"Okay, Shy," Rainbow Burst as she and Flowershy reached the doors to the garden, "are you ready?"

"Oh, yes," Flowershy said with a grin, standing at her full height with her head high. "I have been waiting for this. I'm so excited that... that I could just... just scream.

"Yay," she squeaked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Rainbow Burst clenched her jaw tight to keep from laughing, although a snort did escape her. Flowersy's quote-unquote "scream" was just so adorable. Also a little worrying. The mare seemed to have a hard time speaking up for herself. If she were actually in some sort of danger, would Flowershy be able to call for help?

"Close your eyes," Rainbow stated. Flowershy gave her a curious look, but did as she was told. With a quick burst of her magic, Rainbow grabbed the doors and threw them as wide open as she could.

"Okay, open them."

After opening her eyes, they grew as wide as they could as Flowershy let out a gasp. It was so beautiful. She could see trees, bushes and vines. She could already see dozens of different birds. Her mind reeled as she looked around, trying to take it all in. To Flowershy, it was the greatest thing she had ever seen in her life.

Rainbow Burst let out a grunt as she was swept off her hooves. Surprisingly strong yellow forelegs wrapped around her, pulling her into a hug. She could not help but wince as she felt -- and heard -- several vertebrae pop and shift in her back. She saw something yellow and pink in front of her, but could not quite make it out.

"Thank you so-so much," Flowershy squealed out as she hugged Rainbow Burst. "This is the best thing that has ever happened to me in my whole life. You have no idea how happy and excited I am for this moment."

"Ribs," Rainbow wheezed out, "lungs... air... breathe..."

As quickly as it began, the hug ended. Rainbow Burst collapsed to the floor as she was released, gasping to catch her breath. Once she was able to think clearly, she was surprised at how strong Flowershy was. Did she wrestle bears or something? After being caught in such a crushing grip, it actually would not be that surprising. She never would have guessed that somepony that seemed so soft-spoken and gentle would be so strong.

Once she managed to get herself back together, Rainbow got up and stretched. While there was no audible pop, she did feel the vertebrae from earlier pop back into place. A quick check confirmed that there had been no permanent damage.

"Well since you're here, I'm going to..." Rainbow stopped as she realized that Flowershy was already gone. The yellow mare had already ran off to somewhere in the garden, leaving Rainbow alone. Not really much reason for Rainbow to say she was leaving to somepony who was already gone.

Leaving Flowershy to enjoy the royal garden, Rainbow Burst headed toward the ball room to join the others.

For her part, Flowershy continued to walk through the garden. Her eyes were wide in awe as she looked back and forth, trying to take in everything around her. It was all so thrilling, so overwhelming: she could not even decide where to begin.

A small green snake moved across the ground in front of her. With a gasp, she reached out and picked it up.

"Hello there..." she lifted it up and studied it more "... Mister Snake. It's nice to meet you."

Mister Snake turned to look at her, but otherwise did nothing.

"If you don't mind," Flowershy said, "maybe you could help me? I want to meet as many of your friends here in the garden as I can, but I don't know where to begin. Do you have an idea?"

Mister Snake stuck his tongue out, then turned and slithered over Flowershy's hoof. With a slight nod, the mare set him back down. As soon as he was let go, he started to move along the ground, Flowershy following close behind. The two kept to what was for the most part a path, making their way through the garden with ease.

Finally, the snake stopped and turned face the pony. It looked up at her, seeming to do nothing.

"Just up ahead?" Flowershy asked as she looked down at Mister Snake. "Okay. Thank you for your help."

After seeing Mister Snake turn and leave, Flowershy turned and walked a little further ahead. There in front of her was a glistening clean pond. She could see flamingos, cranes, and swans. There was a group of duckling following along behind their mother. On the other side of the pond, she could see a skunk and several mice drinking water.

Her hoof tapped against something, getting her attention. At first, she thought it was a rock of some kind. Then she noticed a little bit of fur around the edges and the movement of what turned out to be a head. Leaning in, Flowershy got a closer look.

An armadillo. It was an armadillo. She had read about them, but had never actually seen one herself since they did not live near Ponyville.

If she were to die right now, Flowershy would do so a happy pony.

The armadillo turned and quickly scurried off.

"Wait," Flowershy called out. "Don't go. Please."

At the sound of the mare's voice, several other animals also ran off.

"Hold on," she shouted (causing more of the animals to flee). "I want to be your friend."