This story follows No One for the Gallows But Me, but it also stands alone nicely.
Long ago, Princess Luna formed a son from her own mystical essence, named Jack. She also, in what was to become the custom of new Equestrian parents, made him a tiny stuffed animal.
Since then, Equestrians have made a wide variety of stuffed toys for their children. Being ponies, very few have ever made toy predators.
Which is ironic, since Princess Luna made for her son... a tiger.
This is his story. Or at least, a story about a few of the lives he touched. And yes, some of the chapters are quite small. But then, he was a very small tiger.
Artwork by Sixes_and_Sevens. Please check out their excellent artwork and stories.
Jack also has his own story, Moon Childe.
(Chronology Note: Chapter Seven takes place at the end of Season Six, between the stories to either side of this one. The epilogue takes place, well, quite some time after that.)
This continuity continues in The Last Changeling War.
And, of course, the seminal story that starts it all begins here.
Part of the Sunset Rising Continuity.
Hobbes? Is that you?
This is absolutely adorable and I love it. I don't like the look of that Death tag though.
glass shattering
dogs going bananas
noise I'm making finally decreases to audible frequency range
I think I spontaneously grew ovaries reading this.
Then they exploded.
Very interesting touch with the abiogenesis. There's something delightful in the mental image of ponies emerging fully formed from chaos storms like the dragons of Tarkir.
As for the rest of the tale thus far, loving every moment of it. Looking forward to more.
10184045
Oh, I agree completely. That’s why I had Sunset found after an unscheduled thunderstorm...
10183997
Lovely and powerful and moving as ever. I wish I'd had Twilight's fortitude at that age.
Lovely little story, and surprised to see some canon characters! We got Twilight Velvet as the main character in this chapter, and I believe Spoiled Rich and Mayor Mare at the tea party.
10185595
You are correct!
This chapter is adorable, and a great bit of backstory for Shining.
Little typo though:
10189346
Glad you enjoyed.
Also: yipe! Thank you for catching that!
Considering how well the tiger has resisted the ravages of time that must've been some fight. Surprised the changelings were able to hurt him
10192717
Well, they were Chrysalis’ best, and they were armed with amulets designed to weaken magic.
But yeah, it was a hell of a fight. Short, savage, and brutal.
thanks for the story man, its been great so far.
Of COURSE that's his name.
As someone who also has a cherished childhood toy, this story makes me happy
10216865
I am so very glad. Only one chapter to go.
Well, I let this one get away for far too long. Though one could argue that with tigers, it's best to let them come in their own time.
In any case, wonderful stuff through all the bits I missed, especially the inevitable name reveal. And short-circuiting the contrivances of "To Where and Back Again" will always make me smile. I like Thorax, but I hate the way they established the stakes.
"And then the changelings capture the Mane Six, Shining, and every alicorn offscreen."
"How do they do that?"
"By doing it offscreen."
At least one more.
You know this means your subconscious wants you to write a Flash Sentry story.
10232263
Oh, dude. Agreed. Thorax is a fine character, but, geez...
Anyway. Unless another story clubs me over the head, I’ll fill in some gaps betwixt this one and Reunions and Laments, finish one or two for the Elsequestria timeline, and then move back to this one for The Last Changeling War, this world’s parallel to To Where and Back Again.
Unless, of course, another story clubs me over the head.
Not that that ever happens around here.
Apparently I missed this epilogue until tonight. Well, better late than never. (And I certainly won't say no to another bit of Coyote story.) Beautiful ending to the tale. Thank you for it.
what's "Storny"?
11544589
Storny is an adjective from the works of A. A. Milne, used by a bouncy Tigger to describe jagulars and other fearsome hunters. 🐅
I don't typically condone smacking a child, but Miss Milk needs a good thwop. I call Horse Apples on her saying this stuff to be "kind" or "honest".
10232263
I absolutely agree with your thought about how Hasbro didn't handle the reformation very well. not to mention the corn-syrupy "changeling can change bit"...