Everypony gathered around the unicorn lying in a hospital bed. Her sudden outburst upon waking up startled everypony present. As Nurse Redheart left to fetch the doctor, the remaining ponies (and baby dragon) began talking.
"My name is Sugar Belle." began the titular unicorn.
"What brings you here?" asked Sunset.
"I went to Canterlot, but the guards wouldn't me in the palace. I heard about you from ponies there and came here. But, I collapsed from exhaustion." explained Sugar Belle.
"What where ya running from?" asked Applejack.
"Equality Village." answered Sugar Belle.
Sugar Belle laughed sadly.
"Of course, it might as well be called Starlightgrad." added Sugar Belle.
"Huh?" asked Spike confused.
"Starlight Glimmer. She's the Leader of Equality Village and our leader." said Sugar Belle.
Sugar Belle winced.
"When we first joined her commune, it was a place of equality. Where the cutie marks that separate us are gone." continued Sugar Belle.
"Cutie marks that separate us." said Twilight confused.
"That's what Starlight says. She says cutie marks drive ponies apart and the one way for equality is to rid ourselves of them. That's why she founded the Equalist Movement." explained Starlight.
"I don't like that sound of that." stated Pinkie concerned.
"It was already strict before, but then Sombra invaded Canterlot." began Sugar Belle.
Now, it was Twilight who winced.
"His forces passed by our village, but it really made Starlight worried and she got even more authoritarian. She had us erect barb wired fences and put up guard towers. White banners with a black equal mark where hung over every building except for Starlight's home. She has a portrait of herself. Starlight also had a statue of herself built." said Sugar Belle.
"Oh my." gasped Fluttershy.
"She rewards loyalty with gifts. She made a stallion named Double Diamond her Lieutenant and second hoof. If you go against her, she locks up and lets your rot." revealed Sugar Belle solemnly.
"That isn't fun." stated Pinkie upset.
"Myself, a unicorn named Party Favor and a pegasus tried Night Glider tried to escape. Starlight caught Night Glider and Double Diamond captured Party Favor. I was the only one who escaped and I came for your help." concluded Sugar Belle.
Sugar Belle began shaking.
"Starlight needs to be stopped!" exclaimed Sugar Belle.
"Where did she take your cutie marks?" asked Applejack uneasy.
"We don't where they are, but she used the Staff of Sameness to take them away." answered Sugar Belle, "It was one of Mage Meadowbrook's enchanted items."
"How horrifying." said Rarity with disgust.
"I know Mage Meadowbrook's enchanted items and that isn't one of them." replied Sunset
"Right. Whatever this item is, it doesn't belong to Mage Meadowbrook." agreed Twilight.
"Well's let go there and kick her butt!" exclaimed Rainbow.
"You haven't to be careful. Starlight is incredible strong." warned Sugar Belle.
"Sugar Belle, you're going to have to lead us there." noted Sunset.
"I can't go back!" cried Sugar Belle horrified.
"We don't know where it is and we might get lost." said Twilight.
"I can make you a map." offered Sugar Belle.
"It'd be easier and quicker if you led us." replied Twilight.
"Okay." relented a reluctant Sugar Belle.
Doctor Horse arrived and checked on Sugar Belle. He revealed she collapsed from exhaustion would be okay to leave the next day. The ponies and Spike headed home and prepared. The next day arrived and Sugar Belle led them on their journey. Spike remained behind just in case. After a long trek, they reached the village. There was a barb wired fence around the village and guard towers everywhere just as Sugar Belle described it. Sugar Belle remained outside the village while our heroes entered. Everpony had a smile on their face.
"I know smiles and these smiles are bad news" said Pinkie disturbed.
A white stallion walked over to the girls.
"Hello. Welcome to our village." said the stallion.
"It's nice to meet you." replied Twilight.
"My name is Double Diamond..." began the stallion.
The girls recalled this being the Lieutenant of the village leader.
"What brings you here?" asked Double Diamond.
"Just passing by and we saw your village so we decided to visit." answered Sunset smoothly
"Wonderful! I must introduce you to Comrade Glimmer!" declared Double Diamond.
"Perfect." replied Sunset smirking.
Double Diamond began walking with the girls behind him.
"That was good." whispered Rainbow Dash.
"I got good at manipulation while on the other side of the mirror." shrugged Sunset.
"Excuse me, but I can't help but notice the banners." said Twilight.
"It's to remind us of our cause so we don't feel tempted to go astray." replied Double Diamond.
"That makes sense." said Fluttershy.
"And the statue and portrait." said Applejack
"That is our glorious leader Starlight Glimmer." said Double Diamond.
"It seems kind of...odd." said Rarity.
"Princess Celestia has statues of herself. We did the same to honor Comrade Glimmer and try to follow her glorious example." said Double Diamond.
"That makes sense." said Fluttershy warmly.
The two arrived and Double Diamond knocked.
"Comrade Glimmer, we have new visitors." said Double Diamond.
Double Diamond led the girls inside where a purple unicorn waited.
"Be ready to fight." whispered Rainbow.
"Welcome! I'm so please to have you!" exclaimed Starlight.
Rainbow Dash groaned.
"Nice to meet you." said Twilight.
"This is Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Sunset Shimmer and Twilight Sparkle." said Double Diamond.
Starlight examined Twilight carefully.
"Forgive my bluntness, but I'm assuming it's Princess Twilight Sparkle." said Starlight.
"You'd be correct." said Sunset weary.
"We don't get many alicorns around her." noted Starlight.
"Yes, but "Twilight" is fine." said Twilight humbly.
"So! How did you hear of our little village?" asked Starlight, both excited and cautious.
"We where with Twilight her in castle when the mailmare..." began Pinkie.
Sunset Shimmer quickly silenced Pinkie before she could spill the beans.
"Sorry." said Pinkie, releasing what she almost did.
"We happen to be in the area and found your village." answered Twilight.
Starlight gave Twilight an unsure look over.
"Well, however you found us, we're happy to have you!" declared Starlight.
Sunset could feel a disturbed sensation in the pit of her stomach.
"We're happy to have anypony who wants to experience true friendship for the first time." said Starlight.
"Say what?" asked Applejack skeptical.
"Oh, indeed. That's what's so unique about our village, you see. Around here, we don't flaunt our special talents because we don't have any special talents to flaunt." explained Starlight happily.
"Is that why you have those cutie marks?" asked Twilight.
"I have an idea." replied Starlight.
Starlight led the group outside. There, Starlight led the commune members in singing a song about how great their town was. Once they finished, Rainbow couldn't help but laugh.
"You kidding right? Give up our cutie marks?" asked Rainbow, "No way!"
"Rainbow Dash, don't be so rude. I don't think we should judge them. They all seem perfectly happy with their choice." said Fluttershy.
"Don't believe their smiles Fluttershy." stated Pinkie firmly.
"Rarity, you've been quiet." noted Sunset.
"I'm taking this all in." replied Rarity overwhelmed.
"I'm sorry. I guess we're all a bit confused by this." said Twilight.
"We have no judgment here in our village. each of us was once confused as well, blinded by the false promise of our cutie marks." said Starlight.
"Gag me." muttered Sunset.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Is she for real?" asked Rainbow surprised.
Twilight shot Rainbow a look to be quiet.
"The barbed wire fence, guard towers, banners, portrait, statue and cutie marks give off an...unsettling vibe." stated Twilight.
"The fence and towers where caused by Sombra invading." said Starlight bluntly.
Twilight winced at this.
"Why don't you girls stay for a bit and see life in our village. Of course, it's your decision. Please enjoy our little slice of Equestria. We'll all quiet fond of it. No doubt you will too." proposed Starlight.
Starlight turned her attention to Double Diamond.
"Double Diamond, please help our guests with whatever they might need." said Starlight.
Double Diamond walked over to our heroines and saluted.
"Yes, Comrade Glimmer!" exclaimed Double Diamond excitedly.
Sunset felt a shiver run through her.
"This will certainly provide a boost to our little commune. Once everypony sees a princess has given up her cutie mark, they'll finally see what we're trying to accomplish." said Starlight happily.
The seven where led by Double Diamond on a carefully planned tour of the small commune. Our seven heroines had gotten the basics of things when they arrived, but Double Diamond insisted he show them around. This made Sunset Shimmer feel more uncomfortable. They at least finished quickly and where "free" to look around despite their being nothing to look at. Luckily, Pinkie's stomach roared signaling the party planner was hungry.
"I'll show you to my residences for food." offered Double Diamond.
"No need." replied Sunset.
Pinkie's stomach rumbled again.
"We'll just look around." said Sunset.
"But..." began Pinkie hungry.
As Pinkie's lip trembled, Sunset led her friends away.
"Something is off about this place." said Sunset.
"Y'all can say that again." agreed Applejack.
"It's not that bad." said Fluttershy.
"Fluttershy, the ponies here are living like prisoners." replied Sunset stunned.
"They needed better security after Sombra attacked." replied Fluttershy.
Fluttershy turned to Twilight.
"No offence Twilight." said the Element of Kindness.
"I'm fine." replied Twilight lying.
"What about the banners, portrait and statue?" asked Rainbow.
"You heard what Double Diamond said." answered Fluttershy.
"Darling, this matches what Sugar Belle told us." noted Rarity concerned.
"Maybe she wasn't exactly being truthful." proposed Fluttershy.
The others gasped at this accusation from Fluttershy no less.
"Maybe she thought it was really bad, but it really isn't." said Fluttershy meekly.
"I know lyin' and she wasn't lyin' to us." stated Applejack firmly.
"What do we do?" asked Twilight unsure.
"What about those two ponies Sugar Belle mentioned?" asked Sunset.
"Right. We should ask about them and see if any pony knows them." replied Applejack.
"But, we should try and lose our tail." said Sunset.
Sunset motioned toward Double Diamond.
"He's still following us." said Rainbow surprised.
"He hasn't stopped following us since we arrived." noted Rarity disturbed.
The ponies got up and began walking in different directions except Fluttershy. Double Diamond walked over to her.
"Excuse me, where are your friends going?" asked Double Diamond.
"They're talking with ponies." answered Fluttershy.
Fluttershy's eyes darted back and forth.
"Um, can I please talk with Starlight." requested Fluttershy.
"No problem." replied Double Diamond.
The ponies talked to everypony in the village. Starlight and Double Diamond where the only ones who they didn't talk to. Alas, their attempts provide futile as nopony would acknowledge Party Favor or Night Glider existed. Even when Sugar Belle was brought up, again everypony would deny she ever existed.
"Nopony here even will even acknowledge those three existed. I can't understand it." said Rarity surprised.
"I warned you this place was creepy." said Pinkie.
"Squeezing information from these ponies is harder then getting apple juice form an orange." sighed Applejack.
"They've become persona non grata." mused Sunset.
"What?" asked Rainbow.
"It means they've been ostracized." answered Sunset.
They heard a throat clearing and turned to see Starlight.
"I was wondering how you where doing." said Starlight.
"We're fine." replied Twilight uneasy.
Starlight have a smile.
"Are you familiar with the Pillars of Old Equestria?" asked Starlight.
"Of course." answered Twilight.
"I happen to have one of Mage Meadowbrook's enchanted items." said Starlight.
"No way." replied Sunset, with fake surprise.
"Want me to show you?" asked Starlight.
"Sure." answered Sunset with fake enthusiasm.
Starlight led the group to a cave nearby the commune. They reached a wall of cutie marks.
"Unbelievable" said Twilight amazed.
"Are these the cutie mark of your villagers?" asked Applejack.
"Yes. We don't need them so we keep them locked up here." answered Starlight proudly.
"Which one is yours?" asked Sunset.
Starlight gulped nervously.
"That doesn't matter." answered Starlight quickly.
"Why can't you tell us?" asked Sunset confidently.
Starlight's eyes darted back and forth.
"Forget that, this is what you came to see." said Starlight.
Starlight pointed her hoof to a staff.
"The Staff of Sameness!" declared Starlight.
Sunset snickered.
"It's funny, I studied under Princess Celestia and I know for a fact Mage Meadowbrook never had a Staff of Sameness." stated Sunset.
"She's right." added Twilight.
Starlight picked the staff up with her magic.
"You seven came here with the sole intention of ruining our perfect little utopia." said Starlight, "Right, Lieutenant."
The girls turned to see Double Diamond leading the villagers in an angry mob behind them.
"Right Comrade Glimmer." said Double Diamond angrily.
The mob began to verbally attack the girls for their lies and treachery.
"Luckily, one pony saw the error of her ways." said Starlight.
The mob parted revealing Fluttershy who bore the same equal cutie mark.
"Fluttershy!" cried Applejack horrified.
"How could you?" asked Rainbow betrayed.
"You never gave Starlight and her village a chance. I did and I wanted to spread her message." answered Fluttershy.
Twilight flew up into the air, but Starlight used the Staff of Sameness to trap Twilight.
"Twilight!" exclaimed Sunset horrified.
Sunset aimed her horn at Starlight, but was tackled by Fluttershy.
"This is for the greater good." said Fluttershy.
Starlight used the Staff of Sameness to take the cutie marks from Rainbow, Applejack, Rarity and Pinkie.
"No." said Sunset sadly.
Fluttershy flew off Sunset allowing Starlight to take her cutie mark.
"There. Now with a bit of reeducation, you'll be right at home." said Starlight confident.