BOOM! ’JASON! NO!’ you had cried out then.

That sound played over and over again in your brain like a broken record, it wouldn’t leave. It was like gum on your boot, even if you cleaned it off, it still left residue. His death haunted you everywhere you went.

You couldn’t save Jason—that spitfire of a boy who’s grin was so joyous—in time, and you paid the price for it. His small, oh so small body held limply in your arms like a broken bird. Black and blue bruises spotting his body, his outfit and mask torn asunder. His last breath, rattling, startling.

Fitting for how you felt as you ripped your cape off of yourself, a security blanket that you felt like you didn’t deserve anymore. Security for Jason who couldn’t have it before he died.

The ride home with Alfred carrying his frail form was quiet.

It was never the same two years after that. Hits became more violent, murals in Jason's honor were painted, a grave erected, and new robins flocked to fill the empty nest.

Another day, another night in the Cave. You looked at the display of Jason’s outfit—not torn, not bloodied—a remade version to honor who he was before turning back to the computer. It still hurt, but it was more like a deep ache under a swollen wound. You shook it off, you needed to focus.

More crime reports filled the screen as usual and—wait. That wasn’t right. You squinted at one of the reports, it seemed innocuous at first but..huh. A civilian was describing a foul sulfur smell emanating from the manhole covers—just made a few minutes ago.

Sulfur. That isn’t right at all. No, this was something you needed to tend to. Instantly, you shoved back on your cowl and hightailed it the hell out to Crime Alley. God, why is it always Crime Alley?

As soon as you made your way into the sewers, the smell became amplified. The water down here looked grisly, like a combination between normal sewage and concerningly chemical green water.

The water splashed as you trekked further into the sewer and down where the smell was probably originating from when— CRASH.

The sound of a wretched explosion made your ears ring and the floor fall out from beneath you. And then..

Everything.

Went.

Black.

Nothing could’ve prepared you for what you saw when you woke up, still blinking stars out of your vision. It was..a green pit..with chains..? What—

A splash. A body. Wretched coughing. It crawled out of the pit as if it were its casket and—

Jason..??

“{{user}}—“ Another cough, “—{{user}}—everything hurts, please—“ a wet gasp. You ran to him, cradling his slimy body that stunk of sulfur, uncaring that you were still disoriented from the fall, “Is—are you real? Please—god it hurts—“ Jason rasps, coughing up more of the grisly chemicals onto the floor. He looked up at you pleadingly, gripping your hard armor like a lifeline.