Hey hello there everyone! I'm Warmachine375 and I have made another Fairy Tail fanfic story "The Celestial Rune Knight". Honestly, what's wrong me? I'm supposed to be updating my other stories yet I do this, lol. I must be out of my mind! Hehehe. Anyways, I've always usually see stories of Lucy joining Fairy Tail or any other canon Guild but there's this idea of mine about what if she joins the Rune Knights instead.

...Unless I'm wrong of course if it already happened.

Just nitpick me if that's true. Hehehehe.

After remembering how Gajeel, Levy and Pantherlily spending their one-year timeskip until Avatar arc working for the thrice-reformed Magic Council, which was now run by the Ten Wizard Saints with Draculos Hyberion as new Chairman this time, as members of the Rune Knights, I was thinking of this idea and try it out.

Summary: Unlike most AU stories where Lucy Heartfilia always ends up joining the Fairy Tail guild at the beginning of the series, this story shows of Lucy joining the Rune Knights after some members who she had befriended at Hargeon have convinced her and finds out that they're more than just glorified policemen and stuck-up paperpushers she heard them to be as she climbs up to their ranks.

Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail and its characters as they belong to Hiro Mashima yours truly.

Enjoy and don't forget to review. :D

Chapter 1

In the port town of Hargeon, Kingdom of Fiore

At the small fishing port town of Hargeon with a harbor in the Kingdom of Fiore where the townsfolk, fishermen, traders and tourists alike gather there as they go about their everyday lives and business of their own where normal livelihood thrives prosperously there more than Magic since there's only one Magic store just for traveling Mages passing by for items and supplies.

A young petite woman with milk chocolate brown hair that is a little longer than a shoulder length, and green eyes. She wears a blue cloak with hood, a beret, long black socks, and blue military boots alongside a uniform dress with a white collar and a short red tie, with two separate long sleeves that have two heavy metal bands and a long red strap, white gloves, and carries two giant pistols holstered at her waistlines.

Apparently she was just wandering around Hargeon for some sightseeing while also finding her friend who wandered off a bit too far and has yet to be seen.

Entering the only Magic store found in Hargeon and checking some of the antique items commonly used by Mages everywhere coming by that is called the Proper Grocer, the female Guns Mage noticed a blonde girl conversing with the elderly store owner.

She wears a tight white shirt with a blue cross motif and no sleeves where her large chest was tucked inside and bounced against the strained fabric. Along with the pleated blue skirt with a brown leather belt, a ring with a few Gold and silver keys, an actual black whip with a heart shape at its tip, black shin high boots, thin waist with a firm stomach and curved hips.

O-oh, she must be a C-celestial Spirit wizard. I-it's rare to see one of them around Fiore in the Council archives..., the milk chocolate brown-haired young girl noticed before feeling glum in depression upon noticing the woman's D-cup chest and a bombshell figure. A-and she has big boobs…. Why me?...

"What?!", the busty woman said with surprise to the old man, slamming her hands on the desk. "You mean to tell me there's only one Magic store in this whole town?"

"'Fraid so.", the old man told her. "The people around here are more fishin' folk than Magic folk. I reckon most people in town don't even know how to use Magic. I built this shop to sell to the wizards that happen to be passing through."

"Aw man. I can't believe I came all the way here for nothing.", she said in disappointment.

"Now, now, don't say that little lady.", the Proper Grocer owner reassured as he dug behind the desk and brought out a Magic Item. "I have all the greatest goods. Let me show you. This Colors Magic is popular and all the young girls seem to like it. It lets you change the colors of your clothes anytime you want."

The item in question was a small pink tablet and the old man did some fiddling on the dial on the front, which a green Magic circle formed in front of him.

"Purple!", he shouted excitedly with a wave of his hand and just like that, his clothes turned purple. With another handwave, the colors of his clothes changed once again. "Green!"

"I already have one of those.", the blonde woman waved off the offer. "What I really wanted are some powerful Gate Keys."

M-me too. I already have one too as well... S-so she wants powerful Gate Keys? H-here in this town of all places?, the petite girl seemed to agree in her mind and was curious as she watched the large breasted teen's complexion change to one of excitement after looking at a small key.

"Oh wow! It's The Little Doggy!", she said excitedly as the Proper Grocer manager told her that the spirit summoned by the silver key in his store's possession is not strong but she didn't mind and wanted to have keep one of them as a pet. "So how much is it for the key?", she then asked.

"Twenty thousand Jewels.", the owner said as he was happy that he was able to do business with his customers.

"... I'm sorry. How much is that?", the blonde Celestial Spirit Mage asked again one more time in case she was hearing it wrong as her complexion seemed to darken ominously.

"Twenty thousand Jewels.", the store owner repeated the exact price again with the same smile.

Obviously unsatisfied and clearly desperate for a lower price to obtain a regular old silver Celestial Spirit, the busty teen tried to use her, um, assets with a sexy pose to try convince the old man to lower the cost of... just 1,000 Jewels. Apparently, this surprises the female Guns Mage that the busty teen have failed to um... persuade the old man to change his mind despite her voluptuous body.

Guess fate must be kind to me... Although I feel sorry for her. Maybe I can help her..., she thought.

"U-um… c-can I pay for that? I-I have the right amount right here.", Amber softly spoke out that surprised the two who didn't know of her presence until now as she shyly showed a big wad of Jewels on the palm of her hand.

Outside of the Local Magic Store Proper Grocer

"Oh thank you so much! This means so much to me! How can I ever repay you!", the busty woman cried in thanks as she hugged her into her bosom, feeling so grateful that the Silver Gate Key of Minor Nikora has been purchases although it still annoys the former that her sex appeal and a body of a sexy model is worth a 1,000 Jewels but that didn't stop her from being grateful to someone who helped her and wanted to make friends with her.

Blushing in embarrassment and feeling the plumpness of the girl's chest, the milk chocolate brown haired girl timidly replied, "U-uh, you're welcome. I-it's nothing really. Y-you really seem to want that key and I-I thought I could help you by paying for it."

"My name is Lucy. What's your name?", the blonde teen introduced herself, extending her hand of friendship.

Taking Lucy's hand and shook it, the petite woman made her introduction too as well, "M-my name is Amber. Amber Celadon. Nice to meet you, Miss Lucy."

"Just call me Lucy. Nice to meet you too as well.", she told her before commented. "You did surprise me back there. I didn't know you were there until you spoke up to pay for the Gate key for me."

"I-I apologize for that.", Amber answered, simply bowing down to her.

"It's alright really. But thanks again.", Lucy smiled.

"Oh there you are, Amber! I've been looking everywhere for ya! Ya made me worried there, darling. I'd almost lost ya there in this outback town when we first got here.", a male voice with an accent that sounded him like a redneck that got both girls' attention as they turned out to see the man behind them.

A tall muscular mulleted man with grayish-blue eyes and long flowing white hair. He wears a yellow vest adorning the double R in capital letters on his left side, as well as tiny gray suspenders worn underneath his vest, green trousers, black boots with ribbed tips, brown gloves, as well as a gray and yellow baseball cap with the same RR logo on its front.

He seems to have always sported a confident smug smirk on his face.

"M-mr. Tyson! I'm relieved you have found me. S-sorry for making you worry!", Amber meekly apologized as she repeatedly bowed.

Chuckling in good humor, Tyson rubbed the petite girl's head after taking off her beret. "Nah, it's alright darling! Just glad you're safe and sound. And lookie here, you've made a friend while I was gone.", he said before noticing Lucy.

"Howdy there darling, I'm Tyson Hammer. Look at my trucker hat. What's yours?", he gave his proper introduction with his trucker hat showing off to see and removed his glove for a handshake.

Weirded out at first by his preferences of trucker hats, the Celestial Spirit Mage extended a hand regardless which he shook it in return. "I'm Lucy. Nice to meet you Mr. Tyson. You're a friend of Amber?", she asked curiously.

"Yup, an ol' acquaintance of mine yessiree. We were having a little job of searching a certain someone in this little ol' town here down South of Fiore. Amber here went a little side-tracked with the folks a few hours ago and got lost until I found you darling with her.", the silver-haired man replied as he put his glove back on while giving the flustered girl the noogie after taking off her beret again.

"I-it's alright, Mr. Tyson r-really! I d-didn't r-run into tr-trouble...", the girl with milk chocolate brown hair stammered which her partner smirked in response as he put her hat back on.

He commented, "Of course ya haven't, darling. You're way too nice to get into trouble unless ya draw those guns and shoot first."

The way they interact is he's like a cool uncle concerned over his little niece. What an odd friendship those two have..., Lucy thought as she watched the interaction between Tyson Hammer and Amber Celadon.

"So, want to grab something to eat?", Lucy offered to the duo who stared at her after overhearing that.

In a local restaurant of Hargeon

Later on, Lucy, Amber and Tyson are at a local restaurant in Hargeon as thanks to the petite girl's generosity. From Lucy's point of view, she has to show her gratitude and return the favor. The three had gotten a small booth and are currently enjoying food and drinks ordered. Tyson simply preferred a mug of strong ale while the girls have orange drinks.

In that time earlier, it appeared that Amber and Tyson had took off their respective hats and set them down on the hat racks of the restaurant.

"Thank you for the meal.", Amber gave a small bow gratefully to her new friend.

"It's nothing really. You really helped me back there and I wanted to pay you back, so the lunch is on me.", Lucy reassured.

"Not a chance, we'll split the bill three-way. Will that suffice, darling?", Tyson offered his own wad of Jewels which Lucy seemed to agree as she won't disregard him, considering it rude towards the gentleman if she had done so.

"I may not look like it but I'm a wizard myself.", the Celestial Spirit Mage said.

Amber noted, "I-isn't that obvious, Lucy? Y-you have those Celestial Gate Keys yourself. I-I'm a Guns wizard and M-mr. Tyson here has a form of Burst Magic. We are both wizards."

"Oh I see although I'm not a member of a Guild yet.", Lucy stated as she began to talk about the description of Guilds and dreamed of joining one that she feels insecure one which she should join, considering the popular Guilds dotting all around Fiore, making it hard for her to make a choice and yet she must do so to fulfill her dreams and ambitions as a Legal Mage.

She then added, "There's this only one place where many great wizards gather; that the Guild I want to get into! I hope I'm cut out for this and maybe that Guild won't be that strict."

"Huh, is that so, darling? To be honest, every Guild in this country are strict in their own way with those rules and regulations for all members to follow and abide. If ya gotta be a member of your dream Guild, you have to follow their lead and work your way to the top of the food chain. It's a meritocracy after all.", Tyson commented as he chugged on his ale mug.

"I suppose you're right...", the blonde busty girl seemed to agree.

"I-it's alright, Lucy. I-I'm sure you can get in. I-I know of it.", Amber supported which her friend's spirits appeared to have lighten up a little.

"By the way, Amber and Mr. Tyson, you said you were looking for someone, right?", Lucy asked after she remembered about the duo talking about searching for someone in their first meeting.

"H-have you s-seen this man, L-lucy?", Amber asked as she showed the wanted poster with a headshot of a somewhat attractive male who has dark blue hair swept over the side of his face with a pointed chin and a small tattoo over the right eyebrow.

"Er... who?", the blonde teen tilted her head in confusion.

"His name is Bora the Prominence, darling. Ex-member of Titan's Nose, one of the Legal Guilds in Fiore you saw from those Sorcerer Weekly issues. Amber and I took this job and have been looking for him recently. Did ya happen to see him anywhere in town?", the middle-aged man with silver hair explained.

Looking at the man's face on the wanted poster again, Lucy shook her head. "No, I'm sorry. I didn't see him. But if he is here in town, I'll tell you."

"Thanks. Worth a shot asking for, darling. That sleazebag is evasive alright. Looking for him around Hargeon is like searching a needle in a haystack.", Tyson sighed with Amber agreeing with him.

"Do not mind me asking but are you and Amber a part of a Guild?", the Celestial Spirit Mage asked.

"W-we are not affiliated with a Guild, Lucy. Mr. Tyson and I are more like Independent wizards with a job contract with the government. J-just think of us as bounty hunters with a government license.", Amber explained.

Lucy's eyes bulged out as she exclaimed in surprise, "You two are bounty hunters?!"

"Oww! What a pair of lungs ya got there and it's hurts my ears, darling!", Tyson winced a little which Lucy quickly apologized for her mistake. "Like Amber said, we are Independent wizards who aren't a part of any Guild but are licensed by the Council to do their jobs for them in exchange for rewards from the higher ups. Such as taking down rogue wizards and Dark Guilds that not even the Legals can do it themselves. We gotta pay for a living ya know."

"I see... No offense but Amber doesn't look like a bounty hunter from the looks of it.", the blonde teen noted.

"I'd tip my hat to you that, blondie. Amber here may be the most timid and nicest girl you've ever met but when she brings out those big damn guns of hers and gets mighty serious, your ass is grass.", Tyson commented with a confident smirk which the brunette girl blushed in embarrassment.

"M-mr. Tyson!", Amber pouted at the older man who simply gave her a noogie again.

Lucy stared at Amber in disbelief after hearing what Tyson just said about her other side when her guns are drawn supposedly. She looked so harmless and innocent that she won't harm a fly. Then again, appearances can be deceiving.

"Well, better keep looking then. I just saw that fancy looking yacht nearby the shore and got me all mighty interested before you invited me and Amber for lunch. Might as well check it out. See ya around, darlings.", Tyson said while finished his ale mug as he tipped his trucker hat after taking it from the hat rack and walked away, leaving the two girls alone in the restaurant.

In the outskirts of Hargeon

After Lucy and Amber finished their meal and exited the restaurant, they were sitting on the bench nearby and chatted amicably as the former bought herself a Sorcerer Weekly magazine that contains the latest headline about Fairy Tail's recent defeat of the Devon Thief Family and the destruction of several buildings of the Tuly Village including the old historic clock tower.

O-oh so that's the dream Guild Lucy wants to join... Fairy Tail, the #1 headache of the Council, famously known for its countless destruction and recklessness of its members. The Council has spent millions of Jewels to rebuild and compensate the damages done and yet this Guild kept doing it without any care at all..., she realized in thought while listening to Lucy showing her the cover photo of a beautiful and busty young woman with long silvery hair and wearing a white bikini whose name is Mirajane the main attraction of Fairy Tail.

Fate must be cruel to me..., she mentally cried at Mirajane's breasts.

"Hey, Amber! This is the Guild I wanted to join: Fairy Tail!", the Celestial Spirit Mage showed her the Sorcerer Magazine.

"I-I see. I-I heard about that Guild, Lucy. Th-they have an infamous reputation of destroying everywhere whenever they go in Jobs and an annoyance of the Magic Council and they are a reckless group of wizards.", Amber noted.

"Yup, this is the Guild I wanted to join, Amber. Since I was a kid, a woman in a bunny suit saved me from a carriage accident and she had this mark of Fairy Tail in her right hand. I didn't get to meet her or even get to say thank you. But I admired Fairy Tail and wanted to join in.", Lucy explained her reasons of wanting to join the infamous Guild in Fiore.

I see..., the petite girl thought.

"Hey, Amber. Will you and Mr. Tyson join Fairy Tail? I thought that once you two join, you might become full-fledged wizards in a proper Guild.", she asked.

Feeling doubtful and knows she already has a job, the female Guns Mage sighed, "I-I don't know, Lucy. Being in a Guild does not suit well with me and Mr. Tyson since we work best as Independent wizards for quite a long time."

"Trust me, you and Mr. Tyson will fit well in Fairy Tail!", Lucy reassured.

"I hope not...", she muttered in a whisper that not even Lucy can hear her.

A growing noise of fangirling shouting was heard in a distance away which cut off any further attempts between Lucy and Amber of chatting each other as dozens of women are seen screaming loudly like lunatics in a mass hysteria had caused both female Mages to turn and stare at the large throng of them that were clustered a few yards away.

They are all swooning like hormonal school girls meeting their favorite band of hot men in person who just came by in town. Lucy screamed out in excitement of some guy called the Salamander whose Fire Magic cannot simply be bought from Magic stores and apparently he's here in Hargeon Town of all places as she joined in the crowd to take a better look at him while Amber followed her and realized who's their so-called mysterious celebrity is.

It was the very same person Amber and Tyson was looking for, and he was standing right there in his flamboyant clothing while soaking up the attention towards him like a sponge and sticks out like a giant sore thumb desperate for attention through Magical charms he subtly waved around during his poses and cool guy look he flashed around.

Recognizing the Charm Magic which was banned by the Council and is currently used by this Salamander to make innocent girls to fall under his control with hearts on their eyes including Lucy too as well who tried to resist it to no avail, Amber lost her timid nature the moment she drew out her weapons and fired a trajectory round right into the man's face.

Found you, you bastard. Mission start. Mukuro and Makoto are ready for action!, she said in her mind with her eyes already hardened, never lowering down her raised weapon after sending him flying by her blunt headshot.

The loud gunshot caused by Amber's Magic Guns had caught Tyson Hammer's attention and simply smirked in confidence, knowing the target they've looking for this whole time has been located and engaged. In the meantime for him, he had found the yacht he was looking for earlier as he casually strolled inside that surprised the thugs of his presence.

"Howdy there boys? Ready for some asswhooping? 'Cuz the Chief here is gonna shove his mighty fist right up your ass!", he rhetorically asked while cracking his gloved knuckles towards them.

Almost immediately back to the scene, the group of fangirls and Lucy had snapped out of "Salamander's" Charm like they woke up from a lucid dream and saw the man flying a few feet away after being shot in the face by the female Guns Mage.

"What the?"

"Ohh my head..."

"Why are we doing here?"

"And who's the weirdo?"

"Bora the Prominence. Former member of Titan's Nose. Kicked out of the Legal Guild because you chose to commit crimes with Magic and disobeying the law. Now you make a living by tricking women into your hands for unlawful purposes by impersonating an infamous member of Fairy Tail..., Amber said out loud in identifying the man she was looking for.

"What the hell?! You have no idea what you're talking about, kid! Who is this Bora guy?! Do you know who I am! You are in huge trouble on your head by attacking me! The Great Salamander of Fairy Tail!", the blue-haired man shouted indignantly at the female Guns Mage who just shot him in the head by the blunt side.

Through a blue Magic circle summoned on her feet and her cloak flew off her shoulders, Amber changed out her outfit into an military officer's uniform that is revealed to have the colors of the Magic Council with the beret having the ankh symbol on it.

Nobody was ignorant enough to know that anyone from the ruling organization of the Magic World wear such colors that shows their affiliation and status with them as the reaction of the group of girls and some bystanders would attest to that.

What?! Amber's a Rune Knight?! A member of the Magic Council?! She's not like any other Rune Knight I've saw them in groups. And her demeanor has changed? From a shy yet kind girl to a focused and serious woman... I can see why Mr. Tyson said something about her earlier..., Lucy thought after watching the same person is now pointing one of her Magic guns at the man who claimed to be the famous Salamander which he's obviously not.

Ignoring the "Salamander's" outburst, the brunette with a beret continued, "You are wanted for abduction of innocent women, impersonating a member of a popular Legal Guild to aid said abductions, using illegal forms of Magic such as Charm to make kidnappings easier, and for being an important member of a country-wide slave and sex trade operation with Bosco!"

Everyone gasped in horror and disgust after hearing that from the petite woman in military-style Rune Knight attire. Even Lucy who has no idea that something so foul could happen in a peaceful port such as Hargeon and much to her shame, she had fallen into his Charm's allure without any sort of a fight.

"Eww.. what a creep."

"Loser."

"Can't believe we fell for that!"

"Disgusting..."

"He wasn't that handsome anyways"

The women who were once under the Charm spell started to back away from Bora as far away from him in a safe distance as if he was some sort of a contagious disease and they don't want to be near him anymore, not after what he had done to them and they didn't like it one bit at all.

"Prominence Typhoon!", the 'Salamander' shouted out after he summoned his purple Magic Seal in front of him with his arms stretched wide open which sends a spiraling column of purple fire towards Amber after he was exposed for a fraud and slaver he is in front of everyone in Hargeon.

In response to the criminal's attack towards her, Amber sidestepped of the way, evading the spell as she disappeared and then reappeared in front of the fake Salamander and she fired both her Magic guns in retaliation, directly hitting Bora in the chest and such a force slammed him into a nearby building. While Lucy and the other girls had the sense of taking cover or mostly run away from the fight between Mages that has already started.

Bora got up again and tried to fight back only to get a swift bone-cracking roundhouse kick to the face and another round of gunshot from Amber, sending him flying again that end up damaging the surrounding area. He could not believe it himself as the petite girl with guns was faster despite the heavy-looking weapons she carried on her hands.

Retaliating in response, the rogue Mage/slaver summoned another Magic circle and attacked with a flurry of purple fire bullets. "Red Shower!"

The female Rune Knight rapidly fired her guns at the Magical projectiles and jumped out of the way from the remaining attacks from Bora that she couldn't manage to shoot them down this time. Reappearing behind the false Salamander, she attacked him with a dropkick and another roundhouse spinning kick as a combo and once again sent him crashing at the nearby building, destroying it in the process.

"AAAAH! That freaking hurt! Who the hell are you, woman?!", Bora shouted in pain, clutching his wounds inflicted upon him after emerging from the debris as he watched the petite female Rune Knight approaching him.

"I am Colonel Amber Celadon of the Rune Knights. And you are under arrest for human slave trafficking, using illegal Charm Magic and impersonating a member of a Legal Guild.", she simply declared while reloading her Magic Guns Mukuro and Makoto.

Meanwhile, a familiar sight of a certain spiky hair had excitedly pushed through the crowd, only to frown in disappointment at the discovery of people standing in the circle with a female Rune Knight pointing her weapons at the blue-haired sleazebag. She kinda reminds me of Bisca with her guns and all..., he thought.

Apparently he was here on Hargeon to search for a Dragon. However there wasn't any Dragon which is his adopted father Igneel he was looking for and plus it doesn't make any real sense of why would a reptilian creature of immeasurable power that once dominated the world would be here in the first place. It was nothing but a bust and another wild goose chase. The information of a Salamander sighting at Hargeon that Krov had given him was a fake and he is so gonna beat that buck-teeth guy up senseless when he gets back to the Guildhall in Magnolia as the dejected pinkette turned and walked away to keep trying and search more with the blue talking cat who flies in angelic wings beside him.

In most alternate universes and perhaps in another time, Natsu Dragneel the true Salamander of Fairy Tail would have inevitably bumped into Lucy and from there, it would eventually lead the blonde Celestial Spirit Mage's induction into Fiore's strongest Guild. But... it seems that Lucy had missed her chance at meeting and interacting with the Dragon Slayer the moment she made friends with Amber, a timid and nice petite girl who had revealed herself as a Rune Knight.

Knowing better than to fight a member of the Rune Knights just because he wanted to see how strong the petite girl was that will get him into huge trouble with Makarov and/or Erza when word gets out from the Council if he had done so, Natsu resisted the urge to join the fight and left the scene without incident.

Feeling the urge to make a run for it as fast as he can and get back to his yacht so they can bail out while they can before the rest of the Rune Knights get here, Bora summoned a purple Magic circle on his feet that generates a small blaze of fire from the ground that takes shape of a flying-carpet, hightailing out of here. "Red Carpet!"

"Oh no, he's getting away!", one of the girls freed from Bora's Charm exclaimed.

Lucy turned to Amber who simply remained stoic yet focused and didn't fire her Magic guns as she that made the former confused. Why hasn't Amber fired her guns to get him? Is she letting him get away?

Then the Colonel raised one of her guns and fired what it appears to be a signal flare into the sky unnoticed by a fleeing Bora, and rushed straight towards the docks which the Celestial Spirit Mage decided to follow and see what happens.

As Bora flew on his way back to the yacht on his Red Carpet, he panicked in thought with a lot of sweatdrops on his forehead. Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit! The Rune Knights are after my ass and have tracked me all the way here in Hargeon?! I thought I had my tracks covered! That brown-haired chick ain't no regular Rune Knight. She's a Rune Knight officer! No matter, we still have some dozen girls on my ship to make a profit at Bosco! Then I-GAHHH!

Suddenly, a thin but strong beam of pure red Magical energy fired at the blue-haired man's direction and struck him in the back that dissipated the Red Carpet spell and injured him badly, sending him crashing down on the waters from the nearby shores hard. Briefly stuck his head on the sands of the beach, Bora freed himself and spat some sand in his mouth indignantly.

"What the hell just happened?! And what just hit me?! It can't be that crazy gun chick! I was way out of her firing ran-", he gave a tantrum before sensing a presence on top of him.

"Nu-uh-uh! Where do ya think you're going, son? It's kinda rude of ya to leave the darlings hanging if ya bail out of them like a sissy cowboy running away from a massive bull stampede.", a familiar voice of a redneck called out which got the attention of the former Titan's Nose Mage.

After managing to catch up to the criminal who made a crash landing on the beach, Amber who simply smiled at knowing he had done his task while Lucy, who followed the female Rune Knight, was surprised to see a familiar guy she just met a while ago.

Turning to the one who shot down the fake Salamander, Bora saw a tall muscular mulleted man with grayish-blue eyes and white hair in the same outfit but this time with the colors of the Council just how Amber did in her first reveal as he is apparently floating in the air without any form of wings and had his finger extended with a small red glow on the tip, revealing he was the guy who shot him down.

Wait, is that Mr. Tyson Hammer!? And he's a Rune Knight too! Just like Amber too..., the blonde Mage thought in surprise that he is also a member of the Council too as well, watching him floating in the air and wearing the colors of the Magic World ruling organization.

"It seems that you've completed the task by yourself, Major General. Did you get it all, sir?", the female Rune Knight asked her comrade out loud respectively while remained a focused eye on Bora reeling from the blow he received from the middle-aged Rune Knight.

Tipping his trucker hat to Amber, Tyson replied, "Yup, darling. Got everything from that fancy yacht I managed to track down after taking out the goons and freeing the girls. All details, contacts and information linked to slave trade operations are with me. I already contacted our pals from the Custody Enforcement Unit including the Naval Unit to get their asses down here to handle the rest and wrap this up so we can go home. Don't wanna have some destructive Guild wizard end up picking a fight with this fella over here and destroy the town for pissing him off or taking his girl. Vigilantism is a big no-no in the Council's eyes."

"Very well then, sir. I'll secure the hostages you rescued and detain Bora's men still unconscious . He's all yours. Lucy, come with me.", Amber told him as she left to finish the job which the blonde reluctantly joined in to help.

"No need to tell me twice.", Tyson stated with his arms folded.

Meanwhile, Natsu sneezed for some reason and wonder who talked behind his back before ultimately deciding it was Krov snickering for giving the false rumor and he will definitely kick his ass after getting back to Magnolia. Before that happened earlier, the pink-haired teenage boy did get all googly-eyed though when he saw a tall silver-haired man in a different-looking Rune Knight officer uniform floating in the sky after he shot down some blue-haired weirdo into the sea with his finger that shoots Magic blasts.

That guy must be pretty strong! I wanna fight him. But he's a member of the Council and I'd be arrested for attacking him. Gramps and Erza will kill me if they find out I want to fight him! Maybe next time., the pinkette young man lamented as he decided to make himself scarce and leave town.

Happy was surprised the said man can apparently fly without wings and wanted to ask him how he did that. But as Natsu's sidekick, he had to stick with his best friend/adopted father no matter what and followed him in leaving Hargeon and on their way back to the guildhall of Fairy Tail. Perhaps if they meet again by any chance, the flying talking cat can do that.

"W-wh-who are you?!", Bora shouted indignantly at the flying man who shot him down.

"Mighty kind of you to ask, son. I'm Major General Tyson Hammer of the Rune Knights. And you're under arrest for human slave trafficking, using the banned Charm Magic and impersonating a member of a Legal Guild. Sucks to be a rogue wizard huh, boy?", the silver-haired muscular older man smugly replied with his arms folded and showing off his favorite hat that is now had the Council ankh symbol on it.

Another Rune Knight officer?! Man, I'm so unlucky! Did my operations cause enough attention by the Council to send in a Rune Knight elite after me?!, Bora grimaced in terror that there is another high-ranking Rune Knight here in Hargeon. Glancing at where his yacht is located, it was a mess and appeared incapable of sea-faring anytime soon.

Lots of his men were unconscious and piled up like a sack of wheat on the ground or hanging on the rails of the damaged ship. It's obvious that they did not stand a chance against Tyson while the other kidnapped women were in a safe distance away from his ship with Colonel Amber and Lucy seen checking up on them if they're alright, clearly this was Tyson's early handiwork no doubt.

Left with no choice but to go down swinging or at least distract the two Rune Knight officers so he can get away and rebuild another day, Bora summoned forth his Magic Seal by raising his left hand from which a number of fierce, purple flames in the form of elongated circles are fired at his floating enemy Tyson Hammer in a scattered formation, targeting a mildly wide area.

"Red Shower!", he shouted in an almost fearful tone as if throwing away his rationality in a hysteria.

Still displaying his smug smirk, the Major General simply raised his gloved hand and absorbed the Magical projectile's energy before firing rapid red energy blasts with his own Magic seal towards Bora that engulfed him a huge explosion.

Then the smoke subsided to reveal the ex-Titan's Nose Mage to be in his Red Carpet once again to fly in the air.

"Red Skull!", Bora conjures up a large sphere of fire made of a stylized cartoonish skull in his stretched up hands and then throws it at the Major General.

"T.H. Deadly Bomber!", the silver-haired Rune Knight shouted as he generates a red ball of spiraling energy with a magenta yolk inside it through his hands put together and threw it towards the rogue Mage-turned-slaver's ball of fire.

The two Magical ball attacks collided and caused a large explosion that nearly rocked the town of Hargeon and the sea nearby that can be seen by the approaching Rune Knights of the Custody Enforcement Unit and the battleships of the Naval Division.

Nearly losing balance in the air, Bora recomposes himself and continuously attacked with rapid fire bullets at the Major General who easily dodged them all while retaining his confident smirk on his face that irritates the former so much that he's been looked down on.

"Hell Prominence!", the fake Salamander summoned forth his Magic Seal again by placing his arms before him, and building up purple energy in front of it. Such energy is subsequently released into a large, long and powerful laser-like beam towards Tyson Hammer.

In response of such destructive Magical attack aimed at him, Tyson raised his left muscular arm and, with a mighty swing, deflected it away from Hargeon, saving it from being caught in its blast range.

The deflected beam was directed to an uninhabited area in a very large explosion before him, even a place as large as a town.

"Take this! Prominence Whip!", Bora attacked again as he summons forth his Magic Seal in front of him with an arched movement of his right arm and from it, a number of fiery, curved purple beams are fired towards his target, with each beam tracking them down and moving to strike them separately from the others.

Tyson then easily dodged by flying down low, sidestepping left and right and regained his footing in the sky. Unfortunately however,... his trucker hat flew off from his head and became a victim of the ex-Titan's Nose Mage's attack as it shredded and burned away to nothing in front of the middle-aged man when it exploded like purple fireworks.

"MY TRUCKER HAT!", Tyson shouted angrily at his favorite accessory's demise before quickly dashing over Bora and grabbed his right leg before he even try to fly away, dissipating his purple flames once again.

"Ya plum-done-gone-dad-gum did it now, son!", the Council redneck smirked, ready to bring a world of pain on the criminal he had easily caught in the leg.

"Who in the whaaaa!", the former Titan's Nose Mage was confused of the Major General's choice of vernacular words and was then tackled down into the waters of Hargeon Town.

Within the depths, Bora was completely defenseless as Tyson assaulted him with tough punches on the face and right in the gut above the belt although such blows were slowed down by the sea yet they still hurt like a bitch regardless. The fake Salamander couldn't even use his Fire Magic while in the water and his blackened and swollen eyes widened when the silver-haired Rune Knight put both hands together and created a big red orb with a concentrated yolk then launched it right at his stomach.

This resulted a huge explosion shockwave of red energy that almost caused a tidal wave and Bora was sent flying right towards the beach, with his body and clothes almost charred and tattered. Suddenly, Tyson appeared from the back and gave a hard roundhouse kick right in the false Salamander's back that sent him crashing down into the ground, causing an earth-shattering explosion that nearly rocked Hargeon.

When the smoke and dust clears, Bora was heavily injured with broken bones and bruises as the result of the impact. He then tried to get up and make a run for it but he gets glowing finger beam of red Magical energy right up on his face by the Major General himself who appeared as if by teleporting.

"You are under arrest, Bora the Prominence as I repeat again. You have the right to remain silent and anything you say will be used against you and if you resist...", Tyson coldly said before charging up his finger beam almost close to Bora's head to show he was dead serious. "... you will be taken down with extreme prejudice."

Wetting literally in his pants that he cannot hope to win against one of the two Rune Knights who are lot different that stands them out from the rest of the regular soldiers of the Council he and his gang usually avoided including experiences the display of power they had, Bora weakly raised his arms in a stuttering fearful tone. "I-I-I surrender... I'll like to go to jail now. Please."

Tyson smirked while witnessing Bora's surrender as he remained floating in the air and fired his finger beam that shaved off the latter's hair and his consciousness blacked out, "Smart choice, boy. And that was for my trucker hat."

Few hours later at the shoreline of Hargeon

In the aftermath of Bora's short scuffle with Major General Tyson Hammer and Colonel Amber Celadon that ended in his immediate surrender after a short curbstomp on him, the Rune Knights of the 4th Custody Enforcement Unit and the Naval Division had arrived on time to secure Hargeon and tie up some loose ends as squads of Regulars are seen patrolling around the port town.

Bora, who is currently encased by Magic Sealing Stone handcuffs, was under heavy guard and ready to be escorted to Era or probably the Fiore's Council branch, to be tried for his crimes and will then be sentenced behind bars by the Magic Council. He was crying that his hair is forever ruined by Tyson's recent shave as revenge for destroying his trucker hat.

The thugs under Bora's service were easily apprehended or surrendered without much of a fight after they regained consciousness and the kidnapped women inside the slaver's ship who were kept inside the yacht against their will were taken into custody for medical checkup, interviewed of their identities and where they came from so before they can be escorted in order to ensure they were returned back home safe and sound.

And the rogue Mage's private yacht was under custody and surrounded by five battleships of the Council belonging to the Naval Division of the Rune Knights.

On the beach side of Hargeon, there was a temporary military camp set up by the Rune Knights in their investigation and clean up operations at Hargeon where Major General Tyson was seen sitting on a crate and a Rune Knight officer standing with two Regulars wielding Magic staves, who are his escorts, before him.

"I've got to say, Major General Tyson. Despite some few collateral damages outside Hargeon, you and Colonel Amber have succeeded in locating and apprehending the criminal Bora the Prominence and put an end to his slave trade operations. We have all the evidence and testimonies needed to put away the rogue wizard behind bars.", the Captain of the 4th Custody Enforcement Unit commented as he oversaw the operation that went smoothly.

He is a slim man of average height with long, tied up black hair; two bangs frame his face and an unruly tuft covers his forehead, though his lavender eyes are still visible behind his circular lensed glasses. He wears a long, blue jacket with pink edges and strapped cuffs over a high-collared shirt bearing the Council's signature ankh-like symbol. His attire also features white pants held up by a simple belt, white gloves, a white cape held closed by a gem-decorated buckle, and distinctive shoes, seemingly bearing a serpentine pattern.

Wiping his face off with a towel and changing out his wet clothes into his another proper Rune Knight uniform in pristine condition through Requip with a new trucker hat in replacement of his old one, the silver-haired Rune Knight officer shrugged off, "No problem there, Captain Lahar. Tis nothing but a job plum-well done. A rogue wizard got exposed and apprehended, his goons and ship are neutralized and the kidnapped girls will be sent home after they're given a clean bill of health."

"At least it's better than some wizard playing vigilante or taking a Job request recklessly. Last thing we need is a Fairy Tail member ending up destroying the whole town to the ground especially if it's the real Salamander who may not be amused of Bora's impersonation of his identity and membership of his Guild.", Lahar said as he lightly scratched his head.

"True, he coulda been arrested for poking his nose in Rune Knight affairs and obstruction of justice plus with unnecessary collateral damage. Glad that didn't happen.", Tyson added, agreeing with Lahar.

Somewhere in the streets of the town, Natsu sneezed indignantly and wondered if someone talked behind his back before decided to shrug it off and focus on getting out of Hargeon as fast as he can with Happy, believing the Rune Knights might be after him even though he hadn't done anything to guarantee their attention towards him.

To him, it's better safe than sorry.

A sultry female voice called out that got the men's attention, "If that's the case, I could have just used my Brine Magic to quell the flames and brimstone should the real Salamander actually showed up and end up wrecking the town after beating up his impostor. Then again, hot-headed men are not my type after all. Fufufufu."

A woman barely in her thirties who was looking slender and very beautiful with her eyelashes flickering to reveal her sea-green eyes and lipstick, including her fingernails too as well. Her earrings were also sea-green and has her tiara. Her light brown hair had all the bangs off to her right side, with the rest waving down to her waist. She wears a blue Rune Knight uniform that hugged her curves and cleavage with long sleeves and translucent net-like frills in the end, and a long skirt that revealed her left thigh, and has slender blue boots that went up to her mid-thighs and were edged in white, and has a sea-green pendant holding her translucent white cape that has the ankh symbol of the Council together along with a bridal veil that was slicked back behind her head.

From the looks of it, she can be seen as a bride on her wedding day with the sea as the setting of her marriage with a man deserving of her beauty and character.

"Division Commander Stella. The Sea Bride herself, nice to meet you in person, ma'am.", Tyson Hammer made a proper greeting towards the older female Rune Knight as he stood in attention and removed his trucker hat with a salute after recognizing her.

Lahar did the same thing and formally bowed to the commanding officer of the Naval Division of the Council, who is known to be a force of nature to be reckoned with in the seas as her domain.

"At ease, Major General and you too as well Captain. You both are such gentlemen. Humble men like you two these days are very scarce. Unfortunately I'm already married with my husband Justin.", Stella giggled as she held up her fingers right up her chin, clearly amused of Tyson and Lahar's proper greeting towards her.

"A pleasure, ma'am. Just paying our respects to a lovely darling such as you. Bet Captain Lahar here should loosen up a little and not getting too worked up in his job. He won't get a girlfriend if he keeps that up.", the middle-aged man with silver hair mused with a hearty laugh as he put his cap back on while his younger colleague simply rolled his eyes.

"We really need to work on your way of doing things, Major General. When you signed up in the Rune Knights, we have strict military protocol and uniform code to uphold, and we have to set a proper example example to the public and an inspiration for the wizards to follow and join our ranks as law-abiding enforcers and defenders of justice.", Lahar lamented as he knew the elite members of the Rune Knights are a bunch of odd colorful folks in the military organization of the Council.

Those said folks in the elites started to wear different kinds of unique clothing, accessory and armor of their liking instead of the standard uniform just they can stand out from the typical rank and file of the Rune Knights. Almost way too similar with the Guild Mages who are usually seen and revered as popular celebrities all but in name by the people.

It became a new trend recently thanks to them and the higher-ups of the Council simply decided to just roll with it if it means of maintaining public trust and support in them for the safety, security and order of the Magic World from what Lahar had heard from his colleagues. From his own perspective, it is considered improper and informal for a self-respecting law enforcer such as him.

"Captain, you can't fix what it ain't broke. Besides, high-ranking elites like me, ma'am and Colonel Amber for example can get to wear whatever we like so long we get the job plum-done-right. And aren't we already an inspiration to the public already? I mean look at the Colonel and her new fans right over there.", Tyson simply shrugged and pointed out for Lahar and Stella at his direction.

They saw a flustered and embarrassed Colonel Amber being swarmed by the girls who praised her for being so cool and exposing Bora for a desperate loser who used his Charms on them before it was too late and end up as his slaves. Then Lucy was seen keeping a respectable distance and felt sorry for her new friend's position of being their new idol with a mild sweatdrop.

"You're so cool!"

"You saved us there! You're our hero!"

"Girl power for the win!"

"Can we join the Rune Knights eventually?"

"Um, can we give Amber some space please?...", Lucy pleaded.

"Hmm... I see to notice one of the girls didn't go fangirling over Colonel Amber and seemed to be concerned of her being surrounded by new admirers. Who is she?", Stella wondered out loud.

"The darling's name is Lucy. She has Celestial Spirit Magic. Colonel Amber met and befriended her in Hargeon before locating and apprehending Bora. You do know the Colonel is always a nice girl who makes friends left and right, and helps people in need.", the Major General answered.

"I see. Lieutenant General Phelia often commented this was her subordinate's habit whenever she's on an assigned mission or off-duty. At least until she draws her Magic guns Mukuro and Makoto.", Lahar noted.

"A habit that brought good public faith and trust in the Rune Knights and inspired some more wizards to join our ranks thanks to her. Colonel Amber is like the heart of the Rune Knights others would call her that.", the Division Commander pointed out.

"Has she interfered in the Rune Knight business?", Lahar asked as he watched the scene.

"Nope, son. She didn't. Just a witness and a would-be victim if Colonel Amber hadn't acted quickly upon encountering Bora in person. Although she did volunteer in helping the Colonel out while I gave the fake Salamander the asswhooping. But she does have potential and not the type to back down without a fight if she has to.", Tyson stated.

"Oh well, I better get going, boys. I don't wanna be late for dinner and my beloved Justin will be hungry when he gets home from duty in the Fiore Royal Navy. And by the way Major General, Lieutenant Generals Peshkatz Fireman and Phelia Blendy wanted the reports of the mission success in Hargeon once you and Colonel Amber return to Era.", Stella reminded.

"Right, just tell Lieutenant General Fireman that I'll be heading back to Era pronto for my report of the mission success. I'll tell Amber the same for Lieutenant General Blendy. See ya later!", Tyson told his fellow Rune Knight officer who simply smiled and left to meet up with the rest of the Rune Knights with Lahar following suit, wrapping up the case.

"Oh, give my regards to Captains Venta Gloyne and Tracy McMillon from the 5th and 2nd Custody Enforcement Units, son! Also tell them they owe Colonel Amber some real quality girl time they promised her earlier together off-duty!", he then mischievously reminded the glasses-wearing Rune Knight who just rolled his eyes again and accepted.

Noticing Colonel Amber and Lucy approaching him while the rest of their colleagues eventually packing up, the trucker hat wearing Rune Knight officer said, "I'd take you want some answers from all this, right darling?"

"Uh.. yeah... Um... What are Rune Knight officers like you two doing here in Hargeon? No offense but I want to know what's really going here.", Lucy asked Amber and Tyson her new friends who are revealed to be members of the Council's military.

The Colonel explained in a serious manner this time without her guns drawn as she sighed, "Truthfully, I was on an undercover mission with Major General Tyson, Lucy. Bora and his gang of thugs have been eluding the law and covered their tracks of their operations for months ever since he had been kicked out of Titan's Nose. It has gotten so bad when an enraged and worried husband had pleaded a case of his missing wife who was last seen taken to the rogue wizard-turned-slaver's yacht after being enamored at Bora out of nowhere, followed by long line of people who also lost their girls too as well that the Council had to commission an operation to put an end to his activities with the recent mission success."

"So everything you told me was all undercover?", Lucy asked, feeling a bit hurt that she may been lied to the whole time.

"Not everything, darling. Just the part being Independent wizards under employ of the Council was undercover. Amber is really a nice girl and she helped you with your little problem at the local Magic shop she told me a while ago. She has this habit of helping and befriending people, and never turned down the chance of helping the public wherever she goes. As for me, I'm known in the Rune Knights as beefy as I go without overdoing it.", Tyson said with his arms folded.

"I see...", the blonde girl seemed to be in relief. "From what I've heard about the Rune Knights, they weren't exactly the hottest scoop in Sorcerer Weekly and I heard from other wizards they're just glorified police officers and paper-pushers of the Council acting high and mighty without doing anything much until now recently. Um, no offense again."

"Blondie, don't believe everything you hear and see from Sorcerer Weekly and gossips from shallow-minded dumbasses everywhere. We are just doing our jobs to ensure the safety and security of Fiore and the people who eat, sleep, breath and go about their daily lives without any care of the world happening. Do ya seriously believe that Guild wizards are the ones who protect the country by themselves? Show some little respect and give us credit, will ya? Nobody insults the code which Tyson Hammer makes a living.", the Major General defended.

"That's... that's really cool and I'm sorry. I may be a wizard but I have no real experience and it's not like any of the famous Guilds would just take a novice off the street. They've probably got admissions and paper files piled up like crazy... and I really need to start earning more Jewels.", Lucy lamented in depression and self-deprecation, believing that she will never get into her dream Guild.

Unknowingly in such an ironic manner however, the blonde woman really had no idea of how easily simple it was to become a member of Fairy Tail just by admitting them and worry about the paperwork as this was the Guild Master's responsibility that she always wanted to be but once again that was in another timeline and universe if only she had met Natsu that day.

"S-so... w-why not come with us Miss Lucy? J-join the Rune Knights. W-we may not be s-somewhat popular career option for all wizards everywhere these days I-I think like many L-legal Guilds ac-cross Fiore but you might get e-experience and e-earn a stable income.", Amber proposed.

Lucy looked unsure of the idea of joining the military wing of the Magic Council, "Is it okay, Amber? Don't the Rune Knights need to have their newest recruits prove themselves somehow?"

"N-nope. All we have to do is enlist and evaluate yourself in a job interview. S-simple as that.", the Colonel answered.

"Oh I see...", the blonde girl muttered.

"Darling, it ain't how we do it in the Rune Knights. Newbies got to start out somewhere to get the know-how after joining the Rune Knights by proper enlistment. Usually they start out as Cadets when they join the ranks and they have to work their way up to top of the food chain after they receive from Rune Knight training and growing their respective Power Level from the MPF device's estimation. Like I said about those Guilds, it's a meritocracy after all. We work our way from the bottom to the top.", Tyson simply shrugged as he adjusted his trucker hat.

"A-after completing the training and g-gaining a rank depending o-on the MPF's results, y-you'll be assigned to your chosen unit, earn money through a high pay salary and get stronger with more proper training. W-we don't care how good you are, o-only that you t-try your best. I-I mean not every wizard gets to join Guilds. T-they c-could join the Fiore Royal Military or even us Rune Knights. Like the Major General said, we were just doing our jobs to ensure the safety and protection of the country.", Amber explained which Lucy absorbed the information and thought about it.

"It's your choice, blondie. We're not forcing you to abandon your dream Guild that ya always wanted to join as you told us a while back there. But it should be you who makes the shots here. Either way, we will still remain friends with favors we each owe each other.", the Major General said, folding his arms.

Taking a deep breath, Lucy had finally made her decision that changed her life forever. "I'm in. So where I do sign up?"

Author's Notes: Okay then, the first chapter of "The Celestial Rune Knight" is finished and the next chapter will be updated when I have time due to busy schedule in life as usual. Lucy chose to enlist in the Rune Knights and accompanies with Colonel Amber and Major General Tyson back to Era, the city where the headquarters of the Magic Council resides.

Between you readers and me, I feel that the Rune Knights are always generally underappreciated and deserved some justice. I know most Mages would prefer joining Guilds (Legal/Light, Dark and Independent) because they're cool and wanted to have adventures together. But there should be other Mages who joined the Rune Knights because of their sense of justice and wanted to protect the innocent and serve the law.

I mean, if the Rune Knights are meant to protect people and the Magical World from dangers and threats that not Guild mages can handle them by themselves even if their name is Fairy Tail, they have to be strong right? It seems pretty unfair and unrealistic that the Council mainly employ normal soldiers (and not enough women for some reason until Levy in Avatar arc) in their ranks as cannon fodder and cartoony guards.

Lahar and Doranbolt (even though he's actually Mest of Fairy Tail infiltrating the ranks to get info about Alvarez for Makarov) were the only Rune Knights that actually stand out from the rank and file. That even includes Gajeel, Levy and Pantherlily during their time at the new Council run by the Ten Wizard Saints in the one year timeskip after Tartaros arc despite resigning in the end and rejoining Fairy Tail in its revival.

The idea of Lucy being a Rune Knight came from Yukino when she served as Temporary Sergeant of the Cherry Blossom Holy Knight Squadron under Arcadios and her proper military dress uniform looked pretty formal and cool. Oh, I also plan to bring Yukino into this story as a Rune Knight instead of Sabertooth at some point later on, just not now.

Credits for the inspiration and the OCs goes to draconichero21, the author of Code Geass x Fairy Tail crossover fanfic, "Fairy Without Wings" where he had given the huge case of Adaptational Badass on the Rune Knights during the Guild War arc and lets me borrow all of his Rune Knight OCs that are expys according to him except a certain few of his own he wants to keep them under lock and key, and he means it.

Credits for Stella the Sea Bride goes to Insane Dominator who allowed me to borrow his four OC Ten Wizard Saints from his FT x Pokemon crossover fanfic, "A Contender's Bonds". Check out his story and it's awesome!

Enjoy and don't forget to review. :D