//------------------------------//
// chapter 3 
// Story: Rebirth 
// by twilightpiesparkle 
//------------------------------//

	Twilight groaned. Everything hurt. What had happened? Where was she? 	

“Oh, good, you’re awake, you can take your medicine,” somepony said. Twilight groggily opened her eyes. She was greeted by the sight of Red Cross, one of Ponyville Hospital’s top nurses. In the next instant, Red Cross forced some vile-tasting liquid down Twilight’s throat. 

“Ugh!” Twilight spluttered.

“Twilight! You’re awake, you’re awake, you’re awake!” Pinkie Pie squealed, bouncing into the room and onto Twilight’s hospital bed. Her hair bounced in time with her body.

“Pinkamina Diane Pie! Get off of my patient’s bed immediately!” Red Cross scowled at Pinkie Pie. 

“Oopsie!” Pinkie said sheepishly and hopped off the hospital bed. Then, the door to the hospital room opened and Twilight’s friends were giving her anxious smiles.

“You had us all worried something awful, sugar cube.” AppleJack said in her “mother hen” voice.

“Oh, darling, it was horrible! The doctors weren’t sure if you were even going to make it.” Rarity cooed. “Oh, but dear, I’m so sorry, I have to go to Las Pegasus, to visit my sick uncle.”

“You should have gone immediately, I’m fine.” Twilight cried.  Rarity nodded. “Well, if it’s all right with you, Twilight, dear.”

“You’re ‘fine’?!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed, “Twilight, you almost died! I knew it all along. You are officially an egghead!” 

“Rainbow Dash, I know that this has all been a big scare, but Rarity’s family is very important.” Rarity smiled in appreciation.

“But—” Rainbow Dash was interrupted by the appearance of somepony who regally entered the room. The pony that Twilight wanted to see most. Princess Celestia. Her rainbow hair billowed about her in an almost intimidating way. She trotted to Twilight’s side and lightly nuzzled her cheek. Twilight jerked in surprise.

“You came?” she asked

“My faithful student, I came as soon as I heard. I’m so glad that you are all right.” Celestia murmured.

“I’m fine,” Twilight said “But what happened to me?”

Celestia gave Twilight a concerned look. “We were hoping you could tell us that.”

Twilight frowned, closed her eyes, and tried to remember. She was silent for a long moment. Finally, Twilight opened her eyes and said, “All I can remember is a dagger and a pair of bright blue eyes.”

Celestia sighed. “This does not bode well. However, we have bigger problems. The thief stole the Element of Magic. Equestria’s primary defense system is no more.”