As soon as the guard said skeleton, wide smiles spread across mine, Sean, and Sarah's faces which went unnoticed by the others.

"D-Did you say a s-skeleton?" Fluttershy asked fearfully.

"Don't worry Fluttershy, I'm sure they're just exaggerating or something," Twilight said, trying to calm her timid friend.

Before the guard could say something Sean spoke up, "Did they send a picture of him?" At his nod, Sean said, "Let me guess, he has an afro and is a wearing a purple coat, heart-shaped sunglasses, a yellow feather boa, a top hat with a giant crown on the brim and orange red trousers with a floral design?" The guard stared at him in shock. "I'll take that as a yes," he chuckled.

"Do you know who it is?" Celestia asked.

"Yes, we do," I said. "He's someone else from One Piece." Everyone stiffened, and I quickly said, "Relax everyone. He isn't anything like Lucci."

"Are you sure?" Luna questioned.

Sean snickered, "You kidding? The guy's a scaredy-cat, goofball most of the time." He turned to the guard, "Did he do anything to them or are they just scared of him?"

He looked down at the report, "Well, it seems like more scared than anything."

"Is that all?" Celestia asked.

"Yes, Your Highness," he said.

"Then, you may return to your post," she said, gaining a salute from him before he left. She then turned to me, "Are you serious when you say he's a skeleton?"

Sean glanced at Jack with a smirk. Seeing this, Jack grinned, "I think he's dead serious Your Highness." Practically everyone groaned, while Sean and Sarah chuckled, and Discord snickered.

"You and Brook will get along very well Jack," I muttered.

"I think it would be a good idea for us to get Brook, so I'm going to head to Manehattan," Sean announced.

"I'm going too," I said. "I've always thought it would be interesting to meet him and since coming here, I've been kind of hoping he'd be here."

"Yes, I think it would be best for you to find him and bring him back with you," Celestia said.

Sean turned to the others, "Does anyone want to come with us?"

"I'd like to meet Brook as well," Sarah said.

"I wouldn't mind tagging along," Jack said.

Rainbow Dash, Twilight, Spike, Pinkie Pie, Heart, and Applejack decided to join us. The Princesses let the others stay at the castle until we returned. Twilight stayed behind to hear about how she did on her test, while the rest of us exited the throne room. As we left, Sean ruffled Dinky's mane and promised to spend some time with her when we got back. and began making our way to the castles exit. We decided to wait outside the entrance for Twilight to catch up. After about fifteen minutes, she burst out of the doors announcing that she had passed the test. We all congratulated her as we walked to the train station.

As we walked back onto the train for the third time that day, Rainbow Dash sighed slightly, "At least this time it won't be as long."

"Don't worry Rainbow," I said. "This time when we return I will use my dimensional magic to bring us back immediately."

"Well, that's a relief," the prismatic pegasus muttered.

We settled down in one of the cars and, as the train started moving, Sean asked, "So, is Manehattan anything like Manhattan?"

All of the ponies and Spike looked at my husband in shock and confusion. "Manhattan?" Twilight questioned curiously.

I smirked, "That's right. We also have Philadelphia, Baltimore, Nottingham, and many others." I heard Jack snickering as he probably realized how punny their names for cities were, at least compared to how we named cities. "Anyway, yes Sean it's similar to Manhattan. They even have their own statue of liberty."

Sean blinked several times, "Huh. That's interesting."

"So how are we going to find Brook?" Spike asked. "Even if he is a skeleton, finding him in the city isn't going to be easy."

"I'm pretty sure we can just follow the screams," Sean said. "If how the ponies in Ponyville reacted to us is anything to go by, I'm sure ponies are in an absolute panic about Brook."

"True," the young drake conceded.

[POV Change: Sarah]

As the train made it's way to Manehattan, most of the ponies and Spike were talking to each other, while Sean, Ashley, Twilight, and I talked with Heart.

"So do changelings just feed on love or do you eat like every other species? Not much is really known about changelings," Twilight asked.

"Oh, we eat just like other species. In fact, we're omnivores," Heart answered. "It's just that love is a very important part of our diet."

"I see," she said, taking notes.

"In fact," the changeling said. "As you can imagine it has been a while since I've had any love. While the guards know I don't mean any harm, they are still hesitant on giving it to me."

"How do you 'eat' love exactly?" Twilight asked, intrigued.

"We just use our magic to siphon it from someone. And despite what most think, it doesn't have to actually be directed at us. We've actually found some that are willing to allow us to siphon love from them to feed ourselves," Heart explained.

"So, Ashley and I could help you with that?" Sean asked. At Hearts nod, he said, "Then let's do it."

"Really?" she questioned in shock.

"If it's something that you need to survive then yeah," my son said. "You don't mind do you Ash?"

"Not at all," his wife answered. "Is there anything specific we need to do?"

"N-Not much," Heart said, sounding like she couldn't really believe they were doing this. "Just something that invokes the feeling of love. Just some heartfelt words would be enough."

"Considering you said that it's been a while," Sean said exchanging a look with Ashley. At her nod, he pulled her into a passionate kiss. I smiled at how in love they were, though I felt a pang in my heart thinking about John.

Heart's eyes widened in surprise, after a second she snapped out of it and her horn lit up with a jade aura. After several minutes the glow disappeared and Heart leaned back with a satisfied sigh.

"I don't know if it's because it has been a while, but that was absolutely delicious," she said, happily.

"Glad you liked it," Sean said, separating from Ashley.

"So you're filled up?" Ashley asked.

"Oh, yes. I think I'll be fine for a few weeks even," Heart answered.

Sean nodded, before bringing out his iPad and started searching for something.

"What are you doing, Sean?" I asked.

"Just thought I'd start some music for us," he said.

I didn't doubt him, but the smirk on his face told me he was going to do something. I got my answer when the song started.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-r62vYYOwE

I giggled as Ashley rolled her eyes.

"Really?" she asked.

He grinned, "What? I planned on doing one of Luffy's too." He then started another song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ubs9oOqphro

As the song ended, all of the Equestrians looked rather confused.

"What was that, Sean?" Twilight asked.

"Music," he said simply. Ashley, Pinkie and I giggled at his simple answer, while everyone else deadpanned at him. He rolled his eyes, while smiling, "Relax, I know what you mean. It was another language from our world. Japanese to be exact."

"Why play a song in another language?" Rainbow Dash asked, sounding baffled.

"Let me ask you this. Did you like it?" Sean questioned.

"Couldn't understand a word of it, but it was rather good singin'," Applejack said. The others murmured in agreement.

"That's all that's really needed in my opinion," I said. "It's a good song and a good singer." I then muttered, "Though sometimes the translation can be kind of weird."

"What do you mean?" Twilight asked, just as the train slowed to a stop.

"I'll show you some other time," I told her as we got off of the train.

[POV Change: Sean]

As we exited the train, the conductor walked up to us with a frightened look on his face.

"I would really advise all of you to get back on the train and leave," he said. "I know this won't make sense and you probably won't believe me, but there's a skeleton walking around the city."

"Oh I believe you," I told the stallion, making him look at me in shock. "In fact he's the reason that we're here." As I walked passed him, I patted his shoulder, "Don't worry we'll take care of him. And you should relax, I mean he hasn't done anything has he?" I stopped in front of the platform and clapped my hands together, "So where should we start?"

"I'm not sure," Twilight said standing next to me. "Despite there being a skeleton, the ponies here, while fidgety, they are relatively calm." She tapped her chin in thought. She snapped her fingers and said, "Rainbow Dash, why don't you and Ashley fly above the city and see if you can't spot him or panicking ponies."

"Good idea, Twilight," Ash said, while Rainbow saluted before taking off into the air.

"Should we walk around and look ourselves?" my mother suggested.

We all nodded and started walking through the city. After about half an hour of searching, Ashley and Rainbow Dash returned.

"We found him!" Rainbow exclaimed.

"I'll take us to him," Ash said, snapping her fingers. After the flash, I saw that we were now in an area that looked similar to Times Square. "He's over there."

I followed to where she was pointing and saw him. Standing probably even taller than the Princesses, was Brook. He wasn't really doing anything, just standing there and looking at the surrounding area.

Jack walked forward and shouted, "Hey, skeleton! We've got a bone to pick with you."

Brook turned to the unicorn with a furrowed brow. "What did you say?" he questioned.

"You heard me bonehead," he called back.

Frowning, the skeleton started walking toward us. "It really makes my blood boil when others make bone related jokes," he said. His anger vanished instantly, "Though I don't have any blood to boil. Yohohoho!"

Jack grinned, "So, you're rather thin-skinned?"

Brook stared at him for moment, "Yes I am." He then smiled back, "Even I don't have skin at all! Yohohohoho!! Skull joke!"

The two goofballs had me, Ashley, and my mom chuckling, while the others groaned loudly, which just caused me to start laughing. Hearing my laugh, Brook looked over to me and his eye sockets widened.

"Luffy!?" he exclaimed, before running up to me and pulling me into a hug. "Luffy! I thought I'd never see you again! The people here are kind of like the merman on Fishman Island."

I pulled myself out of his grasp, "It's nice to see you too, Brook. However, there's something I need to tell you and you aren't going to like it."

He looked behind me and shock spread across his face. "You've been captured by the Navy!? Don't worry Luffy, I'll hold them off while you get away," he said, raising his cane and gripping the top.

"Hold it Brook!" I yelled, making him halt. "First off," I started giving him a hard look, making him take a step back. "Harm my wife or mother and you'll regret it." I then muttered, "Not that you could do anything to them. Second, I'm not Luffy."

Brook stared at me in absolute bewilderment, "W-Wife? Mother?" He shook himself, "What do you mean you aren't Luffy?"

I brought a hand to my chin in thought, "How do I prove it you? Oh, I know!" I stared directly him and said, "I'm a vegetarian."

Brook stumbled backward, "You aren't Luffy. He wouldn't even joke about something like that."

"Sorry, to get your hopes up Brook," I said, sympathetically.

He sighed deeply, before dropping down onto a bench that suddenly appeared under him. He looked up in shock, not expecting to sit on something.

"That was me Brook," Ashley said, approaching him. She held out a hand, "I'm Ashley Griffin, Sean's wife."

He gently grasped her hand and shook it. "It's nice to meet you," he said, somberly. "Is anyone I know here?"

"So far you're the first of the Straw Hats that we've run into," I told him. "However, there's a chance that we will run into some of them. You are the second person from your world that we've come across after all. There's also the fact that there are Devil Fruits everywhere, so don't lose hope Brook."

Brook slowly got a determined look and stood up, "You're right. I shouldn't give up hope." He looked at us curiously, "Who was the other person?"

"No one good I'm afraid," I said. "It was Rob Lucci from CP9."

He shivered, "They're here?"

"Just Lucci," Ashley said. "And he's been turned to stone and sent to Tartarus." At Brook's confused look, she said, "Think of it as their version of Impel Down."

"Ah, that's reassuring," he said. "And that's your mother? She isn't one of the Admirals? Although I thought that all of the Admirals were men."

"They were. However I'm Sarah," my mother said.

"It's nice to meet you ma'am," Brook said.

"Brook, I know you probably don't feel like it, but do you think you could sing Bink's Sake?" I asked hopefully.

"I suppose," he said. Ashley snapped and a piano appeared. "Thank you, Mrs. Griffin." He sat down on the bench, then began to play and to sing.

Yo-hohoho, Yohohohoo,
Yo-hohoho, Yohohohoo,
Yo-hohoho, Yohohohoo,
Yo-hohoho, Yohohohoo,

Going to deliver Binks' Sake!
Following the sea breeze! Riding on the waves!
Far across the salty depths! The merry evening sun!
The birds sing as they draw circles in the sky!

Farewell to the harbor, To my old hometown
Lets all sing out with a Don! As the ship sets sail
Waves of gold and silver dissolve to salty spray
As we all set sail to the ends of the sea

Going to deliver Binks' Sake!
We are pirates sailing through the Sea!
The waves are our pillows, The ship our roost
Flying the proud skull on our flags and our sails

Now comes a storm through the far-off sky
Now the waves are dancing, Beat upon the drums
If you lose your nerve this breath could be your last
But if you just hold on, The morning sun will rise

Yo-hohoho, Yo-hohoho,
Yo-hohoho, Yo-hohoho,
Yo-hohoho, Yo-hohoho,
Yo-hohoho, Yo-hohoho,

Going to deliver Binks' Sake!
Today, and tomorrow, our dreams through the night!
Waving our goodbyes, we'll never meet again!
But don't look so down, For tomorrow night the moon will also rise!

Going to deliver Binks' Sake!
Let's all sing it with a Don! A song of the waves
Doesn't matter who you are, Someday you'll just be bones
Never-Ending, Ever-wandering, Our funny Traveling tale!

Yo-hohoho, Yo-hohoho,
Yo-hohoho, Yo-hohoho,
Yo-hohoho, Yo-hohoho,
Yo-hohoho, Yo-hohoho.

Brook finished singing with a smile on his face, "I feel a little better."

"That's good," I said. Looking around, I was surprised to see many of the ponies were now watching him in interest instead of fear. "I think we've at least mitigated some of the rumors about Brook."

"I think so too," Ashley said. She then opened a portal, "Shall we head back to Canterlot?"

"Oh my!" Brook exclaimed. "I know you aren't Tashigi, but how are you doing these things?"

As we walked through the portal, she answered, "I ate a Devil Fruit that allows me to use any type of magic. What I used to summon that bench and piano was chaos magic and this is dimensional magic."

"That's incredible," he said.

"Hello, Nightmare Moon. Where are your sisters at?" I asked, the black alicorn.

"They are busy at the moment, but they will be back shortly," she answered.

Brook turned and saw the Princess, "My goodness. Such a beautiful woman." He adjusted his ascot and walked toward her.

"Should we stop him?" Ashley asked.

"Where'd the fun in that be?" a voice asked. I turned to see Discord standing next to us. Before we could ask he said, "I sensed there would be a bit of chaos happening."

I started to sweat slightly, "With what he's about to ask, there will be chaos alright."

"We really shouldn't let him do this," my wife said, worriedly. "I don't think Celestia would be to bad, hell Luna would probably be better than Nightmare Moon."

However as she said that, I heard Brook say, "May I see your panties?"

Silence reigned at the perverted request. Everyone looked absolutely shocked, hell even Discord and Pinkie were staring at him in disbelief.

"Three... two... one," I counted silently.

*CRACK*

I winced as Nightmare Moon kicked Brook directly in his face, thankfully her dress was long and flowing enough that nothing was seen. He was launched into the wall to our right. The impact causing it to crumble on top of the living skeleton.

"I can't believe he asked her that," Discord said, astonished.

I turned to Ashley, "You check on Brook and I'll try to calm Nightmare Moon down." She nodded and walked over to the pile of rubble, while I carefully approached the fuming alicorn.

"Nightmare?" I said tentatively. She turned her glare to me and I caught a glimpse of what the old Nightmare Moon probably looked like. When she realized she was looking at me, however she calmed down slightly. I continued to walk up to her. "You alright?"

She took several deep breaths. "I... I'm OK. But that question..." she kept taking calm breaths.

I rubbed her back in an attempt to help her calm down. "Yeah, I know. We would have tried to stop him if Discord hadn't distracted us," I said.

"You knew he would ask that?" she questioned, a slight blush on her muzzle. Whether it was left from the question or what I was doing, I was unsure of.

I rolled my eyes, "He would ask it all the time on the anime." I then snickered, "Maybe now he'll watch who he says that to."

She chuckled a little herself, "Maybe."

The doors suddenly burst open and Celestia, Luna, Ditzy, Rarity, Fluttershy, and several guards rushed in. I noticed Dinky was peeking in from behind her mother.

"What happened!?" the two alicorns questioned.

"That skeleton," Discord started pointing at Brook, who Ashley was helping out of the collapsed wall. "Asked your sister if he could see her... *cough* underwear."

All of their eyes widened and jaws dropped. The two alicorn sisters glared at Brook and started to stalk over to him. However, before they could get too close, my mother stepped in front of them.

"Alright you two, calm down. That noise earlier was from Nightmare Moon kicking Brook into the wall, which is why it's nothing more than rubble," she said. "I think her kicking him in the face is punishment enough."

The two continued to glare at him for a moment before they sighed, "Very well."

After calming down, Celestia said, "So he's actually a living skeleton. How is that possible?"

"A Devil Fruit," I answered. Everyone looked at me in surprise.

"There's one that turns somepony into a skeleton?" Luna asked in shock.

"Yohohoho. Not exactly," Brook said, dusting his clothes off. Looking at him, I saw that his skull had a crack similar to the one he had on Thriller Bark. "This is nothing more than a bit of misfortune."

"What do you mean?" she questioned.

"The Devil Fruit I ate was called the Revive-Revive Fruit. It allows the consumer a second chance at life. Unfortunately however, you aren't immediately resurrected, your soul has to return to your body. When I died, I was on a ship, that was adrift in the ocean." Everyone's eyes widened and Brook nodded, "As you can probably guess, I didn't find my body for quite some time. By the time I had it was in this state."

"Why would enter your body despite the horrid state it was in?" Rarity asked.

A melancholic look spread across Brook's face, "Because me and my crew made a promise to someone we cared for. And even though I do not think he would forgive us for having died irresponsibly and because of our selfish promise would yell into the skies if he could." He gained an almost angry look, "That death isn't an apology...!!! Because a man once said that they absolutely would come back!!!"

Everyone looked at him in shock and sadness. "That's heartbreaking," Fluttershy said, sadness in her voice.

Brook shook himself, "Pardon me for a moment." He reached up and... he pulled his violin out of his freaking afro! We all stared him in shock. He noticed this and shrugged, "Ever since coming here, I've been able to do that. For example," he reached up again and pulled out a bottle of milk. He pulled the tab off and began to drink it. My shock quickly turned to amusement as the ponies, dragon, and changeling's bafflement only increased when they realized that Brook was actually drinking the milk and it wasn't just falling through him. After finishing the milk, he lifted his violin and began to play.

All of the mares had tears in their eyes and the guys all had sad looks on their faces.

"You know, it's been a long day. How about we get some rest?" I suggested.

"Damn, it has only been a day hasn't it?" Ashley said. "I think Sean's right."

"Of course. You all deserve some rest after everything that's happened," Celestia said. "You may all stay here for the night and can head back in the morning." Everyone thanked her and the guards began to escort us to our rooms.

I noticed that Heart hadn't moved, "You not tired?"

"I'll head to bed in a minute," she said. I shrugged and caught up with the others.

[POV Change: Heart]

When the others left, Celestia asked, "Is something wrong Heart?"

I shook my head, "Nothing wrong. I wanted to ask something."

"And that is?" Luna asked.

I turned to Nightmare Moon and questioned, "I was just wondering when Nightmare Moon will tell Sean how she feels."

Nightmare's face lit up, and she stuttered, "W-What in Equestria are you t-talking about?"

I rolled my eyes, "I can feel your love for him coming from you." Nightmare Moon's blush deepened. "If it helps, I could feel something coming from him."

She looked at me in surprise, and, sightly hopefully, asked, "You did?"

"I'm not sure if it's love, but he does feel something for you," I told her. "You should act before he starts to only see you as a friend."

"It's just that, I... I'm not sure if I should start a relationship with him," Nightmare said. "I'll live long after he's passed away and I don't know how I could live after he passed."

"Princess," I started, gaining her attention. "I know it's cliche, but as the saying goes. 'Tis better to have loved and lost, than to never have loved at all."

Nightmare Moon sighed, "I suppose." She paused before saying, "I need to think on it for a little bit."

"Of course, Princess," I said. "Good night Your Highnesses."

"Good night, Heart," they said, as I left.

When I walked through the doors, I was surprised to hear someone clear their throat. Looking around, I saw Ashley standing next to the doors.

"How much of that did you hear?" I asked.

"Pretty much all of it," she answered. "I wasn't really expecting something that personal and I wish I hadn't listened in like that."

"So, you know how she feels," I stated as we walked through the castle.

"To be honest, I had a feeling. I saw how she reacted when he tried to calm her down," she said. "I know it was because of him since she didn't have the blush before he started rubbing her back."

"You think she'll do it?" I asked.

"I actually hope so. She deserves to know what love is like after all," she replied.

I nodded in agreement as we reached our rooms. "Well good night, Ashley," I said.

"See you tomorrow, Heart," she said, before walking into her room.

I entered my room and laid down to rest, hoping that Nightmare Moon would take my advice.