//------------------------------//
// Back at the Training Hall... 
// Story: Ponies and the Alpha Team 
// by Optimistic Pessimist 
//------------------------------//

	"That's it Twilight, you got it!" 

Troy was cheering on Twilight as she hacked her way through training bots. She held the Spur in one hoof while holding a small iron buckler in the other. As she swung, the spur launched an array of a light green crescents from its mechanics. Twilight demolished a robot and turned to block an incoming attack. Twilight quickly dispatched the machines and stepped backwards through the ghost wall.

"Whew. That was intense! You knights do this in your free time?" Troy chuckled. "Pretty much. I'm surprised you can stand up on your hind legs. I thought unicorns only stood on four legs!" Twilight giggled. "Trust me. Us ponies are capable of a lot of things." Troy patted Twilight on the back. "I can tell." Troy patted Twilight on the back. "But weapons aren't everything. Let's get you some armor."

Twilight followed Troy over to a small box. "What's this?" Troy patted the machine. "This, my friend, is an alchemizer." Twilight smiled. "Alchemizer? As in alchemy?" Troy smiled. "Yes it is! Unicorns aren't always all magic." Twilight and Troy laughed good heartedly. "So what's it do?" Troy looked at the machine. "Well, if you have the materials and the recipe, then you can make things." Troy shuffled through his bag. "Hold on... Here!" Troy took out a small binder. "This is my book of recipes. If I have the right materials..." Twilight looked down into his bag. "There we go! Here are the materials! Now let's... wait." Twilight frowned. "What?" Troy rubbed his chin. "These recipes were designed for knights in mind. Maybe if I..." Troy pulled out a small device from his belt. "Twilight, hold absolutely still." Twilight followed orders as Troy walked slowly walked around her, staring at the small screen all the while.

"Done! Now, if I put this into the machine..." Twilight watched intently as he plugged the machine into the alchemizer, and touched the screen a few times. "There! Now lets... aw geez." Twilight frowned again. "What is it this time?" Troy pulled out his tank. There was a pitiful amount blue fluid left in it. "I don't have any energy left to make anything." Twilight stared at the liquid. "Energy, do you power everything with it?" Troy nodded. "Yes. If it's from Haven, it's probably powered with energy." Twilight looked around. "How much do you have in there?" Troy looked at the tank. "I have five energy." 

Twilight looked around. "Let's go to a small corner." Troy blinked. "Why?" Twilight nudged Troy towards the furthest corner. "Trust me."

Troy turned to Twilight. "We're here. Now what?" Twilight looked at the tank. "How do you collect the energy?" Troy looked around. "The atmosphere is charged with it. This armor acts like a leaf in the morning. It collects energy almost like dew." Twilight blinked in surprise. "Well, you learn something new every day." Twilight looked around to check to see if anyknight was looking. "Hold still, you might feel a little shock." Troy stood still. "What are you talking abOWWT!"

Twilight stepped back. "Oh my goodness, are you okay?" Troy just stood there. "Twilight, you're extremely lucky they have health dispensers close by. Had this happened in the Arcade..." Twilight rubbed her leg. "Sorry I hurt you. Hopefully it worked though. Check your energy tank." Troy was skeptical, then he took a glance at his tank. He had to look again in sheer surprise.

"Five hundred? I could've sworn it was only five before. How did you do it?" Twilight smiled. "I used a minor lightning spell combined with minor amplifier spell. That's probably why it hurt so much. Sorry." Troy gave Twilight a friendly punch. "Hey, with powers like yours, how can I complain? Just warn me next time so I can get some better armor out. So that I don't feel it so much, alright?" Twilight smiled. "Sure thing Troy."

~~~~

"It fits, right?" Troy helped tighten a few straps around Twilight. "It fits like a hoof in a sock." Troy took a step back. Twilight looked nice in the traditional colbalt armor of the Spiral Knights. "These machines are really accurate!" Troy stopped to admire Twilight. "Some armors have its benefits, some can slow you down." Twilight looked around the armor. "So what benefits does this armor serve?" Troy flipped through his recipe book. "Gives you boosted sword attack power." Twilight smiled. "Not bad!"

Suddenly Twilight felt a tap on her shoulder. Twilight turned to find Spike. "What is it Spike?" 

"A bunch of knights are harassing our friends!"

Troy and Twilight looked at each other. "How did they get here?" Troy smiled. "You have friends? I'd love to meet them."