MLP FIM: Heart and Heritage Part 9

Back in Ponyville, Lightnin' and the other ex-elements of chaos are just finishing putting up the flooring of the new store.
    "Man, where's Wild Card this time?" Handy Hoof asks.
    "I think he's still chasing after that pink mare, colt he has some wierd tastes if you ask me..." Dust Runner replied, shrugging his shoulders.
    "She doesn't seem...all that crazy, I guess Wild Card can see the more stable side of her...if it exsists." Lightnin' stated.
    Dust Runner sighed. "In any case that love-lost colt has the blue prints, Lightnin' we'll finish up here can you go look for him at Sugar Cuber corner?"
    "No prob'." Lightnin' promptly replied before trotting off.
    At Sugar Cube Corner, Lightnin' found Wild Card pacing outside with a troubled look.
    "O-oh dear wh-what do I say...h-how do I say it...?" Wild Card asked himself. "I wanna ask if she'd...b-but she probably has other plans and even if she didn't she wouldn't at least not with me ever..."
    "Hey there buddy." Lightnin' called as he continued to trott toward his friend, before stopping next to him. "So, gettin' wet hooves huh?"
    Wild Card stopped in place, his hooves shaking. "I-It's that obvious huh...?"
    Lightnin' cracked a brief smile, before replying. "Don't worry pal, the worst she can say is no, and even then at least you can stop worrying about it." Lightnin' bluntly stated.
    Wild Card kept his glum look. "But staying worried isn't the problem, the problem is that..." Wild Card looked back through the shop window, letting out a sigh. "...I can't stop thinking about her...her smile shines brighter than the sun, and the star lit sky is reflected in her beautiful eyes...without her, dwell in darkness..."
    'Well that was poetic.' Lightnin' thought to himself. "Well with words like that, there's no way she can say no." Lightnin' reasured.
    Wild Card took a few deep breaths, looking back at Lightnin' then back at Sugar Cube Corner. "W-will you come in with me...I hate to say it but I'm too scared to go in on my own..."
    "Alright, I got ya buddy, after you." Lightnin' replied as he trotted up beside Wild Card.
    The two stallions walked in, finding Pinkie Pie managing the store. "Oooh customers! What can I get you?  Mr and Mrs Cake are out today with the twins so I'm managing the store myself!"
    Wild Card gulped, seeming petrified. "W-well I...uh...P-Pinkie do you remember me?"
    Pinkie Pie nodded. "Yeah you're Wild Card, the guy who needed a Pinkie Pie number to get out of the dumps."
    Wild Card rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah well I was wondering uh...i-if...well..."
    Lightnin' nudged Wild Card, giving him an encouraging look.
    Wild Card stood up straight. "A-are you busy later on today?"
    Pinkie's eyes widened. "Oh! You just reminded me! Here!" Pinkie handed Wild Card and Lightnin' party invitations.
    Wild Card seemed confused. "Wh-wha...?"
    Pinkie smiled. "To celebrate you, Dusty and Hoofy into town of course!"
    Wild Card suddenly seemed ecstatic. "We'll be there!"
    Pinkie hopped on the spot a few times. "Great! So, what did you wanna ask me again?"
    Wild Card backed off. "N-nothing it doesn't matter...um, I'll see you later then Pinkie!"
    As Wild Card took off, Pinkie scratched her head, a little confused. "Um...hey, Sparky, why did Wildy really come here?"
    "Sparky?" Lightnin' questioned, before shrugging it off. "Well err...we were gonna ask you for a helping hoof with the store, but since you're busy." Lightnin' stated throwing on an honest grin, as he started to back away.
    Pinkie grinned. "Oh really? Huh...'cause Rainbow Dash said Wild Card was looking for me all day yesterday...she called him a...something to do with plants..." Pinkie tapped her chin in thought as Lightnin' took this as a chance to leave.
    As Lightnin' left Rainbow Dash flew in with a confused look on her face.
    Upon seeing Rainbow Dash Pinkie bounced over to her. "Oh Rainbow Dash! I was just talking about you! What a coinky-dink!"
    "Hey Pinkie Pie." Dash started. "So what were those guys doin' here?" Dash enquired.
    Pinkie Pie shrugged. "I dunno, Wildy came in all stuttering and when I gave him a party invite he left, so I asked Sparky and he told me they were gonna ask me to help out with the building thingy...but I don't think Wildy would stutter so much about that...what do you think Rainbow Dash?"
    "I don't know Pinkie, it's a mystery." Dash sarcastically comented as she rolled her eyes.
    Pinkie smiled. "Oh okay, I love mysteries! Maybe Twilight knows something! I'll ask her at the party tonight!"
    "Sure, you do that." Dash replied.
    Pinkie tapped her chin in thought. "Hey Rainbow Dash, what did you mean by 'stalker' yesterday?"
    Dash's face fell to her hoof, as she sighed with frustration. "Don't worry about it..."
    Meanwhile back in Canterlot, Goldheart is showing Rarity and Fluttershy their room. "Sorry, I'm afraid there's only one room really left in the castle..." Goldheart stated as he stopped near two doors, carrying Both Rarity and Fluttershy's luggage with magic.
    "Only one?" Rarity and Fluttershy replied together.
    Goldheart lowered his head in shame. "Yeah...I'm sorry but, you'll have to share a room, if there is anything I can do to make your stay more comfy just ask. " Goldheart stated, raising his head with a wry smile.
    "Well what about that room?" Rarity stated as she gestured toward the second door.
    Goldheart looked over at the door. "Oh, that's my room."
    The pair of mares gasped.
    Goldheart looked worried. "I-Is something wrong?"
    "N-nothing..." Rarity stated, trying to hold back her excitement.
    "Yes, everything is just...perfect." Fluttershy added, with almost a euphoric expression.
    "Prens Guldart!" Suddenly a male voice called over from the main lobby.
    Goldheart sighed with disdain. "Sorry girls, that's my butler calling, can you un-pack okay by yourselves?"
    "Certainly." Rarity replied.
    "Of course, Goldheart." Fluttershy stated, the pair then trotted in to the room with their luggage.
    Goldheart walked out to the lobby.
    Before him stood a white pony with a short ginger mane and a green frilled hankerchief for a cutie mark, wearing a black tuxedo. "Mah prens, yeh do rayalise lart leghtah orn tuh-deh yer'll beh doin' yer trehnen."  
    Goldheart looked down. "Yes Hooveswoggle, I know, but it's still a few hours from now and I'd like to show my friends around town."
    Hooveswoggle raised an eyebrow. "Ah serpose...burt ar ye certayn yeh'll be callen one o' them 'friend' murch longer?"
    "Hooveswoggle, do not speak to my son about such bold topics." Princess Luna's vocie echoed down the stairway.
    Hooveswoggle sighed. "Aye yer mahjesty..." Hooveswoggle trotted off as Goldheart trotted up the stairs.
    "M-Mom...I was wondering..." Goldheart began.
    Luna chuckled slightly. "I think I know what you're going to ask...and yes it is possible...but after all these years...it's one of these two you don't wish to leave you forever...?"
    Goldheart looked to the side. "It's just that...well for one I guess I've never had anypony to ask if it's possible...second...y-yes...they're way more...than..."
    Luna closed her eyes. "Say no more, say no more...I'll tell you this, it is possbile for you to either live with them forever...but just in case they don't want to, you can live for just as long as they do..." Luna opened her eyes before walking up the staircase. "Just tell me when you've chosen...then I'll tell you more..."
    Goldheart sighed. "...but...if I had the choice I'd...oh colt..."
    After the mares unpacked, they meet Goldheart in the courtyard, Goldheart smiles as the two approach. "You both ready then?"
    "Indubidably." Rarity is first to respond.
    "Yeah, so what should we do first?" Fluttershy enquired.
    Goldheart thought for a moment. "There's the marketplace, the main square, the gardens..."
    "Oh I would simply love to see what new ensembles are available." Rarity suggested.
    Goldheart nodded. "The marketplace it is then."
    At the marketplace, Rarity rushes into a nearby clothing store, excitement clouding her eyes.
    Fluttershy however, finding herself alone with Goldheart, thought back to her bet with Rarity and came up with a small plan. "Err Goldheart? I think I have something stuck in my teeth...could you check for me?" Fluttershy asked, holding back a devious grin.
    Goldheart stopped walking towards the shop and looked back at Fluttershy with a confused look. "Um, sure..." Goldheart lowered his head, leaning in close to Fluttershy's face.
    Indoors Rarity is astonished by the many dresses, when something pinches in the the back of her mind, quickly turning her attention out doors, she witnesses what is about to happen, thinking fast Rarity yells."GOLDHEART QUICK!"
    Goldheart, startled, quickly turns his head in shock to her. "Rarity what's wrong!?" He exclaims, Fluttershy completely missing Goldheart's lips.
    Rarity holds up a dress. "Don't you think this one looks simply darling?"
    Goldheart lets out a sigh of relief before giving her a warm smile. "Yeah...it does."
    Fluttershy who was leaning forward rocked back and fell to her haunches, letting out a big huff of frustration.
    As the three of them walked down the street towards the main square, Rarity thought it was only right that she could play such a plan herself after Fluttershy did. "Hm...oh look Fluttershy, a bunny." Rarity stated.
    "WHERE?" Fluttershy asked excitedly.
    "Over there, OH NO he ran down the alley." Rarity continued.
    "WAIT BUNNY!" Fluttershy exclaimed as she took flight, and headed down the street in a hurry.
    Goldheart grew a look of confusion. "Rarity, are you sure you saw a bunny...?"
    "What, you didn't see it?" Rarity asked.
    Goldheart turned to Rarity. "My eyesight must be going...then..." Goldheart found himself lost in Rarity's eyes, blushing lightly as he looked deep into her eyes. "...because...you don't seem the type to lie Rarity..."
    Rarity gazed back, filling her expression with as much affection as she could, fluttering her eyes. "Goldheart..." She uttered in a soft and sweet tone.
    Fluttershy quickly reached the alley, and found no bunny, the thought then dwelled on her that she had been dooped, turning back to see Rarity in a position she herself was in not too long ago. "PRINCESS LUNA!?" Fluttershy suddenly exclaimed.  
    Goldheart turned his head in shock. "M-Mom!?"
    Fluttershy quickly returned. "Oh, I guess I'm just SEEING things." Fluttershy stated with a peeved expression whilst glaring at Rarity.
    Goldheart looked confused whilst Rarity returned the glare.
    "Oh my, who would leave a poor defenseless and VERY FASHIONABLE hat on the side of the street?" Fluttershy asked, gesturing to the space behind Rarity.
    Rarity's head swung, gasping in shock, but found nothing, Rarity turned back, again to find nothing. Rarity scowled. "Oh that pegasus is gonna get it." Rarity growled in a very dark tone.
    At the Canterlot gardens, Fluttershy is walking along with Goldheart until she beckons a butterfly to land on her nose.
    Curious, Goldheart leans in close to Fluttershy's face once more.
    Fluttershy grins, puckering her lips when suddenly behind her, Rarity sneezes, scaring the butterfly away. Fluttershy looks up at the fleeing butterfly, when she looks back down she finds Goldheart and Rarity gone.
    At the main square, Goldheart and Rarity are sat near the fountain, Rarity manages to get Goldheart lost in her eyes again, leaning in close and puckering her lips, Rarity finally thinks she's won.
    Fluttershy however, splashes water from the fountain onto Rarity.
    When Rarity moves her wet mane out of her face she once again finds Goldheart gone, Fluttershy as-well.
    Back at the marketplace, Fluttershy keeps pulling Goldheart along.
    Goldheart however stops in place. "W-wait, Fluttershy stop...why are you and Rarity avoiding each-other all of a sudden?"
    Fluttershy pondered, for a considerable time she remained deep in thought. Fluttershy felt compeled to simply tell Goldheart the truth. "Well you see...Rarity and I-"
    At that instant Rarity tackled Fluttershy, quickly picking herself up and dragging Fluttershy away by her hind leg. "Will you excuse us for just one minute?" Rarity asked, but did not wait for a reply as she hastely dragged Fluttershy out of Goldheart's range of hearing. "Just what do you think you're doing?" Rarity asked in a shocked tone.
    Fluttershy's eyes looked to the side. "I-I...well...it feels like Goldheart can't even decide which of us he wants to be with anymore...so I...wanted to...can we just end this silly little bet?"
    "Well how else do we decide?" Rarity enquired.
    "Is it really our choice to make?" Fluttershy rebutled.
    "I..." Rarity was unable to respond. Rarity let out a sigh of defeat. "Your right...I mean, up 'till now we've treated Goldheart as if he were a prize to be won at a carnival game..." Rarity grew a smile, holding out her hoof to Fluttershy. "Alright then, let's call this ridiculous wager off and win Goldheart's love the right way."
    "Agreed." Fluttershy replied with a genuine smile as she shook her good friends hoof, they then trotted back to Goldheart hoof in hoof, with much improved moods.
    Goldheart wanted to know what it was they discussed, but didn't want to intrude on their privacy, so he just smiled. "So um, you're not gonna avoid each-other again are you?"
    "Oh yes, it's all cleared up." Rarity replied.
    "How could I ever stay mad at my dearest friend." Fluttershy added, Wearing a large smile with one hoof around Rarity.
    Goldheart looked up at the clock tower. "We best get back to the castle...my butler as-well as my mother kept insisting on 'prince training'...and I'm meant to have it today..."
    "Are we allowed to spectate?" Rarity enquired.
    "Yeah do we get to see?"Fluttershy added.
    Goldheart nodded. "Yeah, as long as you don't mind seeing me in a silly crown and suit for an hour or two." Goldheart stated, looking upwards in slight shame.
    "Oooo..." Rarity swooned at the thought.
    "Shall we?" Fluttershy asked.
    "YES!" Rarity sang as she took hold of Goldheart's hoof, leading him to the castle, Fluttershy following closely behind.