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 Otter squad: the centers.

Par Lindholm is new to the Toronto Maple Leafs and to life in North America but he is no stranger to fighting skeletons. The assault rifle he favours is no use against animated bones so instead he uses his powers, which create hard light objects, to wield two small maces to smash the bones in to powder. His teammate Freddy “the Goat” Gauthier can turn his body into granite which makes him very effective against the skeletons, but they are attacking the Mount Pleasant Cemetery in such numbers that the very weight of his foes is slowing the Goat down. John Tavares doesn’t bother using his super chill powers on the skeletons. Instead he relies on his strength and skill as well as his iron tipped quarterstaff to become a virtual whirlwind of skeletal destruction. Nazem Kadri doesn’t like fighting in the daylight, but he doesn’t have to like it to do it. Naz uses his shadow walking powers wherever he can to slip in and out of our physical realm, smashing bones with a crowbar and appearing behind the foes that move to fight back.

The Leafs work to defend the graveyard but the hatred arrayed against them is immense. Thousands and thousands of skeletons rage around them. Naz fights his way toward John.

“We need a plan.” Naz shouts over the din of battle.

“Great.” John says between swings of his staff. “You got one?”

Naz is too busy to answer. Some larger skeletons armed with heavy hammers have surrounded the Goat. One of them is just about to bring its hammer down but suddenly its arms are smashed by a crowbar. Naz pulls Goat into the shadow realm and brings him to John, then finds Par and does retrieves him as well.

“We stay close.” Naz says. “That’s my plan. You guys will have to figure the rest out yourselves.”

The Leafs fight and the skeletons come on and on. The world shrinks to a small patch of grass where life and death strive to over power each other. The Leafs are heroes, one and all, but even heroes can fall. Luckily that is not their doom on this day. A whirlwind tears through the skeletal host tossing broken bones about like leaves in a gale. It is no random storm that has appeared though. The whirlwind spins with a deadly purpose, smashing through the densest knot of undead warriors and moving to the next. The press of foes working against the Leafs is weakened and soon shattered. Hundreds of skeletons are demolished in a minute and in five they have routed from the field. The whirlwind spins towards the Leafs who brace themselves needlessly. The whirlwind stops and slows, revealing James van Riemsdyk holding a comically oversized warhammer. The Philadelphia Flyer grins as he approaches the Leafs.

“What’s the matter Naz?” James asks. “Didn’t you recognize me?” Given how long he was a Toronto Maple Leaf, it’s not surprising that he sounds slighted.

Naz gives his old teammate a hug. “Just wasn’t expecting you bro. Good to see you though.”

“We can catch up later.” James says. “First we need to stop these skeletons.”

“I thought we just did.” Goat says.

“We scattered their forces but they will regroup, and soon.” James says grimly. “I’ve fought these skeletons before, a long time ago, in England.”

“Guys.” Par interrupts. “They’re back.”

The skeletons have returned and if anything their army has grown. Undead giants now stride through the host and magical power swirls around a group of skeletal mages assembled on a hilltop. Scores of dead mouths cry out, mocking their lack of throats with the noise. Archers ready their weapons.

“Everybody find cover!” John shouts as a cloud of arrows darkens the sky.

Par hides behind Goats granite body, John holds up a fallen shield, and Naz pulls James into the shadow realm.         

“Tell me what happened in England.” Naz demands. “But quickly.”

James tells Naz the story. (You can read it here)

“So we just need to find whoever is controlling them, should be easy.” Naz grins.

“I hope you’re right.” James says.

Naz opens a path back to reality where waves of skeletons have broken against the Leafs who stayed behind. John, Par and Goat work together to create a seamless weave, a dance of devastation that brings peace to the restless dead at last. As if those risen bones seek that peace they rush on in countless numbers. James is frozen in awe of what the Leafs are capable of. Naz whoops with glee and joins in the dance, seamlessly finding a place where his will can be unleashed on the hapless army of skeletons.

“Let’s finish these guys off quick. Naz shouts over the battle. “Then we get to hunt for Excalibur!”

As James watches his former team he wonders what might have been. He had sought to help the Leafs and to capture some of his former glory with his former team. Now he sees that they do not need him and feels only the privilege of being able to say he was part of something great once.