Sombra awoke to the scent of something horrid.
When he shot upright he found himself on Spike's living room sofa with Zecora holding a small vial of something foul in front of him. Spike and Lyra looked rather relieved that Sombra was conscious once more. Fortunately for everyone this meant Zecora could put the stopper back in the tiny bottle.
"What on Earth is that?" Sombra inquired as his stomach threatened to empty itself.
"Hydra saliva. Makes for pretty good smelling salts." Spike answered.
Sombra stared at Spike for a moment, his short-term memory returning to him.
Sombra remembered he was the host to the greatest monster of all time, and that his consciousness had very nearly been overwritten by Dootha. Had Celestia and Luna not intervened when they did Sombra would have been completely consumed and Dootha would have had an immortal body. Sombra had then been imprisoned for a thousand years, all the while believing his sinister goals were his own.
Sombra reached up and pulled the crown from his head, bringing it down to eye level.
Sombra stared down at the crown for a time, as if he was expecting it to tell him where to go from here. Unsurprisingly, the crown could offer Sombra no advice. If anything the crown's presence mocked him now that Sombra knew the truth.
"I have never been a king, even when I was a ruler. I am nothing but a puppet who has momentarily lost it's strings."
Sombra loosened his hold on his crown and let it fall to the floor.
Everyone was a little caught off guard, even Zecora. Spike placed his hand on Sombra's back in an attempt to comfort him.
"You are nobody's puppet. Zecora has a plan, and we can get Dootha out of you." Spike told Sombra with conviction.
Sombra looked up into Spike's eyes and believed that Spike believed his own words.
It was far from enough reassurance for Sombra, but it was something of a start. Sombra was awash with complex feelings his mind couldn't handle. Anger, sadness, guilt, and feelings Sombra couldn't even name. A part of him wanted revenge on Dootha, but another part of Sombra wanted nothing more than retreat into the darkness once more, to give up.
"I have no powers, aside from the inability to die. How am I to be of any use to you?" Sombra asked, thinking he already knew the answer.
Instead, Spike smiled and got up from the couch.
Sombra watched Spike pull a particular volume from the bookshelf before returning to the couch.
Spike opened the book to show Sombra it's contents. Instead of words there were a great number of pictures of ponies Sombra wasn't familiar with, though the princesses were the exceptions. The most noticeable person in the pictures was Spike who wasn't as he appeared now.
The images depicted Spike as Sombra could hazily remember him from the conflict in the Crystal Empire fifteen years prior.
"As I'm sure you can tell, that little purple guy was me. I was only about chest-high to a pony, and I was basically just a mail-box and a maid, or sometimes the comedy relief. But sometimes I surprised myself and saved the day.
"I wasn't the fastest flier, the strongest kicker, the smartest, or anything like that. But I knew that if other people I knew could be heroes I could at least try. Granted, I failed more often than not. But I learned that just because I wasn't an alicorn, or that I didn't have magic jewelry I was still important.
"You've had a less than great life so far, I get it. I've been tempted to give up more than a few times, but I never did. I got by with help from my friends and family, which is the best thing about life. You just haven't gotten to experience it yet, Sombra." Spike explained.
Sombra saw all the happiness in the photos, all the the smiles, and implied laughter. All seemingly caused by the proximity to one another and nothing more.
Sombra felt a pang of sadness in his chest at the thought of never experiencing such simple pleasures.
"I have no one who cares for me as they do you, and I find it laughable to think that ponies would enjoy the company of a notorious villain." Sombra replied.
Yet again Spike chuckled at Sombra's woes as if it was a painfully obvious problem to solve.
"I already told you, Sombra. You're going to be my friend, and if you want you can be a part of my big, crazy family. We've got Luna and Discord who were once bad guys, and my friend Fluttershy's wife was a total jerk before they got together. You'll fit right in." Spike replied warmly.
Sombra had no immediate reply for Spike. The extremely gracious offer sent another wave of hard to understand emotion through Sombra, but unlike before it was a rather pleasant feeling. Almost like a more natural version of what Sombra remembered the poison joke feeling like.
Sombra looked past Spike to see Lyra slowly nodding her head and motioning to herself, as if to coax Sombra into accepting Spike's offer.
On his other side Sombra looked to Zecora who wore an uneasy but supportive smile.
Sombra knew he had nothing else, and certainly not any others to turn to. Nearly the entire world thought Sombra a villain, and had Sombra known anyone outside the empire before being possessed they would most likely be long dead. Now for the first time in Sombra's admittedly short memory someone was looking at him with eyes devoid of hate or fear.
Instead Spike, Lyra, and Zecora were willing to show him compassion. Even though not two decades hence Sombra had tried to kill Spike and re-enslave a city-state.
Sombra was no fool, meaning he knew that this was as Spike had said shortly after they had met. It was Sombra's one and only second chance.
"I... I accept your offer. I will join you in being mutual companions, and perhaps family. Though I must tell you I have no idea how to act like a friend, or how to be a member of a family." Sombra replied humbly, small tears in the corners of his eyes.
Spike surprised Sombra by picking him up off the couch and embracing him.
While Spike's behemoth strength had been used as gingerly as possible it was still a rather powerful hug. Sombra however didn't bother trying to escape, as he found his first ever hug somewhat enjoyable. Though he found Spike's natural warmth a little too comforting, fearing he would fall asleep again if the hug lasted too long.
Fortunately Spike saw fit to put him back down relatively quickly.
"Glad to hear it, Sombra. Just watch me and Lyra, or any other ponies you see interact. You'll learn pretty quickly I think." Spike congratulated Sombra.
"Woot woot! Brero's on our team now! Eat it, Spike's evil great-grand-uncle!" Lyra cheered enthusiastically.
Spike raised an eyebrow at Lyra, uncertain at what he had just heard.
"What did you call Sombra just now?"
"Oh, Brero? It's short for Sombrero, duh. I give lot's of ponies nicknames. Like Zecora is just Z, Bon Bon is my beautiful Sweetie-Drops, Filthy Rich is Asshole McGee, and that creepy guy with the jelly fetish is Jarvis. Though that's mostly because I don't wanna ask him his real name. Or talk to him. Or even see him if possible." Lyra explained.
Spike smiled, nudging Sombra with his elbow.
"Hear that? A member of the group for a day and you've already got a nickname. You're making progress already."
Sombra found the nickname mildly annoying, but he could learn to like it. Additionally Sombra doubted that Lyra would drop it without replacing it with another that could quite possibly be worse.
"So then, how exactly are we to extract Dootha from within me?" Sombra inquired, eager to know the plan.
Everyone turned to Zecora who seemed more than prepared to explain the game plan.
Zecora closed her eyes and touched her front hooves together. When they separated there was a glowing three-dimensional image of an amber-colored gemstone in a diamond-shape. Zecora's eyes glowed yellow for a moment as they opened but soon they returned to their original blue color.
Removing one of her hooves from the image of the amber Zecora passed the magical hologram to Spike.
Spike accepted it as if were made of extraordinarily thin glass, careful as not to break it. Though Spike was unsure as to whether or not he could break it. Either way, Spike, Sombra, and Lyra marveled at the transparent, three-dimensional representation of a gem.
"That stone is a one-of-a-kind treasure. To a young dragon it holds value without measure. While it will take centuries to properly master ancient magics, this gem will make Spike's chances far less tragic." Zecora explained, albeit barely.
Sombra looked at Spike for clarity, but it seemed as though Spike was a little confused too.
"Uh... That sounds good and all, Zecora. But, maybe you could be a little clearer? What does it do exactly?" Spike asked.
Zecora closed her eyes and let her spiritual form take control, making her eyes yellow once again.
The gem contains concentrated earth magic. If you were to devour it, the magic would become yours and it will be easier for you to use the magics of earth in turn. You will still need to train, but it will accelerate your training by at least a decade.
Though Sombra and Spike had heard it before, the voice of the Eldest Mare forced a shudder from them just as much as it did Lyra. Still, Spike now understood the extreme importance of the stone.
"That's great! I can still only manage fire magic so far, which probably isn't going to do much against Dootha's powers. I'd still need the other natural elements, but it'd be a start." Spike beamed.
"Natural elements?" Sombra asked, interest peaked.
"Yeah, they're the elemental forces that make up life, magic, and the universe. Fire, which I can sorta do, earth, air, water, electricity, light, and darkness. Everything that exists is in some way connected to at least one element.
"Dragons are born with a permanent connection to fire that they're subconsciously aware of. Anyone can spend a lot of time and effort to connect to other elements too, but it usually takes a really long time. Like, centuries. Dramaal could do some crazy stuff with his connections to all seven elements. Floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, blizzards, making volcanoes erupt, and more." Spike explained.
Lyra seemed miles away, though the look on her face told a tale about her opinions on what to do with that much power.
Sombra was less than enthused however. He shuddered to think of Dootha's might if Dramaal's power was dwarfed by his. Sombra knew Dootha was greatly weakened, but Dootha was likely still at least as powerful as Sombra had been while he thought he was in control.
"That is... distressing. How long does Dootha have before he attempts to, er... resume control?" Sombra asked of Zecora.
Zecora shut her eyes and resumed her normal demeanor, a somewhat sad look on her face.
"I cannot lie, that question I had hoped not to address. I would say we have a year at best." The zebra replied apologetically.
Sombra looked as though he felt as though he was about to be sick, and Spike didn't fare much better. Even Lyra's almost unsinkable attitude was beginning to take on water. Things now seemed as terrible as they actually were, especially when heard soon after Spike's description of how long it took to master elemental magic.
"There is however good news too. There are gems like the amber for air, water, and thunder I can seek out for you. Light and Dark can be taught by ponies close to you. Celestia and Luna will show you what to do. With all things considered your training can be accelerated by many years, but Sombra too shall too will need to train during our remaining year." Zecora added.
While the first tidbit was decidedly good news Sombra was less than clear on his 'training'.
"Would you care to clarify that statement? Am I to attempt to learn one of these elements for some reason?" Sombra asked out of confusion.
Zecora shook her head no, putting Sombra a little more at ease than before.
"You must learn to meditate and clear yourself of negativity. Only then can your soul be returned to your body. Dootha will be forced out of you and be placed into a vessel I construct for you." Zecora explained.
Sombra had only a vague idea of what meditation entailed, but he believed it would likely be much easier than Spike's training.
"That sounds possible enough, if I have proper instruction." Sombra agreed.
"So... dumb question, but what can I do to help?" Lyra interjected.
Zecora looked as if she felt bad that she had nothing to tell Lyra, but luckily Spike was ready with a save.
"You, Lyra, can continue to be awesome. You can be the semi-normal thing in mine and Sombra's lives. Just keep being you. I always need somepony to dote on or I go crazy, and you're always quick with a joke or up for a smoke when you know I need it.
"As for Sombra, you two just need to be friends. Just try and remember he's out of his time and his depth. Foal-steps if at all possible. Okay?" Spike asked, more to Sombra and Lyra than just Lyra.
"Can do, Boss-man!" Lyra saluted.
"I can only promise to try." Sombra added uncertainly.
With that, Lyra levitated her bag from the coat-rack by the door and brought it to her. From within it she pulled a tin that had once held some type of candy. From inside the tin Lyra pulled four joke-joints and distributed them amongst the group.
Spike decided to be ambitious and snapped his fingers, and in one go lit all four.
Everyone quickly relaxed a bit, though Sombra was disappointed that he wasn't quite as mellow as he had been the last time. Still, the joke was doing a fair bit to curb the apprehension and nervousness that had been paramount on his mind.
"So then, Zecora, where is the amber? I'll go and get it first thing in the morning. The sooner I can learn earth-magic the better." Spike asked enthusiastically.
Zecora smiled, happy to see that everyone was getting some morale back.
"It is owned by the leader of the diamond dogs and it resides on the collar around his neck. I would suggest bringing something shiny to trade along with you on this trek." Zecora explained.
Sombra watched as Spike seemingly froze up for a moment. As soon as Spike regained his mobility he grabbed his joint and inhaled the remainder of it, catching the ash in his palm.
Spike let out a short puff which resulted in a blue smoke-ring. The rest of the smoke soon followed as a steady, thin stream that passed through the ring. Spike sighed in annoyance at the end of his impromptu show, sounding much more stressed than just a moment ago.
"This... Is gonna suck." Spike stated definitively.