The Boy With a Dream

[Chris Ironhawk]

Well, I have decided to start writing my own story. This story will be about Christopher Ironhawk and the many adventures and the many adventures of his life. He was just one boy with a huge dream. This dream will soon turn into a reality.
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Prologue

Since age 7, young Christopher Ironhawk sat on his porch for hours at a time, admiring the glorious War Galleons, Frigates, and Ships of the Line travel through the ports of Cuba. The sails looked so white, and clean. Christopher simply loved to gaze wonderingly at the chests and crates that sailed into port each day. He always dreamed of opening one up and discovering the wonders that are shielded by the golden lids.

On the day after Chris's 13th birthday, he was strolling through the docks with a certain spirit; a spirit that made him feel more empowered than he had ever been. That could've been because he felt that he would find an amazing discovery, or maybe just because he was now going out into the world as a teenager. Whatever the reason was, it gave him happiness. While he was walking through the marketplace, he heard a raspy voice. The man speaking said something that sent chills down Chris's spine: "pirates".

After hearing this, Chris immediately started looking through the crowd for the source of the raspy voice. Then, Chris saw him. Standing before him was a brawny man with shoulder-length blonde hair. His face was decorated with charms and jewelry or every color of precious stone. There were was emerald green, diamond clear, and ruby red. But what really caught Chris’s eye was the way this man was dressed. The large man was covered in colorful clothing that really stood out.

"There I was, face to face with a monster so ugly, it might as well have come from the fiery cave of the devil himself! Why, I was looking straight into the eyes of Davy Jones, the master of Davy Jones’s locker! It is here that you go after your life has been taken by the sea. When you are in The Locker, you would like to take a vacation to Hell! Wanna know what I did?” He looked around to make sure everybody was listening, “I took my sword and I cut off one of his tentacles! The beast let out a shriek so blood-curdling that I, meself, was forced to cover my ears! After that, I feinted. I don’t know how or why, but I did. When I awoke, I was lying on the bed that I grew up in, at my old mother’s house.”

After the story was finished, Christopher did not hesitate to talk to the colorful pirate.

“Excuse me, good sir. I could not help but notice your colorful clothes that you have on, especially your hat. If you would be so kind, mister, would you please tell me where you acquired such a fine taste?” Christopher asked. “I would like to see if I can strike a bargain with the merchant.”

The colorful man was wearing a bright green top hat with an intricate design with all green shades you could imagine. He placed a big, hairy hand on Christopher’s shoulder.

“Son, thank you for the compliment. It just so happens that I am in the market to sell this hat, if you are interested.”

“Yessir, I am very much interested. But before we negotiate a deal, I would like to ask you something. Your story was very interested. I have never heard a more thrilling one. But what were you doing so far out in the sea so Davy Jones could find you?”

The decorated man laughed, “Son, I like the way you think. I was out in the Hinderseas looking for ships that I might be able to steal treasure from. I could not have had worse luck, running into Jones.”

He went on, “I am a pirate. Perhaps you have heard of us. We roam the world, looking for treasure. HAVE you ever heard of us?”

The boy was in awe that he was meeting a real pirate! Chris had so many questions for the man, but he did not want to waste the pirate’s time.

“Oh yes sir! I have heard stories about pirates!” Christopher exclaimed, “How they roam the globe looking for treasure! And they are free; truly free. I have always wanted to sail aboard a mighty ship, like the war ships that sail into the docks every day! Do YOU have a ship, mister?”

“Of course I have a ship! What is your name, by the way?”

“The name is Christopher Ironhawk, sir. Future pirate captain.”

“Christopher Ironhawk,” he let that name sink in. “I like the sound of that. The name is Captain Kim Vo, Chris, owner of the Shadow Executioner, the finest War Galleon to ever sail the Seas.”

Christopher was beside himself. He could not believe that he was actually face to face with a real-life pirate!

“Wow… A War Galleon… I watch those sail into port everyday. They look to be the most majestic ships, with many cannons. I feel bad for your enemies,” Chris marveled. “Yesterday was my 13th birthday, Captain. I was home alone; no one bothered to celebrate in any way. Not even my own parents. I sat on the porch and watched ships sail in and out of port all day long. Sir, as long as it doesn’t cause you too much trouble, would you be willing to take me aboard? Just to see the deck?”

“OF COURSE! Tell you what, Chris,” he proposed. “I will take you aboard, and you will get to drive her! What do you think of that, Christopher Ironhawk?”

At this point, Christopher could not believe what he was hearing. All of his dreams were coming true, one after the other!

“Are you sure, Captain?” Christopher asked, unsure of his abilities to drive. “I have never driven anything before…”

“I am very sure, Chris,” said Vo in a reassuring voice. “Besides, I will be right there with you, guiding you throughout the process.”

“In that case, I can’t thank you enough, Captain Vo. You are making all of my dreams come true.”

The walk to the Executioner was short, mostly because the marketplace was so close, but Captain Vo was also helping by pushing people around, making them squeal. Chris liked this man even more now. After a few short minutes, Chris stopped abruptly. Captain Vo knew why. Looking down at both of them was the Shadow Executioner. Christopher tried to show self control, but the force was too great. Chris flew right past Captain Vo and up the gangplank. When Vo got there, Chris was petrified with amazement. What the young boy saw was a large lower deck, complete with 10 cannons and gleaming floors that were just begging Christopher to step on them. He did.

After Chris took in the sight of the ship, Captain Vo escorted Christopher up to the Captain-Only deck. From there, the captain started shouting orders to his men, who, in his absence, were sleeping. Vo’s men were so well-trained that in a matter of minutes, the Shadow Executioner was on it’s way out of port. The captain beckoned Chris up to the helm, where Christopher Ironhawk would drive his first ship. For some reason, Chris was shaking out of his clothes. He was excited, yet terrified. What if I mess up? What if the ship goes down? He needed to get these thoughts out of his mind. So, he took hold of the wheel, and lets all of his worries go.

They sailed for a great deal of time, until daylight turned to dusk.

“Did you enjoy yourself, Christopher Ironhawk?”

“Yes, sir. I have never felt more free, more alive.”

“That is how a pirate is supposed to feel,” the Captain said. “I have something for you. In the marketplace, you mentioned that you like my hat. Well, now it is yours. Take good care of it, Christopher Ironhawk.”

As Captain Vo placed the hat on Chris’s head, he said, “I have another surprise for you, as well. You showed such a great interest in War Galleons, and specifically the Executioner. That is why, Christopher Ironhawk, I have decided to purchase a War Galleon for you. She will be built in about a month,” he paused for a moment. “Of course, you will have to find a crew and name her, but I have gotten you started. While the ship is being built, I would like to personally train you to captain and drive her. Take the Executioner back to port, Captain Christopher Ironhawk. I would like to place the order today.”

“Captain Vo, you have no idea how much this means to me. You are making all of my dreams come true. This is the best birthday ever!”

“It has been my pleasure, Captain Christopher Ironhawk.”
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I have not figured out a set day of the week that I will post yet, but I will be posting weekly.

I personally liked this chapter, mainly because it shows how one life can change another. Just like that.

You guys know what authors like. Anything about my story is relevant here. Please praise and critique as much as you'd like. This is the first progressive story I have ever done, so I am still developing.

~Chris Ironhawk