When humanity is threatened only the super powered might of the Toronto Maple Leafs can be counted on to save the day. The Leafs have undergone a major overhaul this year. Of all the changes, none has been more impactful than the addition of a squadron based tactical deployment that head coach Mike Babcock and GM Kyle Dubas designed to keep the peace on the mean Toronto streets. Today we follow Horse squad: wingers.

The Atlantean Merfolk who have been laying siege to Boston Harbour have finally been forced back into the ocean. Only a few desperate and vindictive sea people remain, those who would rather die then return home in defeat. The task of hunting them down has turned into a protracted skirmish taxing the resources of both the Boston Bruins and the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs.

Zdeno Chara, the Bruins beastmaster, can track the merfolk by their scent. He sniffs at the air and knows he is close. Zdeno leaps to another rooftop above a small group of Atlanteans in an alley. The Bruin drops down and lands on one of the merfolk, crushing it. The merfolk had been pummeling a pair of Toronto Maple Leafs but they turn quickly to face the onrushing Bruin. Zdeno picks up one enemy in each of his hands and snaps their necks with a squeeze. He throws the corpses at the rest of the merfolk and scatters them. The Leafs have regrouped and the two Mitch Marner’s become four who charge at the merfolk from behind. Caught between the Leafs and the Bruin the merfolk are quickly dispatched. The Mitch’s become a single Mitch who reaches out to shake Zdeno’s hand.

“Thanks a lot. I was almost done there.” Mitch says. “They ambushed us and split us up. I gotta find the rest of my squad!” Mitch turns to leave but Zdeno holds him back.

“Hold on little one.” Zdeno says. “You’ve had a rough night. Why not let me find your friends.”

“I got beat.” Mitch doesn’t like to admit it even if it’s true. “I appreciate the help, but I’m not backing down. Now let’s go.” Mitch splits into six Mitch’s who spread out as they leave the alley.

Mitch and Zdeno sneak through the streets,until they hear the unmistakable sounds of battle. The Mitch’s each split making it an even dozen Mitch’s who round the corner followed by Zdeno.

They find a blur and a werewolf battling against an enormous, four clawed, hermit crab. The blur is super fast Toronto Maple Leaf Kasperi Kapenen, who is as relentless as he is ineffective at finding a weakness in the crabs armour. The werewolf is Patrick Marleau, who rages against the crabs shell. For all the power of Patricks attacks he has so far accomplished little more then knocking off the barnacles.

“Go for its eyes!” The Mitch’s yell before swarming the giant crab. The crab snatches up two Mitch’s in its claws and cuts them in half. Even as four more Mitch’s appear they are crushed by another claw. One Mitch manages to get past the claws and is immediately gobbled up by the mutant crabs slathering maw.

Zdeno runs behind the crab and gets a firm grip on the crabs shell.

“Everybody back!” The Bruin bellows before lifting the huge beast off the ground.

The Leafs scatter to give the Bruin room to work. The crab flails wildly with legs and claws, desperately reaching for anything to grab onto. Zdeno slams the crab into the ground repeatedly. Again and again, shattering the shell and the concrete alike. Long after the crab stops moving Zdeno continues to lift and slam its corpse. Eventually the huge Bruin is satisfied and so lets the crab go.

The Leafs have regrouped, Mitch has reverted to a singularity for the moment and Patrick has taken his human form.

“That was pretty cool big guy.” Mitch says. “We are missing one more, you still with us?”

“I am protecting my city.” Zdeno replies. “You are in my city.” The Bruin sniffs at the air and follows his nose to where he thinks the final remnants of the Atlantean army have made their final stand.

An old, half demolished, warehouse stands hard against the seawall. The reek of merfolk is strong about the place but as he gets closer Zdeno can tell that none of those inside are alive. A Leaf and a Bruin approach from the end of the street.

“The place is empty.” Zach Hyman says. “I got knocked out and taken here. Brad saved me. And then we fought the dozen or so soldiers that were here. He says he can’t smell any more.” He points to the wererat Brad Marchand who stands twitching and holding his tail.       

“Yes, yes.” Brad squeaks. “We kill, killed all the fishy faces. No more, all have run, run to the sea home. I am sure. I can sniffs them. Or I can’ts’s, not anymore”

“So I guess the threat is over.” Patrick says.

No one responds and the awkward moment stretches. Brad twitches suddenly and licks a dried gob of mermeat of of Mitch’s face.

All the Leafs are disgusted, but there isn’t much they can do about it.