Spolder.

@Dragonmage
 
The Return of Harmony was originally going to be the first season finale. This is why it doesn’t have the Derpy scenes that started with Lesson Zero (Derpy only appears as a non scripted background character) and this is why it still has the old opening.

@Dragonmage  
Quite true. It just ended with the 6 having their expectations shattered but being okay with it and it could go pretty much anywhere.

@Daneasaur  
I’m not sure there would even be a season 2 if fans didn’t take note. Note how open ended the finale was.

@Daneasaur  
It’s a little bit of both. It was also relatively popular among TA, so they continued it. If it was popular exclusively on the internet, they wouldn’t have continued it.

@Background Pony #C5E2  
The whole series wouldn’t have continued past season 3 if not for the rabid fans. Season 3 was meant as the “end” (and even nearly matched the idea that Twilight was going to “replace” Celestia, as per Lauren’s original writing), but that never came to be.

@Background Pony #6993
 
Yeah, the only reason Lyra and Bon Bon were upgraded from generic background designs to actual characters was because of the fans (the fans even named them).
 
I’m also sure that Vinyl Scratch (aka DJ Pon-3) would not have been expanded past those few seconds we saw in season one if it wasn’t for the fans.

@Daneasaur  
That would have been interesting to follow in the idea that Spike is actually a different species of dragon, but instead josh just slapped wings on him and any effort to make spike develop in some interesting way was undercut to “make him like all the other dragons”  
^ I think that’s where this lies at the heart of for me; the series is ending so they slap on wings because fans complained enough about it. Spike always had so much potential. And Spike’s arc was going good for a while but with this latest episode it looks like his development won’t ever pass the current status quo.
 
@ABronyAccount  
“There’s also the fact that the writers have clarified on numerous occasions (Twitter, convention panels, etc.) that they don’t write for bronies and avoid fanon like the plague for both legal and creative reasons.”  
^ Pinkie’s increasing flanderized forth wall breaking abilities; Applejack’s super strength in later seasons; the whole history of Derpy; Lyra/Bon Bon; the work in of internet memes into episodes; special guest VAs that only people outside the target audience would care about, etc.
 
I highly doubt that.

@Edhelistar
 
@ABronyAccount  
They were not clear but yeah, they were pointing out that “regardless” it would have been treated as pandering.
 
That said, Spike’s lack of wings was unique. All the dragons we’d seen had wings and focused in brute strength, but Spike seemed very different. He was naturally kind and his lack of strength but great mental perks as a realist. None of the dragons EVER said gaining wings was part of growth, even molt down skipped that bit of info.
 
One thing about dragons that was not touched on is the fact that dragons, in MUCH media, are excellent sorcerers. And when Spike played O&O, he’s a mage and does combat with his wits, not his fists.
 
That would have been interesting to follow in the idea that Spike is actually a different species of dragon, but instead josh just slapped wings on him and any effort to make spike develop in some interesting way was undercut to “make him like all the other dragons”.

@Edhelistar  
I think they were just pointing out the existing headcanons that developed around Spike not having wings and making the argument that Spike’s newfound wingaling dragon status would have upset people anyway, so it’s unlikely the writers were doing it to fander to the pandom.
 
There’s also the fact that the writers have clarified on numerous occasions (Twitter, convention panels, etc.) that they don’t write for bronies and avoid fanon like the plague for both legal and creative reasons.

@Background Pony #161B  
Wut… Dude/dudette, you need to keep up with the series…
 
Spike already got his wings!

@Background Pony #6993  
All other dragons wave wings, but Spike does not have wings. That’s a fact. Show bible have been leaked, there’s nothing about that in there.  
Show could have gone two ways:  

@Daneasaur  
Yes, it’s frustrating when it feelings like writers are taking their ques from fans rather than the show bible/what’s been established.
 
On another point, I know dragon canon is changing in MLP so finding a grown dragon Sludge’s size as opposite to the red cave dragon’s in season 1 is more common place. So size = age isn’t really an argument anymore when it comes to dragons.

@Background Pony #6993  
right. Both in Dragon Quest and Gauntlet of fire, Spike is called a runt, and in both gauntlet of fire and shadow play part 2, dragons don’t get sarcasm, they instead are just brutally honest.
 
And yes, Smolder left out getting wings via the molt. That’s a pretty important thing to know. It kinda further points that josh knows nothing in regards to spike, nor does he care about continuity.

The problem is people are forgetting that it was never said that molting resulting in wings. That’s a pretty big deal and Smolder never mentioned it. Add to if dragons are kicked out of the nest when molting happens then how do their parents give “basic” lessons in flying without wings?
 
So we can’t assume Spike is younger than other dragons because no wings.
 
We know that Spike is a runt; was around when Twilight was a little filly; and considers himself a “teenage” dragon. This is canon. Just saying that Spike is a lot older than what fans are willing to give credit for. There’s a reason Spike’s friends outside the mane 6 are Big Mac, Thorax, Ember and sometimes Discord.
 
As for Ember, remember that when we met Ember she was still living at home under her father and couldn’t even get permission to compete. Like Spike she is also considered a runt. So Ember could be Spike’s age for all we know or even younger if Spike was allowed to running the trial for leadership and Ember wasn’t.

I’d say that Spike is 13, Smolder is 17, and Ember is 25.

@Antonyourknee  
Seems legit, given the molt. I guess that makes Smolder about the same age as the CMC then.

Bucking

@Ansi-Marelina  
Change it to Spike 14-15 and Smolder to 13-14, with the difference being “Spike is a Runt and was raised by ponies who don’t know much about dragons.”

kek

@Ansi-Marelina  
Sounds good

My headcanon for the dragon trinity’s ages is-  
Spike- 10-13  
Smolder- 13-14  
Ember-15-18

@Edhelistar
 
Nani? Nan desu ka? O_o
 
….
 
Ahhhhhh!!! Okay, got it. ;-D

@DarkObsidian  
*Represses urges to tell what must not be said*