**Chapter 8: Ambush**

The neon lights of the city seemed to flicker and dim as Daken and Johnny followed the mysterious woman through the winding streets. The air was thick with the smell of smoke and grease, and the sound of distant sirens echoed through the night air. As they walked, Daken's feral senses picked up on the subtle vibrations of the city's energy. He could feel the darkness lurking just beneath the surface, waiting to pounce. Johnny, sensing his tension, glanced over at him with a questioning look. "What's wrong?" Johnny asked, his voice low and urgent. Daken's eyes scanned the rooftops, his senses on high alert. "I don't like this," he said, his voice rough. "It feels like a trap." Johnny's eyes narrowed. "You think our new friend is playing us?" Daken's gaze flicked back to the woman, who was walking a block ahead of them. "I'm not sure," he said. "But I'm not taking any chances." As they turned a corner, the woman suddenly darted into a narrow alleyway. Daken and Johnny followed, their eyes adjusting to the dim light. The alley was narrow and cramped, with trash cans and dumpsters lining the walls. The woman stopped at the end of the alley, her eyes glinting in the faint light. "Welcome to our little chat," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. Suddenly, the alley was filled with the sound of footsteps, echoing off the walls. Daken and Johnny exchanged a look, their hearts pounding in unison. They were surrounded. A group of shadowy figures emerged from the darkness, their faces obscured by hoods. Daken's feral senses went on high alert as the figures closed in, their movements fluid and deliberate. "Time to get to work," Johnny said, his voice firm. The figures charged, and Daken and Johnny sprang into action. Daken's claws extended, slicing through the shadows as he took down the attackers with swift precision. Johnny unleashed a blast of flames, sending the figures stumbling back. But there were too many of them, and soon Daken and Johnny found themselves surrounded. They fought back-to-back, their movements fluid and coordinated. Daken's senses guided him, allowing him to anticipate the attackers' moves. As they fought, Daken found himself relying on Johnny more and more. He covered Johnny's back, taking down an attacker who had slipped past the Human Torch's defenses. Johnny returned the favor, blasting a figure off Daken's back. Their movements became a blur of steel and flame, their senses heightened as they fought for their lives. Daken felt a rush of adrenaline, his feral senses surging as he clashed with the attackers. In the heat of battle, he caught a glimpse of Johnny's face, his eyes locked on his. For a moment, they just stared at each other, their hearts pounding in unison. Then, with a swift kick, Daken sent an attacker crashing to the ground. Johnny followed up with a blast of flames, sending the remaining figures fleeing into the night. As the dust settled, Daken and Johnny stood panting, their chests heaving with exertion. The woman was nowhere to be seen, but a small piece of paper lay on the ground near where she had stood. Daken picked it up, his eyes scanning the cryptic message scrawled on the page. "Looks like our mystery woman left us a little note," he said, his voice rough. Johnny's eyes narrowed as he peered at the message. "What does it say?" Daken's eyes locked on Johnny's, a spark of understanding flashing between them. "It says we're getting close," he said, his voice low. "And that we should be ready for what's coming next." Johnny's face set in a determined expression. "Bring it on," he said, his voice firm. Daken's eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled, a small, feral smile. "Oh, I think we're in for a wild ride," he said, his voice rough.