Chapter 9: Making changes

I do not own any of the characters or locations of the SSX series. EA games BIG owns all characters and places mentioned in this story.

The misfits sat in the plane as it took them to the top of the mountain for the evening's race. Psymon looked up at Moby while he did chin ups on one of the grip bars that traveled through the cab of the plane. He looked over at Zoe who hung upside down on the other bar across from Moby's.
"Pre-race rituals?" Psymon asked with a hint of confusion, both nodded back to him. He looked down at the floor. "So, what did I used to do?" Zoe dropped down ad landed on her feet.
"Well, you used to just, sorta... sit there and cackle to yourself." Psymon laughed, somehow these things were no longer surprising him. Moby released his bar and sat down.
"Well don't forget the gondola incident last year." Moby said calmly. Psymon raised his eyebrows.
"Gondola incident?" Zoe chuckled to herself.
"Yeah, last year during one of the gondola rides up peak two, started climbing around the outside and roof of the gondola, you were like, three thousand feet up to. You got fined quite a hefty sum plus you were suspended for two months." Psymon laughed and shook his head.
"The outside and roof? How did I... ya know what, on second thought, don't tell me, I don't wanna know." They shared a laugh while the plane still rose, but Psymon watched Moby like a hawk despite how friendly he was acting. Finally the plane started to tilt and the back chute opened. The three of them hopped out and slid down the mountainside until they came to their start gates.

The cheers were deafening as Psymon returned for his first race since the accident. He gave a nervous wave to the fans while he took his place. Psymon gripped the bars at his gate, rather concerned as to how he was going to do this, since the only time he boarded was as Stark. He looked to both sides of him, he was racing against Moby, Mac, Nate, Grif and JP. Mac glared at Psymon with narrow eyes. Earlier in the day when Psymon went to his and Kaori's lodge, they slammed the door in his face, which made the current moment a rather tense one. The gate lights quickly turned on and a loud countdown from three echoed through the crowd. Once the countdown ended, the gates flew open and the boarders all exploded down the hill. Psymon's anxiety quickly left him as he seemed to be handling the board more by instinct than skill, and the first moments of the race didn't seem to cause him trouble. His brain wildly sent messages to his body while he weaved through the trees and turns. Though his brain panicked his body was cool and collected, and disregarded what his brain told him to do. As they came through the halfway point Psymon found himself in third. Suddenly Mac flew past Psymon with a shove. Psymon nearly lost his balance but kept himself upright. He followed Mac onto a rail that led a long way down the slope. Mac shoved his way past Grif, causing him to fall off the rail. Grif watched the ground come towards him when suddenly he was grabbed by the seat of his pants and seemed to be flying.
"I gotcha, squirt." Psymon said with a grin while he held onto Grif, making the young superstar laugh at the comedic moment.
"This oughta make the highlight reel." Grif shouted up to him. Psymon jumped off the rail and carefully put Grif down in a snowdrift and kept going. Mac had passed Moby and they both zoomed down the hillside. Psymon crouched low to catch up with them. He was within reach of them when Moby threw an elbow at Mac, catching him in the side of the head. Mac spun sideways and wiped out. Psymon jumped Mac, barely avoiding him. Moby looked back with a grin while Psymon inched closer.
"Aye Mate." Moby said with a chuckle and a light shove once he could reach Psymon. Psymon kept his balance and didn't say anything, Moby gave him another shove, which wasn't as light as the previous one. Moby shoved him a third time, which was hard enough to tick Psymon off. Psymon sped up more and shoved Moby with both hands, causing him to wobble out of control. Moby grabbed Psymon's belt and pulled him down with him. As both men stumbled in the snow Grif zipped by them. "The 'ell was THAT?" Moby shouted at Psymon. Psymon got to his feet and tried to pick up speed again.
"In case you forgot, you pushed me first." Moby rolled his eyes and they followed Grif. The youngster was already past the finish line when Moby and Psymon slid in at second and third place. JP skidded in for fourth followed closely by Nate. Mac slowly slid in for sixth place. Moby looked at Psymon like he wanted to say something, but instead just threw up his hands and walked away with his board. He walked towards the other run, which Zoe raced on and would be ending soon. Psymon sighed and started to unbuckle his boots while Mac walked past him.
"Hey Mac." Grif said obnoxiously. "Even after ya shoved me off a rail I still kicked your ass." Mac walked quickly towards Grif with a fist up. Nate stepped forward and Psymon jogged from his board.
"Hey! Relax!" Psymon yelled at Mac while he grabbed his arm and turned him to face him. Mac sneered.
"Relax? Oh that's real rich coming from you!" By this time Nate had moved himself between Grif and Mac while Mac yelled at Psymon.
"The kid beat ya, just accept it, there's always tomorrow." Psymon said firmly once he released Mac's arm. Mac scoffed at Psymon and turned to face Grif again, but instead walked into Nate's chest. He quickly stepped back with a slight look of shock on his face.
"Leave him alone punk." Nate said as he looked down at Mac. The teen shook his head and walked away, flipping them all off once he was at a safe distance. Nate shook his head then looked at Psymon. "Thanks for helping the kid, Psymon, we appreciate it." Psymon nodded slowly. He had stuck up for Grif instead of frighten him, and he felt pretty good about it. Grif walked up to Psymon, still keeping his guard up though.
"I can't wait to see the highlight reel tomorrow! You better believe you grinding the rail while holding me will make number one!" Psymon and Nate chuckled to each other.
"Ya know." Nate started. "I wasn't too far behind you guys when you did that, it was really funny to watch." Psymon looked over his shoulder to see Moby and Zoe already boarding one of the gondolas to take the boarders back down the mountain, Zoe looked at him urgently, as if telling him to hurry up. "I guess ya better go with your friends." Nate said, patting Psymon on the back. Psymon paused then looked past the stands at the finishing line.
"Ya know, I think I'm gonna just ride down."