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 appearing to distract the National Heroes League. Recently there has been a shift to the assaults, the opening stages of the invasion are complete. Things are getting real.

Tyson Barrie swings at the snarling zombie that rushes at him only to have the illusion dissolve into mist. Freddy Andersen dispells a billowing tower of fog only to have another rear up behind him. The pair of Maple Leafs are isolated and surrounded by an enemy they cannot see.

Another zombie leaps out from the shadows to bite at Tyson. He whips around and slashes it in half. This time it isn’t an empty illusion and his axe bites into the body of a two headed serpent, splitting it in two.

“Come on!” Tyson yells. “Stop hiding! Face us!”

There is no answer beyond the swirling mist that surrounds the heroes.

“They will not answer you. They are playing with us.” Freddy says.

“They?” Tyson asks.

“The mage that is controlling these illusions. They are having fun.” Freddy doesn’t add that the magic being used against them is a type he has never faced before. The Leafs mage has learned not to bother his teammates with details about the magical destruction they routinely encounter.

Tyson slams his axe into the ground out of frustration and sends a shockwave out into the mist. He doesn’t even choose a direction with intent, just sends his pent up destructive force out randomly. There is a sharp shout and the illusions fade for a moment. It is only a shimmer, the briefest of cracks in the otherwise perfect spell. It is enough.

“This way!” Tyson yells as he rushes to follow the swathe of destruction made by his powers.

Freddy backs him up with a more cautious approach as the illusory mist begins to swirl around them with a greater intensity.

“Kas, I think you better come here.” the mage whispers into his commlink. Freddy’s timing is perfect, the instant he sends his message he is thrown off his feet by a spell he can barely understand, let alone counter.

Tyson and Freddy writhe on the cold ground as thick tendrils of mist bind the Leafs together, burning them and sapping their strength. It is an agony. Neither hero can speak beyond wailing or move more than a desperate flail, flopping like fish left choking on a dock.

The mists all coalesce into the dire bonds holding the Leafs and a thin bedraggled creature steps out from behind a stop sign. Grotesque fingers reach out from long hands to pet the two captured heroes. A flash of light catches the creatures attention and it turns to watch a magical portal opening a few meters away.

Kasimir Kaskisuo has been an apprentice mage for a long time. He has worked very hard to prepare himself for the moment when his magic might finally be called upon. That moment has come. Eager to prove himself the young mage steps out of the portal and begins to weave his wards. With a gesture the mysterious and terrifying mage sweeps aside Kas’ magic and traps him within the swirling mass of misty tentacles. His screams join those of his teammates.

Despite being placed in a nearly impossible situation Kas can’t help but blame himself for not doing more. It is as unfair as it is impossible to avoid. If he survives he vows to learn and come back stronger than ever.

The thin mage grins, the smile stretching around nearly to the back of its head. A long blue ropey tongue slips out to lick along the extended lips leaving a glistening trail of black saliva.

“Pretty pretty morsels.” Its whispered voice is part croak, part giggle. It raises a finger and the nail grows to a long sharp point. The mage smiles as it considers which Leaf to look inside first. The unmistakable retort of a shotgun blast ends the creatures musings and sends chunks of it’s overly large head splattering on to the bewildered Leafs.

Pittsburgh Penguin, Evegeni Malkin steps out from behind the still standing corpse and reloads the twin barrels of his shotgun.

“0010011100 0010110110 1101.” Whatever Evgeni says in binary code to the Leafs as they stagger to their feet amuses the cyborg to no end. Laughing he turns away leaving the Leafs to enjoy their aftermath.