//------------------------------//
// Story of the Gems 
// Story: Equestrian Gems 
// by Serenade Sketch 
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It all began more than 5,000 years ago on our planet of origin, Homeworld. It soon became clear that gem production couldn't continue because we would eventually run out of resources to create more gems.  The solution was to find other planets that could provide the resources we needed.  One day we needed a new colony and the choice was this planet.  Production began to go smoothly until one particular gem named Sunstone was created.  She became fascinated with the life that already existed and believed that they had their own value.  She knew that if the colony was completed, it would be catastrophic to all life on the planet.  She wanted to protect this planet, but she knew she couldn't do it on her own.  She eventually came across other gems not like others, some who grew weary of their roles, some who were mistreated by others, even some that just wanted to be together, but couldn't.  She became sympathetic for them because they did not have their own freedom and were forced to perform their assigned tasks.  She told them that she understands the feeling of not being able to make your own choices, to live free.  They heard about how Sunstone didn't want the new colony to be completed because she thought it was unfair for the already existing life on the planet.  They then decided to find other gems like them and formed a rebellion to protect the planet even though gems from Homeworld and other worlds knew they could never return home, which was a risk they were more than ready to take.  Together they were known as the Equestrian Gems.

During the final days of the war at one of the Equestrian Gem bases, a purple unicorn gem, a pink earth pony gem, and an orange earth pony gem were gathered at a map going over their next battle strategy.

The orange gem then spoke, "What if we went over there and set a trap?"

"It's possible, but how do we draw them there without them realizing it's a trap," the purple gem asked.

Just then, a communication device known as a wailing stone began to send them a message, "Tanzanite, Carnelian, we need you at the Delta Base. Poudretteite, your needed at the Alpha Base."

"Guess we'll have to finish this later," Poudretteite said as they headed toward a platform called a Warp Pad.  At the Delta Base, Tanzanite and Carnelian saw a yellow gem and another pink gem both pegasi waiting for them.

"Golden Beryl, Roselite, you needed to see us," Tanzanite asked.

Roselite then stepped forward, "Yes, we were planning our next move and we need you two for it."

Just then the wailing stone began to sound again, "Attention all Equestrian Gems, report to the Omega Base, I repeat, report to the Omega Base, this is not a drill."

The four gems were in a state of shock, "This can't be good," Golden Beryl said.  Everyone then headed towards the Warp Pad to get to the Omega Base and when they got there, they saw so many other gems there that the base was crowded.

On a higher platform was a white unicorn gem who announced, "Attention all gems, Sunstone had requested an emergency meeting with all of you."

As the white gem stepped down, Sunstone stepped up, "Thank you Chalcedony, I'll take it from here."  Sunstone turned her face to the crowd with a serious face, "Everyone, I have both good and bad news. The good news is that we are making excellent progress in stopping any further harm coming to this planet, the bad news is that Moonstone and Rainbow Hematite recently returned and reported that Homeworld is creating a weapon that will be used as a last resort should they fail to stop us. Fortunately we have a plan to protect ourselves, all gems that can create a shield must wait for a signal that I will send you when the time is right."

On the final day of the gem war, the Homeworld gems began to retreat and when they did, Sunstone sent out her signal and shields appeared protecting the gems close by.  By the time all the shields were up, a bright light from the sky flashed and after a few seconds, it dissipated.  Even though the rebellion won, they knew that their job wasn't over yet, so many gems from the war were now just shards.  However, Tanzanite sensed a small trace of power in the shards and got an idea.  She managed to discover a way to send their remaining power off in a way that would help them recharge their drained power.

As Red Pearl and Green Zircon finished their story Twilight then asked, "But why tell us this story, after it remained unknown for so long?"

Chrome Diopside then said, "Because even though the war was over, more of our gems were shattered due to incidents on our missions and we agreed that the same spell would be used on them if it were to come to that. But they also made a request to tell the story when their power had recharged and resurfaced, and it has."