Sick Cycle Carousel (On Cam)

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“The illustrious Double K herself and the Prince of Pleasure himself! You can’t ask for a better tag team opponent than the two of them, am I right?”

The cameras begin rolling as Adrien sits in the middle of the deserted amusement park not too far from where he lives. The park used to be called Jazzland back in his youth, where there were more rides than a young Adrien could count. As he got older, the park began to be called Six Flags New Orleans after they were purchased by the corporation. But sadly, that run ended thirteen years ago when Hurricane Katrina ravaged the city. Now the park is an abandoned wasteland. The haunting images of the park usually make some interesting pieces for articles on abandoned locations, but it’s different when it was a place of joy and excitement from your youth.

Cochrane stands in front of a carousel that he rode on many times as a child. Many minutes were spent spinning and spinning around on the ride. He even remembers a time a six-year-old Alexis vomited when it was spinning faster than she thought it would. The towering machine is covered in rust and peeling. The formerly erect top of the tower is now leaning to its side, away from Adrien of course. The dark clouds behind Adrien help give the ominous look that the forsaken theme park had little need to showcase. Even the Misfits skull on the shirt that was on Adrien’s chest helped set the dark scene. But despite all of this, Adrien’s voice and tone sound cheerful and hopeful.

“I guess the first thing I should do is thank you for allowing me the honor of being a part of the biggest night of your life, Mrs. Goldstein. I was gracious to be in your wedding. I know, I know, Josh was the one who asked me to be his groomsman, but I do appreciate the fact you didn’t veto it or anything along those lines. You could have. I am literally the tag team partner and dating the sister of one of the most public rivals you had. But you didn’t.

“You stepped on camera, fully capable of being vicious and merciless about the events that have led to me and said tag team partner to being a bit downtrodden in recent weeks. But you didn’t.

“Instead, you put out an olive branch. You made an effort to find peace in a world of chaos. You came out, donning an outfit that I’m sure she knows a whole lot more than I do and spoke with honor and respect. And that’s what I would love out of any opponent I step into the ring with...even if that is nothing more than a fantasy world where that is commonplace.

“But considering the circumstances, I’m going to take it and run with it. And the reason why is because me and Jessica, it’s been a rough past few shows for us. We’ve been on this sickening cycle of going into these shows and one of us having to get medical attention because of something the Destroyers have done. Week after week, it’s almost like a carousel of the same old, same old. I’d love it for a show to take place where both Jessica and I can walk out of the venue without having to worry about the health of the other one. It’s something I’m starting to think we took for granted.

“That’s why I believe that this is a step in the right direction. I don’t want to be your enemy, Kaylee, nor do I want to be enemies with Ronnie. We were all part of a wondrous event together, even if Ronnie had no recollection of who he is the entire evening, and I want that to be a reflection of what we are, not what takes place in the ring. Because when the bell sounds, I will do what I can to win the match. Dropkicks will happen. If I can get an Adrien Cutter, I will. And I expect the same thing from both of you. I don’t want anyone holding back in the ring. But I also don’t want anyone doing anything unnecessary after the bell either. I’m sure you can understand why I feel that way after the past few weeks.

“In London, we’re breaking the cycle. No more going around in circles with the same result like this silly little carousel we are on. No more attacks, no more x-rays and MRIs. We step into that ring and fight until one of us are victorious like true competitors.”

The Dropkick King turns away from the camera, only for another camera to be prepared at the new angle. He looks at the carousel for a few seconds before he begins running his hand down the railing. He gives it a light push and, for the first time in over a decade, the carousel begins to spin, albeit very slowly given the rust.

“Every ride eventually ends. Every cycle eventually comes to a close. These things never last forever. And on first of April, so will this. If we are going to make this a new day for the Guardians, then I have to make the choices for it to be a new day. And I will NOT let my team down anymore. This. Stops. Now.”

As those words leave Adrien’s mouth, the carousel comes to a complete stop. He nods his head.

“I will protect my friends. I’ve shown the lengths I will go to in order to do so. And my goal is simple: leave Legacy: Battle for London with a victory and with both me and Jessica Sears walking out under our own power. Easy enough right? Probably not. But I’m going to give it every ounce of me that I can muster. I last saw you putting a ring on your finger, Kaylee Kassie. Well, now I’ll see you and Ronnie in the NGW ring.”

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