The Gem of Taron

"Are you sure this is necessary?" Twilight asked, as various measurements of her body were being taken

"Of course, darling! This is an important event. You'll be seen by everyone, and you have to look perfect!" Rarity replied, noting down the measurements into a small book. "You're going to be opening the biggest museum of Equestrian history on the planet! All sorts of important ponies will be there. You must look at your best, you simply must!"

"Fine..." sighed Twilight, defeated. She still wasn't used to the demands of being a princess. And Rarity, being the fashion-conscious pony she is wouldn't allow for a princess to look even a shade below perfect. Still, it was nice of Rarity to offer to design a whole new dress just for her.

"Mhmm, I have all of the measurements done." exclaimed Rarity in triumph. "I'll have the dress ready for the big event tomorrow." Rarity said, beaming with confidence. "I really wish you would have consulted me sooner, I would really have preferred to spend more than one afternoon on such a big project."

"I know, I just didn't think opening a museum would be such a big deal." Twilight responded. "Well, I'd better get going. I should probably practice the speech I have to give tomorrow. Lotta important ponies watching me."

"Twilight, you'll do great" Rarity assured, waving to Twilight as she left her boutique. As soon as the purple alicorn left the shop, Rarity sprung into action, stitching and cutting fine silk sheets, creating a dress perfect for a princess. Rarity was in her element. She'd done this countless times before. Even the most complex of crafts were made simple by the unicorn. After constant adjustments, gem placements and sewing, Rarity placed the dress over a mannequin. The dress was of perfect quality. White at the front, fading into a deep purple towards the flank, with diamonds contrasting the deep colour. If it were not clothing, it would be considered art.

"Perfect. Rarity, you have done it again!" Rarity joyfully exclaimed. "Now, for the pièce de résistance!" Although the dress looked already perfect, one piece was missing. A large gemstone to hold the dress together. A staple of Rarity's works. The unicorn used her magic to levitate a small wooden box, laden with impressive looking gemstones of all shapes and sizes over to her. She examined each gemstone, before holding it against the dress to see how it would fit.

"No, no, nope, ugh, definitely not, nooo, nope" Rarity sifted through the gems, discarding all of them to the side, until the box was empty. "Oh no, this is a disaster! None of these gems go with the dress. What am I going to do?" Rarity cried, staring at her incomplete dress with discontent.  "I know!" She exclaimed. "I can make a quick trip to the Ponyville mines. It might be a long shot, but I may just find the perfect gem to complete this dress." Rarity rushed to grab her satchel and darted out of the door, towards the mines.

Despite being a pony who didn't like to get her hooves dirty, Rarity was always keen to venture down into the mines in search of gemstones. The mines of Ponyville were traditionally rich in fine-looking gemstones, and Rarity had perfected her gem-finding spells. She was sure of finding the perfect jewel to complete the dress. Rarity climbed into the deepest clearing of the mine. Not many ponies went this deep, but Rarity knew it was where the best stones could be found. She began to cast her spell, as the rock around her began to shake. Luscious gemstones levitated towards her, and nestled at her hooves. However, the stones were far too small for what she was looking for. Her horn lit up again, as she tried once again to find the perfect stone. Once again, however, all she received were small fragments of lesser gems.

"Oh, this is hopeless." Rarity admitted. "I'll have to settle for ruby, or emerald. It just won't be the same though" Rarity slowly walked out of the mines, a disappointed look on her face. However, as she was leaving the clearing, she heard a solid thud behind her, as if something had fallen a great height onto the hard stone floor. Rarity turned, then gasped. Lying there was a perfectly cut gemstone, which glowed a brilliant red. Even in the dimly lit mines, the jewel radiated brightly, a wonderful aura surrounding it.

"It-it's PERFECT!" Rarity exclaimed, before scooping the gem up in the hooves. "I've never seen anything like this before, it's the most beautiful gemstone I've ever seen" Rarity was in awe of the perfect stone. "This will be perfect for Twilight's dress. Perfect for a princess". She hurriedly placed the gemstone in her satchel and quickly escaped the mines.

However, unbeknownst to Rarity, a voice could be heard from the gemstone.

"A princess? Finally, I will be able to take revenge on the ponies who trapped be in this wretched stone! Equestria will once again feel the wrath of Taron!"