The Brothers Don't

"They're doing well, Captain," said Fancypants. "Your methods are... unorthodox, but they seem to be improving steadily."

"I just try to be honest, General," Shining Armor said. "It's no cake walk up there. They need to be ready for the worst, because they'll probably see it." He blew a whistle around his neck. "All right, soldiers, that's enough! Back to the barracks!"

The ponies stopped their workouts and shuffled out of the gym quickly. Shining Armor looked Fancypants in the eye. "What about Zephyr? Have you found a way to send him home?"

"Not yet, Sir." Fancypants winced. "And I don't think we will. The consensus is that every able bodied recruit ought to head up north by the end of this week."

Shining gaped. "He hasn't shown up to a single drill since he arrived. Surely that's—"

Fancypants cleared his throat as a group of ponies entered the gym and headed for various machines.

Shining grunted and began to whisper harshly. "Surely that's enough reason to dismiss him. Believe me, I know him well enough to have full confidence that he will be of zero help on the battlefield."

"Maybe so, Captain, but nevertheless, he will join his unit in the north by week's end." Fancypants shrugged. "They will find use for him up there."

"Oh, like what, mane cuts?"

Fancypants ran a hoof over his own mane. "Well, he is rather gifted."

"Ugh!" Shining's brow creased. "Look, Zephyr Breeze is unfit for battle. Who do I need to talk to, who do I need to convince in order for him to leave before his unit's deployment?"

"It's just not possible, Shining," Fancypants said. "We are all aware that Zephyr Breeze is not Equestria's next great war hero, but he is Fluttershy's brother and he is clearly intent on doing his part to rescue her."

"He'll do nothing of the sort!" Shining hissed. "If I can't do anything for the Princess and her friends, what makes him think he can?"

"Obviously there is nothing he can do as an individual," Fancypants said with his eyes closed, "but Zephyr Breeze is a passionate pony, if a bit dramatic. I want to see the six saved as much as the next stallion, but my job is here. Zephyr feels that his is out there."

"And when he dies?" Shining Armor asked. "What do I tell Fluttershy when she's found, huh? That I let her half wit brother traipse into battle with two weeks of meager training?"

Fancypants' eyebrows raised. "Is there any word from the scouting parties you sent out that I should be made aware of, Captain?"

Shining looked at the ground. "No. Most of them have mysteriously returned, of course. Others we haven't heard from in weeks."

Fancypants sucked in his lower lip. "Mm. Please, let me know as soon as you hear anything."

"I will." Shining trotted toward the gym's exit.

"And about Zephyr—" said Fancypants.

Shining interrupted him. "Don't worry about it. I'll take care of Zephyr Breeze."