With assistance from an onsite medic, Ash relocated Tails' knee and pulled him up. "Don't let him see you hurt." He warned.

Mina wrapped her arms around Ash before he could face Starline. "Kill him." She commanded.

"He's weak enough." Ash joked, handing over his spectacles.

Starline faced his competitor. "You are not badly off, kid. Impress me here and you may work for me."

Ash crossed his arms. "As if you expect me to think that would be a good idea." He backed away and took his stance.

"Too bad." Starline did the same as Soar counted them down. "Fighters ready? ENGAGE!"

Just as he had done with Tails, Starline began his series of attacks with the untraditional hopping. Ash put up both arms and a leg to block. Kicking one arm away, Starline turned and kicked down the side of Ash's face.

Ash did not give the platypus a chance to recover. He launched himself across the gap and dropkicked Starline. He called in Kit before getting up.

Kit, limited without his hydropack, summoned a wave at Ash. He took it head-on while dodging. Kit threw another one at him, but Ash ran around the side and removed the fox with one punch.

Starline walked back on site eerily slowly. As Ash prepared to make his first move, the doctor began his intimidating series of hops to close the distance. Ash dove at his left leg and took Starline down. He hit his head on the stone roof and had to use his remaining striker call.

Ash sprinted at Kit immediately, but was pushed back and up by one of the fox's waves. He took a hard landing on his back and signaled Zooey in. She jumped to the side of Kit's additional wave. Zooey grabbed the end of her staff and swung it to sweep Kit off his feet.

"He's not gonna be any more trouble." She laughed.

Kit limped back to the sideline. Starline was still down and not moving. "Neither is this bully." Ash added.

Soar began the count. "One, two… ..Ten!" The two other Japanese competitors ran to Ash and Zooey. "And in a very exciting second round, Japan has won! Next round – Ash VS Sticks!" Mina kissed Ash and Tails kissed Zooey. They were excited; neither of them liked Starline.