Morning Watch

Crayon Marker Tigress stretched her orange and black striped arms high above her head as she stepped out onto the observation deck of her tower. The morning sun glinted off the glass surfaces of Craft Room Jungle City below, where humanoid tigers, deer, and humans hurried along the colorful sidewalks.

"Perfect day for a patrol," she said, adjusting her red cape.

She pulled out her phone to check the city alerts app. Zero crimes reported overnight. The giant crayon and marker strapped to her back felt lighter when the city was peaceful.

A gentle breeze ruffled her fur as she gazed down at the park where tiger cubs played on rainbow-colored playground equipment. A deer family picnicked on blue grass near purple benches. Everything looked exactly as it should.

"Maybe I'll visit the art museum today," she mused, tapping the museum's icon on her phone.

As she turned to head back inside, a flash of movement caught her golden eyes. Something gray flickered across her peripheral vision near the storage room window.

The Unexpected Visitor

Crayon Marker Tigress crept toward the storage room window, her red cape fluttering behind her. Through the glass, she spotted something that made her golden eyes widen in shock.

Inside her own storage room, a small figure darted between the shelves. Gray drops fell from the creature's tiny paws as it touched her art supplies. Each colorful crayon, marker, and paint tube turned a lifeless gray at its touch.

"Hey!" she called out, pushing open the window.

The intruder spun around. It was a small gray koala with enormous worried eyes and paint-stained fur. Instead of running, the koala burst into tears.

"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!" the koala sobbed. "I can't control it! Everything I touch turns gray and I don't know how to stop it!"

Crayon Marker Tigress blinked in surprise. This wasn't what she expected from a color thief.

"Please don't arrest me," the koala continued, wiping his nose. "I came here hoping you could help me fix this curse, but I accidentally made it worse!"

Just then, her phone buzzed with emergency alerts. Citizens were reporting gray patches spreading across the city.