Terra Mew Mew Power: Chapter 4

Chapter Four – A democracy of Mews and Aliens



"What do you mean 'All the top-secret information about us is missing'?" Ichigo demanded.

"I mean, all the top secret information about Tokyo Mew Mew – by which I mean your real names, where you live, the schools you go to, practically everything – is missing," Ryou repeated in a tone so casual it made Ichigo want to punch him.

"How'd you lose it, na no da?" asked Pudding, who obviously hadn't quite understood the situation yet.

"I didn't lose them," Ryou stated. "They were stolen."

"Stolen?" Lettuce exclaimed.

"How can you be sure?" inquired Minto.

"The lock on the safe where they were kept is completely burnt off, and the scorches are far too solitary to have been caused by the flames from the burning café," explained Keiichiro.

Well, even I could tell that! thought Ichigo, still annoyed. The entire basement had been untouched by the fire.

"Wait, what's going on?" Everyone turned to Licorice. Most of them had forgotten she was even there. She looked much better now – her hair was brushed, and she'd borrowed some of Ichigo's clothes. "Something about Tokyo Mew Mew… what is that?"

Being typical, Ryou completely ignored her, and continued talking before anyone else had a chance to explain.

"What's more, it looks like the stealing of the files happened about the same time as the café burning down," he paused for a moment. "The fire may have been used as a distraction."

"Why would anyone risk their life just to get a few documents?" Licorice muttered to herself. This guy, Ryou Shirogane or something, had some serious flaws in his theory. No one else seemed to notice them, though, so she decided not to point them out.

"We also have reason to believe that this is connected to Licorice's sudden appearance."

"Huh?"

Suddenly, she was centre of attention.

"But how… where's your evidence?" Licorice asked. Then when she looked at everyone staring at her, she said, "Oh, right – if two odd things happen in the same basic period of time, they must be related, is that it?"

"Well… yes, pretty much," Ryou replied.

"Sorry to burst your bubble, Shirogane, but your theory has gaps between every second link," Kish said, and Licorice felt a wave of relief wash over her – she wasn't the only one who saw it after all.

"Regardless, I think it's obvious that we have a new enemy."

"Not necessarily," said Pai, whom Licorice had been briefly introduced to along with everyone else. Suddenly, the atmosphere seemed full of tension, as if the purple-haired cyniclon's words had reignited some long-going feud between him and the blond guy.

Lettuce shifted uncomfortably.

"I think we should vote," Keiichiro suggested, breaking the tension somewhat.

"This is a superhero team, not a democracy," Ryou argued, but Keiichiro, annoyed at Ryou's recently over-edgy nature, continued.

"Those who think we should take immediate action, raise your hand."

Ichigo, Minto, Pudding and Taruto raised their hands.

"Those who think it's still too early to jump to conclusions, raise your hand."

Licorice, Kishu, Lettuce and Pai raised their hands.

Licorice smiled at Lettuce, who gave a shy smile in return.

Ryou looked at Keiichiro. "Well?"

"Let's see what Masaya and Zakuro-san have to say about it."