Why wasn't Spike invited to the games?

[BlueEyedPegasus 60]

I know that in "Just For Sidekicks", Spike wasn't invited to the Equestria Games at the Crystal Empire eventhough he did help save it from King Sombra. Can anybody provide some good theories as to why he wasn't invited?

[Magic Man 222]

He wasn't not invited to the game, he just wasn't invited to the preparation/welcoming of the inspector. I imagine in-universe because it's a serious adult event and not something for a baby dragon. The technical truth however it just because the writers needed him and the Mane Six separate so the episode Just for Sidekicks could work.

[Winona the Dog 1,984]

The Mane 6 were ordered. errr I mean invited to come and basically advertise to have the games hosted there. They weren't exactly there to attend the games. They left the Crystal Empire as soon as the inspector declared the games would be hosted there. I'm guessing Spike didn't want to come....Besides he was busy with the pets anyway.

Edited June 12, 2013 by Lady Rainicorn

[Zygen 6,066]

Well I assume its because maybe he was to young or something, or he wasn't fit for the task, or maybe they just wanted only ponies to help? Idk. Maybe Spike was or something but choose not to for whatever reason.

 

It is kinda odd I guess considering he played a big part in saving the empire in the first place.

[BlueEyedPegasus 60]

He wasn't not invited to the game, he just wasn't invited to the preparation/welcoming of the inspector. I imagine in-universe because it's a serious adult event and not something for a baby dragon. The technical truth however it just because the writers needed him and the Mane Six separate so the episode Just for Sidekicks could work.

Yeah, I guess the "wasn't invited to the preparation/welcoming of the inspector" idea does make sense. On the other hand, have you ever considered contacting any of the people involved with the show to ask them about this issue?

[fimdash 1,197]

My guess is to watch over the library (which he didn't really do at all since he got caught up with the pets). I feel bad for Spike sometimes because he's often secluded from the group. In Sweet and Elite, he wasn't even there for Twilight's birthday. I assume he wasn't there because he had to watch over the library that time too, but still. Someone so close to Twilight should be there for Twilight's birthday party, no exceptions.

 

It may also be because the Mane 6 chose not to invite him. I think that Spike really enjoys spending time with the Mane 6, but never expresses it. This is noticeable in The Ticket Master, when he laments the fact that he didn't get a ticket for the gala (but actually ends up getting one). He also shows excitement in The Best Night Ever, and later becomes distraught when the Mane 6 ditches him. The Mane 6 didn't even realize how excited Spike was to spend time with them until the end, because they were so caught up in their own self-interests. Poor Spike

[Orablanco Account 3,707]

Real Talk: He wasn't invited because the writers wanted him in a solo episode.

 

In-universe: I cannot think of a solitary reason he wasn't invited. I don't care if it was serious Games preparation, I think the (at least partial) savior of the Crystal Empire deserves to be invited.

 

Wouldn't feel so angry about this if Spike wasn't obviously upset he didn't get to go, and if the writers explored the idea that he's grown to become a true member of the main group and wants to go on adventures with them.

 

But instead, we got Just for Sidekicks, and the less I delve into how I feel about that episode, the better.

[BlueEyedPegasus 60]

My guess is to watch over the library (which he didn't really do at all since he got caught up with the pets). I feel bad for Spike sometimes because he's often secluded from the group. In Sweet and Elite, he wasn't even there for Twilight's birthday. I assume he wasn't there because he had to watch over the library that time too, but still. Someone so close to Twilight should be there for Twilight's birthday party, no exceptions.

 

It may also be because the Mane 6 chose not to invite him. I think that Spike really enjoys spending time with the Mane 6, but never expresses it. This is noticeable in The Ticket Master, when he laments the fact that he didn't get a ticket for the gala (but actually ends up getting one). He also shows excitement in The Best Night Ever, and later becomes distraught when the Mane 6 ditches him. The Mane 6 didn't even realize how excited Spike was to spend time with them until the end, because they were so caught up in their own self-interests. Poor Spike

Well, don't worry. The Mane 6 still managed to spend time with Spike in many instances, and that's important. Thus, regarding "Sweet and Elite" and "Best Night Ever", nothing could possibly stop me from liking those great episodes.

[fimdash 1,197]

Well, don't worry. The Mane 6 still managed to spend time with Spike in many instances, and that's important. Thus, regarding "Sweet and Elite" and "Best Night Ever", nothing could possibly stop me from liking those great episodes.

Yeah, that's true. I love those two episodes as well Rarity episodes are usually amazing, and The Best Night Ever is just.. yeah. Don't really need to explain myself there.

[Pinkazoid 3,493]

Woah there bud, don't assume he wasn't invited.

 

A better question would be "Why didn't he go?" it brings up the possibility that maybe, he just didn't want to go, which is what i'm thinking.

[Sweet Dreams 1,893]

He wasn't invited to the welcoming of the Games Inspector, so that doesn't necessarily mean he wasn't invited to the games themselves. I doubt he would want to welcome the Games Inspector anyway, though. 

[BlueEyedPegasus 60]

He wasn't invited to the welcoming of the Games Inspector, so that doesn't necessarily mean he wasn't invited to the games themselves. I doubt he would want to welcome the Games Inspector anyway, though. 

Well, yeah, that's possible, too. Of course, after giving it some thought, I do kinda support the theory that Cadance assumed that Spike would be bored and saved him from being so by not inviting him. I hope that's alright.

[TailsIsNotAlone 3,696]

If I remember correctly, no one was really invited to the games. The Mane 6 were there to promote the Crystal Empire as the hosting city (Games Ponies Play), and Spike had to stay in Ponyville to watch the pets while they were gone (Just For Sidekicks). There was a nice bit of continuity between the episodes when Spike, the pets and the CMC did end up on a train to the empire while the M6 were conducting their business. Fortunately they managed to hitch a ride home on the M6's train without them noticing.

 

Although how they got off the train without being spotted, who knows. 

Edited July 5, 2013 by TailsIsNotAlone

[BlueEyedPegasus 60]

Major update: I've recently discovered on TV Tropes that Cadance's reasons for not inviting Spike turn out to be more understandable, since the Mane 6 were mainly invited to convince the inspector to arrange for the Crystal Empire to host the games. Now while I do support this, I need to know: how is this more understandable for Spike to not be invited?

[Dark Horn 430]

Er, well, as everyone already stated, Spike wasn't invited so the episode Just For Sidekicks could be possible.

 

Nevertheless, in the real pony world, I can't think of a plausible reason why Spike wasn't invited. I mean, once again, as others said, he did save the Crystal Empire, sort of.

 

As in, without him, Sombra would take over again, until the Mane 6 used their brains and brought over the Elements of Harmony, that is.

[Rappy0 338]

Maybe the inspector would have been kinda freaked out by a dragon being apart of the welcoming committee? We already know that many ponies don't know much about dragons so maybe bringing a dragon to welcome someone might have been a little strange. That's not a very good reason though.

[BlueEyedPegasus 60]

I know I haven't posted in here for a while, but I guess whatever Cadance's reasons were which are understandable, I guess they were executed rather subtly in "Games Ponies Play". Of course, that's just me.

[Scootalove 10,689]

I guess he wasn't invited to the games, plus he was pretty busy taking care of the pets while making his gem cake. Basically, he also had to watch the Cutie Mark Crusaders meaning that he was so busy.

[Berrycicle 66]

I think it is the fact that Spike eats Gems and everything there is gems the Crystal Ponies, the buildings  the one thing that KEEP THE CRYSAL EMPIRE SAFE...(Clears throat) hehe

Edited August 18, 2013 by Berrycicle

[~Silver Essence~ 2,625]

Isn't it obvious, he needed to take care of the mane 6's pets while they were away.

 

Besides, I don't think he could have been used for something over there.

[techno915 408]

well, he is considered the baby of the group, so maybe they figured that he was too young to go or something? also, somebody needed to take care of the animals. i don't know anyone else in the show who i would trust with a pet. well, except for Fluttershy, but she was going to the games.