August is hurtling toward an end, summer follows close behind. All across the world elite and average hockey players alike are getting that familiar felling. Ice is in the air, the time is getting closer. This means that all across North America the proud and lucky few in the National Hockey League are making their way back to their home rinks. Not the Toronto Maple Leafs though, they all got back to work on May 8th, two weeks after their defeat at the hands of the Washington Capitals.

Months of hard work has not eased the sting of that lose, only victory will do that. But the Leafs do not dwell, and on rare occasions they even take a little time to relax. On one such occasion Matt Martin; Nazem Kadri; Nikita Zaitsev; Jake Gardiner; and Martin Marincin are enjoying some chicken wings at the Crown and Dragon. The Leafs sit at a back table doing their best to ignore the many glances directed at their table.

The table the Leafs share is overflowing with chicken bones and pitchers of beer. Once training camp begins their diet is closely monitored, and nights like this will be a happy memory to carry the Leafs through the season long parade of  kale-pasta and protein flakes. A server arrives and starts clearing bone-plates.

“You guys want anymore?” She can hardly believe the amount the five Leafs have eaten.

“One more pound of the Cuban Sun please.” Martin asks.

“And I’ll take another two of Dragons Breath.” Matt adds.

“And an order of Calamari.” Nazem chimes in. “And two more pitchers.”

“Three!” Jake shouts at the retreating server “I hope she heard me.”

The Leafs laugh, except for Nikita. Of all the Leafs, only Nikita looks a little down. His teammates do not miss this and they all lean in closer to him. Martin places a hand on his shoulder.

“Don’t worry, it will happen.” The other Leafs mutter their agreement as Martin continues. “It’s different for everybody and you cant rush these things. You are doing everything right. Now you just need to be patient.”

Nikita looks anguished. He holds the eye of each of his teammates and sees only support, yet no comfort is given the Russian Leaf. Nikita takes a swig of beer.

“I just want to get my powers now.” He says, slamming his pint on the table.

Not all NHL players are super powered vigilante crime fighters, but there are more than a few who are. The Toronto Maple Leafs are the only team with the budget to operate on a global scale. Every player to wear the Maple Leaf has aided in this effort in one way or another. Not every player has super powers, or the inclination to risk their lives. Tie Domi, for example, was a stubborn pacifist off the ice but he was an amazing pilot.

“Martin’s right.” says Jake. “It’s different for everybody. Different age, different situations. Just be patient with yourself. You’ll know it when it happens.”

“How can you be sure?” Nikita asks. “What if I miss it?”

“You won’t.” Martin says looking pale and intense. “Believe me.”

“How did you know for sure you had powers?”

“I don’t like to talk about it.” Martin says, taking a drink.

“Naz, tell your story.” Jake prompts his friend and teammate. “This is so funny, go on.”

“You tell your story.” Nazem replies.

“My story is long and boring. Your story is awesome. Go.” Jake can turn into a snake and then split into over 1500 smaller snakes. His story is not boring. It is long though.

“I discovered my powers in my first season with team.” Nazem says with a laugh. “And yeah, the story is kind of funny.” Nazem has unlimited access to the shadow realm. This allows him to step in to, and out of, any shadow anywhere.

“We were on a road trip and I had stayed out way past curfew. I was sneaking back into the hotel when I heard Burkie yelling.” Burkie is Brian Burke former Toronto Maple Leafs GM. “I needed to hide but there was nothing nearby except a shadow filled corner. I figured I was boned, but I did my best to blend in with the shadows and he just walked right past me, shouting at his phone.”

“Tell him what happened next.” Jake prompts.

“You weren’t even on the team back then.” Nazem says.

Jake just smiles.

“In my defense,” Nazem continues. “I had never been in the Shadow Realm before. I got stuck.”

The Leafs all laugh at this. Three pitchers of beer are brought to the table.

“Foods on the way boys.” The server says.

The Leafs fill their glasses, the welcome glow of merriment fading.

“That is a funny story.” Matt says. “Mine isn’t. My discovery almost cost me my career.”

None of the Leafs know the story of Matt’s Vortex Force, they listen with rapt attention.

“It was right in the middle of a game against Pittsburgh. You gotta understand that the Island isn’t like it is here.” Matt started his career with the New York Islanders. “Guys didn’t really talk about their powers with anyone who didn’t have ’em, and I didn’t have any, Just like you bud.” Matt nods to Nikita.

Nikita nods back but doesn’t seem relieved at all. Matt continues his story.

“So we were playing the Penguins and the Kid was being his usual self.” He means Sidney Crosby. “Anyway, the second period was nearly over and I remember wanting to punch his stupid teeth in so bad, then the next thing I knew he was right there in front of me. Just sucked right in. We were both stunned and I could see Sid was pissed. I’m lucky I was too surprised to punch him because he filed a complaint against me with the union.” The Leafs all share Matt’s contempt for such a cowardly retaliation. “Anyway, my teammates all backed my story, that I had no idea about my powers, and it ended up okay. But it just proves that there is no way to know…” Matt is interrupted by his cellphone ringing. “Shit, it’s the man.” Matt says. The Leafs fall silent as Matt answers his phone.

“Mr. Shanahan.” Brendan Shanahan is the Toronto Maple Leafs president, a hero of great renown and legend of the NHL, Matt speaks with a hushed reverence. “Is everything alright? No sir. No sir. Yes sir. And Martin as well, yes. Yes. Thank you.” Matt hangs up and breathes with his eyes closed.

“Well?” Jake asks.

“We’re good.” Matt sighs.

A general cheer greets this news, followed by more cheering as food arrives. They eat and drink merrily until interrupted by a sudden violent crash near the front of the pub.

“Everybody stay cool, this is a robbery!” A skinny punk is waving a shotgun around at the collected patrons. He looks scared and high, a dangerous combination.

“Fuck.” Nazem says. “Who wants to distract him?”

Nikita stands up and moves toward the gunman as Nazem disappears into the shadows. Nikita walks slowly with his hands up, the punk finally notices him.

“Sit down! Stop moving! I said stop!” The terror in the would be gangsta’s voice is unmistakable.

“It’s cool.” Nikita says. “It’s cool. Do you know who I am?”

“Should I?” The punk takes a good look at Nikita. “Wait. Holy shit are you…”

“That’s right.” Nikita smiles.

“Go Leafs.” The punk is reduced to a fan instantly.

“Me and my friends were just having a nice dinner.” Nikita points to the Leafs table.

“Oh…” The punks eyes widen as he takes in the three other Leafs. “Um… I’m… Uh…Sorry.”

“Not yet, you’re not.” Nazem steps out of the shadows and drops the loser with a right hook.

The other restaurant patrons begin to cheer and soon a “Go Leafs Go!” chant is echoing into the night. Nikita picks up the shotgun and Nazem waves to the other Leafs. Jake, Matt and Martin get up to join their teammates. Martin brings his wings.

“Almost got through the whole night.” Jake says with a sad smile.

“Lets just get out of here.” Nazem says. “Pay him Marty.”

Martin winces as he pulls a roll of fifties out of his pocket. That’s his power, he can generate any currency in any amount simply by willing it into existence. He doesn’t really like to talk about it because it hurts, like pulling a nose hair, every time. Martin hands the cash to the bartender who refuses to take it. Martin leaves it on the bar.

The Leafs walk out on to Yonge street, the “Go Leafs Go!” chant follows them as they make their way quickly to the Toronto Maple Leaf stealh-jet car hidden in the back alley.

“Wait.” Nikita says before he gets into the vehicle. “How did you get out of the Shadow Realm that first time, Naz?”

“Get in.” Naz says over Jake’s laughter. “I’ll tell you about the old Leafs sorcerer, Tomas Kaberle, and what he made me do before he would agree to bring me back .”