Okay, you guys are gonna love this chapter, as well as the one that follows it.
Real quick, I just want to answer one of my reveiwers: Superman64: You asked about those two songs and I did think about it. I don't think either will work for the story, as I've been choosing songs that if you'll notice, seem to fit with the characters and situations of the series. (I.E. Fuel with Sonic's band, since it's about going fast, and since Sonic is fast. Get it?) Sorry, but the lyrics for both of those just don't do it for me. At least not in this story.
Anyway this is all building up to a great climax, so stay tuned, and remember to reveiw. Enjoy
About five minutes later, the two SWAT bots were moving back toward the stage. Everything seemed normal. The band was still standing in their positions. By now, lots of Mobians had filled the stadium, and there was a steady buzz as they all were talking.
In his skybox, Robotnik glanced over at the clock on the wall. It was 7:45. Almost time for the concert to begin. He glanced out the window at the band. Everything seemed normal. But then he noticed the SWAT bots walking around by the stage.
He scratched his head, wondering if something was wrong. He pulled out a radio and tuned to a certain frequency. "SWAT bots, what is the situation?" he asked into the radio.
After a minute, a mechanical voice droned a reply. "Situation normal. Inspection of stage area normal."
Robotnik glanced out the window. After a minute, he seemed satisfied with that and put the radio away. Sleet looked up. "Something wrong doctor?"
Robotnik shook his head. "Oh no, just wondering why those two SWAT bots were wandering around the stage. It's nothing." Sleet nodded and looked back at the window."
On the ground by the stage, The SWAT bots were turning to go away again. Just as they started moving though, Sonic suddenly appeared right in front of them, a smug look on his face. "Say tin cans," he said, "I was wondering if you wouldn't mind helping me find a seat."
The robots paused. They stared at Sonic for a minute, looked at each other, then raised their laser guns and started firing. Sonic easily avoided each shot, and even added a sarcastic yawn as if he was bored.
Up in the skybox, Sleet noticed this first. His eyes widened with shock and surprise. "Doctor Robotnik!"
The doctor looked up, confused. Before he could say anything, he noticed Sonic on the ground, now running in circles around the two SWAT bots, who were still firing away, to no avail.
The doctor's face turned red with anger. He pulled out his radio, and turned it to another frequency. "Attention all SWAT bots within the stadium! Apprehend Sonic at once! Repeat, get the hedgehog now!" He glared at Sonic. "I will not let you ruin my plans again!"
On the ground, while Sonic was keeping the robot's busy, Manic, Sonia, and James decided to make a run for it. Let's go!" Manic said, rushing them. "Okay, take it easy," James said. They all made a rush for the nearest entrance inside the stadium. "Hurry and we might make it!" Sonia said.
Sleet looked out the window and noticed the others running. "Doctor, The other hedgehogs are on the run…. and they have the real James with them!"
Robotnik glanced down. He noticed the others on the run, but he also noticed that they were heading inside the stadium; probably coming for him. He picked up the radio again. "Get the others as well, now! Stop them!"
The doctor then turned to Sleet and Dingo. "You two, get your tails down there and make sure we get rid of those pests." The two animals nodded. They both pulled out a laser gun and were out the door without another word."
On the ground, Sonia, Manic, and James just barely made it inside the stadium as more SWAT bots showed up behind them. Outside, Sonic saw that they made it in. "Okay, now to make sure it's easy for 'em."
He suddenly took off in the direction of the others, but he was really heading for the SWAT bots. The ones that were firing at him turned and chased after him, still firing.
As Sonic reached the other bots, they suddenly turned and fired, but the little hedgehog was too quick. The shots from both teams of SWAT bots missed him, and hit the bots instead, each one being taken down, a laser hole in their chest.
By the stage, Tails was laying in the shadows, waiting. When he saw that Sonic had taken out the robots, and that Dr. Robotnik was distracted, he hovered up onto the stage using his twin tails and flew right in front of the other band members. He went down the line, taking the mind control pin off each of them. He landed on the side of the stage, standing with the pins in his hand, looking up at the band.
Slowly, The three real members of Metallica came to their senses, regaining control over their bodies. Lars was the first to finally say something. "Where the fuck are we?" he asked, looking around the stadium at all the strange animals.
"Looks like a fucking zoo," Jason said. Kirk shook his head to clear it out before speaking. "I think that we're the attractions, buddy."
"You're all in Mobius Stadium." Tails said. Kirk, Lars, and Jason all slowly turned to look at who spoke those words. Upon seeing the little fox, their eyes widened in shock. "What the fuck…" was all Lars could say. "Did that fox just say something?" Jason said. Kirk just rubbed his eyes, not sure he was seeing this.
Tails noticed the band's surprise and smiled. "You are Metallica, right? Don't worry, you guys are safe for now."
That only gave more surprise to the band. Kirk shook his head. "How do you…" he paused. "Who, no, what the hell are you?"
Tails was about to reply, but he suddenly noticed SWAT bots moving in their direction from the stadium seats.
He turned back to the band, his expression serious. "It'll be explained later. We need to get out of here." He hovered off the stage and flew toward another entrance to the Stadium interior. "Come on!"
The guys just stood there in disbelief. "Okay…is that thing flying?" Jason asked, still shocked. "I think so," Lars replied.
A laser shot landed at Jason's feet and snapped them out of their trance. They quickly put down their instruments and hauled ass in the direction Tails went.
Inside, The others were still moving. They turned and ran down a hallway. After a few feet, they all stopped and looked behind them. "I think we lost them," Manic said. "You hope," James said.
They turned around, but before they could start moving, they bumped into Sleet and Dingo coming from the other end of the hallway. After seeing who they had run into, they raised their weapons. "Don't move, any of you." Sleet said.
The group didn't bother resisting, as they would probably be shot if they tried to run now. They slowly pout there hands up. It was then that James noticed Dingo.
"Well, look who it is." He said, sarcastically. "Hey, you enjoy that autograph I gave you before?"
Dingo looked pissed. He raised his gun, and probably would've fired if Sleet didn't stop him. "Easy," he said. "The doctor may want him alive."
Dingo glared at James, who simply gave him a smug look. "Yeah dumb ass, the doc might want me alive. So you might want to lower your little ray shooter there before you get in trouble."
Dingo was so tempted to shoot, but Sleet gave him a disapproving stare. Slowly, he lowered his gun. "You're lucky, buddy," he said. James just laughed sarcastically.
Sleet had enough. He motioned for the others to start walking. "Let's go. Move." He turned around to walk, but found that Sonic was standing in the middle of the hallway, a smug expression on his face. "Oh, I'm sorry. You wanted to go that way?"
Sleet glared at the hedgehog. "Ah, Sonic. It appears that we'll kill two birds with one stone here." Sonic laughed. "I don't think so, pal." Sleet shook his head. "You are really arrogant sometimes." He turned to Dingo. "Get him."
Dingo rushed Sonic, but the hedgehog quickly stepped aside, letting Dingo run a few more feet down the hallway. When he finally realized that Sonic was no longer in front of him, he stopped and quickly turned around, running at Sonic again. The hedgehog simply shook his head. "You'll never learn."
As Dingo approached, Sonic zipped out of the way, at the same time pulling a maneuver, which caused Dingo to trip, sending him to the ground with a thud, his larer gun clattering across the floor.
Sleet quickly realized that he needed to act. But as he went for the gun, Manic suddenly jumped in the way and swiftly picked it up. Sleet raised his own gun, hoping to hit Manic before he could fire back, but James suddenly kicked him from behind, again, his boot landing right in the wolf's crotch area.
As Sleet doubled over in Pain, James pried his gun out his hand, and aimed it steadily at his head. Manic stood up, but seeing that one target was already taken, he turned and aimed at Dingo, who was slowly getting to his feet.
James nodded. "Yeah, now who's got who, bitch?" Sonic nodded. "That was pretty cool, guys." James and Manic both answered at the same time. "Thanks." They both immediately turned and looked at each other, a little surprised. Sonia chuckled a little.
Sonic then motioned for them to follow him. "Come on, I know which skybox Robotnik's in." He turned and raced down the hallway. James hauled Sleet up to his feet, while Manic kept Dingo in check. "Now, you move." James said.
In the skybox, Robotnik stood alone. He had noticed that the band was missing, and Sleet and Dingo had been gone for a good few minutes. "Damn that hedgehog and his interference. I'd better get out of here while I can."
He turned and ran toward the door. The second he opened it, he was met Kirk, Lars, and Jason, all staring at him, anger in their eyes. Robotnik didn't realize the pins were missing, so he tried to give them orders. "Metallica, what are you doing here? Get back on stage!"
The three band members didn't respond, just slowly walked into the room. Robotnik slowly started backing up. "Sorry, fat ass," Jason said, "but we won't be doing jack shit for you anymore."
He cracked his knuckles as Kirk stepped forward. "Say, these are yours, right?" he said as he tossed the mind control pins in the doctor's face. Robotnik looked down at the devices. He knew that he wasn't controlling the band anymore. He looked back up at their angry faces, his expression now one of nervousness. "Oh dear…" was all he was able to say.
Kirk and Jason looked at each other. "You hold him, and I'll punch," Jason said. Kirk nodded. "Right on." Without looking back, he motioned for Lars to close the door.
As he shut the door, he noticed Tails was standing outside, watching. "You stay out here little…whatever the fuck you are…this could get ugly." Tails nodded as the door shut.
Suddenly, Tails herd the sound of punches connecting with flesh, and the sound of equipment being broken and thrown around. Someone was getting their ass kicked, and Tails had a feeling it was Robotnik.
A few minutes later, James and the hedgehogs showed up, still guarding Sleet and Dingo. The first thing they noticed was Tails standing in the hall, his ear to the door. "Hey buddy, what's up?" Sonic asked.
Tails looked up. "Metallica is beating up Robotnik!" James looked surprised at this. "The guys are in there with him?" Tails nodded. James glanced at the door. "I gotta see this."
He walked over to the door. He heard a few more punched and crashing sounds, then it suddenly stopped. James knew something heavy was going down in there. Carefully, he opened the door.
In the room, he saw Robotnik, his face full of bruises and cuts, his lip bleeding, and a large black eye, being tied to a chair with electrical wires by Kirk and Lars. Kirk was standing next to the chair, looking down and shaking his head. "For a guy who acts all big and bad, you can't fight worth shit," he said.
James was even more surprised that Kirk said that and apparently helped beat this guy up, as he was usually the calmer guy in the band. He shook that thought off though and walked into the room. "I see you guys got here first."
Everyone looked up at their friend. Suddenly, they went from pissed off to happy. "James…" Lars was a little surprised. "Holy shit dude, you alright?" Kirk asked. James nodded. "Oh yeah, I'm fine." He glanced at Robotnik. Can't say the same for him though. Looks like you did a number on him"
Lars finished tying the doctor up and walked over to his friend. "Yeah dude, you should have been here. This fucker got what was coming to him." "Yeah," Jason said," we saw him in the window and decided we'd pay him a little visit, you know?"
James laughed as Lars continued. "We probably wouldn't have been up here if it weren't for that fox…or whatever the fuck it is."
James scratched his head for a minute before he realized what Lars was talking about. He smiled. "Oh, you mean Tails?"
The rest of the band scratched their heads. "It has a name?" Jason asked. James laughed again. "Oh yeah. He's even got a few friends I'd like you to meet." He turned and called out the door. "Hey guys, come on in!" He stepped aside as Tails entered the room, followed by Sonia and Manic, and lastly, Sonic.
At the sight of the hedgehogs, the rest of the band practically passed out from the shock. James smiled as he introduced everyone. "Guys, this is Sonia, Manic, and Sonic the Hedgehog. You already met Tails."
Kirk knew about Sonic, so he was the most surprised. "Sonic the Hedgehog…but…but he's not…"
James smiled. "Oh trust me, he's real." Before Kirk could reply, James was back on the introductions. "Sonic, these are the guys I was talking about. Kirk, Lars, and Jason. The rest of Metallica."
Sonic smiled. "Hey guys. It's cool to finally meet all of you."
Manic nodded. "Yeah, James was telling us about you guys." Manic said. Sonia nodded as well. "Yeah, he was talking about your guys music. He even played a few songs for us. Cool stuff."
Everyone was still to stunned to speak. But Jason finally managed a few words. "Uh…thanks…I guess."
After more silence, Lars finally decided to get some answers. "Okay, can someone please tell me what the fuck is going on here?"
James smiled. "It's a long story, pal. You might want to get comfortable."
About 15 minutes later, Kirk, Lars, and Jason were all standing a little calmer, clearly because they had a little more understanding of what was happening here.
"So this is like a separate universe where these characters exist?" Kirk asked. "Yeah, that's it," James said.
"And these guys have a band?" Lars asked, looking at Sonic and the others. "We sure do," Sonic said with a smile. "It's been a while since we last preformed though. We've been busy with Robotnik and all."
Lars nodded. Jason stepped in. "Yeah, well, you won't be having anymore problems with him." He nodded toward the unconscious doctor, Sleet and Dingo now tied up next to him.
Sonia shook her head. "It's kinda funny. All this time of fighting him ourselves, and we weren't even the ones to finish him off."
"Don't worry about that," James said. "He ain't done yet. We need him to get back home, remember? After we leave, he's all yours."
Everyone seemed happy about that, as it was a win-win situation. Metallica all stood up. "That reminds me," James said, "We need to get to that portal thing. Lord knows what shit is going on with us missing on our world."
There was a silence as he walked over to Robotnik. James frowned at the fact that he was still out cold. "Guess we'll have to wait till he come to, though."
He turned to the others. "Well guys, it seems like we got time to kill. What are we gonna do while we wait?" Kirk smiled. "I'll take Jason on in a game of cards."
Jason glared at him. "Oh, don't start." James laughed. "You're just afraid of losing. Again."
While this was going on, Sonic and the other had gathered into a huddle and were talking to each other. "Well, they're gonna have to wait, I say we help them, maybe wake up Robotnik." Tails said. "Manic shook his head. "Look at him. They beat him to Kingdome come. He won't wake up for a long while."
Sonic spoke up. "Well, they did all that for us. We have to figure something out. There's gotta be something we can do while they wait."
Suddenly, Sonia looked up, a smile on her face. "Sonic, didn't you say that it's been a while since we lat preformed?"
"Yeah, Sonic replied," Why?
"Well, we have a crowd of people out there waiting for a show, right?" It took a minute, but soon everyone smiled at the thought of the idea. "All their stuff is already on stage. They could perform with us!" Manic said.
Sonic liked the sound of that. "If that one song sounded good with just James, imagine what more of their songs will sound like with the entire band playing." Everyone nodded. It was a great idea.
Sonic turned to Metallica, grinning. "Say guys, we have an idea for you." The band turned and faced Sonic. "What have you got?" James asked.
Sonic glanced at his band mates, their looks urging him on. He turned back to Metallica. "Well, since there are two pretty popular bands here, and since all those people out there did come out to see a show, how about perform a special concert?"
The band members all looked at each other. A concert with cartoon characters? It sounded strange. But as they let the idea sink in, they started to like it more and more. Another S&M concert. Only this time, it stood for Sonic and Metallica.