By this point, Michael's control over Starling City was so deeply ingrained that it was almost invisible. Queen Industries was the lifeblood of the city, its technological infrastructure the very veins and arteries through which Starling thrived. His influence permeated every aspect of civic life, from the mundane (traffic flow optimized by his AI) to the critical (emergency services seamlessly integrated into his network). He was the unseen architect of Starling's prosperity and stability.
His interactions with the superhero community had become a carefully balanced dance of calculated assistance and strategic distance. He had proven his capabilities, both technological and (subtly) magical, establishing himself as a force to be reckoned with, one whose motives remained his own.
When a powerful magical artifact threatened to destabilize the region around Starling City, Michael, drawing upon his growing arcane knowledge, subtly manipulated the artifact's energies, diverting its harmful effects without directly confronting the Justice League or revealing the full extent of his magical abilities. The League investigated the anomaly, puzzled by its sudden dissipation.
"The energy readings just… vanished," Zatanna reported, her magical senses confused. "It's like someone… redirected it."
Batman's gaze drifted towards Starling City's gleaming skyline.
Michael, overlooking his city, a faint emerald energy humming beneath its streets, knew his ascent was far from over. He was a power player in a world far larger than Starling, his unique perspective and carefully concealed abilities making him a force with the potential to reshape the very fabric of the DC universe. His reign was unseen, his dominance calculated, and his ultimate goals remained shrouded in the mists of his unique, reborn understanding.