(3rd Person POV)

Running. That's what (Y/N) has in the middle in. He's running deeper into the mall, trying to find a good hiding spot inside any of the abandoned stores, all while his mind stays plagued with what Boyfriend told him. He really wants to help his friend out, and save him, but at the same time, he knows that he can't do anything in his current condition. So, all he can do for now is to run. (Y/N) soon reaches an escalator, running up as he then notices that he left footprints in the snow.

(Y/N): Dammit! I'm leading whoever's corrupted straight towards me. Might as well hold out a giant neon sign, if that doesn't work.

He then peers down the nearby balcony view, noticing how the height between the ground and first floor isn't that high up. An idea soon forms in his mind, as he leaps down, before spotting some more footsteps in the snow, each kind running off into a different direction. Before he can choose which one to follow, however, he hears footsteps slowly approaching, so he quickly hides behind the escalator.

Lemon Demon: Oh, (Y/N)~ Where are you~? Don't you want to join your friends? They're having so much fun without you.

(Y/N) carefully peeks his head out, seeing the hideous Lemon Demon looking around for him, but (Y/N) soon notices he's not alone. Standing right beside the monster are the corrupted forms of Pump, Boyfriend, and Girlfriend, all twitching unnervingly, and all looking around for him. (Y/N) moves his head back around the corner, not wishing to be spotted, as he hears his "friends" speaking to each other.

Corrupted BF: Seems like he's not here, such a shame.

Corrupted GF: (points forward) Hold on a minute, there are some footsteps leading deeper into the mall! He must've run off there.

Corrupted Pump: But there are also footprints leading to the first floor as well!

Lemon Demon: Hmm, seems like our friend wants to deceive us. Very well then. Pump, you and I will explore the first floor. (looks to BF and GF) And I trust you two to search the ground floor, right?

Corrupted BF: You can count on us.

Corrupted GF: We'll find him, and then we can all have fun together~

Corrupted Pump: Yay! New friend!

With that, the four corrupted entities split up to make their search more easier, as the two on the ground floor pass by the same person they're looking for.

(Y/N POV)

I wait until Boyfriend and Girlfriend are out of possible hearing range, before letting out a breath I've been holding since they passed me. Great. Now I have to worry about possibly encountering either duo, since they split up. Still, I can use this to at least know where I can and can't go. The corrupted couple have went off down the west hall, so it's the east hall for me.

I walk through the desolate section of the mall, seeing tons of different types of scratch marks across the walls, and passing by tons of abandoned stores. Speaking of stores, I notice a nearby general market, so I dash into it, taking a minute to sit behind on of the isles, due to the rising pain in my left leg.

I look down towards it, seeing the corruption slowly creeping up, almost reaching halfway up. I carefully get back up, before swiftly moving through the isles, grabbing lots of food and drinks I'll need, in case I have to go into lockdown. I shouldn't have to worry about tripping the alarms, as they've been heavily damaged when I walked through the open doors. I'm was about to leave, when I hear some giggling getting closer, they're here.

Not wanting to risk getting spotted, I notice a nearby air vent, and get both myself and my supplies, before hearing Boyfriend and Girlfriend nearby.

Corrupted BF: (Y/N)~ Are you around here somewhere?

Corrupted GF: There's nowhere for you to hide, so why not come out now?

No. I know this trick from a few horror movies. The creepy killer pretends to go away, only to appear around the corner and capture their victim of choice. I begin through the vent, making sure not to make any sudden noise, until I reach a vertical path, leading to the first floor. So, now I have no choice but to go up and avoid encountering that monster. But, it is better than turning back and alerting my "friends".

I begin climbing up the shaft, using my arms and legs to keep myself balanced, and holding the bag by tying the hand straps around my waist. I soon make it to the top, taking off the cover, and finding myself in some ransacked D.I.Y store. This can help me find a good weapon! I climb out, and pit my bag right next to a knocked-down shelf, before looking around for any weapon.

Eventually, after searching through piles of either destroyed or broken-down tools, I find one that can work for now. That tool being a knife that probably belongs in a weapon store rather than a D.I.Y store, but I'm not questioning who mixed up the orders. The handle looks a bit bent, but I'll take what I can get.

(Y/N): All right, at least I have something to defend myself with.

???: And who will you be defending yourself from, hmm~

(3rd Person POV)

(Y/N) instantly freezes up, shaking like a leaf against aggressive winds, as he slowly turns his head towards where the voice came from. Right at the entrance to the store are the two he was hoping he wouldn't see, those being the corrupted Pump and the Lemon Demon, with the latter having a dark smile on his face.

Lemon Demon: So this is where you were hiding. I have to admit, arming yourself is a smart move, but I'm afraid that rusty metal stick won't save you know.

(Y/N): (stuttering) S-S-Shut up! I refuse t-to give into whatever you have planned!

(Y/N) waves his combat knife straight towards the Lemon Demon, who only laughs at this defensive act.

Lemon Demon: That's cute, thinking you can fight back. Now, how about us three all have ourselves a little song?

https://youtu.be/MmIIxw3jcUQ

*Song name: Dread* (imagine it's (Y/N) instead of Nene, and that the lyrics are slightly different)

*Original Song: Lies (by AzuriParker)*

As if purposefully timed, music begins to fill the store, as (Y/N) keeps a steady grip on his combat knife, as the Monster in front of him calls out.

Lemon Demon: How sad! You'd rather nothing but nonsense than trust in your own friends!?

After that, the song truly commences, with (Y/N) going up against the corrupted Pump. However, (Y/N) is too busy focusing on the melody of this song, as he gets an idea of what this song is about. And that is the feeling of Dread. From what (Y/N) remembers his Wellbeing tutor telling him, Dread is usually the feeling of when something truly horrible is about to take place, and that feeling comes soon as the Monster begins speaking in rhyme.

Lemon Demon: Strangers spread lies, any moment in a bit,
Don't worry, cause your friends will protect you from it!
Please don't be afraid and listen to us,
Or will you continue to be a menace and choose to fuss?
I know deep down you aren't a bad boy,
So don't be sad, come join and enjoy!
The things I've done will never be fixed,
And if you try to fight it, you'll be left mixed.
Your heart is so full of despair and woe,
It says you won't survive against this foe!
Lay down your weapon and I'll gladly show you,
This world I will rearrange until it matches my view!

Lemon Demon: Don't fight it, kid. We both know I'm right.

As much as he hates to admit it, (Y/N) knows that the lemon demon is correct. Even if he looks brave, he's still afraid internally, as he remains stuck singing against the corrupted kid, not moving from his masters side and occasionally laughing to the rhythm. It isn't long until (Y/N) begins to get a headache, hearing a voice in his head, taunting him as he tries to fight back.

"We both know what you're afraid of. You fear letting those who are close to you down. Don't worry, that fear will arrive soon."

The Lemon Demon soons notice that aside from clutching his head, the corruption is beginning to spread faster up (Y/N)'s left leg, now starting to do the same to his right leg, until both are nearly fully corrupted. As the corruption begins to form on his fingers, the Monster soon smirks, thinking of an idea to speed up the process.

Lemon Demon: How about we take a trip down memory lane?

The Lemon Demon begins speaking, but not in his regular voice, but rather imitating the voice of Boyfriend, as a red cloud sits beside him, taking the form of the corrupted boy and copying his movements, all while (Y/N) is forced to watch with his eyes filling with tears.

Lemon Demon: You already know what happened to him...

With one final emotional jab, the Lemon Demon lets out a laugh of cruelty, leaving his target as nothing more than a crying child huddling against a shelf, with both his legs and left hand now corrupted, as the song reaches a close.

Lemon Demon: Well, that was fun, but I'm afraid this little game must end now. Don't worry, you'll be able to play with your friends soon enough.

As the cause of the corruption slowly makes his way towards him, (Y/N) looks down to his combat knife in his right hand, before forming an idea on his own. He patiently awaits for the monster to get closer, keeping an eye on his shadow, until he's within close range and...

*SLASH*

Hearing an inhuman roar enter his ears, as he turns his head towards the source of it. As he had hoped, he swung his combat knife right into the monster's face, leaving a huge gash across its face. Noticing an opening now, (Y/N) grabs his bag of supplies, before rising up to his feet, ignoring the burning feeling from them, and rushes past the lemon demon and the corrupted Pump, hoping to find some kind of exit quickly.

(Y/N): (thinking) Okay, there was a slight chance that would've worked, but I'm glad it did! Wait a minute, this just makes me a huge target on his list of other targets! Drat! No, don't think like that, (Y/N). Just find a good place to lay low for a while, until this whole corruption thing wears of. Speaking of corruption, I wonder if there's a way to get rid of the stuff, my legs and hand are really stinging! (notices something up ahead) Is that...

Up ahead was an exit, as (Y/N) was hoping for. But what he wasn't expecting was to see another figure there, furiously trying to get the door open. At first, (Y/N) thinks it's someone else who's corrupted, but soon notices that only the entire left side of their body, minus the head, is corrupted, with the rest being uncorrupted.

(Y/N): (sighs of relief) Hey! Are you okay?

The figure, startled, jumps back as he turns around, giving (Y/N) some proper details to notice. For starters, this figure is extremely tall, possibly being even taller than the Lemon Demon. Next, this figure's head... was a literal explosive. From just those two pieces of information, (Y/N) knew exactly who it was.

(Y/N): Whitty? Is that you?

Whitty: Stay back! Come any further and I'll- (pauses for a moment) Wait. Aren't you one of that blue-haired kid's friends?

(Y/N): Yep, that's me. This... wasn't how I was expecting we'd meet again.

Whitty: Yeah, same. (notices (Y/N)'s arm) Hey, has your arm always been infected?

(Y/N) looks down to his left arm, seeing it's growing more infected, but notices that his legs are no longer corrupted. Good news is that his legs are no longer stinging, but the bad news is that his left arm is getting more and more painful.

(Y/N): Sorta. It wasn't like this when I attacked that Monster, but my legs were also infected then. How did they get uncorrupted?

Whitty: Who knows. Anyway, I might need some help. Most of the exits are either blocked off by more corrupted people, or just destroyed, and this is one of the few that hasn't been taken yet. Think you can help me get it open?

(Y/N) nods as he approaches the door and places his uncorrupted hand onto it, as Whitty does the same, and together, they both begin trying to pry the door open. While they try to get it open, a trio of corrupted figures spot them, and decide to grab themselves some easy prey.

(Y/N): You think we're making some progress?

Whitty: Maybe. But we better get it open before-

???: Hey.

(Y/N) and Whitty turn around, spotting said trio of corrupted people, now standing a good distance away from them, ready for a showdown. The first figure is a corrupted Darnell, with his lighter and headphones uncorrupted.

(Y/N): (spots the metal and thinks to himself) So metal can't get corrupted, that's great to know.

(Y/N) draws his attention back to the corrupted trio, now focusing on the second one. The second figure appeears to be a corrupted Sunday, as shown by the guitar that she's carrying on her back, and the microphone stand in her hands, complete with the microphone itself. Unfortunately, neither he or Whitty can properly analyse the third figure, due to shadows hiding most of their key details.

Whitty: Great, more of these guys. What do you three want?

Corrupted Darnell: Simple. You two come with us. Or else there will be a little "accident". (turns the lighter on)

Whitty: I don't think so. We prefer not having our lives taken away, right, (Y/N)?

(Y/N): Yeah. Besides, I don't think your leader would wanna see me again, especially after I slashed him with a knife.

Whitty: (eyes widen) Wait, you did what?!

Corrupted Sunday: Oh, don't worry. Our masters isn't the type to hold grudges. Besides, you both seem to be carrying their gift on you right now.

(Y/N): (whispers to Whitty) They won't take no for an answer. What do we do?

Whitty: (whispers back) I have an idea. Just follow my lead.

(Y/N) gives Whitty a confirming nod as the bomb-head reaches into his pocket, and pulls out a microphone. (Y/N) sees what Whitty is planning, decides to go along with it, hoping that by some miracle, it'll work out.

Whitty: How about we settle this problem the way how all Starlight City problems are solved, through rap battles. We win, you leave us alone. You win, we'll go with you. Deal?

Corrupted Darnell: Sure, those odds sound nice. Now, prepare to face defeat!

https://youtu.be/7Xq32FTcG0k

*Song name: Stand-Off* (replace Tabi with (Y/N), and Hex with Darnell)

Original song: Outbreak (by AzuriParker)*

The third figure throws a portable radio between the two sides, as it begins blaring out a song that sounds both child-like and apocalyptic at the same time, with both sides preparing to bring their A-game. The first two to start spitting bars are (Y/N), as he brandishes his knife, and the Corrupted Darnell, who just waves his lighter around aggressively.

It isn't long until both Whitty and the Corrupted Sunday soon join in, doing their best to assist their partners. So far, the duo of (Y/N) and Whitty are winning this battle so far, but the corrupted opponents just smile at this, as the third figure soon steps up.

???: Now, it's my turn~

The third figure now begins singing, revealing themselves to be a Corrupted Carol, leaving Whitty both shocked and heartbroken. From this, the corrupted trio begin to focus on Whitty first, seeing him as more vulnerable, while (Y/N) tries to snap Whitty out of his mood. As the halfway mark of the song approaches, part of Whitty's face is beginning to get corrupted, being seen as the black ink and pink veins begin to crawl onto him.

The Corrupted Darnell, Sunday, and Carol use this opportunity to begin taunting Whitty, telling him that he'll never be able to save those he cares about, and that soon he'll be joining them, but the three hell spawns are cut off by (Y/N), who's now singing aggressively. He's already lost Boyfriend and Girlfriend, he's not losing the chance to save others.

Because of this, the Corrupted Carol and Darnell begin to focus on (Y/N), while the Corrupted Sunday creeps over to Whitty, with the intention of whacking him unconscious with her guitar. What the four don't know, however, was that Whitty was in a deep thought. He started reminiscing about the time he spent with Hex, Sunday, Carol, and knowing that they wouldn't want him to give up so easily. So, with newfound determination, Whitty throws his microphone away and re-enters the battle with a ballistic cry.

Whitty: ENOUGH!!!!!!!!

After that sudden surprise, everyone in the duel is left in shock by not only Whitty going ballistic, but also because of another surprise: Sunday has been uncorrupted, and is now unconscious! Not wanting to miss out on this, (Y/N) and Whitty continue the song, pushing through until this battle comes to a close, and they're the victors.

Corrupted Carol: (shocked) What? But how? Master said it's impossible to become uncorrupted!

Corrupted Darnell: (aggrivated) Who cares!? Get them before they can get us!

Whitty: STAY BACK!!!!!

Whitty blasts a huge wave of fire at the other corrupted victims, before grabbing the knocked-out Sunday and (Y/N), and kicking down the door and leaping out, landing in the empty streets during the night. Seeing that there's no one else nearby, Whitty begins to calm down as he lets go of his friends.

(Y/N): Dang, Whitty. That was fire! How'd you do it?

Whitty: Well, I thought of those close to me, and knew they wouldn't want me to go down that easily.

(Y/N): Huh, that's nice.

The two are then interrupted as they hear Sunday groan and rise up to her feet, clutching her head and grabbing her guitar.

Sunday: (confused) What happened? Why am I outside the mall? And where the hell's Carol? She wanted to watch that festive sing-off.

(Y/N): (looks to Whitty) Should we tell her?

Whitty: (looks back) We have to.

Sunday: What are you two even talking about?

(Y/N): Well, here's what happened.

And so, for the next ten minutes, (Y/N) and Whitty explained to Sunday what happened, using both of their perspectives. By the end of the explanation, Sunday's eyes have fully widened, and her expression is one of fear.

Sunday: (breaking down) So, that wasn't a bad dream? Carol... she may be gone?! Please be joking, please just tell me this is just a cruel sick joke!?

???: I'm afraid they're speaking the truth.

(Y/N), Whitty, and Sunday all turn their heads towards the source of the voice, finding Daddy Dearest and Mommy Mearest approaching them, both are completely uncorrupted, and their eyes are glowing.

(Y/N): Mr Dearest and Mrs Mearest?! You know what happened?

Daddy Dearest: Of course we do! As soon as the lights went out, we were attacked by some other demon, who wanted to take us down with Starlight City!

Mommy Mearest: After dealing with him, not only did we find a huge majority of the mall infected with some kind of virus, but it also got our precious daughter!

(Y/N): It also got BF, too.

Daddy Dearest: And why should we care about that boy?

(Y/N): Because if you don't, GF may stay corrupted forever.

Mommy Mearest: Fair point. Now, let's get that nasty corruption off both you and Whitmore.

The demon couple's eyes glow brighter, and just in a few seconds, the corruption on (Y/N) and Whitty's arms disperses, freeing their arms from the constant stinging.

(Y/N): Thanks, my arm was killing me, earlier.

Daddy Dearest: It's the least we can do to a friend of our daughter. (spots something approaching) Get behind us, we've got company.

The three didn't need to be told twice, as they get behind the demons, as they see the Lemon Demon approach, along with the Corrupted Boyfriend, Darnell, and Pump.

Lemon Demon: Ah, there you three are. Thanks for leading us to them, Darnell.

Corrupted Darnell: No problem, boss. We just gotta trash these two first.

Daddy Dearest: (glares) Of course you're responsible, you lesser demon. You better undo all this madness, or else!

Lemon Demon: I'm afraid I won't, as this special recipe of torture is a project between two acquaintances. Even then, it isn't finished, so I wouldn't be able to fix it if I wanted to.

Mommy Mearest: Then we'll just have to fix this problem ourselves! (looks to the three survivors) You three get out of here! We'll hold them off.

(Y/N): Not to call you two weak, but are you sure you can handle those three?!

Whitty: (places hand on shoulder) Don't worry, kid. I know these two well, and they would never let some dumb parasite beat them.

Daddy Dearest: Exactly, now book it!

(Y/N), Whitty, and Sunday start sprinting off, away from the upcoming battle, as Daddy Dearest turns on a nearby car radio, getting the music for this final duel, before the new year rolls in.

https://youtu.be/6X9t978GBio

*Song Name: Demonic Deathmatch (imagine Darnell replaces Pico)

*Original Song: Tie-Breaker (by longestsoloever)

And just like that, the final song of the year commences, with Mommy Mearest going up against the Corrupted Boyfriend, holding nothing back as the Lemon Demon just watches. Around a minute into the song, Darnell jumps in, giving Boyfriend a bit of a break, only for Pump to jump in a few seconds after. As both Darnell and Pump go against Mommy Mearest, the female demon begins to grow tired, until Daddy Dearest jumps in to assist his wife.

The couple then start using references to their older songs, hoping to snap Boyfriend out of it. It briefly works, as the corrupted kid starts to break free while Darnell and Pump get knocked out by the demon's aura, but the Lemon Demon just re-corrupts Boyfriend, and prepares to face the couple himself, as the song slowly draws to an end.

Meanwhile, with the survivors, they're still running through the quiet and abandoned streets of Starlight City, praying to whatever god is watching over them that they don't run into anyone else corrupted. After getting a good and far distance away, the three stop to catch their breaths, before planning their next actions.

Whitty: Alright, we got away. Now what do we do?

(Y/N): Well, I suggest we go into hiding, and find a way to get enough supplies. (lifts up his bag) I mean, I grabbed enough that could last me around 5 months or so.

Whitty: That sounds like a good idea. Speaking of hiding, we should try hiding in places that those that are infected and close to us don't instantly find us. This is fine for me, since I hop from alleyway to alleyway every day, so that solves Carol. But what about you two?

(Y/N): All I told Boyfriend and Girlfriend that I live in an apartment, not which one I live in. That may buy me some time. What about you, Sunday?

Sunday: (looks to (Y/N)) Well, can I crash with you? Since I live with Carol, that won't work for me.

(Y/N): Sure, just make sure not to waste most of the supplies.

Sunday gives him a nod as the three shake hands and go off in their own directions, ready to hopefully survive this apocalypse until someone finds a way to save everyone. But who knows, maybe they'll have to take matters in their own hands...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sunday has been freed from the Corruption!!

Sunday has now joined the Party!!

Current Party: (Y/N), Sunday.