If the girls learned anything about being a Senshi, it is if two or more similar odd occurrences happen, there is bound to be more. So, the girls were sticking close to each other and being extra cautious. Sadly, Crystal could not always be with them as she had sports practice, ballet, and piano lessons on top of her job at the shelter. Not being as bright as her mom or psychic like her dad, Crystal buried herself in things she was good at. Still, Crystal worried that her lack of brains, power, and skill made her an inadequate daughter and Senshi.
Due to some of these extracurricular activities lasting until it just started getting dark, Crystal had to work evening hours at work, which she did not mind as the kittens purring comforted her.
"Crystal?" One of the kittens, a black smoke-coated male, asked as he came around a corner, clearly bewildered.
"What's wrong?" Crystal questioned, concerned by the kitten's expression.
"I swore I just saw you back there!" This kitten pointed its paw to where he just came from.
"What? Are you sure it wasn't just someone who happens to look like me?" Crystal thought this might be a case of mistaken identity.
"No, it wasn't similar to you. It IS you." This kitten tried to explain the situation's weirdness but could not understand how off it was.
I shouldn't leave the kittens unattended, but if there is a threat...I have to, at least, make sure we're safe." Bemused, Crystal investigated.
As she moved, the light brown-haired girl realized this shelter was bigger than it looked outside! Combing through a storage room to get out back, where the kitten said he had spotted her, Crystal was surprised to see someone there, waiting for her!
"Hello, Princess of Mercury!" This girl, who does look EXACTLY like Crystal, waved cheerfully.
"Hi..." Crystal is in shock seeing her doppelganger! But she appeared outgoing, modest, friendly, strong, and confident made her feel slightly better.
"Is that all you've got to say?" This girl put her hands on her hips in a scolding fashion.
"Well, normal people use the front door and don't look like a clone of me," Crystal replied with a witty tone.
"That's more like it! I like my allies to have a bit of a sharp wit." This girl chirped.
"Thanks. So, what should I call you?" Crystal questioned in a tone that sounded like she really could care less. However, she did like someone complimenting her as she didn't often have witty responses...that was Christen's thing.
"Hmmm, I AM you, so why don't you call me Alternate Crystal?" This girl grinned.
"OK. Look, I know you want to fight me or whatever, but I am working." Crystal reasoned.
"We don't have to fight if you listen; I just want to talk." Alternate Crystal continued to smile.
Crystal sighed, "Make it quick."
"I want to save you from becoming like your mother." Alternate Crystal began, but Crystal began to walk away. "Hey! What the? Wait, where are you going?!"
"When you insult my mom, I have no interest in continuing the conversation," Crystal said bitterly.
"I didn't insult her, but this is what I mean? Walking away when someone tries to talk to you? It shows snobbiness, arrogance, a sad and timid nature, weak will, and poor manners!" Alternate Crystal's blue eyes showed a hint of annoyance.
"Are you sure you are supposed to be my counterpart? Your acting a bit more like Christen." Crystal rolled her eyes.
If I describe your mom, it will convince you! Shy, snobby, arrogant, insecure, timid, non-confrontational, lonely, sad, weak, underconfident, and secretive."
"She is very few of those things! Some people are just like that, though. That's how Hotaru was, minus snobby and arrogant." Crystal mused.
"Is that what you want for yourself?" Alternate Crystal asked.
"No, but even if I were, I wouldn't let that bring me down!" Crystal stated proudly.
"You ARE acting a bit snobby and arrogant." Alternate Crystal pointed out.
"I think your mistaking my wit for snobbiness and my pride for my mom as arrogance." Unlike Gracie, Crystal hated debate because she was non-confrontational.
"Perhaps. You seem a bit shy too." Alternate Crystal smirked.
"So?" Crystal did not see why this mattered.
"Are you not concerned that might hinder your duty as a Senshi?!" Alternate Crystal questioned, a bit heated.
"I'm only a BIT shy. It's not enough to be an issue."
"I can sense your insecure..." Alternate Crystal spoke maliciously.
"Isn't everybody?! Nobody's perfect!" Crystal's blue eyes flashed with anger as she did not like being reminded how insecure she was.
"No need to bite my head off about it. I'm just stating facts and making observations." Alternate Crystal explained.
Crystal took a deep breath to calm herself, "Sorry. I'm not good at debate."
Alternate Crystal laughed, "Technically, it's not a debate. We're just having a conversation. How about I ask if you've got a trait, and you tell me yes or no? Be honest."
"That sounds fair." Crystal was still determining if this was a good idea, but it sounded easy enough.
"Are you timid?"
"Maybe a little...I'm not quite sure." Crystal rubbed the back of her head, thinking.
"We'll come back to that. How about non-confrontational?"
"Why is that troubling?" Crystal asked incredulously.
"Same reason as shy." Alternate Crystal shrugged.
"I think I'm non-confrontational." Crystal looked down, still thinking hard.
"So, you did inherit that trait from your mother." Alternate Crystal seemed to take joy in this fact.
"Maybe so, but you can't call that an undesirable trait," Crystal spoke defensively.
"Compared to the others, not. Let's start there. Are you lonely or sad?"
"No, I'm absolutely 100% not lonely or sad!" Crystal knew this for sure!
"Do you consider yourself weak or underconfident?"
"I've been told I'm not weak, but underconfident..." Crystal knew she should not be honest about this one. Yet she did not have time to think as Alternate Crystal punched her in the chest, hard! "WHAT WAS THAT FOR?!"
"Oh, did I forget to mention I get to attack whenever I'm right?" Alternate Crystal giggled.
"That would have been useful to know." Crystal got up and dusted herself off.
"Last question: Are you secretive?"
"Secretive? I mean, everyone has their secrets, but I don't think I have any."
"You haven't been sincere. Look, I KNOW you are shy, insecure, timid, non-confrontational, and underconfident because you're not as bright as your mother! Moreover, you don't have psychic abilities like your father, either! You feel your a disappointment as a daughter and an inadequate Senshi, and that's your secret, but you're right. Alternate Crystal stated.
"What?" Crystal had tears in her eyes.
"You are a disappointment and a failure." Alternate Crystal shook her head shamefully.
Later, Crystal returned to work, though the kittens could tell she had been crying. She would not tell them why, and she seemed...wooden, stiff movements with hollow and empty eyes. Something was wrong, especially when she collapsed and would not wake up!
