For God, Country, and Love

A Reason to Fight

The train rattled slightly as it arrived in my hometown. I opened my eyes to see the fields of plumeria flowers I grew up seeing. My town of Perennial wasn't big at all. Hell, we were just a small agricultural community with one little factory.
     "All passengers, Perennial station is coming up soon, grab your bags and thank you for choosing Yuhikuni Long Rail for your journey," announced the stewardess. I picked up my duffel and started walking towards the front of the train car.
     "Excuse me sir," said a small voice. I felt a tug on my trousers and looked down to a child in the seat next to me. "Are you a soldier?"
     "Don't bother the poor man," lectured who I assumed was his mother.
     "No it's fine, doesn't bother me none," I said. "I am a soldier, just got back from my training." I answered the boy. The train lurched to a stop and the door opened. Only five other people had gotten up to get off the train with me, and every one of them wore the same uniform as me. Each soldier marched off of the train with cheers on the platform as they stepped off. I was the last one off the train, and saw a large crowd of people in the plaza greeting the other soldiers as they walked into their arms. It took a moment, but my mother and dad soon found me.
"We're so happy to have you back John," my mother said.
     "It's good to be back," I said. The crowd began to thin out and soon I was caught by the sight of a childhood friend. Her strawberry blonde hair flowed over her shoulders, and her blue sundress flowed around her legs as she walked up to me. She was the belle of the town, every guy wanted to marry her.
"Marie?" I said.
"John Marshall," she said. I went to hug my dear friend, until she placed her palm on my cheek and pulled me in to kiss her. Her lips were soft and warm, and the kiss tasted like heaven to me.
"Did you miss me that much?" I asked.
"I had to make sure no other girl caught your eye," she told me.
"Wait, does that mean you want to be with me? Like not just as a friend? Like as..."
"Yes you idiot," she said, before pulling me in to kiss her again. I folded my arms around her back as we kissed, and just savored the moment.
"What do you say we take a walk to the plaza fair then?" I asked.
"I'd like that," she smiled, lacing her arm around mine. We walked through the town towards the plaza, with music and dancing growing more prominent as we approached our destination. Everything was amazing, people were smiling, and laughing, they shared food and songs and played games. The children ran with their plumeria kites and the adults drank wines and beers.
"Step right up! Five shots, spinning balloons!" Called out a street vender. Marie looked over to the stand before dragging me over.
"Here's five pence," she said, handing him the coins. The vendor handed her the pellet gun and she took aim. Five shots later and only three of the balloons had been popped.
"Better luck next time lady," said the vendor. I walked up to the stand and set my own coins down.
"What? You gonna show me what an Army man can do now?" She joked at me. I shot her a smile before the vender started spinning the balloons. After five shots there was rubber lying on the ground and an empty board.
"Congratulations young man," said the vendor, handing me a plush bird. I instantly handed the parrot over to Marie, thanking me with a hug. I noticed that the music being played on radios suddenly stopped
     "Everyone! Come quick! There's an emergency radio broadcast!" Shouted someone. People ran over to radios that most shops had out for music across the square, waiting for the speaker on radio to begin. Marie and I managed to get a spot right next to the radio and could hear clearly.
"...And now the emergency address, from the Prime Minister of Yuhikuni," stated the radio broadcaster. A little static played as the sound was changed.
"People of Yuhikuni," began PM Callous. "19 hours ago, in the middle of the night, tragedy and evil had struck our land." People started murmuring amongst each other about the broadcast, with more people trying to usher in quiet. "The city of Gallary has been bombed in an act of undeclared war. The perpetrators of this heinous crime, is the Federation of Noborutsuki."
     "Those bastards!" "Why would someone do this?" "They attacked a city?!" "Damn Nobs!" murmured throughout the crowd. Marie took hold of my hand as we listened to the outrage spread through the crowd.
     "This crime, committed by a Godforsaken enemy, shall not go unpunished. For the outrage of the Yuhikuni people, and the retribution of the Yuhikuni people killed in this crime, I ask the Premier Parliament of our proud nation, as a patriot of the people; I ask, will you let this call to arms go unanswered?! Will you allow a Godforsaken force to trample on our land?! I ask you for approval of an immediate retaliation, and a declaration of war!" Demanded the Prime Minister. People around us all started shouting in anger, but also in pride. I looked over to Marie, and saw the worried look on her face.
     "Let's get home Marie," I whispered to her. She nodded and I started guiding her through the crowd. The crowds were all getting louder and louder. We saw crowds forming and yelling everywhere. I was calm and collected being used to yelling like this, but Marie wasn't at all. We found my parents and were soon heading swiftly to my home on the outskirts. As we finally boarded a trolley that would take us there I was cursing under my breath. I just got home, and just got myself a girl, and now a war was starting. My homeland was under threat, and I knew I had to fulfill my duty to the people.