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Prologue: It's Been too Long1,588 words
Say What!?1,175 words

Say What!?

Author's Note:

Ba-boom, back from the dead! Complete with a new job, and a more positive, relaxed attitude.
I actually surprised myself. I didn't think I could finish this as soon as I did.
Enjoy~

“So…“ the pegasus next to me drew out, “what was that with your…” he let the question trail off, gesturing with one wing to my freshly reattached left arm.

I looked absentmindedly at the limb before my eyes resumed their search of the forest. It had been about an hour since I’d been freed, and already the restlessness that had built over my imprisonment was urging me to run wildly, to revel in my newfound freedom. I repressed the urge and steered my mind back to my client.

“Arm,” I replied. “It’s called an arm.” You’d think everyone would know this, since minotaurs have them as well. “Reattaching a limb isn’t considered ‘normal’ by my species,” I explained. “Hell, most of the things you take for granted — magic being a big one — aren’t common back home by any stretch of the imagination.”

He frowned, scepticism clearly writ on his muzzle. “So how did you do it, if not with magic?” he questioned.

I felt myself grin as I answered, “Bio-energy manipulation.” I couldn’t wait to change the way this pony thought. “It’s like this: most ponies are taught that magic is everywhere, residing within the living, keeping their being bound to the mortal plane of existence.”

“That’s only partially correct though,” I continued. “Everything does have a non-physical energy in it. Only non living things have actual “magic” in them. Living beings have their own life energy. To date, ponies are the only beings who actively use their energy to fuel their abilities, which they call magic. Really, a pony's energy can only be used up to a point, making it technically impossible to die of using too much energy. You can use too much too quickly, causing a sort of burnout, but you won't die from using all of your energy. What usually kills sometime is when they run out of energy after the fact."

He gave me a blank look in response. "I just wanted to know how you reattached your arm." His eyes lidded slightly. “Anyways, that’s common enough knowledge that every unicorn, if not everypony, could tell you that.” He smirked as I felt my face fall slightly. "Heck, I remember learning about it in grade school."

Damn, how long was I imprisoned? I shook my head. "Er, right then. Anyway, my ability allows me to control life energy, letting me move it elsewhere throughout their body and even into my own body.” I smirked. “It isn’t limited to just the energy though: I can also control the living tissue to do the same, making it simple to heal myself or anyone else.”

“Like Starswirl was able to do?”

“God damn that son-of-a-whorse Starswirl!” I exploded, “He wouldn’t know an original idea if it bit him in the ass!" I whirled around to face my charge, who had jumped a few feet away during my outburst. "I suppose he also came up with an amazing amount of new spells?"

He nodded, a bit put off with my sudden change in attitude. It figures. He comes up with one or two amazing new spells, and suddenly people start thinking he came up with others as well. "I wouldn't put it past him to have gained some 'inspiration' from his apprentice," I muttered. At my companion's questioning look, I elaborated. "Clover was the brilliant one. Starswirl likely took one of his "unfinished" theories and finished it, publishing it under his own name."

The stallion looked troubled. "How can you be so sure of that? You couldn't know that for sure."

I snorted. "Just because I wasn't there doesn't mean I can't know that's what he'd do. I knew him more than I'd have liked to," I replied. "Doesn't mean he was all bad. He was really lazy though. Lots of people couldn't stand him for just that reason," I reluctantly admitted.

"Wouldn't he have said something about it though?" My next words must have been obvious, because he was quick to clarify with, "Clover, that is."

I rubbed my temples, vaguely annoyed at the whole conversation. "Can't this wait for later?” My annoyance faded slightly, replaced with a growing elation. “I’m free. For the first time in… In…” How long had I been locked away? Frowning, I looked to the unnamed stallion I had been protecting. “Sorry, what’s your name?”

His head twitched, a bit put off by the change in topics. “Wh- Field Study, but what does-”

“Field Study,” I interrupted, “Do you know how long ago I was put away in there? I lost track of time after a decade or so.”

His muzzle twitched, likely irritated. I almost felt sorry for interrupting, but I just had to know. “Probably sometime in the late 900s Post-Banishment. Do you remember what year you were imprisoned?” Field Study asked. It was my turn to frown.

“Post-Banishment? Last I heard, it was 5 OaC.” His irritation gave way to disbelief. “You know, Ordo ab Chaos. What do you mean, post banishment? What could have be so important that banishing it was a significant mark in time?”

His eyes wide, he stared at me in what was either pure adoration or sheer astonishment. I, personally, was hoping it was the latter. “C'mon man, don't look at me like that. I only like getting that look in the bedroom." My words seemed to jolt him from whatever he was thinking, a blush coloring his cheeks.

"N-no, but I'm-I don't-" His teeth clicked shut as his mind caught up with his mouth. His jaw worked open and shut a few times before he spoke again. "Ordo ad Chao. Post Discord's Death." His eyes widened. "The least known-of period of time in equestrian history, as well as the shortest." He shivered. "What in Tartarus are you?"

I opened my mouth to answer, then considered the question. "Human, a little more and less," I answered.

He started, "A-are you-"

"Immortal?" I interrupted. "Not really. My body will only last around 80-ish years." I smiled. "Without help, that is."

He opened his mouth to speak, which I just had to interrupt again. "No, you're just that predictable." A flash of guilty pleasure went through me when I saw his eye twitch sharply. "Nevermind that, what's the big question you want to ask?"

He seemed to hesitate for a moment. "If you aren't immortal, and your body is only supposed to last 80 years," he said slowly, "how are you still alive and well after eleven-hundred years, without any apparent food, water, or shelter?"

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