Champion At Last

[Denise du Pris]

Act 1: A Night of Champions

“I have been wounded but not yet slain. I shall lie here and bleed awhile. Then I shall rise and fight again. The title of champion may from time to time fall to others more than ourselves. But the heart, the spirit, and the soul of champions remains."
Vince Lombardi

The scene opens on the Verizon Arena in Little Rock after another successful show. The night was clear, and the stars were shinning brightly above the city, as heavy clouds started to roll in threatening rain. A few fans stood near the back door, to wait for their favorite superstars to get an autograph, or a picture. We soon see Denise moving down the hallway heading for Daredevil's trailer, with the TV title over her shoulder. She hadn't found Klayton and wondered if he was all right after his match against Fear. She digs out her cell phone and lets it ring, only to have it go to his voice mail.

Denise: Klayton, it's me... Just wanted to say congrats on winning the title from Fear tonight. I'll meet you back at the hotel and we can go out for a night on the town to celebrate our wins. I'll see you soon.

Before she reaches the door, one of the stagehands runs up to Denise, and hands her a piece of paper. Her eyes narrow as she adjusts the title that hung over her shoulder. Katrina Nova wanted a shot at the TV title that she carried, after putting the Diva Title to rest. Denise just smirks, and hands the piece of paper back to the stagehand, before heading outside. Denise had seen how Katrina treated people and Denise was upset. She had people like her before, and hoped that she would never meet up with someone like them again, but she was wrong. Katrina would step into the ring, and walk away with nothing. Denise wasn't going to let some bitch walk away with what she had just won, and put her own body on the line to get.

Denise: Katrina do you really think you can stand against someone like me? Did you even pay attention to what I did to Nate in order to get this title? I mean you walked into your match and pretty well kicked what's her faces ass before getting the Diva title. You had a title why in the hell did you toss it aside? Are you stupid? Of course I shouldn't even have to ask that question to you... Of course you are. Do you really want to take me on, and try to get what I just won, and claim that you got an easy win over me? Think again. If you want this match Katrina, you better be ready and be willing to bleed, because I am. I will not stop until I see you in the middle of the ring, broken, bloodied, beaten, bruised, and humiliated.

Denise makes her way to Daredevil's trailer. She moves Daredevil out from the trailer, to let him graze. She hooks the lead to his harness and leads him over to a small patch of grass, to let him graze, as her thoughts wandered.

Denise: For the centuries that I have been alive I've seen people like you all over the world. They think they are superior to everyone else, but they were wrong. They all fell in time, just as you will on Monday night when you come after the Title I just won.

Denise sighs, as she leads Daredevil over to another spot where there was a bench, and she sits on the back of it, watching the traffic pass by. She could remember when there was nothing around except open fields and cattle ranches. Things had grown up so quickly as time passed by, in a hurry to accommodate the railway as it stretched across the country.

Denise: Katrina I hope you realize that you have to do more than bat your eyes at me to bring me down. I rather see your body broken on the mat, than you ever get your hands on the title. I mean you had a title, and you still... still want more than you will ever need in life. When will it stop Katrina? How much will you need in your life to make you happy? Do you think that if you get the title you'll be happy? Hardly. These things fade with time, and so will you. You know I've learned something over the years Katrina, and it's the fact that you can't take anything with you when you die. So it doesn't matter if you have titles, fancy cars, a nice home, money, because it will fade away with time, and turn into dust. Tell Katrina how will you be remembered Katrina? Or will you be remembered at all? We forge our own way in life, but those that pick the shallow life, and the easy life will find they will never be happy.

Her cell phone soon rings, and she answers it. It was Markus.

Denise: Markus... It's good to hear from you.

Markus: I figured I would call and check up on you, since you haven't been back to see me.

Denise: I've been busy. Is everything all right?

Markus: Everything is fine. How is Daredevil holding up with being moved so often?

Denise: He's fine. The fact that he got to stretch his legs this weekend I think made him feel better.

Markus: I figured as much. How did everything go?

Denise: It went great. I mean Nancy and Mike were happy to see me.

Markus: Yeah I heard. Mike called me and let me know.

Denise: I figured he would.

Markus: So you are going to go back this weekend?

Denise: Of course. I'm not going to let them down. Hey I'll have to call you back. I have a beep coming in.

Markus: I'll talk to you later then.

Denise hits a button and answered the other call.

Denise: Hello?

Sam: Hey it's me.

Denise: Hey what's up?

Sam: You had a visitor yesterday.

Denise: Really? Who was it?

Sam: I'm not sure who it was. But she knew you and where you were.

Denise: What did she look like?

Sam: She was tall, long blond hair, green eyes.

Denise: There's only one person that I know of that looked like that. Did you tell her where I was?

Sam: No, but she probably know where you are anyway. They've been advertising the show in St. Paul since last night.

Denise: Great. I haven't seen her yet, nor have I felt anything. That's strange... Maybe she doesn't watch TV. I'll keep my eyes open though.

Sam: Good because she meant business. She was ready to off me, until she realized that I was a watcher.

Denise: Yeah, she's never been one to follow the rules. Listen I'll call you in a couple of days, and check back in with you.

Sam: All right. Keep me updated then.

Denise: All right. Talk to you later then.

Denise hangs up her phone, and looks around feeling eyes on her. She knew she was being watched and that Elena wasn't far away. Denise knew she would make her presence known before too long, and another battle would begin once again. Denise gets up from where she sits and leads Daredevil back to the horse trailer once again, and gets him settled in before she heads to her car. She looks around once more, before getting into the car, and pulls away as the scene fades to black.

Act 2: Celebration

The scene opens on the Old Mill Pugh Park in Little Rock. The park was quiet, and the rain was holding off a little longer than anyone expected. The old mill was silent now, while the little waterfall flowed over the small embankment that flowed into a river. The old wooden bridges creaked when people walked over them, and echoed with each footstep that had ever been tread across. We soon see two figures in the dim light that surrounded the mill holding hands as they walked along the path, and as they enter the light, we soon see Denise and Klayton talking among themselves about the show that had ended just a few hours before.

Denise: This has been the best night of my life. I mean not only did I win the TV title from Nate, but you won your match against Fear, and walked away champion as well.

Klayton: Yeah baby, tonight was defiantly all about me and you. Did you see how I won my match? Neptune was lucky I was there and should be thankful. Any way Gold around mine and your waist looks good.

Denise just smiles softly as she leans in and kisses him. The night had gone perfectly, and nothing was going to change that.

Denise: You're right. He was lucky. I mean not only did you help to him to gain that win, but Santiago learned a lesson I don't think he'll soon forget.

Klayton: Yeah Neptune will soon learn that not only did I make him in this business but also if he crosses you or me then I can break him too. Any way you certainly shut Nate Bishop's mouth up, I don't think he'll run his mouth at you again unless his seriously brain dead.

Denise laughs softly as she looks around the area. There was someone there with them. She laready knew who it was. She had felt it awhile back but ignored it. Elena was going to make herself known.

Voice: Well, well what do we have here? Denise on the arm of yet another mortal.

Denise turns around and there stood a woman with platinum blond hair, and green eyes. Denise sighs, as she watches Elena move toward them.

Denise: What do you want Elena?

Elena: Your head.

Denise walks toward her drawing a long silver blade.

Denise: Then let's do this...

Klayton smirking sadistically as he can see that two woman are about to fight but than Klayton decides he can't stand by and let Denise protect herself. Klayton goes towards Elena not knowing how much danger he could be in after all Klayton is just sticking up for his girlfriend and isn't one to worry about danger.

Klayton: Don't worry Denise I'll teach this bitch a lesson.

Elena bursts into laughter, as she sees Klayton stepping toward her.

Elena: So you're going to let the mortal fight for you? I always figured you were pathetic.

Klayton: How dare you bad mouth Denise like that. She doesn't need me to fight for her I choose to fight for her now let's do it.

Denise takes Klayton's hand and looks into his eyes. she knew he would risk his life for her, but this was one fight she needed to fight on her own.

Klayton: Okay Denise if you're sure, I know you can kick butt, what kind of man would I be just to assume your be okay though?

Denise kisses him, and walks off to start the battle against Elena. The sound of swords clashing could be heard through the park. The two of them come close and Denise could see Elena's eyes glowing in the dim light as they continued.

Elena: What’s the matter Denise? Can’t keep up in your old age?

Denise: I could always keep up with you. But what’s wrong with your face? I mean you’ve always been ugly but wow… just wow.

Elena knocks the blade out of Denise's hands, and knocks her to the ground. Klayton sees that Denise is in trouble and can't just stand there and watch, so Klayton decides to run up nudging Elena trying to give Denise enough time to pick her blade up.

Klayton: Quick Denise your blade!

Denise grabs it, and springs to her feet, and takes one last swing hitting Elena, and taking her head in one foul swoop. Lightening starts to flash in the sky, as the wind picks up. Denise drops the blade as she reaches her hands to the sky. The lightning hits her, as it rips through her body. She soon falls to her knees, as the lightning stops and the wind dies down.

Klayton: DENISE!

Klayton now runs over to Denise worried about her after what he just witnessed. Klayton knew that no mortal could survive that, where as Denise was an immortal so she would. That still didn't stop Klayton worrying though after all Denise was the one person he cared about. Denise smiles softly, as she passes out in his arms. It had taken more out of her then she thought it would.

Klayton: Let's get you back to the hotel for some rest, I'll go celebrate with Neptune for a while to leave you to get some rest.

He lifts Denise into his arms, and carries her back to the car, as the scene fades to black.