Gosh, has it really been two months since I updated this? Sorry. I got really excited on my other MLP fic Bride of Discord. Well, now that that's done, I can continue this. Sorry, I kind of rushed this toward the end.

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She dreamt of her mother that night. She was eight years old and they were on the balcony watering the flowers. Her mother was young and beautiful, with the same brown hair and hazel eyes as her daughter. She was always smiling, always cheerful. That's what Tammy had loved most about her.

"How did you and Daddy meet?" she asked her.

Her smile wavered a moment, and then she giggled. "We were kids when we met. I was out in the woods, admiring the flowers, when suddenly, this boy falls out of a tree and scares me to death! I was afraid at first, but he turned out to be quite friendly and silly. That was your father. We were friends ever since."

"How did you fall in love?"

"Well…when my parents passed away, your father's family took me in. I guess somewhere along the way, we fell for each other."

The scene then changed and the balcony was transformed into darkness. Her mother turned to her in fear.

"Tammy, you have to get home!"

"W-what…?"

"It's dangerous! She knows you're here! She's coming for you!"

"Who's coming?"

Her mother's voice became raspy. "Taffy! Wake up!"

Tammy's eyes shot open and the multi-colored pegasus was standing over her.

"Get up, sleepy head! The sooner you get up, the sooner I can get rid of him!"

"Who?" Tammy murmured, rubbing her eyes.

Suddenly, Discord appeared beside her. "Oh, get up, would you?!"

She groaned in annoyance and buried her face in her cloud pillow. "Go away."

The draconequus used his magic to pull the blanket from her body. "Are all humans this lazy?!"

"Okay, I'm up!" she sat up and glared at him. "What do you want?"

"Rainbow Dash, would you mind leaving us for a moment?"

"You can't kick me out of my own house!" the pegasus shouted.

With a snap of his fingers, she was transported outside and the door was bolted.

"Now we can talk in private."

"This better be good," Tammy mumbled.

"I'll cut to the chase. You said you knew about romance, right?"

"A little."

He dropped to his knees in desperation. "Teach me! I've tried everything I could to impress that pony, but no matter what I do, she seems to push me away! What am I doing wrong?!"

She rolled her eyes. "Gee, it's a mystery."

"I know, right? So will you help me?"

"Why would I do that?"

"Because it's the right thing to do?"

"I don't know. Maybe you and Fluttershy aren't meant to be."

Discord narrowed his eyes. "Look! I'm your only ticket back home! If you don't help me, I won't send you back! Got that?"

"Maybe I don't want to go back."

"In that case, I will send you back unless you help me!"

"So you'll send me back or you won't. Which one is it?"

He growled and poked Tammy in the chest. "Don't get smart with me, missy! How about this? You help me and I won't turn you into an orange!"

"Okay, okay! I'll help you after I get something to eat."

He rolled his eyes. "Fine!" A plate of waffles appeared in his paw. "Now eat up! I haven't got all day!"

Rainbow Dash pounded hard on the front door. "This is my house, you creep! Let me in!"

---

After having breakfast with Rainbow, Discord transported himself and Tammy to a large deserted field.

"Well don't just stand there!" the draconequus snapped. "Teach me!"

"Oh, um…" Tammy stammered. "Where do you want me to start?"

"First tell me why she doesn't like me!"

"Now, I wouldn't say…"

"Okay, why does it seem like she doesn't like me?"

The human tapped her chin. "Let's see, um…how do I put this lightly?"

"Is it my looks?"

"No! Girls like Fluttershy don't care about looks. I think the problem might be that you…come on a bit too strong?"

"Come on too strong? What do you mean?" Tammy was about to answer when he interrupted her again. "Seriously, I've never heard that expression before."

"Oh. You know. Pushing too far? Rushing things?"

"I don't rush things! It's not like I've asked her to marry me or something! Why, I haven't even told her that I l…" He trailed off.

"I'm talking about the party last night, when you asked her to dance? Actually, it was more like you demanded her to dance. Girls don't like it when guys are forceful. Okay, some girls might, but Fluttershy's type usually doesn't."

"So what are you saying? That I should be a wimp and not do anything at all?"

"I'm saying you should be more subtle, more gentlemanlike. You know, be classy. Do stuff for her like open doors, carry her things, go all Sir Walter Raleigh and lay your coat over a puddle…"

"Why would I get my coat wet? I don't even wear a coat!"

"I mean…oh boy." Tammy put her hoof to her head. "Okay, does Fluttershy even hint what's bothering her?"

Discord thought about it. "Well…yesterday she said something about every pony hating her because of me, just because I turned a stallion into a piñata…"

"Whoa, you did what?!"

He shrugged. "He tripped her on the dance floor."

Tammy cringed. "Did you, um…that is, um…were there…other guys? Guys that you may have…?"

"Done something to? Well, there was this stallion that asked her on a date and wouldn't take no for an answer and I may have turned him into a mouse…"

She lifted her hoof. "Say no more. I think I see what's going on."

"What?"

"Look, girls don't like bullies, and you…"

He put his hands on his hips, or at least where his hips should have been. "I'm not a bully! Sure, I took over Equestria a few times, but I'm good now!"

"You may not be an evil villain but… Okay, remember how you pulled all those pranks on me?"

Discord cackled. "Oh yes! That stairs thing was the best!"

"Well, I didn't like it. You might think they're harmless pranks, but it really didn't make me comfortable. After all, I was in a new and strange place and you weren't giving me a warm welcome."

"Yes, but it all worked out, didn't it?"

"I'm saying that maybe if you were nicer to other ponies and not just to Fluttershy, she might like you more."

"Oh, yak, yak, yak!" He made a mouth motion with his claw. "This is boring! Get to the interesting part!"

Tammy scowled. "Hey, I'm trying to help you get a girl here!"

"You know what? How do you even know this stuff? Do you have a lot of boyfriends in your world?"

Her face fell and she looked down at the ground. "I…um…"

Discord arched an eyebrow. "You have had a boyfriend, right?"

"This has nothing to do with…"

"But you've been on a date, right?"

"Well…um…"

"Tell me you've at least been kissed!"

Tammy hung her head in shame. Discord threw up his arms.

"Great! I hired an amateur!"

"Hey! The reason I've never been on a date is that I haven't found the right guy yet!" And the fact that no one's ever asked me out.

"All the same, why should I take advice from you?"

"Because I know what girls like and what they don't like. Besides, I'm the only one who knows your secret, unless you want to put your trust into somebody else…"

"No! I mean…" He groaned. "Okay, okay! But if your advice doesn't work, you'll be nothing but a puddle of chocolate milk!"

"Okay, that's another thing. You should stop threatening people, err, ponies. It's very unsettling, even to a bystander."

"How is this helping? You're just blurting out random stuff!"

"Would you be patient and…?" She calmed herself down and took a deep breath. "Why don't we try something else, like…compliments? What is it about Fluttershy you find the most interesting?"

Discord thought for a moment. "Well…what's not interesting about her? After all, she's…she's…" He eyed Tammy suspiciously. "You better not tell any pony about this!"

"Hey, anything you say is off the record."

"Thank you. As I was saying, she's the kindest, most beautiful pony who has ever lived. She's so delicate and graceful, like a flower. Usually I'd turn a flower like that into a lollipop, but not Fluttershy." He sighed dreamily. "Fluttershy. Even her name sounds graceful! I thought nothing of her looks when I first saw her, but when she first called me her friend…it was like an angel had dropped from above!

"Her eyes, they're like staring into the sea, and boy, are they a wonder when she pulls off that Stare of hers! Her mane, so soft like silk. And her voice…oh! Don't get me started on her voice! She's like the embodiment of perfection…everything I'm not. And she doesn't even try! She's just beautiful in her own natural state and she doesn't even know it!

"But it doesn't end there. No! She treats me like she would any other creature, not like a monster. She brings out the good in me, and I can't help but hope…

"If I did have her, I would give her the world if she asked for it. I would run through fire for her sweet sake. I'd be her slave of passion! I'd have no choice, for if I don't see a smile on that beautiful face, my world has no meaning."

In his outburst, he had forgotten that Tammy was still standing there and everything he had been holding back had poured out at that moment. Tammy, meanwhile, had her mouth open.

"Wow," she uttered.

Discord blinked out of his daydream and realized he had said all of that aloud. "Pretend you didn't hear that!"

"Why? That was beautiful!"

He blushed. "You really think so?"

"Dude, I almost wanted to go out with you!"

"Uh…no offense, Taffy, but…you're not exactly my type…"

"No, I mean…" She shook her head and composed herself. "I mean that's the kind of stuff you should be saying to Fluttershy!"

"Don't be ridiculous! If I told her all that…she'll think I'm a fool. Besides, I could never tell her how ravishing she is."

"Why not?"

"I'm afraid…if I do…she'll go after another stallion."

"Oh. But you know something? Fluttershy needs to be told she's beautiful, and that she's as special as you feel she is."

"But that's just it! I'm not worthy of such perfection! I mean have you looked at me lately?"

The expression on his face was something Tammy had not expected of the draconequus. It was a sad, defeated look. She had not thought he was the type of guy who cared what others thought of his appearance, but it turned out he did. He just refused to show it.

"You really like this girl, don't you?"

He rolled his eyes. "Duh, must I repeat that whole soliloquy for you?"

"No, thanks. Maybe what you need is practice. Pretend I'm Fluttershy."

He stood up and raised an eyebrow. "You're kidding, right?"

"Nope. Impress me."

"You look nothing like Fluttershy!"

"Just pretend, okay?"

"Nah, this won't cut it for me."

He snapped his fingers and suddenly, Tammy felt lighter. She glanced down and saw that her hooves had turned yellow.

"Oh, you did not!" She covered her mouth as a high, smooth voice came out. "You did!"

He had turned her into Fluttershy.

"Much better!" the draconequus chimed.

"Ugh, fine! So now that I look like Fluttershy, impress me!"

"Um, okay. Wait. What do I say?"

"Compliment me, start a conversation, make a connection, and then, when the time is right, you tell her, um, me how you feel."

"Okay." He took a deep breath. "Uh, hey, Fluttershy! Um…" He rubbed the back of his neck, looking genuinely nervous. "Uh…beautiful weather we're having, right?"

Tammy grunted. "Really? You're talking about the…?"

"Hey, hey! You're supposed to be Fluttershy, remember? Fluttershy would never put any pony down!"

"But…oh, fine!" She tried to be softer. "Uh, yes! Beautiful clear skies!"

"Yeah, clear."

"Now compliment me," Tammy said in a stage whisper.

"Oh, right! Fluttershy, has any pony told you that you have…nice hair?"

"Okay, good start." She cleared her throat. "Thank you! You, um, have nice hair too!"

"Really? You know, I've been using a new hair gel!"

"Alright, time out! You can't talk about yourself too much, let alone brag. She'll think you're more in love with yourself than you are with her. It's okay to talk about yourself once in a while, but be modest about it. Try that last reply again."

"Oh, okay. Thank you for the lovely compliment, my dear."

She was surprised at how cooperative he was being. Maybe it's because of my latest makeover.

"Good. How about we work on confessing your feelings now?"

Discord gulped. "Okay. How?"

Tammy rubbed her chin. "Let's see…ooh! Flowers!"

He smacked his forehead. "Of course! I can do that!" A bouquet of red and yellow tulips appeared in his paw.

"She likes tulips," he explained.

He held them out to Tammy, but as she sniffed them, water squirted in her face.

"Not what I meant," she grumbled.

"Oops. Sorry. Force of habit." He snapped his fingers. "They're fine now."

Tammy cautiously took the bouquet in her hoof. "Thank you, Discord. They're beautiful."

"Yes, well…nothing compared to you?"

"Good," she whispered. "Are you saying I'm beautiful?"

"Beautiful wouldn't begin!"

"Good, good! Now take my hands, err, hooves! Geez, I can't get used to being a horse."

Discord did as he was instructed. "What do I do now?"

"Look into my eyes and tell me what you really feel. Or, if you're not ready for that, simply ask me out."

He gulped again. "Fluttershy, I…I think…I think you're the most incredible pony I've ever met and…I know we're friends, but…I want us to be more."

"Yes?" Tammy urged.

"Fluttershy, will you…that is, if you want to…?"

"Yes?"

"Will you be…my very special some pony?"

Oh, is that what they say? "I would love to, Discord!"

"Really?" He scooped her into a hug. "Oh, you have made me so happy! I could kiss you!"

"Whoa there!" Tammy screamed. "I'm not really Fluttershy, remember?"

"Oh." His cheeks turned red as he set her down. "Right. So…how was that?"

"Great! Now all you got to do is replicate it with the real Fluttershy, but this time, it should be in a romantic setting. Hmm. I'm thinking a dinner in the moonlight. What's the most romantic place around here?"

Discord tapped his chin. "I see Applejack's brother and that teacher hang out at the gazebo a lot."

"Excellent! We'll get right to it! First we have to clean you up."

"But how will we get Fluttershy there?"

"You just worry about your wooing and leave the rest to me. Oh, and one more thing."

"Yes?"

She narrowed her eyes at him. "I'm still Fluttershy."

"Right. Sorry!"

---

Daniel Parker was in the middle of his proposal when his Blackberry rang. He cursed himself for forgetting to switch it off. He took it out and read the caller ID.

"Excuse me, Mr. Yuki. I have to take this."

He stepped out of the room and whispered into the device.

"This better be important, Megan. I'm in the middle of a meeting here!"

"Oh, thank God you picked up!" his sister sighed in relief. "It is important, Danny. Tammy's missing!"

Daniel nearly dropped the phone. "What?"

"She's been missing for two days now!"

"But…how? How did this happen?"

"We don't know! It was like she vanished into thin air! Molly has reason to believe she's in…"

"That's impossible! The rainbow was destroyed, remember?"

"All the same, she's gone! You have to come here right away!"

"But the client…"

"She's your daughter, Daniel!"

"I…I'll be right there. Wait. Megan, you haven't told her about Irene, have you?"

There was a pause. "No. I assumed Irene was going to tell her, but after…I thought you should…"

"Good, because if Molly's right… Have the police found anything?"

"Nothing, so far."

"Well, let me know if they make any progress."

He hung up and buried his face in his hands, feeling like his world was falling apart.

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Not much to say except...I'll try to update soon.