Nightmare Moon's new administration isn't going so well. After narrowly defeating the Elements of Harmony, she rules with a troubled heart, still reeling from the effects of the pitched battle. Her subjects beg for Celestia’s return, and the royal court’s petitions grow tiresome. Yet she comes across a very nervous and plain-looking young stallion named Strawberry Dawn with an odd request: a date. She decides to toy with him for a little while. She's already having mixed feelings about her eternal night, and these random acts of kindness cause something to start growing inside her.

Think of this as a tangent from the canon story, although I want to keep it as close in spirit as possible. This is also an attempt at a spiritual sequel to both "Under the Moonlight" by Liquid_Rainbows and "Moon Phased" by SilentAuthor. Please note that the vast majority of the story isn't 'mature', only one of the alternate endings has graphic content. Avoid chapters 12 and 13, and you will see no graphic content. Please note as well that the fourth ending, chapters 16 and 17, has some dark, depressive material. As well, there is a sequel called "A Nightly Romance". Special thanks to TLATopHat for the fanart!