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

Part 7

Ghost in the Machine – Part 7

For the first time in a long time, Motoko didn't feel like she was running from something.

She and Power Girl stood together, watching the city come alive with the dawn. The usual hum of the network, the ever-present surveillance, the weight of the digital ghosts in the system—it was all still there. But somehow, with Power Girl beside her, it didn't feel so suffocating.

Power Girl gave her a playful nudge. "So, Major, what's next? Breakfast? Another high-speed chase? Maybe a shootout with some cyborg mercs?"

Motoko huffed a small laugh. "You really don't know how to take things slow, do you?"

Power Girl grinned. "Not really."

Motoko turned to face her fully, arms crossed. "Well, you might get your wish. There's a job I need to finish—something I was working on before I ran into you."

Power Girl raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And you need my help?"

Motoko smirked. "Need? No. But it might be fun to see what you can do in my world."

Power Girl leaned in, her breath warm against Motoko's skin. "Fun, huh? I like the sound of that."

Motoko's fingers curled slightly—an unconscious reaction she barely caught herself making. It had been a long time since anyone had affected her this way. And she wasn't sure whether it thrilled or terrified her.

"Alright, Kryptonian," she said at last, stepping back. "Let's see if you can keep up."

Power Girl cracked her knuckles, eyes shining with excitement. "Oh, Major, you have no idea."

The Job

Motoko led Power Girl through the backstreets of Tokyo, weaving through alleyways and hidden corridors that the average citizen would never notice. They eventually reached a quiet rooftop, overlooking a high-tech corporate facility buried within the neon jungle.

Power Girl folded her arms. "So, what are we stealing?"

Motoko shot her a side glance. "Who said anything about stealing?"

Power Girl smirked. "C'mon, I know the look of someone about to break the rules."

Motoko didn't deny it. She simply pulled out a small holo-display, bringing up a rotating 3D schematic of the building. "Inside that facility, there's a rogue AI that's been manipulating the network. Rewriting records, forging digital identities, altering cybernetic bodies. It's too smart for its own good—and if it falls into the wrong hands, this entire city could turn into a playground for black-market cybernetics."

Power Girl nodded. "And you want to shut it down?"

"Or repurpose it," Motoko admitted. "Depends on what I find."

Power Girl grinned. "So, break in, fight some security, maybe punch a few robots? Sounds like my kind of mission."

Motoko shook her head, amused. "Just don't cause too much collateral damage."

"No promises," Power Girl said, cracking her knuckles.

The Heist

Getting inside was almost too easy—at least for Motoko. She moved like a ghost, slipping past biometric scanners and security drones with practiced ease.

Power Girl, on the other hand, had a slightly different approach.

A pair of cybernetic guards spotted her just as she entered through the side entrance.

"Halt! Identify yourself—"

Boom.

Power Girl sent one flying through a glass window with a flick of her wrist, while the other barely had time to react before she grabbed his weapon, crushed it like tin foil, and tossed him aside.

Motoko, watching from the security feed, sighed. So much for subtlety.

"I thought I said no collateral damage," her voice crackled through Power Girl's earpiece.

Power Girl smirked, brushing glass off her suit. "What? He started it."

Motoko rolled her eyes. "Just get to the server room."

Inside, red alarms flashed as automated defenses activated. A group of combat drones dropped from the ceiling, weapons locking onto Power Girl.

She grinned. "Finally, some real fun."

In an instant, she was on them. Bullets bounced off her skin as she moved through the room with inhuman speed, ripping apart drones with her bare hands. Sparks and metal debris scattered across the floor, and within seconds, the once-imposing security force was nothing more than a pile of scrap.

Motoko arrived just in time to see Power Girl standing amidst the wreckage.

"Effective," Motoko said dryly.

Power Girl dusted her hands off. "I like to think so."

Motoko shook her head, moving past her toward the server. The AI's core was housed in a cylindrical containment unit, wires snaking out like cybernetic veins. It pulsed with an eerie glow as the system attempted to counter their intrusion.

Motoko plugged in her cyber-brain interface, bypassing the firewalls with expert precision.

"That AI in there," Power Girl said, watching her work, "you think it's alive?"

Motoko hesitated. "Maybe. If it is, I'll give it a choice."

Power Girl watched her, admiring the way Motoko's mind worked—calculating, efficient, but always with that underlying curiosity.

Finally, after a few tense moments, the core's glow dimmed. The AI's presence faded from the system.

"It's done," Motoko said, unplugging. "No more rogue AI. No more digital ghost."

Power Girl smirked. "And no broken bones this time. I'm impressed."

Motoko gave her a knowing look. "There's still time for that."

Power Girl chuckled. "Flirting already? I must be rubbing off on you."

Motoko turned away—but Power Girl didn't miss the small smile playing at the corner of her lips.

Back at the Apartment

The job was finished. The city kept moving, unaware of the small victory won in the shadows.

Back at Motoko's apartment, Power Girl leaned against the window, arms crossed. "So, what happens now?"

Motoko considered the question. "You could go back to your world."

Power Girl hummed. "Or I could stay."

Motoko finally turned to face her, studying her for a long moment. Then, with a smirk, she stepped closer.

Power Girl met her halfway, tilting her head. "Oh? You actually want me to stay?"

Motoko's fingers traced lightly over Power Girl's wrist, the same way she had the night before.

"I think I do," she admitted softly.

Power Girl smiled. Then, closing the distance between them, she kissed her—slow and deep, as if sealing the decision with something more real than words.

Outside, the neon city continued on.

Inside, Power Girl and Motoko had found something neither of them had expected.

Something worth staying for.

To be continued...