Another Universe 2023 Version

11.

"Open the portal."
"I can't." Y/n raises an eyebrow in confusion.
"Why not?"
"There's not enough space." Suddenly F/n interrupts them. "Will a roof do?" Nero nods. "Follow me."

Y/n and Nero follow after F/n trying to sneak past everyone as best as they can.
"Is there any way you could possibly get rid of that sword", F/n asks. "No, I need it."
"Nero, swords aren't common every day items here. We have to find a way around the dance."
"The fire escape." Y/n raises an eyebrow at her friend's knowledge. "What, I had a few dates up there."

After a few minutes of walking they finally find an empty corridor in the building. "Alright. The fire escape should be at the end of this hall."
"Thank you, F/n. I don't know what I would do without you."
"You'd be dead, Y/n."
"Probably." The friends smile at each other.
"Don't die on me, okay", F/n says as she pulls Y/n into a hug. "I'll try my best."
"And don't take too long."

F/n returns to the dance while Y/n and Nero run for the fire escape leading up to the roof.
As they reach the top of the building they finally know why F/n had many dates up here. It seems to be a popular make out spot. "They're distracted", Y/n mumbles dragging Nero behind her.
"I've never seen so many people kiss at once", He says clearly weirded out by the dating culture in Y/n's universe. "Well, for events like these it's normal."
"Normal?" Y/n drags Nero to the only quiet place left on the roof.

"Okay, will this do?"
"It'll have to." Nero pulls out a device from his pocket. "Did Nico make that?"
"Yup. This will get us back somehow."
"You don't know how to use it?"
"Of course I do."

He continues typing around on the device until it starts beeping. "Got it." He grabs Y/n's waist and holds her close while holding out the device in front of him. "Here we go."
"Wait, how did you find me anyway?" Nero's cheeks turn red.
"I asked Nico to put a locator in your phone."
"You little-"

Suddenly the scenery in front of them rips apart exposing a new and familiar universe behind the tear. "Ready", Nero asks while looking at Y/n only to see fear in her e/c eyes. "Y/n..."
"Nero, I'm scared." He calmly smiles at her.
"Y/n, this is different. This isn't Urizen forcing you to go somewhere. It's you who holds the power this time."

Y/n stares at the tear without a word.
"Do you trust me", Nero asks and Y/n nods.
"Let me help you." Y/n finally looks into his loving eyes. "You're safe. I promise."

She gulps down the lump in her throat and holds onto Nero's coat tightly, scared of being ripped away as they cross over. "Okay, I'm ready."

A tingling feeling rushes through Y/n's body as she puts one foot through the portal. Finally with enough courage she takes another step now fully entering the portal and leaving her world once again.

Instead of a dark void she finds the familiar van with neon lights. "You did it", Nero says with a bright smile.

Suddenly the door of the van bursts open.
"If that isn't Mother Maria. Y/n!" Nico jumps into Y/n's arms. "Thank god!"
"I missed you too, Nico", Y/n chuckles. They break the hug resulting in Nico eyeing the woman from head to toe. "What the hell are you wearing?"
"I just came from a dance." Nico's eyes light up finally having a reason to tease Nero again.
"Was your date hot?"
"Okay, that's enough, Nico", Nero intervenes.
"She is quite a catch."

All three of them turn around to find Dante, Trish and Lady leaning against the van.
"Dante", Y/n exclaims in confusion.
"I know you're supposed to be here but it is a surprise."

Dante raises an eyebrow. "So this is the girl you've been talking about?"
"Back off, Dante." Dante raises his hands innocently after Nero's threat. "Woah there, kid."
"True love stories never have happy endings",
V suddenly says appearing out of nowhere.
"Let's hope you're the exception."

Nero scrunches his nose in anger, feeling mocked by their commentary.

"Okay, that's enough", Y/n says finally setting in end to this. "While you guys are fighting Urizen is on his way to eat the Qliphoth fruit. Get on with it already!"

Shocked by her sudden words Dante straightens his posture. "The girl's right. Let's go."

Nero turns to Y/n taking her hands in the process. "Stay with Nico. I can't afford to loose you again."
"You won't. Good luck and don't die."
Y/n then leans forward and gives Nero a kiss on the cheek.
He chuckles. "Why the cheek?"
"So you have something to look forward to."

In the van Y/n watches Nero jump after V and Dante. "They'll be fine", Nico says slapping Y/n's arm playfully. "I know. I'm still allowed to worry though."
"Sure you are", Lady suddenly says.
"So, another universe, huh? How exciting", Trish chimes in.
"Oh, it's not that interesting. By the way, Nico. Do you have any spare clothes?"
"In the back, hun."

After finally changing out of her dress Y/n looks for useful gadget she could use. She unfortunately lost her gun in the process of falling back into her universe.

"I have a spare rocket launcher."
"Thanks, Lady, but I don't think I could handle a weapon like that." She tilts her head in confusion. "Your people don't use guns?"
"Why does everybody ask me that?!"

Lady exchanges a confused look with Lady.
"Anyway. Urizen brought you here?" Y/n nods at Trish's question.
"Interesting, he turned us into his pawns and he let you off."
"What are you implying? That I'm a distraction?" Trish crosses her arms in front of her chest.
"That's exactly what I'm implying." Y/n chuckles. "You're the right one to talk."
"What?"

Y/n faces both Lady and Trish.
"Yes, Urizen brought me here as a distraction. Was it my plan to be sucked into another universe? No. Got that?" Both women nod with a satisfied smile.
"Got it."

40 minutes have passed since the three men have left. Suddenly the phone rings and Nico picks it up. "Yup? Gotcha. On my way." That must have been Nero.
According to the clock it's only a matter of time before he faces Malphas and V's body grows weaker. Everything is slowly heading towards the end.

After a short but painful drive of Nico they arrive at Nero's location. "Hey, you made it", He says clearly impressed by Nico's driving skills.
"You doubting me?"
"Never." He fills up his Devil Breakers and his ammunition for his gun. "By the way, Y/n. I found this." He holds out his hand with a familiar gun laying on its palm. "My gun." She takes hit from his hand. "Thought you'd want it back." Y/n smiles at the man in front of her.
"You're the best, Nero." He smirks. "I know."

Suddenly he grabs her hand and pulls her outside the van. "So, about that motivation", He says. As he rests his hands on Y/n's hips. "What makes you think you deserve a reward", Y/n says jokingly as he. Wraps her arms around his neck.
"You're kidding."
"I am-"
Her eyes widen as she suddenly feels Nero's lips crash onto hers. Without a doubt Y/n embraces the gentle yet rough kiss.

A kiss both have been longing for.

Y/n breaks the kiss even though she could stay like this forever. "Nero, you have to go help V", She says cupping his hot and red cheeks, a few pearls of sweat running down his forehead.
"I know", He says pulling her into a hug. "Stay safe", She says.

"You know what's coming, don't you."
"I do so that's why I need you to be careful." He pulls away and smiles at her. "I will."

He turns to look into the direction he was heading towards. Down and towards Malphas where V was already hiding.
"Go, he doesn't have much time."

Nero turns to smile at Y/n before leaving for the next big fight.

With a grin on her face Y/n goes back into the van where the other women are already waiting for her, also with grins on their faces. "So", Lady asks.
"How was it", Trish continues.
"What?"
"The kiss", All three of them yell and Y/n's cheeks turn bright red immediately. "It was..."

Suddenly a cough overcomes her.

He throat suddenly grows drier every second. "You okay there", Nico asks. "Yeah, I'm fine", Y/n says reaching for a water bottle.
"Dry throat, that's all."