Author's Note: We've officially reached the end of Complications, and what better day to release this final chapter than my birthday? I started this story five months ago as a fun side project for the summer, and I can honestly say that I enjoyed writing every chapter of it. Special thanks to to-fu who is a huge supporter of this story. I enjoyed reading your comments week after week, and I really appreciate your feedback!
Thanks to everyone who read, reviewed and/or followed this fanfiction. I had a lot of fun writing it. This story actually takes place before Twisted and concludes years before the first chapter of that fic takes place, so it was quite challenging to write a definitive ending for this fanfiction, but I tried my best. Thanks for reading, and feel free to leave me a review telling me what you think! :D
Complications
Chapter Nineteen – Final Round
"This is it. Everything we've been working towards has come down to this moment," Pascal declares, turning to the four members of Sim State's physics team as they stand backstage early Saturday morning waiting for the tournament to commence. Pascal smiles as he stares down at his students, three of which appear to be too preoccupied with their own issues to pay attention, "I'm so proud of each and every one of you. These last few months you've proved that you belong on this team and made both me and Sim State University very proud…" he continues, starting to pace in front of the group. Pascal passes by Loki, who is staring intensely at the wall, Circe, who is nervously playing with her hands, and Vidcund, who looks as if he is about to burst into tears at any moment, "So let's go out there and win this tournament!"
"Yeah, go team!" Craig cheers just as enthusiastically. His teammates don't move a muscle.
"Hurrah," Loki sarcastically states before wandering to the other side of the stage. Circe slowly follows him.
Pascal grabs his middle brother by the shoulder, "Geez Vid, you could at least try to show some enthusiasm!"
"Sorry," Vidcund sighs, his eyes glued to the floor, "I'm still really down about the whole Loki situation," he confesses, fiddling his hands, "What if this is it for us?"
"Then consider yourself lucky," Pascal says, pulling an orange out of his pocket and eating a slice, "It's best to cut people off before they wreck your life."
Vidcund scrunches his forehead, "Where did you get that orange?"
"Loki's mom," Pascal replies, consuming another wedge, "Why are you so upset about ruining your relationship with Loki anyway? It's not like you're dating the guy."
"True," Vidcund replies, "but it's probably not a good idea to have a bad relationship with one of the few future scientists in Strangetown, especially if said scientist turns out to be an evil genius."
Pascal nods as the brothers stand side by side backstage. Vidcund shivers as he eyes the four members of Academia Le Touré's physics team on the stage in front of them. "Oh man, I'm so nervous. I heard ALT's team is filled with merit scholars."
"Come on, Vid, that's probably just a crazy rumor," Pascal claims, waving it off, "Just like that one about Dad having alien twins and ditching them before he met Mom."
Across the stage, Loki is staring out at the competition with his arms crossed, his determined expression unchanged since he arrived at the main building that morning. Circe walks up to Loki and lightly nudges him in the side. "I need to talk to you," she whispers pleadingly.
"That's funny, what part of 'I never want to talk to you or your little boy toy again' did you not understand?" Loki responds coldly.
"Loki, please, this is code red," Circe states, staring into his eyes as she death-grips his arm, "And you're only person tough enough to handle it."
Loki turns to the side and eyes Circe intensely, unable to believe that she has just downplayed her abilities. Loki's expression softens, "Circe-"
"So…this is the famous Circe Salamis," Damion, the leader of ALT, chimes as he strolls over to the pair backstage, his crones arriving mere seconds later. He stops in front of Circe and looks the distressed student over; she lets go of Loki's arm. "The girl who's as tough as nails?" Damion smirks, turning to Loki.
"Yes," Loki answers firmly, "And Circe, these are the idiots I was telling you about with the matching names and no sense of individuality," he says, doing his best to act friendly towards his ex-girlfriend.
Circe nods, eyeing the matching attire and stances of the four opposing team members. "I see," she states.
"So, Loki, are you ready to lose?" Damion mocks, "You and your lackluster team don't have a chance against us. You peaked in high school, Circe's got boobs, Vidcund's a walking disaster, and who the hell even knows who Craig is? Face the facts, Loki, your team is destined to lose and lose big."
Loki softly nods. Anger is bubbling inside of him, but the fight is not there. "Okay, Damion, if you say so," he mutters, watching as the ALT team laughs and walks off.
"Loki, what is wrong with you?" Circe speaks up, "Those losers just insulted you to your face, and you didn't even put up a fight!"
Loki sighs and stares down at his teammate. "Face it, kid. You broke me," he states. Loki brings his hand up to face, doing his best to hide the tears that are streaming down his cheeks as he walks further backstage. He stops suddenly, coming face-to-face with his physics professor.
Professor Irma clears his throat. "Mr. Beaker," he nods.
"Professor Irma," Loki acknowledges, pulling his hand down and staring into the eyes of his nemesis. "I guess I shouldn't be shocked to see you here," he sniffs. Professor Irma steps back, remarkably feeling compassion towards his student, "I bet you're surprised that we made it this far."
"Actually, I'm not surprised at all," Professor Irma responds, Loki instantly looking up at this comment, "You see, Mr. Beaker, I knew the second you walked into my class that you were going to take us to the finals."
Loki tilts his forehead and narrows his eyes at him, "You're just saying that cause of my mom."
"Maybe…or maybe not," Professor Irma chimes, "But only a fool would say that you don't have a knack for physics. I know it, your teammates know it, even your competitors know it," Professor Irma tells him, "So why are you downplaying your abilities?" he wonders, turning towards the audience. Professor Irma points to the crowd, "You see those other teams out there?" he asks, gesturing at the physics teams from all across the Simverse situated in the center of the auditorium. Loki nods, stunned to see both the La Fiesta Tech and Aurora Skies teams among the crowd, "They're not here to cheer for your competitor. This place isn't packed because everyone thinks the ten-time winner is going to win again. They're here because they know Sim State is about to make history once more."
"I'll admit that I doubted your capabilities as a leader," Professor Irma continues, turning away from the audience, "But you have proven yourself worthy of the position time and time again. You're a natural-born leader, Loki. You expect great things from your teammates and they have excelled, in part, because of you."
Loki scrunches his forehead, unable to believe all the positivity that is exuberantly shining off his professor. "I don't get it. Why are you doing this? I thought you hated me."
Professor Irma cracks a smile and shakes his head, "Oh, Mr. Beaker. It's only natural to hate what you don't understand. When I first met you, I'll admit that I saw you as two-dimensional, but this tournament has humanized you to me," he reveals, moving towards the side of the stage. Professor Irma stops at the staircase and glances over his shoulder, "And on Monday, when you guys come in with the trophy, I can say I told you so," he smirks, before walking off the stage and into the shadows.
Loki stands in silence, reeling over his professor's words.
…
"Good afternoon, everyone, and welcome to the final round of the Fifty-third Annual Simverse Winter Physics Bowl!" Chairman Ryan Brown announces from his wooden podium on center stage, "After three months of hard work and dedication, it all comes down to this. Today, Academia Le Touré and Sim State University will battle against each other for the coveted physics trophy!" he proclaims, gesturing to the lavishly-decorated, three-foot-tall trophy that is situated in front of the podium, "This is going to be a one-hundred-question tournament. Whoever answers the most questions correctly will be crowned champion. Now, let's once again introduce the two physics teams that will be competing for the title," Chairman Brown says, turning to the right side of the stage, "Presenting the returning champions…Academia Le Touré, led by Damion Wright."
On the opposite end of the stage, Loki and his teammates are standing next to the curtain, looking scared out of their minds. Loki watches as Damion and the rest of the Academia Le Touré Physics Team race onto the stage and wave to the crowd, most of the applause coming from the right side of the auditorium.
"Academia Le Toure's journey began a few months ago, when they defeated Riverblossom Hills Institute and Desiderata Valley University by a combined total of 517-41. When asked what made their team so successful, teammates Jamian Peters and Adrian Woods both said it was themselves," Chairman Brown reveals as the cheers quickly die down around him.
The chairman adjusts his microphone and turns to the left side of the stage. "Presenting the challengers for last year's returning champions…Sim State University, led by Loki Beaker."
Loki turns to his teammates and nods, before stepping out onto the stage. Upon hearing his name, the auditorium erupts into applause. The cheers are so loud, Loki's ears are ringing. Loki steps forward, feeling the most nervous he's ever felt in his life as he leads his teammates to their designated table. Loki looks to the audience and waves to his mother in the front row.
"Sim State University's journey began a mere two months ago, when they defeated La Fiesta Technical University by a score of 307-3, the largest winning margin in school history," Chairman Brown adds, "They then defeated Aurora Skies Academy in a winner-take-all tiebreaker round, where teammate Vidcund Curious solved the equation in record time," Chairman Brown recaps, "When asked what made this team so successful, all three of the members said it was the perseverance and drive of their fearless leader, Loki."
Loki turns to the side and locks eyes with his teammates, visibly touched by this news. He looks to Vidcund and then to Circe, they both nod. Loki looks up at the Chairman Brown, trying his best to suppress all cutesy emotions, never feeling more determined to wipe the floor with his competition.
"Alright, without further ado," Chairman Brown announces once the crowd has died down, "let the final round of the Fifth-third Annual Simverse Winter Physics Bowl begin!"
…
One hour and thirty minutes later, Loki and the rest of his team are in the middle of the most intense physics competition of their lives. Neck-in-neck for most of the competition, Loki can't help but notice some of the obscenities that Academia Le Touré's team is mouthing to Circe across the stage every time he correctly answers a question. Halfway through the next question, Loki attempts to slip Circe his answer. She briefly stares down at the sheet of paper and folds it over, flashing him a glare.
"What are you doing?!" she hisses.
"I'm not going to let them treat you like that!" Loki whisper-shouts as the tournament continues around them.
"And I'm not going to let you win this through me!" Circe hisses back as Craig buzzes in and answers the question correctly behind them. Circe sighs and places her hand over Loki's, "Look, I know I'm never going to be as good at physics as you are, but don't hide your intelligence to spare my feelings, because you and I both know that I don't have any."
"Circe-"
"Loki," Circe states firmly, "the world is filled with idiots. Please don't be one of them," she smirks, nudging him playfully in the side.
Loki nods, Circe's veracity reminding him why he liked her so much in the first place, "Okay."
…
"And now, as an incredibly-fitting ending to this great sport-" Chairman Brown announces thirty minutes later.
"This is a sport?" Pascal mutters to Lazlo, who is holding Stinky dressed up in a teal bow tie as they watch the competition from the left side of the stage.
"Whoever answers this final question correctly in the shortest amount of time will win this year's championship," Chairman Brown says as he adjusts the note cards in his hands, "So…here we go," he states as the final question appears on the screen behind him.
Vidcund squints his eyes at the monstrous clutter of numbers that appeared on the wall behind them. "Good God," he mutters as Academia Le Touré's team starts frantically working on the equation on the other side of the room.
At their table, Loki stands in silence, a strange calm washing over him as he stares up at a variation of very equation that he solved on the blackboard on his first day of class. Loki turns to the audience, eyeing his mother before turning to his teammates, who are all tirelessly working on the problem. He taps the buzzer in front of him.
"Yes, Sim State?" Chairman Brown states, Professor Irma and Pascal holding their breaths backstage as they await Loki's answer.
"The answer is 5,680 times ten to the sixteenth candela," Loki answers into the microphone.
"That is correct!" Chairman Brown exclaims, holding his hands up in the air as the room immediately erupts into a deafening applause, "Sim State University has just won the Fifty-third Annual Simverse Winter Physics Bowl!"
Around him, all of Sim State's supporters start cheering as Vidcund and Craig pat Loki on the back, then rush out to grab the trophy. Loki stands in silence, staring straight ahead, showing no emotion towards this glory. He turns slightly to the left, making eye contact with Circe, who hasn't left his side since the competition began. She gives him a small congratulatory nod.
"Congratulations, Loki," Damion says, the entire Academia Le Touré Physics Team walking over to congratulate the victor's onstage. "That final solve was impressive."
"Yes, it was," Loki agrees, stepping out from behind the table, "And you want to know who taught me that equation? My mother," he reveals, staring down at them, "In fact, she taught me tons of scientific equations. She's actually the reason why I went into science in the first place," he says as Circe gives a small smile behind him. Nearby, Gundrun is tearing up from the side of the stage. "You know, maybe if you spent more time studying and less time being misogynistic, you wouldn't have gotten second place," he states, smiling smugly.
Damion clenches his fists, his face fuming, "Oh that's it, Beaker!" he growls as Vidcund and Craig walk over to their team. Damion swings his arm back and hurls his fist forward towards Loki. Vidcund steps in front of Loki, Damion's fist striking him in the stomach instead. The Curious brother falls to the floor.
"Vidcund," Loki awes, crouching down next to his teammate, unable to believe what just happened, "You took a punch for me."
"Believe me, after this week, it was the least I could do for you," Vidcund cowers, holding onto his aching stomach, "Just let me stay on the floor for a moment," he breathes heavily and throws his head back in a groan, "Oh man, my gut. For a nerd, that guy can punch."
Loki stands up in place and glares at Damion as he steps in front of Vidcund. "Hey, dingus. Don't punch my friend!"
"Alright," Damion smirks, "I'll just clobber you instead-"
"Hey Damion," Circe calls out from behind, "Have you ever been knocked out by a girl before?" she wonders, throwing her fist forward and knocking the leader out in one quick motion. She stares down at Damion's meager, passed-out body and shakes her head in pity, "And that's why everyone's scared of me," she states.
Loki nods, "That's the main reason, yes," he adds in point.
Circe laughs. "I love you, money," she coos, pulling Loki into a hug.
"Money?" he squeaks, moving away from her slightly.
Circe sweat drops, "I mean Loki," she corrects, wrapping her arms around him. Loki shrugs and accepts the hug.
Backstage, Pascal is nervously eyeing Jim, who is standing near the center of the stage talking to Chairman Ryan Brown. He sighs as he stares out at his crush.
"Come on, Pascal, just tell Jim that you like him," Vidcund states, limping over to his older brother, "What could go wrong?"
"Maybe you're right," Pascal says as locks eyes with Jim. The townie gives him a small wave, "It's now or never," he declares, holding his hand up, "Hey Jim!"
The pair walk towards each other, Pascal feeling more confident with each step he takes. Pascal is about to reach Jim, when he trips over his shoelace and falls over, knocking into Jim and causing the young man to fling off the stage.
Fifteen minutes later, Pascal and Vidcund are sitting at the edge of the auditorium watching as two hospital workers take Jim away in a stretcher. "Cheer up, Pascal, anyone could've broken Jim's nose…and leg…and torso," Vidcund says, giving a nervous chuckle.
"Nope. Just you," Loki chimes, walking by the brothers.
Vidcund sighs and cocks his head at his leader, grateful that their harmless banter has returned, "Thanks Loki."
Loki nods and stops in place, suddenly having a hard time turning away from his teammate. "No problem," he states genuinely.
…
That night, after a day filled with celebrating the semester's biggest accomplishment, Circe and Loki are sitting on Circe's front porch alone, surprisingly in friendly company. The pair has spent the last twenty minutes contemplating about life and discussing the physics tournament, enjoying being on good terms with each other once more.
"Thank you, Loki," Circe says suddenly, still glowing from the final round.
"Hey, I should be thanking you," Loki replies, staring out at the starless sky, "that punch was pretty badass."
Circe nods, "Yeah, I thought you'd like it," she says before welcoming a moment of peaceful silence. Circe sighs as her heart sinks in her chest, the weight of her next statement too heavy for her to bear alone. "I got a letter from my dad yesterday."
"You did?" Loki replies. Circe nods, staring out into the distance. "Did you open it?"
Circe shakes her head, praying she can stay strong in this moment. "I don't really care what he has to say," she says, wondering if she even believes these words herself. "You know, I don't want you to treat me any different just because I have daddy issues," she tells him, her eyes shining as she stares at her once-boyfriend, "Loki, do you really want to be with me?"
Loki leans back a bit. After everything that happened that day, he's not surprised he doesn't have to think much about the question. "I do," he states sincerely.
Circe nods, blushing profusely as she gazes back at him. "Well, alright then," she beams before leaning forward and drawing him into a passionate kiss.
Loki sighs lovingly as he wraps his arms around his girlfriend, holding her in a tight embrace. "I love you, Vidcund," he whispers.
"What?" Circe speaks suddenly.
"I mean Ceres-Circe," Loki quickly corrects, pulling her into a hug once again as his mind shifts to back to his blonde rival, "Damn it!"