Author's note. With thanks to Mrs Bumblebee and Kaitamis for their great suggestions, they've been a big help.

Grrr, I finished this three days ago but my computer crashed and has only just been fixed. Sorry for the wait in getting this up.

Also, Armada is, I believe set in the US. I've no idea if garlic is a plant that can be found there, probably not. But let's pretend it was introduced there or something.

I'm saying this in case anyone points out you'd never find that plant there.

Well, if that cover's everything, then on with the story.

Enjoy and please review.

Starscream chuckled softly as he watched the kids enjoying themselves. When they had first got back from the human town, they'd been a little depressed. But now they were back to their usual cheerful selves and happily messing around.

They'd explored the forest for a while, the kids trying to spot different organic creatures. It had been interesting, more so than Starscream would have thought doing this. He'd never had much interest in animals, especially organic ones.

But ever since Megatron had captured the kids, he'd found himself becoming more fascinated by the cycle. This planet and it's inhabitants were something else.

Of course it helped that they were a small force in this systems with a surprising amount of free time. But there was only so much training they could do and if no Minicons were about, they didn't really engage the Autobots. Unlike Cybertron where virtually every cycle was a new battle and there was never time for rest, or so it seemed.

He suddenly noticed Carlos was munching on something and couldn't help but ask.

"What is that you are consuming, Carlos?"

"Hmm? Oh this is some wild garlic I found," Carlos replied with a grin. "It's really nice."

"Carlos, I hope you've got some gum or something," Rad said with a laugh. "Otherwise, your breaths going to stink."

Starscream raised a brow, the idea of food that made you smell was a foreign concept. Alexis saw his look and laughed.

"Garlic's very good for you, Starscream, even if it does smell. It helps prevent colds and stuff."

"Oh," he said in understanding though it was still a little strange.

The kids laughed again at his obvious confusion but in a friendly way. Starscream relaxed, it was nice to do this. Though a part of him could admit it was also nice to do something Megatron would expressly forbid. He was a Decepticon after all.

Rad was messing around near a small stream while Alexis reclined on a mossy mound, soaking up the sun. Carlos was still chewing but he had now brought out a small package of something and was offering it round.

"I actually do have some gum on me," he explained with a laugh. "I couldn't resist when I saw it."

"I'll have some," Rad could and Carlos tossed him some before tossing some to Alexis.

Alexis caught it but suddenly paused and ran her tongue across her teeth. She then made a face.

"Oh gross, my teeth feel so furry," she complained.

This made the boys copy her and they also grimaced. Carlos looked up at Starscream.

"Hey man, I don't suppose it would be possible to get us some toothbrushes and toothpaste? Our teeth really need a good brushing."

"I'll look into it," Starscream promised. "I'm sure Megatron wouldn't begrudge me some free time in order to go to Earth."

"Thanks dude, that would be really great," Carlos said seriously, now trying to clean his teeth with his tongue.

Starscream was about to reply when he suddenly froze.

"Starscream, Megatron has woken up and he looks like he's planning to leave the Throne room."

"Thank you, Swindle, we're on our way."

"Kids, to me," Starscream barked out, getting to his feet and striding over to them.

They obeyed, running over to him and he scooped them up even as he activated the Warp Gate. Quickly, he handed them back their collars and they put them on hurriedly as the Warp Gate powered up. They all clung tightly to his hands as they were whisked away.

The Decepticon Base.

Starscream hurried along the corridor, praying that he wouldn't meant anyone. And also praying that he would get there before Megatron. Oh Primus, if they were caught…..

He rushed into the brig and skidded to a halt in front of Optimus Prime's cell. The chained Autobot looked up and his optics brightened with relief. This was enough to tell Starscream that everything was okay.

"Kids, you got back safely," the Autobot leader said warmly. "I hope you enjoyed yourself."

"Yeah Optimus, it was great," Carlos said enthusiastically. "We had meal together, we got to explore and stuff."

"We had a really nice time," Alexis said softly as Starscream opened the cell door and walked in.

"We even got to call our parents."

"That's good kids," Optimus said seriously as the kids' faces briefly clouded.

"We've all been worrying about that, I'm afraid we couldn't come up with a way to contact them."

"That's alright, Optimus," Rad said quietly. "We had a hard time trying to put their questions off."

He sighed before smiling as Starscream carefully deposited them on Optimus's knee.

"But it really was great, none of us regret it. We really needed a break."

Optimus nodded in understanding and he briefly lifted his knees up to gently hug them against his body. They clung to him tightly and then he let them down again. Looking up at Starscream, he said simply.

"Thank you Starscream."

Starscream nodded, a tiny smile on his face plates. He bent and gave the kids quick pats on the head before stepping back.

"I'm sure I'll see you later, good bye for now."

"Bye Starscream, and thanks," the kids all called as he left them.

Optimus smiled behind his mask as the kids settled down on his lap, trying to look as though they had been there for ages. He was happy that they had gotten home, even for a short while. But even happier that not all of Megatron's soldiers were as cold sparked as he.

Megatron's POV.

Megatron strode out of the store room, a smirk on his face. After having a refreshing nap, he had gotten up and taken a stroll. At first he had been heading to the brig but then an idea occurred to him and he instead headed for the storage section of the base. It had actually taken him a while to find what he was looking for, but he didn't mind. He was in such a good mood that the mundane task didn't bother him. It meant he could spend even more time gloating over Prime's fate.

But now he was finally heading for the brig to where Prime and his little pets were safely stored. Hopefully, this last punishment had finally moulded them into obedient pets. And if not…

He smirked, he doubted that would be necessary. Besides, what he had planned for Prime should curb any more behaviour problems.

"Ah, Optimus," he sneered, his tone mockingly friendly.

Optimus Prime raised his head, it looked like he'd been napping. On his lap, the three children were curled up and fast asleep. Prime narrowed his optics as Megatron continued.

"I hope you had a good nap Optimus, I'm sure you needed it after the day's battle."

"It was nice yes," Optimus replied evenly. "Did you enjoy yours,"

Megatron grinned.

"Oh yes, Prime, I did. But I see you've taken my favourite leg warmer so I think I'll take them back."

He reached forward and scooped the sleeping kids into his hand. They didn't wake, though they shifted slightly before settling back down.

"Megatron," Optimus began softly. "I know you hate it whenever I suggest anything.."

Megatron smirked.

"Go on," he encouraged.

"You're not going to punish them even more, are you?"

Optimus's voice was pleading though his optics showed only calm. It was actually one of the things he admired about Prime, his ability to remain calm and collected even in a situation like this. But back to the matter at hand.

"Don't worry Optimus, they've served their punishment. Let's hope this one stick, eh?"

Optimus didn't say anything making Megatron chuckle again.

"I was going to have our little chat now, but I think it'll have to wait a bit," Megatron continued.

"I have a couple of things to take care of first."

"I can hardly wait," Optimus replied dryly.

Megatron laughed out loud as he left.

In no time at all, he was back in the Throne room and making his way over to his Throne. But as he went, he felt one of the kids stirring and glanced down to see it was the girl. He smiled, perfect timing.

"I hope you had a nice sleep, my dear," he said silkily as Alexis yawned and stretched her arms.

She started at his voice and stared up at him in surprise.

"Megatron?"

"Indeed, my girl, who were you expecting, Optimus?"

He chuckled at the look on her face.

"I just collected you from him," he explained as and spun on the spot and sat himself down on his Throne.

"Oh," was all she said as he gently deposited her and the two sleeping boys onto his lap.

But then she gave a small squeak of surprise as he suddenly pinched the back of her jumpsuit and lifted her up. She dangled from his hand before he placed her on his raised hand, his elbow braced against the arm rest.

"Since your awake girl, I thought we might take this opportunity to have a little chat," he said with a tight smirk as she clung to his fingers.

"What sort of talk?" she asked warily.

"About that smart mouth of yours," he said delicately.

She looked up into his optics, frowning.

"But…I haven't said anything," she finally said, looking very confused.

"No?" he said as his free hand started to tap the arm rest rhythmically.

"How about when you and those two other brats were cleaning the Minicons?"

As she frowned even more, trying to remember what had been said, he continued.

"Something about me not being able to handle criticism,"

"You were spying on us?" she burst out indignantly, now glaring up at him.

"I was observing you," he corrected, reaching up to give her a light tap on the head. "And mind that tone of yours."

"We never get any peace from you," she said angrily, folding her arms and looking away.

"And that is precisely the kind of attitude that I can't stand," Megatron growled, taking her chin under a fingertip and making her look at him.

She glared at him and he bared his fangs ever so slightly.

"Can I not have my own opinion?"

Megatron snorted.

"You can but you keep it to yourself," he growled as he gave her a very stern look. "You don't go behind my back, giving others your opinion of me."

She huffed, and though she couldn't move her head, her eyes darted away.

"Well, I'm sorry. But you had just spanked me twice and I wasn't feeling very complimentary of you, especially after you insulted my friends."

Megatron snarled at this and changed his grip so that she was now clutched in his closed fist.

"By Primus I swear, if you'd been my daughter, you would not have grow up with such a cheeky attitude."

"Well, I'm not," she snapped back, tears now starting to enter her eyes. "You took me away from my parents, remember."

"May I remind you," he said in a low voice as one of the boys on his lap shifted.

"That you three were the ones running around with the Autobots, behind your parents backs. I took you from the Autobots, if you had stayed at home where you belonged I certainly wouldn't have taken you."

She bit her lip but didn't have a comeback for that. He carried on, his voice a little less low.

"Do you insult your own parents? Do you talk back to your father?"

"No but…"

"But nothing," he said, cutting across her.

"While you are here, you are my charges and you will not disrespect me. Understand?"

"Y-yes," she said in a small voice before looking at him and asking.

"Are you going to punish me now?"

He looked at her for a long moment before saying.

"No, I'm not. But you are going to have a good think on what I said, on your own."

And with that, he leaned down and placed her on the ground. He then nudged her against the Throne side so that her nose was pressed against it. She was officially in timeout.

After a while, the other two kids started to stir and wake up. Megatron idly stroked them, contemplating with glee his planned talk with Optimus. Finally, the boys awoke and sleepily looked around them. They seemed surprised to be on Megaron's lap but they quickly got over this. What shocked them however was….

"Alexis!" Rad cried out, sitting up in alarm as he saw his friend was no where to be seen.

"What have you done with her?" Carlos demanded angrily.

"Nothing, she's having some timeout," Megatron replied, not bothering to look down at them.

"Timeout? But why?" Carlos now said but a voice called up.

"Guys, I'm down here."

The boys scooted to the edge of Megatron's knee and peered down to see Alexis standing there. But before they could say anything, Megatron said sternly.

"No talking until I say."

Alexis didn't say anything else and they two boys glared at Megatron.

"Why'd she in timeout, what happened?"

"She's contemplating the virtues of being respectful as well as why it's a good idea not to be cheeky," Megatron said with a sneer.

The boys looked indignant on their friends part but to Megatron's gratification, the girl didn't make a smart comment. Perhaps she was learning.

The boys now sighed and settled back down, there was obviously nothing they could do. At least Megatron didn't seem to have hurt their friend.

Eventually, Megatron decided that she had been down there enough so he bent to retrieve her. Hooking two fingers under her arms, he lifted her up and put her back with her friends. The two boys immediately flanked her, in case Megatron did something else.

Megatron smirked down at them, it was now time.

"Demolisher, you and Scavenger go down to the brig and get Prime. Secure him and then bring him here."

The kids looked up at him.

"What's going on?" Rad asked.

Megatron just smirked even wider.

"Oh, dear Optimus and me are going to be having a little chat, that's all."

"What kind of chat?" Alexis said with narrowed eyes.

"You'll see soon enough," Megatron replied evenly as he withdrew something from sub space.

Taking hold of Rad he placed him on the arm rest before selecting a couple of things from his other hand. He then looked at Rad.

"Place your arms flat against your side."

"Why?" Rad asked suspiciously.

"Do not question me boy, just do it," Megatron snarled.

Looking very warily, Rad did as told. And Megatron promptly snapped a band around his shoulders and another around his elbows.

"Hey, hey, what are you doing?" Rad cried out, struggling as Megatron started to fit a third one, this one at his wrists.

"Stop that," Megatron growled as he finished leaving Rad bound helplessly.

He then turned his attention to the other two who back away from him.

"Oh man, no way we're letting you do this," Carlos said with a glare.

"Oh yes you are," Megatron said with a grim sneer. "Or you'll end up over my knee after I've bound you. Now come here and cooperate."

The two friends glanced at each other but they really didn't want another spanking. And they knew they couldn't escape Megatron even if they abandoned Rad. Sp they simply stood there, arms flat against their sides.

With a triumphant smirk, Megatron proceeded to bind them so that it was just about impossible for them to move their arms. They stood swaying on the spot, trying not to topple over. It was surprisingly difficult with their arms so tightly pinned to their sides.

Megatron chuckled and gently picked them up before helping them to sit down. He then started petting them as he waited for Prime to be brought before him.

"Why are you doing this?" Alexis asked, it was horrible being tied like this.

"It's for your own good," he replied, running her hair between his fingers. "This way you won't be able to interfere."

"Interfere with what?" Rad demanded.

"You'll see," Megatron sneered.

"Why don't you just stick us in a cage?" Carlos asked grumpily, squirming on the spot, trying to loosen the bonds.

"Hmm, I felt like doing this," Megatron said offhandedly.

The kids all scowled at him.

Presently, they heard the sound of approaching footsteps and looked up to see who it was. It turned out to be Demolisher and Scavenger who were leading Optimus into the room. Optimus had brightly glowing Energon ropes tying his arms tightly behind his back.

Both Decepticons looked serious but their comrade, who was trailing behind, didn't. Cyclonus looked like he'd just arrived to see his favourite show.

Megatron got up, with the kids in his hands as Optimus was shoved onto his knees. Placing the kids on their fronts on the ground Megatron made his way over to Optimus.

Optimus glared up at the smirking Decepticon leader, his optics briefly taking in the bound kids. He seemed resigned for what was going to happen now.

"I am sorry for taking so long to get to you, Prime," Megatron sneered, cupping Optimus's chin in his hand. "But we've plenty of time to make up."

And he punched Optimus across the face.

The kids cried out as this happened, but Megatron ignored them and hit Optimus again. He hit him a third time and the Autobot leader crashed to the floor before being hauled up by Demolisher.

Megatron started to thoroughly beat Optimus, mostly using his fists but sometimes a foot. Optimus repeatedly crashed to the floor before being hauled up again. Cyclonus jeered the bound Autobot leader while encouraging his leader, Demolisher joining in with this.

The kids loudly protested this but Megatron ignored them. He had placed them on their fronts so they were struggling to get back on their feet. Carlos had managed to roll onto his back but wasn't able to sit up. They couldn't bare it, Optimus couldn't even fight back as Megatron cruelly laid into him.

"Stop it you Fragger," Alexis screamed, angry tears flowing from her eyes.

But this just made Megatron laugh, he was enjoying taunting them far to much to scold.

But now he changed tactics with Optimus. With an evil grin, he clenched his fist and it crackled with electricity as he loomed over his fallen foe. Rad, Carlos and Alexis all cried up as he seized hold of Optimus and held him as the Autobot jerked with pain. Small grunts of pain escaped his mask but apart from that he barely made a sound.

"Please stop," Rad called out, tears of frustration and exertion at his eyes.

But Megatron simply laughed again, his hand looking for weak spots in Optimus's armour so that he could hurt him more. Optimus's face was twisted with pain and his soft moans were starting to become louder. The kids couldn't stand it.

Rad saw Alexis struggling to stand, their cries weren't doing anything but egging Megatron on. And bound like this, they just couldn't stand. So instead of trying to stand, Rad started to try and free himself. He wriggled and strained against the unyielding bonds, he wasn't going to simply watch as Optimus was tortured.

His arms were burning, the tight bonds rubbing against his jumpsuit as he strove to free his arms. Megatron had stopped electrocuting Optimus but now he was drawing a vicious looking whip from sub space. Rad was only barely aware of the look of pain on Scavenger's face but he didn't think anything on it.

Suddenly, he felt his arms shift slightly and triumphantly he was able to wriggle. But he had to act fast, Demolisher and Cyclonus were forcing Optimus to turn around and bend over, exposing his back. He strained at the bonds and all of a sudden, they started to move up his arms. In another moment, the shoulder bit was loose around his neck and the elbow bond closely following.

But Megatron was raising his whip and throwing caution to the wind, Rad charged forward, ripping the bonds from his body.

"Leave him alone you Slagger," he yelled as he did so.

He didn't know what he was going to do but he had to do something.

"What," Megatron yelped as he heard Rad's footsteps. "Get back you little brat."

But as he turned to abolish Rad, the whip came flying round and hit Rad. With a sickening whack, it lifted the young boy up and threw him away. He hit a broken piece of rubble and slid to the ground, blood trickling from his face.

Everyone froze in horror and for a few minutes could only stare at the broken figure lying slumped on the floor. Megatron's whip had caught the boy full across his front and face.

And he wasn't moving.

To be continued.

Author's note. Mwa ha, ha, I love evil cliff hangers.

So, what's going to happen with Rad? Is he alright and will he get better. Find out next time when Megatron also has to deal with girl problems and dares gone wrong.

Until then.