"Revelations"

"Stark Enterprises continues to be the source of much controversy today as protesters and counterprotesters marched in front of the entrance to the company's Sillicon Valley headquarters. Some activists claimed that Stark should take immediate action regarding the apparent murder of the Mandarin at the hands of the SE corporate symbol and Avenger Iron Man. Here's what some of the demonstrators had to say."

"Stark's just another corporate machine that thinks it can get away with whatever it wants! Well, I say we need to see some real justice for these rich fatcats for a change! And why hasn't the government done something about this yet? It's a conspiracy, I tell you!"

"Shellhead's been falsely accused of murder before - he's no killer. He'll straighten this mess out, you'll see. Anybody that works for Stark is alright with me. That foundation of his helped me get back on my feet a few years ago when I had some rough times."

"As you can see, public opinion remains divided. The only official statement from Stark Enterprises was issued yesterday by Vice President Felix Alvarez, who said, 'We firmly believe in Iron Man's innocence. Mr. Stark is personally investigating the matter right now.' Meanwhile, the Avengers have refused to comment until today, when chairman Captain America held a press conference to make this statement."

"The Avengers are certain that Iron Man is not responsible for the apparent death of the Mandarin. We support our comrade and will do everything in our ability to help him clear his name."

"And on Wall Street, SE's stock continues to fluctuate. More on that and other news on the stock market when we return."

Click.

Tony Stark, sometimes known as the invincible Iron Man, sits in a chair at his home staring at the now-blank television screen. It's been a rough few weeks - he survived an attempted takeover of his company by Justin Hammer (in #345 - Matt) and fought a battle with Fin Fang Foom and a false Iron Man (last ish - Matt II) who promptly killed the Mandarin. He hadn't even had time to deal with that problem when he and the Avengers went into battle against Kang (in Avengers #415-418 - Matt III). "Well, look on the bright side, Tony," he thinks, "at least you've regained your missing memories. (Avengers #416 - Matt IV) I know why I've had those dreams of Kang torturing me - he held me captive while he replaced me with an evil alternate version of myself. This counterpart was killed by a younger version of himself. This younger version then went into Onslaught, but the Onslaught effect switched us, sending him to Kang's dimension, and me to the 'Franklinverse.' Which also explains why Titanium Man's weapon, which duplicated the Onslaught effect, didn't work on me. (back in #342 - Matt V) Somehow Franklin subliminally caused the Onslaught effect to pull in those he 'knew' which led to the dimension switching... as far as I can tell, anyway. I'm sure Reed Richards could explain it all. It's not important right now. I know I'm the 'real' me - or at least, the one that originated in this timeline. Which means I can focus more on my immediate problems - like this second Iron Man who's framed me for murder. Could it be my doppleganger that was Kang's puppet?"

Tony walks down to his laboratory under his house. "I need some way to track that other Iron Man. Let's see how fast I can put together a device to track his energy signature."

We now turn our attention to the simple, yet elegant home of James Rhodes. Rhodey silently ponders recent events. "I've tried to convince myself that Tony's the real thing, but after this thing with the Mandarin, I just don't know. It's been hard for me to trust him since that Kang business (in the Crossing - Matt can't forget it now matter how he tries). Jen's supposed to be keeping an eye on him for me to see if he's up to anything suspicious, but she hasn't turned up anything yet. The Avengers seem willing to believe him. If it's good enough for Captain America, it should be good enough for me, right? I can't help it - trusting Tony's caused me plenty of pain before... Maybe I should just go talk to him." Rhodey gets up and walks out to his car. The sun shines brightly on his new Porche as he races down the road to see his friend again.

Over the skies of Los Angeles flies a familiar form: the armored Avenger Iron Man. However, this Iron Man is not Tony Stark. This mysterious person is identical to the real Iron Man in every outward respect - however, his actions, including his apparent murder of the Mandarin, have proven him to be very different from the geniune article. And he's about to prove so again. He flies over a particularly busy section of Los Angeles freeway, and opens fire.

Rhodey slams on the breaks as he sees the freeway explode two miles ahead of him. His Porche manages to stop in time to prevent him from rear-ending the vehicle in front of him. Unfortunately, those who were closer to the blast are not as lucky. The car immediately under "Iron Man's" blast is vaporized, and the vehicles nearest are pelted with flying debris. Rhodey's military training kicks in. He jumps out of his car and seeks cover inbetween the now stationary vehicles. He observes the false Iron Man's movements. "One things for sure - that's not Tony. Whoever this guy is, he moves totally different. But how did he get one of the tin suits? And where is Tony?"

As Tony Stark puts the finishing touches on a new tracker/disrupter that will work on the energy signature he detected from the false Iron Man (last ish - the real Matt) a buzzer goes off in his lab, indicating he has a visitor at his front door. "Today's the staff's day off," he thinks. "I'd better see who it is."

Shortly, Tony opens the front door to find his Vice President of Operations, Jen McAllister. "Hi, Tony. I know you wanted to get away from work for a few days, but PR's working around the clock on this Iron Man thing and if we can't straighten this out soon, the company's going to take a big hit."

"Don't worry, Jen, I'm on top of things," Tony answers as he shows her in. "Whoever that was in the video was not Iron Man. I know that for a fact. I'm working on something right now to help me find whoever's posing as my bodyguard."

"I don't mean to overstep my bounds, but the sooner we can straighten this out..."

BEBEEP!

"I'm sorry, Jen. My computers monitor the news in case something about the company comes on. Let's see what it is."

Tony switches on the television to see a live broadcast of the senseless destruction being wrought by his doppleganger. "Oh my God. I've got to get Iron Man down there right away. Jen, can you show yourself out?"

Not waiting for a reply, Tony races to his lab. Jen starts to leave, and then thinks, "Rhodey wanted me to watch Tony, to make sure he wasn't an impostor up to no good. If he's involved with this rogue Iron Man...."

Cautiously, Jen heads to the stairs leading down into Tony's private lab. Arriving in the lab, Jen quietly looks around, until she sees a door Tony hastily left open. She peers into the lab to see... Tony Stark donning the armor of Iron Man! He snaps his helmet into place, and rockets off through a tunnel leading to the surface. Jen increduously looks after. "I don't believe it! Tony Stark is... Iron Man!!"

Minutes later, Rhodey is trying to figure out how he can contact Iron Man hen he sees a red and gold streak approaching at unbelievable speed. Rhodey then hears the familiar "Shrak!" of repulsor rays, and then sees, to his astonishment, the rays pass right through the impostor Iron Man.

The impostor turns to Iron Man and laughs. "Is that the best you can do?" he cackles as he unleashes a barrage of laser blasts at Iron Man.

"He's incredibly powerful! I don't know how well my refractory coating can hold up, but at least now I know who he is!" Iron Man realizes, as he activates the disruptor he had developed earlier.

The form of the second Iron Man shimmers and then vanishes for a halfsecond before reappearing in his true form.

"Very good, Iron Man. You've managed to disrupt my hologram and reveal my true identity. I suppose you've foiled my plot to ruin your reputation, but you will still know defeat at the hands of... the LIVING LASER!"

Next Issue: It's action, action, action as Iron Man battles the Living Laser! Don't miss out!