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 lovely Unicorn sorceress from a faraway land, Mistmane. Her beauty was legendary even in her own time, and was thus hailed and beloved as the most beautiful pony in Equestria. It inspired both wonder and envy. Some time after being accepted into a prestigious magic school, Mistmane received word her best friend Sable Spirit was crowned Empress. However, when she returned home to congratulate her friend, she found it a dismal dictatorship where the empress kept the villagers working all hours on her palace and hoarding everything with beauty for herself! Mistmane confronted Sable Spirit in her palace and learned that Sable was always jealous of Mistmane’s beauty and talent, and after she left for magic school, Sable used a spell to make herself beautiful. The spell backfired, however, and made her hideous, causing her to be cruel; she decided if she couldn’t be beautiful, she would take it from everyone and everything else. Mistmane refused to allow this, and faced Sable Spirit in a magic duel. After Mistmane defeated Sable Spirit, she planted a flower at the center of the village and used her magic to restore its beauty, as well as wayward friend’s. But she did this by sacrificing her own beauty. Sable Spirit was so moved by Mistmane’s sacrifice that she ruled with kindness and compassion from then on. Though Mistmane was no longer physically beautiful, she dedicated her life to spreading beauty all over Equestria. The sorceress carries the flower she used to cast her spell of beauty on. It now represents the sacrifice she made, and the beauty of her generosity. Mistmane came to represent the virtue of Beauty.
 
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 fabulous Unicorn mare Rarity. She could possibly be the most beautiful Unicorn you’ve ever seen, and she works hard to keep it that way—but she wants everypony to be beautiful, too! At first glance, one might assume a polished pony who commands the room would be superficial and shallow. That’s not the case with Rarity. She’s not just another pretty mane. Her boundless heart and giving spirit make her a fancy force to be reckoned with—just ask her friends. With a taste for the finer things in life, an eye for detail and a love of glamour, she is a fashion designer and beauty expert. Not to mention a brilliant businesspony, as she owns the chicest boutiques in Equestria. Though at times she may seem like a bit of a prissy, entitled diva Rarity’s not your typical débutante. She’s the one most likely to help a friend in need by making them as beautiful on the outside as they are on the inside. You’ll learn that her greatest beauty is her heart. Rarity, who calmed a sorrowful serpent with a meaningful gift, represents Element of Generosity.
 
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 studiously sweet Changeling Ocellus. She was very shy when meeting new people, and often changes form when she is scared or embarrassed. Because Changelings have been seen as villains for so long, Ocellus tries extra hard to be polite and kind. After she made friends with the Young Six, she has come to love being part of the School of Friendship, and share her knowledge with them. Although Ocellus was also afraid that she and the Changelings would never truly change from what they once were, her friends reassured her that all creatures can change, even for the better. And this shows that she has the element of Generosity in her heart. After all, up until very recently Changelings were a species exclusively defined by greed, existing only to take and consume that which wasn’t theirs. Even after their reformation, they had nothing. Fortunately for Ocellus she does have something to give: Knowledge. With her wealth of knowledge, she’s eager to share with anyone she can. Whether it’s organizing study groups or using what she’s learned to help solve others’ problems, Ocellus always gives freely of the only thing she has to her name. And since she and the once hideous Changeling transformed into beautiful creatures, Ocellus definitely shines with the virtue of Beauty.
 
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 latest batch of the Mane Six, Pillars, and Young Six together. Representing Generosity are Rarity, Mistmane and Ocellus.
 
Mistmane, Rarity, Ocellus by me
 
Four down, two more to go. :D (Big Grin)