Disclaimer: Dude, if us fanfic writers owned any of the things we write about the world would just be one rotating mound of awesomeness.

Characters: Skyla X Black, as requested. Hey, you know what I realised? I totally think of Skyla as Nausicaa from Valley of the Wind. Huh.

Summary: Drabble.

Swan Lake

~Let me be your freedom,

Let daylight dry your tears

I'm here, with you, beside you

To guard you and to guide you~

When Black was younger his parents made him go see a ballet. Beforehand he fidgeted and complained, wanting to get out of the stuffy studio and get away from all the finely-dressed strangers that sat rimrod straight around him- but then the ballet began, and he watched with portal eyes as he was transported into a world where words were adagios and the simplest of steps were choreographed twirls. He watched as the tragic love story unfolded, and by the time Odette died in a swirl of grace and feathers Black was wholly consumed by the tale. When the curtain fell he settled back, blinking as if waking from a dream.

He decided that he couldn't let it end that way.

0000

When Skyla was younger her parents made her learn ballet. Beforehand she would stretch and sigh, looking longingly out the window and wishing she could just fly away- but then the lessons would begin, and she would realise that she didn't need wings to soar. Her arms were her wings, unfurling as she arched her back and lost herself in the music; her feet were the wind, keeping her airborne as she danced lightly and without restraint. She exuded elegance in his rawest form, and even though she wasn't one for tutus and satin shoes she had to admit that the soreness in her limbs was oddly refreshing.

Someday I'll fly away from here, she promised herself.

0000

Every year on the same day, Black would go see the ballet.

He wouldn't tell anyone, of course; they would all laugh at him. But he'd slink into the studio and sit down anyways, allowing himself to unwind and become absorbed in the story.

When he was eleven he saw the ending where both the prince and Odette died.

When he was twelve, the one where she was doomed to remain a swan.

Thirteen- the lovers threw themselves into the lake.

Fourteen- the prince was killed.

Fifteen- Odette was stolen away.

It was when he was sixteen that he saw the happy ending. He couldn't help but watch the girl that played Odette closely, marvelling at her grace and spiralling magenta hair. Her eyes were the clouded blue of a spring sky, her heart and soul noticeable in every move she executed. Her skin reminded him of caramelized apples. Her beestung lips curved in a smile as the last act finished, and in that smile was all the joy and loveliness that the ballet contained.

So why I am I so disappointed by this ending? he wondered as he watched her walk off the stage.

0000

Every day, every year, Skyla would go down to the lake.

She wouldn't tell anyone, of course; they'd all try to stop all. But she'd steal into the forest and go down anyways, not caring if everyone else said the pokemon were dangerous.

When she was thirteen she met her ducklett, and they would dance together on the bank, spinning in tandem.

When she was fourteen she met the rest of her party, and her resolve to flee town was set in stone.

Fifteen- her parents died in a plane crash, and her tears fell into the lake, tainting it with her ruined dreams. She couldn't leave now. Not when she had responsibility.

Sixteen- she learned how to fly a plane, and she flew it low over the lake, waving to all of her pokemon friends.

Seventeen- she took her role as the gym leader, but always took the time to bring her newly-evolved swanna down to her old home and feed the duckletts.

It was when she was eighteen that she starred in a retelling of Swan Lake in the boring town of Nuvema. She was dressed in an uncomfortable gown of opal feathers, the too-tight ivory circlet that adorned her head cutting off blood flow. With her eyes on one particularly handsome boy in the audience, she sashayed, her gaze locked on those inkwell eyes.

So why am I so disappointed for this to be over? she wondered as he was lost in the crowd.

0000

The day they officially met was a hit-and-run. He stopped mid-step when he saw her, not even noticing her companion. All he could see was her radiant smile and whimsically styled hair that framed her cheerful face, his gaze dropping to rove over the curves that were defined by the brazen outfit she wore.

"Cedric, who is this trainer?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity and remembrance as she gazed at Black.

"Skyla, this is Black, an acquaintance of my daughter," said Cedric. "Black, this is Skyla, the gym leader of this town. Black here is journeying through Unova, aiming to complete the Pokedex."

"That's not completely true," Black amended, looking only at Skyla. "I'm journeying through Unova, but I don't have a goal in mind."

"I see." The twinkle in her eyes said that she really did. "But you'll be challenging my gym, right?"

"Yeah." He nodded.

Sunlight glinted off her teeth. "I'm looking forward to it."

Cedric excused himself, seeing how the two were eyeing each other.

She shook her head in a bemused fashion as the professor walked away, her hair bouncing with the motion. "So irresponsible for a world-renown professor," she mused, and then turned to Black. "Now, Black. As the gym leader, I'd be very glad if you were to challenge my gym, but first there's something I need to do. Earlier, when I was flying my cargo plane, I saw something atop the Celestial Tower. It was a sick pokemon, I'm sure of it! I need to see if it's alright before I take any challengers."

"I'll come," Black said, the words popping out of his mouth before he could stop them.

"I thought you would." Grinning, she grabbed his hand, and he was too surprised to do anything but try and keep up as she started towards Route Seven, towing him along behind her.

I think I like this girl, he found himself thinking as they ran.

0000

She watched the boy with the tousled brown hair out of the corner of her eye as she healed the swoobat back to health. He was smiling a little to himself, as if he couldn't help it, and she found the expression oddly heartwarming as she released the pokemon back into the sky.

"Thanks for coming," she told him, sitting and folding her legs underneath her.

"No problem." That small smile made her think that he meant it.

They stared at each other for a moment, the wind making their clothes lash.

"Great view, isn't it?" It was her that broke the silence, turning her head to gesture at the expanse of rolling hills and forests below. "If you look closely you can even see the swan lake from here."

He sat down close beside her, despite having the whole place to themselves. "Really? I can't see anything," he admitted. "You must have good eyesight."

She shrugged, giggling. "A pilot needs eyes that can see things from miles away," she said. "Genetics, I guess."

"Your parents are pilots?" He seemed genuinely interested.

"Were." She patted the tower. "They rest here, now."

"I'm sorry." His voice was thick with remorse. "I didn't know."

"It's alright." She smiled reassuringly and giggled again. "Here." She stood up and offered a hand. "Since you're here, why don't you the Celestial Bell? It is said to calm the spirits of all that are buried here. The legend says that its sound is affected by the heart of the one who rings it. Why don't you give it a shot?"

He curled his fingers around hers, allowing her to haul him to his feet. "I don't know…"

"Oh, c'mon." She gave him an encouraging shove in its direction. "You're here, aren't you?"

"Oh, alright." He stepped forward to ring the bell, the sound of its toll reverberating through the air. Skyla closed her eyes and listened to the strong, clear noise, opening them again in surprise at the realisation that when the bell tolled for her its tone was exactly the same.

"Hmm. Black, I think that you're a good-hearted and strong person. At least, that's what the bell's telling me." She smiled widely as he turned back to look at her. "As soon as you're ready, please come challenge me at the gym."

He smiled back. "Will do."

I think I like this boy, she found herself thinking as she waved goodbye.

0000

At first he couldn't beat her. There was a power struggle at the end, and she emerged victorious, the grace of her pokemon matching their trainer's.

She came to thank him for the battle afterwards, and somehow it ended up with them going to dinner in the futuristic café nearby. They chatted about journeys: she told him that she had always wanted to go on one, and milked every detail of his out of him. They smiled at each other over the rims of their beverages. They swapped jokes and foolish strategies that they had used in battle, feeling more comfortable with each other than they had ever felt with anyone else.

"I saw you in a ballet once," he mentioned after they had split the bill.

"I saw you in the audience once," she replied, grinning.

For a week he battled her, and every day he lost. And afterwards they simply enjoy each other's presence, the long afternoons they spent together piling up to create snapshots that neither would forget: Skyla trying to teach him how to dance; Black showing her pictures of his travels; the two of them sitting by the lake, skipping stones; training together on the outskirts of town; and just sitting down and talking, talking about everything and nothing all at the same time.

They had just become friends when Black beat her. It was an even fight, but with a critical hit he won, and she happily handed the badge over to him.

"You're probably the most powerful trainer I've ever faced," she told him. "You don't look as happy as you should though, Black. Why?"

He bit his lip on a frown. "It's just that I had a lot of fun with you. I don't want to say goodbye."

"You don't have to," she told him. "We'll keep in touch. Now cheer up, Black- you won!"

Actually, I've lost, he thought when he walked backwards away from Mistralton, waving goodbye the entire time.

0000

The rest of the year passed by slowly for them both, even though they talked on the phone every once in a while. Every battle after his was tedious for her; every girl after her was bland to him. Trivial day after trivial day crawled as if on their stomachs.

"How are your travels?" she asked once, clutching the receiver to her ear as if that would bring him closer to her.

"Really great!" came the reply.

I wish I could say the same, she thought with a sigh.

0000

He would lay awake in bed, his hands over his eyes.

I hardly know her. It's stupid to be feeling like this.

0000

She would dance, leaves crunching underfoot.

I barely know him. Why do I feel like this?

0000

Spring turned into summer. He battled; she flew. He travelled; she sat. He walked; she danced.

Where is she now?

Where is he now?

0000

They were finally reunited at N's castle. Even though all the gym leaders were there, his eyes were for her only.

"Skyla!" he exclaimed, rushing towards her. She met him halfway, blue eyes millimetres from his own.

"Black! Are you alright? We got here as soon as we heard-"

"I'll be fine." Impulsively, he gave her a hug, and she hugged him back. "I'm going to go face N now."

She gave a nod as they pulled away. "I know. I wouldn't expect anything less." She shot him a thumbs-up and a smile. "Go get em, superstar."

He couldn't help but smile back. "Roger that, captain," he said, and left her to fend off the approaching Plasma grunts.

I've missed you, he added silently.

0000

A week later she was sitting alone by the swan lake, skipping stones, when a great shadow fell upon the water and the surrounding area. Gasping, she looked up to see a reshiram descend a few paces away from her, its expansive white wings glinting like sunlight off fresh snow. She tilted her head back to gape at its rider, hardly daring to believe it.

"Hey, Skyla," Black grinned, his hair mussed from wind.

She blinked rapidly before a smile broke out across her face. "Black, how in the world did you manage to catch a reshiram?"

"I'll tell you later." He leaned over to offer a hand. "But first- fly with me?"

She laughed delightedly, taking his hand and letting him swing her up behind him. "I'd love to."

He decided that this was one ending he could handle.

~Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime
Say the word and I will follow you
Share each day with me, each night, each morning
Say you love me
(You know I do)
Love me
That's all I ask of you~