SailorStar9: And we continue with Chapter 109. of this fic. (Sighs) Guys and girls, is it too hard for you to leave a review, instead of just putting this fic up on your favorited list and story alerts?

Disclaimers: I own nothing, except for the plot bunny and my OCs.

Chapter 109: Erza vs. Sagittarius! Horseback Showdown!

"There will be three matches." Eclipse Sagittarius informed his opponent. "Whoever wins the first two is the victor. Agreed?"

"Sure." Erza agreed, donning on her samurai armor. "Seem in this light, the scenery's actually pretty atmospheric. I have to admit, my fighting spirit is building up."

"We're both soldiers." Eclipse Sagittarius stated. "I figured as long as we're going to be fighting, I should set the mood."

"I see." Erza mused. "You're the type that starts from the style. I sense a similarity to me in you."

"Let us have a supreme showdown in a superlative setting." Eclipse Sagittarius remarked.

"I have no objections to that." Erza concurred. "I just wish we had an audience."

"I couldn't bear to let other people see you lose so ingloriously, Erza-dono." Eclipse Sagittarius replied. "I have at least that much sympathy for you."

"Those are fighting words." Erza grinned.

"Then let us have a fair..." Eclipse Sagittarius declared.

"Fight!" Erza finished the sentence.

Meanwhile, the Gajeel-turned hamster, having escaped from Eclipse Gemini, had somehow successfully turned the Twins' animal-changing powers back on them and taking them out with an 'Iron Dragon's Club'. Gripping the key with his paws, he shut the gate.

"Sagittarius, there's something I want to ask you before we begin our fight." Erza voiced. "I've heard that even if you succeed with the Liberum rite and attain freedom, you'll only receive a mere 12 days. After that, you'll die. Even so, do you still seek freedom, Sagittarius?"

"Even if it's only for 12 days, if I gain the freedom of release from a human's contract, then I will have no regrets." Eclipse Sagittarius replied.

"Before you changed into these forms, all of you were bound to Lucy by a friendship that transcended contracts." Erza reminded. "Don't you think you're making a mistake?"

"I have no memories of the past." Eclipse Sagittarius replied. "Right now, friendship with a human only sounds like a falsehood to us."

"Even now, Lucy wants to save all of you." Erza argued.

"Say what you will, I will not be stopped now." Eclipse Sagittarius held firm. "That is the way of the warrior."

"You're immovable, huh?" Erza sighed.

"There will be three matches." Eclipse Sagittarius laid down the rules. "Whoever wins two first is the victor. Agreed? The first match will be over there." he pointed to the two boats in the water.

"Horseback archery?" Erza spotted the two fans. "Interesting." and summoned an iron horse.

"I will go first." Eclipse Sagittarius galloped off and fired his arrow, hitting its mark. "I lost this one." he admitted, Erza's twin arrows hitting both fans. "However, there are still two matches left. This showdown is still in the air. The one who races to the finish line first is the winner." he stated, both contestants were now on one end of a racetrack. "Then, on your mark, get set... go! Goal!" he ran to the finish line before Erza. "The third match is... this!" he slammed a spear into the sand. "A competition between two armed warriors on horseback. This is the decisive battle. Land mines are buried here and there on this beach. I do not know their exact locations myself. Let us both be careful." he cautioned. "You parried well." he noted, Erza defended against his blow. "But how about this?" he struck hard. "IS it not getting harder to hold that lance? You are skilled." he praised, Erza dodging his next blow and struck, which he parried off. "But not as skilled as me. Losing your steed guarantees inevitable defeat." he rested his spear at Erza, her horse having dematerialized due to stepping on a land mine. "Have the good grace to surrender. Moving carelessly will only make you fall prey to the mines." he galloped towards Erza who had set off two more mines and disarmed the swordswoman. "How insolent!" he snapped, trying to shake Erza off his back. "I do not care to have women riding on my back!"

"It's easier to ride this way." Erza grinned, requipping her cowgirl suit. Putting a muzzle around Eclipse Sagittarius' mouth, she flailed him with her riding corp. "I believe we're now in the clear." she jumped off Eclipse Sagittarius after reclaiming her Lightning Spear. Forcing the archer back with her rapid thrusts, she made him back into a land mine, setting the explosive off. "That's the game, Sagittarius." she declared, seeing the fallen archer after the smoke cleared. "I'll close the gate." she shut Eclipse Sagittarius' gate with the glowing key.

SailorStar9: Now that's done, read and review.