DJ's Christmas Carol Part Two

DJ was dozing lightly, trying to come to terms with what had just occurred. Perhaps that was just a dream, or perhaps...

The Blue Ranger was startled awake by a girlish giggle. He looked up and saw an amber-haired girl wearing a white gown looking down at him.

"B-Bonnie?" He stammered, his hand against his chest, trying to stop himself from having a heart attack.

The figure snickered. "No, silly. I'm the spirit of Christmas Present. I figured Christmas Past was here earlier. Now you get the gist of what's going on, right?"

DJ rolled his eyes. "Okay, if this whole experience's purpose is to teach me a lesson as to why I should not take my father for granted, then save it."

"Oh no, DJ...how could you take him for granted anyway? Don't you know your father loves you dearly?"

"Yes, he tells me that all the time."

The spirit scoffed. "And how many times have you said to him that you loved him as well?"

DJ felt offended by that question but then realized the spirit was making a decent point. His relationship with his father was truly one-sided, and it had been that way for a long time. perhaps I should show you what's to come very soon." She then grabbed his arm, and, in a flash, the scene changed.

The two were now standing in a familiar-looking kitchen. The entire place was decorated for Christmas, with a tree and lights everywhere.

"You know this place?" The spirit asked.

DJ twitched his head in confusion. "Yes, I know this place. This is Max's house."

"Yep, this is the evening of Christmas Eve."

Just then, DJ noticed a gathering going on in the living room. He walked over and saw Maya, her family, Max, and his parents all gathered in the living room. Max, his father, and Maya's brother were watching the football game, while Maya helped her mother and Mrs. Cruz with setting up the table.

DJ gulped. "Why am I not here? Wasn't I invited?"

The spirit nodded. "Yes, but you ditched, mainly because of your mood."

Just then, Maya and Max both headed into the kitchen of refreshments. They poured themselves some eggnog as Maya spoke up. "Why didn't DJ come?"

Max shrugged. "He was always a Christmas guy, but for some reason, he couldn't see his family this year."

Maya nodded. "This party would have cheered him up."

"Yeah, but I don't get why he would complain. He had his dad around. Sure, that doesn't seem a lot, but it's better than being a loner, or having no family at all."

Maya put on a sad smile as she spoke. "I remember after my dad passed away, that's when my brother and I became close. We didn't like each other, but losing our father taught us how sacred family was, and how we should stick together no matter what."

Max sighed. "Yeah, have you realized Mr. Tee has become more depressed over the years?"

"How so?"

"Last week, when he found out he couldn't fly DJ over to see his grandparents, he first told my dad about it before breaking down and crying...he felt like failed as a father."

DJ's jaw dropped in horror upon hearing this.

"Yeah, I got to say, DJ's father surely does put other parents to shame." Maya declared. "That man does everything for him, and it sucks that DJ always has a knack for taking that man for granted, especially since I would do anything to have my father back."

"I don't want to hear any more of this. I just want to go back home!" DJ begged the spirit, who merely nodded, giving him a teasing smirk. DJ glared at the spirit before they transferred back to his room.

DJ hopped onto his bed. "There, now go away before the final spirit gets here." However, just as he turned, the Spirit of Christmas Present was gone. He rolled his eyes and collapsed onto the mattress, clutching his pillow. He muttered what he could have done differently as he was reduced to a slumber.

DJ was awoken by a flash of green light. He looked up and saw a green-hooded figure hovering over him.

DJ rubbed his eyes and groaned. "Christmas Yet to Come, huh? You look a lot like my moody friend, Donnie."

"Yup," the spirit said in a voice that was similar to the Green Ranger DJ just referenced.

"I don't have much of a choice, huh?"

"Nope."

DJ took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. "Let's do this, then."

Green mists swirled around them, and they then stood in what appeared to be DJ's living room.

"Where are we?" DJ asked the spirit.

"Ten years later," the spirit answered.

DJ's eyebrows furrowed as he noticed an elderly man who sat on the couch, watching a football game that was playing on a futuristic-looking TV.

"It's Christmas, and your father was forced to spend it alone."

DJ twitched his head in confusion. "How is that possible? My dad is buddies with Max's father, and we have family we could visit."

"Not this Christmas, thanks to the weather."

"B-but, where is future me?" DJ pleaded, looking around for any sign of another resident in the depressing-looking home.

"You never came. The good news is that you became a very successful young man, but you left everything behind. Your friends are still close, but you deserted them for a 'better life'. You never even called your father in years."

DJ's voice hitched as he glanced over at his elderly father, who picked up his phone, trying to reach someone, but then his father let out a sigh, implying he was sent to voicemail.

"Hey son, um, I know you may not recognize my voice, as it is a little raspy, but it's your father." Mr. Tee's voice was breaking up as he continued to speak. "Damn you, DJ. We had everything. I have given you everything. I never had much growing up, living in the ghetto streets of the inner city. I worked so hard to give you the childhood I wish I had, and this is how you thank me, huh? You never phone me, you never talk to me. I see your friends more as my children than my flesh and blood."

DJ felt tears stream down his face as his father continued. "And despite everything you put me through, I still find it in my heart to love you and wish you a Merry Christmas. Tell Ellie I said hi as well."

DJ shook his head as he turned to the spirit. "Take me back, I've seen enough. I know what I need to do."

The spirit nodded as mists began to swirl again. The spirit had disappeared, and DJ was now back in bed.

DJ's eyes then snapped open. Wait a minute. Future me is with Ellie?

It was the morning of Christmas Eve, and this was the opportunity for DJ to make up for his past mistakes, and to brighten his future. He had put on his winter attire and drove his father's car to the mall. They would be closed early for Christmas, but DJ only needed about an hour to grab everything he needed.

Once he parked the car in the lot, he picked up his phone and dialed Max's number.

"DJ, what's up?" Max greeted as soon as he answered.

"Is your Christmas Party still going on tonight?"

"We decided it would be best to have the party on Christmas Day, but my dad is considering having it tonight."

"Let's have it tonight, I'd like to spend Christmas Day alone with my father. Do you mind if we drop by tonight?" DJ said, crossing his fingers.

"Of course. I mean, you are my best friend, and your dad is my parents' best friend. You don't even need to ask."

DJ smiled. "Thank dude."

"Anything for my Power Ranger buddy."

DJ laughed as he exited the car. The entire trip consisted of him visiting all of his dad's favorite shops, using the money he had saved up for a new car to purchase what was on his dad's dream list. His favorite cologne, vintage shoes, and even a new suit. And to add the cherry on top, a very special photo framed just to symbolize the relationship between a loving father and his son.

DJ rushed over to his house right before his father would get from helping the Cruz family set up for the party. He managed to wrap all the presents with painted aluminum foil and tape.

Just as he set the presents down, his Morpher began blaring. Come on! On Christmas?! He simply got up and went to fetch his jacket. Just as he approached the door, his father entered the living room.

"Son, what are you doing?" He asked, clearly not pleased.

"Sorry dad...um, Maya needs help with her car." DJ rambled as he grabbed his coat, slipped his boots on, and bolted out the door, leaving his father confused until Mr. Tee saw what was under the tree.

All 5 Rangers were in their Megazord fighting yet another giant foot soldier.

"Doesn't Po get enough of messing up our holidays?" The White Ranger asked begrudgingly.

"Bonnie, you and Donnie weren't here yesterday, so quit complaining." Maya retorted.

"Quit bickering, let's take this creep down."

The giant Karadrac shot beams from his eyes, which struck the Megazord, causing it to stumble backward.

The cockpit tremored slightly. "Woah!" Max loudly interjected. The Red Ranger's expression turned fierce. "Ellie, do you have any toys for us this Christmas?" He asked through the radio.

"Yup, I'd like to present to you the Martial Staff."

"Hit it!" Max said. Soon enough, a long, black staff formed on the palm of the Megazord's left hand.

"This is sweet!" Maya said.

"Let's power it up and take this guy down!" Max ordered.

"Power Staff, power up!" The staff was then engulfed in flames as the Megazord charged it toward the monster. The foot soldier did not seem fazed as he sprinted over toward the Megazord, only to be speared in the stomach by the staff. The monster screeched as it stumbled backward, before collapsing onto the ground and imploding.

"Yes! Yes! Yes!" DJ cheered, jumping from his seat. "Merry Christmas, everyone!"

"Merry Christmas!" The other Rangers cheered for another job well done.

After an eventful Christmas Eve at Cruz's Christmas Party, DJ had gotten up early for Christmas, ready to surprise his father. He burst into his father's bedroom, still in his PJs, and shook his father away, startling him.

"Son, what on earth is wrong with you?"

DJ grinned. "It's Christmas, Dad. I have a few gifts for you!"

Mr. Tee's eyes widened in shock. "Gifts? You never get me gifts except for Father's Day."

"I know, but just follow me." His father groaned as he yank the sheets off of him and got up from his bed, following his son out and down the stairs.

Mr. Tee was baffled by the sight of their living room, now decorated with lights, with presents underneath the tree. They haven't had a Christmas like this since DJ was young, for reasons he didn't want to speak about.

"What's this?" He asked. DJ smiled as he motioned his father to take a seat on the recliner. His father giggled with excitement as he sat down. His son disappeared for a moment in the kitchen before returning with a photo frame.

DJ handed the frame to his father with an eager smile. "This is for you."

Mr. Tee turn the frame around and was astonished to see the photo, which was of him when he was in his early 30s, holding DJ the day his son was born. He looked as happy as ever back then.

"You like it?" His son asked with an eager smile.

Mr. Tee felt his eyes water as he looked up at DJ. "Oh son, I love it."

"I'm glad to hear that," DJ said before his smile faded into a sad frown. His father noticed and frowned as well.

"What's wrong?"

DJ sighed as he sat down on the couch, looking down at the carpet. "I just felt like, since there isn't much time left until I'm 18, that I wasn't a good son growing up. I mean...I kind of wish I was more affectionate toward you over the past few years."

Mr. Tee quickly shook his head, reaching over to pat his son's hand. "No son...you may not be an easy child."

DJ smiled. "Dad, I was a brat."

Mr. Tee chuckled. "Oh you were a major brat, but you were my brat. And I don't need to have a very affectionate son to be proud of what I have accomplished. Come on, you are a junior MMA champion, and here you are, driving, hanging with your friends. You're living the life."

"The life you wished you had growing up."

Mr. Tee nodded sadly. "Yes..."

"You know, you were a wreck after Mom died."

"Yes, but you managed to pull me out of the gutter. Having you around reminded me that I had the most important job of all, and I got to say, this frame has to be the best Christmas gift ever. I never got a chance to meet my father, but now I believed I accomplished what he failed at being."

DJ smiled. "I don't need to be told what that is...Merry Christmas, Dad." He stood up and walked over to his dad for a hug.

His dad hugged him tightly. "Merry Christmas, son."

Happy Holidays everyone!