Disclaimer; I do not own the following – TMNT (that is Eastman, Laird and Fox) or Buffy/Angel (that is Whedon) though I have used them both in this story.I'd also like to add at this juncture, despite the leaked pictures of the final episode I've not looked at them at all. This is purely my own work, but it is heavily grounded in canon events of the earlier four seasons, so similarities may occur.

Rating: T – for fight scenes that occur in later chapters

A.N; By the very nature of this story there are going to be vague references to the Lost Season episodes that aired and is a possible ending that could occur. Do not fear if you have yet to see these episodes, bar the occasional direct quote and brief flashback there will be no massive spoilers. The story itself is based upon research, theory and pure speculation. Finally, though this first chapter is Karai-centric, the next will centre on the guys, and they will take precedent for the rest of the story from that point.

Enjoy!

PS: Thank yous and there are a ridiculous number of them, can be found at the start of chapter two.

Key;

Thoughts - 'italics'
Flashback - italics
Quote from TMNT - "quote"

Note: When a long flashback takes place thoughts and any quotes will be reversed so that they appear in normal text.

THE DICE NOW TOSSED

"Watch your thoughts, for they become words.
Watch your words, for they become actions.
Watch your actions, for they become habits.
Watch your habits, for they become character.
Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny."

The Prize

New York City

The dark blue SUV slid out of the garage into an unremarkable scene of damp, grey concrete and dreary eyed New Yorkers on their way to work. Not that any of that was of any importance to the driver of the vehicle.

Karai's green eyes remained focused on the rain speckled windshield, though her mind was on anything but that. Since the night the balance of power had altered significantly, there was no denying that there had been more than enough opportunity for the creatures to retaliate against her now that they were free. The Mystics had been given ample time and plenty of opportunities to bring retribution down upon her head in recompense for her treatment of them, and yet there was nothing.

Months had been and gone, sliding by as smoothly as the water did over the bonnet of the car. On the other seat was the reason for her spontaneous foray into the city without a driver or guard of any sort. The envelope was garnished with a post mark from Herdernez & Cilion, a subsidiary from the mighty Wolfram & Hart; an LA based company that handled the Foot's affairs. But the thought, no the fact, that her Father was reaching out to her from beyond the 'grave' stirred something deep within Karai.

'Karai'

The girl straightened in her seat. A ripple of anxiety descended over her other wise emotionless face. It was nothing. The thought gave her comfort and though she slowed the speed of the vehicle and waited for the attack, nothing came. On the tarmac the front wheel crossed over a slowly forming puddle, the water packing itself neatly together to allow for smooth passage. Within the car the Karai's energy and focus remained on the road ahead. The sound of water softening as it hit her moving shelter was not taken as the warning it should be. Instead her mind struggled to understand one very simple concept; why, with ample opportunity present, did she still walk the streets?

'Karai!'

A soft curse escaped from her lips, accompanying it came a sharp jab her heeled boot drove the brake down. In front of her a disturbed cat darted out. Skidding, the car finally came to a shaky halt before slowly revving up once again as she applied the accelerator. Her Father had often told her stories of the powerful slaves she would have command of when she was older. When she misbehaved he taunted her with tales of their treachery and deceit. The power they wielded was not something to be taken lightly and the whitened tips of her knuckles indicated how seriously Karai was taking the possible threat. She was an Oroku, and an Oroku knew no fear, if these creatures were here, then so be it. But she would not face them a coward.

Winding down the automatic window, shrewd green eyes peered out into the mottled sky. Nothing. Drawing her head back within the cab, the window slid seamlessly back into place. A hand that twitched with nerves reached out to pluck the envelope from the passenger seat, the unreadable expression upon her face belay the fact she expected to close her hand down around nothing.

Paper crumpled beneath her grasp and she drew herself up to a full sitting position once again. The key was smoothly turned in the ignition, and the vehicle started to move once again. The woman's eyes moving between the text on the page and the deserted road.

'Dear Ms. Oroku,

Upon receipt of a recent insurance claim against a stolen Heart of Tengu, we are writing to inform you that conditions set by Mr S. Oroku have been satisfactorily met.'

The car was coming towards the interstate. This was the moment it all boiled down to. Trust her eyes, or her overactive imagination. She was no longer a child in need of a terrifying bedtime story.

'In order to collect your package, proof of identity and this covering letter will be necessary. Said package is being held for you at our offices in Upper Manhattan.'

A smile formed on her lips. The answer to her dilemma came to her as naturally as breathing. Around the car water fell with soothing regularity though not a single drop that landed upon Karai's car slid free. Now it slowly built up over the smooth, dark surface one crystalline drop at a time. Landing in near perfect silence, the droplets spread out and interwove with the others already present. All around her a prison was being built and her confident gaze was oblivious to the meticulous trap that was being laid. Entering onto the interstate, Karai cautiously began to reapply the throttle bringing to bear the power needed to get her to her destination. Around her the water built up, coating the car in what would become a second skin as deadly as the bubbles Water was revered for.

The road, complete with drizzle, flew past her in a blur of grey, yellow and black. Cars wove in and around the young ninja moving with the confidence of their drivers. Signs were adhered to and as she neared her exit a small smirk danced upon her lips. Fear and childish imagination had very nearly robbed her of this moment. Her hand shifted to indicate her exit, and everything changed. Beneath the shell of the car water began to slowly snake and climb up into chassis.

With malice the entity stood with his equals, his hollow eyes resting upon the car and his intended victim. From behind the cloth wrapped around his face lips parted and a single word was uttered. For a moment Karai's car continued to cross through the lanes unhindered …

'Karai'

Her emerald hues widened in horror – staring back at her from the rear of the car sat Water. For a second his astral form materialized to lock eyes and stare into her own. Around her the skin of water tightened like a vice, seeping into the electrical system. The silent radio crackled and sizzled into life, spewing forth jargon whilst the electric windows slid up and down time and again to reveal the full extent of the trap she was ensnared in.

"No!"

Shaken, Karai's hand pressed against the viscose wall of water, applying as much pressure as she possibly could whilst trying to halt the car. Beneath the sole of her foot water crept into the cab through the cracks surrounding the pedal. Drop after drop built up into a heavy counterweight that pressed the accelerator down into the floor of the car.

"No."

There would be no escape from the car that way. The vehicle increased speed once again, whilst Karai sought out a way to free her self. This was not how she would die! Securing her grip up on the wheel she tugged it violently to the left, succeeding in redirecting the car towards the bolster. It was not as if Water had not anticipated such. Clenching his fist, the car and passenger continued its jolt to the left dragging it round into the oncoming path of the second lane.

Her head was jarred back viciously upon impact with the green sedan. Ploughing into the driver's door, girl and car were driven forward towards the barrier separating intestate from exit lane. With a dull ache running across her battered forehead Karai reached up to feel the back of her skull and neck. An Oroku did not die so easily. The bubble that had been wrapped around the car, sealing her into a metaphoric tomb dispersed before her eyes. As versatile as it was from within, it could not withstand the force of a family sized car. The fact as it presented itself brought a smirk to her otherwise stoic face. Impact with the concrete barrier jarred the woman violently to the left, with a sharp snap the belt broke from its anchor to slice across her face.

"YAAAGH"

Karai found herself laying face down across the seats. Spots of water, real water, flittered across the back of her crown to be lost in the strands of her hair. With sheer force of will she lifted her head up to stare at the gash in the side of her car. Inches from her now bleeding face lay the torn, splintered edge of the concrete barrier. Around it, was a hole in the side of the car reminding her of a tear across the stomach confronted her. Escape. The thought was accompanied simultaneously with action, scrambling forward her fingers wrapped around a panel of her car and she pulled herself skywards.

"Shall I do it now Brother?" Fire watched as Karai's escape attempt resulted in a spectacular aquaplane, beneath the folds of the cloth wrapped around his head a malicious smile spread.

"Now."

In the street below, Karai's car imploded in a ball of flame...

-

Speculation, constructive - criticism I welcome it all ... also, KUDOS to those who see where I am taking this!