Capter 3: Zoe Payne: Rocky Mountains
Rocky Mountains
After a couple hours of flying to the Rocky Mountains, Zoe and Griff arrived at her first event, the Race It on her first course, JT2.
"All right Zoe, here we are, the Rockies. Good luck, I'll stay close to you." Sammy said through the intercom of the helicopter.
"Thanks man." Zoe said when she stood up and grabbed her board.
Zoe opened the door and looked around in the distance. Griff's helicopter was right next to hers.
"Get ready Zoe, this time, it won't end up in a draw like the last time." Griff said challenging.
"You wish, I'm going to win this race, get ready for your second place smile." Zoe said.
Zoe and Griff stood ready to begin, waiting on the start sign to sound.
Back at the SSX resort, the team was watching the live stream that still hasn't started yet.
"How long will it take to begin, I'm getting kind of impatient." Mac said.
"It will happen soon, it says that they are getting ready to get at it." Moby said.
Then suddenly, the screen cleared up and they saw both Zoe and Griff.
"Yeah, look there she is. Come on Zoe!" Elise said excited.
The pilot gave the signal and both of the boarders jumped out of the chopper to start their race. Team SSX was rooting for Zoe while watching the live stream.
"Zoe's in shape!" Zoe yelled at the beginning of the race.
"I'm speeding!" Griff yelled while going toe to toe with Zoe.
JT2
After a while of racing, Zoe and Griff started to get some space from each other. They took the big jump and both saw a tunnel right in front of them.
"See you at the finish line loser!" Zoe said when she entered the tunnel.
"We'll have to see about that!" Griff said when he went to the right side.
Back at the resort, the team was watching Zoe's race on JT2.
"Man, look at the race, this is so awesome dudes. It's intense between those two." Ty said excited.
"I know, I wish I could ride there with her." Elise said.
"Come on guys, let Zoe know that we are rooting for her, you're not showing enough support!" Moby said when he stood up from the couch.
"The way you're rooting for her, I think she can hear you all the way from the Rocky Mountains." Mac said as everybody laughed.
"Uhh, I uhh... Come on Zoe!" Moby said quickly as he was rooting for her.
She exits the tunnel and took the huge jump. She didn't see Griff anywhere though and thought she left his sight.
"Ha, I left him right were he belongs, in the dust." Zoe said while arriving at an abandoned train rails.
"Cool, this'll be fun." Zoe said when she took the rail and did the Lugar Boardslide while speeding on the rails
While she was sliding, she slid outside the tunnel and noticed a sound right above her head. Then suddenly, Griff dropped from the sky and landed on the other rail next to her after doing a Uber Trick.
"Where the hell did you come from?" Zoe asked curious.
"Forget about that, if I were you, I'd focus on the race rather then your opponent. Later Zoe. Wooohoooo!" Griff said when he went faster.
Zoe then got of the rail and followed the original course again. She didn't see Griff anymore again and only thought on how she could win the race.
"He's gone, this is my chance. I'll take the first win of this competition." Zoe said when she completed the first and second jump.
She saw the helicopter land a couple meters away and knew that it was the finish line right there.
"Almost there..." Zoe said when she was speeding to get to the finish before Griff arrived there first.
Then suddenly to Zoe's surprise, Griff was right under her and approached the finish line faster then her.
"No, how is that possible, Griff was nowhere to be found! That little cheater!" Zoe said surprised as Griff arrived first at the finish.
Then seconds later, Zoe also arrived, causing her to claim second place.
"Hey you, how did you managed to get here before me, you were nowhere to be found. You better not cheat." Zoe asked mad.
"I used the original course and the secret paths that belong to it, those are faster but you only took the slow paths, causing you to waist your time. Sorry Zoe, but the first victory is mine." Griff said as Zoe looked furious.
"I'll see you on the Trick It event, you... are going down!" Zoe said when she walked away.
They then stepped into the helicopters again, team SSX was watching as they saw the footage of Griff winning the first race.
"Awh man, this is awful. Griff is better then we actually thought." Mac said when she sat down.
"How could Griff already win, we need to outsmart him somehow, he's good, but not that good." Elise said.
"We'll find a way, he has the brain of a little kid, and it's easy to outsmart children Elise." Moby said.
Zoe and Griff were ready to go to their next event, the Trick It event on Curnoe's Mustache.
Curnoe's Mustache
After her lose at Griff on the Race it on JT2, Zoe and Griff prepared to hold their Trick it event on Curnoe's Mustache.
The helicopter almost arrived at the course as he turns his speaker on.
"We are there in a couple seconds, so get ready to tricky. Do as many tricks as you can to score bigger and bigger." Sammy said.
"Got it buddy." Zoe said serious.
At the resort, team SSX was still watching the stream as Atomika approached the bench.
"Hello guys." Atomika said.
"Hey Mark, wassup?" Mac asked.
"I forgot to tell you something about the Trick It." Mark said.
"What is it then?" Elise asked.
"I managed to do something that all of you, except for the newcomers, will remember from the Tricky tournament. While you're tricking, you'll hear a special music while doing it." Mark explained
"Wait, a special music... You don't mean the It's Tricky song from Run DMC?" Mac said as he looked surprised at the screen.
"Yes indeed, now it's remixed and better than before. You'll hear it soon, later people." Atomika said as he left them alone.
"Guys what is that music your friend was talking about?" Tane asked.
"It's a special song we always used years ago for more motivation. We could do tricks better with that music on, it gives some kind of adrenaline in your body. Oh this'll be good. Griff doesn't stand a chance when Zoe hears that song, because Griff wasn't around that time." Elise said.
"Hey, I wanted to say that." Mac said.
"Forget about it Mac, stop complaining. Let's just watch Zoe in action." Elise said.
Meanwhile in their respective helicopters, Zoe and Griff grabbed their boards and stood ready to begin he event.
"All right, ready to begin?" Zoe's pilot asked when he opened the door.
"Come on, bring it already" Zoe said.
"Ready... Set... Go, Go, Go, Go, Go!" the pilot said as Zoe and Griff started their Trick It.
"Okay, focus on the tricks, and score big." Zoe thought as she did the jump.
She did a Switch Flying Squirrel while spinning in mid-air. The pilot saw what she did and played the song they all recognized.
"It's very complicated...! Tricky, tricky, tricky tricky!" the song played from the helicopter.
"Wait, I know that song, don't tell me that... Hahaha, all right this is great, it's back!" Zoe said as she saw another jump and sped up to it.
She then did the Skyscraper while doing backflips in the air that gave her a ton of points. Griff was way ahead of her doing tricks when he suddenly heard the song.
"Yeeaaahhh!" Zoe said excited.
"Huh? What is this kind of garbage, it's sounds so annoying. I can't concentrate." Griff said as he continued doing tricks.
While Griff was distracted, Zoe then jumped right above him.
"Hey Griff what's wrong, not so tough on tricks are you! It's tricky!" Zoe said teasing.
"What, you haven't won this yet! Not even with that stupid music on." Griff said as he did his Sugar Rush on the next big jump he took.
After a couple seconds, they arrived at a huge abandoned electric rail that went up in the air.
"That rail is my way to win this." Zoe said when she took the rain and did the Invertible boardslide.
"No, no, Zoe will not beat me. I'm almost there!" Griff said when he tried to catch up while Zoe was on the electric cable line.
She jumped off and did her Signature Uber trick, Pommel Me.
"Beautiful, and I can see my... oh forget it!" Zoe said while breakdancing.
When she landed on the ground, she arrived at the finish and waited for Griff to be done. After a couple minutes, Griff dropped from the sky and landed at the finish.
The points were getting counted to see who has won the event. Team SSX was sitting on the top of their seats to see who has won.
"Come on, come on, show us who won." Mac said nervous.
The scores were in, Griff's points were on the screen and counted 12.967.000 million points.
"Hmm, not that many, bet that Zoe has more points." Moby said.
Zoe's points were counted and later shown on screen. Her score was 22.453.562 million points, therefore winning the Trick it event.
"Yeah, I'm the greatest, I'm the best!" Zoe said as she went inside the plane an rubbed it in in front of Griff.
"Laugh while you still can, we'll see at the Survive It." Griff said uninterested when they both stepped into their chopper.
"Good job Zoe, I'll bring you back to the resort, you need some rest." the pilot said when he took of and went back.
"Thanks Sam, I can't wait to take some rest, that last event really tired me out." Zoe said.
Back at the resort, team SSX was cheering for Zoe because of the victory.
"Yeah, she won, we are still in it." Kaori said when she hugged Mac immediately afterwards.
"Hahaha yeah I'm happy for her, hehehe. By the way, I want to ask you Kaori... I... uh..." Mac hesitated nervously while blushing.
"Yeah, what is it that you want to ask?" Kaori asked happily while smiling.
"No nothing." Mac said when he walked away.
"What's with him, is there something wrong?" Elise asked to Kaori.
"I don't know, maybe he has some problems." Kaori said worried.
SSX Resort in the Evening
At night time, Zoe finally arrived back at the resort and entered the building.
"Hey guys, I'm back!" Zoe said when she entered.
"Zoe!" everybody yelled happily as they ran up to her.
"Good job on that run, you totally destroyed Griff out there. Too bad for the race it, but what does that matter. We are still in this!" Moby said.
"Yes, that was magnificent!" Alex asked.
"Yes Alex, you said it right. Zoe killed it." Elise said.
"Good job Zoe, my friend, looks like you still haven't lost your touch." Tane said proudly.
"Thanks you guys, forget that Race It. I have to focus on my last run, the Survive It on Mt. Robson." Zoe said.
"No worries, before descending the Rockies, you need some training sessions. I'll go with you tomorrow for some practice." Moby said.
"Thanks Moby, you're right. I'm not used to the trees as much as I though, I noticed in the Race event. So it's better to get used to it before surviving Mount Robson." Zoe said.
"Good, now I think it's better to go to sleep. You need your strength to be way up or you're toast." Moby said.
"You really want me to win are you? Why are you acting like that, or is there something else you are planning to do? Where is the old Moby that loves to go wild sometimes, now you are all protective and stuff." Zoe asked curious.
"No, no not at all, I just want you to win this. This competition is important because we are all together having fun. That's all." Moby said.
"Hmmm, well I really appreciate your help and all, but take it easy okay, you kinda scared me there." Zoe asked of Moby.
"I'm too pushy, that's just me, sometimes way to serious about what I am doing, but I am me." Moby said.
"Yeah I know that for sure, I'm going to bed, good night everybody." Zoe said when she went to bed.
"Good night Zoe. Good night everybody." Moby said as everybody went back to their room.
SSX Resort Midnight
While most people were in their room sleeping or just having fun in the middle of the night, Moby walked around the hallway, on his way to someone else his room.
After a couple seconds, he arrived at the door and knocked on it.
"Hey, who is there man?" Ty asked at the door.
"Hey Ty, it's me Moby! Is Mac in, I need to talk to him." Moby said.
"Oh yeah, I'll get him for you. Mac!" Ty yelled hardly.
"Ouch my ears! Dude I'm right next to you, take it easy, people are trying to sleep. What is it?" Mac asked.
"Hey that's weird, this song I'm playing is actually called Ouch by Vinyl Dialect, awesome. Moby wants to talk to you dude, he's standing right here." Ty said to him
"Okay give me a sec. What, is this really Vinyl Dialect? Sounds like Lupe Fiasco." Mac said when he approached the door.
"Hey Moby, what's up, is there something you want to ask?" Mac asked.
"Yeah man, can you step into the hallway for a minute?" Moby asked.
"Sure." Mac said as he left the room and closed the door.
"Tell me, do you have a problem?" Mac asked when he crossed his arms and leaned on the wall.
"Yeah, it's about Zoe. Do you think I'm too protective towards her?" Moby asked curious.
"Hmmm, now that you mention it, you actually kind of have been too protective. That's not like you at all, usually you were just a cool dude around everyone, always willing to have fun or go wild at certain times. Zoe is not a woman who needs protection you know. She can take care of herself perfectly fine." Mac said
"Yeah I know that, but she has been my best friend since the first SSX tournament, you think that over the years my protective side has come out a bit?" Moby asked.
"Yeah it totally has. Look man, drop the protective stuff, Zoe can take care of herself, and besides, she hates people who are being like that. I think she is being easy with you because you are her best friend. You will feel better when you drop the protective barrier and enter your comfort zone." Mac said.
"Hmmm... I will drop it then, no point in having a protective barrier when there is no need for it." Moby said.
"Moby just a quick question for you, are you starting to develop feelings for Zoe?" Mac asked curious.
Moby kept looking but then turned his head, not knowing what to say. Mac knew Moby did, but he decided to say something else.
"Moby, I have to tell you, don't show Zoe your feeling... yet. You see, Zoe has been extremely competitive with this competition. You can say that you kind of like her, but most likely, she will turn you down for this snowboard. Trust me, telling her how you feel while all of this is happening is only going to hurt you." Mac said.
"Mac... who said that I have a thing for Zoe, we are just friends, nothing more. It's best that you stay out of my love life, I know damn well what I am doing!" Moby said offended
"Okay, that's your choice, I am only trying to help you out." Mac said as he tried not to fight with Moby.
"Well, see ya mate. Good night." Moby said as he walked away.
"Wait wait Moby, I got a question to ask you." Mac asked.
"Yeah, what is it?" Moby asked when he walked back to him.
"It's about Kaori, do you think she likes me. I think I want to ask her out pretty soon, you know, on a date. I tried to asked her out a couple hours ago, but it's her smile that made me all nervous inside." Mac hesitated.
"What? You complain about me having a crush on Zoe, but you are having problems with Kaori yourself? You being a damn hypocrite Mac!" Moby said angry again.
"Hey! Keep your voice down before someone hears us!" Mac said.
"Whatever, why should I help you? After you told me not to talk to Zoe about our relation?" Moby asked.
"So you do have a thing for Zoe." Mac said sneaky.
"Mac!" Moby shouted.
"Look, Zoe is way more competitive than Kaori, her actions does not influence this competition! Zoe's does! I am only saying not to do anything that might jeopardize the whole competition!" Mac said.
"Hmmm... Well, yeah you do have a point on Zoe being competitive, I have to think about it a bit more. Anyways I have calmed down, sorry for attacking you like that." Moby apologized.
It's all good, I understand, but what should I do what Kaori? You got any tips?" Mac asked.
"Mate, you and Kaori have been inseparable since the first tournament, you are already good friends. My advice to you is to just ask er out in a romantic way, she always appreciates it when you show some effort on how much she is worth to you." Moby explained.
"So I should just tell her, well in these type of situations, I am a bit shy." Mac said.
"Then try and do something romantic that will blow her out of her socks, just give her some flowers and candy with a card in it. Girls will always appreciate it, trust me, well except for Zoe that is." Moby said wisely.
"Flowers and candy with a card in it? I'll think about it, but don't tell her about this, or it's going to be a bit awkward for me." Mac said interested.
"That's the spirit man and don't worry, I won't tell a soul, as long you won't tell anyone about me and Zoe." Moby asked
"Promised, my lips are sealed. It feels good to talk to you about this, you're better than Ty that is. He said that I had to give a girl a hundred bucks to make her mine. I actually have a hundred bucks, but that won't give you what you really desire. You know what I mean?" Mac hesitated nervously.
"Of course I know what you mean. It's kind of late mate, we should really go to sleep." Moby said.
"Good idea, sleep well man." Mac said.
"Sleep well." Moby said as he left the hallway and went back to his room.
Mac opened his door and saw that Ty was sleeping on the half of his bed, snoring out loud. Mac looked at Ty in his bad and shakes his head. Then he looks at his own bed on the other side of the room and layed down, eventually falling asleep.