Morning Patrol

Ms. Scribble Caribou stretched her silver-gloved hands toward the morning sun streaming through the crystal windows of her fortress. Her blue supersuit felt snug and ready for action as she stepped onto the observation deck.

"Another beautiful day in Canvas Zoo City," she said, adjusting her silver mask.

Below, the city sparkled with life. Colorful market stalls lined the streets where elephant vendors sold rainbow-striped fruits. A family of zebra musicians played cheerful melodies on street corners. Human children laughed as they chased butterfly-winged cats through the parks.

Ms. Scribble's antlers caught the light as she spread her silver cape and launched into the sky. Her daily patrol always started the same way—a quick flight around the city to make sure everyone was safe and happy.

She zoomed past the Purple Paint District, then over the Yellow Pencil Boulevard. Everything looked perfectly normal until something caught her eye near Marker Street. A small crowd had gathered around Mrs. Honeybee's flower shop, and people were pointing at something.

The Gray Petals

Ms. Scribble Caribou landed softly on Marker Street, her silver cape settling around her shoulders. The crowd parted as she approached Mrs. Honeybee's flower shop.

"What's happening here?" she asked a nearby fox mother who clutched her two small kits close to her.

"All the colors are gone!" the fox replied, pointing at the shop window.

Ms. Scribble looked and gasped. Mrs. Honeybee's usually vibrant flower display showed only gray petals and black stems. Even the bright yellow sunflowers had turned ash-colored.

"When did this happen?" Ms. Scribble asked.

"This morning," said a tall woman with short brown hair who stepped forward. "I'm Dr. Palette, the city's color scientist. I was walking by when I noticed the flowers losing their colors right before my eyes."

Ms. Scribble activated her x-ray vision and scanned the area. Strange energy patterns swirled around the shop, but she couldn't identify their source.

"This isn't natural," she murmured. "Someone or something is stealing the colors."

Dr. Palette nodded grimly. "And it's spreading. I've received three more reports from across the city."