Author's note. The reaction to this story has been a positive one so I'm very pleased about that. Some people have suggested that I carry on with this sort of idea and I would be happy to if I get suggestions.

I've already gotten a few but I'm always open for more, lol.

Enjoy and please review.

Spike lay miserably in his cell, trying to ignore the burning sensation on his bottom. He'd been locked up by the Decepticons several times before but never when he was in pain. It was hard to comprehend that merely an hour or so ago, he was having fun with his best friend Bumblebee.

Then they'd be called out to a place the Decepticons were trying to raid. Bumblebee had let Spike out before rushing into the action, leaving Spike to stay and help any other humans who might be about. He'd done his best to stay out of the Autobots and the Decepticons way but then that flying bugger Starscream had come swooping out of nowhere.

Why did Starscream have to take him to Megatron, why couldn't he have just locked him up? That's what they normally did unless they were going to use him as bait straight away. Then he was either locked up in a little cage or one of the Decepticons kept a hold of him. Oddly enough, this was usually Soundwave who did this job but at least he didn't talk much and therefore, didn't mock Spike.

He didn't think he'd ever get over what had happened, it wouldn't surprise him if he really couldn't sit down for a week or so. This was without a doubt the most humiliating experience of his life and he was sure the Decepticons would never let him forget it. It was bad enough that Megatron spanked him in the first place but he also pulled down his trousers and then his pants.

How the hell was he supposed to get over the fact that not only did Megatron see his naked...rear, he also touched it!

Spike shuddered, that made it sound worse than it probably was. It wasn't as though Megatron had been perving on him or anything but he had technically touched his bum. Even if it was only long enough to deliver a smack before taking his fingers away. Urgh, why was he even thinking about that, he should be doing everything to rid himself of those memories?

"Just get this over with," he grumbled under his breath, how long was he going to have to wallow in this cell?

All he wanted was to go home and have a nice cold bath. Something to soothe his poor abused bottom, he could always add some cream to it. His dad had spanked him when he was younger but it had never left his bottom in this state. However, when he was little he'd fallen on a fire ant nest and his bottom had been very badly stung.

It had been made worse by the fact his dad needed to use disinfectant but after that, he'd given his son a nice cold bath. He'd then rubbed cream his son's bottom and given his chocolate ice cream. He'd been quite young at the time so he'd cried quite a bit but his dad had told him what a brave boy he'd been and that actually made everything better.

But there was no dad here to give him ice cream or tell him what a brave boy he was. There was only, cruel, sarcastic Decepticons who would rather kiss Ironhide than offer him any sort of comfort. Although Soundwave hadn't actually said anything to him on the journey to this cell, his stoic disapproval was clear enough.

Spike groaned and then growled, stupid tape deck, what did he know? His Cassettes were ten times as cheeky and obnoxious as he was but did they ever get punished? Hell no, they got away with anything even back talk. It just wasn't fair and his rear still stung like a thousand bees had used it for target practice.

Even rubbing it had no effect, it clearly needed something cool. If he hadn't been locked up in a Decepticon cell, he might have lowered both his pants and trousers to allow some cold air to cool the raging heat. But there was no way he was going to risk someone like Starscream walking it and seeing his stark red butt, not way in hell.

"Stupid, bloody Cons," he muttered mulishly as he gave another ineffective rub. "They can all go and frag them..."

"Human!" came a harsh bark and Spike bit back the curse he was uttering and groaned. Just what he needed.

"Get up," Starscream commanded as he entered the cell, eyeing the berth Spike was lying with distaste. How dare that worthless piece of organic filth just loll around the place as though he wasn't mere hours from a painful and prolonged death.

Spike glared at the haughty Seeker but didn't move, moving meant more pain. Starscream sneered before marching over and barking.

"I said, get up!"

Without waiting for Spike to obey, he reached down and grabbed the boy by the shirt, lifting him up. Spike yelped as the sudden movement caused pain to flash across his burning backside and glared at Starscream. The Seeker sneered at him before carrying him away, Spike still dangling from finger and thumb.

Spike hated being treated like this but at least Starscream wasn't holding him by his trousers again, that would have been painful. Normally, he'd work in a few snide comments towards the proud Seeker but decided that wouldn't' be a very smart thing to do at this point in time.

Although he couldn't resist asking.

"Where are we going?"

"Out," Starscream said tersely. "Why Megatron bothers with these ridiculous traps, I'll never know. I say we should all squish you and be done with it."

"Yeah well, Megatron's the leader, not you," Spike said in a rather smug tone, he sometimes got the impression Megatron would never bother with humans if not for his soldiers.

"For now," Starscream said darkly as he carried Spike through the corridors.

Being carried actually helped Spike feel a little better although he wished his trousers breathed a bit more. But he didn't feel quite as humiliated until he saw just who was going with Starscream to the Autobots trap. Megatron had his back to them but Spike still felt his face flame with embarrassment.

"Please, please, please don't say anything to Screamer," he mentally begged, he couldn't bare it if the Seeker started taunting him about the spanking.

"Why is it that I always have to deal with the fleshy scum?" Starscream demanded as he came up to Megatron who was waiting at the landing platform.

Spike stared resolutely at the floor, sure Megatron was at this moment smirking down at him. His tone certainly sounded mocking.

"Because you're my trusted Second," Megatron said as Starscream made a hissing noise.

"Well, I've brought him, you take him," Starscream demanded, thrusting Spike forwards causing the boy to swing slightly.

Spike heard a very deep chuckle and was sure his face was as red as his butt. He just hung limply in Starscream's grasp, waiting for something to happen. Finally, Megatron said.

"Very well Starscream, I shall indulge your squeamishness this one time."

"Squeamishness?" Starscream screeched but he still handed over Spike.

Spike felt a hand take hold of him and tried not to flinch as his bottom was brought into contact with a hard surface. He was still staring anywhere but Megatron's face even when the Decepticon leader faced the front again. There was silence, even Starscream wasn't talking.

"Why so shy, human?" Megatron's mocking tone asked Spike.

The boy shrugged, wishing he could just disappear. Megatron chuckled.

"You seemed very...vocal earlier."

Spike mumbled something under his breath, feelings the other Decepticons optics on him. They were probably wondering why he was so quiet, he certainly wasn't normally like this. But the burning in his backside was doing a good job of stilling his tongue.

"Perhaps you've finally learned common sense," Megatron said as the platform rose. "Who knew that was such a simple thing to install."

"What are you going on about?" Starscream demanded, Spike certainly hadn't been quiet with him.

"There's a reason why I'm leader and not you Starscream," Megatron said over his shoulder to his annoyed SIC. "I know how to handle certain situations and deal with insolence accordingly."

"Well, why don't you share your secret, oh wise and mighty leader," Starscream said sarcastically as they finally reached the top which opened out onto the sky.

"Work it out, Starcream," was all Megatron would say as he cradled Spike against his chest before taking off.

Spike huddled down in Megatron's protective hand even though it hurt to do so. But he personally didn't want to find out what would happen if he fell from this height.

Later that day

"Spike, is something the matter?"

Optimus Prime asked this question as he carried the young human boy, they'd rescued him from the Decepticons only a short time before hand. It hadn't been easy, the Decepticons had planned well but they'd managed to succeed even though there were several bad injuries.

"No," muttered Spike, lying curled in Optimus's large hand.

Optimus frowned, he knew this wasn't the case. Spike had always been a rather noisy but upbeat child and to see him so miserable was disconcerting. He knew it had something to do with the Decepticons but he wasn't sure just what. So he very gently said.

"You can tell me Spike, what happened? Did the Decepticons scare you?"

"No...I mean, not really," Spike said softly. "Not any more than usual."

He twisted his shirt, wondering if he should tell Optimus. But just then, Optimus stepped over a rather large piece of stone and Spike was surprised at the sudden movement and bumped against Optimus's chest. This caused him to yelp out as his bottom was suddenly whacked against metal causing Optimus to stop dead.

"Are you injured Spike?" the Prime asked urgently, cursing himself for not checking the boy properly.

"No," Spike cried, his face once again flaming. "Not...not like that."

"Than how?" Optimus asked gently, seeing how Spike's face changed colour and knew this was an indication of strong emotion. "You're clearly in pain, Spike."

Spike gritted his teeth, wondering how best to explain himself.

"I...Megatron...I kinda talked back to him," he finally muttered, now having a hard time looking at Optimus.

"Ah," Optimus said in understanding before asking softly. "Did he punish you, Spike."

"Yeah," Spike said in a very small voice. "He...he spanked me."

He shuddered at the memory, he could still feel Megatron's hard smacks raining down on his poor bottom. Optimus however, was confused.

"He...spanked you?" he repeated, cocking his head to one side. "I've never heard of that."

"It's what some parents do to their kids," Spike quickly explained. "It means...smacking my...my ass."

"Hmm," Optimus murmured, examining Spike closely. "I assume it's not a pleasant experience."

"I'll say, he tanned my hide good and proper," Spike bemoaned, giving said hide a good rub. "I've never been so humiliated in my entire life."

"Did he do that without warning?" Optimus questioned, he wasn't going to stand for Megatron randomly beating innocent children like Spike.

"Yes," Spike said hotly before remembering that Megatron had technically given him a warning. "I mean, sorta."

"Spike?" Optimus said gently but sternly making Spike sigh and say.

"He did tell me if I didn't stop being smart with him, he'd punish me."

"But you didn't," Optimus finished with a slight sigh. "Spike, you know Megatron is a very dangerous Mech, you're lucky he chose to be so gentle."

"That was gentle?" Spike said in disbelief.

"For Megatron, exceedingly so," Optimus said sternly. "After all, you're only suffering from a little pain in your aft, but one that I think will easily fade. He didn't burn you, break any bones or even whip you. You are a very lucky human Spike, he is not one for tolerating youth."

"I know, I'm sorry," Spike said, feeling ashamed of himself. "It just he...he didn't just spank me, he...pulled down my pants and spanked me on the bare."

"Ah," Optimus said in more understanding. "But is that a traditional part of a spanking?"

"Yeah," Spike admitted. "I don't see why he had to do it though, my ass hurt enough without him doing that."

"Because it is a traditional way of spanking," Optimus said softly. "And if nothing else, Megatron is something of a traditional Mech. He nearly always takes into account a bots background when dealing with them and acts accordingly. Most bots would be inclined to treat others how their own culture dictates but it isn't usually that effective."

"Gee, I never thought of it that way," Spike said thoughtfully. "I um, forget you guys have different cultures and stuff."

"It's an easy mistake to make," Optimus said gently. "But if not for the war, we wouldn't be this mixed...it is strange how these things happen."

Spike looked up at him with a slight frown.

"You mean you guys wouldn't hang out as much if not for the war?"

"Probably not," Optimus said regretfully. "We all belonged to different cities and cultures, and we tended to stick together. It's not that we couldn't get on but...well, you were expected to form most of your friendships from the same caste."

"Oh," said Spike, thinking this over. "It's kinda like that in some places but I like to think we're mostly changing."

"I think you are," Optimus said with a chuckle, giving Spike's hair a tousle. "Now, is there anything else you need to talk about?"

"Um, yeah," Spike said as he thought back over what happened. "He had me locked up for a while after, you know, and had Starscream get me. It's kinda funny because he didn't tell Screamer what he did even when Screamer started asking what was wrong with me."

"What did he say?" Optimus questioned.

"He said "There's a reason why I'm leader and not you Starscream, I know how to handle certain situations and deal with insolence accordingly."

Now Optimus really did chuckle, a deep rumbling sound that Spike could actually feel. It made him smile, the situation with the Seeker was much more funny than it had been at the time.

"It is true, it is why he can manage such a highly strung Mech like Starscream, he knows how to deal with him," the Autobot leader now said. "It is one of the things I respect about him, which makes it a pity we can't get along."

"Why didn't he tell Screamer though?" Spike asked after nodding. "He could have had him taunting me the whole time I was there but the only other Con who knew was Soundwave and you know him. He doesn't talk, just gives me looks like...he wants to spank me."

"Soundwave has something of a parental streak," Optimus explained, sounding as though he were smiling. "He would have looked up spanking when he saw you and knew it applies to children."

"Not a child," Spike muttered, causing Optimus to give him another tousle.

"To us, I'm afraid you are," the Autobot said gently. "Which is why Megatron punished you like that, you're just a Sparkling to him."

Spike pouted, now that he was approaching adulthood, like all teenagers he disliked being called a child. But he understood Optimus's point.

"So, he didn't want to humiliate me even more because he thinks I'm a kid?" Spike now asked.

"Partly but I also think he wanted to make it clear that he was the one punishing you," Optimus explained. "If he told Starscream, then Starscream would start trying to assert his authority and you might forget just who dealt with you in the first place."

"Huh," Spike said slowly. "Makes sense, Screamer always seems to be arguing or picking a fight with him."

"That he does," Optimus said, sounding as though he was grinning now.

Spike smiled before saying softly.

"I uh...I think I learned my lesson, I won't back talk again. Although I can't promise with Screamer."

"That is a difficult feat," Optimus acknowledged gravely making Spike laugh.

But then he winced again, he still felt so sore. But before he could do anything, Optimus suddenly lifted him up and laid him against his shoulder, gently rubbing his back. For a moment, Spike was shocked and then he snuggled up against the Autobot leader, trying to stop his eyes from stinging with tears.

"It's alright Spike, the pain will pass," Optimus said kindly. "Just remember who you're dealing with next time."

"I will," Spike said rather thickly, swiping at his eyes.

"C-can you call my dad?"

"I believe he's waiting for you, do you want me to call and say what happened?"

"Yeah...he knows how to handle it," Spike agreed, resting his head against the Autobots shoulder as he was carried to the Autobot Base.

The Nemesis

"Typical Prime," Megatron sneered as he watched his rival carry that boy like a Sparkling.

"Only he could find hidden depths in a well deserved punishment."

Standing behind him, Soundwave didn't say anything, just stroked Lazerbeak's head. The plan hadn't gone as planned but they had managed to steal quite a few Energon cubes so it wasn't a total loss. Even more amusing was the fact that most of the Autobots had been out for Starscream's blood meaning the Seeker had been dancing all over the place, squawking away.

"I should have known the brat would whine to Prime about what happened," Megatron continued.

"Autobot leader Prime, respect you," Soundwave said softly. "And the boy probably does now as well."

Megatron smirked at this.

"Because I punished him?"

"In part," Soundwave said softly. "He realises you were not just being 'evil', you were trying to teach him a lesson."

"Was I, indeed," Megatron said with a grin. "Well, perhaps I shall reapply it if the boy ever strays again."

He considered the screen in front of him, watching Prime's back.

"I wonder, Prime did not know of that punishment before but he appears to approve..."

As Soundwave looked at him, Megatron said softly.

"It would not surprise me if Prime as it were 'took a leaf out of my book' and dealt with the boy in the appropriate manner in future."

And Soundwave had no doubt what that manner was.

Author's note. Well, I hope this extra chapter was good, please leave me a review and tell me what you thought.