Hank Saves the North Pole

William Kirrane

Description

After years of being blamed for terrible weather, OLD MAN WINTER resents SANTA for being beloved by all. He has assembled a team of folklore's notorious Christmas villains - including HANS TRAPP, KRAMPUS, JACK FROST and the YULE CAT. He also has an army of rapscallion snowmen that outnumbers the elves. With only 5 days until Christmas, the treacherous team storms the North Pole and imprisons the big guy and the elves. Unbeknownst to them, a tough elf named GINGER has avoided capture. But she needs help if she is going to stop Old Man Winter.

Miles away, HANK lives a quiet life on the Emerald Isle. Once an elf, now just another regular guy, Hank is grouchy and disheartened during the Christmas season. He misses Ginger, the elf he loves, and the happiness of the North Pole. The GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PRESENT brings him news of Santa's situation, and Hank learns that the world might descend into chaos if Santa doesn’t make his ride. Hank is the only one that can help since he is the only one that knows the secret passage to the holiday village. 

Realizing that this is his chance to be reunited with Ginger, and to return to the North Pole as a hero. There’s only one problem: How is one man supposed to stop an army of rapscallions? Hank needs to bring three things with him: Magic, muscle and... a third mysterious thing that Hank needs to figure out in time! Although not thrilled that the Ghost of Christmas Present has given him a riddle, he and his happy-go-lucky friend RUSS head north. 

Their journey will bring them into enchanted forests, ice capped mountains, and Nordic towns before reaching the village. On the way, they encounter all sorts of mystic creatures, take on great physical challenges and battle dangerous enemies. The story brings a new take on familiar Christmas beings, like the talking snowman, the snow maiden, and even Ebeneezer Scrooge. Contested at every step, Hank must move forward, reach the destination, solve the Ghost of Christmas Present’s riddle, and figure out how to save the North Pole!

HANK SAVES THE NORTH POLE! is a Christmas fantasy/comedy for both young adults and young-at-heart adults to enjoy. The central plot is a hero’s journey filled with action, danger, humor, and adventure at every turn. What grounds the story is Hank’s desire to be reunited with an elf he very much loves. Ultimately, the story is about the ultimate message of Christmas, and how it can brighten us all!

Sujets

• Fantastique
• Fantasy Burlesque
• Holidays
• Humorous
• Fantasy (canción de Mariah Carey)
• Fiction
• Fantasy

Informations

• Publié par: Outskirts Press
• Date de parution: 25 mai 2023
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781977265371
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 1 Mo

Extrait

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Hank Saves the North Pole All Rights Reserved. Copyright © 2023 William Kirrane v2.0
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
The opinions expressed in this manuscript are solely the opinions of the author and do not represent the opinions or thoughts of the publisher. The author has represented and warranted full ownership and/or legal right to publish all the materials in this book.
This book may not be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in whole or in part by any means, including graphic, electronic, or mechanical without the express written consent of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
Outskirts Press, Inc. http://www.outskirtspress.com
ISBN: 978-1-9772-6537-1
Cover Photo © 2023 William Kirrane. All rights reserved - used with permission.
Outskirts Press and the "OP" logo are trademarks belonging to Outskirts Press, Inc.
PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

To Elizabeth, Amelia and Liam, Always keep love in your heart. - W.K.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1: THE NORTH POLE IN DANGER!
2: HANK
3: TROUBLE
4: AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR
5: EMBARKING ON A JOURNEY
6: AN ELF ON THE LOOSE
7: THE ENCHANTED FOREST
8: THE SNOWMAN
9: A BURLY VOICE
10: FROST AND SEEK
11: THE MAGIC
12: HANK’S STORY
13: HELP ON THE WAY
14: THE STRAW MAN
15: PLANS AND PREPARATIONS
16: A NOT SO QUIET INTERLUDE
17: A VISION
18: THE GREAT POLAR TUNDRA
19: CHRISTMAS EVE EVE
20: THE BEAST
21: NORTH AND SOUTH
22: GINGER’S BRAVE RIDE
23: TOGETHER AGAIN
24: AT THE GATE
25: THE BATTLE FOR THE NORTH POLE!
26: A CELEBRATION!
27: HANK SAVES THE NORTH POLE!
28: CHRISTMAS AS USUAL
29: GOOD-BYE FOR NOW
30: HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS
1
THE NORTH POLE IN DANGER!

Welcome! Welcome girls! Welcome boys! Welcome grown-ups and grown-downs! Teenagers and tweenagers! Senior folks and folksy seniors! Welcome to the special ones, the precious ones, who keep the holiday season love in their hearts! Everyone and anyone are welcome here since this is a story for the world to hear! Welcome to the North Pole!
It’s the happiest place on Earth! The scenery! The music! The lights! The brightness and the cheer! It’s always the greatest time of year! The fact is that this land of wonderment is nearly impossible to describe with a pen. Simple words rarely do justice to great visual amazements. Poems can, though. I once heard a verse about it. I might botch a word or two, but it goes a little something like this:

The sun always shines and it’s never too cold;
It’s never snowing, but there’s always fresh snow.
The buildings are charming, sturdy, and strong;
They look just like the storybooks, all short, tall, and long.
The streets are all delightful, warm, and inviting;
Dressed in great ornaments, decorations, and lighting.
In the center is the Workshop, where all toys are made;
By many great Elves that work, whistle, and play.
A Town Square with a tree that dazzles and pops;
Dressed for the season, with a mighty Star up on top.
Protected by magic, this village can never be found;
Unless, of course, Santa Claus wants you around.
In that case, be ready, and though experiences vary;
There’s no place you’ll find life living so merry!

Yes, that poem just about sums it up. Though, if you ask Santa, he will describe the village with just one word. It is a great and powerful word, that stirs feelings of great happiness and love every time you hear it. I’m sure you know it, but in case you don’t, let me whisper it gently to you: CHRISTMAS!
I expect some of you may recognize my voice. It’s a strong, deep voice that’s ripe with joy! I have been called many things in my day. Father Christmas. Sir Christmas. I think most of you know me as the Ghost of Christmas Present, on account of how I helped out with that whole Ebenezer Scrooge situation some years ago. You can call me whatever your heart feels content, just remember this: I am not Santa Claus. People often mix us up. Nope, he’s his own man with his own mission. I have my own responsibilities. Think of me more as a guiding spirit. A spirit in a long green robe, a candle topped crown and a strong love of life!
I’ve seen it all and I have much to tell. I have a story to tell you. One that happened quite a few Christmases ago. Or is it quite a few Christmases from now? Hard for me to say, exactly. Time works differently for me than it does for you. Let’s just say that the story starts right here, right now, on this late December day in the North Pole.
"Merry Morning Everyone!" shouted a happy elf as he walked towards the Workshop. Every morning started essentially the same way. After breakfast hour, all the elves joyfully marched themselves from their cottages to the main street, right to the Town Square, where the entrance to the Workshop sat ready. You could think of it as a parade, a daily festive parade, with all of the elves laughing and singing.
"Happy Morning!" the elves sang in unison. In return, many exclaimed, "What a glorious day to be alive!"
Ginger was a feisty, spitfire, wonderful elf walking her way to the Workshop. She had the brightest smile any elf had ever been blessed with. She was also sharp as a tack, and nothing ever intimidated her. But if there was one thing she wasn’t great at, it was being on time. This morning, as usual, she ran late.
"Good morning, Vern!" Ginger said as she met her friend on the roadway.
"Hey, Ginger!"
"Did Santa greet us yet?"
"Not yet," Vern answered.
Ginger looked up at the clock that sat atop the Workshop. It was quickly approaching eight in the morning. That’s the time Santa always stepped out of his house and greeted the elves in the Town Square.
"Good," Ginger said. "I never like missing that."
"Did you forget your hat again?" Vern asked.
Ginger reached up and touched her head. Sure enough, in her rush to greet the big man, she had left her hat behind.
"Not again," she groaned.
"Sorry. Want me to go back and get it for you?" Vern asked.
"Nope. My hat, my responsibility. I guess I’ll just do better tomorrow. See you later, Vern!"
Yes, she was late quite often, and sometimes a bit forgetful. But Ginger was also as tough as an elf can get. She was one tough cookie.
(Get it? Ginger cookie? Sorry, the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come thought that would kill.)
As Ginger turned back to her cottage, the other elves filled the Town Square. There were dozens of them standing, as they always do, in great anticipation of what would be coming next. They stared at the small red cottage across the square. The elves all chattered quietly amongst themselves, which sounded a bit like a waterfall. At eight o’clock sharp, the Workshop’s tower clock bell rang its happy chorus. The murmuring gently faded to a hush. The door to the cottage opened and Santa stepped out to greet his family.
"Ho-ho-ho!" Santa said. "Happy morning everyone!"
"Happy morning, Santa!" the elves shouted with glee.
"How many days until Christmas?" Santa asked, as he always did.
"Five!"
"Then we’ve got work to do!"
The crowd cheered and music started to play. Once again, the parade of elves resumed, and a line formed outside the Workshop. It was time to make some toys!
Ginger had just returned to her cottage, where she quickly found her hat where she expected to find it. Hanging over the fireplace mantel, next to a wood figurine that was meticulously carved in her likeness. She grabbed the hat, but before she made her way to the front door, she looked at the figurine. She thought about the elf that made it for her. He was an elf who no longer lived in the North Pole. An elf she missed terribly. She had been thinking about him a lot lately. Missing him. Wanting to see him. Wondering where he was, and what he was doing.

As it turns out, Ginger’s forgetfulness that morning served her well. Actually, it served us all well. As she walked back to the door, she looked out her front window. She saw something odd. Very odd. It was a dark fog off in the distance. It was an unusual thing to observe in the North Pole, because the sun always shines during the day. The morning sky is always blue without a cloud in sight. Not this morning. There was a dark fog. How far away was it? It was hard for her to tell, but soon a more alarming realization came to her mind. The fog was moving towards the village. Quickly.
"Oh my," Santa said.
He looked up at the fog. The other elves stopped marching forward. Everyone looked back with concern. They looked at Santa to comfort them. If there’s one person that’s not afraid of anything, it’s the big guy.
"What is it?" an elf asked nervously.
"An old acquaintance," Santa answered in a tone that briefly calmed the nerves.
The approaching fog began to change its shape. Instead of moving forward, the darkness started twisting and spinning with great speed. It spun faster and faster until it had turned itself into a massive, angry storm cloud!
"Run for cover!" Vern shouted as hysteria crept into the once-jolly crowd.
"It’s okay, everyone! Don’t be afraid!" Santa told them. "Everything will be fine."
The dark cloud then rolled towards the village with purpose. It found more and more energy as it approached the Town Square. It made a straight line directly for the Workshop, or perhaps even worse, for Santa. But, like I said, there is nothing that Santa is afraid of. The elves all watched as Santa, coolly and calmly, stepped directly in front of its path.
"That’s enough of this, Old Man. Show yourself," Santa shouted.
Suddenly, as if the cloud heard Santa’s order, it came to a stop. It stood still over Main Street, hovering furiously over the big guy. The elves watched with trepidation. Santa watched w