Arcee, Bulkhead, and Bumblebee stepped back onto Cybertronian ground as the ground bridge powered down. The old doc bot was at the computer, and turned when his comrades were back.

"Well, how was earth?"

The trio burst into the Cybertronian version of tears. They sobbed and felt themselves shake with every emotion they had tried to bury, because even after all the death they had experienced, all the comrades lost, Miko was more than just a comrade.

She was a friend.

"It was that bad?" Ratchet paled.

"Miko...Miko's..."

"She's dead."

Ratchet gasped, taking a step back and rattling the computer panel behind him.

"Miko? Our Miko?" He clarified in shock.

"The one and only," Bulkhead said sadly.

"I..." the doc trailed off, and slowly shook his head in disbelief.

"We made it just in time. To say goodbye."

"She died after we saw her."

"I can't believe it..."

No one really knew what to say, and no one tried to.

Sometimes, there just aren't words.

"We should tell Optimus," Bee finally chirped.

"We should go together," Arcee said. "Ratchet?"

"Of course I'll come. She was my friend too," the doc bot agreed.

The halls were full of movement, aides and workers rushing to and fro, but the four comrades were the only ones silent and somber as they walked down the hall.

"Optimus should still be in his office," Ratchet said. "He had a lot of orders to approve."

Arcee pushed the door open quietly, finding their leader exactly where Ratchet said he would be. Optimus was looking over a file when they came in, but he put it aside to smile at them. The smile quickly turned into a frown when he took in their expressions.

"What happened?" Optimus asked quickly, rising to his feet. "Was there an attack?"

"Worse," Bulkhead rumbled. "Miko's dead."

"W-What?" Optimus stuttered. "I don't understand."

"She had a terminal disease, there wasn't anything the doctors could do for her," Arcee explained.

"You went to earth? Even after I forbid it?"

"That's not what's important," Bee spoke.

Optimus lowered himself back into his chair, his large optics blinking slowly.

"I knew that you disappeared, but as to where I was uncertain. Did Miko feel any pain?"

"I doubt it, she died in her sleep," Arcee responded. "She wanted us to tell you hi."

"A greeting from an old friend, such a kind sentiment," Optimus murmured. "I was wrong to restrict your galatic access. I am glad you got to see Miko one last time."

The group held a moment of silence in their friend's memory, all lost in their own thoughts about the girl.

Her smile.

Her curiosity.

Her bravery.

Her friendship.

"She asked us for something, before she died," Bulkhead spoke at last.

"A dying wish must be kept," Optimus nodded. "What did she ask?"

"That in twenty years we return. To earth. Raf and Jack agreed, so did Miko's son. The boys said if they died before, they would send their own children in their place. Miko always wanted us to have friends on earth," Arcee replied, a small smile on her face. That was such a Miko thing to do, to make sure that the Cybertronians had a friend, even after she was gone.

"A sweet sentiment," Optimus smiled. He must've been thinking the same thing as Arcee. "She cared about us deeply, and the feeling was mutual. So shall it be. Twenty years to the day, we will return. The five of us. Together. The earth will always have protectors, and we will always have friends."

~(0)~

The End

Thanks for reading my story! I hope you enjoyed it, and tell me what you thought! Have a great day, and I hope you find even more amazing stories along the way!

~White Fairy Writer~