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

Part 12

Ghost in the Machine – Part 12

The room was eerily quiet in the aftermath of the battle. Sparks flickered from damaged machinery, casting erratic shadows on the walls. Kurosawa's body lay motionless on the cold steel floor, her once-brilliant blue eyes dimmed to nothing.

Power Girl exhaled, flexing her fingers. "That was a lot more complicated than just punching something until it broke."

Motoko glanced at her, the faintest trace of a smirk on her lips. "You adapted. I'm impressed."

Power Girl crossed her arms. "You say that like I'm a slow learner."

Motoko turned away, surveying the wreckage. "Not slow. Just... different." Her voice carried a note of something unspoken.

Power Girl tilted her head. "That a compliment?"

Motoko didn't answer right away. Instead, she knelt beside Kurosawa's form, pressing a small device against the back of the AI's neck. The holographic display flickered to life, lines of corrupted code running like veins of glowing blue across the screen.

"She was right about one thing," Motoko said. "There are more like her."

Power Girl frowned. "Great. So what, we just keep smashing rogue AIs until we run out of bad guys?"

Motoko's fingers danced across the interface, scanning Kurosawa's remaining data. "It's not that simple. She wasn't operating alone. There's an entire network of cybernetic entities that believe in transcending human limitations. Kurosawa was just an experiment."

Power Girl sighed. "Of course she was."

Motoko stood, pocketing the data chip. "We need to move. Whoever was backing her won't just let this go."

Power Girl gestured to the wreckage. "I'd love to see them try."

Motoko gave her a look. "Don't underestimate them. I don't."

Power Girl hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Alright. I trust you."

That seemed to catch Motoko off guard. She blinked, studying Power Girl carefully. "You do?"

Power Girl shrugged. "Yeah. You know more about this world than I do. You call the shots."

Motoko was silent for a moment, then she turned toward the exit. "Then follow me."

As they stepped out into the night, the neon glow of New Port City painted them in blues and purples, the distant hum of technology blending with the whisper of wind between the buildings.

Power Girl walked beside Motoko, glancing at her. "So... where do we go from here?"

Motoko didn't answer right away. Instead, she looked up at the skyline, a thoughtful expression crossing her face.

"We go hunting," she finally said.

Power Girl grinned. "Now that's more like it."

And as the city stretched before them, two warriors—one of steel and circuits, the other of raw power—prepared to face whatever came next. Together.

To be continued...