The very next day, 6am

I shook my two partners awake, they grumbled and groaned but I managed to wake them up by splashing some water on them.

"Heeey! I can't believe you've just done that!" Whined Thunder while rubbing her eyes with her wings, then getting up right quick, I can tell she's a fellow soldier just from how fast she goes from grumbling to standing next to the haybale.

My hubby on the other paw...
"Ugh, what hour is it? Lemme sleeep!" I chuckle at his adorable grumpy attitude, before I started licking him awake, he starts giggling at my tongue going around his muzzle and neck, he eventually gets up too, not being able to resist the ticklish licks, not before yawning wide and stretching somewhat seductively, I try to not let my mind go there, instead heading to the showers outside.

"Good, both of you come shower with me, after that we need to get back home, we got a long way home from here."

The three of us headed out and took a quick shower, everything was packing and stored from there we gathered everyone, Onyx and the foals usually slept on the sofa.

We had a nice breakfast and then said our goodbyes, promising to visit again somewhat soon, but it was time.

Like I told my hubby and my son, today morning we start training, no excuses.

All of us walked off the farm, the foals comfortably laying on my back, and we headed into town, it was around 7am the sun was already going up because it was summer.

"What kind of training do you have in mind momma? I'm really curious as to what we can do in town."

"We aren't doing anything here Onyx, we are running a marathon though, you all brought enough water with you? Because you'll need it." I got three nods in response. "Good, keep it in your storage so it doesn't get too warm, now let's go, start trotting and head for the train station, we are going to follow the train tracks all the way to Canterlot!"

A gasp of surprise left Coconut's muzzle. "What? B-but... That's over 60 kilometers away!"

"Then better start running stud, why are you even complaining? Didn't you want to train and improve? You need to be at least on par with your son, now let's start trotting, I want to get home before nightfall." This was way more than royal guards were required to run during their training, but we needed better training, and if they got tired we could always take a break, I just didn't tell them that.

"I'm going to do it, even if I fall unconscious on the way, I'm done always being unprepared, I'm done with excuses... Yesterday was a true eye opening experience that I will not have a repeat off, are you with me on this dad? You said we would train, well this is training, stallion up!" Onyx spoke with conviction, and that seemed to get my hubby to finally get serious, he simply nodded and kept walking with us.

The way to the tran station was peaceful, a few ponies heading to work waved at us on the way, some seemed a bit skittish, but overall the reception was quite pleasant, we didn't stop though, and walked right to the station, next to the tracks there is a path that is used by inspectors to check the rails, a job often done by earth ponies from all over, it paid decently and it was easy to train for.

"Seems like the ponies here have really warned up to us, remember the first time we came to visit, my little silver knight?" I approached my son and rubbed my snout on his neck, making his serious expression from earlier soften into a warm loving smile.

"Oh yeah! Yeah I remember. They all went running and hid inside their houses, they didn't even come out to help us with directions, it was... A bit annoying to be honest heh." He chuckled and smiled wider.

"But now most of them wave at us when we walk by, and I've had a very nice experience at the bakery to yesterday, honestly I couldn't ask for more, they were shy but they opened up to us and now they're just as nice to us as they are to others ponies from here, they're wonderful people, ive gone to have breakfast in Sugarcube Corner and met this really sweet young couple who own it, they made me feel at home here." He wagged his tail adorably as he spoke, clearly having met this ponies made him feel joy, I knew it from his tone too.

"I like this village, Ponyville right? Reminds me of the place I grew up in... But it has expanded quickly the last few years, the ponies here seem just as friendly too, and about the training, I did say I wanted to spar with Onyx, and train too, this definitively counts, I've been in the army you know? This types of exercise weren't uncommon during training, although I'm not sure if we ever had to run such a long distance... But I'm not giving up, not without trying, I'm ready when you give the order ma'am!" Thunder gave a salute after using her wing, the usual pegasi military salute, it could be done with the hoof too, but using the wing was seeing as more representative of their race.

We kept walking across town, but the station was on sight by now, the houses were starting to be more sparse as we got close, until a few minutes later we are finally here!

The train station has some ponies who are sitting down reading the newspaper, or just waiting with bored expressions, I don't recognize anyone, but I see the path we are trying to take, it's across the train tracks, just ahead, it's well dirty path with grass growing around densely, there is enough room to walk without getting to close to any moving train.

"And there's the starting line, ready?" I ask after we cross the rails, getting out of the platform and climbing on the other, then out onto the path before us.

"Everyone, stretch and prepare yourselves, don't want you to get injured, this is going to be a long endurance run, so pretend you just woke up, and please go to the bathroom before we start if you need to, the station here has bathrooms, anyone needs to?" I look at everyone, checking up on them to make sure they're ready, in a way, I was the unofficial caretaker of the family, I was not in charge exactly, but I did look out for all of them, I guess that's just the way I am, Thunder was new but I already felt a nice connection to her and growing love towards the attractive mare.

"I-ill go, I drank a bit too much water, won't take long!" Onyx spoke up, then dashed towards the bathrooms, but the rest just shook their heads and stretched, the foals on top of me had already been changed into their fresh diapers and bathed thoroughly first thing in the morning, they remained mostly asleep all the time, it was far too early for them after all, I had them carried in special saddlebags that granny Smith lended to me, made for carrying foals around, I promised to give it back later.

A few minutes later he came back, looking much more relaxed and with a smile on his face, and everyone got ready. "Alright now for real this time, get ready, set? Go!" At my words, everypony started trotting forward, following the path clear for us, the ponies waiting at the station looked at us weirdly but shrugged, and I of course took the lead, jogging happily with a spring in my step.

It was not very often I got to exercise like this, my kind possessed naturally high stamina, and we are very fast and agile, this light jog was relaxing, everyone had a smile on their face too, as we just started, but I was sure they wouldn't be smiling much once they started to get tired, the bright sun shone above our heads, rising slowly to it's apex in the sky.

My son had asked if he could buy the hat off Mr. Bright Macintosh, and the stallion just shrugged and gave it as a gift to him, something Onyx was very thankful for, going so far as to give the earth pony a tight hug, it was funny because the stoic stallion just wasn't used to get hugs from others, so he reluctantly pushed him away after a few seconds, but all was fine, they get along well, specially so after my little helpful knight helped with the harvest, putting the whole process way ahead of schedule and increasing profits for the farm as they could fulfill a larger order.

Now Onyx was proudly wearing that straw hat and it helped him keep the sun out of his eyes and head, something the others and myself were a little jealous of.

We all kept the same pace and speed, the wind on my face, the dirt and grass beneath my paws, it was all a reminder that I really needed this, guard training and specially Commander level training was though, but it was a lot less on the physical side and more on the mental side, on strategy, intelligence and creative thinking, while I still had physical, it was not the emphasis, magic was also heavily tested, and lucky for me, my limited magical ability was considered above average compared to most unicorns, even those who trained to be the best, my combat spells were decently powerful and I had a good variety of them, and best of all, I could empower my attacks with magic, making my sword skills much more potent.

I though back on the frozen north, to my old home and my tribe, we used to go on hunting trips, usually running during most of the day like this, covering almost a hundred kilometers in a single day, this little distance back home? It was nothing for a wolf, but I usually stayed back at the den to watch the pups, I did however go on a couple of hunts before abandoning my pack when I found Onyx.

Still I was confident that I could do this.

The only thing that really worried me were the foals, hoping all the trotting wouldn't shake then too much and make them sick, but they remained asleep comfortably, and my body was shaking less than expected while running, not enough to bother the foals at this pace I was going.

"The wind on my body, it feels nice, not as nice as when I fly, but I must admit, I'm glad I get to run with all of you, we're all family now." Thunder surprised me with her warm tone and large smile, seems I had even more reason for liking her, she also loved running, I could see it in her expression. Her words made my heart flutter, to think of us as family... It made me want to run right over and take her and start loving right here and now, but I settled for giving her a look that promised a very good time later.

My husband did too, and Onyx, thinking the same as me, approached and as they trotted and touched his head against her neck, nosing her like he did to me often.

"I agree, it's refreshing to do this, I think I'll start going on runs every day for the foreseeable future, it just feels right. And you, I like you Thunder! You're definitively family too, although I'm not sure how... I'd call you, I mean, herds are complicated, anyways you're part of the family now and I'll make sure you feel extra loved with us~" The small dragon and the pegasus shared a nuzzle and her eyes shined with a genuine smile, then they moved away and focused back on running.

During the first half an hour, no one seemed even to get winded, it was pretty much just a relaxing jog, but after the first hour of running, Thunder was the first to start getting tired, she started panting more and slowing down, but she pushed herself to keep going, despite the tiredness.

She kept at it for another half an hour before she couldn't keep going anymore.

"H-hey wait! I-i think I'll need a break, how are you all not tired yet? Coconut, you're... Secretly in the royal guard, are you?" She spoke while panting, we all slowed down to match her pace, now walking instead of running, that way we could recover slowly.

"Oh dear Faust no, I'm definitively not cut out for that line of work, it's just... Every time we fight and kill something, we gain power from it, and that power makes me stronger in every way, every time, did Onyx explain to you how it works?" He answered her while we all kept walking, Coconut and Thunder we're both sweating by now, mostly because of the heat and the running, but me and Onyx were unable to sweat, he had his magic, but I had to stick my tongue out to cool down, it was something shared across all canids like myself.

"I... did not know it would make such a big difference! W-wow, that would explain why you never got tired during you know what, most unicorns don't have more than one round on them."

I snort a laugh at her comment, while my husband just blushes and gives her a look to shut her up, pointing to Onyx.

But the dragon just chuckles at the comment too, just making a face of mock disgust. "You ponies are always this naughty? Well, you done taking a break right? Because I want to keep running, I'm still not even halfway done, my body is full of energy and I want to put it to good use."

I smiled nodding towards him. "Sure, take a few sips of water and let's keep going, we still have ways to go."

Two hours later - Onyx

After three and a half hours of running, the city was only a few more kilometers away, the train had passed us on the way, a few ponies looking out the window seemed flabbergasted to see us running next to the tracks, but some waved back when we greeted them, at this point I was getting pretty tired, and so was mom, albeit she seemed to still have some energy left.

The two ponies of the group however were definitively not doing well, they were panting and visibly damp with sweat, trailing behind us, of course we slowed down to a walk long ago, so they would not pass out and they could maybe recover somewhat, but they had clearly reached their limits.

I decided to carry Thunder, who had it the worst of the two, on my back, mom could not carry the twins and dad at the same time so he had to endure the rest by sheer force of will.

"Comfy? Sorry about the small room on my back, I'm still too small to properly carry an adult." I apologized genuinely, her hind legs were dragging slightly on the grass.

"You have... No idea... How much better this is than walking, I could barely feel my hooves! I felt like I was going to pass out if I kept going, thank you!" She replied, panting at first but slowly getting calmer and catching her breath as she relaxed on top of me, her head resting over my own comfortably, my horns weren't long enough or pointy enough to get in the way.

"You did pretty amazing, I have to say, I'm impressed, for a pony you have good stamina, maybe it has to do with the fact you trained before, but how long has it been since you jogged such a long distance? Must be around 63 or so kilometers." I complimented her honestly, she of course was not perfect but she managed to keep up almost to the finish line.

"I... We did not ever run anywhere for over one hour, maybe only once we ran for two hours straight, thing is, we didn't really do much running, since I'm a pegasus I have to train mostly my flight endurance, and I have even better flight endurance, compared to running, I... I feel almost like I'll pass out if I try to move any more tho." She let out an exhausted sigh, her body was slick with sweat, and hot enough that it made me feel like I was melting, not to mention my own increased body temp from running for so long.

I nodded along to her words, focusing completely on getting to the finish line, I could feel my stamina draining slowly, I was almost all out, I was worried I may pass out too, just a few more hills to run up and down... Since we couldn't exactly jog inside a railway tunnel without risking our lives, we decided to run over the mountains, and around them if we could, making our journey far longer than it would have been otherwise, and it also meant having to go uphill several times.

"Tell me about it..." The unicorn's voice from my right spoke weakly, he looked really bad, his face looked a bit pale, clearly he should have stopped running by now, but he kept pushing. "I feel... I'm too tired, just a bit more..." He stopped talking, unable to finish the sentence, but kept running, seemingly on autopilot at this point.

All of this extra difficult terrain drained our stamina a lot. "I'm getting very tired too, I don't think I'll be able to keep going for longer, but if I stop now, I feel like I won't be able to get up later." I spoke up, panting and breathing quickly, my tongue out to try to catch some cold fresh air however, it just wasn't enough, so I pulled out my canteen and took long gulps of fresh water. "Ahh, that certainly hits the spot! Maybe... I'll get there!"

I feel more refreshed, smiling faintly at the feeling of coolness sliding down my neck and into my tummy, the water spreading it's cold soothingly, I drank until my belly was nice and full.

"Keep going everyone, we're almost there! Look, that's the station right there, soon we'll be at home and you can rest all day if you need, and take a cold refreshing shower~" Momma Sylf said in a cheerful and happy tone that motivated us enough to continue.

My hearts were beating fast, but steady, in rhythm, I was exhausted yes, but also felt as if I could get there.

It didn't take too long, and we reached the entry to the station, to Canterlot, there were plenty of royal guards around the station, and an unicorn mare saw us approach, and came down the platform to meet us a dozen meters away from the station itself, walking off the platform and stopping us in our tracks.

"Halt, what are you four... Wait, you have foals? Oh excuse me, carry on ma'am, they're very adorable little ones, aren't they?" The unicorn mare's tone softened as she noticed the twins, the two had woke up sometime during the jog, and we're happily riding on top of Sylf's back, thankfully they were smart enough to not jump off, they did however cheer us on, and it helped, because we somehow managed to arrive.

"Oh they're our little foals, our herd is very happy to have them, good evening to you, we actually recently just hiked all the way up from Ponyville, believe it or not, you're a sergeant on the Royal Guard, right?" Mom did the talking, the rest of us walked weakly and sat on the ground next to the two, I basically folded underneath Thunder, completely exhausted, while dad plopped his butt on the ground, then proceeded to lay on his side, before rolling into his back and laying down belly up, panting and out of breath, his legs were shaking, and so was his body.

The guard didn't pay us any mind and just glanced my dad's way a bit discretely before going back to her conversation, I was playing close attention, and ponies have large expressive eyes so it was not as subtle as she thought she was being.
"Yes ma'am, I'm sergeant Eversong, recently promoted, what's your name, if I may ask? I have an odd feeling that I've seen you somewhere before... Wait, you came here all the way from Ponyville? How? The train didn't pass recently, did you and your family get off early or something? Even then, that's odd."

Sylf seemed to consider her words for a few minutes, before shrugging and smiling at the mare.
"Maybe you recognize me because I'm also part of the Guard, I'm mostly in administrative duties as of late, but still have the occasional patrol usually when I coach some newcomers or rarely I get assigned guard for various events, my name is Sylf, pleasure to meet you miss Eversong, but if I may be so bold, are we free to go? My family and myself, as well as our foals have walked here all the way from Ponyville and we are exhausted, as I said earlier, I don't think they will be able to even get up if I don't get them home soon."

"You're... Sylf?! Oh my apologies Commander!" The unicorn mare quickly saluted and stood at attention.

"At ease sergeant! Now... I know I'm off duty right now, and I don't usually like to ask for favors, but you wouldn't mind now that you're here, carrying my husband home? I think he won't be able to get back on his own, the poor dear had to walk all the way without having anyone to carry him, since I have my precious foals with me already, and my son there has my herdmate on his back, since she couldn't continue anymore either." Mom asked the mare in a professional but slightly pleading tone.

Meanwhile Coco just laid there, panting but less intensely now, he realized that laying on your back is a bit exposing, because he had flipped over by now, but he still had shaking legs. At least he wasn't flashing everyone around anymore, at this point I didn't care either way.

I didn't know how long I could carry Thunder for as well, I stood up on four very shaky legs, but I still had a bit of stamina left, maybe not enough to run.

"Yes, only me leaving won't cause a problem, I was overdue for a break anyways." Her smile was genuine and cheerful. "Just left me inform the others, just stand by the entryway to the station, I'll meet you there." After that she left to talk to other guards, probably her superiors who nodded and after a few minutes she came back.

"Okay it's done, can you walk ahead and guide me? I'll be extra gentle with your husband, miss Sylf." The mare spoke in a soft and friendly tone, levitating the stallion and carrying him floating on her magic, he squirmed slightly in mid air before calming down, getting used to the telekinetic hold on him.

"Thank you, don't worry too much about him, he is one tough pony, just look at him, but we are all exhausted after that trek." We walked into the city, the city full of golden tipped towers, beautifully decorated buildings and just a very pristine and grandiose place, it was no wonder why property here could go over a million bits, compared to other cities where a lot or a house was less than 50 thousand bits, but of course there was a lower Canterlot area too, with much lower prices.

"So you came all the way from Ponyville right? Did you remember to pack enough for the trip? I mean it's a two day trip, what path did you take? It's still a very exhausting walk." Eversong asked while turning to look at mom.

"We... Jogged all the way, following the rail line, we started this morning, we didn't follow any real hiking path, just walked next to the railroad."

"... Hahah Good one commander! Well, either way I'm glad you all arrived safely, the forests along the railroad do have some dangerous fauna on them, bears are not rare, but thankfully they usually are friendly to ponies and don't attack unless provoked."
Eversong chuckled at what she perceived was a joke and commented about the wildlife with a gentle tone.

'Let her think it's a joke mom, if we go around saying we trained so hard they may think we were forced and that is dangerous, and they would be right, we are mostly fine but I'm getting super tired and sore, can't imagine either of this two are okay, they may even get sick or pass out.' I remind her gently via telepathy, we are trying to not get too much attention from the guard after all.

"Hah yeah, we did follow the train tracks and we had a nice long nights rest, but my two herdmates have not much practice running, they're still new to it, while my son here is a natural, maybe it's a dragon thing, and I of course, am a royal guard, and a wolf, you know I used to run for long hours when I was back home near the frozen north." Mom clarified, in a convincing tone, she was pretty good at lying, not as good as me, but she was good by now.

"Oh yeah, not many ponies do the journey that way, there is a shorter path to Canterlot but it's a bit more steep, so not many ponies do the hike, just be careful you all, the train tracks are dangerous and the railway tunnels specially so, I hope you never take the tunnels, always go around the mountain, even if it's a longer path, okay? Also, hope you don't mind my question commander, but what is it like outside of Equestria? I've never been that far north, I think only one expedition headed there, and then some dignitaries came to visit, some seem to be your kind."

"We sure did keep away from tunnels, we never got too close to the railroad, we are aware of the danger." She spoke in a certain and serious tone while going to the left and heading into the street our home was in, just another block and we're there!
"And back home... We aren't like you ponies, I can't speak for other races, but we black wolves, my tribe at least, some may call us Great Wolves or Dire Wolves, we often live in tribes, each tribe has a territory defined by the size of the tribe, usually territories are not crossed, but if one of our kind wants to move, they can reach an agreement, for example I... Offered my services to watch over some pups when I moved out, as long as you help in some way and do so meaningfully, you are then allowed free movement, I did odd jobs here and there, because I wanted to see more of the world." She pauses for a minute, reminiscing on the past I guessed, from the distant look on her eyes.

"I love my tribe, I do, but I felt my calling was elsewhere, but to put it simply, life outside Equestria is hard, wild, and very much unforgiving, you have to hunt and forage for food, you gave to be on guard to not become food or not to anger another creature or group of them... Me, being a wolf was advantageous, not many other predators would even dare to go after me or my kind, so in a way, I had it easy, I bet you would like to meet the caribou there, they don't speak Equestrian like you or me, but they're quite similar to ponies, they live further into the cold areas." I smiled at that, I remember seeing them! They were very odd and oddly cute, in a way similar to ponies, just larger and with a much thicker layer of fur, adapted better to their frozen environment.

"Maybe sometime you should write a book with what life is like outside, what was it like back at home and everything mom! Because that sounds really amazing, I can't wait to visit. Oh and we reached out home, thank you miss Eversong!" I spoke up first, getting the attention of both, while pointing at the house basically right next to us, we had arrived.

"Yeah! Your little one is right, honestly it sounds scary to live out there, with dangers everywhere, but also fascinating to read about or listen, you sure are an interesting family, but this is my stop Commander, it was a pleasure to meet you. Oh and where do you want me to place your husband? He is completely out by the way." I grab the keys and open the door with my telekinesis, pushing it open all the way and walking in.

"I just may write a book then, thank you for the help, I wouldn't have wanted to drag him by the tail all the way here, please come on in, this way." I walked in first, followed by mom and Eversong.

I placed Thunder on the couch, then gesturing to the royal guard.

"Just lay him on top of her, they are both already asleep so may as well let them cuddle in their sleep."
The guardmare did as she was told and placed the unconscious stallion on top of the unconscious pegasus, they snuggled almost right away, spooning adorably.

"Hah they're so cute like that, well thanks a lot Sergeant! If I have the time, I'd love to share a drink with you! Whatever you like, it's been a pleasure to meet you." With that, the unicorn guardmare smiled and gave a relaxed salute, before heading to the door followed by Sylf who saw her out.

"Glad to be of help commander, and I'd love that, have a lovely afternoon!" And with that she turned and left back to the station, walking at a relaxed speed, she seemed to be in good spirits thankfully.

She closed the door and walked back. We stood there next to each other for a second.

"I better take the twins up to the bathroom, they definitively need their change of diapers, and you should go get a shower while I do that, leave this two to sleep here, don't care how sweaty they are, we can always clean the couch later with magic." Mom spoke softly, the twinks were restless, upset, definitely needed that change, and a bath. Mom was now easily able to take care of them thanks to the ghost hand spell I gave her, by now she could use that spell as good as a person could use their hand.

"Yeah, I'm gonna take an ice long shower now, see you." I waved and teleported directly to the bathtub without another word. Opening the cold water all the way and placing the plug to keep the water from going down the drain.

I stood under the water flowing, directly on my head, letting out a happy and satisfied moan, closing my eyes and opening my maw to let the water flow into me, but not swallowing, just letting it wash my mouth under that pressure, it refreshed me and felt very good.

Onyx has earned 2 constitution points from having ran all the way from one city to the next.

Sylf has earned 2 constitution points from having ran all the way from one city to the next.

Coconut has earned 2 constitution points from having ran all the way from one city to the next.

Thunder has earned 2 constitution points from having ran all the way from one city to the next.

I smiled at that quip, my legs felt very very wobbly, and were still shaking, I was sure I would feel sore tomorrow, but I could still walk, if just barely.

I didn't need to walk anymore though, I was in the bathtub, I could lay here and rest, heck I could even take a nap here...

Once the bathtub was full I closed it and laid down into the water, my maw submerged but my nose out of the water, I carefully breathed out my frost directly into the water, turning it into slush near my maw.

Good enough, that should cool down the entire bathtub in a few minutes, I could already feel it as the slush melted into water again.

While I was laying there, I decided I probably will be better off getting to work, i procrastinated enough on my enchantment practice, and I had to take the metal ore I owed to the blacksmith to process.

It was way too comfy in here to move, but I gathered my measly willpower left after running, and dragged myself into a standing position, my legs shaky still, maybe... A nap wouldn't hurt, I am way too tired to carry around a chest full of metal, I'll just embarrass myself in front of everypony outside when I inevitably fall over and drop my stuff.

"Maybe tomorrow..." I let my body slide back down into the bathtub, using magic to cool the water down all around me into slush consistency.

I am very much too tired to think, I close my eyes and fall asleep right away.

Author's Note

The training begins, the first day is just to acclimate.