Diana and Elizabeth enjoyed observing Asteroid and Rose, displaying their deep affection for each other. Artemis's white, black-tipped son eventually got irritated by their constant giggling at him. Rose, on the other paw, found their laughter infectious. So much so she ended up giggling too. Asteroid assembled various colorful roses, sardines, and catnip toys for Rose. She swiped computer games and complex chess strategy guides for him!
"Despite how kind it is of you to remember my interests, you can't shoplift things for me, Rose," Asteroid rebuked gently.
She blushed bright pink as she stammered, "Oh, right. Um, I don't have any money..." Rose quickly tried to think how to pay for her offerings. Since she was a shelter cat, she didn't know that you must pay for items. Again, she was introduced to a whole new world since she gained the ability to speak her mind.
"We'll cover it!" Diana assured her older brother's crush. She smiled so cheerfully, which in turn made all the kittens beam.
"Thank you." Rose sighed in grateful relief. She found her crush's younger sister to be so adorable. Diana was the kind of individual you couldn't help but like.
Consequently, Diana and Elizabeth pooled their money together to pay for what Rose unknowingly pilfered. Also, Holly and Alexis, as expected, allowed Rose to sleep in their room. "Can I?" Rose questioned, still distrustful. It wasn't going to be unproblematic to overcome her distrust of humans. However, the Neo Senshi were the exception to the rule. Since they'd done nothing but demonstrate compassion that no one at the shelter had experienced beforehand.
"Whenever you feel like it!" Holly waved away the suspicions with her carefree tone. The short-haired teen grinned confidently. She felt if anyone could help Rose overcome her distrust, it was her and her younger sister, especially after they'd vanquished their forgeries!
"I'd love to have a captivating kitten like you be my advisor and guardian." Alexis's stunning blue eyes sparkled adoringly. She gently stroked Rose's silky pink fur, which Rose purred for the first time around humans.
Due to Holly and Alexis's friendly nature, Rose spent time with them while Asteroid visited Comet. If the sisters were occupied with other activities, Rose found Diana, and Elizabeth would make time for her. Everything was turning out splendidly! Rose was starting to feel hopeful that she had found her forever home.
Despite Diana being Chibiusa's companion, she felt Crystal was partially her responsibility as she sat comfortably on a windowsill to gaze out outside. She loved warming herself on the windowsill. It helped her think more clearly and was immensely relaxing as well. Abruptly a voice interrupted her, " Tisk tisk, young one. You're scarcely a suitable advisor when you are supposed to guide others. Yet here you are, moping over Crystal! Some guardian you are!" taunted the unidentified voice.
"Huh?" Diana realized what she thought was her reflection was instead a tiny, gray kitten! On that looked exactly like her! Diana opened the window latch to slip out and chitchat with this imposter without waking anyone else up.
"You can't be a guardian and a companion, young one. Since, as the girls' protector? If you also act like their friend, you fail in your obligations. You can't have it both ways. Since it was attempting to do both got Crystal into the mess she's in!" Alternate Diana exclaimed while sneering at the original.
"Who are you?" Diana asked, confused. The youngster thought she'd been doing a good job protecting and being friendly. After all, compassion and friendship went much farther in life then being insensitive and inconsiderate. How could her repulsive duplicate not understand that?
"I'm you, except a lot smarter." Alternate Diana replied insultingly. It seemed all the doppelgangers so far loved trying to twist the knife in as deep as they could make it go. As if they only received pleasure from others' misery!
Everyone had gradually realized that their forgeries were nothing but bullies. So it was getting easier to stand up to them. Primarily by not giving them the satisfaction of getting under their skin.
"I've learned a lot too!" Diana yelled as she stood her ground. She wasn't about to let this bully have its way with her.
"Like what?" Alternate Diana smirked. Again the doppelgangers' strategy seemed to be finding the most hateful things to say. Bullies only had power if you allowed, and Diana wouldn't give her copy the sickening pleasure it desired.
"Like not to waste my breath talking to you," Diana smirked back. Again she had no desire even to entertain her tormentor for a moment.
"You think you're big, tall, and smart, right?" Alternate Diana snarled, clearly getting agitated that her approach failed. Their mistress had gone out of her way to make them the original worst nightmares. Yet this stupid little kitten seemed unfazed by everything she was saying!
"I know I'm not as big or tall as my siblings or parents, you forgery! Yet I make up for that with my other honorable traits!" Diana hissed as she drew out her claws. She'd never attacked anyone before. But she'd be dammed if she didn't put this impostor in her place.
"I meant big and tall in personality," her bully hissed, again trying and failing to inflict pain on her victim. This unquestionably enraged the copycat that this little twerp wasn't cowering!
"Oh...I don't know what a big and tall personality would be." Diana stated innocently. She still hadn't retracted her claws and kept her rosy gaze steady on her evil counterpart.
"Let's find out. Are you reasonable?" Alternate Diana challenged her voice full of rage.
"Sometimes." Diana acknowledged. Occasionally she could think just like Chibiusa, which was not always the wisest choice. However, the tiny kitten was taught more than the pink-haired child, as she had more to remember.
"You understand social rules. Yet still talk to other humans when you shouldn't?" the copycat snarled viciously.
"I'm just being friendly," Diana explained calmly to her bully. Again not giving the doppelganger any satisfaction.
"If you're determined to save your homeland and the people you care about, you can't always be so sweet, kind, and caring!" Alternate Diana raised her voice in annoyance. Why hadn't this brat yielded to her yet? How could someone like her not be wallowing in self-pity right now?!
"As long as I support those I trust, I know I'm doing my best," Diana stated defensively. She was itching to claw this forgery any second to shut her up.
"I'm going to show you how small and timid you are!" Alternate Diana attacked her original! Diana took a few swipes but, again, not used to fighting, was quickly overpowered. Diana began crying when one of her paws was injured until another kitten dashed to support her!
"Hey, I hope you're not bullying a little girl!" an aggressive voice came from above Diana. When she looked up, she saw it was Quartz! Was he...protecting her? If so, why? After all, he seemed to be the more aggressive of him and his sister. Yet here he was, watching her without thinking of his own safety.
I'm not here to fight you!" Alternate Diana screamed furiously at the interloper! She hadn't expected her victim to receive help when she'd tried to break her! Plus, that someone bothered to interfere anyway. She had enough of this shit and was ready to kill both of them!
"Too bad I don't care what you're here for." Quartz attacked Alternate Diana, tearing her apart. The fake Diana gave one last death cry before reverting to her proper form of a voodoo doll.
"Thank you, Quartz." Diana whimpered. She looked remarkably beat up and would need to visit the palace healer.
You're lucky. I wasn't expecting to run across you; I'm looking for Rose," he explained, yet felt great concern for her injuries.
"She's with my brother and sisters," Diana informed him as she could barely stand. Quickly he rushed over to help her. "Where do we have to go to get you medical attention?" he asked concerningly.
"We need to head to the east wing. The palace healer's chamber is the third one down on the left-hand side. I'll help you find her," Diana replied weakly.
"I thought Comet was unresponsive?" Quartz asked as they hobbled inside. He'd put her on his back so she didn't injure herself worse. He did his best to navigate the confusing layout of the Crystal Palace.
"She is, but Rose still talks to her." Diana as she directed Quartz to the healer's chamber.
"How?" Quartz needed clarification about talking to someone who won't answer. It was challenging to talk and walk at the same time.
"We hope my big sister will respond to someone or something," Diana said, saddened by thinking about her poor sister. They eventually arrived at the healer's chamber. She quickly patched up Diana and warned her to take it easy for the next three days. The tiny gray kitten agreed and started to walk outside.
She found to her surprise, that Quartz had been waiting patiently for her. His body language strongly showed just how deep his concern for her went. It was a shocking but pleasant surprise. "I overheard the healer say you'll make a full recovery. I must say I'm very pleased to hear that," as he exhaled in relief.
"Thank you for your concern. It's nice to know I've got a new friend who cares about my well-being. Is there anything I can do for you? You know one good deed deserves another."
May I see your sister...after I speak to Rose?" Quartz questioned hesitantly. He again didn't want her to aggravate her injuries. He and his sister knew all too well what a catfight could do to a kitten. Plus, how hard it was to recover from one. So he was still concerned about Comet's younger sister.
"Of course, follow me!" Diana slowly led Quartz to his sister. Again the injured feline was taking it slow. Quartz again was doing all he could to help her out. Eventually, they uncovered his younger sister. Thankfully, Quartz was happy to see Rose.
Yet he wasn't so proud she was in love with Asteroid or friends with two of the Neo-Sailor Senshi. Quartz had no issues with Diana or Elizabeth as they reminded him of when he and Rose were small and delicate."In LOVE with HIM?! Not to mention making FRIENDS with HUMANS?! Have you lost your mind?!" Quartz roared so loud that everyone had to cover their ears.
"Just because I'm in love doesn't mean that replaces my love for you. I'm not going to give up on you. Out of all humans, if I had to be friends with any, I would choose a Senshi. You could be happy for me." Rose assured her brother but scolded him too. She also felt he was a bit of a hypocrite, given she saw how he'd help Asteriod's younger sister out.
Cold as Quartz could get when enraged, he hissed and stormed off on his sister. However, she knew he would return when he cooled off. Stomping down one of the confusing corridors, he happened upon Crystal and Comet's recovery room! His fury instantly melted away as he cautiously entered the recovery room.
Neo-Queen Serenity had left the Silver Crystal here to see if it would aid the two unconscious individuals. Even though they looked a bit better, they were still incapacitated. Quartz had no interest in the Silver Crystal itself. He was grateful for its blessing of giving him a voice, but that was the extent of it.
However, he felt immensely sorry for Crystal as he tried to get her to respond. Yet the adorable, light brown-haired lass would not stir. So, Quartz turned his attention to Luna's black, white-tipped daughter, and he could not help feeling worse.
"Comet..." Quart's voice cracked in desperation, and he looked around before continuing. "I'm sorry I wasn't there for you! You shouldn't have to suffer like this! However, I hope I made up for my failure somewhat, for I saved your sweet little sister, Diana. I hope your happy to hear that."
Incapable of knowing if she could even hear him, Quartz slipped under one of Comet's paws and curled up with her to sleep. As for Diana? She saw what happened and knew even if she was too caring and kind. She could help Quartz warm up to the other...just like she helped Chibiusa over time.