Prince Eric would be devastated. He fell in love with Ariel for her beauty, both inside and out. Her death would leave him heartbroken, and he might become a recluse, spending his days mourning by the sea. He could also become a bit of a crusader, trying to do things in Ariel's memory, like cleaning up the ocean or protecting mermaids.
Sebastian, Ariel's friend, would be beside himself. He was always looking out for Ariel, even when she was getting into trouble. Her death would make him feel like he failed as a friend. He might stop singing and become a much more somber character, and he could also try to avenge Ariel's death if it was caused by a particular enemy in the fanfiction.
Perhaps in some fanfiction, Ariel's death could be due to the pollution of the ocean. As she is a mermaid, her home is the sea. If there is excessive pollution, it could make the sea uninhabitable for her and the other sea creatures. She might succumb to the poisoned waters while trying to find a solution to save her home.
In some fanfictions, Ariel's death might be a tragic result of a broken heart. Maybe after Eric chose another, Ariel, in her deep despair, could take her last breath while looking at the sea that she once left for love. It's a really sad concept as she sacrificed so much for a love that didn't end well.
Ariel could die due to a tragic accident. For example, she might be exploring a sunken ship when it collapses on her. Unable to escape in time, she gets trapped and runs out of air. This sudden and unexpected death would shock those who knew her, both in the underwater realm and among the humans she had befriended. It would also lead to a great deal of mourning and could potentially drive Prince Eric to seek revenge on those he believes are responsible, like pirates who might have looted the ship and weakened its structure.
Sebastian and Flounder would be devastated. Sebastian might lose his sense of purpose as he was always there to guide and protect Ariel to some extent. Flounder, being Ariel's close friend, would likely be inconsolable. He may become more withdrawn and less adventurous. Ursula, if she is still alive in the fanfiction, might have a complex reaction. She could feel a strange sense of victory, but also a tinge of regret as Ariel was a worthy adversary, and without her, the underwater world becomes a bit duller.
Perhaps in the fanfiction, Ariel and Eric get married and have to deal with the cultural differences between the underwater world and the human world. For example, Ariel has to learn the proper etiquette in Eric's kingdom while Eric tries to understand the unique traditions of Ariel's mermaid family.
There are several possible reasons. Maybe she has lost something precious in the fanfiction. It could be a magical item that was important for her connection to the sea. Or perhaps she has had a fight with a friend or someone she loves. This emotional distress makes her break down in tears as she tries to deal with the situation.
Ariel is quite adventurous. Her sisters may be more nurturing. They could be the ones who take care of the younger sea creatures and are more concerned with the well - being of the ocean community as a whole. They might not be as eager to break the rules as Ariel was to go to the surface. Instead, they would rather maintain the harmony within their own underwater society.
Another reason might be environmental disaster in a fanfiction. If the ocean was being polluted at an alarming rate and Ariel tried to fix it but was exposed to too many toxins. As she took her last breath, she would be sad about the future of her ocean home and the creatures she loved.
In a fanfiction scenario, Ariel takes her shoes off when she reaches the shore. As she does so, she feels a strange connection to the land. It's as if the act of removing her shoes makes her more attuned to the human world. She starts to learn about different types of shoes that humans wear and even tries to make her own, using materials from the ocean. This leads to some humorous and heartwarming interactions with local villagers.
Perhaps in a fanfiction, Ariel and Eric will have a family of their own. They will raise their children to understand both the land and the sea, creating a unique bond between the two worlds.