Having spent so much of his recent time around extraordinary beings, only now did Flash realise just how much he missed being with mortals such as himself. The barracks of the Royal Palace, his home away from home, where he'd grown many a fond memory since joining this prestigious institution. All around he saw familiar faces, all of whom gave him smiles and nods of acknowledgement as he passed them by. But he was not here for a friendly chat, much as he would have wanted to do so. No, here was here for a very particular person. One he knew would be ideal for this quest he'd accepted. And before long, he found that person. A pegasus stallion like himself, though bearing an older class of armour. Currently, this other stallion was in the middle of looking over some fresh recruits for the Guard, and only after having done so did he give them all a silent nod. With that unspoken permission, they departed, no doubt to continue their respective training regimens, and once they were all out of earshot, Flash finally decided to step forth and make his presence known. "Think they'll be up to it?"
The stallion turned to him, smiling. "They will be once I'm through with them." Approaching one another, the two stallions clasped hooves in greeting. "Haven't seen you around for a while, Sentry. Some big, new job keeping you occupied?"
A dry chuckle escaped Flash. "Something like that, Magnus. In fact, it's sort of why I wanted to speak with you."
The ancient warrior arched an eyebrow. "Oh? Do tell."
Thinking best how to phrase this, Flash soon got his words together. "There is an artefact of great power, hidden and far away. If it can be obtained, there's a chance we may usher in a new era for Equestria. I do not know all the details, but I believe it is a task worth pursuing."
Flash Magnus nodded as he considered that. "In the time I've known you, I never took you as one to follow a fool's errand. If you say this is a worthy quest, then I believe you."
His fellow Guard smiled. "In that case, know that I have come here to find others who are willing to join me on this journey. I do not know where or for how long we will need to be absent from the capital, but I fancy my chances better if I have capable fighters by my side."
Here, Magnus looked to the side awkwardly. "Ah, and you wish for me to be one of those warriors, yes?"
Without even being given an explanation, Flash understood his fellow pegasi's reaction. "You won't be coming, will you?"
Magnus sighed as he looked back to him. "I fear not. Believe me, I would love to go on such a journey. To quest for adventure like the old days for the betterment of the nation. But alas, I have a prior obligation. I've been requested to serve as the new drill instructor for the Guard."
Flash smiled to him. "So, no longer freelancing in the job then?"
Magnus smiled. "Well, I suppose, given how long I'd been volunteering in the role, they figured they might as well make it official."
Flash nodded to him. "Well, congratulations then. Such things come first, I understand." He looked away. "I will still need somepony to join me on this journey though."
As the younger stallion dwelt on that, Magnus looked past him, slowly developing a mischievous grin. "Well, you might not have to wait too long for a volunteer."
Flash was, naturally, confused by this, until that uncertainty was utterly destroyed by the sudden and startling fact that he was now hoisted off the ground and given the biggest, tightest hug of his life. This massively friendly embrace had come courtesy of an enormous earth pony stallion, clad in garb as old as Magnus', with his mane and beard braided ornately. The newcomer laughed boisterously, oblivious to just how uncomfortable his choice of hugee was. "Ha! Well met, young Sentry! I hope the day finds you well!"
Of course, Flash was hardly in a position to talk normally, and so had to settle for getting out whatever his limited breath would allow. "Ack! Yes! Good to meet you too, Rockhoof!"
Finally setting him down, the towering pony smiled widely, letting off an air of confidence that likely dwarfed anypony else in a hundred miles. "Forgive my interruption, but I couldn't help but overheard that and adventure is afoot?"
Flash, having finally recovered some air in his lungs, nodded. "Yes...um...I am on the search for a magical item, and am currently looking for others to join me."
Rockhoof slapped the pegasi's shoulder, nearly cracking it in the process, before making his intentions known. "Search no longer, friend! You've found your first companion!"
Flash sighed. "Yep. Figured you'd want to be a part of this."
Magnus, for his part, shook his head in amusement before walking alongside his modern-day namesake and patting him on the shoulder. "I know he can be a bit much, but trust me, if a fight breaks out, there are few ponies you'd rather have by your side."
Flash smiled to him, and then to Rockhoof. "Well then, welcome to the host, Sir Rockhoof."
The larger stallion gripped the smaller's hoof to shake, nearly breaking it as he had done with the aforementioned shoulder, though Flash did his best to hide the discomfort. When they stopped, the former looked around himself. "So, where do we go first?"
After nursing his now-sore hoof, Flash answered him. "We'll need to find others first. Can't go off with just two after all."
"If you're in need of help, I think I can be of assistance." All eyes turned, then widened in surprise to the one who had spoken. It was a mare, taller than most, with a dark maroon colouring, a scar over one eye and, most notably, a broken horn. As she approached, she spoke directly to Flash, doing so in a tone that suggested power behind every word. "If you're going into the unknown, best bring along a pony who knows it better than most." She then glanced to the side. "Besides...I have a lot to make up for."
Flash considered this rather unexpected offer of aid, but his uncertainty was short-lived, and he once more reached out his hoof. "Then consider yourself signed up, Miss Berrytwist."
The mare winced. "I just knew Pinkie would let that one slip!"