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 army of skeletons laying siege to Toronto Maple Leaf Tower have changed their tactics. Instead of trying to overwhelm the defenders they are now trying to lull them into a false sense of boredom. No attacks have come at the walls in hours forcing the Leafs to spend a tense night waiting on the edge of fear. With the coming of a new day the assaults begin anew but now they are more deliberate, more precise. In an attempt to disrupt whatever power is leading their enemies the Leafs have sent Mitch Marner out behind the siege lines.

Technically Mitch is alone, but his power to create multiples of himself makes this seem less ominous. Sixteen Mitch’s sneak through the Toronto Maple Leaf forest searching for some sign as to where this skeletal assault is coming from. A series of strange, multi-coloured lights led the Mitch’s in to the heart of the forest. Now he approaches a glade where the smouldering remains of a bonfire mark the spot of a grisly ritual. Blackened bones and human skulls litter the fire pit. The Mitch’s fan out to surround the glade. Three snoring figures lie near a golden statue. The statue is smeared in blood and other, less obvious, things. Three Mitch’s draw their big knife and approach silently, as they get closer they each split into another Mitch so that six Mitch’s enter the desecrated glade.

An explosion engulfs the glade destroying everything in it. Thankfully it is quick so that the other Mitch’s don’t feel the deaths of the Mitch’s caught in the trap. They’re angry now but they also have a target for their anger. The Mitch’s split until fifty of them are running through the forest. They are not sneaking anymore, the explosion that killed the others was caused by a fireball sent by a short fat little mage who squeals as she flees.  

No wolves ever ran down a hurt doe with such ease. The Mitch’s surround the mage before she has run a hundred yards. Exhausted she throws up her hands.

“Kill me, I am yours.” The mage intones between heavy, gasping breaths. “I am coming to join your army, dark master. Your servant approaches!”

One of the Mitch’s slams the butt of his big knife on the top of her head, knocking her out. A different Mitch knocks on the shadow of a tree.

“We caught something. Maybe it will help Freddy?” Mitch means Freddy Andersen, the Toronto Maple Leafs master wizard. After a few seconds a magical portal opens and Garret Sparks, the Toronto Maple Leafs apprentice wizard, steps into the forest.

“She’s not in charge, but she’s a wizard or something, killed a bunch of us with magic anyway.” Mitch tries to downplay the deaths of his others because he knows it bothers his teammates.

“Are you okay?” Garret knows that Mitch feels the death of every Mitch. “Don’t worry we’ll get them. Do you want some help? I can get you Andreas or Kappy, maybe Patty if you want.” The rest of Horse squad is guarding the walls of the tower with a few dozen other Mitch’s

“Don’t Worry.” Mitch smiles. He knows his squad is spread thin, as are all the Leafs. “I got this.” Mitch leaves Garret with the prisoner and merges back into only a dozen Mitch’s. Silently they take their search deeper into the forest.