//------------------------------//
// Arc 5(Lovely and the Adventurous Beast or Neigh Anything)-1: Buck Withers: Adventurer 
// Story: My Little Pony: One as a Family.  "Life in Canterlot" 
// by SaburoDaimando 
//------------------------------//


 Arc 5: Lovely and the Adventurous Beast or Neigh Anything


	Buck Withers: Adventurer


It was in the middle of the White Tail Woods.  A giant dragon-like rock monster with a large jewel eye was rampaging out of control, flailing his arms up and down as if it were trying to smash something.  In front of him was a light violet male Earth Pony Stallion with a yellow man and tail.  He wore a white shirt with a regal red and black vest.  A black belt was wrapped around his waist.  His Cutie Mark was a yellow shield with a B on it.  He carried a chain whip of some kind on his belt.  
“So,”  The stallion said to the Rock Monster as he stood his ground.  “You dare to challenge the might of the legendary adventurer Buck Withers?  Hah.  I eat monsters like you for breakfast.”
The Rock Monster lets out an ear-piercing roar as it lands its giant fist right down on Buck Withers.  The stallion leaps out of the way and grabs his chain whip with his teeth.  He lashes out with the chain whip, hoping to hit his foe right in the eye, only to miss and leave himself open.
In retaliation, the Rock Monster let’s out an ear-piercing roar as it breathes fire on Buck Withers.  Buck was able to jump out of the way as the fire burned a couple of nearby trees.  As Buck got behind the monstrosity, he briefly spat out the handle of his whip and looked at the beast with a smug look on his face.
“Quite clever you sacks of pebbles,” Buck Withers said.  “But you’re still no match for me.”
And with that, Buck picked up the whip with his teeth and leaped into the air.  He flung the sharp metal tip of his whip at the Rock Monster, and it landed just above the jeweled eye, digging right in.  The monster screamed in pain as it struggled to get the tip out.
Buck Withers then leaped over the Rock Monster and ran underneath, keeping his teeth held firmly on the whip.  He pulled tightly, with the intent of pulling the jeweled eye of the Rock Monster loose.  The monster continued to scream as it tried to pull back.  Buck continued to pull with all his might, not willing to let go as long as his teeth were locked firmly on the handle of the whip.
And then, with a violent tug, Buck was able to pry loose the jeweled eye from the Rock Monster.  The monster let loose one huge agonizing scream before falling apart.  It's body became nothing but stones and boulders, as it's jeweled eye lands clear from the monster's remains.  
Buck Withers spat out his whip and looked at what's left of the Rock Monster.  He runs towards the other end of his whip and picks up the jeweled eye.  It sparkled like a sapphire, and was as big as his head.  
"For a bunch of mindless savages," Buck said to himself.  "I envy the beauty of their eyes, as gorgeous as the lakes of Equestria, or the stars in the sky.  This would make for a fine engagement ring for my future wife."
"No doubt about it, Mr Withers."  That came from behind the adventurer.  Buck turns around and sees a slightly smaller Pegasus pony.  He had a light blue coat, and a short, shaggy black mane and tail.  He wore a light brown jacket that covered all the way to his rear end.
"Gad Zookes you magnificent pony," Bucks says as he approached the slightly smaller pegasus.  "I was wondering when you would catch up, old friend"
“I was just watching you take out that monstrosity from afar,”  Gad Zookes said.  “Age hasn’t slowed you down.”
“And the same can be said for my taste of adventure,”  Buck said as he placed the jeweled eye into a pocket on his vest.  “Reminds me of my early days of facing the fiercest creatures of Equestria.”
“Like that time you faced a hungry hydra,”  Gad Zookes said.
“That was my favorite one ever,”  Buck laughed as he brushed his hair with his hoof.  “I’ll never forget being swallowed alive by that brute.  And that was his biggest mistake.  Gave that thunder lizard heartburn he would never forget.”  Buck then proceeded to wind up his whip and place it on his belt.
“No one forgets that,”  Gad Zookes said.  “There was a whole village who saw you in action.  Some thought you were brave.  Some thought you were crazy.  I just saw it as another day on the job for you.”
“Yes,”  Buck Withers said.  “And it’s not the first time I’ve been in the stomach of a beast.  But there is one challenge I plan on achieving.”
“You don’t mean,”  Gad Zookes said, curious by Buck’s desire for a new challenge.
“Yes,”  Buck replied.  “My biggest goal is to win the heart of the adopted daughter of Princess Celestia.”
“You mean Princess Cadance?”  Gad Zookes replied.  
“The Princess of Love herself,”  Buck Withers said as he polished his hoof.  “Mi Amore Cadenza.  They say love is the most fearsome creature ever in Equestria.  I intend on conquering the legend of the love beast, and make her mine.  A challenge for one who truly enjoys the quest of the adventure, don’t you say so Gad Zookes?”
As Buck looks at Gad, he notices a strange look on Gad’s face, with his jaw dropped to the floor.
“Let me guess with that face,”  Buck Withers said.  “There is a bigger rock monster behind me, and she’s upset that I slayed his child.”
The only thing Gad Zookes could do is nod yes.   Buck turns around and sees an even bigger rock monster, who roars over the death of its child.
“Would you kindly step back for a moment my loyal friend?” Buck Withers said as he prepared to grab his chain whip.  “Here comes a new challenger.”
As Gad Zookes backed off and hid behind the trees, Buck Withers grabbed the handle of his whip with his teeth and unraveled his trusty weapon, ready to do battle with an even bigger cyclops of a rock monster.
“You want a piece of me?”  Buck Withers said as his teeth held firmly on the whip.  “Come and get it.”

Later that day on the streets of Canterlot, a party was being thrown for Danged Spell’s Cute Ceanera.  It was only yesterday that the small colt earned his cutie mark due to his dedication to defending others.  And now, everyone was celebrating, including his parents Fortwright and Shanoa, his unicorn friends Sunset Shimmer, Twilight Sparkle, Starlight Glimmer, Sunburst and Moondancer, the three PRincesses Celestia, Luna and Cadance, and especially Wanda.  And they were all having the time of their lives.
Around the party, there were plenty of decorations and bright colors to lift the party mood.  Right on the tables are cheese and pineapple pizza, mugs of frosty root beer, and even chocolate cake.  Wanda was enjoying a nice drink of root beer while feeding Abigail bits of her pizza under the table.
“Who knew Danged Spell was into pineapple on his pizza?”  Sunset said as she took a bite.
“It’s been awhile since I’ve enjoyed a nice slice of pineapple pizza,”  Starlight said as scarfed down a whole slice of pineapple pizza.  “They are so good.”
“Starlight,”  Sunset said.  “You know better than to wolf down the food.  You’ll get a tummy ache.”
“But it’s so good,”  Starlight said before letting out a huge belch.
“SPEWWWWW!”  Moondancer said, disgusted by Starlight’s belch.
“Aww,”  Starlight whined.  “Belching is actually pretty fun.”
“No way are you gonna catch me belching,”  Moondancer said before turning to Wanda.  “Isn’t that right, Wanda?” She continued.
The only thing that came out of Wanda’s mouth was an even bigger belch.  That disgusted Moondancer a bit and made Starlight embarrassed.
“Oh spew and a half,”  Moondancer said as she stuck her tongue out.
“Come on Moonie,”  Twilight said as she put her left arm on Moondancer’s shoulder.  “We should all be having fun.”
“You mean with the fact that we have two gross belchers in our midst?”  Moondancer said with a chuckle.  “I’m surprised that their mommy’s aren’t scolding them for their gassy behavior.”
Suddenly, an even louder belch echoed through Canterlot.  Everyone turned around and they saw Princess Celestia cover her mouth while she let out a small burp.
“Sorry,”  Celestia said as she blushed with embarrassment.  “Too much root beer.”
“Sister,”  Luna said as she gave her older sister a noogie.  “Are you trying to outgross me when it comes to belches?”  That comment was enough to cause everyone to laugh.
Nearby, Princess Cadance was with Danged Spell.  The young colt was already feeling on top of the world since he got his cutie mark yesterday.  But he also felt a bit more special because of how he helped save Wanda, Chancellor Cinch, Twilight and Starlight from the Windigos Guild.  Cadance was there just to congratulate the youngling.
“So how does it feel to have a cutie mark,”  Princess Cadence asked Danged Spell.
“Feels great,”  Danged Spell replied.  “But it felt even greater when I gave those Windigos something they won’t forget.  After all, no one messes with my friends.”
“Glad you’re enjoying it,”  Princess Cadance replies.
“By the way,”  Danged Spell said.  “What happened to that stallion who was with you?”
“Oh you mean Shining Armor?”  Princess Cadance said as she looked a bit nervous.  “He’s...busy for the moment.”
“Well that’s too bad,” Danged Spell said as he too a sip of root beer.  “He would have enjoyed this moment.”
“Yeah,”  Princess Cadance said as she looked around and saw no sight of Shining Armor. “He would have.” She sighed as she took a bite of pineapple pizza.  Where was Shining Armor?  Why would her knight in literal shining armor be keeping her?  As Cadence looked onward, Danged Spell and Sunset Shimmer took notice.
“She’s not herself,”  Danged Spell whispered to Sunset.
“Big sis enjoys the presence of Shining Armor,”  Sunset whispered.  “They’ve known each other since she first foalsat for Twilight Sparkle.”
"What can we do to cheer her up?" Danged whispered as his eyes are still on Cadance.
"All we can do is hope for the best," Sunset said.  "And assure that nothing bad will happen"
But as the two look at Princess Cadance, a loud voice echoed through Canterlot.  The words that came out were "Well Hello citizens of Canterlot on a pony's Cute-Ceanera."  Everyone turned their heads to a corner and there was Buck Withers alongside his close friend Gad Zookes.  Buck was carrying a small jeweled eye on his hoof while Gad leaned on a larger eye.
"Everyone, look,"  A yellow and aqua pony named Lemony Gems.  "It's the legendary adventurer Buck Withers.  He's so dreamy."
"Why thank you kind citizen,"  Buck said as he placed the smaller jeweled eye into his pocket and began to walk up.  "I have been out in the world, and I have conquered the great rock monsters that date to threaten our way of life.  And each one was more vicious than the last."
Danged Spell was already looking at Buck Withers with an opened smile on his face and a clean in his eyes.  Sunset Shimmer tried to have her hoof in his face, trying to get his attention.
"Equestria to Danged Spell," Sunset said.  "Come in Danged Spell."
"The legendary Buck Withers," Danged Spell said as he was too mesmerized by Buck Wither's storytelling.  "I can't believe he's here.  During my Cute-Ceanera."
Danged Spell wasted no time as he dashed from his table towards Buck Withers.  Sunset looked mortified as she saw her friend make his way towards the adventurer.  She turns her head towards Fortwright and Shanoa, who were observing in the background, all while Shanoa rocked foal Dream Seeker in her stroller.
"You invited him to his Cute-Ceanera, Mr and Mrs Sagara?"  Sunset said to Fortwright and Shanoa.
"He needed some inspiration for his future," Fortwright said as Shanoa shook her head with a smirk on her face.
"I will never understand you two," Sunset said as she put her hoof to her face.
"It was Spell's idea for pineapple pizza," Shanoa said as she continued to rock foal Dream Seeker.  "But he should have went with pepper-oatni pizza.  Seriously, who eats pineapple topped on a pizza?"
As Buck Withers and Gad Zookes show off their prize, Danged Spell ran up to the duo, excited to see the two.
“Well,”  Buck Withers said as he noticed Danged Spell.  “If it ain’t the boy with his new cutie mark.”
“That’s me,”  Danged Spell said.  “And I thank my friends and family for helping me get to this moment.”
“Well,” Buck Withers said.  “I came by to give you my Cute-Ceanera greetings.”  And with that, Buck Withers pulls out a gold medallion necklace with a B engraved on it.  
“A custom-made Buck Withers Medallion?”  Danged Spell said as he stared at it.
“Just for you,”  Buck Withers said as he wrapped the necklace around Spell’s neck.  “And not for anyone who wants to be a king or a prince.”
“Oh thank you,”  Danged Spell said as bowed towards Buck.  “You can count on me.  I’m no pony who wants to even be royalty.”
“Now will you excuse me young adventure?”  Buck says.  “I’m here to give this place the party of its life.”
As Buck Withers walked towards Princess Cadance, Danged Spell just stared with a smile on his face, and his mind almost blank.
“I can’t believe I met my idol,”  Danged Spell thought.  “If this is a dream, someone pinch me.”

As Buck Withers walked towards Princess Cadence, he accidentally bumped into Wanda’s chair, startling her a little bit.
“Whoops,”  Buck said as he bowed to Wanda.  “Sorry there little lady.  I didn’t mean to.”
Wanda just stared at Buck, a bit confused by his presence.  But as Buck began to walk away, he unintentionally stepped on Abigail’s tail.  The kitten yelled really loud before leaping into the air.
“I really need to watch myself,”  Buck said as he saw Abigail holding onto a wooden beam for dear life.
Wanda just looked at Buck Withers with a bit of a scowl.  It was one thing to bump into her.  But to step on the tail of her cat?  That wasn’t gonna go well for this man’s cub.
“I don’t like this guy,”  Wanda said as she looked at her poor Abigail, still stuck on the wooden beam.
Buck Withers approached Princess Cadance with a brush of his hair and a tightening of his vest.  He got a good look at the princess, who was still worried.
“Well hello there my fine flower,”  Buck Withers said. “Why the glum and despair?”
“What do you want, Buck?”  Cadance says as she turns her head away.
“Why, I’m here to cheer you up,”  Buck replied as he picks Princess Cadance up and places her upright in her chair.  “After all, you’re the Princess of Love, not the Damsel of Despair.”
Princess Cadance lets out a sigh as she said “Whatever.”
Buck Withers looks towards Gad Zookes, who signals to his older friend by putting his left arm into the air and his right arm to his heart.  Buck looks and had a confident grin on his face.
“There’s no need for the doom and gloom,”  Buck said as he places his arm around Cadance’s shoulders.  “What you need is a pony who will show you the entire world.  A gem waiting to be discovered, and a monster that will put you up to the challenge.”
“Oh please,”  Princess Cadance says with a slight grin on her face.  “I could never be like you, Buck.”
“Then why not take the colts and fillies with us?”  Buck said.  “They could use some inspiration into becoming future adventurers.”

Meanwhile, around the corner, Shining Armor has dressed up in a tuxedo and is carrying a box of chocolates and a bouquet of zinnias.  He looked at his reflection in the window and brushed his mane, looking as suave as ever.
“Cadenza Mi Amore,”  Shining Armor.  “Your knight in shining armor is about to arrive.”
Shining Armor took one turn towards the corner and began to skip his way down the street.  He looked eager to meet up with Princess Cadance at Danged spell’s Cute-Ceanera. 
It didn’t take long for him to make his way to the party, where every pony was enjoying themselves.  As Shining Armor waltz his way up, he closed his eyes and held out the bouquet.
“Here I am you gorgeous rose,”  Shining Armor said.  But when he opened his eyes, he saw Buck Withers trying to swoon Princess Cadance.  Cadance looked up and saw Shining Armor carrying the zinnias and the box of chocolates, who unfortunately had a shocking look on her face.
“Cadance….doesn’t care for me anymore?”  Shining Armor thought to himself as his heart shattered to pieces.  
“Oh horse apples,”  Princess Cadance thought to herself as she saw the look on Shining Armor’s face.
Heartbroken, Shining Armor throws the chocolates and the zinnias to the side and runs off in the opposite direction, crying.  Wanda, Twilight Sparkle, Sunset Shimmer and Danged Spell were quick to take notice.
“Big Brother,”  Twilight said as she became concerned for Shining Armor’s well-being.
“What just happened?”  Danged Spell asked Sunset.
“We should go check up,”  Sunset said as she, Twilight Sparkle and Danged Spell ran after Shining Armor.
Wanda looks down as Shining Armor runs off crying.  She looks at Princess Celestia, who nods towards her adopted daughter.  Wanda nods back and goes after Shining Armor.
“Please cheer him up,”  Celestia said as she used her magic to carefully pull Abigail from the wooden beam and bring her down.  As the kitten reached ground level,  Celestia gave Abigail a little rub on the ears to calm her down.

Nearby in an alley, Shining Armor was crying his eyes out.  The mere look of seeing Princess Cadance with another stallion, Buck Withers of all characters, was enough to make this younger stallion depressed.  As Shining Armor was in tears, Sunset Shimmer, Twilight Sparkle, Danged Spell and Wanda Young show up right behind him.
“Go cheer up your big brother, Twilight,”  Sunset said.  “He needs it now.”
Twilight nodded and walked up to Shining Armor.  She saw her big brother bawling his eyes out, and felt sorry for the big guy.  The only thing she did was leap onto the same level as Shining Armor and give him a big hug.  
“Big brother,”  Twilight said to Shining Armor.  “I’m sorry.”
Shining Armor was able to snap out of his crying for a bit to see his little sister hug him.  He at least was able to crack a smile as he looked down at Twilight.
“Thanks Twili,”  he said as he hugged Twilight back.
Wanda, Sunset Shimmer and Danged Spell looked on as they saw Twilight embrace her older brother.  There was a small glance of guilt within the colt.
“Poor Shining armor,”  Wanda said.  “He didn’t deserve to be separated from big sister.”
“We need to figure a way to get them back together,”  Sunset said to Wanda before turning her head towards Danged Spell, who was staring at the medallion that Buck Withers gave him.  
“Spell,” Sunset said.  “Are you alright?”
“I feel like I just made a mistake in accepting this,”  Danged Spell said as he looks to take off the medallion.  “I think I need to give it back.”
But before Danged Spell could take off the necklace, Wanda placed her hand on the medallion.  She gave the colt a reassuring smile.
“Don’t worry,”  Wanda said.  “We’ll find a way.”
“Thanks Wanda,”  Danged Spell said as he gave the man’s cub a hug.
Sunset could only look at her sister hugging Danged Spell and smiled.
“If we can figure out how to make everyone happy,”  Sunset thought.  “I’m all up for it.”


	To Be Continued in…


	Trapped in a Love Triangle