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 #6

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

The former leader of the Brotherhood and Freedom Force, as well as a former member of X-Factor, Raven Darkholme possesses the ability to change her shape at will, allowing her to assume any form. Before his untimely demise, Professor Xavier gave Mystique a choice - prison or become a headmaster for the Massachusetts Academy. She chose the latter.
Mystique

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

Ach, this isn't good... Banshee thought. Two former villains to keep in check. VILLAINESSES at that! I have enough trouble keeping my eye on Emma. I can only trust her so far, this is the X-Men, after all. But even if it were the Avengers. Ye cannae be too careful with these ex-villain types. How am I to trust Mystique? As I remember, she wasnae too popular with X-Factor, either. She's always been a loose cannon. How am I supposed to work with both these women at once?

Banshee sighed as he knocked on Emma Frost's door.

She opened it "Sean--" she said.

He interrupted, "We need tae talk..."


Mystique breathed a deep breath as she surmised her new surroundings. "Ah... my new room." She began to unpack, when she noticed a glimpse of red in the window ahead of her. She grinned.

"Penance... is it?" she asked. "Don't worry, I'm just a new teacher. My name is Ms. Darkholme."

Penance carefully poked her head upside-down in the window. She was holding onto the side of the building with her diamond-hard claws.

"This is the second floor. You're pretty high up, darling, why not come in and sit for a moment?" Mystique said delicately.

Penance withdrew her head slightly.

Mystique returned to her bags, "Well, in any case, I'll enjoy working with you. You remind me of me in a lot of ways. Cold, dark, withdrawn..." she turned to see penance had disappeared. "...an utter mystery."

A voice came from an intercom by her door, it was Banshee. "Raven, we'd like a word with ye."

"Certainly." She responded. "Um, where am I meeting you?"


Mystique walked into the meeting room where Banshee and White Queen were waiting. Upon entering, she said, "Well, I guess I should start by explaining myself, and my qualifications."

"Qualifications?" asked Emma puzzledly.

Mystique gave a trademark smirk, "Why of course. This should be an interview more than anything else. We should only consider the Professor's wishes as a strong, or perhaps eccentric, recommendation."

Sean and Emma gave each other a curious look.

"Go on." Sean said.

Mystique gave a thoughtful look as she spoke, "Well, I have lived for quite some time, as you know, so that would make a history class more in-depth for the students. In my time on X-Factor, I've learned many group tactics, as well as being highly trained in the use of arms, which could benefit your students who have non-projectile based powers. Speak fluently in many languages, and even some of the extra-terrestrial ones, such as Skrull and Shi'ar. Also I am a master of stealth ops. With the right equipment, I could even perhaps infiltrate this compound."

"I'd say you already have..." Emma quipped.

"Hmm... right you are, we think a lot alike. Another reason to have me aboard. I've studied the various ways of mutation that have been documented in order to emulate them should I need to. I also could lend a hand to your students Husk and Skin with their morphing powers. Also, I want to leave a mark on future generations. Teaching young people has always been my passion. Okay, that's all that comes to mind. Is there anything else you would like to know?"

"What about your former agenda on making mutants the supreme race over humans? Will that show up in your classes at all?" Sean asked.

Mystique replied, "No. I no longer feel that way. It was an idea that made a more distinct sense than Xavier's dream once, but over time, it seems that humans are never going away. And I don't want the job of stamping them out. Since then, I've grown to believe that the harmony of our two races is much more easier than the conflict."

Emma took on a less relaxed stance, "What about your other lives? I've read that in X-Factor that you seemed distant, and very mysterious. You aren't Mystique here, you're Miss Darkholme."

"I've thought that through, and everything will be taken care of, should you give me the position. But I'm Mystique wherever I am. Just as you're White Queen, correct?" Mystique responded.

Emma rolled her eyes, "I was making a point, Ms. Darkholme."

Sean interrupted, "Alright girls, break it up. Raven, we'll tell ye what we think in just a moment, we have to deliberate on this for a moment."

Mystique smirked, "Thank you, take your time to deliberate." And left the room.


"Jonothon Starsmore", Jonothon said, to confirm the voice register for entrance to the Danger Grotto.

The machine hummed. "Thank you, Chamber, you may enter. Have a nice day."

Jonothon always enjoyed the walks in the grotto when everyone inside went crazy over something. He never really cared for their gossip and other things that kept them busy in-between classes. He often had Paige join him, but usually she'd study. That was okay, he usually liked to be by himself anyway. To take moments to reflect on everything. Like what was to happen to him once he got into the X-Men, IF he got into the X-Men? What kind of asset would he be to the team? He'd have to get seriously friggin' creative with these powers of his. What about the others? Would they be there? He'd always thought Mondo would have... but that changed. The X-Men had always really been different from Generation X anywise, by more than just age. That's why Clarice fit in better there. Lets face it, she stood out like a sore thumb here after her time with the In-Betweener. And we all know how many times an X-Forcer has graduated into the X-Men. Is that what we have to become to be in the X-Men? I have to have been in five past universes, be possessed by at least two different entities, cloned, and MUST absolutely MUST have to die. Bunch of freakin nonsense.

Suddenly, he stumbled upon a familiar face.

"Oh, hey Monet" he said telepathically, but no response.

He stared at her for a moment; she was dismantling a dandelion. "Uh, didn't see you there..."

"Oh, she's doing that thing again..." he realized. "Hmph. I wish I could slip into another world sometimes, too..."

He sat across from her, and picked up a dandelion.


"I accuse Professor Plum, in the billiard, with the wrench!" Jubilee exclaimed.

Everett made an incorrect buzzer sound then yelled "WRONG! See?" he showed her that he had the Wrench card.

"Dammit! This sucks!" said an exasperated Jubilee.

Angelo responded, "Oh, just because you didn't kick everyone's ass!"

Jubilee grumbled. "I think I'd rather play Mouse Trap with Leech and Artie over there."

"The rules are that you have to stay to see if our suggestions are wrong. Now its my turn." Paige said as she picked up the die and rolled it.

"God, they just have a 'billiard room'? Makes us look spoiled," Jubilee said.

"Yeah, the Boddy Mansion kinda reminds me of the school. 'Cept without the classroom and junk. And obviously that its two-dimensional." Paige said. "Okay, I didn't get anywhere. Your turn, Ev."

Ev picked up the die, "I'm still kinda freeked out that that Mystique chick might be our teacher." He rolled it.

"Aw Ev, Emma aint gonna let her stay here. She doesn't want the competition of ANOTHER dark, moody and bitchy teach." Jubilee commented.

"Be cool to see them go at it, tho. I think Mysty'd make a pretty good teech. As long as she didn't pull that stuff she did with Rogue. She probably learned her lesson." Said Angelo.

"I dunno. I don't even like the fact that Emma used to be on the wrong side. I'd like to think that she's all we need to worry about. I think that Emma would know if we're okay. She could always psi-scan her. What would she have to hide?" Paige pondered.

Ev shoved the die to Angelo. "All I know is, I came to this school to prepare myself for the future, and if Mystique does that, I'm perfectly fine with that."

Emma stood in the doorway. "School meeting, everyone. Come into Classroom C."


Sean searched through the grotto for Jono and Monet. "Blasted locator. It said they were in position 0516. Ah, I see 'em. Position 0523. Gotta have one of the kids look at it." He approached them.

"Yeah, I know what you mean." Jono said. "Oh, hey Mr. Cassidy."

"Time for meeting, kids, Classroom C. What're you two up to?" Sean asked.

M replied, "Not much Mr. Cassidy. Its just that of all the people here, we just plain don't spend enough time together, it seems."

"Good for you! I'm very proud to see you trying to build some ties there. Now come on!" Sean led.

*****

"Okay everyone, big news." Sean announced. "I'm positive ye're all wondering about the recent occurances, and what we're to do about this. I want to let you all know that Miss Darkholme approached us in a very professional manner, and in no way assumed the job for taking. Ms. Frost and I have deliberated on the topic for a while, and we both have decided that she will be your new instructor. Now, this is only for her remarkable job skills and that we couldn't possibly turn her away. And to put it ouright, her ex-villain status has been discussed, and we are confident that you will have nothing to worry about. She will be under our tight scrutiny for the length of two months. The job is hers, should she accept it. Raven?"

Mystique gave a trademark smirk.