Man, I've been slacking off latley.

I apologize for taking so long between updates, but I've been tossing a lot of ideas around lately for my next story and haven't given this one much thought. However, I did get one great idea for this during my brainstorming, and once I write it in, I think you'll all be pleased with the way this will end. (Don't worry, it won't be this chapter.)

But for now, here's my latest work. Enjoy and remember to post a review.

Later that night, in Mobius Stadium, Metallica, along with their robotic lead singer, were situated on the stage in the center of the stadium. They stood like statues, their instruments ready and waiting.

Slowly, Mobians began filling seats. It was gradual, as no one had ever seen humans before; so many were not keen on showing up at first.

From a skybox high above the stage, Dr. Robotnik, Sleet, and Dingo looked down on everything from the large windows. Robotnik had a wide grin on his face. "This is perfect," he said. "Everything is set and ready. Nothing is going to stop this plan."

Sleet looked down at the band. "I must agree, doctor, it seems that this time we will succeed 100."

Robotnik didn't respond, just continued to look over everything. "Soon, the stadium will be full of enough of the city's citizens to begin." He laughed. "Tonight, we begin our musical conquest of Mobius."

While the doctor was enjoying himself in the skybox, five figures crept slowly below the bleachers on the stadium, carefully avoiding the SWAT bots patrolling the various rows. They made it to a darkened area under an overhanging part of the floor above them, and there, they stared out over the stadium, still gradually filling up with animals.

"Looks like he's not gonna back off from this," Sonic said. "He's attracting a lot of people," Manic said, looking at the crowds filling the seats.

James glanced around, his eyes focusing on the stage. He taped sonic, who turned to look as well. "Looks like robo-dick has everything ready." James said, staring. He squinted to make out their expressions, which were almost non-existent. "Shit, the guys look like zombies." He said, surprised.

He turned to the others. "Anyone got any ideas on what to do?"

Sonic was glued to the band. He glanced over them, noting their drained expressions. He noticed right away that they were under Robotnik's mind control. But what caught him off guard was the fact that there were four people on stage, not three. "Hey James," he said, "Who's that fourth guy up there with the rest of the band?"

James turned back and looked. He didn't notice the fourth member at first, just Kirk, Lars, and Jason. "I don't see any…" he stopped when he noticed a very familiar figure standing in front of everyone. He was wearing a black T-shirt and dark blue Jeans, same as himself. As James stared, he finally realized who he was looking at. "Holy shit," he exclaimed, "It's me!"

Everyone turned and looked at him, confused. "How can it be you?" Tails asked. "You're standing right here."

James shook his head. "I don't know…" He turned to the animals. "But I think we need to find out."

A few minutes later, James, the three hedgehogs, and Tails were cautiously creeping around by the stage, James trying to get a closer look at this poser on stage with his band. But the more he looked, the more he noticed something off about it. "They just fucking stand there," He said.

As he came up to his counterpart, he stared closely at the face. "He looks exactly like me. What the fuck…" he looked the figure over. He couldn't find anything different.

"Maybe Robotnik cloned you somehow," Manic said. Everyone looked at him. "What, it's possible, knowing him." Sonic sighed. "You know bro, there is a thing called 'analyze the situation.' Learn how." Sonia and Tails chuckled.

James looked back at the look alike on stage. He glanced up at the face, and noticed something unusual. It was in the eyes. Something was odd about them. They just looked too unnatural. He leaned closer, trying to get a better look. His eyes widened in shock. "Holy shit," he said slowly, "It's mechanical. That fucker built a robot version of me!"

That shocked everyone else. They all glanced from James to the robot, and back. "Wow," Sonic sad. "At least he did a good job," Sonia said. James stared down at her. "What? He did." James shook his head.

Tails noticed that the rest of the band was standing like statues as well. He tugging on James sleeve to get his attention. "Hey James, what's wrong with the rest of them? Are they robots to?"

James glanced over his band mates. It didn't take him long to come up with an answer. "No, they're still human. I just don't get why they aren't doing a damn thing."

Sonic glanced at Lars, Jason, and Kirk. He knew right away that they were under mind control; he could tell by their blank expressions. "They're being controlled by Robotnik. That's why they're not doing anything."

James glanced from the hedgehog to the band. He scratched his head. On his world, mind control was damn near impossible, but here, it could be done with almost no effort, it seemed.

As he dwelled on that thought, Tails and Sonic noticed shadows moving in their direction. "SWAT bots!" Tails said. "Get down!" Sonic yanked him to the ground. Manic and Sonia quickly followed. James was still thinking about mind control, when Manic grabbed his shirt and pulled him to the ground.

"Hey what the…" James was cut off as a gloved hand was placed over his mouth by Sonic. The group slowly began crawling backwards into the shadow cast by the stage as two SWAT bots suddenly came into view a few feet away. James' eyes widened with surprise and recognition.

The bots looked around in every direction. The group wasn't sure if they were looking for them, or just checking the area. After a minute though, the bots moved away, slowly heading toward the other side of the stadium.

Sonic waited for them to get out of range before removing his hand from over James mouth. "Sorry, but I didn't want you to blow our cover," he said with a sheepish smile. James shook his head. "Yeah, thanks."

Slowly, everyone got to their knees and huddled into a group. "Okay," Sonic said, "We need a plan. When that band starts playing…" He was interrupted as James cleared his throat. Sonic glanced at him, but got the message. "Sorry. When James' band starts playing, we won't have a lot of time to act before the mind control devices start kicking in. Any suggestions?"

Everyone looked puzzled. All except James. "I got something, pal." Everyone turned to him, giving him their full attention. "I think we need to figure out where doctor fat ass and his little friends are hiding. I'm guessing that any control devices and shit would be in the same place. We get the doc, we get the equipment, and we fuck up his plan."

Everyone looked at him, confused. James didn't get it. "What? You guys don't like that one?"

Sonia shook her head. "Man, you humans don't think things through, do you?"

James glared at her. "Yeah, well what did you come up with?"

She smiled slyly. "Something a little risky, but if we all work together, I know it'll work."

James and the others leaned closer so they could hear. "What have you got?" James asked.