Harmony always found a way to protect Equestria and the lands beyond by bringing guardians of all shapes and sizes to protect her and all nations beyond. From the Pillars, the fellowship of legendary ponies who would protect the young kingdom through their virtues, to the Mane Six, the six ponies who protect their home a thousand moons later through their elements, to the Young Six, the six young creatures of all sorts who continue to protect the pony kingdom and carry with them the virtues and elements of their predecessors while showing us the magic of friendship. Each of these three groups has a representative that has a tie to one another, through their character and virtue/element.
 
After Equestria was founded, a newfound harmony came to be between the three pony tribes (the Unicorns, the Pegasi, and the Earth Ponies) through friendship. However, danger and evil threatened the new pony nation. In order to maintain and share the light and virtues that shine within all, six legendary ponies, two from each tribe, were united and together they stood against the darkness, serving as Equestria’s pillars through their virtues.
 
Representing the Pillars of Old Equestria is the mighty Earth Pony stallion Rockhoof. He became a legend when he protected his village from an erupting volcano. While serving in the Mighty Helm, he used a shovel to dig up a trench to divert the lava away from the village. Suddenly, in the middle of Rockhoof’s digging, a mysterious magic surrounded his shovel, and he was transformed from a scrawny colt to a brawny stallion. With his newfound strength, Rockhoof was able to dig multiple times faster than before, and successfully diverted the lava into the ocean. For saving his village with his bravery, determination, and strength, Rockhoof took his rightful place among the members of the Mighty Helm. The great stallion carries the shovel he used both before and after his transformation, becoming one of the most prized artifacts in Equestria. Rockhoof came to represent the virtue of Strength.
 
When the Pillars of Old Equestria were forced to banish Stygian/the Pony of Shadows and themselves to Limbo, they left behind a magic seed through their enchanted possessions in hopes that one day it would grow into a force to stand against the darkness for all time. And sure enough it did, as the Tree of Harmony. It carried the best elements that shined within the Pillars and Equestria’s foundations. For a while, the princesses of Equestria, Celestia and Luna wielded these Elements to protect their kingdom from more foes. But a thousand moons after Celestia was forced to trap her fallen sister to the moon, the Elements of Harmony would find new bearers: six mares, two from each type of ponies, who each represent the elements that together forge friendship.
 
Representing the Mane Six is the strong Earth Pony mare Applejack. The resident farm gal of Ponyville, Applejack lives just outside town at Sweet Apple Acres with her family. She is known as the most down-to-earth, resourceful, and dependable pony around. Applejack is also known for being outgoing, friendly, hardworking, and a reliable voice of reason. This hardworking Earth Pony is family-oriented and always ready to help Granny Smith or her little sister, Apple Bloom. Incredibly honest, Applejack would never stoop to telling a lie. However, her honesty and practicality keeps her from being as sensitive to others’ feelings as she could be, despite her best intentions. Although she can be a bit set in her ways, her friends know they can always count on this trustworthy pony to come through for them when they need her most. Applejack, who reassured her friends when they were in doubt, represents Element of Honesty.
 
Through the Elements of Harmony and the magic of their friendship, the Mane Six would continue to protect their home from enemies, old and new. Even after freeing the Pillars from Limbo and making amends with Stygian, they all knew that they couldn’t keep the world safe forever. When Twilight opened up a school of friendship to walks of life, even she didn’t know that she managed to find successors. Attending the school were six creatures students, one representing each race, and while they became fast friends, they would play an even bigger role given to them by the Spirit of the Tree of Harmony.
 
Representing the Young Six is the proud but sweet Yak Yona. Like the rest of her bovid race, Yona thinks her home of Yakyakistan is the best. When she came to Twilight’s School, she found joining the school quite hard at first, as her classmates were not at all like yaks. But the warm heart of her friends, the Young Six, helped her to feel at home and she grew to be more gentle and smash things less. There are times when she can be insecure. Being strong like Applejack and admiring Rockhoof, they provided clues of what Yona’s virtue and element would be: Strength and Honesty. Of course it comes as no big surprise. While a strong and proud people, yaks are also quite blunt and direct. With Yona, her bluntess isn’t about being mean or causing offense, but simply because she sees no reason to be anything other than completely upfront. Being honest with herself, Yona knows exactly who she is and she owns it at all times, both her strengths and her shortcomings. She knows yaks are supposed to be tough and fearless, but she never tries to hide her own fears. Yona best exemplifies honesty not because she particularly values being honest, but because to her telling lies or denying the truth is a waste of time that benefits nobody.
 
Just like the Pillars of Old Equestria and the Mane Six, the Young Six would bring harmony through their virtues, elements, and the magic of friendship, not only to the ponies, just as their predecessors did, but to all creatures, and they continue to the day.
 
 
Here’s the first of the Mane Six, Pillars, and Young Six together. Representing Honesty are Applejack, Rockhoof and Yona. Since I made all their group pics, I guess it’s time I brought them together, with one from each group.
 
Rockhoof, Applejack, Yona by me
 
One down, five more to go. :D