Chapter Summaries

Peter and Jessica fought demons at the hospital until Damon arrived and used his fiery powers to destroy the shadow creatures. Meanwhile, Alvin explained why he trusted Matt and Danny Rand, and the chapter ended with Misty questioning Peter’s confidence in Alvin’s dangerous friends.

• Peter and Jessica fought the demons outside the hospital, but three shadowy vortex creatures attacked and dragged Peter toward them.
• Alvin told Frank that Matt was his first friend in this world and explained why he had invited Danny Rand to help with the Dragon Bone.
• Alvin said he expected Damon, who was heading to the hospital, to handle anything coming from Hell.
• Damon arrived at the hospital, where invisible demons caught fire when they touched him and his Motorcycle transformed.
• Damon pulled a shadowy creature from a vortex and burned it, then attacked the other two while Peter reassured Misty that he was their ally.

Shang-Chi and Yan Shuangying fought invisible demons outside the hospital while Wesley and Harry supported them. Harvey brought his wife and son Baby to the Community School, where he asked to see Principal Alvin and admitted he might lose his job after spending S.H.I.E.L.D.’s Asgard tourist fund.

• Wesley and Harry attacked the Ram-Headed Demons with gunfire from the ground and Harry’s aircraft while Shang-Chi and Yan Shuangying guarded the hospital entrance.
• Yan Shuangying exposed an invisible demon by striking at the air, then grabbed and wounded it, revealing the demons’ locations to the others.
• Shang-Chi fought with his eyes closed, using sound to kill demons as Yan Shuangying protected him and Harry fired into the revealed figures.
• Harvey arrived at the Community School with his wife and son in a stolen Fiat, and Domingo let them inside.
• Harvey’s wife scolded him for staying away while Baby suffered nightmares, and Harvey apologized and said he had earned enough for Baby’s treatment.
• Harvey asked to see Principal Alvin and told Domingo he might lose his job, then offered to spend the S.H.I.E.L.D. Asgard tourist fund on a present for his wife.

Sharon Carter helped the children process wish lists and came to understand why Alvin had built a safe community in Hell’s Kitchen. Harvey brought his troubled family to Alvin for help and negotiated a scheme that would fund their needs while turning the detained S.H.I.E.L.D. rookies into leverage; the chapter ended with Alvin welcoming Harvey as a go-between.

• Sharon Carter accepted her clerk duties, watched the children work through wish lists, and regretted having ignored her superior’s advice about dealing with Alvin.
• Harvey brought his wife and son Baby to Alvin and asked to let them stay in Hell’s Kitchen, explaining that Baby’s nightmares and treatment costs had driven him to seek safety.
• Harvey proposed using the Asgardian tourism fund and possible luxury purchases by Princess Hela to cover his family’s expenses and the schoolchildren’s Christmas gifts.
• Alvin agreed to Harvey’s plan, set a three-day deadline for the work, and told him to negotiate with S.H.I.E.L.D. to rescue the rookies he had described as hostages.
• Harvey asked Alvin for a housing subsidy to buy a home near the Peace Hotel, and Alvin praised him as a useful bridge between Hell’s Kitchen and outsiders.

Harvey settled his family at the school and took charge of the rookie agents, while Alvin explained why he trusted Harvey to serve as a bridge to S.H.I.E.L.D. Alvin then talked with the children about cherishing what they had while pursuing the future, leaving Mindy wishing she had a present like theirs.

• Harvey arranged a place for his wife and children at the school, then returned to supervise the rookie agents and bullied one who challenged him.
• Alvin stopped Sharon Carter from confronting Harvey and warned her about the consequences of causing trouble at the school.
• Alvin told Frank that Harvey had risked his life for his family and could help shield the school from S.H.I.E.L.D.'s tests and surveillance.
• Alvin held Ginny and explained to her and the other children that appreciating what they had could make them happier while they pursued their wishes.
• Nick joked that he would be happier with a PS4 or the release of the hostages, and Alvin warned him that losing something might teach him to cherish it.
• Mindy watched Alvin with Ginny and Nick and wished she had a present like theirs.

Alvin spent the day with the children while Harvey secured Christmas supplies and new uniforms for the Community School through sponsorship deals. The chapter left Clark set to place his logo on the uniforms, while Harvey continued organizing donations and Sharon Carter was put to work serving coffee.

• Harvey arranged for Clark Gable to provide Christmas presents at cost and sponsor new school uniforms bearing his logo beside the Battle Axe crest.
• The Community School uniform gained a reputation for protecting its wearers, and gang members helped girls who wore similar green jackets get home safely.
• Clark used his claim to the uniform design to crack down on counterfeit sellers, then welcomed Harvey's sponsorship offer as a chance to promote his brand.
• Harvey explained to Frank that sponsorships would preserve the school's travel funds, and Alvin approved the deals while forbidding Harvey from contacting Yad, Peary, Bruto, or Alexei.
• Harvey ordered Sharon Carter to pour coffee and told her how he wanted it served.

Alvin reassured Mindy that Damon would return, then chose to delay checking on Matt and the others so he could spend time with Fox. At the hospital, Damon transformed into his skeletal form and used his chain to create a safe place where Peter could finally sleep.

• Alvin comforted Mindy about Damon and promised that he would come back, while she admitted she only wanted her father home.
• Alvin and Fox joked about Nick and postponed visiting Matt and the others while Dr. Yinsen prepared to operate.
• Peter told Jess that he could not sleep because his heightened senses kept him on alert, and said the school dormitory was the only place he felt safe.
• Damon asked Peter to look after Mindy and offered to help him feel secure.
• Damon transformed into a flaming skeleton and formed a barrier with his chain, while Peter accepted the protection and warned Jess that Nick might be in for trouble.

New York’s defenders finished pushing back the demons as Steve Rogers led the National Guard and the Little Turtles protected people underground. Nick Fury kept S.H.I.E.L.D.’s Helicarrier near New York to track escaped creatures and decided he needed to speak with Alvin about growing threats inside and outside S.H.I.E.L.D.

• Chief George slept at police headquarters after leading New York’s police through nearly five days of fighting, while Steve Rogers helped the National Guard clear demons from the streets.
• The Little Turtles protected homeless people in the subway and fought the thirteen black-clad ninjas after joking about the flower-shop girl.
• Nick Fury ordered exhausted S.H.I.E.L.D. personnel to rest and sent Quinjets toward other regions in need of help, while Hawkeye and the others tracked creatures at sea.
• Nick Fury told Hill that S.H.I.E.L.D. planned to test newly developed weapons on the escaped creatures and urged her to prove herself as Helicarrier commander.
• Nick Fury revealed that Cobra had stolen super-battery materials and that S.H.I.E.L.D.’s unusual efficiency and elite agents made him suspect an internal problem.
• Nick Fury decided S.H.I.E.L.D. needed to visit Hell’s Kitchen and talk to Alvin, whom he saw as a way to stop a crisis.

Matt confronted his guilt and jealousy over Alvin and decided to return to practicing law with Foggy in Hell's Kitchen. Meanwhile, Alvin showed Frank, Stark, and Norman Osborn the vast supply of Dragon Bone Danny had unlocked.

• Foggy and Elektra urged Matt to stop pushing Alvin away, and Matt admitted he was jealous of Alvin and had been trying to compete with him.
• Matt decided he and Foggy should reopen their law practice and help people in Hell's Kitchen as lawyers.
• Dr. Yinsen rebandaged Matt's bleeding leg and encouraged him to remember that he and Alvin were friends.
• Ivan appeared with vodka and criticized Stark for failing to earn the group's approval.
• Alvin told Frank, Stark, and Norman Osborn that Danny had opened the barrier around the Dragon Bone, then wondered how to use the huge supply.

Alvin, Stark, and Norman Osborn harvested dragon bones and discovered that the crystals could purify people and project a star-filled universe when energized. Stark asked Alvin to show him the gift he had brought back from Hell, and Alvin prepared to reveal it.

• Alvin dug dragon bones out of the rocks while Stark and Norman Osborn refused to help, and Frank went upstairs to inspect the school's security.
• Stark and Norman Osborn both touched dragon bones and lost their body hair, while Stark proposed researching the crystals instead of pursuing his electronic life-form.
• Stark used an iron glove connected to his Reactor to energize a small dragon bone, which displayed a starry universe and drained some of the Reactor's power.
• Norman Osborn explained that the dragon bones had filtered their bodies, and Stark proposed that he and Norman divide up the research.
• Alvin sent Stark and Norman Osborn away from the manual labor, then Stark asked to see Alvin's gift from Hell and offered to build him an indestructible War God 4.

After the battle against the demons ended in New York, Steve was celebrated on television but redirected the praise toward the people who fought alongside him. He left the reporters to reunite with April and hurry back to Alvin's Christmas party.

• Demon hunting became a new profession across the United States as states offered rewards for demon ears.
• The children at Hell's Kitchen Community School celebrated as Steve appeared on television defeating what might have been New York's last visible demon.
• Alvin played with Ginny in his office while the school prepared for its postponed Christmas party.
• Steve refused to take sole credit for the victory and told reporters to recognize the police, soldiers, firefighters, and other citizens.
• Steve rejected a reporter's advances, and her colleagues recognized him as Steve Rogers, the man they knew as Captain America.
• April offered Steve a ride to her place, and Steve agreed so he could clean up and make Alvin's Christmas party.

After the Second Battle of New York, SEAL commander William Lennox was celebrated in the media and transferred to the Navy's publicity department, which infuriated him. Alvin invited Lennox and his men to a Christmas party to confront a man posing as a SEALs commander, and Lennox set out with his team to teach the liar a lesson.

• Duke earned public respect for leading his special police squad in the battle, while William Lennox and his SEAL team drew media attention as some of the first military reinforcements in New York.
• Lennox saw a television segment praising his appearance and worried that the publicity would damage his standing with the SEALs.
• Lennox received orders transferring him to the Navy's publicity department to serve as a positive public image, and he shot the television in anger.
• Alvin called Lennox and reminded him of his promise to help deal with a man claiming to be a SEALs commander.
• Lennox agreed to bring his team to Alvin's Christmas party, then rallied them to confront the liar and have a drink.

Stark invited the soldiers and other heroes who fought in New York to join the Avengers, prompting them to consider their futures. Eddie planned to attend Alvin’s party and discipline Venom, while Hawkeye and Natasha flew back toward New York and discussed life beyond S.H.I.E.L.D.

• Lennox and Mike discussed Stark’s Avengers recruitment message, and Lennox said he would consider leaving the military.
• Eddie received the invitation, while Old Joey confronted Venom and pushed Eddie to take control of his life.
• Eddie revealed plans to become an online investigative reporter, keep working with Old Joey, and attend Alvin’s party.
• Coulson and Russell prepared to attend the party, with Russell taking cigars from a damaged shop and Coulson considering bringing wine.
• Hawkeye turned the Quinjet toward New York after spotting military jets and invited Natasha to Alvin’s party.
• Hawkeye urged Natasha to find a life beyond S.H.I.E.L.D., and she admitted she did not know what else she could be.

Peter and his friends prepared to attend a school party, while Stark discovered that Pepper might be pregnant and decided to propose to her. Stark asked Alvin for help planning the proposal and was told to bring Pepper and the Communicator to the school.

• Peter learned that Old Joey had helped Eddie Brock deal with the thing inside him, and he considered having Frank check on Eddie at the school party.
• Harry changed out of his suit after Peter warned that he would not be allowed through the school gates, and the friends teased him about his crush on Mary Jane.
• Harry said Norman was delayed and discussed which family car they should take to school.
• Pepper suddenly retched in the bathroom, prompting Stark to call Alvin and ask what it might mean.
• Alvin suggested that Pepper might be pregnant and urged Stark to have her checked by Dr. Yinsen.
• Stark began searching for engagement rings and asked Alvin to help plan a proposal, then agreed to bring Pepper and the Communicator to the school.

Brian and Mia joined Dominic and the others on their way to Community School, where a celebration was planned. Meanwhile, Alvin and his friends prepared a surprise engagement ceremony for Pepper and Stark, while hiding that the event had another target too.

• Brian helped Mia into his GTR, but Dominic arrived with an Electric Car and insisted she ride in it for the sake of her pregnancy.
• Dominic and Letty joined Brian and Mia, and Han, Roman, and Gisele arrived in flashy supercars they had received as payment for rescuing a friend of Han’s.
• Dominic told Brian he had set aside a 1970 Plymouth 'Cuda for him, but Brian chose to drive the Electric Car while Mia asked Dominic to take the wheel.
• Han considered opening a restaurant in Hell's Kitchen, and Roman encouraged him to pursue Gisele only after people forgot about his embarrassing mishap.
• Alvin reviewed the surprise engagement plan with Frank, Shirley, and Fox, while Shirley criticized the men’s preparations and their failure to understand what women wanted.
• Alvin told Frank that Shirley and Fox believed the surprise was only for Stark and Pepper, and revealed that he intended to make them cry too.

Peter and Harry returned to school and were forced to change into their old, unwashed uniforms, while the surrounding streets turned into a bustling market and spectacle. The chapter left them still outside the school’s events as the vendors and crowds continued their business.

• Peter and Harry changed into their dirty uniforms at the security office, and Domingo warned them that Professor Cage was in a terrible mood.
• Shang-Chi and Wesley stayed outside to help, and Robert made Wesley take over the cash register at Kenny’s crowded stall.
• Kenny and Gonzales sold miscellaneous goods and Spicy Strips while Cross lamented Wesley’s situation to Robert.
• Clark Gable staged a lingerie-free fashion show, then hid the fans after Yad warned him that Principal Alvin might intervene.
• Old William offered free beer and whiskey to promote his Scotch, while Peary’s men kept order and advertised their girls.

Alvin hosted Harvard vice president Joseph Lant at Hell’s Kitchen’s specialty market, where a failed negotiation turned into a humiliating arms purchase. Chief George visited the school before returning to work, while the Department of Homeland Security handled the rest of New York’s cleanup.

• Alvin told Raymond to enforce Harvard’s promises to Julie and the community school, and Raymond explained that Harvard had agreed to compensation and three annual admission spots.
• Raymond said Julie had donated her five-million-dollar compensation to the school’s education fund.
• Joseph Lant angered an arms dealer by asking about missile defenses, so Alexei confronted him and ordered him to buy two bags of grenades.
• Coulson complained that pimps were handing him prostitution flyers, while Russell teased him about needing a woman.
• Chief George arrived to help Joseph Lant, then let Alexei sell him grenades and told Alvin he had come to see his wife and Gwen.
• Chief George told Alvin that the Department of Homeland Security had taken over the rest of the cleanup, but he still had to arrange proper funerals for his officers.

Alvin welcomed Lennox and the SEALs to the Community School, where the hostile crowd eased after he reassured them. He brought Lennox to meet Frank, reuniting the former comrades and leaving Shirley to praise Alvin as a good friend and family man.

• Alvin restrained Alexei from confronting Lennox's SEALs and explained that most of them had served under Frank.
• Alvin welcomed Lennox and his men, offered them treatment for their wounds, and asked them to expose the man pretending to be a SEAL colonel.
• Alvin encouraged the SEALs, boosting their morale as they entered the school, while Alexei and Bruto joked about their own slogans.
• Lennox thanked Shirley for saving him and his men, then Frank emerged and greeted him as an old comrade.
• Shirley praised Alvin for being a good friend and family man, and Alvin warned her she would be in trouble.

Alvin handed out cigars to the SEALs and reflected with Mike on Frank’s harsh training and the soldiers’ lives after service. As Stark prepared for his proposal to Pepper at the school, Alvin reassured him that everything was arranged, and Stark invited Mike and his men to join the Avengers.

• Alvin gave the SEALs premium cigars, and Mike described Frank as a brutal instructor who had trained and protected his men.
• Alvin urged Mike to believe the soldiers could regain ordinary lives after leaving the military and suggested Frank might employ them.
• Stark arrived nervously preparing for Pepper’s proposal, while Alvin teased him and promised the day’s arrangements would go smoothly.
• Stark asked Alvin to keep Ivan under control, then mistook Mike and his men for security guards and offered them checks.
• Steve arrived with April, and Stark recognized Mike’s men as good soldiers before offering them Avengers jobs with excellent pay and benefits.

Alvin left the school entrance to join the party while Russell provoked the Hell's Kitchen gangs and a fight broke out around the S.H.I.E.L.D. agents. Shang-Chi found Jin Tang'en carrying Alvin’s overdue engagement rings and dragged him toward the crowd, eager to fight his way inside.

• Alvin sent the SEAL soldiers to put away their gear and asked Frank to look after them, while he left Russell outside the party.
• Russell antagonized the gang members, and Bruto rallied the crowd against him and Coulson.
• Russell threw an attacker to the ground, and Hawkeye and Natasha arrived as tensions rose.
• Jin Tang'en reached the school with a briefcase of engagement rings Alvin had ordered but could not get through the crowd.
• Shang-Chi recognized the rings as important and dragged Jin Tang'en toward the crowd, insisting they fight their way inside.

Alvin and Steve watched students gather for a school celebration and reflected on how Community School had become a home with traditions of its own. Alvin revealed that Stark might become a father, while Steve said he and April were not ready to get engaged.

• Alvin watched students assemble as Kevin set up the lights and sound system for the school event.
• Steve told Alvin that Frank was happy and thanked him for giving Steve a job, purpose, and home.
• Steve chased students who were stealing sod and explained that the students collected objects to record the school's history from their perspective.
• Alvin joked about Old Cage's missing belongings and said he would send Professor Wilson replacement tie clips.
• Alvin told Steve that Stark might become a father, and Steve explained that he and April wanted to wait before getting engaged.