The votes have been cast, and emerging from the grand list of popular video game sidekicks are two finalists: Scrooge McDuck's pilot Launchpad from the Ducktales games, and none other than Albert Einstein, the brilliant/wacky/lovable scientist who appeared in the Command & Conquer: Red Alert series as your fictional head of wartime research and development.

　　Yes, this long, hard road is coming to an end, and as a result, we've had to bid farewell to many iconic game characters we've known and loved--friendly dinosaurs, friendly mushroom-head people, friendly knights-turned-into-frogs, friendly demonic floating skulls, friendly annoying fairies who won't keep quiet, and friendly inanimate cubes. Let's take a moment to remember those great friends of ours who helped us save the world (or take it over) in so many of our favorite video games. Those of us with 40-ounce beverages who would like to pour out some or all of said beverages in honor of our fallen comrades are encouraged to do so at this time.

　　Yes, for many of our favorite sidekicks, the battle is over. But the war isn't. Emerging from the fray are two finalists who are ready to do battle for the ultimate title. Of the ultimate sidekick. To appear in the ultimate game (which was either a Ducktales game or a Red Alert game). You have until Monday to vote for the character you feel should win this competition. Good luck. We're all counting on you. And don't call me Shirley.