Garroth's POV:

Laurance and I pulled up to the school on Monday morning. I could see a few disguise Phoenix agency cars and vans either parked or driving by, doing rotations. I didn't feel nervous until now, knowing that something might happen because of me and the students, including their parents, don't know. At the same time, I was irritated. I wanted Chad to inform the school district that there might be a possible attack and to cancel school today but, they were too worried that it would cause "alarm" with parents. It was like they were more concerned about themselves than the kids and staff that were inside. Laurance was feeling the same way about the situation but, he also told me at the same time that maybe it was for the best. I just had to follow their plan...act normal until something out of the ordinary happens.

"Your room is P-203?", My boyfriend asked me, confirming the room. The plan was that if something were to happen, Laurance would help evacuate the students and I out through the window with the help of a few other agents. What I had to do was wait until he flew up to the window, assuring me that he was there. The thing that concerned me though about this is that I had to do nothing else. Not help the other teachers or students who may be roaming the hall or attending class. "Gar, I know you're bothered by this but, you have to understand that this is the best we could do without revealing the situation to the public."

"I know, I know,", I sighed, leaning against the window of the passenger seat. "Are you going to be okay?"

"Me? Yeah, of course. Why do you ask?"

I shrugged. "I don't know what they are for sure planning. They may have altered their ideas."

"So, we'll alter ours',", He said, taking my hand. "I'll see you after school if that happens. If not, I'll be there to help."

I smiled softly at him and said; "I love you."

"I love you too,", He said, leaning over to kiss me. "Be safe."

I got out of the car and waved goodbye as I walked up to the front doors. He waved back from inside the car and watched me until I got into the building.

...

Fourth period. Everything was going great. At the time, I was debating if the Flames were going to do something. Still, I was stressed and a few the bright teenagers in the room noticed. I blew it off as me just being tired and that everything was fine. Yet, June was not having it.

"Are you sure Mr. Ro'Meave? You look like you're ready to make a run for it out that window,", She stated. "Is there something going on at school?"

"No, I assure you all that I'm fine,", I said with a smile on as always. "Just...stressed about finishing things up before finals."

"Okay then,", Layla chimed in, "we'll listen."

Relief washed over me when they were done with the interrogation. I continued the last lesson that I had plan for the today and things went back to usual after that for a while. I looked up every once and a while to see the clock getting closer and closer to the end of the day. I knew though that there were still four to go after this so, I don't know why I was begging for the bell to ring. It was like I was in high school again waiting for the end of the day every minute. Always checking to see when it was lunch then, when it was time for me to go. Irene...I hated it. I felt sorry that half of my class were sophomores...they had another two years to go after this.
Once I was done with the final mini lesson about current events, I started to hand out their project assignment for the unit. All them got excited and started to pair off into their usual groups, as much as I encouraged some of them to partner with someone different based on their grade.

"Let me know if any of you have any questions,", I say, going back to the front. As protocol, I went around the room, surveying them as well as checking the time on top of that. I looked out the window from the other side of the room, hoping to see Laurance pop his head up. Nothing. I also, in the back of my mind, wished that Blaze would rush into the room asking what's up to keep my mind off of everything. I frowned, remembering that it would never happen.
I tried to snap myself out of the dark thoughts, not wanting the kids to see me emotional, by telling myself that I needed to for Blaze. I made a promise and I was going to keep it.

I saw from the corner of my eye Layla raise her hand. I walked over and asked what was wrong.

"June and I were wondering if we could do a poster again,", She suggested, referring to a previous project the two worked on. "We just thought it was easier for us to put all the information needed."

"Sure! Do you want me to grab some paper-"

Just then, a loud buzzing came through on the intercom. It was the sound for a lock down. The students all got up, remembering the drill. A few were confused why they weren't informed about this and asked me what was going on. I played dumb for the time being and said I wasn't informed about it either but, was sure that it was just for practice. It was soon denied when the principle came onto the speaker saying;

"Go into lock down procedures! This is not a drill!"

Well. Great. The students started to panic and tried to calm the situation by telling them to do what they were taught. I locked the doors, covered the window of the door with the slip of paper given to us. The kids all went against the wall that the door was on and pressed themselves as close to it as possible. My heart was slamming against my chest and I felt sweat start to form. I didn't hear anything outside in the hallway though, so I knew we were good as long as my fourth period class did what they were worst at. Stay quiet. I shushed them and I think because of the circumstances, they were totally fine listening to me now. I would have to ask them about that later.
I went over to the windows on the other side of the room, close to the ground, and peaked my head over to see if anyone was on their way.

"Mr. Ro'Meave!", June whispered. "What are you doing?"

"Shh!", I said back, noting to apologize later. I felt relief wash over me when I saw Laurance with a few other people running down the courtyard outside the building. I crawled over to my desk and grabbed a piece of printer paper to write and tap a message on the window that this was P-203. My students were looking at me like I was crazy. What made me go faster though was the sound of people running towards our room. I could here their feet pounding against the floor as they got closer. I quickly tapped the message on the window and got back over to the students.

I could see the terror in their eyes and some of them were quickly texting their parents about the situation. The breaking point though was when a man's voice boomed right outside the door;

"Garroth Ro'Meave! Where are you?"

A lot of the kids kept their composure but, many of them had to cover their screams, knowing it was serious. It wasn't long though when I heard quiet knocks on the windows and a male student ask slightly above a whisper;

"Is your boyfriend flying?"

"No Dylan. You're just high-oh my Irene!", Another student whispered back.

I smiled seeing Laurance at the window but, I saw that he wasn't stress free either. I rushed over and opened the window.

"Is everything okay?", I instantly asked.

He looked down and I followed, seeing the other Phoenixes fighting off a large group of Flames.

"We have to be quick about this,", Laurance said. "I don't know if any of them have weapons that can shoot this high."

I scanned my options, this one being still the best one. Follow the plan. I looked to the students and said; "Okay everyone. I need...maybe two of you at a time to let Laurance carry you down."

The students were still all in shock from this discovery that my boyfriend had basically fire shooting out of his back and that the people outside were demanding I come out. After a few seconds the two students from before came running up to us.

"I'm getting my ass out here!", One of them said, swinging his legs over the wall to get to Laurance. I rolled my eyes, helping them. Laurance then flew them down and I brought the next two over as quickly and quietly as possible. The voices in the hall wouldn't stop and they were starting to get more threatening.

It wasn't longer when they were trying to slam on doors. I heard screaming from the other rooms. By that time, only half of my class was out but, outside in the courtyard with more of those people. I saw that they were losing people by the minute so, I wasn't too worried. As long as they stayed on the other side of the courtyard. The last ones out were June and Layla, who insisted on doing so. I thought it was brave of them to volunteer to go last but, I focused on the problem at hand.

"What about you Mr. Ro'Meave?", June asked, before leaving.

"I'll be right behind you two,", I assured her.

Laurance said; "I'll be right back up."

He flew the two girls down and I felt a weight be lifted off my shoulders. I forgot that there were people outside unfortunately and I heard the lock break. They must've broken the door handle and were able to get in. They started to push against the row of desks that was up against the door and I scrambled to find something to defend myself with. Ruler? No. Thumbtacks? Maybe but, no. Stapler? That was my last resort. I grabbed it just in time for two of them to crash in. It was Diane with Kai and Ivy soon slipped in as well.

"Well...you seemed to get the place to empty quick,", Diane chuckled. "And no weapon...this will be easy."

"Can I do it ma'am?", Ivy asked in her high pitched voice.

Diane looked at her with annoyance but, stepped back to let her do it. Ivy pulled out her gun and I raised my stapler.

"Really?", Kai asked.

"It was either this or papercuts,", I admitted.

"At least you know you're trying your best,", Diane smirked.

Ivy cocked her gun and I felt the same fear as before. I wondered where Laurance was but, at the same time, I hope he was helping the kids.

"Now I get to break your heart Garrath,", Ivy giggled. I still held up my stapler, thinking it could protect me in this situation. She pulled the trigger and a fiery wing came in front of me, melting the bullet before it hit my chest.

"It's Garroth,", Laurance said in a threatening tone.

The other two immediately pulled out their weapons. Laurance kept me behind him.

"So, glad you could join us Zvhal,", Diane said. "It's great to be in the same room of someone who is as highly regarded as you. Has Chad ever told you about me?"

"Unfortunately no but, I'm sure you're a lovely person,", Laurance said. "So how about you drop those guns and leave?" 

"For what? Just so you two can get killed by my entourage instead? Where's the fun in that?", Diane chuckled, raising her gun this time, Kai following. "After all of this, you two deserve way more. That's why it's my honor to do it myself." 

An idea popped into my head just as she was ready to fire. When the shot came, I pulled Laurance down behind the desk. The bullet hit the window instead, causing glass to fly everywhere. Laurance covered me, asking me quietly; "What's the plan now?" 

I gulped, hearing the three slowly walk over, cautiously.  They have the upper hand unfortunately, knowing that Laurance can't block three bullets at once. I looked for literally anything besides the stapler that could help us right now. The thumbtacks and ruler were still available as well as posters...so I started to think of a plan. Again, a stupid one but, a plan nonetheless.  

"How far do think that drop down is?", I asked, barely above a whisper. 

Laurance tried to remember and as a distraction it seemed, another bullet went off. He finally said; "About thirty feet? Why?" 

"Hide your wings." 

He hesitated but, did so anyway. 

"When I say fly, do it. Okay?" 

"You do realize that you're a history teacher right?" 

"Yep. That's why I have no idea if this is going to work so, you're going to have to trust me." 

He took my hand and said; "I do." 

I looked around the corner to see that Diane was literally a few inches away, about to turn the corner. I took my chance and grabbed her free arm, as well as the stapler and stapled her sleeve to a poster on the side of Mrs. Weldon's desk four times. The poster was ducked taped on so I hoped that it wouldn't just rip off. Diane was caught off guard, allowing me to grab the gun from her other hand. I tossed it back to Laurance and grabbed the box of thumbtacks and the ruler. 

"Can you keep them back for a bit?", I asked, getting up from the ground. Laurance, utterly confused, just nodded, thinking I meant the other two. He got up as well and started firing on the two who had taken cover behind the barricade of student desks in the other corner. I realized that there was also glass from before, so I picked the largest piece I could find and, while tucking the ruler under my arm, I kept it on Diane's back as if it was some dagger. "Don't move." 

She glared at me but, followed orders and stopped struggling at the staples. I got out the box of thumbtacks, crossing my fingers that this would create a barrier if Ivy and Kai decided to make a run for it, and sprinkled them on the ground. I felt a bullet fly pass me, hitting another window. My heart skipped as I knew I needed to hurry up. I heard Laurance's end go silent though. I looked over to see that he had run out of ammo and took cover under the desk again. 

"Get back down here!", He shouted over the noise. I motioned at the stapler though and said; "Staple her a few more times! Then I'll think about it." 

Keeping the dagger at Diane's back, I went to the ground, out of range. Laurance went at her sleeve some more, almost up to her elbow making her look like she was hunched over. A striking pain hit the side of my arm and I saw that a  bullet must've glided across my skin, hitting Diane in the side instead. She yelped and shouted at the two; "Stop aiming near me! Aim at his head!" 

That's when I decided to roll under the desk again. 

"Okay...what now?", Laurance asked. I noticed blood trickle down the side of his face and I worried if it was the glass or a bullet did the same as it did me. I needed to ignore it and said, taking his hand; "Now, we need to make a run for it."

I kept a grip on the ruler, like a sword as we came up, Laurance's wings formed again, protecting the two of us. Like I predicted though, Ivy and Kai tried to catch us but, were stopped once Kai tripped on the carpet and landed on the thumbtacks, causing Ivy to stop and think about how to go about it. Diane screamed at her, saying; "Shoot them!" 

Ivy shot again, hitting Laurance's calf. The same one that was broken a few days prior. Luckily, it wasn't in the middle and off to the side. Still it was painful and I could read it on his face for a few milliseconds. I realized that if we flew down, the landing wouldn't be perfect and as I got to the window, I saw all the broken edges that could cause more damage. I grabbed the heaviest thing next to me, a history textbook, and started breaking it down. I looked down to see that The Flames were down to just a few and my students had done the safest thing and went to the opposite end of the courtyard.  Once I deemed the window safe, I looked to Laurance and asked; "Can you fly?" 

He nodded his head, and wrapped his arms around his waist. I looked over my shoulder to see Kai getting up, Ivy shakily trying to shoot, and Diane on her last staple, reaching for her gun on the ground. I turned my vision forward though, not looking back as we jumped out, Laurance gliding us down. He tried to land safely but, cried out as his leg touched the ground, causing us to tumble on the ground. I landed a foot away from him and looked to see if he was okay. Besides disappointed that he couldn't land properly, he seemed fine. We ran as fast as we could over to the students, away from the windows where the three could still get us. They all looked terrified but, relieved that I was there. Laurance grabbed a mini walkie-talkie from his coat pocket, calling Chad about the three still inside the building. It was then when I heard June mumble;

"I hate Mondays..." 

...

It wasn't that much longer when The Flames outside were put in handcuffs as well as Ivy, Kai, and Diane. I caught a glimpse of her as she was forced into the back of the van. As we made eye contact, I saw burning hatred still in her eyes. I sighed once the doors closed and the van drove away. My arm was being looked at by a paramedic while Laurance was occupied with his wounds not too far away. Staff and students were all outside, waiting for parents to come pick their children up. My students were also being checked though, their parents by their side. I didn't want to confront them because then I would have to explain that I was the reason this happened. 
As my wound was getting cleaned, Laurance came up, a small bandage on his forehead and his leg wrapped up. He sat next to me on the back of the medic's truck and wrapped his arm around my shoulder, kissing my cheek. 

"It's over Gar...you did it." 

I looked up at him and smiled. "We did it." 

The paramedic at that point had gone to get supplies for stitches and I took the chance to kiss my boyfriend. Running my free hand in his hair slightly. I felt him smirk as he kissed back, squeezing my shoulder. 

It was all over...

Word Count: 3288

I really hope that this was a satisfying chapter for the "final battle". I've been working on it all week and I can't tell you all how many plans I tried and threw out for this chapter. Also, I hope that this was too intense for you all who are sensitive to this kind of thing. Gun violence in schools is a real issue and I apologize if this was hard for some of you to read. Let me know if there is anything you would like me dial down so that this chapter is more enjoyable. I want you all to be happy each and every day! I love you all so much! 

Anyway, one more chapter left....