Man, the response has been great! Please, keep it up! This inspires me to continue writing. You guys rock! Also, I have followed your advice and, thankfully, left the idea of a harem. And, related to that, I have posted a poll on my profile, for you to vote on who should be Caesar's love interest. You review, you read, you decide!

On a side note, things will change after this chapter. Now the real deal begins. I hope y'all are having a great week, and please, enjoy this chapter. Looking forward to your response!

Caesar could not contain himself. Here he was, staring with his mouth wide open as Princess Celestia looked at him intently.

"Of course, my Princess." He bowed slightly. "I won't say anything outside of these premises."

The elder mare shook her head amusingly. "It is so cute that you speak so eloquently, for such a young colt."

Said colt blushed heavily at the compliment.

"There is… a story, a tale I wanted to share with you." Celestia took a seat on the garden, filled with flowers. She motioned her right side for Caesar to sit too.

He followed her request without even thinking.

"A long, long time ago, before all ponies were united and strong, they were divided and weak." She frowned slightly. "They were separated by tribes, you know? And chaos ruled the land thanks to Discord."

Caesar nodded. "Discord, the god of chaos?"

"Precisely." She nodded back with a soft smile. "However, me and my sister rose up against him, and eventually defeated him through the use our magic."

"Unsurprising." He retorted before he could stop himself. The young colt blushed as Celestia giggled.

"Why, thank you for the compliment, young one." The ruler then frowned again. "But, there was a time of peace before Discord, and a time where he had risen before he did so in our time."

"You mean he has revolted twice in our history?"

The princess nodded. "Yes, it certainly looks like he can do so every ten thousand years before being put down by a more powerful being."

"If you and your sister took him down last time… who did it before you?"

"A very, very powerful pair of alicorns, of unimaginable power. From what I heard, he never stood a chance. At the time, our species was more numerous and ruled over the other pony tribes."

"If you were so powerful… then what happened to your species?"

Princess Celestia looked at the ground, her eyes watering slightly. "One of those alicorns went mad with the power she possessed, and tried seizing the world for herself." She shook her head. "The other alicorn, a wise warrior, tried to reason with her, just like I did with my sister." Celestia had a faraway expression in her eyes. "It was to no use and the war that occurred right after put my species under the threat of extinction."

Caesar was baffled. "So… now you are the last of your kind?"

"I am not sure, but it looks like it. My sister was exiled to the moon, and so I am the last of my kind in this world, likely."

The colt could not help but be saddened by her plight. His face, however, was blank. Showing weakness, especially in front of the Princess, was out of the question.

"However, before the mighty warrior died of his wounds after defeating the powerful mare, he said that there would be a group of ponies born with the powers of elemental energy, led by a great warrior, and they would save pony kind."

Curiously, Caesar asked, "Elemental energy? You mean like water and fire?"

"Yes and no." She smiled at him. "Elemental energy would be a certain type of… energy that can be controlled by the channels of magic that run through the body of the user… the energy of the universe around you." Celestia nodded at the stream flowing close to them. "There is energy in that stream, in the trees, in the soil, in the animals, anywhere you can think of."

At the young unicorn's confused face, she stood up and raised a hoof. "Like this."

Caesar almost jumped in surprise as the princess produced a small, yellow colored ball of energy. She moved it to the right and left, and almost giggled at the colt's shocked face.

He pointed at the sphere of energy in Celestia's hoof. "I… I did that."

Now, he had the Princess' attention. "Ah? Really?" She threw the ball to the sky, eventually disappearing.

The young colt was a little unnerved by her knowing look. Maybe she saw something when she gasped back at the party?

"Yes, a blue ball of… energy, from my horn, it killed the wolf that attacked my friend."

The princess smiled. "And now you know why I told you the story?"

Everything went blank. Caesar opened his mouth but then nothing came out of it. Finally, after thirty seconds of him gaping like a fish and the princess smiling in amusement, his mouth came back to life.

"I am part of that group? The one prophesized by the mighty alicorn warrior?"

Celestia nodded, a soft smile gracing her beautiful features. "Yes, Caesar."

"But… you can control energy; you should be the leader, right?"

"Alicorns are naturals at it. However, all other ponies are not, except for you and hopefully the other group that will probably show up later on…"

"So, only me and the other selected ponies will be capable of such powers, my princess?"

The princess thought carefully before answering. "Most likely dear, the art of controlling that kind of energy has been lost since the Battle of Culdus, where most of the survivors of my species died, except for me and Luna, along with another one who vanished shortly thereafter."

"There is the possibility of another alicorn around then?"

She shook her head sadly. "I don't think so, my dear. This happened so long ago and he was already old by then. I am sure he has passed by now…"

Nodding with a soft frown, Caesar replied. "In any case, I thank you for this wonderful information Princess, I assure you I will make the most out of it."

"Now…" She looked at him with a mocking frown. "I didn't finish."

"Majesty?"

"I can feel your energy, and you are not even close to the tip of a small part of your whole potential. I can fix that." She smirked, something he found alluring on the usually serene looking princess. "I can teach you how to unleash that power and use the element of life to become a mighty warrior."

Caesar was speechless. He stared at her, his big, coal colored eyes wide. Did she just offer to train me? Princess Celestia? Whose power can make the whole planet shake?

The royal ruler awaited with a smile as Caesar opened his mouth to speak.

One was never prepared for this kind of news. The fact that Big Mac was outside, beating a tree to submission while Granny Smith sobbed in her room made her so sad. Applejack was still in shock. She could not be happy or sad.

First, she received the news that she had a little sister, Applebloom, who was set on becoming another hardy, beautiful mare in the family. However… her parents were not so lucky.

Her uncle had given the terrible news less than an hour ago. He also delivered little Applebloom, who was now curled up right beside her in bed. Applejack started hyperventilating.

Her parents were dead.

They were never coming back.

Applejack's parents would never, ever see their little daughter growing up. They would never see her or Big Mac ever again.

They would never see her and Caesar become mighty warriors. They would never be proud, happy or sad at whatever she did with her life.

It was the end of it all…

The mare's eyes watered up and the tears began to stream down.

Not even a second after that the door of her room opened. In entered Caesar, a deep frown on his rather confused face.

She looked at him, and he looked at her. His eyes were narrowed, scanning her. Then they went to Applebloom's, were they softened. However, they went back to her and started analyzing again.

"Mare, I demand an explanation." He began as he trotted towards her, his eyes ablaze with concern. "Big Mac was destroying a tree and would refuse my attempts at civilized talk."

That brought a soft smile to her face. Caesar could be so clueless as to what was going on around him. It was a trait she did not want him to lose. He continued looking at her intently, now less than a few hooves away from her own face.

How could she come up with words for this kind of news?

"Mah parents." She replied, looking at his eyes, tears beginning to form again. "They are dead."

Caesar's eyes widened. His coal colored eyes looked at her with a softness she had only seen in there once, and that was when she was at the hospital from the wolf bite. It was such a rarity to see them that way, but there it was, Caesar's softness, only for her to see it.

Slowly but surely, he nuzzled her face and brought a hoof to her shoulder, pulling her to him. Applejack did not know how but she started sobbing heavily, the sadness and despair finally coming out of her body. She clang to him, letting out the energy she was trying to bottle up, for the sake of her little sister.

The colt whispered in her ear. "Be strong, mare."

She just continued weeping, words of 'Mah Dad' and 'Sweet Ma' in between the sobs.

"Be strong for your family, Applejack."

The mare's weeping lowered and was finally brought to a close after half an hour of non stop crying. She had seemingly passed out. Caesar gently put her in bed alongside Applebloom, who was still asleep. He used his mouth to bring a bed cover to let her and the little sister sleep.

Shaking his head, Caesar did what he thought was best. He brought a hoof to Applejack's forehead and said, "I will always protect you, Applejack." His voice held warm conviction.

With that, he started walking towards the door, looking back once before closing it.

What he did not know was that the orange colored mare was awake, and her eyes had watered in response to his actions.

Applejack let out tears of happiness. She may have lost her parents, but she had gained a sister and her best friend would always be there; with this she knew.

Best of all, however, was that he cared a great deal for her.

His stern military discipline and somewhat cold behavior was squashed that day. Caesar did not act like a weakling.

He acted like a best friend. Like a protector and savior.

The mare couldn't be happier, even at the recent turn of events.

Caesar decided to stay close to Applejack's room, refusing to leave unless for nourishment. He would then go back, standing guard.

He stayed like that for six hours until Granny Smith became stern.

"Either yah go in there with yah best friend or else, young colt! I don't want yah breaking yah back sleepin' in the hallway!"

Caesar nodded respectfully. "Yes, Granny Smith."

The old mare's eyes softened. "I don't know wha tah say, Caesar, but what yah are doing speaks so much of yah. Applejack is lucky tah have such a good friend."

"I am the lucky one." He replied in almost a whisper, then nodded and entered Applejack's premises.

Granny Smith let out a sob and left.

Big Mac had heard the conversation from the kitchen, and even that brought tears to his face.

They had done marvelously by letting Caesar in. He was probably the most loyal friend he had ever met, and it was so good to Applejack. She needed him right now, so much.

With a sigh, Big Mac left the kitchen, looking to work his butt off so he could focus on something else rather than mourn. He had done so all of the previous day. The big colt had no more tears left. He needed to do something, anything to rid of the pain.

Caesar smiled softly as he saw Applejack and her little sister cuddling in closely. His friend was letting out soft snores. Her eyes had dark rings, meaning she had not seen much sleep until very recently. He frowned.

This made him mad, raving mad indeed. How to fight this? How to counter this kind of thing? How to help?

Sadness and despair, things he did not want to feel in the near future. He knew he would go insane without his parents or Applejack. If both went away, he would surely die of insanity.

"Hey."

The soft voice of his friend snapped him out of his thoughts. She was looking at him with a smile that made him slightly… positive, happy. He enjoyed seeing that on her face.

"Mare." He nodded at her, but then awkwardly looked at the floor. "I know no words from me would make every single thing alright, but you should know that… you can always count on me."

Applejack stood up and ran towards him, giving the colt a not so surprising bone crushing hug.

"Ah know." She felt the tears on her face again, but this time, just like the previous ones when he exited the room earlier at night, were welcomed.

Caesar hugged her back, putting his chin on top of her head, softly caressing her mane with his hoof.

Suddenly, a really wild and strong sound echoed around the room. Applebloom woke up, giggling at the vibrations.

"…I request nourishment."

Applejack saw his blushing face and finally let out a laugh.

It was sweet music to Caesar's ears.

Before he could stop, he had a satisfied smirk on his face.

Caesar knew that his news could wait. Instead, he opted to continue training with Applejack, who was now even more into training than ever. It was obvious she wanted something to base her time on other than mourn. The colt could accept that.

In a surprising turn of events, Big Mac had requested to join their activities. Caesar accepted and started educating the larger pony in martial arts. A slow process, but one that was worth it all the time. If Caesar was not there to protect Applejack, Big Mac would.

Of course, Applejack needed to know as soon as possible before she could get upset later. The young colt did not want to reveal that to her at this time, this… mourning phase.

The news spread like fire around Ponyville. It sickened Caesar how ponies used this to gossip. Some said they were killed by dragons. Others said they were alive but did not want to come back to have responsibilities.

What those stupid idiots did not know, however, was that Applejack's parents had traveled to a far away land to look for the Firmu Magical Beans. Those could revitalize the land so crops could continue being planted in the foreseeable future.

However, before they could get to their destination, there was a huge storm… and their ship was destroyed. Their bodies were never found. It was a miracle that Applebloom was born less than a week before they departed from Port Hoofton. She was left in the care of her uncle, which saved her from certain death.

A miracle that had probably saved the family from even more grief and desperation.

Caesar had talked to his parents about providing assistance to Applejack and her family. His parents were proud of his desire to help his best friend's family.

His request was accepted, and so Thundercolt began talking to Granny Smith, with Caesar close by.

Today was the day both would begin negotiations. It took a lot of convincing and begging for Granny Smith to accept. And that was to talk about it. Thundercolt was working hard for this. And Caesar could never be more grateful.

"Granny, this is not out of pity, this is because your apples are famous! Imagine the stock I can provide to the merchants in the capital?" Thundercolt argued.

The elder pony sighed. "Caesar, come here mah little colt."

Without even a second, he was up and staring back at the elder of Applejack's family. "Yes, Granny Smith?"

"Did yah inform yar father of our situation?"

"Yes."

"Did yah tell him to do this?"

"No."

His father smirked. Caesar had a blank, honest face. He was lying, of course, but it was for the good of this family. Pride would never take one anywhere.

The old mare sighed. "Ah know yah are lying, Caesar." That made the young colt and his father gasp. "Ah know yah well enough tah see it in your precious eyes… but ah accept yar offer anyway."

Unfortunately for Caesar, as soon as that happened, an orange bullet crashed into him and let out squeals of happiness.

Thundercolt and Granny Smith laughed as their finalized their deal. Meanwhile, Applejack was wrestling with Caesar on the floor. She was laughing, while he sported the ghost of a smile.

Rarity and Fluttershy had been visiting Applejack almost constantly, along with the pink menace. Caesar usually went off to train after meeting them in the entrance of the farm.

He had been staying almost daily, refusing to leave unless forced by Applejack, which was very rare. She obviously wanted him to stay as close as possible. Some would say that it was better to leave some space to ponies in mourning, but Applejack was the exact opposite. She needed her friends close, and Caesar was her best friend.

Caesar also kept at bay when Rainbow Dash, the idiot that dared to attack him, visited to pay her respects. She was at least honorable in that sense. She also asked for him, the two times she visited, with Applejack lying that he was at his house. Relief would wash over him. He did not want to see that blasted mare, and he definitely did not want to talk to her.

Almost the whole town reacted the way it was expected. Many sent gifts and notes to the farm, wishing the family their best in these troubling times. Caesar was pleased with that reaction, even their classmates completely ceased their attempts to make his friend feel bad. Now, they paid their respects and usually tried to make small talk.

Caesar's possessive side made him growl at some of them, particularly the ones that had openly bullied her before. Applejack would smirk each and every time it happened.

Now, however, he needed to tell Applejack the news, before it was too late.

He had less than two weeks… before Princess Celestia would send some of her guards to retrieve him.

The young colt had accepted to train under the Princess on the sole condition that he had weekends free to visit his family and friend. She accepted without even blinking, and voiced her admiration for such desire.

She would also educate him with what was left of school and magic, which would be their focus until he was fifteen, then the real training would start. Caesar was pleased with that, since Princess Celestia promised one strong spell or elemental attack per month if he did good in his studies. She also had mentioned a study partner, but did not provide much information regarding that pony.

Piece of cake, but the real training would begin in two years. He also saw reason behind the powerful ruler's logic. She would educate him so he could be intelligent enough, both in battle and other aspects of life. She had said that she wanted him to have the right to choose a way of life. If he wanted to be a royal guard or a doctor, it would be to his choosing.

Caesar was thrilled.

Royal guard… like his father. He would see action, protect his family and friends. Maybe later lead the Defense Forces of Equestria against any enemy foolish enough to attack.

The Griffons were always a possibility. Those fools would give anything to humiliate the ponies.

With a sigh, Caesar departed to his home, where his parents were waiting to discuss his latest arrangements for his departure to Canterlot.

Applejack had noticed Caesar behaving very strangely in the last few days. Sometimes, it seemed he wanted to say something, but then would growl and leave. Seconds later, either Rarity or Fluttershy would arrive to talk to her.

She had also noticed her growth in terms of power. She was now taking the exercises very easily. Her brother, on the other hand, was shocked and constantly scowled at her playful taunts.

It was so good that Caesar had taken the time to teach her brother his military martial arts, or self defense. The fact that an almost thirteen year old was teaching her sixteen year old brother was shocking indeed.

Her thoughts were interrupted as Caesar arrived, his stance, as always, disciplined and eyes analyzing.

"Mare, I need to talk to you." As soon as her mouth opened to reply, he scowled. "In private, I don't want the other three loons close."

With a laugh, she nodded. They then went to the barn, where things were always quiet and serene.

"What do ya want tah talk 'bout?" She asked him, a smile on her face.

Caesar could not help but look down to the floor. "Remember the party I told you about? The one where I met the Princess?"

She rolled her eyes. "Yah want to brag more 'bout it?"

"No." He shook his head, then looked her in the eyes, coal meeting green. "Princess Celestia has offered to train me, and I am due to leave in a week."

The young colt was known for not being much of a talker, but he was also very blunt. He liked to get things straight to the point, but only his best friend and his mother could get him so… shy. He hated that word, it extremely abhorred him. Annoyed him. He was not ashamed, of course not. He was... very concerned with their well being, and their reactions. Caesar did not want to get his best friend sad. Not after what she went through.

This kind of attitude made him feel weak, vulnerable. He trusted Applejack, though, too much.

Said mare opened her mouth as her eyes widened, but closed it as she continued looking at Caesar. The colt looked to the floor as soon as her eyes started watering up.

"Yah are leaving?"

Caesar stayed silent for a minute, before replying, "Yes."

"How long?"

"I do not know." He looked her in the eyes. "But I will be able to visit on weekends, it was part of our agreement."

Applejack sighed and went on to hug him. "Ah will miss yah, Caesar."

The colt rolled his eyes but hugged her back. "Mare, I will be back on the weekends, do not worry." He then smirked. "I know you would miss me too much."

"Ugh." She growled playfully. "Yah always love tah ruin moments like these, huh?"

"You ruin them yourself, mare."

She laughed and hugged him tighter. "Ah promise tah keep training, now that mah brother likes it."

"Hn."

"And for the retailer yar father got for us, we will be doing well."

Caesar nodded and grunted, stepping back but smirking. "Of course, but what do you know of business, hm?"

The mare ignored the colt's jibe. "So, yah really dunno how long yah will be training?"

"No, only that when I turn fifteen, I will start the real training."

Applejack nodded. "As long as yah are happy."

He scoffed. "Of course, like I will begin jumping around the bunnies like that loon of Flutushy."

"Fluttershy." She corrected.

Caesar shrugged. "Same thing."

"Same pony."

The colt smirked. "Using my tactics, eh mare? Well, it looks like you are finally learning from your betters."

"Ah will ignore that, because ah know you don't mean it."

Scoffing, Caesar looked at the sky. "Be careful, mare. I do not want to hear about any shenanigans or antics that point to you while I am in Canterlot, I am capable of coming here to teach you a lesson."

"Oh please." She fired back. "If yah don't come on the weekends, ah swear, not even the Princess will stop me from hitting yah."

He smiled at her, playfulness around his eyes. "I wouldn't doubt that, you have a strong kick."

"Yah beat yar fringe ah do."

They continued bantering as the sun set in the horizon and Caesar's parents arrived to take him home. It annoyed him to no end, like if he was a mere filly. But arguing with his mother brought nothing but wrath, so he would stay quiet.

While his parents were incredibly happy with the news that the Princess wanted their son to train, it also saddened them. They would only see him twice a week, but if they were lucky enough, he could visit for three or four days. Holidays were numerous in the Equestrian calendar, but it was also a matter of luck that the Princess followed them.

Lily was awestruck with the level of power her son possessed. Princess Celestia had given them details, and to say they were impressed was an understatement. The ruler of Equestria had clearly stated that Caesar had the potential to become the most powerful warrior in Equestria.

Of course, much to Lily's annoyance, her husband threw a yell and took his son for ice cream. He then bragged about this to his close associates and friends, which annoyed both her and Caesar.

Even Rainbow Dash, Caesar's 'Arch Nemesis' was impressed with the news. She had tried to tell that to Caesar, but the colt always avoided her. Lily knew that he did not want to fight anymore, which was approved by her.

"Well, my son, this is it." Thundercolt sighed. "I will miss you, son."

"Hn."

Lily chuckled, tears in her eyes. "You know we are proud of you, right Caesar?"

"Yes, mother."

The young colt's father smiled. "Training under Celestia, the most powerful being in this planet… dang son, you really have my blood."

Caesar chuckled while Lily glared at her husband. "Oh be quiet you!" She then smiled in the distance. "Somepony is here, honey."

He turned and saw Applejack, alongside Big Mac, walking towards him, smiles on their faces.

Now, this was a good farewell for him.

"So, ah heard yah were on yar way tah see the Princess." Big Mac smirked. "Ah knew yah could do it."

Applejack rolled her eyes. "Of course, brother."

Caesar smirked and stated. "It was expected, after all."

They then laughed and proceeded to exchange hugs and hoofshakes.

Before the colt departed, he turned and said, "I will be back."

"Yah! Because if yah don't, ah will hunt yah down!" Applejack fired back with a smile and tears in her eyes.

"Whatever you say, mare."

With that, Caesar was escorted to the carriage by two royal guards, who exchanged greetings with the young colt's family and friends.

Caesar smirked. I will be back.

"So good of you to join us, my faithful apprentice." Princess Celestia smiled at Caesar. "I have somepony you will be working with on your studies and magic practice."

"Of course, your majesty." Caesar bowed. "If I could know, what is the pony's name?"

"You will see." She smirked. "She has a lot of potential, don't let her appearance fool you."

Now, Caesar was excited. He was finally going to meet somepony who was powerful enough to spar with him in magic.

"You can come, dear." Celestia called.

The door opened and a young mare entered, her violet eyes setting on Caesar. "Hi!"

Caesar stared at her for a few seconds, sizing her up. She did look powerful, and her aura was strong. The Princess was right, her appearance could fool anypony.

"Hn." He nodded. "Caesar Ironhoof."

She smiled. "My name is Twilight Sparkle, I am looking forward to working with you."

Well, there you go. Now, Caesar has met Twilight. Again, please vote in the poll I recently posted. Results will be given out after another eight - ten chapters. Then, you will know Caesar's LI.

As always, thank you for reading, reviewing, favoriting and following, it is a pleasure for writing for such an audience!

Power Levels: Beginning Twilight Saga

Applejack – 64 (Angered - 85)

Pinkie Pie – 24 (Angered -?)

Fluttershy – 24 (Angered - 47)

Rainbow Dash - 78

Caesar – 78 (Angered - 97)

Big Mac – 133

Rarity – 29

Princess Celestia - ?

Twilight Sparkle - ?