Morning Routines

Ms. Battle Bear stretched her powerful arms as morning sunlight streamed through the tall windows of Battle Bear Base. Her amber eyes sparkled as she adjusted her blue harness and checked her utility pouches.

"Another peaceful day in Forestopia," she said, looking out at the bustling city below. Humans and woodland creatures walked together on the gleaming streets, heading to work and school.

She pressed a button on her control panel. "Time to test the new invention."

The machine hummed to life in the corner of her lab. Dr. Nutkin had delivered it yesterday—a device meant to enhance her multiplicity powers for rescue missions. Instead of creating just two or three copies of herself, she could make dozens to help more people at once.

"Just a quick test," she murmured, stepping toward the glowing device.

The machine's lights pulsed faster. Something felt different today, but Battle Bear couldn't quite place what.

Twelve Problems

Battle Bear pressed the activation button. The machine whirred louder than expected, its lights flashing in rapid bursts.

"That's not right," she muttered, stepping back as sparks flew from the control panel.

The device erupted with a brilliant flash. When the light faded, Battle Bear blinked in confusion. Standing around her lab were twelve identical copies of herself, each wearing the same blue harness and amber eyes.

"Hello there!" said one copy cheerfully.

"Nice weather today," commented another, completely ignoring Battle Bear.

"I think I'll redecorate this place," announced a third, picking up a wrench.

"Wait, stop!" Battle Bear called out. "You're supposed to listen to me!"

But the copies scattered in different directions. One flew straight through the window. Another began rearranging her carefully organized equipment. A third started doing jumping jacks in the corner.

"This is not how multiplicity is supposed to work," Battle Bear said, watching helplessly as her copies did whatever they pleased.

Through the broken window, she could see three more copies already causing trouble in Forestopia's streets below. Citizens were pointing and shouting as the copies marched around, completely out of control.