The train that would take them to Appleloosa was just as ridiculous looking to Grievous as almost everything else was in Ponyville. The town was still a wreck, debris and trash lay everywhere but reconstruction had already begun. And at some point the dead dragon had been removed, probably by Princess Celestia herself. The train essentially resembled candy with icing coating it. Some even had rooftops that resembled cotton candy! Grievous was once again thankful that none of his subordinates or superiors could see him now.

He actually would rather walk to Appleloosa rather than being seen in something so embarrassing. He had naturally awoken bright and early, quickly woke up Twilight Sparkle who had wisely packed before bed. Pinkie had somehow packed in seconds...Grievous had never met anyone that seemed to defy the laws of physics and reality itself as she did, even to him it was befuddling. Applejack and Rainbow Dash were ready when they arrived. All who was left was Rarity. Who had only taken five extra minutes to pack yet to Grievous it felt like hours.

“Oh thank you so much Spike for carrying my bags for me,” the indigo maned unicorn thanked the baby dragon, who's arms were quivering like noodles at the weight of the two gigantic suitcases. “Sorry I'm late everypony!”

“All aboard!” The train conductor hollered over the noise of construction. The train blew a warning whistle. Grievous wasted no time, he snatched up Rarity and grabbed both of the suitcases with his other hand. Rarity emitted a high pitched yelp of surprise while she waved good bye to the practically drooling dragon. The door shut behind Grievous.

Dropping Rarity and her luggage he glowered.

“Took you long enough,” he stepped over her and into the first class car, where the others were. Grievous was relieved when he discovered the train was large enough to accommodate him so he didn't have to worry about bumping into anything. And to his surprise the train's inside was nothing like it looked on the outside. Dark green cushioned seats and perfectly clean windows. Each pony was attending to their own activity, Twilight was reading, Fluttershy was admiring the outside, Rainbow Dash and Applejack were busy discussing Equestrian athletics and Pinkie Pie wasn't doing anything.

“HEY Grievous!” Pinkie stood on her back legs and waved a hoof, “come sit next to me.”

“No,” the cyborg swished his cape to the side so as not to sit on it and sat down in the empty seat to his right.

“Oh you wanna sit over there? Okay!” There was a slight “whoosing” sound as Pinkie in the blink of eye zipped her way over the seats and to reappear at Grievous' side. The warlord folded his string mechanical arms over his chest plates and growled quietly in irritation.

'She certainly doesn't know how to take a hint!' He stood up again and made his way over to Twilight only to hear Pinkie zoom her way over to the place he intended to sit.

“Why do you have bird feet?”

His right eye twitched. General Grievous quickly made his way over to Fluttershy and sat next to her. He quickly lashed out and grabbed Pinkie Pie who had been racing after him again, the metal talons of his right foot easily grabbed her like a hand would've.

“So I can do that,” he pushed her away, she sat down and clapped her hooves together and giggled happily.

“That is so cool!” She stood up and hopped over to her seat.

Grievous allowed his shoulders to slump and for himself to sigh in exasperation before he resumed his stoic posture. Out of the corner of his eye he noticed Fluttershy glancing at him were her big blue eyes from behind her pink mane. The general fully shifted his attention to her and as expected Fluttershy squeaked and looked away. Grievous huffed once and turned his head the front, he could see over the rows of seats perfectly. A light tapping caught his attention and he looked down to see Fluttershy tap on his metal leg, quickly withdrawing her hoof for fear of angering him.

“Um...could I ask you a question,” her tiny voice was barely audible, “I mean if that's okay with you...”

“Fine.”

“Why is your flank um...you know...blank?”

“Why is my flank blank?” General Grievous wasn't sure what to make of such a seemingly absurd question.

“Yeah,” Rainbow Dash flew up beside him and hovered in place with her blue wings, “how come you don't have a Cutie Mark?”

Grievous blinked once not sure if he had the term correctly.

“A Cutie what?”

“A Cutie Mark, the marks all ponies have,” she indicated hers, a rainbow lighting bolt with a white puffy cloud at the end.

“It shows each pony's special and unique talent. Mine is flying fast,” the rainbow maned pony puffed out her chest for a few seconds, “Twilight is great at magic, Fluttershy's good with animals, Applejack does...apple stuff and Rarity is a fashion designer.”

Grievous took this new knowledge in quickly before replying.

“Where I come from we don't have Cutie Marks,” he almost facepalmed at the fact he actually just said “Cutie Mark.”

“Really?” Rarity piped up, a hoof on her chest, “then how do you know what your special talent is?”

“Not everyone has a special talent nor would anyone need a mark to show their talent.”

“Well...what is your talent then?” Rarity asked hesitantly. Grievous pulled out a lightsaber, he didn't activate it but it did all the explaining for him.

“So um...are you a...what were they called again?”

Grievous almost pulled the lightsaber back out in his now seething rage.

“No. I am NOT a filthy, cowardly Jedi!” Everypony cringed at his rage.

“But if you hate 'em so much then why do you have one their weapons?” Applejack asked curiously.

“It is an accomplishment for me, a non-Force sensitive being to kill even just one Jedi.”

“The Force?” Fluttershy asked in a timid but equally interested.

“The Force is what the Jedi call their ultimate source of power...,” he decided to simplify it so the ponies would grasp its concept quicker, “its similar to magic.”

Silence came over them all for about a minute so, only the rumble of the train could be heard. Until Pinkie, who for once had a rather sad expression of her face asked the question that all her friends were thinking.

“Why do you hate them so much?”

“That is none of your concern,” Grievous replied icily, folding his arms over his metal chest, he was willing to tell them what Jedi were but he wasn't going to tell them the injustice they had inflicted upon him and his people...and how it had led to the death of...

He shook his head. There was no time to think of her or why he was the way he was. All he had to focus right now was getting back to where he belonged. Grievous could feel their sad and sympathetic eyes on him and he despised it. The Kaleesh warlord turned his head to ignore them by looking out the window only to see Fluttershy looking sadly up at him. Unlike the other five her stare wasn't full of what he deemed to be disgusting pity...what was it? Understanding? Sadness? Probably both.

Slowly, General Grievous stood up and left, shutting the door behind him. The ponies winced at the loud “thunk.”

- - - -

It was late afternoon when Fluttershy finally worked up the courage to talk to Grievous. Who still hadn't returned. Slowly she opened the door and peeked in, the orange rays of sunlight were mostly blotted out by the shades Grievous had brought down at some point.

Even in the darkened train car she could see he had stood, at the very back. His golden eyes seemed to pierce through her but she didn't back down.

“Grievous...?”

“What do you want Fluttershy?”

“I was um-just wondering if you were okay.”

“I'm fine.”

“Okay,” she briefly shifted her face so it was concealed behind her mane. Fluttershy left without another word.

Grievous slowly walked over to the door, sighed, and reentered the occupied train car occupied by the six once again happy ponies.

- - - -

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