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The Lost Tribe of Echidnas (sometimes referred to as simply the Lost Tribe or the Forgotten Tribe) was a group of Echidnas who left Echidnaopolis to remain on the surface of Mobius rather than ascend into the sky with Angel Island. While searching for a suitable home, it was eventually discovered that, according to prophecy, the tribe was to find "journey's end" in the original Echidna homeland of Albion. The tribe wandered the surface of Mobius for six centuries seeking their destined home.
History[]
Formation and Early Travels[]
The tribe was originally formed when the plan to save Echidnaopolis from the threat of the White Comet was first announced. The Mitre Arakkis felt that it was unnatural for echidnas to leave the surface of the planet; however, the High Council at the time all agreed that not raising Echidnaopolis was not an option. As a counter-proposal, Arrakis requested that those who wished to follow him be allowed to do so, and in return, he would not impede the choice of those who wished to stay in the city. Thus a group of echidnas who supported Arakkis' position left the city just before it ascended into the sky and the White Comet struck the planet. For hundreds of years the Lost Tribe sought to find a home for themselves on Mobius, though every time they found somewhere they were chased away by the locals or the setting proved inhospitable for their needs. After their technology broke down, it was decided the Tribe would lead a simple life as they continued to travel. Eventually Arakkis was visited by the Ancient Walkers, and, feeling that the tribe had their blessing, it was decided they would seek the echidnas' original homeland - Albion - to reach the prophesied "journey's end." (KtE: #10)
Under the Leadership of Athair and Knuckles[]
Due to Albion's location being lost, the Lost Tribe's search proved futile for hundreds of years, guided by the Tomes. The tribe was lead by a Mitre; unlike the Guardians of Angel Island, this position was not automatically inherited through family. When the current Mitre passed on, a new one was selected. Athair was visited by the Ancient Walkers, who brought him to the surface of the planet, stating that the need for him there was greater than the need for him as Guardian. He came across the Tribe in mourning and felt compelled to step forward; when a member asked if he was "the other," he replied that he didn't believe so, leading the tribesman to conclude that, with the passing of Mitre Himon, Athair must have been sent as the next spiritual guide. Accepting this calling, Athair lead the Lost Tribe for many years, and they eventually settled for a time in a valley, where he began a family life. However, a drought forced the tribe to again move on, and eventually, a large number of the tribe's members were captured and roboticized when they were discovered by the forces of Dr. Ivo Robotnik. Years later, the Tribe one again felt that they had found "journey's end," but while communing with the Ancient Walkers, Athair learned that they had to move on. He told his disciple, Yanar, that it would soon be time for the arrival of "the other" and left him in charge for the time being, stating that the Ancient Walkers had dictated that it would not be Yanar who would assume the mantle and that he had to turn to his great-grandson Knuckles. After enduring the wrath of the Days of Fury, Athair left the tribe, departing in the middle of the night with the Ancient Walkers and leaving Knuckles and Yanar to find "journey's end," as according to the Tomes, Athair believed it would happen during this generation. While roaming through the Kingdom of Mercia, the tribe was temporarily captured by the High Sheriff and his Robian minions, though they were eventually freed and with assistance from Rob O' the Hedge, Sonic the Hedgehog and Tails. While in captivity, Yanar was nearly executed and, so close to death, he had a vision of Albion, describing it as "a city to stagger the imagination." Realizing that Rob was "the other," he, with clues from Yanar's vision and the Tomes, lead the tribe to Albion. Welcomed to the city by High Councilor Gala-Na, the tribe's members became citizens of Albion, though Knuckles returned to his duties as Guardian of Angel Island. (KtE: #11, #12)
Life as Albionites[]
The Lost Tribe was gradually integrated into Albion society, with Yanar joining the Albion High Council. Not long afterwards, tragedy struck as most of the tribe was wiped out by Dr. Eggman's Egg Grapes after Albion was destroyed by the Eggman Empire. A small number of tribesmen survived in the ruins, however, and later joined up with other Echidnas who were transported to Albion via the fourth Enerjak. As such, they came under attack when the Death Egg Mark 2 arrived over the city, and along with the other echidnas fighting in the city were transported to another Zone by Thrash the Devil. (StH: #89, #90, #91, #93, #182, #243, #244)