The frigid air of the northern Mobian mountain range sent a deathly chill running down Sonic's spine, causing his frosted blue quills to bristle from the cold.
They stood tall and imposing, thousands of kilometers high at its peak and stretching from one edge of his vision to the other all the way to the horizon in the distance. Along the breadth of its splendor the mountain was painted with blankets of crisp white powdery snow and green splotches of verdant mountainous vegetation here and there punctuated by the whipping of the wind and scant animal sounds.
It was a humbling monument to mother nature's artisanry, and it was the location of his current mission.
He looked up at the prodigious geographical wonder, eyes weary and full of trepidation, heart thumping rhythmically within his chest. Whatever he was hoping to find here, he can't help but shake the feeling of unease that stabbed at him like an icy blade.
"I should've worn a parka, or at least a dang scarf," Sonic quipped, cupping his gloved hands together and warming them with his breath. He looked over his shoulder to see his friend trudge along towards him from behind, lethargically dragging his feet across the snow covered ground with all the urgency of a depressed sloth. "At least you had the right idea, eh, Squirt?"
Kit the Fennec, Sonic's former enemy turned wayward companion whom he affectionately refers to as 'Squirt,' stopped beside him, his large droopy ears tucked into the oversized orange trapper hat atop his head. The cerulean sea fox wore his trademark neutral, some might say dreary, expression upon his visage along with a puffy gray winter coat over his body. His hydropack, which had been upgraded and modified by Tails to operate in colder climates, was firmly strapped to his back; it sloshed with deceptively lethal water.
"Yes, s-sir. Whatever you say, sir," Kit mumbled solemnly, his attention glued to the random patches of frost tipped grass beneath his feet instead of Sonic or the mountain looming over him.
Sonic frowned, partially because Kit had referred to him as 'sir' (it was too formal, that made him sound old) and because he had lost that small spark of hope and happiness they'd been painstakingly building up over the past year to help him become his own person. Whatever progress he'd made to overcome his subservient conditioning was lost ever since Surge mysteriously abandoned the both of them several long months ago.
And Sonic was left to pick up the pieces.
After that shock, Kit had slid back to his old self; an obedient and meek flunky with an abysmal sense of self-respect and self-worth. In his desperation, he'd latch onto Sonic like a lifeline, finding a worrying solace in the role he was originally made for, only now he had an equivalent replacement for Surge.
He was prepared to do whatever Sonic says, craving the pre-programmed equanimity servitude granted him; if Sonic told him to jump off a bridge he'd do it with a flip.
Sonic didn't want nor need a servant, the thought of which disturbed him something fierce as it was antithetical to his principles. He wanted a friend; but more importantly, he wanted Kit to break free from his conditioning, to live as himself without the constant urge to validate his misbegotten existence.
He couldn't deal with Kit's compromised state of mind making him act like a mindless servitor, he needed to set the record straight. Even if nothing came out of it, he had to try.
Sonic's features soften and he knelt on one knee, reaching eye level with Kit. Kit didn't meet his gaze, his head hung low out of submission. He placed a hand on the young fennec's shoulder; Kit flinched, his body turning tense from the touch.
"Squirt, come on. We've moved past this. You're not my lackey, you're my little buddy. I want your help, but I don't need your obedience," Sonic pleaded, his voice a gentle whisper. Kit bristled in front of him, his body language telling of fear, sadness and resignation. "Please, I know it's been hard ever since Surge disappeared, Ancients above, I know, but we gotta be strong. The others are counting on us. Let's do our best together and see this mission through."
He paused, gauging Kit's reaction.
The boy was unresponsive; he wanted, needed, orders, to be told what to do. He didn't care about himself or anything else, only what he could accomplish in service to Sonic. He wanted to feel anything other than dejected and worthless.
Sonic sighed heavily, his hold became firm as he leaned forward and pressed his forehead against Kit's own. The flaps of Kit's trapper hat rustled as they made contact with each other. He knew Kit didn't like hugs, this was the next best thing.
"...We'll find her, Squirt. I promise," Sonic murmured and promptly released Kit as he stood back up. He turned to lead the way but stopped short of taking two steps before noticing Kit's visible change in demeanor.
His words, it would seem, had gotten through to Kit. The boy met his gaze, his eyes no longer glazed over and lacking focus. Instead, they held a twinkle of individuality in one eye and a gleam of resolution in the other. It wasn't much, but it was there, and that alone was enough to make Sonic grin like a complete doofus.
"I..." Kit began with a false start, finding his words as his postures straightened. "I... I've got your back, Sir- I mean, S-Sonic," Kit mumbled, his hands clasped together nervously. "You can c-c-count on me."
A heartfelt chuckle escaped Sonic's lips; it was an airy sound full of relief. He flashed Kit a thumbs up.
"And you, me, little buddy," Sonic declared, his grin radiant and warm like the sun's rays. "The wind and the water, we're a regular sea breeze, you and I. Let's try to keep it that way." He then gestured for him to follow. "Come on, Amy's expecting a sitrep from us soon. You know how she is about punctuality, and I don't not want to get an earful from her today."
"M-me neither," Kit replied, a ghost of a smile on his lips as he skittered along, keeping pace with Sonic's speed.
The pair began their steady ascent up the mountain, the soft sound of snow crunching beneath their feet serving as a discordant musical accompaniment to their journey.
Whatever comes their way, they'll be ready...