"You dare to make war on these people without my blessing?" Mars asked in a not so polite manner as he swung his battle-axe down upon General Dracos, who blocked the blow with his sword.

"I do not answer to you, God of War," Dracos snarled as he watched Cerberus approach his opponent from behind.

"No, you don't, foul beast," Artemis screamed as he leaped into the air and brought his sword down in a slashing motion across the head of Cerberus over his left eye that caused the beast to yelp in pain.

"Cerberus!" General Dracos cried out as he teleported himself and the beast away.

As his battle-axe vanished from his hand, Ryoji rushed over to where Tuxedo Kamen held Rei's limp body.

"How is she, Mamoru?"

The other man shook his head. "I was able to heal the wound, but she is weak from blood loss. She will need rest."

"My place is only a few blocks from here," Makoto spoke in an urgent tone of voice, "we can take her there."

"Well, let's be off," Ryoji stated as he bent down and lifted Rei into his arms. The group then retreated to Makoto's home.

Deep with in the Underworld General Dracos appeared with a wounded Cerberus by his side as a voice boomed out from the darkness. "What harm have you allowed to fall my loyal Cerberus General Dracos?"

General Dracos fell to one knee as he bowed before his master. "Forgive me, my Lord. There were complications I could not foresee."

"Explain, General Draco."

"Mars, the God of War, he intervened on behalf of the humans."

"Impossible! The Gods have left this plane of existence!"

"I have seen him with my own eyes, my Lord, battled him with my own two hands."

"This changes nothing! If the God of War chooses to stand with these humans, then surely he shall perish with them. Now come, General, we have battle plans to draw up."

"Yes, my Lord." General Dracos followed the voice of his master into the darkness.

Makoto and Ryoji walked out of her bedroom with looks of relief on their faces as Minako rushed up and took Makoto by the hands.

"How is she?" Minako asked.

"She is resting for now," Makoto sadly responded.

Artemis walked up to Ryoji and kneeled before him before bowing his head. "Lord Mars, it is an honor to fight beside you once more."

Ryoji placed his hand on Artemis' shoulder.

"You may stand, my friend."

As Artemis rose to his feet, Ryoji embraced his friend in a hug. "It is good to see you once more, my friend."

The scene is that of a beautiful garden where Rei walked hand in hand with Ryoji. As they stopped under a tree, Ryoji smiled at Rei before he dropped down to one knee and pulled a small box from his jacket pocket. He opened the box to reveal a diamond ring.

"Rei Hino, will you marry me?"

"Yes, I'll marry you Ryoji!" she cried out in happiness as he placed the ring on her finger. He then stood and kissed her softly. "Princess of Mars, you have made me the happiest being in existence."

Rei's eyes go wide with shock at his words. "Ryoji, you know?"

Ryoji smiled brightly at her as he stroked her soft cheek. "There is nothing about your life that I do not know, my love."

"I'm truly sorry I was unable to aid you during the war with the Dark Kingdom, my friends."

"Why were you not there with us, Ryoji?" Usagi asked in a curious tone.

"There we those of us Gods who wanted to intervene on behalf of the Moon Kingdom, including your grandmother, the Goddess Venus, Minako."

"My grandmother?" Minako asked as a look of shock fell across her face.

"Yes. Your grandmother was Venus, the Goddess of Love. Do not worry, Minako. Over time your memories will return just as Artemis' have." Artemis took his young lover's hand in his own and gave it a light squeeze.

"I don't understand. Why did the Gods not come to our aid?" Mamoru turned from where he stood looking out the widow as he addressed the question to Ryoji.

"You have to understand. Though my people hold a love for the human race, they are also petty and jealous. Lord Jupiter forbade any interference in the war between the Moon Kingdom and the Dark Kingdom."

"So you just fell in line like sheep?" Makoto pointed an accusing finger at Ryoji.

"Some of us, such as Venus, were opposed to Jupiter's edict, but she was also opposed to war. So she refused to act, even in defense of her own granddaughter. As for me, as I prepared to enter the battle, Jupiter had me imprisoned in the Underworld where Pluto acted as my jailer until such time as the war was over. I had feared I lost all my friends as well as my beloved fiancée for all eternity."

"Fiancée?" Usagi's jaw nearly dropped to the floor out of pure shock.

"Rei and I were to be married during the Silver Millennium. After I lost her, my heart never healed. Recently, I discovered she had been reborn here on Earth, along with the rest of you. I had to be sure she was the same Rei I feel in love with centuries ago."

"That is so sweet." Tears rolled down Usagi's face as she held on tightly to Mamoru's arm.

A coughing sound can be heard as Ami clears her throat. "I do not mean to interrupt all this romantic talk, but we have more urgent matters to discuss, like this General Dracos. Who exactly is he?"

Ryoji and Artemis exchange glances before Artemis spoke up. "General Dracos is the least of our worries. It is his master that concerns me."

"I don't understand, Artemis." Luna furrows her borrow at her friend.

"Senshi, we face an enemy more powerful then any we have ever faced."

"What are you saying, Artemis?" Minako asked as she turned to look her lover in the eyes.

"What he is saying, Minako, is that our enemy is Death himself. We face the Lord of the Underworld, Pluto, God of Death!"

A stunned silence fell across the room as a look of shock fell across each of their faces at the startling revelation.

To Be Continued