The unusual energy signatures emanating from Starling City, coupled with the reappearance of Slade Wilson and the chaotic aftermath of their confrontation, painted a concerning picture on Batman's array of monitors in the Batcave. Alfred, ever the pragmatist, offered his usual dry commentary. "Quite the commotion in your neighboring city, Master Wayne. A resurrected mercenary, emerald energies… sounds like a rather colorful Tuesday."
Bruce Wayne, his gaze fixed on the swirling energy readings, remained impassive. "Mirakuru I understand. The energy signature… it's different. Older."
"Perhaps they've discovered a particularly potent brand of organic fertilizer?" Alfred suggested dryly.
Batman ignored the jest. "There are whispers, Alfred. Ancient cults, practices thought long dead. This… Queen… he's a variable I can't ignore."
His investigation began with a deep dive into public records, quickly hitting the wall of Michael's mysterious five-year absence. "A shipwreck… and then nothing. Until his sudden return. Too clean."
Alfred, accessing satellite imagery, zoomed in on the Queen mansion. "He appears to have acquired a rather… formidable bodyguard. Mr. Wilson's physique is… noteworthy."
"A volatile element," Batman countered, his fingers tracing the lines of Slade's file. "And Queen's powers… they're an unknown quantity." He activated a stealth drone, dispatching it towards Starling. "I need to see him, understand his capabilities. From a distance. For now."
Later, reviewing the drone footage of Michael subtly manipulating shadows in his peripheral vision, Batman's brow furrowed. "Not metahuman. Something else."
"Perhaps he's taken up interpretive dance, Master Wayne?" Alfred offered.
Batman remained silent, his gaze fixed on the screen. "Whatever he is, whatever he's involved in… it could be a threat to Gotham. I need to know." The bat in the shadows had begun his silent hunt.