Chapter 147
(Yellow Stone Peak hotel)
Lincoln arises from his sleep after having the sunlight cast upon his face, he sits up and sees Jordan getting up as well, both of them look at each other and smile from their neighboring beds.
"Good morning beautiful" said Lincoln.
Jordan gets up and sits on Lincoln's bed and they kiss. "And a good morning to you my handsome face."
Luna comes out of the shower all dressed and ready, she smiles seeing this cute scene. "You lovebirds ready for today?"
They both get off the bed. "We are" said Lincoln.
"I am going to take a shower" said Jordan.
"I'm gonna go and see how Patriot and Valkyrie are doing" said Lincoln.
"I'll order us some breakfast" said Luna. She then heads to the phone and orders room service.
Lincoln is now on the balcony and he whistles, soon enough the two eagles come down from the eagle pens on the roof.
"You guys ready to see what the festival is like today?" asked Lincoln.
Both eagles nod, they then look towards the festival from afar.
"You know, most people come to this place for Yellow Stone National park, or Mount Rushmore, or Old Faithful. But this, this kinda beats it guys. We are bound to make the win, or just do our best" said Lincoln.
Patriot and Valkyrie fly high above the hotel, while Lincoln heads back into the room.
In the air, Patriot and Valkyrie were not alone, they are being joined by an older eagle.
The eagle caws to them, and they follow. The two eagles sit atop the hotel roof and they observe what maneuvers this old eagle can do and both of them were impressed.
This larger bald eagle seems to be more experienced than them, even with a small scar to its right eye and wing he seems very skilled and doesn't miss his flight step.
The three eagles talk to each other, they share their identities and who they're owners are. Patriot and Valkyrie were going to have to wait for Lincoln to soon meet Reaver's owner.
They then hear Lincoln calling them, so they head back to the hotel room and enjoy the breakfast.
Reaver smiled. He liked seeing a new generation of bald eagles partaking in this human and eagle festival.
Reaver then flies off the hotel roof and into his owner's hotel room.
(Later in the day)
Lincoln, Jordan, Luna, Peter and Rick all leave the hotel. They use the military jeep left for them and they make their way to the Bald Eagle Festival.
"Did the rest of the family called?" asked Rick.
"They did last night, and we told them about what happened to us yesterday" said Lincoln.
"I swear, Lola seemed kinda jealous that we got into a hotel so fast" said Luna. "And she seems to know the place too."
"They were more shocked that we just made friends with an air force captain" said Jordan.
"Well, we're going to have more fun when we reach the festival" said Peter. He steps on the gas and they make their way down the road and straight for the Park's entrance.
In the air, Patriot and Valkyrie follow them, and they're joined by the old bald eagle Reaver.
Right behind the military jeep is an SUV, with the logo of the Bald Eagle Festival on it.
(Bald Eagle Festival)
They drive the jeep pass the gate and park it amongst the other vehicles there, some police officers and animal control crew were there as well as some medical crews, the whole place was prepared just in case for situations.
Then Lincoln, Jordan and Luna recognize a very familiar face. An elderly man in his early 90's, white hair on the side of his head, wearing a light brown jacket, white shirt and brown pants. "Hey there Loud and Rosato."
"Horace Steiner!" said Lincoln, Jordan and Luna. Then all three of them saluted him. "Sir!"
Horace chuckled and saluted back. "At ease youngin's. It's good to see you guys here."
He then sees Rick Rosato and his friend Peter Harris. "So, this is the grandson of Arnold Rosato."
"A pleasure to meet you sir, my daughter told me and my wife about you, my grandpa did and then we met your grandson" said Rick.
"And I'm glad my son was able to help you guys get here, he's a very talented man who wants to follow in my footsteps, his dad who is my son is a colonel in the army" then Horace turns to Peter. "Well I'll be dang, you're Peter Harris, the very same one who fought in Afghanistan."
"That's me sir. I was there after the Black Hawk crash incident" said Peter as he tips his hat to the Veteran.
"And I also heard you became the driver of a band" said Horace.
"It is true, but I was the driver way before I was a soldier, now I'm a cop" said Peter.
"It's nice to know you still maintain law and order within you son" Horace then sees Patriot come down and land on Lincoln's shoulder. "And there's the bird of the state. Hey there Patriot."
Then Valkyrie comes down and lands onto the eagle perch glove from Jordan. "And who the heck is this?" asked Horace.
"Sir this is Valkyrie, she's Patriot's mate. They met during January, in which I had no clue about. She's part of the family too" replied Lincoln.
"Now that is something to be shocked about. I never knew love would find its way to this eagle's heart so soon" said Horace. "So, you gonna be part of the Bald Eagle festival contest?"
"We are, we've been doing some practice runs since the start of January and Patriot has been improving, but he has also gotten some support from Valkyrie" replied Lincoln.
"Having a partner by his side in the sky is good, kinda like the wingmen during Operation Pacific storm. And I'm also gonna guess you two are going to be part of the Bald Eagle tag team aerial contest as well" said Horace.
"We are sir, Valkyrie and I seem to be a good team. And we're most superior when we tag with Lincoln and Patriot" said Jordan as she rubs Valkyrie's neck.
"Now that's nice" the Horace sees someone come out of the SUV parked behind them. "Son of a gun, it can't be."
They all turn around and see this man in his sixties and wearing a cowboy hat and brown jacket and jeans, all colored brown. He has a beard and mustache and some brown hair underneath, he then readies his eagle perch glove and flying down to him is Reaver. "Hey there Steiner, long time."
Horace shakes hands with him. "And it is a long time indeed. Good to see you my good man."
The cowboy then looks to the two kids and they're eagles and smiles. "And I'm gonna guess this is the white haired boy and his eagle from the Pearl Harbor Memorial Day."
"He is" replied Horace. "Umm, guys this is Steve Grey, this man fought in the military like Peter Harris was."
Peter smiled. "Really? What division partner?"
"That there is classified my good sir, but I was in Israel" replied Steve. "And afterwards I left the military and spent my whole life living in the Appalachian Mountains."
Peter was impressed. "Now that is amazing, good place to retire and keep track of the outdoors."
Lincoln did see the large eagle and this blue ribbon on its leg. "Umm, excuse me sir. Are you a former competitor?"
"That I am, Reaver and I here have been winning the Bald Eagle Aerial contest for five years. We haven't had much in real competition, Reaver is a veteran of great flight and skills" said Steve.
"Wow, he must've been a real hardcore bird to do all of that stuff" said Jordan.
"He is, how about we all head into the festival and we can talk" said Steve.
They all follow Steve into the Bald Eagle festival with their eagles following.
They were impressed by this place, they could see some eagle themed games, a few rides, some eagle themed stuff on for sale and they could see the sign that says that the Eagle aerial contest will start tomorrow.
"Now this is one heck of a festival" said Jordan.
"You guys should've been here for the big grand opening" said Steve. "They let loose the veterans of the last Bald Eagle contests and let them carry a large American flag across the sky, Reaver and three other birds took part in it."
"Well, we were flying our way from Royal Woods Michigan to get here" said Rick.
They then buy some barbeque bacon and hotdogs on a stick. "So, how did you and Reaver meet?" asked Jordan.
Steve chuckles as he lets his eagle finish off the rest of the bacon. "It was ten years ago, five years before we entered out first contest. I found Reaver in the woods one day, he was lying on the ground and looked pretty banged up. So I took him into my cabin and patched him up. When he was set and ready to leave, I saw vengeance in his eyes and so I followed him and I was right to follow him. He was fighting off a mountain lion that was trying to reach some Bald Eagles nesting in the mountain cliff side, normally Bald Eagles would nest in trees, but these guys didn't."
"There were other Bald Eagles in the area, but they weren't strong enough to go toe-to-toe with a mountain lion, Reaver was tough and unfazed and he kept striking that damn wild cat with his talons. I knew that this was the very same mountain lion that wounded him, so I went there and helped chase it off, you should've seen us kid. We fought alongside each other trying to keep them nests safe, I took a few scratches from that damn lion, but because of what we were doing the other adult eagles joined in and chased it away."
"But Reaver and I both had the same agenda, so we both took chase and we found that damn beast in its cave and fought it right there. I don't know how long we fought the mountain lion, but we got back out, bloodied and exhausted. And we brought with us the damn lion's carcass, so I took it to the eagle nests so they can make use of what's left. From that day on I became close friends with the Bald Eagles nesting there, when it's winter they would bring their nests to my place and I was happy to provide them with some shelter from the snow."
"Reaver and I were like the protectors of the forest that I owned. We chased away poachers, ginseng thieves and other no good trespassers. I even shared Reaver my stories of when I was a soldier, and we bonded greatly. Until we saw on the TV about the Bald Eagle Festival. So we decided to compete and we won our first competition and proceeded to win four more and here we are now, five time winners."
They were amazed by his story, a man who lives in the mountains and he has befriended with the bald eagles there.
He then shows them his necklace. "And this, this is the claw of that vey same Mountain Lion, Reaver here has the other one." Reaver shows them the necklace that was hidden in his chest feathers, they could see the mountain lion claw on it.
"We kept these as a symbol of how we fought and lived through hell and that we would be partners till the end" said Steve.
"Wow. That was awesome!" You sir truly are a pro" said Lincoln.
"Thanks kid, and I look forward to seeing how you and Patriot do in the aerial contest and you can bet that I'll be there for the Bald Eagle tag team aerial contest as well, to cheer you and your lady on" said Steve.
"Thank you sir, and I think our feathered friends are already becoming friends" said Jordan. They can see the eagles chirping at each other.
"Reaver's just giving them some pointers about the whole contest and to be watchful for any sudden change in the wind, in the contest the wind can be both your friend and foe. You just gotta figure out how to manage" said Steve.
"This has got to be the best thing that's ever happened" said Rick.
"And one heck of a story, I had no idea you went through all that" said Horace.
"It's not as bad as fighting criminals, but that was pretty awesome" said Peter.
Steve chuckled and looked to Lincoln. "Enough about me, what about you kid? How did you meet this avian ally of yours and his partner?"
Lincoln was ready to tell Steve all about the things he and Patriot went through, and Luna and Jordan were also supporting with his tale.
(An hour later)
Lincoln has told his story of how he met Patriot, the day they both saved Jordan from an idiot who tried to hurt her, twice!
The confrontation of Chandler, Hank and Hawk and the return of that bratty kid Tyler.
The incidents they had during winter and all throughout January, and even how Valkyrie came into their lives during Valentine's Day.
But they made sure they left out the interdimensional run in, that is a secret.
Steve was impressed that this twelve year old boy went through so much with his eagle, he was more surprised about how many sisters he has.
"I never knew just how great you are at obeying laws and protecting your loved ones Lincoln. You're starting to look like a dang soldier kid" said Horace.
"I gotta admit kid, you have got to be the bravest kid I have ever met" said Steve.
"Well, it wouldn't have been possible if I haven't met this gal" Lincoln pulls Jordan closer making her giggle.
"And I could guess that she's the reason why you're like this today" said Steve.
"That they are dude. They're almost inseparable and way too smitten" said Luna.
"I for one can see both of them get married" said Horace.
"I have dreams of that every night" said Rick.
Peter looks at him confused and takes a few steps away from him. "That wasn't awkward at all."
They then see some eagles flying in the sky and doing some aerial maneuvers. "I'll tell you one things kids, this ain't gonna be easy for ya. The singles aerial contest will be a test, but the tag team aerial maneuver is gonna be challenging" said Steve.
Lincoln and Jordan look at each other with determination. "Sir, we have full confidence we can do this" said Lincoln.
"And we know that many of the tag team eagles only have one trainer, well we're gonna show them just how skilled and accurate tow eagles can be with two twelve year olds who know how to take any contest head on" said Jordan.
Steve chuckles at this. "Is she always like this?"
Lincoln and Luna smile. "You should see her in dodge ball."
"She can be terrifying" said Peter and Rick.
They then continue to watch the other eagles fly around in the sky. "Well as much as I loved having some company, I am going to take my leave now. Also, I think your name is already signed into the whole thing by Horace" said Steve.
"I took the privilege to do it myself for ya, I was able to convince the officials about a twelve year old boy and his eagle. I got faith that you and Patriot will win this one" said Horace.
"Thank you sir, that's awfully nice of you. So I guess Jordan and I should sign up Patriot and Valkyrie for the tag team flight contest" said Lincoln.
"I guess you should, I gotta go and see how the rest of the place is setup. As last year's winner, Reaver and I will be the ones to make sure the whole contest is prepared for any situations" said Steve.
He then looks to Lincoln. "And I look forward to seeing how Patriot can maneuver through the rough skies."
"And I look forward to seeing Reaver and his aerial might" said Lincoln.
Steve chuckles and he takes his leave alongside Reaver.
Lincoln and Jordan with the others see the sign up board for the Eagle tag team aerial contest and they sign up their names and their eagle's names.
"So, come tomorrow we'll be entering this contests and proving just how good we are a team, both on the ground and in the air" said Lincoln.
They're eagle caw in glory at this.
"Looks like we're all motivated for tomorrow. How about we go and enjoy the rest of this festival" said Jordan.
"Now that sounds like a plan little dude" said Luna.
"I heard there's this Eagle tattoo station, there might be some fake eagle tattoos for you kids to use when the contest starts. You know, like war paint" said Horace.
"Hey now, that doesn't sound like a bad idea" said Peter.
"Just as long as it's washable afterwards" said Rick.
Lincoln looks to Jordan. "Well then, let's see what this place can offer."
"Lets" replied Jordan, they both walk through the festival hand-in-hand with the others following. Come tomorrow will be the contest they've all been waiting for.
AN: Steve Grey is an OC of mine, I thought it would be nice for Lincoln to meet someone who could show him the ropes and also be his competition. Almost like Lightning McQueen and Doc Hudson. His backstory was something I just came up with, also from the show I used to watch on the History channel "Appalachian Outlaws". Next chapter will be the big eagle competition, singles and tag team.
Leave a review and tell me what you all think.