Happy for the wrong reasons

Set fire to Robert? Both Lilly and Kyle looked at Vali with astonishment. It wasn't the good kind of astonishment though, it was more of an, "are you insane?" Kind of look.

Seriously, how would cooking Robert alive be any better than letting him freeze to death? They both found out that Vali didn't plan this out very well, he managed to get them close but had no way to let Lilly safely make contact with Robert.

Seeing the two mutants faces Vali felt helpless. The truth was, he never really wanted to put 100% into saving Robert and at most he put 50% effort into it considering that the mutants were truly a pitiful group and their current situation was certainly unintentionally caused by him.

"Alright, relax, I wasn't entirely serious but I really I have no other way." Vali chuckled.

He then looked at Robert shivering on the ice block, "we can either go back or you can let me try to warm his body enough so that the girl has a chance to at least try."

Vali was lying through the skin of his teeth, he actually had another way to save Robert with a special mutant disabling gun but he didn't want to reveal it here and now, it was his hidden safety measure for mutants he can't handle that have some insanely powerful abilities.

Take Robert for example, although he wasn't at his most powerful self right now, once he becomes an omega level threat he would become quite a headache without a hidden a trump card up his sleeves.

Even Kyle could probably become even more powerful than Robert in the future, his power's do have a lot of potential after all. Once he completely masters his powers he might even be able to get his arms back.

This was far in the future though and by that time he would be beyond the scope of earth so he didn't have to worry about Robert or Kyle right now even if they do become his enemies for some reason.

What he was really worried about were time traveling mutants or mutants that had inane powers right now, they were unpredictable variables that he couldn't control so needs some sure fire way to defend himself and that was his arsenal of weapons.

His arsenal had almost every kind of weapon imaginable but others didn't have to know that at most they'd think he has some kind of storage ability and kept a few weapons inside it.

"Well... is it really the only way?" Kyle asked uncertainly. He looked back and forth at Roberts body and the flamethrower in Vali's hands.

Vali shrugged and replied, "unless you can think of something else... think about it this way, if we do it Robert at least has a chance of surviving but if we don't he's for sure dead."

Both Kyle and Lilly looked at each other. Lilly looked like she was willing to try but Kyle had a hesitant look on his face, he didn't like the odds of this succeeding, it was a long shot.

Lilly who was looking for a way to save Robert for so long had finally come incredibly close to actually being able to help him, there was only one last hurdle and Vali had given her a way, an incredibly simple yet stupid way but it was a way none the less.

She looked at Kyle eagerly and pulled on his sleeves, "Kyle! This is our last chance, we have to take it! Please, I don't want to continue living knowing we could've saved him but didn't and I'll never forgive you if you give up now!"

Kyle felt a headache coming on. He rubbed his temples then sighed, "Ok fine, we can try it, I also don't want to regret not taking this chance in the future."

"Alright, here we go!" Vali nodded seeing that they had finally made up their minds.

Vali slowly moved his flamethrower towards Roberts body while Lilly got ready to at any moment step in and do her magic. Kyle was also really tense, if things went south he would pull Lilly out immediately.

They all watched as the flames quickly enveloped Roberts body and every few seconds or so Vali would pull the flame away from Roberts body to make sure he isn't roasting him to ashes.

Even if he doesn't manage to save Robert he still at least needed the corpse to be whole so that he can extract his shadow right after and if the body becomes ashes, how would he do that?

After being enveloped by the fire for only 7 seconds Roberts body visibly looked a lot warmer now but now he was writhing in even more pain and his skin looked sunburnt.

"What's happening? Why's he in so much pain?" Kyle suddenly panicked hearing Roberts screaming.

Vali didn't answer him but instead yelled, "go now! Hurry up before he starts freezing again, I don't think he can handle it a second time."

After Vali's warning, Lilly quickly ran out and held Roberts hand. It was already starting to get cold again but it wasn't too bad and it was nothing compared to earlier.

She immediately activated her ability causing a transparent film of energy to encase Roberts body. With Roberts power locked the temperature in the basement started to noticeably drop gradually.

The group outside also felt the change in temperature and they started getting excited yet also more nervous. The change could only mean one of two things, either Lilly succeeded or Robert finally passed.

They couldn't tell since the fire and steam from the flamethrowers and ice were blocking their views. Fortunately the flamethrowers and shadows weren't needed anymore since Robert was secured so Vali recalled all of them.

The only thing blocking their view now was the steam so they could only patiently wait for Vali, Kyle and Lilly to come out and give them the good or bad news.

*Tak, tak, tak*

The sound of footsteps sounded from within the mist signifying someone coming out. They couldn't exactly tell who it was but judging by the stature it was definitely a male.

Vali had a big smile on his face as he walked out alone much to the groups confusion. Where were Lilly and Kyle? What happened? They all had many questions in mind right now.

"What happened? How's Robert?" A mutant asked impatiently.

"Is Robert alive?" Another mutant asked right after.

All of them quickly surrounded Vali and eagerly asked questions giving no chance for him to reply at all but he didn't mind at all, right now he was too happy.

"Ahem, I am happy to say Robert is alive and well!" Vali announced happily but once again he lied. Well, he didn't completely lie as Robert was currently still alive but as for his condition... only a miracle could help him now.

As soon as he gave them the, "good" news, they all didn't even bother with him anymore and ran into the mist. They were all eager to see Robert now that he wasn't freezing everything around him.

Vali didn't care and walked towards the x men, "you guys should get ready to head back, I'll be going back alone so don't wait up on me later."

"You're not coming back with us? Why?" Jean curiously asked.

This was personal to Vali so he replied indifferently, "you don't need to know." Before he headed back towards Roberts group.

Hearing Vali's tone, Jean backed off but Scott and Logan on the other hand didn't take to it well. They didn't like Vali's attitude towards Jean. It was just a question, what's with the attitude?

Charles was also curious but he didn't pry, everyone had their secrets and he wasn't gonna dig up each and everyone of them up plus Vali isn't someone he wants to offend.

Back with Roberts group, everyone surrounded Lilly and Kyle who were supporting his ragged and fragile body, it was clear he wasn't going to live past today.

When Vali came back he acted surprised and asked, "what's wrong didn't we save him? Why does he look like he's on the verge of death?"

Kyle kneeled next to Roberts unmoving body with tears running down from his eyes. Next to him Lilly hugged Roberts body tightly bawling her eyes out.

No one could even bother with Vali right now, they were far too sad to do anything else other than cry out their grievances.

It was quite annoying but Vali didn't say anything and let them say their goodbyes. It took quite a while too maybe around an hour or two and by the end of it Vali's ears were ringing.

The x men did come to check on them before wondering what the hold up was but seeing everyone mourning they were stuck there with Vali as leaving would make them look insensitive.

After the mourning session, Kyle stood before Charles and asked him for a proper funeral for Robert to which Charles easily agreed to as it wasn't anything to him.

Vali on the other hand had enough, he was patient for long enough so as soon as everyone was done mourning, he approached Roberts corpse.

No one stopped him thinking he was also trying to give his last respects to Robert but they instantly regretted it right after because Vali didn't even hesitate before acting.

"Arise!"

Slowly a dark figure started forming over Roberts body and kneeled in front of Vali. It didn't look as scary as hulk v2 but it gave off a completely different feeling of intimidation.

The ghastly blue eyes of the shadow was incredibly chilling and everyone who saw felt their hairs stand on its end while goosebumps formed all over their bodies.

Vali nodded his head in satisfaction, "good! You will now be called I.C.E"

While everyone was still dazed a voice woke them all up, "you bastard! What did you do to Robert?"

It was Kyle, he was angry seeing the dark shadow that resembled his friend and he rushed towards Vali as he intended to punch him but Vali didn't even acknowledge him.

Seeing this only made Kyle angrier and he suddenly appeared next to Vali. He punched out with all he had and was prepared to see Vali go down but what he didn't expect was to see a dark hand catching his fist.

"Robert!" Kyles eyes moistened.