> Skittles PoV

She better come back! She promised! It would be good if she came back! Those people looked like a lot of fun! Especially that Scrappy thing! Shouldn't be that long until tomorrow, right!?

There's no tomorrow on the polar ice cap, dummy! The sun always lights up the sky! You got duped!

But! But They promised! They wouldn't lie to me like that, right!?

T-t-t-hey might! They were clearly suspicious! They killed all my pets and tried to hurt me!

Good. We deserve much worse for all the things we've done. So much sorrow, so much despair...

Zzzzzzzz...

Wow blue, you're such a downer. You need to liven up and live a little!

SKREEEEEEEE!

I'm with her! They're clearly suspicious! What was that blue stuff!? I've never seen anything like it!

Yeah! I hope they lied to you and ran away! I don't wanna see them ever again!

NUH-UH! They didn't lie! That cat-lady was telling the truth! I TRUSTED HER AND SHE PROMISED!

MAYBE I SHOULD JUST COME OUT AND PUNCH THEM INTO SOUP AFTER ALL, HUH!?

KEEP IT DOWN! I'm trying to sleep over here. Sheesh. Lousy loudmouths and their... *Grumble Grumble* Zzzzzzz...

Ah, she has a point. We'll be in trouble if the boss wakes up. She's going to want to be in charge.

Yeah! It's my turn after orange's! I can't wait, they killed a lot of those Rocs that were buzzing around so they must have grilled them, right?! Or is it soup... could it be Roc Pot Pie!? I can't wait to see what they brought with them!

Shasha? SKREEAAHOK! Sashashktktktk.

Haah... no, brown, I don't. Why would I digest my food BEFORE I eat it? It ruins half the fun!

It doesn't matter. We don't even need to eat anyway.

Is eating fun? Green always goes on and on about eating things, but is it really that fun!?

No, it's not 'fun' you dimwit! It's the absolute greatest thing in existence!

If it's not fun, then I don't care! I want to see more of Scrappy!

SHRUKUR! SHAA HAA HAA HAA!

Red! She's doing it again!

Zzzzzzzz...

I'M NOT GOING TO PUNCH MYSELF! WE'VE BEEN OVER THIS! LET ME OUT SO I CAN PUNCH THOSE GUYS INSTEAD!

No! They're super nice! You know they stopped stabbing brownie the instant she had enough, right? They didn't try to cut her open like those other mean people!

We deserved that too. That poor village... Red left nothing standing... We should just hide away deep underground and weep for those poor souls...

THEY TRIED TO STAB THE BOSS! WE CAN'T BE HAVING ANY OF THAT AND YOU KNOW IT!

I'm with Red. Those troglodytes brought this onto themselves. They'd realize the folly of their actions if they had any actual intelligence.

UWOOOH! I think that's them! Look! Look! It's a giant flying thing! Look at it go! Did the mortals make something like this!? I want one!

Hoh-ho! Someone actually went and did it! Ground enchanted with the [Flight] spell! I wonder if they used a traditional Magic Stone or a new-type one! Dibs on going after green!

WE AGREED IT WOULD BE MY TURN AFTER THAT GLUTTON! IF I DON'T GET TO PUNCH SOMETHING SOON I MIGHT JUST GO INSANE!

Too late for shah.

GRRR! I SWEAR WHEN I GET OUT OF HERE I'M PUNCHING A MAGE, A KID, A CAKE AND ONE OF OUR KIN! IN THAT ORDER!

Zzzzzzzz...

You know full well there's no point to any of that squabbling. The chains make that clear...

If only the [Chains That Bind] existed back then... Maybe then the boss wouldn't be like this...

Huh? Chains? What's that? Is it tasty!?

"We're back, Skittles." (Ellie)

WAAH! She's baack! NOOO! *SLAM*

... How did she slam a door in here?

"Welcome back Ellie! I'm happy to see you again! Did you bring the gryphons?! What about Scrappy!?" (Orange Skittle)

I wonder if gryphons taste good... They have three so it's okay if I eat one, right?! Or maybe half...

Eating is pointless though.

"We've prepared something very special for you. Look, they're coming in now!" (Ellie)

Ohh! She's pointing upwards! Look! Look! It's the white one! The tough looking white one! The thing called Scrappy is on its back! They did a loop and a spin and a nose dive and-

"KUWEAAAAA!" (Puff)

Look at him spread his wiiings! It's so cooool!

Wait, what's that weird stick of metal he's holding?

"I present you to the invincible combination of Scrappy and Puff the Magic Gryphon!" (Ellie)

"---- [Star Sword]" (Kelly)

*SHWOOM*

"Huuu-KUHAAAH!" (Puff)

*FWOOOOSH*

WAAAAAHAHAAA! THERE'S A MAGIC GLOWING SWORD OF LIGHT AND A PLUME OF BRILLIANT BLUE FLAME AND ITS SPREADING ITS WINGS AND SQUUUUEEEEEEEee-

*THUD*

*THUD*

...

Zzzzzzzz...

Welp. We're officially out cold.

It would be best if we never woke up.

I agree. Waking up would be pointless.

Shah? Shiahaaah? Sktktktk.

No... I don't know why that Ellie girl fainted too.

*Crrreak* Are they gone? NOOO! THEY GOT ORANGE! SAVE MEEE! *SLAM*

Anyway! My turn.

What's all the commotion in here?!

Oh crap.

Why is there someone collapsed in the snow?! Red! Did you hurt another poor soul for no reason?

NO, BOSS! I HAVEN'T EVEN HAD A TURN YET! BROWN TRIED TO THOUGH! SHE TRIED TO EAT HER AND HER FRIENDS!

SHAH!? Shakakaka!

What did I say, brown!? You were only supposed to hunt monsters!

Skreeea! Krriiikkik!

No, yellow gets scared of her own shadow, she can't be trusted with that sort of decision! Red's the one that deals with people trying to hurt us, remember?

Sheeshaaa...

Okay that's it! You're grounded! No more getting out for the next 500 years!

Shaak!

Purple, what's been going on around here?

Hey boss... Um... That girl and her friends came here, broke all of yellow's pets and tried to approach her. Then brown came out so they had to defend themselves. Then orange came out, they went to rest, came back with some incomprehensible magic gryphon armor and sword thing and orange fainted from over-excitement. So here we are.

Then why is that girl on the ground too?

No idea.

"Wah! No good... that was dangerous." (Ellie)

Ah she's back up. Oh, what's this!? Oh! Oh ho ho ho! Well how about that! If it isn't another one of those people from beyond the stars!

Zzzzzzzz...

Really?! I wonder if this one brought some exotic dishes like the last one!

Nope. No chance, green. I'm taking over, boss's orders. I want to talk to this girl.

Aww! But boss!

"Hmm? Hey, Skittles are you okay!? Kelly, how long was I out?" (Ellie)

"About a minute. It hasn't moved since we made our grand entrance." (Kelly)

"Kweaa." (Puff)

Okay, tell you what, I'll ask for some delicious treats while I'm out there so she'll get them ready for you in advance. Deal?

Deal!

Then, excuse me.

*SNAP*

Hooh... that was close. I got so excited I think I saw a white light...

Shush! Boss is here! She's taking charge!

*CRACK*

Oops! Sorry boss...

Zzzzzzzz...

Ah there we go! It feels good to move around after so long.

"Ahem. Allow me to apologize on behalf of brown. She was naughty so she was grounded." (Skittles)

Yes! Serves her right! I told her you know!?

Orange...

... Sorry.

"Y-you're the original one, right? The white one that can create s-souls?" (Ellie)

"Oh? It seems like you've heard of me." (Skittles)

"Yes! That is, another titan told me about you!" (Ellie)

No wonder she was so well informed. Normally people don't know how to react to orange or yellow.

Zzzzzzzz...

Okay that snoring is getting annoying... ah but I don't want to disturb her... okay, I'll put up with it.

"Ah, this is Kelly and Puff." (Ellie)

"Heya." (Kelly)

"Kaaw!" (Puff)

"A pleasure to meet you all. Now then, what is it you need of me?" (Skittles)

She came all the way out here, probably risked a lot doing it. She seems like a good kid so it must be something important.

"My... my wife needs your help." (Ellie)

"... I'm sorry, your wife?" (Skittles)

"Yes. We're married. Almost a year, actually." (Ellie)

Okay. That's a bit crazy. Yes, yes, I know, you can stop giggling behind my back.

Sorry boss.

"And what could be wrong with your wife that you need a titan's help? It's not some simple illness, is it?" (Skittles)

"Uhm. That is... we... she's pregnant with my child." (Ellie)

*THUD* *THUD* *THUD*

OH WOW! A THREE HIT COMBO!

"Oh! My apologies. I thought you were a woman." (Skittles)

That was close! It was bad of me to judge that sort of thing based on his appearance. The heavy coat hides his frame and I can't see his face behind that mask. Even if the hair and voice are effeminate, there's no reason to-

"I AM a woman." (Ellie)

"... Excuse me?" (Skittles)

"I said I'm a woman. So is my wife." (Ellie)

"And you had a kid. With each other." (Skittles)

"Yes." (Ellie)

"She didn't..." (Skittles)

"No." (Ellie)

"You're sure?" (Skittles)

"Oh for- Are you going to help Kira or not!? Both the child and her are suffering right now!" (Ellie)

"Sorry, it's just... hard to believe... Why do you need my help, exactly?" (Skittles)

"The child doesn't have a soul!" (Ellie)

How can that be!? The souls of the parents should be able to produce a third one all on their own! Then Khamis's mana is supposed to immediately bind it to the vessel! If it really doesn't have a soul... Okay, this seems to be incredibly complicated, so let's just check it the quick and easy way.

"Tell you what. If you let me see your memories for the details, I might be able to help you." (Skittles)

"... You can do that sort of thing?" (Ellie)

"Of course. I can peer into the memories etched on your soul to discern the truth of things." (Skittles)

Well, it's not as accurate as real memories since it's heavily influenced by the person's emotions at the time, but it should prove to be enough.

Zzzzzzzz...

"It won't hurt or anything, right?" (Ellie)

"No. I am merely looking." (Skittles)

"And you won't do something weird while you're in my head, right?" (Ellie)

"Tampering with a soul already linked to a vessel is against my policy. Besides, if I really wanted to hurt you I would just let the Red me take over." (Skittles)

She puts a hand on her chin and thinks things through. If she knows about me, there's no way she doesn't know how dangerous Red can be once she gets out.

YEAH! LET ME AT THEM! I'LL TEACH THEM TO MESS WITH ME!

Zzzzzz...

They didn't actually mess with you though.

GEH! YOU HAVE A POINT...

"Alright." (Ellie)

"You sure about this, Ellie?" (Kelly)

"No. But we don't have much of a choice. What do I need to do?" (Ellie)

"Oh! Came to a decision did we? It's okay, just stand still for a moment." (Skittles)

I walk up to her and gently put a hand on her head.

"I'm warning you. Hands off the ears. Touch them and you lose an arm." (Ellie)

BOOOSSS! THEM'S FIGHTING WORDS!

Quiet you! She has a point! Khamis's lot get itchy down there if you scratch them up there. Sounds like it's the same for this girl.

"I understand. I will respect your wishes. Now then, I will begin." (Skittles)

Peer into it. Find the essence....

...

Kuh, these foreign souls are always tougher than they look. I can't force it or I might rip it out. The binding is also pretty weird, but it's stronger than usual so it's not a bad thing.

"Okay. Now, I want you to think about your wife. Walk me through the moments you shared together, up to now." (Skittles)

I need to understand absolutely everything about these two. If they truly did conceive a child, I have to know even the smallest detail if I am to be of any help.

"..." (Ellie)

Okay! There we go. Uhuh. She landed here. Then... she jumped heads? Ah, soul resonance. It's a miracle they survived. Oh, wow she proposed without knowing! And this Kira girl accepted! How romantic! Then they spent their days leisurely... oh thief attack! Ah, but that worked out. This girl really treasures her wife, huh?

Oh, this is a big one.... Oh my. Oh my! Oh wow you can DO that!? I had no idea! Wait, just from her- OH MY! Okay... that was intense... and they keep going... then Urk! So much pain! Gah, that surprised me... Then a beautiful wedding...

Adopted two unfortunate children! How noble of them. I knew she was a good kid! Hmm? Oh! They successfully recreated the soul resonance they experienced on that first day! To bring such a phenomenon out at will, not to mention control it! These two truly are exceptional!

I should introduce purple to them later!

That should be good enough for now. I don't want to read through more of her past than I need to. This [Unity] of theirs is undoubtedly the culprit, but that alone doesn't seem to have been enough.

"Okay, Ellie. Fuuu. Now, do you know when it was that she got pregnant?" (Skittles)

"Yes. It was the first day of the year." (Ellie)

Even if it was during Enuri's shift, then it shouldn't cause something like pregnancy. There's something else. Is she not telling me or did it escape her notice?

"I want you to focus on that day, haah. Think deeply about every single detail, every, haah, sensation." (Skittles)

Huh... Why am I out of breath for no reason? Must not be used to having my body back quite yet.

"Okay..." (Ellie)

...

UHH BOSS! I THINK YOU'RE DOING THAT THING AGAIN!

Oh no! Not another one! Now I'll never get my turn!

Doesn't matter how many she brings out though.

> Ellie POV

"Kuh... KUHAAAAHA!" (Skittles)

*THUD*

Okay, that just happened.

"Ellie? What did you do?" (Kelly)

"Nothing? She just recoiled and collapsed on her own..." (Ellie)

"Maybe you scared off the white one with some weird thought?" (Kelly)

There was nothing weird about that day, though...

*SNAP*

"Yep, she's changing again." (Kelly)

"Let's see what comes out! Puff, get ready to depart at a moment's notice." (Ellie)

"Kwak!" (Puff)

*SNAP*

Her chest is expanding... it's actually becoming the biggest one yet...

The pale white skin is changing color and the long straight hair is becoming... reddish?

"That's red, isn't it?! Ellie we gotta go!" (Kelly)

"No, wait... it's something else..." (Ellie)

It's not the deep blood-like red that Draglael warned us about, but this color wasn't in the briefing!

Actually that body shape seems a bit...

...

Please no.

"Aaaah! That's better..." (Skittles)

I want to run, but my feet won't move!

"... K-kelly?" (Ellie)

"Nuh uh. No way. This is all on you. Come on, Puff, we should give them some space..." (Kelly)

"Kwaaaa!" (Puff)

"Nooo come back here! Don't leave me with her!" (Ellie)

{Sorry, Ellie. I'm with her. No matter how I look at it, it's clearly your responsibility.}

Et tu, Nano?!

{I think it's obvious what needs to happen. I'll bring you your tools.}

"But, but!" (Ellie)

{I'll explain it to her on your behalf, so don't worry.}

"... Ask for permission, too, okay?" (Ellie)

{Of course.}

I hope Nano can make sense of this, because I certainly can't.

Right now, the Skittles in front of me is in some ways much worse than the dreaded Raging Red.

"Fufufufu, hello there Ellie ~♡!" (Pink Skittle)

If you ignore the pink hair and spider eyes, the face and body are an exact replica of Kira's.

"Want to come give Skittles a biiig kiiiss ~♡?!" (Pink Skittle)

*SHLICK SHLICK*

And her hands are focusing on a very particular part of it.