Automon

**Automon** is an ally of Adventure Squad and the International Safety Committee. He is a former Demon X General and the second-in-command of the Rail Force, alongside his steed, Brightstar (formerly Catastros).

Automon's data was utilized alongside schematics of Echo 5's original body to create his Mechatrooper counterparts, Eyescar and Splitface. Another Mechatrooper, Steelon, would later appear almost *identical* to his original form.

## Biography

Automon was created by Demon X using data from the Rail Force during the group's early planning stages, and as such only showed up days after the other units were completed. Although still much younger than the rest, Automon was quick to prove his worth, managing to beat the rest of the Rail Force and the other members of Adventure Squad easily, even managing to damage Echo's original body to a near-irreparable condition. This lasted until Echo 5 was rebuilt and upgraded into the Rail Force body profile, swiftly defeating Automon whereas the others barely made a dent. Following this, Automon was quick to lose his edge, as he became so focused on defeating Echo that he continually left himself open to attack from the others. However, despite containing some of Demon X's energies, Carson's programming meant that some of the codes used to determine morality in the other robots were left in his data core. This results in Catastros forming a moral conscious in addition to undying loyalty to his partner, which Automon initially left unreturned. However, a series of encounters with Echo 5 and the rest of Adventure Squad and a test of his own loyalties resulted in him defecting to the side of the light, becoming instrumental in a battle against Demon X and Thurston Dinsmoore.

Following this encounter, Automon became the second-in-command of the Rail Force, and participated in the conflict against Demon X until the demonic entity met his end in a final showdown. He survived to the present day with the rest, and continues to serve as part of the group.

## Personality

While Automon's data features elements of Carson's unique personality code, Demon X's influence resulted in a warrior who lusted for battle every chance he got. He was also sociopathic, showing no compassion towards his steed, which eventually caused it to leave his side in favor of Echo. Automon's corruption meant that he was also a poor sport, taking silent glee in defeating the rest of Adventure Squad while openly fuming at being defeated by a newly-upgraded Echo 5. Because of his continued defeats at Echo's hands, Automon was quick to lose his composure at even the most minute of indignities, and promptly lashed out impulsively at the offender, primarily Echo.

After a particularly hard-hitting defeat that ended with Carson forcing a data card into his activation slot, it had a profound effect on Automon's psyche, slowly building up a sense of guilt and empathy within his consciousness. This eventually made him a much more sympathetic and honorable warrior who found for justice, and while grizzled from his time with Demon X, he still maintains a professional relationship with his newfound teammates. He now also saw his steed as a true companion, further improving his effectiveness in combat.

Though Automon resented the notion of answering to authority as a Demon X warrior, his new status as the Rail Force's second-in-command made him much more willing to accept orders, and he flat out refuses any order that compromises his new morals. Echo, however, is more than able to keep him in line should he get particularly unruly, namely by reminding him of the destruction wrought to his original body. Automon always subsides upon being reminded of this deed, seeing it as one of his biggest past shames.

## Appearance

Due to the circumstances of his creation, Automon uses a variant of the Rail Force's standard body frame. Because of this, and despite it's stockier nature compared to Echo's original body, it remains tall, athletic and slender body, with broad and thin shoulders atop thin forearms. His leg structure is the reverse build, with slender thighs and thicker calves. Golden claws can be found on his feet, while small panels can be found on the sides of each leg. A full cab section forms much of his chest, while a wing structure, formed from the shells of his end car, is mounted directly behind his torso. Automon's head is similar to Echo 5's, but rather than the Rail Force commander's signature head crests, his resembles a predatory mammal's head to a certain extent. Unlike the rest of the Rail Force, Automon's vehicle form is animalistic in design, with a dragonic head theme at his front car's cabin, with the rear car having a tail-like design. As a result, he resembles a large serpent in train form.

Originally, Automon's bodywork was jet black with silver internal workings, red stripes, and golden teeth on his front car. The stripes carry over to his forehead in robot mode, which also have golden cheekgaurds in addition to the mainly silver face and yellow eyes. After his redemption, Automon's black bodywork turned white while his red stripes turned to lavender. His silver parts also became metallic gray, with his golden pieces becoming silver. Numerous other minor details also became pink and light blue, the latter color also becoming used for his eyes.

## Abilities

While Automon shares his team's speed-based abilities, instead of the smaller wings used by the Echo 5 behind his shoulders he has a larger set mounted directly into his back, giving him better flight capabilities only matched in the Rail Force by Jetstream, Doc and Axton. Additionally, Demon X's energies resulted in Automon significantly overpowering the rest of Adventure Squad and the Rail Force in combat, resulting in mostly stalemates until Echo 5 received his upgraded body.

Automon is almost never seen without a shield mounted on his left forearm, which aside from defensive purposes is also used to bash into opponents. He also wielded a large golden spear capable of firing energy blasts when thrusted, but following his reformation it became a large silver sword with the exact same abilities.

Because he shares his bodyframe with the rest of the Rail Force, Automon is capable of transforming into a bullet train with alternating middle cars, which in addition to the autonomy standard with the rest of the Rail Force have the unique ability to merge into a steed, formerly a horse named Catastros but later a unicorn named Brightstar.

### Weaknesses

After his defeat at the hands of a rebuilt Echo, Automon was prone to losing his cool in subsequent battles prior to his reformation, leading to him to ditch planning his attacks and simply rampage mindlessly, allowing others to outthink him. Following his reformation, he regained his combat edge.

## Behind the scenes

* Automon's models are from the *Z Combine* series from the *Plarail Shinkalion* toyline. Specifically, his model is the Dark Shinkalion, with the original black-colored release serving as his original form and his redeemed appearance portrayed by the white-colored Dark Shinkalion Absolute release.

## Trivia

* Automon is named after a Machine Empire General from *Power Rangers Wild Force*. While both versions are based on Japanese designs, the *Power Rangers* Automon remained evil and perished, whereas the Rail Force Automon reformed and survived his last battle on the side of evil.
* Due to the nature of his models, Automon's extra cars were custom-painted instead of bought off the shelf.
* Much like the vast majority of the Adventure Squad universe robot characters, Automon's eyes flash when he speaks, synched to his words as he talks. His eyes are also the only parts of his head capable of facial expression, as like the other robot characters, he makes up for it with body language and vocal tones.