Morning in the Mansion

Mega Crayon Doe stretched her arms as golden sunlight poured through the tall windows of her bedroom. The morning felt different somehow, but she couldn't quite place why. Her giant magic blue crayon hummed softly on the nightstand, its usual gentle glow seeming dimmer than normal.

She padded across the polished floor to her favorite window, the one that looked out over all of Artwork Forest City. The view always made her smile—colorful rooftops, vibrant gardens, and cheerful citizens going about their morning routines.

But today, something was wrong.

Mega Crayon Doe blinked hard and rubbed her eyes. Everything outside looked... grey. Not the soft grey of early morning fog, but a strange, empty grey that made her stomach twist with worry.

"That's impossible," she whispered, pressing her nose against the cool glass.

The flower gardens below her mansion looked like old photographs. The bright red fire station appeared washed out. Even the yellow school bus crawling down Paintbrush Avenue had lost its cheerful color.

Something terrible had happened to her beloved city.

The Grey Storm

Mega Crayon Doe rushed down the spiral staircase, her hooves clicking against the polished steps. She had to see this grey nightmare up close. Maybe her eyes were playing tricks on her.

She burst through the front doors of her mansion and stopped dead in her tracks. A small hummingbird sat motionless on the grey fountain, its tiny body completely colorless like everything else.

"Hello there, little one," she said softly, kneeling down. The hummingbird didn't move. She gently touched its wing with one finger.

Suddenly, the bird's eyes snapped open—but they were solid grey, empty and glassy. It let out a horrible screech that made her fur stand on end.

"What's wrong with you?" she whispered.

The hummingbird flew directly at her face, its grey beak aimed at her eyes. She ducked just in time, her heart pounding.

More screeching filled the air. Grey sparrows, pigeons, and crows emerged from the colorless trees, all with the same terrifying empty eyes. They circled overhead like a storm cloud.

Whatever had stolen the city's colors had done something much worse to the animals. They weren't just grey—they were angry.