[Pride. That was it. Sonic had so much of it too, and he knew he did. Was it necessarily good or bad to have that much of it, he wasn't sure. Maybe along with pride there was dignity as well, both of which he wanted to maintain and keep pristine.

But again was the thought that he didn't need to burden them. Not with his problems. He didn't need to trouble them, not after reassuring them that he would take care of everything, handle everything. But they had been like family or were his family, his only family. They probably thought the same way in return to him.]

Yeah, I know. Heh, they're always there for me, I know they'd have my back, even if I did ask 'em this late in the game.

[Soon the two arrived at the beach. And there it was, the ocean, the source of one of his greatest fears. He had been here countless times before, it never bothered him so much as long as he knew to avoid it.]