Although Asteroid wanted to stay by his older sister's side, he knew she wanted him to become the guardian and advisor the girls needed now. Still, he was nervous as he had so many other duties incorporated into that. Still, Asteroid tried to balance them all, and the girls tried not to be bothersome and even helped him. As the girls settled inside the den to watch an anime movie recommended to them by their friends before bed, they conversed instead.

"So, what you saying is Charlotte attacked Comet because she guards and advises us? Even if we don't need the kitten's help much? That doesn't make any sense!" Chibiusa tried to figure out why Charlottes's deranged mind.

"Those kittens are why we are as strong, smart, and healthy as we are. In our early days, they were helpful. So I guess...sometimes...maybe they still can be. Charlotte thinks attacking the kittens will cause us a disadvantage. Except we already know about her, and she's just a generic villain." Christen explained impatiently.

"Christen, aren't you worried about our teammate's condition?!" Gracie heatedly demanded the goth gal. If Gracie's curly scarlet locks were not an eye sore in the candlelit room, her glittery orange pajamas are!

Christen laid back, spreading her dark oil tresses around her like a black hole, "Well, I would be, Gracie. Except why should any of us be upset? We already know how the story is going to end! So why bother with all the drama? Even for Neo-Sailor Senshi, we've been pretty lucky," the dark-haired beauty retorted.

"While I can't disagree with that last comment, Christen. You can't allow yourself to believe our lives are like a screenplay for a movie! The heroes always come out on top, and everyone gets a happy ending. That type of logic will get you killed! Because in real life, we can't be certain things will always work out in our favor." Star pointed out sensibly.

Later, after the girls fell asleep, Asteroid meandered around the Crystal Palace aimlessly. The young feline felt incredibly miserable. "Asteroid?" a melodious female voice spoke up from the darkness. Asteroid's heart skipped a beat, but he realized it was only Rose as she stepped into the light.

"R-R-Rose, what are you doing here?!" Asteroid stuttered as the adorable feline gradually approached him.

"I heard what happened when the Neo-Sailor Senshi came to work. So I wanted to make sure everyone is, at least, still alive." Rose divulged with concern lacing her voice.

"I thought you didn't like humans or my siblings and I..." Asteroid hoped he was wrong about that.

"I still don't TRUST humans, Asteroid!" the female snapped irritably. She then took a few deep breaths before resuming, " However, you've been sincere and understanding to those at the shelter. You've even brought us gifts and kept your word. To be honest? I greatly look forward to your visits." Rose explained calmly.

"Crystal and Comet aren't doing so well..." Asteroid's ears drooped. His beautiful green eyes were starting to fill with tears. Which shocked Rose as she couldn't cry herself. So she figured it must be because he was a moon cat, therefore very different from an earthborn one.

"That's unfortunate. Comet is the closest thing I had to a friend," Rose confessed, her own ears drooping.

"You're so nice, Rose. I can't comprehend why you haven't been adopted yet," Asteroid tried to keep his rapidly beating heart from pounding out of his chest.

"I can't leave my brother, Asteroid. If I do, he'll be all alone. Without my level-headed view to make him see things differently, he'll become more violent and never get picked. Plus, when we were abandoned, he took care of me. It wouldn't be right to betray him by getting adopted." Rose hung her head sadly. She felt relieved to get that off her chest finally.

"I'm sure the girls would adopt you and Quartz. I can ask them. That is if that's what you want?" Asteroid offered, hopefully. He rather liked the idea of having more cats in the palace. It'd be nice to have fur friends who weren't his family.

"No, you have already done so much. I couldn't ask that of you." Rose forced a smile.

"It wouldn't be any trouble. They would love to have other kittens around! You'll like them." Asteroid replied happily.

"You sure it's not too much trouble?" Rose questioned, quivering a bit in nervousness.

"Not at all. Don't worry." Asteroid assured her. She seemed to be giving his words some thought.

"I'm not worried. It's cold out." Rose lied as she was not used to others pointing out her flaws.

"Sorry. Come inside." Asteroid turned but stopped dead when another Rose sat before the palace doors!

"What's this?" Rose glared at the look-alike of her, interested.

"I was hoping Asteroid would be alone. That's OK, as long as you're silent, girl." However, this looked like Rose. Yet the cat before them was male. Therefore, it must be an Alternate Asteroid!

"No one tells me what to do!" Rose snapped as her fur stood on ends. She started to look like she had rabies as she got into an attack position.

"If you don't comply, I'll be forced to end you now."

"Don't lay a claw tip on her!" Asteroid shielded Rose from his counterpart.

"You lovesick fool, you're too lazy to protect her!" Alternate Asteroid snickered.

"Lovesick?" Rose stood confused as Asteroid blushed brilliant crimson.

"I'm not lazy!" Asteroid disputed to cover up the lovesick statement.

"You are a scoundrel, bold and clumsy!" Alternate Asteroid accused while his tail flicked faster.

"I may be bold. That's true. Yet, I'm not a troublemaker! Nor am I the least bit clumsy!" Asteroid didn't know what he did to deserve this in front of Rose.

"You love competition! You like the heat of the moment and the attention it brings, don't you? Likewise, you're rebellious because you must act out for your parents to notice you. If they don't care, how do you expect Rose to?!"

"How dare you slander Asteriod's name! He's a brilliant cat! Exceptionally reasonable, devoted, and the most affectionate individual I've ever had the chance to know!" Rose shrieked in rage at his counterpart.

Asteroid looked at Rose, dumbfounded: Did she genuinely believe those extraordinary traits she saw within him? "He may act social and friendly, dear Rose. However, it's only an ac for more attention! In reality, he feels alienated." Alternate Asteroid pressed on.

"Some people are social butterflies and can make friends with anyone." Rose defended as she drew out her claws.

"Plus, I don't feel alienated from Rose," Asteroid added as he, too, drew out his claws.

"You're too independent and flexible to stand by your decisions about someone because you need to be the peacemaker to be accepted." Alternate Asteroid continued to needle the two kittens. Their anger only grew as they growled at Asteriod's forgery.

"Who do you think you are?!" Rose, her long claws were shining brightly in the silver moonlight.

"I'm a better version of him, and when I take over his life, I'll be sure to put you in your place first, pinky." Alternate Asteroid threatened sinisterly towards the adorable female.

"Don't you dare ridicule or even think of hurting her!" Asteroid hissed as he got ready to pounce.

Alternate Asteroid lunged to attack him, but Rose tackled the doppelganger first. She started scratching and biting any part to cause him the most agony! Afraid for her safety, Asteroid joined the fray! Finally, a few minutes later, the fur stopped flying. Rose and Asteroid were covered in wounds from Alternate Asteroid's teeth and claws, but they had laid double the amount on him!

"We need to strike the core," Rose informed the white and black tomcat.

"Go for the underbelly," Asteroid commanded.

Rose was raised in the wild and used to enduring what she needed to survive. Very few times had she relied on the kindness of other humans. In fact, due to Quartz taking care of her, she had turned cold and mistrustful towards all humans. Regardless, Asterroid could sense that a part of her wanted to believe in good people. Rose was a good person. Eventually, flipping Alternate Asteroid onto his back and pinning him there gave the kittens a chance to finish him off efficiently! Breathing heavily, Asteroid and Rose looked at each other and smiled.

"You look dreadful!" Rose burst out laughing from all the filth Asteroid was covered in.

"Yeah? You're a mess. Did you mean all those sweet things you said about me being attentive?" Asteroid questioned curiously. He had a hopeful expression on his face.

"I wouldn't say those things if I didn't mean them." Rose rubbed up against Asteroid's chest.

"Even after my double told you all my flaws?" Asteroid feared Rose would leave him.

"You don't think I have flaws too?" Rose said sensibly.

"I think your perfect." Asteroid blushed.

"Far from it. I can be too forgiving and practical when I come off as tedious. I'm highly devoted and defensive regarding my brother. However, I'd like to be loving to others. I have no tolerance for arrogance. My cunning and courage only come out when I fight..." Rose admitted, ashamed of herself.

"You're not uninteresting. You have a full heart, Rose! One that is full of kindness, selflessness, and loyalty!" Asteroid comforted her. As they cuddled, they almost touched noses, but Asteroid remembered how cold it was and led Rose inside. Immediately, Diana ran up with Elizabeth close behind.

"Big brother!" Diana nuzzled him. She'd been worried sick when she couldn't locate him. Suddenly she noticed who he was with. "Hi, Rose! Nice to see you. How are you?"

"Hello, Diana, Elizabeth. I'm good, thanks. Sorry if I kept your brother from you." Rose apologized profusely.

"That's OK." Diana chirped, her face breaking out into her trademark smile.

Over a meal, Asteroid explained to Diana and Elizabeth what he wanted to do for Rose and Quartz, and they were only more than happy enough to help.

"How about if Rose sleeps with Holly and Alexis? I know they wouldn't mind." Elizabeth suggested kindly. She started to bathe herself now that she'd finished eating.

"I-I would like to eventually. However, right now, can I stick with you three ?" Rose knew Holly and Alexis. Yet sleeping with them is a different story.

"Of course. I thought you might want to settle in. I mean, I'm not trying to force you into anything. I want to help." Elizabeth knew Rose could be suspicious of certain things people said or did. Nevertheless, the shelter kitten was no longer trying to take things to heart.

"Thank you. It's late, and I don't want to barge into someone else's room before they know I'm visiting." Rose clarified her thinking. Rose curled up with the three moon kittens. Staying awake and thinking, Asteroid knew he had traits of "middle child syndrome," but as he gazed at his slumbering sisters and possible girlfriend, he realized, middle child or not, he is one of them, and that does not mean they love him any less.