Warning! Spoilers for New Mutants #19 ahead!
Charles Xavier's evil nemesis, the Shadow King, has been creating his own version of the dark X-Men while on Krakoa — and he just admitted it along with the reason as to why during the Hellfire Gala. Currently, mutants are feeling safe, perhaps too safe, because of what Krakoa offers them. However, nothing lasts forever and one of the most powerful psychics on the planet, Amahl Farouk, knows that. Because of this he is preparing a group of young mutants for the worst — a team including Anole, Rain Boy, Cosmar, and No-Girl.
The island of Krakoa is an independent nation for mutantkind that, on the surface, looks to solve all of the X-Men's problems. There is no fear of mutants dying because of the resurrection capabilities of the island that allows mutants to be reborn after they die. Without humans to persecute them, Krakoa truly seems like the Utopia they have long been dreaming of. Farouk is skeptical, however, and has been training a group of young children to get to know their powers better, and prepare themselves to be ruthless when the time comes.
In New Mutants #19 by writer Vita Ayala, artists Alex Lins and Matt Milla, and letterer VC's Travis Lanham, the Shadow King explains in detail exactly why he has been training this group of mutants. Krakoa may promise safety now, but nothing lasts forever. These children remind him of himself when he was young, and because of this he wants them to be fully prepared when they have to face the world again. He wants them to be ruthless, just like he is. In order to be this way they need to hone their powers, work well together as a team, and ultimately be ready to do whatever must be done. In short, Shadow King has formed his own group of dark X-Men, right under Professor X's nose.
This young group of dark X-Men looks up to the Shadow King now, taking in every word that he has to say, and learning much from his lessons. He is luring them in so that he is the one they will trust the most should things go wrong — proving that he is steps ahead in the game against his nemesis. Professor X has taken on the leadership role many times, so it is interesting to see his long time enemy doing the same — especially on Xavier's island. This group of students is very much the darker version of X-Men: First Class.
So when the time comes that Krakoa fails — and it will — the Shadow King has a group of powerful young mutants by his side who are sure to listen to him thanks to this friendly face that he has put on. Not only is he echoing Charles Xavier by teaching these youngsters how to better control their powers, he is also leading them down a dark path to be strong and ruthless when necessary. New Mutants #19 is available in stores and online now.