DISCLAIMER: For the record, I don't own the song Fuel. It's Metallica's song, and all lyrics were written by them. As well as the melody to The thing that should not be.

Authors Note: Another long chapter. I just had fun with this one. First off, I did say Tails would have a part eventually, and I'm introducing it here. Also, and this is all I'll say, This is a preview for what's gonna go on in one of the final chapters. Enjoy.

Sonic awoke to the sound of music. He glanced over at the clock on the wall. It was about 10:00 AM, a little later then when he usually woke up. The blue hedgehog jumped out of bed, and slowly walked over to the door to listen to what was going on. Someone was playing his guitar.

He slowly walked outside into the living room, and what he saw surprised him. James was sitting on the couch, (As best he could due to the smaller size) playing a steady, good heavy rock beat.

Manic and Sonia sat on the floor in front of him, amazed by his playing. As James finished up the song, he smiled.

"That was a song we did a few years ago called The thing that should not be. I think it's one of our cooler ones."

He looked up and noticed Sonic.

"Hey chief. Nice to see you up. Hope you don't mind, but When I go up I noticed your guitar and figured I'd play a few tunes."

He noted the hedgehog's tired look.

"I didn't wake ya, did I?"

Manic smirked.

"You didn't wake him up. He always looks like that in the morning."

Sonic glanced at his brother and returned the smirk.

"You want me to tell him what you looked like when you woke up last April fools day?"

Manic's smirk went away, and he quickly shut up.

"That's what I thought."

Sonia turned around to her brother.

"Sonic, you should hear some of the stuff James can play!"

Manic joined in.

"Yeah bro. This guy's part of band on his world."

Sonic raised an eyebrow. "Really?"

James laughed. "Yeah. Guess I was so tired yesterday I forgot to mention it."

"Are you guys popular on you world?" Manic asked.

"Oh yeah. We're a big deal on Earth. One of the most popular bands, actually."

Sonic joined the rest of the group, interested.

"What are you guys called?"

"We're called Metallica. We've been around for quite a while, actually."

He did a quick tune on the guitar. "I play the rythmguitar, and I'm the singer."

All this amazed the three hedgehogs. James noticed their expressions and smiled.

"You know, I'd say we're not that much different from you band, except for the fact that we have four members instead of three."

Sonic was surprised. "How do you know we have a band?"

James sighed and looked around, the room, motioning to all instruments; Manic's drums, Sonia's keyboard, etc…

"Wasn't really that hard to figure out with al this stuff lying around."

He paused, thinking about how they were going to take the next statement.

"And also, on my planet, you guys happen to be part of a pretty big cartoon show."

The hedgehogs reacted. They all looked at each other, confused. James figured that would be there reaction. "A TV show?" Sonic asked.

James nodded.

"Yeah, it's called…damn what was that name…my kid watches it. It's uh, Oh yeah, Sonic Underground."

The confusion seemed to lift slightly. Manic grinned.

"You here that guys? We're famous on his world!"

James smiled at the outburst.

"Yeah, you could say that. On the show, you guys apparently play some songs every now and then. I've seen you guys play myself, and I gotta say, quite impressive. For animals, of course."

The hedgehogs nodded in appreciation.

"Thanks. That means something coming from a big time guy like you."

"Don't mention it."

Sonic was happy to hear about there apparent notoriety on another world, but he remembered James talking about the band and had a question.

"Say James," he said, "Where's the rest of your band?"

James's expression drained a little. He seemed less excited. But he was willing to talk about it as oppose to last night. "Unfortunately, the rest of the band are those friends I was telling you about who are locked up in that Robonik guys base. He captured us cause he said he had a plan that he was gonna use our music for."

"What kind of plan?" Sonic asked, now curious again.

James looked down at the guitar.

"He wants to try and control the planet through subliminal messages in music."

Sonia gasped. "That sounds horrible!"

Sonic looked up.

"It sounds like something he'd try to use us for. But he grabbed you…" He stopped as he noticed James staring at him. He decided it was a good time to say it, so he did.

"James, last night we all agreed that we'd help you get you friends out of Robotnik's hands. And if it includes destroying whatever project he has planned, we'd be glad to help. Just thought I'd mention that."

James looked up and smiled.

"I appreciate that. Thanks." He stopped and thought about what he just said.

"Did I just agree to be helped by cartoon characters?" He scratched his head, and then shrugged.

"Oh well."

A about a minute later, a knock was heard on the door. Everyone looked up, but only Sonic seemed to know ho it was. He walked over and opened the door, to find none other then Tails standing in the doorway.

"Hi Sonic." The orange fox said with a smile.

Sonic smiled. "What's up buddy? Here for your lessons?"

Tails nodded.

"Who is it, Sonic?" Manic yelled.

"Just Tails here for his lessons!" Sonic stepped aside to let the fox in.

In the living Room, James saw Tails first, and noted the fact that the little fox was carrying a pretty big guitar case. When Tails noticed James, his expression shifted into shock.

"Sonic...is that...?"

Sonic nodded

Sonic laughed at his friend's reaction. "Tails, I'd like you to meet James Hetfield.The human from another world called Earth."

James nodded. "What's up, man?"

Tails just stared at the human, his ten-year-old mind toosuprised to allow him to react.

"It's amazing...You'are actually from another world?"

James nodded again. "You know it, dude."

The fox seemed to be in a mix of excitement and shock. James could sense it, so he tried to sound reassuring.

"Hey man, you can chill. Hell, I can understand you're surprised. When I first got here, imagine how I felt when I met you friends."

Tails slowly nodded in understanding. Sonic decided to take over,

"James, Tails is here for some guitar lessons. Hope you don't mind."

James shook his head. "Hell no, dude. In fact, I'd like to see this. What's he learning?"

"I'm learning the bass." Tails said as he placed his guitar case on the floor and opened it up. He bent down to remove the guitar. It wasn't fancy, it was just an average bass, like any beginner would use.

James nodded. "Not bad, kid."

He looked to Sonic.

"He gonna be joining your band?"

"Well, We were thinking about getting a bass player. Never thought of Tails, though."

James nodded as Tails plugged hiss guitar into an amp in the corner of the room.

"Sonic, how do you tune this again?"

Sonic walked over, and James watched as Sonic helped him retune the guitar. He turned to Sonia and Manic.

"So, what does he know how to play?"

"Oh, Sonic's just been teaching him simple little tunes and stuff like that. He's actually gotten really good, but Sonic still thinks they need to practice more."

Manic agreed. "Yeah, it's a shame. I've really wanted to see that kid in action with some real music."

For a minute there was silence. Everyone watched as Tails started playing a few note, with Sonic sitting close by observing.

Suddenly, Manic had an idea. He turned to James, who after a minute, realized he was being looked at.

"What?"

Manic grinned.

"Hey, how about you start playing one of the songs by your band. You know, start a riff, and Tails can play along on the bass."

James took on a surprised expression.

"One of our songs?"

Manic nodded.

James shook his head. "Oh no. I don't think he's ready for that kind of playing. He won't be able to keep up."

Sonia now joined in, with a smile on her face.

"Come on. It'll show us what Tails can really do. Besides, I want to hear another song by you."

Before James could really protest, Sonia motioned to Sonic and Tails.

"Hey guys, James has an idea!"

Tails and Sonic looked up at James, who was sitting there with a surprised look, motioning For Sonia to keep quiet. "What is it?" Sonic asked.

Sonia smiled again. "James thinks that maybe he should play one of his bands songs, that way Tails can play along and see how good he is."

Tails looked up, confused.

"His band? He has one to?"

Sonic nodded. "Yup. Guess I forgot to tell you. On his world, James is part of a popular band to. They're like an Earth version of us."

Tails glanced over at James. He was still getting over the fact that he was looking at a creature from another world.

"Well…I…I guess I could try one of his songs."

The three hedgehogs smiled.

"Al right! Cool!"

James shook his head. He was volunteered into it now, and he had a feeling that Sonia wouldn't let him back out of it.

"Uh…why not," he said. "One song won't kill him."

He slowly got up and walked to the center of the living room, shooting Sonia an angry glance when he passed. She replied with a sly smirk.

As James stood adjusting Sonic's guitar to his standards, he motioned for Tails to come stand next to him. The orange and white fox grabbed his guitar and amp and slowly came over.

Once he was all set up, James looked down to him.

"Okay…Tails right? I'm gonna start playing a pretty fast song here. It's not like the stuff Sonic's probably teaching you. It's gonna be pure rock music. Think you can handle that?"

The fox nodded. "Okay then," James said, "Here we go. I'llmotion to you when the bass comes in."

James started playing the opening riff to the song Fuel. He wasn't singing, just playing it for Tails to practice. Once he got to the point where the main song started, he motioned to Tails, who began playing the riff on the bass.

For a minute they played together, but James almost immediately noticed that something didn't quite sound right. He stopped, signaling for Tails to do the same.

"Something isn't right." James said. "One of us isn't playing right, and it isn't me."

While the hedgehogs looked on in confusion, James turned to Tails, seeing if he was doing something wrong. And he found that was exactly the problem.

"I see what's wrong here," he said. He knelt down and motioned to the guitar. "You're holding it wrong."

Tails cocked his head in confusion.

"How am I holding it wrong?"

James pointed to the way his hands were.

"You're trying to play it like a normal guitar. A bass isn't meant to be played that way."

He moved up and helped Tails re-adjust his hands.

"First, your left hand is to low on the fret board. It needs to be up higher, towards the top of the guitar. Like this."

He moved Tails' hand up so it was almost to the top of the fret board.

"Also, try moving your right hand down an inch." Tails did so.

James stepped back made sure everything looked right.

"Now doesn't that feel more comfortable?"

Tails stood, getting used to the new posture.

"Yeah, it sort of does," the fox said. "Thanks!"

James nodded. "No problem. There's just one more thing." He bent down and took the pick away from Tails. He threw it to a corner of the room.

"When a bass is played, people normally play it with their fingers. Try it."

Tails plucked a few notes. It sounded much better then before; the notes being more low and heavy sounding. Tails smiled, as well as Sonic and the others at the improvement.

"Much better."

He stood back up, and got ready to play again.

"Okay, Let's try again.You ready?"

Tails looked up with a smile.

"Ready!"

Just as they were about to play, Manic suddenly jumped up. "Hey, maybe it would be even better if you guys had a drum beat to go with the song. You know, make it sound better."

James raised an eyebrow. "We're just practicing here. You really think you can keep up with this song anyway?"

"Worth a shot,"

James sighed. "Okay, dude. Get on the set, and we'll see how it goes."

Manic grinned as he walked over and sat down at his drum set.

"Everyone ready?" He looked around and saw that everyone was. He turned to Manic. "Okay drummer boy, give us a beat."

Manic nodded, and then grabbed his drumsticks and gave a quick bet on one of the symbols. James went into the riff for Fuel again. But when the song got going, Tails started playing, but Manic started going crazy, making up his own beat for the song.

James glanced behind him at the green hedgehog. James was at first annoyed at the way it sounded, being so used to the way Lars played it, but once he let it sink in, it seemed to strangely fit the song. After a minute, he got used to it enough not to let it bother him and turned his attention back to his own playing.

But the more they played; the more Sonia and Sonic began to enjoy it. Without saying anything, Sonia suddenly got up and ran to her keyboard, and suddenly stared playing an altered version of the main riff.

James looked up. This time, he was really annoyed. She was playing it well, but she was off time. He tried not to let it bother him, but after another minute, he just couldn't bear it. He stopped and signaled everyone else to do so.

"Okay," he said, "If you all want to do this, we need some organization!" He turned to Tails.

"You played good buddy. I want you to start the opening riff on the bass."

He turned to Sonia.

"You. This time, you'll start playing when I point to you. Just play what you just were and try to stay in time."

And last, to Manic.

"When I point to you, just get on that beat. And yeah, just play like you were. I kinda liked your version." The hedgehogs nodded.

But before James started again, he noticed Sonic sitting by himself. Though he was just watching, it was obvious he wanted to play.

"Hey Sonic, you got an extra guitar or something? We might as well get you in here to."

Sonic smiled. "Just a sec." He ran off down the hallway. In about a minute, he was back, this time holding a black Flying V guitar. James was wide eyed at the sight. It was just like the one he played with on stage.

"Hey buddy," he said, "That's a nice one. Mind if we trade?"

Sonic smiled.

"Not at all."

He walked up and the two carefully swapped guitars. Once they were both comfortable with the instruments, James looked around again to make sure everyone was ready.

He pointed to Manic, who started the beat on the symbol. After a minute, he pointed to Tails, who started the opening riff. At almost the same time, he motioned for Sonic and Sonia to join. James held off, letting this 'improvised' version of Fuel get into his system.

He started tapping his foot to the beat, and soon he actually started head banging. But once he relized what he was doing, he snapped out of his trance, and quickly motioned for everyone to stop.

Everyone stared at him in confusion. "Something still doesn't sound right." James said. Sonic scratched his head. "Well, we're all playing normally. What could it be now?"

James glanced around at each animal. He could tell that they were annoyed at him stopping the song again. "Well," he started, "I don't really know. I guess the only thing I have to say is..." He paused, glancing at Sonic. The hedgehog seemed to get the messeage and smiled.

James shook his head. "All I have to say is..."

Give Fuel, Give me Fire, Give me that which I desire!

Sonic went into the intro riff. Everyone seemed to get it now. The main part of the song kicked in, they all went wildlyback into a song that most of them stilldidn't know. Manic played that crazy, heavy drumbeat, Sonic and Sonia were playing the main riff on guitar and keyboard, while James and Tails played the backup riff. It was an awesome sight.

James grinned as he went into the lyrics.

Turn on, I see red

Adrenaline crash and crack my head

Nitro junkie, paint me dead,

When I see red

A hundred plus through black and white

Warhorse, Warhead,

Fuck 'em man, White knuckle tight

Through black and white.

James looked around. Everyone was into the song, playing it well. He was impressed. He sang the chorus, and to his Surprise, Sonia and Sonic started singing along.

Oh, On I burn,

Fuel is pumping engines,

Burning hard, loose, and clean,

On I burn,

Turning my direction,

Quench my thirst, with gasoline

He pointed to Sonic, who seemed to know exactly what to say. The hedgehog smiled as he sang.

So Give me Fuel, Give me Fire, Give me that which I Desire!

As the song calmed down for a minute, James nodded in approval at Sonic, who returned the nod. Then the song picked back up gain, back to the heaviness it was. "They ain't Metallica," James though, "but they're damn close."

They continued to play, as Sonic went into a wild solo. James laughed as he to went into a solo backing Sonic's. It was now a Fuel jam session, each person playing adding their own crazy touch to the song.

Andthroughout all this, James actually was enjoying himself. He actually felt more like a kid, playing with these cartoon characters. And to him, it felt good. For that brief moment, he didn't want to return to his world. He didn't care. This was something new. It's what he wanted.