It now seemed to Elwood like they were all standing behind a launching space shuttle. The noise in the stadium at Jake's appearance had everyone screaming so loud he had to cover his eyes in pain. Even then, there was now blotting out the loud enthusiastic chants of "JAKE, JAKE, JAKE, JAKE!" that seemed to come from every single seat in the house—except for the seats in the upper deck behind home plate, where someone, likely Suntzman the murderer, was now screaming terror. Glancing to his right, he saw genuine tears in Jake's eyes as his brother reached the microphone. For a couple of minutes, he just stood stock still, letting it all sink in (deep down, Elwood now wished he'd not let Jake go on stage in Louisiana, as that would have make this moment all the more special). The rest of the singers remained silent, realizing this significance of the moment. Finally, Jake raised his right hand, bringing to the house to a hushed silence. "One," he said slowly, pointing at Donald, "two, one, two, three, four."

At the first sound of the familiar notes being strummed, Yankee Stadium went nuts again. Jake pranced back and forth, just like he had in life. "Comin' to ya," he sang with great gusto into the mike, "on a dusty road, good lovin', I've got a truck load. And when you've get it, you've got something, so don't worry, 'cause I'm comin',…"

"I'm a soul man," Elwood joined up with him in perfect harmony. The two of them danced together up to the edge of the stage, perfectly choreographed with each other. The rest of the group stepped back to the background, content to let the two of them relive old times. Up in the upper deck, Mercer clapped his hands along with the beat. "You know, for a dead guy, he's really got great rhythm," he told an incredulous Agent Orange, "Would you agree, Jim?"

Suntzman had fainted dead away. Next to his boss, Mount shook his head. "As if things couldn't get any more surreal on this trip," he confided in his partner.

"Surreal, yes," an excited VH-1 producer in the aisle waved for his cameraman to come to the edge of the deck, "But this is the biggest story we've had since Milli Vanilli got outted. This is going to revolutionize our music coverage: legendary blues singer alive and well!"

And Jake was all but alive and well on stage, where performing again seemed to be revitalizing him. "I'm a soul man," he crooned at the top of his lungs, dancing back and forth near the edge of the stage, around which the disco bikers were driving at fast clips. The angel slapped hands with each of them as they rode by, "I'm a soul man. You're a soul man, HAK HAK, I'm a soul man!"

Everyone in the stadium gave him a standing ovation as the song came to an excited close. Again, Jake soaked up several minutes of wild applause before taking hold of the microphone again. "Hello New York!" he told the crowds, "I sure hope you've liked our show tonight. My brother Elwood's worked real hard to bring this all together the last few weeks, so while we're nice and polished, we'll do an old classic that all of you'll love. One, two, one, two, three, four."

Again the stadium went ballistic upon hearing the song. "And when you people go home tonight," Elwood spoke into his own microphone, "We'd like you to know that it only takes a little goodness in your hearts to make this world a better place, so go out and love the first person you see, because we all need a some love to make our lives worthwhile, am I right Jake?"

"Everybody needs somebody," Jake belted out, "Everybody needs somebody to love, someone to love, sweetheart to miss, sugar to kiss…."

"I NEED YOU, YOU, YOU!" the crowd was excitedly singing along to the rhythm. Emotions swept over Elwood. He felt like he was on top of the world. This was what he'd waited all his life for. Even if the world did end the next day (and he could make out flying objects now around the light towers that definitely weren't pigeons), he could say he'd reached the top. He felt Armstrong brush against his legs. He knelt down and did a harp duet with is dog as the refrain hit, "Sometimes I feel, I feel a little sad inside, when my baby mistreats me, I never, never, never find a place to hide, I need you!"

"Good Lord," Tucker was grimacing again in his seat, "Don't they place anything original? I hate this trash!"

"Ah, shut up Glenn Campbell," the man behind him pulled his hat down over his eyes, "I'm trying to enjoy the show!"

On stage, Elwood leaped to his feet as Jake's latest verse ended, "And another thing," he told the clapping crowd, "Remember, people, that as I said earlier, sort of, never judge a book by its cover. Because it's often the people you reject like us who do the best things for the world, to make it a better place for all of us. And that's why it's important to show feelings of warmth for all, to love, hug, squeeze and please!"

"Everybody needs somebody, everybody needs somebody to love," the beat was taking over as Jake danced it perfect synchronization with his brother. They were now part of the music itself, "Someone to love, sweetheart to miss, sugar to kiss. I need you, you, you. I need you, you, you. I need you, you, you. I need you, you, you. I need you, you, you. I need you, you, you, in the morning, well my soul's on fire! When there ain't no one around, I need you, you, you, I need you, you, you, I need you, you, you, oh I need YOU!"

Sam and Dave set off a massive set of fireworks at the back of the stage as the song ended. Even Jake had to cover his ears from the cheering now. Elwood could now make out several cops slowly sneaking their way onto the field just behind home plate. "Say Jake, I think they're starting to make their moves," he pointed one finger at the authorities and another at what was now clearly demons circling in the skies above.

"Good, because this was going to be our last one of the night anyway," Jake informed him. He waved the rest of the group forward to the edge of the stage with them. "I'd like you to give an especially large hand to our group here, who have overcome numerous obstacles to become the world-class group you've heard tonight," he told the crowd, prompting another deafening cheer. And now for our last act of the night, I'm going to take a suggestion of our very own Calumet Keith," he rubbed the teen's hair, "Who suggested we get in touch with younger audiences. While we ultimately decided that's not the best option for us, we've like to leave you tonight with a little Bob Seger that I think fits our style. "One more time, one, two, one two, three, four."

Murphy and Willie broke in a slow piano and rum beat. "Took a look down a westbound road, right away I made my choice," Jake crooned softly, "Took a walk out to my old two-wheeler; I was tired of my own voice. Took a bead on the northern plains and just rolled that power on…."

He pointed at Zee, who was in equally high spirits. "Twelve hours out of Mackinaw City, stopped in a bar to have a brew," his natural brother picked up the song. Up in the stands, Mercer rose to his feet. "Everyone on standby, they'll be ending soon," he yelled to every cop within earshot, causing angry groans from people around him, "Come on Tony, we've got to keep them from leaving."

Forget it, Mercer," Danson shrugged him off, watching the stage with rare joy, "I'm staying right here and watching my son. Something I should have done a long time ago."

"You're on hashish," Marvin grumbled. "Come on warden, or they'll get away," he told Suntzman, dragging the coming-to warden to his feet.

Back on stage, Jake danced over to the side of the stage. "Curtis, I'll take the Relic," he told his father figure, who handed it to him. "You guys be careful out there," Curtis warned him, "I saw some demons up there just a few minutes ago."

Jake nodded. "OK, Topton," he called out to Rocky as the biker drove by, "You and your guys keep the cops off the stage until we're gone, then escort the band safely out. Follow us along the subway line; we'll come meet you at Tenth Avenue, and head out to Jersey."

Rocky gave him the thumbs-up. "All right, everyone in the middle of the stage," he whispered to the band members, "We're out of here with the Relic in a minute and a half."

"You really still sing well," Katrina lauded him as he picked her up and personally carried her to the exact middle of the stage.

"We all have our moments," he gave her hair an affectionate rubbing as well. There was a bittersweet look in his eyes, Elwood noticed. He remembered Foley's words about how Jake would have to return to Heaven.

The cops were inching ever closer to the stage. "Now Jake, you're sure this is going to work?" Zee asked him, staring at all the shields closing in.

"Hold that thought, brother," Jake took hold of the microphone again. "Rooooollll, roll me a way, I want you to roll me away tonight," he sang out the refrain loudly, "Got to keep rolling, got to keep looking, keep searching till I find what's right," he held the microphone up to the girl, "Take it honey."

"And as the sunset faded I spoke to the faintest first starlight," Katrina added the line.

"And said next time," the two f them finished together, "NEXT TIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIMME, WE'LL GET IT RIGHT!"

"That's all you can ask for, people," Elwood added into the mike. He stepped back to the center of the stage with the others, glancing with concern up at the demons above. Next to the light towers, Camille cursed softly. "All those despots and we still couldn't keep them from getting the last piece!" she grumbled.

"They may have it, but that doesn't mean they have to use it," the Head Nazi reassured her. He activated his communication device with Zildrohar. "Bad news, Big Brother, they've got the last piece," he told the Satan worshipper, "If I were you, I'd start the whole thing now."

"Seven," Jake counted down to their exit on stage, "six, five, four, three, two, one." He waved at Sam and Dave, who set off a towering column of pyrotechnics that completely obscured the stage. While the smokescreen was in effect, Jake snapped his fingers, opening the trapdoor and lowering them all out of sight as the song ended. The cops rushed the stage, but the disco bikers held them at bay. "Sorry pal," Rocky told one trooper, pushing him backwards, "No autographs."

"They're making they're move, sir!" one FBI agent yelled over his radio, drowned out by the wild cheers of applause from the fans. He didn't notice all the demons diving out of the sky down the hole, "Cover all the exits; they can't have gone far!"

Underneath the stadium, the Blues Brothers charged their way down a flight of iron steps toward the subway line. "Now that was one heck of a show," Mack commented out loud, pride etched on his face, "If we save the world, we've got to…."

"Freeze it, punks!" they'd turned a corner to find the Russians and militants pointed semi-automatics at them. They were heavily outnumbered. "End of the line, boys," snarled the head militant, "We've got your number now!"

"Hi guys," Elwood waved weakly, "Say, you wouldn't waiting until after we save the would before killing us, would ya?"

The largest Russian stepped forward and lifted him high in the air. "Forget it, numbskull," he laughed, "We've been waiting a long time for…"

Form the back of the group, Jake loud out a strangled cry and fell writhing to the ground. "Jake!" Elwood broke lose from the big Russian's grip and ran over to him, "What now?"

"The H.E.R.E.T.I.C.s have started the process!" Jake cried out, shaking visibly, "Hell's opening up wider than an aircraft hangar as we speak! The devil will be out earlier than expected!"

"I thought you said they had to wait for the eclipse and all that?" Cabel looked puzzled.

"This is Hell we're talking about, Chamberlain, they can cheat the rules any time they feel like it!" Jake informed him, "And if we don't get back to Chicago with…oh crap!"

There was a loud shrieking as the demons flew upon them. Much as he had with Vlad the Impaler back in the cave, Elwood found several clinging to his neck. Howling, he rolled around on the floor, trying to force them off, but they were clinging stronger than glue.

"Hang on guys!" came Foley's shout. The huge angel leaped toward them and yanked several demons off each of them. "Go, go!" he ordered them, "I'm hold them off….EEERGGGHHH!"

He abruptly retched as well. Elwood jumped off once the demons were off him. He charged forward through the confused Russians and militants. "Come on!" he yelled, "And don't forget Jake!"

For Jake was still writhing on the floor. Zee picked up by one arm (with the Relic under his own arm) and Mack the other. The eight group members rushed down to the subway track where the Winnebago was waiting. Elwood opened the door and let everyone in. Armstrong was the last, still barking at their would-be attackers on the platforms. Elwood tapped him on the rear to make him go in. "It's 719 miles to Chicago," he announced out loud as he plopped down in the driver's seat, "We've got the Relic intact, a full tank of gas, biker escort," he checked under the sun visor, "No more cigarettes, it's dark, we're underground, and we're all wearing sunglasses."

"HIT IT!" everyone told him. Elwood hot-wired the engine and zoomed up the tracks just as the militants and Russians ran to the end of the platform and started pouring everything they had at them. "That was close," Mack breathed a sigh of relief as he watched them disappear in the rearview mirror.

There was a wail of sirens as several police cars abruptly appeared from another subway entrance and jumped onto the tracks after them. "Or maybe not," Buster gulped, "Floor it Elwood!"

"I've got the pedal to the metal already, kid," Elwood told him. He could see the demons flying hard after them as well. So much for an inconspicuous exit to the city, he shrugged.