TITLE: The Darkest Hour.

AUTHOR: Alyssa C

CATEGORY: Drama/Action/Adventure/Prologue (history?)

PAIRINGS: Skyla/Skyler

SPOILERS: Episode: 'Time and Again.'

RATING: T

WARNINGS: The world always changes.

STATUS: Incomplete unless status indicates otherwise – if all goes well this will be a series not a one off. I'm not sure how long it will be but I doubt it will be as long as some of my other fics.

FEEDBACK: Please!! I need feedback to feed the plot bunnies.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Sky Dancers, though I do believe that Gaumont should give me brownie points for this. Sky Dancers are the property of Gaumont © 1996. I do not make money out of this. The real money's in illegal arms dealing. Duh.

AN: I've been meaning to write this for ages. I came up with the idea after I received quite a few requests for more Skyla/Skyler fan fiction. I present this to you with love. This does not link up with my J-E stories, though I'm not sure whether I'll draw a line there at some point. It's irrelevant really because it plays off in the past. I'm using some of the 'folklore' that I've thought up for that universe but I'll explain it here as I go along anyway. I gave the Tinker a name – Master Anwar (for a sort of explanation why he's gone over to being 'The Tinker' in my universe, read Chapter 14 of The Dance of Lords and Ladies) and I'm using one of my original side-characters, Faolin in this as well. Don't worry, she's completely harmless. On a point of technicality, I realize that Skyla's eyes are pink in the series. I really can't make myself write it. I just really can't, lol, so I've changed it to blue. I hope that you enjoy this and again, please provide feed back! It doesn't have to be a signed review.

&&&

"I would rather have the rod to be the general terror to all, to make them learn, than tell a child, if you do thus or thus, you will be more esteemed than your brothers or sisters. The rod produces an effect which terminates itself. A child is afraid of being whipped, and gets his task, and there's an end to it; whereas, by exciting emulation, and comparisons of superiority, you lay the foundation of lasting mischief; you make brothers and sisters hate each other."
Boswell: Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides

Chapter 1: The Choosing.

The two boys stood there in the hallway, alone.
One, the eldest, was tall and large, big for his age and a body that hinted an abnormal love for the more delicious things in life. The other boy was younger, shorter than the his brother and skinny in a youthful way. He more nervous than the one standing next to him, almost embarrassed. His eyes moved around the empty hallway and, touching his companion's arm he smiled and nodded his head in the direction of the closed doors before them.

"Excited Skyclone?"

The taller boy frowned down at his younger brother and shook his head. "Why should I be Skyler?" he queried. "I know what's going to happen." He snorted and shook his head. "I don't know why we're bothering to go through this ritual. Everybody knows that I'm going to be the next king. I am the first borne after all."
Skyler smiled at his brother and shook his head amused. "It's not about people knowing that you're going to be the next king," he said with a light shrug. "It's about them seeing it Skyclone. This ceremony is about… Tradition. About including our people in the revelation of the heir. Besides, you know was well as I do that sometimes things can be… Different." When he saw the look his brother gave him, he quickly added. "I'm not saying that it will be so – I think that you will make a great king, but you have been taught, just as I have, that sometimes, just sometimes the Skyswirlstone chooses someone completely different to be heir. The youngest brother, the cousin, the nephew. Someone from the crowd. That's what makes this ceremony so exciting. It could be anybody."

Skyclone sighed in an indulging fashion and shook his head. "Look Skyler," he said patiently. "I'm not sure why we're having this conversation, but if you're trying to calm my nerves… Thank you. I realize for you, this must be an exciting day because you get to play in front of the crowd and make eyes at that Skyla girl. Enjoy it. For me? This is just the first day in the rest of my life. Finally, after today, I will be able to enjoy the full power of the title 'first prince'."
His brother sighed softly and smiled slightly as he shook his head. "It's not about power Skyclone," he said softly. "And – I don't like the crowds…"

"But you do like Skyla Zavere."

Skyler had the grace to blush. "She's… nice."
Skyclone let out a frustrated breath. "She's also the daughter of a Lady-in-waiting," he said with a sneer. "Really Skyler, you can do better. She's a timid creature, hardly worth noting. I sometimes think that the only reason her family was hired into service was because Grandfather took pity on them and their struggling farm."
The other boy frowned and shook his head. "She is Lady Skyla, Skyclone," he said, a little defensively. "And, she's not timid. She's just… Shy. She thinks before speaking."

Skyclone barked a laugh at the statement and slapped his brother on the shoulders. "You're too young to understand this Little Brother," he said smugly. "But trusts me, you don't want a girl who thinks too much. Women have so many other talents."
Skyler blushed suddenly and shook his head, unable to look at his brother. "I know that," he said. "But, really. That's not what I want in a girl. Besides, we're not… I mean to say that." He bit his lip. "I just like her Skyclone. She sees me, I feel as if she sees the real me. I… just like being with her."

Giving him an amused look, Skyclone shook his head and ruffled his brother's short hair. "You have it bad," he said with a soft laugh but stood to attention the moment the door beside them opened. Master Anwar, the royal scribe and their father's right hand man looked at them, his eyes stern.

"I thought I made it clear that you two are to spend your time in quiet contemplation of the potential that the future might hold," he hissed under his breath. "This is not a social opportunity." His words made the two brothers stand to attention, but Skyclone caught Skyler's gaze and rolled his eyes. The younger man smiled, but made a brief movement with his hand to still any further reactions from his brother. Master Anwar gave them a stern look before turning around and walking into the crowded throne room. Skyler admired the way his brother strode after the man with confidence. He felt no fear for the future and was obviously ready to take on his role as heir. For himself, Skyler didn't feel so certain about the future. It was always more unclear for the second borne. He didn't really know what he wanted or what would be expected of him.

People smiled at them as they walked down the passage that had been left open for them. The room was packed with people from the wingdom. A lot of them tried to catch the boys' eyes to smile at them encouragingly. Skyclone avoided their gazes, his own fixed on the throne in front of him where his father was standing but Skyclone smiled at the people, acknowledging their encouragement with a somewhat goofy grin. His mother was standing at the bottom of the throne, just a step above everybody else. She was a beautiful woman, pale skinned with dark, almost black hair. It wasn't her natural colour, but she had chosen to wear it that way to blend in better with the people in the other realm. Skyler felt a thrill of anticipation travel through his body. He had not gone there yet but his mother had promised that, once things settle down after this ceremony, she would take him. Queen Alima smiled at them when they approached her, her blue eyes sparkling with pride. Skyclone paused in front of his mother and returned her smile, but when she reached out to touch his cheek he politely, but firmly stepped away from her. He was not going to show such affection in front of his people. Skyler on the other hand openly grinned at his mother, rolling his eyes at his brother's pride. The Queen smiled fondly and nodded at him. Behind her, Lady Aurian smiled at him and inclined her head ever so slightly. Skyler smiled at her and automatically looked beside her to find Skyla but she wasn't at her usual place by her mother's side. Frowning, Skyler tried to look around to find her but his brother had already flown up to meet his father by the throne and they were both looking at him expectedly. Feeling strangely disappointed that she had not come to support him, Skyler spread his wings. Just before he flew up though, someone caught his hand. Hovering just above the ground, he looked down to see young Skyla smiling up at him, her hand still in his. Unable to help himself Skyler felt his face split into an ear to ear grin. Skyla's blue eyes sparkled as her fingers pushed something in between his.
"Good luck," she mouthed, her eyes linking with his.

Skyler nodded and enclosed his hand around the soft object. He wanted to thank her but his throat was suddenly too dry to speak. She smiled and squeezed his hand before letting go. From the throne, King Skyhawk cleared his throat, causing Skyler to blush and quickly join his brother, who was not looking pleased. He didn't dare look at what Skyla had given him but rather put his hands behind his back and look at his father. The older man shook his head and smiled fondly at his youngest son.
"Ladies and Gentleman," he started, raising his voice to the crowd. "It is my honour now, to present you with my two sons, and the two prime candidates for the throne. Prince Skyclone and Prince Skyler." He touched both of them on the shoulder. "For those of you who were not here when I took the throne, I will explain again how succession in our kingdom is chosen." He reached to his belt and took out the royal sceptre, raising it above his head for all to see. "The Skyswirlstone is the foundation of our wingdom's power," he said. "In it lie our heritage, our protection and our power of flight. To wield it, even hold it, is a responsibility and a duty one should not take lightly. Because of this, the wingdom has never taken a conventional view to choosing its heirs and rather allowed the stone itself to make that choice. Now, how this works we have never been able to establish but through out our history the stone's choice has never failed us. If the stone chooses one person above the other though, it is not to say that the person is unworthy of ruling or not to be trusted with power. It just means that, for the time being, one candidate has something that sets himself apart from his opposition." King Skyhawk lowered the sceptre again and put it in his belt so that he could touch his two boys. "As a father, I love my sons and as a King I trust them both. What ever happens today, they will both have my blessing and support." He squeezed each on the shoulder and stepped back to take the sceptre out again. "Now, face me please, Princes of the Realm."

Giving each other one final, nervous look – the two princes turned their backs to the people watching them and faced their father. His eyes were filled with pride as he held up the Skyswirlstone. "The decision that is made now," he said in a quieter voice, more to Skyler than to Skyclone, "does not mean that you will never have a chance at the throne. When the stone passes to your brother, you will go through this ceremony again. Sometimes it can happen that one brother will succeed another, instead of the brother's children. Remember, power is not a burden that one should carry on one's own. There will always be someone else to share it with you."
Listening to his father, Skyler suddenly remembered the object in his hand and quickly risked a look at it. It was the flower from a creeper rose that he knew Skyla liked very much. A part of him tried to tell him that he should be disgusted with being given a flower of all things but that part was completely over ruled by the wave of warmth that enveloped him. Maybe after the ceremony they could go somewhere…

He looked up at his father again who had said something that he didn't catch. "…when the light touches my sons, it will change to one of two colours. Blue will be the sign that the person is the next successor. Red means the opposite. In the event that neither of my sons is chosen, I will spread this power to the whole hall to see if the successor is present. Now are you ready my sons?"

The two boys nodded as one and braced themselves. King Skyhawk smiled at them and raised the Skyswirlstone above his head.
"Do you promise to honour the wingdom and its people?" A glow started to appear around the stone.
"Yes Father," the two boys answered in unison.
"Do you promise to respect the power you are given, to rule it and not allow it to rule you?"

"Yes Father." When the glow expanded to touch the king, it took on a slight bluish tinge. King Skyhawk took a deep breath and lowered the stone so that he could point it at his sons.
"Do you promise to honour the brother chosen before you? To support the one who wasn't?"

"Yes Father…" This time, there was a slight echo to the promise. Skyler had answered immediately but Skyclone and only replied a second after him. The King nodded slowly and allowed the glow to expand beyond him.
"Then, let us see who will be chosen."
Skyler took a deep breath and closed his eyes, allowing the glow to spread around him. He knew what the out come would be for he didn't think for a second that he was worthy of ruling. His brother had the confidence and, he suspected, the need to rule. For himself, he would be happy just to support his brother and enjoy the freedom that being just a prince brought.
Contrary to what he expected, he didn't feel the power of the Skyswirlstone touch him and only knew that something had happened when he heard a loud gasp from the crowd. He was about to open his eyes when he heard a dismayed. "No…" from somewhere below him.
Recognizing Skyla's voice, Skyler quickly opened his eyes and turned to look at her. She was standing next to her mother, her face filled with dismay as she gripped her mother's arm. Her eyes were fixed on his, filled with loss. It puzzled him, for he didn't think that she had had her heart set on him becoming the king. It was only when he heard his brother's angry. "No! This cannot be!" when he realized that something was very wrong. He tried to look at himself but could not see the power of the Skyswirlstone, yet when he looked at his brother he saw that the older boy was enveloped in an angry red glow. Skyler's jaw dropped as he feverishly turned to look at his father.
"Dad what's…"

There was a sad but disturbingly knowing light in his father's eyes, as the man stepped forward and lay an arm across his shoulder.
"Ladies and Gentleman," he said solemnly. "I present to you my heir and your future king, our prince Skyler."

A loud cheer started up from the gathered crowd but it was interrupted by Skyclone's loud. "No Father! No! This cannot be! I am first borne!"

Numb struck with shock, Skyler turned to look at his brother who had leapt up to hover above the throne. "It is my birthright!"
The King sighed softly and fixed his son with a stern look. "Skyclone, please. Do not do this now. The choice has been made."
The boy glared and shook his fist at his father. "But, it should've chosen me!" he snapped. "Not him! I'm supposed to be King!"
Aware of everybody's eyes on them, the king shook his head and pointed to the door. "Skyclone, please – if you cannot control your emotions please leave now before you embarrass yourself. Please my son, for your own sake. We're all shocked, but don't handle this the wrong way now." He motioned to the crowds and whispered softly so that only the two boys could hear. "They will never forget."

The older boy growled, his eyes suddenly wet with angry tears. Sniffing loudly, Skyclone flew away and out of the window. The king watched him leave, tightening his grip around his younger son's shoulders.

"Forgive your brother, Skyler," he whispered softly before he cleared his throat and spoke louder. "It is always a shock when the obvious candidate is not chosen. Let us carry on with the celebrations and the preparations for the days to come." He stepped away and laid the sceptre in his shocked son's hands. The Skyswirlstone winked at the crowds, glowing even brighter with its blue colour. The cheer started up from the crowd again, and pretty soon people were whistling and clapping hands. Skyler watched them all, his body still frozen in shock. He looked down and tried to meet Skyla's gaze. She was not cheering, but looking at him as if all her hope had been lost. Unable to control himself, he wanted to take a step towards her but his father rested a hand on his shoulder, holding him back. Skyla saw his movement though and dropped her gaze. Squeezing her mother's arm, she carefully slipped into the crowd, disappearing from his vision. None the less, Skyler didn't miss the tears in her eyes.
What's wrong? He thought numbly, looking at her mother who's gaze was all to knowing. Why isn't she happy? How could this be happening to me?

&&&

To Be Continued…

AN: Alright. Here we are, the first chapter in my next series. I've been toying with this idea for well over a year now. You can find a 'trailer' for it in you tube through my profile. I beg you to stop me the moment you think this is a bad move and story, lol, I would hate to shoot myself through the foot at this point in time.
Totally random information – with this story I have now officially archived over 400000 words on . mwahahahaha.

Have a great day and take care everybody,

Alyssa