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>After everything had calmed down, Spike kept to himself like usual
>He didn’t even think Twilight noticed he’d been there the whole time, even though she was the one who brought him to the gala 
>But, Spike had gotten used to standing off to the side watching things fall into chaotic disarray
>It’s not like he was ever any help anyway
>The mane six always knew what to do so he was never needed unless they needed some grunt work done
>Sometimes it was okay with him, but most of the times he felt left out
>Like now, he was watching Pinkie street dance with the Smooze as if nothing had happened beforehand 
>Spike already ate all the gem cupcakes, so there was nothing else to really do
>Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, and Scootaloo were easier to talk to because they were closer to his age,  but their attentions were focused on their ‘dates’
>Twilight was busy playing Celestia’s chaperone 
>And Fluttershy was preoccupied with her new friend
>He didn’t want to interrupt any of them
>It was the Grand Galloping Gala, yet there was nothing to do
>He was bored

>Spike wondered if anyone would notice if he went home early
>At least he could have the castle all to himself
>That would be fun, even though the whole place was empty
>But he didn’t even have his comic books, or anything else to keep himself entertained
>Maybe he could get a head start on cleaning…
>Dusting would be more fun than this
>He groaned quietly, slumping over in boredom 
>Staring at the front doors, he seriously contemplated sneaking out
>He could just casually walk through those doors and no one would know
>Glancing around to make sure no one was looking, he noticed something different
>Someone was noticeably missing, but he couldn’t figure out who it was
>Feeling suspicious, he turned the other way
>To his surprise, someone was standing right behind him
“Spikey, you look so bored!”
>It was Rarity, looking stunning in her glimmering new gala dress
>All the gems embroidered into it almost made him salivate
>Before he could open his mouth to answer, she spoke up again
“Sweetie Belle is preoccupied at the moment, so how about I escort my favorite little dragon onto the dance floor?”
>She fluttered her eyelashes at him, a graceful smile on her lips
>Before Spike jumped at the chance to take her up on her offer, he noticed something different about her
>Those weren’t her eyes…
>”Discoooord!”
>The little dragon crossed his arms tight, frowning with disappointment 
>Only the mischievous draconequus had red and yellow eyes like that
>A girly, playful giggle escaped the “mare’s” mouth
>That giggle quickly transformed into Discord’s malevolent cackle
>Now it was Rarity… with Discord’s deep voice
“Oh, Spike, you’re so clever. You know, I’ve always believed dragons were more intelligent than ponies. Why, I’ve been trying out this old trick all night and you’re the first one to have noticed this quickly.”
>Spike narrowed his eyes, unsure of what emotion to even feel or express
>”You’d better turn back, Discord. What if Rarity sees?”
“Oh, that one is in the little mare’s room.”
>With that, he flicked his hoof in the matter he would do if he had a wrist 
“Speaking of that, did you know their bathrooms are a lot cleaner than the males’? It smells nicer too, I suppose since they put on their perfume in there or something.”
>”How do you know what—“
>Before Spike could finish his query, “Rarity” draped an arm around his shoulders
“But seriously, why do you look so bored? Spike, you realize this isn’t a funeral, right?”
>”I know that! It’s just… there’s nothing to do. Why are you talking to me anyway, huh? Since when do you like me?”
“Funny you should ask. You see, I learned a very important thing about friendship tonight. Did you know you can actually have more than one friend?”
>”Duh, of course I—“
“I was surprised, too! So, I thought to myself, ‘Discord! That little dragon friend of yours hardly gets any of your attention! Why don’t you drop by and mingle? It is a party, after all.”
>The draconequus cloaked in the appearance of Rarity leaned in closer, their cheeks pressed against one another
“After all, he looks soooo lonely, standing there all by himself.”
>”Hey! I’m not lonely, just bored! There’s a ton of people here, it’s not like I’m the only one here.”
“Oh, Spike. Ever heard of the saying, ‘Alone in a crowd’? ‘Standing alone in a crowded room’?”
>”I’m not lonely…”
>His voice came out as a grumble
>He didn’t want to admit Discord was right
“Anyhow, I thought that you could use a friend as well!”
>”What? Hey, I have friends!”
>Discord looked at him with wide eyes, transforming back into his original body as if the shock had affected his magic 
“Errr… what, now?”
>He draped his snake-like body around the area surrounding Spike, floating above the floor just enough to keep leveled eye contact
“You have friends?”
>It sounded like he couldn’t believe it, and it hurt
>“Well, yeah! Of course I do!”
>The young dragon counted on his claws
>”There’s Twilight, and Rarity, and Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie, and—
>He was cut off by Discord’s whimsical laughter
“Oh, silly little Spike! There’s a difference between friends and acquaintances!”
>Whether Discord actually meant it or was just trying to push his buttons, he hit the nail on the head
>”I know what acquaintances are, Discord. And they’re my friends.”
>The Spirit of Chaos snickered as if he was listening to a joke
“Then why aren’t they talking to you right now? Just look at them, they have no idea you’re even here.”
>Spike looked over at his friends
>They were all smiling and having a blast, dancing and laughing like they were having the time of their lives
>All without him
“See?”
>Discord placed his mismatched hands on Spike’s shoulders, his warm breath hitting his ear from behind
”If they’re really your friends… what kind of friends are they?”
>The dragon’s heart felt heavy, an almost-queasy feeling enveloping him
>As much as he dreaded the fact, he wasn’t as much of an “equal” friend as the rest were
>They might have referred to him as a friend before, but…
>He just never really “felt” it
“You know I’m right, don’t you? See, they’re not really your friends. They just keep you around because your Princess Twilight’s personal mail carrier. And so they have someone to handle all the boring, menial tasks.”
>The dragon looked down at the floor, unable to look at their smiling faces any longer
”Ohhh, poor little Spike… always trying his hardest to gain acceptance. Doesn’t even know how invisible he is to them.”
>Spike knew Discord was trying to push his buttons, but it still pierced through him
>Because he had always had doubts 
>It was as if Discord was confirming them
>”Look… I don’t wanna hear it. Just leave me alone. Go play with Fluttershy or something.”
“You were going to leave earlier.”
>”H-Huh?”
>Discord released Spike’s shoulders, speaking into his opposite ear
“I saw you looking at the door. You wanted to leave. Why?”
>”None of your business! Why do you even care, anyway?”
Discord placed a paw on his own chest as if he were offended
“Spike, I’m hurt! I was just trying to have a friendly conversation.”
>”Well, quit it!”
>The dragon crossed his arms and looked away with a grumpy expression
“Fine, very well. We don’t have to talk. How about we have a dance? It is a party, after all.”
>Spike scoffed
>”Why would I want to dance with you? You’re too tall, anyway.”
“Pleeeaaase, Spikey-Wikey?”
>The sudden sound of Rarity’s voice almost startled him
>He faced Discord again
>Well… Discord as Rarity, just like before
>It looked exactly like her, with the exception of the eyes
>”Quit it, Discord! It’s creepy, I don’t like it!”
“Ohhhh…”
>”Rarity” pouted, her lashes fluttering as she swayed her hips from side to side
”But Spikey, you look so handsome tonight. Won’t you please have one little dance with me?”
>She walked past him, her swirly tail caressing the side of his face as she seductively bounced her hips back and forth
“Pleeeaase?”
>Spike’s face was as red as Big Mac’s fur
>It wasn’t the real Rarity, but it looked just like her
>He’d never seen her move her body like this
>Her thighs were so curvaceous and soft, taunting him with their flirtatious sway 
>But it wasn’t really her
>It could never be her
>The real Rarity would never use such a lovely tone of voice with him
>Or move in such a way that made him weak to his knees
>It felt gross
>”You can stop that now, Discord. If you really want to dance with me, fine. But stop turning into Rarity!”
>The white mare’s sultry expression soured
>Her beautifully feminine voice had dissipated, as well
“Ugh, you’re no fun.”
>Discord transformed into his normal appearance, an irritated frown painting his face
>”Come on, let’s get it over with.” 
>Spike headed to the dance floor, but Discord neglected to follow
“What, you’re actually expecting me to dance with you? Do you know how awkward that would look? Honestly, you’re so tiny. It would look like a father-son dance.”
>”It was your idea in the first place!”
>Spike threw his arms down in frustration
>“That’s it, I’m going home.”
>As the small dragon headed to the door, Discord transported next to him with a brief cloud of smoke
”Ugh, that’s the best idea I’ve heard all night. Celestia isn’t quite the expert on throwing exciting bashes. I think I fell asleep with my eyes open a few times.”
>Discord chuckled, smirking down at Spike
”Mmmm, it certainly is getting late. Speaking of which, isn’t it past your bedtime?”
>Spike brushed off Discord’s teasing as he pushed open the doors, heading out into the night
>”Ha, ha. Very funny. Quit it with the jokes, I just want to go home and get some sleep.”
“Sleep? But my darling friend, the night is still young!”