"Christmas is a season not only of rejoicing but of reflection." – Winston Churchill
Part 2
The armed motorbike was speeding through the northern snow. He lately had been feeling weary and like a lonesome wolf. Glancing up ahead, he thought he saw a vaguely familiar sight. To him, it looked like it could be a good refuge for him. He saw in the distance what appeared to be tall peppermint patterned fortified walls. He kept going on towards it wanting to check it out. Halfway through his drive a patrol sleigh mobile came by to inspect. The driver then stopped his motorbike and looked at the other vehicle's driver. The motor biker's demonic mask briefly frightens the other driver. The patrol driver eventually asked the suspicious strange, "Who are you? Why you be here?"
The fierce looking stranger calmly replied, "I am Samurai Jack, the legendary and fierce struggling lone samurai roamer. I just happen to have been randomly roaming around and happen upon a familiar sight that looked like a cozy refuge from the endless fatiguing maze I had been roaming in for too long."
The patrol looked over him before suspiciously asking, "Are you honestly sure? As your appearance doesn't look like the great Samurai Jack. Think you can show further proof?"
The fierce biker sighed and decided to take off his helmet which revealed a weary and frowny oriental man with long black hair and a beard. The patroller analyzed him and looked surprised.
The oriental man remarked, "So here's further proof."
A few long minutes of stunned silence occurred as they stared at each other. The patroller finally said, "Okay, you can go through because of your apparent sincerity and your matching ethnicity But I have to escort you to the big Santa."
The samurai bike rider looked puzzled but decided to follow the patrol's close escort towards the wall. When they approached the wall at the familiar peppermint striped gate, the patroller looked at a screen on his right wrist to inform them of an intruder. The person on the screen, who looked familiar to Jack, was given a glance of the samurai stranger as requested. The person on the screen looked surprised at seeing the stranger and the stranger in turn likewise as surprise and exclaimed, "Kris Kringle!?"
The person on the mini-screen asked, "Samurai Jack, is that you?!"
The armored samurai nodded.
Kringle then asked, "What happened? Are you looking for somewhere to stay?"
The samurai nodded and softly replied, "It's a long, hard story."
His old friend on the screen nodded and replied, "May we meet you at the Santa mansion again."
The screen next turned off and the escort asked, "Do you know how to go to the Santa mansion or not?"
Jack hesitated before replying, "Kind of, but it had been such a long time since I last been through the north pole."
The escort replied, "Alright then."
Then the north patroller rode on ahead as the samurai's motor bike tried to catch up with the sleigh mobile. Jack glanced all around to see how the north pole capital is now after many years. It turns out the place basically looked the same as he remembered. He even heard a caroling group, but which sang a different song that sounded enthralling and distinguishing. He tried to see any homage to him and saw a statute of him dressed up as Santa. Also, he thought he saw a toy and treat that looked like him. He, of course, at times noticed people giving him odd looks but luckily no persecution. He, however, noticed the general happy go lucky mood all around him. They eventually arrived at the Santa's mansion front entrance. There, Kris Kringle and Mrs. Claus look concerned yet surprised. Kris looked like how he previously appeared but oddly this time he was wearing a Santa suit. Mrs. Claus looked different as she particularly looked more cheerful in attire and countenance. She was no longer in widow's weed but in a nice red velvet dress with white fur edges and a holly decoration. Jack asked them, "Do you remember me? I am Samurai Jack, a renowned hero around here."
Kris and Mrs. Claus nodded before Kris responded, "Yes, we can tell. We really still appreciate your courageous what happen to you?"
Jack solemnly lowered his head and replied, "It is a long even sensitive story. I prefer to tell it quietly indoors."
Mrs. Claus then said, "Alright, but let give you a change of attire."
Jack then went inside with Kris and Mrs. Claus while the escort went on his way.
The samurai as given a red Christmas robe with white fur trimming. Jack sat on the living room couch in a comfortable position. Jack proceeded to explain what happened since they last saw each other including why he looked the way he does now including explaining why his sword was absence. Kris and Mrs. Claus looked sympathetic in response.
Mrs. Claus sympathetically said, "We are very sorry for what happened to you. May you hopefully find peace and rest here….We also have gone through some significant changes but not as dramatic as yours."
Jack asked, "So, what happened since I was gone?"
Mrs. Claus replied, "Shortly after you were gone, the Scotsman was escorted back home on a reindeer android with a protective shield, if you were wondering what become of your friend, though we haven't kept track of him since. Some time after that, I got a message from Aku to come visit him. I and Kris went to Aku's lair. There, we were intensely questioned by Aku about us mysteriously distributing gifts on Christmas. It felt like a trying time for us but luckily, we were able to withstand him and not be killed by him. We just told him we somehow founded a way to distribute gifts again and we just wanted to boost morale. We tried to convince him how still distributing presents to children is a good idea because it would cheer people's spirits up and it would lead to higher approval for him. That gave Aku some thought which fortunately led to his approval of us in continuing to give gifts once again to children on Christmas, as long as we give Aku the credit. I also suspect he let us do it again because to suspiciously watch what we do. So far since then, he had been fine and non-intrusive with us. Maybe because he seems okay with what he saw us do as long as we try to give him the credit. We indeed try to give him the credit but of course everyone knows that it is really 'Santa' that does it."
Mrs. Claus paused as Kris went on to speak, "Since then, our spirits were restored back to their former cheery level though it is I that does Santa Claus. We have some minor boost in tourism with occasional seekers like that that come and see us. We even had created a minor entertainment industry that has its roots in the six-act performance that was performed on the night of your commemoration. We have a six-act Christmas variety act every five years including one being held soon that be glad for you to attend. In speaking of which, you left behind a jolly legacy, and you became a folk hero for us. We even have a statute build in your honor. Good that you came here again for our benefit!"
Kris paused and Mrs. Claus continued, "Me and Kris even got married several years after the last time you went away. Regardless of our differences, we just saw some beneficial love for each other. I even had a spell cast on Kris, by a renown elf sage, that he becomes immortal like me. We live together but don't sleep together. I also keep my married name from my previous marriage because it would be awkward for someone renown as the wife of the original Santa Claus and the current leader of the northpole being called Mrs. Kringle. There is also a song made in homage of you that I think will be played at the upcoming Christmas variety show. Not to forget to mention one of the outcomes of our entertainment industry is the concept of popular Christmas movies and Christmas record albums being made and that you might enjoy seeing and listening to. How unique and very déjà vu it was seeing a movie about his heroic Christmas , we as inspired by your giving spirit do some charity both in and out of the north pole. The north pole itself since your great help has evolved into a beacon of holiday cheer, charity, and hope that's set apart from this miserly Aku ruled world…So, Samurai Jack, would you be willing to live with us for a renewed meaning for your life, especially how you claim you could not find your sword any longer and now just a drifter?"
Jack sighed and gave some in-depth thought while Kris and Mrs. Claus eagerly awaited his response. Finally, Jack sighed again, nodded yes, and pleasantly responded, "Yes, at least for a while, especially if I decided after a time's stay whether this be a good place to permanently settle."
Kris and Mrs. Claus smiled. Jack smiled back as well. Jack's outlook brighten up at that point.
Samurai jack really enjoyed staying with Mrs. Claus and Kris Kringle at the north pole for the second time. What good and pleasant company he was in including with some curious and at times suspicious elves visiting with him. What marvelous decorative colors of red, green, white, and even pink he observed that added to his happy mood there. Such love he felt there. What gratitude he felt by being in a secure place. How the Christmas spirit flooded all around him. He got to do things like listen to some Christmas albums and watch some Christmas themed movies which interested him. He consumed plenty of eggnog, julmust, and Christmas cookies. He told stories to some of the visitors and read some books to kids. A lot of the visitors were surprised at the long hair and bearded oriental man in a red robe being their dear Samurai Jack, but once he told the story behind how he came to be in that state, the visitors usually show pity. Some of the visitors gave him gifts. What happiness and value Jack felt from the acceptance he received from the north pole's residents. Jack also throughout this second stay in the north pole show his armor and motor bike to anyone curious about it. People who saw it were overall awed by it, but some were remotely appalled by it (including Mrs. Claus). Jack once paid a visit to a school where he presented himself at a presentation in the school's auditorium at the school's request. He greeted the children and timidly lectured them on living good values along with answering questions from the audience.
A couple of times, Jack did some shopping at some of the interesting shops. He one time went out to eat at a fine dining restaurant with some people gazing at him. He one time spoke and participated at a charity auction event where he gave a moving speech. Sometimes people would ask for his autograph which he reluctantly gave. One of them happened to have been the same elf that Jack briefly mentored all those years ago. Jack didn't recognize him right away but shortly did and expressed surprised at being able to recognize him but with the elf explaining that he can still recognized him in some way. The teenaged boy was now a mature looking man. His former pupil thanked him for his influence explained how he mentored others including even setting up a makeshift 'bushido' place. The elf invited him to go visit it with Jack remarking that he perhaps can visit it one of those days.
Jack did visit it the next day and was engrossed by the place. The few that were there curiously inquired of him with the elf bushido master explaining who he was. The patrons, being excited to meet the place's inspiration, asked him to be their mentor for the day. Jack struggled with what to say but managed to politely reply that maybe he can at least do one lecture. Jack proceeded to lecture about different martial fighting techniques that he had learned from the shaolin monks along with a lesson on how humility is a foundational, essential attribute to have. His audience were admirably impressed and thanked him.
A portrait of Jack in his red robe was even made of him. Jack supposedly overheard being nicknamed 'ghost of Christmas present' which made him wonder. Jack played miniature golf and visited an artic exhibit. He participated in a Christmas parade and had some carolers sing to him. What such fun, distraction, and relief he felt which he hadn't felt in such a long time.
Jack once again had the opportunity to meet the Kringle family including Alfred. The Kringle family were similar from when he previously remembered. He founded out that Kris's grandson, Jack, was the patroller that founded Jack. Samurai Jack himself was awkwardly impressed by a nice, good, and hardworking grandson of Kris or the current Santa Claus having his name. Alfred himself seem basically the same as before but with hints of greying in his beard. Alfred was still the elf assistant to Santa and admits that he likes the job. The Kringle family are seemingly accepting of Mrs. Claus as their step-matriarch with Mrs. Claus having a loving and kind attitude towards them including one of the Kringle family, who was a granddaughter of Kris, admits how she really appreciates getting a chance at eating Mrs. Claus's cookies. One time Jack got to play out in the snow, with playful energy, where he had a good silly time throwing snowballs with his fellow snowball players. One of them was a member of the Kringle family. A couple of players with sly cunning created a big snowball that rolled over and engulfed Jack. Jack in turn was dazed but laughed. Jack rode a sleigh along with Mrs. Claus, Kris, Alfred, and a couple of other north pole citizens. What fast thrill it felt as the sleigh bells nosily rang and the horses nay. They went through the north pole seeing sites Jack hadn't seen before including seeing beautiful Christmas lights, decorations, and with people there to greet them (with some people being in awe of the oriental man in a red robe that was supposedly their hero, Samurai Jack). How cozy he felt and even cheerfully sang a bit with the people on the sleigh ride. What good overall tones they were.
The day of the quinquennial Christmas variety show arrived. Like last time, there was a Christmas party that preceded the event. There were Christmas trees and mistletoes everywhere. Jack could see some couples including Kris and Holly kissing each other underneath a mistletoe. There were people dancing around some Christmas trees with their peculiar dancing moves being described as a recent local dance craze called the Rudolf, which involved wiggling noses and the buttock area. Other elves did caroling while others feasted on the food while others just socialized, listen, watched the movie there, or played some party games. Jack himself mostly ate, talk, watch, and participated in a pin on the tail on the donkey game which remained him of a similar game in his native homeland. The part's mood was overall very jolly and catchy. At one time, Jack had someone attempt to kiss him underneath a mistletoe but politely refused to the attempted kisser's dismay. Some curious bystanders tried to met Jack and attempted to get an autograph out of him. There was some background Christmas music. After a while, the Christmas variety show started, and everyone became silent and focused their attention on the show up on the stage. The first singer was a lone male elf singer shaded in blue light. It was a soothing yet lonesome song about longing. It turned out the song was written as a miss you song about Samurai Jack and Santa. The song was performed in homage to Jack who was staying with them. The song moved Jack and led him to shed a tear. The second act was a very beautiful, touching, and unique distinguishing song. It had some Celtic instruments including the harp. It was a song that positively praised the effects of the Christmas spirit. The singer particularly had a deep, angelic singing voice. The singer turned out to had been a daughter of Kris Kringle. The third act was truly a one-of-a-kind show. The song began on lowly notes by a couple of traditional music instruments before a loud rock noise that banged out, to Jack's surprise. The rest was like a mixed, interesting, thoughtful, and stirring journey. The instrumental piece just sounded amazing. The music band looked familiar like he saw them at the last Christmas variety show he went to. The fourth act had someone bang a couple of steel pans that had a mobile and amusing feel to it that reminded Jack a bit about his recent sleigh and the song he chatted alongside the rider and other passengers. The fifth act was a mixed classical music piece that's done in homage to both Jack's role as Santa hero and a classic Christmas story about a nutcracker. Jack was intrigued by the piece. There were costumed ballet performers randomly acting out parts of the original Christmas classic. The sixth and final act was a very touching and heartrending song. The song was about giving love and charity even in subtle ways throughout the year not just at Christmas. The song was meant as a spiritual successor to the second to last song performed at the first Christmas variety show that was attended by the samurai as well. The singer, in fact, was the adult daughter of the juvenile singer of that previous song. She had a pretty singing voice. The song affected the whole audience as well. The show to Jack was interesting and entertaining show that showcased good talent.
Soon afterwards, Jack had the opportunity to play Santa as he sat upon a throne-like seat where he got to play Santa and answer the gift requests of elf children, who were really curious about who he was. A couple even asked him why he look like the way he was. Jack tried to reply that it was a personal choice of his. One of the children, a girl named Nell, told him how she didn't know what to get for Christmas and therefore Santa should decide the best thing for her. Jack seems impressed by this and acted dazed with how to answer this. He finally answered, "Yes girl."
Some of the toy requests were toys modeled after him like a Samurai Jack action figure, a Samurai Jack plushie, a Samurai Jack plastic sword, etc. This surprised him to some degree yet gave some satisfaction to his positive legacy among this people. That night, Jack was assigned the honor of acting as Santa in the north pole area while Kris Kringle acted as Santa in the wider world. How much of the children in the Aku infested world were eagerly looking forward for their toys from Santa as a breather from their Aku afflicted sorrows. The elf kids in the north pole, however, were looking forward to a special visit from their samurai Santa. So, Jack had the pleasure of going into elves' houses through their chimneys and putting gifts around the trees for the little ones while Kris Kringle did in the rest of the world. Unlike Kringle, Jack used a reindeer android that helped him from house to house. Jack had a list with him but was informed the elf children were overall generally good this year and thereby doesn't have much to worry about. How Jack sentimentally felt reminded of his last Santa sleigh trip. Some of the children tried to peek at the gifts they were send. Nell peeked at her stocking which had a doll that can moved its facial features, a fake samurai sword, and a samurai Jack plushie. How it made her day knowing how Santa Jack know what good gifts to give her. Other elf children got lucky to glance Santa Jack from their window and to a lesser extent, in their homes. They looked with awe, and some waved to him. How satisfied the north pole children along with children from the rest of the world felt at Santa gave to them that Christmas Eve night.
Christmas morning came the next day. Some north pole children dance around their Christmas trees prior to opening their gifts. It seems like an almost unforgettable day. Such joyful fun it was in opening their presents, spending time with their family, eating some delicious Christmas treat, and laughing. Children around the world enthusiasticallyenjoyed their presents and quality time with their family, and even friends, as well. Santa Jack was resting in his bedroom after spending nearly all night giving out Christmas presents to all the worthy north pole children. Shortly after Jack woke up, he was able to participate in a Christmas feast where they additionally served some traditional Japanese food alongside traditional Christmas food to Jack's delight. Jack was toasted for his role as Santa. They also exchanged some gifts with the gifts Jack received were a few toy souvenirs inspired by him including even an action figure modeled by his then current armor and motorbike! Jack thought it interesting he receiving some toys inspired by him. Afterwards, everyone just relaxed, tried out their gifts, socialized more, watch a movie, or even attempted to play some Christmas related parlor games.
Jack himself happen to have been in an isolated part of a parlor room relaxing and gazing at the gifts he received. One of the gifts was a plastic toy sword modeled after his lost sword. Upon gazing at his toy sword, some lowly thoughts came upon him. He felt heaven here, yet he couldn't feel heaven's full presence here. He suddenly felt a neglection of responsibility and felt kind of like he was on the island of the lotus-eaters from The Odyssey. He then, to his frightening dismay, thought he saw his bad Jack self sitting on the far other side on a couch smiling with a wicked grin. At that moment, Jack felt a deep doom. Bad Jack then exclaimed, "So, are you going on with your good-for-nothing vacation or continue on your fruitless quest to save the world."
This made Jack solemnly think. He knows he still can't feel heaven out there, yet he knows the world supposed to be better by his selflessness, yet it hadn't as it should. How ashamed he felt. Yet, he felt it was necessary especially there was still a possibility of hope and how he felt his of his supposed authentic duty toward others, regardless of the current hollowness of the situation. At least, he would go on with a dutiful love but not out of the heroism he felt guilty at neglecting. Come to think of it, he felt like he was a lazy procrastinator staying at the north pole. Next, he turned to the sport where he saw bad Jack but now saw nothing to his relief. Yet, he saw Mrs. Claus approaching him which scared him a bit. She with concern asked, "What's the matter?"
Jack deeply sighed before he soberly replied, "I decided to leave this place as soon as I can because I think I nearly overuse my stay. I know you said I could start new life as a permanent resident, but I just had an epiphany that I need to still roam out there. For I still believe the world out there needs my help and perhaps I can find my sword again and thus fulfill my quest. Mrs. Claus looked like she had mixed feelings before finally replying, "Well, that is okay, especially if you feel you really need to continue to serve the world and try to finish your unfulfilled quest. But can you, at least, stay here until New Year's Eve?"
Jack reflected before he responded, "Yes, especially how I can use some extra enjoyment out of this north pole experience before my sad return to my nearly bleak and fruitless dutiful life."
Mrs. Claus gave a sympathetic look but understood the importance of Jack trying to fulfill his essential duty.
The next week until Jack once again left the north pole was fine. Inner Jack fortunately didn't interfere any further with Jack. Jack got to be crowned with a holly crown and be triumphantly carried around. Jack at times went to public events where he did things like shake hands and kissed babies. He at one point sat at a table and sighed autographs. Some even attempted to post pictures with him including at the statute dedicated to him. Even Jack got interviewed. Jack got to further tour places like the military facilities. The north pole still has its military protection just in case. During this week, Jack visited a museum,and the visit was intriguing and touching. How really interesting to see the exhibit about Jack's long ago Santa act. He was also intrigued seeing exhibits about the original Santa Clause and the north pole's history. He happens to also during that week attend an Elvie Presley concert; Presley, being one of the singers on the original Christmas variety show that Jack attended. It was a different yet amusing experience for him. He was impressed by Elvie's dance moves and demonstrates how north pole elves like him aged well or aged more slowly than humans. A few times throughout his stay, some elves likewise questioned Jack why he being human aged well. Jack managed to explain that he is assumedly cursed. What a bit of pleasant breather he unfortunately felt as he geared towards the goodbye ride.
Eventually, near midnight's stroke on New Years' Eve, Jack, dressed in his full armor, was lonesomely on his motor bike ready to ride out of the north pole. There was a group of sadden elves witnessing his departure along with Mrs. Claus, Kris Kringle, and Alfred Kringle who also looked sadden at his departure. Jack decided not to bring his Christmas gifts he was given, thinking that those childish gifts don't really belong to him but to the north pole itself. Jack, now wearing his demonic masked helmet, looked back at the nice and welcoming people he was leaving behind with some reminiscing. He was also looking back to witness a last goodbye and even farewell song for him. Most simply said their farewells including the likes of Holly, Kris, and Alfred. A mall elf music band with a lead female singer basically sang about wishing him a merry Christmas, a happy new year, and glad tidings to him and his kin. A tear was visible right beneath his helmet. Jack, without removing his helmet, then said before finally departing, "I know the evil of Aku unfortunately hadn't been destroyed and how it really still ravages in the outside world. I even been almost blown out by the misery he had cause. Nonetheless, I still, in some way, really still hope for a much better world where there be a functioning, peaceful, and free world where there is care, giving, and with happy hope and love in every heart including at Christmas time. I believe as long as I try to continue my quest outside those walls, I hope I will be able to achieve a world like that. So still keep your hopes high and try not to be too stricken by my departure."
This made some in the crowd, including Holly and Kris, to shed some tears. Next, Samurai Jack turn forward and rode off as a lone wolf towards the north pole security wall to ride through it and beyond to continue his lonesome and struggling journey. During that time, the musical group that played along with much of the crowd sang Auld Lang Syne with some enthusiasm as the fireworks boom above the north pole's capital as the armored samurai rode towards the wall about to be entered through it. A most happy and refreshing relief the kind of refuge being in the north pole was for the second time yet reluctantly know that he had to justly continue his unfulfilling quest.