Kent awoke the next day as Dawn, with her fingertips of rose, lit up the sky. He rolled out of bed, groggy and weary from his restless night. He was confused as to why there were so many voices emanating front room. Eventually he recalled that the others had spent the night.

Kent walked over to the vanity and recoiled slightly, then let out a hearty chuckle. His long mane was sticking directly out to the left, as if in a extreme gale. In a soft silver glow, he picked up the brush and attempted to get it to lie flat, but soon gave up, as his mane had other ideas. Kent settled for running the brush through his knotted tail a couple of times.

After his struggle with his mane, Kent trotted down the steps, almost falling again in his half-asleep state. When he reached his door, he just pushed through it, emerging into the main room. As he did so, Kent heard a gasp, then hooves trotting over to him. Kent pulled the door closed then turned around o see Rarity standing in front of him, a hoof over her mouth, shaking her head.

"You poor dear! Why, I cannot let this stand,this must be corrected immediately! How in Equestria did this happen, darling?" Rarity said, as dramatic as usual.

"Sleep." Kent said frankly. Honestly, he couldn't care less as to what shape his mane was in, it would eventually settle. However, Rarity had other ideas, much to the others amusement. Rarity used her magic to, again, move Kent towards the other mares. She plopped him down in the center of the room, then dashed over to her saddlebags, from which she drew a brush, and several other instruments whose function Kent couldn't fathom. She approached him, the items from her bag floating around her.

For the next ten or so minutes, Rarity fiddled with Kent's mane, bemoaning how he had let it come into such bad shape, after she had worked "Sooo hard" on getting it "Just so." The night before. The five others just giggled at Kent's situation, amused that, after all the effort he had gone through to escape Rarities attentions last night, here he was.

"I will remember this." Kent vowed under his breath.

"Why, I should hope so, my dear." Rarity said, then held up a mirror. "Well? Now doesn't this look so much better darling?" Kent had to admit, it did look a lot better. Rarity had brushed most of it off to one side, and tucked it behind his ears, leaving only a lock that drooped in front of his face. It reminded him slightly of  Fluttershy's  mane.

"Yes." Kent muttered begrudgingly. "Well, If we're all done here, I'm going out to get some food, we burned through a lot of what we had last night. Any suggestions as to where I should go?"

Most of the ponies looked at Apple Jack, who replied "Ah'll take ya down to Sweet Apple Acres. We got all kinds of treats down there!"

"Okay, then it's settled. we'll see you guys later." Kent said as he and Apple Jack exited the treehouse library. They immediately turned right, and traveled in silence for a little while.

"So, who all is down at the Acres?" Kent asked curiously.

"Lesse here..." Apple Jack said. "There's mah eldest brother, Macintosh. We call him 'Big Mac', on account of his being one of the biggest stallions in Ponyville. Then there's mah younger sister, Apple Bloom. She's a rambunctious one. Ah think she an' her friends are gonna be at the Acres today as well, so steer clear." Kent nodded.

"Anybod- I mean, anypony else?"

Apple Jack nodded. "Granny Smith. She's a real old-timer, so she's probably still asleep right now."

Kent nodded again. The two lapsed into a companionable silence for a while longer

"So, who is this 'Selena' you were callin' out for last night?" Apple Jack asked, then immediately knew that that had been the wrong question as Kent stiffened ever so slightly, a pained look on his face. they kept walking.

"I'd prefer not to say." Kent said amiably. His tone didn't reflect his body language, as he was obviously  pained by the question.

"Allright. Ya know ya can always talk with us if ya need to, m'kay?" Apple Jac responded concernedly. They lapsed into silence again for a distance, this time an uncomfortable one. The duo reached the top of a rise that overlooked the entire Sweet Apple Acres, and Kent stopped abruptly.

"Woah..." He breathed as he beheld the acres upon acres of orchard, as well as the farmhouse and the barn. Hundreds, no, thousands of apple trees covered the earth. There were all types, red delicious, gold delicious, granny smith, and many others beside!

Apple Jack smiled. "Beutiful, innit? Yep, one time I attempted to buck the whole orchard! That didn't end well, for me, or for anypony else."

"The whole thing?" Kent asked, amazed at the earth ponies fortitude.

"Yep. Hey, hows about we have ourselves a little ol' race?"Apple Jack proposed.

"Okay. To the farmhouse?" Kent suggested.

"The farmhouse it is! Ready set go!" Apple Jack shouted, dashing off down the dirt path.

"Hey!" Kent shouted after her as he galloped headlong after her, kicking up a cloud of dust. The run exhilarated him. the feel of the dirt giving way beneath his hooves, flying headlong across the earth. It was amazing!

Kent laughed as he started to catch up to Apple Jack.

"C'mon Kent, at this rate ah'm gonna beat ya!" She said, glancing back at Kent. Apple Jack as surprised that he had gained so much ground, and was still gaining. Kent grinned at her deviously. He continued to gain on her, no matter what she did. By the time the archway that marked their finish came into view, Kent had almost overtaken her. For the last ten meters, they were neck and neck, both vying to win. As they streaked under the gate, Kent pulled just barely ahead, snagging the win. He tried to stop himself, but only managed to end up flipping head over hooves, and landing on his back in the dust. His sides were heaving from his exertions.

Apple Jack cantered to a halt next to Kent, and flopped down next to him.

"how'd'ya... do that... Kent? Usually only Rainbow... can best me like that!" Apple Jack said, breathing just as hard as Kent.

"I... don't know, I... just ran.... Heh... If this was... a friendly race, I'd hate.... to see a real competition!" Kent said, laughing loudly. Apple Jack joined in the laughter, and they both went into convulsive laughter for several minutes. After their mirth had subsided, they picked themselves up and shook hooves.

"Good race Apple Jack."

"You too Kent." Apple Jack paused for a second. "D'ya hear that?" She said.

Kent cocked his head to the side, one of his ears standing on end. "Yeah. Sounds like a group of little girl- I mean fillies."

"Yup. That's mah sister an' her friends, sounds like the're comin' back from their clubhouse out in tha orchard." Apple Jack confirmed. Sure enough, out of the orchard emerged an orange pegasus with a purple mane, a white unicorn with a pink-and-purple mane, and a yellow earth pony with a red mane that had a matching bow. "The orange one's Scootaloo, the white one's Sweetie Belle, and the yellow one's mah sister, Apple Bloom." apple Jack informed Kent, who nodded.

The three fillies looked over at Apple Jack and Kent, stopped dead, their mouths agape, then dashed over to them, all of them talking at once, their voices hitting the two of them like a physical force.

"Girls! one at a time!" Apple Jack said loudly, getting their attention.

"Apple Jack, is this pony your coltfriend?" Asked Sweetie Belle.

"What- no! Nono, not in tha slightest, why would'ya even think that?" Apple Jack spluttered, much to Kent's, and the trio of fillies amusement. "He's just a guest, ah'm takin' him to brunch with Big Mac."

"Nice to meetcha!" Scootaloo said. The others repeated the greeting.

"Nice to meet you fillies too, the name's Kentarvos.." Kent said, then turned away from them towards Apple Jack. As he did so, he heard three little gasps.

"Yer an Ali-whatsit? Apple Jack, Why didn't ya tell us?"  Apple Bloom said disbelievingly.

"What? Oh yeah, that. I'm an Alicorn, yeah. I keep forgetting that it's not common." Kent said bemusedly.

"Not that common? Why, there are only two others!" Sweetie belle exclaimed, her voice cracking excitement.

"Yeah! That's so cool!" Scootaloo said excitedly.

"Eheh... yeah." Kent's stomach rumbled loudly, emptied by the race. "But just because I'm an Alicorn doesn't mean I don't get hungry apparently."

"Ah'm sorry Kent, Ah'll get these here littl'uns out of yer mane. Hey, You three, didn't you have some big Cutie Mark Crusaders event planned in Ponyville in tha afternoon?" She said to the trio of troublemakers.

"Oh yea, she's right! we did  have somethin' goin' on in Ponyville! C'mon girls!" Apple Bloom said, and they cantered off down the road.

"That was actually pretty simple." Kent remarked.

"Yep, those little fillies have the attention span of  a fly in a pigpen. C'mon, lets get somethin' to eat now, mkay?" Apple Jack said, then lead Kent to the farmhouse, a humble two story affair. As they entered the front room, Apple Jack called out "Big Mac! Ya got brunch ready?"

A voice came from the kitchen, deep, yet gentle sounding. "Eeyup. it's on th' table!"

Apple Jack led Kent through a simple sitting room to a combined kitchen and dining room area. Standing in the kitchen half was a stallion that seemed to occupy most of the space. He had a red coat and a golden mane, a wooden harness about his shoulders. His green eyes were doing the same as Kents, looking him up and down. Kent walked over to him.

"My name's Kentarvos, nice to meetch'a." Kent extended a hoof, and Big Macintosh took it and shook it. " You know," Kent said, "you're the only Pony that I've met since I've been here that's on eye level with me. Now I understand why Apple Jack calls you 'Big Mac'!"

"Eeyup." Macintosh said, then turned and picked up a tray of  freshly baked apple goods. Kent's mouth watered at the sight of them, but restrained himself and sat around the table with the Apples. They said a quick Grace then dug in.

Kent could quite easily say that this was one of the best meals he had ever had. The taste of the apple pies, apple tarts, apple turnovers, they were all delicious. Kent had wolfed down several apple fritters before he remembered his manners, and slowed his pace, albeit only a little. Several minutes later, the trio finished their meal.

"Man, that was great! Thanks for the food!" Kent said afterwords, his stomach comfortably full.

"Yeah, ya outdid yerself on this one Mac." Apple Jack complimented.

"Nnope. It was nothin'." Macintosh replied, slightly embarrassed by the praise.

"Well, I'd best be headed back. D'you mind if I take the leftovers?" Kent inquired.

"Be our guest Kent! Beside, we can have this anytime we want too!" Apple Jack stated, laughing "C'mon, ah'll take ya out to the archway."

The pair left the farmhouse, headed to the arch. On the way there, Kent felt that telltale click in his head once more, and he stopped abruptly, stiffening. Once more, Kent was transported into the past. Kent was once more in his human form, albeit much younger, his white hair cropped short. He was saying something to another boy, taller than him, but roughly the same age. The boy pointed down the road, and said something indistinct, as if Kent was listening through water. Kent realized all of his senses were this way, unlike the previous memory. Then, the pair took off running, obviously racing each other. Shortly afterwords, a plain, off-white house came into view. As soon as Kent saw the  house, his senses sharpened. He could see the individual hairs on his friends head, feel distinctly each pebble under his bare feet, smell the dirt the two of them kicked up. They slowed to a jog, then to a walk as they neared the house. The other boy turned to Kent.

"It's quieter than normal Kent, dont'cha think?" He said.

"Yeah, kinda weird Seth." Kent replied as they neared the front door. When they reached it, Seth fiddled with something on the handle until the door opened. The pair of them froze, petrified by what they saw. Over Seth's shoulder, Kent saw two adult figures lying prone in a pool of crimson blood on the floor of a living area. There was a man clad in black and wearing a mask hunched over them, picking over their bodies as a buzzard might.

"Oh no... Seth! Seth, snap out of it!" Kent shouted to his friend, shaking him, but Seth remained rooted to the spot. The man stood and turned to the two of them, raising his hand, a metallic object enclosed therein. There was a resounding bang as the weapon discharged, and Seth toppled over, a hole in his head. "No... No! Seth!" Kent saw the murderer lift the weapon again, and Kent ran. He ran as fast as he could, hoping to put the terrible sight of his best friend's parents, and his friend, all dead. Kent ran, back into another time, another place, another world.

Kent came back to reality, gasping for air as if he had been running.

"Kent! Oh, Kent, are ya okay?" Apple Jack said, leaning over him. "Ya were doin' the same deal as last night, goin' all stiff and trancey on me."

Kent groaned and shakily stood. "I will be alright, eventually. I just hope this doesn't happen with all my memories." He said, trying for a joke, but failing miserably.

"Well... If ya say so. Will ya be able ta get back home alright?" Apple Jack asked concernedly.

"Yeah. Well, thanks for the food A. J., I'll be back for more!" Kent said, lifting the bag of food he had been given with his magic, and placed it on his back again. Apple Jack nodded and waved after him as he left, still looking concerned. Kent cantered home, taking about a half hour since he didn't have to race Apple Jack this time. As Kent walked through Ponyville, he found he was starting to recognize some of the ponies that he encountered.'Well, glad to know my memory is still functioning.' He sighed in relief as the Library came into view. As Kent approached the Library, he thought about is two memories. They had both occurred when he had been doing something similar in reality, and had been very vivid, save the beginning of the second. Kent shrugged these thoughts off as he pushed open the front door.

"Hey Twi! I'm back!" He called out, and the door to the top of the stairs opened. Twilight emerged, lighting up at the prospect of some Apple family goodies.

"Welcome back Kent!" Twilight said as she picked her way down the stairs. Kent noticed there were books everywhere, as if something had ransacked the Library.

"Been studying?" Kent said jokingly.

Twilight blushed, embarrassed. "Yes... But it's fine, I was going to reorganize everything anyway. You can get in some magic practice at manipulating multiple objects while we're at it!" She said. Kent nodded in agreement.

"Do you mind if I take some books on Equestria though?" Kent asked.

"Sure, go ahead. Do you want to go read now,or practice magic?" Twilight responded.

"Eh, maybe later. I'm going to go read." Kent said, then headed into his room, several thick volumes floating alongside him, ensconed in his quicksilver aura. He entered his alcove shortly thereafter, and began to read about Equestria. As soon as he finished one tome of knowledge, Kent moved immediately to another, engrossed in the history of this great land that he was in. Hours later, after the sun had set, Kent finished the final book he had brought with him. He glanced at the clock on his wall and recoiled slightly. "Woah. I forgot how much time studying can eat up." Kent piled the leather-bound tomes carefully next to his bed, which he proceeded to flop down into. 'Whoops, forgot to write in my journal' He thought to himself, then rolled out of bed, and proceeded to jot down his entry for that day. He climbed into bed, again, and this time let the weariness of the day wash over him, and fell into sleeps gentle caress. Next Chapter: Chapter Five: Finding His Wings Estimated time remaining: 13 Minutes