As the morning sun rose over the Everfree, a few ponies in Zecora's house started to rouse. Twilight and Zecora yawned with a stretch as they slowly woke up while Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy stayed cuddled next to Julius, and Luna remained in her inky black orb.

"Morning, Zecora," Twilight yawned as she slowly blinked. "Where's Pinkie Pie?" Twilight asked as she slowly looked around the room.

"Here I am!" Pinkie Pie happily sang as she entered the room, eliciting a groan from a sleeping Julius and Rainbow Dash. "Oh, sorry," Pinkie Pie quietly, yet happily giggled. Crawling up onto the bed, Pinkie Pie lightly sat over Julius's waist. "I was just getting an early morning cupcake and doing some stretches," Pinkie Pie explained as she lightly laid down. "It was tough getting up. It turns out humans are really good at cuddling. I think Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy have the right idea," Pinkie Pie smiled as she lightly nuzzled against Julius's neck.

"A-actually, I'm awake," Fluttershy softly said. "I woke up around the same time as you. But, well, it's nice being the pet for once," Fluttershy said with a blush as she too lightly nuzzled Julius. "I suppose I should get up soon and look after the animals, but they shouldn't be waking up for another hour or so," Fluttershy hummed as she enjoyed the skinship.

"Awww, you want to be the pet," Pinkie Pie cooed as she lightly giggled. "It makes sense, though; you give so much to the animals. It's only fair that you'd want some of it returned. Come here, you," Pinkie Pie said as she lightly petted Fluttershy's mane.

"You mean you couldn't tell?" Rainbow Dash grumpily asked as she slowly woke up. "Fluttershy's been taking care of animals since she was a filly. Being treated the same way has been her dream for years, literally years. Give it a few nights; you should hear her sleep talking about it," Rainbow Dash softly chuckled as she tossed and turned a bit.

"I sleep talk? What haven't you said anything?" Fluttershy asked as she looked at Rainbow Dash.

"Easy. You're cute when you sleep talk. And when you react to your dreams. Seeing you nuzzle your head against something that's not there is adorable," Rainbow Dash lightly laughed as Fluttershy blushed.

"I have to admit, that does sound adorable," Twilight said as Pinkie Pie smiled and nodded her head.

"Guess I'm waking up," a groggy Julius groaned as he kept his eyes closed.

"Well, you're already very awake down here," Pinkie Pie seductively said as she wiggled her hips.

"Yeah, it's morning, and you're grinding on me," Julius groggily said as he playfully grinded back.

"Hehe, guilty!" Pinkie Pie giggled as she brought her face close to Julius. "Now, wakey wakey, you got a big day ahead of you!" Pinkie Pie sang before kissing Julius.

"I suppose you're right," Julius reluctantly agreed as he slowly opened his eyes. Looking around the room, Julius sighed. "If I didn't know that Luna was woking, I'd call her lucky," Julius sighed as he slowly tried to get up before falling back down. "Getting up would be easier if I wasn't so comfy," Julius smiled as he cuddled the ponies.

"Well, we are known to be soft and cuddly!" Pinkie Pie sang as she and the others cuddled back.

"As much as I would like to stay this way. There's much to do; breakfast is a good way to start the day," Zecora said as she slowly broke the cuddle and got up, her body more awake now.

"Zecora's right," Twilight sighed. "We planned to go to Canterlot today, so we should get ready," Twilight said as she got up and followed Zecora into the kitchen.

"Ohhh, cooking, wait for me!" Pinkie Pie sang as she bounced into the kitchen.

"I suppose that just leaves us," Rainbow Dash winked as she looked at Fluttershy and Julius.

"Yeah, it does," Julius yawned with a stretch. "Still, I kind of want to get up. Early morning exercises aren't bad every now and then," Julius said as he gritted his teeth. "Come on, body, get up," Julius grunted as he slowly got up.

"Good idea," Rainbow Dash agreed as she equally struggled to get up. "Come on, Fluttershy, you're coming with us," Rainbow Dash commanded, much to Fluttershy's surprise.

"W-why me?" Fluttershy squeaked.

"Because Fluttershy, you need it. Your wing power has barely changed since we were fillies. It's not healthy," Rainbow Dash told Fluttershy.

"She's not wrong. Being unhealthy or out of shape doesn't help anybody. What if an animal is in danger?" Julius asked as he sat on the edge of the bed.

"Well, if Fluttershy sees them in danger, she can really move, but that's only if she sees the danger. Otherwise, there're fillies faster than her," Rainbow Dash responded.

"OK, yeah, that's bad," Julius yawned with a stretch. "Fluttershy, you're coming with us," Julius said as he helped Fluttershy up.

"T-that's OK; I'll just slow you two down," Fluttershy meekly said.

"Fluttershy, it's just some light early morning exercises. You won't slow us down," Rainbow Dash told Fluttershy as she walked to the door.

"I really should go to feed the animals," Fluttershy protested.

"You haven't had breakfast yourself. They can wait until you take care of yourself. No matter what you think, you matter too," Rainbow Dash said as she waited by the door.

"But, I, um," Fluttershy nervously started to say as she lightly bit her lower lip.

"You're out of excuses, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash is right. A little exercise does a body and mind good," Julius said as he lightly ushered Fluttershy along.

"Hah, here that, I'm right!" Rainbow Dash proudly said as she smiled. "You hear all that Twilight? You'll be coming with us someday too!" Rainbow Dash smugly asked as she looked into the kitchen.

"Rainbow Dash, not everycreature does morning exercises," Twilight sighed as she rolled her eyes. "Right," Twilight asked as she looked at Zecora and Pinkie Pie, "right?" Twilight nervously asked.

"Twilight, I woke up early to do some stretches and light exercises," Pinkie Pie flatly told Twilight. "You heard me say that in bed, right?"

"One's mind and body are connected. It is best to strengthen both, not to leave one neglected. I myself practice traditional motions and positions. In my land, they're practiced by all the magicians," Zecora told Twilight.

"You're soft and plush and all, and that's very nice, believe me, I'm not complaining," Julius started to say. "But you still have to look after your body," Julius told a grimacing Twilight.

"Fine," Twilight grumbled. "Never liked physical education. I can do magic; why bother with physicality?" Twilight grumbled as she helped Zecora and Pinkie Pie cook.

"Hah, grumbly Twilight is funny Twilight," Julius and Rainbow Dash laughed as they left the house. "Alright, follow me. There's a nice river close by, good for exercising. Also, it has a few herbs and fruits growing near it," Julius said as he led Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy behind the house and down a slightly hidden trail. Walking down the trail for a few minutes, the group stopped at a cleared riverside.

"Oh, it's beautiful!" Fluttershy gushed as she saw the scenery and the animals. "Why, hello, little friends!" Fluttershy happily sang as she softly walked up to a few of the smaller animals before they burrowed away. "Awww, what's the matter?" Fluttershy asked as she tried to look for them.

"Honestly, they're probably a prey animal. This place is a hotspot for them. Zecora and I keep it really safe. Her for growing herbs and the like, me, well, it's just a nice place," Julius told Fluttershy.

"Yeah, that sounds about right," Fluttershy sadly said as her ears folded to her head. "Most small prey animals are like that at first. It'll take some time, but I'll win them over yet," Fluttershy said with determination.

"Well, guess you'll be coming with us every morning then, won't you?" Rainbow Dash knowing asked, a sly grin showing on her face. "After all, you don't want to miss the new animals, do you?" Rainbow Dash smirkingly asked as she started to limber up.

"Damn, Rainbow, that's good," Julius lightheartedly laughed as he joined Rainbow Dash in limbering up.

"Well, I've known Fluttershy since we were fillies. We pretty much grew up together. Heh, back home, there was even a rumor that we're cousins," Rainbow Dash laughed as Fluttershy sighed. "I know how to push Fluttershy's buttons, and she trusts me," Rainbow Dash confidently said as she lightly hip bumped Fluttershy's flank.

"Well, maybe second cousins, we really have to look up your family tree at some point," Fluttershy said as she briefly danced around Rainbow's taunting question. "Alright," Fluttershy said after taking a deep breath in and out, "I'll come with you in the mornings, before breakfast, for these exercises. Rainbow Dash is right," Fluttershy reluctantly conceded with a sigh, "I am somewhat out of shape. I should try to get in better shape. For the animals," Fluttershy declared.

"Hey, as long as you're doing it," Julius said as he laid belly to the ground. "I have no idea how you pegasi exercise, so I'll leave it to you and Rainbow," Julius said as he slowly started to do diamond push-ups.

"Actually, that's pretty close to a fairly basic wing exercise, wing-ups," Rainbow Dash said as she put herself into a similar stance as Julius. Moving the tips of her wings inwards, trying to mimic the position of Julius's hands, Rainbow Dash did a wing-up. "Sweet Celestia, that's difficult," Rainbow Dash grunted as she continued to do the wing-ups.

"If it makes you feel any better, it's still pretty rough for me too," Julius grunted as he powered through more push-ups.

"If it's all the same to you two, I'll just stick to normal wing-ups," Fluttershy meekly said as she got down to do a basic wing-up. Struggling, Fluttershy managed to do several before collapsing to the ground.

"All you can do at the moment?" Julius and Rainbow Dash grunted through gritted teeth as they slowly powered through more push-ups/wing-ups.

"Y-yes," Fluttershy panted as she rested on the ground. Sharing a look, Rainbow Dash sighed as she rested on the ground.

"Alright, Fluttershy, let's switch over to sit-ups," Rainbow Dash said as she rested her wings. "Those wing-ups are killer; I'm going to have to do more sometime," Rainbow Dash said as she rolled onto her back. "Alright, Fluttershy, with me!" Rainbow Dash commanded as Fluttershy rolled onto her back. "And up!" Rainbow Dash commanded as she and Fluttershy slowly sat up. "And down!" Rainbow Dash again commanded as the two sat back down.

"Yeah, Rainbow, yeah," Julius grunted as he continued to power through his push-ups. "Diamond push-ups are brutal. My record is seventy-two; I regretted doing that many. I won a bet but lost a day," Julius bitterly laughed as he grunted through a few more push-ups. "And, forty," Julius sighed as he let himself rest on the ground.

"Impressive," Rainbow Dash said as she kept an eye on Fluttershy. "I'm guessing you lost the rest of that day," Rainbow Dash said as she slowed down her sit-ups.

"No, actually, I lost the next day. I went to sleep fine, but I could barely feel my arms when I woke up," Julius said as he rolled over. "My brother, the loveable ass that he is, decided to get in trouble that day. He did that only to get me smoked with him and my sister. The two laughed their asses off while I suffered. Don't worry; I got them back," Julius laughed as he rolled over onto his back.

"Now that's mean and kinda funny," Rainbow Dash chuckled as Fluttershy panted. "Wanna rest, Fluttershy?" Rainbow Dash asked as she noticed Fluttershy struggling.

"Y-yes," Fluttershy heavily panted as she collapsed.

"You did good, Fluttershy," both Rainbow Dash and Julius assured Fluttershy. "Get that pink apple-looking fruit from that bush; it tastes like watermelon because, I don't know, Everfree?" Julius told Fluttershy.

"Yeah, and get some water; the river should be safe," Rainbow Dash added as Julius nodded. "Yeah, it's safe," Rainbow Dash said as she and Julius did sit-ups.

"I didn't do that good. You two are still going," Fluttershy timidly said as she got one of the fruits.

"Fluttershy, we're in much better shape than you. I'm an athlete; I train hard every day," Rainbow Dash told Fluttershy.

"And I come from a military background, with grandparents who grew up in poverty, starvation, and war, and parents who had only marginally better conditions. We're a lot harder than you. But give it time, you'll work your way up," Julius assured Fluttershy as he and Rainbow Dash continued their sit-ups.

"Really, your grandparents lived through all that?" Rainbow Dash asked as she and Julius kept pace with each other.

"Well, my paternal grandfather did. Before we moved, he was a Provo in the troubles. Hell, if it weren't for my mother getting knocked up with me and my sister, he'd probably still be one. Funny that my sister and I managed to save a life before we were even born," Julius laughed. "He might be pushing sixty, but he's still a tough old bastard. Guess growing up on Belfast's streets will do that."

"Sorry to hear that," Rainbow Dash grunted between sit-ups. "I don't think we have anything like that in Equestria," Rainbow Dash grunted while keeping pace.

"Don't be sorry; it's not your fault," Julius grunted as he did another sit-up. "I think we spent enough time here. Wanna get cleaned up and head back?" Julius rasped as he rested on the ground.

"Sure," Rainbow Dash panted as the two clamored towards the river. As Julius and Rainbow Dash reached the river, they dunked their heads into the river, cooling down and drinking the water.

"Hehehe," Fluttershy quietly chuckled. "You two go well together," Fluttershy commented as Julius and Rainbow Dash lifted their heads from the river.

"Yeah, that's fair," Rainbow Dash sighed as she shook her head dry, getting water everywhere.

"That doesn't hurt my feelings any," Julius laughed as he lightly scratched behind Rainbow's and Fluttershy's ears. "Now, let's get going back," Julius said as he led the way back to Zecora's through the path. Getting back to Zecora's, the three could slightly smell a pleasant scent. "Smells like breakfast is almost done."

Yesh," Rainbow Dash said as she sniffed the air. "though, I don't recognize some of the scents," Rainbow Dash commented as she sniffed the air.

"I think those are herbs from Zecora's homeland," Julius said as the three approached Zecora's door. "We're back," Julius said as he opened the door.

"Good timing, breakfast is ready," Pinkie Pie happily smiled as she welcomed the three inside. "Though Luna is still, um, asleep, in the dream realm, I don't know. Luna is still doing Luna things," Pinkie Pie hummed as she guided the three to the table. "Here, eat up!" Pinkie Pie happily said as they all sat down at the table. After eating their breakfast, the group got up and prepared to leave.

"Shouldn't we get Luna?" Rainbow Dash asked as she looked at the inky black sphere.

"We should, but she's probably tired," Fluttershy hummed. "Maybe we should try carrying her and that orb," Fluttershy said as the inky orb slowly fell away. "Oh, uh, never mind," Fluttershy said as she slightly backed away as an extremely tired and grumpy-looking Luna slowly walked out of it.

"Long night?" Julius lightheartedly asked. "I think there's still some coffee," Julius said as Luna blankly walked past him.

"Can't talk, too tired," a yawning Luna barely said as she levitated an orange to herself and ate the orange, peel and all.

"Hah, I get it," Julius laughed as he saw Luna eat the whole orange. "We're just getting ready to leave to go to Canterlot. You coming or staying behind to get some sleep?" Julius asked as Luna lightly swayed on her hooves.

"I'll come now," Luna grumpily groaned as she slowly walked to the door.

"Don't worry; we're taking pegasi chariots from Ponyville to Canterlot. So you should be able to get some sleep on the trip there," Twilight told Luna.

"Good," Luna tiredly moaned as she left Zecora's house.

"We should catch up. Luna might accidentally wander into trouble in her state," Julius lightly smirked as the rest of the group followed.

"I won't," Luna tiredly groaned as a timberwolf dove out of the bushes, only to get blasted away by Luna right away. "Stupid thing," Luna grumbled as she and the group made their way to Ponyville to go to Canterlot.

Author's Note

Next chapter, we're in Canterlot