au idea for anyone who wants to play with it:
Gotham always has a Batman, no matter what
au where Bruce is living a happy and healthy life with his happy and healthy PennyWaynes family. because Jason drew the Batman card.
similar story, except that Willis was still able to be around after Catherine died. he tried to teach Jason to be scrappy and crafty, but the two of them were met in an alley, and Willis didn't make it back out.
Jason is a young Batman, with his suit made of tattered cargo pants and an old sweater and blanket, and his cowl is a ski mask with a police scanner and radio for ears. he stick to the shadows, using amateur theater tricks to avoid fights because he's too small to win them. he does a good job of scaring off attackers and watches over kids and workers as they make their ways home at night.
Tim drew the Joker card. similar story, but he fell a little farther than normal. he's kind of a shutterbug Joker; he's not as murderous, but he's still dangerous and unpredictable. he believes everyone is wearing a mask and the only way to see who they really are is to see what makes them laugh. he takes tons of candids, and is especially fond of getting shots where someone is completely alone.
Dick ended up as Penguin's #1 muscle after the accident. he is very scary despite the glimpses of charm. Oswald treats him like a son, but Dick sees Oswald more like a ringleader. Ozzy brings Dick around pretty much everywhere he goes because Dick has a rather diverse skillset.
that's all I really have, except the personal little idea that Batman saves Bruce's ass but gets messed up doing so, and Bruce rushed Jason back to the manor so Thomas can patch him up, because Bruce knows well enough to know that he can't take The Batman to a hospital.
That’s really interesting anon! I hope someone plays with this idea like you suggested!
