Tony Stark is suspected of treason, as he has been framed for selling the US faulty defense technology under the influence of the Japanese government. That's already brought him some uncomfortable attention from Sunfire. In fact, Michael O'Brien was wearing the Iron Man armor while Tony donned an older suit to enter the fight. But before the real Iron Man could reach the battle, O'Brien was mysteriously teleported away.

And the beam that seized him is only too familiar to Tony Stark. Though he believed the Mandarin had perished, his foe endures! He's responsible for all of Stark's recent hardships, and now he's planning to launch a nuclear warhead at the United States! The only advantage Tony has, is that the Mandarin doesn't realize that Iron Man isn't the one strapped to the rocket.