The End or the Beginning?

When Stark's triumphant cheer was answered by a wild chorus of howls from the people nearby, a half-mangled corpse came crashing down from the sky, along with fragments of an exploding Iron Man Armor.

Alvin frowned as the hapless Killian, reduced to half a skeleton, still tried to get back up and finish off Stark. He was just about to raise a hand and end the fight before it ruined Stark's celebration...

A towering mech warrior suddenly leaped from the White House corridor, its massive metal foot slamming down on the half of Killian's head that remained.

Poor Killian didn't even manage one last villainous roar. With a sharp crack, he was dead for good.

Still riding high, Stark had no idea what had happened. He turned and saw Ivan standing on Killian's corpse, arms spread in annoyance. "Hey, Russki, I'm the winner! You can't steal my spotlight..."

Ivan took off his helmet and stared at Stark as if he were a piece of shit. After a few seconds, he spat to the side with contempt and cursed, "Damn Americans!"

Alvin watched Ivan, who had suppressed his urge to beat the crap out of Stark and come over to him instead. Grinning, he slapped Ivan's hand in a high five. "Beat him up, beat him up! This time, I'm definitely on your side. That bastard Stark stole the spotlight from all of us..."

Ivan's expression wasn't great. He paused at Alvin's encouragement, then suddenly grinned and winked at him. In his hoarse voice, he said, "I've decided to do it another time. Right now, we're on the same team..."

Alvin stared at Ivan's battered mech, still reeking of smoke, and at the Russki's surprisingly handsome grin. He felt a little touched.

This Russki was a truly reliable friend. No matter