Chapter 6: Alex Moreau, Siberia

SSX Resort

That same day when Zoe had ended her event against Griff in a victory for team SSX, Alex was studying the region she was supposed to decent, Siberia. She then thought about what Atomika told her about the hazards and equipment she needed and decided to look for more info.

She grabbed her laptop out of her bag and looked up Siberia on the web.

"Siberia." Alex said as she read the forum about the region. "Siberia is one the coldest places on Earth after the North and South Pole. This region is located in North Russia. But it is also the region with the most dangerous ice peaks, craters and courses. No human alive would be able to go there, or even survive unless equipped with top quality gear." Alex said as she got a little scared and put her hand on her chin.

"Now that they say it like that, I'm getting really nervous." Alex said.

"Okay team, if nobody has any questions, I'll leave you guys to your own business." Atomika said as she tried to walk away.

Then suddenly, Alex ran up to Atomika before he made a move on.

"Wait wait, don't leave yet!" Alex said as she ran up to him.

"What is it Alex, you got a question?" Atomika asked.

"Yes, Zoe is done with her challenge and is taking a rest in her room. The day is not over, so can I train on Siberia today with one of my friends?" Alex asked hesitated as she tried to speak English fluently.

"Well, tomorrow you have to go with the others for the Race- and Trick It analyses. It's 3 o' clock right now, if you can promise me to be back before midnight, then you can go. You need some good night sleep after a training session." Atomika explained.

"Thank you very much, I'll ask some people with me." Alex said when she ran away to the middle of the main hall.

"Uhm people can I have attention?." Alex asked as everybody focused their sight on Alex. "Now that Zoe is done with her event and taking a rest, I want to train in Siberia for my turn. I want two other people to help me out." Alex said.

"Okay cool, who do you want with you Alex?" Elise asked.

"First I want you Tane, I heard you were the best boarder in Fuji, so I want your help." Alex said as she approached Tane.

"Thank you very much, I'll do whatever I can to help you out." Tane said.

"Good idea Alex, Tane is indeed very good, who's your next person?" Elise asked.

"My second one, is someone I admired when I saw him for the first time snowboarding. I want you... Mackenzie Fraser." Alex said as she looked at him while he was laying down sleeping on the couch.

Then suddenly, because of Alex her offer, Kaori started hyperventilating deeply and sat down.

"Alex wait uhh... Is it really that wise to ask Mac with you? Here take Ty with you, he's Lucky remember, he's a better choice." Elise asked when she grabbed Ty and pulled him towards her.

"Hey Elise let me go, I don't want to go to Siberia anymore. I got something else to do, later dudes." Ty said when he went to his room and Elise did a facepalm.

"No thank you Elise, Mac is perfect. When I saw him on the television, I couldn't believe my eye when I see him snowboard. And there is... another reason why I want him." Alex said as she walked away.

"Oh God, hope this will work out." Elise said as she puts her hands on her hips.

Meanwhile, Alex walked up to Mac who was still a sleep and woke him up.

"Mac, Mackenzie Fraser?" Alex asked.

He woke up slowly and shockingly, seeing Alex that close to him.

"Wow, oh hey Alex, you startled me, what is it?" Mac asked.

"Mac, would you like to join me in Siberia for training?" Alex asked.

"Really? Of course I want to go, finally some action for me on the mountains. I can't wait, when are we leaving?" Mac asked.

"In a half hour, I'll get my stuff, and I see you guys at the helicopter." Alex said as she left while walking seductive.

"She sure is classy and friendly. I'll get my stuff, you should get ready too." Tane said.

"Oh yeah, be back in a few. I'm going to get my favorite board" Mac said as he ran away. "Oh hey Kaori, I'm busy right now, see ya later okay I got to get ready to go to Siberia." Mac said as he ran past her and left the main hall.

"Sure, have fun..." Kaori said depressed at herself.

Elise and Kaori both got very worried about Alex and her behavior towards Mac.

"Elise, what do you know about Alex?" Kaori asked.

"Don't worry, she's not interested in Mac, I know her for a very long time. She wouldn't fall for him. Alex is probably just being friendly to him." Elise said trying to comfort Kaori.

"Hmm... Can I trust her?" Kaori thought worried.

A half hour later, Alex, Tane and Mac stood ready to leave.

"Okay everybody, we are leaving, bye!" Alex said waving goodbye to everybody.

"Good luck Alex." Elise said.

"Mac, I'm really hoping that you can help me out. I... need it very bad. Then I can tell you the other reason why I wanted you." Alex said seductive as she looked closely into his eyes.

"Uhmm... Yeah... Cool but you're kind of scaring me Alex, no offense." Mac said frightened.

"Sorry, just the way I am." Alex said as the helicopter took off and they all left the resort.

Kaori was looking kind of jealous at the two, scared that Alex might want more from Mac than just practice lessons.

"She better not try anything." Kaori said menacing.

"Calm down and just trust me, she is not interested in her. Like she said, that's just how she is." Elise said towards Kaori.

"I think I just need to lay down and make my head empty. I am never this angry like that. This is all to stressful for me." Kaori said as she went to her room.

"Just go take a little nap, you will feel better when you wake up." Elise said as Kaori touched her head and left the hall. "Gosh, I'm getting worried about Kaori. She may have grown up, but she still is too nervous and easy to upset like in the old days. I'll go talk to her later on." Elise said as she sat down.

On the way to Siberia

In the helicopter to Siberia, Alex was once again on her laptop before her training started. She found that the course wasn't just a region with 6 feet thick ice, but also a huge industrial park where ever you looked.

While she was busy, Mac was kind of curious about something.

"Alex, not that I'm complaining, but what is the other reason why you wanted me?" Mac asked.

"Oh, that is good question." Alex said as she was typing on her laptop.

"What are you doing?" Mac asked.

"Here, take a look at this." Alex said when she showed a video on I-Tube and turned her laptop towards him. She showed him a video.

"What is that?" Mac asked.

"This is a video from 2 years ago, this was when you and I were racing in the Course The Paris in France." Alex said.

"You and I? I do remember racing there, but I don't remember seeing you there with me." Mac said confused.

Alex paused the video and showed Mac where exactly the two were in the race.

"Look, there are you at spot number 8, and there am I at spot number 10." Alex told him.

"Hey, that is me, and that really is you. So we really did meet 2 years ago in a race in France? I never knew." Mac said startled.

"Yes we have, while we were racing, I saw you snowboarding so good, that you inspired me to get better. You finished first, but I finished fourth, so I remembered that one day, I would be just as Mackenzie Fraser. When I saw you at the airport, I knew that your face looks really familiar, and after some research, knew where I recognized you. Who are better to snowboard with than the best boarders in America and Fuji?" Alex explained.

"Hey look, there am I at the finish line, shaking your hand. So we have met 2 years ago in Course de France? For me, it's a very long time, that was my last race until I quit boarding." Mac said.

"Yes, you see? You should never stop snowboarding Mac, you are a prodigy as you Americans say it" Alex said.

"So that's why you wanted me with you on this training session?" Mac asked.

"That is right." Alex answered.

"Alright then, I think you just made me excited to board, but I have to admit, I was better at racing years ago then I am now, I was more focused on tricks you know." Mac said encouraged as Alex smiled happily.

"Does not matter, I know you and Tane can both help me train." Alex said.

"It's good to see that you are so eager to get better than you already are, that's the first step on being a professional." Tane said.

"Thank you Tane." Alex said as she smiled at him.

"Hello guys, this is Sam. We will be arriving in Siberia in a couple minutes. I'm taking you to Diamond Back course, there you can practice the best." the pilot said.

"Okay thanks man." Mac said.

Diamond Back Mountain

An hour later, Alex, Tane and Mac arrived in Siberia, as the pilot went straight for the mountains.

"Okay crew we are here, this course is called Diamond Back, go out and watch out for the ice paths and the craters you can fall in." the pilot said.

"Thank you, shall we go?" Alex asked as she stood ready on her board.

"I'm ready to go." Tane said.

"Ready!" Mac said.

"3...2...1... Go, go go go go!" Sam yelled as they all jumped out of the helicopter.

"Alex, where are your ice picks, you need them." Tane said.

"Don't worry, here they are, in my hand." Alex said as she showed them.

"Good, do your best." Tane said.

"Let's stay together for a while, then you can give me tips. Mac, how is it that you were so fast when we started?" Alex asked.

"That's very simple, before I landed on the ground, I did some trick to get my blood flowing." Mac said.

"How cool that is, I'll try it out the next time." Alex said.

While they were racing, Alex already started to get the hang of the course and even showed that the ice was possible to ride on.

"Hey guys, where are you? I don't see you anywhere." Alex asked through the headset.

"I'm at the industrial park, where are you?" Tane asked.

"I am two, on some type of zip line. Where are you Mac?" Alex asked.

"I'm at the crater parts, don't worry, I'll find my way." Mac said while he was day dreaming.

"Should I do what Moby told me, flowers and candy? Would she appreciate it, don't know if she is that kind of woman but I'll never know until I try it out." Mac thought in his head.

"Mac, Mac, Mac! Stop day dreaming and be careful, those craters you are at are bad news." the pilot said.

"What, oh! Don't worry I... Wow, wow aaahhh!" Mac said as he approached one right in front of him and slipped on the way.

"Mac, Mac you okay?" Tane asked.

"Hey, what's going on, Mac you okay?" Alex asked worried.

"Wow that was close, I almost fell in that crater. My mind was drifting off for a second and this happened?" Mac said as he continued the race.

After a couple minutes, the three started approaching the finish line.

"Okay this is the final stretch, show your racing skills." the pilot said.

"I'm already on it." Alex said while she took a high jump and did her signature trick, The Catwalk.

"Don't mind me, just sliding my way to the finish on a rail." Mac said while he did the Russian Dreidle Boardslide.

"Mac, you are awesome, you have to show me that trick later on." Alex said admired.

"Sure another time, Tane what's up with you?" Mac asked.

"I'm sticking to the ground, this is a race after all and I took a good note at Zoe's race. High jumps are not necessary." Tane said.

"Oh yeah I forget, I'll think about it." Alex said.

Eventually they approached the finish line, Tane ended first, Alex second and Mac third.

"Awh man only third, need to level up my game." Mac said disappointed.

"Yeah I beat Mac... Uuhh I mean... Don't be sad, it was a training session, nothing serious." Alex said while cheering.

"Hmph, I'll beat you next time." Mac said.

"Alex while I was boarding, you have to use straight ways and try to avoid going left or right. If you have to go either way, make sure you don't turn too much or the ice with get to you." Tane explained.

"What I have noticed is that you have to stay away from craters, that's for sure. Also, try to keep your balance and watch your speed." Mac said while laughing.

"Thank you guys, I'll remember it from now on." Alex said.

"Oh wait one more thing, try to avoid railing, it's to slippery to take. So no grinding on trees, rocks or anything. Stay on the ground. I managed to make it just in time." Mac said.

"No grinding... got it. Come on guys, let's go home." Alex said.

The three went back to the helicopter on their way home. Tane was listening to his music while Sam, Alex and Mac were discussing the race.

"Mac, what is wrong with you, you almost fell in that crater. You could have been killed." Sammy asked worried.

"I dunno, my mind was just somewhere else." Mac said tired.

"Tell the truth, you're thinking about a girl are you? I can see it in your eyes." Alex asked.

"What? No not at all, I thought about the competition. I mean, we re in the lead, but it's just the beginning." Mac explained them.

"You can't fool me, it's a girl. Tell me who it is, is it someone from SSX?" Alex asked him

"Okay fine it is. I like her and I want to ask her out, my friend told me that I had to give her some flowers and candy, but I don't know what to do. What do you think?" Mac asked curiously.

"Oh that's so romantic, I know just the place for you to get it, in Paris. Pilot change course to Paris for a pit stop. I have to help Mac with something very important." Alex told the pilot.

"Alright fine, but you have to be very quick, Atomika wants you guys back before midnight hits his America. We don't have much time you know." Sam said when he quickly changed course to Paris.

SSX Resort Evening

Back at the resort, Atomika was still up, waiting for Alex, Tane and Mac to arrive back from Siberia.

"Hmm... Where are they? It's almost 19:00 pm. I told them to be back before midnight, they better hurry up." Atomika said.

In the girls room, Elise was taking a shower while Kaori was laying in her bed, starring at the ceiling.

"This water is so nice and warm, you have to take a shower to Kaori. I promise you won't regret it." Elise said happily.

"No thanks, maybe later." Kaori said as she sights.

"Are you still on about Mac and Alex? They are only training, tomorrow everything will be better." Elise confirmed.

"I am usually not the person to be so jealous, but maybe it's because of Mac and I care too much about our friendship." Kaori said.

"Kaori listen, if you really want a relationship with Mac, you have to learn to trust him. That is how most girls lose they boyfriend, because they don't trust them enough." Elise explained.

"Yeah you are right..." Kaori said uncertain.

"I know what can help you, a nice warm shower, look I got soap here and shampoo with conditioner..." Elise said

"I think I'm going out for a walk, see you later Elise." Kaori said as she left the room and Elise sighted deeply.

Kaori walked down the stairs and went to the main hall for some alone time, she saw Atomika waiting there and approached him what's the matter.

"Hey Mark, what are you doing here?" Kaori asked.

"I'm just waiting for Alex, Tane and Mac to arrive. They had to be in a while ago, even though I told them to be back on time." Atomika said.

"That is weird indeed. Mark, do you have more information about Alex?" Kaori asked worried.

"Let me see, I had picked up something very interesting on the internet before we all met. I need info on all the riders so of course I have Alex in my list." Mark explained.

"What is it that you found, something interesting?" Kaori asked.

"Alex Moreau is one of the best snowboarders in France, she proved that after losing a race against America's best boarder, Mac Fraser two years. That was the most notable info I found, the fact they Mac and Alex met 2 years ago without us knowing it. Other than that, it's just standard records and stuff" Atomika said.

"So they already had a race against each other two years ago? That's suspicious." Kaori said.

"Kaori, why do you think that?" Mark asked

"Mark, is Alex to be trusted around us?" Kaori asked.

"Kaori believe me, we know each other for ages. Alex is totally trustworthy, you have got to trust me, and her." Atomika said.

"Hmmm... Thanks Mark. Since I'm not that sleepy, you mind if I wait here with you?" Kaori asked.

"But you have to go to bed for tomorrow." Atomika said.

"Don't worry, I'm always full of energy and ready to go." Kaori said.

"Okay, but in the morning you have to be ready to go for those three it might already be too late." Atomika said.

"Sure, sure, I'll just have a seat here." Kaori said when she sat on the couch.

Paris, France

Meanwhile in Paris, Alex and Mac walked out of a store well known by Alex.

"I have to say, France has some beautiful bouquets, chocolate looks also very good and tasty... Hmmm..." Mac hummed.

"Don't eat it, leave it for her." Alex said as she slapped his hand and Mac puts it back.

"Okay okay, when should I give it to her?" Mac asked.

"At night time, around midnight, you should go to her room and then give it to her. That's really romantic." Alex said.

"And when is that?" Mac said

"Whenever you feel like it or have the courage to approach her."Alex said.

"Got it, Thanks Alex." Mac said.

"Guys I don't want to interrupt you conversation, but shouldn't we be moving on?" Tane asked

What time is it?" Alex asked.

"It's... oh no, it's 20:00 o'clock in America, we have to go. Remember what Mark said?" Mac said.

"Who?" Alex asked.

"Atomika... He said that we have to be back before midnight for good night sleep. Come on, we have to get to the helicopter." Mac said when they all ran towards the vehicle.

SSX Resort after midnight

After hours of flying, the three finally arrived back at the resort. They quickly rushed inside the resort and saw Atomika waiting for them with his arms crossed and Kaori just sitting on the couch minding her own business.

"What time is it?" Alex asked.

"02:00 am, I thought I told you guys to come back early? Is it that hard for you three to listen" Atomika said.

"Sorry, we just had some things to take care off." Mac said.

"Go to bed and take some rest, we are leaving in the morning around 9 o clock."

"Fine we'll go, Kaori what are yo still doing here, why aren't you in bed?" Mac asked.

"Well after I figured out that you guys weren't back yet, I just got worried that something might has happened to you." Kaori said as she looked at Alex with slightly narrowed eyes.

Alex saw her looking and then tried to avoid eye contact.

"Well I'm tired, let's go upstairs everybody." Mac said as the three went upstairs.

Atomika walked up to Kaori who was still looking at Alex.

"I know what you said to me, but I'll only keep my eye on her." Kaori said.

"You can do that, but eventually you are going to realize that you wasted your time doing that." Atomika said.

"I got time to spare." Kaori said when she also went upstairs.

While they were walking and Kaori walked up front, Alex approached Mac once again.

"Is it her, with the black-pink hair?" Alex asked.

"Yeah, not bad huh?" Mac said.

"You sure know how to pick them, she looks like the kind of woman that would appreciate flowers and chocolate." Alex said.

"Thanks for your help Alex, you have been a good friend. I should have remembered you from 2 years ago. Sorry if I didn't, that was rude of me."

"It's okay, if you need my help, ask me. I will always be there" Alex said as they all went to their own room to get some sleep.