When humanity is threatened only the super powered might of the Toronto Maple Leafs can be counted on to save the day. As the days start to get longer the Maple Leafs start to focus on their true goal. The only thing that can get in their way is themselves.

The Mississippi Mud Dog clamps it’s jaws on Zach Hymans leg. As one of the only Toronto Maple Leafs without super powers you might assume that Zach would panic but he is cool, and his axe is sharp. He swings the hard steel into the creatures neck. Mud oozes out of the wound, it flows around Zach’s weapon and runs up his arm. Zach pulls his arm out of the sucking mud with an effort. The Mud Dog vanishes slipping back into the muck.

Zach waits, senses straining for some sign of his enemies presence. The mud covering the Leaf makes his reactions just a little slower. Zach spins around just as the Mud Dog pounces. His axe lashes out and catches the beast in the side but the momentum and the weight of the thing work together to drag Zach down into to muck.

If you only walked in on the scene at this exact moment you would think nothing of it. You would see Mississippi mudflats, tranquil and unimpressive. You probably wouldn’t even look twice, assuming that there is nothing to learn from mud. Only the keenest observers would notice the small stream of bubbles, getting larger until a Maple Leaf erupts from below.

Satisfied that its job is done the Mud Dog eases its grip on the Maple Leaf. That tiny opening gives Zach the space he needs to start thrashing with his weapon again. Even though it’s body is an animated mud pile the creature does not enjoy being hacked at. The renewed assault upon it frightens the mud monster. The comeback is impressive. Zach fights his way all the way out of the mud.

Standing ready at the edge of the mud, Zach waits as tension builds. Nothing happens, the fight is over even if Zach hasn’t noticed. The Mud Dog was never hunting the Leaf, it was protecting its home. As impressive as the battle was, it never should have happened.

Still, there is a lesson to learn from the encounter. Heroes never quit and the struggle never ends until you die. Luckily the Leafs won’t have to wait long to see if the lesson is learned.