Morning Routines

Crayon Jack stretched his arms as morning sunlight streamed through the tall windows of Crayon Fortress. The four towers gleamed like giant crayons against the sky, each one a different bright color that made Forest Meadow City look magical below.

"Jack, breakfast is ready!" called Darlene Deer from the kitchen. She wore her favorite purple house coat and had tied her brown hair back with a ribbon.

Grace Goat peeked around the corner, adjusting her green towel. "I made pancakes shaped like hearts!"

"And I found the perfect orange juice!" added Stella Sheep, bouncing in wearing a fluffy pink house coat.

Jack grinned and pulled on his blue and black supersuit. His light blue mask felt comfortable as he slipped it over his bright blue eyes. He grabbed his giant glowing blue crayon from its stand.

"Thanks, everyone. What would I do without you three?"

As he walked toward the kitchen, something outside caught his attention. The morning seemed a little less bright than usual.

The Fading Dawn

At breakfast, Jack noticed something strange about the orange juice Stella had poured. It looked pale, almost white.

"Stella, did you water this down?" he asked.

The sheep shook her head, her fluffy pink house coat rustling. "No, Jack. It came from the same carton as yesterday."

Darlene Deer adjusted her purple house coat and frowned. "That's odd. The pancakes Grace made look different too."

Jack looked at Grace Goat's heart-shaped pancakes. They were supposed to be golden brown, but they appeared almost gray.

"Something's wrong," Jack said, standing up. His giant blue crayon began to glow brighter in response to his concern.

Outside, a commotion erupted in the city square. Through his X-ray vision, Jack could see people gathering around the central fountain. Even from this distance, he noticed the fountain's usual bright red tiles had faded to pink.

"We need to get down there," Jack announced.

As they rushed to the window, Grace gasped. "Look at the sunrise!"

The morning sky, which should have been painted with oranges and yellows, showed only pale hints of color, like someone had drained most of the paint away.