(I was working on ideas and thinking of how I want the next chapter of my story to work when this set of ideas came to mind. Im not sure if I shoudl use this as the next part of the story, or if it should be a separate one all together. This saga is one that goes along with the other story, but has very obvious RPG elements. Multiple references to various video games of the past, from the perspective of a video game player. This characters parts will also be done in the First person, as the character is the Author AKA...myself. The story takes place during what I plan to have in chapter 4 of Alex's adventure. As the Mane 6 head towards the resting place of the Elements of Harmony....)

'Well this isn't right...' was my first thought as I opened my eyes.. and instead of seeing my usual white ceiling.. I saw blue skies and tree line. 'oh dammit. let me guess.. dream within a dream? no something.. didn't feel like that.' Looking about I saw the massive evidence to support both the dream, and not a dream theory. For one thing, I as surrounded by a forest.. and.. I live in Nevada. It also wasn't that cold, which is what is supposed to happen during Michigan winter. No, it was warm..like spring or early fall. None of which felt possible.. however.. I felt things that only hit in reality. I was exhausted.. fairly stinky, hungry, and still wore glasses. In fact the only thing missing was my Lazy beard. Slowly getting to my feet, I looked at my clothes. My night time clothes where gone, replaced by a Green tunic that seemed ripped out of Legend of Zelda. At my side was a small light bag.. that had way too many items in it.. as I searched through.. What I found was a real shocker.. and more evidence to my dream theory. The bag was full of Video game items. Some basic things like Potions, Ropes, and some food items that I happily chewed on. The rest whee also ripped out of video games.. The Rod of Seasons, flute of Zaldus, ocarina of time, a Mirror shield, pokeballs, two strange decks of cards, (one with A bunch of monsters and the other with Items, spells, traps, and other misc things.) an odd GPS unit like thing, multiple forms of Bullet ammo, and 9 other color of tunic. (Plus 5 sets of the other types of clothing.) Putting all of the things away, I poked at my GPS item.. which ad a full list of things, as well as info on the Cards and pokemon. I had 8 lvl 50 pokemon (the many forms of eevee but Vulpix instead of flareon.), multiple Summon Monsters, and Summon Effects. Looked like I had one deck for summoning helpers, the other for special abilities. To make me feel even more over powered I read that the beads I wore would summon weapons, as well as a List of Dozens of magic spells. (thought according to read outs the only ones I could use at the moment where Lower spells and healing magic.) After spending about an hour or so checking out my random items.. and eating some food.. I smiled as my GPS map system actually turned on.. giving me a display of Radar and a mini map much like you would see in 2d Metroid games. Once I felt fully rested, I got to my feet and walked around. The insane armory of video game tools made me positive I was dreaming. "With all this stuff.. going by RPG lore im either gonna lose it all.. or this is gonna be REALLY hard." With the impassible almost ring of trees around me, I only had one direction open to me.. so with a shrug I decided to play along and walk down the path. Music from the GPS began playing as forest like music made me chuckle.

After a few minutes of walking down the fairly linear path of the forest, I found myself getting less and less light.. the tress got denser as light faded... and ominous music began to play. I smile partially as the pat sudden branches out.. My urge to explore was answered as I summon one of my favorite game weapons.. the Flowens sword, and walked into the dark depths.. the light of the blade guiding my way. Soon all light but that of my blade faded out. Taking little thought I pulled my GPS unit, and used its help to conjure up a ball of light, the ball reflecting off the Flowen gave me plenty to see my path as my first adversary appeared. Gazing up I saw a sight that was fairly puzzling. A manticore stood before me, eyes glowing red as it glared. The scorpion tail swinging side to side as It watched me. I recognized this one, but something felt wrong.. For instance, why was my first opponent something as tough as this? The presence of the beast seemed to match the forest oddly enough, but I kept thinking something was amiss. The roar of the monster drove my thoughts away as I looked up in time to see it charging me. Instinct took my body over as I stepped to the side and brought my blade down, seeming to cut it in half though no marks where left behind.. 'Does this type of weapon not work? Oh crap! how do you fight a manticore?' Similar such thought race as the beast picked itself up and looked confused. It turned to me and tilted its head looking around before rushing off. The only real change being how its eyes seemed normal now.. the red was gone. "I think.. I understand.. My blade did not cut it, only the evil forces within it? Don't tell me I have to find and hunt down something controlling monsters.. Still.. this all looks very familiar.." Crouching down to where the monster had been I found a small pile of a weird sort of coin. "This must be the money in this world.. better hang on to it." Taking out a small bag I slip the money in and stand up to continue on my way. "I know this place... I know my tools, but.. I dot know what going on. Im so glad I can talk to myself, and not have people looking at me like im psycho."

The exploration of the Forest stage was Slow going. Praise whatever deity people lived here for letting my have my Mini map GPS item. The forest was full of dead ends.. I ran across more manticores and Was more then ever set in my theory of Dark energy. I used other weapons to test, and everything seemed to have the same effect. After a few hours of exploration and a short snack break, I found myself in front of a large hut.. the forest had spread thinner, Giving me more room to walk as I saw a strange Zebra like being. I watched as I studied it and the last of the pieces fell into place. "Zecora?"

AS it heard its name, it turned to me... unfortunately I ad no idea what it was saying.. "Well that makes it a lot more complicated.. Now I know where I am. But.. I cant understand anything.." Though for some reason.. the Zebra seemed to understand me. As it blinked and rushed into its hut. Unsure of what was going on but having faith in the character I decide to sit down and wait.. I had only just started to relax when I heard the scream as a red eyed Zecora rushed out of the hut and Straight at me. Thankfully ADHD made it easy to bounce out of the way and onto my feet. I heard more voices coming closer as I back tracked, watching as the Zebra turned to face me.. "Now its even more complicated..." I mutter as I advanced.. Flowen sword in hand, it tried to head but me. Stepping to the side I swung with my blade, seeing Zecora flash and yelp in pain as my weapon cut through. "More dark energy.. means more attacks needed.. Im so glad your not a combat based pony..." I murmur out loud. Distracting the being long enough to position and Slash two more times.. After the third strike the light began to dim out, the red eyes turning softer as Voices got louder.

"What the hell are you doing here?"

THAT voice caught me of guard as I turn to see Alex and the mane Pony 6 glaring at me. "Alex? A little help here?" I ask before getting slammed in the side and launched.

"Why are you attacking their friend?" Alex questions glaring at me as I sigh.

"Look at her eyes dingbat. Shes possessed." I say simply as I hop to the side, glad Alex stopped the rainbow one from attacking me. Though the purple one seemed to begin charging up magic. "Son of a... Just.. STOP!" My blade suddenly glowed bright, startling everyone as I Slammed the Zebra with a critical strike. Watching as the red eye faded and I sat down. "THERE! Stop standing Alex and Make sure shes ok." I gazed over thinking of many differences.. the first was that wounds stayed until the red eye faded. Also purple energy seemed to leak out like blood until the battle ended. After a quick round of Telephone with Alex being my translator.. all was explained.

"So not only are the animals going nuts.. but this energy also can possess people? I mean.. ponies?" I ask sitting down. "You think its that energy D told you about?"

Alex nods. "Yeah.. though why your here I have no idea. In any case.. Zecora and twilight will look for a translation spell for you. though.. that GPS shoudl have done so."

I blink stupidly. 'the GPS.. of course.. DUH' I felt like a moron as sure enough.. it was translating Their speech. "Yeah.. this works.. though I cant talk back still."

"Hey I understood that." Twilight says looking over.

"Oh.. good. Yeah I feel like an idiot." I say again berating myself. "Anyway Before Zecora here.. I ran across a few manticore.. this means im in Everfree right?"

"How do you know so much?" Twilight asks confused as Alex nods.
"Yep.. Everfree forest.. were heading over to the-"
"old castle ruins, the resting place of the Elements of harmony before the fall of Nightmare moon. So not only am I not in a game, im also In my own story." I say with a sigh.
"Sure looks like it mister author.." Alex says chuckling. "Oh Twilight. Meet Zachary, hes from another reality. One where you guys are all cartoons and stories. He knows a lot cause he watched the show."

"Cartoons?" Twilight asks blinking. "So were not real then hmm?"
"Your real here miss sparkle. Every story or work of fiction created in one world becomes a reality else where. The fact you were made means this world is real. Only in another dimension." I reply simply. "Though that doesn't explain why im here.. I fell asleep at home and woke up here.. nor does it explain all the items and weapons Im carrying."
"Id guess its cause of all the forms of magic around. It probably manifested in the form of multiple weapons for you. just as I can use all of my spells and powers here, theoretically." Alexander says simply as he shrugs. "anyway. Come on. Lets resume our trek to the Castle ruins."

[Thanks for reading this.. Also for any of you who know and understand those cutie marks. what should appear, if any should appear, for Alexander? Also should I continue Alex's story with this style or make this story into its own thing?]