Morning Patrol

Super Crayon Doe stretched her arms as the morning sun painted golden streaks across Cervine Metropolis. Her giant magic crayon hummed softly at her side, ready for another day of keeping the city safe.

She leaped from the highest tower of her Crayon Thicket fortress, her red cape flowing behind her as she glided over the bustling streets. Below, deer families hurried to work while human children skipped toward school, their backpacks bouncing with each step.

"Another peaceful morning," she said, landing gracefully on a rooftop near the town square.

But something felt different today. Usually, the city sparkled with color—murals on walls, sidewalk chalk art, colorful banners fluttering from windows. Today, everything looked strangely dull.

A small white-tailed deer child sat on a bench below, staring sadly at a blank piece of paper. He kept reaching for something that wasn't there.

Super Crayon Doe tilted her head, curious. She swooped down for a closer look.

The Empty Box

"What's wrong?" Super Crayon Doe asked, landing softly beside the bench.

The young deer looked up with tears in his dark eyes. "I can't draw anymore! My crayons are gone!"

"Gone?" She knelt down, her red cape pooling around her. "What do you mean?"

"They were right here in my art box yesterday," he sniffled. "Now there's nothing but empty wrappers!"

Super Crayon Doe picked up the small cardboard box. Indeed, it contained only torn paper labels and broken crayon tips. Her big eyes widened as she noticed something else—a strange, shimmering trail of waxy dust leading away from the bench.

"This is very strange," she murmured, following the glittering path with her gaze.

Just then, a hummingbird with emerald feathers zipped down from a nearby oak tree. "Super Crayon Doe! You have to come quickly!"

"What is it, Ruby?"

"The music festival in Harmony Park—all the face painters are crying! Their supplies vanished overnight. Kids are sitting around with blank canvases, and the whole festival is turning gray!"

Super Crayon Doe stood up, her magic crayon humming with concern. Someone was definitely stealing crayons across the city.