Disclaimer: I don't own DP.

Thanks to all of you reviewers out there. The sequel to this story, "The D Factor", isn't starting for a little while yet. Once I've seen "Reign Storm" and TUE, you'll be seeing it soon after.

Sorry if this chapter seems short, but it's basically just a prep. for the next couple chapters afterwards. The others'll be longer, trust me.Here's chapter 18!

Chapter 18 (Final Phase: The Storm Approaches)

"THE TIME HAS COME, MY WARRIORS," Sassamashin grated, "THE WHITE GHOST HAS PLAGUED MY PRESENCE FOR TOO LONG. NOW HIS FALL MUST COME!"

Howls of approval and bloodlust greeted his ears as the creatures he towered over worked themselves into a frenzy.

"A NEW POWER IS RISING, AND ITS VICTORY IS AT HAND!" he roared, "THIS DAY, THE LANDS SHALL BE STAINED WITH THE BLOOD OF JAPAN! FLY TO HITORI! LEAVE NONE ALIVE!"

He waited a moment as the noise died down slightly, then roared, "TO WAR!"

OOOOO

"Okay, here's my plan," I said, laying out a map of my battle strategy, "It's been one solid week of training and preparation, and Sassamashin will be attacking within days, possibly hours. So let's run over our battle plan once more."

"Dynastina, you and Black Fist take charge of Arms 1. Typhonus, you're in charge of the 5th Seige Unit. Strike at the largest mass of enemies you can detect."

"Tarra and Tanna, provide support wherever it's needed most. Meiyorn, you're in charge of Fighter Squad 2, and stick to flyby attacks in weak areas."

"Eunagi, you and Haiiro-kun take control of the 3rd infantry battalion. Shiro, Umbrus, Arrean and Kitaiyou are with me."

"I don't need to stress how important this battle is. Not just one world relies on our victory, but both of them. Which is why I'm giving you each these," I handed each of them a small collar, "So long as your more evil intentions remain bent on the enemy, these are going to magnify your powers tenfold."

"And if we turn on our own forces?" Dynastina asked as she traced a finger around the engraved logo on the metal clip of the collar.

"Then you'll get sucked right back into the Ghost Zone," I answered flatly. As they attached their collars I asked, "Kitaiyou, if you would come with me a moment?"

I opened the door and let him pass through first. I closed the door behind us and said, "You've grown stronger since our last meeting?"

"The power you used to defeat me the last time we met wouldn't save you now," he answered cryptically, a hand on the butt of his sword, "Though given your... "altered" appearance, I would assume correctly that you no longer rely on that power alone, would I not?"

"You would," I replied. I paced to the opposite side of the room and watched a small school of fish swimming around the aquarium.

"Normally I wouldn't dare ask this of you, Kitaiyou, but I require a guide. Someone who will lead me directly to Sassamashin himself."

"You want me to guide you into his waiting claws?" Kitaiyou asked, a certain tone of surprise in his voice. I nodded, and he answered, "Very well. Now, given that there will be a battle going on here, I presume that you'll choose that time to disembark?"

"You know my plans almost as well as I do," I replied, turning to face him. Before I could blink his sword flicked out and rested lightly on my throat. Unfortunately I noticed that his neck didn't have its collar on.

"Understand this," Kitaiyou said with a flat hiss in his voice, "Sassamashin is a thousand times stronger than you could ever imagine. There is a very good reason his name means "King of Demons". We have one chance at destroying him, and I don't intend for you to screw it up. If you die, we're all doomed, and that's just where your confidence is going to get us. Treat him as he should be treated. Understood?" I understood why Kitaiyou was saying this, which was why I didn't deal him harm.

"Yes. I understand."

"Good," he said dryly, sheathing his sword, "Then let us steel ourselves for war."

I'll never forget the moment he said that.

OOOOO

"You called me, Hanlin?" I asked as I emerged from the elevator shaft. I would've just flown down, but the walls were phase-proof, and for good reason.

"Yes, sir," Hanlin said, eyeing me over his glasses, "I'd just like to introduce you to an old friend..."

OOOOO

The stares I received as I entered the stadium, now with a removable announcement platform, told me what I already knew. I was armed and armored for the battle that would shake the world to its knees, and not one person there, from the lowliest foot soldier to the mightiest specter, doubted it.

"MY FRIENDS, MY ALLIES," my voice boomed across the space, "MY KIN, THE TIME HAS COME. THE TEST OF MAN'S QUALITY IS UPON US. A GREAT EVIL FALLS UPON OUR LAND, AND IT IS UP TO US TO DEFEND IT!"

My pronouncement was greeted with a huge roar of approval as two thousand voices thundered on my ears.

I waited for the cheers to die before I began again, "I WILL MAKE NO FALSE PRETENSE. NOT ALL OF US WILL SURVIVE THIS BATTLE. I, AND THOSE ACCOMPANYING ME LEAST OF ALL."

A murmur of confusion rippled through the people below. Aside from those I that were coming with me and a select few others, I hadn't told anyone of our plans.

"WHILE YOU, MY STALWART PEOPLE, DEFEND OUR HOME FROM THE SCOURGE OF SASSAMASHIN'S RATS, I AND THOSE FEW ACCOMPANYING ME WILL LAUNCH AN ATTACK UPON THE DEMON HIMSELF!"

For a moment, all was silence. Then a voice shouted from the back, "So you risk your life to save our home, so we will risk our lives to make sure you have a home to return to!"

"AIYE!" they yelled so loud that the room shook.

"FOR HUMANITY!" I yelled. They replied immediately, "FOR HUMANITY!"

"NOW FOR VENGEANCE, NOW FOR VICTORY, AND THE RED DAWN," I howled, my zeal spilling over as I yelled, "NO SURRENDER!"

OOOOO

With my speech delivered enormously well, things got hectic. Everyone was stationed at their posts, ready for the coming battle.

Suzuki showed up himself, ready to do what his rank gave him the right to do. I was impressed with his authority, but I was impressed even more so by those I was to save.

Under my command were two thousand men, with spirit amounting to ten times that number, each and every one willing to give his life to save our world. All we had to do was wait.

OOOOO

"YES, COME TO ME, MY PRIZE, COME TO YOUR DESTINY..."

OOOOO

"Tir!" I was shaken lightly, and awoke to find Ronnie shaking me into wakefulness. "It's almost time."

I stood up and watched the horizon. The world seemed so different at daybreak. The moon was just setting as I made my way to the front.

Umbrus greeted me, garbed in his own suit, the Hellhound.As I approached the frontlines I removed my mask, admiring the view, although my eyes were telling me what I needed to know. They were close.

The silence was intense as the sky turned brighter in the east. A tension that was so thick you could cut it with a knife settled over the entire valley. Not a sound was made.The people that had once filled the streets with bustle and activity were gone, having been evacuated over a week past. The entire area was as silent as the grave.

It was then that I realized it. So few would survive this ordeal that the town of Hitori would become a tomb. A tomb for the two thousand warriors it now contained.

The sun rose red. As it ascended further into the sky I could see them, flying low to the ground. The winged vermin of the Underworld. Small creatures as they were their numbers were enormous. The sky was thick with them in the east and north.

"Hold your ground!" commanders roared in the background to their troops. Soon the sky was filled with cawing and screeching cries, the like of which I'd never even heard before.

The birds flew closer, their screeching cries flooding our ears, until they were just within reach...

"NOW!" Suzuki roared. The sky was ablaze as fifty huge explosions blew hundreds of the birds to pieces.When the light cleared, however, there were still many more birds to destroy, despite the fact we'd eliminated two thirds of their fighting force in one moment.

I immediately turned to those coming with me and said, "We'd best get moving while those demon birds are distracted!"

We mobilized under cover of battle.

XXXXX

And so the battle begins! The climactic clash of the titans is under way! Finally the sword is drawn! But upon whom shall the sword fall? Find out in Chapter 19, coming soon to a computer near you!