"Another job well done, men," Skipper said as he and his team stood beside the glory of their accomplishment.

They had spent the entire afternoon on this mission.

"Um, Skipper," Private asked in confusion and curiosity. "Might I ask, what exactly is inside these crates that's so important?"

"Apparently the most top-notch, delectable, sea-salty goodness ever is what," Kowalski replied excitedly.

"Fiiiiish," Rico sang to clarify.

"Oh wow! How marvelous," Private replied as he clapped his flippers with joy.

"Now for the final step of the plan," Kowalski said as he pulled out one of his inventions.

"Kowalski? That wasn't part of the plan,"

"I know…but it's a quite simple and flawless plan! Just think of it: I use the Shrink Ray to diminish the size of the crate, and then we carry it all the way back to HQ! Simple as that."

Skipper thought for a moment. It did sound very convenient, although Kowalski's inventions always had a way of…going south.

"Remember the time when you invented those mini-scopic-"

"Microscopic," Kowalski corrected.

"Whatever. Those microscopic chips that were made to, 'protect penguins from harm' and ended up doing the complete opposite," Skipper said to the scientist.

"Mm hmm," Rico agreed. "It was quite dreadful," Private also said.

"Alright, you have a point there. But trust me! The Shrink Ray's one and only function is in the name: To shrink objects. There's nothing else to it," Kowalski reasoned.

"I guess…but-"

"Come on, Skipper. I've done all the necessary tests and checks. You can trust me!"

Skipper considered Kowalski's words and sighed.

"Alright, soldier. But you better be right this time."

Excited, Kowalski immediately used his invention on the crate.

"Done! Now, all we have to do is take it back to base," Kowalski said.

As the penguins approached their habitat, Maurice and Mort were on their way to talk to them. Unfortunately, the two lemurs accidentally startled the penguins, causing Kowalski to drop and break the ray.

"Aww come on," Rico said in disappointment.

"Oh, Maurice, Mort. It's just you," Private said.

"Sorry for startling you guys. We just wanted to ask you for a favor. I know you won't like what I'm about to ask you but-" Maurice was interrupted by Skipper.

"Oh, Maurice, don't be silly! There are plenty of things we've done against my will. We'll take the case."

"No, I mean-"

"Tomorrow is King Julien's birthday," said the excited little lemur beside Maurice.

Skipper now understood what Maurice meant. When he said that they wouldn't like it, Skipper thought that he meant in general. But anything related to Julien was much more than a general dislike.

"You know what I said just 10 seconds ago? I take it back," he said as he began to walk away.

"Wait! All we want you to do is help with the party! It's just for him,"

"That's the problem."

"Come on, Skipper! Everyone deserves a happy birthday. Even Julien," Private said in his usual wholesome manner.

"Even if he did, I'm sure he'd be able to enjoy it perfectly fine without us."

"Come on. All we need you to do is act as a diversion for a couple hours tomorrow morning," Maurice said trying to convince Skipper.

"I thought we were getting ready for King Julien's birthday, not doing math," Mort said. He was obviously confused.

"Diversion, not division," Maurice clarified. "It means like a distraction."

"Ohh, Okay!"

"Anyway, all we need is for you to keep the King at your place for a few hours tomorrow morning so we can set up the party."

"Why us," Skipper asked. "Why not Marlene? Why not anyone else in the zoo?"

"Because everyone else is either helping with something else or refused to help," Maurice informed the penguin.

"And let's just say that Mort and I aren't getting a lot of help this year."

Skipper couldn't help but feel a little bad for Julien. That lemur sure wanted attention. But no one ever gave him any. He was one of the only animals in the zoo that everyone found unlikable.

Does he even care that no one likes him? How is he always so happy? How is he always so bold without considering the consequences?

His thoughts didn't last long before he reminded himself that Julien was obnoxious, selfish, and sometimes quite an asshole. But he always wondered why.

"Sorry, Maurice, but we're busy tomorrow. Really important missions-."

"Actually, Skipper, after training exercises and 'Smiling and Waving Maneuvers' we have practically nothing to do tomorrow," Kowalski informed the leader after taking a glance at his clipboard.

Kowalski immediately saw his mistake after Skipper gave him a very disapproving stink eye.

"Alright, maybe we have an empty schedule. But that doesn't mean we're gonna help you with your birthday party shenanigans."

"Really? Then what are you gonna do all day?"

"Anything unrelated to this."

"Skipper, all we have to do is divert Julien for a few hours. What harm could it possibly do," Private asked. He clearly believed that turning Maurice and Mort away wasn't the right thing to do.

"Private! This is none of our business! Penguins do what penguins do, and lemurs do what lemurs do. Period. Can't get any simpler."

A very sad Mort was now clinging to his legs. He almost looked like he was going to cry. Skipper groaned. He didn't like seeing Mort cry or being outsmarted by lemurs. It would be wiser to just help them and move on than sit and argue.

"Alright. You'll get your diversion…"

Maurice and Mort smiled as they heard this.

"But for a price."

"What kind of price? More candy,"

"No, not candy. Something much more valuable to us than candy. SLEEP! If we help you with this party, you have to get Ringtail to stop partying late for three weeks. No loud music, no dancing, just quiet, peaceful nights."

Maurice didn't know if he could accept this offer. It would obviously be difficult to get the King known for dancing to stop dancing. But he knew that the penguins were his last chance to make his friend happy. He decided to come up with a solution later. "Alright. We've got a deal."