A/N: thank you all for your wonderful reviews and to my two guest reviewers: don't worry all is not lost just yet anyways. Thank you for reviewing.

Ok here's Ch 23 coming at ya. Enjoy and as always see ch 1 for disclaimer.

CH 23 No Escape

Karai and Mikey were sitting in their cell trying to figure out a way to cut through the bars. Over the last two weeks the siblings had been trying to figure out a way to escape but to no avail. Mikey had healed up since Tiger Claw's attack but was still weak from the lack of food and sunlight. Just then they heard the door open and Tiger Claw came in. "Oh great," Mikey mumbled when he saw the look on the tiger's face. "This can't be good."

"You're time is up turtle," Tiger Claw growled as he opened the cell door. "You're coming with me."

"The Hell he is," Karai snapped stepping in front of Mikey protectively. "I won't let you hurt him again."

"I'm putting him out of his misery," Tiger Claw said. "Under Master Shredder's orders."

"You mean he sent you to kill me?" Mikey said his blue eyes wide. Tiger Claw merely smirked at the teen turtle and began to reach for him. But before he could Karai kicked Tiger Claw as hard as she could surprising him and sending him flying into the stone wall knocking him out. Karai wasted no time and she quickly raced over to the assassin and got his rope out and tied him up. She then grabbed his knife and his chain. "Here," she said tossing the chain to Mikey. "You'll need this. Come on let's get out of here."

"Karai I'm not sure if I can," Mikey said. "I'm still pretty weak."

"Well it's either come with me or stay here and die," Karai said bluntly.

"Good point," Mikey said. With that the brother and sister looked around and seeing no one coming they raced for the door locking the cell door behind them. Cracking the door Karai carefully looked around. Seeing no one she said, "Coast is clear." With that the siblings began to run. But Mikey was still weak and couldn't run as fast as he usually could and Karai had to stop and help him. They were just about to the door when suddenly they felt something wrap around their legs. Letting out surprised screams the duo fell to the ground and quickly found themselves wrapped in Snakeskin's coils. "Nice try you two," the snake hissed. "But sadly not good enough."

"Yes," a deep voice said. "A good try indeed." Mikey and Karai's eyes went wide when they realized who the voice belonged to. Shredder appeared in front of them, the moonlight gleaming off his armor. "Such a shame," Shredder said. "I really expected better from you two." Karai and Mikey said nothing. They only glared at their former master and father. Just then Dog-Pound came into the room followed by Tiger Claw, who was fuming mad.

"Found him tied up in the cell Master," Dog-Pound said pointing towards Tiger Claw. "Gave him a break and cut him loose." Dog-Pound let out a laugh when he said this last part which earned a growl and a glare from Tiger Claw. Tiger Claw swiftly punched Dog-Pound causing him to fly backwards into the wall.

"Enough," Shredder commanded. Then he turned towards Karai and Mikey saying, "I should just let Tiger Claw finish off the both of you. But I think I'll do the honors myself."

"So that's how it is huh?" Mikey said suddenly. Shredder stopped and stared at the turtle who continued saying, "After all these years you're just gonna get rid of us like that?"

"You brought this upon yourself boy," Shredder said roughly. "You betrayed me."

"You betrayed us first!" Mikey shouted his blue eyes blazing with hatred. Shredder blinked in surprise not used to being yelled at by the teen. "You betrayed us by lying to us!" Mikey continued struggling against Snakeskin's coils.

"And by murdering my mother!" Karai shouted. Unknowing to the Shredder and Mikey Karai was reaching for the knife she had gotten off of Tiger Claw which was in her pocket.

"This isn't easy for me Karai," Shredder said looking at the young ninja.

"Yeah right," Karai scoffed rolling her brown eyes.

"Daughter," Shredder began. But he didn't get to finish. He was cut off by Karai's loud cry, "I'm not your daughter!" Then suddenly Snakeskin let out a cry of both surprise and pain as Karai stabbed him causing him to release her and Mikey. The duo wasted no time. Mikey grabbed the chain off the ground and attacked Dog-Pound catching him off guard and sending him flying into Tiger Claw, who was trying to attack Mikey at the same time. Both mutant went crashing to the ground. Mikey looked over and saw that Karai had managed to take the Shredder down and he had flown across the room. "Come on Karai we've gotta get out of here," Mikey shouted.

"He needs to pay for what he's done," Karai growled clenching her fists.

"We need to go," Mikey insisted pulling on his sister's arm. "I'm too weak to fight a good battle. We'll need help to take him down permanently." Karai opened her mouth to respond but before she could suddenly Mikey let out a cry of pain and fell to the ground.

"Mikey!" Karai cried her brown eyes wide. She looked up and saw Tiger Claw standing over Mikey, a smile on his face. "You'll pay for that!" Karai growled racing towards Tiger Claw. But Tiger Claw was easily able to dodge her attack and hit her hard sending her to the ground. By now Dog-Pound had joined the fight along with Snakeskin. Shredder had gotten up as well and was watching the fight take place. Mikey got up and tried to clear his head Dog-Pound lunged at the turtle trying to tackle him. But Mikey heard him coming and quickly jumped to the side causing the wolf to stumble. Mikey then grabbed the chain and hit Dog-Pound hard sending him flying into Snakeskin, who was about to shoot venom at Mikey. But instead of hitting Mikey the snake hit Dog-Pound instead causing him to howl in pain as the venom burned his eyes. Mikey looked over and saw that Karai was having a hard time with Tiger Claw. Racing over Mikey tackled Tiger Claw causing them both to fall. But the tiger quickly recovered and threw Mikey off of him and kicked him hard in the head stunning him. Tiger Claw then picked up Mikey by his shell and threw him into Karai. The siblings went down and Tiger Claw wasted no time and kicked them both hard in their heads knocking them out. The assassin looked over at Shredder, who nodded.

"Time to end this," Tiger Claw snarled pulling out his laser gun and aiming at Mikey's head fully prepared to end his life. But before he could pull the trigger he heard a shout, "Get the Hell away from my baby brother!" Tiger Claw looked up and saw Raph come flying in kicking the tiger in his chest sending him crashing into the wall. But before Raph could attack again he felt his legs go out from under him.

"Not so fast there," Snakeskin hissed his yellow eyes gleaming. "Time for round two."

"Bring it on scale head!" Raph shouted jumping to his feet. With that the two mutant reptiles raced towards each other both of them out for blood. By now Leo, Donnie, April, Casey and Splinter had joined the group. Donnie ran over to check on Mikey and Karai while Leo, April and Casey prepared to face Tiger Claw, who had recovered from Raph's hit. The assassin growled and raced towards the group his eyes full of rage. Leo looked at April and Casey and nodded his head to the left. Nodding the pair went left while Leo went head on towards Tiger Claw all of them prepared to fight to the bitter end.

Splinter meanwhile had spotted Shredder and the two locked eyes each one glaring at the other one.

"Time to end this Oroku Saki," Splinter spat out.

"I couldn't agree more Homato Yoshi," Shredder growled extending his blades. With that the two foes raced towards each other both of them out for the kill

A/N well there you go folks Ch 23 complete. I hope you all enjoyed reading it. Next up will be the battle so stay tuned for that. Review please.