It had been many a year since Flash had set hoof outside of Equestria's borders, and he'd certainly never done so in a place as remote and bleak as this. Far from the green and verdant hills and calm rivers he was used to, instead he found himself amidst rocky, barren wilderness as far as the eye could see. There was a road, but just barely, and whoever had built it had clearly done so long before anypony with him was even born. Speaking of whom, his one solace in all this was that he was not alone in this venture. To his right was Rockhoof, famed stallion of the Pillars, whose hearty smile made it obvious to all that he was enjoying the chance for another adventure. To Flash's left, Tempest Shadow, former enemy of his people, who walked silently, her eyes focused on what lay ahead. Looking over his shoulder were others of the guard, as well as retainers. Together, they all numbered roughly twenty strong. Not exactly an army, but at least enough to be able to handle themselves should things go wrong. Considering their circumstances, Flash sighed as he continued onwards. "Well, got to give the Princess credit. I doubt anypony would think to come to a place like this to look for anything."
"Ha!" Rockhoof laughed. "Clearly, you do not go on many adventures, lad! Because this is exactly the kind of place you'll find magical artefacts!"
Flash rolled his eyes to the words of the apparently-expert adventurer, but it was Tempest who spoke next. "I just hope this doesn't turn out to be another dead end. The last few so-called 'leads' we had didn't exactly turn out well."
Their leader sighed, nodding in acknowledgement. "True. But I suppose that was to be expected. Princess Twilight's goal in this was for the Amulet to remain undiscovered forever. Makes sense that few, if any, would even have a hint as to its whereabouts."
Tempest looked ahead as she considered that. "Curious she did not simply try to destroy it."
Another nod from Flash. "Best guess? She wanted to but was unable to do so. It is the Alicorn amulet after all. And since she wasn't an alicorn by that point, maybe she simply didn't have the power to harm it?"
"Perhaps," Tempest mused. "Or perhaps she foresaw a scenario such as this one, where it would be called upon one day."
Silence fell over the group as Flash dwelt on that possibility. "I don't want to believe that Princess Twilight would actually be willing to use dark magic. Even I have my reservations about this quest."
Tempest gave him some side-eye, smirking as she did so. "You ponies all revere your alicorn leaders so much. You'd be surprised what they'd be willing to do if the circumstances are dire enough."
Here, Flash looked to her with a less than friendly expression, matched only by his tone. "Circumstances as dire as the one you brought about, perhaps?"
Though initially irritated at having her past brought up in such a manner, the mare's face soon softened, and she nodded slowly to him. "Fair. But the point still stands. It's all well and good to speak of doing things the 'right' way. But, as soon as the situation turns, as soon as we no longer have the luxury of doing what is clean, we should not be surprised when the dirty option becomes just a touch more tempting."
"...Maybe," Flash admitted, after which he looked ahead. "I just hope this option is not as unpalatable as that."
Tempest had no chance to respond, as it was here when Rockhoof bellowed out in that boisterous way of his. "Ahead, friends! I believe I see something!"
All eyes looked ahead, and it appeared as though the largest of their number had the right of it. Finally, after having walked who knows how long, the horizon was at last broken by what appeared to be a ruin of some sort. Though wary, the party approached, always keeping an eye out for anything that might spring out at them as they drew nearer. Whatever this place was, it was evident that nopony had been here for a very long time. Crumbling brick, long-rotted wood, it had it all. But, more importantly, it also appeared to have absolutely no sign of the Alicorn Amulet. No heavily-locked chest, no great door leading to some secret chamber. Nothing at all to suggest that a precious treasure was here. Naturally, Flash felt disheartened by this, sighing deeply. His companions looked to him, never saying a word, and instead watched as he silently resolved himself to assume his duties as leader once more. Turning, he regarded the rest of his followers. "Fan out. I don't want any stone left unturned before we write this place off completely."
The others of the group, save for Tempest and Rockhoof, saluted their leader before carrying out the order. Flash watched as each and every one of them searched high and low for something, anything that would hint at the presence of their sought-after artefact. But unfortunately, there came a point where it was clear to all that none would be found. One of the troops approached him, giving him a solemn shake of his head, to which Flash responded with a similarly silent nod. Rockhoof, for his part, looked ahead to an even further horizon. "Perhaps we can continue onwards?"
Flash turned to him. "My hopes aren't high, Rockhoof. But if we're going to find the Alicorn Amulet, giving up isn't an option."
"Ah, so it is the amulet you are here for!" The unknown voice caught all of them off-guard, and they joined together as a single unit, looking out in every direction for the source of the surprise words. They didn't have to wait long for their owner to reveal themselves, as all heads craned upwards to see a massive figure fall down from the skies above them. In an instant, they leapt out of the way, just in time for the enormous stranger to come crashing down. Dust was sent flying everywhere, and when it settled, the group looked on with shock and awe at the one who now stood among them. "Well hello there, little ponies."