REALITY TRIP 2

CHAPTER 5: KNIGHTS OF THE X TABLE

When the light faded they looked around they looked to be in a large courtyard with stone road, a large fountain in the square of what looked like a medieval town, there were large thick white rock walls that went around the town and a large castle that was overlooking the town on the inside of its walls.

There were banners and the place looked oddly a bit cleaner then it should and they should know. The last medieval place they went to looked more like that villages in Monty Python's Search for the Holy Grail with it all muddy and dirty. This was clean and looked very nice although Jean groaned at the site. "Oh god not the middle ages again, I really hate that time period."

"Why is that?" Blink asked them and then saw the look Jean was giving and she remembered one of the stories about how people thought Jean was a witch and Kurt was a demon familiar. "Oh right the trying to burn you and Kurt at the stake thing, sorry it slipped my mind."

Jean signed looking around, "Not your fault I just really don't like that time period after that. It pretty much sucked the joy out of that time for me."

"Doesn't help that we stick out like sore thumbs either," Paige muttered as everyone was gathering around them and muttering and pointing to themselves. She got the feeling that this wouldn't be too good as the crowd was growing around them. She was feeling a little like they may get mobbed and by the looks of it everyone else was thinking the same thing.

"Lord and Lady Summers what are you doing out of the castle and why are you in such strange garments along with many of the royal court? Were you traveling to some distance land?" A man said to them who was in what looked like a guards uniform came up to them and bowed before Jean and Scott.

Everyone was pretty much struck silent not sure what to say about any of this. Since this was the last thing anyone had ever expected. Scott took a few steps forward, "Uh…Come again? I mean why did you call me and Jean, Lord and Lady Summers?"

The guard looked confused, "Surely you jest your Majesty? You and the lady are King and Queen of this land."

Everyone had their jaws hanging by that point not believing anything that they had just heard. Sure last time they had gone to another reality where there were alternate versions of themselves but this was just insane as they looked at the Camelot like place.

"Maybe they are under a spell." Someone from the crowd shouted out and there were a few agreements.

"Take them to Xavier the Wise maybe he can take off the spell!" Another rose up with this and soon everyone was saying that was what they should do. The Guard called a few others and led the mutants towards the castle. They tried to explain things but the guards just wouldn't listen to them so they just decided to give up and go with it. After all if they did have doubles here then it would get fixed around that time they met them anyway.

They were led through the castle and they came to a large hallway that was easily fifty feet tall with pillars lining the walls. There were tapestries that lined the walls that showed what must be the history of this place. When they came to a large set of double wooden doors they were pulled open and they were led into what looked like a grand room of state.

There was a large circular table with many chairs there as well as the X-Man symbol in red and blue on top of it. But the room wasn't empty at all sitting across from the door on a slightly higher plate form were two thrones and in them was a variation or Scott and Jean only Scott didn't have a visor on and his eyes were red, literally.

They both had on crowns and royal clothing and by Scott's side there was a sword in a gold and black seethe. There were others there as well there was Kitty only in a long pink gown (some things never change) and there was Kurt sitting at the table with a sword at his waist dressed in blue tunic. There was also much to Vince's delight a version of him finally only all in black.

Bobby was there as well, in white and light blue clothing at the table along with Logan in colors that matched his old brown costume as he rose up quickly looking confused at them all. There was also Ororo only she had a staff and was wearing what looked like leather one piece that came from an animal.

King Scott rose up as others and drew his sword as it was ruby red with a familiar glow to it. "Who are these imposters?" He commanded out at them.

"They must be magical doppelgangers said by the Lord Magnus," Bobby said forming an ice sword in his hand.

"Whoa we're not that!" Scott shouted out raising his hands, "We're…well…You…In a way at least. We're just different versions of you from another world."

"What are you talking about make sense man," Sir Vince challenged him an energy sword forming in his own hand to protect the King and Queen. Although he did look at his own double and he had to admit it was a good likeness of him but he wondered why his double was smiling so as if in jest?

Sir Logan sniffed at them and he couldn't tell the difference usually illusions or anything magical he could sniff out the fake from the real thing but not with them. Either they were somehow telling the truth or Magnus had gotten a better sorcerer on his side. "My King…I think they may be telling the truth."

King Scott looked at the others and then looked to a servant, "Fetch the Scarlet Sorceress and the Wizard Xavier." The young man bowed and went to rush off to get the others. Jean turned to Scott and mouthed the names and he just shrugged.

The others were looking over the doubles when several people showed up. One of them looked like Xavier only for one he was actually walking he was still bald but had a long white beard. Then came a version of Wanda all in red with a cloak with the hood drawn back to show some red face paint.

Next came in their version of Piotr dressed like the others only in grey, with Rogue as well only she looked more like a hunter or something in clothing that looked well for a lot of outdoor work. She also didn't have any gothic makeup on her face although she did have black lipstick on.

Finally there was actually one that looked like blink wearing a one-piece that was green kind of like the other Blink's uniform that she wore in the Danger Room, only this one had a bow and quiver with a dagger at her waist.

"What is this?" The Wizard Xavier said looking over the travelers, "I can see why you wanted my counsel on this matter King Scott."

"They claim to be travelers from another world," The Queen said looking at him and then to the others, "Although it is hard to believe such statements, it would explain their looks and their…bizarre clothing."

"Yeah like you're one to talk," Jubilee muttered under her breath.

The Wizard looked them over it was a bit strange and funny in a way seeing Xavier their mentor and father figure looking like Merlin out of Camelot. He started to mutter in some language as a purple mist rose up around them. "Do not fear it is a simple revealing spell just stand still and you all shall be fine."

The mist kind of tingled a bit as Xavier closed his eyes looking into and through their essence. He caught glimpse of not only them but of other worlds as well. He must admit it was certain strange seeing how different things could get, "My word they speak the truth."

"You mean they literally are us?" Lady Katherine asked looking them over, "Are there other like us?" She was kind of hoping to know what her life was like in their world.

"Oh yeah Kitty you're there alright." Jubilee laughed as Lady Katherine frowned at being called 'Kitty' she was from a noble family at least she was in this world unless her parents in that world named her after a cat or something.

Vince walked up to his counterpart, "You have no idea how much this means to me, out of all the world's this is the first one that had a counter part of me on it. I swear I was kind of feeling a little left out."

Sir Vincent was surprised at that, "You mean there aren't any other you…me…other versions of us?" He wasn't sure how to take that honestly. He never thought about it but his twin here certain made him start to think on things. "So what is your life like?"

Vince shrugged and started to give him the run down as other were talking about the differences. Apparently in this world people with powers got them from special runes that were magically place onto the skin like tattoos not just everyone could have one as they had to either be chosen by the rune spheres or a magician placing them on. Sometimes the power was passed on through the family blood line.

Jean was talking with her counter part a noble woman who had once been promised to the son of a Nobleman but he was detestable. That is until she ran off and fell in with Scott and Xavier on their quest. "So you inherited your powers?" Jean asked her counter part.

The Queen nodded with a smile, "Yes it is the power of the Firebird," She pulled down the top of her gown just a bit to show part of a red birthmark like bird as it was on her chest. "My mother had it and she before her. It's passed on through the women of my bloodline."

"Wow…I'm the only one with powers, what can you do with that?"

The Queen was a little unsure, "I never was taught the full potential Xavier is helping me to understand its power."

Jean laughed a bit, "Sounds like we have a lot in common then, that's what Xavier in my world did with me years ago." Jean looked to see Scott and the King talking and a smile formed on her lips. "How long have you two been married?"

"Just over a year now," The Queen smiled and then looked at the two of them, "It's been grand what of you and your Scott?"

"No we're not married," Jean nearly said yet in there and the truth was seeing her and Scott married like in a fairy tail. She had to admit this was much better then all the other realities they had traveled too.

Scott learned that his life here was like that of King Author, the Ruby Quartz sword that gave the rightful king his powers. He learned how his counterpart had gone off on a quest for his birthright and reclaimed his kingdom and the battle with Lord Magnus which they figured was Magneto and his metallic army.

Jamie and Paige were glad to see that soon their versions show up as well, Jamie's counterpart was the squire to Vince which was kind of cool. "So you're training to be a knight? That is so cool."

His counter part nodded, "Yes I think so plus Sir Vincent is widely known as one of the strongest knights of the realm. I hope I can do him proud."

"You will lad I know you'll be a legend in your own right one day," Sir Vince smiled at the young boys as Paige was learning all about how her counter part was training under Rogue. Apparently Lady Rogue was head of the Rangers a group that protected the boarders and wilderness of the lands.

"So let me get this strait then," Jubilee who had been listening to their stories decided to step in as she pointed to Sir Vincent the Dark Knight, Sir Kurt the Blue Demon, Lady Wanda the Scarlet Sorceress and Lady Rogue or the Rangers, "You all grew up together in Magneto-I mean Magnus' land and that's where you trained and fought and stuff."

Lady Rogue nodded, "Yes our mother Mystique also let that vile dark Wizard Sinister to use experimental runes on us. I lost my ability to touch for years if not for the Wizard Xavier's help."

"And you learned to practice real magic?" Wanda asked her counterpart sure her powers were like that but it wasn't real magic. "But what's with all the markings too?"

The Scarlet Sorceress rolled up her sleeve to show more runes, "These markings give me a lot of power, Sir Vince has them as well as he was one of the dark wizards experiments in rune magic like I was. When I learned that his experimentations led to the death of my mother and of a few other things we all left."

"Other things?" Blink asked as saw her counter part touch Sir Kurt's shoulder in a tender manner as he started to speak.

"They wanted me to be wed to a lady that I did not love. I loved another she was a slave girl that was bought." He sighed remembering her, "Her name was Amanda and we were happy then one day she was found dead. I didn't know it at the time but later on I learned that she was killed so that I would be more…susceptible to the idea of an arranged marriage."

"Oh god…Was she dark skin, long brown hair with matching eyes?" Blink asked and saw his reaction, "She's there in our world and she and our Kurt are dating."

Kurt put on a sad smile glad that at least in one world things worked out for the best. But then he looked up at his Blink and wrapped an arm around her waist. "It is sad but at least I found love again with a wilderness elf of all people too."

Lady Blink smiled and ran a finger over one of his pointed ears, "Yes and I know the feeling my love."

The other Blink (who by this time decided that a hologram wasn't needed) stared in shock at this. "Y-y-you two are…Together?" She saw them nod to her and she was glad that she was sitting down for this one.

"So what about me?" Amara asked not seeing or hearing anything about her, "What am I in this world?"

"I believe that you're double is the Princess of the Nova Kingdom and ally of our own kingdom," Sir Piotr the Steel Knight said to her with a smile. He had just learned that his counterpart and that of the Lady Katherine were together in their world. It made him feel that their love passed through the bounds of this world.

Amara was pleased by the response, "Well glad to know some things never change."

Jubilee just rolled her eyes as an ice rose was presented to her, "You know beauty such as yours should not be ignored." She looked into the eye of Sir Bobby the Frost Knight. She felt a little blush coming on as he actually got down on one knee. "I can see that the beauty such as yours is without bounds and would you do the honor of a walk into the gardens with me?"

Jubilee was really blushing at this point, 'Why the hell can't my Bobby be more romantic like this?'

"Did you not use that line with the Lady Jubilation yesterday?" Sir Kurt asked him getting a look from Bobby. "Trying to try your luck with this one?"

"What?" Jubilee glared at Bobby as he was rising up grinning a bit with his hands held high. Well then maybe some things weren't so different as she walked over to give her a piece of her mind.

Vince was with his counterpart and his Rogue was with him, it was then that Sir Vince noticed how close they were together. "If it isn't too much to ask…Are you two pledged to one another?"

"Well we're together if that's what ya mean," Rogue told him and then noticed a little glance he gave to her counterpart. "Do ya have feelings for mah counterpart here?"

"It is…Complicated, we grew up together and we all were close but…I have always been a bit closer to her. I want to but I do not wish to ruin our friendship." He admitted to them and deep inside he envied these two they had what he had wanted for so long but had kept quiet on it.

Rogue saw her counterpart starting to leave most likely to get back to work. She had talked with her and gotten to know her other self here but she knew enough sighs to know that she was lonely. Even with the power to touch she hadn't taken advantage of it.

Rogue then looked at the knight in front of her, "Do it, go after her and then tell her." He was about to object but she cut him off, "Listen ta meh, ah know what ah'm talkin' about. She's lonely and needs someone I her life. If it's you then good and she would be a fool not ta."

Rogue smiled and looked at her Vince holding his hand, "If you're like mine then you're a kind and sweet man with honor and integrity and any girl would be that lucky."

Vince smiled back at her rising a hand to caress her cheek she sighed a bit at his touch she still loved the sense of being able to touch and the loving gestures like that as well. They meant a lot to her. Sir Vincent wasn't sure but if there was any proof that what he wished for could happen, it was staring him in the face. He rose up and nodded to them as he quickly went to catch up with her.

Vince watched him go with a smile, "I hope things work out for them."

"Ah think they will," Rogue said back to him.

Scott had to admit that out of all of the realities this was his favorite by far, he was a king, Jean was his wife and things seemed to be going well in this world they also had less to deal with too. Sure there was Magnus trying to take over but he's used to that kind of stuff. Unfortunately the wrist devices started to beep again and he sighed.

"Damn and we finally found a world I liked for once."

Jean nodded as she came over to him, "You think Forge can save the location of this world?"

"Well you are all welcome to visit," The King smiled at them it was certainly interesting day.

"Oh trust me I think we'll like this world," Scott smiled as they saw the wrist devices charge up and then that familiar flash of white light. After that everyone started to disperse going back to their duties.

The King and Queen felt they could use some time to themselves they still have a few meetings later with the House of Lords. "It was certainly an interesting day wasn't it my love?"

Queen Jean smiled and nodded, "That it was I have to wonder how different their lives are and yet how similar they are as well." They shared a smile at what she was implying when they rounded a corner they were shocked by something they hadn't expected.

There up against the wall was Rogue leader of the Rangers and one of the toughest to get to know the women in the kingdom had her back pressed up against the stone walls of the castled with Sir Vincent pressed up against her. The two of them were in a very heated passionate kissing. Their hands all over each other and by the looks of it they both had much passion stored up that they were finally able to release.

"Yes…A few similarities and apparently a bit has rubbed off on this world," He said to her surprised at seeing two of the most proper and outstanding members of his court acting like a pair of love starved young teenagers. They quickly decided to leave before they were noticed and hoped that the two of them decided to continue that in one of their rooms that was the last thing the servants would want to come upon.

NEXT UP CHAPTER 6: SINISTER SOLDIERS

This is based on Slickboy444's fic Sinister Soldiers warning there will be a lot of spoilers later on.