The Former Student

Sunset Shimmer enthusiastically shook Twilight's hoof, smiling wide, her bright eyes locking with the princess’s
“Well, I must say it's a delight to have such wonderful guests here in our little corner of Equestria. It's been a while since we’ve had company! And a whole group, no less!”

The 6 mares couldnt help but smile at Sunset’s greetings, it did seem to settle their nerves with how welcoming the unicorn was. Sunset looked at Twilight again, noticing her wings, quickly gasping and bowing deeply.
“Oh my humblest apologies your highness, I had no idea ROYALTY was coming to visit!” Sunset quickly said and Twilight gave a soft giggle, and giving a humble, dismissive wave.

“It's alright, I don't really like to shove it in pony’s faces that I'm a princess” Twilight explains, causing the other mares to chuckle at the remark, and Twilight playfully rolls her eyes.

“Anyways.” Twilight began.
“We were sent here. You see, back home we have a type of map, that tells us when a problem is getting out of hand, and we are summoned there to try and handle it. We were all sent here.”

Sunset couldnt help but look confused, she tilted her head at the group, before looking around her town, at her house, and back at the mares.
Some of the residents began to take notice of the group, and stopped in their tracks, looking on curiously.

“Well, I'm sorry I can't be of much use, i don't know of any problems or threats that are taking over the place. Maybe it sent you here for living space while you all try to solve the problem?” Sunset suggested, and the 6 mares all looked at each other for a moment.

“I-uh… I mean… she has a point.” Rarity pointed out. “There doesn't seem to be any form of civilization for miles after this… place.”

“Plus, if she’s offering, wouldn't it be rude to decline?” Fluttershy mentioned, and the other mares looked at her, before their gaze fell upon Twilight again, who then turned back to Sunset Shimmer.

“Well, I suppose we couldnt say no to somewhere to stay when it gets dark.” Twilight responded finally, and Sunset’s smile widened.

“Perfect!” Sunset exclaimed, and she beckoned some of the residents over, pointing toward the tavern at the start of the town.
“You’re welcome to stay on the top floor of the tavern until you figure out what’s going on.”

6 residents walked over, some pegasi, unicorns, and earth ponies. They all took the mare's bags in their teeth and began walking toward the tavern, leading the mares there, but Applejack stopped in her tracks for a moment, looking back at Sunset.

“If ah may.” Applejack started, looking confused. “Ya have unicorns and Pegasi livin’ here. But they aren't flyin’ or usin’ their magic. Why is that?”

Sunset smiled softly.
“It's fairly simple really, the town believes in true equality, meaning that unicorns don't use magic, and pegasi don't fly. Because it would be unfair on the earth ponies residing here. Everything is done by hoof and we believe it brings the community together. Making our bonds stronger so to speak.”
Once Sunset was done explaining, Applejack seemed to think it over, but she didnt stand around to do so.

“Ah see, thankyou for that explanation.” Applejack quickly says, bowing her head to Sunset before quickly trotting to keep up with the others.

Once they arrived at the Tavern, the unicorn residents led them upstairs to their room, it was one giant room with multiple beds lining the wall, with a large window in the middle of each wall, lighting up the room nicely.

The ponies began to hand the mares their equipment, and Twilight accepted hers using her magic and causing the 6 residents to stare at Twilight in shock. A couple of light gasps came from them, and one of them even looked nervous, Twilight quickly realized what was going on and held her bag with her hooves, thanking the residents for their help as they quickly left, muttering slightly to each other.

Once the door was shut, Twilight gave a soft sigh, releasing the breath she didnt realize she was holding.
Pinkie then looked at everyone, her eyebrow cocked.
“Did any of you realize that every resident here seems rather tense? They all looked scared.”

Rarity nodded in agreement.
“And the fact that everything is done by hoof, all the time. As well as living in some… make-shift harmony?”

Rainbow Dash then spoke up.
“Not to mention all their matching cutie marks! There’s no way THAT’S normal.”

“M-maybe it's so no-pony feels left out? Every pony does the same thing instead of everyone doing something unique that no pony else could?” Fluttershy suggested, but the other mares politely shook their heads in disagreement.

Applejack then speaks up.
“So.. No pony is allowed to stand out, every pony looks and acts the same, and their cutie marks are all matchin’. Sunset Shimmer is the leader of the town, ah’m sure we can get some answers from her. But ah believe she’ll be very vague with her answers.”

Twilight then suggests that they begin to unpack and think about it overnight. So they do exactly that, they all set themselves up on one of the many beds provided, and unpack their bags, making themselves a bit more comfortable.
Twilight laid down on her bed to test it out. The mattress was thin, but puffy, and felt oddly comfortable. She couldnt feel the wooden bedframe beneath it, and it supported her weight rather well.

As she lay there, she looked out of the window above the headboard, and she saw some residents of the town playing catch with a ball. It was 3 teenage-looking ponies, an orange earth pony, a pink Pegasus, and a white Unicorn. They were all laughing and having fun together, and it brought a soft smile to Twilight's face, to see ponies getting along together.

But suddenly the earth pony headbutted the ball a bit too hard, and it landed on the roof of the building they were near, and refused to come down. The Pegasus smiled at their friends before flying up to get it but was almost immediately caught by Sunset Shimmer, who demanded that they land immediately.

The Pegasus quickly landed, and lowered their head to the ground, before following Sunset to her house.
Twilight’s smile quickly fell, as she watched the unicorn and earth pony go into a neighbouring building and ask for help from another resident to get their ball.

Something is really off with this town… And she believes she knows what it is… She just needs more evidence.

For now, she’ll clue the girls in on her ideas tomorrow, and she laid down to get some sleep.