Disclaimer: Not mine. Well, except for Firefly. She's mine. Some of you may have noticed that this isn't the original story. I still like the idea of my story, but it was a muddled and confused mess. So, I'm going to try to keep the baby and change the bathwater.

There are, in Oz, five provinces. Such it has been since the reign of the first Ozma, and such it will be until it's end. To the west is Munchkinland, where most of the food of the land is grown. To the south, Quadling Country, where many of the seafood (fish, not Fish, mind you) is found in the swampy section. To the west, the dry Vinkus, a place of industry and many precious gems and metals. To the north, Gillikin, with it's grass and other things perfect for raising meat (that does not come from Animals). And finally, in the center, the Emerald City, where the ruler of the land always lives. Should one of these provinces collapse, the nations would fall with it. That would be the reason for the Gems.

In olden times, the Gems protected each of the provinces and their trade. The Onyx of Munchkinland, for example, kept peace among the farmers and made sure the volcanic soil could always grow the food. Then there is the Pearl of the Quadlings, the Desert Stone of the Vinkus, the Ruby of the Glikin and, finally, the Emerald of the Emerald city. All of these Gems were in the Crown of the Ozmas, to be used as needed. They were used by the Guardians, one for each gem, who had been born and raised in that province, respectively. If all Oz was in a crisis, they would all be used by Queen Ozma herself. That is, until the invasion.

When the Ix invaded, the Crown was attempted to be stolen, but it disappeared along with the Gems. After that, chaos. The pregnant Queen Ozma had disappeared. No one knew what happened to her but one can assume it was not good. No one has seen or heard of any Ozma since.

At least, not yet.