Miraculous Startline

Gabriels Trial - Part 1

~welcome to the second sunday special... the next chapter will be released tomorrow night- who's ready?~

As the grand door creaked open, heads turned to get a glimpse of Paris' most loved. Applause erupted in the room and thanks were given as the heroes entered. Hand in hand, Ladybug and Chat Noir strode down the aisle, hardened determination set in their eyes. Their pace matched, even their breaths in sync as they approached the front of the court, where their friends, their comrades in crime fighting sat, with supportive smiles and welcoming arms.

Today, the trial could go one of two ways, depending on Gabriel's plea. Adrien and Marinette had read up on court procedure the week prior. If Gabriel pleaded 'not guilty'- the trial could last days and even escalate to a grand jury. But if Gabriel pleaded 'guilty'- today could be the last day Adrien would see his father. The courts would speed through the evidence and immediately begin delegating service time and punishments for Gabriel's actions- 4 or 5 hours tops...

Alya, Chloe and Luca sat two rows back and beamed big, comforting smiles at Ladybug. But soon, confusion settled on their faces- noticing Chat Noir by her side. They shifted in unease, and more than a whisper or two may have passed between them as Paris' heroes approached their row, their hands held with a trust that had been broken.

Chat Noir's heart began to pound when he saw his father's lawyer, and the empty seat next to him. His grip on Ladybug's hand tightened as he walked with her, his chest tight and throat dry. He gulped, the sound echoing in his ears, convinced that everyone could hear, and see, how nervous he was. He would have to see his father again, except this time Chat Noir would be sending him to prison.

Reaching Alya's row, Ladybug let go of Chat Noir's hand. Chat Noir stood in shock. But as soon as he was alone, his heart sank. Chat Noir looked down at Ladybug, sitting with a deep furrow in her brow. Wasn't she supposed to support him today, hadn't she promised? Chat Noir needed her, right now, at this moment, more than he had ever needed her in his whole life, and she was separating herself. He could feel something in his chest breaking. His breath shook, his hand grasping at nothingness.

As Ladybug sat, Alya wrapped a defensive arm around her as she rested her head on Alya's shoulder. Chat Noir desperately looked at Chloe. Chloe dismissively shook her head and turned back to Luca. As much as Chole wanted to believe Adrien hadn't kissed Kagami, she couldn't. She was finally in their click, the famous four. And if that meant she had to replace Adrien to stay in it, Chloe would swallow her doubts and stay silent.

"Go sit with your family Chat." Ladybug said, eyes fixed on her lap.

"But you said-" Chat Noir protested, his eyes wide and darting, searching for something, anything to ground him, to keep here and present and not drowning in this nightmare. Marinette didn't want him, didn't need him anymore, and Nino was nowhere to be seen.

"I'm here for you, but right now you should be with your family." Ladybug said.

Chat Noir was terrified, frozen to the spot. Until a few months ago, Gabriel had been his family, his entire family. Then, everything he believed had been ripped out from under him when Chat Noir discovered Gabriel Agreste, his father, was Hawkmoth.

Adrien didn't really have a family, not anymore. Marinette had been the one to support him when his father wasn't there, the person to cheer him up when he was down. Now she wasn't even able to look at him, with her head bowed and her hands clenched in white knuckled fists.

Sure, there was Amilie and Felix- but it had always been the two of them... Was it possible Adrien felt like a third wheel in his own home?

Chat Noir took a shallow breath, and turned to go to Amilie and Felix. The bystanders, if they had looked close enough, would have seen that Chat's eyes were glassy and unfocused, not gleaming and sharp. He took a seat and pulled his tail into his hands, harshly rubbing the leather. He could feel the friction against his fingers. The motion helped focus him as he stared at the front of the courtroom, his eyes glazed. Chat Noir was nervous, angry and upset. Three emotions mixing, which should be kept separate.

The side door of the court opened, and Gabriel Agreste walked in, his hands chained in front of him, and an orange jumpsuit framing his figure. His posture was immaculate, contrasting with his disheveled hair. Gabriel's gaze raked across the audience, holding the same cold caliber it always did, despite not being in the position of power.

Chat Noir's eyes met his father's and for a moment, he was lost. What if he had never helped that old man on the first day of school? What if he had never defeated Hawkmoth? None of this would be happening, and he would be at home, resting on his bed, with his father in the next room, scolding about this or that. Chat Noir wouldn't have to stand against the person who had raised him, who had made him who he was.

Without Gabriel, he would never have become a model. He would never have met Marientte, or gone to that specific school. Adrien would never have had the experiences he had, or made the memories he held so dear. Without Gabriel there to shape his life, like a father figure should- Chat Noir wouldn't be the person he was today.

Tears pricked the corner of his eyes as Gabriel took his  seat. His father, no, this man, had done something wrong, and he needed to be punished for it in the court of law.

Chat Noir wiped his eyes with the back of his hand. His teeth clenched as he stared hard at the back of his father's head. He would not forget what that man had done to him and Marinette, what he had done to all of Paris. Chat Noir was tempted to look at Ladybug, to tell her he was alright and to make sure she was okay. But he dared not, because if he did, he knew he might break into tears right there. Adrien could make it through this, because after all, he was Chat Noir.

And Chat Noir was Paris' superhero.

"As I said before, my mother insisted I attend the trial." Kagami said, passing Nino.

"I don't think you understand, I really don't think this is a good idea!" Nino insisted, stepping in front of Kagami- blocking her way to the courtroom.

"Tell me why I shouldn't Nino- and don't say because I used to date Adrien. If anything, that gives me more of a right to be there." Kagami said, scowling deeply at the nervous boy infront of her.

"It's already too complicated! If I tell you more, it'll be worse!" Nino protested, mirroring Kagami's steps as she battled to get past the boy.

"Move!" Kagami almost yelled, grabbing Nino and pushing him out of the way with one firm shove.

Taking three powerful strides, Kagami reached the doors to the courtroom. Panic struck Nino, he was entrusted with one task. Keep. Kagami. Away. So in a desperate attempt to stop her, Nino paused in his tracks, took a sharp breath, and hastily said,

"Marinette thinks you kissed Adrien!"

But it was too late. At the sound of Nino's voice, the grand doors were forced open, and the courtroom collectively held their breath as the pair was revealed.

Shock hit Kagami. Her normally composed and calm demeanour was replaced with embarrassment and confusion. Her mouth gaped with astonishment at Nino's revelation, and her hands clenched into tight fists at her side. The courtroom was dead silent, and all faces stared back at the frozen Kagami. Cameras flashed and whispers erupted. Kagami Tsurgi, Adrien Agreste's ex, showing up late to his fathers trial?

"Shit..." Nino muttered under his breath, fixing his glasses.