Secrets The Next Step

Previously on The Next Step...

The Elite dancers have a shot at making the team.

Elite against The Next Step. 12 dancers from each team.

We put their names in a hat, we pull out two names and they battle.

If I get seven Elite dancers on the Internationals team,

the studio is mine.

Wasn't it weird you weren't able to dance with your team in finals?

It was weird, but I'm just focusing on dancing at Internationals.

110% of me will be dancing at Internationals.

-How's your knee?

-I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow.

I think I'm going to get a clean bill of health.

I want you to move up to A-Troupe so you can compete against Elite

-for a spot at Internationals.

-Of course!

'I do deserve to be on A-Troupe just as much as he does.'

What are you doing here?

I'm here to compete.

I am willing to do whatever it takes to go to Internationals.

That's right, everyone. I'm now a full-fledged member of Elite.

This is going to be a good competition.

Those mirrors need to be cleaned. They are filthy.

And the windows in the office...

-Oh, my goodness! Are you seeing what I'm seeing?

-Yes.

'Ever since Lucien bought the building

'he's been scheming to take over the studio.'

And the first step, apparently, is taking over my office.

What do you think you are doing?

Morning! Kate, Phoebe!

I've rearranged things a little bit,

but I've got all your stuff over there on that desk.

Oh, no, no, no.

This is terrible feng shui.

Just make sure you keep your chair tucked in because I like to pace.

-Are you kidding me?

-No, I do that all the time.

This is MY studio! What do you think you are doing?

This is MY building!

I could be wrong, but...

I sense conflict. And there is only one way to deal with that.

-You are not allowed to be in here!

-PHOEBE CHANTS

You negotiated already!

PHOEBE CHANTS

If you two do not stop arguing,

I will sing every song

from the Tibetan mountain throat-singing trio.

They are prolific.

Sting sang with them on their sixth album.

It was amazing. It changed my life.

All right, you can have that section of the desk.

(Whatever.)

(That's good. We got the boat.)

I tried to appease my sister with the desk boat,

but I know there will be many stormy seas ahead for these two sailors.

# We, we are going to show the world

# Everything we're made of

# We're going to tear the roof off this place

# Stand up! #

All right, let's go over that plan again.

What are we going to do? We are going to destroy the Next Step.

What are we going to do?

-Destroy The Next Step.

-Destroy it.

-You got it.

And when the studio is mine,

I'm going to build it back up as the new faction of Elite.

I'm recording Lucien just because he's so crazy

and these speeches are just a good laugh later on.

'You know, Daniel's really impressed me.'

Who knows, he might be a better schemer than Amanda was.

Are you reading a Wire & Circuit magazine?

Yeah, I am. It's really interesting.

'Right now, I'm at the doctor's office with Stephanie.'

I'm here to hopefully get the news that my knee has recovered enough

so I can dance on it.

I have to dance against Elite for a spot on the Internationals team.

I really need this to work out, you know.

I know, and it will.

'I really hope the appointment goes well for Emily today.'

I can't imagine her getting any more bad news.

-Don't worry about it. Everything is going to work out.

-I know.

OK.

If there's anybody that can take down Elite,

-even with an injury, it's you.

-Thank you.

Emily? Come on in.

-OK, good luck.

-Thanks. Watch my stuff.

-Yeah.

My whole future as a dancer is riding on this doctor's appointment.

If I don't get the all-clear...

..I don't even know what I'm going to do.

-Hey.

-Hey.

-How's it going?

Good.

Michelle, tell me the truth. What's wrong?

Well, I'm just going through a really hard time right now.

I want to be there for the team, but I honestly don't think I can be.

What do you mean, you can't be there?

Well, my mom just called me and she told me

that she needs me in Madison to help her pick out a house.

But that means I can't compete for a spot on the Internationals team.

Which means I'm not going to Internationals, Chloe.

Not being able to compete for a spot on the Internationals team

just makes this divorce ten times harder. I'm losing two things.

Without Michelle, The Next Step is not The Next Step.

'She plays such a huge role on our team.

'It's not going to be the same without her.'

If there's one thing I've learned from everything I've been through,

it's to have a little faith.

OK, I'll try.

My family is honestly just falling apart

and I need dancing to hold me together.

This is the hardest thing in my life

and I have no idea how I'm going to deal with this.

One, two and three and four and five, then seven

and eight and one, two and three and four and five...

Since we found out about the competition with The Next Step,

Lucien has been working us really hard.

Up, phoom!

Yeah, yeah, legs together. Tight, tight.

He expects perfection and that's why he's the best.

Let's get ready, everybody!

Little more full out now. Hit some music.

UPBEAT MUSIC

You got to go faster with that, Nick. Too slow!

Yeah, intensity!

Pull up on that!

Yeah, you need that look on your face!

So right now, Elite's dancing,

our lines are perfect, the timing's on point.

We're just here to intimidate The Next Step.

Watch your spacing!

I think Elite can take over The Next Step and go to Internationals.

We've all been working hard. And we're getting very strong.

Now here's the ending.

A little earlier, Cierra. Hold it!

And drop. OK.

This dance will intimidate The Next Step.

Internationals will belong to Elite.

So, er...can I dance?

Actually, no. It's worse than I thought.

I just don't understand. I've been doing the exercises.

It feels a lot stronger. I mean, maybe look again?

No, I don't need to look again.

If you dance on the knee, you may injure it so bad

that you may even need a knee replacement.

So, how long are we talking here?

Two weeks? A month?

No, we're looking at more like eight months, maybe a year.

But if you continue to rest it like you're doing,

it will likely heal completely.

This is the worst thing that's ever happened to me.

I can't dance!

Steph, let's go.

I could totally fix my blender now. This magazine is awesome!

-Ready?

-Yeah, what happened?

-No worries. I'm...I'm fine.

-OK.

'No doctor is going to tell me what to do.'

Going to Internationals is my dream.

If I want to dance, then I'm going to dance.

So, how bad is it?

Can we just not talk about it right now?

'I can't believe Emily's knee isn't healed.'

I mean, I feel so devastated for her.

I can't even imagine what she's going through.

You can't dance, can you?

So, you going to tell Miss Kate?

No! No-one can know about this.

You're not going to dance on it, are you?

Promise me you won't tell anyone?

'I can't believe Emily expects me to keep this a secret.'

What am I supposed to do?

That's, like, the worst position she could put me in.

Please do this for me.

Please?

Fine.

-Thank you.

-OK.

'I know I'm going to have to make a choice.'

If there is a choice to be made, no-one is going to make it for me.

-Hi, Miss Kate.

-I have a feeling I know what you're going to ask me.

I just want to know why you put Noah in A-Troupe and not me.

It was a tough choice, but I feel like Noah is the better fit.

I feel like, yes, Richelle deserves a spot on A-Troupe,

but Noah's better.

I never said I was better. I just think I deserve a chance.

You know I'm good, Miss Kate.

I do. But we don't always get what we deserve. I'm sorry.

'When Miss Kate said no, I wasn't too shocked.'

I mean, I was definitely hoping for another answer,

but all I got to do now is work harder

and maybe next year will be my year.

So I'll start facing the back.

'We're trying to determine what our solos will be for this battle.'

And they've only seen us as group dancers.

They don't really know what we're like as a soloist.

INCOMING TEXT

As Chloe and I discuss our solos,

I get a text from Stephanie and it's urgent.

-Um...I'm sorry I got to go.

-OK.

-I'll see you later?

I have no idea what's wrong, all I know is that

Stephanie said she needs me, so I have to go.

'I'm sitting at Hidalgo's, waiting for Riley, and I am so nervous.'

I don't know how this is going to go.

Steph, what's the emergency?

-Um...so I went to the doctor with Emily and...

-OK.

..her knee is not good. Like, really bad.

Like, can't dance on it bad.

She told me it was fine.

No, it's not. And I think she's going to try and dance on it.

Stephanie tells me that if Emily dances on her knee,

she could permanently injure it.

She won't listen to me. She just made me promise not to tell anybody,

but I can't keep this a secret.

A true friend couldn't keep something like this a secret.

And Emily's wellbeing is way more important than keeping my word.

Maybe you can try and talk some sense into her?

Yeah, well, I guess I have to.

I hope it works.

I don't know if I can convince Emily, but I have to try.

# We're floating through the darkness endlessly

# We're meant to be in the stars. #

Are you nervous about the competition?

Well, that's exactly what I wanted to talk to you about.

-I think I'm going to have to bow out.

-Bow out?

You're the most important person on our team. I can't let you do that.

My mom called and she told me that she needs me in Madison.

I'm going to miss all the battles.

And I feel really bad not being there to support the team,

but my family is more important than everything else.

Even Internationals.

It wouldn't be fair to me to force her to compete for the team

when she's going through all of these family issues.

I guess you won't be able to compete.

Wait a minute, Kate, let's not be too hasty here.

I could use a Miss National soloist on my Internationals team.

So, what are you saying?

Let's put her on the team!

I'm really surprised that Lucien offers me a spot

on Internationals team right away.

But I also know Lucien

and I know he wouldn't offer something like that for free.

Oh, yeah, there's one more thing.

Michelle counts as an Elite win.

You don't have to do this.

'Michelle counting as one of Elite's dancers

'automatically gives Lucien an advantage.'

All he needs is seven out of 12 dancers and The Next Step is his.

Unfortunately, I do.

Fine. You've got a deal.

'All I wanted to do was help The Next Step.'

Now it seems like I'm putting the team at a huge disadvantage.

Of course I'm happy Michelle's on the team.

I just hope it wasn't too high a price to pay.

I'm going to go warm up.

'As Giselle leaves, I see Emily walking down the hallway.'

And I know she's not supposed to be here

because Stephanie told me about her knee.

-Em, what are you doing here?

-I'm here to rehearse.

We have a pretty big competition coming up.

Yeah, but you're not dancing with us.

Of course I am. Why wouldn't I be?

Steph told me.

Stephanie told you what?

'I can't believe Stephanie told her.

'I can't believe Riley's trying to stop me.'

Why don't people see this as my choice and my life?

You can't dance.

Stephanie should've stayed out of this.

Stephanie was just being a good friend.

No. She wasn't.

I understand where Emily is coming from,

but she's not thinking clearly.

I just...I can't let her do it.

Stephanie should have stayed out of it, and so should you.

'If I don't do this, I'm always going to wonder what could have been.'

-Emily!

-Oh, Emily!

I'm willing to risk permanent injury.

Dancing is my life.

-How did it go?

-I'm all clear.

-Yes!

-CHEERING

-I'm so excited!

-Wait!

Emily is not clear to dance. Quite the opposite, actually.

I'm sorry, what?

I'm ready to compete.

Oh, really. You're good to rehearse? Good to dance?

So you can do a grand jete right now?

I'm not warmed up.

Well, your knee's fine. You should be able to do it.

Yeah, Emily, let's see a grand jete.

Well, I can't exactly do a grand jete, but I won't put one in my solo.

Look, I'm ready to compete.

I know my body. I can work around this.

No, Emily, you can't.

Because we need you to be at your best

and you're clearly not at your best.

I'm sorry, but we can't risk it.

You can't compete for The Next Step.

Thank you(!)

I'm sorry, Emily.

You know I had to do this.

I'm in shock.

I mean, that's it. It's over.

'I'm in Hidalgo's to find Emily and apologise to her.'

I broke a promise to my best friend

and I know my word is very important to Emily.

Hey.

Oh, my goodness. I was actually looking for you.

I have a few dreams I would like to destroy

and I was wondering if you could help me(?)

Em, I'm sorry.

I had to tell Riley. I had to tell someone!

'I mean, I really have nothing to say to her.'

If she wants an argument, she's about to get one.

You know what, Stephanie? You didn't respect my decision.

-What?

-So you do not respect me!

The only reason why I told Riley was because I respect you

-and because I care about you.

-Mm-hm(!)

What do you mean, "mm-hm"?

What if you decided to dance on it and break it

and make sure that you could never dance again. Then what?

And what if nothing happened? What if I was fine and...?!

-I guess we won't know.

-No, we won't!

You took that way from me, didn't you, Stephanie?!

You're being unbelievable right now.

You wanted to see me?

-I can come back another time.

-No, no, no, no!

'When Richelle comes in, I kind of see it as an out.'

I have a big surprise for her, so I think I'm just ready to leave.

Now!

I really have no reason to be here any more, so let's go.

That's nice, thanks(!)

No, thank you(!)

'I have no idea where Emily and I stand.

'Nothing has been resolved.'

I don't know if Emily is ever going to get over this.

-Miss Kate?

-Hey, Em.

Look, I'm so sorry how things went down earlier.

-Don't worry about it. I understand that's how it has to be.

-Good.

Um...but because of that,

I was thinking about someone who could replace me in the competition.

Who?

'I'm very surprised when Emily brings in her replacement

'and it's Richelle.'

She already has everything planned, as usual,

without talking to me first.

Emily is no longer able to dance,

which means there has been a spot opened up in A-Troupe to compete.

And we were wondering if you wanted...

-Yes, for sure! Oh, my goodness! Can I hug you?

-Sure.

-I will not let you down! I promise!

-Good.

I think it really means a lot to her. And I honestly don't think she will.

I'm done now!

-It really means a lot to her.

-Clearly.

-Thank you.

Of course, I am still sad that it won't be me competing,

but I still feel like I helped the team, and that's good enough for me.

'So it's the day of the battles. One versus one.'

Whoever wins moves on to the Internationals team,

whoever doesn't is cut.

Elite just storms in in unison and it's just very intimidating.

Let's do it! UPBEAT MUSIC

This song is called, Make The Ground Shake.

And we're going to shake them up.

As Elite's performing their dance, I think we're all intimidated.

It's threatening when they come in here and do this amazing dance!

And Daniel is fitting in right with them.

And the lifts that they do,

I would be terrified to even think about doing!

And that's what we have to compete against.

I got to admit it, Elite's good. Like, scary good.

I didn't think they stood a chance,

but after watching them, I'm kind of worried.

It's a little hard to watch this routine right now,

knowing that members of Elite could be joining The Next Step.

Watching Elite makes me realise that

some of The Next Step will not be going to Internationals.

# We, we are going to show the world

# Everything we're made of

# We're going to tear the roof off this place

# You, you can never fade us out

# Don't even ask the DJ

# Everybody knows we own this land. #