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 everything is different. In California everything is different.

Part 2: San Jose (Read Part 1)

The San Jose Sharks are doing the best they can, and their best is very good. The fire demons rampaging throughout Northern California are also doing their best. Without cause or purpose, without any discernible pattern or logic at all, the demons are simply burning everything they can reach. If it were only one of two demons the Sharks would be fine, but there are hundreds of them.

Weary and scorched, Sharks Joe Thornton and Joe Pavelski stand on a hillside taking a moment to regroup. Their teammates Brent Burns and Erik Karlsson are with them. Brent is sitting and eating Runts, those little candy fruits, by the fistful. Erik has fallen asleep.

Toronto Maple Leaf Patrick Marleau walks around the hill toward the Sharks. A San Jose legend, Patrick feels awkward greeting his old teammates but its been over a year now and his new colours feel more normal each day. Joe is the first to notice the Leaf, he waves.

“Hey guys.” Patrick says. “How can we help?”

“Patty!” Joe runs to give Patrick a hug.

“Good to see you to.” Patrick says. “Love the short beard. When’s it gonna be your turn?” this is directed at Brent, who grins and says something that, with a mouth full of candy fruits, sounds like drowning. Patrick just laughs at Brent being Brent.

“It’s good to see you.” Joe walks up and shakes Patricks hand. “To be honest we can use all the help we can get. Who else is with you?”    

“A couple of the guys aren’t too far from here.” Patrick says. “Ozi, a cyborg, and a pretty strong one it looks like. Freddy the Goat is rock solid. And the man himself, Auston Matthews.”

As soon as Patrick says that name Erik lets a little shriek that wakes him up.  Erik was never a teammate of Patricks. They greet each other with a forced civility.

“You said Auston Matthews is here?” Eriks eye starts twitching when he says Auston Matthews name and does not stop. “I thought he was hurt.” An unsettling look passes quickly over Eriks face, as if relishing Austons injury.

“He’s hurt.” Patrick can tell he doesn’t like Erik. “But he’s here.” Patrick holds Erik with his gaze. The wolf wants to take over and Patrick fights the urge to let it.

“Um, guys.” Joe says, pointing to the North.

“Oh damn.” Joe says, loosening his throat sacs for battle.

Patrick looks and even his werewolf rage is cowed by what he sees. A giant demon of fire strides toward the heroes. Curved horns sprout from its forehead, a curved sword is held in its right fist, flames flower at its feet, and in two strides it is upon them. In his werewolf form Patrick is able to avoid the giant sword  stroke, but he has no way of attacking the demon without burning himself. Joe starts pulling barbs from his throat sacs and hurling them at the creature, while Joe calls upon his gale force powers which are still very strong despite all the years he has relied on them. Brent and Erik use their energy blasts to stagger the demon but it quickly shakes off their efforts.

“Go Leafs! Go!” Patrick yells into his Toronto Maple Leaf commlink.

A third blast of energy slams into the demons back knocking it down onto one knee. It is Auston Matthews and the strength of his attack grows as he takes to the air. The giant demon is pushed to its hands and knees by the power the young Leaf pours into it. Freddy, the Goat, Gauthier walks right up to the embattled things face. With a body made of solid granite he does not burn up in the heat, instead he punches it hard on the nose, breaking infernal bone. In agony the demon reaches out a flame wreathed hand to slap the Leaf away. Before it can strike the flames around its hand are extinguished. Horrified the demon tries to escape but it is too late. Igor Ozhiganov hovers above the demon using his cybernetic firefighting attachments to extinguish the demons flames. As its flames die the demons body crumbles. Before long it is nothing but a giant pile of ash.

The Leafs don’t wait for the Sharks but immediately seek out another demon to slay. Except for Patrick who takes a moment to wave to his former comrades before disappearing into the smoke filled night.

“Well damn.” Joe says.

“I’ll say.” Joe answers. “That was epic.”

“I miss Patty.” Brent says to no one in particular.

Erik says nothing, just stares out into the night, his eye twitching.