The Bostonian Comes Home

After more than 150 years, Rick finally decides to return to his roots at the heart of New England, Boston, Massachusetts. Tinsel decides to tag along, and what they'd find will shock them, especially the homeboy when they reach Stark Farm.

One day, Rick decided to visit his 150-year-old homestead in Boston. He said to Tinsel, aside from Burt knowing it, that he was the youngest and only child in his family, as well as raising a Golden Labrador named Axel. He and his dad were the most responsible looking after the farm and his mom, who became sick after his birth. He soon grew up and then decided to relocate to New York City and become a racer/officer there, the former inspired by his dad. Since Dark Million's no more, he wanted to go, and Tinsel offered to tag along!

In the wee hours in the morning, Rick woke a very groggy Tinsel, and he means to beat the traffic while driving there in his Dragon Bird. He helped her get dressed, stopped by for a bite, and headed toward his homestead. By the time it was light out, he decided to go off road heading thru the thick brush to Bussey Brook! He woke up Tinsel and they were both astonished on the beautiful, sparkling sight! He said he used to stop by there a lot, though he couldn't take Axel on account on getting fleas/ticks. They actually made a picnic and swam in the water for a few hours. Then, they decided to relax on the warm fresh grass, so much so that they unknowingly took a nap together.

Tinsel came to first, as did Rick moments later after he was involved in a dream. They soon arrived at a wide barren landscape, and Rick was incredibly flabbergasted that his homeland was destroyed! The trees and soil were dead, and the earth smelt horrible. He remotely summoned the Falcon Flyer and collected the sample as it soared to Mute City. Rick was angered on who'd do such a devastating thing!

Night fell, then Rick and Tinsel were stargazing; wondering if they'd be able to visit all across the universe. Then, they heard some deep rumbles. As they moved some dead foliage, they witnessed a ceremony full of teepees, exotic drums like those from Planet Giant, and shades playing them/dancing around. The tension...made them feel awkward yet pleasant, just like their first night during Rick's 51st bounty-hunting mission. They began to lose themselves to the drums, then they woke up. They wondered if whether or not what they'd done was a dream...

Rick and Tinsel continued their tour of Boston for a few more days, even revisiting Aeropolis and the Mother-Q. As they returned to Mute City, Jody and Stewart informed the soil was decimated by lethal chemicals, disallowing any life to grow. The Mother-Q alerted agriculturists to bring it back to life...or so they did.

Trivia[]

This was Ikran's other attempt on branching from GP Legend to Maximum Velocity as she puts together the origin of one of her least-favorite venues, Stark Farm.
Instead of being a whole world, it was instead reduced to a small landscape. And in the end of one episode in the anime, Burt said that Rick was born in Boston, had a dog named Axel, and his mom became ill after his birth as he and his dad took care of her and the homestead. Plus, his racing career was inspired by him.
Actually, Ikran has been to Boston personally once. Her step cousin at the time enrolled in Harvard as a microbiologist, and during one Easter, she remembered the journey being long (several hours) and tedious.
She didn't encounter the Bussey Brook, though. The location was mostly made up.
There was also a brief Big-Lipped Alligator moment as both Rick and Tinsel experienced a tribal ceremony involving shades; this was close to the time of her second annual ceremony as she created art for it including the said couple with other members.
It was fitting for Stark Farm to be labeled as a farm and use the Boston homestead as such.