Ariel

**Ariel the Spirited Harbor Tug** is a supporting character in the SeventyVerse's TUGS spinoff series. She was owned by the Navy, before she was sold to Captain Lucky. In the *TUGS Survival AU*; Ariel becomes the third member of the Z-Stacks after Zak is fired for treason.

## Backstory

Ariel was working at a harbor in Massachusetts when Hercules was stationed there once. She was the one who told Hercules about Zeus and his narcissistic behavior.

When the Star Fleet was experiencing a tug shortage due to Big Mac, O.J. and Sunshine covering for Scorpio, Ember and Hail who had taken on bad water and Hercules being called away up the coast, Captain Lucky (who was looking after them whilst Captain Star was on holiday) chartered Ariel and Penny to help Ten Cents, Top Hat and Warrior. It was during that time that Ten Cents and Ariel began gaining feelings for each other. Also, Ariel would meet Sunshine, Moonlight, Stormy and Misty and wonder how Ember, Scorpio and Hail became ill but the rest of the tugs didn't. After discovering that Ember, Scorpio and Hail had been poisoned by Zak, Ariel devises a plan to capture him. They trick Zak into getting trapped by a tramper and Peeper Pipes and Davy Jones arrest him. After Big Mac, O.J., Hercules and Sunshine return to the Star Fleet, Ariel and Penny return home.

After Top Hat was killed in the blitz, Captain Lucky saw Ariel in Atlantic City and told her what had happened. Ariel agreed to come back to Bigg City to cover for Top Hat's duties and, despite not being built for railway work, she did a good job and got on well with Frank and Eddie. When Ten Cents, Big Mac, Hercules, Zorran, Zak and Zip volunteered for the navy after Billy Shoepack was murdered via his own dynamite and a Nazi flag was discovered near the crime scene, Grampus suggested that Penny should come back to cover for Ten Cents and Ariel informed Captain Star about two tugs that could cover for Big Mac and Hercules: those tugs being Meridian and Venus.

After it was discovered that Zak and Zeus were part of a Nazi sympathizing group led by Captain Zero's wife, Ursula, Ariel participated in the rescue when O.J., Warrior, Zebedee, Stormy, Hail and Little Owl were held hostage by the evil group. Ariel acted as backup for Ten Cents when he rescued Zebedee, but thankfully Ten Cents overcame his fear of explosions. After the evil group was defeated, Zip suggested that Ariel and Penny should work for Captain Lucky after the war was over, which Ariel and Penny accepted. During Zorran and Captain Zero's funeral (the former had sacrified himself by ramming Zak, Zeus and Ursula into a burning warehouse, the latter had taken a bullet for Captain Star), Ten Cents and Ariel revealed their feelings for each other and became a couple.

In the *TUGS Survival AU,* Ariel joins the Z-Stacks after their new No. 3 after Zak is fired by Captain Zero.

## Relationships

### Hercules

Ariel was naturally charmed by Hercules and warned him about Zeus.

### Zeus

Ariel warned Hercules about Zeus and clearly doesn't approve of his narcissistic behaviour.

### Penny

Ariel and Penny are best friends and both work well together at Lucky's Yard.

## Romance

### Ten Cents

When Ariel and Penny were chartered by Captain Lucky after Big Mac, O.J. and Sunshine went to help the Salvage Fleet and Hercules was called away up the coast, Ten Cents thought that Ariel was the most beautiful tug he had ever seen. When Ariel revealed how she sometimes wished she was a human, she and Ten Cents had to laugh, and Top Hat, Warrior and Penny joined in as well. Ariel also felt sorry for Ten Cents after learning about his near death experience. Sadly, Ten Cents couldn't confess his love to her before she and Penny went home and since they lived in different states, a long distance relationship would be difficult. After Top Hat was killed, Ariel was informed about it by Captain Lucky and she came back to help, despite not being for railway work. The remaining Stars were cheered up by her presence, especially Ten Cents. When Ten Cents volunteered for the Navy, Ariel begged him to be careful. During the final battle, Ariel acted as back-up for Ten Cents in rescuing Zebedee but he didn't need it. After Ursula and her gang were defeated, Ten Cents was thrilled to learn that Ariel and Penny would be staying to help Captain Lucky after the war. A few days later, Ten Cents and Ariel finally confessed their love to each other.

## Personality

Ariel is a bright, spirited, and headstrong tug with a strong passion for adventure and exploration. Her tendency to explore the more mysterious depths of the ocean can lead to an array of problems to both herself and her friends. Despite this, Ariel's selflessness, compassion, and intuitive way of thinking often resolve such problems, as she always takes full responsibility for her actions.

## Technical Details

### Basis

Ariel is based on the SS Master, the only surviving steam powered, locally built, wood hulled tugboat in British Columbia.

### Livery

Ariel's livery consists of a black hull, a green superstructure, a white mast and a red funnel. Her name is painted in white on her sides. She wears a purple sailor's cap with a mermaid crest on top.

In Aftermath, Ariel is given the four leaf clover symbol and a number "1" on her stack, to signify she is owned by Captain Lucky.

In the *TUGS Survival AU*, Ariel is in the Z-Stacks corporate red and black livery. She has the number "3" on her stack and flies the Zero flag.

## Trivia

* Ariel was inspired by the character from Disney's *The Little Mermaid* of the same name. As such, the preferred voice actress for Ariel is Jodi Benson who voices Ariel in *The Little Mermaid* franchise.
* Ariel's worst nightmare is Ursula taking over Bigg City, which almost happened but thankfully averted.
* Ariel replacing Zak in the Z-Stacks in the *TUGS Survival AU* sees her as a mirror version to him: whereas Zak was cruel, thuggish and violent, Ariel is kind, sweet and helpful.