The Truth and What Remains: An Adrienette story

Chapter 27: The Past Reopens Pt. 1 (Phoenix Wright x ML Collab)

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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.