For subjects to rule over, Celestia made creatures much like themselves. These creatures were called "Ponies". Some had horns, just like them, except they had no wings. Celestia called these "Unicorns". Some had only wings, which were "Pegasi". And some had neither wings nor horn, who were called "Earth Ponies".
But the creations did not just stop there. The land of the ponies was to be called Equestria. This is also where the two sisters would rule most supreme, taking home in whatever city suited them. Other lands and subjects were created as well as Equestria. Zebrica was home of the Zebra, as it's grassy plains were suited for such a creature. Other creatures like Buffalo, Deer, Rams, Griffons, and Mules, were all created to be ruled over.
These creatures all made societies, and quickly built towns, cities, and capitals. Using wings, magic, or just hard work, they thrived in whatever they did. But as problems arose, they knew who to call upon for help. Celestia always answered these pleas, making sure that everything was perfect. Luna, however, did not often answer these calls. One day, Celestia questioned this.
"Sister" she said. "Why is it that you do not help those mortals in need?"
"It is not because I hate them, if that is what you are thinking" replied Luna. "It is because we cannot always be relied upon for such things. If we always answer pleas, always make the world perfect, then they will have no reason to grow, expand, discover. We need to let them make their own mistakes, and learn from them."
And so they did. It took many months, but the mortals eventually stopped calling for every little thing. After years, they only called upon Celestia when it was between life or death. In many of these situations, Luna stopped Celestia from going. Civil war ravaged Zebrica, a famine plagued the land of ponies, and an unknown disease struck down much of the Griffon population.
But, as Luna predicted, they fought through it without relying on their goddesses. Unicorns, Pegasi, and Earth Ponies united to create Equestria, where they thrived once again. A standard Zebrican government was established, rather than tribes fighting for control. And a cure was discovered for the Griffon plague.
In Equestria, castles and huts were being phased out. More modern buildings were appearing, as well as more technology. With more confidence in themselves, the ponies researched and built at their please. Foundations of Las Pegasus, Canterlot, and Fillydelphia, were already beginning. And for this, the sisters rewarded their people with a new challenge. It was Luna's idea, to create a race of beasts that would hinder the ponies progress. Something for them to fight and tame, become masters of themselves. Luna wanted to make dragons.
"No Luna, that is a terrible idea" said Celestia to the idea. "These creatures sound far too dangerous to be made."
"That's the idea Celestia" said Luna. Her eyes lit up like the night of the first full moon. "Ponies need to have something to fight, something to keep them guessing. There will be initial panic, yes, but think of how they will feel once they conquer such a feat."
"But what if they never do discover how to defeat a dragon. What if dragons just wipe out every other species, it wouldn't be that hard for such a creature."
"If things do get out of hand, then we will help. Better for them to seek help from us again than for them to cease existence."
Celestia thought about it, long and hard. Much time went by as she pondered over the decision. Finally, she had her answer.
"Luna. I have decided to permit their creation. But if the ponies cannot fight them, they will be destroyed."
"Yes sister!" Luna yelled, her eyes lighting up again. "I will begin immediately."
Luna's horn lit up, and the first dragon was created. It was hundreds of feet long, with red scales and large red spikes lining its back. Giant wings carried it through the air, and it roared fire into the open sky. Luna turned to her sister, seeking confirmation.
"Proceed" Celestia nodded.
More dragons were created. Some large, some small. Some had wings, some did not. Some breathe fire, others ice or something completely different. They began to seek food, precious jewels would be their source. Most took resident in caves in solitude, but others made large groups in quarries and ravines. The dragons seemed uninterested in the ponies, only jewels.
Luna was extremely happy with her work, and Celestia was happy that nopony was hurt yet. Luna continued to make dragons, fulfilling her wishes. But, as another creation spell was about to be cast, a Pegasus, flying through the air at amazing speeds, hit into the cloud Luna was standing on. Luna began to fall, catching herself with her wings and flying back up. But as she fell, her spell was cast.
"Luna" called Celestia, panic slightly hinting her voice. "Come here now."
"I am fine sister" said Luna. "It was only an accident."
"Oh my, Goddess Luna! I am so terribly sorry! I had no idea..." The Pegasus stopped mid sentence. Luna, wondering what the Pegasus and her sister were looking at, turned to their gazes. Flying at Luna was the largest, most frightening, most horrifying dragon created.
"Luna run!"
Luna took off, her wings carrying her as fast as the lone pegasus. The dragon did not need to fly fast, as one flap of its wings took it past Luna and towards the village of Canterlot.
"No!" screamed Celestia. "It will destroy the village!"
"Get rid of it" yelled Luna. "Kill it!"
Celestia's horn lit up, and a ray of pure sunlight was shot through the air at the dragon. The ray bounced harmlessly off of its scales, and was redirected at one of the many unfinished buildings of Canterlot. The wooden building caught aflame instantly, burning to the ground within seconds and taking anypony inside with it.
Ponies began panicking, running like ants under a lowering shoe. Arrows were shot, spells were cast, but all were ineffective against the dragon. Flames erupted from the beasts mouth, disintegrating the structures in its wake.
"Celestia, what do we do?" yelled Luna over the destruction.
For the first time, Celestia's answer was not a wise, controlled speech. "I don't know!"
A jewel shop caught on fire, burning the structure to the ground. The dragon, smelling its food, landed with a quake. Its large clawed hand dug under the remains of the shop and scooped up everything that it used to be, and shoved it in its mouth. Then, it took flight once again, burning and crushing the town.
"That's it!" yelled Luna. "Jewels! If we get a large enough sum of its food, and throw it into space, it will follow it and die outside of the planet!"
Luna, using her magic, had jewels and precious stones float up from the ground and form into a big pile in the sky. The dragon, spotting the mass of food, flew at it. Luna used one last bit of magic to push it into the sky at amazing speeds. The dragon followed, flying straight up into the sky and toward its food.
Luna collapsed from the stress, but was caught by her sister. "Luna" Celestia whispered. "You saved Equestria."
"Goddess Luna saved us!" yelled a pony.
"And to think she didn't care about us. Praise Luna!" said another.
A chant formed across the remains of Canterlot. "Praise Luna! Praise Luna!"
Celestia carried her sister to a nearby cloud, and set her down. "You've had quite a day sister" she whispered. "But it is time to rest." She kissed her sisters forehead, and stroked her mane. "Sleep well savior."
Celestia stood atop a cloud. It was the middle of the night, and Luna had not yet awoken. She looked at the stars above her, looking for any sign of the dragon. There was none.
"Stars" said Celestia. "When will she wake up?"
No response.
"Heavens?"
Nothing
"Can you hear me wise watchers? Why do you not answer me?"
Silence
"Why? Why have you abandoned me after her making? Why do you not hear my pleas for guidance?"
Still, the stars would not answer. Celestia gave up, falling to her knees and crying.
"Sister?" asked a voice from behind her. She turned to see Luna, awake. "Why do you shed tears sister?"
"It is nothing" said Celestia, wiping her eyes and sniffling. "Nothing we can control."
"Sleep sister" said Luna. "I will watch the night."
"But we do everything together" argued Celestia. "Why would we now do so differently?"
"I am night, you are day. We should each control our domains, but not all of the time together. We are tired, and one of us needs to stay up to watch over the mortals."
"I see" said Celestia, now feeling very tired. "Will you watch this night?"
"Diligently" replied Luna. "Sweet dreams sister."
Celestia slept for the first time in many years. Luna watched as the ponies also slept, just like their daylight protector. She then looked to the sky. Her moon was half lit, slowly getting fuller and fuller by the night. Something caught her eye, however. A star, a seemingly normal star like the rest, brightened. It twinkled, and moved, and no matter where Luna looked, the star was there, in her gaze.
"The night is playing tricks upon me" she convinced her self. "I must not get distracted."
But through the stress of the previous day and the uneventful night, Luna fell asleep, right next to her sister.
The star was not pleased.