BIG NOTICE: 1/8/21

IF YOU DO NOT LIKE SALT FICS, STOP HERE! (I had to add this in bold because it seems people can't read the tiny lettering that tells them to go back if they do not like salt fics, like Jesus.) I got anonymous peeps here crawling around saying they don't like the fic, news flash, if the fic isn't to your liking, hop off the fic, simple, stop dropping hate in my comments section/PMs.

Also, all guest (anon) reviews that are hating on this fic, will be removed, if you're gonna be negative, have the balls to use your own account.

And yes, I'm sick of people complaining, not everyone has to like the same things, I write for myself and the people who are interested in what I write, so negative 'guests', kindly fuck off and write your own story.

Summary

When Chat Noir doesn't take No for an answer, and finally shows it, Tikki, Plagg and Master Fu band together to solve the problem: Unfortunately most of Ladybugs allies prove themselves to no longer be fully trustworthy in Marinette's eyes to become permanent holders.

Fortunately, a Certain Bourgeois and Tsurugi along with some new faces, prove they can be the solution Ladybug needs to form a more stable team.

Genre:

Angst, Drama, Hurt/Comfort, Friendship and Romance.

Note: (and Trigger warning?)

There will be heavy topics that will be discussed in this fic, Some may be triggering.

also, if you don't like GirlxGirl fics, stop and turn back.

Also, This fic is what some (many) call, a 'Salt Fic'.

If you don't like salt fics than please leave.

NOTE 2:

I CAN'T STRESS THIS ENOUGH, IF YOU DON'T LIKE ADRIEN SALT, STOP READING MY FIC LMAO, HATE REVIEWS REGARDING THE SALT WILL BE DELETED,GROW UP, DON'T BE CHILDISH. THERE I WARNED Y'ALL SALT HATERS TO STAY AWAY, SO STAY AWAY!

THANKS.

Chapter: Ephemeral P.1

Marinette is stricken with fear, she felt scared, afraid of the one person she shouldn't have to be afraid of, her first partner. If Rena and Carapace weren't present, who knows what may have happened when she refused to return Chats forcefully kiss, she felt...disgusting, she felt exposed and vulnerable, she felt violated.

Luckily Rena saw what was happening, and finally recognized how uncomfortable Ladybug was, she stepped in, she practically ripped the boy off of the spotted hero and yelled, only to be met with Chats retort that 'The Ladybug and Black Cat are meant to be, and there was nothing that would get between them any longer.

Carapace was shaken to his core, he'd never seen this side to Chat, he knew just like everyone else that Chat Noir had feelings for Ladybug, but he would have never imagined that he'd forcibly act on it. It broke his heart to see Ladybug look so...afraid and teary eyed. "Yo Dude! What's your prob!", Carapace got between Rena comforting Ladybug and Chat Noir, his hand was out in front of him, as if signaling for Chat to stay away.

Chat scoffed, "Mind your business dude! You're all getting in the way of true love.", he said as he stepped forwards. He was annoyed, angry that everyone just kept interfering. Father always told him that if something was worth it, to go after it and not give up until it was his, whether it be an object, a dream...or a person. He was determined to make Ladybug see that they were meant to be, that no matter how much Ladybug tried to fight it, she would love him too, she had to.

Ladybug clenched her jaw shut tightly, gritting her teeth, she'd reached her point, she'd been trying to be patient, she'd been trying so hard to just endure Chat's non-stop pestering. "Look, Chat…", she started, ready to send him down to hell, ready to just…she sucked in a breath and released it, calming herself, "Chat, let's talk more later, okay. We can't do this here, not with them here...please.", she submitted, buckling under his hard gaze, she didn't argue back, she just allowed for him to gain his way, she forced her expression to soften. "Let's meet at the usual spot okay.", she suggested with a sigh, she gently pushed out from Rena's protective embrace.

Chat seemed to lightened up as the spotted hero spoke calmly, he accepted her want to meet up later. "Sure, thing.", he said much more calmly and softly, affectionately.

Horror flashed across Rena and Carapace's faces, they looked taken aback and shocked. Rena was going to speak up and object, but before she could, Ladybug gave her an odd look, as if telling to just let it go. Rena looked down to the roof's tiles and said nothing.

But that didn't stop Carapace from trying, "Wha- Dude-", he fell silent when Rena suddenly approached him and yanked him towards her by his arm, mumbling a soft 'let's go'

Both teens left, leaving Ladybug and Chat behind.

"You better be there.", he said, his words came out playful, but his gaze held an odd look to them, almost threatening and malicious.

Ladybug faked a smile, she waved, "Of course, we can do our patrol after too.", she added another suggestion, which Chat nodded in agreement. "Bug out.", she said as she threw her yoyo off the roof and jumped off, leaving. She felt relief flooding her, she felt the emotion come over her so overwhelmingly hard, it was almost drowning her, she didn't expect this to happen, she didn't expect Chat to escalate his advances, especially in front of Alya and Nino. Things have been hard enough on her in her civilian life, and now it seemed her hero life was being smothered as well. She felt trapped and helpless, she felt obligated to just be life's punching bag. If she wasn't dealing with Lila, then she was dealing with Chat. Her eyes watered up as she felt a pang of pain make her chest ache and tighten.

"Ladybug!", Rena's voice almost brought relief. Almost.

Ladybug held her tears at bay, she felt herself growing numb. She sucked in a breath as she dropped into the alley where Alya and Nino stood, both wearing looks of concern. It made her chest sink. "Hey, sorry about the wait-", she started to apologize, but was suddenly cut off by arms wrapping around her, she felt Alya trembling against her, she could hear Alya's breath shaking. Ladybug stiffened, it felt odd to be held these days, physical contact was something she always used to have and initiate, back when she had friends, back when Chat wasn't always trying to kiss her or make advances. She was forgetting how to react.

It's been three months since Lila ripped her friends away from her, it's been four months since Chat has begun his quest to win her affections.

Another pair of arms wrapped around them, Nino had joined in. "You can't...you can't meet him tonight.", he said, his voice was soft, so soft and broken. "He'll hurt you, please don't go."

Ladybug remained with her arms hanging by her sides, she was physically stunned in place, but words managed to come out of her lips. "I don't have a choice.", she whispered.

Ladybug felt Alya's fingers digging into her back, "You have a choice, you always do.", Alya consoled, "You don't have to do this, at least, not alone, let me go with you.", the brunette offers, her arms wrapped tighter around her idol.

Ladybug felt the numbness wash over, she felt pain coming back in full force, she didn't want to break down, not here, not in Alya's arms, because then it'd hurt when she would inevitably hurt again and Alya wasn't there anymore to comfort her. Oh how Ladybug yearned to be comforted and told that everything would be okay, how Marinette mourns the loss of their friendship everyday. She grieves. She hurts. She's all alone.

For a moment, Ladybug closes her eyes and relaxes, allows for the warmth that Nino and Alya are giving to her to just wrap around her and bring her temporary comfort and security. She yearns for this moment to last forever. But she knows she has things to do, places to be, thing to prepare for. She releases a heavy sigh and starts to pull away from the arms that provided a short amount of protection.

Alya and Nino were both reluctant to let the girl go, both wore sad and pain filled expression, they both felt their heart drop to their stomachs, they felt sick, they knew what Chat Noir was capable of now, they saw it with their eyes, and it completely broke their image of the whole 'perfect' Ladybug and Chat Noir partnership/friendship. The way the news always made them out to be this perfect match just meant for each other, if only they knew the truth.

"Ladybug-", Alya's voice was desperate, she was going to beg, beg Ladybug to bring company, but just as she said the spotted hero's name, Ladybug reached her hands out, holding her hands out to receive the wooden boxes that contained the miraculouses.

Nino released a heavy breath and silently placed the box into Ladybugs hand. His downcast expression said it all. His lips pressed into a tight line.

Alya's lips trembled. "Ladybug-", she tried to speak again.

"I would appreciate if word didn't get out...about Chat.", Ladybug cut her off, her empty right hand still waiting for Alya to drop the wooden box into it, her expression was cold, distant. Internally, she felt sick for wanting to protect Chat's image, but that feeling disappeared as she chalked her request up to her not wanting others to smudge her reputation as well.

Alya winced, her gaze was broken, she released a soft shaky sigh and nodded, her lips pressed into a tight line as well, and she finally gave the teen the box.

"Thank you.", Ladybug said in a stiff tone, she then turned around and threw her yoyo up and jumped out of the alley, disappearing.

"-not now Tikki!", Marinette yelled before Tikki could even speak, all it took was for Tikki to look at her for her to know that Tikki was going to scold her, because these days, Tikki has been doing that quite often, pestering her about seeing Fu and telling him about Chat, pestering her about telling her parents about Lila and how horrible her school life became.

Tikki floated backward slightly, taken aback, she felt a mix of emotions washing over her, from sadness to anger and to helplessness. She knew Marinette was taking on too much, and today was the tipping point, tonight would be the point of no return. "You can't see Chat Noir!", Tikki yelled in frustration, her gaze was hard, yet her eyes were watery, "I refuse to allow you a way over there.", Tikki suddenly threatened.

Marinette's expression fell, "What?"

"I won't eat, I won't rest. I will not recharge only for you to fall into that stupid boys hands where he'll only hurt you.", Tikki winced as she suddenly fell down, Marinette quickly caught her in her palm.

"You can't-", Marinette started to retort, "What if an akuma attacks, what if-"

"You'll be killed.", Tikki said suddenly as she curled up in Marinette's hand, "If this goes on, the boy will destroy the balance, You two are supposed to be in sync, you are both supposed to be two halves of a whole. He is starting to eclipse you, Marinette.", Tikki started to whimper softly. "I refuse to lose another Ladybug so soon, especially if I can protect you."

Marinette felt her eyes starting to tear up, she felt helpless, useless and just so lost, "There's nothing we can do...I have to...I have to just...think about the people.", Marinette sucked in a shaky wet breath, tears streamed down her cheeks. She had a duty, a mission. She was Ladybug, she was supposed to be selfless and brave, she had to put the people's needs ahead of her own, and if being with Chat made Paris safer and the fight against Hawk Moth more effective. Then so be it.

Tikki looked disgusted, she felt sickened, she wouldn't have ever thought that Plaggs chosen would be this foul of a person, she didn't expect this, it broke her heart, seeing that Marinette was willing to completely destroy herself as a person if it meant that their chances of recovering the peacock and butterfly miraculous was much more realistic. Tikki knew that Marinette's unhappiness would attribute to the destruction of the very balance that Adrien was already destroying. The stupid boy was eclipsing her master, and if it continued, there would be no going back, people would be put in danger and both Marinette and Adrien would lose their lives. Tikki felt anger towards Adrien, the stupid boy would take her chosen away from her. She couldn't let this happen, she couldn't let this go on.

"Marinette, we must see the Guardian. Please, I'm begging you.", Tikki squeaked sadly.

Marinette swallowed thickly, "There's nothing he'll be able to do, all he'll do is tell me what I'm already going to do. Stay with Chat-", her voice cracked.

Tikki sniffled, "Please, trust me. Please.", she begged, her begging was getting weaker.

"Okay, okay.", Marinette gave in, she felt shame coming over her, accompanied by embarrassment, what would Master Fu think of her? Would he side with Chat?

"Kid, what are you doing?", Plagg spoke as he emerged when Chat Noir said those two words, 'Claws In'. The Kwami was feeling on edge, upset and an odd feeling of dislike towards Adrien was starting to bloom inside of him, he never usually disliked his masters, or liked them...but Adrien was different, he grew a little fond of the boy.

But there was a line.

Adrien ignored the Kwami, a smile on his face, "She'll love me, she has to.", he merely said to himself as he began to pace in the spacious room, thinking of what to do, if maybe he should bring flowers for tonight.

Plagg had been growing more and more afraid of Adrien, the kwami had seen how engrossed Adrien had become with winning Ladybugs affections. He knew that isolation shaped people in different ways, and Adrien's father didn't help at all, but surely Adrien would know right from wrong, at least, Plagg kept hoping, believing that Adrien would open his eyes and see how his ways are driving a wedge between himself and Ladybug. Plagg felt a pang of pain for Marinette, if only the girl knew, if only his master knew. Where Marinette loved Adrien, Adrien loved Ladybug. 'Oh Tikki.', he thought to himself, guilt washing over him, a part of him wanted to advise the boy, but the other part of him was afraid of how Adrien would react. He tried to advise him once, but Adrien grew defensive and ignored him. 'Oh kid.'

Adrien plopped down onto his bed, he laid onto his back, "Ladybug's as good as mine, I'll give her whatever she wants, we'll be together-"

The boy was falling, spiraling.

Plagg couldn't bear to hear it anymore, each declaration Adrien made, was like a knife being driven into his chest, it was confirmation that Marinette was going to get hurt, and that Tikki would get hurt as well, and he couldn't- wouldn't let that happen. His expression hardened, he had to protect Marinette and Tikki, even if it meant that he weakened himself in a way that jeopardized his life, he cared for Adrien, but he pushed those feelings away, the balance was going to tip. The more Adrien acted on his feelings for Ladybug, the more he started to eclipse Tikki's chosen, the more likely that Marinette would lose the ability to use her lucky charm and call out onto the magical ladybugs. Marinette was more and more likely to get caught in the irreversible side effects of a broken balance.

"Hey, kid. Mind if I go out for a bit, I wanna hang out with my fellow kwamis.", Plagg asked carefully.

Adrien without care merely gave the kwami permission, "Sure, whatever, just be back by 8, okay?", the blonde haired boy turned onto his side, giving his back to Plagg. "We have the patrol with Milady."

Plagg wore a look of disgust, his expression hardened, 'Don't worry, Tikki, I'll find a way to protect your beloved chosen. I promise.', his eyes scanning over the boy, "Yeah, of course.", he said, forcing a calm tone.

The kwami then turned around towards the open window and without looking back, Plagg left, flying to the only person who could fix the damage that Adrien was causing before Marinette would inevitably succumb. He knew that Tikki loved Marinette, just as she did her many other wielders, he knew that once Tikki loved, she loved unconditionally and deeply, the Ladybug kwami was sensitive and sincere, the depth of her love amazed all the other kwamis, even himself. He didn't understand it, after all, he knew that humans didn't really have longevity, he knew that only pain would come from loving a human, Yet, Tikki constantly opened herself up to the pain, mourning and grieving all of her chosen. It was a cycle Tikki subjected herself too willingly. Why? He and the majority of the other fellow kwamis didn't understand and wouldn't, because neither of them were willing to allow their feelings to play a role in their mission to preserve the balance of all life.

The ones that did understand Tikki, would only rarely love their human wielders once their wielders proved to be worth the pain. Trixx, Wayzz, Pollen and Longg, were all Kwamis that once mourned and grieved the loss of their previous masters.

Plagg frowned heavily, feelings only ever made things complicated, from what he's seen among the humans, they're a mess, all of them.

Love, it was such a powerful force. For it was capable of doing two things, creating and destroying.

So like...hey (Lul)This fic will be Marinette/Chloé.Kagami and some familiar new faces will play a major part in this fic as it progresses.

Lila is her evil self, Adrien is a douche. (They'll both get dragged and exposed.)Everyone in Marinette's class are all assholes (but they will regret it later on)

Alot will be going on in this fic.also, this fic is cross-posted, I have it up on Ao3.

Anyways, I apologize about any typos and mistakes, feel free to drop comments/critiques/questions.