What if Jason Todd never died but survived instead?

by Phantom Spectre

This is a universe where Jason Todd had lived after the events of A Death in The Family. In this universe, Jason never became Red Hood, and Tim Drake never became Robin, and Batman never had other Robin after almost losing Jason to The Joker.

As Batman tracked down the Joker in Switzerland, Jason Todd separated from him and ended up at an abandoned warehouse, where he was captured by the Joker. The Joker brutally beat Jason close to death, then scattered explosives around the warehouse and left him to die in the explosion. However, before Batman could arrive, the building exploded, nearly killing Todd.

Jason was saved by Bruce, but the Joker was nowhere to be found, and his plan to kill Robin had failed. He retreated to an unknown location. Bruce removed Jason's Robin suit and dressed him in civilian clothing, then took him to the hospital. For over the following months, Bruce stayed by Jason's bedside, never leaving his side.

Dick returned from Blüdhaven to take patrol while Bruce cared for Jason's unconscious body. Bruce reflected on how he had met Jason and the look on Jason's face when Batman caught him stealing the Batmobile's wheels. Bruce had many thoughts about his approach to the crusade in Gotham. Jason's near-death experience served as a wake-up call for him.

Dick and Jason had chosen this life because Bruce didn't want them to become like him. Bruce wanted to teach them how to survive and how to make Gotham a safer city, where people could walk at night without fear of being mugged or shot. Bruce regretted allowing Jason to become Robin and blaming himself for what had happened. He felt guilty for not being able to protect Jason when he needed it most.

As Bruce sought updates from the nurses on Jason's condition, Jason began to wake up. Bruce rushed to his side and hugged him. However, when Jason recovered, Bruce made him quit being Robin, which led to Jason rebelling against Bruce's decisions. The doctor informed them that Jason had three cracked ribs and a spinal fracture, making it impossible for him to continue as Robin.

Years passed, and Bruce funded a new program called Brother Eye, aimed at securing Gotham and reducing its crime rate. Batman continued to work nights. One day, a boy named Tim Drake arrived at Bruce's house, knowing his true identity as Batman and the two Robins. Bruce took Tim under his wing, but unfortunately, Tim died in an accident explosion at a construction site a year later.

The Joker planned his return to Gotham but met an unfortunate end at the hands of Minhkhoa Khan, also known by the name Ghost-Maker. Jason, meanwhile, became a mechanic, fixing cars he used to try to steal, and working to make Gotham a better place.