Sonic the Hedgehog was running around Port Sunshine, a harbor town located in Seaside Hill. Sonic and his friends lived here. Sonic was standing on top of some rocks near the sea. He didn't like the water, but did enjoy listening to the waves. It was really relaxing, and it made Sonic feel peaceful.

'Sure feels great to listen to those relaxing waves.' Sonic said, smiling.

Sonic's best friend, Tails came flying in and landed next to Sonic.

'Hi, Sonic!' Tails said happily.

'Hey, what's up?' Sonic asked.

'Not much. I decided to check on you because I didn't have anything else to do.' Tails stated.

'Alright. I was just going out for a run and decided to stop by here to listen to the waves.' Sonic said.

'I totally agree with you, Sonic. It sounds so nice.' Tails nodded.

'Say, feel like going for a run in the hills?' Sonic asked Tails.

'Sure, let's go!' Tails told him.

Sonic and Tails then got off the rocks and ran off to the hills.

Meanwhile, beneath the sea surface, a yellow tailed Merhog was swimming happily. This was Merna the Merhog, an old friend of Sonic. Merna was princess of Mertopia, an underwater city Sonic once saved from the clutches of Dr. Eggman and Captain Memo. She liked to go out exploring the sea, because it was such a big, beautiful place. Merna then saw a Mobian in a diving suit picking up an item.

'Whoa, a Mobian! I don't see those down here too often!' Merna said. She then swam over to the Mobian and tapped him on the shoulder. The Mobian turned around and it's eyes widened. It dropped the item it had picked up and swam up to the surface. Merna picked up the item and followed the Mobian.

The Mobian climbed into to a boat, where two other Mobians were. The three Mobians were Vector the Crocodile, Espio the Chameleon and Charmy Bee. Together they were Team Chaotix, and they were looking for sunken treasure to sell on land. Espio was the Mobian who was diving for the treasure.

'Espio, what happened? Why do you have no treasure with you?' Vector asked Espio.

'Vector, there is something in there!' Espio stated.

'You forgot your item!' Merna called out, startling Vector, Espio and Charmy.

'Whoa, it's a Merhog…' Charmy said in disbelief.

'THAT'S what's in there!' Espio said, pointing at Merna.

'That's incredible!' Vector said, smiling.

'I-I thought Merbians were just a myth…' Espio said, still not able to believe his eyes.

Merna was holding onto the Chaotix' boat, causing it to lean in one direction. 'We're real.' Merna said, her yellow tail splashing the water. She then handed Espio the item. 'Your item.' Merna said.

'Give that to me!' Vector said, grabbing the item from Espio. He then inspected it. 'Yep, this is definitely a sapphire. These are worth a lot on land. Great job, Espio!' Vector said.

Espio calmed down, now that he knows Merna won't harm them. 'Well, you gotta thank this Merhog girl too. She brought us the sapphire after I dropped it.' Espio said, smiling.

'Alright, thank you, Merhog girl.' Vector said. 'By the way, do you have a name?' He asked Merna.

'I'm Merna.' Merna said.

'Alright, I'm Vector, this is Espio and that's Charmy.

'Nice to meet you!' Charmy said happily.

'Same here.' Merna said with a smile.

'Well, Espio, time to get down there and find more treasure.' Vector said.

'I know a better way to find treasure then through diving equipment.' Merna said.

Espio nodded and took off his diving gear. He then jumped into the water.

'So, what way do you have in mind?' Espio asked Merna.

Merna got out a shark tooth necklace and gave it to Espio. 'Put it on and you'll see.' She told him.

Espio nodded and put on the necklace. Suddenly, his body started tingling and his legs went numb.

'What's happening? Why can't I feel my legs?' Espio asked Merna.

'You'll see.' Merna said to him.

Espio then felt like his legs were fusing together. Eventually the feeling stopped and Espio looked down, only to see his legs replaced by a long red fishtail. He was shocked. 'Oh my Gosh, I'm a…'

'Mermeleon.' Merna answered. 'As a Merbian, you can breath underwater and swim very deep.' She explained. 'However, if you take off the necklace again you'll turn back into a Mobian, so don't ever take off your necklace while underwater.'

'Okay, got it. Well, Vector, Merna and I will be off to find treasure.' Espio said to Vector. Vector and Charmy didn't say anything. They were just too amazed at Espio turning into a Merbian.

'Well, let's go.' Merna said. She and Espio then dove under the water.

Merna and Espio swam around, looking for treasure.

'So, how long have Merbians been around?' Espio asked Merna.

'For a pretty long time.' Merna answered. 'My mother told me stories about our ancestors lining back to hundreds of years. We didn't really think about going up to the surface because we've never heard a lot of interesting stuff about it. We did hear stories about the famous hero of Mobius, Sonic the Hedgehog. Then one day, I met him, and he helped me save my underwater home. He was so handsome, too…' Merna sighed happily.

'Wow, sounds like you really like Sonic.' Espio said, smirking.

'Did I say that? Darn, that was supposed to be a secret…' Merna said, unable to believe she said that out loud.

'It's okay. Your secret is safe with me.' Espio said.

'Thanks.' Merna said, smiling.

'You're welcome.' Espio smiled back.

Espio and Merna swam around until they found treasure. They found some pearls, and took them back to Vector and Charmy.

'Nice work, you two. One sapphire and a few pearls. That'll do for today.' Vector said, smiling.

'Thank you for helping us with our work today, Merna.' Espio said to Merna.

'No problem, Espio. Can I join you guys again next time? I'd really like to learn more about Mobians.' Merna asked.

'Sure thing. You're a huge help to us. Of course you can join us again next time.' Vector laughed.

'Yeah, you're always welcome to join us in our treasure hunts!' Charmy said, giving two thumbs up.

'Thanks. See you guys soon.' Merna said. She then got back in the water and swam away. The Chaotix then took their boat back to shore. Merna then dove under the water and swam back home. Back in Mertopia, all kinds of Merbians were swimming about, minding their own business. Merna entered the palace, where she lived with her mother, Queen Diana, who was Queen of Mertopia. Merna swam into the living room of the palace, where her mother was sitting.

'Hello, mother.' Merna said to her mother.

'Hello, Merna. How was your day?' Queen Diana asked.

'Today I helped some Mobians dive for sunken treasure. It was really nice.' Merna said.

'That's good. Keep in mind that not all Mobians are nice. Remember Captain Memo and Dr. Robotnik?' Diana told Merna.

'I do, mother. I learned a lot from that day.' Merna said.

'Okay. Well, do you have anything else in mind to do today?' Diana asked Merna.

'Not really. Maybe I'll be going for another swim at night.' Merna said.

'Okay. Well, dinner will be ready in a few hours. Be in time.' Diana said.

'I will, mother.' Merna said.