Back when [[Shouki]] was manufactured, he was "Mach"...
:''The Trainbots are an [[Autobot]] [[subgroup]] from the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''
At [[Doctor Fujiyama the Famous Scientist|Doctor Fujiyama]]'s lab (provided by [[Shibuya Manufacturing Corporation|Shibuya Electronic]]), he and [[Atari Hitotonari]] watch as "Development Code Mach" is rebooted. Later, Mach is with his brothers [[Getsuei|Night]] and [[Yukikaze (G1)|Snow]], in preparation for testing together. Fujiyama is a bit tired of Mach's overly eager attitude, so he assigns babysitting duties to Hitotonari. Before his regular [[energon cube]] feeding, Mach asks Hitotonari... why was he made? What is his true purpose in life? Hitotonari, [[Transformers: Kiss Players (franchise)|having went through similar questions herself]], advises the [[Trainbot]] that he should think about it, and make his own choices for himself.
[[File:Trainbots story page.jpg|thumb|right|450px|You may not like it, but this is what [[Transforming Bullet Train Robot Shinkalion|peak performance in the Japanese market]] looks like.]]
The '''Trainbots''' (トレインボット ''Toreinbotto'') are an Autobot subgroup that transform into trains. Having been constructed in [[Japan]], they consider the country to be their homeland, even going so far as to adopt Japanese names, which is unusual for Transformers. Due to this love for their "birthplace", the Trainbots feel a powerful sense of [[burning justice]] toward the country, its people, and its culture.
Elsewhere in the lab, [[Nightbird (G1)|Nightbird]] has broken out thanks to her evil AI "brother", [[Shadow]]. The two exploit the lab's resources, upgrading the ninja robot's chassis. The two make their big entrance in front of the three finalized Trainbots and the two humans, but Mach transforms to save his creators from harm, having made his own choice to protect others. Nightbird rushes deeper into the lab, so Fujiyama commands all mobile Trainbots to take her in, unharmed.
The Trainbots consist of:
Elsewhere, Nightbird finds the three still inactivated Trainbots that Shadow proposes converting into her "vassals". They're interrupted when [[Yamabuki|Yellow]] and her team of prototype Trainbots confront the ninja. Nightbird attempts an escape, so Doctor has her team combine into [[G Liner]] to easily subdue their "sister". Unfortunately, as Shadow points out, the prototype combiner is a bit slow on the draw, so the swift Nightbird manages to install Shadow's [[cerebro-shell]] program into G Liner. Under the two's control, G Liner absconds with the three sleeping Trainbots, leading to the remaining three panicking on what to do. Mach takes charge and is deemed the leader; he proposes a risky idea of literally charging into the combiner in a doubleheader configuration with himself and Snow, with Night holding up the track.
*[[Getsuei]], the sluggish stealth expert.
After the tactic succeeds at stopping Nightbird and G Liner, [[Autobot]] reinforcements help with the clean up while Doctor angrily chews out her younger brothers for such a dangerous maneuver. (Hitotonari, on the other hand, is happy that Mach is closer to discovering what he wants to live for.) Fujiyama is exasperated at his creations fighting, but is grateful that his precious Nightbird is back to him safe and sound... only to see that she's escaped and left Night unconscious!
*[[Kaen]], the hot-running powerhouse.
*[[Seizan]], the rugged mountain-climber.
*[[Shouki]], the brash but speedy leader.
*[[Suiken]], the brainy strategist.
*[[Yukikaze (G1)|Yukikaze]], the icy cold weather operative.
They combine to form the train super robot, [[Raiden]]. Unsurprisingly for locomotives, they can also combine in vehicle mode to produce a single super space train, and frequently act as interstellar transport for their fellow Autobots.
Perched above the city, Nightbird ponders her next move as Shadow asks if she's lonely, even with her brother's company.
In the most dire of railway-related emergencies they have the ability to go even further beyond and combine with their fellow train 'bots in the [[Sixliner|Liner Team]] and the [[Sixtrain|Train Team]] to create the [[Trainbot Omni-Car Joint]], the ultimate expression of Autobot locomotive might.
==Fiction==
=Trainbots=
===Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
===Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''Generations'' toy bios====
====Train Wars (1)====
The Trainbots were constructed on Earth, in Japan. Their creation was a collaboration by several Japanese companies utilizing technology developed in the [[Binaltech (technology)|''Binaltech Project'']]. {{storylink|Shouki#Generations (Japan)|''Generations'' Shouki bio}}
[[File:Proto-Trainbots group shot.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.6]]
{{storylink|The Train Wars: The Origin}}
====Ask Vector Prime====
{{-}}
The Trainbots were built in the ''Raiden Initiative''. A number of scientists had at least a small part to contribute to their creation, including Drs. [[Doctor Fujiyama the Famous Scientist|Fujiyama]], [[Kenneth Onishi|Ōnishi]], [[Sōji Yoshikawa|Yoshikawa]], [[Chifumi Takahashi|Takahashi]], [[Kaminari Ishihara|Ishihara]], and [[Haruma Gō|Gō]]. As the ''Raiden Initiative'' was handled by [[Shibuya Manufacturing Corporation|Shibuya Manufacturing, Worldwide]] (on behalf of the Japanese government), the project leader was Doctor Yoshikawa. He was responsible for the weapons and communications systems for the team. Doctor Gō was the lead on building their superstructures. Doctor Ishihara created their neural networks and helped specify the parameters of their personality components. Doctor Ōnishi created their power grids. Doctor Fujiyama built their combat protocols. Their Heavy Series-Linkage System, which enabled them to combine, was designed by Doctor Takahashi. {{storylink|Source:Ask Vector Prime/Facebook#September 27, 2015|Ask Vector Prime, 2015/09/27}}
=Shouki=
===Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====''Generations Selects Special Comic''====
====Train Wars (1)====
In 2011, [[Unicron]] attempted to reform himself out of the bodies of his disciples. The Trainbots, as Raiden, were present with Autobot and Decepticon alike fighting to stop him. {{storylink|Super Megatron comic 1}} The big guy and the rest of the allied forces were on the ropes until Unicron was defeated when Optimus Prime wielded the power of [[Primus|Oracle]] and sealed the Planet-Eater in the [[Triple Z Point]]. {{storylink|Generations Selects Special Comic Finale Part 2|Finale Part 2}}
{{storylink|The Train Wars: The Origin}}
=Getsuei=
====''The Headmasters'' cartoon====
===Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
In 2011, Shouki and the Trainbots were operating on Earth. After [[Galvatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Galvatron]] invaded Cybertron, the robot trains assembled to transport their fellow Autobots to Cybertron across the [[Space bridge]]. {{storylink|Four Warriors Come out of the Sky}} The Trainbots formed Raiden and fought alongside [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]] and [[Superion (G1)|Superion]] against their Decepticon combiner counterparts. They were nearly crushed by falling debris when [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]] collapsed a building on them using his [[Sonic stun-gun|sonic stun gun]]. {{storylink|The Mystery of Planet Master}} The Trainbots returned to Earth just in time to shuttle [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod]] and the [[Headmaster (technology)|Headmasters]] back to Cybertron, after their successful quest for the [[Matrix of Leadership]]. {{storylink|Birth of the Fantastic Double Prime}} The Trainbots also transported Rodimus Prime and the [[Monsterbot (G1)|Monsterbot]]s to planet [[Beast (planet)|Beast]] as reinforcements for the Headmasters, {{storylink|Rebellion on Planet Beast}} carried him into battle again on the planet [[Praum]], where [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]] had set a trap for Fortress and his team. {{storylink|The Four-Million-Year-Old Veil of Mystery}}
====Train Wars (1)====
{{storylink|The Train Wars: The Origin}}
Back on Earth, Shouki and the Trainbots took Danny and [[Wheelie (G1)|Wheelie]] on a sightseeing trip in Tokyo, Japan. Shouki was very proud of the country, which was his birthplace on Earth. When [[Sixshot (G1)|Sixshot]] declared his intention to steal all of Japan's energy, Shouki and the Trainbots remained quietly alert, confident their combination form could handle any threat to their homeland. Their passive response to the danger angered the more action-oriented Headmaster team, especially [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]]. After fruitlessly chasing behind Sixshot in attacks on London and New York, Chromedome was incensed when he arrived back at Autobot headquarters to see Shouki and the Trainbots returning from a shopping spree with Danny. Shouki and Chromedome nearly came to blows with each other before Danny intervened.
=Yukikaze=
===Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
[[File:Hm8 Trainbot Express.jpg|thumb|left|200px|With your head held high and your scarlet lies / You came down to me from the open skies]]
====Train Wars (1)====
When Sixshot finally made his attack on Japan, Shouki demanded that his team be allowed the first strike against their opponent. Flying to the rescue, the Trainbots assembled as Raiden to fight Sixshot. Raiden's victory was prevented by the arrival of [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]], piloted by [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] and [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]]. It turned into an all-out brawl after that, with the Headmasters arriving as reinforcements for their comrades. Sixshot was revealed, and he used his ninja training seemingly to duplicate himself, attacking Raiden as several winged wolves. As a demonstration of their newfound trust in each other, Raiden urged Chromedome to shoot at the holographic Sixshots swarming around him, knowing he would certainly be hit by some of the blasts. The Decepticons were eventually driven off and Shouki and Chromedome shook hands back at headquarters, having forged a warrior's bond on the field of battle. {{storylink|Terror! The Six Shadows}}
{{storylink|The Train Wars: The Origin}}
=Suiken=
Galvatron soon struck out against Cybertron again, this time seeking the new super-metal known as [[Cybertonuron]]. The Trainbots were first in line on Earth to transport over the Space Bridge into combat with the Decepticons. They rushed straight into the fighting as soon as they arrived. {{storylink|Cybertron Is in Grave Danger, Part 1}} They confronted the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]] in defense of their home planet. Shouki clearly told [[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]] what's what, warning him to leave the planet or suffer the consequences. The battle was fierce but brief, as the Trainbots disabled their opponents. {{storylink|Cybertron Is in Grave Danger, Part 2}}
===Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====Train Wars (1)====
The Trainbots defended the [[Sol 1]] satellite during its launch cycle. When Scourge, Cyclonus and the Predacons arrived to steal the satellite, they flew out with the Headmasters to stop them. Shouki gave the command and the Trainbots assembled to form Raiden, grappling with [[Predaking (G1)|Predaking]] and ultimately chasing off the Decepticons. {{storylink|The Shadow Emperor, Scorponok}} Next, the Trainbots joined the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]] on an emergency rescue mission to [[Peru]], where an active volcano was threatening a small town. They were intercepted by the Predacons, and so Shouki asked [[Hot Spot (G1)|Hot Spot]] to go on ahead and help the villagers while the Trainbots occupied the Preds. Soon, Raiden and Predaking were formed, and the battle was really joined. The Headmasters soon arrived and tagged out the Trainbots, allowing Shouki and his friends to journey to the village and escort the people to safety in their combined train mode. At first, the Trainbots could not get close enough to the village due to the eruption, but eventually they launched themselves into the air and rode the winds down to the town below, gathering up all the innocent villagers. {{storylink|The Dormant Volcano Mysteriously Erupts}} In their next evil scheme, the Decepticons unleashed a giant carnivorous plant in downtown [[San Francisco]], prompting the Autobots to respond. The Trainbots arrived on the scene, but were confronted by [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]], who wished to duel with sabers made of light. The Trainbots formed Raiden and met Bruticus sword for sword. {{storylink|Head On!! Fortress Maximus}}
{{storylink|The Train Wars: The Origin}}
=Kaen=
On a geological expedition to [[Mars (planet)|Mars]] with Danny and Spike, the Trainbots were present when a series of tremors rocked the landscape. Seeking to investigate, the group split up to locate the source of the phenomena. Shouki took Danny and Wheelie with him, and they happened across [[Hun-Gurrr (G1)|Hun-Gurrr]] and [[Rippersnapper (G1)|Rippersnapper]] of the [[Terrorcon (G1)|Terrorcons]]. Although they informed Spike of what they had seen, they were then captured by [[Sinnertwin (G1)|Sinnertwin]] on sentry duty. After they were rescued by the Headmasters and uncovered the Decepticons' plan to blow up Mars, Shouki and the Trainbots flew back to Athenia in order to take Spike and Danny to safety. {{storylink|Explosion on Mars!! Maximus Is in Danger}} They were almost immediately called back, however — the Decepticon Headmasters had used [[plasma energy]] to neutralize Fortress Maximus, leaving the Autobots on Mars in desperate need of reinforcements. Raiden was formed as they arrived, and fought against [[Abominus (G1)|Abominus]] and the MegaZarak Transtector, scorpion mode. {{storylink|Explosion on Mars!! MegaZarak Appears}}
===Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====Train Wars (1)====
The Trainbots served as military transportation for the Autobots when they attacked the Decepticon meeting on the [[Moon (moon)|moon]]. The strike was foiled by the arrival of Galvatron, and the Autobots fled back to Earth aboard the trains. {{storylink|Return of the Immortal Emperor}} Shouki and his team were next used for a relief mission. The planet [[Sandra (planet)|Sandra]] was in desperate need of energon, and Ultra Magnus coordinated the Autobots of Earth in gathering some of their energon reserves aboard the Trainbots. Shouki worked with Magnus to make sure his soldiers were properly packed with energon. Galvatron and the Decepticons wanted the energy for themselves, however, and interfered with the relief aid. When the firefight started, Ultra Magnus told Shouki to forget about them and get the energon to Sandra. But the Trainbots took off twice for Sandra, and they were twice shot down by the Decepticons before they could leave atmosphere. After being shot out of the air by Sixshot, Shouki bravely challenged the much larger Decepticon to battle. He later joined Magnus and the Technobots in using his large vehicle mode teammates as cover to fire back upon the Decepticons. The Autobots of Earth finally gave up, sending energy reserves from Athenia instead. {{storylink|SOS from Planet Sandra}}
{{storylink|The Train Wars: The Origin}}
=Seizan=
The Trainbots also ferried the Witwickys and Headmasters to the mutual benefits talk with Galvatron. When the Autobots learned Galvatron was actually a fake, Shouki and his brother Yukikaze distracted the Decepticons by sumo wrestling each other, giving their comrades a chance to secure the Witwickys safety. {{storylink|Daniel Faces His Biggest Crisis Ever!!}} After the talks failed, the Decepticons fled into space aboard Scorponok, planning to raid other planets in the universe for their energy. The Trainbots were part of a task force Fortress assembled to chase after their nefarious foes. After reaching the [[Twin Star]] planets, the Trainbots ferried [[Brainstorm (G1)|Brainstorm]] and [[Arcee (G1)|Arcee]] down to the barren world of [[Twin Star|Toruin]]. They then transformed into Raiden and flew to the sister planet, [[Twin Star|Sperity]], to battle the Decepticon invaders. {{storylink|Battle for Defense of the False Planet}} On [[Darhos]], the Trainbots transported the rescued prisoners from the northern hemisphere to safety. {{storylink|Find MegaZarak's Weak Spot!!}} They also appeared on [[Paradise]], escorting [[Highbrow (G1)|Highbrow]] on his scouting mission and later flying the Technobots and Monsterbots into battle. {{storylink|Head Formation of Friendship}}
===Japanese Generation 1 cartoon continuity===
====Train Wars (1)====
On [[Pirate Planet]], Shouki and Yukikaze helped Highbrow unlock the secret of the [[proton energy]]. They transported him to an abandoned pirate ship in space, where they recovered a signal transmitting skull that served as a key to the pirates' pyramid hiding place. They were almost caught flatfooted by Soundblaster, but Danny Witwicky managed to surprise the Decepticon and give them a chance to escape. At the pyramid, the train brothers reunited with their fellow Trainbots and formed Raiden to keep Galvatron from interfering. {{storylink|Mystery of the Space Pirate Ship}}
{{storylink|The Train Wars: The Origin}}
[[File:HM24 trainbots transform.jpg|thumb|200px]]
After returning to Earth, the Trainbots re-entered Ultra Magnus's command at Autobot City. They were summoned to transport the Technobots to [[Florida|Miami]], where an Autobot energy facility was under attack by the Decepticons. Shouki believed Ultra Magnus should alert Fortress to the attack, but Magnus wanted to handle things on his own without bothering the commander. The conflict escalated, however, as Sixshot and Trypticon besieged Autobot City itself. The Trainbots returned to the city, and Shouki again pleaded for Ultra Magnus to ask for help. Magnus relented this time, and Shouki sent word to Athenia. The Trainbots returned to the battle, assembling as Raiden, but were waylaid by [[Apeface]] and [[Snapdragon (G1)|Snapdragon]], who kept them busy long enough for Sixshot to murder Ultra Magnus on the battlefield. In the aftermath, the Trainbots attended Magnus's funeral. {{storylink|Ultra Magnus Dies!!}}
When Spike and Chromedome needed to get to Earth for the volcano summit, the Trainbots popped over to Athenia to give them a ride. At Autobot City, Shouki and [[Suiken]] heard a commotion outside and investigated, finding Spike injured in a battle between Metroplex and Trypticon. Shouki rushed him back to Athenia for treatment. He then went BACK to Earth to defend the [[Pacific Ring of Fire]] from the Decepticons with the rest of the Trainbots. {{storylink|I Risk My Life for Earth}} After the Decepticons seemingly abandoned Earth, the Trainbots assisted Spike in rebuilding the planet after the enemy's departure. On one occasion, they located Sixshot's old command base. By combining into Raiden, the Trainbots helped Defensor and Computron obliterate the base, wiping out all trace of the Decepticons' presence. {{storylink|Miraculous Warriors, Targetmasters (Part 1)}}
After Wheelie was kidnapped by the Decepticons and ransomed for the secrets of the [[Master Sword]], the Trainbots flew Chromedome and Danny in close to the [[Scorponok (G1)|MegaZarak]] base for a rescue attempt. {{storylink|The Master Sword Is in Danger!!}} Raiden was briefly seen helping to repair the Battleship Maximus after [[Weirdwolf (G1)|Weirdwolf]] detonated some bombs on its hull. {{storylink|Operation: Destroy the Decepticons}} When Danny went missing in a space vortex, the Trainbots joined the [[Targetmaster (technology)|Targetmaster]]s in searching for him. {{storylink|My Friend Sixshot!}} They also transported the Headmasters to the [[Pallas]] asteroid in order to battle the Decepticons. {{storylink|Duel on the Asteroid}}
Upon returning to Earth, the Trainbots ferryed Danny and the Headmasters to the Andes Mountains for a rescue mission, after Spike and [[Carly]] crashed their jet in the treacherous terrain. {{storylink|The Final Showdown on Earth (Part 1)}} As Raiden, the Trainbots participated in the Autobots final battle with Scorponok's Decepticons at the North Pole. They lent their energies to the Headmasters' [[Head Formation]] to revitalize Fortress Maximus at the critical moment. {{storylink|The Final Showdown on Earth (Part 2)}}
====''Super-God Masterforce Master File''====
Following the expulsion of the Decepticons from Earth after the battle at the North Pole, the Transformers' war shifted into a series of space-based exchanges between Athenia and Chaar known as the [[Master Wars]]. During this time, the Trainbots discovered that Scorponok had constructed a new transtector for himself, and reported the news to [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress]]. {{storylink|Master File No, 1}}
====''Super-God Masterforce'' cartoon====
The Trainbots soared majestically through the sky in their combined train mode alongside- [[Ginrai (human)|Ginrai]]'s base mode??? {{storylink|title sequence#Title sequence #1 2|''Masterforce'' title sequence}}
====Train Wars====
The Trainbots were heavily injured fighting the [[Nine Great Demon Generals]] in the form of Raiden, leaving them requiring extensive repairs. Blaming himself for their condition, Shouki left the team so that his leadership would never endanger them again. {{storylink|Train Wars: Shouki & Daniel Chapter}}
: As part of the ''[[Transformers: The Headmasters (toyline)|Headmasters]]'' line, the Trainbots were only available in Japan. They were available in either separate boxes or as a large [[Raiden]] multi-pack. Like the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]], the Trainbots were based on ''[[Diaclone]]'' molds, which were modified to add locations for [[rubsign]]s. Additionally, Suiken and Seizan's spring-loaded launch mechanisms have been neutered, with the launch posts shortened to standard [[5 mm post|5mm pegs]]. Kaen's mold was altered to remove access to the the Diaclone driver cockpit. They do not have fully interchangeable limbs when combining into Raiden like the [[Scramble City (toyline)|Scramble City]]-style combiners, but [[Suiken]] and [[Seizan]] are interchangeable as arms, as are [[Getsuei]] and [[Yukikaze (G1)|Yukikaze]] as legs.
: An exceedingly simplified version of the entire Trainbot team was made available as part of the ''[[Transform Jr]]'' series. Each individual has a (stumpy) representation of their larger robot modes, and could combine to form a stumpy Raiden.
{{--}}
====''Trainbots''====
{{anchor|Zone}}
[[File:Zonetoy shouki.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66]]
*'''Trainbots''' ([[1990]])
**[[Getsuei]]
**[[Kaen]]
**[[Seizan]]
**[[Shouki]]
**[[Suiken]]
**[[Yukikaze (G1)|Yukikaze]]
: The Trainbots were re-released during ''[[Transformers: Zone (toyline)|Zone]]'' in new packaging, and only as individuals, never in a box set. The molds have been modified to remove the [[rubsign]]s sported by their ''Headmasters'' incarnations.
::*''[http://www.tfu.info/subgroup/trainbots.htm More information on the Trainbots at TFU.info]''
{{--}}
===''Masterpiece G Series''===
[[File:MPG Trainbots group shot.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|More like ''Masterpiece Gtrainbot Series'' amirite.]]
:Previously teased on the "A Railway Story In The Sky" exhibition on December 3, 2019, and later confirmed in a Figure-oh No.278's magazine interview, All of the Trainbots will be released as part of the ''[[The Transformers: Masterpiece|Masterpiece G Series]]'', starting from Shouki. Produced in collaboration with [[TOMIX]], the {{w|Rail transport modelling|train department}} of TakaraTomy's {{w|scale model}} oriented subsidiary [[Tomytec]], the figures are made to HO [[scale]],<ref>[https://news.tfw2005.com/2021/10/28/figure-king-285-interview-with-mpg-01-raiden-development-team-english-translation-443964 Figure King 285: Interview With MPG-01 Raiden Development Team – English Translation] on TFW2005</ref> which—whether or not intentional—also makes their [[robot mode]]s fit the same cartoon-based scale as the current mainline ''Masterpiece'' Transformers, having the individual components stand ''slightly'' taller than the standard [[Autobot Cars]]. The combined form is set to be approximately the size of a [[Combiner Wars (toyline)|''Combiner Wars'']] gestalt.
:Optional Generation 1 toy-accurate stickers for Raiden's chest plate were released by TakaraTomy as a promotion in [[Figure Ō|Figure King]] issue 293.<ref>[https://news.tfw2005.com/2022/06/27/figure-king-magazine-official-stickers-for-masterpiece-mpg-01-shouki-459472 Figure King Magazine Official Stickers For Masterpiece MPG-01 Shouki] at TFW2005</ref>
==Notes==
*The Trainbots' combined train form appears in the [[title sequence]] of the [[Transformers: Super-God Masterforce (cartoon)|''Super-God Masterforce'' cartoon]], but not in the series itself. The series creators seem to have intended to use the Robot Train to travel back and forth to [[Athenia]], more closely tying ''Super-God Masterforce'' to previous Transformers series, but the idea was quietly dropped. They did, however, appear for that purpose in the [[Transformers: Super-God Masterforce (manga)|manga]], and were also re-released as part of the ''Super-God Masterforce'' toyline.
*[[IDW Publishing]] line-artist [[Andrew Griffith]] wanted to use the Trainbots as background characters in ''[[The Transformers: Robots in Disguise]]'', and was okayed by writers [[James Roberts]] and [[John Barber]] for the plausibility, but in the end never found the right opportunity to work them in.<ref>[https://twitter.com/glovestudios/status/1393243365446201345] Tweet by Andrew Griffith (@glovestudios), 14 May 2021</ref>
Back when Shouki was manufactured, he was "Mach"...
At Doctor Fujiyama's lab (provided by Shibuya Electronic), he and Atari Hitotonari watch as "Development Code Mach" is rebooted. Later, Mach is with his brothers Night and Snow, in preparation for testing together. Fujiyama is a bit tired of Mach's overly eager attitude, so he assigns babysitting duties to Hitotonari. Before his regular energon cube feeding, Mach asks Hitotonari... why was he made? What is his true purpose in life? Hitotonari, having went through similar questions herself, advises the Trainbot that he should think about it, and make his own choices for himself.
Elsewhere in the lab, Nightbird has broken out thanks to her evil AI "brother", Shadow. The two exploit the lab's resources, upgrading the ninja robot's chassis. The two make their big entrance in front of the three finalized Trainbots and the two humans, but Mach transforms to save his creators from harm, having made his own choice to protect others. Nightbird rushes deeper into the lab, so Fujiyama commands all mobile Trainbots to take her in, unharmed.
Elsewhere, Nightbird finds the three still inactivated Trainbots that Shadow proposes converting into her "vassals". They're interrupted when Yellow and her team of prototype Trainbots confront the ninja. Nightbird attempts an escape, so Doctor has her team combine into G Liner to easily subdue their "sister". Unfortunately, as Shadow points out, the prototype combiner is a bit slow on the draw, so the swift Nightbird manages to install Shadow's cerebro-shell program into G Liner. Under the two's control, G Liner absconds with the three sleeping Trainbots, leading to the remaining three panicking on what to do. Mach takes charge and is deemed the leader; he proposes a risky idea of literally charging into the combiner in a doubleheader configuration with himself and Snow, with Night holding up the track.
After the tactic succeeds at stopping Nightbird and G Liner, Autobot reinforcements help with the clean up while Doctor angrily chews out her younger brothers for such a dangerous maneuver. (Hitotonari, on the other hand, is happy that Mach is closer to discovering what he wants to live for.) Fujiyama is exasperated at his creations fighting, but is grateful that his precious Nightbird is back to him safe and sound... only to see that she's escaped and left Night unconscious!
Perched above the city, Nightbird ponders her next move as Shadow asks if she's lonely, even with her brother's company.
