"Power in the Shell" A Ghost in the Shell x DC Universe Romance Crossover story

Part 2

Ghost in the Machine – Part 2

The kiss was slow but charged, a collision of two forces neither fully understood yet couldn't resist. Power Girl, ever the bold one, deepened it slightly, her gloved hand brushing against the collar of Motoko's sleek combat suit. Motoko, always calculating, hesitated for just a fraction of a second—then leaned into it, fingers gripping the fabric of Power Girl's suit at her waist.

The world around them—the city lights, the hum of cybernetic life, the weight of their separate responsibilities—faded into the background. For that brief moment, it was just the two of them.

But reality always came knocking.

A voice buzzed in Motoko's earpiece.

"Major, we've got a situation. The anomaly wasn't acting alone."

Motoko sighed against Power Girl's lips before pulling back just slightly. "Looks like duty calls."

Power Girl smirked, brushing a strand of wet hair from Motoko's face. "Always does, doesn't it?"

Motoko nodded. "You coming?"

"You'd have to try harder to get rid of me," Power Girl teased.

Motoko allowed herself the smallest smirk before leaping off the rooftop. Power Girl followed, effortlessly keeping up as they darted through the city's neon glow, racing toward whatever chaos awaited them.

A Deeper Connection

The second encounter with the rogue cyber-entity was far worse than the first. This time, it had backup.

Drones flooded the streets, armed with high-grade weapons designed to disable both cybernetic enhancements and metahuman abilities. Power Girl took the brunt of the assault, her Kryptonian physiology allowing her to smash through most of the attack. Motoko, in contrast, moved with surgical precision—hacking into enemy systems, disabling their communications, and executing flawless takedowns.

They fought like two pieces of a machine that had finally found their match.

But even Power Girl wasn't invincible.

One of the drones fired an energy pulse that sent her crashing into a nearby building. The shockwave cracked the pavement, and for a brief moment, Motoko felt something strange—fear.

Not for herself. For her.

Power Girl groaned, pushing the rubble off herself. "Alright," she muttered, standing back up. "That hurt."

Motoko was beside her in seconds, checking her vitals. "Are you damaged?"

Power Girl blinked at her. "'Damaged'? What am I, a machine?"

"You are tougher than most," Motoko deadpanned, but there was something soft in her gaze.

Power Girl chuckled, standing up fully. "Nice to know you care, Major."

Motoko didn't respond—not verbally, at least. Instead, she lifted her weapon and fired a precise shot at the last remaining drone, taking it out before it could aim at Power Girl again.

"That's me returning the favor," she said.

Power Girl just grinned. "I think I'm starting to like you."

A Night Without Missions

After the battle, the two found themselves in one of Tokyo's quieter districts. Section 9 had everything under control now, and Power Girl had no immediate way back to her universe.

"Guess I'm stuck here for a while," she said, leaning against a railing that overlooked the city.

Motoko stood beside her, arms crossed. "I could have Section 9 look into interdimensional travel. We have records of anomalies, though nothing on your level."

Power Girl raised an eyebrow. "You want to send me back already?"

Motoko glanced at her, something unreadable in her eyes. "I didn't say that."

Silence settled between them, but it wasn't uncomfortable. It was the kind of silence that spoke of possibilities.

"You ever take a night off, Major?" Power Girl finally asked.

Motoko tilted her head slightly. "Rarely. Why?"

Power Girl grinned. "Because I think you really need one."

For once, Motoko didn't argue.

Maybe, just this once, she'd let herself enjoy something outside the mission.

And maybe—just maybe—Power Girl was worth the risk.

To be continued...