**Chapter 2: Fractured Past**

Daken's eyes closed, and for a moment, he let the shadows wash over him. The battle with Johnny Storm had left him feeling restless, like a storm was brewing inside him. He couldn't shake the image of Johnny's gaze, the spark of curiosity that had flickered to life in those piercing blue eyes. As he walked through the darkened alleys of the city, Daken's thoughts turned to his past. His complicated relationship with his father, Wolverine, had left emotional scars that still lingered. The memories of his childhood, of the pain and the anger, swirled through his mind like a maelstrom. He remembered the day his father had left, the feeling of abandonment that had settled over him like a shroud. Wolverine's departure had been a mystery, a sudden and inexplicable vanishing act that had left Daken reeling. The questions had haunted him for years: Why had his father left? Did he not love him? The pain of those memories still lingered, a raw wound that Daken struggled to keep hidden. But in moments like these, when the world was quiet and his thoughts were free to roam, the hurt and the anger bubbled to the surface. Daken's eyes snapped open, and he focused on the present. He couldn't let his past define him. He was his own person, with his own strengths and weaknesses. The feral senses that had made him a formidable fighter stirred within him, and he let them guide him as he navigated the city's shadows. Meanwhile, Johnny Storm was enjoying a rather different evening. He had just finished a spirited conversation with his sister, Sue, about the merits of various pizza toppings. The Human Torch had always been a bit of a free spirit, and his carefree nature had served him well in his superhero career. As he strolled through the Fantastic Four's headquarters, Johnny grinned to himself, feeling good about the world. He had a reputation for being one of the most confident superheroes around, and he intended to keep it that way. But beneath the surface, Johnny was aware of a growing sense of unease. The battle with Daken had left him feeling...off. He couldn't quite put his finger on it, but there was something about the young mutant that had caught his attention. Johnny pushed the thought aside, focusing on the task at hand. He had a meeting with Mr. Fantastic to discuss their next move, and he didn't want to be late. As he entered the meeting room, Johnny flashed a charming smile at his teammates. "Hey, guys! Sorry I'm late. I was just...thinking about our next move." Mr. Fantastic raised an eyebrow. "Thinking about our next move, Johnny? Or thinking about the young mutant you clashed with tonight?" Johnny's grin faltered for a moment before he recovered. "Oh, that? Just a minor disagreement, Reed. Nothing to worry about." But as he took his seat, Johnny couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to Daken than met the eye. And he couldn't help but wonder what would happen if their paths crossed again. The city outside seemed to be holding its breath, the shadows cast by the skyscrapers like dark tentacles reaching out to snatch the unsuspecting. Daken and Johnny had clashed, but the real battle was only just beginning. And as they went their separate ways, each lost in their own thoughts, the spark of tension between them continued to glow, a slow-burning fire that would eventually ignite into something more.