Mew Mew Power Episode 06: Gymewstics

Megan and Mimi let out little pants as they ran along the footpath to school.

"Hurry!" Mimi shouted. "We're gonna be late for school *again*!"

"Wait up! I don't wanna be the only one!" Zoey desperately tried to keep up with her two best friends. "How does this keep happening to us?!"

Mimi looked back at the redhead. "Cause *you* sleep in later than my *cat*, Zoey!"

As Megan and Mimi reached the crosswalk, they sped up. "We're not waiting for you anymore!"

"Aw, come on! Give me a break!" The sound of a horn caught Zoey's attention, and the sight of a truck barreling straight towards her froze Zoey right to her spot, a small scream leaving her throat.

"Out of the way, Zoey!" Megan and Mimi cried from the sidewalk.

Before she could even think, Zoey launched herself several feet in the air, flipping and twirling as she tried to get control of her own body back. Finally, her feet were back on the concrete.

She grinned at her bewildered friends. "Woah! That was a close one!"

"Talk about being like a cat, those were some awesome moves!" Mimi clutched her schoolbag to her chest in a combination of shock and relief.

"Yeah, and you, like, totally landed on your feet."

"Yeah, I...guess I did, huh?" Zoey's eyes widened in shock. "And speaking of feet, you guys...we'd better get *ours* moving! They're closing the school doors as we speak!"

With a final burst of energy, the trio of girls sprinted through the school gate.

Above them, a second trio of girls watched the spectacle through an open classroom window.

"Looks pretty close Mary-Lou, what d'ya think?" A girl with a brown bowl-cut questioned. "Will they make it?"

"They'll make it," a fourth girl, standing a short distance away replied, "and from the fancy footwear that 'Zoey' girl showed, I think she's going to make something else also, our gym team."

**OP: Team Up ー Bree Sharp**

"Hello there, gals. Know who I am?"

Zoey, Megan, and Mimi looked up from their conversation, giving the bespectacled newcomer and her companions a look of confusion.

"Uh...a girl who forgot her pants?" Zoey replied.

"Actually, I'm Mary-Lou Smith, captain of the gymnastics team!" She stood with her hands on her hips.

"Wow, gymnastics?"

"Still, what's with the no pants?" Mimi questioned.

"These *are* our pants, girls. They're called leotards, and we have an extra pair for you, Zoey, so what do ya' say? Wanna join the school team with us?"

"A-As what? A water girl? The team mascot? A cheerleader?"

"A *gymnast*!"

Zoey shot up from her seat with a confused shout, as the trio of gymnasts accompanying Mary-Lou gave a cry of "You win with gym!"

"We want you to be a part of the team, Zoey," said the brunette with the bowl cut, "one of us!"

"It's really important!" The red-head with a side-pony leaned forwards, clutching a red ball to her chest. "We need to place this year, and we think you can help us."

As the red-head spoke, Zoey slowly backed away with her hands in front of her and giggled nervously. However, the gymnasts quickly closed the gap, their balled-up fists pressed against their chest as they pled.

The girl with short black hair was up next. "Please! If we don't make the top 3, then," they all gulped in unison, "then they're going to *disband* our team!"

"But...what makes you think I could be any good at gymnastics? I lose my balance if a cute boy walks by!"

Mary-Lou grasped Zoey's fists and spoke with an almost reverent tone of voice. "Because, we saw your triple back-plunge half-pivot rotation in the street this morning!"

"Oh, well, that was...hold on a second..." Zoey turned around, her face red.

'*That was my secret power!*'

Megan and Mimi, who were on either side of Zoey, giggled.

"Hey, you know who hangs out in the gymnasium a lot? Mark! That's where he practices Kendo!"

"Yeah, you could, like, totally impress him by joining the gym team! He'd get a monster crush on you, for sure!"

"*And see me in that skimpy leotard? No way!*" Zoey hissed. She turned back towards the gymnastics team.

"I appreciate the offer, but, I don't think gymnastics and I are a good fit."

"Oh, that's such a shame, I..." Mary-Lou lifted her whistle, "...was hoping it wouldn't come to this!"

The moment the whistle was blown, the other three gymnasts immediately fell in-sync. "Right!" They shouted, before jumping towards a very terrified Zoey.

"Let go of that! Hey, that's mine! *Excuse* you!"

"There!" The red-haired gymnast shouted "Now that's not so bad, is it?"

"Go on, see for yourself."

At Mary-Lou's prompting, Zoey slowly opened her eyes as the red-head gymnast held up a full-length mirror, allowing Zoey to see the outfit she'd been put in.

It was a long-sleeved white leotard with a single splash of yellow on her torso, resembling a corset. Her white shoes resembled ballet slippers, though the back was just a single strap.

"Hey, that doesn't look half-bad..." She grinned, her eyes sparkling. "In fact, I'd say that I actually look *cute* in this outfit!" She let out a joyful giggle.

"So what do you say? Will you give it a try?"

"Sure! Why not, Mary-Lou? How hard could this gymnastics stuff be?"

Zoey was brought out of her thoughts by Mary-Lou's commanding voice.

"Faster ladies! Let's go!" She blew her whistle. "No pain, no gain!"

The other gymnasts immediately got into routine; the brunette began making patterns in the air with a ribbon, the black-haired girl lifted a large hula-hoop into the air, and the red-head rolled a ball along her arms and shoulders.

"Hey...how 'bout that? A ball..." Something sparked inside of her, the ball and ribbon began to look very enticing. "Oh no...I think I'm having a very Mew Mew moment right now!"

"*Meeeeeooow*!" Zoey's eyes turned a deep pink. "Can't control self! Must...pounce on ball!" Zoey ran and jumped, snatching the red-head's ball out of mid-air, chasing after the brunette's ribbon. She rolled and jumped as she batted the ball around, eventually ending up in a perfect split as the ball was thrown into the air.

"Wow! She really is good!" The brunette exclaimed as the rest of the team watched on.

"*What am I doing?!*" Broken from her trance, Zoey looked up, only for the ball to land directly on her head. "Where am I...?"

The team cheered and clapped.

"That was simply amazing!" Mary-Lou stepped forwards. "Your finish may need some work, but overall, I'd say that was one of the best ball routines I've seen, and I've seen a few!" She gave an excited laugh. "Alright! A bit more practice and we'll be ready for the finals!"

"Yes ma'am!"

With a shrill cry of Mary-Lou's whistle, practice began. Zoey sat on the gym floor, legs spread as her black-haired teammate pressed on her back.

"*And lean and reach and crack! And lean and reach and crack!*"

"Wait! Did you just say *crack*?!"

"That's right Zoey! How else do you think we gymnasts get so flexible?"

With another push on her back, Zoey's groan of pain mixed with a concerning *crack*.

"Move it, ladies! You're running like a bunch of cheerleaders!"

Zoey gasped for breath, lagging several feet behind the others.

"Let's go! Don't make me come back there!"

The brunette slowed down just enough for Zoey to catch up. "Try some forward momentum!" She suggested.

"Right!" Zoey leaned forwards. "Forward momentum! Forward momentum!"

"Okay, now lift your knees higher!"

"Right, lift my knees!" Zoey wobbled side-to-side awkwardly, trying (and failing) to follow both pieces of advice.

"Actually, maybe you should just...get a bike!"

"Don't wear yourselves out now! The *really* intense stuff is yet to come!"

Zoey, still in her school uniform, sat slumped over one of Café Mew Mew's tables, with Corina sat across from her and Bridget still sweeping.

"So, the gym team saw you use your secret powers and enlisted you, huh Zoey?"

"Well I think it's great. Extracurricular activities can promote confidence, social skills, better health, even make you a more well-rounded person!" Wesley said from behind Zoey, a smile on his face "Of course, as Zoey's demonstrating now, this doesn't necessarily happen overnight. Does it, Zoey?"

"Gymnastics bites...I'm not gonna be able to make it unless I use my secret powers the whole time!"

"So why don't you, Zoey? You'll be the star gymnast for sure then."

"Yeah, you're right Bridget, I should. It'd make all this crazy training so much easier.

"Of course, that's the thing with *secret* powers, they kinda have to *stay* secret."

"Aw, who says they have to be secret anyhow?" Zoey lifted her head up. "My life has too many secrets; secret crushes, secret diaries..."

"Wow, secret diaries?" Wesley asked.

"Did I say that out loud? I didn't mean that."

"Look, ask Elliot what he thinks. Maybe he can steer you in the right direction."

"Yeah! Great idea, Wesley!" Zoey got to her feet and headed in the direction of Elliot's room.

"Wait, but, I think he's busy now!" Unfortunately, his words didn't reach Zoey's ears, as she was already running up the stairs.

"Elliot!" She turned the corner. "Elliot?" Zoey knocked on his door. "Hey, are you in there? It's Zoey."

"I know he's home..." She said, turning the knob. "Huh?"

The evening light filtered through the room, casting a warm light on everything. Elliot stood by the window, eyes closed and shirt off.

'*What a goofball! He's posing for himself!*'

As Elliot began drying his hair, Zoey turned her gaze to the simple bed on the left side of his room. '*Huh, so this is what his room looks like.*' Then to the plain wooden desk and white computer monitor. '*Pretty empty, must need room for his ego*.'

'*Wonder what makes him tick. Wonder what people would think if they saw MY room. Wonder what-*'

"Hey!" Elliot shouted, jumping backwards in surprise.

"Waaah!"

"What're you doing spying on me?! You're like some kind of kid sister, beat it you pest!"

""I was not spying! And I'm not a chest-uh, I mean pest!"

Elliot hurriedly pulled a black tank-top over his head. "Did you want something?"

"Yeah, right!" Zoey left quickly, her face burning.

"Ooh, that Elliot! And to think I was gonna ask *his* advice!" Zoey leaned against the railing as Mini-Mew trilled. "But it doesn't matter. Corina was right, Mini-Mew, I can't use my secret powers for gym. I'm just gonna have to go in there tomorrow, and let them know that I quit."

"*Zoey! Crush alert! Crush alert!*"

Glancing up, Zoey spotted several boys clad in dark Kendo robes, though the only one she really focused on was Mark.

"Hey Zoey!"

"*Told ya'*"

She smiled, before grabbing Mini-Mew and shoving him behind her back.

"*Crushing me alert! Crushing me alert!*"

Mark split off from the others, stopping in front of Zoey.

"Oh hi there, Mark! Out practicing late, huh?"

"Yeah, phew!" He sighed. "No pain, no gain, right. Say, is it true you joined gymnastics?"

"Uh...yeah...stupid, huh?"

"No way! I think it's awesome you're on the team, can't wait to cheer you on!"

"Yeah?"

"Totally! See ya, Zoey!" With a wave and a 'bye' Mark rejoined the other runners."

Once the coast was clear, Mini-Mew was released from Zoey's grip.

'*Hey, maybe with Mark cheering me on, I won't need secret powers! Gymnastics rocks!'*

"AAAAALL RIGHT!"

"1, 2, 1, 2." With her legs together and arms up, Zoey bent her torso from side-to-side. "1, 2, 1, 2."

"Wow, you're early."

"Yep!" Zoey joyfully approached Mary-Lou. "No pain, no gain, I'm sure you guys know how it is!"

"Yeah, well I'm glad to see you so serious."

"Thanks Mary-Lou! Now lets get running, we have a whole lotta work to do!"

"Work it girls!" Zoey shouted gleefully.

"Workin' it!"

"Keep those knees up! Keep forward momentum!"

As the four other gymnasts gasped and panted, Zoey remained completely cheerful.

"You heard her ladies, no pain, no gain, and this is just the beginning, too!"

Zoey spun and jumped around the gym, her pink ribbon dancing around her form even as she somersaulted through the air.

"Check it out, Zoey's so focused!"

"Yeah, she must have something amazing pushing her on!"

She continued her twirling. '*Gotta impress Mark, gotta impress Mark, gotta impress Mark!*'

"Yes, and not to toot my own horn, but I think I may have finally gotten to her with all my motivational speeches!"

'*Mark's gonna cheer me on! Mark's gonna cheer me on!*' As Zoey landed, her ribbon managed to wrap itself around her legs, hips, and face, sending her to the ground with a *crash*.

The other gymnasts quickly gathered around her. "Uh, are you okay there, Zoey?"

Zoey sat herself up. "Yeah, I think so, I just got too caught up in the, uh, uh...routine?"

"Oh, well, that's understandable. I know how you must want to impress me but we should probably stop anyway. After all," Mary-Lou pointed towards the calendar with a flourish, "the big meet's tomorrow morning, and we'll need to be in top shape!"

"Wow, just look at all these people! Well, at least no-one's here that I know. That'd be so embarrassing"

"Hi Zoey."

Zoey turned to see Corina, Bridget, Wesley, and Elliot approaching.

"Your big day, huh," said Wesley.

"Right. So glad you could make it."

"They kinda made *me* come, but we'll be there, right in the front row. Don't screw up!" Elliot smiled.

"Yeah. *Awesome! I can't wait!*" Though her tone of voice didn't exactly match her words.

The crowd's cheers were deafening as the announcer made himself heard.

"And now, presenting, Mountain Valley High School! Zoey Hanson!" Zoey slowly walked onto the mat.

"Let's go!" She looked into the crowd to see Megan and Mimi dressed in red and yellow cheerleader uniforms, and carrying red and blue pompoms respectively.

"Go for it! Zoey!"

"Yay Zoey yay! She'll make us champions today!"

"You can do it!"

'*Yikes, everyone is here except the one person I need! Oh, where could he be?*'

*"I can't wait to cheer you on, Zoey."*

Zoey's face dropped.

"Commence the routine!"

"Huh?!" Letting out a small groan, Zoey gripped the ribbon in her hand even tighter as her heartbeat quickened.

'*Without my powers, or Mark, I don't know if I can do this.*'

"*Zoey,*" Mary-Lou hissed from the sidelines, "*go ahead!*"

"*Come on Zoey, we're all counting on you! The team's future depends on you!*"

Zoey's face fell even further, and the red-haired gymnast covered her mouth.

"Don't worry Zoey, I'm here. Think of me and you'll be fine."

Up in the stands, Megan and Mimi paused their cheering.

"I don't know any cheers for stagefright."

"Me neither."

Corina and Bridget's expressions became full of concern.

"Come on! Do it like we practiced!"

"Yeah, only don't screw up this time! No pressure!"

'*It's no use, I just can't do this! Everybody's staring at me! What've I gotten myself into?!*'

The sound of a door opening brought Zoey out of her thoughts. She looked up at the figure, and soon realized that it was Mark, still clad in his Kendo uniform.

He quickly made his way down the stairs and to the railing. "Zoey! Sorry I'm so late!"

"He remembered!"

"You can do it, Zoey! I know you can!"

"Cool!" She giggled.

Now feeling much calmer, Zoey made her way to the middle of the mat and lifted her ribbon into the air. With a triumphant look on her face she made moved it through the air, making a couple of figure 8s before jumping and twirling through the air with practiced ease.

Mark and Zoey's friends watched on in wonder as the crowd cheered even louder. Time seemed to slow down as Zoey caught Mark's eye in mid-jump.

Outside of the gym, Dren hovered in the air. "Well, what's this here? My senses pick up a *Mew*ー"

He lifted his hands with his palms facing as an orange orb formed in each one, the orange energy combined in the middle and formed an Infuser.

"ーA Mew who's about to be declawed."

Elliot watched on as all five members of Zoey's team performed, only for Mini-Mew to suddenly fly into view.

"*Danger! Danger! Danger!!*"

"What?"

"*Predasite alert! Predasite alert!*"

With Elliot, Corina, Bridget, and Wesley's attentions captured, the only one still unaware was Zoey, who was currently preoccupies with a hoop routine.

At least, until the building shook and the lights went out.

Elliot pulled the cap off of a small smoke bomb, allowing it to fill the area around him. "I've gotta get these people out of here." He stood up, throwing it to the ground. "Fire! Run!"

From the mat, Zoey could only watch as the crowd fled from their seats.

"Zoey!" Elliot called from the balcony.

"What's going on?!" Gymnasts from competing teams sprinted past her.

"It's Dren! We've gotta stop him!"

As the last of the gymnasts left, Mary-Lou turned back. "Hurry up, Zoey! We have to evacuate!" Only, Zoey wasn't there anymore. "Zoey?"

Outside, Zoey ran around the side of the building and the fence. "You really don't give up, do you?!"

"Well, I'm a fan~" Dren hovered above the pool, a hand on his hip. "I could you could say your routine really *inspired me*." He flew upwards as the pool water surged and turned into a raging whirlpool that lifted several feet in the air.

A Seal Predasite poked its head out. A large blue ball balanced on its nose, several silver rings sat just before its head, while more colorful rings sat further down its elongated neck. Its front paws, bony with long-claws, were also visible.

"Woah! What *is* this thing?!"

"Oh great, another Predasite." Elliot said as he stood next to Wesley.

Corina and Bridget stepped forwards. "Wow, big one, too."

"We'll cut him to size!"

"*Power Pendant, Mewtamorphosis!*"

"*Mew Mew Style, Mew Mew Grace, Mew Mew Power in Your Face!*"

The Predasite barked, flinging the ball on its nose at the Mews, who just barely avoided the resulting explosion. It then left its perch on the whirlpool spout, forming a small dust cloud as it landed.

Staring the girls down, it blew a small horn sitting in its mouth. The rings around its neck changed colors and floated above its head. With another blow, the rings grew in size and came careening towards the Mews.

Letting out fearful cries, all three Mews fled from the now bright yellow rings. The Predasite hurried after them, repeatedly blowing its horn. Getting frustrated, it whipped its tail, hurling a second, smaller blue ball at Mew Zoey and sending her flying.

"Don't worry, Zoey, I'm on it!" Without even looking, the Predasite struck Mew Bridget with its tail, throwing her backwards.

"Take this!" A single swipe of its oversized claw was enough to incapacitate Mew Corina, causing her skip along the ground a couple times.

"You okay?" Mew Zoey and Mew Bridget rushed to her aid, checking for any immediate injuries.

"Alright!" Mew Zoey turned towards the clapping and barking Predasite. "Now it's your turn!"

With yet another blow of its horn, more of the Predasite's rings slipped off of its neck.

"Don't worry Mew Mews, this is what I trained for! Here goes nothing!"

Mew Zoey leapt through the air, twisting and twirling to avoid the glowing rings.

"Alright Mews, let's do this!"

"*Heart Arrow!*" Mew Corina fired several arrows, shattering the rings once they made contact.

"*Combat Castanets!*"

"*Deep Sea Surge Attack!*" The powerful torrent of water reduced the Predasite's horn to fragments.

"And now for the final touch! *Strawberry Bell, Full Power!*"

With a final deep growl, the Predasite faded away, leaving behind an Infuser and a small dark-colored seal.

Mini-Mew quickly consumed the Infuser. "*Mm! Delish!*"

The Mews started Dren down.

"Heh, *luck*," he muttered muttered bitterly before disappearing.

With the coast clear, the Mews laughed and cooed over the seal, which was following Mini-Mew's movements with its head.

"And the winner of the competition today is...Caramel Hills High School! And placing second, the group who has a wonderful future ahead of them, is Mountain Valley High!"

Corina leaned forwards in her seat. "Wow, second place seems kinda lame considering Zoey helped save everybody."

"Well, don't forget. These people have no idea," Wesley reminded her.

"Thanks for everything Mary-Lou. Wish I could stick around, but I'm a little too busy."

"We feel lucky to have had you on the team for even just a little while. You are quite a talent.

"Yeah, you rock!"

"Come back anytime, Zoey."

"Aww, jeez, you guys! That means a lot!"

Mary-Lou held out her hand, which Zoey happily accepted.

"Thanks for coming today, Mark. It made all the difference."

"Well I'm just glad they were able to reschedule after that last time. What a disaster!"

"Yeah, that was weird, huh?"

'*Well, he still doesn't know. I hope it stays that way, it's kinda nice to know he likes me for me.*'

Mark looked back at Zoey, causing her face to heat up.

'*Love is really in the air. Love and the smell of...fish?!*'

Upon looking to the side, Zoey saw the seal from before flopping towards her and barking happily.

"Heh, hey, where did you come from little guy?" Mark leaned down to scratch under the animal's chin as Zoey watched on. "What a good boy!"

"Oh no, I hope he doesn't blow my cover!" As if on cue, the seal turned to Zoey, sending her to the ground and cuddling against her. "Hey! Stop! How gross! And wet! Yuck, your breath!"

"It almost seems like you're old friends," Mark chuckled.

"Uh..."

"Boy, you'd think you'd saved his life or something."

"Ehe, yeah, um, well I, I guess so!"