The Path of the Arrow

by Catiegurl87

Present Day

The stars Uni pawed the ground nervously. She is no match for me, thought Miko. He held his head up and marched into the competition field. The crowd roared at his arrival.

"Miko! Miko!" They chanted. He closed his eyes and thought back to how he had come to be here.

***

One Year Earlier

"Meeeka! Meeeka!" Yelled baby Shy. Miko shook his head laughing, "No, Shy. My name is Miko. Miko!"

Shy, the baby Cybunny cocked her head at her older brother. "Meekoo. Meeko!" she repeated, smiling at her accomplishment.

"Yay! You got it, Shy!" Miko exclaimed. Just then his mother walked into their cozy living room. She smiled at Shy and picked her up.

"Mom! Shy said my name! She doesn't call me Meeka any more!" Miko said happily. His mother grinned at him and continued to feed the baby.

"So...uhh....are we gonna go play games today Mom?" Miko asked hopefully.

His mother sighed, "I don't see how Miko. I have to stay home and take care of the baby and you have to go into the shop. We need the Neopoints. Ever since I created little Shy money has been tight. You know that, Miko. And the NP from games just isn't supporting us right now."

Miko nodded sadly, "I will head over to the shop. Bye Mom." He hugged his mother good-bye and kissed his little sister on her furry cheek. Shy giggled, "Buh-bye, Meeka!"

***

Miko hummed as he made his way to their family shop. He thought of his favorite game, Bullseye. His mother used to take him to play it everyday. I wish I was so good at Bullseye that we wouldn't even need the shop, he thought to himself.

Just then he heard a small voice, "Help me! Help me, please!"

Miko looked down. There was a small jar sitting on the ground. It was glowing a bright yellow color. Miko picked it up.

"Hey! Help me little Meerca!" Called a voice from inside the jar. Miko stared at it. A Light Faerie! Wow! He quickly unscrewed the cork of the jar.

The Light Faerie flew out and breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you! I hadn't be caught in nearly two weeks, so I guess I was getting cocky and this man snatched me up and dropped me! Oh well, I am out now. So little Meerca, what is your name?"

Miko gaped at her. "Umm...my name is Meeka. I mean Miko! Sorry!" He said, turning his head in embarrassment.

The Faerie laughed, "Well! You get one wish for saving me. I hope you wish for a better memory so you can remember your name," she joked.

Miko's breath caught in his throat. I get a wish? This is it! I could wish to become the greatest Bullseye player in all of Neopia!

As if reading his mind the Light Faerie called, "Your wish is my command!" She waved her hand about and then disappeared in a puff of smoke. Miko stood for a moment, a bit shocked by what had just happened. He felt stronger, more powerful! His wish had come true! He had to go test it!

Miko stumbled over to the games building which wasn't far from his NeoHome in Neopian Central. He started playing Bullseye and each time he shot the arrow he got a score of 65!!

Oh Faerieland! I have to go tell Mom! Miko said to himself. He ran as fast as he could until his tall NeoHome came into view.

***

Present Day

Miko laughed as he remembered how shocked and excited he had been. He started challenging his friends, but nobody could beat him. His mother was so proud of him and they quickly became rich. Miko was painted gold, then white, then fire which he still is today. His family became so rich that Shy became a Faerie pet and his mother demolished their NeoHome and built a new one in Faerieland!

Miko began challenging some of the best Bullseye players and he made it to the Championship Bullseye Trials, where he is today. Miko pulled back his arrow and let it fly. The crowd cheered as it hit the Bullseye target. Miko shrugged indifferently and then turned to the Uni and grinned, "Your turn."

She took a deep breath and then right before Miko's eyes she turned it to a breathtaking Light Faerie!

"Miko! You have become one of the greatest Bullseye players. Your goal to make Neopoints and help your family has been reached. Now, you are playing with an unfair advantage because you have been blessed. I will take your ability away and you will play with what comes from the inside; you natural ability and will to win," she explained, then she waved her hand and disappeared.

Miko couldn't believe his eyes! That had been the Faerie who had blessed him! But his ability was gone. How was he going to play?

The announcer called the finalists up to the center of the circle. Miko was one of them. The crowd began talking amongst themselves. Miko heard a small Flotsam say to his father, "I know he is gonna win, Daddy! I just know it!"

Miko gulped, what was he going to do? Then he remembered the Faerie's words. "Use your natural ability and you will to win." Miko nodded, he could do it!

He and the other two finalists prepared their arrows. They shot them into the air. Miko watched as the others got Bullseyes and his landed with a score of 15.

The crowd grew silent. Miko looked over to his mother and little sister on the sidelines. "Go Meeka! You can do it!" cried Shy. Miko aimed the arrow once more and shot it into the air. It landed with an amazing center Bullseye!

The other two players bother got 10s! The crowd rose to their feet in happiness. He had won! Miko ran to his mother and Shy. He took his little sister in his arms and hugged her as they went to the winners stand.

As Miko excepted his trophy his little sister looked at him and said, "I knew ya could do it, Meeka."

The End