Is it weird that the mane 6 adult women hang out with Spike who is a teenager?

[sweetolebob18 728]

Going back to The Cutie Mark Chronicles (S1 E23).  Twilight hatched Spike & most people assume she raised him, too.  This makes her either his mother or his older sister depending on how you look at it.  As the oldest of my siblings, I can tell you that the younger ones are ALWAYS trying to hang out with the older ones.  Twilight was trying out for Celestia's school.  That makes her either 4-6years old at that time (Kindergarten or 1st grade) or (if you assume it was High School) 14-15 years old.  This makes Twilight either the oldest or the youngest of the Mane 6 -but that's another thread.

 

So, they aren't hanging out with Spike, he is hanging around them if you see what I mean. That's not weird, it's just the way kids are.

[Tilgoreth 1,915]

He's more of an assistant. The way they don't invite him to everything is also a sign.

 

No he's been shown to be there friend. The reason Spike isn't invited is the same reason Discord isn't invited. It's so the writers can set up stories. Is there a logical reason why Spike lent have gone to Yakyakistan? No. He's a hero in the Crystal Empire, brave, smart, and loyal. Not to mention he's also gone with Twilight and the others even when he wasn't really be scary. The only reason he doesn't travel with them now is so that the writers can set up stories with him. Like in Dunegons and Discords.

Unusual in the world of chemicals, physics, and human social constructs yes. Of course, I assume that is the basis of the question since it appears to aporoach the issue with a cultural comparison or (dare I say) indictment. It may be odd in some cultures here, but perhaps not in Equestria.

So I suppose the real question should be, is this a bad thing in Equestria? I would posit that it isn't, primarily because we can assume that their civil society is built on a much different paradigm than us, and while relation and personality shortcomings are in adequate supply, the dangers they face seem to be strictly magical or natural phenomena, not criminal.

Yeah I never thought how they would feel about it in Equstira.

It's a lot less weird than teenagers hanging out with a baby.

I guess so. I don't know about that.

[Steve Piranha 29,497]

Well, Spikey Wikey is (usually) pretty mature for his age, and 'em horses aren't above to being quite childish

[Tilgoreth 1,915]

Not really. It's worth noting that just 2 centuries ago a teenager was expected to raise children and fight in wars. That age boundary is a recent invention, and only in a certain amount of countries.

Spike is actually more mature than most over his age!

Yeah I didn't think about that.

Well, Spikey Wikey is (usually) pretty mature for his age, and 'em horses aren't above to being quite childish

Yeah I know I'm sort realizing this.

There's the whole theory which states that Spike's egg didn't actually have life in it but Twilight was so shocked by the Rainboom that she essentially created life, so in it Spike is Twilight's creation.

Yeah I don't know how true that is.

That was the main point, yeah. He was envious of Applejack for getting to be AB's hero. That said, he also called himself "Nothing special, Nopony's hero" at one point, so while I think wanting to spend time with his sister and have her look up to him again was the main point, I get the feeling there was a bit more to it than that.

 

 Also fits in with episodes like "Do Princesses Dream of Magic Sheep", and "Dungeons and Discord's" where Big Mac always envisions himself as something like a brave unicorn knight, or even an Alicorn.

I guess. But the difference is that Spike has done things to actually prove he's a hero. In fact the episode right before Dunegons and Discords.

Going back to The Cutie Mark Chronicles (S1 E23).  Twilight hatched Spike & most people assume she raised him, too.  This makes her either his mother or his older sister depending on how you look at it.  As the oldest of my siblings, I can tell you that the younger ones are ALWAYS trying to hang out with the older ones.  Twilight was trying out for Celestia's school.  That makes her either 4-6years old at that time (Kindergarten or 1st grade) or (if you assume it was High School) 14-15 years old.  This makes Twilight either the oldest or the youngest of the Mane 6 -but that's another thread.

 

So, they aren't hanging out with Spike, he is hanging around them if you see what I mean. That's not weird, it's just the way kids are.

Yes but sometimes Rarity goes out of her way to include Spike or at least be nice.

[BastementSparkle 20,335]

 

 

I guess. But the difference is that Spike has done things to actually prove he's a hero. In fact the episode right before Dunegons and Discords.

 

 

Yeah, but in Equestria Games, despite saving the Empire a second time, he still didn't really feel fully good about himself. Spike's clearly a hero in his own right, but despite this he's still not always felt worthy, or like he measured up. Which is a feeling Big Mac could still relate to.

 

 I'm not saying it's definitely something they bonded over, honestly tabletop RPG's and sports would be enough to get people to hang-out, it was just an idea for a possible other reason.

[Widdershins 9,964]

It's a lot less weird than teenagers hanging out with a baby.

  Hee! Just had this mental image of a pack of teenage boys tossing a baby between them like it was a football. "Hey Howie! Go long!" *chuck*

 

 

   But anyhoo, onto the topic!  I feel we can probably calculate the Main Six's ages decently well. Whatever age Twilight was at when she saw Spike hatch would also be the age difference between the two. She was a filly at the time, so had to been at least under ten and I have a hard time believing any filly under five would be allowed in the school where magic is practiced. Because, you know, magic tends to be rather explosive. Regardless of how smart a prodigy, ain't no four year old being trusted with magic or lit match! So this puts Twi about five to ten years older then Spike, and if all the rest of her friends are at least within the same decade of each other (or else it'd be more noticeable an age difference)  this'd put Spike at maybe around fifteen if we see the girls as twenty-ish. And that's an understandable age that he might be looking up to older mares.

 

   As with many things, It really just depends. Like in all those old kids' adventure movie where some ten year old befriends the crotchety old mysterious ninety year old. That works there because it's likely a small town (and it always is...) and the kid's parents have been seeing that old geezer around nearly every week for every year so they trust that nothing will happen.

   At the least, Spike has always been a tagalong for Twi. Most of his first meetings have been and likely were initially observed by his guardian, Twilight. All of her friends grew accustomed to him around and after enough time associating, it became clear there was enough room for trust there.

  Heck, consider what were likely the first experiences Spike had coming to Ponyville. Talking with Fluttershy and that party that was thrown in the library later that night. Flutters might have seemed a tad bit oddly interested in one so young, but she was letting him do the talking about his life and whatever else came to mind and his guardian was present the entire time. At the party, Spike actually stayed down there partying for far longer then Twi did! Halibut! He came back into the room wearing a lampshade if I recall right! Think all of Ponyville immediately got a bead on him being alot more friendly & out-going then his caretaker!

  Spike is less of "that kid that follows Twi around" and is now more like one of the group now. As for him not being trusted with his own missions, well, he doesn't have a buttmark attached to some magic table or the expectations and decrees of royalty ordering him around. CrystalTown was kinda a fluke. He can be trusted of course, but he's still too young to just throw into danger just yet. Especially with a nervous nellie like Twi being his Mother/Sister.

[cider float 2,539]

I think it makes more sense for teenagers to hang out with adults that will help mentor them while they spend time together while children/babies should stay with their parents or with other children/babies. Plus he's treated more like an assistant or younger brother not an age equal.

Edited December 14, 2016 by cider float

[Tilgoreth 1,915]

Yeah, but in Equestria Games, despite saving the Empire a second time, he still didn't really feel fully good about himself. Spike's clearly a hero in his own right, but despite this he's still not always felt worthy, or like he measured up. Which is a feeling Big Mac could still relate to.

 

 I'm not saying it's definitely something they bonded over, honestly tabletop RPG's and sports would be enough to get people to hang-out, it was just an idea for a possible other reason.

Okay but Big Mac has never actually done anything. Spike has. Not to mention in the previous episode he put that all on the line standing up for a friend.

[BastementSparkle 20,335]

 

 

Okay but Big Mac has never actually done anything. Spike has. Not to mention in the previous episode he put that all on the line standing up for a friend.

 

I recognize that, I even pointed it out kind of. But we've seen in the past Spike doesn't always have the best self-esteem despite what he's accomplished, so him feeling "Lesser" than Twilight isn't too far-fetched. 

[Tilgoreth 1,915]

Hee! Just had this mental image of a pack of teenage boys tossing a baby between them like it was a football. "Hey Howie! Go long!" *chuck*

 

 

   But anyhoo, onto the topic!  I feel we can probably calculate the Main Six's ages decently well. Whatever age Twilight was at when she saw Spike hatch would also be the age difference between the two. She was a filly at the time, so had to been at least under ten and I have a hard time believing any filly under five would be allowed in the school where magic is practiced. Because, you know, magic tends to be rather explosive. Regardless of how smart a prodigy, ain't no four year old being trusted with magic or lit match! So this puts Twi about five to ten years older then Spike, and if all the rest of her friends are at least within the same decade of each other (or else it'd be more noticeable an age difference)  this'd put Spike at maybe around fifteen if we see the girls as twenty-ish. And that's an understandable age that he might be looking up to older mares.

 

   As with many things, It really just depends. Like in all those old kids' adventure movie where some ten year old befriends the crotchety old mysterious ninety year old. That works there because it's likely a small town (and it always is...) and the kid's parents have been seeing that old geezer around nearly every week for every year so they trust that nothing will happen.

   At the least, Spike has always been a tagalong for Twi. Most of his first meetings have been and likely were initially observed by his guardian, Twilight. All of her friends grew accustomed to him around and after enough time associating, it became clear there was enough room for trust there.

  Heck, consider what were likely the first experiences Spike had coming to Ponyville. Talking with Fluttershy and that party that was thrown in the library later that night. Flutters might have seemed a tad bit oddly interested in one so young, but she was letting him do the talking about his life and whatever else came to mind and his guardian was present the entire time. At the party, Spike actually stayed down there partying for far longer then Twi did! Halibut! He came back into the room wearing a lampshade if I recall right! Think all of Ponyville immediately got a bead on him being alot more friendly & out-going then his caretaker!

  Spike is less of "that kid that follows Twi around" and is now more like one of the group now. As for him not being trusted with his own missions, well, he doesn't have a buttmark attached to some magic table or the expectations and decrees of royalty ordering him around. CrystalTown was kinda a fluke. He can be trusted of course, but he's still too young to just throw into danger just yet. Especially with a nervous nellie like Twi being his Mother/Sister.

so think they've always established the relationship as being best friends. Also the only other pony to show fondness for him besides Big Mac and Twilight is Rarity and she sees him like a pet slash little brother.

I recognize that, I even pointed it out kind of. But we've seen in the past Spike doesn't always have the best self-esteem despite what he's accomplished, so him feeling "Lesser" than Twilight isn't too far-fetched.

 

I guess. But he put that all on the line in The Times Are a Changling.

[BastementSparkle 20,335]

 

 

I guess. But he put that all on the line in The Times Are a Changling.

 

Yes...and? I'm not sure what that changes about my point, Spike has the admiration of the crystal ponies, he put that on the line. Despite this we've seen in the past that he's his own harshest judge. He looks up to Twilight, so feeling down on himself in-comparison isn't impossible. Which Big Mac has also been through.

 

 Not saying this is legit in show, again. Was just another possible similarity between the two I thought of. 

[Tilgoreth 1,915]

Yes...and? I'm not sure what that changes about my point, Spike has the admiration of the crystal ponies, he put that on the line. Despite this we've seen in the past that he's his own harshest judge. He looks up to Twilight, so feeling down on himself in-comparison isn't impossible. Which Big Mac has also been through.

 

 Not saying this is legit in show, again. Was just another possible similarity between the two I thought of.

 

Alright then. I guess I don't have anything to say about that.

[Unlikeable Pony 2,700]

>tempted to pull the "EQG says they're teenagers!" card

 

(Do note I ignore EQG age canon completely and view the mane six as 22-26 years old)

Edited December 14, 2016 by Unlikeable Pony

[Widdershins 9,964]

so think they've always established the relationship as being best friends. Also the only other pony to show fondness for him besides Big Mac and Twilight is Rarity and she sees him like a pet slash little brother.

   Ehh, we can't really say there's a lack of friendship just because it isn't shown. The little reactions can mean alot too. Seem to remember Pinkie pretty much kidnapping Spike off the street and shining a light into his face all interrogation-y. Doing something that over-the-top seems to be the sort of thing Pinks does around her friends, granted, pretty much anything breathing is Pinkie's best friends but it still counts! Though judging by how Spike wasn't the least bit alarmed by what could have potentially had been a mare he hasn't spent time around pretty much screaming in his face kind of shows he knows her well enough already to know she doesn't mean any harm despite her rapid-fire emotions. And as I brought up, Fluttershy pretty much fangirled over him when she found out he was a baby dragon, think we can agree she would have followed up on that first conversation regardless of her shyness. Didn't she also tag along on one of the episodes that Spike went out on his own into the world? That shows that Flutters cares just about as much for him as Twilight or Rarity who have both risked their lives to make sure he was alright.  Plus there WAS an episode where Spike pretty much all but became utterly infatuated with Applejack. Pretty much leaves us with the idea that Rainbow is the only one to not have any excuse or interest in the little dragon.

[trademark2 485]

I always cheer for spike to get rarity! if theres a fanfic of that I would read it. Even if one thinks spike is too young, the romantic thoughts are coming from spike, not rarity, so it wouldn't be coersion or anything.

 

But obviously its never gonna happen in the show. In the show Spike is Twilights little pet dragon that helps her. That's why he hangs around with them, he's a sort of pet/protégé.

Edited December 14, 2016 by trademark2

[Tilgoreth 1,915]

>tempted to pull the "EQG says they're teenagers!" card

 

(Do note I ignore EQG age canon completely and view the mane six as 22-26 years old)

I think they did that because it would have been weird if the mane six where high school teachers.

. Also

Ehh, we can't really say there's a lack of friendship just because it isn't shown. The little reactions can mean alot too. Seem to remember Pinkie pretty much kidnapping Spike off the street and shining a light into his face all interrogation-y. Doing something that over-the-top seems to be the sort of thing Pinks does around her friends, granted, pretty much anything breathing is Pinkie's best friends but it still counts! Though judging by how Spike wasn't the least bit alarmed by what could have potentially had been a mare he hasn't spent time around pretty much screaming in his face kind of shows he knows her well enough already to know she doesn't mean any harm despite her rapid-fire emotions. And as I brought up, Fluttershy pretty much fangirled over him when she found out he was a baby dragon, think we can agree she would have followed up on that first conversation regardless of her shyness. Didn't she also tag along on one of the episodes that Spike went out on his own into the world? That shows that Flutters cares just about as much for him as Twilight or Rarity who have both risked their licenSe didn't become I fautuated to make sure he was alright.  Plus there WAS an episode where Spike pretty much all but became utterly infatuated with Applejack. Pretty much leaves us with the idea that Rainbow is the only one to not have any excuse or interest in the little dragon.

He didn't become infatuated with Applejack. He owed her a wookie life debt. Uh I mean his dragon code.

I always cheer for spike to get rarity! if theres a fanfic of that I would read it. Even if one thinks spike is too young, the romantic thoughts are coming from spike, not rarity, so it wouldn't be coersion or anything.

 

But obviously its never gonna happen in the show. In the show Spike is Twilights little pet dragon that helps her. That's why he hangs around with them, he's a sort of pet/protégé.

Despot the fact that Flash has feelings for a pony princesses I don't think inter species romance is something the show will touch on.

[Ganondorf8 11,772]

I don't see anything wrong with it at all. In fact, Spike is still seen as a baby dragon despite his actual age not being made clear, and no one in Equestria has ever questioned his relationship to the Mane Six. It doesn't matter how young or old you are when it comes to friendship. So long as there is a legitimate bond of friendship and trust, what anyone else says shouldn't matter. Besides, Spike is the assistant to Twilight so in that capacity he has a true reason for being by her side.

[Tilgoreth 1,915]

I don't see anything wrong with it at all. In fact, Spike is still seen as a baby dragon despite his actual age not being made clear, and no one in Equestria has ever questioned his relationship to the Mane Six. It doesn't matter how young or old you are when it comes to friendship. So long as there is a legitimate bond of friendship and trust, what anyone else says shouldn't matter. Besides, Spike is the assistant to Twilight so in that capacity he has a true reason for being by her side.

Yes but Rarity also has spent time with Spike before. Not to mention that Starlight actually formed a bond with Spike in the season six premiere. Though she could be younger than the mane six. It's hard to say.

[AlbaTross 1,586]

It's worse, since Spike isn't even a teenager. Not only has his voice not cracked (or ever will if he continues to be voiced by Cathy Weseluck), but he's not even close to the size of a teenage dragon. Plus, he sleeps in Twilight's room and is frequently seen carrying around a blanket and plushie. If he were in his teens, he would probably want his own space, especially now that Twilight has a vast castle, and not just a small tree house. I'd say he's at least past toddler stage, but he hasn't aged past early childhood. Maybe one day he'll sprout wings, but I don't see the writers aging Spike very much.

 

The possible age of the mane six ranges from mid-late teens to early adulthood. I'd place them around early 20s, but that's all conjecture as it's unlikely their age will ever be confirmed. As for whether it's weird for them to hang out with Spike, I'd say they already crossed that threshold by hanging out with a dragon, which wouldn't be the norm in Equestria. Discord has somehow managed to have a far creepier moment with Spike in Make New Friends But Keep Discord than any of the mane six ever have, but I don't feel like posting the screenshot. It's that creepy. I'll let someone else do it if they wish.

[Tilgoreth 1,915]

It's worse, since Spike isn't even a teenager. Not only has his voice not cracked (or ever will if he continues to be voiced by Cathy Weseluck), but he's not even close to the size of a teenage dragon. Plus, he sleeps in Twilight's room and is frequently seen carrying around a blanket and plushie. If he were in his teens, he would probably want his own space, especially now that Twilight has a vast castle, and not just a small tree house. I'd say he's at least past toddler stage, but he hasn't aged past early childhood. Maybe one day he'll sprout wings, but I don't see the writers aging Spike very much.

The possible age of the mane six ranges from mid-late teens to early adulthood. I'd place them around early 20s, but that's all conjecture as it's unlikely their age will ever be confirmed. As for whether it's weird for them to hang out with Spike, I'd say they already crossed that threshold by hanging out with a dragon, which wouldn't be the norm in Equestria. Discord has somehow managed to have a far creepier moment with Spike in Make New Friends But Keep Discord than any of the mane six ever have, but I don't feel like posting the screenshot. It's that creepy. I'll let someone else do it if they wish.

Spike is at least fifteen in human/pony years. But he might be a folder in dragon years. Assuming dragons have longer life spans. Also show me that creepy Discord pic. Or at least tell me how to find it.

[FlareGun45 2,221]

Spike's got his own friends, he doesn't hang with the Mane Six all the time!

[Kyoshi Frost Wolf 42,205]

Spike's relationship with Twilight is basically Mother/Son or Brother/Sister status so...him being with her and her friends isn't exactly odd regardless of age.

[Methuselah 292]

No, it isn't. Twilight and Spike are like a big sister and a little brother who are also close friends. When the big sister has her 5 female friends over, it's only natural that the little brother will likely be around too. As he gets to know his big sister's friends better, he starts hanging out with them too (and even develops an awkward crush on one of them).

[Tilgoreth 1,915]

Spike's got his own friends, he doesn't hang with the Mane Six all the time!

Mostly just Big Mac. So friend.

Spike's relationship with Twilight is basically Mother/Son or Brother/Sister status so...him being with her and her friends isn't exactly odd regardless of age.

I guess I never thought of that.

Mostly just Big Mac. So friend.I guess I never thought of that.

Actually they never said Twilight saw Spike as her brother.

No, it isn't. Twilight and Spike are like a big sister and a little brother who are also close friends. When the big sister has her 5 female friends over, it's only natural that the little brother will likely be around too. As he gets to know his big sister's friends better, he starts hanging out with them too (and even develops an awkward crush on one of them).

Was It ever confirmed that Twilight saw Spike as her brother?

[cider float 2,539]

I mean if you look at Spike's obligations vs. the CMC from past to present as well as how he acts and talks vs. how the CMC are like you can tell he's at that sarcastic teenager age.