01x01 - The Secret of Mako Island

[bunniefuu]

♪ On the Isle of Mako ♪

♪ Under the moon's

silver glow ♪

♪ The night is calm ♪

♪ But suddenly ♪

♪ There's a change

in the sea ♪

♪ Three mermaids,

magic and brave ♪

♪ True beauties

under the waves ♪

♪ Their secret will always be

mystery ♪

♪ In the depths of the sea ♪

I've dreamed of being a

volunteer at the Oceanic Center

ever since I was little.

Relax, Cleo.

You'll ace the interview.

You know more about fish than

all the employees put together.

But when I'm nervous

I get really flustered.

- I blush, I blabber...

- [seagulls squawk]

What is that racket all about?

[Emma] What are

those seagulls up to?

- Oh!

- Hmm?

What on earth is that?

Looks like a cross between

a lobster and an earthworm.

It isn't a lobster.

It's a little hermit crab.

And he's lost his shell.

We've got to find him

another one,

otherwise he'll wind up

as lunch for some bird.

[squeak]

Hey. What about this little car?

Perfect, Emma.

[Cleo] Another happy ending.

[all laugh]

- [boy] Hi, girls.

- Ah, it's Lewis.

So, ready for your big

interview, Cleo?

Sorry we can't go with you.

It's just that we...

Yeah, I know.

You promised to go with Emma

to her swimming training.

It's fine. Don't worry about it.

Yeah. Don't worry about it,

girls. I'll be with her.

[Cleo] This is horrible. My

hands are clammy from stress.

Listen, just be yourself.

Believe in yourself.

Thanks for coming with me,

Lewis.

You're a real friend.

And when I'm older, I'd like to

work in environmental protection

and volunteering here would be

excellent experience for me.

Good. Your interests seem like

a pretty good match.

Now, Jeff's going to ask you

a few questions

to assess your knowledge.

So, Cleo, you know that

the Dolphin City bay

is a natural reserve.

Can you name six species of fish

that live in the bay?

Sure, there are sardines and

halibut, mackerel and herring.

That's good, but can you name

some of the species

- that are slightly more exotic?

- Exotic species.

Right. Fish. Well,

I'm not really... I don't...

- So?

- Disaster.

I knew the answers,

but I panicked.

I felt like I had a black hole

instead of a brain.

I blew it.

They'll never take me now.

Don't lose faith, Cleo.

We all know you're the best.

Please, Mr. Lambert.

Give her another chance.

She panicked because

it was so important to her.

It was just a few

simple questions.

If she panics that easily,

how will she react

to a bunch of tourists

bombarding her with questions?

Actually, she was sick that day.

She should have canceled

but decided to go to the

interview without mentioning it.

You're not going to penalize

her for that, are you?

[phone rings]

Hello? Yes.

Uh-huh. I see.

Yes, of course. Thanks.

[shrieks]

That was Mr. Lambert.

He offered me another interview

in three days.

- Fantastic!

- That's great.

You see? I told you, Cleo.

You just have to go in there

and show them how brilliant

you really are.

What if I blow it again?

I've got to study.

[Lewis] You already know

all that stuff.

You just need

to believe in yourself

and you need to stop worrying

and relax.

You're right.

So what do you suggest?

Well, uh...

Skin diving! And out

at Mako Island as well!

If you weren't coming with me,

there's no way

I'd do something like this.

Mako Island has

an incredible number

of exotic underwater species.

You'll learn more here

than from a stack of books.

- [Rikki] And here we are.

- [girls laugh]

So, ready for an adventure?

[all cheer]

So, are you having a good time?

You bet!

Wow, that was great.

You were right.

After a tour like that, I'll

never have a mental blank again.

I'll never forget

anything I saw.

We should probably think about

heading back to port

if we're gonna make it

before sunset.

[engine splutters]

It's no use.

The motor's flooded.

I'll call my father. He can

get us in the Coast Guard boat.

[Lewis] Good idea. We're not

going anywhere in this thing.

Snap! I can't get a signal.

Me neither. This island

is too far from anywhere.

It looks like we're gonna

have to spend the night here.

What? Sleeping outside?

Are there any wild animals?

And our parents

will be worried sick.

I'm not saying we won't get

in trouble for it tomorrow,

but unless you have

a better suggestion...

[Lewis snores]

I don't believe this.

It sounds like he swallowed

an airplane motor.

[Rikki] Look over there,

that light.

Do you think there could be

somebody there?

Shouldn't we tell Lewis

where we're going?

No, we may as well

let him sleep.

Besides, we don't need

boys to help.

We can take care of ourselves.

[Cleo] Here we are, girls.

Whoa! It's amazing.

Let's check it out.

[Emma] Careful, Rikki!

Rikki!

Emma! Rikki!

Where are you?

Everybody alright?

Yeah, we're good.

Strange. Why is it

so bright down here?

The grotto is covered in

some sort of phosphorescent moss

that glows in the dark.

I don't know about you guys,

but I've seen enough for one

night. Let's get out of here.

I don't believe it.

We have to find another way out.

The pool must be linked

to the sea.

We could get out

by swimming underwater.

Sorry, girls,

but I don't think I can make it.

We've got no choice.

Nobody knows where we are.

If we stay here,

they'll never find us.

I'll go first and have a look,

then I'll come back and get you.

I can do 30m underwater.

Piece of cake.

But where... Where are my legs?

What's going on? This is crazy.

- We're...

- [all] Mermaids!

What's happening to us? I don't

want to turn into a fish.

Calm down, Cleo.

Everything will be fine.

I don't know how,

but it's got to be fine.

Emma? Emma!

We can get out this way.

Come on, don't be scared.

We'll all go together.

Cleo, you don't need

to hold your breath.

Just breathe normally.

This is crazy.

We're breathing and talking

underwater.

Let's hope Lewis

is still sleeping.

We can't let him

see us like this.

Shh. Listen.

- What? I can't hear anything.

- Exactly. When we left Lewis,

he was snoring loud enough

to wake the dead.

Girls, I was super worried...

Don't just stand there

with your mouth hanging open.

Get over here

and give us a hand.

OK, you saw a light

and fell down a hole.

- Then what happened?

- We don't know.

All three of us

were in this grotto...

- [boat horn]

- Oh, no, the Coast Guard!

It's my father.

He must have sent out the alert

- when we didn't come back.

- If he sees us, it's game over.

[Emma] And with tails we can't

run into the bushes and hide.

[Cleo] What's going on?

Oh, gosh. I can feel my legs,

they're back!

Unbelievable. Mine, too.

- Same here.

- That's certainly a relief.

Listen up. We can't

talk about this to anyone,

and especially not our parents.

Got it?

[Lewis] On the bright side,

someone's come to rescue us.

I don't think I'll be around

long to enjoy it.

[man] Can you imagine

if Lewis's mother

hadn't known where you were?

How would we have found you?

We couldn't have known that

Lewis's boat would breakdown.

That isn't the issue. You should

have told us beforehand.

It's hardly acting responsibly.

Right, Mom?

Kim, do you mind?

No one asked for your opinion.

I promise, Mom,

it's the last time

I go out to sea

without warning you.

Hey, can you take me

with you next time?

Elliot! Absolutely not,

young man.

Dinner will be ready

in five minutes.

Elliot, can you close the door,

please?

Elliot!

I've got to head off to work,

but I haven't finished with you.

We'll discuss your punishment

tonight.

Hey, Rikki, what's new?

I hope your clothes were dry.

You're gonna pay for that!

Oh, no, it can't be.

It's happening again!

What's gotten into her?

So, every time we touch water

we transform into a mermaid?

Water is everywhere.

What are we gonna do?

What about my dream of being a

championship swimmer? It's over.

You always say science

has an answer for everything.

Now is a good time to prove it.

Find us a solution, Mr. Genius.

What do I know about mermaids?

Up until today

I didn't believe in them.

It might be that you're all fine

and I'm hallucinating.

Lewis, you're the only one

who can help us.

Not only are you a genius,

but you're the only one

who knows our secret.

OK, Cleo,

I'll get to work on it.

Alright, listen up.

Nobody can ever know.

Nobody, or they'd stick you

in a laboratory

and do all kinds of

experiments on you.

But if we transform

every time we touch water,

everybody will know about us

in two days.

Hold on, first off

we're not certain

you transform every time.

We have to assess it

scientifically, do some tests.

Tests? What do you mean, tests?

What kind of tests?

We have to reproduce

your transformation

under the same conditions

as earlier, at home.

- How are we gonna do that?

- Like this!

- [both] Wow.

- Did you see that?

It's like she's got

some kind of magic power.

[laughs]

So, to sum up then,

apparently Cleo

can control water

to give it whatever form

she wants.

Rikki, you can make it boil

and you, Emma, can freeze it.

It's all very well

having superpowers,

but so what if I can turn

a pool into a skating rink?

How is that supposed to help me?

Not to mention that

we still haven't a clue

what's happened to us.

There's only one solution.

We've got to return to

Mako Island.

That's where it all started.

Of course.

Why didn't I think of that?

The grotto where you first

transformed.

There has to be something

special in the water.

Bring me back a sample

and I can analyze it.

OK, but I'm not so sure magic

will show up under a microscope.

It's so strange to be

breathing underwater.

It feels like the oxygen

is liquid.

I love it. It's the coolest

thing I've ever done.

And look how fast I can swim.

[laughs]

Whoo-hoo!

It's crazy. Can you imagine

if I could do this in a pool?

I could break every record.

Hi there. Who are you?

- [all gasp]

- Yoo-hoo! I'm over here.

- Yoo-hoo!

- You can talk.

You're a fish and you can talk.

You're funny. My name is Ziggy.

You're new around here,

aren't you?

If you'd like,

I can give you a guided tour.

[Ziggy] So, let me introduce

the school of sardines,

the seahorses,

Marcel the grouper,

the jellyfish is Carlotta

and the twin dolphins

are Robby and Bobby.

I'm sure you've already

heard of us.

We're the biggest stars

in the bay.

But don't be too awestruck.

We may be stars,

but we're not stuck up.

What species are you?

Let me guess. Common dolphins.

Are you kidding? Come on!

We're spinner dolphins.

And we're way leaner

and more muscular

than those pathetic little

common dolphins.

Say, girls, didn't we have

something urgent to do?

Oh, yeah, right, sorry.

We have to get going.

But we'll come back

and see you soon. Promise!

Bye-bye!

I was sure it was this way.

But, Emma, we've already

passed this coral before.

Hey, look over there. It's that

little hermit crab we saved.

Come on, faster, Zita,

let's go faster!

It looks like he's in trouble.

[hunters laugh]

Oh! I recognize them.

They were at Mako Island.

Someone ought to stop

those bullies.

Come on, girls, let's go!

Hang on. That's

a hammerhead shark, Rikki!

Where'd they go?

- There!

- [taunting]

Stop. Leave them alone!

[all] Huh?

- Who are you?

- And what are you?

We're mermaids. And don't even

think about hurting those two.

Go pick on somebody

your own size.

Hey, boss,

Burke think them mermaids

need to learn some manners.

You can't talk to us like that.

Our powers! Quick!

Nice try.

Oops. You missed.

[laughs] Why don't you

learn to aim?

- [all splutter]

- Burke no can see.

OK, now!

- Quick, let's go.

- [crab] Right you are!

Aw, thanks.

Lucky you were there.

They get their kicks

picking on us.

By the way,

I'm Bernie and she's Zita.

We already met. Don't you

remember? On the beach.

- You'd lost your shell.

- Oh, yes, of course.

You saved my life.

So that makes it twice now.

But... But you were different.

Yes, we've changed a bit.

We've been this way

since we went to Mako Island.

We're trying to get back there,

but we got lost.

[Bernie] I'll take you there.

Come on, Zita, let's go.

We're off to Mako Island.

The vandals.

They found us again.

- That way. I recognize it.

- [Bernie] Quick!

Phew. OK, I don't think

they saw which way we went.

Bernie, Zita, we need you to

watch the entrance to the cave.

[Bernie] OK, will do.

I don't see anything special.

It's just a plain old cave.

- A dime a dozen.

- Remember what Lewis said,

it might be

something in the water.

You think he'll find

mermaid molecules in it?

Can't we head back?

The place gives me the creeps.

The last time, the full moon,

it had a magical feel to it.

But right now

it's just really gloomy.

- Maybe it was the full moon.

- What?

You think it might be

because of the full moon?

So, did you find anything?

- No, nothing at all.

- Then follow me.

I know someone

who might be able to help you.

Here we are.

Hey, Sue, are you home?

Yes.

[mermaids gasp]

Sue, I've brought you...

Three mermaids. Yes, I know.

- Hello. We're...

- Looking for answers.

I know that, too.

She has an answer

for everything.

Did this happen to us

because of Mako Island?

Mako is a mystery.

It's said the island is magic

and that when the moon is full,

creatures are born

from its depths.

Magic?

So, how can we go back

to how we were before?

There must be a way

to break the spell.

It isn't a spell. This is

the will of the universe.

No one can alter

the laws of nature.

I must leave you now.

But I shall see you again.

The laws of nature?

What the heck is she on about?

There's nothing natural

about turning into a mermaid.

You've got to trust her.

Sue knows the answers

to all mysteries.

Oh, no! They found us again.

- What do we do?

- They're passing us.

- [vandals laugh]

- [eel] OK, this way.

You're going to regret

running into the vandal g*ng.

We've got no choice.

We've got to confront them.

We've got to show them

we're just as tough as they are.

In that case, listen carefully.

The trickiest one is Dany.

Watch out for his tentacles.

Burke, with his

eyes on the side,

can see everywhere. And

he can make very sharp turns.

But the worst is Murray because

he's as sneaky as he is mean.

Thanks for the advice.

We've got a few tricks

of our own up our sleeve.

We haven't got all day here.

That's one down.

- You're up.

- I'll g-get 'em, boss!

You and me, marshmallow.

Talk about clingy. Let go of me.

Imbecile.

This could be a problem.

Rikki, use your power.

Make the water boil.

Burke hot!

Emma, behind you!

Take that!

[both groan]

B-B-Boss, w-w-what do we

d-d-do now?

Alright, we'll finish

our little chat another time.

Yeah! A-A-Another time!

[all laugh]

Oh! I've never been so scared

in my whole life.

I think it was fantastic.

It was the most amazing

adventure I've ever had.

With our powers,

we can do anything.

You got that right. Between us,

we put a whooping

on those bullies.

One thing's for sure.

Cleo won't have any trouble

acing her big interview now!

My interview!

I'd forgotten all about it.

[Cleo] We can find a very rich

ecosystem in the bay.

Probably because of

all the coral reefs,

which attracts

many different species.

- For example?

- There are spinner dolphins,

manta rays and there are even

hammerhead sharks.

Hammerhead sharks? I forgot,

we did have one of those

- a few years ago.

- They might not be too bright,

but with their eyes

on each side of their head,

they can see all around them.

And you wouldn't believe

the sharp turns they can make.

You're right,

but how do you know all that?

I analyzed the water

from the grotto

and it's just

perfectly normal seawater.

Maybe the manta ray was right,

it's something magical.

What the heck am I saying?

I must be going crazy.

I'll continue my research.

The process may be reversible.

- I'll find a cure.

- Find a cure? To cure what?

- Our amazing mermaid powers?

- We're mermaids now.

Whatever happens, no one

can alter the laws of nature.

- Right, Cleo?

- Huh? Yeah.

[phone rings]

Hello? Hello, Mr. Lambert.

Oh, you mean it?

Absolutely. Thanks! Goodbye.

I've been hired

at the Oceanic Center!

- And all because of...

- The mermaids of Mako.

[all laugh]