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.

Auston Matthews looks out over the Arizona desert. He breathes deep of the warm air, the air of his home. No matter how much he has grown to love the city of Toronto, Auston is from this desert, it is in his bones. And the desert is glad to have him back. A gentle breeze plays with his hair and a hawk cries out a greeting over head. Auston takes another deep breath to savour the freedom of the moment. Then he gets back to work.

“Here they come.” Morgan Rielly says over the Maple Leaf commlink.

Auston squints and sees his target. A jeep careens through the dunes, barely avoiding the scattered boulders and mesas. There is no driver, only a now familiar red glow surrounding the vehicle. The Leaf doesn’t consciously calculate distances or travel times or expected route, what he does is think about what he wants to do and leaps.

Auston arcs out across the sky, wind rushing as the hero converges on the wild jeep. His aim is perfect and the jeep is obliterated when he lands on it. As the gas tank ignites and Auston is engulfed in flames he feels a sense of purpose and new energy fill him, an eagerness to meet the challenges ahead. He smiles.

“That’s one buddy.” Morgan says in his ear. “There’s more coming.”

As the roar of flames dies down the roar of approaching engines builds, and if anything Auston’s smile grows.