Things get a bit intense again guys. Just FYI

His Master summoned him into the common room just after Levy returned to the cell. A part of him balked at seeing her, his hazy memories reminding him of just how pathetic he had been the last time she had seen him, but a larger part sighed in relief when she sat on his shoulder again. She held onto his ear as he navigated the stairs and he could see her making faces at the back of the Master's head. Her boldness gave him the confidence to face the change of routine.

The Master stopped at the back counter, Gajeel standing a respectful distance away. He watched his Master place his fingers on a white sheet of paper and drag it across the counter directly in front of him. Gajeel looked between the paper and his Master, keeping a proper, blank look on his face.

The Master sneered. "It seems that I need to test your loyalty. Flip it over and tell me what it is."

A wave of foreboding washed over him. Gajeel lifted his chained hands and did as he was told. He couldn't read what was written, but a drawing of a building marked the top of the page. The rest was filled with designs, the blue and black lines most likely marking the interior of the building. He heard Levy's sharp inhale but couldn't risk looking at her to see what happened.

The scales on his neck itched in trepidation and he swallowed, answering the Master's question in a hushed voice. "It looks like building plans, sir."

"It is. Plans for that blasted Fairy Tail. That is your next mission."

"S-sir?" A pit formed in his stomach and Levy's hold on his ear tightened painfully.

"I want you to go and destroy them. Crush the building, rip off their wings, kill them for all I care, I just want them gone."

Levy whimpered and his lungs seized. He set the paper back onto the counter, hands shaking.

"What are you doing?" The Master hissed.

"No…" he muttered looking at his feet.

"...What?"

Arms growing numb, Gajeel clenched his fists and stared Jose directly in the eyes. "No, I will not."

"Gajeel…" Levy whispered, her presence warming his shoulder.

Jose stood frozen. "Did...did you just tell me no?"

Gajeel's mouth turned to ash, but he would not waver. He could not...would not, harm Levy or anyone she cared about. Jose must have seen the resolve in his eyes, for the man trembled, his face purple with rage, and before Gajeel knew what was happening Jose backhanded him across the face.

He landed heavily onto the ground, spitting blood onto the floor. He placed a finger on his lip, blood tainting his skin.

"Gajeel!" Levy shouted from somewhere above him. His blood boiled and, for the first time since he was taken into the guild hall, he glared at his master with all the hatred and rage festering inside him for the past 15 years.

With a snarl he leapt to his feet and charged. He had only taken two steps when his body convulsed, shocks of lightning shooting through his wrists and neck. He writhed on the floor, hardly hearing the activity around him. A light weight landed on his head and he could feel Levy stroking his cheek.

"Sol! Boze! Tie him up and bring me the cat!"

The current left his body and instantly froze into a lump of ice in the pit of his stomach. Rough hands jerked him to his feet, dragging him across the room and to the wall next to the main door. His legs shook and he stared at the iron rings fastened into the wood. The chains on his arms were yanked above his head and fastened to the hooks while iron bands encased his ankles and were shackled to rings on the floor. His heartbeat roared in his ears and he struggled to breathe. His shirt was torn and ripped from his body, his bare back exposed to the dangers behind him.

He turned his head, his eyes widening when Boze handed Jose a long whip with nine strands attached to the handle. Light flickered off pieces of glass and metal tied to the leather strands. A group of people filed into the room, their jeers and taunts filling his ears. He rested his cheek against the wall, squeezing his eyes shut. He shivered, the ice in his veins coursing through his entire body, and his heart threatened to beat right out of his chest.

A soft touch caressed his face and he opened his eyes, desperately soaking in the soft warmth of Levy's glow.

"Shorty," he rasped as quietly as he could, hoping the sound of the mages would cover his whispered plea, "you need to get out of here."

Levy shook her head, still rubbing his cheek. "I'm not leaving you to him and that thing."

"Levy," he choked and tears streamed down the Fairy's cheeks, "Please. I...I don't want you watching this." He grimaced, a single tear trailing down his face.

She bit her lip, studying him closely. She finally nodded before pressing her body against his cheek. He leaned into her embrace before whispering, "Go."

He felt her nod and watched her flutter to the window. The first lash came, shooting pain across his back, but he never took his eyes off the window where Levy flew. Another lash. And another. His body convulsed against his will, but he clamped his teeth shut. The warmth on his cheek still lingered.

Another. Another. Gajeel held back a groan as his back began to burn. He was not going to give them the satisfaction of hearing him cry out.

"I'll teach you some respect!"

Another. And another. Cheers rose behind him and warm liquid trickled down his skin.

Another.

And another.

And another.

He jerked against his bonds, legs threatening to collapse under him. Another lash and the warmth in his cheek disappeared. He couldn't hold back his screams any longer.