Black Friday. The day that turns shopping centers into gladiator arenas over discounts. And it’s at Starlight City’s Central Mall where just that is happening. It didn’t matter if you were elderly, a kid, an adult, or a teen, what mattered was getting the gift now before it sold out.

And it’s here where we find Elizabeth Moore, a freshman at Starlight High, who quickly leaps into a toy store and weaves her way through the mob of rabid shoppers.

Her goal? Getting her little sister, Nhung, the hottest gift of the year; the furry gremlin doll.

Luckily as she scans the halls she sees a single doll left on a shelf. She quickly rushes forward passing by the unfit shoppers until she finally has the doll in her grasp.

However, when she goes to pull it to her, she sees someone else has also grabbed the doll. Alex Smith; a fellow freshman and member of a club they’re both in known as “the miracle clinic”.

“Alex? Didn’t expect to see you in here,” Elizabeth remarks as her grip on the box tightens.

“Well what can I say, my little cousins were really looking forward to this toy,” Alex remarks as his grip tightens, “You wouldn’t want to snuff out their joy, would you?”

“My sister has been asking for this for months,” Elizabeth claps back as her grip tightens.

“You sure you want to do this?” Alex questions as his grip on the box tightens.

“Of course,” Elizabeth states as she then yells, “OH HEY THEY’RE COMING IN WITH A RESTOCK!”

“What?!” Alex yells excited he doesn’t have to fight so he turns around and lets go of the box.

There isn’t a restock coming. He turns around to see Elizabeth already bolting to the register.

“YOU SON OF A-” Alex yells as he gives chase.

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“THAT’S WHAT YOU GET!-” Elizabeth tries to say but when she sees an old lady in front of her, she needs to slow down.

With Elizabeth slowing down Alex manages to catch up, snatch the box from her, and make a dash down another aisle in one swift motion.

Alex smirks as he runs down the hall as several other customers swarm down the hall after him.

“Try and catch up now Elizabeth!” Alex laughs.

“Gladly!” Elizabeth yells as she jumps on top of one of the cabinets to get ahead of the crowd.

As she gets closer to Alex, the two see that other rabid shoppers are entering through both entrances to the hall. With no way out but up, Alex tries to get on top of the cabinets but his hands just barely miss the ledge.

Luckily Elizabeth grabs onto his arm. Though Alex’s relief turns into dismay as he sees the wicked grin creeping onto Elizabeth’s face.

“You wouldn’t dare-” Alex says.

However, Elizabeth would dare as she snatches the toy out of Alex’s hand and then drops him into the mob. As Elizabeth runs on top of the hall, she spots one of the giant toy trains going around the store heading to the front of the store where the cash registers are. Elizabeth quickly jumps and lands on the roof of the train, much to the dismay of the parents and children riding the train.

However as Elizabeth is about to relax ready to celebrate the victory, she sees Alex has finally pushed his way through the crowd. He lunges towards the train and with just his fingertips he grabs onto the back. He climbs up to the top of the train where Elizabeth is.

“You thought you could get rid of me that easily?” Alex roars as he gets into a boxer’s stance, “Give me the toy, NOW!”

Elizabeth scoffs as she gets into a defensive stance, “Over my dead body!”

Alex glares at Elizabeth.

Elizabeth glares back at Alex.

And after glaring at each other one more time, Alex charges forward to where Elizabeth is. He goes to swing his fist but Elizabeth shoves the toy she’s holding in front of Alex’s punch. Alex has to quickly redirect his punch away from the toy, and in turn away from Elizabeth.

This tactic by Elizabeth keeps on working as more and more punches keep missing her, that is until Alex gets an idea. He goes in for a jab, though when Elizabeth puts the toy in the way of his fist, Alex opens his fist and snatches the toy.

“HAH!” Alex yells.

“Why you!” Elizabeth grunts as she goes to kick Alex in the head.

Though Alex does the same trick Elizabeth did to him by having the toy get in the way of her attack, causing her to miss.

This goes on for a while until Elizabeth does a feint kick and then grabs onto the toy. The two are yanking the toy back and forth from each other; like two lions fighting over prey. Both not wanting to let go. In fact, they'll never let go, not until they get the toy for--

“Yeah, it’s them officer,” an employee of the toy store remarks.

Alex & Elizabeth stop fighting to see Mall Security has surrounded the train. The two look at each other nervously.

____________________

A few minutes later Alex and Elizabeth get tossed out of the mall by security, none of them ending up getting the toy in the end.

“I should’ve just shopped online,” Elizabeth groans.

“Tell me about it,” Alex sighs.

Happy Holidays & See You Next Special!~