While Spike had been leading his people into war with Monquista, the people of Puerto Mico were suffering a depression. The Governor, Baron Ferinand von Doom, was able to hide his involvement in the war, but was still despised by the people, as rumors were spreading that he was to blame for the Equestrian blockade. Equestria had set up a blockade around the city, so everything was being rationed, food, clothing, even their water supply was running low, although the guards had hearts and pitched in to help the common people.

Twilight was getting daily reports from the captain of the blockade and reported them to Spike. It was Wednesday, and the captain was getting ready to make his daily report before hearing yelling and an explosion. He ran out of his quarters on the ship and saw that the Governor's mansion was on fire. He walked up to one of his men and said, "What the blazes is going on!? We were ordered to blockade Puerto Mico, not attack!"

The soldier stuttered, "Sir, I'm just as in the dark as you are!"

A scout came over to them, "I've just gotten wind of the situation! Somebody raided our powder store during the guard changes, and they blew up the Governor's mansion! Puerto Mico is in a state of chaos and revolt!"

The guard captain's eyes widened and told him, "Get a handle on the fires! I need to report this to Twilight Sparkle and the Prince!" before running back to his quarters and contacting Twilight, "Lady Twilight, we've got a situation! Our powder store was raided recently, and the stolen kegs were used to blow up the Governor's mansion! We don't know of any casualties, but we're getting to stopping the fires and making sure nobody is seriously injured."

Twilight was shocked at the captain's report and brought Spike into the room, and when he was told what happened, he thought. The Governor was the one who ordered the attack on his ship, so he held a grudge, but the raid and explosion was practically terrorism. Then again, he could understand the unrest, and honestly, that was what he was hoping for, but didn't realize just how hard his plan could backfire. Until now.

He told the captain, "Continue controlling the fires, and if you're able to, arrest the people who caused the explosion. Give aid to the wounded, including the Governor if he's injured." His hand was clearly clenching into a fist, he hated the idea of giving the man who blew up his ship medical attention, he'd much rather let him burn.

Four hours later...

The fire had finally been put out, but the mansion was mostly destroyed. The guards were searching through the rubble, saving anyone still alive and getting them medical attention. The captain himself found a body in the Governor's office, which was the closest room to the origin of the explosion. He turned around and left the office telling two guards, "Keep the Governor's office off limits. Nobody goes in, understood?"

The soldiers saluted, "Sir, yes sir!"

The captain reported to Twilight again, with Spike in the room once more, "My lord, we're still investigating, but based on how many powder kegs were accounted for, whoever started the explosion stole more than enough to wipe the mansion off the map. The Governor's office took the brunt of the blast, and the Governor's body was found in the office shortly after we doused the fires. The civilians are still in an understandable state of shock, but considering their responses to our questions, everyone seems happy that the Governor is dead."

Spike thought for a moment and said, "Give them any aid they need. They know the Governor, and by extension, the Crown, is responsible for their misfortune. The old saying goes, the enemy of my enemy is my friend. I'll send one of our ambassadors to work on reconstruction. Until they arrive captain, you are in charge of the occupation. Give them as much aid as possible."

The captain nodded, "Yes my lord. I will continue to report on the situation if anything arises. I will see if offering a reward will help identify the culprit."

Spike nodded back, "Good idea, that's all." before disconnecting.

The captain relayed information to his men and started helping the injured and ordered his men to have the chefs cook up some banana lasagna.

As the days became weeks, the people of Puerto Mico had started trusting the guards and the new Ambassador from Equestria. The culprit of the explosion had still not been identified, but the guards and ambassador cared little for it, since there were no obvious signs that another attack would take place.

One day, the HMS Pinafore arrived in Puerto Mico with Spike stepping off the ship and being greeted by the Ambassador, "Your majesty, it's an honor to have you visiting. We were not expecting your arrival, so things are hardly as luxurious as the castle, but I'm sure you'll be comfortable during your stay."

Spike smiled, "Thank you Ambassador, but I've grown used to being without the comforts of home. Is there a tavern I might retreat to?"

The Ambassador nodded, pointing to the nearby tavern. Spike walked over to the building and went in and was greeted with approval from the customers. He sat down by the bar and asked, "Marleybonian Scotch with a bit of lemon on the rocks please."

The bartender handed him his drink and started some small talk, "I heard you weren't all that happy to hear the Governor died."

"It wasn't the Governor's death that upset me, it was the other people who got caught in the explosion. The loss of any innocent life is not a happy thought. Even though the Governor ordered an attack on my ship, I didn't want him to be murdered. Tried and executed, perhaps, but vigilante justice is not true justice."

The bartender smiled, "I'll drink to that. Although nobody seems to know who blew up the Governor's mansion, but we were panicking when we heard the explosions. For a moment, we thought the blockade had started firing upon us."

"I'd have their heads if my soldiers attacked a defenseless town with no orders to do so."

As Spike finished his drink and handed the bartender his payment, he walked back out of tavern and greeted and conversed with the Puerto Micans. They grew to realize that the Crown of Equestria cared for their wellbeing, despite being from another nation and being at war with the Crown of Monquista. They also grew to adore Spike, both from his gentlemanly demeanor and stories of his adventures as a pirate.

And so, Equestria is gaining allies against the Crown of Monquista, even allies who once swore allegiance to the Crown. While his goal for setting up the blockade around Puerto Mico bore fruit, it came at the cost of innocent lives in an act of terrorism, although nobody seems to care who it was that blew up the Governor's mansion. Spike has taken a small trip to Puerto Mico to show that while Equestria is at war with Monquista, they still have a sense of mercy and compassion. With Puerto Mico supporting the war in the side of Equestria, Spike is showing that not all royals are stuck up and that the Crown cares more for themselves than they do for the people they rule.

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