Scenario:Meteon - Actions Say It All

Actions Say It All

Meteon and the crew arrive at a skyracing track to participate in the first qualifier of a tournament. After a brief reunion with Fangio, the two go take a look at the Blue Orbit where the old mechanic mysteriously kneels over in pain. Meanwhile, Eustace makes a sudden appearance at the race to look into a certain matter.

---

Vyrn: Wow, it's totally packed out here today!

The crew has arrived at a skyracing track with Meteon to participate in the first qualifier of the year.

Meteon: Yeah. It's supposed to be a minor race, but I guess the first race of the year is a pretty big deal for the fans.

Lyria: It isn't as crowded as the Platinum Sky Cup was, but there are still so many people!

Meteon: Well... To be fair, there isn't a race in the sky that can hold a candle to the PSC.

Meteon: Ahem. Anyways...

Meteon: It looks like we've got some time until the qualifier starts. What do you guys say we do some last minute tune-ups on our speedships?

Lyria: Okay!

Vyrn: Whoa, hold up a sec! Over there, isn't that...

Vyrn: It is! Hey there, gramps!

Meteon: Fange?

Lyria: Oh, it's Fangio!

(Captain) and company rush over to greet the old speedship mechanic.

Fangio: You lot!

Meteon: Yo, Fange! Didn't think I'd see you here today.

Meteon: Here to do some mechanic work for someone?

Fangio: Yeah, well... something like that.

Fangio: More importantly, kiddo... To be honest, I wasn't expectin' to see yer face here today after skipping out on me and all, but...

Fangio: You really planning on racing today?

Meteon: Well, yeah. I mean, why else would a skyracer be here?

Lyria: Hee hee... (Captain) is racing today too!

Fangio: ...

Meteon: Anyway, once you're done taking care of business, you mind giving the Blue Orbit a look?

Fangio: Hmm, why not... I suppose I could go take a look at 'er right now, actually.

Meteon: Right now? Great, thanks!

Lyria: In that case, we'll give you two some room and head back outside.

Vyrn: Sounds like a plan. We've gotta get in the zone too!

Meteon: Oh? All right, I'll see you guys later then.

Fangio: Come on, kiddo. Let's get to work.

Meteon: H-hey, wait up!

Fangio and Meteon make their way to the Blue Orbit to begin their inspection.

Fangio: ...

Meteon: How's it look? I think it's in pretty good shape myself, but...

Fangio: Heh. I see that the only thing on your mind is making this thing go fast, as usual.

Meteon: Shut it.

Fangio: But it doesn't look like you've been slacking with the maintenance at least.

Meteon: Geez, if you're gonna praise me, you could lose the attitude.

Fangio: Ain't nobody praisin' you, kiddo.

Fangio: ...!

Meteon: Hm?

Fangio: Urgh...

While inspecting the undercarriage, Fangio suddenly kneels over, groaning in pain.

Meteon: H-hey! You all right there, Fange?

Fangio: It's nothing. Don't worry about it.

Meteon: Nothing? Come on, let me see.

Fangio: I said it's nothing! Cut me some slack, kiddo. I'm not about to bite the dust just yet!

Meteon: What's your problem? I just wanted to help!

Meteon: I swear... You haven't changed a bit, old man.

Meanwhile, (Captain) and the others make their way back to the skyracing track.

Lyria: Wow, it looks like even more people showed up!

Vyrn: It just goes to show that people love a good skyrace!

???: Hey.

Lyria: Huh?

(Captain) turns around to see a tall figure standing over the crew.

Eustace: (Captain)...

Lyria: Oh, Eustace!

Vyrn: What's up, Sourpuss? Did ya come to watch the race too?

Eustace: No. There's just... something worth looking into.

Vyrn: Worth looking into?

(Captain) and the others look at each other, puzzled at Eustace's sudden appearance.

Actions Say It All: Scene 2

Despite having a late start, (Captain) quickly forfeits the race to assist another racer whose speedship has crashed. Meanwhile, Meteon struggles to keep up with Fangio, who has unexpectedly entered the race. However, with a broken nitro boost system the young racer doesn't stand a chance, taking second place. Before Meteon can interrogate him, Fangio collapses.

---

(Captain) and the crew ask Eustace about what exactly he is looking into.

Lyria: Um... Eustace, can you tell us what's going on?

Vyrn: Now that I think about it, you showed up at the PSC last year too, warning us about that half-man, half-machine freak.

Vyrn: Wait... Don't tell me something like that is gonna happen again!

Eustace: Relax. It's nothing like that.

Lyria: That's a relief. What's the matter then?

Eustace: (Captain), are you racing today?

Vyrn: Yeah, that's right!

Eustace: Meteon as well, I assume?

Lyria: Yes! He's actually making last-minute adjustments to his ship right now with Fangio.

Eustace: Will he be using the Blue Orbit?

Vyrn: Well, of course he is... What's the big deal though? Spit it out already.

Eustace: ...

Before Eustace is able to explain any further, their conversation is abruptly interrupted by a blaring voice.

Commentator: Ladies and gentlemen, the race will be starting soon. All registered racers—please move to your assigned starting position!

Vyrn: Yikes, it's already time!

Lyria: Oh! Sorry, Eustace! We have to go right now!

Vyrn: Yeah, you're gonna have to tell us later!

The skyracers have made their way to their starting positions on the track. Among them, a new challenger appears.

Meteon: What the... Is that old man seriously racing?

Fangio: ...

Meteon is shocked to see Fangio on the racetrack, in a speedship of his own.

Meteon: Fange... He didn't say a word about racing today.

Meteon: Geez, I can't believe that guy.

Meteon: But hold on, this could be my chance.

Meteon grips the speedship controls in his hands.

Meteon: Fange was a legendary racer in his heyday, once renowned throughout the skies.

Meteon: He's long since retired though... I never thought the day would come where I could actually compete against him.

Meteon: Heh.

Meteon: The chance to race a living legend doesn't come every day—this race just got interesting!

Relishing the idea of racing against Fangio himself, a smirk spreads across Meteon's face.

The race has begun, yet one speedship remains at the starting line.

Vyrn: Aw, man! We didn't make it in time for the start!

Lyria: Well... It is our first race in quite some time. I don't even see Meteon anymore.

Vyrn: Humph! It's too early for us to give up here. We can still catch up to 'em!

(Captain) nods in agreement, increasing the speed of the Nightcypher.

Before they're able to get too far, however, something else catches their attention.

Vyrn: Whoa, what's that?

Lyria: Look over there—the speedship in front of us!

Another speedship seems to have lost control and crashed off course.

Skyracer: U-ugh...

Lyria: Oh no! The racer was thrown out of the speedship!

Vyrn: Holy smokes! We've gotta do something!

(Captain): ...

(Captain) brings the Nightcypher to a halt on the outskirts of the racetrack.

Lyria: Let's go! We have to hurry!

Vyrn: Yeah, forget the race for now—we gotta save them!

Meanwhile at the front of the race, one speedship in particular can't seem to be stopped.

Meteon: He's too fast!

Fangio's speedship leads the race with an overwhelming lead.

Meteon: What incredible speed... That old man's still got it!

Meteon: I can't take my focus off him for even a second!

Meteon: At this rate, I won't have a chance of catching up...

Meteon rests his hand on the nitro boost, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

Meteon: Just you wait, old man... I'll catch up to you before you know it!

Meteon: Huh?

For some reason, the nitro boost system doesn't activate as usual.

Meteon: What's going on?

Meteon: Come on! Nitro boost!

Meteon: Damn thing's busted. Why now, of all times?

Meteon: Wait... Fange! That old man, did he...

Meteon: No, get it together... This isn't the time to be making excuses.

Meteon grips the controls once again, recomposing himself.

Fangio ends up taking first place in the qualifier.

Meteon: Blast! I couldn't catch up...

Meteon was able to close the distance somewhat, but without a nitro boost he ended up in second, unable to pass Fangio.

Meteon: That's right... Fange!

Meteon hastily dismounts from the Blue Orbit.

Meteon: Fange!

Flustered and agitated, he quickly approaches Fangio, who has just dismounted off his own speedship.

Fangio: Hey, kiddo...

Meteon: You! What did you do to the Blue Orbit—

Fangio: Urk...

Meteon: H-hey! Fange!

Having reached his absolute limit, Fangio suddenly collapses into Meteon's arms.

Actions Say It All: Scene 3

Eustace reveals that Fangio may have been involved with the same underground lab behind the events of the Platinum Sky Cup in an attempt to protect Meteon. After storming out of the room, Meteon reflects on (Captain)'s and Fangio's selfless actions, and his own disposition.

---

(Captain) and the crew help Meteon carry Fangio to a resting area.

Meteon: What the hell were you thinking, old man...

Lyria: Do you think Fangio forced himself to race, knowing this would happen?

Vyrn: Yeah, but why the heck would anyone do somethin' like that?

Meteon: I haven't the slightest...

Meteon: Now that I think about it, he did seem to be in some sort of pain before the race started.

Eustace: It must have been his speedship...

Meteon: The one he was riding? It's certainly a new model... One that I've never seen, at least.

Eustace: Correct. It is a new model—a speedship that likely places considerable strain on the pilot.

Meteon: Why would he race with a speedship like that?

Eustace: Behind the scenes of the PSC last year was an organization doing research on illegal flight technology.

Eustace: This is clearly the work of that underground lab.

There was more happening behind the scenes of the PSC than (Captain) and company were aware of.

Eustace: I believe the laboratory's original intent must have been to target Meteon.

Meteon: Me?

Vyrn: Yeah, it makes sense that they'd want to test their latest tech with a PSC champion!

Lyria: That means, in Meteon's place, Fangio must have volunteered himself...

Eustace: In order to protect Meteon.

Meteon: No way...

Meteon: Damn it!

Lyria: Wait! Meteon!

(Captain) and company chase after Meteon as he runs out of the room.

Meteon: ...

Vyrn: H-hey there, buddy... How's it hangin'?

Meteon: (Captain)... I have a favor to ask of you.

Meteon: Race me. Race me right now.

Lyria: What? Right now?

Meteon: Yeah, even if just for a little—I need to get this out of my system.

Vyrn: Whew... He's just way too fast!

Lyria: Even without his nitro boosts, we could barely keep up.

Vyrn: That's a champion skyracer for ya!

Meteon: That old man, I just can't believe he didn't tell me anything...

Meteon: Who does he think I am?

Vyrn: Yeah, but gramps was probably just trying to protect you though, right?

Lyria: He must really care for you, Meteon.

Meteon: Yeah, I know that.

Meteon: I know that, but... I'm still furious he never told me anything.

Lyria: Meteon...

Meteon: Sorry. I didn't mean to vent.

Meteon: During the qualifier today, you guys forfeited the race to go help a complete stranger.

Meteon: Fange, that old codger... He raced using a dangerous and experimental speedship just to protect me.

As if talking to himself, Meteon's words are barely audible.

Meteon: Meanwhile, I've only ever done things for myself.

Meteon: Well, that stops today.

Meteon pauses for a moment, looking to the azure horizon with a sense of newfound purpose in his eyes.