Chapter 3

The next day, Sonic and Shadow went back to the forest. They decided that today they would repair the treehouse and turn it into their own castle. It was difficult to get all of the supplies they brought over to the other side of the river, but with a little teamwork, they were able to do it.

Now, the two hedgehogs were hammering away at the treehouse, replacing old boards with new ones, sweeping away the dead leaves that covered the floor, sawing off any branches that got in the way, and painting it a nice green color that blended well with the forest around them. They pulled off the awkward and crooked ladder steps that were nailed into the tree, and replaced the way up with a strong line of rope, allowing them to rock climb up the tree and into the house. They had made sure that the rope was tied to a strong branch so that it wouldn't break off when trying to climb it.

They worked for hours, cracking jokes with each other and helping each other when they needed it, like when Sonic needed Shadow's help by sitting on his shoulders to reach a high branch to saw it off, or when Shadow needed Sonic's help to pull off a rather stubborn board.

Almost six hours later, they were finally finished. The treehouse was gorgeous and looked brand new. The two hedgehogs were really proud of their work, and they celebrated by taking a well deserved break, sitting under their tarped ceiling and snacking on the apples Sonic had brought for them.

"I can't believe we got all of this done in six hours." Shadow chuckled in disbelief, taking a chunk of his apple into his mouth as he admired their 'castle'.

"It's amazing what two speedy hedgehogs can accomplish when they work together." Sonic agreed with a smile, a piece of red flesh stuck in his teeth.

"You got something in your teeth." Shadow laughed at the sight.

"Hmph." Sonic gave a light chuckle as he turned his head away and tried to get the piece out. He turned back around and smiled. "Did I get it?"

"I see nothing but your beautiful smile." Shadow chuckled, then gasped as his face turned red. "Sorry, I didn't mean…"

"No no, it's ok." Sonic laughed. "I'm flattered that you think my smile is beautiful." Then he blushed. "To be honest, I can say the same about yours."

Shadow blushed and looked away, focusing on his apple. He couldn't help but feel flattered that Sonic thought he had a beautiful smile as well.

Sonic chuckled and took another bite of his own apple. "So what now?"

"... I'm not sure." Shadow frowned. "We finished the treehouse. And I haven't seen any Shadow Spies… I don't know what we should do now."

Sonic frowned and looked around. Shadow was right. There was no sight of any activity in the forest at all. In fact, it was quiet.

Too quiet.

"Do you hear that?" He asked his ebony companion.

Shadow frowned. "No. It's quiet, hedgehog."

"Exactly, too quiet."

Shadow tensed upon this. He was right. Usually, the wind would be blowing, and birds would be calling out to each other in a forest… but it was absolutely silent.

Suddenly, something was thrown into their treehouse, startling the hedgehogs.

"What was that?!" Sonic squawked in surprise.

More objects were thrown at them, pelting them against their bodies and thumping against the floor. Shadow shielded himself with his arms and looked at the objects on the floor. They were pinecones, but in his imagination, they were something entirely different and dangerous.

"GRENADES!" He shouted as he grabbed a few pinecones and threw them back out of their treehouse.

"SHOOT GET THEM OUTTA HERE!" Sonic panicked, picking up a few pinecones himself and throwing them out.

They worked in a fast pace as they threw every single active 'grenade' out. When the last one was thrown, they dove into their treehouse, covering their heads as they heard the imaginary explosion.

"What the hell could be attacking us?" Shadow had to wonder.

"Look!" Sonic pointed to a couple of shadows portrayed behind their tarp that were darting through the trees, they looked like squirrels. "Scourgers!"

"I think you mean 'squirrels', hedgehog."

"No, they're Scourgers," Sonic shook his head as he stood up. "Minions of the Dark Master, they've come to destroy us. We have to fight back!"

Suddenly, Sonic jumped out of the treehouse, barrel rolling into the ground so he wouldn't get hurt. He picked up a large branch that he had sawed off before, holding it up in defense.

'Scourgers?' Shadow frowned. 'Why does half of that name sound familiar?'

A tree branch snapped above him and he looked up, backing up in surprise when he came face to face with the Dark Master's creature.

It was big and hairy, with green fur that stood on end like spikes and ice blue eyes. It bared its dripping fangs as it growled, little sparks of ashy fire flying from its giant hairy paws. A flame engulfed its entire tail, swinging side to side mockingly.

"Oh my…" Shadow barely had a chance to say before the Scourger suddenly lunged at him. "Urgh!"

The Scourger tackled the ebony hedgehog, pulling him out of the treehouse and down to the ground. When they hit the ground, the Scourger rolled away from Shadow, standing upright on its four paws, growling at him. Shadow quickly stood up, taking a fighters stance as he glared right back at the creature.

"Come at me, you mangy mongrel!" He hissed.

The Scourger growled and lunges again, but Shadow was smarter. He quickly ducked and rolled out of the way of the fire creature. The Scourger hissed and flung it's tail at him, sending balls of fire his way. Shadow quickly jumped, dodging each fireball that came his way.

"Is that the best you got?" Shadow sneered mockingly.

"SHADOW, HELP!!!"

Shadow spun around in Sonic's direction to see what was wrong. He gasped when he saw a Scourger right on top of the blue hedgehog, trying to bite at his head, but Sonic kept the fangs at a distance with his branch, having the length of it pressed in the creature's mouth.

"Sonic!"

But before the ebony could even think about moving to save his companion, the Scourger he was fighting before suddenly jumped onto his back, toppling him to the forest floor.

"Urgh!" He grunted at the heavy weight on his back. "Mangy mutt!"

The hedgehog brought up his quills to a point in defense, their sharpness scratching against the face of the creature. It howled in pain and jumped off its prey, pawing at its face to stop the stinging pain.

At this moment, Shadow quickly stood up and without hesitation roundhouse kicked the Scourger in its face, breaking its nose and sending it back.

"Chaos Spear!" Shadow shouted as he fired a flurry of yellow chaos energy directly at his opponent.

The Scourger whimpered as the spears burned deep into its skin. Unable to take much more, the creature ran into the forest, yelping with its tail between its legs.

"SHADOW!"

Before the ebony hedgehog could smirk at his victory, Sonic called again, gaining his attention once more. The Scourger was now scratching at Sonic's body as it still tried to bite at him, its saliva dripping from its fangs directly onto the blue hedgehog's face.

Sonic's arms were wobbling weakly as he still tried to keep the creature back, but it was too strong. Tears were falling out of Sonic's eyes. He was terrified.

"Sonic!" Shadow gasped as he quickly spindashed at the creature, kicking it off the hedgehog. Shadow bent down and held out his hand to help him stand to his feet. "Are you alright?"

Sonic nodded and took Shadow's hand, pulling himself up as he wiped the tears out of his eyes. "I'm ok."

"Come on, we can fight this thing together."

"Right." Sonic nodded, his old spirit immediately coming back.

Shadow smirked and turned to face the Scourger, who was growling at them with its spiked fur on end. "We rule this land now, mutt! Why don't you follow your friend and get out of here with your tail between your legs. Back to your so called 'master'."

The Scourger howled and charged at the hedgehogs, snarling the whole time. When it got too close, the two immediately rolled out of the way. The Scourger stopped and growled, trying to figure out which to attack first.

"Circle it?" Sonic suggested. Shadow smirked.

"Circle it."

They both then started to run circles around the creature, confusing it with their speed. The Scourger growled and whimpered, trying to pinpoint what position they were in.

"Ready?!" Sonic called out.

"Hmph, was born ready, hedgehog!" Shadow answered.

At that moment, the two speedhogs suddenly stopped and roundhouse kicked the Scourger directly in the face together, sending it flying back.

Outmatched, the Scourger stood up, shook itself and ran away, it's tail between its legs.

"And stay out!" Shadow shouted after it.