Author's Note: Hey guys SnivyLord here and here's an extra long chapter for you guys! I didn't mean for this story to go for this long, but I'm really glad that I did because this story turned out to be one of my greatest achievements. Beginning with this chapter, everything Adrien knew about Marinette and Gabriel in the past will be blown wide open as he will learn things that Louis, Marinette, and Gabriel had kept from him. There are some secrets that not even Marinette is aware of, but they will be revealed in the next two chapters. This is the beginning of the end so enjoy the ride because the plot is about to be blown to high heaven lol, so enjoy!
(Author's Note: You can play the Dual Destinies or Spirit of Justice Cross Examination theme, whichever is your favorite, at Moderato to make this more intense when the testimony actually starts. There are some scenes where it really doesn't seem to be appropriate so use the themes as you will :-) )
"Witness, please state your name and occupation for the court," The judge asked Louis, with the boy noticing how the jovial, kind elderly man seemed completely cold and professional. He must be really good at his job then, not that it made Louis' anxiety any easier.
"Ummm... ok, my name is Louis Dupain Cheng, and I'm a student at Francois Dupont High school," Louis answered with a hint of nervousness in his voice. The judge nodded in understanding before they were both cut off by the prosecutor.
"Ehem, Mr. Dupain Cheng, is that what you said your name was?" Mr. Payne reiterated for the boy, who nodded in response.
"Yes that's right," Louis replied curtly, wringing his hands slightly because he didn't know why he had to say his name again until the words that came out of the prosecutor's mouth made his blood run cold and Phoenix also knew why when he looked at the court record.
"Sorry to say sir, but either you are an imposter or you're lying because that is not your name," Mr. Payne borderline cackled as Louis looked at him weirdly, but it was less weird as it was afraid. Louis felt like he could mispronounce a single syllable and that would be enough to get him convicted for something that he didn't do.
"What are you talking about..." Louis tried to feign ignorance but he knew exactly what was wrong with that sentence he just said. Marinette felt herself freeze in her seat as she realized the series of events that were going to happen right here, right now.
"Your alleged name does not match the name we have on the court record, so really, who are you?" Mr. Payne explained as a matter of factly before wearing a face expression that just screamed malice and subterfuge, like he was planning on screwing Louis over.
"Ummm..." Louis tried to come up with an explanation in his head but his mind was running blank. After a few moments and he still couldn't answer, and his silence was causing a stir in the gallery as well. Phoenix narrowed his eyes at Louis, who he could see was visibly panicking.
"Why doesn't he just say his name?" Phoenix wondered aloud as Athena chimed in with an explanation.
"I'm feeling high levels of anxiety coming off of him. I think whatever his last name is, is making him afraid enough to avoid saying it even under oath," Athena explained as the trio looked at Louis with identical worried faces.
"Your honor, the first thing this boy did was lie to the court while under oath, he can't be trusted!" Mr. Payne scoffed as almost practically everyone leered at the man for his accusation. Gabriel then made a comment that just made matters worse in the courtroom.
"Then he should get held in contempt of court Your Honor, the boy has dug his own grave," Gabriel flippantly added but was immediately and quite harshly cut off by Marinette, who almost made him regret his choice of words. Almost.
"Gabriel, I swear to God, shut up or so help me I will make you," Marinette growled with an intensity that made her words seem like a knife. Her hands were angrily pressed in an "ok" sign and she wasn't even looking at him. She just had her eyes firmly yet softly closed as if she was trying really hard not to snap, "and trust me, I will get a voluntary guilty verdict if that means I get to murder you!" Marinette emphasized every word with increasing animosity.
"Have you been uncivilized so soon Madame Dupain Cheng, admitting to potential murder is surely in bad taste," Gabriel scoffed knowingly as in the chaos of the courtroom, they had their own little spat and Marinette immediately had a comeback.
"You really wanna know what's in bad taste? You wanting to send a child to prison and accusing a 6 year old of grand larceny!" Marinette retorted strongly, it was almost in a deadly whisper. The defense just watched both parties kept arguing with each other and the gallery couldn't be controlled with all the suspicion in the air, "and don't forget the fact you're facing arson charges as well because your plan literally backfired on you!" Gabriel and Marinette snarled at each other as the other pair continued their arguing as well.
"You know it's me! My picture is literally on the court record!" Louis argued as he tried to get out of saying his real name but Mr. Payne wouldn't have it.
"Ha! Doesn't prove anything! You could have had plastic surgery to match the defendant's face!" Mr. Payne shot back as Louis' eyes could not roll any harder than it possibly could in this moment.
"Really? How paranoid and completely bête do you have to be in order to suggest the crazy notion that I've had plastic surgery to pose as a 14 year old boy!?" Louis countered but Mr. Payne still kept grilling him about other things as if he was trying different ways to get Louis to crack and finally snap.
"Maybe you're not an imposter but you're still lying to this court! You obviously can't be trusted to testify!" Mr. Payne claimed as Louis growled as if he had just been hit in the gut and now he's getting up to fight again.
"Give me a break! The only thing that can't be trusted is that obvious toupee staying on your head to begin with!" Louis yelled as he heard a collective gasp from around the room, and he didn't have to look at Mr. Payne to know that he may have crossed a line. Okay, maybe now was not a good time to just hurl out insults.
"Well well, that can't look good for the jury," Gabriel laughed in delight as Marinette immediately silenced him with a menacing laugh.
"HAHA!! Keep talking Gabriel and choose your next words very carefully because it won't end well for you," Marinette commented with a sickeningly sweet tone that just oozed malignant intent.
"ORDER IN THE COURT FOR THE LOVE OF-.." The judge calls out when he finally notices that the court has gone quiet again, "I've been calling out for the past 5 minutes and now we're... ok fine" the judge turns attention to Louis again as he scrutinized the boy's stance and expression.
"Please don't be nervous boy, but could you please explain to us why you can't say your name? We have to confirm the witness' identity in order to move on with your testimony," The judge spoke softly, genuinely concerned for the boy and is trying to coax an explanation out of him.
"I'm sorry Your Honor... I just... can't because if I say it... I'm going to be admitting to something that's not really within my best interest to reveal publicly for the time being," Louis slowly explained, as if one word that wrong could set off an explosion. He was trying to word this carefully as to not arouse suspicion, "this is for my safety..." He glanced sideways slightly to look at Gabriel who shook his head back at him as if warning him not to speak any more that he has to. Phoenix immediately noticed this subtle communication and knew what was up.
"Louis," Phoenix called out to Louis, who snapped out of his reverie.
"Yes?"
"Don't be afraid to say it, you're safe here. No one's going to hurt you do you hear me?" Phoenix reassured Louis, who felt like his walls were slightly being breached as he made touch with the reality that he couldn't be hurt in here. However, it was immediately closed again when Mr. Payne spoke up again with the same haughty condescending accent.
"You're under oath boy, so let me ask you again, are you who you say you are? Because your name doesn't match the documents I have on file," The prosecutor asked tersely as Louis felt his hands become incredibly sweating and he felt like he was gonna slip off the stand at any moment because of the sweat. He glanced to his right to find the man, the demon looking at him as if he knew Louis' internal battles. Why does that man have the power to know so much? The guy doesn't even act like a grandfather and yet how does he know Louis' own personal thoughts to such a degree?
"I uhhh..." Louis trembled with his words as his eyes kept flickering towards Gabriel, who looked pointedly at him and slowly shook his head, telling Louis to not answer the question.
"Louis! It's ok! You can trust us! Under the law and in this courtroom, I will not let anything happen to you. You will come out innocent and you will walk away free!" Phoenix pleaded with Louis, who gripped the stand tightly until his knuckles turned white.
"Right... in the courtroom... but what about after? He'll kill us anyway!" Louis breathed out as he clenched his eyes in fear, his mind feeling like it's spiraling. However, sadly, there was nothing he could do for himself, not anymore. Adrien could only watch helplessly as he watched his son suffer and he couldn't do anything for him.
"Louis, whatever Gabriel has against you, I'll uncover what it is and expose all of it," Phoenix gazed at Louis with a piercing gaze that demanded his respect and his trust. It was a gaze that Louis found to be so truthful, that Phoenix was so sure of his abilities as a lawyer that he could actually be the one to blow this case wide open, "but in order for me to do that, you're going to have to trust me, Louis?" Phoenix raised an eyebrow at Louis expecting his answer. Marinette spoke up to support his proposal.
"Louis, listen to him," Marinette started to say as Louis drank in her soothing voice, and he suddenly felt calmer, "it's going to be alright, you can say it..." Louis looked back at her with a fearful look before closing his eyes in deep contemplation, his arms gripping the stand as tight as ever.
"Fine... Your Honor?" Louis took a deep breath and looked up at the judge, who nodded in understanding and hung onto his every word, "Mr. Payne was right, Louis Dupain- Cheng isn't my name..." Louis confirmed as there was a small collective gasp around the gallery.
"Then what is your name son?" The judge asked as Louis leaned back slightly to let go of the stand.
"My name... is Louis Agreste," Louis sighed as he cast a momentary glance towards his right where Gabriel was. The gallery immediately stirred and discordant harmony of voices could be heard throughout the courtroom. Everyone stared at Adrien and Gabriel, who made no comment, they could only sit there in shock. Both of them weren't expecting him to actually say it, but for completely different reasons.
"You mean?" The judge started to ask but his inquiry was immediately answered by Louis.
"I'm the oldest son of Adrien Agreste and ehem, grandchild of Gabriel Agreste," Louis choked up those words out of his mouth. Getting out that last part could have actually choked him if he wasn't careful. The words felt so bad and distasteful in his mouth that he thought he would have thrown up, but this is a professional court of law. Even Marinette and those in the gallery could tell that was hard to get out of his mouth.
"The son to Adrien Agreste? The famous model? Now I see where you got your handsome looks from, you would certainly be a match for my granddaughter," The judge let out a laugh to humor himself as Louis could only give him a fake cordial smile.
"Wait, isn't your granddaughter like almost 10 years older than him?" Maya wondered aloud, meaning for the judge to hear, who immediately took back his previous statement. Athena couldn't help but let out a small snicker.
"Oh dear me, that was highly unprofessional of me, ehem..." The judge cleared his throat, causing the rest of the court to quiet down, "Louis, why did you try to hide this fact from the court?" Marinette and Phoenix immediately noticed that Louis' posture and expression became stiff and stoic, as if he's resigned himself to be as emotionless as possible.
"Well," Louis drew his eyes from the judge so he could look at some sort of random point in space, "My mom and Gabriel had both agreed that all three of us," Louis gestured to himself and two siblings in the gallery, who watched him with fearful eyes. They had never seen him this stiff and straight to the point before, "should lie about our names so that we wouldn't have any connection to the Agreste family and as a result my mom and my dad have been estranged for 15 years and we took our mom's last names instead of our dad's. However, Agreste should be on all three of our birth certificates." Louis explained without hesitation that it kinda scared Marinette.
"I see, but you seem like perfectly fine children, why wouldn't you want to bear your family name with pride?" The judge asked as the family, Gabriel, and the court could see Louis physically wince at his words. It was obvious that these words struck a nerve.
"Forgive me your honor, but aren't we having a trial right now for the artificial insemination incident from 9 years ago?" Louis asked almost indifferently as the judge nodded to his clarification and the court was slightly unnerved by his rather callous explanation, "and this issue was brought up by the insidious plaintiff to my right for the sole purpose of obliterating my mom for the existence of my two siblings?"
The judge could only nodded stupidly as even Gabriel looked slightly appalled at his explanation and his bitter tone with the judge. Marinette knew that Louis was going through a hard time, but it scared her to see him act out in such a haunting way that not reminiscent of her son at all.
"Technically I-" Gabriel tried to say but was cut off by Louis, who looked slightly to his side without actually looking at Gabriel to signal him to shut up and held his index finger out to express this.
"I'm not done," Louis sternly reminded Gabriel without even looking at him, and without another word, Gabriel sat back in his seat but not without making a comment before Louis continued.
"You're digging yourself deeper into that hole boy, I hope you realize that," Gabriel muttered, it be only loud enough for Louis and Marinette to hear.
"Hmph... so be it, you placed that hole there in the first place," Louis solemnly replied before looking back at the judge and continuing to explain. Marinette bore witness to this kind of interaction with Gabriel before, with herself. She felt a pit drop into her stomach as she was reminded how she used to interact with Gabriel: cold, direct, serious. Now, her son was following in her footsteps and she couldn't feel any worse.
"Louis..." Marinette whispered, but she didn't mean for her son to hear because it was her own silent prayer that Louis came out of this alright. She didn't want any more scars to made upon his mind anymore.
"How could I possibly wear that name with pride Your Honor? When... it's not a name meant for me..." Louis sighed as he glanced up towards the stands and caught his father's gaze. He felt so bad in that moment because he was basically disowning his father's name, but he had no choice. That name would never be welcome to him, not with Gabriel making their lives a living hell. The hurt and shock in his father's eyes spoke so many volumes that he wished he could take his words back. Finally, he found the strength to tear his eyes away from his dad. Adrien and Marinette couldn't believe he just said that, and that was how he felt about their family. It was heartbreaking...
"I see..." The judge gazed upon Louis sadly before lacing his hands together in thought, "well son... I'm sorry to hear that... and I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive your father for his name." Louis perked up at that sentence before feeling his lips tug up in a small smile.
"Don't worry Your Honor... I already have," Louis murmured as the judge nodded in understanding and continued with the proceedings.
"Alright Mr. Payne, your opening statement please," The judge diverted the attention from Louis and onto the prosecutor who was awaiting his time to shine... as if he had any.
"The prosecution seeks to prove Monsieur Louis Agreste guilty of grand larceny and being an accomplice to Madame Marinette Dupain-Cheng's charges of grand larceny and the murder of Doctor Alver as well. For now, we will cover the events of the day of the artificial insemination 9 years ago, however, it is possible that the prosecution will use further evidence from other past events to prove their guilt," Mr. Payne explained as he read the court report to the rest of the court. Phoenix narrowed his eyes at one particular part of the prosecution's explanation as he felt a lightbulb go off his head.
"It is possible that the prosecution will use further evidence from other past events to prove their guilt..." Phoenix murmured to himself, snapping out of his thoughts when Maya consulted him.
"Nick, do you think that part of the statement is strange?" Maya asked Phoenix, who nodded in agreement and proceeded to explain.
"Remember that list from yesterday? With the unusually large amount of evidence that seemed irrelevant to a crime that occurred in a hospital," Phoenix asked Maya, who recalled their conversation yesterday.
"Yes, I do remember that..." Maya recalled, but then she suddenly made the realization that Phoenix was talking about, "wait! You don't mean..."
"I think that my hunch was right that the prosecution is gonna use circumstantial evidence to prove Marinette guilty of multiple things that will make then judge think she's guilty go the crime that she's being tried for right now. Meaning that not only will Marinette be judged for current charge, but other events from her and Gabriel's past will also be brought into the light," Phoenix explained as Maya nodded and looked back at the continuing trial. The air in the room was intense as the real trial was about to begin, Louis looked forward as he knew that right here, right now, he was going to set things right.
"Alright witness, if you could please testify about what you did on the morning of the insemination," Mr. Payne said as the orchestra started to play their testimony song on a loop. It was almost as if they had specific songs to play at different parts, like it was rehearsed.
"Very well," Louis replied with the finality of the syllable initiating the orchestra's theme of testimony, "it started that morning when my mom had an appointment for a Pap smear..."
9 years ago...
"Maman..." I called out quietly as we entered the building. I always tried to avoid the clinic because I was afraid of doctor visits. They sometimes looked too apathetic to care or sometimes I feel comfortable with them, "are we here because I'm sick?" My mom, who was holding my hand, let out a small help of surprise and squatted down so she could hold both sides of my face in an endearing manner.
"No you're not mon cœur, this visit is actually for me," My mom explained to me before I panicked immediately.
"Wait, you're sick?! Nooooo!" I wailed and tackled myself into her arms and sniffled in her shoulder. I heard my mom let out a small chuckle of endearment before squeezing me once and pulling away so she could see my face.
"No, I'm not, I'm perfectly fine," My mom gestured to herself and placed her hands on top of her kneecaps, "it's just a quick check up visit and I'll be in and out. There's a small kid care room in the waiting room so after I check in, you're gonna be a good boy and wait for me in there with some other kids ok? I'll be back before you know it!" My mom reassured me and I gave her a small nod in understanding. Then she grabbed my hand again and we walked to the check in counter together. There was an assortment of chairs for people that were waiting and there was a table to the left that was filled with kids' toys. Mostly the ones with the metal wires and wooden shapes attached to them to move along the wires and more games. On the side of the wall closest to us, there was a giant fish tank and a TV that was playing a Disney movie that I could not remember the name of for the life of me. There was another table with accompanying chairs on the farther side of the room, but I paid no attention to those as my maman and I approached the counter...
The present...
"After that, my mom checked in, and I went into the other room to wait for her," Louis finished his testimony as Marinette nodded, but Phoenix narrowed his eyes at him. He knew he was leaving out something. The judge then nodded and looked over at Phoenix.
"Mr. Wright, you may begin your cross-examination," The judge declared as the two shared an understanding nod and Phoenix began. He looked through his documents and looked up at Phoenix again as he got an idea of which statement to press.
"So Louis, when you said you went into the other room to wait for her, did you leave the room at all when your mom was still in there?" Phoenix asked as Louis thought about it for a moment but answering carefully.
"I did, once," Louis admitted as Marinette internally gasped as Louis never told her that he had left the room during the period of time she was gone.
"And what did you do?" Phoenix continued. Louis glanced to his right again in Gabriel's direction before answering, but Phoenix thought it was rather vague.
"I went to look for my mom because I worried about her. It had been about 10 minutes or so since she went in and I panicked a little. And so I snuck in to try to find my mom," Louis explained, and Phoenix thought there was gonna be more, but he cut his explanation right there.
"And did you manage to find her?" Phoenix asked further as he just got a curt answer.
"No I didn't," Louis replied, nonetheless saying nothing more.
"I've gotta get it out of him somehow," Phoenix murmured to himself before asking another question, "did anything else happen while you were looking for your mom?"
Louis thought for a moment and knew that he had to answer in a way that wouldn't perjure himself, but at the same time kinda foreshadows what he really wants to say. He couldn't believe that he was being manipulated to the very end. However, in this way, no one else has to get hurt.
An hour or so earlier...
"I'll be with you guys in a sec! Just gotta use the restroom!" Louis called out to the rest of his family as they waved to him and went with the rest of the gang into the gallery stands. As he turned around and walked down the hall to the restroom, he could hear his echoed footsteps ringing in the empty hall. It was foreboding, but it was also creepy to him. Soon, he heard a few another set of footsteps and Louis looked back to find Gabriel Agreste standing there with his escorts. The first thing he noticed was the handcuffs on his arms.
"Louis..." Gabriel started but Louis immediately cut him off.
"I have nothing to say to you except that those handcuffs should stay permanently on your wrists," Louis narrowed his eyes at the cuffs before looking up into Gabriel's ice blue eyes. It mirrored his own sky blue eyes, and for a moment, he swore he had a moment of revelation that he and Gabriel were more alike than he would have liked.
"I'd be careful with your words if I were you... here... and in the courtroom," Gabriel sneered at Louis, who didn't flinch from his threat and kept his ever calculating expression on his face.
"Why? My mom and Mr. Wright are going to expose you make no mistake," Louis stated, planting his feet firm in the ground and folding his arms so he could withstand the intimidation that was silently emanating from Gabriel, "you have no power here... not even you can escape the law."
"Sure, you think your precious family are safe from me because the law will judge me here," Gabriel sighed as he shook his head slowly, "what will it take for you to learn that even with or without me, I have... other pawns that will certainly make sure you will stay silent during your testimony..."
"My testimony?" Louis wondered aloud before he immediately launched himself forward and grabbed Gabriel by the collar and tightened his fist around it so he could slightly choke the man. The escorts made an attempt to pull him off but the boy had such an iron grip that they couldn't, "what did you do?!"
"You'll see... you think the truth will reveal itself without your intervention?" Gabriel asked calmly as Louis scrutinized his expression even further, "you've had such a grand role to play in everything that's happened in the last 15 years just like your mother. I've made sure that you will tell the truth and let your point of view be known..."
Louis couldn't believe his ears. Gabriel had gone out of his way to make sure that he had to testify in the upcoming trial. However, he doesn't believe that truth bullshit for a second.
"My point of view? I don't believe you. You will be judged today, and you won't be running the show for much longer. If you're making me testify today, then I will expose you myself," Louis growled and he held on the collar and squeezed tighter, actually making it difficult for Gabriel to breathe.
"It's not really your truth... as it is mine. You're gonna be testifying to expose yourself because believe me... I know what you did all those years ago... and you're coming down with me," Gabriel replies coyly as Louis' eyes widened as he shoved Gabriel back harshly and could only look at him in horror.
"Go to hell Gabriel," Louis snarled as he pushed past the man and the escorts, bumping his shoulder harshly with Gabriel's in the process, to go in the other direction. He was heading back the stands, and this time, he was prepared to set things right in the end.
Back to the present...
"Nothing I would consider important," Louis tried to dodge the question but Phoenix wouldn't let him have it.
"No, that's not true, otherwise your finger prints wouldn't have been on this," Phoenix lifted up a picture of the sperm sample container. The gallery gasped as Louis winced and Mr.Payne couldn't help but laugh. Marinette gasped as her son technically lied to the court.
"Can the witness explain this?" The judge asked as Mr. Payne let out his absolutely ironic laughter.
"Mr. Wright, I must thank you for doing my job for me! This boy is definitely guilty!" Mr. Payne guffawed before Phoenix shushed him and looked calmly back at the boy in question.
"When you were inside the clinic, you must have come into contact with this," Phoenix surmised as he set the picture down and questioned Louis again, who looked definitely worried, "so the question is.. how did it happen?"
"Fine, I had gotten lost in the clinic while trying to find my mom, thinking that she was in one room, I accidentally stumbled into another," Louis explained as Phoenix finished for him.
"And that's when you came into contact with the container," Phoenix clarified as Louis nodded. Suddenly Mr. Payne guffawed and the whole court turned their attention towards him again.
"HAHA! You just proved that the boy was in the room when it happened, and with those fingerprints, there is no room for doubt that he stole that container," Mr. Payne patted his voluminous and swoopy hair that bounced with each pat. Louis was about to interject but Phoenix beat him to it with a smirk.
(Author's Note: You can start playing the Objection theme from either Spirit of Justice or Dual Destinies for an extra added effect!"
"Not so fast, Mr. Payne, can I ask you something?" Phoenix asked in such a confident tone that it baffled the court.
"What is it Mr. Wright, I'll humor you just this once," Mr. Payne sighed in vain. This is where Phoenix would strike fear into the heart of the other man.
"So if Louis were to steal this, how would he hold it?" Phoenix asked as Mr. Payne pauses for a moment to look back at the court record and read the report of the fingerprints out loud.
"It is confirmed that the fingerprints from Louis Agreste's fingertips were held slightly diagonal to the base of the container," Mr. Payne read but he immediately realized the contradiction, "wait no, you couldn't possibly suggest-.."
"But I am, if Louis wanted to steal the container, why would he hold it in such an inconvenient way. It almost seems as if he was holding it as if he was holding it up and exposed," Phoenix explained as he walked over to the evidence table that was at the center of the room and held up the container with his gloves, "you would have least used your whole hand to move it, or at least hide it." As he explained, the whole court caught on to what he was talking about, and for the first time since he's stepped into this room, Louis felt like he could breathe.
"It is definite proof that he touched it, and that container ended up in Madame Dupain Cheng's room, he must have had something to do with it," Mr. Payne argued with a hint of desperation as Phoenix rubbed his chin for a moment.
"I concede the fact that he did something as his fingerprints are on it. However, I'm willing to bet that Louis did something else when he was in that room," Phoenix smirked, his smirk growing even more as he witnessed Mr. Payne visibly panic. The judge cleared his throat and directed his attention at Louis again.
"Louis, would you be so kind as to testify about what happened when you were in that room. Try to remember the details as I know this happened 8 years ago," The judge asked with Louis nodding in response.
"Not a problem Your Honor," Louis said as Marinette couldn't help but looking worriedly at her son. He may have found an opening to breathe thanks to Phoenix, but she doesn't think he's out of the woods yet.
"I had accidentally wandered into the wrong room... and what happened was," Louis recalled as his mind went back to that time, and his memory brought back up the scenario in his mind like it was just yesterday.
8 years ago...
"Hmmm... maybe in here?" I murmured to myself as I slowly opened the door to one of the rooms and cautiously stepped inside. In my heart I was hoping to find her in here but this room seemed like a hospital room than just an operating room. However, I didn't want let my doubts consume me and I continued to walk into the room. There was a curtain at the other end of the hallway that blocked off my view of the room, but I was honestly in no rush to see who was behind the curtain if I'm gonna be honest. As I tiptoed into the room, I noticed a counter to my left that had a bunch of surgical stuff on a metal tray, and a small metal container that intrigued me. Steadily, I picked up the container and examined it and there was a label on the side of the container and in neat print letters I read the name "Chloe Bourgeois." Suddenly I heard the curtain open and I dropped the container in shock and I whipped myself in that direction to find myself face to face with a tall, stern man who looked down at me with severity. I had never been more scared in my entire breath, then I heard a voice from inside the room.
"Mr. Agreste? Who is it out there?" Chloe asked as my eyes momentarily glanced past the man to eye the woman who was in there. I couldn't believe it... one of Maman's old schoolmates was here an I was standing a mere few feet away. Alas, a few feet away was miles away because there was this scary man in front of me.
"An insignificant inconvenience who got lost... boy, whoever you're looking for isn't here," The man said slowly as I barely understood half of his sentence.
"I'm sorry, I was umm... looking for someone, but she isn't here..." I squeaked quietly as I leaned from side to side to look past the man and see if there was anyone else in the room, and there was another man in the room who looked at me questioningly, but they weren't full of disdain like the other two, but it was with sympathy. I noticed that the older man never took his eyes off me and as I peered into his eyes out of curiosity, I wish I hadn't. It was almost as if I could see the fear, disdain, and hatred behind his eyes, but I couldn't figure out why. He doesn't know me, at least I think he doesn't, we've never met. Those light blue eyes mirrored my own, but they were different in so many ways. Maman always told me that my eyes were a captivating sky blue, evidence of how the sky has infinite space to explore and grow. What I didn't know was that in the future, I would learn that my eyes are only blue because there's light in them, like the sun, but those eyes have darkened into the night because of how cruel this world was to my family. His eyes... felt like they're gonna be the reason why the sky turns dark, because they were as cold as ice.
"A little boy? I certainly do not know who you are, this isn't the place for someone like you," Chloe remarked as I slowly nodded and backed away slowly from the man, who I didn't trust in the slightest. The man narrowed his eyes at me and I felt frozen in my tracks and my legs were shaking so much. Where was Maman? I was terrified, what I felt from the man alone could have made me black out, "Mr. Agreste, you're scaring him, stop scowling so ridiculously at him."
"I'm gonna use the restroom really quick... and then I'll be going. I'm sorry I bothered you," I choked out apologetically, and frankly I was surprised I even managed to get out that sentence. I quickly rushed into the restroom on my right and closed the door quickly and washed my hands. I heard a few rustles, sounds, and muffled talking from outside but I didn't pay it any mind. I then quickly walked out without sparing another glance back there, fully aware that the hallway was empty and the curtain was drawn again, never wishing to meet that man again.
The present...
"and I left after that..." Louis testified, fully aware of the fact that he spared Gabriel's name and Chloe from his testimony, but what he said was the truth. He had touched the container, but he didn't take it with him, however he didn't know whether anyone would believe him though.
Phoenix thought his testimony through and asked Louis to repeat it a few times, but it felt as though something was missing, and so he decided to press a little further.
"Hmmm..." Phoenix thought to himself as Maya leaned closer to gauge his thoughts.
"You think something's weird?" Maya whispered as Phoenix nodded as he proceeded to explain his train of thought.
"His testimony has untapped potential, I think we could learn more from his testimony but I don't know what he's leaving out on purpose," Phoenix thought aloud as an expression of confusion and understanding crossed Maya's face before she continued.
"You think he's hiding something on purpose?" Maya inquired as she thought a few circumstantial questions that could help," Maybe here's a few things you could ask him," Maya looked up at Phoenix who turned his attention to her with the full intent of listening, "You could either ask about whether he saw the container when he exited the restroom, or you could ask about who he met in that room."
Phoenix thought about those options for a moment before he decided on his option, "Ok.. Louis," Louis turned his attention to Phoenix before he asked the question, "the people who you met in that room, do you know them?" Phoenix noticed a pang of guilt cross Louis' eyes before the latter carefully responded as if he was fully prepared to vaguely answer the question.
"At the time, no," Louis replied curtly as Phoenix noticed a smug look on Gabriel's face, as if he knew that Louis would answer like this. Suddenly Phoenix realized that Gabriel must have done something to Louis before the trial started. He knows that Louis would have done anything in his power to testify with the full intent on delivering justice to Gabriel, but some reason Louis is restraining himself.
"You say at the time, so that means you know them now?" Phoenix asked as Louis quietly scoffed and looked away momentarily.
"You misunderstand, I'm saying that at the time, I didn't know them because I was 6 years old. Simple as that," Louis replied as his family looked at his demeanor in worry.
"You said "at the time" meaning that you're implying that at THAT time, you didn't know them, but you know them now," Phoenix argued as Louis flashed him a stern look.
"Then prove it," Louis said simply as Phoenix was slightly taken aback.
"What?"
"Prove that I know those people from 8 years ago," Louis goaded Phoenix, who narrowed his eyes at the challenge. Louis took a deep breath as he knew that the only way he could testify without dragging himself down with Gabriel is if he got Mr. Wright to expose it with evidence instead of his testimony alone, "if you claim that I know those people from 8 years ago, then what exactly does that prove? Who I stole it from?" Louis challenged as Phoenix thought to himself about it and came up with a counter argument.
"No... it proves who could have possibly framed you," Phoenix replied, making Louis' eyes widen in surprise, but he didn't waver from Phoenix's suggestion, "Now, I need you to testify again about what you did when you found the container." Louis nodded and proceeded to testify about entering the room and picking up the container. He mentioned about he dropped the container when he read the name of the person on the label, presumably who the container was for.
"And that was from 8 years ago, how could the boy possibly know who they were?" Mr. Payne smirked as Phoenix picked up the container form the evidence table and looked at the label. When he read it, his eyes widened in surprise as he knew what Louis was talking about in his testimony; and he couldn't believe he didn't read the label before.
"This container, proves that you know those people in that room," Phoenix objected as he held the container in one hand and pointed his finger powerfully at Louis. the action was so powerful that a gust of air blew across the room and blasted the boy, who raised his elbow to block the wind gust, "The names on this container are Adrien Agreste and Chloe Bourgeois, and you certainly know them now." Phoenix declared as Louis grit his teeth as the court gasped in shock. Marinette couldn't believe it; not only did her son met Gabriel on that day, but he completely kept the truth from everyone and lied.
"Damn it..." Louis muttered under his breath. To be honest, it wasn't that hard to figure out in his opinion. Mr. Wright has all the evidence or most of it anyway, so he should be able to piece together what happened, "well done... you got me."
"Louis, now tell me, who else was in that room?" Phoenix asked, but before he could, another voice rang out from the gallery.
"That little boy that day... that was you?!" Chloe exclaimed as Louis looked over in the direction of who was talking.
"That's right... You, Papa, and Gabriel were all there, we met purely by coincidence," Louis said monotonously and there was a collective gasp throughout the gallery. Seriously though, it's not even that shocking, why are these people gasping? "Mr. Wright, I believe that answers your question.." Phoenix nodded as Mr. Payne interjected from the other side of the room.
"Your premise in this line of questioning is that you're trying to prove that someone else could have framed Louis correct?" Mr. Payne inquired with Phoenix nodding in confirmation, "how could Gabriel Agreste, or even the other two witnesses even recognize who he was without his mother. Gabriel had no reason to do anything to this boy if he doesn't know who he is." Mr. Payne argued, and it was a valid point. What proof does anyone have that Gabriel knew what Louis looked like? To anyone who witnessed the event, it would have been just a lost little boy who had wandered in and wandered out, and Louis testified that he didn't even say his name.
Phoenix grit his teeth and looked back at the evidence, scrounging and looking through at the items that have been submitted to the court. What could possibly prove that Gabriel knew who Louis was when he came in? The sperm container? The empty gas container? The security footage from the hospital? The used doctor's mask? The empty glass of water with trace amounts of zolpidem? And then finally, as if he was given a sign, his eyes landed on the cameras that were placed around Marinette's house. He would have definitely had the chance to get at least one look at Louis.
"These," Phoenix held up the security cameras, "are cameras that were set up around Marinette's house when she was first forced to go into hiding. Throughout the six years before the day of the insemination. Gabriel would absolutely have every opportunity to find out what Louis looked like. After all these cameras were set up around their house to monitor them." Marinette looked down slightly in shame because everything that had happened in the last 15 years was now becoming known to the court, to someone. The burden of carrying such suffering has been lifted now.
"Then the question remains, did Louis leave the room with the sperm container?" Mr. Payne asked shrewdly as Phoenix countered back with some more arguments.
"Also, another thing is that how would Louis even know as a 6 year old, what a sperm container even looks like? Did you consider that Mr. Payne?" Phoenix asked as he noticed Mr. Payne visibly shake in annoyance and anger. Phoenix knew from the start that the argument on Payne's side was incredibly weak, after all, he was accusing a 6 year old of premeditated larceny.
"He didn't have to know what it was, just what it looked like," Mr. Payne countered but Phoenix wouldn't let him get away with that.
"Louis testified that he stumbled upon that room completely by accident, what are the chances he would actually take something from a room that he knows nothing about?" Phoenix argued and the two lawyers went back and forth like that until the judge interrupted them with a resounding pounding of the gavel.
"I have heard enough! After hearing you two discuss this child's possible culpability, it has become clear that there are too many holes in the prosecution's argument concerning this child's involvement in the theft of the container," The judged announced to the court and Mr. Payne exclaimed and the two on trial, Marinette and Louis, looked to their right at Gabriel to find him visibly livid, "The witness' fingerprints may be on it, but there is not enough evidence to prove that this witness is the one who took the container, unless the prosecution has more evidence to present?" The judge turned his attention towards the prosecutor who cowered slightly under the pressure. The rest of the party looked at him with bated breath as they were afraid he did actually have evidence. After a moment, Mr. Payne snickered and patted his hair again with a smirk on his face and Louis felt his stomach drop.
"I do actually Your Honor, and that is this," Mr. Payne lifted up a disc from the evidence table and Phoenix recognized it as the security footage from the clinic, "this is footage from the clinic that has the moment Louis entered and exited the room. And it has some..." Mr. Payne paused for a moment to look at Louis maliciously, "compromising footage..."
Louis grit his teeth in frustration as he knew that he had nothing to do with that container besides touching it, but Mr. Payne wouldn't let it go; and another arises: what exactly did that footage show him doing?
"Please show us what your idea of compromising footage is," Phoenix taunted in a sort of goading way, as if he was trying to push Mr. Payne into showing the footage. With all the circumstantial holes in the prosecutor's argument, there was no way Louis actually took the container, but it must be footage of Louis doing something else.
"Mr. Payne, if you would please show us," The judge asked as he readjusted his black robe and Mr. Payne nodded in response.
"As you wish Your Honor," Mr. Payne put the CD in the player and the video started up on the monitors on either side of the judge's podium and the court all leaned forward to watch. The first clip showed Louis walking up to the room that everyone assumed was Chloe's room and he went in. About 7 minutes later, Louis came out of the room, but he looked slightly strange; he turned back towards the door and slightly stepped backward as if he was afraid of the door, then he reached his hand into the inside of his jacket as if he was steadying something in his jacket. After that, he slowly slinked away from the door. However, between those 7 minutes, Adrien went out of the room for an unknown reason, and nothing else happened, or at least, nothing happened in front of that room anyway, "this footage clearly shows Louis hiding something in his jacket when he left the room, and the prosecution believes that he was hiding the container."
"We've already discussed the strange position of the fingerprints, there was no way that Louis would have stolen that container with just the tips of his fingers," Phoenix argued back, making Mr. Payne growl back in annoyance. Phoenix sighed and started once again, "but I'll entertain the idea that Louis is hiding something in his jacket, but only the footage will show us exactly what was it."
Everyone turned their attention back to the screen again and as Louis reached inside his inside pocket of his jacket, he pulled out a little something that was barely visible. To the common eye, it just looked like some sort of yellow string, but the gang knew what it was.
"As you can see on the video," Phoenix pointed out, "whatever he has in his hand is definitely not the container, so any grounds you have to implicate him of this crime is void." Marinette looked closer at the image and she realized what that little string was, she could even make out the beads.
"Adrien's charm..." Marinette whispered to herself , and him taking it out, she knew what it meant. That charm when Louis was younger was used as his pacifying device whenever he got panicked. It was his greatest treasure and it became his habit to take it out and pray to it whenever he got scared, because he knew it was his father's. There was a moment of tense silence between the two lawyers, but it as soon broken by the judge.
"Then that is the end of that, as of right now, there is no more point discussing this further. Witness, I am so sorry you've had to go through this, I understand it's been very nerve-wracking for you," The judge consoled Louis, who like a twisted rubber band that was released, his rigid, calm demeanor was reduced to a shaking, relieved boy again, "You may step down, thank you for your time." Louis released the iron hold he's had on the stand and he felt the blood rush into his hands again and he could feel them shaking. He feels relieved, but his body doesn't, and slowly he takes a step backward, as if he was stepping back from a bad memory. Suddenly, a voice cut through his stupor and he felt his body jump in fear.
"You're afraid aren't you?" Gabriel murmured over to Louis, who clenched his eyes closed.
"What are you trying to say, stop with the riddles," Louis said through clenched teeth. Hasn't he been tortured enough? Hasn't he said enough? Dealing with adults that are out to frame him is bad enough, but he doesn't need the mental strife anymore. Luckily, his mom was there to back him up.
"Gabriel that's enough, don't you think you've done enough?" Marinette gave him a harsh, pointed look before Phoenix also cut in after her.
"Mr. Agreste, I won't have you badgering my witness," Phoenix reminded Gabriel, who the family could tell he was mad on the inside because Louis was now off the hook. He looked from Phoenix to Louis and he still had that confident look on his face, as if there was something else Louis was responsible for.
"You're innocent... at least this time..." Gabriel muttered knowingly as he faced forward again, as Louis looked at him in disbelief, but it was a boiling anger. After a moment, he spoke up again, shocking everyone with his outburst.
"WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME?!"Louis shouted with such an aura that shocked the whole room. You could practically feel the desperation and anger in his voice, and the judge was about to stop him before he figured he should let Louis say his piece. With every gasping breath he spoke, he sounded more crazed and mad than ever, "Because I honestly don't wish to know what's in that sick twisted head of yours. I don't how my mom did it, dealing with you and being strong when I can hardly do it myself," Louis took one deep breath before he finally managed to breathe a sentence that was remotely calm, "you may not realize this... but that hole you mentioned earlier? You're also in it, and whether you like it or not, you're sinking with me and you will not get out." Gabriel looked at the boy's dead serious face, no longer the face of a 14 year old boy; where you would find joy and exuberant ambition, you also find maturity and the reality of the world that has settled in. This is a boy who understands what it means to stand on their own as an adult against others who seek to benefit from his suffering.
"Son, if you don't mind, you're still a witness to this crime and we would appreciate your valuable testimony when we have need for your cooperation," The judge reminded Louis, who nodded in response.
"It's not a problem Your Honor," Louis replied as the two nodded in understanding and he stepped away from the stand. He walked over to the seat beside his mom and sat down, breathing a huge sigh of relief.
"Louis... forgive me... for leaving you alone that day," Marinette looked over at her son, and rested her hand on his shoulder, which he gladly leaned into. Louis then turned his head slightly so he could make eye contact with her.
"Don't apologize Mom, it was me who didn't tell you what happened... I was too scared to tell you. I'm sorry," Louis whispered, his last words hanging on a tearful note. Marinette sighed and brought her hand over to cup the other side of his face to bring him closer so she could lean her head on top of his.
"It's alright, we'll make it through this... together. It's time I do my part too," Marinette murmured to Louis, who nodded in understanding. Everyone that was watching from the stands could now release their breaths in relief now that Louis was in the clear. However, it was far from over since the only thing that they managed to prove was that Louis didn't take it since it was nowhere on his person when he left the room. Now the question remains, what happened to the container after Louis left? As Phoenix and Mr. Payne looked through the footage again in the court record, they found something else interesting, however, they weren't able to touch on it because another development was about to occur.
"Your Honor!" Chloe called out from the stands as everyone turned their attention towards her, "I would like to testify! I can testify about what happened after Louis left!" The entire court looked at her in shock. Gabriel, Marinette, and the others couldn't believe their ears.
"And who are you?" The judge inquired as Chloe scoffed and yelled out again.
"How ridiculous! I'm Chloe Bourgeois, I was one of the people in that room that day, and I can testify!" Chloe replied as people gasped and the judge narrowed his eyes at her to get a good look at her. Adrien couldn't help but lean over and reassure Chloe if she's ok or not.
"Chloe, are you sure about this?" Adrien asked as Chloe turned sharply to him and looked at him dead serious in the eyes.
"Adrien... Mari and Louis are in a huge amount of danger if this trial keeps going like this. I figured something was weird that day... I don't know the full story, but I know that this isn't going to end up well for them unless I help," Chloe replied as she glanced at Marinette and Louis to find them looking up at her. They shared a moment of silent understanding before the judge called out again.
"Alright then, we will have a 10 minute recess in order to prepare for Madame Bourgeois' testimony," The judge announced and the gallery immediately released their anxiety and started talking amongst themselves and they filed out into the outside halls. Marinette walked out with Louis into the side meeting room so they could meet up with Phoenix, Adrien, and the others. As the pair walked into the side room outside the court doors, they saw Phoenix waiting for them as well as Adrien. Adrien then immediately approached his son and gently held him by his side, leaning down so he could look at his son in the eyes.
"Louis, are you ok?" Adrien asked as Louis nodded and slightly dismissed his question. It was as if he just didn't want to deal with the questions anymore, either positive or negative, he just didn't want to answer anything anymore. Adrien understood and let go, gaining an appreciative yet timid smile from his son.
"I'm fine... I'm just relieved... but mostly exhausted," Louis replied as Hugo and Emma ran up to him and hugged him, which he gladly reciprocated. Marinette raised her hand to rub his shoulder to comfort him. When his siblings let go of him, they couldn't help but fire questions at him.
"Lou... how could you have gone for this long not saying anything? It must have taken so much strength to continue your childhood as if it was normal," Hugo sniffled as Louis squatted down to meet his little brother's height and set his hand on his shoulder.
"Hugo... Emma... one thing I want you two to know is that, that struggle to keep everything to myself, it was easier to bear when you two came into my life. You, Emma, and Maman, all three of you made it easier to forget and I thank you for that," Louissaid softly, making Hugo take another sharp breath before jumping into his brother's arms to hug him again with Emma following.
"We're sorry Lou," Emma cried into Louis' shoulder, who shook his head gently and smiled.
"There's nothing to apologize for," Louis replied with the other adults looking on at them with sympathy. After the siblings let go of him and Phoenix could get down to business with them.
"Louis, there's something I want to talk to you about," Phoenix started as Louis straightened himself to meet Phoenix. The group gathered around Phoenix as he pulled out his phone and showed the footage to Louis. What was on there took everyone completely by surprise. It was Louis in front of a door that was open and there was some kind of smoke billowing out of it. Louis tripped and fell onto his bottom as he tried to back away from the door. After a few moments of staring at whatever was in the door, it was scary enough for Louis to get up, dash forward and close the door on whatever it was. He then turned around and held his back to the door in an attempt to keep it closed. With the gas still seeping out from the door, Louis held his mouth and nose closed as he slumped to the floor, coughing and wheezing from the pain. Soon, he tried to stand up to get away from the door, but his knees buckled from his slipping conscious and he fell forward onto the floor unconscious and the clip ended there. Everyone could only stare in shock at the new turn of events, "Louis, what did you see in that room that prompted you to do such a thing?"
Louis stared at the paused clip for a while longer as he recalled the events of what happened when he searched for his mom after stumbling into the room. When he finally recalled the moment, he subconsciously took a sharp intake of breath and took a step backward, his eyes completely hazed by the memory. He remembered the ghastly pale face of the monster that reached out to him. He could barely remember what the creature was saying because he was so incredibly panicked. He remembered how angry he was at the doctor who told him his mom was in that room and for a moment, he thought whatever was crawling towards him was his worst nightmare, "I think... it was a person... who needed my help because she was trapped, and I was so afraid that Mom would have died in there, but..." Louis said slowly as his mind finally came to a realization, one that he didn't want to admit, "in my panic... I thought she was coming for me, and I held the door closed while I killed us both. We both suffocated in that gas..." Louis recalled, murmuring to himself, but it didn't even seem like he was even talking to anyone. Mairnette immediately steadied Louis' shoulders and rubbed them in an act of support as she looked into his son's eyes, which were completely vacant.
"Louis... sweetie... it's going to be alright... you didn't kill anyone..." Marinette replied softly as she gently wrapped the rest of her body around him in a hug, crying into his neck, " Who could blame you? You were terrified..."
"Poor Louis..." Maya consoled the family as Louis leaned his head against his mom's and began to cry silently. However, it hit Maya that if Dr. Alver was supposed to see Marinette, then the person Louis probably saw that was crawling towards him was most likely her. And of all the things to mentally scar him for life, "Then it must have been whoever set off the gas in that room that killed Dr. Alver, because that's the only time when it could have happened," Maya realized as she analyzed Louis' ramblings. He had mentioned there was a woman who was trapped in one of the rooms, the supposed room that had Marinette in it. Phoenix realized. this as well and his next question came to life before anyone could beat him to the punch.
"Wait... then... Marinette... where were you when this happened?" Phoenix asked as Marinette tried to recall any memory of that day of her son being stalked by a dying person, but nothing came up. That day was just one huge blank because she figured she must have blacked out in the middle of it. This mystery was only beginning and the floodgates that were holding back the memories and incidents of the past has now been fully unleashed. With the past being reopened, it was only a matter of time before the big twist that no one saw coming would come to light, and rock the Agreste family to the very core. What else was Louis hiding and where was Marinette during all of it? Adrien couldn't help but feel like this recollection and reveal of the past was best kept closed after all.