Samantha's POV

I didn't think that sitting in the Man's Nest all night while Danger Force goes to fight crime would become... Lonely. Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful to be working with Danger Force, but I feel like I can do more than sit at a desk telling them when Crime's afoot. There's gotta be something I can do, and I think I know what...

Saturday...

Ray: So what's this about, Sheila?

Samantha: (Annoyed) It's Samantha!

Ray: Uh, Yeah, that's what I said, Shalemet.

Chapa zaps Ray to keep him quiet.

Chapa: Ignore him.

Bose: But yeah, Sammi, What is this about?

Samantha: I wanna be a part of Danger Force and I wanna prove that I can be a part of the team. I know I don't have powers, but I'm an excellent archer.

Ray: So what? Anyone can shoot an arrow.

Samantha: Well not everyone is a 6x Neighborville Archery Champion, who has not only won for accuracy but for creativity.

Ray: (Scoffs) Please, Sherese. I can do that with my eyes closed, both arms tied behind my back, and only using my toes.

Elena: That sounds like a challenge, Uncle Ray.

Chapa: Yeah, Dad, That sounds like you're issuing an archery shoot-off.

All: (Chanting) Archery shoot-off, Archery shoot-off, Archery shoot-off, Archery shoot-off, Archery shoot-off, Archery shoot-off!

Ray: (Giving in) Alright, Alright. Me and Sisco here are going to have ourselves a little archery shoot-off. If you win, You can be an official crime-fighting member of Danger Force, but if I win, You're back to being an M.I.A. Deal, Sacrilegious?

Mika: Dude, You're not even trying at this point.

Samantha: I'll accept... if you promise to call me by my actual name. This is about more than just joining the team, this is about earning your respect, and that's what I wanna do.

Ray: Okay Sora, You got a deal.

Later that day...

Robyn: Here's how things will work: There will be three challenges. Each archer will show off Accuracy, Distance, and Style. This shoot-off will be contested under 2 out of 3 fall rules. I want this to be a clean matchup. No funny business... but more importantly, Have Fun!

Angelo: Look at my Lil'Red go. Being a shoot-off official. Isn't she just adorable?

Robyn: (Blushing) Aww... Stawwp...

Miles: (To Mika) Just to be clear, they're Not dating?

Mika: (To Miles) Yeah no, it confuses me too.

Robyn: First round: Accuracy. Each Archer will shoot a total of 9 arrows at a mix of still and moving targets and Blindfolded.

This should be pretty easy for me. I don't miss. EVER. But... I see this as a simple and friendly competition to earn my Boss's respect, no matter how competitive he gets.

Samantha: May the best Archer win, Ray. Good luck.

Ray: I don't need luck, I'm Captain Man, but the best archer will win. Me.

Simple and Friendly, Simple and Friendly, Simple and Friendly. Simple. And. Friendly.

Robyn: Let the Shoot-off Begin!!!

Chapa: I'm your commentator, Chapa Sparkyson and I'm here with my partner, Angelo Pawprint. We're here watching the first-ever Man's Nest Archery Shoot-off. Care to comment Pawprint?

Angelo: Thank You, Sparky. This Archery Shoot-off will determine if M.I.A. Samantha...

Samantha: Murphy.

Angelo: Samantha Murphy earn the respect of her Boss, Raymond Ester Manchester, and become an official member of Danger Force. Let's find out now as we watch the first competition: Accuracy.

I had this in the bag. I didn't miss a single shot, not even blindfolded. I've been competing in Archery competitions since I was 3, so I've had time to improve my accuracy shots. Ray, unfortunately, didn't make a single shot, which I would've at least expected from being blindfolded, but he missed every target. In fact, he hit everything but the targets.

Robyn: Well... Despite almost getting shot with an arrow, We have a clear winner. This Round goes to... Samantha!

Ray: Dang it!

Chapa: And there we have it. The score is 1-0, putting Samantha in the lead, but it's still anybody's game. Pawprint? Pawprint...?

Chapa looks over to Angelo and Robyn flirting, which annoys her, so she zaps Angelo.

Chapa: (Annoyed) Dude, stop flirting with the official.

Angelo: (Clears Throat) Right. Sorry, Sparkyson. I got a little distracted. Back to scheduled programming. Uh... What's Next, Lil'Red?

Robyn: Next Event is... Distance!

Angelo: You heard it here first folks. The next event in this shoot-off is Distance! We will be right back as we go outside to prepare for the next challenge.

We all headed outside... Well, almost all of us.

Ray: (Suspiciously) Uh... Yeah, you guys go ahead. I, uh, gotta go to the bathroom to... clean... The ceiling...?

Ray is being weird, but I was told to expect that from him. I didn't really think anything of it. I just continued to head outside with everyone else. I met up with Bose to talk. I've been so focused on this whole challenge, that I haven't really talked to him.

Samantha: Hey, Buga!

Bose: Hey, Sammi Bear! What's up?

Samantha: (Stumbling) I just wanted to talk to you, so you didn't think I forgot about you. When I'm focused, I don't let anything distract me, not that you're a distraction because you're my boyfriend and-

Bose gently cupped my face in his hands and kissed my forehead.

Samantha: (Confused) Wha-

Bose: To calm you down. Breathe, Sammi. I'd never let you forget about me. I know you gotta focus. That's why I've been a silent supporter because I know how much this means to you.

I smiled and pecked his lips. Bose is literally the best ever. I manifest that we stay together for as long as possible.

Bose: You're doing great and I'm proud of you. I must warn you though, Ray will do anything to win.

Samantha: Luckily for him, I will too, If necessary.

Bose: Well, win or lose, I'll be proud of you and I'm taking you out for Ice cream either way. C'mon, Sammi Bear, I think they're ready for you. You got this.

I smiled as Bose grabbed my hand and we returned to where everyone was. Ray coincidentally had come outside at the same time. I'm starting to think that he wasn't going to clean the bathroom ceiling.

Robyn: Okay! Now that everyone is here, I can explain the rules for the next challenge. Miles is on the other side of the Man's nest to see whose arrow makes it further. The arrow you will shoot has a ribbon tied to the end, you know, to tell the difference. You both will shoot your arrow simultaneously over the Man's Nest and whoever's arrow is further wins this challenge.

Chapa: You heard that right, folks. Get the arrow over the Man's Nest and have it land further than the other arrow. Pawprint?

Angelo: That's right, Sparky. Took the words right out of my mouth. Let's watch how this will go down.

Elena: Why exactly are you two pretending to be sports commentators?

Bose: Yeah, You guys have been talking like that since the start of the shoot-off.

Angelo: Well, Elena Stormbreaker and Bosey MindMover, Sparkyson and I both like to commentate and instigate on things for our own entertainment, which says a lot because besides that, fighting crime, and arguing with each other, it's all we really have in common. Something that should stay that way.

Chapa zaps both Elena and Bose. She must zap people often. I'll try to keep that in mind.

Chapa: Also, shame on you two for not minding y'all's b'yaznesses. Back to work, Pawprint?

Angelo: I thought you'd never ask, Sparky.

We were about to shoot our arrows when I noticed something different about Ray's Bow.

Robyn: Archers ready? Aim... and Fire!

I realized what was so different about Ray's Bow, but I knew it, we had both shot our arrows before I had a chance to react. Ray used a rigged mechanical bow that would shoot his arrow further. Bose was right. Ray would do anything to win. Well, two can play- No. Samantha, you aren't like that anymore. You can't stoop to his level, That's what he wants.

Robyn: Well, The results are in. According to Miles, Ray's arrow went further, so the winner of this challenge is... Ray!

Chapa: You heard it here, folks. The competition is neck and neck between the mom-loving man-child and the Blonde Barista/M.I.A. who wants to be accepted by the team. Pawprint?

Angelo: That's right, Sparky. This competition is still anybody's game.

Robyn: The last Challenge is... Style. We'll take a quick break and we'll come back here since it's probably safer to finish this outside.

I can't believe Ray cheated and no one noticed. I should've suspected that he was being a bit sus much sooner, and now I might lose because of it. I started pacing back and forth, worried about losing this competition. Regardless of his semantics, maybe I underestimated Ray.

Bose: Sammi? Are you okay?

Samantha: (Panicking) Bosey, You were right. Ray will do anything to win. He rigged his bow to make his arrow go further and now he has a chance of winning, which means that I won't be able to fight crime with Danger Force, which I really, really, really wanna do and-

Bose: Breathe, Sammi. You're spiraling. You're gonna do great regardless. I know it wouldn't be the outcome that you'd be looking for, but if I recall correctly, a little birdie once told me that the most unplanned moments make for the best memories.

Samantha: (Smirking) I did say that, huh?

Bose: Yes you did, my cute Sammi bear. Everything will work out as intended. And look, Today might not be The day that you join us on missions, but as of right now, You gotta focus on beating Ray so that you can, for my amazing girlfriend can do anything she puts her mind to.

Samantha: (Sad Puppy Eyes) Do you really think I can do this, Bugabear?

Bose: Of Course, Sammi bear. Now go win your chance to be a hero.

I kissed him again just for being the best boyfriend ever and we headed back to the competition spot. I'm gonna win and become a hero.

Robyn: Alright! Time for the last challenge of the competition... Freestyle! In this challenge, Each Archer will show off their best archery move that they can do and hit the target. If one fails to do either, the other archer takes the point and wins the competition as it's neck and neck and anyone could win. The only rule is no outside assistance. Ray, You're up first.

Ray: Watch and learn, Sasperillo, Watch. And. Learn.

I really underestimated Ray. A man with such a body structure as Ray should not be able to go into full splits, but here I am, in shock, watching Raymond Ester Manchester shoot an arrow while in full splits. Honestly, as an archer, I give him props where props are due. That's pretty impressive for a man his size and age. Now I'm really nervous.

Ray: Beat that, Saddle!

As I step up to the plate, I can feel the nerves of wanting to win this competition. I looked back at Bose for some reassurence and in return, I recieved two thumbs up and a smile. I nodded and took a deep breath. My archery trick is inspired by one of my idols, Sofie Dossi. I met her when for my 9th Birthday and she taught me how to shoot an arrow with my feet, and so I've practiced this move in order to perfect it.

I got in position and was ready to fire the arrow, but what happens next, causes a whole lot of chaos. Just as I was about to shoot my arrow, someone stepped on my hands, but I couldn't see who. I didn't hit the target, but Robyn. I shot Robyn in the arm, and when I got up to apologize to Robyn, There was Mika, with a shocked yet guilty look on her face. It was Mika. Mika sabotaged me... But why?

Bose: Mika, what have you done? Why did you mess up Sammi's Shot?

Mika: (Stuttering) I-I-I-I don't know what c-c-came over me.

Samantha: I think I do. She sabotaged me for attention. Your Attention, Bose. Mika still has feelings for you, Bose. That's why she sabotaged my shot. She knew that if I started fighting crime with you, that there wouldn't be a chance for her and the Bomika would be over.

Elena: No, Mika wouldn't do that. Mika, tell her that she's wrong.

Mika: I... I wish I could say she was, Laney...

Elena: (Tearing Up) Mika, I think you should go.

Mika: Laney, Please just let me-

Elena: JUST- go...

Mika didn't say another word and walked away. Schwoz and Angelo took Robyn to the infirmary room, Chapa and Miles teleported away, and Poor Elena had broken down where she stood. I felt so bad with all the chaos that ensued.

Samantha: Bose?

Bose: Go ahead. I'll be in the Man's Nest.

I sat with Elena and comforted her. Despite my unfortunate loss to Ray in order to fight crime with Danger Force, Elena was definitely having a much worse moment than I was.

Ray: Look Kid, I'm sorry that you can't fight crime with us. If you want, I could issue a rem-

Samantha: It's Okay. I'll stay M.I.A. I'll join Danger Force once it's deserved of me to be apart.

Ray: Well, if that's what you want, Good game, Samantha.

Before I was able to say anything back, Ray was already gone. I did it. I earned his respect...