A horde of reanimated skeletons fills the corridor in front and behind Toronto Maple Leafs Morgan Rielly and Leo Komarov. The Leafs are trying to assault Dracula’s ‘Castlevania’ but progress is slow. The mythical terror was discovered weeks ago (read the story) but the Leafs had still not advanced further than the basement. The issue was the endless supply of undead that seem to fill every square meter of the place.

The densely packed hallway makes Leo smile. He laughs and unleashes his super power. Leo is a human rocket. He propels himself straight through the skeletons, practically clearing the path for Morgan. Morgan also has a super power, less explosive but essential to the mission. Morgan is a techno-path, meaning he is able to connect to any form of digital technology in his vicinity. This power allows Morgan to upload a digital map of the dungeon to the Leafs mainframe in real time which is very useful but doesn’t help with the skeletons. For that Morgan has a Toronto Maple Leaf enchanted mace, and he smashes through the skeletons not devastated by Leo’s attack as he jogs down the hall.

The skeletons chasing the Leafs rattle along steadily. Morgan reaches Leo and turns to face the oncoming horde.

“You gonna make me deal with all these ones by myself?” Morgan asks. “Or are you going to open that door?”

“Checking for traps first.” Leo does not turn from the ornate iron door he is inspecting.

“Take your time.” Morgan says.

The skeletons voiceless procession makes for a grim spectacle. Leo seems to take Morgan at his word, putting his Toronto Maple Leaf lock-pick into the latch and waiting. The Skeletons get closer. Morgan tightens his grip on his mace. He only has one grenade left and he doesn’t want to waste it which means he will have to deal with the skeletons the old fashioned way.

Morgan swears at the same time that the door clicks, and as it creaks open the skeletons all stop, as though frozen.

“Crap.” Leo says.

“Welcome.” A strange voice whispers. “My master wanted me to send his regards. He wonders why you are trespassing so aggressively.”

Morgan and Leo enter a room filled with gold. Coins, plates, bricks and jewellery of every kind are piled to the ceiling with only a small bare spot in the middle of the room. A pale and portly middle aged gentleman stands there frowning with disgust at the Leafs.

“Don’t answer.” The gentleman says, brushing dirt off of his expensive looking tuxedo. “Master says that you are to meet him at the top of the tower. Master sleeps there, he waits. Master also says that you will never reach him alive.” He grins, brandishing the brutal teeth of a bloodsucking bastard. “That’s why I’m here.”

Leo wastes no time, rocketing at the vampire. The undead leaps above the Leaf, drawing a wicked thin rapier and stabbing down into Leo as he passes, this is a mistake. Leo cannot be hurt when using his power so instead of dodging and striking the vampire manages only to foul his own landing. Leo crashes into a pile of gold, the vampire crashes face first on the floor. Morgan steps in quickly to take advantage but the vampire looks up at the Leaf and laughs before vanishing.

“Where is it?” Leo asks as he struggles free of the treasure.

“Here!” The vampire answers, appearing directly behind Leo and slashing at the Leafs neck.

Leo barely gets a rocket powered arm in the way. With a hiss the vampire stabs at Leo again and again. It is all the Leaf can do to maintain his defense.Morgan charges in behind the vampire but again the undead dodges Morgan’s mace at the last second.

Battle is joined now and the Leafs utilize every tactic and maneuver they’ve perfected over the years of working and playing together. Leo uses every ounce of super human speed and strength he has. Morgan analyzes and anticipates his opponent with the speed of a super computer. It is all the Leafs can do to hold their own against the unbelievable power of the vampire.

“Ha! Master sent me because I am old, I am strong, you cannot match me!” The vampire cackles.

The Leafs step back and the combatants all stand in silent accord that a break in the action is allowed.

“You have no hope.” The vampire is smiling. “I will not even let you flee. Perhaps your deaths will teach some caution to the rest of your pathetic team.”

Morgan and Leo don’t answer. They know the vampire is right about their chances. Morgan sends a distress signal to Toronto Maple Leaf tower but he knows help won’t make it in time. It doesn’t matter, they will fight. They will find a way to win or they will die, but they will never give up. Toronto Maple Leafs never give up.

“Go! Leafs! Go!” Morgan and Leo shout in unison as they step up their assault.

The vampire laughs, kicking Morgan in the face and scratching at Leo’s eyes with his claws. Suddenly all three are forced to the ground as a massive force explodes in the center of the room. Two of the walls are blown apart scattering gold and rubble everywhere.

“What is this?” The vampire is first to his feet hissing in rage.

The Leafs come around a bit slower but are also shocked at what they see.

The phenomenal Toronto Maple Leaf, Auston Matthews, stands in the center of the chaos. He is naked, dripping wet, holding a broadsword that is also naked. The vampire wastes no words on Auston, springing to attack. Too fast for even Morgans digitally enhanced vision to follow the duelists clash steel. The fight is over almost as quickly as it starts.

The vampire staggers back. “That’s imposs…” His head rolls onto the floor before he can finish the word.

“Either of you guys got a towel?” Auston asks.

Morgan tosses his young teammate a Toronto Maple Leaf emergency outfit capsule and soon Auston is dressed in blue and white sweats.

“How’d you do that?” Leo asks.

You would be forgiven for thinking the Leaf a tad ungrateful. What you must realize is that as per Toronto Maple Leaf team bylaws no rookie may use their super powers outside of Toronto Maple Leaf tower. As awesome as Auston is he will still technically be a rookie until the puck drops on his second season. There are spectacular consequences to breaking Toronto Maple Leaf rules, yet none of those consequences are taking effect. Leo’s concern is for the integrity of the Leafs. Auston understands.

“I didn’t use any powers.” Auston says.

Leo and Morgan wait for him to elaborate.

“I’m seriously guys.” Auston continues. “I’ve been meditating on the nature of time and it’s relationship with space all summer. What I’ve come to realize is that matter flows through space like a river and time is the riverbank. I’ve been practicing my experience within the flow. Like most people I started out like a leaf on the river but now I am more like an otter. I was in the shower when your distress signal came in, I didn’t even think about it I just came here. I don’t even know how I got my sword other than I needed it. Needed my pants too but I guess I still have some learning to do.”

Leo and Morgan are both stunned. The implications of what Auston is telling them are vast. They do not doubt his word for a moment, Leafs do not lie to Leafs, but they worry for his safety. There are limits to human potential and pushing those limits can have catastrophic results, just look at Zdeno Chara’s nose.

Instead of debating the dangers versus the merits of independent experimentation, the Leafs go home. The assault on Castlevania will continue another day.