If it is a stalemate and neither play has some sort of "play next enhancement" initiative (from 2k horses/swift horses, etc.), the hero gets to play the first enhancement; when it is a stalemate, whoever didn't play the last card gets (regular) initiative. Same goes for mutual destruction. Since the EC was the last card brought into the battle, the hero gets initiative.
Special initiative is only given when a special ability would result in a player having no characters in battle upon completion of the special ability. Everything else is regular initiative.
Ninja'd.