Rey sighs, the assailant at her hooves. She notices Ambrosia coming up and smiles.
Ambrosia smiles back and says “hi Rey. You can leave the rest to me. I’ve called for guards, and I’ll help your current host understand what’s happened.”
Rey nods, then relaxes her focus, letting her spirit relinquish its hold on the unconscious mare that would have been the assailants victim. The mare regains consciousness as Rey exits her body, staring at her assailant in confusion, then looking up at Ambrosia as the young mare offers to explain. Rey returns to an elevated position, folding her arms over her chest and sighing. “One thing I’ll miss when this is over is the ability to help others fight for themselves.”
A voice comes from beside her, saying “it really is a good way to help them.” Rey smiles and turns to look at Koenma, who continues with “after all, helping someone that way restricts you to utilizing their abilities rather than yours. With Ambrosia explaining how they were saved, you give them a boost in confidence as they realize they have the strength to defend themselves in similar situations.”
Rey nods “right. Granted, once I’m back in my body, I’ll be happy to take over defensive measures again, but it’s nice to let them know there are situations they don’t really need me in. So, since you’re here, can I assume there’s good news?”
Koenma nods “we’re ready to go. It’s time to try and get you back in living flesh again. Follow me. I’ll explain the particulars when we’re in the room with your body.”
Rey nods, then follows Koenma. When they reach her body’s new bedchamber, having been moved after the attack, Rey smiles at first to see Nyx and Twilight watching over her body as usual. But her smile falls when Nyx, noticing Koenma, leaves the room after telling Twilight that Koenma is there by way of explanation. “Why can’t she understand that her failure is only in her mind?”
Koenma sighs “the Lunar Knight takes great pride in her ability to protect others. Admitting that she was overworked was the most difficult thing she’s ever done, and she will consider that her greatest failure for a long time yet. She did manage to reach out to me recently with an offer I was quick to accept regarding you. If everything works out to the greatest benefit, she’ll take care of teaching you about your new powers and helping you to train them.”
Rey smiles “awesome. I’ve missed training with her. So, getting me back in that body. How do we do it?”
Koenma smiles “before I tell you that, I’d like to explain a bit about the factors involved. What do you know about wavelengths?”
Rey hmms crossing her arms. “Wavelengths. Isn’t that what determines the frequency of a particular energy? Different forms of magic work in different wavelengths, and it would take at least twenty lifetimes to master every single one. That’s what mom told me once.”
Koenma nods “more or less correct. We’re dealing with a similar situation right now. To put it simply, the physical has a different wavelength to the spiritual. However, in the case of an individual’s soul and body, over the course of their life, the physical and spiritual wavelength will periodically synchronize. For you, the earliest occurrence of this phenomenon starts tonight at midnight. At the moment this happens, I will begin a mystical process that will open the link between you and your body starting at noon tomorrow and ending at midnight. When that happens, your body will begin to emit a golden glow starting at the feet and spreading upwards. Our estimates put your body’s full illumination at ten’o’two. But it’s worth pointing out that you don’t have to wait to be fully illuminated for successful resurrection. Any time between noon and midnight will be viable.”
Rey nods “sounds simple. Too simple. There’s gotta be some kind of difficulty to this. Some obstacle I have to overcome to earn the restoration of my life.”
Koenma nods “there is. Up till now, you’ve spent your time as a spirit helping others, proving time after time that our faith in your guardian nature is well placed. Well, for this, you’re the one who needs help. The obstacle you have to overcome is in gaining that help within the rules of this situation. To start, you can ask only three individuals for assistance, and they must care deeply about you in order to qualify. To put it more clearly, only the three people in living world who care about you the most are viable options. Second, verbal communication of the facts is forbidden unless your helpers can figure out symbolic indicators on their own. Finally, you can only communicate your need for assistance via dream communication.”
Rey hmms. “Mom and Nyx definitely are two of those people, but there’s a problem with both of them. Neither of them have been sleeping at all since the attack. I’ve been checking on them more often since then, and no matter what time of day I come around, they’re always awake. So right now let’s focus on my third option. Hmm. Wait… I remember, after the attack, I asked Aaron why Fluttershy was there, why she had gotten hurt. He told me she’d made a point of coming to check on me practically every day since I died. It’s her. She’s my third option.”
Koenma nods “wouldn’t surprise me at all. She’s shown a high level of care for you ever since you met. You could practically call her your second mother based on that.”
Rey nods. “You’re right. I’ve never said it in so many words, but you’re definitely right about that. So, can you explain what I need to get her to do in order for this to work?”
Koenma nods “certainly. I was planning on it. As I’ve already explained, between noon and midnight your body will have an increasing golden illumination to it. Fluttershy must act during that time frame unless either Twilight or Nyx fall asleep for a moment and give you other options. If all three of them miss the deadline, Spirit World can no longer help you. We’ll have to turn to other possibilities. Now, this is exactly what Fluttershy must do. Your body needs a portion of life energy to jumpstart its ability to support you again. Fluttershy, Twilight or Nyx must provide that energy through an act reminiscent of mouth to mouth resuscitation.”
Rey blinks “I need one of them to basically kiss me on the lips you mean?”
Koenma smiles. “Is that a problem? Parents and even siblings do such all the time don’t they?”
Rey sighs “well, yes. And I guess this situation really is like mouth to mouth. But… right now it’s definitely looking like it’s going to have to be Fluttershy, and with how shy and timid she can be I can’t help but question if she’ll even be able to do it. I know she has some sort of motherly attitude towards me, but would that be enough to overcome her anxiety?”
Koenma nods “a fair question. Unfortunately, as you said, it currently looks like it’s going to be her or no one. We just have to hope her motherly feelings will be enough.” After saying this, he looks at a clock nearby “aaaand… it’s time.” He holds a fore hoof towards Rey’s body as waves of light start to wash over her. A moment later, the waves of light sink into her, Koenma looking at Rey. “It’s done. Now it’s up to you and Fluttershy to work out the rest.”
Rey nods “then I better go visit her. She can’t help me if she doesn’t know I need help.” With that, Rey leaves, going to Fluttershy’s cottage.
When she arrives, she can’t help but smile at seeing a few of Fluttershy’s animal friends cuddled up to her in her bed. (That’s no surprise. But I can’t deny it looks really sweet. Okay time to get this message across) “Fluttershy, it’s Rey. Hi there.”
Fluttershy smiles a little wider in her sleep as in her dream, Rey appears in a golden fog with her “Rey? Oh my, is this a dream visitation? I’ve heard others talking about how you’ve appeared in their dreams to help them during difficult situations. Um… hold on… I… can’t think of anything I’m having a hard time with right now. Nothing outside of my usual day to day troubles. Rey, why are you here?”
Rey smiles “it’s true that I usually use this medium of communication to help others, but this time is different. I’m the one who needs help this time, and you’re one of the only three people in my life that qualify to help me. The three people who care about me the most.”
Fluttershy blinks “I… I am? One of the three people who have you in their heart and thoughts more than any others? Wow. I won’t deny it, I do care about you a lot. I think I act as sort of a second mother to you if I’m being honest. Twilight is definitely your true mother, but she’s the sort of mother who is primarily focused on teaching and protecting. Providing and nurturing. Most definitely a good mother, but not always the best when it comes to dealing with emotional distress.”
Rey nods “which is where you step in to take up the slack. I can go to mom for practically anything involving comfort and health, but when my emotions build up to near breaking point, I always come to you, the kindest pony I know.”
Fluttershy smiles, then looks at Rey “is that what you need me for now? I’m always happy to help you with that.”
Rey chuckles “I know. But I need a different kind of help this time. I can’t verbally communicate what I need unless you can successfully interpret the symbolic visions I’m going to show you. Ready?”
Fluttershy nods “I’m ready. I’ll do my best to understand the visions you’re going to show me.”
Rey nods, then looks off to the side. Fluttershy, when she follows Rey’s gaze, sees an image of Rey’s body lying in sunlight, a clock indicating that the time is noon. The clock begins to advance, Rey’s body gradually starting to glow a golden color from the feet up. As the clock advances, the golden glow spreads upwards over Rey’s body until finally, at ten o two, her body has fully illuminated. The time advances almost another two hours, then the glow fades and a big red X appears over the scene. Rey looks at Fluttershy.
The butter yellow pegasus has a hoof on her chin. “I’ll try to interpret that vision now. Um… noon tomorrow, a process begins that could lead to your resurrection. But in the vision you showed me, something either went wrong, or a necessary step was never taken. So you remain dead?”
Rey nods “additionally, this failure would mark the end of Spirit Worlds ability to help me. I would have to turn to other methods of restoring my life if this doesn’t pan out.”
Fluttershy nods “I understand. Next you’re going to show me a successful version of this, right?”
Rey nods, then the vision rewinds to noon. This time, as Fluttershy watches the vision, she can’t help blushing deeply as she sees herself walking into the vision at intervals, leaning down and kissing the deceased pokemon. But she does notice that every time their lips touch, some sort of energy passes up her throat and into Rey, who awakens after the kiss breaks every time. Until the final iteration, seconds after midnight, when there’s no passage of energy, and Rey’s body remains motionless. Throughout this vision, Rey watches Fluttershy closely. Though she sees the expected embarrassment and shyness, she doesn’t see what she feared most. Unwillingness.
Finally, after the final iteration, Fluttershy looks at Rey. “I understand. I have to share some kind of energy with you if no one else does. And I have a limited time to do so. If you can’t reach Twilight or Nyx to show them what you’ve shown me…”
Rey nods. “There’s another complication. Neither Twilight nor Nyx have slept at all since the attack. I’m only allowed to communicate this request for help via dreams. That means that right now…”
Fluttershy gains a determined look “right now, I’m your only hope.”
Rey nods “if it helps you feel more comfortable with what you need to do to help me, you’ve admitted yourself that you’re kind of a second mother to me. Mothers kiss their children on the lips all the time, right? That’s nothing to be embarrassed about, just a common display of motherly affection.”
Fluttershy nods “all of that is true. And I don’t want to let you down. Still, I do hope you’ll get the chance to communicate your need to Twilight or Nyx. That being said, I’ll try to get there as soon after noon as I can. All of this is happening tomorrow, right?”
Rey nods “that’s right. I’ll be near my body throughout the day. I do still want to help others, but I’m nervous. And my body has already been attacked once. I want to be there to protect it tomorrow with it being such a critical day.”
Fluttershy nods “in that case, I’ll see you there tomorrow.”
Rey nods, then with permission gives Fluttershy a grateful hug before leaving to monitor the situation at her body.
When Fluttershy wakes up the next morning, at first she smiles, looking forward to seeing Rey alive again later. Then her ear twitches as she hears a cough.