Gospel whined as he struggled in the wind trying to keep up with his master. But Forte ignored that; they had to keep moving. Of course, the very well could stop here, in the snow. But then ice would likely form over their circuitry, and interfere with their motors. So they had to keep moving. Forte didn't even want to think about the other possibility of even a quick break. They could be caught. Wily's forces had been chasing Forte ever since the ebony armored bot had run away so many months ago. Right after the destruction of Forte's arch nemesis, Mega Man. After that one moment Forte couldn't take it anymore. It was not so much the fact that he'd killed the blue one, but because it wasn't even in a fight. The blue wonder hadn't even been looking. Forte normally wouldn't have done such a thing. But it was Dr. Wily's orders, so he had to.
That was why he was on the run now. Ever since that fateful night Forte refused to let himself be under control of that crazy old human ever again. Unfortunately that meant that he could never stop. The old man was determined to give chase; Forte was made of valuable resources after all. And Forte was determined to be free. Even if it meant being constantly on the run.
It was a good thing that Forte was a robot in one sense though. He didn't need to sleep, eventually he would need to find a way to recharge, but unless his systems were somehow lying he would be good to go for another month yet. Not that he could tell the difference anymore. It had all been one long day, ever since that fateful night. Gospel whined again and Forte stumbled. Maybe he didn't have as much energy left as he thought. Faintly, through the blizzard, Forte saw a light ahead. "Come on Gospel. A little further. I can see a light ahead. Where there is light there is energy. And if there's energy, perhaps we could find a way to recharge." Using Gospel as a crutch Forte started the march forward with renewed purpose. "Good girl. Lets go…" Forte stumbled again. And firmly decided to stop talking for the moment. Apparently it took more energy than he thought. A few more steps, the world went black for a moment. But Forte kept going. The light was getting bigger. His vision was getting black around the edges. He couldn't see any longer, trusting Gospel to lead him forward. Gospel whined again, and Forte felt himself going down. He tried to step, but it his leg didn't seem to want to move. He went down, and down, and down. He thought he felt himself hit the ground. Gospel was barking for some reason. "Shut up Gospel… I'm trying to sleep…" No that wasn't it, he wasn't trying to sleep… But Forte could seem to focus his purpose anymore. Gospel whined again. And vaguely, as if through a hundred blankets, Forte thought he felt something tugging on his armor… And then, darkness.