the truth(3)

The illusion engulfed Dakota's friends once more, dragging them back into the past. The world around them sharpened into focus, revealing the tense standoff between Michael's group and the bullies near the lockers.

The lead bully, Jason, sneered as he stepped forward, cracking his knuckles.

Jason: (mocking)

"You think you're better than us just because you get good grades? Let's put that to the test."

Michael stood at the center of his group, arms crossed, completely unbothered.

Michael: (calm, amused)

"You want to challenge us? Fine. Just know that you're going to regret it."

Jason's smirk widened as the other bullies snickered.

Jason:

"We're making this fair. Five-on-five. We'll pick three challenges, and you pick two. Best out of five wins. That is… if you're not scared."

Emily scoffed, rolling her eyes.

Emily: (mocking)

"You're acting like you have a chance."

Marie smirked, flipping her hair over her shoulder.

Marie:

"Alright. We accept. Let's hear your challenges."

The bullies huddled for a moment before Jason turned back, confidence practically oozing from him.

Jason:

"First, a basketball match. Two-on-two. Then a math test—"

Michael actually laughed at that one, making the bullies bristle in irritation.

Michael: (grinning)

"You just handed us an easy win. Go on."

Jason ignored him and continued.

Jason:

"Third, a push-up contest."

Marie, Ethan, and Alex exchanged glances, barely containing their amusement.

Marie: (teasing)

"You sure you wanna go through with this? You might embarrass yourselves."

Jason: (gritting his teeth)

"Shut up! Now you pick your challenges."

Michael turned to his group, and without hesitation, he spoke.

Michael:

"Chess and a debate."

The bullies immediately looked uncomfortable. Jason clenched his fists, realizing they had already lost those rounds before they had even started.

Jason: (grumbling)

"Fine. Let's do this."

The group moved to the school's outdoor basketball court, where a small crowd of students had gathered, sensing something interesting was about to happen.

The teams were set—Ethan and Alex for Michael's side, Jason and his second-in-command, Ryan, for the bullies.

As soon as the game started, Ethan stole the ball instantly, his movements so quick that Jason didn't even register what had happened.

Jason: (shouting)

"HEY!"

But before he could react, Ethan had already passed the ball to Alex, who effortlessly shot a three-pointer.

Referee:

"Three points!"

The crowd murmured in excitement.

Lucas, watching from the present, narrowed his eyes as he observed Ethan's movements. Something about them felt so familiar—so natural.

Lucas: (muttering)

"He's… insane."

The game continued, and every time the bullies tried to push back, Ethan and Alex completely outmaneuvered them.

Ethan dribbled between Jason's legs before passing the ball behind his back to Alex, who dunked it with ease.

The final score?

21-0.

The bullies hadn't even gotten a single point.

As the crowd erupted into cheers, Jason and Ryan stood frozen, humiliated.

Jason: (breathing heavily, sweating)

"T-That was just luck."

Michael smirked.

Michael: (mocking)

"Sure. Let's move on to the next challenge."

A teacher, intrigued by the commotion, agreed to give them all a ten-question advanced math test.

Within two minutes, Michael, Emily, and Marie had already finished.

The bullies were still on question three when time ran out.

The results?

Michael, Emily, and Marie: Perfect scores.

The bullies: One or two correct answers at best.

The classroom erupted in laughter as the bullies hung their heads in embarrassment.

Ryan: (whispering to Jason)

"Dude… maybe we should stop."

Jason: (gritting his teeth)

"Shut up. We still have a chance!"

Michael leaned back in his chair, smirking.

Michael:

"Next."

On the field, Ethan squared up against the strongest of the bullies, a muscular kid named Zack.

Coach:

"Alright, you'll both do as many push-ups as possible. First one to collapse loses."

The moment it started, Ethan moved effortlessly, his arms barely shaking as he maintained a perfect rhythm.

Zack, meanwhile, was sweating bullets by the 20th push-up.

By the time Ethan reached 40, Zack collapsed onto the grass, gasping for breath.

Coach:

"Winner—Ethan!"

The students watching burst into applause, while Zack buried his face in shame.

Henry, watching from the present, let out an impressed whistle.

Henry:

"Damn, Ethan was built different."

Dakota just smirked.

Dakota:

"You haven't seen anything yet."

The bullies put forward their 'smartest' member, a kid named Chris, against Michael.

It was over in four moves.

Chris stared at the board, his face pale.

Chris: (whispering)

"…No way."

Michael leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand.

Michael:

"You done?"

Chris didn't even answer. He just stood up and walked away.

Marie: (mocking)

"That's four-zero. You sure you want to keep going?"

Jason's fists clenched.

Jason: (growling)

"Fine! Final round! The debate! If we win, we call it a tie!"

Michael chuckled.

Michael:

"No, Jason. Even if you win the debate, it's still four-to-one. We already won."

Jason's face turned red, but he was too stubborn to back down.

The topic: Should school uniforms be mandatory?

Michael and his team had all their points laid out perfectly, delivering argument after argument with confidence and precision.

Jason's team? They were stuttering, unable to counter a single thing.

By the time it was over, the teacher judging the debate looked almost sorry for them.

Teacher:

"Winner—Michael's team."

Jason sat down, completely defeated.

Michael and his friends stood before the school, the defeated bullies slumped in the background.

Michael scanned the crowd before speaking.

Michael: (loud, clear)

"Let this be a lesson to anyone who thinks they can mess with us. If you try to stand against me and my friends—"*

He looked directly at Jason.

"You will lose. Every time."

The entire school erupted in cheers.

Michael turned, walking away with his friends.

Michael: (grinning)

"Let's get lunch."

The illusion shattered, pulling Dakota's friends back into reality.

Henry let out a low whistle.

Henry:

"Damn. That was some next-level domination."

Ava crossed her arms, smirking.

Ava:

"I kinda respect Michael now. He was a menace."

Lucas, still deep in thought, muttered.

Lucas:

"There's something about all of this that feels too familiar…"

Jack stretched, cracking his neck.

Jack:

"Alright. That was wild. But let's keep going."

Mia nodded.

Mia:

"Yeah. Time for the next memory."

Dakota simply smirked.

Dakota:

"Then let's begin."

The darkness swirled again.