Anyway, back to the story. When Twilight finally wakes up again…

MAGIC

TWILIGHT: Mmm…
TWILIGHT: Wha—?!
TWILIGHT: What…happened?

Before she has a chance to get her bearings, she hears a very familiar voice from outside the room…

SPIKE: TWILIIIIIIIIIIIIIGHT

SHINING: Gyah!

Everyone piles in, most certainly breaking hospital protocol, and explain to Twilight that she's been in and out of consciousness for a few days, and this is the first time she's been fully lucid. The augmentation they gave her was haphazard, but enough to stop the corrosion and keep her going until the doctors could finish it up.

They still don't know what the nightmare Element was…or what the heck is in Twilight's chest, for that matter: this pink stuff seems, for all intents and purposes, to be an Element…just not one that anyone's ever seen before.

twilight starkle

(I've been waiting TWO YEARS to make that joke don't take it away from me)

TWILIGHT: Wh…but this is INCREDIBLE! There really is a sixth Element! And—and it's RIGHT HERE! Right now! ON ME! I HAVE to tell the profe…
TWILIGHT: Wait…where's Professor Celestia?

Shining tells her that Celestia is in the hospital as well — her injuries weren't as immediately life-threatening as Twi's, but still fairly extensive. She's asked that Twilight and her friends come talk to her once she's awake and feeling up to it, because, well…she definitely owes them some answers.

But first things first…

NIGHTLIGHT/TWILIGHT VELVET: TWILIIIIIIIIIIIIGHT D:

THE BACKSTORY

After much more being fussed over and general commotion, Twilight ventures out of bed, and she and her friends head down the hall to finally get some idea of what the heck is going on.

TWILIGHT: …Professor Celestia?
CELESTIA: Oh! Hello, Twilight.
TWILIGHT: Did…did your arm, um…

CELESTIA: Hm? Oh, yes, that was lucky. I only lost the one limb this time! [aside] This is a prototype, of course; I had some ideas about improving the fine motor control, but the doctors insisted that 'this is a surgery, not the time for experimenting…'
TWILIGHT: 'This time'? I…Professor, I just have so many questions!

CELESTIA: Naturally!

TWILIGHT: Well…first, what was your idea to improve the fine motor control? I've had some thoughts of my own on that subject—
RAINBOW: Oh, for the—who CARES?!

TWILIGHT: I care…

RAINBOW: I wanna know what that THING was!!
CELESTIA: …Well. That's a long story. But, then…I've had a long time to think about how to tell it to you.