When humanity is threatened only the super powered might of the Toronto Maple Leafs can be counted on to save the day. The Leafs have undergone a major overhaul this year. Of all the changes, none has been more impactful than the addition of a squadron based tactical deployment that head coach Mike Babcock and GM Kyle Dubas designed to keep the peace on the mean Toronto streets. Today we follow Otter squad: wingers.

The sewers under Raleigh, North Carolina are deeper then they have any need to be. Deep within the earth the city hides a secret that most of its citizens have forgotten. The last stable portal to the fairy realm was discovered in 1812 and has been protected ever since. Justin Williams, of the Carolina Hurricanes, is in the portal chamber fighting for his life. A fecal demon is desperate to invade the fairy realm for demons abhor anything that is bright and lovely and the fairy realm is both of those things to the exclusion of all else.

Justin is not going to let anything get by him. Not a drop of poop has splashed into the chamber. Justin uses his super powered force shield to hold the demon at bay but he cannot yet go on the offensive. The pressure battering his shield is immense. Sweat drips down Justin’s face but the fear of drowning in crap is very motivating. Even though he knows his Hurricane teammates are somewhere fighting with him he wishes a few of them were actually beside him.

As if in answer to his silent wish, Justin hears the sounds of fighting in the tunnels and the weight of the fecal demon is momentarily off of him. Justin holds his shield in place for a minute longer, listening to the sounds of battle. A noise, the release of ancient torment, washes over Justin and the emotions revealed batter him like a physical force. The sound fades and Justin releases his shield.

The tunnels beyond the portal chamber are dripping with feces. The smell is immense but for now the poop is inert. As Justin is considering the best way to traverse the tunnels without getting poop on his clothes he hears the unmistakable sound of approaching feet. He puts his shield back in place and braces himself. None of his teammates should have been so close. The footsteps get closer and eventually Justin can see four figures approaching. The four are totally covered in crap, head to toe in a thick smear like icing on a putrid cake.   

Even when they are right by his shield Justin can’t tell who the mysterious four are. One steps up and presses his face against Justin’s power.

“You good in there?” The poop covered specter asks.

“I’m fine.” Justin answers.

“Cool, um, any chance you have any water?” The desperation in the question is plain.

“No.” Justin wouldn’t let them into the chamber even if there was a river running through it. “Please just go. I’ve got this.”

Toronto Maple Leafs  Connor Brown, Josh Leivo, Andreas Johnsson, and Tyler Ennis make their way slowly back to the surface. They do not talk, both because they have nothing to say and because none of them want to risk getting anymore poop in their mouths. They all appreciate that protecting the fairy realm is a worthy cause. They also know that whatever stopped the feces demon, it wasn’t them. All the Toronto Maple Leafs accomplished in Raleigh was to get covered in crap, and it stinks.

When humanity is threatened only the super powered might of the Toronto Maple Leafs can be counted on to save the day. The Leafs have undergone a major overhaul this year. Of all the changes, none has been more impactful than the addition of a squadron based tactical deployment that head coach Mike Babcock and GM Kyle Dubas designed to keep the peace on the mean Toronto streets. Today we aren’t following any of the squads.

Mike Babcock stares out across the checkerboard at John Tortorella. The two coaches have been playing this game for hours that seem more like years. Neither man has made a move. Mike knows that it is Johns turn but he believes John has forgotten. Knowing John will never ask, Mike has been lifting his hand as if about to move a piece then slowly putting it back down. The effect on his opponent is equal parts delightful and hysterical. John does not hide his consternation well but he has gotten better since he started smoking weed.

“How do you get paid so much more than me. It’s total crap.” John spits out his words as if he just bit a sour kid when expecting a gummy bear.

Mike raises both eyebrows as a response then goes back to his intense examination of the board.

“And why the hell don’t you put Kadri up with Matthews?” John has forgotten who’s turn it is, he desperately seeks to sidetrack the game, or at least force Mike into a hasty action.

Mike has never been a hasty sort of fellow. He sucks on his teeth and lifts his hand ever so slightly then puts it back down. John stares at Mike. Mike stares back. John blinks. Mike blinks back. Time slowly moves forward around the two coaches who seem unaffected by it. A passerby might think they have found two superbly detailed statues or two master psychics who have advanced beyond the need of crude words. It is John who breaks the stalemate.

“Crap!” John yells, flipping the board over as he stands.

“Good game.” Mike says as John turns to leave.

“Go piss up a tree.” John says. He hates losing, but hates losing to Mike more than anything.

When humanity is threatened only the super powered might of the Toronto Maple Leafs can be counted on to save the day. The Leafs have undergone a major overhaul this year. Of all the changes, none has been more impactful than the addition of a squadron based tactical deployment that head coach Mike Babcock and GM Kyle Dubas designed to keep the peace on the mean Toronto streets. Today everything is different. In California everything is different.

Part 3: Anaheim (Read Part 1– Read Part 2)

The Anaheim Ducks are in a state of total chaos. Time has ravaged the team as it does all things, but with the Ducks it seems that time is in a hurry. Heroes that have been as reliable as the tides have suddenly found themselves a step behind. To make matters worse the state of California is under constant threat.

Ryan Kesler is alone and surrounded by goblins. The fire demons that are laying waste to the North are a far greater threat but Ryan had hoped to take on an easier challenge in the hopes of restoring his confidence. It didn’t work out that way. The goblins had more numbers then expected and they had a warlock with them. Ryan has super powers, but against magic there is little that he can do. The ability to enrage an opponent with a word doesn’t help much in a cone of magical silence. A hundred wicked spears encircle the Duck seeking to poke at something vital. Ryan stays moving. His only hope is that the little fiends get bored and make a mistake. They do not. The warlock casts a holding spell on Ryan and the goblins start to snicker with evil anticipation.

Just before things turn gruesome the Toronto Maple Leafs arrive. It is their last day in California and the Leafs are trying to leave California better than how they found it. This is proving to be near impossible as fresh threats are cropping up faster than the Leafs can resolve them, but they are determined. To that end a giant snake crashes through the ring of goblins, chomping down on several and crushing dozens more with its enormous bulk.

The magic holding Ryan let’s go as the warlock tries to stop the rampaging serpent. The wicked little thing spits put a spell and wiggles its fingers but nothing happens. As the snake demolishes twenty more goblins the warlock tries again. This time a bubble forms around the goblin magic user. Given the shock on the goblins face this was not the intended result. Shock quickly turns to panic as the bubble starts to shrink.

Garret Sparks strides into the melee and calls the ‘Tacklers Treacherous Trap’ to his hand. The bubble containing the warlock is the size of a marble by the time Garret grabs it. He slips the little bubble into a pouch and looks to cast another spell but there is no need. The giant snake crushes the last of the goblin warriors then begins to shimmer.

Jake Gardiner reverts to his human shape and pulls out some gum. It takes four pieces to overwhelm the rancid taste of goblin blood on his tongue.

Ryan calls out as the Leafs turn to go.

“Thanks for the save.” Ryan is loath to admit that he needed help but he’s too proud to pretend.

The Leafs turn, surprised.

“Oh, didn’t even see you there.” Jake says. “You’re, uh, you’re welcome.” The Leafs turn to go and Ryan is left with less faith in his diminishing skills then ever.

The Leafs trip to California has been more successful than they had any right to expect. They have proven beyond any doubt that they are a top tier hero team. Many more adventure lie between them and their ultimate goal, but it’s nice to reflect on glory no matter how fleeting.

When humanity is threatened only the super powered might of the Toronto Maple Leafs can be counted on to save the day. The Leafs have undergone a major overhaul this year. Of all the changes, none has been more impactful than the addition of a squadron based tactical deployment that head coach Mike Babcock and GM Kyle Dubas designed to keep the peace on the mean Toronto streets. Today everything is different. In California everything is different.

Part 2: San Jose (Read Part 1)

The San Jose Sharks are doing the best they can, and their best is very good. The fire demons rampaging throughout Northern California are also doing their best. Without cause or purpose, without any discernible pattern or logic at all, the demons are simply burning everything they can reach. If it were only one of two demons the Sharks would be fine, but there are hundreds of them.

Weary and scorched, Sharks Joe Thornton and Joe Pavelski stand on a hillside taking a moment to regroup. Their teammates Brent Burns and Erik Karlsson are with them. Brent is sitting and eating Runts, those little candy fruits, by the fistful. Erik has fallen asleep.

Toronto Maple Leaf Patrick Marleau walks around the hill toward the Sharks. A San Jose legend, Patrick feels awkward greeting his old teammates but its been over a year now and his new colours feel more normal each day. Joe is the first to notice the Leaf, he waves.

“Hey guys.” Patrick says. “How can we help?”

“Patty!” Joe runs to give Patrick a hug.

“Good to see you to.” Patrick says. “Love the short beard. When’s it gonna be your turn?” this is directed at Brent, who grins and says something that, with a mouth full of candy fruits, sounds like drowning. Patrick just laughs at Brent being Brent.

“It’s good to see you.” Joe walks up and shakes Patricks hand. “To be honest we can use all the help we can get. Who else is with you?”    

“A couple of the guys aren’t too far from here.” Patrick says. “Ozi, a cyborg, and a pretty strong one it looks like. Freddy the Goat is rock solid. And the man himself, Auston Matthews.”

As soon as Patrick says that name Erik lets a little shriek that wakes him up.  Erik was never a teammate of Patricks. They greet each other with a forced civility.

“You said Auston Matthews is here?” Eriks eye starts twitching when he says Auston Matthews name and does not stop. “I thought he was hurt.” An unsettling look passes quickly over Eriks face, as if relishing Austons injury.

“He’s hurt.” Patrick can tell he doesn’t like Erik. “But he’s here.” Patrick holds Erik with his gaze. The wolf wants to take over and Patrick fights the urge to let it.

“Um, guys.” Joe says, pointing to the North.

“Oh damn.” Joe says, loosening his throat sacs for battle.

Patrick looks and even his werewolf rage is cowed by what he sees. A giant demon of fire strides toward the heroes. Curved horns sprout from its forehead, a curved sword is held in its right fist, flames flower at its feet, and in two strides it is upon them. In his werewolf form Patrick is able to avoid the giant sword  stroke, but he has no way of attacking the demon without burning himself. Joe starts pulling barbs from his throat sacs and hurling them at the creature, while Joe calls upon his gale force powers which are still very strong despite all the years he has relied on them. Brent and Erik use their energy blasts to stagger the demon but it quickly shakes off their efforts.

“Go Leafs! Go!” Patrick yells into his Toronto Maple Leaf commlink.

A third blast of energy slams into the demons back knocking it down onto one knee. It is Auston Matthews and the strength of his attack grows as he takes to the air. The giant demon is pushed to its hands and knees by the power the young Leaf pours into it. Freddy, the Goat, Gauthier walks right up to the embattled things face. With a body made of solid granite he does not burn up in the heat, instead he punches it hard on the nose, breaking infernal bone. In agony the demon reaches out a flame wreathed hand to slap the Leaf away. Before it can strike the flames around its hand are extinguished. Horrified the demon tries to escape but it is too late. Igor Ozhiganov hovers above the demon using his cybernetic firefighting attachments to extinguish the demons flames. As its flames die the demons body crumbles. Before long it is nothing but a giant pile of ash.

The Leafs don’t wait for the Sharks but immediately seek out another demon to slay. Except for Patrick who takes a moment to wave to his former comrades before disappearing into the smoke filled night.

“Well damn.” Joe says.

“I’ll say.” Joe answers. “That was epic.”

“I miss Patty.” Brent says to no one in particular.

Erik says nothing, just stares out into the night, his eye twitching.

When humanity is threatened only the super powered might of the Toronto Maple Leafs can be counted on to save the day. The Leafs have undergone a major overhaul this year. Of all the changes, none has been more impactful than the addition of a squadron based tactical deployment that head coach Mike Babcock and GM Kyle Dubas designed to keep the peace on the mean Toronto streets. Today everything is different. In California everything is different: Part 1: Los Angeles

Drew Doughty laughs as he smashes the frozen muck monster to pieces.

“That’s sixty!” He shouts to the heroes fighting beside him. Drew’s Los Angeles Kings are joined by Toronto Maple Leafs, who have come to California in the very nick of time. Fire spirits ravage the North and now muck monsters have started springing up without any warning. With their resources stretched thin, the Kings are happy for the help.

Toronto Maple Leafs John Tavares, Morgan Rielly, and Mitch Marner work beside Drew forcing the monsters toward the ocean. Three meters tall and dripping with stinky mud, the monsters seem to be controlled by a single intelligence. Their heads swivel in unison and when they flail their heavy limbs several of the things will merge arms to slap at a single target. But they are slow and the will that guides them has little understanding of tactics. This is their undoing.

Armed with a Toronto Maple Leaf ionic disruptor, Morgan keeps up a barrage of precise energy blasts that leave gaping holes in the mucky bodies. He stands behind fifteen Mitch Marners who form a shield wall on the left flank, pressing hard against the mucky mass. The Mitchs have  Toronto Maple Leaf tazer spears, the perfect blend of old and new technology which sends a stinging jolt through its razor tip.

Neither Mitch or Morgan are putting many muck monsters down. They aren’t trying to. Their job is to distract and funnel the muck monsters toward John and Drew who hold the right flank.  Hold might not be the correct word, they dominate, devastate and destroy the right flank. Since both heroes have powers that derive from their absolute chill they work amazingly well together.

Drew forms weapons of ice, throwing them or slamming them into monsters at a terrific rate. As each weapon slips into the muck it explodes both freezing and destroying the target. John emits a cold so deep as to freeze anything that gets close. At least that’s what he usually does. John has been training with Hayley Wickenheiser, learning different ways to use and control his powers. Today John is trying out a new trick where he focuses his cold on the iron tips of his quarterstaff. The result has been impressive. Each swing of the staff cleaves through two or three monsters at a time. The muck monsters have no defense against the cold death being thrown at them.  

“Sixty-five!” John answers. He isn’t really counting but every time Drew says a number John counters with a higher one.

Drew can’t help but feel frustrated, no matter how hard he tries he can’t seem to get ahead of Johns tally. He ducks under a clumsy attack and thrusts an ice sword into the muck monsters chest. The monster explodes but Drew has moved on. He forms an ice axe in his empty hand and slices off a muck monsters leg. In his other hand he wields an ice hammer which he smashes into the body of the falling monster. Before it explodes Drew slams both his weapons into the monster to its left. Drew forms an ice spear in each hand, planning to throw them at the closest muck monster. The closest monster is closer then Drew expects and he is caught in a two handed muck slap which knocks him off his feet. The heavy muck holds Drew down and begins to cover his face. Even as Drew freezes the first monster that caught him more and more begin to pile their muck upon him. As Drew begins to feel the first waves of panic the pressure is relieved. John spins his staff in a blur leaving a wreck of frozen muck behind him. The Leaf pushes further into the press of muck to buy Drew a chance to gather himself. A Mitch comes over to Drew and helps him to his feet. Drew watches as the fight moves on without him. The Leafs are demolishing the muck monsters, turning a disaster into a rout. The muck retreats and LA is safe, for now.

The Mitch beside him leans on his tazer spear and watches with Drew.

“They’re pretty awesome right?” Mitch asks.

“Awesome.” Drew agrees and somewhere deep inside a little part of him wonders what it would be like if he were the one in blue and white.

When humanity is threatened only the super powered might of the Toronto Maple Leafs can be counted on to save the day. The Leafs have undergone a major overhaul this year. Of all the changes, none has been more impactful than the addition of a squadron based tactical deployment that head coach Mike Babcock and GM Kyle Dubas designed to keep the peace on the mean Toronto streets. Today we follow Horse squad: wingers.

The Atlantean Merfolk who have been laying siege to Boston Harbour have finally been forced back into the ocean. Only a few desperate and vindictive sea people remain, those who would rather die then return home in defeat. The task of hunting them down has turned into a protracted skirmish taxing the resources of both the Boston Bruins and the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs.

Zdeno Chara, the Bruins beastmaster, can track the merfolk by their scent. He sniffs at the air and knows he is close. Zdeno leaps to another rooftop above a small group of Atlanteans in an alley. The Bruin drops down and lands on one of the merfolk, crushing it. The merfolk had been pummeling a pair of Toronto Maple Leafs but they turn quickly to face the onrushing Bruin. Zdeno picks up one enemy in each of his hands and snaps their necks with a squeeze. He throws the corpses at the rest of the merfolk and scatters them. The Leafs have regrouped and the two Mitch Marner’s become four who charge at the merfolk from behind. Caught between the Leafs and the Bruin the merfolk are quickly dispatched. The Mitch’s become a single Mitch who reaches out to shake Zdeno’s hand.

“Thanks a lot. I was almost done there.” Mitch says. “They ambushed us and split us up. I gotta find the rest of my squad!” Mitch turns to leave but Zdeno holds him back.

“Hold on little one.” Zdeno says. “You’ve had a rough night. Why not let me find your friends.”

“I got beat.” Mitch doesn’t like to admit it even if it’s true. “I appreciate the help, but I’m not backing down. Now let’s go.” Mitch splits into six Mitch’s who spread out as they leave the alley.

Mitch and Zdeno sneak through the streets,until they hear the unmistakable sounds of battle. The Mitch’s each split making it an even dozen Mitch’s who round the corner followed by Zdeno.

They find a blur and a werewolf battling against an enormous, four clawed, hermit crab. The blur is super fast Toronto Maple Leaf Kasperi Kapenen, who is as relentless as he is ineffective at finding a weakness in the crabs armour. The werewolf is Patrick Marleau, who rages against the crabs shell. For all the power of Patricks attacks he has so far accomplished little more then knocking off the barnacles.

“Go for its eyes!” The Mitch’s yell before swarming the giant crab. The crab snatches up two Mitch’s in its claws and cuts them in half. Even as four more Mitch’s appear they are crushed by another claw. One Mitch manages to get past the claws and is immediately gobbled up by the mutant crabs slathering maw.

Zdeno runs behind the crab and gets a firm grip on the crabs shell.

“Everybody back!” The Bruin bellows before lifting the huge beast off the ground.

The Leafs scatter to give the Bruin room to work. The crab flails wildly with legs and claws, desperately reaching for anything to grab onto. Zdeno slams the crab into the ground repeatedly. Again and again, shattering the shell and the concrete alike. Long after the crab stops moving Zdeno continues to lift and slam its corpse. Eventually the huge Bruin is satisfied and so lets the crab go.

The Leafs have regrouped, Mitch has reverted to a singularity for the moment and Patrick has taken his human form.

“That was pretty cool big guy.” Mitch says. “We are missing one more, you still with us?”

“I am protecting my city.” Zdeno replies. “You are in my city.” The Bruin sniffs at the air and follows his nose to where he thinks the final remnants of the Atlantean army have made their final stand.

An old, half demolished, warehouse stands hard against the seawall. The reek of merfolk is strong about the place but as he gets closer Zdeno can tell that none of those inside are alive. A Leaf and a Bruin approach from the end of the street.

“The place is empty.” Zach Hyman says. “I got knocked out and taken here. Brad saved me. And then we fought the dozen or so soldiers that were here. He says he can’t smell any more.” He points to the wererat Brad Marchand who stands twitching and holding his tail.       

“Yes, yes.” Brad squeaks. “We kill, killed all the fishy faces. No more, all have run, run to the sea home. I am sure. I can sniffs them. Or I can’ts’s, not anymore”

“So I guess the threat is over.” Patrick says.

No one responds and the awkward moment stretches. Brad twitches suddenly and licks a dried gob of mermeat of of Mitch’s face.

All the Leafs are disgusted, but there isn’t much they can do about it.

When humanity is threatened only the super powered might of the Toronto Maple Leafs can be counted on to save the day. The Leafs have undergone a major overhaul this year. Of all the changes, none has been more impactful than the addition of a squadron based tactical deployment that head coach Mike Babcock and GM Kyle Dubas designed to keep the peace on the mean Toronto streets. Today we follow Otter squad: centers.

John Tavares looks out across a field of devastation which is mostly his doing. A horde of skeletons had been raised at Oakwood High School. Luckily it was 2am so no students were in danger, but the skeletons were certainly not brought back to plant gardens. They were armed and dangerous with a hatred for everything living. The Toronto Maple Leafs had detected the summoning ritual and John had arrived just moments after the skeletons and gone to work. Even with his super strength and super speed, his iron tipped quarterstaff  and his super chill powers, two thousand skeletons would have been a chore, so John brought company. Taylor Hall of the New Jersey Devils is visiting and jumped at the chance for some action.

Taylor helped as best he could and now in the aftermath he leans heavily on his sword, bleeding from several superficial cuts. Panting and slouched, Taylor makes a sharp contrast to John who stands as proud and stoic as ever, unhurt and seemingly ready to kill two thousand more skeletons.

“That was.” Taylor says between laboured breaths. “Intense.”

“Yeah” John says. He could in fact kill many more than two thousand more skeletons.

“Is it always like this here?” Taylor asks.

“Not alway” John says after a pause to ponder. “Just most of the time.”

“We get action in Jersey, but like, I’ll see maybe two hundred skeletons. Not two thousand. Do you know where they’re from?”

“Not yet we don’t.” John says. “ They’ve attacked before. I expect we will see them again but no, we don’t know where they are coming from yet.”

“Well they are mean wherever they’re from. You want to go grab some beers?”

A thin rasping voice interjects before John can answer. “Beers would be great.”

Gary Bettman steps out of the shadows. Objectively odious, Gary wears his smarmiest smile as he approaches the heroes. He holds his arms out wide as if to force them into an awkward hug but he is too short for to make it work so he settles on patting them both on the arm. The heroes shudder but neither moves away. Gary is important enough to command respect and petty enough to remember every slight.

“What are you doing here Gary?” John asks.

“I’m here saving the day like you.” Gary says, his eyes twinkle with glee at his obvious lie.

“Sure you were.” John says, rolling his inner eye. “I think I saw you fighting one.”

“Yeah, I think I did too.” Taylor agrees, not catching on to the joke.

“You did?” Gary asks, confused by the apparent acceptance of his claims. “I mean,yeah you did. I was pretty tired after the summoning ritual but…”

“What?” John interrupts. “You summoned them? Why? Oh, I could kill you Gary. What the hell!”
“Calm down, calm down.” Gary says, backing away from John. “I was given a scroll by some cool old guy and he told me to read it and watch what happened. I didn’t know that skeletons would appear, he just said it would be really exciting. It was pretty exciting too, at least it looked exciting from where I was hiding, I mean helping.”

“What was this old mans name?” John asks. “What did he look like? Where did he go?”

“I don’t know.” Gary whines. “He just gave me the scroll and left. Now that I think about it, he might have been a woman.”

“Well great.” John shakes his head in disbelief. “Thanks for making all our lives a little harder and also for having nothing legitimately helpful to contribute. You are the worst Gary. Just the worst.” John walks away, leaving Taylor and Gary behind.

“So where should we go for beers?” Gary asks Taylor.      

When humanity is threatened only the super powered might of the Toronto Maple Leafs can be counted on to save the day. The Leafs have undergone a major overhaul this year. Of all the changes, none has been more impactful than the addition of a squadron based tactical deployment that head coach Mike Babcock and GM Kyle Dubas designed to keep the peace on the mean Toronto streets. Today we follow Damasque squad: the defense.

High above the city of Toronto, Morgan Rielly does his best to concentrate. Morgan isn’t afraid of heights exactly but he isn’t comfortable clinging to the Toronto Maple Leaf mag-lift hover platform as it drifts amongst the clouds. In the pilots chair Ron Hainsey is having a blast. Travis Dermot is sitting way too close to the edge of the platform. The cyborgs Nikita Zaitsev and Igor Ozhiganov have engaged their foot clamps to the underside of the platform because they’re crazy. Jake Gardiner sits beside Morgan looking bored, Jake is usually bored when he’s not using his super powers to turn into snakes.

The squad has taken to the sky to track the Saskatchewanian Great Moth that is circling the city for some unknowable reason. So far the creature has caused no harm, so far none of the citizens have noticed. The Leafs are only fifty feet away but they won’t attack, they won’t kill, until they have to.

“We should open fire.” Igor says through the Toronto Maple Leaf comm-link.

“Yes we should.” Ron agrees.

“We aren’t killing it, not yet.” Morgan will restrain his colleagues murderous enthusiasm for as long as it takes.

“So what are we going to do?” Travis asks. “Watch it all night?”

“We aren’t killing it just because we can.” Morgan insists. “Maybe it’ll just fly away. I hope it does, it’s beautiful.”

“It is a monster.” Nikita breaks his silence. “It should be killed.”

Morgan doesn’t respond, knowing that Nik will respect his orders whether he likes them or not. For the next hour the Saskatchewanian seems to meander without a purpose.

“This kind of sucks Mo.” Jake whispers to Morgan. “We need a plan.”

“Anyone got any ideas?” Morgan asks over the comm-link. “Other than killing it.”

No one answers for a moment.

“Could we scare it off?” Travis asks.

“How do we scare something that big?” Ron asks.

“I don’t know.” Travis shrugs. “It’s just a big moth.”

“That’s it!” Morgan says. “It’s a big moth.”

“Yeah, that’s not news.” Jake says.

Morgan isn’t listening. He is using his technopathic super powers to research moths as quickly as he can. It takes almost seven nanoseconds for him to find what he is looking for.

“Seagulls!” Morgan shouts.

“Where?” Nikita asks, concerned about a new threat.

“No, seagulls eat moths.”

“Great.” Ron says. “Now we just need a giant seagull.”

“Coming right up.” Morgan says. If the squad responds Morgan doesn’t hear. He reaches out his powers to the city below. Digital devices are everywhere, which means Morgan is everywhere. He finds a perfect sound file and plays it on the millions of devices within his reach. The sound is louder then Morgan expected. A gull cry blasts out from the city with enough force to shake the platform. The Great Moth shudders and turns away from the sound. Morgan doesn’t let it get far, keeping up his auditory assault.

They chase the Saskatchewanian North and West until it no longer threatens the city. Whatever brought the creature to Toronto remains a mystery but Morgan is happy that they managed to avoid any bloodshed. A win is a win, even if it doesn’t come with thrills and excitement.

When humanity is threatened only the super powered might of the Toronto Maple Leafs can be counted on to save the day. The Leafs have undergone a major overhaul this year. Of all the changes, none has been more impactful than the addition of a squadron based tactical deployment that head coach Mike Babcock and GM Kyle Dubas designed to keep the peace on the mean Toronto streets. Today we follow Otter squad: centers.

The city of Pittsburgh has fallen under a bizarre and deadly enchantment. Matt Murray, chief wizard for the Pittsburgh Penguins has confirmed that an anomaly across the various planes of existence has formed around the city. None of that matters to Evgeni Malkin, the Penguins resident Russian cyborg super man, He just knows he needs to keep breaking plates. The anomaly has taken hold of the city’s flatware causing dishes everywhere to fly about looking for people to smash into. Dozens of casualties were reported in the first few minutes of the event. Evgeni works hard to smash the spinning plates but he is only one cyborg.

A saucer smashes his nose, a dinner plate hits him in the knee, Evgeni stumbles. A flock of bowls dive bombs the Penguin, hitting him hard enough to engage his pain sensor circuitry.

Gun fire rattles the night air. The bowls threatening Evgeni explode into fragments. Two Toronto Maple Leafs stride through the chaos. Par Lindholm sends out a torrent of hard light bullets which he creates endlessly in the chamber of his assault rifle. Frederik Gauthier is made of granite so he has nothing to worry about as dishes break themselves on him. For a moment the street is clear of threats.

“What are you doing here?” Evgeni asks the visiting Leafs.

“Hi to you too.” Freddy replies.

“I don’t need any help.” Evgeni says.

“We aren’t here to help you.” Par says. “Our wizards think the anomaly that is affecting your city is spreading. Like it or not, we are going to stop it.”

Before Evgeni can protest the shadows in front of him open to allow Nazem Kadri through. The Leaf bleeds from many cuts but seems either to not notice or not care.

“We found the locus.” Nazem means the center of the anomaly. “Let’s go.” Without waiting to see who follows Naz steps back through the shadow portal. Par and Freddy are right behind him, and before the portal closes Evgeni slips through with a curse.

The Penguin steps out of the shadows into a nightmare. Rivers of shattered crockery pour into a floating, swirling mass. Within the heaving, shapeless shards the form of a gaping maw begins to coalesce. A few paces ahead of Evgeni, Par opens fire but the sound is swallowed by the growing storm. A tendril emerges from the mass, sprouting out from the top. It reaches out and lifts Par off the ground. Before the shard monster can pull the Leaf into its mouth Freddy dives through the tendril. His granite body severs the magical connection holding the shards together long enough for Par to drop free. Freddy is caught in his teammates place but there is little the shards can do to hurt him.

Evgeni isn’t sure what he should do, the anomaly gets larger every second and two more tendrils have begun to grow. They start to reach out for Par again and Evgeni races to protect the Leaf, hoping to be effective at something. At once Evgeni is caught in a strong magical grip and is lifted off the ground. He can feel the shards grinding against his synthetic flesh. His pain sensors blare out in needless alarm as he is pulled ever closer to the things mouth.

Par watches in horror as Evgeni is sucked into the maelstrom. Even though his powers seem to do little more than annoy the beast he keeps up an endless stream of fire, only stopping to run for cover when the tendrils lash out for him. Rolling out from behind a tree the Leaf finds himself inexplicably falling through the ground. Par almost panics, thinking that he’s fallen into a trap. After not dying the Leaf looks around and recognizes the shadow realm. Standing around him are Nazem, John Tavares and Freddy Anderson, the Toronto Maple Leafs chief wizard. John reaches out a hand to help Par up.

“It’s time to stop this thing.” John says. “Freddy knows what to do, we just need to buy him some time. You good?”

Par is cut and bruised all over but not enough to slow him down. His grim look is all the answer John needs.

“Let’s go.” Naz says, leading the way out of the shadow realm.

The monster has grown to the size of a house and shows no sign of slowing. Naz and Par take up firing positions on the wizards flanks. John approaches the monster. Tendrils reach out but are slowed by the absolute chill that surrounds John. Frost rims the shards, and as John swings his iron tipped quarterstaff through the grasping arms the cold keeps the monster from reforming.

Wordless, the wizard raises his arms. A blinding flash of of magic explodes from the mage. Par blinks in the silence that follows. His sight returns slowly but when it does he sees that the danger has past. The ground all around him is carpeted in broken crockery. Still granite, Fred Gauthier stomps the shards nearby into powder. John helps Evgeni to his feet and the Penguin staggers to the Leafs wizard.

“It is over?” Evgenis asks, his damaged vocal modulators straining to make words.

The Leafs wizard smiles. “It’s over.” He says. “I stopped everything.”

When humanity is threatened only the super powered might of the Toronto Maple Leafs can be counted on to save the day. The Leafs have undergone a major overhaul this year. Of all the changes, none has been more impactful than the addition of a squadron based tactical deployment that head coach Mike Babcock and GM Kyle Dubas designed to keep the peace on the mean Toronto streets. Today we follow Oyster squad: wingers.

A mob of orcs has gone on a rampage along Queen street. They have knocked over a streetcar and smashed into countless store fronts. They don’t steal anything, just destroy. Connor Brown is one of the Toronto Maple Leafs that has been sent to stop them.

A massive scimitar wielding orc runs up to the Leaf swinging its weapon with wild abandon. Connor takes a small step to his left and pins the orc to the side of a bus with his spear. The orc hangs lifeless for a moment until Connor yanks his spear free. He spins and his spear tip tears out the throat of an orc hoping to jump him from behind. Another orc rams into Connor with its shield and comes to a dead stop as Connor absorbs the kinetic energy. Instead of turning it back on the orc, Connor uses the energy to fuel his own super speed and strength. He knocks the orcs head off with the butt end of his spear in thanks.

Across the street Toronto Maple Leaf, Josh Leivo cracks an orc over his knee. Another orc breaks its sword on Josh’s back and runs away when Josh turns. The Leaf picks up the broken piece of sword and hurls it at the fleeing orc, striking it dead. An orc runs a spear straight at Josh’s heart and it breaks on his impervious skin. Josh grabs the orcs neck and squeezes, reversing his grip Josh then wields the throttled orc against its brethren knocking several of them down and tangling their weapons in the now very dead orc.

Faced with the terror of Connor and Josh the orc mob halts in its reckless destruction and begins to focus its destructive power. Even though the two Leafs are probably enough to take care of the mob, they are not alone.

Andreas Johnsson can turn his swords into hands when he needs to, but the swords are much better for cutting, and that is what Andreas does. He slices through the orcs with a recklessness that to match theirs. A trail of orc bodies litters his path.

As the mob becomes more intent on killing the Leafs the orcs attacking them get bigger and meaner. It doesn’t matter. Connor’s spear spits out death with every strike. Josh is a whirlwind of bone cracking chaos. Andreas is surrounded by a endless spray of blood, none his own.

Suddenly a green fire pulses through the street. The Leafs feel as if they are slowing down. Suddenly they can’t seem to do what they know they can do. The orcs gloat at the Leafs misfortune. They mock and spit and dance and laugh. The orc shaman who’s magic has ensnared the Leafs stands back from the fun. The Leafs do their best to fight but their strikes are no longer sure, their blocks are just a tad too slow. Their powers can only keep them safe to a point, against magic there is little they can do.

The orc shaman gives a grunt and its head grows a horn which isn’t actually a horn but Jamie Benn’s sword. The magic holding the Leafs is snuffed out with the death of the shaman and the orcs joy turns quickly into dismay. The Dallas Star helps the Leafs mop up the rest of the mob with relative ease. In the aftermath Connor approaches Jamie and shakes his hand.

“Thanks, you really saved our butts.” Connor laughs. “Didn’t know they had magic with them. I guess it figures. Orcs right.”

The Dallas Star shrugs. “Yeah well, um, I’m gonna go now but, uh, thanks for coming out.”