One night, Shadow Striker was walking down the streets of Iaconus City on her way to Maccadam's Old Oil House.
"Man", Shadow Striker said, "I can't believe I'm going to Maccadam's for the first time since before the war."
The Autobots and Decepticons still lived in different halves of Cybertron, but following Megatron's death at the hands of Megatron X, an alternate version of him from another dimension, the Autobots and Decepticons were allowed to freely visit each side of the planet, so long as they didn't cause any trouble.
"I'll bet lots has changed about that place since the war", Shadow Striker said, "but as long as it still serves that perfect energon mixture, I'm okay with it."
But when she arrived at Maccadam's, she was in for a surprise.
"Hey, what gives", Shadow Striker asked.
The lights at the bar were out, and the sign was turned to closed.
"It was usually open this late back before the war", Shadow Striker said, "did they suddenly decide to change business hours?"
"No, business hours are still the same", a voice said.
Shadow Striker turned around to find Bumblebee behind her.
"Perceptor closed Maccadam's early", Bumblebee said.
"Why", Shadow Striker asked.
"A memorial for the Autobots we lost in the great war opens up tonight", Bumblebee said, "every Autobot in the city is going to be there."
"Oh", Shadow Striker said, "well, you have fun with that."
"Uh, sure, I'll have fun", Bumblebee said, "I mean, as far as fun goes when you're looking at all the Autobots who died in a war."
Bumblebee walked away, and Shadow Striker let out a frustrated sigh.
"Why did I say have fun", Shadow Striker asked.
As Shadow Striker began walking away, a thought came to her mind.
"Maybe it wouldn't hurt to take a quick look at all the Autobots in the memorial", Shadow Striker said, "I mean, just to learn a little bit about them."
And so, Shadow Striker made her way down the streets of the city, and soon arrived at the memorial.
"Wow", Shadow Striker said, "look at this place."
There were holographic projections of the many fallen Autobots from the Great War, and Autobots were all around them, mourning their fallen comrades.
"I never realized how many bots the Autobots lost in the war", Shadow Striker said.
Shadow Striker looked at all the Autobot projections, and overheard some Autobots mourning a fallen comrade.
"I really miss Roadbuster, you guys", one Autobot said, "he was the best of the best."
"Yeah", another Autobot said, "until Shadow Striker got the drop on him and deactivated him."
Shadow Striker overheard that last part and nervously walked away.
"Oh, they had to go there", Shadow Striker said, "I'll bet every Autobot I've ever offlined is memorialized here."
Shadow Striker looked at the Autobot projections and could indeed recognize some of them.
"Killed him, killed him", Shadow Striker said, "tried to kill him, but he got away and got killed by Seekers shortly afterwards."
With every projection she saw, Shadow Striker began to feel guilty.
"Maybe coming here wasn't such a good idea", Shadow Striker said, "I should probably go now."
But then, she walked in front of one projection that rendered her speechless.
"Oh, Megatronus", Shadow Striker said.
It was a holographic projection of Prowl, the Autobots' military strategist who went offline after taking a fatal shot meant for Optimus Prime that had been fired by Shadow Striker, an act that she now felt great remorse for.
"Prowl", Shadow Striker said.
Then, Bumblebee walked over to her.
"Shadow Striker", Bumblebee asked, "what are you doing here?"
"Uh, nothing", Shadow Striker said, "in fact, I was just leaving."
Shadow Striker quickly transformed into vehicle mode and drove away, leaving Bumblebee very confused.
"What was all that about", Bumblebee asked.
As she drove towards Croaton City, Shadow Striker was still thinking about Prowl.
"Of all the dead Autobots in that memorial, I would have to find the memorial for that one", Shadow Striker said, "why does life have to be so cruel to me?"
The next day, Shadow Striker was going for a walk to clear her head.
"Sure is a nice day out", Shadow Striker said, "so quiet, calming, peaceful..."
But the last word she used to describe the atmosphere might've been a bad choice of words, because it began to bring on some memories that made her feel a little sad.
"Yeah, peaceful", Shadow Striker said, "very, very peaceful."
Shadow Striker looked ahead and saw a vision of her and Prowl discussing weapon techniques during the Autobot/Decepticon peace talks concerning Starscream gaining possession of the AllSpark.
"So, I increased the range by putting an extra charge pack under the barrel", vision Shadow Striker said.
"Huh", vision Prowl said, "but, you gotta wonder how that affects accuracy."
Shadow Striker's remembrance was interrupted by the arrival of Soundwave.
"Shadow Striker", Shoundwave said.
Shadow Striker jumped in surprise, and after shaking her head, the vision had disappeared.
"Soundwave", Shadow Striker asked, "what are you doing out here?"
"I'd like to know the same thing about you", Soundwave said.
"I just thought I'd take in the atmosphere", Shadow Striker said.
"You looked like you were upset about something", Soundwave said, "what was it?"
Shadow Striker had a bit of a "tough girl" reputation amongst the Decepticons and the Autobots, so she didn't want to show any signs of sadness, especially not around Soundwave, who she considered her best friend.
"It was nothing", Shadow Striker said, "just a little tired from walking."
"Very well", Soundwave said.
Soundwave walked away, and Shadow Striker let out a sigh of relief.
"That was close", Shadow Striker said.
Shadow Striker continued walking along, when she saw a generic Decepticon being interrogated by the Decepticon police-bot Barricade (for visual reference, he looked like his Evergreen design).
"I'm telling you, this isn't my oil", the Decepticon said, "I'm just holding it for a friend."
"That's what they all say", Barricade said, "you know that this beverage is prohibited."
"Well, I have a simple explanation for this", the Decepticon said, "you see..."
The Decepticon pushed Barricade to the ground and proceeded to speed away in vehicle mode.
"Oh no you don't", Barricade said.
Barricade transformed into his police car mode and drove after the Decepticon, sirens blaring, and as Shadow Striker watched, she remembered the time when she and Prowl were engaged in a high speed police chase on Earth.
"He sure caught me that day", Shadow Striker said.
That evening, Shadow Striker managed to get into Maccadam's for a drink, and as she sipped down on her energon, she noticed a group of Autobots sitting at a table nearby, one of them being the Autobot Ironhide (his appearance was similar to that of Ratchet's, but colored red and with a head similar to that of his (Ironhide's) G1 incarnation).
"Congratulations on your promotion, Ironhide", one Autobot said, "you sure earned it."
"Yeah", another Autobot said, "you've done so much for the Autobots during the war."
"Aw, thanks, you guys", Ironhide said, "it feels good being promoted to military strategist after Prowl got killed in battle."
Ironhide mentioning Prowl's death made Shadow Striker feel even worse, and a few minutes later, Bumblebee walked in and sat next to her at the bar.
"Hey, Shadow Striker", Bumblebee said, "fancy meeting you here."
"Oh, hey, Bumblebee", Shadow Striker said.
Bumblebee noticed that something was still bothering Shadow Striker.
"Is there something wrong", Bumblebee asked, "I know we've had our differences in the past, but if there's something bothering you, I'll gladly listen to what you have to say."
"I'm fine", Shadow Striker said, "why do you even care?"
"I just don't like seeing anyone down in the dumps", Bumblebee said, "not even cons who have tried to kill me more times than I can count on my fingers."
Shadow Striker just scoffed and walked away.
"Even if I was upset, I wouldn't need your pity", Shadow Striker said.
Once outside Maccadam's, Shadow Striker transformed into vehicle mode and drove away.
"What's the matter with her", Bumblebee said, "I try to offer her support, and she just turns me away."
That night, Shadow Striker had powered down in her stasis pod, and as she lied in stasis, she had a dream where she found herself in the battlefield where the battle for Cybertron took place, only there wasn't anyone there but her, at least for the moment.
"What am I doing here", Shadow Striker asked, "and where is everyone else?"
She then heard footsteps approaching her, and pulled out her blaster.
"Who's there", Shadow Striker asked.
A mysterious bot walked up behind her, and Shadow Striker turned around to find that it was none other than Prowl, prompting her to lower her weapon.
"Prowl", Shadow Striker asked, "is that you?"
"Yes", Prowl said, "yes it is."
"Y-you're alive", Shadow Striker said, "I don't believe this."
While Shadow Striker was overjoyed about this, the same couldn't be said for Prowl, unfortunately, as the Autobot had a very angry look on his face.
"You murdered me", Prowl said.
Shadow Striker was taken aback by this statement.
"What", Shadow Striker asked.
"You shot me dead in cold energon", Prowl said.
"I-I didn't mean to", Shadow Striker said, "in fact, I wasn't even aiming for you, I was aiming for Optimus Prime."
Shadow Striker was quick to realize that what she said wasn't helping her case.
"You're just like every other Decepticon in Megatron's army", Prowl said, "cold, mechanical, and uncaring."
Prowl turned around and walked away, but Shadow Striker grabbed his arm.
"Prowl, listen", Shadow Striker said, "I..."
Shadow Striker's pleas were met by Prowl shoving her to the ground.
"I hope you weren't about to say that you love me", Prowl said, "because I could never love a murderous piece of scrap metal like you."
Lubricant tears began forming in Shadow Striker's optics as Prowl, who it was apparent that she had feelings for, walked away, and she soon awoke from stasis, still shaken by the horrible, horrible dream she had just had, and began to grow full of despair again.
"I'm a monster", Shadow Striker said.
Later that day, Bumblebee was walking through Croaton City, on his way back to the Autobot side of Cybertron after picking up some equipment previously used by Shockwave that Wheeljack wanted to use for his own ends, when he heard the sound of someone crying.
"Where's that noise coming from", Bumblebee asked.
Bumblebee followed the noise, and he saw that it was coming from Shadow Striker, who was alone in an alley and crying.
"Shadow Striker", Bumblebee asked.
Shadow Striker was startled by Bumblebee's sudden appearance, and quickly tried to hide that she had been crying.
"Bumblebee", Shadow Striker asked, "what do you want?"
"I was just on my way back to Iaconus City, when I heard the sound of you crying", Bumblebee said, "is everything okay?"
"I'm fine", Shadow Striker said, "and I wasn't crying, my optics were just acting up."
"I'm pretty sure that was crying I heard", Bumblebee said.
"I was not crying", Shadow Striker said, "for the last time, there is nothing bothering me, so go activate your stinger and shove it up your tailpipe!"
Shadow Striker wasn't angry at Bumblebee much longer, because not long after she said that, she broke down in tears and fell on her knees, which made Bumblebee even more worried about her, so he decided that he was going to give her the comfort she needed, whether she wanted it or not.
"Hey, Shadow Striker", Bumblebee said.
"What", Shadow Striker asked.
"I just want to help you", Bumblebee said, "whatever's bothering you, I'll listen to what you have to say and help you through it."
Shadow Striker stopped crying and turned to Bumblebee, who was still there.
"Y-You will", Shadow Striker asked.
"Promise", Bumblebee said.
Shadow Striker got up and sat down on an empty barrel.
"So, what's been bothering you", Bumblebee asked.
Shadow Striker plucked up courage.
"It's Prowl", Shadow Striker said, "ever since I saw his memorial the other night, I've been feeling guilty about accidentally killing him in the battle for the AllSpark."
"Really", Bumblebee asked.
"Yes", Shadow Striker said, "if I hadn't decided to try and terminate Optimus Prime, Prowl wouldn't have taken the shot for him, and he'd still be alive."
"I see", Bumblebee said, "and, if you don't mind me asking, what makes your guilt so strong, anyway?"
Shadow Striker took a deep breath before coming clean to Bumblebee.
"I was in love with him", Shadow Striker said.
Bumblebee was very shocked to hear this.
"When we were on Earth, I clashed with Prowl almost as often as I did with you, and every time I battled with him, I couldn't help but get these strange feelings towards him", Shadow Striker said, "and when Optimus and Megatron had a peace talk to deliberate the threat Starscream posed to us, Prowl and I got to bond, and the feelings inside me became even stronger."
"It sounds like you really were in love with him", Shadow Striker said.
"I sure was", Shadow Striker said, "I sort of hoped that when the war was over, I could tell Prowl how I feel about him, and then maybe we could settle down and spend the rest of our existences together, but then he jumped in the way of that shot, and then he died of his wounds, and..."
Shadow Striker couldn't finish because she had begun crying yet again, but Bumblebee was there to comfort her by hugging her and patting her back.
"Hey, it's okay", Bumblebee said, "let it all out."
"I just wish I could un-do my actions somehow", Shadow Striker said, "then I could tell Prowl how sorry I am and that I really like him."
"I'm afraid there's nothing you can do about it", Bumblebee said, "but you know, Prowl's not really gone."
Shadow Striker sniffled.
"He isn't", Shadow Striker asked.
"Of course not", Bumblebee said, "when he went offline, he rejoined the AllSpark."
"So", Shadow Striker asked.
"So, the AllSpark is in its rightful place once again, and has brought life back to Cybertron", Bumblebee said, "and as long as it stays there, wherever you go, Prowl will be with you in spirit."
Bumblebee's words had made Shadow Striker feel better, and then, out of nowhere, she embraced him in a hug, much to his confusion.
"Shadow Striker", Bumblebee asked.
"Thank you, Bumblebee", Shadow Striker said, "I feel so much better now."
"Hey, it was nothing", Bumblebee said, "well, I'd better go, I have to bring this stuff to Wheeljack."
Bumblebee transformed into vehicle mode and left, and a few seconds later, Soundwave walked over to Shadow Striker.
"Were you talking to Bumblebee", Soundwave asked.
"Yes", Shadow Striker said, "why?"
"Just a little surprised", Soundwave said, "I thought he was, like, your arch-nemesis."
"So did I", Shadow Striker said, "but once I got to know him..."
Shadow Stryker turned and looked at Bumblebee flying towards Autobot territory in vehicle mode.
"He's not half bad", Shadow Striker said.
"If you say so", Soundwave said.
Soundwave walked away, and Shadow Striker let out a happy sigh.