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.

Connor Brown bounces off the brick wall and dives right back at his attacker. The orc warrior shrugs off a spear thrust into her shoulder and again bashes Connor with her shield sending the Toronto Maple Leaf hard into the brick wall again. The orc doesn’t realize her mistake. Connors super power lets him absorb kinetic energy and release it at will. The orc warrior rams her shield once more but this time Connor holds out a hand and checks her momentum. A flash of purple flares from the Leaf as he releases the stored energy in an explosive blast, destroying the orc completely and the two behind her as well.

The orc war band attacking the city of Toronto should not have been able to cross into our realm but it has. Connor isn’t worried about how they got here though, he’s just got to kill them all. Although if he’s honest, Connor wishes there was some way to find a peaceful resolution.

Ron Hainsey has no such concerns. Ron loves guns and he loves shooting guns. If anything, Ron was excited when the orcs showed up because he doesn’t get many chances to fire at will, at least, not as many as he would like. His Toronto Maple Leaf hover-platform with a Napoleonic era battle cannon welded onto the prow is in the shop getting a repulsor jet calibrated so Ron has to fight on foot. He doesn’t mind, it gives him a chance to try his new grenade launcher, it has a twenty three round magazine.

Between Connors spear and Rons grenades, the Leafs make short work of the first wave of orcs. The second wave, however, catches them off guard. Streaming in from all sides the orcs press hard. Ron is forced to use his knife and pistol. Connors spear gets snapped in half but he fights on with a half spear in each hand.

Ron runs out of bullets and pistol whips the next screaming orc face that gets in range. Connor loses his spear completely when a dying orc holds the spear ends in his belly, refusing to let go even after his dying breath. The Leafs are mere moments away from being over run when a bellow forced a brief pause in the battle by sheer force of volume.

Connor sees orcs in the back of the mob start to fly about, tossed into the air. A laser blast comes alarmingly close to Ron’s head but misses the Leaf and cuts a swathe through the orcs.

The Leafs dive right back into the fracas but there isn’t much left for them to do. The fight is over, and even though they did what they could, they did not finish it. That honour belongs to the pair of Washington Capitals who stand at either end of the street.

Alex Ovechkin turns his cyborg arm canon back into a regular cyborg arm while across from him Tom Wilson is stepping on orc heads. They pop like bubble wrap.

The Leafs greet the Capitals with a forced enthusiasm. Alex takes a long look at the pair but doesn’t otherwise acknowledge them before walking away. Tom takes a different approach.

“Tots glad we could help you out.” The hulking Capital says with a smile. “You know, ’cause you were about to get murdered. That wouldn’t be cool right. Did you guys need some help cleaning up? Just kidding I’m not gonna do that. See ya.” And with a grin he struts off after his captain.

Both the Leafs would like to shove that grin down his dumb looking face but they can’t. Some loses sting because you know the other team earned their bragging rights.

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.

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.

Morgan Rielly ducks for cover as a cloud of arrows rains down. Travis Dermott grows big and hurls a boulder at the swarming desert imps. A dozen of the beasts are flattened and the rest scatter. Jake Muzzin takes advantage of the opening, diving into the gap before the imps can regroup.

Jake is in full werebear form and each swipe of his mighty paws turns another imp into a bloody smear. The imps dart in and out and around between the boulders to stab at Jake with their long spears. Morgan snipes at any he can see, moving up as he fires. Travis shrinks back down to his regular size as another cloud of arrows whizzes over his head. An imp jumps out at him but Travis catches it and snaps it’s neck with a hard squeeze.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are surrounded but hardly concerned. The pressure is steady but nothing they haven’t seen before. An impish dart grazes Morgans cheek. His vision blurs.

“Poison!” The Leaf manages to shout a warning before falling to the dirt.

Travis pulls his fallen comrade to safety and whistles for Jake to regroup. The werebear turns at the sound and fifteen arrows pierce his thick hide. Lumbering over, each step becomes more uncertain until Jake reaches the Leafs and collapses. A snot laden river of drool pours from his mouth and nose which does not abate as the massive bear shape slowly veers back into Jake.

Not out of options, the young Leaf does what he does best and grows big. He swats at the imps on his left and a cloud of arrows hits his right side. He swats at the imps on his right and his left side is covered in arrows. While he is three stories tall Travis is not hurt by the tiny shafts, they are more of an irritant than anything. But it doesn’t take long for Travis to feel his vision blur. The last thing he sees before everything goes black is the swarm of imps capering around his teammates.

Two Arizona Coyotes find the Leafs seven hours later. Alex Galchenyuk and Clayton Keller don’t bother to conceal their amusement as they look down on the three Maple Leafs, stripped of all their gear with bare asses burning in the desert heat. Alex checks the surrounding area for any trail or signs of another ambush while Clayton pulls the Leafs into the shade. After a few minutes Alex returns shaking his head, the imps are long gone.

Clayton pours out a canteen of water onto Morgan, who comes to with a start.

“It’s okay.” Alex says, smiling ear to ear the smile of a victorious rival. “The imps always let the desert do their dirty work. Don’t bother looking for your stuff though, it’s gone.”

“We thought we surprised them.” Morgan says, wincing as he gets to his feet. “Thought there were only a few dozen.”

“Yeah, they’ll trick ya.” Clayton says. “Surprised your boy Mats didn’t warn you, he’s from around here I think.”

“Do you have any clothes we could borrow?” Morgan asks.

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 frozen sand slides under Mitch Marner’s feet. Another Mitch Marner helps him keep steady while a third Mitch shakes his head at the poor effort. Auston Matthews follows the trio of Mitches out into the frozen desert. Patrick Marleau brings up the rear as usual. Joining the Maple Leafs on this adventure are two Golden Knights.

Nate Schmidt and William Karlsson only wear the full golden armour for special occasions. When on a mission they wear a much more serviceable steel plate mail, although it is gilded with gold leaf. Usually they are uncomfortable in the desert but whatever strange phenomenon is at work, it actually helps the Knights. Nate and William flank the Leafs on either side ostensibly as guides but the Leafs and Knights both know there’s more too it. The desert holds secrets.

One of the Mitches races ahead and kneels down, breaking the ice to dig into the sand underneath. After an effort he stands and returns to the squad. In his hand he is holding a pair of goggles.

“There’s blood on ’em” Mitch says.

“You recognize ’em?” Another Mitch asks the Knights.

“Not one of ours.” Nate says after a moments inspection.

Patrick takes the goggles and holds them to his nose. Unlike the werewolves in stories, Patrick is able to veer into his wulfen form at will. By only changing halfway he is able to use his heightened wolf senses without losing his human skills such as speech and critical thought. After picking up the scent off the goggles he starts sniffing the ground. It doesn’t take long for Patrick to start jogging across the frozen sand.

Five minutes later the five heroes are standing under an icicle larger than the Eiffel Tower. Instead of melting in the deadly Nevada sun the icicle is getting colder.

“Reminds me of John.” The Mitch closest to Auston says, referring to John Tavares who has a super chill similar in effect to the gigantic icicle.

“John’s powers can absorb heat at a rate of a little more than 9100 BTUs a second.” Auston says. “If this this thing is pulling in that much we’re in a lot of trouble.”

“So you wanna break it?” William asks. “You got the juice for that?”

Auston doesn’t answer with anything more then a look which pins William to the spot. The Leaf and the Knight share a moment of understanding. No matter who owns the desert, Auston is in charge. One of the Mitches approaches the icicle and places a digital temperature gauge on it.

“Sucking up 186 BTU per second.” The Mitch says.

“Get it! Get it! Get it!” Another Mitch pipes up.

“Wait.” Nate holds out a hand. “Let’s just take a minute and consider all the likely scenarios here. I mean we don’t know what this thing is, it could detonate half the the state if it’s not handled correctly.”

Auston stares at Nate for a second with a raised brow. Patrick can’t contain a guttural wolf chuckle. The Mitches all take several steps back. Auston approaches the icicle and places his left hand gently upon it. The innate heat in his body melts a small cradle before the ice can recover. Auston closes his eyes and sends a pulse of energy into the icicle.

Auston loves having John on his team. It gives him someone to spar with, an equal. Auston would never unleash his full power on John though. Even absorbing twice as much as 9100 BTU per second wouldn’t keep John safe. The icicle is not Auston’s teammate, he unleashes his power completely. The towering frozen monument is vaporized in an instant as the pulse of radiant heat tears through it with the speed of thought.

“Clean that mess up.” Auston instructs the Knights as he struts away.

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.

A squall of Sasquatch has descended upon Denver. The heroes of the Colorado Avalanche fight desperately to stem the tide but they are over matched. Not even one as powerful as the Mackinnon is rumoured to be cannot be every where at once.

The Leafs arrive on the scene as the Avalanche are overrun. With a devestating efficiency the Leafs bring unleash their power. The joy the Leafs express makes the work look more like play. The Avalanche can only shake their head at the impressive display. As they climb back on board the Toronto Maple Leaf troop carrier one Leaf turns back. It is Ron Hainsey,

“You’re welcome!” Ron shouts in a tone that implies that indeed they are not welcome at all.

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.

John Tavares takes a swing at the laughing skull but misses wide. The skull flies away and John vomits all over himself. Nazem Kadri takes several shots at the cackling vision but somehow all his shots bounce off it or go wide. Naz also empties the contents of his stomach as the skull flies away. Morgan Rielly tries to cut off the laughing skull and bat it out of the air. Somehow the thing evades the attack and Morgan pukes as it flies away.

Try as they might the Toronto Maple Leafs are not able to make any effective attack against the terrible apparition. It’s not a lack of skill that defeats them, nor a lack of urgency. In the end the Leafs are defeated by the inexorable weight of destiny. Some battles are not meant to be won. And sometimes you just end up blowing chunks all over yourself.

No amount of foresight or planning can over come our fate. All we can do is hope to learn.

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.

Andreas Johnsson and Zach Hyman walk together, taking the lead. Shea Weber covers behind. Freddy Andersen and Carey Price walk in between reading a large leather bound tome.

“It must be European.” Freddy says. “Look at that weave.”

“Okay, but what’s that smell?” Carey asks. “I swear it smells like the Amazon.”

The Toronto Maple Leafs and L’es Habitente Canadiens du Montreal are following a magical trail. So far it has been a trial. The magic loops around, back tracks and dead ends. It’s almost as if the trail was left just to distract the heroes. Now they are going around in circles in the dark but no one is getting frustrated. The wizards are doing their best to figure it out while Shea, Zach, and Andreas wait, knowing at any moment things could get interesting.

A light flares ahead and both wizards look up. Freddy closes the book and it vanishes.

“Quickly.” Carey says. “Before it leaps again.”

The heroes sprint toward the light.

“Cage?” The Montreal wizard asks.

“Web.” Freddy answers.

As they run the two wizards begin to cast. Thin tendrils of silvery magic reach out and coalesce around the light. The moment the magic appears the light goes out. The silver web flashes as the shape within struggles to get free. The heroes approach and Zach pulls out a flashlight. As he shines it on their quarry a high pitch wail splits the night air.

“Turn it off.” Shea says. “I think the light hurts it.”

Zach turns of the light but the wailing continues.

“What is it?” Andreas asks what everyone else is thinking.

The creature is large, scaled like a lizard with the shape of a toad, except that the head has the long snout of a hound.

“It’s a sort of a devil, a minor one.” Carey says, familiar with evil powers.

The devil writhes under the wizards magic, the wail turns into a gurgling whimper. It’s muscular legs strain to break free. Zach almost feels sympathy for the fiend, except it’s from hell so he holds his axe ready.

“We need to banish it.” Freddy says. “I know a ritual that can do it. But it takes time.”

The Leafs chief mage spends the next hour drawing arcane symbols on the ground around the demon. The creature seems resigned to its fate now, it watches silently as Freddy completes his ring of icons. Freddy begins to chant the ritual of banishment and the devil starts to struggle furiously, however as the ritual is completed it stops.

“You think you have won.” The voice that leaves the devils hideous snout is horribly human. “You created me. You Leafs. You Habs. I am your fate. I am eternal!” It has to shout these last words as it vanishes out of existence.

“Well that was fun.” Freddy says. “Glad we could help. Can’t wait till next time. And I was right by the way, that thing was totally European.”

The Leafs walk away knowing that there are more questions then answers behind them. There is still a lot to prove, but less and less time to do so with each passing day. One truth alone stands proven beyond refute, the excitement will only grow.

Grow Leafs! Grow!

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.

Mitch Marner peeks into the Toronto Maple Leafs bakery. Auston Matthews sits at the counter digging into a fresh steaming pie. John Tavares sits beside him with fork at the ready. A chime dings and the baker pulls another pie from the oven and puts it in front of John.

Mitch takes a seat and reaches out for a third pie, which had been cooling. The baker lashes out with a wooden spoon, smacking him in the knuckles.

“Sorry dear.” The baker smiles warmly. “That’s for Mr. Marleau.” And gets back to her baking.

“But I want some pie.” Mitch says, looking at John and Auston with longing.

As much as his teammates love Mitch, the pie is just too delicious to share. With a growing melancholy, Mitch can only stare. Another chime dings and the baker pulls another pie out of the oven.

“That’s for Mr. Kadri.” The baker says even as she turns around.

Without any clear direction Mitch refuses to feel negative. He knows that if he’s patient he will get his own pie. Patience is a virtue that requires nearly constant practice and Mitch decides to feel grateful for the opportunity to practice. It’s not easy. The pie smells really good, probably tastes even better. Mitch feel his mouth start to water. He starts to wonder how quickly he could run away with a forkful. With the power to make copies of himself Mitch is pretty sure he’d be able escape.

His plan is nearly half formed when Kyle Dubas walks into the bakery. The Leafs GM holds a steaming pie in his oven mitted hands.

“Mitch, there you are.” Kyle sets the pie in front of Mitch. “You have to try this pie I made, I’ve been working on the recipe for a while now but I know you’ll like it.”

Mitch is eager to devour the pie but he takes his time, savouring every second of this long awaited moment.

“Careful, it’s hot.” Kyle says.

A visitor pokes their head into the bakery. It is Matt Duchene, hero of the Ottawa Senators.

“Wow, it smells amazing in here.” Matt says. “Any chance I could get in on some of this pie?”

Auston, John, Mitch, Kyle, and the baker all look at the Senator. He seems desperate to have a taste of what the Leafs are cooking, but he knows his desperation makes him repulsive. It’s sad really. Matt is a powerful hero, and friends with John, which means nothing.

“No!” Everyone says to Matt.

Mitch digs in.

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.

Three Toronto Maple Leafs wait by the edge of the frozen marsh. Frederik Andersen sips from a flask and passes it to William Nylander. Wily takes a long pull and hands it to Kasperi Kapenen, who takes a sniff before having a taste.

“A Fin, a Dane, and a Swede are standing in a swamp.” Kap says. “I know there’s a joke there somewhere.”

“The joke is that we’re waiting here at all.” Wily says. “And why is that again.”

“I am fulfilling a promise.” Freddy says. “One day it may be you who is thankful I don’t take my promises lightly.”

“Still don’t see why I had to come.” Wily says.

“I thought you’d like to get out for a bit.” Freddy answers.

“Plus I said I wouldn’t come if you didn’t.” Kap says with a grin.

An explosion rocks the peaceful marshlands. The Leafs are spattered with frigid muck. Freddy cast a quick Granny Gruwax’ Gracious Gleam on himself to clean it off then heads towards the blast. Still marsh spattered, Wily and Kap follow and are soon confronted by a melee.

Seven ninjas gang up on two heroes, Ryan Getzlaf and John Gibson of the Anaheim Ducks. The mighty pair are exhausted and filthy. Another explosion sends the Ducks reeling as the ninjas close in for the kill. Kap uses his super speed to pluck the Ducks out of harms way. Wily saunters up to the ninjas smiling. The seven deadly, trained assassins lower their weapons. Mezmerized by Wily’s charm the ninjas don’t notice Freddy casting.

“Duck!” Freddy yells. The Leafs chief wizard casts Plimpets Popping Heads across the swath of the marsh. The deceptively sweet sounding name belies the devastating effect of the spell. The seven ninjas, three sparrows and a chipmunk caught in the area simply die as their heads enlarge and then pop with an almost comical sound.

Freddy helps The Ducks to their feet.

“Sorry we took so long.” Ryan says. “We got a little lost in the weeds.”

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.

Jake Gardiner and Jake Muzzin are racing to escape the burning building before it collapses. Jake uses his super power to become a giant snake allowing him to slither faster than a falling brick. While Jake has veered into his werebear form smashing anything that might slow him down.

A beam cracks and six stories of rubble come crashing down but before Jake is crushed beneath it Jake uppercuts the falling burning debris.

“Thanks.” Jake hisses as Jake’s strength wins out against gravity.

The Jakes run on. They haven’t worked together very much so each Jake takes care to watch out for the other. It is a feeling out process which may take weeks to get over. That doesn’t mean they aren’t effective though. Jake hurls an old filing cabinet through a wall making a hole for Jake to slither through. Jake stretches out across a wide gap in the floor making a bridge for Jake to run across. With the talent these two bring it seems that they’ve worked together for years and it will only get better.

The Leafs get clear of the building and pause to catch their breath. They both change back into mundane human form and Jake puts out a small flame smouldering in Jake’a beard. They share a laugh, both Jakes eager to downplay the narrowness of their escape.

“Help!” The cry is from the burning building, close to the Jakes.

“It could be a trick.” Warns Jake, knowing that the Toronto Maple Leafs have many enemies.

“It could be someone in trouble.” Jake responds, closing in on the source of the plea.

“Help!” They hear again.

Jake approaches a large heap of rubble while Jake watches his back a few steps behind. Buried underneath the rubble is Pittsburgh Penguins hero, Jake Guentzel.

“Are you alright?” Jake asks.

“I’m okay.” Jake answers. “I’m just getting crushed.”