice dropping to a whisper.
Kuma: "You took up the mantle. You became the next Captain Falcon. You ignited the blue flame of the Galaxy Runner. But even that power wasn't enough to save the world from the fallout. In our time, F-Zero isn't a sport anymore. It's a legend about heroes who fought a battle they couldn't win. The machines you're so proud of? They became no more.
Kamui reached out and squeezed Kuma's hand, her eyes shimmering with feigned (but very convincing) sorrow.
Kamui: "That's why love to see you in person. To us, you're like gods from an ancient book. We grew up hearing stories about the 'Great Task Force.' Coming here... seeing you alive and breathing... it's like a miracle we never expected."
A heavy, suffocating silence filled the F-Zero bar. Even Jack Levin stopped spinning his car keys. Dr. Clash adjusted his glasses, but his mechanical arms were unusually still.
Ryu narrowed his eyes, searching for any flicker of a lie. But Kuma's "mourning" looked so genuine it made Ryu's chest tighten.
Ryu: "And why now? If the end is already written, why did you show up in our time?"
Kuma looked up, a spark of determination returning to his eyes.
Kuma: "Because we hope we can change the outcome of this timeline. We know the secrets, we know the betrayals yet to come, and we know exactly how the minor criminals plays there cards. We didn't come here just to watch. We want to make sure 'King Falcon' and 'Queen Falcon' are there to change the ending."
They all took a deep breath after that quitness spreads so uneasy only the sound of the tv played. Kuma showed into the round all were devastate. He clapped his hand everyone then looked up.
"Thats it dont fall into sorrow now that shogun frogun and i moista fista are here to prevent everything!"
Tanaka rubbed his temples, a mixture of exhaustion and a tiny spark of hope on his face.
"Oh my... oh my... If what you say is true, then your ridiculous names might be the least of my worries."
Kuma eyes widens at his dismissal of their names.
,,Hey, they are not that bad!"
Ryu looked at the two of them, his gaze finally softening. He didn't know if he could trust their story entirely, but he knew one thing: he couldn't ignore them.
"Alright," Ryu said, a small smirk playing on his lips. "If the world is going to end, I guess we could use a couple of 'Kings' and 'Queens' to help us stop it. Welcome to the team, officially."
Haruka smiled and set two more drinks on the counter. "On the house. For the future."
Kuma and Kamui shared a look. They had done it. They were in.