Okay, sorry for not updating in a few days. Was on a trip with the family. But I'm back, and the time off gave me some neat ideas for finishing the story. But I'm not that far up yet, so untill then, here's a fresh chapter to hold you over. If anyone noticed, I hinted at this a few chapters back, and now it's time to show the full thing. Enjoy and remember to R&R. Thanks.

Robotnik sat and grinned evilly as he watched Metallica play. The band was still under his control; they just stood there, no emotion, no movement except their hands playing their instruments. They were basically Zombies.

Master of Puppets was the song they were playing, since Robotnik had chose that to be the song they were going to carry out his plan with. "It just sounds so fitting," he thought as he watched.

At that moment, Sleet entered the room and swiftly walked up to Robotnik. It took the doctor a minute to realize he wasn't alone. He broke his gaze and turned to his assistant. "What do you want?" he asked, slightly frustrated.

Sleet glanced at the band for a moment, then back to the doctor. "Sir, he's ready. You may bring him out whenever you wish."

Robotnik grinned. "The singer is complete then, huh? Excellent!" He turned to the band. "Gentlemen, stop playing, I have some important news for you!"

Metallica suddenly stopped playing, right in the middle of a fast part of the song. They stood perfectly still, Jason and Kirk holding their guitars in the same spots, while Lars held his drumsticks on the crash symbol and snare drum. All at once, they all turned their heads to the doctor.

"Gentlemen, I have someone here I'd like you all to meet." He motioned to Sleet, who walked over to a console and pressed a button. Next to the band, another trap door opened, and out of it a platform slowly rose.

On that platform was a figure. He had his back turned to the band, but from what could be seen, he was wearing a black T-shirt and dark blue jeans, same as James Hetfield.

Robotnik grinned "It took me a few days to complete him, but I think that it will be well worth al the effort. Gentlemen, meet your new signer." He took out his remote out and pressed another button. The figure on the platform came to life. He slowly turned to face the band.

The figure was now all too familiar. It was James Hetfield. An exact copy, right down to the beard and short hair.

Robotnik nodded at his creation. "Gentlemen, meet the Hetfield 1000, a near exact replica of your lead singer, constructed with the best of my robot technology." He faced the robot of James. "Hetfield 1000, say hello to your fellow band mates."

The robot looked up. His eyes, though they looked human, glowed red with a mechanical light. "Greeting, band mates." He said. It was James voice, but the mechanical drone in it was clearly noticeable.

"Hetfield 1000 has every song you have ever recorded in his database, from your old stuff to things you have yet to release. He's fully capable of replacing the original James Hetfield. And, dare I say, is better then the original." Robotnik smiled evilly. "But don't take my word for it. Let's see how he fares in an actual performance."

He turned to the robot, just standing there, the same blank look as the rest of the band. "Hetfield 1000, access database. Album: Mater of Puppets. Track: two. Song: Master of Puppets."

The robot suddenly looked off into spaces, it's eyes rapidly moving back and forth. After a moment, he looked back in the direction he was before. "Data found. Awaiting instructions to proceed."

Robotnik grinned. "Pick up your guitar and begin playing when I give the order."

The robot walked over to the small stage area where the rest of the band stood and picked up the black Flying V guitar that up till then had been sitting in a stool in the center of the stage. Once everything looked situated, Robotnik gave the order. "Okay boys, now that you're a full band again, let's take it from the top. Begin Master of Puppets."

The band stood staring straight ahead now, their blank expressions staring off into space. "Acknowledged. Song: Master of Puppets," the Hetfield 1000 droned.

With the same expressionless movement, he began the opening riff to the song. The rest of the band jumped in at the appropriate points. Robotnik grinned and turned to Sleet. "I think that this plan might actually work," he said. Sleet glanced at band again. "Yes sir, I agree. You may have actually come up with a foolproof plan."

As they watched, the Hetfield 1000 started singing.

End of passion play,

Crumbling away,

I'm your source of self-destruction.

The voice was somewhat different then how James Hetfield would normally sing it live. The voice sounded younger, louder. It was obvious that when Robotnik had put the songs into the robot's memory, he included the exact way James sounded on each record.

The doctor grinned. "Yes, it's perfect now." Sleet nodded again. But something else was on his mid. "Sir, just a question, what are you going to do about Sonic and the others? And let's not forget that the real James Hetfield is still loose. We know that Sonic got to him before we did, so they could show up and ruin everything."

Robotnik glanced at his assistant, then at the band. "I wouldn't worry to much. Once the mind control chips are activated, they will all be under my control, Just as the three real band members are now. There will be nothing they will be able to do."

Sleet nodded. Robotnik watched the band as the Hetfield 1000 sang the main verse.

Master of Puppets, I'm pulling your strings,

Twisting your minds and smashing your dreams.

Blinded by me, can't see a thing,

Just call my name and I'll here you scream!

Master…

Just call my name and I'll hear you scream.

Master!

Master!

After a minute, the doctor nodded. "Right then. Sleet, I want you to organize a team of SWAT bots and place posters around the city. I think it's time Metallica made their debut concert on Mobius."

Sleet nodded and left the room. As the rest of the song was being played, Robotnik smiled evilly. "I'd like to see those stupid hedgehogs stop this one."

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Sonic, Manic, Sonia, Tails, and James were walking down the streets of Robotropolice the next day, enjoying the day and talking about their jam session last night.

"I don't think I've yet to hear that song played like that, James said, "It was just so bad-ass."

Sonia smiled. "Thanks James. It was cool trying something new for a change."

"Same here," Sonic and Manic joined. James smiled. "Yeah, well, you guys really added a cool twist on it. Especially with the keyboard and drum playing."

Sonia and Manic smiled sheepishly. James turned to Sonic and Tails. "And you guys did some awesome guitar playing. I think that you guys are the best guitarists I've played with behind Kirk and Jason."

Sonic and Tails now smiled sheepishly. "Heh…thanks," Sonic said. Sonia looked up. "Manic looked up. "Whose Kirk and Jason?"

James glanced at him. "Kirk is Metallica's lead guitarist, Jason's our base player. Our drummer's name is Lars." "Oh," Manic said.

The hedgehogs and Tails grinned "Are they as cool as you?" Tails asked.

James scratched his head. "Well, you could say that. Lars is well…let's just say he's a bit confusing when you first meet him. Not to mention wild. Kirk is a pretty calm guy, good to have around when you're in a bad mood. Jason is…well he's quiet, but he's got a lot of energy when he plays. He's crazy."

Everyone nodded. James shrugged. "Who knows, maybe when we get them out, you'll meet them."

Everyone smiled, excited at the thought of not only meeting Metallica, but also meeting more humans in general.

They walked down the sidewalk for a while. Along the way, they passed several stores with large display windows. On one such store, something suddenly got Sonic's attention. He was the only one to notice it at first. He backed up to the window and stared at the poster, concern and surprise in his eyes.

The rest of the group continued walking until Sonia realized Sonic had stopped. She turned around, a curious look on her face. "What is it, Sonic?"

Everyone else stopped to look. Sonia walked next to her brother and stared at the poster, the same surprised expression appearing on her face as she read it. They ere soon joined by Manic and Tails. Only James stood back. "Yo guys, what's up?" he asked.

"James," Sonic said, "Remember that plan you said Robotnik had in mind for your band?" James nodded. "Yeah, what's your point?"

Sonic motioned to the poster. "I think you should see this."

James shrugged and walked over to see what it was. When he looked up, his expression drained. The poster was an advertisement. The first thing he noticed was a huge Metallica logo on the top. Below that, in bold writing, it said 'A band that's out of this world, (Literally) will be making a special debut concert in Mobious stadium. Be there at 8:00 PM. it's guaranteed to blow you away!"

James stared at it in disbelief. Sonic noticed his expression and looked up. "I guess Robotnik gonna try to pull it earlier then we thought."

James shook his head. "I don't get it," he said, "How the hell can he pull it off when he doesn't even have the key ingredient for the band?"

Tails looked at him confused. "What ingredient?" James turned to him with a look as if to say, 'What the fuck do you think?' It took a minute, but Tails got the message. "Oh," he said and turned away.

For another minute, they looked over the poster. "Maybe it's a trap to get a hold of you, James," Sonia said. James slowly turned his head to the little hedgehog. "To get me?" He looked around. "Does he really think I'm that dumb?"

Sonia shrugged at this. James sighed. "Well, if that's the case, then I really see only one way to proceed."

Everyone turned to him. "What do you have in mind?" Manic said James smiled slyly. "If he does want me to show up, he's gonna get a little more then he bargained for."

The animals looked at each other, confused. But it didn't take them long to get what James was saying. Sonic looked up at him, the same sly expression. "I think we need to bring down the house tonight." James nodded. "Right on."