The last couple weeks had been a flurry of activity for Stone Mane in my Equestria dreamscape. The colt's attention had been focused almost entirely on preparing for his trip to Ponyville to see Applebloom and her family.

This would be the longest the colt would be away from all of his family. After some more telegraphs back and forth between his aunt and uncle and Applebloom's family it had been agreed the colt would be there for 5 and half weeks. The Apple's had said that the colt wouldn't have to pay for any room or board. However Stone Mane's aunt and uncle insisted in paying at least a token stipend to cover the costs of putting the colt up at Sweet Apple Acres. Eventually an amount was agreed upon the funds were wired to Ponyville.

Early on the night before his departure the colt was organizing the items he'd be taking with him when his uncle came sauntering into his room.

"Hey Squirt! How's the packing coming? The stallion wandered over and plopped down on the colt's bed causing it to creak under his weight.

"Um, I think I've got everything I'll need." The colt looked at a checklist his aunt had written up.

"Wweeellll. Here's a little something extra for your journey. You'll undoubtedly want buy things while you're there for yourself, and your fillyfriend. Soooo, to make that easier…"

The stallion reached into one of the pockets on his leather vest and withdrew a small, but obviously full, suede pouch. It clinked as he casually tossed it over to the colt.

Sitting on the floor Stone Mane easily caught the pouch then pulled on the drawstrings and opened it. Looking inside his eyes went wide. Nestled inside the pouch was at least 85 bits. Uncle Rivet seeing the look in the colt's eyes smiled.

"Okay Squirt! I know this looks like a mountain of bits! But I guarantee if you are not carefully they will all be gone long before you make it back home. So. Watch where, and when, you spend them. Understood?"

The colt swallowed and nodded his head. "Um, yeah. Thank you. Thank you very much."

The rest of the evening was spent packing and preparing. For the journey Uncle Rivet had given the colt one of his steamer trunks. It would carry most of the things the colt would need once he was in Ponyville. For the train trip itself the colt's own valise and panniers would be adequate. Into the trunk went the doll of the mare he would be seeing in a few days. Swaddled in a towel it was carefully packed away. By bedtime everything was packed and ready to go. Although the colt found it hard to sleep that night. The excitement of the upcoming journey made dozing off difficult for him.

Early the next morning the colt found himself yawning as he stood with his aunt and uncle onto the train platform. It was little after 7 in the morning and his train would be departing in just a few minutes. The colt's steamer trunk was already loaded onboard, and an attendant had helpfully taken Stone Mane's valise and panniers to the cabin he'd be in. Now he stood with his aunt and uncle on the platform making the usual series of farewells and goodbyes. Suddenly above the numerous sounds of the station a voice called out.

"There you are!" A fraction of a second later a bright pink blur almost bowled the colt over. Only Stone Mane's hoofball training kept him from ending up flat on his back. After a second he realized that the source of the sudden assault was his classmate Raindrop.

"Gah!" Exclaimed the colt as the filly gave him one of her signature bone crushing hug. "Raindrop! Why are you here!"

Following in the pegasus's wake, Lily Dancer came sauntering up. The apple green filly had a impish little smile on her face."Well now. Somepony from your class needed to see you off! and since Blue Spark and Kicker have already left town Raindrop thought we should do it. Good morning Stone Mane. Ready to embark on your epic journey?"

"Um! Yeah! Uh! Raindrop will you let go!"

After a couple more seconds the colt was able to extract himself from the filly's embrace. Through it all his aunt and uncle stood back and chuckled. Looking over at the hyperactive to make sure she wasn't going to pounce again he continued speaking. "Yeah I'm ready. My bags are all onboard. In fact–"

"Attention everypony! May I have your attention!" The unicorn conductor's voice boomed out. "We are beginning final boarding for train 895! All passengers not already to onboard need to do so in the next 2 minutes! I repeat the 895 will be leaving the station in 2 minutes!"

Stone Mane looked back at the train then his aunt and uncle. Finally glanced at his classmates. "Um, I think I should avoid the rush and get onboard. Uh, thanks everypony for seeing me off. It's very nice of you." He looked at his aunt and uncle. "I'll wire you once I've arrived in Ponyville. Okay."

Aunt Marigold stepped forward and nuzzled the colt. "Have a safe trip and fun time in Ponyville."

Uncle Rivet gave the colt a playful punch on the chest. "Okay Squirt! See you when you get back!"

Raindrop through all this had been trotting in place with nervous energy. "And I'll be practicing the whole time you're gone Stone Mane! By the time you get back I'll be the best hoofball player you've ever seen!"

Lily Dancer smiled. "Look forward to hearing all about your adventures when you get back." Then she took a step forward and softly said. "And tell your filly I hope she likes the doll I made for her." Then she winked and stepped back.

The colt blushed a little but nodded his head. "Um, yeah I will and–"

"Attention everypony! This is your final call! All ponies who are departing on Train 895 need to board now!"

"Um! I need to get onboard. I'll see you all later. Uh! Goodbye!"

With that the colt turned and trotted toward the train. At the door he turned and waved to at his family and friends; then he vanished into the Pullman-style car.

To be continued.