When humanity is threatened only the super-powered might of the Toronto Maple Leafs can be counted on to save the day. All over the continent small seeds of chaotic force have been seeking to control the powers of the National Heroes League. The battle to save the planet is on, and it is fierce.

The Captain flies high over head searching desperately for the seed of chaos controlling the giant attacking his city. John Tavares has only just returned to his city after a long absence and it would not do to have it pulled down around him. His Toronto Maple Leaf teammates are working to slow the giant and save the citizens. The Captain is looking to stop the problem at the source.

The seeds usually like to hide in plain sight and they have gotten better at disguising their telltale red energy pulses. The fact that these seemingly lifeless rocks are learning disturbs John but there isn’t time to worry about that. The invasion is relentless, even when Toronto itself isn’t under attack there are reports of chaotic assaults spread across the continent. At least a pattern has emerged. The seeds only appear in the thirty-one areas that are home to one of the factions of the National Heroes League. It’s not the planet that’s under attack, it’s the heroes.

These thoughts flicker through The Captains mind without landing on his conscious. He scans the rooftops and the alleyways until he finally spots a cardboard box with three guards standing in front of it. Not wanting to play around, John uses his super chill to freeze the guards before he lands beside the box. They are smaller versions of the giant rampaging several blocks away, a conglomeration of trash and accumulated filth given human shape and terrible, terrible breath. With a gesture The Captain swings his staff through the frozen trash monsters, shattering them, then peeks into the box. The seed is under a pile of trash. John pulls back to swing but suddenly he feels something grab his wrists. There is nothing there for John to see, but he is lifted off his feet and slammed against the nearby wall.

Malcolm Subban, his eyes glowing red from the chaotic power that has taken over his mind, walks into the alley with his hands raised. The Las Vegas Golden Knights mage doesn’t say a word, and John knows he is focused almost entirely on keeping his spell up.

“Malcolm, fight it!” John doubts that the seed will not let go of the mage, but his comm link is on. “If your magic still works that means a part of you is still there. You can fight it Malcolm.”

John is spared having to come up with anything else to shout as a familiar blue and white glow precedes the opening of a magical portal behind the Knight. Freddy Andersen steps out of the portal and punches Malcolm in the head. The Maple Leafs mage rarely uses his mundane strength, but sometimes it’s fun to cut loose. John is immediately freed from the Magic binding him and he springs into action. Ignoring the mage brawl behind him, John slams his fists down on the box where the seed hides. Shards of the shattered boulder scatter across the alley. At the alley mouth Freddy helps a dazed Malcolm to his feet.

“That was a really cool spell you used.” Freddy’s respect is genuine. “Maybe you could teach me it sometime. I didn’t hit you too hard did I?