It has been seven years since that night. Corey was now twelve years old and Trina was sixteen. Both siblings have changed so much over those seven years.

Corey showed Trina an alternate way to use her soul capture device. Since the humans saw it as a normal book and pen, she could transfer most of her powers to her prized weapon as a way of controlling her powers. It worked, and she didn't appear to explode into green slime ever again. She still kept her promise to Corey and kept on torturing Mina, but she was now very hostile towards him. After all, she had to repress her nice side if she wanted become the next ruler of the Underworld.

As for Corey, he changed a lot. He and Laney were still friends, but they added two more people to their group: twin brothers Kin and Kon Kujira. They first met during sixth grade and they were friends ever since. Corey also formed a band with his friends in honor of those animatronic puppets he liked so much. Unfortunately, Carrie and her friends also formed their own band, calling themselves the Newmans (since Newman happened to be Lenny's last name).

The only problem Corey had with his band was that the only inspiration he could have with outstanding lyrics came from his experiences in the Underworld. Trying to hide his true self, Corey decided to use Trina's soul capture device as an inspiration for non-demonic songs. Surprisingly, that plan worked, and Trina didn't suspect a thing.

But what changed the most was Corey's friendship with Laney. While they were still as close as peas and carrots, he couldn't help but feel attracted to her. She changed from a cute little girl to a beautiful twelve-year-old preteen. Not wanting to ruin their friendship, he treated her as one of the guys. Luckily she didn't seem to mind that. One instance came from that one time the band wanted to perform at a wedding. Yes, that was one night Corey would never forget...

Corey looked at his reflection in his bedroom mirror. Since the wedding was a formal occasion, he had to look his best. So he wore pale blue dress shirt, a faded blue vest, and a light blue tie along with his favorite shorts and sneakers. He even combed his hair for the occasion.

"I can do this," Corey thought. "I've known Laney for seven years. She's going to wear a dress, but she's still my friend." He took a deep breath. "A very beautiful friend with pretty red hair."

"Corey!" Mrs. Riffin called from downstairs. "Laney is here!"

"Coming!" Corey called back. But before he left his room, he texted a quick message to Kin. It read 'At least show up for some cake.'.

When Corey walked down the stairs, he saw Laney standing by the doorway. To his relief, she was wearing a slightly girlier version of her latest outfit. Her hair might have looked shorter, but Corey knew it was a shampoo brand she was recently using.

"Hey Core," Laney said. "Not bad."

Corey walked up to his best friend. "Thanks Lanes," he said. "You look great too."

"I can't believe you're performing at a wedding," Mrs. Riffin told her son. "Seems like it was only yesterday you were still in those kitten years."

"Good thing you stopped behaving like a cat when we became friends," Laney said with a smile.

"Yep!" Corey replied, trying not to look nervous. "Glad those years are behind me!" Laney was the only friend who knew about Corey's behavior seven years ago. The two didn't tell Kin and Kon because it was their little secret. Of course the Newmans knew about it as well, but that's a whole other issue.

When Corey and Laney arrived at the wedding, they were greeted by Barney, the father of the bride. "Okay, make me puke for love or you ain't gettin' on that stage," he said.

Laney spoke first. "Well in one day, we picnicked in the park, strolled on the beach, shared a milkshake, and went through the Tunnel of Love."

Barney didn't respond, leaving Corey to talk about what else he and Laney did earlier today. But what to say? What Laney said wasn't what demons like him considered romantic. At least it was the first time he tried a milkshake, and it was a chocolate one. He only had one sip, which lasted for about thirty minutes. He still loved eating chocolate, even though he originally wanted a banana milkshake.

Luckily after leaving the Tunnel of Love, Laney let Corey show him what he considered romantic. They poured red packets of Kool Aid into a local river (as a makeshift River of Dripping Blood) and drank from the red-colored water at the same time, took turns slapping a piece of wood, ate a small handful of dandelion seeds, and pricked their pinkies with a sewing needle. But he couldn't tell Barney that! So instead, the young demon recalled what happened when he and Laney came back to the garage after doing those demon love gestures.

"And, we were so in love that we ignored our friends, broke up the band, and had a fight. About nothing!"

Barney reacted to that. "Sounds like love to me!" he said. "Hit the stage, yous crazy kids!"

Corey and Laney high fived one another before walking onto the stage. While the song they were planning on singing was for Kin and Kon, Corey wrote the lyrics for Laney. The song was secretly for her and only her. He silently hoped she didn't figure it out.

"This one goes out to two very special people," Corey said. "Our best friends, Kin and Kon." When a spotlight shined on the twins, Corey and Laney got off the stage and walked towards their friend as the began singing.

Corey: There used to be a love between us

Laney: Then suddenly that love was gone

Corey: Now everywhere I turn you're missing

Laney: Like a hairless cat it feels so wrong

Corey: I let we
Be about me

Laney: And I let us fall apart

Corey: Wrong is what I know I'll always be

Laney: Can we de-end and restart

Both: Please come back
Please come back

Corey: My life without you ain't worth jack

Laney: I threw you away

Corey: Like a pile of old stuff

Laney: I'd take all the blame

Both: But I've had enough
I'm nothing without you
Well maybe not nothing but a whole lot less
It's true...

When the song was finished, Corey and Laney waited for a response. Sure enough, Kin and Kon shed tears of joy as the four friends embraced in a group hug. "We'll never be apart again!" Kon exclaimed.

Yes, Corey Riffin has changed so much since he left his home in the Underworld. He went from a demon who was slowly maturing to a human being with true friends. He used small portions of his powers a few times, but it wasn't enough to cause suspicion. While he did love his life as a human, he was still afraid of the day Laney, Kin, and Kon would discover his true form. He made sure they never found out, even if it hurt him.

After all, he had to do it for the beautiful human girl named Laney.

The End