Author's note. Big thank you to artranger 27, your ideas were a big help for this chapter.

Suggestions are welcome.

Enjoy and please review.

"Bumblebee," Optimus said quietly once they were alone. "I know this might seem harsh but it's only because I don't want you risking yourself like that again."

"I know sir," Bumblebee said quietly, he'd already accepted what was going to happen.

"I know I'm not your Sire but I helped raise you since Sparklinghood and I think of you as my adopted son. You're very precious to me and I don't want you to get hurt, this war aside. This may be an organic planet but as we've discovered, it still contains peril. Right now, Megatron seems a little too eager to get his claws on Spike and I don't want him adding you to that focus."

"I'd rather he wanted me than Spike," Bumblebee couldn't help but say. "There's less he can do to me than Spike."

"Unfortunately, Megatron unlike some of his soldiers is fully capable of focusing a grudge on more than one being," Optimus said wryly. "Even if you tried to bring his attention solely onto you, he'd still go after Spike until he was satisfied."

"Yeah," Bumblebee agreed grimly. "You're right about that sir."

Optimus gave a brief nod before saying gently. "Shall we get this over with?"

"That would be good," Bumblebee stated, punishment was always best gotten over with.

Optimus gently lifted Bumblebee up and laid him over his lap. Bumblebee tensed up, he'd never experienced anything like this and he knew it would be painful. Pit, Starscream clearly hadn't enjoyed it when Ironhide had gotten his hands on him.

After making sure that Bumblebee was secure, Optimus raised a hand and brought it down smartly. Bumblebee winced, while he was sure Optimus wasn't going to spank him like Ironhide had to Starscream, he still wasn't going to go easy on him. Optimus had a large hand and it easily covered his aft, landing squarely placed smacks.

He gritted his teeth; he would ride out the pain as much as possible. Optimus wouldn't judge him for making any sounds but he automatically didn't want to be whimpering away in pain. However it wasn't easy when a large heavy hand hardened by war was smacking into your aft.

"Nn," he grunted after the twentieth smack. He was going to receive a lot more than Spike would since he was wearing armour.

"You don't have to hold it in," Optimus told him gently and Bumblebee nodded.

"I know sir," he said with another grunt.

"Alright," Optimus said as he regretfully but determinedly continued with the spanking.

Bumblebee bit his lip, he wanted to talk to his leader but wasn't sure where to begin. Finally, he managed to speak."

"I wasn't trying to disappoint you," Bumblebee began. "I was only thinking of what could happen to Spike and how I could get him out. Not anything else and that was my mistake."

Optimus made a sound that indicated he was listening but wanted Bumblebee to continue. Bumblebee tried to gather his thoughts; it really wasn't easy while his aft was being thoroughly tanned.

"I didn't consider what could go wrong," he managed to say. "I was so sure I could just go in and get him, no problem. But if I'd been captured or injured, we'd have been in big trouble."

He suddenly let out a laugh of self recrimination.

"More than half the Decepticon army was there, I literally took them on to get Spike back. It was pure luck that he managed to get away from Megatron into a vent and then come out in the corridor that I was going through."

"That was lucky," Optimus commented on, delivering another smack which made Bumblebee wince.

"Yeah, it was stupid," he readily admitted. "Primus, but it was really stupid."

He hung his head and said.

"I'm sorry Optimus, I'll try to stop and think next time."

"You thought with your Spark and your actions were daring and brave," Optimus acknowledged. "It's one of your greatest qualities."

"But also a weakness?" Bumblebee said softly.

"Not a weakness," Optimus corrected. "Sometimes we need to think with our Sparks but at the same time, we need to consider how our actions can affect others. We judge when to listen to our Sparks and to trust that others feel the same way."

Bumblebee flushed slightly, of course Optimus and the others cared for Spike. He just forgot in the heat of the moment how much they cared for him as well. Obviously they would have worked as hard as anyone to get their young human friend back.

"I'm sorry," he said a little thickly as the pain in his aft increased. "I won't rush in like that next time; I'll wait for you guys."

"You're forgiven," Optimus said softly, giving him five hard smacks before stopping.

Bumblebee let out a sigh of relief, his aft was stinging like mad but at least his pride was intact. It was easier for him to maintain his composure; he had been fighting in a war for a very long time.

"You did well," Optimus told him as he lifted Bumblebee up and set him on his feet. "I'm very proud of you."

"Thanks Optimus," Bumblebee said with a rueful smile, resisting the urge to give his aft a good hard rub. "I'd better go and give Spike a lift home."

Optimus nodded his agreement before saying. "Come and see me later, it's been too long since we spent time together outside of our duties."

"I'd love to," the young Autobot said, suddenly feeling great regardless of the sting in his aft. Optimus was always so busy, it seemed like they never got any time together.

"I'll see you later," he called as he quickly hurried to the door as Optimus chuckled. He was glad that Bumblebee still wanted to spend time with him even though he was technically a young adult. He didn't like punishing any of his bots but it had to be done, it was impossible to run an army without discipline. If this was back on Cybertron in times of peace, things would be different but sadly, they weren't.

He just hoped that both Spike and Bumblebee could stay out of trouble for the next while.

The Nemesis

"How did that brat get in here?"

It was a valid question Soundwave had to admit but the answer was not a good one. Somehow, the Autobot Bumblebee had been able to enter and exit the Nemesis with barely a scratch on his armour. Not only that but he'd successfully rescued the young human mascot right from Megatron's grasp. Of course, the human had managed to escape from Megatron in the first place and it would appear he just happened to find the yellow bug while crawling through the vents.

Security had grown lax on the landing platform which had allowed an Autobot flier to approach and drop off an Autobot. They were lucky all the Autobot had been interested in was retrieving his human friend and not releasing a few explosives or worse. But regardless, Megatron was furious at the whole incident and needed someone to blame.

And that someone was unfortunately Soundwave.

"And how did you fail to catch that human brat?" Megatron now demanded of his TIC. "He was within your reach and yet you let him get away."

"Affirmative," Soundwave acknowledged although technically his leader had been much closer to the human boy.

"This cannot be allowed to stand," Megatron continued, coming closer to Soundwave.

"Affirmative," Soundwave repeated.

"You can make it up to me Soundwave," Megatron growled, looming over his TIC. "Bring me the brat that rescued that boy and do it quickly. Or I might decide to take you over my knee!"

"As you command Megatron," Soundwave said simply as Megatron scowled before leaning back.

"Go," he said, waving a hand at the blue Mech. "Prime won't be expecting anything so soon, strike while they feel safe."

"It shall be done," Soundwave said before bowing and leaving to complete his task.

Later that day

"I'm sorry for getting you into trouble," Spike said softly as he climbed out of Bumblebee's cab.

"Its fine," Bumblebee repeated. "It was my choice to come after you; it's not your fault."

"But I did get caught," Spike mumbled as Bumblebe gave him a pointed nudge.

"Hey, what did I say about blaming yourself," the yellow bug said sternly.

"To not blame myself," Spike said with a small smile. "Alright, I'll try not to. But I still owe you one for the rescue."

"Tell you what," Bumblebee said, a clear grin in his voice. "Next time I've got patrol in the pouring rain, you can treat me to a hot wash and wax."

"It's a deal," Spike laughed, the money and labour would be worth his ass being thoroughly tanned by Megatron. "Just give me a call."

"Oh I will," Bumblebee teased as he reserved. "See you around buddy."

"See you," Spike called with a wave as his friend started back along the road to the Autobot base.

Spike casually headed into his house, not noticing a dark shadow leave the roof and fly straight in the direction of his unsuspecting friend. It was only when Spike had closed the door that a faint cry was heard in the distance and suddenly silenced.

The Nemesis

Seeker quarters

"So what happened again?" Skywarp questioned as Thundercracker carefully polished his left arm.

"I told you, Starscream's feeling better," the blue Seeker said patiently. "He saw the human boy that started everything and he's put it behind him."

"Huh," Skywarp said thoughtfully. "And this all started cause that old Slagger Ironhide beat Screamer's aft?"

"He spanked him," Thundercracker corrected him as Skywarp cocked his head to one side.

"Spanked? What's that exactly?" Skywarp questioned.

"It's when you smack someone on the aft," his fellow wing mate explained. "It's not to cause damage, it's to cause pain and teach them a lesson. Humans apparently do it to their creations."

"Weird," Skywarp muttered before deciding that he would go for a quick flight.

But while he was in the air, lazily soaring over a park, he started thinking. He'd heard that the Autobots had started punishing their human pets and that Megatron had indulged in it a couple of times. What was the big fuss about it though, it didn't sound particularly great. Mind you, it seemed to put Screamer out of commission for a bit, maybe it did more than he imagined.

But how could he find out...unless he tested it out for himself. And in order to do that, he'd need to find himself a test subject.

"Alright," the purple Seeker said with a smirk, he'd just spotted one of the humans that hung around with the Autoboobs. It was the human with wheels moving along a smoothly paved path by the lake. There was no one else with him and he was the perfect target, unable to run away like the others.

Quickly ascertaining that there were no Autobots about, he swooped down with one hand outstretched.

"YAH!" Chip yelped as he was snatched from his wheelchair and carried off. "Hey, what's the big idea?"

"Relax human," Skywarp said lazily as he transformed, placing the crippled boy within his cockpit as he did so. "I just need you for a little experiment."

"What kind of experiment?" Chip asked warily as a seat belt strapped him in place. He dearly wished that the Seeker hadn't left his wheelchair behind, which was going to leave him virtually helpless.

"Nothing permanent," Skywarp replied with an evil chuckle. "I'm just curious about something and you human are going to satisfy me about it."

Chip surmised that Skywarp had simply been searching for a random human and unfortunately, he'd found Chip. The boy didn't get into as many scrapes as Spike managed to get into but he had his fair share of encounters with the Decepticons and most of them weren't pleasant.

And somehow he had a feeling this wasn't going to be any better.

The Nemesis

"Get off me," Bumblebee snarled as Soundwave dragged him by the arm through the Nemesis. He couldn't believe that the blue Mech had managed to surprise him like that, he'd let his guard down after delivering Spike safely to his home. He'd need to work on that in future, he obviously couldn't afford to get so complacent.

"Hey, I said let go," he demanded of Soundwave who merely replied "Negative."

Bumblebee growled before saying. "What's this about? Because I managed to snatch Spike from under Mega-Jerk's nose?"

As usual, Soundwave did not offer an explanation, just continued dragging the young Autobot along until they finally reached the Throne room. Megatron was lounging on his Throne, one foot resting on his other knee as he tapped his fingers impatiently. As he beheld his Third, he stopped tapping and smiled as Bumblebee was brought over to him.

"What?" Bumblebee asked rudely before Megatron could say anything to him.

"Watch your tone Autobot," Megatron growled. "You might be Prime's favourite but you won't get away with insolence here."

"I don't know what you're talking about," Bumblebee stated as Megatron smirked.

"I know how he feels about you," he told the yellow bot softly. "You are one of his youngest soldiers; he's been involved in your training since you were practically out of Sparkling hood. He must almost think of you as a protégé or even son."

"Optimus cares about all his bots," Bumblebee retorted, trying to hide the fact that Megatron had hit the proverbial nail on the head. "And none of them are insolent to him."

"Is that so," Megatron said with a slight growl. "Well, Prime might 'care' about his Autobots but that doesn't stop him caring more about others. Like you for instance."

"You can think what you want," Bumblebee told him. "It doesn't change the fact I'm just another Autobot. Maybe I am young but all the officers treat me the same."

"Of course they do," Megatron sneered, making Bumblebee scowl at his tone. "Their little pet Bee."

Bumblebee bristled at the use of his nickname, he hated Megatron saying it.

"I'm no one's pet," Bumblebee growled, wishing he could wipe the smirk from the grey Mech's smug face.

"We'll see Youngling," Megatron chuckled.

"I hate being called that," Bumblebee thought to himself as Soundwave pushed him to within Megatron's grasp.

"I suppose you thought you were very brave and clever, springing that human brat from the Nemesis. Did Prime praise your success; give you a little pat on the head?"

"Oh, he gave me more than a pat," Bumblebee said wryly.

"Prime was happy to have Spike back safely," he now said aloud. "You had no right to keep him."

"Right?" Megatron said in contempt. "It is not a question of right Autobot, I do what I please. That infuriating human has become a thorn in my side and I mean to put him in his place. Although I suppose I should thank him for helping me to control Starscream."

"What do you mean?" Bumblebee said uneasily as Megatron offered another smirk.

"Nothing for you to concern yourself with child. Now, about the reason I brought you here..."

Before Bumblebee could retort, the door whooshed open and a certain Seeker strode over the threshold.

"What do you want Skywarp?" Megatron asked irritably, his hands gripping Bumblebee's shoulders tightly as the purple Seeker walked into the room, holding a certain human in his hand.

"I wanna see how you do it sir," Skywarp asked brightly as Bumblebee yelped "Chip!"

"Do what?" snapped Megatron as he held Bumblebee in a firmer grip to prevent him from freeing Chip.

"Spanking," Skywarp answered as Chip looked even more alarmed that he had previously.

"Leave Chip alone," Bumblebee said furiously. "He hasn't done anything to you."

"I didn't say he had," Skywarp said with a shrug as Bumblebee looked furious.

"You can't do that!"

"Watch me," Skywarp sneered although he did glance at Megatron for permission. The grey Mech didn't care either way and simply said.

"Take him some other place and do what you want. I do not wish any distractions for our young friend here. Just look it up if you want to know how to do it."

"You got it," Skywarp said, he didn't care if he was being sent from the room as long as Megatron didn't mind him experimenting.

"No, leave him alone," Bumblebee yelled, trying to free himself from Megatron's grasp but the older Mech simply lifting him onto his lap and held him there.

"Let me go," Bumblebee exclaimed as he tried to punch Megatron but with his hands cuffed, this was difficult.

"I don't think I will," Megatron said cruelly as Skywarp left the room with Chip and without a single backward glance.

"Optimus won't let Skywarp get away with that," Bumblebee warned as Megatron shrugged.

"That is not my problem Autobot," Megatron said dismissively. "If Skywarp is determined to go through with it, then he will face any possible consequences."

"Don't you care?" Bumblebee said in astonishment. If Optimus saw one of his bots about to make a big mistake like that, at the very least he'd talk to them, warn them that they could be getting themselves into trouble. To think that Megatron would allow one of his soldiers to proceed with something that was likely to incur the wrath of at least several Autobots was mind boggling.

Megatron snorted.

"About that? No, I do not care Autobot," Megatron said dismissively.

"Unbelievable," Bumblebee mumbled to himself before yelping as he was abruptly turned and laid across the warlord's broad knees. "Hey!"

"Now where were we?" Megatron said thoughtfully, keeping a tight hold of Bumblebee's neck. The young Mech couldn't help but compare this to how Optimus gripped him; his leader's hold on him had been firm but gentle, merely keeping him in place so he didn't fall.

"Just do it," Bumblebee stated bitingly, causing Megatron to chuckle.

"So eager Autobot? Well, I'm sure I can accommodate," Megatron said smugly as Bumblebee's gritted his teeth. He would not give Megatron the satisfaction of hearing him cry out.

Megatron smirked down at the Autobot lying across his lap; this gave him such a thrill of power. Perhaps this is what the mine masters felt like when they prepared to whip the young recruits that ran around the mines doing odd jobs. He could still dimly remember the sting and helplessness he'd felt, too small and hungry to do anything about it. Oh how he'd enjoy breaking the whip over a particularly vicious mine master's back when he was big enough to do so.

But enough about that, he had a defiant Autobot to discipline. And he was going to savour every moment of it.

Meanwhile

"Why are you doing this?" Chip asked as he was taken to a spare room that had a few odd crates lying around.

"Because I feel like it human," was Skywarp's response as he walked over to a suitable crate.

Chip bit his lip, he was in a bad situation and he doubted he could talk Skywarp out of this. But maybe he could lessen the damage somewhat.

"Hey uh...do you know how to uh... spank?"

"No," Skywarp stated as he sat down. "You do?"

"Uh yeah, I got spanked when I was younger," Chip said, lying through his teeth. "I can tell you want you need to know."

Skywarp considered this before nodding. "Alright, what do you do?"

"Well, spanking is where the parent...creator strikes their child on their bottom, usually with their hand," Chip exclaimed. "With the flat of their palm, not a fist."

He demonstrated the hand posture for Skywarp.

"And it's done like this," he continued, gesturing with his hand to show the movement.

"But spanking isn't meant to damage," he said hurriedly. "It's meant to cause discomfort and some pain but the most it should leave is a red mark. At least if you're doing it with your hand."

"So you can do it with other things?" Skywarp questioned and Chip paused.

"Yes," he said slowly. "Some people use implements like paddles, straps and canes. But considering you've got a metal hand, I think you've got it covered. As it is, you won't be able to hit me like you would a fellow Transformer. That's if you want to spank me and not seriously hurt me."

Skywarp considered this before acknowledging the point.

"Fine, is there anything else I need to know?"

"Well in order to spank me, I'm supposed to be laid across your lap so that my...uh...rear is facing upwards. That way you can spank me easily but it's best to set a certain limit of spanks otherwise you could really hurt the person your spanking and that's not the point of it."

"What is the point of it?" the Seeker questioned.

"It's a form of discipline," Chip explained. "Creators use it for different reasons like for instance some parents will only use it if their children lie or disobey a direct order like don't go exploring the crumbling ruin. It just depends on the creator but the point is you really don't want to be spanked so you do what you can to avoid it."

Chip wondered if he should mention the fact that most people were only spanked after they'd done something and not because a bored Seeker wanted to try something new. He dearly hoped that Skywarp didn't decide to look spanking up, this would be bad enough with the information he'd given the Seeker.

"Why the aft?" Skywarp questioned as he lifted the boy up and laid him over his knee, Chip's legs swinging limply.

"I guess because it's a sort part of our body," Chip said with a shrug. "And it's uncomfortable to sit down afterwards but we can still work and stuff."

"Ah," Skywarp said with a nod, that kind of punishment made sense. Painful but as long as you could get up, you could carry on fighting.

He considered his next move; humans were pretty delicate and breakable so he'd have to be careful. Adopting the hand gesture that the boy had shown him, he very carefully touched the tiny aft with it. The boy flinched but he didn't think he'd hurt him so he touched him again with slightly more force but it was still more of a tap than a smack.

This time, the boy didn't flinch but his upper body wriggled nervously. Skywarp grew bolder as he worked out how much force he could apply to the human without damaging him. As for Chip, things were becoming a lot more uncomfortable and painful for him.

"Ah," Chip yelped, that last smack had stung.

Skywarp grinned; he'd reached the perfect amount of force to use. He started to spank the helpless human with gusto and was enjoying the sounds the boy was making. Oh yeah, he could see why Megatron enjoyed doing this, it was great fun.

Megatron was probably having a great time with that Autobrat.

The Throne room

Megatron paused as the Autobot lay limply over his knees. He'd given the Autobot a good walloping but he felt more was needed. Besides, the young Mech was doing his upmost not to cry out although he couldn't stop himself from grunting in pain occasionally. Unlike Starscream who had alternative begged and cursed him to stop, this bot was being as stoic as possible.

He'd have to do something about that.

"Enjoying yourself Autobot?" he asked but only received a grunt in response.

"Good," Megatron sneered. "Because I've got plenty more for you my dear Bee."

This unlike the smacks earned a proper reaction.

"I'm not your dear Bee," Bumblebee said furiously, twisting to glare at his torturer.

"I think you are," Megatron said with a grin, gently patting Bumblebee's abused aft. "My little pet Bee."

"Like Starscream?" Bumblebee said contemptuously as Megatron's face registered mild surprise before saying.

"Yes Autobot, just like Starscream."

Megatron had a smirk on his face and Bumblebee didn't like it. He wondered what really had happened between the warlord and his SIC.

To be continued

Author's note. What did happen to Starscream? Can Bumblebee and Chip get away and what will Optimus and the others do once they discover what's happened? Find out next time, until then.