They come from across the globe and all walks of life, but these teens share a spectacular and frightening secret--a genetic twist of fate has gifted each one of them with incredible powers. This is the next generation of mutants who have come to the Xavier School for Gifted Youngsters in Snow Valley, Massachusetts, to learn how to control and utilize their growing abilities for the greater good of mankind. Helping them along the way are the exclusive academy's three headmasters, Sean Cassidy, Emma Frost, and Raven Darkholme. Together, the pupils and teachers do their best to attend class, learn about themselves, and find their place in a world that fears and hates them...


Generation X

Issue #5

by Mike Fitzgerald

Once a student of Professor Xavier himself, Irish native Sean Cassidy has now dedicated his life to teaching young mutants how to live with and employ their fantastic powers. Banshee's own genetic gift is that of a
Banshee

Once one of the X-Men's deadliest enemies, Emma Frost is a telepath of enormous power and questionable morals--a mutant who is more than willing to use her ability to read and control the minds of others. Only after seeing her first group of students perish did she resolve to join Xavier's efforts to create a brighter future for mutants and humans alike.
Emma Frost

Jubilation Lee is a southern Californian, ex-mallrat with the power to generate explosive bursts of energy! Her rebellious nature is perhaps the result of being orphaned, as she lived for a time relying solely on her own resourcefulness to survive.
Jubilee

Raised in the harsh environment of East LA, Angelo Espinosa learned at an early age not to expect too much from life. He must concentrate to maintain control over what everyone else takes for granted--and learn how to use his 6 or so extra feet of skin to stretch, grip, and wrap him self around opponents!
Skin

Born and raised in London, Jonothan Starsmore is cursed by his frightening appearance--the result of the first manifistation of his mutant ability, when telekinetic energy literally erupted out of him. Chamber's only means of communication is the capacity to project his thoughts into the consciousness of others. In addition, he can use the power of his mind to generate destructive bio-blasts!
Chamber

The young woman named Monet St. Croix comes from a family of aristocrats whose ancestral home is Monaco. Often time, her haughty bearing infuriates her teammates--but none can deny her advanced intellect, telepathic power, or superhuman strength.
M

Paige Guthrie has followed in the footsteps of her older brother Sam--X-Force's Cannonball--to become a student at Xavier's. As a metamorph, Husk has the ability to shed her skin, revealing beneath it a new body, a new form, in any number of bio-organic substances--from diamond, to rock, to steel!
Husk

Perhaps the most well-adjusted of the group, Everett Thomas possesses a synchronistic aura--an energy field that allows him to become genetically 'in synch' with any mutant in close, physical proximity. In essence, he has the ability to utilize aspects of other mutant's powers--on a limited basis.
Synch

By far the most mysterious of all the GenX kids, the young girl whose only other known name is Yvette has yet to communicate verbally with her fellow students or teachers. Apparently unable to give voice to her personal terrors, she has managed to find refuge within the confines of Xavier's School--where she is slowly beginning to learn how to cope with diamond-hard, razor-sharp, skin.
Penance

I can't believe she's gone... Jubilation Lee, otherwise known as a teen member of the mutant superhero team Generation X, Jubilee, thought at her windowsill.

And why aren't I? All she's got is power. I've got experience. God, I really get tired of this school sometimes. I already was an X-Man. I handled everything they threw at me. What am I going to learn from those two and their classes? Nothing I really need to know. God Clarice... you and yer stinkin'... powers. All of a sudden, SHE doesn't need to take the course on Biochemistry, Shi'ar Translation, and Quantum Physics. SHE doesn't need to know what the hell a thermo-blast will do underwater, and how far it can travel. SHE doesn't need to know what color Forge's eyes are. I already LIVED with the guy! Isn't it enough that I know what he likes on his burgers?

A knock at the door broke Jubilee's concentration. She responded with a loud grunt. Everett opened the door.

"Can I come in?" he asked.

"Free country... somewhat" she replied.

Everett smirked. "Hey, I was wondering if you wanna play Avengers vs. Street Fighters before that new headmaster shows up."

"God, you must love getting your ass beat by me. Lets go!" She left her windowsill, and headed down the hall to the rec room. Everett followed.

"So who do you think it is? Ms. Frost was saying how the Professor only got to tell them he was looking around, and then after the ... stuff...* they got a call from whoever it was on their way." He said, before opening the door to the rec room for Jubilee.

[*See Uncanny X-Men #4 and X-Men #5 for the "stuff Everett is referring to--Dino]

"Well, whatever. It cant be any bigger than Queenie unless it was the Prof. himself." She sat down, turned on the TV and FunStation and claimed the first player controller. Synch made a face at her. She replied with a huge grin. They proceeded with the game.

Monet walked past the doorway, then stopped to look in. "God, you two and those stupid games. You look like toddlers in a sandbox. Cant you find something more mature to do?" she teased.

"Yeah right. Don't pay any heed to that garbage, Ev. She's just gonna try and make us dare her to play like she does with Angelo. If you wanna play, you can have winner. Here..." she made a flurry of taps on her controller.

Everett made a look of anguish. "NO! NOT THE SHINKU-TATSUMAKISEMPUKYAKU!!! Aww..." He tossed the controller on the floor in defeat as Jubilee broke out in uproarious laughter.

M just rolled her eyes and walked away.


"I swear Sean, that man was a loon!" Emma Frost, formerly known as the White Queen, complained. She wasn't too pleased with the idea of another headmaster. Her and Sean were discussing the new occurrences in the kitchen.

Sean Cassidy, Banshee, sighed. "Em... ye've got te be patient. The fact is, the Professor knew what he was doin' at the time. Perhaps he was thinking of turning our small school into a full-scale academy. Just doin it one step at a time."

Emma sucked her teeth, "That's bull and you know it, Sean. Right now, we've been doing just fine. It's just as likely to say he doesn't trust us! I mean, he's always sending that... Bishop and now they just go and decide to graduate Clarice before she's had any training from us! That girl doesn't have any battle experience whatsoever!*"

[*Clarice Ferguson, otherwise known as Blink, returned from the dead in issue one, and opted to stay with the X-Men back in X-Men #5--Dino]

"They can teach her what they need to. Its very clear she doesn't belong here. She's got more power than we could imagine." He urged.

Emma glared at him. "Teach her. Then what exactly are WE for, Sean? It's like when their academy gets too big, and we get the spillover and they can claim our--"

Jonothon walked into the room. Sean and Emma casually stared at him.

Jono looked at them. "Uh... just getting some coffee." he said, telepathically.

The doorbell rang.

Emma walked out. Sean and Jono watched her.

Sean spoke up, "Since when do ye drink coffee?"


Everyone was gathered by the front door. Paige was making an attempt to open it, but Emma rushed up and brushed her aside.

"Hey..." Paige complained.

"Sorry dear, little anxious." Emma apologized before opening the door.

"Who is it, Ms. F?" Synch asked excitedly.

A blonde woman in a trenchcoat walked in. A cabbie followed her with two arms full of luggage.

"WHAT?!" Jubilee exclaimed.

Synch shook her, "Who is that?!"

Jubilee pushed him back. "Its just that Val Cooper lady. She used to help lead X-Factor."

"Oh." He replied.

The woman tore out a check for the cabbie and he left, thanking her for the huge tip.

She looked at everyone and smiled. "Well, pleasure to finally be here and meet all of you. You'll forgive the disguise, but it was needed for the taxi."

Paige gave her a quizzical look. "Huh?"

The woman gave a look of understanding. "Here, I'll show you." She relaxed her muscles to reveal her true identity. Before the teenage heroes stood a blue-skinned woman with red hair.

Emma let out a gasp of frustration, "MYSTIQUE?!?!"

"Well, its Ms. Darkholme now," Mystique replied.

Jubilee and Everett gave each other high fives.

Emma shot a glare at them. "That's enough, this isn't any kind of laughing matter."

Mystique chuckled into her hand, "Oh dear, but you should have seen the look on your face."

Emma became infuriated, "I DON'T NEED THIS! I have enough to deal with around here and now I find out the new headmaster is a... a..."

"...Villainess?" Mystique said innocently.

Emma let out a moan of rage.

Sean glared at Mystique, "Walk away, Emma."

Emma snapped at him "SHUT UP, SEAN!!" before stomping up the stairs.

"Well, I think I'll like it here." Mystique smirked. "Who wants to show me to my room?"

Next Issue: Mystique is the new headmistress?!