Ash got up and stretched. The final round approached. Manic did the same before the cameras rolled.
"I never thought it would come to this, but I had hoped so." Ash admitted, walking backwards across from Manic to the center of the combat zone. He handed his spectacles to Honey and rumbled to the center.
"You treat her like a servant." Manic criticized him.
Ash smiled mischievously. "She's here for Mina, not you. Don't forget why she showed up in the first place."
Manic cracked his neck. "Nous allons gagner." He said sternly, no sign of emotion showing.
"Win this, and I'll get you her number." Ash offered, arms crossed.
"I don't need your help. Bring it on." Manic concluded insolently, shifting into his ginga.
Ash took his as Soar moved in. "Gentlemen, this is the final round. Stage up! FIGHT!"
Ash ran at Manic. The hedgehog flipped over his competition and tried to kick but was out of range. Ash pulled Manic to him and jumped to force his knee into the opponent's jaw.
Manic swung at Ash, hammer punch to the back of his head. He followed with a headbutt that left Ash reeling. Manic turned his entire body for a kick to the mongoose's gut that knocked him down.
Ash rolled quickly to get back on his feet. He kicked the hedgehog back and rushed to get a left uppercut in with a right elbow swing. He reached for a double fist punch, but got kicked between the legs before he could pull off the move.
Ash hit the floor, writhing in pain with a weak call to Mina. She got the message and stepped in. Manic creeped up on her, his bizarre stance giving no indications. Mina turned back on one foot and delivered a spinning back kick against Manic's hip that knocked him over. When it was legal, she kicked the hedgehog's chest aggressively.
"Amy…" He breathed, trying hard to take in air.
Amy strode into the combat zone, past a standing mongoose. Mina reached to grab one of Amy's legs, but Amy widened her stance. It was fortunate she chose not to wear a dress. She swung her hammer right to left, tripping Mina.
She stood to face Ash, who was in full combat mode. Ash threw himself at her with a dropkick, but Amy used the face of the hammer to block. She caught Ash over her shoulder and threw him off, sending him tumbling to the concrete below. He leaped and gave Amy a brutal punch to the nose on his way up.
He ran to Manic, somehow managing to land a similar punch at the hedgehog's nose, dispensing suffering. He leaned down for a follow-up blow to the hedgehog's crotch, but got intercepted. Manic pulled his wrist down while moving his own knee against Ash's elbow. The cracking sound made it clear that Ash received a dislocated elbow. Manic pushed him over on his right arm, causing Ash to scream.
Soar came over to begin delivering the ten count. Ash was in too much pain to get back up and accepted his fate. He had lost. "Round five is over, in favor of Team France!" Soar cheered, the hedgehogs getting moderate applause.
Ash was brought off camera to the medics as Manic returned victorious to a group of ecstatic hedgehogs. Within seconds, he turned to Honey.
"So… can I get your number now?" He begged with confidence.
The cat looked to Amy. She nodded, quietly advising her friend. Honey took Manic's phone out and put her number in it. Sonic and Sonia cheered; Manic blushed and smiled. Mina met with Ash off camera. Knuckles picked up Tails and Zooey in an arm each. The teams were just too close.
The cameras turned to Soar. "They will be advancing to the finals with the winner of the next match. Will they face America or England? You'll see next week!"
End of program.