The Smartest Part
Fred’s Perspective
Fred was still reeling from witnessing Spotty casually tank a 300MT antimatter missile when a thought struck her. Okay, she’s powerful and indestructible, but smartest? Let’s see about that.
She crossed her arms and glanced at Spotty. “Alright, you’ve proven the most powerful, bravest, and craziest parts, but what about the smartest? Can you solve an unsolved mathematical problem?”
Spotty tilted her head, her crystalline blue eyes sparkling with amusement. “Go on,” she said, leaning casually against a crate.
Fred hesitated, trying to think of a problem obscure enough to stump her. “Okay, how about… proving the Riemann Hypothesis?” she finally asked, a sly smile tugging at her lips.
Spotty’s Perspective
Spotty raised an eyebrow, her smile widening. Oh, this is going to be fun.
“The Riemann Hypothesis?” she repeated, her tone light and teasing. “That’s your challenge? Alright.”
She walked over to the makeshift table they’d set up earlier, picked up a piece of scrap metal, and began writing on it with her fingertip, leaving glowing, precise lines of numbers and symbols.
“Let’s start with this,” Spotty began, her voice shifting into a measured, confident rhythm. She worked quickly, her mind racing ahead of her hand. As she wrote, she spoke, explaining every step in detail. “The hypothesis proposes that all nontrivial zeros of the Riemann zeta function lie on the critical line Re(s) = 1/2. Here’s the key insight…”
Within minutes, Spotty had filled the entire scrap with equations, each one flowing logically into the next. Finally, she tapped the last line and turned to Fred, her crystalline eyes sparkling with satisfaction.
“And there you have it,” Spotty said, her tone casual, as if she’d just completed a basic algebra problem. “The proof of the Riemann Hypothesis.” She leaned back and crossed her arms, a playful smirk on her lips. “I think this explains the smartest part.”
Fred’s Reaction
Fred stared at the glowing equations, her mouth slightly open. There’s no way… She just casually solved one of the greatest unsolved problems in mathematics?
She leaned closer, scanning the equations, and her heart began to race. It’s correct. Every single step is flawless.
“You… You just solved it,” Fred stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. “Do you even realize what you’ve done? Mathematicians have been trying to prove this for centuries!”
Elizabeth’s Perspective
Elizabeth watched the scene unfold with a mixture of amusement and admiration. Classic Spotty. Proving the Riemann Hypothesis like it’s no big deal.
“Fred,” Elizabeth said, her tone light, “you asked her to prove she’s the smartest. What did you expect? Spotty never does anything halfway.”
Spotty smirked, glancing at Elizabeth. “Thanks for the vote of confidence. You know, I almost feel bad for not making it more challenging.”
Elizabeth chuckled, shaking her head. “You’re impossible, Spotty.”
Ila’s Perspective
Ila leaned back, crossing her arms as she watched Spotty explain the solution with ease. Of course, she can solve it. Is there anything she can’t do?
As Spotty finished her explanation, Ila shot her a teasing grin. “Okay, I’ll admit it—that was impressive. But now you’ve set the bar impossibly high for the rest of us.”
Spotty shrugged, her smirk playful. “What can I say? Being the smartest has its perks.”
Ila chuckled, shaking her head. “You’re insufferable.”
Fred’s Questions
Fred finally tore her gaze away from the glowing equations, her mind still spinning. “How… How did you even figure it out? Did you already know the solution?”
Spotty smiled, her tone patient. “I didn’t know the solution before you asked. But I’ve studied enough mathematics—and multiversal physics—that I recognized the patterns and logic. It’s all connected, Fred. Once you see the bigger picture, the pieces fall into place.”
Fred nodded slowly, her admiration for Spotty growing by the second. “So… you’re not just powerful. You’re a genius too.”
Elizabeth’s Commentary
Elizabeth grinned, her voice teasing. “I could’ve told you that, Fred. Spotty isn’t just smart—she’s annoyingly smart.”
Spotty raised an eyebrow, feigning indignation. “Annoyingly? Really? I prefer ‘brilliantly.’”
Elizabeth laughed, shaking her head. “Whatever you say, oh smartest and most beautiful.”
Fred’s Final Thoughts
Fred looked at Spotty with newfound respect—and a touch of awe. She really is everything they say she is. Powerful, brave, crazy, and yes… the smartest.
“Alright,” Fred said, a small smile tugging at her lips. “I’m convinced. You really are all those things—and more.”
Spotty chuckled, her crystalline eyes twinkling. “Glad to hear it. Now, let’s get back to saving your world, shall we?”
Fred nodded, still marveling at what she’d just witnessed. If anyone can save us, it’s her.