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// Camouflage 
// Story: Camouflage 
// by Teal 
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I was lost and I knew it.

Keeping down and taking cover in the thick jungle undergrowth that had been my position for the past two hours, I tried to read the map that I took from my dead platoon leader. But with darkness of the night and the moon’s light unable to penetrate the dense jungle cover, it was hard to see anything on it.

Cursing myself, I slammed the map on the ground and shoved it back into my pack. It was no use, I can barely see the map and find out where I was. Then again, even if I were to find out where in this jungle I was, I doubted it if I could get out of here without getting shot.

As if to remind me on how bad my predicament was, I heard a burst of gunfire echo in the distance, only to be followed by the sound of whistling bullets above me. Clipping the bush in front of me, they gave it a bit of a shave as I coated by the shredded leaves that were torn off. Cursing once more and flattening myself even lower into the ground, I tried my best to take cover on the small depression on the ground I was in, hoping that it would be enough to protect me.

It wasn’t really the best place to hide out in and it surely wasn’t a fortress, but so far it has been doing its job. Surrounded by thick undergrowth and deep enough to give me some protection, this small piece of ground has been Equestria’s last citadel in this part of the jungle, while I became its last defender.

Hearing a slackening in the firing and knowing what was soon to follow, I began looking around my position and prepare myself.

Being careful as to now use my magic, as it would create a glow that would create unnecessary light, I picked up my rifle and held it tightly. Fumbling with it, I pulled out the empty magazine and replaced it with a fully loaded one. My last one.

Then, cocking my weapon and crawling forward, I began to peer through my cover and try to look what was ahead of me. In the darkness, this was a difficult job, but keeping quiet and listening to the sound around me, I would at least be able to find the general direction of those approaching me through the sound of their steps.

With no more firing, the jungle was filled only by the eerie silence that unnerved me by a bit. Here in the darkness and silence, anypony could be hiding.

Keeping my ears up and concentrating on my surroundings, I tried my best to locate any unnatural sound. They should be coming up now, I knew that. They have followed the same plan for the past two hours and at this point I had little doubt that they would chance their patterns.

Swinging my rifle to the right, I turned my attention to sound of rustling leaves I heard. Trying to locate what was there, I was able to see the silhouette of a bush a couple of yard in front of me. Not knowing what was behind it, I held back my fire, knowing that I could waste precious bullets shooting at something that could either be an enemy or just jungle wildlife.

So I kept my rifle pointed at it, waiting and listening. There was silence once more and as I lay there in anticipation, I could feel my throat go dry and my body shiver.

Then it came out, rushing from the bush I was pointing at and charging towards me. In the darkness, I was able to see its silhouette burst out towards me, coming at full force as its hooves thundered on the ground and moved towards my direction. It was going as fast as it could and could easily get to my position in the blink of an eye.

But I didn’t blink and I didn’t allow it to get a step closer.

Pressing my hoof on the trigger, I fired three shots at the body of the silhouette. The effects came immediately, as my target dropped and, with the momentum of its charge, skidded on the ground. Stopping just a yard from my position, I gave it a quick glance to see its dead body lay there.

The zebra was young, probably a new recruit. Giving my fallen target a quick study, I noticed the blades gripped by its jaw and new that he was indeed a new recruit. It was part of their weird traditions, to go into your first battle with a blade and slay your enemy with it. It was a stupid and reckless concept, but then again the Zebra clans were always known for their hardheadedness when it came to their culture.

Turning away from the dead Zebra and not allowing it take any more of my attention, I turned my rifle at the next sound I heard and waited. Behind another bush, I could hear the rustling of leaves and the sound of hooves and knew that something was behind there too. But whether it was wildlife of an enemy, I didn’t know. So just like before, I carefully waited till something came out of it.

This time though what came out wasn’t a Zebra but a burst of bullets, which zipped and cracked nearby me. Reacting to this but a burst of my own, I allowed myself to get carried away and waste more bullets on one target that I should have.

Managing to silence the enemy, but using more bullets than I wanted, I gave myself a curse before turning back to look for any approaching enemy. Frustrated at myself, but deciding that there was no time to complain about it now, I aimed my weapon once more and repeated the same procedure.

It was when I was aiming at my seventh target when I noticed that I had ran out of ammo. Slamming on the trigger, but hearing nothing but an empty click, I knew that my time was up.

Furiously slamming my rifle down, I let out a frustrated scream, knowing that my predicament went from bad to worst. As if to respond to my shout, loud bursts of gunfire echoed from afar, as the bullets began landing all over me. Knowing that there was no more point of exposing myself and being up here, I began crawling down to my small foxhole and took cover.

There was no hope for me now.

I was trapped here, pinned down by the enemy, and lost, unable to navigate away in this jungle. With no more ammunition and no way of finding my way back to camp, I knew that I was sure as dead. Sooner or later, the enemy would get close enough and one of those young recruits would stab me with their blades.

Who would have thought that I’ll end up dying here? So far from home, here, deep in the jungle.

I guess I had no say in ending up here, it’s not like it was my fault that I ended up getting pulled in by the draft. Just like thousands of ponies, I was called in to fight a war in a foreign land, in order to restore peace and harmony to its disorganized and war stricken population.

‘Survive thirteen months and you’ll be out. Don’t worry, the months will pass as if they were nothing.’ That’s what they said when I first arrived. Well, it’s just been my second month and new that the time was already up for me.

Didn’t even last half my tour. I thought to myself ruefully.

I knew I should have felt worst, more devastated, but I just couldn’t bring myself to feel more sorry for myself. The adrenaline was still in my body and the rush of excitement was lingering in my mind. Although I had a wife and two wonderful children to think of during these final moments, my mind just had trouble steering to them, especially knowing that there was still a battle to be fought.

So despite such a devastatingly sad moment, I could not bring myself to feel such an emotion.

There were still bullets flying over my head and I still had my bayonet with me. There was no time to feel to sad now, for there was still one more fight for me.

Taking my now empty rifle and clumsily fixing the bayonet on its muzzle, I held my weapon tightly and waited. They’ll be here soon and once they arrived I’ll be sure to give them a nice surprise.

Soon enough the bullets stopped flying and the sound of hooves in the distance started echoing. This time, the noise they made seemed to be louder, as if they were moving quicker than before. Maybe they realized that I ran out of ammo and that there was no need to take cover anymore?

The sound of hooves grew closer and closer and I gritted my teeth as I waited. I got to be ready, I got to make the first strike before they do.

Suddenly I heard some rustling from behind me, as if somepony was making their way through the bushes that covered my small position.

Immediately, I shifted myself around and pointed the tip of my bayonet towards its direction, ready to shove it forward the moment the Zebra popped itself out of there. Sweating both in fear and anticipation, I could feel the rifle become heavier in my hooves as I held it.

Keep calm… I thought to myself. …this is just like bayonet training during basic. Just stick it right into the Zebra’s chest.

Keeping my eyes trained at the rustling bush, I waited for the Zebra to emerge. But instead of seeing an angry Zebra ready to pounce on me, what came out was a large earth pony gently trot out, a wide smile plastered on his face. Dressed in the Equestrian Marine’s uniform and armed a rifle of his own, the earth pony looked down at me we cool eyes as he moved down into cover.

“Whoa there, partner.” He said, in a calm controlled voice. “You might hurt somepony with that thing.”

Surprised by this and not knowing how to react, I stayed wordless as I stared at him with confusion. Bringing the rifle down and staring at him, I began to wonder if I was imagining things. But after a few more seconds of staring, I knew that there really was another pony standing in front of me. Light yellow, red mane, and considerably larger than me, the earth pony smoothly made his way into the small piece of cover I had and laid there beside me. Then crawling forward and peering to where the enemy was advancing, he gave an impressed whistle as he shook his head.

“Been looking for you all night, partner.” He told me. “Really hard to find your way around the jungle, you know?”

“Yeah-“ I said, finally finding my voice and managing to speak to him. “-it’s a real pain.”

I still felt a bit shocked by this earth pony’s arrival and was still wondering where he came from. Glancing at him once more, I tried to study him to see if I’ve seen him before. But searching my memory, I found no match. This pony definitely wasn’t from my platoon, so where was he from.

“Hey…” I said to him awkwardly. “…are you part of a search party?”

“Part of a search party?” He said, not looking away from his gaze towards the enemy. “Well, I am the search party, a search part looking for that lone marine fighting off these here Zebras. But aside from that, I’m all alone.”

“Oh…” I remarked, feeling my spirits deflated. I was half hoping that he was a part of a bigger force that would help me get out of here. But from the looks of things, he’s just another lost marine separated from his unit. “So it’s just the two of us then?”

“Pretty much.” He said calmly. “But I think we’re enough.” Turning around, I could see a smug look plastered on his face. “If one marine can do that much damage to them, let’s just see what two can do.”

Picking up a couple of magazines from his pack, he tossed them off to me before picking up his own rifle. Grabbing the magazines and exchanging my empty one for one of it, I loaded my rifle and took a position opposite him to cover that side.

“By the way, my name’s Night Light.” I told him in a somewhat hushed tone. Then, in a somewhat awkward voice, I asked: “What’s yours?”

“Well, my platoon mates just call me Camouflage.” He replied.

I found this quite an odd nickname for a pony like him. With his size and bright coat, he stuck out badly in the jungle. He was no camouflage to me and it made me wonder why they called him that.

But I had no further time to contemplate about it, because right then the bullets started flying again.