Rain. It cuts through the air like a thousand tiny knives, falling to the ground with no hope of stopping. The bitter cold of the night drove all manner of creatures to seek shelter as lightning split the sky and the wind howled in the distance. Despite the cold, wet, winter night outside, in the upper class district of Manehattan there was a party in full swing at a rather opulent mansion.

The warm, welcoming halls of la putain énorme maison de génial saw dozens of guests meander to and fro as they went about enjoying themselves at a high-society party. In attendance were some of the most influential families in the city, dressed to the nines and dining on nothing less than the finest cuisine. Truly, only the elite and the titans of industry were welcome there.

While the party continued on downstairs, though, something sinister was afoot. Had anypony been walking by, they might have noticed that one of the third floor windows had a light on, and the shade drawn to prevent prying eyes from seeing what lay within.

“Oh, you poor, poor thing. You know, I really do enjoy your company, to the point that I have delayed this as long as possible, but I simply can't wait any longer.”

Hoofsteps. Somepony trotted around the room, deep in thought. The unrelenting downpour against the roof provided an almost meditative sound, the kind that drives some mad and some to inner peace.

“What's that? I couldn't quite understand you. Let you go, you beg? Why am I doing this, you ask? My dear, I think we've known each other long enough for you to know exactly why.” A pause filled the room. “Still nothing? And here I thought we knew each other.”

Not a word was said, but the creature being spoken to shuddered.

“I am somepony who appreciates beauty above all else, and you, my dear, are slowly becoming less beautiful. I'm afraid this has been long overdue. Don't fret, though. With my help, you'll be beautiful forever. You are going to look lovely as a part of my… collection.” There was a soft glow as a horn shimmered with energy. At that moment, lightning struck the fountain in the mansion's courtyard, its flash and the accompanying roar of thunder hiding the moment the spell was cast.

The target of that spell, though, was very vocal about the situation. Not that any of the party guests downstairs could hear her.

“No, wait! This isn't what I wanted! Oh, oh sweet Celestia! HELP! SOMEPONY HELP ME! I'M BEI-MPH! MPHMM! MMMRGHPH!” A few tears of genuine fear fell from the mare's eyes as the spell finished transforming her into her new, inanimate form. The room fell silent once more, aside from one, single, haunting sound.

Rain.

“I am so rutting bored right now.”

“Peps, don't be like that. Everypony else is having a good time.”

Pepper Marie Fetch slammed her head down on the table, in direct contrast to formal manners. As far as diamond dogs went, she was unique for venturing far from her pack in search of new experiences. This was not one of them. “Wyrmie, honey, everypuppy else grew up in high society, even you've worked with them for fifty years. I'd sooner choke on a bone than the half-assed smiles and politics this place smells like.” She groaned. “Don't get me wrong, the food's great and all, but it's just too slow, everything is too gaudy. Nothing like what I grew up with. I don't like how ponies flaunt their wealth instead of using it to help others in need.” A dark gray, almost black scaled hand with sharp turquoise claws and a single golden wedding band on it grasped her paw, holding it close.

G'rrhan Wyrmsteam, or just Wyrm as he preferred, looked across the table at his wife of two years and business partner for twice as long. Her sleek black fur complimented her sequin blue dress perfectly in his eyes, and he smiled. Getting hitched to a Germane Shepherd breed of diamond dog was always something he got ridiculed by his fellow dragons over, but as he held her brown paw in his hand and gazed into her brown eyes he knew he had made the right choice. They had worked out a life together, two outcasts doing what they loved: having adventures and new experiences. Ever since they started up their law firm, Fetch & Wyrmsteam, they had found money, local fame, and even friends in high places over the past four years. As for himself, he was a very handsome drake. Dark gray scales with a cyan underbelly and spines running from his head to the axe like growth on the end of his tail, and orange horns pointed down from the sides of his head made him stand out a fair bit, and his wings certainly didn't make him any smaller or less intimidating when he wanted to be, but even his scariest face wouldn't have stopped Pepper as she pulled him in by his bowtie for a passionate kiss.

As Wyrm was released, he gasped for air, stars bursting in front of his eyes. He was always a sucker for romantic acts from his sweetheart. Pepper barked out a laugh at her husband's actions, then upped the ante. She gripped her dress and fused with it slightly. “You know, Wyrmie, this dress is kinda tight and uncomfortable. Maybe we should leave, head home, and you can help me out of it~”

That earned her a blush. Two years of marriage and he still got all flustered at the mention of rutting, or even intimacy in general. He was a big mush with her, and a bit of a hopeless romantic hoping for a happily ever after, but she knew he had the ferocity of his dragon ancestors in him, especially when he was in court. “Uh, I, um… would… like… that?” Wyrm managed to stammer a response out, he was usually the less forward one in their relationship. “W-well, we should stay a little while longer. You never know, they might have some fancy gems, or even a-”

“MURDER! SOMEPONY HELP, THERE'S BEEN A MURDER!”

Author's Note

Oh, I'm sorry, were you expecting comedy? I'm not a one-trick Ashfur. Welcome to the darker side of the world, where the happy-go-lucky attitude you all know me for won't save you.

Strap in, because we're in for a wild ride.