Chapter Summaries

Steve and the exhausted defenders held the Steel Fortress against a changing bug swarm while Hawkeye’s team searched for the nest and brain. Alvin arrived with the Allied reinforcements, recognized the convoy had entered an ambush, and prepared to break through as the decisive battle loomed.

• Steve refused to retreat, and Ivan, Barney, Lennox, JJ, and the other defenders fought off another wave while trying to give the exhausted soldiers time to rest.
• The bugs launched glowing Plasma Bugs into the fortress, destroying much of the stored food and ammunition before JJ’s Giant Bear killed the Launching Bugs.
• Barney concluded that the swarm’s retreat was a warning and that reinforcements had arrived, then told Thorne to link the fortress’s Six-Barrel Electromagnetic Machine Guns together.
• Alvin’s armored convoy appeared fifty kilometers away, and Alvin warned the Chinese commander that the bugs had led them into an ambush.
• Alvin told the rear troops to slow down and declared that he would keep the bugs there and break through for the decisive battle.

Alvin opened a Space Gate to rescue Steve and the others, then fought through the Bug swarm while Stark and Little A supported him from the air. He brought Qin’s forces onto the battlefield, where Qin Emperor arrived on a Black Three-Headed Dragon as the army prepared to face the Bugs.

• Alvin deployed AC-130Us and Quinjets, then told Stark to hold the Bugs back while he went to reach Steve and the others.
• Alvin charged through the Bug swarm with his Flying Swords and Firestorm, creating a burning path toward the Steel Fortress.
• Alvin contacted JJ, who reported that there were no wounded and urged him to hurry and end the fighting.
• Alvin opened a Space Gate to the Underground Palace of Qin Emperor's Mausoleum, and Bai Qi, Meng Tian, and Wang Jian led Chariots onto the battlefield.
• Meng Tian positioned the Chariots to meet the Bugs while Alchemists and Guards arrived behind them.
• Qin Emperor rode onto the battlefield atop a repaired Black Three-Headed Dragon and surveyed the Bugs.

Qin Emperor and the Qin Army turned the Swarm’s attack into a rout, with Alvin joining the battle and showing off alongside them. The chapter ended with Alvin heading back toward the fortress to display the Qin Army’s victory to his allies.

• Meng Tian’s chariot formation held back the Fighting Bugs while Qin soldiers assembled into a force of roughly fifty thousand.
• Qin Emperor invited Alvin to give the signal for the Qin Army’s first volley, and Alvin shouted “Wind” from Bai Qi’s chariot.
• The Qin crossbowmen unleashed poison-filled bolts that tore through the Swarm, forcing the bugs to abandon the fortress and scatter.
• Bai Qi led eight thousand cavalry into the disorganized Swarm while Qin Emperor’s Three-Headed Black Dragon attacked Hydralisks with its elemental breaths.
• Alvin charged through the bugs in a chariot, supported by Flying Swords and aerial firepower, then sent Little A and the Quinjets to escort Qin Emperor.
• Alvin ordered his charioteer to take him around the fortress so he could show the Qin Army’s victory to his allies.

The Qin Army overwhelmed the Bugs with disciplined formations and ancient warriors’ supernatural resilience, leaving modern fighters stunned by their battlefield skill. Alvin joined the battle, and after Ivan angered Bai Qi’s cavalry, Alvin met the Charioteer Chiron and promised him better bones.

• The Qin soldiers fought through severe injuries without breaking formation, while Wang Jian directed their advances and Barney reassured his team that modern fighters still mattered in small-unit combat.
• Steve and JJ descended from the fortress to join the battle, and Alvin advanced under staged volleys from the Qin Army’s Crossbowmen.
• Bai Qi’s cavalry destroyed attacking Hydralisks with wind-driven spear strikes, impressing Ivan and prompting Alvin to boast about the Qin Army.
• Ivan struck Bugs with Scarlet, splashing green blood over passing cavalry; they retaliated by soaking him with more blood, and Bai Qi’s glare made Ivan hold back.
• A Charioteer accused Ivan of disrupting the formation and called for his execution, but Alvin defended him and offered the Charioteer, Chiron, a better set of bones.

Chiron revealed his history as Hades’s former charioteer, and Alvin tried to recruit him while joining the Qin Army’s fight against the Bugs. Steve arrived and explained that Hawkeye and the others were serving as bait, leaving Alvin worried about their safety.

• Chiron told Alvin that he had once been a centaur, served Hades, and later drove Bai Qi’s chariot after the Qin Emperor imprisoned Hades.
• Alvin asked Chiron to help him explore the Underworld and offered him a centaur body and Sagittarius Cloth if he changed employers, but Chiron hesitated because he feared Bai Qi.
• Alvin, Ivan, and Chiron charged into the Bugs, while Bai Qi’s intimidating presence forced Chiron to steer them away from the Qin Army’s cavalry.
• Chiron knocked Steve off the chariot when he tried to board, but Alvin pulled him aboard with a Venom tendril.
• The Qin Emperor’s dragon rescued JJ from the Bugs, and a chariot soldier made JJ a temporary recruit.
• Steve said he had chosen Hawkeye as the best person to act as bait, while Alvin questioned why the Earth Allied Forces were risking Hawkeye and the others.

Hawkeye, Aaron, and Norman Osborn fought to escape with a giant bug while Valkyries attacked the swarm, but the bug’s cries drew more creatures around them. Alvin arrived and killed the bug, then Norman warned that the fighting had awakened something underground.

• Hawkeye and Aaron defended Norman Osborn as they dragged the giant bug from the cave, and Norman refused Hawkeye’s offer to hold off the swarm alone.
• Norman promised Alvin would rescue them and tried to recruit Hawkeye, while Aaron joked about demanding a raise as the Avengers held their nerve.
• Loki’s Valkyries arrived and slaughtered bugs, prompting Norman to plant a bomb in the giant bug’s mouth as the group prepared to flee.
• The bug pulled out the bomb and threw it at Norman, but Hawkeye shot it into the cave, where it exploded and blasted the Avengers away.
• The wounded giant bug’s cries drew the swarm toward it, and Aaron charged in to restrain it before Alvin arrived and killed it with the War Axe of Famine.
• Norman showed Alvin a detector and warned him about strange sounds coming from underground nearby.

Alvin and his allies fought the frenzied Swarm pouring from the Hive while Thor’s uncontrolled lightning caused chaos among friend and foe. Hela arrived with an army of Undead Warriors and drove the battle line into the cavern.

• The Swarm went berserk after the cavern erupted, and Thor burst out wielding a lightning-wreathed Battle Axe.
• Alvin charged into the Bugs with his Battle Axe and Northern Dipper Flying Swords while Steve, Ivan, and the others helped contain them.
• Thor’s reckless lightning swept through the battlefield, shocking the Valkyries and prompting Steve and Ivan to rebuke him.
• Norman Osborn, Hawkeye, and Chiron fought off the Bugs until Norman’s group ran low on Pumpkin Bombs and Chiron began to struggle.
• Hela arrived with hundreds of Undead Warriors, then sent thirty thousand troops into the Hive to push the Bugs deeper inside.

Alvin and his allies fought the bug swarm on Nidavellir until Chiron discovered that a dead bug’s soul held a message revealing Thanos had driven the bugs into the Solar System. Alvin vowed not to let Thanos reach Earth.

• Hela arrived with her undead army and split them between guarding the nest exit and fighting the bugs, while Fenrir carried her toward Alvin.
• Steve teased Alvin about Hela learning of his marriage, and Alvin joked with him as they considered joining Stark’s forces.
• Chiron showed Alvin a milky-white orb containing a bug’s soul and revealed that it had been signaling to a strange bug nearby.
• The orb projected a memory of a vast space battle in which Thanos’s fleet defeated the bugs and drove the survivors through a Space Gate toward Nidavellir.
• Alvin, Steve, and Norman Osborn realized Thanos might send more bugs toward Earth, and Alvin vowed to stop him from reaching it.

Alvin and the Allied Forces faced the threat of Thanos while finishing the Bug war on Nidavellir. After five Tactical Neutron Bombs devastated the Bug swarms, Hela considered taking a break and visiting Odin and Frigga on Earth.

• Alvin told Angel to send the battle footage to every country's military and urged Earth to prepare for Thanos, while Steve reaffirmed the Avengers' creed and Norman Osborn called for securing Yondu and accelerating work on the Dark Aster.
• On Nidavellir, the Qin Emperor's army, Asgardians, and Dwarves drove the leaderless Bugs toward the Allied Forces as Stark used Little Bees to bomb them.
• A Chinese officer ordered the deployment of five Tactical Neutron Bombs, which destroyed Bugs across a wide area and left Thor and Hela impressed by humanity's destructive power.
• Alvin suggested Hela visit Odin and Frigga at their new seaside home on Earth, and Hela agreed to go take a look.

After the bugs' defeat, Alvin reassured Earth's military leaders and prepared to trade with Yondu for technology that could help Earth develop. He showed the Qin Emperor the Dark Aster and offered weapons and armor for the Qin Army, while Star-Lord and Gamora felt the Qin Emperor's formidable presence.

• Alvin stayed at the human camp to calm military leaders and explained that Earth needed to train its troops and invest in spaceships.
• Yondu presented Alvin with tradeable galactic technology, including spacesuit designs, energy weapon schematics, and spaceship booster blueprints.
• The Qin Emperor equipped his soldiers with Dwarven armor, while Alvin offered him another 300,000 sets and weapons from the Bio-Men.
• Alvin showed the Qin Emperor around the Dark Aster and discussed the Qin Army's future among the stars.
• The Qin Emperor accepted Alvin's offer and promised to return after pacifying the Underworld with a new army.
• Star-Lord failed to approach the Qin Emperor, and Gamora wondered how a human king could have a presence that even gods lacked.

Qin Emperor received gifts from Ivan, Stark, and Norman Osborn aboard the Dark Aster, including a dragon saddle, military equipment, and twelve Titan Beasts. As Gai Nie demonstrated his control over a Titan Beast, Raymond approached Yondu and persuaded him to follow him to meet Alvin.

• Ivan gave Qin Emperor a dragon saddle with weapons and combat armor, then provoked Bai Qi into beating him while Alvin tried to intervene.
• Bai Qi told Alvin to take Chiron and keep Ivan away from him, and Alvin took a selfie with Bai Qi.
• Stark gave Qin Emperor Digital Machining Centers, a communications system, and Dwarven Special Alloy powder for his army.
• Norman Osborn presented Qin Emperor with twelve Titan Beasts, and Alvin projected an image of a Golden Man to show how they differed from Qin Emperor's creations.
• Gai Nie took the chain from Norman Osborn and subdued a Titan Beast by sending vibrations through it.
• Raymond invited Yondu to meet Alvin, and Yondu followed after hesitating and looking toward Star-Lord.

Raymond presented the Qin Emperor with the “Ding Qin” sword, and the emperor tested Raymond’s composure before praising his loyalty to Alvin. The chapter ended with Alvin and Raymond teasing Yondu about the intimidating Bai Qi as they prepared for negotiations.

• Raymond gave the Qin Emperor a finely forged sword engraved with “Ding Qin,” which the emperor admired.
• The Qin Emperor held the sword to Raymond’s forehead, then withdrew it after seeing Raymond remain calm and told Alvin not to squander Raymond’s trust.
• Alvin hugged Raymond, who admitted his racing heartbeat and suggested using Bai Qi to unsettle Yondu during negotiations.
• Alvin joked that ruthless figures like Bai Qi would never work for Raymond, then reassured Yondu that Bai Qi was not singling him out.
• Yondu forced a grin and said the Ravagers valued money but were not afraid to die.

Alvin stepped into Raymond’s negotiations with Yondu and secured a deal for Yondu to deliver the first batch of goods and later return with technical information. Yondu left with his harsh image intact but showed his complicated affection for Star-Lord, while Alvin entrusted Raymond with helping his plan in Peru.

• Alvin offered Yondu the deal he wanted, demanding that he bring back the requested technical information after delivering the first batch of goods.
• Yondu swore on Peter Quill’s life that he would complete the deal, and Star-Lord protested being used as collateral.
• Yondu said he had saved and raised Star-Lord, then joked with Alvin about threatening the boy despite his obvious attachment to him.
• Alvin told Yondu that people who acted as if they were hated could be pathetic, and Yondu wondered what to call someone who would take on the world for his child.
• Alvin left the remaining negotiations to Raymond and told him he needed his help with a major plan in Peru.

Alvin left the Dark Aster after helping secure a technological deal with Yondu and giving Qin Emperor time to enjoy its living ecosystem. Back in Hell’s Kitchen, the returning fighters settled in at home, while Fox prepared to fight for a wedding dress after Harvey drew designers away to Northern Europe.

• Alvin left Raymond and Star-Lord to finalize the deal with Yondu while he toured the Dark Aster with Qin Emperor.
• Doctor Octopus gave Qin Emperor saplings, and Qin Emperor spent five hours enjoying the Dark Aster’s ecosystem before leaving the plants with Alvin and returning to his duties.
• Alvin sent Qin Emperor back to his underground palace, left Shang-Chi and Lu Tong to continue their studies, and returned to Hell’s Kitchen with his crew.
• Steve, JJ, Ivan, Hawkeye, and Aaron each returned to their loved ones or settled into vacation after the fighting ended.
• Fox told Alvin that Harvey had invited famous wedding dress designers to Northern Europe, making it difficult for her to find a designer, and declared that she would handle the fight herself.

Harvey’s Wedding Dress World Cup spiraled into a global event, leaving Alvin worried that Fox’s wedding dress would not be ready in time. Harvey revealed he had spent the broadcast-rights money on an aid organization for autistic children, just as Stark arrived blaming Alvin for Hela’s scheme.

• Harvey explained that the Wedding Dress World Cup had drawn designers worldwide and could force brides to delay their weddings.
• Alvin worried that Fox would have to choose the competition’s champion and that the dress might not be completed before his September wedding.
• Harvey admitted he had spent the fifty million dollars from selling the broadcast rights on a Harlem sanatorium and aid organization for autistic children.
• Stark arrived with Morgan, handed her to Alvin, and complained that Hela’s actions had dragged him into the wedding dress crisis.

Alvin and Stark watched news coverage of Pepper, Fox, and Shirley causing a commotion at Odin’s Castle while seeking wedding dresses, leaving Alvin embarrassed by the reporters and unsure what the women would do next. Gisele and Sif drove off Jimmy Fallon’s crew, and Frank reminded Stark to grow up as his wedding approached.

• Alvin complained to Stark that the Reality Show competition had drawn away the best wedding dress designers, while Stark revealed that Pepper, Fox, and Shirley had flown to Northern Europe in a stolen Quinjet.
• Harvey fled the restaurant when Frank arrived, and Alvin and Stark watched ABC news report that the three women had stormed Odin’s Castle.
• Jimmy Fallon claimed on camera that Odin’s wife had organized the Wedding Dress World Cup because she admired Alvin, prompting Alvin to protest the rumor and remember his past support for Fallon’s show.
• Odin left the castle after two young women in Bronze Armor emerged and ignored him, while Alvin recognized Gisele and Sif on the television.
• Gisele and Sif knocked Jimmy Fallon and his cameraman down with a Shockwave, and Frank comforted Alvin before telling Stark to grow up ahead of his wedding.

Frigga turned the wedding dress competition into a chance for brides-to-be to model designs, while ABC offered huge appearance fees to Alvin’s fiancée and friends. Alvin initially refused to take part, but changed his mind when he was offered $50 million to attend.

• Jimmy Fallon reported on the ladies leaving the castle and prepared to interview Frigga as the show’s ratings climbed.
• Frigga apologized to women whose weddings had been delayed and invited them to join the competition as special models, with Asgard paying for their chosen designs.
• Frigga announced that Hela, Sif, and Gisele would also participate, then escorted the ladies into the castle and sealed the grounds with a soundproof barrier.
• Alvin feared Fox might lose the competition and complained that Jimmy Fallon was using him to promote the show.
• ABC offered Fox and Pepper $80 million each and Shirley $40 million to appear, with their fees doubling if the men walked them down the runway at the finals.
• After Stark arranged a new offer of $50 million for Alvin to attend, Alvin agreed, saying he needed to support his fiancée and rehearse the wedding schedule.

The wedding-dress competition in Odin's Town grew into a media spectacle as powerful allies rallied behind Pepper, Shirley, Sif, Gisele, and Hela. With the competition still being prepared, the town became an unstoppable attraction and more people rushed to join the excitement.

• Butler Albus and Stark Industries organized lavish support for Pepper, including beauty and business teams, a private plane, and a superyacht stocked with gifts.
• Shirley's former Angel companion arrived with Island Country gang members, while Dylan brought Nick and Mindy to Northern Europe to support Shirley.
• Mindy called her biological father, and Damon the Ghost Rider arrived through a Portal with a magically preserved ice statue of Shirley.
• Heimdall made a rainbow for Sif, while Gisele's family arranged an icy racetrack spectacle and Dominic secured a cardinal a place on the judging panel.
• Loki sent Berserkers to restore security in Odin's Town, then showered Hela with royal jewels and a parade of gifts delivered by Asgardian goddesses.
• Designers, models, and celebrities flooded the town as nonstop broadcasts and public support turned the competition into a major international spectacle.

Alvin watched the wedding dress competition draw celebrities and supporters to Odin Town while Jessica reacted angrily to a woman exploiting her supposed friendship with Shang-Chi. Jessica decided to travel north to support Fox, and enlisted Hela to deal with the woman’s media stunt.

• Alvin watched a reality-show celebrity claim she was Shang-Chi’s close friend and suggest he could help her sisters get opportunities at the competition.
• Jessica broke a whiskey glass in anger, and Alvin comforted her by agreeing she could go support Fox in Odin Town.
• Alvin offered the women a place to stay aboard his Helicarrier and asked Jessica to remind Old Cage to bring Nick and the others home.
• Jessica chose to join the trip and said she wanted to find a wedding dress before the other competitors claimed the best ones.
• The woman led reporters toward Fox’s hotel, but Jessica refused Alvin’s offer to contact Fox and said Hela would handle the situation after Jessica texted her.

As Final Exams approached, Alvin tried to motivate Ginny and learned she wanted him to help Hela, while Pietro stole a past math test. Alvin and Bourne planned a trap for students attempting to cheat and agreed Pietro needed to face consequences.

• Alvin offered Ginny a reward for passing every subject, and she asked him to find out why Hela was upset and promised to get Hela a gift on their Atlantis trip.
• Alvin headed to the teachers' office to discuss invigilating Nick and discovered Pietro had stolen a 10th Grade math test.
• Bourne revealed Pietro had taken last year's test and planned to make the cheaters study through Spring Break under strict supervision.
• Alvin suggested the teachers pretend the test papers had gone missing so they could identify students trying to cheat and teach Pietro about adversity.
• Bourne asked whether adversity had helped Peter Parker, and Alvin explained that Peter's strong convictions set him apart from Pietro.