Hello everyone! Welcome to Chapter one of Caged Phoenix. I have rewritten this chapter and did the same with the others.

Anyway thank you for stopping by! Please enjoy and feel free to review to point out typos or anything else (Note: I use British/Aus spelling). Please leave a favourite, it's really appreciated and a follow if you want to keep up with this fic or join my army

[Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail, Hiro Mashima does, please support the official releases! But I'd like to say this plot took lots of time to reconstruct and write out so please do not steal]

Broken and miserable. They betrayed me, my so-called family...

The doors of the guild opened and I, the blonde celestial spirit caster entered. A few turn to look at who entered but go back to what they were doing shortly after.

I had many thoughts on my mind, money was definitely a big problem. It's been an issue these past few months. A lot of missions couldn't be done since...you need teamwork and a team that didn't leave you behind.

I walk over to my usual seat but it was occupied by Lisanna, she was talking and laughing with fellow guild members. I really wanted to get to know her but everyone was celebrating and she was always busy because of that.

"Mira can I have my usual," I said but she didn't answer. Why bother asking anyway...she's busy fawning over her like everyone else is. I can't be rude though, Lisanna's been missing in Edolas for a long time and she is Mira's younger sister.

"Oh... Lucy did you want anything-" I left the bar and headed to the request board.

Someone suddenly obstructed my view of the board. "Lucy, we need to talk." A pink-haired dragon slayer blocked my path.

"Natsu I'm busy tell me another time." I walk around him but he catches my wrist and turns me around to fully face him once again.

"Lucy I was thinking of kicking you off the team, since you complain about your rent and because you're so weak. You can get stronger now, okay?" He tells me with his infamous smile. I grit my teeth and smile. I didn't want to cause a big scene in front of everyone present.

"Yeah, that's fine Natsu.." I turn on my heels and head for the master's office. I clench my hand into a fist and resist the tears threatening to fall.

"Thanks, Luce!"

I take a quick look at the new Team Natsu. Erza patted him proudly on the back while Gray looked like he was possibly complimenting him. I sigh deeply and started my ascent up the stairs.

I softly knock twice and wait for a sign of invitation.

"Come in."

I enter the room, it looked like the average office but the desk was piled high with council fines and warning slips. I smile bitterly but turn to look at the person sitting on the desk, checking a form.

"What brings you here Lucy?"

"To be blunt master..." I bite the bottom of my lip. Am I going to regret my rushed decision? "I would like to quit the guild. I feel that I have no purpose at Fairy Tail and am no longer needed here."

I bow and hang my head low. "Please tell the guild that I'm thankful for the few great memories I made here, Master." I look up at him and see grief in his eyes.

"Are you sure?" I nod slightly and he sighs. "If that is what you wish."

I take a step forward and extend my arm with my Fairy Tail insignia. Master takes my hand and swiftly gets rid of the symbol I once had pride in. The rest of the minutes I spent in the office was Makarov explaining the rules an ex-Fairy Tail member had to follow. I thought I'd never had to hear them myself...

I open the guild doors. The sound of thunder roars and rain starts falling slowly. I look back at the guild once more. All my hopes and dreams was Fairy Tail, now it's going to be a piece of my past..forever hopefully.

"Hey! Close the door will you, it's raining outside if you couldn't see!" I mumble a sorry and close the doors.

I run to my apartment before the rain could get heavier. I bump into someone suddenly and the hold me by shoulders. I look up at one of the Zodiac creatures.

"L-Loke?"

He pulls my head into his chest and rubs my back trying to comfort me. "Lucy, why are you in tears?"

I was so busy trying to get to my destination I didn't notice that tears were leaking out of my eyes. I escape from Loke's grip and wipe my tears with my hands.

"It's fine, something must've irritated my eyes. You can leave, there's nothing to worry about."

Loke looks up and down at me and spots my bare hand. "Explain this to me later okay?" He disappears willingly but that look of concern did not leave his face.

I open my apartment door and immediately summon Virgo to help pack my luggage. She takes my furniture and stores it in the Celestial Realm. I really did cherish this room, it had its own charms.

I write a note to the landlady thanking her for the accommodation and how I will be moving to another area. I put the letter into the envelope and slide it under the door of her room.

Virgo appears again and holds out a train ticket with the destination labelled 'Lyre Station'. "Here you go princess." I take it out of her hands, say a quick thank you and start my trek to the station.

The train arrives and I seat myself close to the window. I summon Plue for company, after all a long train ride was boring without a companion. I look down at the spirit trying to dance, I laugh for a bit and smile at its attempts.

"May I sit here?"

I look up at the person who owned that voice.