Among the crowds fierce Garnet fought,
A whirling beast who killed
With fire and ice so down like rain
The shards in rivers spilled.
A look of horror filled her eyes
For terrors she had seen;
To her it seemed the peaceful times
Had simply never been.
A cloud of ravens split the sky,
Then dark murders of crows.
Attracted by the shining shards,
Like banshees they arose.
With grubby talons, greedy beaks,
They snatched the shards so bright;
They fought for "best" among themselves,
Their screeches harsh with spite.
The hill was trampled down to mud
And filthy down in dirt
One found the injured, coughing gems,
Their bodies badly hurt,
But one who dared regenerate
Would die beneath a boot;
To finish such defenseless prey
Such casual means would suit.
The steady roar of clashing blades,
The cries of raven throats,
All forged a brutal symphony
Of cacophonic notes.
As Garnet cursed necessity
(Such battles must be fought)
Among the heaving waves of forms
One foe for Garnet sought.
Asbestos, she not quite a gem,
Approached with crashing stride,
A mix of mud and crystal shards
Was spattered 'cross her side.
A grey and matted, hulking form
With twisted, yellow teeth,
Asbestos drew two swords quite long
From each respective sheathe.
"A worthless fusion," then she hissed,
"You I shall kill with ease,"
And every word it stank of death,
Her breath foul on the breeze.
Fierce Garnet bid her take her shot.
The blades they whirled like storms
And in the smoky air they carved
Most menacing of forms.
The steely blade with wrist guard clashed;
Asbestos leapt aside
While Garnet, she with clever tongue,
Her enemy defied.
"Don't dare to speak to me that way!"
Asbestos raging screamed,
And flung herself into the fray.
A whirlwind she seemed.
The clash of swords on wrist-guards filled
The air with eerie rings,
A sound to make good gems forget
All light and happy things.
Asbestos carved a wicked gash
Upon fierce Garnet's cheek
And Garnet landed such a punch
As made Asbestos shriek.
They lashed and tumbled, filthy soon,
And tired 'fore too long.
They both were soon exhausted though
Enduring, quick, and strong.
An even match the pair appeared,
The victor picked by chance
And chance decided when once tripped
Asbestos 'pon a lance.
Her foe off balance, Garnet took
The opportunity
To smash the gem in shoulder set;
The grey shards falling free.
Asbestos died at Garnet's feet,
Another for the pile,
And all around the battle reigned
For mile on gloomy mile.