//------------------------------//
// Chapter 2 
// Story: Phoenix Keeper 
// by DaringDo-Productions 
//------------------------------//

Trixie squinted at the figure approaching her slowly and called out, “Is that you, Twilight?” Trixie set down the wand she’d been studying and stood up from the sofa. 

Twilight closed her eyes, taking a deep breath before opening them to look at the dully lit parlor. She’d been sleeping in her bedroom for most of the afternoon. Unlike other mares her age, Twilight never went out during the day. Three years ago, she’d been diagnosed with this rare disease. The doctors had said that she was allergic to ‘Sun particles’. Any other light was okay though, other than the rays of the Sun.

For Twilight, the darkness was all that she needed. Maybe that’s why I’m called ‘Twilight’, she thought, shrugging. 

The drapes and curtains had been drawn tightly together, secured from top to bottom with a pin so that no sunlight could seep in. Trixie trotted around the kitchen, humming to a song by the famous Fluttershy Choir, which was playing. 

Ancient Dark is rising on the highest bridge,
Wolves of Dark are running, on the distant ridge.
Beware the fiery killers, that would have your soul,
Choose the temperate city domes, with their lights of Gold.

Twilight groaned in annoyance internally. Most of the songs these days were about the massive dome cities that were going to be built for ponies all over Equestria. Personally, Twilight found their lyrics silly and inane. The Ponies’ Dome Construction Scheme was nearing completion, which meant that soon everypony would move out of the towns and such to live in the domes, all surrounding and near the City of Canterlot. 

Why, she wondered, did those songs include all those scary parts? They gave her a feeling of terror and dread, hearing about all those wolves are Darkness. 

Gingerly, Twilight trotted into the parlour. “I had another nightmare,” she announced, shuddering slightly. Her problems seemed to be getting worse and more frequent. 

“Have a seat, Twilight.” Shooting her a concerned look, Trixie walked over to the sofa sat down, motioning for Twilight to do the same. Having been cooped up in the kitchen for hours now, the Unicorn reeked of sharp spices and coffee. “I hope you’re not having one of your…funny turns.”

Bleary-eyed, Twilight flopped down onto the sofa beside Trixie, resting her head in her folded hooves. Shadows, thrown by the spluttering flames from the fireplace, leapt across the walls. Twilight could smell the scent of burnt food wafting from the kitchen, probably, another one of Trixie’s ‘experiments’ and ‘new special recipe’. Twilight Sparkle was a rather thin pony, with a neat and straight mane, and a horn that was considered ‘too small’, according to Trixie. She had her mother’s incredibly straight mane and her father’s large, round eyes.

Trixie had always remarked that Twilight’s face looked like it had the look of worry etched onto it permanently, due to her insecure nature and her perfectionist-behaviour. True, she was worried what others thought of her, and was easily terrified by unfamiliar ponies and had to have everything done her way, in her definition of ‘perfection’. 

“Breaking news,” the news announcer, Miss Lyra’s, voice came from the news-mirror that had recently been purchased. “In an emergency session last night the government passed the Sealed Borders Act, and all Equestrian borders will be closed until further notice. This action comes after threats from hostile lands that have yet to be named and indentified. Under this act, nopony is allowed to enter or leave Equestria without High Echelon permission.” 

Puzzled, Twilight’s head shot up, listening intently, but Lyra had already moved on to the weather in Equestria. Why would the government want to cut them off from the rest of the world? 

“Why are the borders closed?” Twilight looked up at Trixie, confusion evident in her eyes. 

“Not to worry, Twilight. The High Echelon knows what’s best for the ponies of Equestria. It knows what it’s doing. Remember, it’s the government’s job to protect us,” Trixie answered hurriedly. “Puzzling, I’d say, the way those injections bring on those nightmares of yours.” She added, changing the subject entirely and successfully. “Would you like to tell me about your dream?” 

Twilight hesitated for a split second, before shaking her head. “No, I wouldn’t.”

Her mother had often said that Trixie had a thankless job, and that Twilight should see things from her point of view as well. But Twilight resented the way Trixie seemed to be overly interested in her life, always quizzing her about her nightmares, pressing for even the finest details. 

“Very well then,” Trixie huffed, sounding a bit hurt. “Have it your way.”

When Twilight was little, she had the most magnificent dreams, with mysterious towers, enchanted trees and phoenixes soaring all around in the sky. She remembered those as the Good dreams. Ever since she was diagnosed with her disease and started taking medication and injections, those dreams ended abruptly. All that was left of the night, were unimaginable nightmares.