"WHAT?!" Phinny, Luna, Roxy, and Tank all exclaimed in shock. Even Bailey couldn't believe what she heard.
"Bailey's namesake is..." Roxy stammered, "...a MERMAID?!" Maya sadly nodded.
"Mom," Phinny said in shock and sadness, "how come you never told us?" Maya sighed and looked out to sea.
"It all started when Grandma Dee first told me stories about mermaids."
——————
A long time ago, a young Maya was listening to her mother, Dee, tell stories about mermaids. But Maya was less than amused.
"You know, some sailors say that mermaids only come up to the surface when they know land dwellers aren't looking," Dee said with a chortle. But her daughter just rolled her eyes. Dee took notice.
"If you don't believe in mermaids, mija," she sighed, "then I guess I'll stop." As she walked away, Maya momentarily began to wonder if mermaids are real. But she shook it off.
——
The next day, after telling her mom that she was heading to the beach, Maya busied herself with constructing a sandcastle when...
SPLASH!
"Huh?" she exclaimed, looked out to sea. She carefully looked around. But nothing. Shrugging, she continued working on her sandcastle, when she heard a bubbling sound. She looked out to sea. And this time, she did see something: a bubbling pool. And slowly, a young female cocker spaniel around Maya's age rose out of the water. The spaniel had curly brown fur, a small red seashell on her right ear, a red starfish bracelet on her left wrist, a red tiara on her head, and wore a red top with puffed sleeves.
"Bonjour," she said with a friendly smile. "I am Princess Bailey of the Kingdom of Neptpup."
——————
"Wait a minute!" Luna exclaimed. "Bailey's namesake is also a princess?!"
"That's right," Maya nodded. "And also, don't interrupt."
——————
Maya looked down, and her eyes widened. There, attached to Bailey's waist, was a red fishtail!
"Y-Y-You're a..." Maya stammered.
"Mermaid," Bailey finished sheepishly. "That's right." As if she were a statue, Maya stood there with slightly wide eyes.
"I'm Maya," she introduced herself to Bailey. "My mother told me stories about mermaids. But in all that time, I always thought they were just a legend. But after meeting you, I don't know what to say. Besides, to be honest, I don't know if I can trust you." Although surprised, Bailey smiled and slowly approached the shoreline.
"Hey, I bet it's pretty bizarre to see something that never believed in to begin with," she said. "But au contraire, mon ami, I promise I won't hurt you. And as a princess, I never break a promise." Maya still wasn't sure. But a moment later, she smiled.
"Okay, I guess I can trust you," she said. The two smiled at each other. And then, they hugged.
——
Maya and Bailey's friendship grew stronger as the days went by. They talked about how they do things in their homes. They even taught each other Spanish and French.
Then one day, Maya was returning to the beach with a picnic basket. Bailey was already waiting for her.
"Ready to eat, mi amiga?" Maya asked.
"Si," Bailey nodded. The two began chow down on some pawnut butter sandwiches.
"Délicieuse," Bailey said when they finished. "I never had anything so good." Maya giggled.
"If you think that tasted good," she smirked, "just wait and see what I brought for dessert." She reached into the basket, pulled out two pupcakes, and handed one to Bailey. Although Maya chowed down on her pupcake, Bailey wasn't sure. So, she took a small bite out of her pupcake, and her eyes beamed with delight. The pupcake was super delicious. She finished the whole thing in a matter of seconds.
"It sure was fun, huh?" Maya said, putting the picnic supplies back in the basket. Just when she was about to leave...
"Wait."
Maya paused in step and turned around.
"Before you go," Bailey said, "I have something for you." She reached behind herself and pulled out a light-blue seashell necklace.
"This is a magical necklace," the cocker spaniel explained, placing it around Maya's neck. "I'll tell you what it does tomorrow." Then, she dove under the waves while Maya left the beach.
——
The next day, Maya arrived at the beach, where Bailey was waiting for her.
"You might remember that yesterday I told you that your necklace is magical, correct?" Bailey guessed.
"Yeah," Maya said with an unsure nod. "What's so magical about it?"
"Your necklace has the power to turn you into a mermaid."
Upon hearing this, Maya felt her body fill with excitement. But it quickly turned into confusion.
"How do turn this thing on?" she asked, stepping into the water.
"Well, basically, the magic in the necklace is voice-activated," Bailey explained. "To make it work, just simply say, 'I wish to become a mermaid'." Maya took a deep breath.
"I wish to become a mermaid," she repeated. At first, nothing happened. But then, the necklace began to glow, and a light blue aura surrounded the young Dalmatian and lifted her into the air. Bailey watched as Maya's yellow turned into a yellow sleeveless top. Then, her hind legs slowly came together. Once they were touching, a bright light completely covered them. It was so bright that Bailey slammed her eyes shut. When the light and aura faded, Maya floated back down into the water. Quickly, she noticed her new top, looked down, gasped in awe and excitement.
"I'm a mermaid!" she squealed, jumping above the waves. Bailey giggled.
"Ready to go, mon ami?" she asked her friend, who nodded happily. And the two friends dove under the waves.
——
As the two friends swam beneath the waves, Bailey showed Maya the many different kinds of sea life.
"This is so amazing!" Maya squealed with excitement.
"Oh, you haven't seen anything yet, mon ami," Bailey smirked, slugging her friend. "Come see my kingdom." Excitedly, Maya bolted ahead. Bailey chuckled and swam after her.