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 bindings holding John Tavares clench even tighter. The immense pressure is making it hard for the Toronto Maple Leaf to breathe. His super chill powers have no effect on the microfibre strapping. His amazing strength begins to fade as the straps tighten further, cutting into his flesh. From somewhere unseen peals laughter smash against the Leafs ego. He has had enough.

John thinks about all the children counting on him. He thinks of the families that will never be the same if he fails here. He thinks of all the people who will never have the chance he has, the chance to fight. John holds all those people in his minds eye, he feels their love and support flowing into him, filling him with strength. With an effort that staggers the imagination, and terrifies the crowd of onlookers, the Leaf flexes and busts the straps that hold him down.

Screams replace the laughter that ripples through a maze of corridors descended into chaos. John savours the moment. No more time for doubts or for questions. Nothing can prevent what is coming. In a lot of ways the over eager voyeurs brought their destruction upon themselves. They wanted to see a super hero fight, and so their fates were, as they say, clinched.

CLINCHED

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.

Tyler Ennis strains against the thick hemp rope that holds him tight against the lamp post. It is no use, the Toronto Maple Leaf is tied tight. A roundhouse kick connects with his nose , snapping his head back hard into the post. Tyler spits blood and laughs as another kick slams into his face. The kicks are being delivered by a pair of skeletal ninjas under the control of a wicked necromancer. The captured Leaf will become his prized undead champion but only after he is broken, a process which is taking a little more time than he expected.

Suddenly a gale force wind sends the ninja skeletons clattering against a wall. The necromancer turns to face the winds and tries to throw up a magical shield but is cut in half before his magic can manifest. Ottawa Senators hero Thomas Chabot steps past the cloven corpse.

“It’s okay, you’re safe now.” Thomas says as he cuts the Leaf free. “Where’s the rest of your team?”

“They’re around.” Tyler says with a sigh. “We’re just looking for ways to pass the time is all. I thought I would practice getting kicked in the face. Whatever, thanks.”

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.

James van Riemsdyk hurls a rock at the cyclops attacking Philadelphia. No big deal except that the Philadelphia Flyers hero can spin like a cyclone and he throws the rock with the equivalent force of a cannon ball. He hits the cyclops just above the belly button, about three stories up. The monster spots the hero and lashes out with the closest thing it can grab, a city bus. James dives out of the way just in time and watches as Radko Gudas charges into the cyclops’ ankle. The hero slams into the monster with a bone cracking slam and the cyclops howls a piercing cry that shatters the windows.

Radko staggers back from the noise. The cyclops wipes a tear from his eye and finds the Flyers hero. With a wrathful bellow the cyclops squats over Radko and squeezes out a pile of rainbow sprinkle ice cream. Laughing, the cyclops moves on. James waits until he sees his teammate fight out of the ice cream dook before he follows the monster. After a few steps James spins at the unmistakable sound of footsteps trailing behind him. Nazem Kadri throws up his hands.

“Hey buddy, good to see you.” The Toronto Maple Leaf smiles. “We just want to help. Really we’re just trying not to get hurt before the Arrival.”

“Don’t worry.” James can’t help but feel a little bitter about his former teammates preparing for a battle that he cannot join. “We’ve got this under control.”

At that moment Ryan Hartman fires an explosive crossbow bolt into the eye, popping it. The cyclops bellows and shakes, ice cream sprays out in a wide arc.

“Okay.” Naz says. “You’ve totally got it under control. Love you, buddy.”

James watches Naz turn away and disappear into the shadows.

“Go Leafs, go.” James whispers. “Wish I was going with you.”

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.

Nikita Zaitsev and Auston Matthews wait behind the dumpster while John Tavares does the talking. The warlock who runs the tavern is furious, which is fair, but John can use his super chill in some very interesting ways. The warlock goes from shaking in rage to crying on Johns shoulder. John signals to his teammates to move while he guides the tavern keeper back inside.

Nik tries not to laugh too loud as he and Auston climb up onto the roof.

“Quiet, c’mon man.” Auston smiles even though he’s using his super serious voice. “That was pretty awesome though.”

Nikita had planted a tiny explosive which destroyed the taverns privy, which was little more than a trough. The explosion had also destroyed half of the building.

“Who doesn’t have plumbing?” Nik says. “It’s almost rude if you think about it. Definitely amateur, as far as a business model goes.” They both laugh as they reach the roof.

And so the Toronto Maple Leafs fall for one of the classic blunders: never climb on to a roof while you’re laughing. The waiting pair of Ogre bouncers reach out and grab the Leafs and drag them to the blasted edge of the building.

The problem is that it’s hard to take your opponent seriously when they don’t even take care of the basics, but that doesn’t mean they can’t kill you. So the Leafs are bored. They are waiting for things to get serious. Waiting for the long awaited dam to burst. It’s been coming all year, now it’s only a matter of days. Hard to focus on a loser dive bar when the greatest challenge of your life is looming just around the corner.

Not that there’s much reason to worry. The Ogres are frozen solid before the Leafs can be tossed off the side. John snaps the frozen fingers off of Austons ankle then turns to Nik.

“I should probably just leave you here.” John cannot keep a straight face, no matter how close the Leafs are to disaster. “Don’t you know this isn’t a game.”

“But we still win.” Nik answers.

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 laughing skull shimmers in the night air. The laughter rattles around in Zach Hymans brain leaving a trail of pain that threatens to drop the Toronto Maple Leaf to his knees. He refuses to fall. Beside him Jake Muzzin, the werebear, leaps into the air and swipes at the skull. He hits it and knocks it back a few meters but the grisly apparition catches itself and resumes its dizzying flight. Jake lands and vomits with such force that he veers back into his human form. Zach does his best to stay with the skull, tracking its movements and looking for some sort of pattern or predictive behaviour.

From three different angles a trio of Mitch Marners leap at the flying skull. Each Mitch swings a baseball bat and each bat would smash the skull to pieces. But instead the skull darts up at the last second and the bats crack against each other. As the three attacking Mitches land all seven of his duplicates fall over in convulsions of puke. Zach steps over a Mitch and almost slips on the pool of vomit spreading out from the Leaf.

Kasperi Kapenen is a blur as he speeds up a tree. He leaps off and comes down on the skull even as it zips away from the Mitches. The skull spins to look at Kas at the last second and Zach suddenly knows what’s going to happen. Kas swings with his sword and glances a blow off the skull as it dodges in the opposite direction of the attack. Kas lands and pukes all over himself.

As one of the few Leafs without a super power Zach relies on his mind, his skills, and his axe. His mind recognizes that with Kas attacking from above the skull will dodge downward. It is his skill that gets him in the perfect spot at the perfect moment. It is his axe that makes contact with the skull, interrupting the laughter for the first time. The skull careens wildly into a tree trunk, a hole appears where a small chip of bone has fallen out. Zach runs to make the most of the chance but the laughter starts before he can deliver the finishing blow.

Cracked and spattered with mud, the skull lifts off the ground and freezes Zach with a hideous glare. He fights the nausea with all his might but the laughter intensifies and with a groan Zach is yakking all over himself.

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.

Jack Eichel and Kyle Okposo speed past the mundane vehicles in their Buffalo Sabres rocket car. The pair of Sabres are excited and their exuberance can’t be contained.

“This is it bro.” Jack says, slapping Kyle hard on the shoulder. “It’s finally time. It’s finally our turn!”

“Hell yeah!” Kyle says. “We’re gonna get ours tonight!”

Their conversation doesn’t go much deeper than that as the rocket car tears toward Niagra Falls. It’s hard to blame them for being super amped up. They are sure that it’s their moment to shine. The hated Toronto Maple Leafs have been battling illness for a few weeks now. Every adventure seems to end up worse then the last. And now a great monstrous Minotaur is rampaging along the Niagra. This time the world would watch the Buffalo Sabres take on terrible danger and emerge as triumphant heroes.

News cameras are circling the area as Kyle slows the rocket car to approach. Jack jumps out before it has stopped and lands with a crash on the American side of the river. It takes him a moment to figure out what he is looking at. Across the river Auston Matthews, William Nylander and Tyler Ennis are pulling the corpse of the Minotaur out of the water. Jack just stares. Apparently the Toronto Maple Leafs are okay again. Jack can’t even get mad about it, he thought he would finally beat them but he didn’t, life can be cruel.

Auston notices Jack and waves. Jack waves back, hating how jealous he is of his friend. A rope ladder drops out of the rocket car an Jack starts climbing. Across the river a hover lift is floating the Leafs and their prize into their Toronto Maple Leafs rocket car.

“More like a rocket limo.” Jack says to himself. The Leafs are gone before he’s halfway up the ladder.

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.

Nashville Predators hero PK Subban yanks the steering wheel hard right and presses his foot to the floor. The car speeds down a narrow alley.

“Any time soon would be nice!” PK yells over the squealing tires.

In the passenger seat John Tavares fumbles with a glowing metal orb. Lights dance in mesmerizing patterns along its surface but the Toronto Maple Leaf has not yet unlocked the orbs greater powers, not entirely. He was able to travel with his friend PK across the planet to Hong Kong, but he can’t get them home. So far PK’s intimate knowledge of the back alleys and side streets of Hong Kong was keeping them ahead of pursuit but how long could they count on luck?

It’s not as if John doesn’t know what to do, The Leaf is well trained. It’s not like he is lacking in skill, the Leaf is recognized as one of the strongest heroes in the land. It just seems that no matter what he tries the Leaf can’t make anything happen. It’s frustrating and John is struggling to stay calm.

“We need it now!” PK yells.

John looks up, a large truck is backing into the alley ahead. With seconds before the inevitable impact John closes his eyes, takes a deep breath, and activates the orb. Instead of death and rending metal John hears brakes and dirt. He opens his eyes and looks out on to a long dark, unlaced road.

“Okay.” PK says. “Just keep doing that and things should work out.”

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.

Justin Holl approaches the young goblin girl carefully. The Toronto Maple Leaf has been called into active duty out of necessity but still hopes to make the most of his opportunity. He has been calm, he has been focused, just like the coaches want him to be. But the little goblin girl is crying. She stands in the middle of the street wearing rags and ill fitting armour.

Justin can’t help but pity the poor thing. Who could expect such a pitiful creature to fight? Justin reaches into a pouch and pulls out some Toronto Maple Leaf carrot cake. It is still moist, and less smooshed then you might expect given all the time it spent in a pouch. The frail little goblin holds back her tears and sniffs at Justin’s outstretched hand. She looks him in the eye and grins a toothy, crooked grin. Then she kicks him in the balls hard enough that Justin blacks out.

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.

Frederik Andersen pulls the shattered pieces of his astral form back together. Scattering himself across the cosmos had saved his life, but the Toronto Maple Leafs chief mage almost wishes he hadn’t bothered. It feels like a century passes before he can find his left pinky finger and that’s the easier of the two. His toes thankfully coagulated into a lump near by.

The process doesn’t get easier, in fact the disparate parts seem almost to slow him down as they drag behind his thoughts. Freddy looks back on the lessons he has learned throughout his current predicament. There is always a lesson. Sometimes the lesson is simply to remember his humanity, his mortality. It is as important to be humble as it is to be bold and confident. Freddy believes himself to be among the greatest mages on the earth. He knows he is starting to convince others as well. That does not mean anything ought to be taken as given. True greatness is within each breath. The opportunity to grow his legend is secondary to his service to his brother Maple Leafs. He is the line of defence against those magics that mundane technology cannot compete with. The powers of his teammates are great, but without the magic that Freddy can deliver they have very little chance against the evil set against them. That is why he stubbornly pulls himself back together, piece by far flung piece.

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.

Jake Muzzin and Patrick Marleau look up together. The two were-beasts recognize the shadow above immediately, from the time before they became Toronto Maple Leafs. When fully veered Patrick, the werewolf, is faster than Jake, the werebear, but they both manage to keep pace with the gigantic black hawk that soars up above. They run through the woods for hours. Until the majestic beast begins to descend.

Patrick takes the lead. Jake follows concentrating on staying silent as his massive bulk slips between the trees. The wolf pauses at the edge of a clearing. The bear is not far behind and the two Leafs just watch. The black hawk is tearing at the body of a stag, ropey flesh sliding into its wickedly curved beak.

Without any formal communication the werebeasts spring into action. Still silently, Jake walks away from the clearing. Once he is on the opposite side of the clearing he starts making noise and ambling slowly towards the clearing. As soon as Patrick hears bear noises he starts to creep forward. It takes the hawk a few seconds longer to hear the bear but immediately the raptor raises its head and stares at the unwelcome intruder.

Jake plays it well. He lumbers casually, stopping to scratch his back on a tree trunk. The black hawk screeches in annoyance. The bear looks up with a confused expression. The hawk screeches again. The bear stands up. The hawk lifts its wings high above its head and screeches again.

Patrick makes his move. It almost works too. Racing forward to close the last dozen meters, Patrick crashes through the brush. If the hawk had only screeched for a second longer it wouldn’t have noticed in time. Instead, the hawk does stop screeching, it hears the wolf and immediately understands the trap. With a powerful beat of its wings the hawk lifts off, kicking out with both talons. The wolf snaps out but just misses the large tail feathers.

They almost caught the black hawk. If only they had been expecting it things might have gone differently.