~ The Annual Royal Swan Graduation ~
Every year, a dozen or so swans are trained and bred specifically for the royal gardens of Canterlot Palace. Once the swans are of age, they graduate and ceremoniously join the other swans of the Canterlot Palace Gardens for the viewing pleasures of the guests who would tour there. Her Royal Highness Princess Celestia has taken a particular liking to this graduating class and has high hopes for their time here in the gardens. Join us as we celebrate this very important and momentous occasion.

"... Yup, seems like the right event to me!" I said once I finished reading the flyer.

"Ugh, I think I'll pass, thank you very much..." Discord said with visible distaste.

"Alright, suit yourself!"

So off I went. (Sure, I did get the odd stare and "What is that thing?!" here and there, but nothing I couldn't ignore.)

Along the way, I saw a few ponies I recognized as "background characters" in the TV series. Lyra Heartstrings was sitting in a very "familiar to me" way while talking to Bon Bon about who knows what (probably the bug-bear debacle from a while back) while Derpy was delivering the mail as usual. I can't imagine how a pony with those crazy-crossed eyes is supposed to fly in a straight line, but oh well. If she gets the job done before the next villain shows up next week, that's fine.

When I got to the palace, I ran into some... problems...

"Halt! Invitation or noble status please." The royal guard shouted.

Oops. I don't have an invitation, so... "Um, if I told you I was the Duchess of Narnia hailing from Spare Oom, would you believe me and let me in?"

"... no."

"Dag nabbit... Um, I know Princess Twilight Sparkle!"

"Congratulations! Join the other 90 percent of Equestrians that know Twilight Sparkle. Now hit the road!" Nameless guard says as he points his spear at me.

"How rude. If only I could change your mind somehow " -Whips out "the book"-

After a moment of consideration, however, the nameless royal guard decides to believe Donut after all and let her in to the ceremony.

"Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry. Yes, I completely believe your unbelievable story and let you pass in to the Annual Royal Swan Graduation!" He says almost robotically.

"Thank you very kindly good sir. I'll be sure to let Mister Tumnus know of your kind heart 😊" I said in a terrible British/regency accent as I leave to enter the palace.

"bppbdmdmm, what just happened?"

Inside the palace, I now have to find my way to the gardens. Luckily, there seems to be a lot of stuffy looking ponies heading in the same general direction, so I'll just follow them.

"Why do they even do this? I mean, I guess if you like swans that much, sure. But still... too many obscure celebrations. I'd much have preferred the Grand Galloping Gala myself, but that isn't for several months (a Fall celebration, remember?)..." I thought to myself as we all made our way to the gardens. Along the way, I couldn't help but notice the famous stained glass windows in the halls.

"Wow, they're even better in person! I mean, sure, they're still 2D... but wow..." (If you didn't already know this or suspect it, I still look like me but cartoon and the Ponyville/Canterlot/Equestria world is still cartoon 🙃)

Finally, we arrived at the gardens and gathered around as Celestia gave the opening speech.

"Welcome my little ponies and nobility! Today we are gathered here to celebrate the graduation of a very special class of swans! This class holds a special place in my heart and I couldn't be more proud of the hard work they've put in to be the best swans these gardens have ever seen. There is great promise amongst us, and I am pleased to welcome our first graduate Snowflake," Snowflake waddles up gracefully and daintily takes her diploma.

"Oh wow, this is a serious graduation for swans... but why?..." I muttered to myself in the background.

"Our second graduate, Dawn," Dawn comes up and also takes her diploma. "Amethyst," takes her diploma... you get the picture. The rest of the graduating class walks up and takes their diplomas as official Swans of the Royal Gardens. Celestia did notice my presence at some point, but ignores me for the time being. Finally, the last one walks the line.

"Lastly, valedictorian of her class, I am very pleased to welcome my personal favorite, Pearly!" Pearly takes to the stage in a gloriously graceful glide and elegantly ruffles her feathers upon landing.

"There's a valedictorian for swans? Okay that's it. This is too ridiculous. I need to shake things up..." I look to my right. "You ever seen an actual wild goose chase?" Insert mischievous and conniving grin here. (Celestia is gonna wish she'd kicked me out when she had the chance...)

However, just before Pearly could take her diploma, a flock wild geese crashed the party.

“HONK!!!” (WE WILL PECK YOU ALL TO DEATH!!!)

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!” Screamed all the nobles and guests as they ran for dear life.

“Everypony calm down ple- AAAH!!!” At that moment, a goose flew in Celestia’s ~~hair~~ mane.

Nobles were running scared, geese were honking wildly, and swans were panicking hysterically! As if things couldn’t get any worse, Discord emerged back on the scene…

“I’m really regretting coming now. I just about missed the best part of the show!” Discord complained as he grabbed a bag of soda and a can of popcorn (yes, you heard me right).

“Did I… go too far?” I asked.

“Nah.” Discord responded.

Just then, a table got flipped by a frenzied pony and a three tiered cake landed right on Pearly’s…. Well, all of Pearly.

“NOOOOOO!!!! PEARLY!!!! AND MY CAKE TOO???!!!!” Celestia screams.

“Oh snap…”

“DONUT!!!!!!!!”

“Maybe now is a good time to write out your rage at the moment before you make any rash deci-“

“TO THE MOON!!!!”

“Oh snap crackle pop rice crispi-“

Poof

Author's Note

Well guys… here I am… writing from the moon. How do I get off of here? No seriously, how? I know I could just write “and then Donut magically reappeared on Equestria safe and sound,” but where’s the fun in that? Get creative y’all! I’m counting on y’all to get me off the moon in a way that would make Discord proud!!! (Like and follow if you want and thank you those who have already followed and faved this silly story 🫶🏻)