Archimedes

Archimedes the Fire Ant is a long time ally to-and mentor of-members of the Brotherhood of Guardians. He is the latest in a long line of Fire Ants to hold a similar position, starting with his ancestor Christopheles and continuing down through his grandfather Deo Volente, father Semper Fidelis, and ending with Archimedes, or "Archy" as he is also known. Originally serving as mentor to the Guardian Sabre, he would also tutor Locke and later Knuckles. Originally, he concealed himself from Knuckles, luring the young Echidna on winding pursuits that ended up with him empty-handed. Finally the two would meet face-to-face just in time to confront the original Enerjak, who was also Dimitri, Knuckles' distant great uncle. The two would collaborate many times afterwards, doing battle with the Dark Legion, confronting other enemies, and even working together to help Knuckles stabilize his relationship with Julie-Su. Archy was separated from Knuckles after the firing of the Quantum Beam, and didn't meet up with him again until after Knuckles' temporary death and the subsequent year he spent on the surface of Mobius. During that time, he became a member of the Angel Island resistance, helping the Echidnas and a handful of Dingoes against the evil Dr. Robotnik.

Sabre and Locke
With a longevity almost as impressive as that of the Guardians, Archimedes' ancestors had watched over and guided young Guardians as they sought their powers down through the centuries, beginning with Christopheles and Steppenwolf. Archy first took part in this practice to train Sabre, the son of Athair, after Athair refused to return to Angel Island to reassume his forsaken post as Guardian after the death of his mother Janelle-Li. This change was referenced to by Archy himself, who once commented to Locke-Sabre's son-that even his father, Semper Fidelis, had had trouble dealing with Athair. At any rate, Archimedes trained Sabre and then Locke, before years later taking on the role of instructing Locke's son and the most powerful Guardian yet by far, Knuckles.

Knuckles
In the beginning, following a pattern set forth by his ancestors, Archy played games with Knuckles' mind, leaving obscure clues to his existence such as his name burned into a rock. Eventually, Archy "abducted" Knuckles' friends, the Chaotix, in order to lure him to the Grand Conservatory of the Echidnas. There Archy revealed himself for the first time, telling Knuckles a part of the history between their two families. At that moment, Enerjak emerged from beneath the ruins of Mount Fate, swooping down on the Grand Conservatory to capture the Chaotix and banish Archy and Knuckles to Sandopolis a vast desert region of Angel Island. Working together to overcome the obstacles in their path, they made their way to Enerjak's newly recreated city of Nekronopolis. Engaging the brainwashed Chaotix in battle, they defeated them and faced Enerjak. Locke intervened secretly at this point, sending Enerjak into outer space and temporarily ending his threat. Archy thus became an adviser to the Chaotix as he continued Knuckles' training. Unfortunately, his concealing of Brotherhood secrets from his young pupil would come back to haunt Archy as the Dark Legion, led by Grandmaster Kragok, made their first appearance on Angel Island in Knuckles' lifetime. Knuckles and his allies were able to defeat these enemies, but another problem arose when Knuckles met a rogue Legionnaire named Julie-Su. She admitted to feeling some strange attraction to Knuckles, which Archy quickly-and uneasily-recognized as the Soultouch.

Archy would then help Knuckles as Echidnaopolis was restored to Angel Island, though he would continue to hide secrets as he worked with Knuckles' ancestor Hawking. After the Guardian left, Archy and Knuckles would find his trademark hat left behind for Knuckles. From that time on, Archy continued to instruct Knuckles as best he could, trying to help him in his efforts to become a better Guardian. He would later face Enerjak again, imprisoned by the returning demigod to prevent him from aiding Knuckles. Escaping, he joined in the battle against Mammoth Mogul, and later would help Knuckles struggle to come to grips with his feelings about Julie-Su, whom he soon fell in love with.

After Knuckles' Afterlife
When Knuckles died temporarily, Archy parted from the rest of the Chaotix and remained on Angel Island, working with the Brotherhood even when the island was lost to Robotnik. He went solo for a time after the Brotherhood disappeared and Locke was captured, and somehow learned of Knuckles' lost Chaos powers. After seeing Knuckles' weakness at exposure to the Master Emerald, Archy theorized that continued exposure would restore the Guardian to his former strength. He was proven right as Knuckles became Super Knuckles to defeat the villainous Hunter, but not before the Overlander sent a great many Echidnas-including Guardian ally Constable Remington of the Echidna Security Team-to the Egg Grape Chamber. Archy remained on Angel Island to keep on eye on Locke while Knuckles returned to the surface, often saving the older Guardian from himself; one such instance involved his teleporting Rouge the Bat to Knothole as she came close to wooing Locke into leading her to the Master Emerald. However, Archy found himself on his own once again as Locke left to search for the Brotherhood, leaving Angel Island in the care of the Dark Legion renegade Dr. Finitevus and his Destructix minions.

Archy would later witness Knuckles' return, capture by the Destructix, meeting with Finitevus, and subsequent transformation into a new Enerjak due to a brainwashing spell set on the Master Emerald by Finitevus and activated as Knuckles drew its energies into himself. Trying valiantly to aid Knuckles through telepathy, Archy was unable to save him from the effects. Following him to New Mobotropolis and witnessing his battle with Sonic and Shadow the Hedgehogs, he would later accompany the former to Angel Island with Julie-Su when Locke recruited them for a mission to recover a weapon that would destroy Enerjak. Archy was just as vehement in Julie-Su in objecting to the weapon's use, claiming that Knuckles' new incarnation was exactly what Locke had been trying to create by mutating him. Despite this, he helped Locke fight the Destructix, only for Sonic to destroy the weapon. During the ensuing battle between Enerjak and Super Sonic, Archy and Julie-Su confronted Dr. Finitevus at the newly created Shrine Island, where he revealed that Knuckles could only be returned to normal by the sacrifice of someone's life. Both were willing to offer themselves up, but Locke stepped in instead to save his son. Finitevus attacked them, but Archy then teleported the doctor away from the battle to give his old student time to perform the necessary ritual to free Knuckles.

Personality
Archimedes is known for being rather opinionated, and doesn't like to waste time by being round about. He does his best to encourage his students, past and present, and isn't shy about telling them what they're doing wrong. Despite this, he cares deeply for them, particularly Knuckles, whom he often felt guilty towards for not revealing the secret of his father's continued existence. Concerned with the greater good, Archy is not above leaving his students to suffer through whatever lessons they have to learn themselves, and can be extremely blunt in his methods. No matter what the situation, though, he always stands by his friends.

Powers
Like all Fire Ants-at least of the line of Christopheles-Archy can breathe fire and teleport, as well as communicating with others telepathically. He can also transport others, though he must be in physical contact for this to work. A master of sleight-of-hand and various magic tricks, he often emphasizes his appearances and disappearances with puffs of smoke. He is well versed in the lore of the Guardians, teaching Knuckles and others the martial and spiritual skills needed to utilize their abilities to their fullest.