Disclaimer: You guys probably have grasped the fact that I don't own anything but Christian, Iron Fist, and Pierre. Oh, and I guess I own my first story, "Edtallica", too!

Before I give you the sequel that you've been waiting so anxiously pining for, here's a little background info. This story takes place four years after "Edtallica" ended, so that means that Ed, Edd, and Christian are 21, and Ed is 22. There's going to be some writing differences in here, too. Anything that looks like this is a flashback, just a heads up, there're going to be lots of flashbacks!

Edtallica II: Return of the Metal Mental Cases

Chapter 1: Get me Jason Newsted!

Jason Newsted looked at the large Chophouse Records group photo. The veteran bassist recalled taking the photo before the bands departed on the huge Chophouse Records Summer Tour '06. He smiled as he saw the band members of Voivod, Echo Brain, and Edtallica huddled together in various poses. That tour did great things for his record label as well as for the bands that took part in it.

Jason glanced up at his wall, which was decked nearly from corner to corner with platinum records that he either made with his various bands or produced himself. "Metallica", "Echo Brain", "Heavy Metal Mental Cases"…

"They were so good. What the hell happened?…"

It had been four long years since that album hit the shelves and went platinum. Four years since that tour, which was Edtallica's first, and hopefully, not last. Four years since Edtallica had to "hang out for a while", not by choice, but because they had to.

December 25th, 2007, 10:24 PM; Newsted's homestead

RRIINNNGG….RINNGGGGG…

"Yeah?"

"Jason? It's Eddy, you gotta get to the hospital, man, pronto!"

"What are you talking about?"

"Christian crashed his car real bad! The doctors think that they might have to amputate part of his leg or something, hurry!"

………………………

It took Christian six months altogether to heal after the surgery and go through physical therapy. Then, Christian checked into the Betty Ford clinic for four months. Double D followed suit and entered rehab after he nearly died from a grief-drinking binge. Two of the "metal mental cases" in the Betty Ford clinic battling demons made it impossible to work on a follow-up album.

Jason put the picture back down on the desk and leaned back in his office chair.

"Thank God Ed and Eddy managed to stay clean." Jason muttered.

February 17th, 2007 2:15 PM; Chophouse Records

"Guys, I just got a call from the clinic, Double D just checked himself in this morning…" Jason said to the two distraught Eds.

"Good…yeah." Ed sighed, "At least he checked himself in like Christian, I don't think I'd be able to stand dragging him in kicking and screaming, huh Eddy?"

"Great… this is just fucking great…" Eddy scoffed, "What are we supposed to do? Half the band's in frickin' rehab for God knows how long!"

"We can't just rebuild the band, can we?" Ed asked, "I mean, they're gonna check out soon, right?"

"Christian should be out pretty within the next few weeks, the doctors and psychologists say he's showing progress!" Jason replied, trying to lift the spirits of the remaining two band members.

"That's good, but what about Double D?" Eddy inquired, "Even when Christian gets out we're still down a guitar player, and I don't think Mullet's anywhere near good enough to write 'Eddward the Great' caliber solos. No offense or anything, Mullet."

"None taken, Eddy!" Ed answered simply, "If it's true, don't deny it! That's what I always say… sometimes!"

"Well uh… here's what I think you should do," the producer declared, "Once Christian checks out, see if he's up to making to writing some more music."

"He will be, he's always psyched to play!" Eddy exclaimed, flipping the heavy metal salute in anticipation.

"OK, good. As far as Double D's concerned, he just checked in, and judging by his condition, he's gonna be in there for a pretty long time." Jason continued, "As much as I hate to say this guys, we might have to find a new guitar player…"

"We've gotta WHAT?" Eddy yelped.

"It doesn't have to be permanent, guys." The veteran rocker quipped, "Besides, I bet Double probably doesn't want us just waiting around sittin' on our hands, right?"

Jason looked at the Eds, waiting for their response. After a few seconds, Ed grinned.

"You betcha, cap'n!" Ed exclaimed, giving Jason a mock Navy salute and elbowing Eddy playfully, "We can't let our lifelong chum down, huh Eddy?"

"Nope!" Eddy said, a smile slowly slithering its way to the drummer's face, "But where're we supposed to find another guitar player?"

"Are you kiddin' me, Eddy?" Jason questioned, "This's California, you're not in Detroit or Toronto anymore. You can't swing a stick without whacking a guitarist in these parts!"

"Whacking guitar players?" Ed joked elbowing his friend again, "That sounds like a plan, huh?"

"Yeah sure Ed… Ow! Damn it, Ed, what've I told you about elbowing people?"

………………………………

They found a guitar player that next day, a young Floridian named "Heavy Metal" Hank Heinreich. Hank was a great player and helped write a few riffs with Ed. They even did a few demo recordings of some new songs with "Heavy Metal" Hank at the lead guitar reins. He thought the recordings sounded good, but still…

"Eddy probably put it best," Jason said, "It just didn't feel right… but God bless 'em, they stuck with Hank 'til Double D got out!"

Double D got out of rehab about ten months later, and when he did, he reclaimed his spot, but he was still a bit out of it from rehab. He was fine after a few days, so the band "fired" Hank on friendly terms. Even with the band back together, attempts at recording didn't work, causing the band to go on an even longer hiatus, which still continued.

That confused Jason. He knew that the Eds at least were still all right. He'd read all of Double D's columns in Revolver Magazine and tuned in every week to see Ed and Eddy as carefree as ever on HeadBanger's Ball every Saturday. Since that was the case, why didn't they make any more music?

A light knock on the door jolted Jason from his thoughts.

"Uh… Mr. Newsted?"

"Yeah? It's open!"

"Sorry to like, disturb you, sir but you've got a phone call." His assistant Jake said.

"Who is it?"

"Um… some guy named Eddward McAllister, I think…"

The producer's eyes grew as wide as dinner plates as he swiped the phone from his scatter-brained assistant.

"D-Double D? Is that you?" Jason asked excitedly.

"Sure is, Jase." The familiar voice answered, "It's been awhile…"

"Damn straight it has!" he happily exclaimed, "So what can I do for ya?"

"I just got off the phone with Ed and Eddy, you wanna help us record some music?"

"Dude, do you know how long I've been waiting to hear one of you guys ask me that?" Jason said, "Hell yeah, sure I'll produce you guys again. When can you come down?"

"I don't know, a couple of weeks, Ed and Eddy still have to get in touch with Christian, then they've gotta fly down here." Edd said, "It's been four years, my friend, the way I see it, another week or two won't hurt."

"Makes sense to me, just try to get your fellow mental cases to San Rafael as soon as you can, I'll be waiting." Jason concluded.

"You'd better! I'll see you then." Edd said.

"Bye." Jason said, hanging up the phone.

The veteran bassist stood a few seconds, excitement already welling up inside him. He let out a loud whoop and handed the phone back to Jake.

"Jake, I need you to call the travel agent and have him reserve some plane tickets." Jason ordered, "It looks like the mental cases finally broke out of the asylum!"

A/N: Hi, it's your favorite Belgian-born rocker, back with a sequel! Ok, I know this chapter may be a tad boring and short for my style, but it had to be done. Sorry I couldn't get this up sooner, I had to finish up the final play of the school year for drama club (I still have the damned theme from "Footloose" stuck in my head… o well, nothing a good heavy metal binge won't fix!), and then my computer acted up again. But all is well now, hurray! Well, you know the drill, read and review this while I get my skinny Belgian fingers working on Chapter 2!