Chapter 2: Saviors Revealed
A/N: So here's the next chapter of Beyond the Ropes. I have to admit I'm having a blast writing this story and definitely can't wait to give you more of it. Thanks to all of those who have read and reviewed thus far. Your kind words have been great, and it means the world to me that you're going to take a chance on this story and my OC. So thanks a million.
Disclaimer: TMNT belongs to Nickelodeon. I only own Audriana Gregorio and anyone else you don't recognize.
Mikey scrolled through the results of his search for La Reina de la Noche. Ever since the wrestling match and the skirmish with the Dragons, Mikey had been searching for more about the female wrestler. To him, she was utterly beautiful, and he couldn't help but worry about her and wonder if she was okay. He saw a video and clicked on it. It showed her in a match with another female wrestler, and Mikey kept his eyes locked on the screen.
"Mikey, are you done borrowing my computer?" Donnie asked him. "I really need it."
"But, Donnie, I'm watching a video!" Mikey protested.
"Well, I have more important stuff to do," Don reminded him. "April just told me about a Kraang facility that's been discovered, and I want to look into it. Now hand it over."
Sighing in frustration, Mikey closed the video and handed the laptop back to his brainy brother. Then he went into the living area where Raph and Leo were watching an episode of Super Robo Mecha Force Five.
"You watchin' videos of your girlfriend, Mikey?" Raph teased.
"I think she's a bit too old for you, Mikey," Leo said.
"She's only thirty-two," Mikey said. "That's not such a big difference."
"Actually, it is," Raph reminded him. "And I don't get why you care anyway. It's not like anything's gonna happen with you two."
"You never know," Mikey said and continued to daydream about La Reina de la Noche and how he would run his hand through her curly dark hair and kiss those beautiful lips. She wouldn't care that he was a mutant turtle and would love him no matter what.
"I can't believe she took on all three Purple Dragons," Raph muttered. "Was she askin' for a death wish?"
"I think it was more about bravery than anything," Leo noted. "She probably figured she could take them on because she's a wrestler."
"Okay, Mikey, I'm done!" Don called. "You can have the laptop back!"
"Sweet!" Mikey yelled and dashed back to continue watching the video. After he was done, he searched on MyFace and saw that she had a page of her own. As he scanned the posts, he noticed that her last one had been before the match and that she hadn't made any since. That was probably because she was in the hospital and didn't have access to a laptop. He hoped that she'd update her page soon and let him know if she was okay or not.
22222
Audri was getting sick of visitors.
The first one to visit her after she'd woken up had been her mom, and she was hysterical as she burst into the room.
"Audriana, thank God you're awake!" she sobbed. "How are you feeling?"
"Well, besides my broken neck, I'm okay," Audri answered.
"You will heal at least," her mother told her. "It is truly a miracle that you are alive."
"More like luck to me," Audri replied bitterly. "And I honesty wish I hadn't come out of it anyway."
Her mother had gasped. "What do you mean, mi hija?"
"I mean that my wrestling career is over," Audri answered sadly. "If I try to wrestle again, I'll get paralyzed."
"Then perhaps this is God's way of telling you that wrestling is not in your future," her mother concluded. "I always knew it was a bad idea, and now I know that I was right."
"What happened to me had nothing to do with my career!"Audri snapped. "It was those stupid Purple Dragons who decided to pile drive me into the ground, not anyone else! I swear, they're going to pay!"
"Now, mija, don't be too hasty," her mother warned her. "You know you can't do anything rash. Perhaps you should let the police handle it."
Audri snorted. "Yeah, as if they care," she scoffed.
"But someone did because they called 911," her mother informed her.
"I don't remember that, but I was out cold," Audri told her. "Do you know who it was?"
Her mother shook her head. "No, but I do know that they called the ambulance to take you to the hospital. They wanted to remain anonymous, so they never gave a name."
Audri pondered on this for a little while. Whoever it was had been kind enough to do that one act for her, and it meant a lot to her. She'd probably never know who it was, but it warmed her heart to know that there were still good people in the world. "That was nice of them," she said.
"So what do you plan to do once you're out of the hospital?"
"I'll probably just keep working at Murakami's," she answered.
"Why not go to school? I think it's about time you got an education and honed your skills."
"I don't want to go to school, Mom," Audri told her. "Murakami is a reasonable boss. He pays me well and is really nice. I like working there, and I'm not going to stop."
Her mother sighed. "I guess you're right," she relented. "Then you do what you need to do."
"Did you take Toby outside for me?" Audri asked her.
"Yes, and he was a good boy about it, too. I might take him home with me until you're released so that he's not on his own."
"Good idea. I know he likes you."
"Well, I'd better get going. I just wanted to make sure you were okay."
"I'm as fine as I'm going to be, Mom."
Her mother kissed her on the cheek. "I love you, Audriana. Never forget that."
"I don't know how I could," Audri replied with a smile. She watched as her mom left and felt guilty that she hadn't brought up her encounter with her dad. She knew that if she did that, her mom would get enraged and want to go over and beat him up, but it still made her uneasy. She always shared everything with her mom, but this was one thing she just couldn't bring herself to do yet.
Her next set of visitors consisted of her co-workers and her boss from Body Slam Wrestling.
Ali rushed to her side and gave her a gentle hug. "How are you feeling, Audri?"
"I'm alive," she answered.
"You don't look the worse for wear," Tyler commented. "Maybe Mr. Flex could give you a massage."
Audri rolled her eyes. "No thanks. And you really need to change that name. It's so tacky."
"Hey, you use whatever will work in the industry," Tyler protested, flexing his muscles. "The ladies can't resist these babies."
Brad came over to her next. "I'm so glad you're going to be okay, Audri," he said. "I wanted to discuss what will happen once you're released from the hospital and what your storyline will be."
A grave look crossed Audri's face. None of them knew she wasn't going to be wrestling again. "I'm sorry, Brad, but I can't wrestle anymore. My career is over."
Ali gasped. "Are you serious?!" she cried.
"Yep. The doctor said that if I try to wrestle again, I could risk permanent paralysis."
"Well that sucks," Tyler grumbled.
"So what else can you do?" Serena asked her.
"I guess I'll just keep working at Murakami's," Audri answered.
"Or you could be a trainer or manager," Charity suggested.
Audri shook her head. "No, I don't think that'll work for me. You know that I want to wrestle, and if I can't have that, then I have no reason even being there."
"But you're an asset to our company, Audri," Brad insisted. "We'd be happy to give you a job where you could still be seen by the fans."
"I'm sorry, Brad, but I just can't," she said. "Those days are over for me."
"Well, if you ever change your mind, you can always come back," said Brad.
"Thanks. So what's been going on with you guys?"
"Not much," answered Ali. "We tore the house down with that match though."
"Well my dad was there," revealed Audri.
"Why did he come?" demanded Ali.
"He wanted to see my match. I told him I wanted nothing to do with him, but I guess he didn't take the hint."
"You should have called security," Tyler said. "He can't keep bullying you like that."
"I handled it just fine, Ty," she reassured him. "No need to get all upset over it."
"But it's bullshit that he leaves you and your mom and then decides he wants you in his life again."
"I know, but there's nothing I can do about it right now. I guess I'll just have to deal with it."
"Well, we're glad you're going to be okay," Ali said, giving Audri another hug.
"Yeah, we'll visit you again soon," Tyler promised.
"I'll hold you to that," she joked.
"And if you need anything, you let us know," Brad told her.
She smiled and watched them exit her room. It was so great that they were supportive of her and had come to visit her. It hurt that she'd never be able to wrestle again, but it made her feel good that Brad decided that he didn't want to give up on her so easily. Still, it would hurt her to train all of the wrestlers while never getting to do it herself. She figured the best thing was to steer clear of wrestling for good so she wouldn't get that bad feeling.
Murakami also visited her and gave her some pizza gyoza, saying that he was glad she was okay and that she could work as long as she needed to at the shop. Audri was happy about that and thanked him kindly. It was in the middle of this visit that another unwelcome visitor turned up.
"Hey, Aud, I'm so glad you're okay," her father said as he came into the room.
"Dad, what are you doing here?" Audri demanded.
"I heard you were in the hospital and came to visit you. I can't believe those Purple Dragons did that to you, but at least you'll be back in the ring in no time."
"I'm not going back, Dad. My career is over thanks to them."
"So what will you do now?"
"I'm going to work at Murakami's and make money there. I've been doing it for a long time now, and I enjoy it. Dad, this is Mr. Murakami. Mr. Murakami, this is my father, Giuseppe Gregorio."
Her father shook Murakami's hand. "Please, call me Joe," he said.
"It is very nice to meet you. Audri has told me much about you."
"I see. And what exactly has she told you?"
"Just the basics," Audri said. "How you raised me and then decided to leave Mom and me for some other bitch. Where is she by the way? Did she not have the guts to come and see me face to face?"
"Mariana had to work, so she couldn't make it," her dad said stiffly. "But she sends her regards."
"Well, she can take those regards and shove them up her ass," Audri said bitterly.
"I don't get you, Aud," he said. "Why do you continue to punish me for what I did?"
"I've gone over this with you, Dad. You broke my heart when you cheated on Mom. You weren't supposed to do that, and yet you did. I don't want to discuss it anymore, and I'd appreciate it if you'd just go away."
He sighed. "Fine, but I'm not giving up on you, Aud. I'm still determined to make this work." He nodded at Murakami. "It was nice meeting you, Mr. Muarakmi. Take care of my daughter." Then he turned and walked out of the room.
Audri fumed after him. "That sneaky son of a bitch!" she raged. "How dare he show up here? And how did he know I was in the hospital anyway?"
"I do not know, but it does no good to dwell on it now, Audri-chan. Try to calm down."
"I can't calm down when someone like that invades my space, Murakami-san," Audri insisted. "It's just not cool."
"I know how you feel, but you need to be strong. Let him know you will not be subservient to him or his new wife."
"Oh, I'll do more than that. I'd like to break her damn nose."
"I do not think that will be the answer. I had better get back to the shop. I am glad you will be okay and that you can continue to work for me."
"Thanks for coming, Murakami-san. It means a lot to me."
He patted her shoulder and left, leaving her to her very messed up thoughts. It sucked that her dad wanted to make amends after what he'd done. Why couldn't he accept that she wanted nothing to do with him and just move on? She decided that she had to tell her mom as soon as possible about all of it. She couldn't keep it from her any longer. With that last thought, Audri settled down to sleep, hoping that her dreams would be better than her reality was.
22222
"Focus, Michelangelo!" Splinter chastised.
Mikey snapped out of his thoughts in time to dodge the sai that was aimed for his face. "Sorry, Sensei," he apologized.
"You better snap out of it, Mikey," Raph scolded. "I could have killed you with that move."
"Aww, you wouldn't kill me, Raphie," Mikey assured him. "You maybe would scratch me a bit, but that's it."
Splinter ended practice and asked to speak to Mikey alone. Knowing that he was in trouble for his lapse in thought, Mikey dejectedly followed his father to his room.
"What has distracted you this time, my son?" Splinter asked him.
"I keep thinking about that woman we saved, Sensei," Mikey answered. "I just can't help but feel sorry for her."
"You are talking about the female wrestler you saw at your event, am I correct?"
Mikey nodded. "Yeah, and it was horrible to see Sid pile drive her like that."
"I am sure it was, but you did the right thing and saved her life. I am sure she would be grateful for that if she knew what you did. She is safe now, and I am sure she will make a full recovery."
"I know that, but what if it happens again? She wasn't able to take them all on herself. I was thinkin' that maybe you could teach her some moves to help her defend herself."
Splinter was taken aback by his son's words. "You would want me to teach a woman I have never met and do not know ninjitsu so she can defend herself? You know it does not work that way, my son. I cannot just take anyone into our home and teach them our art."
"But you were willing to teach April!" Mikey protested. "And you even let Donnie teach The Pulverizer! What's so different about either of them and La Reina de la Noche?"
"The difference is that April has a special gift, and I knew that it would benefit her to learn our art and to protect herself. As for Timothy, I was reluctant to teach him, but I knew Donatello was determined to still teach him despite my misgivings, so that is why I gave him leave to do so. But this other woman is someone I am not familiar with, and I am not going to teach her."
"Well, maybe I could show you some videos so you could get to know her,' Mikey suggested.
"Seeing videos of her is not going to help me to get to know her, Michelangelo," Splinter said firmly. "I am sorry, but I cannot teach her."
Mikey wanted to argue some more, but he knew that once Splinter set his mind on something, it was set. Deciding it was a lost cause, Mikey got up when Splinter dismissed him and left the dojo. It wasn't fair that Splinter wasn't willing to give this woman a chance. She deserved to know how to defend herself and what better way to learn than from Splinter himself?
"Hey, Mikey, we're going to Murakami's," Leo said when he spotted Mikey. "You want to come?"
"Yeah, that'll be great, Leo," Mikey replied. "I could sure go for some pizza gyoza right about now."
22222
Audri sighed as she stirred the noodles Murakami was preparing. She had finally been released from the hospital, and it was a relief not to have to stare at those boring walls again. Murakami had been happy to see her, though she did wish she didn't have to wear the stupid neck brace and wished she could take it off.
"It is so good to see you back, Audri-chan," Murakami said. "I have missed your happy presence."
Audri laughed. "Well, I wouldn't exactly call me happy right now. I just wish I could take this neck brace off."
"Yes, but you need it still to help you, so it's a good thing. Now, go watch for customers. I can handle the noodles from here."
Audri did as he asked though she wasn't sure that anyone would come out today. Then she spotted some figures making their way over to the shop. It was a little weird as they kept ducking behind buildings at certain intervals. As they came closer, Audri noticed that they were dressed in costumes and wearing masks. Her heart started beating as she realized that these guys were probably going to rob the shop.
"Murakami-san, there are four guys dressed in turtle costumes coming this way," she reported. "Should I call the police?"
Murakami chuckled. "No, Audri-chan, they are friends of mine," he said.
So Audri watched as the four men made their way into the shop. They stopped short when they saw her, and looks of uneasiness came over their faces until the one in the orange mask slowly began to recognize her.
"Hey, you're La Reina de la Noche!" he cried. "I saw your wrestling match live! You were amazing!"
"Thanks," she replied. "But outside of the ring I go by Audriana Gregorio or Audri for short."
"That's a pretty name," the orange masked Turtle said. "My name's Michelangelo, but everyone calls me Mikey."
"I see," she said. "And what about the others you're with?"
The one in the blue mask stepped forward. "I'm Leonardo, but you can call me Leo for short," he said. "The one in purple is Donatello, or Donnie and the one in red is Raphael, but we call him Raph."
"So who exactly are you?" Audri asked them.
"We're the ones who saved your life," the one called Raphael said. "You gonna thank us yet?"
Audri glared at him. "No need to be an asshole about it," she said. "So you were the ones who called the ambulance?"
"I did," Donatello piped up. "Mikey wanted to take you to the Lair, but I figured that would be too dangerous."
"Well, thanks for saving my life," Audri said to them.
"No problem," Mikey piped up. "It's what we do. So when are you gonna get back in the ring?"
"I'm sorry, but my career is over," Audri said sadly. Every time she said it, it was like a nail in the coffin. "If I try to get back to wrestling, I could risk permanent paralysis."
Mikey's blue eyes softened. "That's a bummer," he said. "I have an idea though. Maybe you could learn how to be a ninja so you can defend yourself. We have an awesome teacher who would be glad to give you some training."
"Well, I suppose it wouldn't hurt to learn a few things," she amended. "Where's his dojo so I can sign up?"
"Um, we'll have to take you to it," Mikey answered.
"Mikey, this isn't a good idea," Leo said. "Look, Audri, I know you want to learn how to defend yourself, but our father is very particular about letting anyone into our home."
"I can understand that," she said. "But aren't you guys adults?"
"We're fifteen actually," Donnie piped up.
"Oh, I didn't know that," she said. "So why do you wear turtle costumes?"
"They aren't costumes, dudette," Mikey said. "We're mutants."
Audri's face paled. "Mutants?" she repeated.
"Yep. We were just ordinary pet shop turtles when some mutagen spilled n us and turned us into the awesome dudes we are now."
"And what does your father think of this?"
"He's cool with it. He's a mutant rat, so he knows how it feels to be changed. But he was once human himself."
"Mikey, that's enough!" Leo chastised. "Look, we'll have to talk to our father and see if he'll consent to training you before we let you into our home."
"I understand," Audri said, but Mikey intervened.
"I have a better idea. Let's just take her to the Lair and let her meet Sensei. I'm sure once he meets her and gets to know her, he'll be dying to train her."
"Mikey, I don't think that's a good idea," Leo replied.
"Sure it is," Mikey insisted. "Would that be okay, Murakami-san?"
"That would be fine if Audri wants to," Murakami replied.
"Great," Mikey said. "You in, Audri?"
"I guess I can give it a try," Audri replied.
"Awesome!" Mikey shouted. "Look we'll have to blindfold you so you don't know the way to our Lair. Our dad's pretty strict about stuff like that."
"That's fine, I guess," Audri said, though she was a bit confused by the whole thing.
Mikey took off his mask and tied it around her then moved it so she couldn't see. Then he led her out of the shop and they walked for a bit until he stopped her.
"Are we there?" she asked.
"Nope, we have to go into the sewers to get there," Mikey answered.
Audri wasn't too fond of this idea, but she had promised she would go along with this. She felt Mikey scoop her up and then heard something scrape back. Then she felt herself falling and was frightened until she remembered that someone was holding her. It didn't last long before she was on solid ground again. She felt Mikey release her and take her hand as he guided her through the sewers.
"Why do you guys hide down here?" she asked.
"Because we can't exactly rent an apartment," Raph quipped.
The trip was a bit long, but in no time, Mikey revealed that they had reached the Lair and removed the blindfold from her face. Audri gasped as she took in the size of the Turtles' home. It was huge and filled with things Audri couldn't even imagine being in a sewer home. She was about to take it all in when Mikey began pulling her along.
"Come on, I'll introduce you to Sensei," he said.
But before they could go further, someone else spoke up, and by the sounds of things, they didn't seem too happy.
"What is the meaning of this?" the voice demanded as a mutant rat stepped out of the shadows. Although Mikey had warned her about his appearance, it did startle her, but what startled her more was the voice. She had heard that voice before, and she was amazed that she was hearing it again.
The rat stopped in front of her. "Michelangelo, I told you that I did not want to teach anyone else," he scolded, but then his eyes fell on her, and a look of recognition crossed his face. "Audriana?" he gasped.
Her eyes widened as she took in his amber eyes set in his new face. "Yoshi?" she cried.
A/N: Yep, I'm ending it here and for a good reason. So how do Audri and Yoshi know each other? You'll find that out in the next chapter. In the meantime feel free to leave a review and have a shelltastic day.