Author's Note: This is it, the last real chapter of this story. Thank you for all of your reviews. You've been wonderful.

Disclaimer: I think you know by now.

Years of Darkness

Chapter 9: Aftermath

Everyone in Metroplex's briefing room looked up as a low groan echoed through the room. Ultra Rodimus patted the nearest wall in sympathy.

"You'll feel a lot better once the repairs are completed, 'Plex," he assured the huge Autobot.

"THEN I HOPE THEY ARE FINISHED SOON," Metroplex muttered in response.

"We're working as fast as we can. Relax."

"Easier said than done," First Aid commented. "You of all people should know that it's impossible to relax when there are people poking around in your circuitry."

Ultra Rodimus grunted in reply. He patted the wall again, then took his seat.

"Reports, please."

"The damage was extensive. It will take some time to repair it all. Metroplex is helping point out the worst of it, praise him, but repairs will still take time."

The young Prime looked over at Kup. "What's the death toll?"

"Twenty-six humans, seven varied aliens, four Transformers. Hundreds of injuries. The hospitals are full."

"And the families of the dead will be after us for compensation. It never fails. They always come and demand compensation, even when they do not deserve it."

The other Autobots muttered amongst themselves. That habit of chasing them for undeserved money was their biggest pet peeve. They gave compensation only to the families of humans who had been caught in the crossfire, and hated when the families of those who's fallen and been trampled by other humans came and demanded what they didn't deserve.

"We should have words with the local authorities about that," Jazz noted, leaning back.

"The four dead Autobots are being taken back to Cybertron to be buried in Iacon's crypt. The ceremonies will be held before the shuttle departs."

Ultra Rodimus nodded. "I'll be there."

"I'll make sure you are, Mr. Forgetful," Magnus added.

Everyone chuckled.

"If he tries to stall, I'll drag him out by the braid," Sandstorm put in from where he leaned against the wall. "That's what all that hair is good for. It lets me handle him even though he's a lot bigger than I am."

That drew out another chuckle. Magnus grinned at Sandstorm. The pacifist grinned back.

"I think that we all have enough work to do before the ceremony," Kup commented. "So let's get to it."

"Dismissed," Ultra Rodimus confirmed, grinning.

The Autobots rose from their chairs and began to funnel out. Ultra Rodimus waited until the others had left before heading for the door. Sandstorm padded along in his wake.

"Where are you going first?" Sandstorm asked.

"My office. There's a lot of paperwork that piles up when an Autobot dies. Four deaths quadruple that amount. I have to get it all done before the bodies are taken to Cybertron."

Sure enough, there were huge piles of paperwork on Ultra Rodimus's desk. The Autobot leader groaned at the sight of it, but sat down and began plowing through it. Sandstorm stood in the corner and watched. At times he helped sort through the piles, putting them in order so that Ultra Rodimus wouldn't have to fish through them to find the proper pages. Ultra Rodimus smiled at him.

Finally, he finished. Mirage took the papers to the Autobots in charge of the funeral arrangements.

Sandstorm tugged on Ultra Rodimus's braid. "Now you come along. I have to get you cleaned up before the ceremony. You can't go looking like you ran a marathon through a hurricane."

Ultra Rodimus laughed and rose from his chair. Sandstorm used his braid as a leash, dragging him down the corridors to his quarters. That drew grins and chuckles from the Autobots they passed. Ultra Rodimus looked at them and shrugged helplessly. They burst out laughing as they walked out of sight.

"Quit the theatrics, big guy," Sandstorm grumbled.

Ultra Rodimus blinked at him innocently. Sandstorm glared at him. They stood there looking at each other for a moment, then burst out laughing and walked into Ultra Rodimus's quarters.

Magnus was already there, polishing his armor. He smirked at them. Ultra Rodimus gave him the evil optic, sending his mate very clear images of what he would do if Magnus didn't get his mind back on track.

"Now you've made me curious," Magnus commented, grinning.

"Save the flirting for later, you two," Sandstorm growled at them, pushing Ultra Rodimus into the smaller bathing room.

At Sandstorm's insistence, both a shower and a pool had been built into the room. Magnus preferred the shower. Ultra Rodimus used the pool for washing his hair. The pacifist pushed him into the water.

"You know the drill."

Ultra Rodimus rolled his eyes.

Three hours later, all of the Autobots on Earth had gathered at the landing pad for the funeral ceremony. Ultra Rodimus and Magnus were at the front. Ultra Rodimus had left his long hair loose, and the light wind was making it ripple and wave. His armor had been polished to a high shine. A cape of black fabric hung from his shoulders. Sandstorm stood behind him.

After the brief ceremony, the four bodies were loaded onto the shuttle, and the crowd dispersed do the shuttle could leave. Silent bots watched it go until it vanished from their sight. Then they silently reentered the city.

"I hate funerals," Smokescreen grumbled.

"You and everyone else," Blaster told him. "Especially Prime."

"He doesn't seem to have any feelings," one of the new arrivals commented, glaring at Ultra Rodimus's retreating back.

"He has feelings." Kup dropped back to walk with them. "He just hides them. All of the various Primes are like that. Magnus tells me that later Ultra Rodimus will need time to get his grief out of system. And, unlike us, Ultra Rodimus can cry."

"Oh." The newcomer walked into the city. He had a lot to think about.

Ultra Rodimus headed straight for his quarters. Magnus followed. Sandstorm took the black cape and then made himself scarce.

"Here." Magnus wrapped his arms around his mate. "Let it all out."

Ultra Rodimus buried his face against Magnus's shoulder. He let out a choked sound. As Magnus began to stroke his back, crooning softly, the first tears came, falling onto his armor.

They were the first of many.

To be continued...

I hope I didn't get too sappy here. Anyway, here's your cue to review. I hope you kinda liked this chapter.