A/N: The second chapter! Once again my tired brain has got me writing like there's no tomorrow. So I've got quite a few of these chapters written up so updates should be weekly.

Silver - I was pleasantly surprised to see you found this story XD I'm glad you found it and that you find it interesting.

Amy - Thanks for reviewing! I was actually considering Merlin as the culprit, but I thought of another option, after all she needs to be included in the fun too.

Don't forget to say what you think in reviews, or even just follow and favourite!

D.L.D

Early morning soon faded into afternoon and Gowther and Escanor emerged from their hiding spots. Like the others they were kiddie-fied, Gowther looking extremely adorable with his glasses and quiet demeanour. However Escanor was arguably as cute with his skittish nature and small form, his glasses shrunken with him.

Both were rather shocked, but pleased, to know that everyone was in the same boat as them. However they seemed to express their concerns on the matter as well.

"It truly is an interesting situation," Escanor spoke as he watched Diane chase after Hawk.

The shrunken giantess had not left the poor animal alone, often hounding him to entertain herself while the others discussed things.

"Yes it is," Gowther stated blankly as he observed as well. "Let us hope that we do not act like children and continue as we normally would."

Throughout the morning, the Sins tried to pass the time by doing their usual tasks but it was mostly pointless if anything. Especially with their new tiny bodies. Diane and Elizabeth couldn't go out because of how small they were. Meliodas had strictly spoken his opinion on the matter as did King. Both seemed to stress that they were easier to snatch away like this so leaving the Boar Hat was out of question. King was too busy being a tailor to do his daily tasks, although he did complain at times. Meliodas was struggling as it was being the smallest in the group. And the other three took the opportunity to sit back and wait for Merlin to arrive.

Along with not being able to do their usual tasks, the group also seemed to experience childlike urges as well, taking naps throughout the day and often having to be snapped out of a tantrum by the others. Diane had had a pretty explosive one when Hawk refused to give her a piggyback ride, her strength causing significant damage and only King being able to calm her. (He'd done so by promising to convince Hawk to be nicer).

But they all knew that they couldn't keep going on like this. They needed to hear from Merlin as soon as she had woken. Once she was there they could figure out what had happened and who had done this. After all they all knew magic was somewhat involved in their situation and Merlin just happened to be their local expert.

"I wonder who would do such a thing," King frowned as he finished Gowther's new outfit. It was nearly identical to the one he usually wore but improved for a child - The off the shoulder look was replaced with a long sleeved shirt.

The fairy passed it to the doll who muttered his thanks before plodding off to change, heavy book in hand with his outfit.

"Probably someone who saw us as an obstacle," Meliodas shrugged, nearly falling from his stool. Luckily he rebalanced himself. "We made a lot of enemies after saving Liones."

"We did, didn't we," Diane giggled as she clung onto Hawk, her arms wrapped around his piggy flesh. The animal spoke his protests but played along, not wanting to anger the giantess.

Elizabeth had joined them, in her new dress made by King, but instead of hounding the pig she comforted him. Feeding him scraps of the food Ban could reach, she'd even apologised for Diane's earlier actions.

"Well that proves you're good people and that you've done your job right!" The princess grinned as she dusted herself off. She looked a lot more like a princess thanks to the dress. It was sky blue with a waist that had a puffy pastel yellow bow at the back and ended at her feet. Diane had insisted on giving her a daisy crown and so had picked daisies from out front for her - under supervision of course.

"Thank you Elizabeth."

"Thanks princess."

Everyone seemed to appreciate her kind words, smiles reaching her as she blushed. She was another person who'd succumbed to their childlike urges.

"Well it seems you all have this handled," Merlin smirked as she appeared in the room.

Her raven hair fell into her eyes, now chubby cheeks red with a slight blush. The mage had somehow managed to find some clothes that fit her and smiled as she peered at her comrades. This situation was definitely most intriguing.

"Merlin you're so adorable!" Diane went to hug the mage, but she placed a hand up signalling otherwise.

"I'd prefer if you would not say that," She frowned as she ran a hand over her face. "This form brings many memories with it."

"Oops sorry," Diane smiled sheepishly before heading back to Hawk. Now the giantess was intent on cooking him if he didn't give her a ride. After all the food Ban could reach wasn't the best. Boiled or roast pig didn't seem like bad option right about now.

"Well Merlin, it looks like you're the most mature out of us all," Meliodas turned to face the smirking ravenette. "You got any idea what happened?"

"Well I do," Merlin responded glancing over the room as she slowly walked through it.

Elizabeth and Diane were now napping, resting against Hawk who was slowly drifting off; King had taken his leave from tailoring, allowing himself a pint of ale (he was even more of a lightweight as a kid); Ban was in the kitchen, clattering joining his curses; and Escanor and Gowther had left the room. This left Merlin and the Captain to talk, both clearly maintaining their mental ages.

The mage hummed in intrigue as she studied her peers, brain working as she thought of all the spells and motives someone could have used. Of the outcomes of their predicament. There were countless culprits. Countless spells. But one seemed to stick in her mind as she thought.

"I spent all morning studying what happened after seeing myself like this," Merlin grimaced as she stifled a yawn.

Maintaining this form was tiring for her, so to be it for so long was exhausting. A chore. It was also a constant reminder of the Sin she had to bear. The selfish choice she had made. Not that she regretted it; in fact she was remorseful for not feeling anything. But that didn't mean she liked being reminded of it. Like the Captain with Liz this memory weighed a lot on her. It shaped who Merlin was today - and so she wanted out of this crazy child experiment. Or whatever it was.

"And I believe I've found a culprit," She spoke grimly, her eyes lidded.

"You think someone actually did this?" Ban raised a brow as he joined them at the counter. He placed a plate of cookies onto the table. "I mean we coulda just walked into those giant mushroom things Diane and the princess found."

"All evidence points towards it being caused by someone," The mage frowned as she took a cookie. She bit into it, her brows creasing in thought as she chewed. They were slightly burned, but still yummy. "After all they only shrink you, they don't change how old you look..."

"You know who did it, right?" Meliodas raised a brow as he studied the oddly silent Merlin.

Her eyes widened in surprise and she coughed, nearly choking on her cookie.

"Yes, of course Captain," She answered, wiping away tears of effort. Her face was slightly flushed, but her expression remained pensive. "It's just the answer's so simple I'm uncertain of whether it's true."

"Well what is the answer?" Meliodas pressed, a grin on his face. It seemed a lot more cheeky with his younger look and bright eyes.

Stillness filled the air as the three Sins sat at the counter, munching on cookies. Only Elizabeth and Diane's heavy breathing filled the air, followed by Hawk's mumbling of scraps.

"Vivian," Merlin answered, breaking the silence. "She's the only person who would know of such a spell and have a motive."

"And why would she do this?" Ban seemed to laugh slightly. "All she cares about is that knight Gilthunder."

"It's exactly as you said Ban," Merlin smirked in response to his statement. "She is after Gilthunder."

"Wait so Vivian placed a spell on us because of Gilthunder?" Ban frowned as he looked at the female beside him.

She was usually dressed in a skimpy and yet elegant way, however as a child she wore a simple navy dress with a white peter pan collar and cuffs. She still had her short and messy raven hair and amber eyes, but her mature and all-knowing look was replaced with a kid who looked like they'd emotionally matured fast. Which Merlin probably had.

"Essentially," Merlin answered sighing.

"But why?!" Ban seemed to want to rip his hair out in frustration. "It just doesn't make sense!"

"Because we're a threat to her plans," Meliodas answered simply, a smile on his face. He seemed to grin as some invisible puzzle completed before him. "I bet she has some sort of secret plan."

"Correct as always Captain," Merlin smiled slightly as she hopped off her stool and sighed. "Now if you boys will excuse me, I'm going to try and reverse this."

The mage then slunk off, her form retreating to the shadows of the stairway. An eerie exit for the two boys.

"Why is she so damn creepy?" Ban muttered as he took another cookie.

"It's just how Merlin is," Meliodas shrugged before turning his attention to the now awake Elizabeth.

She had looked so peaceful resting against Hawk, silver hair over her face. She had a relaxed and angelic expression, like the true Goddess she was. But now she was awake and slightly confused. A small yawn escaped her lips as she rubbed her eyes peering at the two boys.

"Did Lady Merlin come down?" Elizabeth's tone came out sleepy as she held back another yawn.

"Yeah," Meliodas answered simply as Ban disappeared back into the kitchen, probably to begin making dinner.

"Oh, can she reverse this?" Elizabeth asked, her tone hopeful as she headed towards the blonde. She decided that sitting at the counter would be a lot more comfortable than the floor.

Sticking her tongue out, she jumped, hoisting herself onto the seat. Meliodas watched her, ready to act if she were to fall, but tiny Ellie seemed to be a lot more nimble than her older self.

"Not yet, but she says she's working on it," Meliodas grinned as he slid the plate of cookies towards her. "Cookie?"

"Did you make them?" Elizabeth asked cautiously, peering at him.

"Nope, Ban did," The blonde shook his head. "I'm pretty sure if I tried to the whole place would burn down."

"True," The princess giggled as she took a cookie.

The blonde grinned at her laughter, the sound like music to his ears. Elizabeth's laughter always had some sort of melodic ring to it. Like a song that you could play on repeat and never tire of hearing.

"So we're stuck as kids for a while?" Elizabeth sighed as she took a bite of her cookie. She peeped over at the brunette who lay resting against Hawk.

"Yeah," Meliodas sheepishly scratched the back of his neck, before smiling. "But it can't be that bad, right?"

Elizabeth's eyes widened, taken aback by his positive outlook on the situation. Being a kid again seemed to be everyone's worst fear. To be helpless and innocent again. But somehow she found herself seeing it as possibly fun. Maybe even enjoyable. A giggle rose from her, followed by a blush.

"I guess you're right," The princess smiled softly, "Being stuck as kids might be fun."