AN: This is a reupload of the same series over on ThreeBlackCats' account. We are co-authoring the Renegade-verse and have recently released issue #12 of the latest story of our series on AO3. The Renegade-verse started in a discord server about a year ago and has since grown legs, wings, and wandered completely out of control. The idea comes from the sort of Bruce was never Batman stories you see crop up now and again and has turned into a whole DC else-world. The two of us (Eastonia and ThreeBlackCats) have timelines and several arcs planned and are hoping to (one day) get this whole thing written.

Enjoy the headcanon that turned into Everest.

A Butterfly Flaps

"That was so cool! And Zorro moves so quickly! He just goes- Swish! Swish!" Bruce jumped up and waved his arm around to represent a sword. His eyes were bright as he playfully lunged towards his parents. Thomas gave a stab back in his direction and he sprung backwards. "He completely scared all the bad guys, even in the movie where he didn't speak! I didn't know you could scare people that badly without saying anything!"

"It's called having an intimidating presence." Martha Wayne reached over to ruffle her son's hair with a little laugh. "I'm glad you liked it. The Mark of Zorro is a classic."

"And to think," Thomas Wayne smiled. "You thought going to a marathon ending with a silent film would be boring."

"I did not!" Bruce huffed as he settled down a little.

The family made their way down Park Row away from the theatre. They had walked far enough that they were out of the main crowd that was spilling from the theatre. Bruce swung his arm around again, trying to replicate how Zorro would swing his sword to make his iconic 'Z.' He hadn't been sure what his parents were thinking when they told him that they were going to see a bunch of old films for the evening but how often did you get the chance to see three films in a row? It also sounded like it would be a lot more fun than the galas they often had to attend so he had agreed with minimal complaining. His parents told him those galas were about helping people but Bruce didn't understand how standing around and talking helped people. You helped people by doing something. Dad was able to help people every day when he went to work by helping fix their bodies. That was doing.

Zorro helped by doing. He fought the corrupt and helped those less fortunate. Zorro was so cool! Bruce wondered if he should take up fencing.

"I parked the car a couple of streets over. If we cut down this alley," Thomas gestured around a dark corner. "We can get there quickly."

"Really, Thomas? Are you sure that is safe?" Martha frowned as she peered down the looming shadows of the alley.

"Of course! I already had to cut through it once to get to the theatre before the first film started after dropping you two off. You'd think there would be more parking around here but…"

Bruce wasn't paying any attention. He was wondering if there were heroes like Zorro out there today. Someone cool with a sword who went out at night and stabbed criminals. Or just slashed them. He did flips and stuff and fought for the good guys. With that awesome sword and whip and – Martha reached out and grabbed him to keep Bruce from wandering off as he imagined he was fighting imaginary swordsmen.

The Wayne family turned into a dark alley, away from the last of the theatre crowd. The sun had long since set while they were in the theatre and the only light that spilled into the alley came from a street lamp at the other end. The garbage bags had not been piled as high in the early afternoon. The family walking down the alleyway didn't see the man staking out the exit. At least, not until he jumped up and pointed a gun at them.

He was backlit by the streetlight so it was hard to get a good look at his face but the gun, held out, reached out of the shadows and glittered in the light. The Wayne family froze, staring at the figure in front of them. Thomas slowly moved forward. Martha gripped her bag tighter. Bruce just stood there staring at the gun.

"Hand over the purse."

"There is no need to threaten us. We just want to pass through." Thomas was now standing in front of his family, subtly blocking Martha and Bruce from view.

"The purse." Demanded the hoarse voice yet again.

"Threatening someone isn't a very good way to get them to do what you want-"

"Thomas. Leave it be." Martha gave her husband a stern look as her eyes darted back towards the gun. She stepped up beside Thomas and held her belongings out. "Here it is."

The man started to reach for the purse but his hand stopped partway out. "Are those pearls real?"

Martha let out a shaky breath. "Yes."

"Put the purse on the ground and take those off."

"Martha you don't have to- "

"Shut up Thomas." Hesitantly, she reached for the clasp and unstrung the pearls, dropping them on the ground beside the purse. She backed up slowly.

For a moment there was quiet. Then the man lunged forward, grabbing the pearls and the purse. Then he was running down to the other end of the alley, passing under the streetlamp. Then he was gone.

And the Wayne family was standing there. For a brief moment there was silence then Thomas grabbed his wife and son and held on to them tight.

"Oh god, oh my god. It's okay. We're okay. Oh god."

"The police," Martha whispered. "We need to call the police. My mobile phone was in my purse, Thomas- "

"I've got it." He took one hand off of Bruce but kept the other on Martha, who was now holding Bruce. A moment later he started talking on the phone but Bruce didn't process what was being said.

"Mom, that man had a gun."

"He did, honey. It's alright, we're fine now."

Bruce had never seen a gun in real life before. The shock of suddenly having one pointed at him chilled him.

It had looked like the guns in the movies, except for the crucial difference that Bruce had been very aware that it could kill him. It had been pointed right at them! He had been standing only a few paces away!

The family made their way back out of the alley and to the main street. Not many people were walking down it at this time of night but those that were continued on their way, not paying the Waynes any mind. As though someone hadn't just pointed a gun at them. Would they have noticed if the man had pulled the trigger. If-He had-

"How are you doing, Bruce?" Thomas was now crouching down in front of him. He had gotten off the phone at some point.

"I'm fine." Bruce could have died. It seemed odd that the thought was only occurring to him now a minute later. "The police will catch him right?"

"I'm sure they will, kiddo."

At that moment a police car swung around the corner, sirens wailing. It pulled up at the sidewalk behind the Waynes and a couple of men got out.

"Mr. and Mrs. Wayne, I'm Detective James Gordon and this is Officer Bullock. Could you please tell us what happened…"

AN: Thank you so much for reading! If you'd like to contact us via tumblr, my handle is eastoniablogs!