Athair

Athair is an Echidna that transcended his corporeal form and became an emissary of the Ancient Walkers. Athair was the first Guardian to abandon his position and pursue a "higher calling". Guided by the Ancient Walkers, Athair became the Mitre of the Lost Tribe and spent many years leading them in their search for Albion, until his great-grandson Knuckles completed this task. Athair also spent some time in his later life training Miles "Tails" Prower for his role of becoming the Chosen One and continued to do so even after his transition into a non-corporeal entity. After Tails fulfilled the prophecy and stopped Mammoth Mogul, Athair remained with the Ancient Walkers until their death. Following the demise of the Ancient Walkers, Athair became one of the Neo Walkers.

Origins
Athair is the son of Janelle-Li, the only female Guardian in the history of the Brotherhood of Guardians. Athair followed the usual Guardian tradition of assuming the position around 8 or 9 years of age, but then was taken by the Ancient Walkers to Haven, where his mother surmised that he had a different destiny. Athair resigned his position, and began learning from the Ancient Walkers. In addition, he became Mitre of the Lost Tribe as they sought their homeland of Albion. When his mother died, he was expected to reclaim the position of Guardian, but he refused. His son Sabre, furious at him, took up the position at age 7. Worst for Athair, his wife Crystal-La was later captured by the forces of Dr. Ivo Robotnik and Roboticized, along with many other members of the Lost Tribe. (KtE: #11)

Advisor
His first encounter with the Knothole Freedom Fighters was during time he spent in Downunda. While living in this desert, he took up residence in the Great Crater, once resting place of Angel Island, and became known among denizens of the continent as "Ol' Weirdo" due to his reclusive nature. During his stay, the Downunda Freedom Fighters brought him a guest - the then unconscious Miles "Tails" Prower. Nursing the fox back to health, Athair told Tails stories of Mobius' past and revealed the young Freedom Fighter's destiny as the Chosen One. Shortly afterwards Athair was presumed to have died when Crocbot's escape vehicle crashed into the crater and caused a massive explosion. Instead, Athair merely shed his corporeal form. (TMS: #1, #2, #3)

Following Mammoth Mogul's success in draining the powers of Enerjak, Athair reappeared to aid the beleaguered opposition, which consisted of Tails, Sonic the Hedgehog, and Knuckles the Echidna. Athair allowed the trio to assume their super forms of Super Sonic, Hyper Knuckles and Turbo Tails and distracted the powerful tyrant. Delivering the Chaos Syphon to his beleaguered allies, he watched as they overcame Master Mogul. This enabled the three heroes to defeat Mammoth Mogul, who was then trapped inside the recently formed Master Emerald. (StH: #56, KtE: #9)

Shortly afterward, Athair returned to recruit Knuckles, bestowing upon him duties as Mitre of the Lost Tribe. He disappeared again, leaving the tribe in the capable hands of Knuckles. With the assistance of Rob O' the Hedge, Knuckles successfully led the Lost Tribe to Albion. As he left, the faces of Athair and the Ancient Walkers appeared in the clouds above him, smiling down in approval. (KtE: #10, #11, #12)

Deity
Athair later returned, apparently having taken up residence in the same dimension as Aurora. Following Knuckles' death, Athair revealed to him he could have a second chance at life but at extreme costs. Knuckles took this opportunity to return to Mobius and the realm of to living, and enabled Sonic the Hedgehog to prevent the Xorda's weapon - the Quantum Dial - from destroying the planet. (StH: #118, #125)

Some time later, Athair appeared to Tails again, appearing only as his disembodied head. In this form, he assisted Tails in his rematch with Mammoth Mogul, giving Tails the knowledge necessary to combine with his numerous alternate selves to form Titan Tails. (StH: #148, #149, #150)

Later, as the Ancient Walkers felt themselves dying, Athair was chosen as one of their successors; the others were Aurora and Merlin Prower. Unfortunately, Athair's new role was forced upon him all too soon, as the Arachne used the Sword of Acorns to release Ixis Naugus, producing a dimensional warp that finished off the Ancient Walkers. Elias Acorn later revealed that Athair and his compatriots are known as the Neo Walkers. (StH: #162, #163, #164)

Personality
Athair is a light-hearted individual, having long been freed from the responsibilities that have darkened the dispositions of so many of his family. However, he does have the horrors of his own past weighing on his mind. Sarcastic and prone to humor, Athair is given to talking in riddles, which confuse Sonic and Tails to no end and are often frustrating to Knuckles as well. Despite their occasional arguments, he and Knuckles do share a number of things, which eventually includes the idea that Angel Island's safety is no more important than the safety of Mobius at large.

Background Information
Athair was the only member of Knuckles' family to appear on a Sonic TV show; featured in an episode of Sonic Underground and voiced by Sean Connery.