There was a cheer with the final ringing of the bell. Students exited their classes with chattering excitement, everyone discussing and making final arrangements to their plans for that evening. A common thread was the barn party over at Sweet Apple Acres, which had been a Halloween staple for several years.
“Hey, Sunset!” a voice called from behind.
Sunset Shimmer pulled out from her locker before turning around to see who was calling her. Rainbow and Pinkie came running up, each with broad smiles on their faces.
“Hey,” Rainbow said again, “you all set for tonight?”
“Just about” Sunset smiled, closing her locker. “I've got to put on the rest of the stuff. There was no way I was going to go a whole school day in full costume.”
“What's wrong with that?” asked Pinkie Pie. She spread out her tail feathers and stretched her wings with a loud cry. Sunset and Rainbow immediately covered their ears.
“Not everyone is comfortable being a peacock all day, Pinkie” grumbled Rainbow.
The bird tilted her head. “Then, how do the peacocks do it?”
“Whatever, at least my Daring Dude costume is comfy.”
“There you are!” came a voice from down the hall, “I thought I heard Pinkie.” Rarity walked up with Fluttershy and Twilight close behind. “You haven't seen Applejack anywhere, have you? I need to help her get into costume.”
“Sorry, Rarity” replied Sunset, “But, if you have a moment, I do need some help getting this spacesuit on.” She held up a white one-piece suite, complete with official NASA patches. “Then, I'll be ready for my E.V.A.!”
“E.V.A.?” asked Fluttershy.
Twilight opened her mouth to explain, but Sunset beat her to it: “Extravehicular Activity! Sometimes known as a 'space walk'. It's when you do something outside of the spacecraft. But, since we're talking about outer space, and not terra firma, 'walk' can not technically be used since walking is a means of propulsion with one's feet upon a surface and you really can't do that in a zero gravity environment. Though, E.V.A. may also be applied if the activity is upon a surface other than earth's. So, maybe I should distinguish between where it is I'm 'walking'.” She smiled awkwardly at the blank expression from the others.
“Yep,” Rainbow rolled her eyes, “nerd.” She shot an accusatory look at Twilight.
“Do I really geek-out like that?” asked Twilight.
“Pretty much” laughed Applejack, walking up to join the group. “Sorry I took so long. Had to meet up with Apple Bloom to discuss where we were gonna meet.”
“That's right,” Pinkie slapped her forehead, “the CMC's will be joining us tonight.”
“Zephyr will be trick-or-treating with us, too” said Fluttershy, “But my parents will pick him up before we head over to Applejack's.”
“Didn't you say Starlight was going to join us, too?” Rarity asked Sunset.
Sunset nodded. “Both her and Spike.”
“What happened to Nightmare Night?” asked Twilight.
“Already happened. Equestria runs on a lunar calendar. Nightmare Night is the full moon of the month. That was almost a week ago.”
“Shame the princess can't join us” Fluttershy said with a sigh.
“Yeah, but she's got family in town. That's why Starlight and Spike are coming over. It would allow the Twilight a night alone with her parents before they leave tomorrow. Speaking of which,” she checked the time on her phone, “They should be arriving soon.” She set her stuff down by her locker and began to walk to the portal. “You girls stay here. I'll be right back.”
“So, Applejack,” Rarity raised her eyebrows, “You ready for your transformation?”
The farmer girl let out a sigh. “I suppose so. I can't believe I'm letting you do this.”
“It was your idea.”
“Well, yeah...”
“Oh, man!” cried Rainbow, “I've been waiting to see what you have planned.”
“You have been very tight-lipped about it” said Fluttershy.
Pinkie let out a squeal, ruffling her feathers. “I do love a surprise!”
“I know what it is” said Twilight. She stepped back as the peacock pounced upon her.
“Tell me!” she screamed.
Twilight merely adjusted her glasses and shook her head.
Applejack let out a sigh and motioned Rarity to the music room, where they normally hung out, “Might as well get this over with.”
With some time to kill, Rainbow took the opportunity to examine Twilight's costume. “Not bad” she grinned, “Considering you pulled it all together on such short notice.”
Twilight blushed, “It is a very intricate piece. You and Rarity were a big help.” She extended her arm to allow Rainbow to view the cyborg makeup.
Rainbow ran her fingers along the electrical wiring and nodes. She leaned forward and fiddled with the buttons and knobs on the control panel on Twilight's stomach. “This is so cool!”
“You did do a pretty good job, Twilight” Sunset said, as she returned from the portal. Behind her followed Starlight and Spike.
Twilight knelt down and inspected the dog. “I don't believe it...”
“Neither do I,” replied Spike, “I've heard you looked a lot like the princess, but never thought...” He looked around. “Where's your Spike?”
Twilight put her backpack on the floor and made sure no school faculty or staff were around before unzipping it. Out popped a little puppy head with a small bark. He saw his Equestrian counterpart and jumped out of the bag, sniffing extensively. Equestrian Spike did the same. Both looked at each other in confusion before engaging in a dog's version of a hug.
“It's great to finally meet you!” puppy Spike wagged his tail “Cool spider costume.”
“Likewise” replied the dragon, “and thanks.”
“You two want a biscuit?” asked Twilight.
Both Spikes jumped at the prospect of a treat. “Yes, please!”
“Well, those two seem to have hit it off” observed Starlight.
“You expected anything else?” laughed Sunset.
“Well, since everyone is here,” said Rainbow, “let's go join Rarity and Applejack in the music room.”
“I really like your costume, Fluttershy” Starlight smiled as they walked down the hallway.
“Um, thanks” Fluttershy hid behind her hair, “I don't really dress up for Halloween. Actually, I haven't since I was really little.”
“You're a koala bear, right? I've never seen one before, but I've seen pictures of them in books.”
“You don't have them in your world?”
“We do, they're just not in Equestria.”
“The countries and regions on the other side of the portal aren't quite as connected as the ones here” explained Sunset, “Everything you know about your neighbors comes from traveling there yourself or reading books by others who have been there. Even then, there are many mysteries.”
Fluttershy smiled. “What did my counterpart dress as?”
“Nothing” replied Starlight, “she did what she does every year and hide away in her house with her animal friends.”
“We did manage to get her to come out last year, though” said dragon Spike, “Just for the experience, if anything.”
“Starlight, darling!” smiled Rarity, as the doors to the music room opened, “So good to see you again! Love your costume.”
Starlight blushed. “Thanks” she adjusted her bandaging and headdress, “I wasn't sure how it would travel through the portal.”
“So,” asked Twilight, “are you any queen in particular?”
“Nope, just a regular pharaoh mummy.”
“So,” said Rainbow, slyly, “where's Applejack?”
“Turn around, RD” came a voice from the corner.
Everyone turned to see a rather elegantly-dressed Applejack, complete with heavy makeup and powdered wig.
“Wow, AJ!” whistled Rainbow, “I wouldn't have recognized you if I didn't hear you.”
“Um, what are you dressed as, exactly?” asked Starlight.
“Why, she's a Georgian noblewoman” replied Rarity.
Applejack pointed a thumb to Rarity. “What she said.”
“Well,” laughed Twilight, “you wanted to do something that was different. Though, it also suits you as well.”
Applejack wiggled, adjusting to her corset. “How so?”
“The upper class of the time, as in the eras before, would have been landowners. You and your siblings will inherit the family farm. In that respect, you're like one of the noble-born.”
“You read too many romance novels.”
“What?” Twilight was taken aback, “No! Can't stand those things! Far too much sex, ruins an otherwise sub-par story.”
“And, on that note,” Sunset broke in, “Rarity, can you help me finish getting into this?” She help up the remaining pieces of her spacesuit.”
“I need my costume, too” puppy Spike barked to Twilight.
“What are you dressing as?” asked the dragon. He didn't need long to get his answer as Twilight pulled out what appeared to be a small, full-body costume from her bag. The Equestrian let out a light laugh. “You're dressing as a dragon?”
“Well,” replied the canine, “I've heard so much about them, and they sound really cool. Hope you don't mind...”
“Mind? Naw. I'm flattered.”
Spike wiggled into his costume and walked around, getting a feel for it. “Do I look like you?”
“Not exactly my coloring. Plus, most dragons don't walk like that.”
The puppy looked at his counterpart wide-eyed, “You mean you walk about on your hind legs?”
“Well, they're just legs to us. But, yeah.”
Puppy Spike made a little jump, shifting his weight onto his back legs. There, he tried to balance himself while taking small steps. “This more like it?” He gave a smile as he enticed giggles from the others present.
“You better stick to all fours, Spike” laughed Fluttershy. “Don't want you hurting yourself.”
Spike fell back onto his front paws. “Maybe you're right."
“Okay,” Applejack checked her phone, “my sister and her friends are waiting for us outside. We about ready to head out?”
“Let me just put in my teeth” called Rarity. She turned around and hissed, showing pearly white fangs. Fluttershy jumped back, hiding behind Rainbow.
“Could you please not do that?” she asked.
Rarity raised her eyebrow. “Why?” she asked in a fake Transylvanian accent, “ Afraid I'd suck you're blood?”
“Um,” Fluttershy sunk further behind Daring Dude, “yes...”
The group made their way through the school doors to the school front courtyard. On the steps sat three lower classmen dressed in high boots and tabards. On their heads they donned cavalier hats with poofy feathers.
“Hey,” Pinkie gave a thumbs up, “You girls look good.”
“Thanks!” smiled Apple Bloom, “You all ready to start?. The CMC's are ready to go!”
Starlight raised an eyebrow. “CMC's?”
“The Candy-Munching Crusaders!” the three girls chimed in unison. They drew their rapiers and held aloft, clashing them mid-air yelling “One for all and all for candy!”
Starlight leaned into Sunset and whispered: “For a moment, I thought they were going to say 'Cutie Mark Crusaders'. But, that wouldn't make much sense over here, would it?”
“We're just waiting for Zephyr to show up” Fluttershy checked her text messages “My parents will be dropping him off shortly.”
“Great...” Rainbow rolled her eyes. “Just so you know, if he starts talking to me, I'm gonna knock him straight into next Tuesday. I don't care if he in in middle school.”
Fluttershy waved as her family van pulled up in front of the high school. The front window rolled down as a pre-teenaged boy dressed in a tuxedo-wearing skeleton costume, complete with top hat and cane, jumped out of the back seat.
“Send us a text of where you are when you're done” Mrs. Shy instructed her daughter, “and keep an eye out for your brother.”
“I will, mom” Fluttershy smiled, “We'll see you later.”
With their parents gone, Zephyr Breeze gave a broad grin and approached the group of girls. “Hey, ladies, hope you weren't all waitin' for me to get this party started. Rainbowdoodle, darling,...”
“Oh, good lord...” Rainbow muttered.
“...come and give me some love!”
“Save it, kid. I've told you: you're much too young.”
“What is age, but a number?”
“Anyone else extremely creeped out and uncomfortable right now?” whispered Pinkie to the other girls.
“Listen, kid” Rainbow said, sternly, “If you're gonna hang out with us, we're gonna have to set some ground rules.”
“Now I know why Fluttershy doesn't talk about her brother much” Rarity whispered back.
“You stay with your sister and far away from me”
“It also explains why Rainbow was so upset when she found out he was going to trick-or-treat with us” Sunset added.
“You got me?” Rainbow leaned in close to the boy's face, staring him dead in the eye.
Zephyr only smiled. “Why, Rainbunny, I always knew you loved me!”
Rainbow was surprised and quickly jumped back. With a grunt, she turned to Fluttershy. “You just keep him on a short leash.”
“Speaking of leashes,” Twilight pulled two dog leashes from her backpack and handed one to Starlight. “Sorry, Spikes, but city ordinance.” She then proceeded to hook up her puppy.
Starlight looked looked at the long piece of nylon.
“You take this end” Sunset help up the piece with a metal fastener on it, “and clip it to Spike's collar.”
“I know how a leash works” grumbled Starlight, “It just seems kinda wrong.”
“I'm not too happy about it either, Starlight” the dragon replied, “But, this seems like a bad night to get into trouble.”
Rainbow let out a laugh. “Are you kidding? This night is all about getting intro trouble!”
“We're not eggin' anyone or anythin', if that's what you mean” Applejack crossed her arms.
“Naw” the athlete waved, “Nothing like that. I'm not that cruel. But, I do have some toilet paper.”
“...and I've got plenty of silly string!” chimed in Pinkie. She raised her wing to high-five with Rainbow.
“Well” Scootaloo looked to the sky, “it's getting dark now. Guess we'd better start.”
Sweetie Belle pulled out her phone. “I've got a route already mapped out to visit the maximum amount of houses in the least amount of time.”
Rarity waved her arm, “Lead on!”
Starlight stuck close to Sunset as they walked on. She eyed the lumbersome suit and equipment the other wore. “So, what are you?”
“An astronaut” Sunset smiled.
“I've never seen an outfit like that.”
“It's a spacesuit.”
“I heard. But, it doesn't seem very spacious.”
Sunset let out a slight chuckle. “No,” she said, pointing to the night sky as it began filling with stars. “Outer space.”
Starlight looked up at the sky, then at Sunset in confusion. “Are you a character from a Sci-Fi story?”
Sunset's laughter became a bit more full-blown. “Not exactly.” She wrapped an arm around her fellow Equestrian's shoulders. “Have I got some stories for you!”
---
As promised, Sweetie Belle's map took the group rather quickly through a series of neighborhoods. Before long, their sacks were full of delicious sugary goodies. Even the Spikes received the occasional dog treat, or two. A few short hours later, they found themselves back at the school statue.
“Hoo-ey!” cried Applejack, “We sure got ourselves quite a lot a candy!”
“I'd say” agreed Rainbow, “This should last us, at least, to Christmas!”
Twilight looked over to see Pinkie Pie had already consumed a quarter of her spoils. “Or, at least till morning” she added.
“I'm gonna have to give some of this away” said Rarity, “No way I can eat this all.”
“True,” said Sweetie Belle, “we still have her chocolate Easter bunny in the freezer from last year.”
“Odd,” replied Sunset, “I though chocolate and you didn't last long.”
“Only a nibble, darling” explained Rarity.
“So, where to now?” asked Starlight.
“Why, Sweet Apple Acres, of course!” smiled Apple Bloom, “Granny and Big Mac already got the party started.”
“My parents can take three others in our van” said Fluttershy, texting with her dad, “Who else is driving?”
“I have my parents' car” piped up Pinkie, “The center console folds up to make another seat. Be a little cramped, but that's six of us right there.”
“The CMC's need seat belts” said Sunset, “They should go with Fluthershy's parents. If we can take off some bulkier parts off our costumes and put them in Fluttershy's van, then I think the rest of us can all fit into Pinkie's car.”
“Ooh!” Pinkie squealed, feathers flying everywhere, “Clown car!”
“Isn't that a bit dangerous?” asked Applejack, “What if we get pulled over?”
“Starlight or I will sit on the floor” explained Sunset, “If we get low enough, we won't be pulled over. Even then, we can always claim to be over eighteen. With neither of us having any valid ID in this world, it would be difficult to prove or disprove.”
“If you're really worried” offered Pinkie, “The trunk is big enough for the two of you.”
“Hold on!” Starlight's voice was a little shaky, “First, let's go back to: What is a car?”
Starlight stood before what she could only describe as a metal box on wheels. She observed the means of entering and exiting the contraption. The glass walls that projected one from the outside. Sure, she had seen these before on her last visit to this world, and was aware of their function. Still, with the prospect of actually being in one imminent, there was a new understanding of the machine. “We're all gonna die, aren't we?”
“You'll be just fine” Sunset placed a comforting arm around Starlight. “I'll sit on the floor.”
"That doesn't make me feel any better.”
The girls waited for Fluttershy's parents to drive off before they began getting into Pinkie's car. Rarity and Applejack joined Pinkie in the front seat, while Twilight, Rainbow, Starlight, and Sunset took the back. Sunset settled herself on the floor, laying across the other girls' feet. The Spikes had opted to ride with Fluttershy as they were not too keen on the notion of getting squished.
“You sure you're comfortable?” asked Starlight, as Rainbow closed the car door.
Sunset smiled and laid an arm over Starlight's knees. “It's only a short ride. I've slept in worse positions.”
For all her antics and hyper nature, Pinkie was a surprisingly careful driver. There were no abrupt breaks or accelerations. She commanded the vehicle and it obeyed her every will. Keeping just around the speed limit, they went unnoticed by other drivers, including numerous police cruisers who passed them.
“See,” explained Pinkie, “you just need to be one with the car. Feel the road beneath your tires. Let the vehicle be an extension of you. Will it, don't command it.”
“Should I be afraid that that actually makes sense?” asked Starlight.
Once reaching Sweet Apple Acres, Sunset was never happier to get out and stretch. Towards the end, her back began to seize and the last few yards were excruciating.
Applejack had instructed Pinkie to park closer to the house than to the barn. Since the girls were planning on spending the night, there was no reason to park near the party. Walking from the house to the barn, they were reunited with Fluttershy and the others and, the continued on as a large group.
“Welcome, all!” cried Granny Smith from large open barn door, “Enjoy yourselves and don't get too spooked. The spirits are out tonight.”
Fluttershy cowered behind Sunset. “S-spirits?”
“Relax,” laughed Applejack, “that's just Granny's code for: There's an open bar.” She pointed over to where some bartenders were mixing drinks.
“Don't get any ideas” Sunset said to Starlight, “We're far under the legal drinking age here.”
The other only shrugged. “Well, it's a good thing I'm a mostly dry pony.”
“Alright!” Rainbow rubbed her hands, staring hungrily at the spread on a nearby long table, “Food time!”
Puppy Spike nudged dragon Spike. “Stick with me, I'll show ya how to get tons of food.”
“Seeing how people just randomly gave us biscuits,” the other Spike raised a brow, “I think I'm getting the idea.” He followed his companion in search of unwary victims.
“With these costumes,” said the puppy, running into the crowd, “this should be a snap!”
With full plates, the girls sat down at one of the picnic benches outside the barn.
“So, Starlight,” Rainbow said, taking a bite of her burger, “you've been enjoying yourself so far?”
“Oh, yes!” smiled the pony, “The more time I spend here, the more I realize just all the similarities and nuances between our worlds.”
“It's a trip, isn't it?” joked Sunset.
“It's something...” She felt something warm and wet on her knee. “Spike,” she said in a low voice, “go bug somepony else.”
“That's not Spike” Twilight said, peering under the table.
“Winona!” Applejack scolded. “No beggin' at the table.” She pointed away from the table and to the house. “Get!” The collie only barked, wagged her tail and ran off to join the rest of the party. Applejack only let out sigh. “I know she's loving this. Well, at least I don't have ta worry about feedin' her dinner.”
“Uh-oh” Starlight sighed, “I forgot to grab a drink.”
“I'll get it” offered Sunset, rising from the table, “Who else needs refills?”
As Sunset walked to the food table, Twilight turned to Starlight. “I think Sunset's happy you're here.” she said.
Starlight raised an eyebrow. “How so?”
“Oh, just the way she acts” continued Rarity, “We noticed it the first time you came over. You brought out a little something in her we'd never seen before.”
“I don't know what you mean. I didn't do anything.”
“I think just being here was it” said Fluttershy.
Starlight was still confused.
“Look,” Rainbow leaned in, “I imagine it's a bit lonely being the only one of your kind over here. Sure, Princess Twilight comes over every so often, but she's a princess.”
“What were sayin' is” Applejack said, “we think Sunset just enjoys having another unicorn around.”
“It's like family coming over to visit!” smiled Pinkie with a mouthful of candy.
“You think she's homesick?” asked Starlight.
“If she is,” replied Applejack, “she ain't sayin'.”
“Okay,” Sunset walked up. She had managed to snag a tray and was caring the drinks upon it. “You all getting better acquainted?”
With their meal over, the girls decided to head over to the dance floor. After a few songs, Sunset and Starlight returned to the picnic table to sort out their candy.
“Explain to me exactly what it is you're doing?” Rainbow said, taking a rest with a bottle of water. Pinkie, Twilight and Fluttershy joined her on the bench.
“It's a tradition that on Nightmare Night we give a portion of our candy collected to Nightmare Moon” said Sunset.
“That's Princess Luna, right?” asked Twilight.
“Yes” replied Starlight, “Though, she is known to revert to her Nightmare Moon form just of the the holiday.”
“So, why give her candy?” asked Fluttershy.
Sunset's expression darkened and she made a face that the other girls, with the exception of Twilight, hadn't seen since that fateful night at the Fall Formal. “Legend says that ponies who don't give the Princess of the Night sugary treats become sweet little snacks for the princess themselves.” She let out a low laugh to complete the effect. Twilight let out a shriek as Fluttershy grabbed tightly onto Rainbow. Rainbow's face flushed and she backed away with a gulp, resulting in laughter from the two ponies. Pinkie, seeing how well the scare worked, joined in.
“Hey!” the athlete yelled, “Not funny!”
Starlight's eyes narrowed. “Yes it is.”
“You two just made that up, didn't you?”
Sunset shook her head. “Nope, that's an actual piece of our lore. Every foal knows it.”
“So,” Twilight adjusted her glasses, “you're seriously giving candy as to not become dinner?”
“Not quite” answered Starlight, “We have tons of it and we're sure both Princesses Luna and Celestia would like to try a taste of confections from over here.” She popped a piece of candy into her own mouth.
“With all the candy we've collected,” continued Sunset, “We're making a bag for Cadence as well.”
“Oh!” cried Pinkie. “Suppose we could make a bag for our pony counterparts as well?”
Starlight shrugged. “Sure. I'll take them back with me when I leave.”
“There y'all are!” Applejack and Rarity walked up to the table, followed by Big Mac. Big Mac had a wooden crate in his hands and setting it down, they heard glass bottles clink within. Applejack then proceeded to pull out bottles, open them and pass them around the table.
Sunset took her bottle and graciously took a sip only to snatch Twilight's bottle from her hands. “Applejack,” she hissed through her teeth, “this is—”
“Eyup” smiled Big Mac, opening his own bottle and taking a swig.
“Don't tell Apple Bloom” Applejack's voice was hushed, “She's still too little. Granny said we could each have one.”
Twilight took her bottle back. “I have drunk alcohol before, Sunset. Just, never outside the house.” She took a cautious sip. “Hmm, not bad. Certainly refreshing.”
“You've never had cider before?” asked Fluttershy.
“Nope. Mostly just been the occasional glass of wine, a bit of sherry. A brandy-filled chocolate.”
“Sounds like my house” commented Rarity.
“Cider is pretty much our drink of choice in Equestria” said Starlight, tilting back her bottle. “This is good! Safe to say both Apples know their crafts.”
“Granpear makes a perry” said Applejack, “He said he'd bring some with him next time he visits.”
“Been a while since I last had a pear cider” Sunset examined her bottle, “If I recall, it was very sweet.”
“I like sweet things” said Fluttershy gently tipping her bottle back, “But, this too bitter for my liking.” She held out her nearly full bottle to the others. “Anyone want the rest?”
Sunset was quick to take the timid girl up on her offer. Kicking back the last of her own bottle, she picked up Fluttershy's and knocked it back.
Rainbow put her empty bottle down on the table with a thud. “Well, I'm ready to head back to the dance floor.” She stood up and immediately fell back down into her seat.
Applejack smiled. “Looks like someone can't hold her drink.”
“I can, too!” Rainbow tried getting up again and fell backward onto the ground, enticing cries from the other girls. Rarity and Pinkie quickly moved to bring Rainbow back to her feet.
“You okay, Rainbow?” asked Twilight, rising from her seat.
“Yeah” she wavered back and forth, leaning on either Rarity or Pinkie for support.
Starlight rose from her own seat. “Maybe you better sit down.”
“You know, Dash” Sunset laughed, taking another sip of cider, “I never thought of you as a lightweight.”
Rainbow fought off the hands of the other girls. “I'm fine!” Backing away, she tripped over her own feet and fell backwards into the grass.
“Okay, Rainbow” Applejack picked the girl off the ground, “Let's get you back on the seat and sobered up some.”
Fluttershy rose from the table. “I'll grab her some food.”
Twilight looked at the time on her phone. “Maybe we should call it a night. It's getting late and didn't you say you wanted to see a movie?”
“Oh, yeah,” replied Applejack, “I've got Young Frankenstein waitin' for us. Well, let's wait for Fluttershy to come back then we can head back to the house.”
---
The girls settled down in the den, costumes off and put away, and pajamas on. Sleeping bags and blankets were laid out upon the floor. The Spike's had returned from their night of puppy dog mischief and had settled in among the bedding. Pinkie and Rarity brought in popcorn and drinks from the kitchen while Applejack set up the movie. Fluttershy tended to a not-so-well Rainbow Dash.
“Feeling better?” she smiled.
Rainbow let out a disgruntled groan.
“I'll take that as a 'yes'.”
“All right,” Applejack said, turning around, “everybody ready?” She was met with a series of affirmatives and, thus, hit play.
Partway through the first act, Sunset looked around. She was a bit shocked to see that all the other girls had fallen asleep, including Starlight and the Spikes. Feeling wide awake herself, she gently wiggled the popcorn bowl from Pinkie's sleeping hands and laid back in her blanket to enjoy the movie.