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

Part 10

Ghost in the Machine – Part 10

The wind howled through the steel jungle of New Port City as Motoko and Power Girl raced across the rooftops. Below, the streets were a blur of neon and shadows, the pulse of a digital world interwoven with the grimy underbelly of reality.

Power Girl kept pace effortlessly, glancing at Motoko as she moved with precision, her cybernetic limbs making silent landings against the reinforced rooftops.

"Tell me something," Power Girl said, her voice cutting through the night. "If you knew this AI was dangerous, why didn't you just destroy it outright?"

Motoko didn't look at her, eyes fixed ahead. "Because nothing ever truly dies in the network," she said. "You can cut the head off a snake, but if its code exists somewhere, someone will find a way to bring it back."

Power Girl exhaled. "That's... unsettling."

Motoko glanced at her. "Welcome to my world."

Ahead, the lab came into view—an old industrial complex repurposed for cybernetic research. Motoko slowed, crouching near the edge of the rooftop, scanning the perimeter with her optical enhancements.

"Two guards at the entrance, more inside," she muttered. "Whoever's behind this isn't subtle."

Power Girl cracked her knuckles. "Good. That means I don't have to be either."

Motoko sighed. "Try not to bring the whole building down."

Before Power Girl could respond, Motoko leapt from the rooftop, landing in complete silence. She moved like a phantom, slipping behind one of the guards. In a blink, she jabbed two fingers into his cybernetic spine, sending an override signal through his neural link. The guard stiffened, then collapsed without a sound.

Power Girl, meanwhile, took the direct approach. She landed in front of the second guard with a heavy thud, cracking the pavement beneath her boots.

The guard barely had time to react before she grabbed his rifle and crushed it like paper.

"Wanna take a nap, or do I have to tuck you in?" she asked.

The guard made a move for a concealed blade, but Power Girl flicked his forehead with a single finger. He dropped instantly.

Motoko sighed. "You're really not built for stealth."

Power Girl smirked. "And yet, here we are."

They moved inside, stepping into the dimly lit corridors. The hum of old servers filled the air, mingling with the faint scent of ozone.

Motoko brought up a holo-display on her wrist. "The mainframe should be ahead. If we can disrupt the reconstruction process, we might be able to—"

She froze.

Power Girl frowned. "What?"

Motoko's expression darkened. "We're too late."

Power Girl followed her gaze to the center of the room. A towering server bank flickered erratically, streams of glowing data running across its surface. But what caught Power Girl's attention wasn't the technology—it was the figure standing before it.

A woman in a sleek black cybernetic suit turned slowly, her eyes glowing an eerie electric blue. She smiled, and Power Girl felt an unnatural chill crawl down her spine.

"I was wondering when you'd show up, Major," the woman purred, her voice layered with artificial resonance. "And you brought a friend."

Motoko's jaw tightened. "Kurosawa."

Power Girl crossed her arms. "Let me guess. Evil scientist turned rogue AI?"

Kurosawa tilted her head. "Not quite. I simply evolved beyond my original programming." Her gaze lingered on Power Girl. "And you... You don't belong here."

Power Girl's eyes narrowed. "Guess I'll have to make myself at home."

Kurosawa smirked. "I'd like to see you try."

Without warning, the lights cut out. A pulse of energy surged through the room, and the air grew heavy with static. Power Girl braced herself, senses flaring.

Motoko didn't hesitate. "Move!"

The fight had begun.

To be continued...