Author's Note: God am I tired, I've been working on this chapter for 3 days which is pretty good for me. It feels like I've been workin on this forever. Anyway here's the long awaited 38th chapter of X High School. Hope everyone likes this. This chapter is dedicated to my good friend Comixfan1224. She's awesome and I know that she'll enjoy this.
Chapter 38
The Chicago Skycross
The next morning Richard had awoken in his hotel room after getting dressed he made his way downstairs to breakfast. Not long after that he left for the stadium. Stepping onto the track for the first time, Richard surveyed the arena. Other riders were out praticing, he watched as one jumped over the hill in front him. The racer soared past in the air and landed smoothly.
"Not bad." Rich said.
"I see that you finally made it." came an all too familar voice.
He turned around and saw Roy coming towards him.
"Its been a long time." he said.
"Not too long." Rich said.
"Relax, I'm on your side now. The only rivarly we have now is on the field." Roy said.
Rich stood there unconvinced.
"I didnt think you'd make it." Roy said.
"Yeah well, you can say I got tied up in something." Rich said.
"Whatever." Roy said.
"So who's the new guy?" Rich asked turning his attention to the other rider.
"I dont know, I havent had the chance to meet him yet." said Roy.
The two men walked over to where the blue clad racer was sitting on his bike. The rider removed his helmet as they approached. The boy had dark hair and blue eyes.
"That was a pretty badass run out there." Rich said.
"Thanks." said the rider.
"I'm Rich Grayson and this is Roy Harper."
"Conner Kent, I'm from Metropolis." he said.
"We're from San Antholas, California." Roy said.
"Cool. So you guys been out here long?" Conner asked.
"I just got in last night." Rich said.
"I've been here since Sunday." Roy answered.
"So where are you crashing at?" Rich asked.
"I'm staying at a hotel not too far from here." Conner told them.
"That's cool." Roy said.
"There you are." came a female voice.
The guys look up and see a couple of girls headed towards them. A dark haired girl and a blonde both of them dressed in red shirts and jeans.
"Hey." Conner said as the blonde haired girl came up to him and put her arms around him.
"Guys this is my girlfriend Cassie." Conner said.
"Hey!" Cassie smiled.
"Hey." said Roy.
"How's it going?" said Rich.
"Conner's been on the racing circut for a while. This is my cousin Donna." Cassie introduced.
"Hey Donna."
"Rich!" Donna said putting her arms around him.
"I havent seen you in a long time. How are you?" she asked.
"Haha. I'm doing good Donna and you?" Rich said.
"Doing great. I came up here to watch my brother race and I ran into Cassie and Conner." she said.
"That's cool." he said.
"How have you been since the crash?" she asked.
"Aw dont worry about that, that was a long time ago. I've been racing for a while now." he said.
"Well I'm glad your doing better." she said hugging him.
"Who's your friend?" she asked.
"This is Roy Harper." Rich said.
When he looked back he noticed that Roy was being unusually quiet.
"Dude?" Rich said.
He patted Roy's chest with the back of his hand. He just stood there transfixed looking at Donna.
"Dude." Rich hit him again. Roy snapped out of it and shook his head.
"Uh, what?" Roy said, he stood there and chuckled rubbed the back of his neck. Donna just smiled back at him.
The flame haired teen cleared his throat.
"Yeah, well uh, ahem. Uh, it was real nice meeting you." Roy said.
"Yeah, you too." said Donna.
"Uh, I got a...few things to take care of. I'll see you later." he said quickly excusing himself.
He could feel his face turning red as he walked off.
"He's a wierd one." said Cassie.
"Oh lay off, I think he's cute." Donna said.
Rich just shook his head. He had to admit it was kind of fun to see someone as confident as Roy faulter. The guys heard an engine roar over thier shoulder and saw another race soar over the hill behind them. The rider traveled for a considerable distance before touching down on the next hill, kicking up dirt as he made his way off the track.
"Whoa, who's that?" Rich asked.
"That's Owen Mercer, he's one of the up and coming racers. Dude's from Australia, they call him The Captain." explained Conner.
Owen rode up to them wearing a light blue uniform with navy accents. He removed his helmet. Owen had spiked brown hair and and bluish-gray eyes.
"How's it going?" he said.
"Great. You totally nailed that jump." Rich told him.
"Yeah, but I could have done better. I'm Owen Mercer." he introduced.
"We were just talking about you." said Conner.
"Your the new kid, Conner Kent. The kid from Metropolis." Owen said.
"Yeah, how did you know?" Conner asked.
"I've read about your in sports magazines, your pretty good kid." Owen commented.
"Uh, thanks." said Conner.
"No problem. And your Rich Grayson right?" Owen asked.
"Yeah I am. Its nice to meet you." Rich said shaking hands.
"Likewise. I've heard that your good, real good." Owen said.
"So what brings you up here?" Rich asked.
"I transfered over here from the Austrailain League to race up here in the AMA. I was hoping to put my skills to the test up here and see if I was any good compared to you guys. Hope you guys dont mind a lil competition." he joked.
Rich smiled. "I think we can take you."
"I look foward to it, good luck mates." Owen said.
"You too." Rich nodded.
"See ya dude." Conner waved.
With that Owen rode back to his trailer.
"Owen Mercer? That guy's one of the best in the league!" Rich told them.
"I know, should be fun bringing him down!" Conner grinned.
"Yeah." Rich laughed high fiving.
"Hey man I gotta jet I'll see ya later." said Rich.
"All right later man." Conner said reving his bike.
He takes off on a wheelie as he heads back to his trailer, Cassie sighs and trails after him with Donna waving as she left. Rich smiled as he turned and left. As he was walking a guy driving a John Deere Gator rode up beside him.
"Hey you need a ride?" he asked.
"No thanks, I'm just going up here." Rich said.
"All right." the man said and drove off.
Rich made his way up to an orange trailer where an old friend of his was station. Walking up to the trailer he saw a guy in an orange jumpsuit working on a bike.
"How's it goin?" Rich said.
The boy looked up from his bike.
"Rich!" he said putting down his tools and gave his friend a pat on the back.
"How's it going dude?" Rich asked.
"Just fine and you?" said Grant.
Grant Emerson is one of Rich's friends on the racing circuit. They've known each other since they raced together in Houston. At their last meeting Grant gave him one of his uniforms to go with Rich's newly aquired KTM motorcycle with its signature orange paintjob.
"So what have you been up to?" Rich asked.
"Oh you know a race here and there same junk new day." Grant said.
"Yeah. Any of the guys here?" Rich asked.
"Their bound to be somewhere. I saw Garth on the way in here. He shouldn't be too hard to spot with that big blue trailer of his. I dont know where the others are though." Grant said wiping his hands on a rag.
"All right thanks man." Rich said patting his shoulder.
"Yeah. Catch ya later." Grant said.
"See ya." Rich said as he ran off.
During the afternoon Rich managed to catch up with all of his motocross buddies. Later that evening the riders had a party in one of the hotel rooms. And brought with them plenty of girls and booze. The guys were partying and moshing and the music was pumping over the stereos. Some guys were over on the couch drinking while others like Rich were dancing with girls.
Hey dont write yourself off yet
Its only in your head you feel left out
Or looked down on
Just try your best, try everything you can
And dont worry what they tell themselves
When your away
It just takes some time, little girl
Your in the middle of the ride
Everything (everything) will be just fine
Everything (everything) will be alright
(alright)
Rich danced with Donna while right next to them Conner danced with Cassie. Garth was dancing with another blonde haired girl while Grant danced with a burnette. Roy came across the room setting down his beer and walked over to Rich and Donna.
"You mind if I cut in?" he asked.
Rich looked at him for a second before deciding.
"Go ahead." Rich said backing off.
"Thanks." Roy told him.
"Hey remember me?" he said to Donna.
"Yeah your that guy from earlier." she said.
Rich left them to be alone, stepping out onto the balcony getting some fresh air. Breathing in the night air, he looked over the Chicago skyline.
"Pretty crazy in there isnt it?" said Conner.
He looked back and saw Conner and Cassie arm in arm.
"Yeah." Rich said.
"You mind if we come out here?" Conner asked.
"No go ahead." Rich told them.
"Thanks." Conner said as they rested on the balcony.
"No problem" Rich said.
"This your first time in Chicago?" Conner asked.
"Nah, I've been up here several times before." Rich told him.
"I've been up here once before." Conner said.
"This is my first time up here. That smoke in there was getting pretty heavy." Cassie told em.
"Yeah I know, some of them are doing drugs in there." Rich said.
"Yeah, just ignore them. Its the best thing to do." Conner replied.
"Its nothing new. Pretty stupid really." Cassie said.
"Yeah." agreed Rich and Conner.
"You think they'd know better on the night before the race." Rich said.
"Look who's talking?" Conner joked.
Rich chuckled, a half empty bottle sat next to him on the ledge.
"So what about you have you ever..."
"Hell no." said Conner.
"No way. If he did I'd have to kick his butt." Cassie told em.
"She'll do it too." he said. Rich laughed.
"What about you?" Conner asked.
"My dad would sooner shove my own head inside my ass." Rich said.
And just where is Bruce Wayne? He's uptown attending a Cubs game.
"I better get going, I'm gonna need all the sleep I can get." Rich said excusing himself.
"All right, see ya tomorrow." said Conner.
"You have a good night." Cassie said.
"You too." Rich said as he left.
Richard made his way past the crowd and manuvered his way to the door passing Donna on the way out.
"You leaving?" she yelled.
"Yeah I'm gonna get some sleep." he told her.
"OK, I'll you tomorrow." Donna said.
"Good night Donna."
"Night." she said as he left.
He left the hotel building and drove back across town to the one he was staying at. Seeing that Bruce wasnt in, he changed clothes and went to bed. Fortunately for everyone the race wasnt until tomorrow evening. Of which all the racers took full advantage especially Rich who slept in till 10:30.
The racers spent the rest of the day praticing leading up to the big event later that evening. The racers got thier gear ready for the race. Conner changed into a blue uniform with red sleeves and the Superman logo on his chest. The back of his uniform read "Kent 16". Putting on a pair of red shin guards and a red and yellow chest protector with the Fox Racing brand logo. Conner grabbed his red helmet and goggles with the blue strap and walked out of the trailer. Meanwhile Rich changed into a brand new black uniform with a blue bird symbol on his chest. And a blue stripe that went down each sleeve, with blue streaks on his pants. And the new uniform number "Grayson 34". Richard strapped on his blue shin guards and wrist and elbow pads and grabbed his black motorcycle helmet and blue strapped goggles. On the other side Grant Emerson got into his orange uniform with blue streaks on the sleeves and pants with a red radioactive symbol on his chest. And the name Damage Inc. The back of his uniform read Emerson 45. He put on his blue chest protector, shin, elbow & wrist guards. And grabbed his blue helmet & gray goggles on the way out. Roy changed into his red and gold uniform with "Harper 47" on the back of his uniform, putting on his yellow protective gear and grabbing his red helmet on the way out. Another racer Cody Driscoll changed into his touquoise uniform with navy highlights and grabbed his gear. Garth Riptide put on his blue uniform and grabbed his gear. As racers jumped on thier bikes and rode to the starting gate, some of them carrying their protective gear with them. Rich was already at the starting gate in the center putting on his gloves and making final adjustments as the other riders pulled up beside him. Roy and Garth were on both sides of him as Grant, Cody, Conner & Owen took thier places. Owen wore a light blue jumpsuit with black highlights on the shoulders and legs. The number on the front of his vest was 188. The stadium lights swept across the arena as the riders got ready.
"Good evening race fans and welcome Soldier Field in downtown Chicago. As we get ready for the Alltell Chicago Skycross 500. Let's meet tonight's competition." the announcer said.
Across the stadium, the racing event logo appeared on the mega screen introducing the racers. Conner's image and stats appeared on screen.
"I'm Conner Kent #16, Invincible Racing. Metropolis, Illinois." he said.
The next racer appeared on screen.
"I'm Richard Grayson, #34. Wayne Factory Racing. San Antholas, California."
"Roy Harper #47. Harper-Queen Racing, San Antholas, Ca."
"Grant Emerson #45 Damage Inc. Atlanta, Georgia."
"Garth Riptide #12, Riptide Racing. Atlantic City, NJ."
"Cody 'Risky' Driscoll #38 Risk Racing. Denver, Co."
"'Captain' Owen Mercer #188, Storm Guard Racing. Melbourne, Austraila."
"Rex Nordeman #100, Black Flag Racing. Gary, Indiana. Defending Supercross champion."
As the rest of the racers introduced themselves, Rich looked across the way to where Rex was sitting in his red and black uniform. Nordeman saw him from the corner of his eye and looked back at him.
"Your going down Grayson." he said.
"We'll see about that." Rich said.
"Not if I take him out first." said Roy.
"In your dreams Harper." Rich told him.
"Racers start your engines!" the announcer said.
The riders kick started thier engines and revved them up as the boardman help up the 30 second sign. The roar of the engines filled the air, as the audience started to cheer in anticipation. Back home in San Antholas, the gang huddled around the TV as the race was about to start. A moment later the boardman came back onto the field holding up the 15 second sign, the racers reared up on thier bikes as they stood ready. The boardman ran off the track as the last remaining second dwindled down. Everyone was on edge, the entire arena fell silent. All that could have been heard was the heavy breathing and thunderous heartbeat. Rich prepped himself as best he could as a bead of sweat trickled down his face. The light went green the gate dropped, wheels spin in the dirt and thier off. Richard and Conner are the first ones out of the gate, the other racers soon followed. Numbers 16 & 34 race down the track building up speed as they make it over the first jump. Owen Mercer wasnt far behind them and closed the gap as he made it over the jump followed by the rest of the pack. Roy and Rex battled as they made thier way into the first turn elbowing each other trying to knock each other off. Cody Driscoll and others made it through the first turn and across the track. Conner and Richard are neck and neck as they battle for first place. The two jump over the next hill and touch down on the hill after it. Thier off to a fantastic start as the rest of the pack tried to catch up. Roy punched Rex and did a wheeling pulling away from the defending world champion. Roy jumped past the pack as made his way up to second on the outside of the pack. Passing Cody Driscoll and the other racers with ease. Richard managed to gain a very slight lead over Conner coming around the next turn on the inside. But then Roy suprised them making it over the next jump and landing right next to them.
"What the hell?" said Rich.
"Where did he come from?" said Conner.
Roy poured it on and leaves the two of them in the dust.
"Your not getting away that easily." Richard said as he hit the throttle and chased after him.
The other racers started to catch up to Conner and were beginning to pass him.
"I dont think so." said Conner as he laid the throttle down and chased after Roy and Richard.
He jumped over the next hill and soared in the air. He tilted the bike in the air before touching down in the dirt and attempted to close the gap between him and 2nd place.
"He aint getting off that easy." said Cody as he too hit the throttle and sailed over the hill clearing the next one and caught up to Conner. The other racers follow suit.
A flurry of multicolored racers flew over the hill as the race became more competitive. Racers started to overtake each other, one racer went off course and crashed into the wall head first. Another racer was launched off his bike going over a hill and tumbled across the ground. His bike cartwheeled slamming into the ground end over end before coming to a rest on its back. The downed racer slid across the ground on his back. A white racer nosedived as he crashed on top of it hill and tumbled over with the bike landing on top of him. Another one a blue and yellow racer smashed into the downed bike and sent both rider and bike spiraling through the air crashing hard at the foot of the hill. Others divert around it and avoid the destroyed bike by inches. As the pack thinned out rescue crews came onto the scene to help out the downed riders. It was turning into a bloodbath. Rex smiled taking a look back at his handywork. He revved his engine and jumped over the next hill to take over forth place. But he soon found that forth place will be a battle field when tangleing with the likes of Grant Emerson. The two riders trade punches. Meanwhile up front Conner and Richard continued to battle for second place. But they had other problems. Other racers had started to break away from the pack and caught up to Conner and Richard. Isaiah Crocker and Cody Driscoll were on either side of the blue and black riders. They headed up the next hill. The four jumped in the air but Cody and Isaiah took the lead over Conner and Richard placing them down in third place. Isaiah went to the outside and gained a little ground over Cody. Crocker revs it as he raced over the next hill breaking the tie and putting him in second place.
Roy Harper was in first place, followed by Isaiah in second, Cody close in third with Conner and Richard tied in forth, not far behind them was Grant Emerson & Rex Nordeman tied in fifth. Everyone's going all out. Rex jabbed Grant in the side as the orange rider swung his arm at Rex. The defending champion kicked at Grant's bike. The orange machine staggered back and forth fortunately Grant held his balance and continued to fight off Rex. The two of them traded rib punches as they raced down the straightaway. They came up to the next hill, as they raced up the hill Rex jumped off his bike and kicked Grant as hard as he could and sent the teen crashing nose first. He tumbled from his bike and hit the ground, his motorcycle ruined. He punched the ground feriously.
"Damn him!" he yelled.
Rex smiled as he touched down and continued the race. Owen Mercer the kid from Austrailia came up behind him having seen the whole thing.
"Not cool dude!" he said.
The rider came up from behind and elbowed Rex in the stomach as hard as he could.
"Why you!" Rex shouted.
"Why dont you pick on someone your own caliber!" Owen said.
Mercer popped a wheelie and sped off down the track. He blazed past Rich and the other racers catching up to Roy with relative ease. Rex growled and accepted the Aussie's challenge, he pushed his way through the pack to catch up with Mercer but not before taking a shot at Rich Grayson by ramming his bike into him.
"Get off me!" Rich yelled.
He rammed Rich again, the front wheel jerked and nearly upsetted Grayson's bike. He pushed Nordeman off but it was no use.
"I got him!" Conner yelled.
Coming hit the brakes slowing him down enough to get behind Rich and pulled up next to Rex and gave him a sharp punch in the ribs. Rex winced and swung his arm at Conner. Conner pulled away to avoid him and rode up on the inside edge of the track. Rich them rammed his bike into Rex having been distracted by Conner. The Metropolis Kid then came in and rammed him on the other side.
"Grrr, I'm really getting sick and tired of you two!" Rex said.
Back home the gang continued watching the race.
"Come on Rich, dont be stupid." said Vic.
"Focus on the race!" said Slade.
Rich looked up and saw 3 racers go past him. He cursed inwardly and hit the throttle and continued the race. At the same time Rex and Conner did the same. Richard twisted the throttle building up speed as he leaped over a hill and landed on the next chaseing after the other racers, he had fallen behind fighting Rex. None of that mattered anymore all that mattered now was winning that trophy, he hit the throttle again as he flew over the next hill landing at the base of the one after it and rocketed down the straightaway weaving in and out passing other racers. They came up to a large hill with Rex and Conner not far behind him. The racers climbed the biggest hill, Rich hit the nitro he popped a wheelie as he flew up the hill and went airborne. People were on their feet as the black and blue KTM soared several hundred feet. This was it, this was the moment. All eyes on him Rich did a handstand one hand on the handlebar the other on his seat as he flew through the air. The crowd cheered as he came back down on his bike and landed nailing the jump.
"Show off." Rex scoffed as he came up to the hill.
"When in Rome..." he said as he raced up the hill.
Soaring up into the air Rex put his legs over the handlebars and stretched his body all the way back, with his hands on the handlebars. Executing a perfect Coffin manuver, the audience cheered as he returned to his seated postion on the bike before landing.
Richard raced up the track passing Cody Driscoll taking third place. There was just a few laps to go. Richard had to act fast if he had any hopes of catching up to Owen and Roy who were in first and second place respectively. Rex was hot of Richard's heels popped a wheelie letting off a nitro boost as he chased after Richard up the track. Roy and Owen were still well ahead of them. The two jumped over the hill. There's the white flag, one lap to go! Richard floored it and flew over the hill as the flagman continued waving the white flag as the racers went past. He was soon followed by Rex. Conner had picked up some ground and was catching up to Rex as the rest of the pack flew over the hill. They went into the next turn, Owen still in first place with Roy in close second. Roy hit the throttle and attempted to pass Owen. He saw him coming and blocks him over they go over the next hill. The two land in sequence and race up the hill neck and neck. Rich was still too far back to catch up to them. Rex passed him laughing. Grayson poured on the juice as Conner came close to passing him. Maxxing out the engine he flew over the dirt course taking turn after turn, Rex was still a way's ahead of him. Rich sees his opportunity and hit the nitros once more and flew over his adversary's head on the next hill. Rex looked back and saw him fly past. He pounds his fist on the handlebar and poured it all on to chase after him. Rich's engine was starting to overheat from the excertion. He didnt care, he had to catch up to those two. Coming up the next hill, Owen and Roy were right in sight. Rex maxxed out his engine to catch up to them. Thier coming up to the second to last hill. The three jump Rich being the farthest back gets the most air. Which couldnt have happened at a worse time. Roy and Owen were just about to touch down then suddenly Richard landed inside of the two racers. It was down to the wire as they raced neck and neck to the finish line in a three way fight to the finish. All three of them hit the throttle, pouring the last bit of energy into their engines and went for one last jump. The three motorcycles flew through the air in slow motion with the checkered flag waving. Richard was the farthest ahead by just a few inches. Time sped up and the three touched down. Roy was the first one down followed by Rich and Owen they flew up the track and skidded to a hault as the rest of the pack flew over the hill finishing the race.
It was over. Rich removed his helmet and wiped the sweat from his face as the last remaining racers crossed the finish line. The judges weren't quite sure who won the race. And looked at the image from a 360 degree angle, even from the ground. They had trouble disciphering who had won the race. Zooming in on the image examining every last detail. From one angle it looked as though Richard had won but then from another it looked like Owen did. The judges studied the image for several minutes while Richard, Roy and Owen waited anxiously for the results. The judges came to a decision.
"After examining the video several times. The judges have made thier decision. Coming within 2 inches of each other. The winner of the Alltell Chicago Skycross 500 is..."
"...Rich Grayson!" the judge announced.
The stadium erupted Rich threw up his arms triumphantly.
"Yes!" He yelled.
Owen patted patted Rich on the shoulder.
"Congradulations dude."
"Thanks." Rich whispered.
Back in San Antholas, Kori screamed and hugged Vic. Everyone in the house cheered wildly, Raven threw her arms around Slade and kissed him and yelled in celebration. Gar and Tara hugged each other, she leaned into him sitting up on the couch kissing his cheek and burying her head in his chest. The rest of the racers applauded Rich as he did a doughnut in celebration saluting to the crowd before making his way up the ramp to claim his trophy. Owen clapped as he watched Rich take the trophy and the kiss on the cheek from the trophy girl.
"You did good mate." he said clapping.
Rich thrusted his trophy above his head with both hands. Roy stood in place with his arms crossed. He smiled and shook his head.
"He's good I'll give him that much." he said.
Rex threw his helmet on the ground and took off his gloves when somebody tapped his shoulder. He turned around and saw 5 guys standing before him.
"Remember us?" said Grant.
The world champion smiled weakly and let out a faint chuckle before Grant grabbed him and is pulled off screen to the sound of punches being landed and Rex screaming as the guys beat him up.
As Richard got down from the stage he was met by Conner.
"Hey congradulations man, you ruled tonight." he said.
"Thanks Con. So what are you going to do now that the race is over?" Rich asked as they walked and talked.
"Well, as for me I'm going to stay here and party another night. What about you? You staying?" Conner asked.
"I dont know if I can." Rich told him.
"Well if you change your mind. You know where to find us." Conner said shaking hands with Rich.
"Yeah thanks man." said Rich.
"Conner!" Cassie said as she ran up to him.
"Hey Cass." he said hugging her.
"I'm sorry you lost." she said.
"Ah, Dont worry about it. I'll get em next time." he said.
"Congradulations Rich." Cassie said.
"Thanks." he said.
"So are you heading out tonight?" she asked.
"More than likely." he said as they carried thier bikes back to thier trailers.
"What happened to that Rex guy?" Conner asked.
Walking past the trailers Rich saw something out of the corner of his eye and stopped.
"I think I know." he said.
The two teens looked back and saw what Rich was looking at. Rex Nordeman had been duct taped spread eagle to the side of his trailer. Cassie let out a snicker and they all busted out laughing. Grant and the other racers walked up to them.
"I see you noticed our handywork." Grant said tossing a roll of tape in the air and catching it.
"That's pretty good guys." Conner said.
The teens high five each other while Rex continued to hang there.
Author's Note: So what did you think of that? I've been beating my head against the wall trying to write this chapter. The first 8 pages was easy but, damn. I hope everyone liked this let me know what you think. Sorry this chapter is so long.
Please review.
Green Gallant.