Author's Note: First Event Twist!

Chapter 5: Guardian Angel

Dante and Nelo clashed and battled, with Dante once again emerging victorious. As before, Nelo signed before leaving: You must spin the wheel, return to the beginning but beware, not all is as it seems. Dante blinked but knew this was a clue to where he needed to go next. Dante continued, gaining power, new Devil Arms and growing anxious to have his son safely back in his arms at home. He was grateful that although Nelo was on Mundus' payroll, that he played by his own rules. Nero was safe and that was a huge comfort for Dante.

Nelo Angelo walked painfully slow into the room but stopped when he saw Trish with the frightened boy in her grip.

What are you doing? Put the boy down!

"He will fall beautifully into my plan." Trish said. "You have grown soft Nelo. Do you care for the child?" She squeezed him and Nero sobbed. This made Nelo upset.

Stop! You're hurting him!

"Oh, that is sweet, the Commander of Hell's Legion having a soft spot for a mere child…."

"Nelo! Help!" Nero yelped. The demon knight fired a projectile at the She-Devil who became startled and dropped Nero. Nero scurried behind Nelo's cape and for a moment this pulled the heart strings of both combatants before they went at each other again. Nero hid, remaining behind the Knight. Nelo made sure he didn't let Nero out of his sight.

"Give him to me Nelo!"

NEVER!

"I command it!"

You have no hold over me.

"Our Master does, and I come on his orders."

He won't have him either! He's just a child! Nelo Angelo was zapped with red lightening and the boy was lifted.

"NELO!" Nero cried out as he reached towards the fallen Knight. "How could you do that you punk bitch!?"

"THOSE EYES, SAME AS SPARDA'S BUT ON A CHILD….." Mundus said. "AND THIS IS DANTE'S BOY?"

"Yes, my Master."

"AND IT SEEMS THAT VERGIL'S TRAITS ARE COMING TO THE SURFACE." Mundus said. "THE CHILD WILL COME WITH ME. HE WILL BE THE PERFECT LURE FOR HIS FATHER!" Nero tried to get out of the grip, but Mundus knocked him out. The trio left the fallen Knight in the room, Nero's sobs and begging echoing through the hall.

Later, Dante made his way to the room where the Quicksilver was needed and unlocked it. He walked in and saw Nelo watching outside the window. He smelled Nero but he also smelled his son's tears.

"Nelo, what happened?"

Trish and Mundus came here and stolen Nero away. I fought for him, but Mundus used bad form, knocked me out. He knocked Nero out too. Now the child is in the Underworld. You must battle one more time to continue. The key you need can not be seen without defeating me. Dante nodded and bowed his head.

"Thank you for taking care of him and for fighting for him, protecting him…."

It was my pleasure and privilege. I have one request: Continue what you're doing. Let us begin. After dismissing his helmet, the newly revealed Vergil summoned up his energy swords and cast them at Dante who dodged and countered. They clashed and fought but Dante was more determined, his power grew, and his heart pounded in his ears. His tears ran down his face as he cleaved his beloved twin down for the final time. Vergil went then vanished in blue violet light, leaving his half of the amulet behind. Dante picked it up and removed his from around his neck, placing them together. The Force Edge transformed into the Sparda sword and Dante's power and trigger upgraded! A way out appeared, and Dante knew where he had to go next, the Underworld! Nero, Daddy's coming. Hang on Kid!

Damn this dude loves white marble sheesh. Dante thought as he walked through the throne room after dealing with Trish and waking up a big ass heart. He saw the big statue and Dante knew from the aura that he was standing before his mother's killer, his beloved twin's tormentor, his son's abductor and possibly the one who suckered his father! He shed tears for his parents and his heart ached for Vergil. He still loved him. In private, Dante had fantasied that he had Vergil with him, and they had a bustling nest.

As kids they played house and Dante was always the Dad, bringing home the bacon and Vergil always stayed home with the kids. Eva found it adorable but Sparda, although amused, knew somehow, it wasn't going to happen like that. Dante remembered the raised questioning eyebrow, the slight smirk and the occasional playful teasing when Dante went out, "'Flowers, boy! Don't forget the flowers!'" or "'Don't forget the eggs, milk and bread!'" While Sparda laughed Eva just smirked and handed him a list and sent out the door with Dante with a "'Have fun Dear.'" Dante snickered while his father mock growled a "'Shut up, boy.'" Damn his old man was a dick! Now I know where I it from….

Mundus could not believe the aura and attitude of the red clad Devil Hunter. It was like Sparda all over again! The boy even had the cocky smirk. What did Sparda do, shoot himself out?! Mundus thought to himself. Even the defiance is the same!

"AGAIN, I HAVE TO FACE A SPARDA…THIS MAKES THREE…. WELL IF YOU COUNTED THE CHILD….."

"Where is my son?" Dante asked. Mundus aimed a light beam and Dante saw Nero, his sweet little boy, hanging over the doorway. He was unharmed thankfully.

"Daddy!"

"Nero!"

"Don't move, you even blink, he dies."

"Is this how you get your fucking rocks off…"

"DADDY!" Nero reminded the Hunter who winced and felt his wallet cry. He did it again!

"I owe you when we get back!"

"DEAL! NOW KICK HIS ASS DADDY!"

"THAT'S MY BOY!" Dante crowed. Mundus tried to aim a beam at the child, but it got deflected and Nero was freed. He yelped as he fell but a blur of black and blue with purple caught and held the child before taking a knee. Mundus was flabbergasted. Dante was just shocked.

"NELO!" Nero cried as he hugged the Demon Knight.

Are you hurt?

No, but you are….. Nero signed as he went to help the Knight who shook his head.

It'll heal, stay behind me and her. Nelo signed before pointing to Trish who pushed Dante out of the way of another hit. Hm, second thought, stay behind me.

OK

"Vergil stay with him!" Dante ordered. "I got this toga wearing pain in the ass bitch!"

"DADDY!"

"SHIT!"

"YOU DID IT AGAIN!" Nero cried with laughter. Nelo chuckled weakly.

What did he do?

We have a swear jar at home and I'm racking in the dollars from Daddy's mouth. Nero grinned and Nelo chuckled again.

Clever boy….

Thank you!

As soon as the room quaked, the group ran out of there but when they were trapped Nelo soothed a sobbing Nero who hugged him tight.

Dante squared off against Mundus again, sending him back with a charge shot seal. Dante, Trish took the seats and Nelo handed `Nero to his father.

Time to go home Nero.

"Nelo, what about you?"

You are such a sweet child. Promise me you will never change, no matter what.

I promise…..but come with us…..please…..

I can't…. Maybe one day, you will see me again.

How will I know it's you? Nero sniffled. Nelo lightly tapped the child over his heart.

You'll know. I'll always be with you. Dante bit back a sob and willed himself not to cry. He had a plane to pilot.

"Vergil….." He whispered tearfully.

Dante, go! NOW! The younger twin nodded and piloted the plane. Nero kept looking at the Demon Knight until he could not see him again. Goodbye.

The trio made it to Devil May Cry and Dante settled his son into bed after he cleaned him up and put his night clothes on. After his own shower and dressing in his own pajamas, Dante hugged his son close and snuggled down, silent tears from both father and son fell for their guardian angel.

Maybe one day, you will see me again….