"Betrayals"

Tony Stark, billionaire industrialist, inventor extraordiaire, and armored Avenger, stares out the wall of glass behind the desk into his office. Stretching out before him is the campus of Stark Enterprises - one of the world's largest innovators in the field of electronics. But his mind is not on business matters today. Rather, he reflects back on the events of yesterday, when he encountered a young version of himself from an alternate timeline (as seen in our last two issues - Matt). "I know that the teenage version of myself was destined to become the evil pawn of Kang the conqueror, but knowing that and witnessing his acts of evil are two different things," Tony thinks. "If only I could have talked to him, prevented him from turning.... No, there's no use wondering 'what if?' It was too late for the young Tony. Watching him murder Masque was proof that whatever similarities we had were destroyed long ago. But it's unsettling to experience a twisted version of myself so soon after that Franklinverse debacle. I certainly wasn't the best businessman in that reality."

Tony gets up from his chair and walks across his office. "Which brings me to another problem I've had lately. I've been so focused on getting my business life back together that I've let my personal life suffer. I've tried to mend Iron Man's relationships with the Avengers, but other than Rhodey I haven't really spoken to many of Tony Stark's friends. Seeing that other Bethany die has me wondering about my Bethany. Have I been afraid to call her? We had developed a friendly relationship, but I'd be lying if I said I ever lost my feelings for her...."

Tony's ruminations are interrupted by a buzz on his office intercom. "Yes, Mrs. A?"

"Felix Alvarez is here for his appointment, sir."

"Send him in, please."

As Felix enters the room, Tony's mind focuses solely on the business at hand.

"Felix, what's the word on our expanded site on Long Island?"

"I've seen the site myself, sir," Felix responds. "It's perfect. Although I'll admit I'm still not sure it's necessary to build this new site. The old Long Island plant is still in great shape..."

"Yes, Felix, but I think that site's got too much history. After all the changes it's been through - from Stark Industries to Stark International to Stane International to Stark-Fujikawa... I don't think people have the same confidence in that facility as the do this one, or the one in Hong Kong,or the one in Paris, or any of the others. I want the Long Island plant to be regarded as one of our top facilities, and if that means building a whole new facility, that's what I'll do. Do you have the construction bids?"

"Yes sir," Felix says as he removes a folder from his briefcase and hands it to Tony. "The lowest bid is from Aardvark Construction, but the Warhammer bid is very close. I think it comes down to which company you prefer."

Tony studies the various bids, and then says, "I've met Sigurd Jarlson, Warhammer's owner. He strikes me as my type of businessman. Besides, Warhammer recently did a job for my friend Steven Grant, and he seemed happy with their work."

"Despite the problems they had?" Felix asks. (if you don't know what he's talking about, check out recent issues of Thor and Moon Knight - Continuity lovin' Matt)

"Yes - that had nothing to do with the company," Tony says. "Give Warhammer a call and tell them they can begin as soon as they're ready. And tell them I plan on making a few visits to the site myself, and they shouldn't be surprised when I show up."

"Yes sir," Felix says as Tony gives him back the folder. Felix promptly leaves to arrange everything with Warhammer.

The Federal Courthouse in Los Angeles.

"Am I hearing you right, prosecutor?"

"Yes, your honor. Due to the disappearance of our material witness, I'm afraid we have no choice... but to drop all charges against Justin Hammer."

The elderly businessman does not even try to suppress his triumphant glee.

"Since all charges against you have been dropped, Mr. Hammer," the judge states with noticable frustration, "you are now free to go."

Following the bang of the gavel, the courtroom begins to empty and the press desperately tries to reach Hammer for comment. However, he and a few aides quickly exit the building and pull away in their limousine.

"Excellent work, Edward," Hammer states, "I trust we shan't be hearing from Mr. Scarlotti again?"

"Yes sir," Edward replies. "I totally destroyed his apartment when I was sure he and his kid were both there, just like you said. And left no evidence, of course."

"Excellent," Hammer replies. "I think I've had enough of the United States for quite a while. Driver, take us to the airport. I'm anxious to see the Mediterranean again." As the car heads towards the airport and Hammer's private plane, Hammer thinks, "Tony Stark thought he had me this time. He's about to learn once and for all what it means to cross Justin Hammer!"

Across the street from the decimated ruins of Mark Scarlotti's apartment stands a solitary figure. "They said they could protect me - that Hammer would never find me here," Mark Scarlotti says as the tears stream down his face. "But I should've known he'd find me. And now my kid is dead, all because I wanted to be a better father. Well, Mark Scarlotti's through. And Blacklash is gonna make certain Hammer is paid back for this!"

Meanwhile, oblivious to these startling developments, the Golden Avenger streaks over the skies of Los Angeles. "One of the perks of being your own boss is the extended lunch breaks! I'm glad I've got enough time I can play around as Iron Man for a little while today - it's nice to have something to take my mind off of all that's happened lately."

As Iron Man streaks lower, closer to the cars that cover the street, he waves at the gawking pedestrians. "Hey look, it's Iron Man!" comes a shout from the crowd. "We love ya, Shellhead!" comes another.

"It's nice to be appreciated," Iron Man thinks as he zooms by. "Sure, some people think of Iron Man as a simple corporate lackey, but most people are really grateful for the good I do. And I have to confess I don't mind the adulation. I don't see how Spider-Man can stand all the bad press he gets."

Then, a message blares over Iron Man's police scanner! "Seven Mary Three and Four in pursuit of a black sedan! Suspects have just hijacked an armored car! Requesting backup!" After learning the officers' coordinates Iron Man rockets away to aid them.

As the black sedan speeds down the road, the passenger says, "Step on it, Freddie! They're gainin' on us!"

"I'm goin' as fast as I can, Jack!" Freddie responds. "You got a gun, use it! Try and get 'em to back off!"

Jack opens fire on the pursuing policemen. "They're dropping back!" he reports.

"Good!" Freddie answers. "Maybe we can get away with this one after all..."

Freddie's voice trails off.

"What's the problem?" Jack asks as he turns around to see a red and gold figure standing before them in the road. Freddie promptly slams on the brakes, but the car is moving too fast to stop. The slam into the unmoving figure.

Iron Man effortlessly rends the twisted steel surrounding and plucks the two crooks from the wreckage. He then retrieves the stolen money from the wreckage. The two pursuing policemen pull up.

"Hey, is everyone alright?" one officer asks.

"I'm fine," Iron Man replies. "As for these two - they're a little shaken up but they'll be okay."

"Thanks for your help, Avenger. We appreciate it!" the officer says.

"Always glad to help!" Iron Man says as he zooms away.

Iron Man returns to the Stark Enterprises administration building. Upon exhanging his steel mesh armor for a silk suit, Tony Stark prepares to get back to work. "Mrs. Arbogast," he says as he buzzes his secretary over the intercom, "any calls while I was out."

"No, Mr. Stark, but I'm glad you're back," Mrs. A answers. "You need to see this." Without another word, Mrs. Arbogast enters Tony's office and turns on the television.

"- had no comment. To repeat our top story, all charges against billionaire financier Justin Hammer have been dropped today -"

"What?" Tony yells, shocked. "How could this happen?" Upon learning the details from the newscast, Tony begins calling lawyers, FBI agents, anyone he has connections to who may be able to shed some light on the mysterious disappearance and presumed death of Mark Scarlotti. Unfortunately, no answers are to be found. "We finally had Hammer beaten - for good. And now this...," Tony thinks. "He won't get away this time. I'll make sure of it."

Stark Enterprises Manufacturing Facility in Vancouver, British Columbia.

This facility is currently about to begin production on a revolutionary new space probe which NASA hopes will be able to provide more in-depth information on solar systems beyond our own.

Imperial Industrial in Birmingham, England. It appears to be another foundry in this industrial town but in actuality it is a front - its true purpose is the manufacture of custom-made weapons for costumed criminals in the employ of Justin Hammer.

At 1:27 a.m. EDT, they both explode.

Next Issue: Have Tony Stark and Justin Hammer declared all-out war on each other? It seems that way, but you know what they say about how things seem.... See you then!