After Spike and the crew he'd brought with him finished helping treat the injured Water Moles from the revolt, Spike heard a deep voice, and looked over to see a Water Mole Sumo. Spike asked him, "Are you injured? We still have plenty of supplies to get you up and running again."

The Water Mole shook his head and said, "No, I am fine. I saw you fight monkeys; you are mighty warrior. I challenge you to honorable combat!"

The leader of the Water Moles came up, "Ordaz, this is not the time for that, our guests-"

Spike smiled and replied, "I'm in. It's not every day I get to fight someone who has some sense of honor. I assume this is one on one?"

The Water Mole leader nodded, "I won't stop you if you wish to challenge Ordaz, but let me warn you, very few people have beaten Ordaz, it will not be an easy fight."

Spike nodded, "Then it's my kind of thing." As they were led to the battle arena, Spike stretched his arms to get ready for the fight.

As the fight began, Spike took to the skies, using his wings to give him an advantage. Ordaz tried to ground him by throwing some decently sized rocks.

Ember watched as Spike avoided the rocks being thrown at him, and whispered to Rainbow Dash, "He's getting better at flight, even though we've only trained for about a week."

Rainbow Dash nodded, "Yeah, I'm impressed with how fast of a learner he is. Plus, his wings haven't grown to full size like yours, he certainly has a lot of stamina."

Ember snickered, "Ok, I know that wasn't supposed to sound sexual, but..."

Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes, "Grow up Ember."

As Spike came diving down and delivered non-fatal blows to Ordaz, the Water Mole finally fell to the ground, laughing heartily, "Ordaz was right, you are mighty warrior! If you have room, I will follow you. My strength will be yours to command."

Spike smiled lightly, "It would be an honor to have you on my crew Ordaz. Why don't you go get some medicine and meet us back at the ship, I'll let my crew know to expect you."

Ordaz nodded and bowed in respect before heading to get his wounds tended to, as Spike and the others headed towards the thick jungle.

Soon enough as they continued to cut through the thick brush, they saw a campfire in front of a cave with Monquistans gathered around it. The first one looked up to see them, "Thank the stars, a rescue party!"

Spike shook his head, "Sorry to disappoint, but I'm not a rescue party, I'm here looking for Captain Gunn's treasure."

The monkey sighed, "I see, I suppose that means nobody is coming to rescue us. Goronado went through the forest towards the ruins, he doesn't have to worry about the swarms of carnivorous bees. Unlike him, we aren't as strong. If you're not here to rescue us, then I know what that means. The Crown has abandoned us, and left us to die here."

Spike sighed, thinking. He chased of the other Monquistans, and while he felt bad for these ones, there wasn't much he could do now that the guards and miners had left the island, even if he did get them out of the jungle, there wasn't anything else he could do. Except one thing. He spoke, "Look, I'm not going to lie, the Water Moles led a slave revolt, and they chased off the guards and civilians. So yeah, chances are, nobody will be coming to rescue you. But I have a heart. You can join my crew if you want."

The captain of the Monquistans perked up and said, "You're serious? We are soldiers, not pirates."

Spike chuckled, "Yes, I'm serious, and don't worry, I have plenty of naval officers on my crew. There is one condition though. Abandon your loyalty to the Crown of Monquista and swear loyalty to me, and by extension, the Crown of Equestria. I have no need for disloyal crew mates, it's just business. If you won't swear loyalty, I'll just take you back to Puerto Mico and we part ways."

The Monquistans conversed between themselves and when they made a decision, the captain stood in front of Spike, with the other three lined up behind him. The captain said, "My captain, you have shown mercy to us, and you show compassion to those who serve your crown, and those who don't. The Crown of Monquista has abandoned us and left us to die. We hold no loyalty to a nation that cares nothing for the men and women who risk their lives to protect that nation. We accept your offer, we swear our loyalty to our new captain and the Crown of Equestria." before all four of the monkeys saluted Spike.

Spike smiled, "Welcome to the crew you four. What are your names?"

The captain introduced himself, "My name is Ponce Duarte, these are my men, Don Fernan Chavez, Marquis Antonio Catallo, and Cornelius. It is an honor to serve you my lord. You mentioned looking for treasure, correct? Goronado went towards the Ancient Ruins, but we couldn't get through the bees, last time we tried, we lost three men, there used to be seven of us."

Spike thought for a moment on how to get past a swarm of carnivorous bees. His scales would protect him and Ember, but not the others. Sadly, he only had one idea. And given past experience, it was a risky move, "Ember and I have our scales to protect us, but as for the others... and before you two say anything, I know this is risky, but I've learned my lesson, I'm not as reckless as I used to be."

Rainbow Dash raised an eyebrow before realizing what Spike was suggesting, "Seriously? You're going to set the bees on fire? Are you sure that's a good idea? Did you forget the last time we set something on fire?"

Time Turner nodded, "I'm with Dash on this one, we barely made it out alive last time, and that was just a small grotto, imagine what could happen if the whole jungle gets set ablaze."

Spike sighed, "I know it's risky... which is why Ember will be helping. Between the two of us, her training will be able to tell us when we need to stop before something catches on fire."

Ember nodded, "He's right. I didn't become Captain of the Dragoons because of my looks."

Time Turner thought for a moment, "Well, I suppose that is true, plus there's nobody trying to kill us right now, so fine. But if I die in a fire, I'm going to haunt your nightmares."

And so, Spike has recruited a Water Mole sumo, and a group of Monquistans who had been abandoned by the Crown of Monquista, who have sworn their loyalty to Spike and the Crown of Equestria. But now, they face a new challenge on their hunt for Gunn's treasure, carnivorous bees. Spike's only plan to get past them it by burning them to death. But with past experience, Rainbow Dash and Time Turner are worried, but they know it is the only way to continue. Will Spike's plan, along with Ember's assistance be enough to get past the bees without setting the jungle on fire?

Find Out Next Time!

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