The royal was hesitant to disarm himself, but did so anyways, setting all his weapons and items in the slot. He knew something was going to happen when he ignored the warning. Jasper prepared himself for whatever challenge the Game Maker’s were going to throw at him. He evaded death before with a Tribute, and Jasper believed he could survive just a little longer.
His eyes widened as strange animals fell from the ceiling and landed on the ground, one after the other until there was a total of six. Aside from their fangs and spiked fists, obvious genetic mutations, Jasper recognized the creatures as kangaroos, which once hailed from a country called Australia. He was still amazed at how the Capitol could capture such a rare species only to be used for entertainment. Jasper knew what had to be done in order for the door to unlock and open.
It was a good thing the kangaroos weren’t huddled together in a troop, but rather separate and a good distance away from each other. Jasper’s strategy was to take them down individually. He charged for the closest creature, ducking down to evade a swift punch, only to get back up and connect his fist with its neck, severely damaging the thyroid cartilage. As the animal struggled to breathe, Jasper sharply elbowed its ribs, hearing the sound of a few cracked bones. As a final attempt to harm the royal, the kangaroo bit his arm, creating puncture wound near the severed hand. Jasper groaned in pain and mightily kicked the kangaroo’s chest, further breaking the rib cage enough for it to collapse and make the creature bleed internally. Its death followed shortly.
Jasper turned his head to see another mutt hoping towards him, ready to strike him down. The first lesson Rex taught him was to never let his opponent see a vulnerable part of his body. He felt pretty exposed without any weapons, but Jasper tried his best to keep a good defensive stance. Jasper dived down, avoiding multiple punches, and kicked the creature’s knee, hearing another sharp crack of bone breaking. Getting up, Jasper spots the animal unable to balance itself properly. He sent his elbow up its snout, seeing blood drip down. Jasper then shoved the kangaroo down and tackled it. He jumped up and down on the creature’s stomach like one would do on a trampoline, crushing its rib cage similar to what he did with the other kangaroo.
Two more kangaroos, each of the opposite gender, came hopping over. They attacked like the holograms Jasper fought in Training, mirroring each other’s movements. Furious to see their comrades dead, they hardly left the royal any time to dodge. Spiked fists clobbered his back and side, but thankfully, Jasper’s breastplate decreased the damage done to him. Both came in for a bite in an attempt to rip out a chunk of Jasper’s neck, when he quickly ducked down and they did one another in. With carotid arteries punctured, the creatures fell down and slowly bled to death.
Nearing the completion of his challenge, Jasper made his way over to another kangaroo. As it jumped up to kick him, he dived down. Jasper wrapped his arms around what looked like a tail and yanked as he got on his feet, forcing the animal on its head. Pushing his weight on the animal, along with the anomalous position it was in was enough to break the kangaroo’s vertebrae. The drastic cervical fracture led to its death.
Faced with the Alpha male, Jasper found himself beaten up quite well. Dreadful bruises and puncture wounds littered his arms. Jasper hadn’t even injured the kangaroo that much. Panting and exhausted, Jasper braced himself as the creature charged again. Spotting an exposed area, Jasper seized the opportunity, as he sent a foot up its groin. He then quickly got behind the animal and forced it down. Jasper ripped one of its ears and repeatedly smashed the mutt’s head on the ground until its snout caved in, crushing its skull as well.
Jasper fell back and stared at the ceiling, giving himself time to recover. After a few good minutes, he got up and prepared himself should another challenge be presented to him.
