Morning Patrol

Artist Doe stretched her arms and adjusted her blue mask as she stepped onto the Art Gallery Fortress's highest tower. The morning sun painted Canvas Metropolis in warm golden hues below her. She loved these quiet moments before the city fully awakened.

Her utility belt clinked softly as she walked to the edge. Crayons, markers, and brushes sat ready for whatever artistic emergencies might arise. She smiled, watching the humanoid deer citizens heading to work alongside their human neighbors.

"Another peaceful day," she murmured, then froze.

Something was wrong with the park below. The vibrant flower beds that usually bloomed in rainbow colors looked... dull. Gray, almost. She blinked hard and looked again.

The flowers were definitely losing their color.

Artist Doe's super senses kicked in. She scanned the area with her x-ray vision, but saw nothing unusual. Still, her power sensing ability tingled with unease.

"That's not normal," she whispered, gripping the tower's railing tighter.

The Silver Discovery

Artist Doe leaped from the tower and soared down toward the park. Her cape fluttered as she landed near the flower beds. Up close, the problem looked worse. The red roses had turned pale pink, and the yellow daisies looked almost white.

"Excuse me!" called a voice behind her.

She spun around to see a woman with short black hair jogging toward her. The woman wore running shoes and a bright green tracksuit. Her brown eyes looked worried.

"Are you Artist Doe? I'm Maya, the park gardener. Something's stealing our colors!" Maya pointed at a nearby fountain where the blue water was turning gray. "It started an hour ago at the music festival setup area."

Artist Doe activated her power sensing. A strange tingling pulled her attention toward the festival stage. "Show me."

They hurried past vendors arranging colorful banners that were slowly fading. Near the main stage, Artist Doe spotted a small silver device humming quietly behind some speakers.

"That's not supposed to be there," Maya said.

As Artist Doe reached for the device, it suddenly sparked and shot a beam of light across the park. Every flower it touched turned completely gray.

"It's spreading faster now," Maya gasped.