The Story Behind the Wings
My Story
“Alright everypony thank you for coming!” I said while I put the last Rattlesnake in his pen.
The audience tapped their hooves in celebration as I finished my show. What is my show you may ask? Well… I am a dangerous animal trainer. I mainly work with poisonous snakes. My name is Redmamba or Red for short. I am a grey colored pegasus with a black and purple tail and my red eyes make me look like I came for the deepest part of Tartarus. My cutie mark is a red mamba, so you can see where I got my name.
When I was a filly I loved to see the dangerous animals at the zoo. Well one day a snake was harassing another pony and I jumped in. I used what I learned from watching animal trainers and well… pop I got my cutie mark. And that’s when I learned that this is what I wanted to do in life.
When I got enough bits I opened my own special place and called it Red’s Reptiles. Most of my care is with snakes but, I do watch over other animals. Snakes, iguanas, spiders, and the like, I really enjoy what I do. I live in Ponyville of all places, it’s a small town but all in all it’s a great place to find and rescue snakes, (with it being so close to the Everfree and all). I’m constantly getting calls about dangerous snakes and other animals sneaking into pony’s homes.
But today was one of my signature lesson shows. So I brought my most dangerous animals. I had brought a few Rattlesnakes, Black Mambas, Spitting Cobras, and a few others. It was a good show and I know all the attendants loved it… I mean I get to play with my pets and everypony expects me to get bitten. Anyway, I was loading up my cart as preparing to head back to my sanctuary when a male voice caught my attention.
“Hello Miss Mamba.”
I turned to see a grey unicorn stallion with a black and green mane and tail and next to him was a young and rather funny looking filly. She too was grey, she had a green main and tail, her pupils were not round they were hexagon in shape and she had a crystal for a horn.
“Hey I recognize you!” I said, “Your Neodimium Bolt from e-tec Industries, you’re one of the leading scientist in all of Equestria.”
“Hehe yep that’s me,” he said.
I looked at the little filly next to him, “And who are you?”
“I’m Jam!” she said happily.
“Well it’s nice to meet you Jam,” I said with a smile.
“It’s nice to meet you too Miss Mamba,” she said happily.
“Please call me Red,” I said.
“Okay! It’s nice to meet you Red!”
I laughed a little.
I looked back at Bolt, “So how can I help you Mister Bolt?”
He waved a hoof, “Please call me Neo.”
“Well Neo… how can I help you?” I asked.
“I was wondering if I could ask you for something?” he said.
“Go for it,” I replied.
“I was wondering if I could purchase some snake venom from you?” he asked.
“What do you plan to do with it?” I asked suspiciously
“We want to see if we can use it to cure cancer,” he said.
“Oh! Well I can do that. What kind of venom are you looking for?” I asked.
“Whatever you can give us would be great,” he said.
“Well…” I tapped my chin with my hoof, “I know I can give you at least five different types of venom,” I said.
“That’ll work,” he said happily, “so when will they be ready?”
“I can have the vials ready in about a week,” I said.
“A week it is then. Where should I pick them up?” he asked.
“You can stop by my sanctuary, I live on the northeastern part of Ponyville, the sign ‘ll give it away,” I said happily.
“Well thank you Red,” he said as he stuck his hoof out.
I grabbed it with mine as I shook it, “Thank you Neo.”
He looked at his daughter, “Alright Jam let’s get going.”
“Awe do we have to?” she said with sadness.
“I’m afraid so,” he said.
I decided to allow them to have at least a little fun, “Hey Jam you wanna see something cool?”
“Yay!” she said with a little cute hop.
“Here look at this,” I turned back to my cart and grabbed a little plastic container with my mouth.
I placed it on the ground and looked inside, “Slinky you up?”
This is where I keep my Rubber Boa Constrictor Slinky, but he didn’t appear to be moving.
“Slinky?” I said as I looked at the container closer, “You who Slinky?” I frowned.
“What seems to be the problem Red?” asked Neo.
I raised my head, “Oh don’t tell me he escaped again?”
“EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK! A SNAKE!”
“Found him,” I deadpanned. I looked at Neo, “I’ll be right back,” I said sheepishly.
I trotted off and around a corner where I saw a cream colored mare standing on top of a chair. She was shaking like a leaf, and right in front of her sat a familiar black boa.
“Slinky!” I scolded.
The small snake turned around to face me, “You should know better!” I said with a shake of my hoof.
The small creature sunk into the ground, he knew he was in trouble. I walked over and coaxed him onto my hoof. Once he was on I gave him an angry look. He tried to hide in a ball but he knew full well what he did.
I looked at the mare, “I’m sorry, he’s always sneaking out when I’m not looking.”
“You need to keep a better eye on that thing!” she screamed with fear and anger.
“He’s harmless,” I said trying to reassure her.
“I don’t know that!”
Valid point.
“Well once again I’m very sorry,” I said apologetically.
She climbed off the chair and ran off. I sighed and looked back at the snake on my hoof. I turned and walked back around the corner; it would appear that Neo and Jam looking at the snakes on my cart.
“Sorry about that, Slinky here is always figuring out how to sneak out of his container,” I said.
I walked up to the pair, “Here Jam put your hooves together.”
She sat on her haunches and placed her hooves together in front of her self, “Like this?”
“Yep,” I lowered my hoof with the snake on it down to meet hers, “Alright Slinky somepony wants to meet you.”
He uncurled himself and looked at me; I smiled and nudged my head in the filly’s direction. He looked at her then back to me. Then he slithered onto her hooves. She held him up and looked at him with awe. She smiled as he began to explore the little filly.
“What kind of snake is he?” asked Neo.
I looked at him, “Slinky here is a Rubber Boa. He’s harmless if that’s what you’re asking,” I said.
“Interesting,” he replied.
I looked back at Jam; Slinky began to move from her hooves, down her foreleg, and up her neck until he rested on her horn. She began to laugh as he moved.
“He tickles,” she said as she smiled and laughed.
“Well it looks like you made a new friend,” I said with a smile.
She laughed some more.
I love it when I get too see fillies and animals interact; it goes to show that the world isn’t as dangerous as we think. I let her play with Slinky for a few minutes, that little snake is lively... I never understood it.
“Okay Jam I think it’s time let Red here head home,” said Neo.
“Awe,” said the sad little filly.
“Hey Jam, if you want you can always stop by and visit him if you want,” I paused, “Well that is if your father here will allow it?”
“We’ll see,” he said with a smile.
“It was nice to meet you Red we really enjoyed the show,” he said.
“I aim to please!” I replied.
“Alright Jam say good bye,” he said to the little filly.
“Bye Red! It was nice to meet you!” she said.
“You too Jam,” I looked at the small snake on her horn, “come on Slinky it’s time to go.”
I raised a hoof the filly’s horn and watched as the small snake slithered onto it. Once again Jam giggled as he moved. I placed him on my wing and gave them a wave as they left. Once they were gone I placed Slinky back in his container, and put him on my cart. I strapped into my cart I headed for home. The next week went well. Well except the occasional animal call.
Here I am standing in front of yet another familiar house. Well I guess it’s the local boutique… sometimes I wish the new invention called the telephone was never invented… stupid scientists.
Knock Knock Knock.
The door shot open immediately, “Red! I’m so glad you’re here!” said a familiar white unicorn.
“Hi Rarity, what is it this time?” I asked being rather annoyed that I’m at her place... again.
She’s always calling me for the stupidest things; most are small spiders or harmless snakes.
“A snake! In the kitchen!” she screamed.
“*sigh* I’m on it,” I said as I trotted inside.
I placed my saddlebag on the floor and grabbed my catch pole from it with my wing and headed for her kitchen. I practically know this place by heart. I stopped in the doorway and did a basic survey.
“Do you see it!?” she hollered from behind me.
“Rarity I haven’t even began looking that hard,” I replied over my shoulder.
I trotted inside and began to look around corners and under the lips of the counters. When I didn’t see in on the floor I began to search cupboards. There was nothing in the lower ones so I headed higher. I began to search the upper cupboards… to no avail. The last place I looked was behind the fridge… low and behold… nothing
I trotted back out into the living room, “Well I don’t see it in the kitchen,” I said as I searched the room, “are you sure it was a snake?”
The last time she called me it was a large black rope with a pair of googly eyes that her friends tied to some fishing line to and dragged through her house.
Jeez I wanted to hit them.
“Yehehehesssss!” she whined.
“Well from the time you saw it to the time I got here it could be anywhere,” I said.
“WHAT!?!!!!!”
I should have just brought a rubber snake.
“Rarity it’s an animal and it will do what it wants,” I replied, “look I’ll do a quick sweep of your place and if I find it I’ll get rid of it, if I don’t then I’ll be expecting another call.”
I hated saying the last part, but I have a job to do.
“Please just find it!” she begged.
Maybe I should put in her bed? Then again I don’t want a midnight call.
“I make no promises,” I said.
Once again I found myself searching her home. I searched every room on the first floor. I looked under every mannequin, in every dressing room and behind every small nick-knack… nothing. Then I went upstairs and searched her room, the bathroom, and her work room… still nothing.
I trotted back downstairs, “I don’t see anything Rarity,” I said as I placed my catch pole back in my bag.
“What!?! Are you sure!?” she said in a panic.
“Yes Rarity I’m sure,” I replied as I placed my bags on my back, “look if you see it again try and get a good look at it, and when you call me keep your distance and watch it. If its harmless put a bowl over it, but if it’s dangerous watch where it goes and I’ll be over immediately.”
“Please don’t go!” she begged as I opened the door.
I turned around to look at her, “Rarity if I can’t find it then I can’t find it, I’m sorry. *sigh* look if it’s any consolation I’ll place you in an opening and I’ll stop by and snake proof your house.”
“Okay,” she whimpered.
“I’ll see you around,” I left her shop and began to head back home.
I whistled as I walked... I made it about 50 feet.
“EEEEEEEEEEEEEKKKKKKKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!”
I let out a long whistle as I turned around and headed back to her place. I opened the door and stepped inside. I could see Rarity cowering on the couch; she was looking up at the ceiling. I followed her gaze to see a small green snake on top of a light.
“Now why didn’t I check the rafters?” I said to myself.
“Pleasepleasepleasejustgetridofit!?” she pleaded.
I sighed as I placed my bag on the floor and hovered up to light. It appeared that he was warming himself. I looked at the small green and yellow snake, the little thing was only four inches long.
“Come here little guy,” I said as I coaxed the snake onto my hoof.
Once he was on I flew down to the floor and landed.
“Alright Rarity I found your deadly snake,” I said as I looked at the cowering mare.
“JUST GET IT OUT OF HERE!!!”
Good thing I brought a container.
“Alright Rarity let me put him in a container and I’ll give you the bill,” I said.
I walked over to my saddle bag and pulled a small plastic container out a placed the harmless garter snake in it and closed the lid and clasped it shut.
“Alright Rarity it’s safe to come of your couch,” I said reassuring the mare.
Like the snake would do anything.
“Are you sure it’s safe!?” she questioned as she began to place a hoof on the floor.
“Well…” she immediately brought her hoof back up.
“What!?”
“I’m kidding,” I replied trying to reassure her.
“Don’t do that! You know I hate snakes!”
Not like a get a call from her every other day.
“Yeah, yeah, I know Rarity, so the cost is 50 bits,” I said.
“50 bits!”
“Rarity I spend an hour looking for a four inch snake, and you know snake catching is expensive,” I explained.
“Fine,” she dead panned. She made her coin purse appear. I don’t know how she pulled 50 bits out of that small pouch.
Now I might be a pegasus that can control the weather and talk to animals… ones that listen at least… but I will never understand unicorn magic. She hovered them over to my saddlebag and placed them inside.
“Why do you have to be so expensive?” she asked.
“Well it’s not like I play with dangerous animals all the time. You should be glad I found it,” I said as I placed the snake in my saddlebag, “although I can see a way you could get a refund.”
This will be great.
“How’s that!?” she said excitedly.
“It would appear that I have a new snake up for adoption,” I said with a mischievous smile.
Her smile disappeared, “NOPE!”
“Good bye Rarity,” I headed for the door, “until next time.”
I left and headed for Fluttershy’s house, I knew that she’d love to take care of a garter snake. I guess living so close to the Everfree can cause so many problems, I know just about everypony in town… any who that was my fun for the week.
I spent most of my time milking venomous snakes for the order I had to fill. I filled five, one gram vials with different kinds of venom. I had Rattlesnake, Black Mamba, Copperhead, Spitting Cobra, and Cotton Mouth.
Well now to the main part of this story. I was transferring snakes and doing inventory. The last snake of the day, and I really hate this one. He is extremely grumpy. But the quicker I could get him in the pen the quicker I could finish the rest of my chores. I carefully grabbed him with my catch pole and placed him on the ground.
I made sure to watch him as I began to grab the container. Once I had the container I turned back to the rattler. He was curled up with his tail rattling. I placed the open end of the container facing toward him while I tried to coax him in. He refused… no surprise there.
As much as I tried he refused to move. I began to get frustrated as I continued to try and get the thing to move. This is where I got careless. I got my wing a little to close and he took that opportunity to bite me.
It hurt… a lot.
“OW!!!” I brought me wing back to my body, “YOU LITTLE PUNK!”
He hissed at me.
Now this was bad, I had a snake bite and a loose snake. I had to stay calm and try to contain this little prick. By now he began to move, with a bad wing I was struggling to herd him in the right direction. He slipped behind a few boxes and out of site. Using my pole I moved the boxes. I gasped when I didn’t see him. I continued to search behind boxes making sure to be more careful this time.
My wing began to burn as did my best to keep my heart rate low. After a few minutes I found the stupid thing behind a few more boxes. I grabbed him with my catch pole and dragged him out into the open. After a few failed attempts I got him in the container but I needed to close the lid. The pole wasn’t doing me any god so I decided to use my good wing.
‘I’ll do it fast and quick,’ I thought.
I pushed the slippery animal inside and reached for the lid… that’s where I went wrong.
His head snuck out as he lunged for me… he sunk his fangs into my other good wing.
“OW! WHY YOU LITTLE!”
I hit the snake with my pole and jumped on the container lid. Once it was secure I placed it on a nearby shelf. Now that he was set I knew it was time to go to the hospital. My wings began to burn as I stumbled to the door. Before I grabbed the knob I struggled to stay awake. I passed out before I could open the door.
Sometime Later
“Owwww,” I moaned as I sat up and rubbed my head.
As I looked around it would appear that I made it to the hospital… but how? The door opened and Nurse Redheart walked in, holding her usual wood clipboard.
“Hi Nurse Redheart,” I said.
“Oh hi Red! How are you feeling?” she asked.
“My wings hurt,” I replied.
I turned to look at my wings; both were wrapped in bandages and were wrapped close to my body.
“Well you were bit by a snake,” she said.
“Well it’s obvious you figured out what type of snake it was,” I replied.
Poisonous snake bites are one of the few things magic can’t fix. I decided to make and sell my own anti-venom to hospitals.
“It took some time to figure out what snake it was but at least we saved your life,” she said.
“Well that’s good,” I looked at my wings, “looks like I’m out for a little while.”
“Well…” she said nervously.
“What!?”
“Look Red I don’t know how to break this to you but…”
I was starting to panic.
“With the prolonged amount of time from the bit and the time we administrated the anti-venom… there was severe muscle damage to your wings… you have lost all the feathers on your wings and…”
“What!?” I said in a panic.
“You’re limited to the amount of maneuverability you can do with your wings,” she said sadly.
I fell back in the bed, “I… I can’t use my wings?” I said quietly.
“I’m sorry Red.”
I began to cry. Without the use of my wings, that means I can’t run my business. Dangerous animals are all I know! If I can’t hold a pole then I can’t work. What… what do I do in this situation?
My eyes tightened as I sat there and sobbed, I couldn’t handle it.
“I’m so sorry Red,” said Nurse Redheart as she walked over and gave me a light hug.
“Just… just leave me alone,” I said quietly.
“Okay… I’ll be back in a little while to check up on you,” she said as she began to leave.
I heard the door close… that’s when I let my tears run free.
I cried for several hours.
I was released the next day. Immediately I went home and snuggled with Slinky. He never left my side for the whole week I spent inside. I made sure to send a letter to Fluttershy; I decided to have her take care of my calls. She wanted to know why… well I never told her. I just said that I needed some time alone.
If you’re wondering, she’s more of a business partner then a friend. I mean everypony knows who her and her friends are, but I don’t know anything about her except that she likes animals and represents the Element of Kindness.
After a week of wallowing in sadness I decided to go for a walk… with Slinky of course. I walked with my head hung low. I never removed my bandages so that was a good indicator to leave me alone.
“Hey Red!” hollered a familiar male voice.
I turned to see Neo and Jam trotting up to me, “Oh… hey Neo,” I said with sadness.
“How are you holding up?” he asked.
“Fine… I guess.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah,” I said quietly.
“Well I’m glad I got to you when I did,” he said.
My head shot up, “What?”
“The day you got bit was the day I was supposed to pick up those vials,” he said.
I blinked twice before giving myself a face hoof, “Right you were supposed to pick those up.”
“Its fine, thankfully I was able to get you to the hospital in time,” he said.
I let a light smile slip, “Thank you Neo.”
“You’re welcome Red,” he said with a smile, “So what are you up to?”
I let out a heavy sigh, “I don’t know, I mean without my wings…” I began to cry again, “I can't run my business.”
I continued to cry as Neo and Jam watched me.
“Hey daddy what about we help her?” asked Jam.
“What do you mean sweetie?” he asked.
“What about your armor prototype you’ve been working on?” she asked.
“That’s right! Hey Red?” he looked at me.
I wiped my eyes with my hoof, “*sniff* yeah?”
“I think I have a way to help you with your predicament,” he said.
With much convincing… and I mean a lot! Neo convinced me to go to Canterlot with him. He told me about an experiment set of armor that was being designed for the guard. It turned out that the armor had a special set of metal wings on them. He said that he could remove the wings and adapt them to my body.
Once he got my measurements, he set up a date to begin the surgery. He had the best doctors and scientist on hoof to get this done. For me, I would get a new pair of wings. For him… well he got a test subject.
Yay me.
So here I am lying down on a stretcher surrounded by doctors.
“Are you sure this is safe?” I asked nervously.
I’ve always hated going to the doctor.
“Yes Red I have the best ponies in all of Equestria here to make this work,” replied Neo behind a white mask, “honestly I don’t know why you’re so scared. You play with dangerous animals on a daily basis.”
“That’s because I’m the one playing with the animal…” I paused, “...I also hate going to the doctor.”
That gained a laugh from everypony in the room.
Jerks.
“You’re in good hooves I promise,” he said.
“You better be right, otherwise I’m going to haunt you for the rest of your life,” I said jokingly.
“Hehe, well if you’re ready we can get started,” he said.
I took a deep breath and closed my eyes, “I’m ready.”
He placed a muzzle tube around my muzzle and opened a bottle of what I assume was laughing gas, because the next thing I knew I was out cold.
Several hours later
I woke up to see Jam playing with Slinky. I knew that little filly would take good care of him. He looked at me and began to bounce up and down, thus causing Jam to look at me.
“Daddy Red’s awake!” said Jam happily.
The door immediately opened and Neo walked inside, “Red how are you feeling?”
“Like I went to Tartarus and back,” I said sarcastically, “so how did it go?”
“Everything went well,” he said happily, “we got the metal joints attached and the wing harnesses are holding strong. When you feel better we’ll add the feathers.”
I let out a sigh of relief, “Oh thank Celestia.”
“Anyway I’ll get out of your mane,” he looked at his daughter, “come on Jam let’s get going.”
“Okay!” she replied happily.
“Jam wait,” I said quickly.
She turned to face me, “Thank you for taking care of Slinky for me.”
“Of course!” she replied.
“Can I see him for a second?”
“Of course!” she walked over to me.
She began to laugh as the small snake slithered up to her horn and onto my hoof. I gave him a nuzzle as I smile happily. I looked back at him, “You better be a good boy for Jam.”
He shook his little head in response.
“Good, I’ll see you around little buddy,” I placed him back on her horn as she giggled some more.
They left me to relax. The food sucked but the stay wasn’t all that bad.
And the best part was it was free.
After about a week of recovery Neo and Jam decided to fit me with my new feathers. They were awkward at first but after I got used to them... they weren’t half bad. I was able to make them work. They weren’t as flexible as my regular wings but I made due. The best part was that he modified them to allow me to use my catch pole.
“And what if I need to fly?” I asked.
“Well if we did this right you should be able to fly like normal,” he paused, “but this design was never build to be a double prosthetic. We had them set like that for show but not for mass production.”
“So if need be I can fly?” I asked.
He looked at the ceiling in thought as he tapped his chin with his hoof, “In theory… yes,” he looked back at me, “but I would recommend you do it after you’ve fully recovered.”
“So when will that be?” I asked.
“Not for a few months. You still need to get accustomed to the prosthetic. Basic functions like what we’ve been doing will sting, but basic flight will hurt… a lot,” he said.
I scrunched my muzzle and let out an angry huff, “It’s going to be a long few months.”
“Don’t worry we’re willing to help you anyway we can,” he said.
“I’ll keep it in mind,” I continued to play with my wings, “so what’s this gonna cost me?”
“I think five vials of venom will suffice,” he said.
I face hoofed, “And I forgot to bring those.”
A few days later we were on a train headed for Ponyville. Once I made it home I had a little spring in my step. I had a new pair of wings! I guess I can thank those eggheads for something. With the new wings I had new opportunities, this time I wouldm't have to worry about being bitten; maybe I should have him make me some metal leg guards? Anyway, I opened my sanctuary back up and took my jobs back from Fluttershy. She was really surprised to see the metal wings. And I got to show them off, and the looks ponies gave me were hilarious.
Although this particular Monday wasn’t very funny.
Knock, Knock, Knock!
The door shot open, “RED I’M SO GLAD YOU”RE HERE!”
“Hello Rarity, what is it this time?”
Author's Note
I decided to add Rarity because of her hatred of anything doing with the wilderness.
And thanks for the OC e-tec!
