The Batwing hovered overhead. Its spotlights cut through the fog, pinning Sela in a circle of white light.
"Great," Sela squinted, shielding her eyes. "More toys."
A dark silhouette dropped from the cockpit. Batman landed on the girder between Sela and the crate of gold. He didn't say a word, but the air felt heavier the moment he arrived.
Sela's tail bristled. Her instincts told her this was the one in charge.
"The gold," Batman said. "Now."
Sela let out a sharp laugh and dropped into a low stance. "You must be the Big Bat. You're a lot taller than the Birdy." She tightened her fists. "But I don't take orders."
Batman didn't move. "You're using styles you haven't mastered. It ends tonight."
"I'll show you how mastered I am!"
Sela lunged. She didn't use her energy—she wanted to see what he could do. She threw a high roundhouse kick, then tried to transition into an elbow strike.
It was clunky. She had the move in her head, but her feet were off. Batman parried the elbow and moved to sweep her leg. Sela scrambled, snapping a quick kick toward his shoulder.
She was fast, but she was predictable. Batman read her movements, catching her wrist and twisting her momentum against her.
As she was pulled off balance, her fingers curled into a specific strike—something lethal. Her mind flashed with a vision of his chest collapsing under the hit.
No.
She forced her hand open, turning the strike into a clumsy shove. The hesitation cost her. Batman's palm struck her sternum, knocking the wind out of her and sending her skidding back to the edge of the girder.
Sela gasped for air, clutching her chest. She had the moves in her head, but she couldn't make them work together yet.
Batman didn't press the attack. "You're holding back. That last strike was meant to kill. Why didn't you land it?"
"None of your business!" Sela spat, struggling to breathe. "The timing was just off!"
"You have the power, but no control," Batman said, taking a step forward. "You're a danger to yourself."
Sela tried to launch a final kick, but her balance was gone. Batman stepped into her guard, caught her arm, and pinned her against the cold steel of the girder.
"Robin, secure the gold," Batman commanded.
"On it," the boy replied.
Batman looked down at Sela. "You can spend the night in a cell, or you can admit you have no idea what you're doing. Which is it?"