A/N: And here, we have the next episode of the story. Now, things may be a bit different. And let's just say that from one of the Guardians of Youth, there may be a reference from "Phineas and Ferb The Movie: Across the 2nd Dimension" near the end of this episode.

Close Enough: A Regular Show

Chapter 7: Free Cake

One day, Rigby was really excited.

"Oh man, oh man, oh man, oh man! Mordecai, check it out! I found it in the trash in the back. Isn't it cool?"

He brought a cracked plate decorated with a face and the following words on it: "SIMON KIPNER GODFATHER OF THE SOUL PATCH".

"Dude, you gotta stop pulling stuff out of the trash. It's unnatural.", Mordecai jeered.

"You're unnatural! Besides, this is different. It's a treasure from the past.", Rigby said.

"It is a pretty sweet plate.", Mordecai admitted.

"We should put some food on this baby!", Rigby suggested.

"Hmm, hmm. Agreed. You know what would look great on this plate? Chocolate cake!", Mordecai suggested.

"Ahhhhh, yes. But how can we afford something as good as chocolate cake?", Rigby asked.

"Don't worry, dude. I think I know where we can get one.", Mordecai suggested.

Later, he and Rigby were now at the grocery store.

"Check it, dude. Cake mix. Add some water, slap it in the oven, pull that greasy pig out, and BAM! You've got yourself a cake, baby.", Mordecai explained.

"I can't wait to eat that greasy pig. Wait, how much does it cost?", Rigby asked.

Mordecai checked the box to know for certain.

"A buck fifty.", Mordecai replied.

Both he and Rigby groaned in frustration over the price.

"I told you cake mix is too expensive.", Rigby said as Mordecai chucked the cake mix back into the shelf.

Later, the duo were now at a wedding.

"Do you know the bride or the groom?", the doorman asked.

"Uhhh…", the two began.

"The one with the cake?", Mordecai asked.

But the doorman shut the door, earning the duo's groans. Left with no other option, Mordecai and Rigby went to the free store.

"Hmm… Yeah, we don't have cakes.", the cashier only replied.

In their frustration, Mordecai and Rigby groaned to each other on end, their fruitless venture having reached an undesirable conclusion. After minutes of frustrated groaning of defeat, the two returned to the house.

"Well, I'm all out of ideas.", Mordecai sighed.

"Ooh! I got it! There's that chocolate cake at the snack bar!", Rigby realized.

"Yeah. But, Benson will only let you have it for free if it's your birthday.", Mordecai responded, shooting the idea down.

Though this one has yet to be shut down.

"Who's to say it's not my birthday?", Rigby asked.

"Who's to say it's not my birthday?", Mordecai repeated in agreement.

Eager for free cake, the two did jazz hands eagerly.

"Free cake! Free cake!", the two friends chanted.

But Benson, in the middle of clipping the hedge, ultimately shot their plan in the dark.

"It's neither of your birthdays.", Benson said.

"Aw, man! He's killing us with that!", Rigby groaned.

Sadly, the two did weak jazz hands.

"No cake. No cake.", Mordecai and Rigby said in sad unison.

Suddenly, Pops and Mona popped up from a bush.

"But today is Skips' birthday.", Mona said.

"Oh, jolly good show!", Pops beamed.

Then, Mordecai and Rigby eagerly did their jazz hands again.

"Free cake! Free cake!", Mordecai and Rigby chanted.

"But he's really private about it.", Benson warned.

Upset, Mordecai & Rigby once again shook their jazz hands in sad defeat.

"No cake. No cake."

"Come to think of it, I don't think we've ever had a party for Skips.", Benson realized.

"If memory serves, Skips secludes himself with Mona in the woods every year on the day of his birth.", Pops stated, making Mona nervous.

"So, wait? You guys have never thrown a party for Skips?", Mordecai asked.

"No.", Benson replied.

"Dude, that sucks. Skips totally deserves a party.", Mordecai stated.

"And cake.", Rigby interrupted.

"Whenever something goes wrong, it's Skips who fixes it. He's always there for us, no matter what. I bet Skips wants a party, but he's such a quiet guy he doesn't know how to ask. We owe him a party.", Mordecai stated while Mona grew a bit worried.

"And also a cake.", Rigby added.

"Woo! Good show, jolly good show! Benson, a soiree for Skips, what a crackerjack idea!", Pops spoke eagerly.

"You're right. Fine. I'll go spread the word to everyone else. In the meantime, if you two get Skips on board, we'll throw a party for him.", Benson said.

"Oh, we know how to get him on board.", Mordecai assured.

Later, this did not seem to be the case as back at the house…

"Okay. How will we get him on board?"

"Oh, I know! Let's get a van.", Rigby suggested.

Then, it showed Dream Mordecai and Dream Rigby throwing an unconscious Dream Skips into a van.

"Happy birthday, Skips.", Dream Rigby spoke before it went to the real world.

"BAM! Free cake!", Rigby grinned.

But that idea had no common sense whatsoever. Even worse, it held vast workers of kidnapping.

"No, dude. That's kidnapping.", Mordecai refused.

"But we can't just tell him. You heard Benson, Skips isn't into this stuff.", Rigby responded.

"I know, but dude, Skips is cool. We should just go and tell him we're gonna throw him a party.", Mordecai suggested.

"Argh, laaaame!", Rigby groaned.

"What? What's wrong with that?", Mordecai asked.

"Two things: one, no surprise, and two, no vans.", Rigby responded.

Fortunately, Mordecai gasped as an idea dawned on him.

"That's it.", Mordecai responded.

"What, vans?", Rigby asked.

"No, Surprise. Dude, we should throw Skips a surprise party!", Mordecai realized.

"Dude, that's perfect!, Rigby agreed, neither him nor Mordecai knowing that Mona was listening in in worry.

"Yeah, I know. 'Cause no one can say NO to a surprise party.", Mordecai said.

"'Cause they can't.", Rigby added, making Mona gasp in worry before she left as quietly as she could.

"Free cake! Free cake!", the two chanted as they shook their arms vividly again.

But Skips gave them reason to doubt it will ever happen.

"No, I don't wanna hang out with you guys at 8 o'clock tonight.", Skips refused as he was finishing up on his work.

"Well, then... How about later tonight?", Mordecai said as the garage was now closed.

"No! I wanna be left alone!", Skips reiterated before taking off on his own.

"Argh, man. What would we do now?", Mordecai asked in worry.

Sadly, the two shook their arms sadly again, not knowing that Mona was watching in sadness for them.

"No cake… no cake…", the two sadly chanted as they weakly shook their arms.

"I'm sorry, guys. But it's extremely important…", Mona said before taking off.

But had she stayed a little bit longer, she would've noticed that Rigby was already hatching a plan.

"Dude, Check it. We'll just lie to Benson and get the cake first, and figure out the Skips part later.", Rigby suggested.

"Hmm, hmm. Sounds like a cake-worthy idea to me.", Mordecai grinned.

"Free cake! Free cake!", the two chanted happily again.

Of course, at the same time, Mona thought some things over.

"Hmm… Maybe there should be a surprise party. But only after this one thing.", Mona said to herself, unaware that at that very moment, as Mordecai and Rigby rushed over to Benson…

"Skips totally wants a birthday party.", Mordecai said.

"Really? How did you convince him?", Benson asked.

"We told him there's gonna be cake.", Mordecai responded.

"Yeah, he wants an extra-large chocolate one.", Rigby added.

"Really?", Benson asked, almost suspiciously.

"Yeah. 8:00. His place.", Mordecai responded.

"But he wants it to be a surprise, so if you see him, don't say anything."

Mordecai quickly punched Rigby in the arm.

"Ow!"

"Okay. Here's the key to the cake in the snack bar. I guess I'll see you at 8.", Benson said, handing Mordecai the key before he and Rigby ran off.

"But if you morons are lying to me, you'll be on dish duty for the next month!", Benson called.

Moments later, the two rushed to the snack bar and entered, opening the display case with the key and pulling the cake out, not knowing that C.J. was there, seeing what was going on, her shift for the day already ended.

"We did it!", Mordecai grinned.

Eager to eat the cake already, Rigby opened the lid.

"Let's eat it!", Rigby beamed.

"No! You heard Benson. Do you wanna be on dish duty?", Mordecai asked, annoying Rigby.

"Arghhhhhhh, fine. We'll do dish duty.", Rigby assured.

"No, dude. We have to get Skips and Mona.", Mordecai urged, leaving as he held the cake.

"That's strange. Why would they want to look for Skips and Mona in the woods?", C.J. puzzled to herself. "Looks like I've got a mystery on my hands."

Meanwhile, Mona was talking with Skips.

"Are you sure that it's the best idea, Mona?", Skips asked.

"Well, after our spirit dance, at least. You've done so much for us. WE have done so much for them. They wanna repay us for all the good we did here.", Mona responded.

Frankly, Skips was a bit unsure as he thought it over before finally speaking.

"All right. Maybe we WILL get here at 8. But only after the spirit dance.", Skips responded.

"That's the idea.", Mona grinned.

Later, Mordecai and Rigby were walking through the woods as the latter was now carrying the cake.

"Are you sure Skips and Mona are even here?", Rigby asked.

"Pops said Skips secludes himself with Mona in the woods. Mona must've gone looking for him. Where else should we look?", Mordecai asked in reply.

But just then, Rigby's stomach rumbled.

"Don't touch that cake.", Mordecai warned.

"It's a medical emergency.", Rigby fibbed.

"You just ate a sandwich.", Mordecai scolded.

"Are you a doctor now? Did you go to medical school in the past 5 minutes?", Rigby asked.

"Dude, you don't need to be a medical doctor to know when you're faking it.", C.J. suddenly spoke up, catching both Mordecai and Rigby unawares.

"AAH!", the duo shouted.

"C.J.? What are you doing here?", Mordecai asked.

"Actually, I could ask you the same thing. I heard that you're looking for Skips and Mona. I just wanna know why.", C.J. replied.

"Oh. Well, you see…", Mordecai began.

Meanwhile, at Skips' place, Pops was on lookout with not another soul to be seen so far.

"Do you see them?"Josh asked.

"Not yet.", Pops responded.

"That's odd. They're supposed to be here by 8.", Emily pondered.

"Hit the lights. It's almost 8 p.m.", Benson warned.

Suddenly, the lights turned off and sounds of a zipper being unzipped and pants falling off were heard. Fortunately, the lights were off and the whole room is dark so no one could see.

"Whooooo! Skips and Mona are gonna be so surprised when he comes in and sees us totally naked.", Muscle Man spoke excitedly.

"Ew, no!", Candice said in disgust.

"It's not that kind of party, Muscle Man!", Josh retorted.

"Ohhhh...", Muscle Man responded, realizing his mistake.

"Now, I kinda wish it IS that kind of party.", Bridgette admitted.

"Me, too.", Alex agreed.

"Don't turn on the lights."

"Good thing we can't see.", Emily sighed as Candice giggled.

Back in the woods…,

"So, that's why you're looking for them? Because today's Skips' birthday?", C.J. asked.

"Yeah. And Pops said that Mona's bound to be with him in the woods. So that pretty much brings us to where we are now.", Mordecai replied.

"Ohhhh…! Man, it's almost 8. We're not gonna find them, let's just eat it.", Rigby urged.

"No. Benson's gonna get ticked, so we shouldn't.", Mordecai warned.

"Benson's gonna get like that no matter what.", Rigby began.

Then, he grabbed the cake from Mordecai.

"Better to have no regrets."

Rigby was about to open it up only for Mordecai to grab the cake back.

"Dude! No!", Mordecai urged.

Growling, Rigby pounced on Mordecai, trying to get the cake.

"RIGBY! GET OFF!", Mordecai shouted as he threw Rigby off and tried to run away with the cake.

But Rigby caught up and was about to get the cake when C.J. yanked Rigby's tail, barring him from getting any closer.

"Rigby, he clearly said no!", C.J. said, her skin briefly turning gray and giving off sparks of lightning, which practically shocked Rigby and cooked him, leaving his fur singed enough for it not to fall off.

Rigby groaned before a mysterious sound was heard, ceasing the fight.

"Wait. What's that? Sounds like some kind of weird Aztec ritual...", Mordecai guessed.

"I think it's coming from over there. We should go check it out.", C.J. suggested.

"That's funny. Usually, if there's a strange noise in the woods, you don't check it out. Mordecai? C.J.?", Rigby puzzled.

The trio then saw both Skips and Mona singing and jumping around a blue-colored bonfire with big rattles.

"Whoa… What're they doing?", C.J. asked.

"I don't know. But it looks kind of important. Maybe we should leave them alone.", Mordecai suggested.

"What about the cake?", Rigby asked.

"Would you forget about the cake for a minute? Rigby!", Mordecai urged whisperingly.

Before Rigby could interrupt Skips, let alone Mona, C.J. grabbed Rigby by the tail yet again.

"He said leave them alone…!", C.J. growled whisperingly, this time dragging Rigby back into the bush.

Despite Skips and Mona doing their spirit dance with no problem, they couldn't help but overhear what was going on in the bush.

"Mordecai? Rigby?", Mona puzzled.

"But the cake…", Rigby moaned.

"Let them finish…!", C.J. urged.

The bad news was, Skips and Mona stopped their spirit dance. The good news was, though, the bonfire went out just before then.

"All right, you three. You can come out now.", Mona spoke.

Then, Mordecai, Rigby, and C.J. all popped out.

"Hey, guys…", C.J. greeted.

"Okay. Now that whatever dance they were doing is over, you two're coming with us, Skips!", Rigby said, grabbing, and failing, to move him.

"All right, all right! You wanna explain what you three are doing here?", Skips asked as he whacked Rigby's hand off him.

Just then, before an answer could be given, a white Chevy El Camino emerged out of nowhere in the sky and landed near them. Out of the car stepped a glowing man with stars for eyes and golden hair that streaked backwards like a trail of stardust.

"Skips. You and Mona have nearly broken the pact with the Guardians of Youth.", Gary stated.

"Gary, you don't have to do this.", Mona said in worry, afraid of what would go down.

"Listen. I'm just doing my job.", Gary responded before he teleported them and himself into the truck.

"Wait! Where are you taking them?", C.J. asked.

"I'm only the chauffeur.", Gary responded.

The pickup then started to leave.

"Dude, I think we just messed Skips and Mona up!", Mordecai said in worry.

"And ourselves! No Skips, no cake!", Rigby added.

"Come on. We better follow him.", Mordecai urged.

C.J. and Rigby both nodded before they and Mordecai jumped into the trunk. The pickup arrived onto a sandy island in the space.

"Dude. What the...", Mordecai asked in surprise.

"Dude. What's with the babies?", C.J. asked in surprise.

"You took the words right out of my mouth, C.J. We've got to get Skips and Mona back to the park.", Rigby urged.

"Shh! Shut up!", Mordecai shushed before Gary brought Skips and Mona before the 4 guardians of eternal youth.

"Guardians of Eternal Youth. I have brought you the condemned.", Gary stated.

"Skips. Mona. You have both nearly failed to complete the Spirit Dance. Luckily, you managed to complete it. Just barely.", the 1st Guardian spoke, earning the two's sighs of relief.

"It was more of a close call, actually.", the 2nd stated.

"No need to remind you two, but we'll do it anyway, that if you break the pact you made with us for eternal youth, you shall both shrivel into dust and disappear, forever.", the 3rd warned, shocking Mordecai, Rigby, and C.J.

"What?!", the trio gasped.

"And we both know you wouldn't like that.", the 3rd continued.

"Heh. I remember the day you two took the pact together.", the 4th reminisced.

Then, it showed both Skips and Mona in the same realm several years back.

"Whoa, nice pad.", Skips said.

"This place looks beautiful, Reginald.", Mona agreed.

"It's not bad. We split rent five ways. Walks, by our calculation, Klorgbane's orbit will return him to Earth 157 years from now. He will harm others. Brave Walks, loyal Desdemona, will you two become immortal and fight him when he returns?", the 1st Guardian, now known as Reginald, requested as he and the other Guardians of Youth showed the two an image of said enemy's orbit heading toward Earth.

"I'll do it.", Skips said.

"No, Walks. WE'LL do it.", Mona said with a slight smirk.

"Immortality has a price. You two will outlive your family. You will see loved ones come and go.", Reginald warned.

"But not the one I love.", Skips responded.

"Aw...", Mona grinned, making the the guardians nod, touched by the affection.

"Now, choose your names to be reborn on to.", Reginald requested.

The two nodded and thought in their head as an altered version of "Just Can't Get Enough" by Depeche Modes plays in the background. They both remembered the memories he and Mona spent time including, Mona's feet skipping in the hallway, the scene from Diary, him and Mona skipping along and his feet skipping.

"I've chosen Skips.", Skips said.

"And I've chosen Mona.", Mona added.

The guardians granted them immortality as the story ended and went back to the present.

"Whoa…!", Mordecai, Rigby, and C.J. spoke in awe.

"I had no idea they were immortal.", C.J. said.

"That is true. But I am still curious as to why you three are in our domain!", Regniald said, making her and the two friends gasp, making Skips and Mona equally nervous.

"Funny story, Reggie…", Skips said nervously.

"You brought them here?", Reginald asked.

"Actually, that was on me.", Gary said.

"Actually, we had to come here. Skips and Mona might've been in trouble.", C.J. said.

"We wanted to throw him a surprise party, but we didn't want to interrupt their spirit dance before he could finish.", Mordecai added.

"And we were gonna have cake…", Rigby added.

"Cake? Did someone say cake?", Reggie puzzled.

"No. There's no cake.", Rigby fibbed.

"Dude, they can literally see it.", C.J. scolded.

"Wait, brothers. I smell cake. Do you smell it as well?", Reggie asked.

"I smell cake.", the 2nd replied.

"As do I! Cake! Cake!", the 3rd added.

"Wait. You guys like cake?", Mordecai asked.

"Yes! Yes! We love it!", the 4 guardians said in ecstatic union.

"Wait a second. That's it! Mordecai, give me the cake.", C.J. urged.

"Wait, what?!", Rigby asked in surprise.

"Here.", Mordecai said, handing the cake to C.J.

"No!", Rigby exclaimed.

"So, you're telling me you like cake?", C.J. asked, holding the cake up.

"The cloudy one has cake. Cake. Give us the cake!", Reggie shouted.

"Eh! First, we need your word that you'll pardon Skips and Mona for this whole misunderstanding AND come with us to Skips' surprise party, chauffeur and all. Then this cake is yours. After all, what's a birthday party without all your friends?", C.J. said.

"C.J., what are you doing?", Rigby asked.

"It's the only way to know they won't get in any trouble. Especially when we might've caused it in the first place.", C.J. responded.

"She's right, dude. Do you want Skips and Mona to possibly die on his birthday?", Mordecai agreed, worrying Skips and Mona.

"Alright.", Rigby sighed.

"So, do we have a deal or not?", C.J. asked.

The Guardians of Youth were huddled, deciding to debate on the situation.

"What flavor is it?", Reggie asked.

"Chocolate. Only the best flavor of cake there is.", C.J. replied.

After some further whispering, the four guardians then turned back to the group.

"We have reached a decision. We will pardon Skips and Mona for this whole misunderstanding AND descend upon your realm for Skips' surprise party, in exchange for your cake.", Reggie said.

"Deal.", C.J. said as she put the cake on the ground.

Skips and Mona sighed in relief.

Later, Mordecai, Rigby, C.J., Skips, Mona, Gary, and the 4 Guardians of Youth arrived in Skips' place.

"That's funny. The lights aren't on.", C.J. said in slight surprise.

"Bet I know what that means.", Mordecai said.

And when Mordecai opened the door, he and the others found themselves surrounded by Benson, Pops, Muscle Man, Hi Five Ghost, Bridgette, Alex, Josh, Emily, and Candice.

"Surprise!", everyone shouted.

"Let the merry-making commence!", Pops laughed.

"You guys almost got us in trouble for some cake?", Mona asked.

"Funny story…", C.J. began.

"Hey, Skips. We've got you a birthday present. It says: SKIPS - GODFATHER OF SOUL.", Rigby said as he gave Skips the plate he found in the trash, drawn on and crossed out to help it say the name and title.

"No one's ever thrown me a birthday party before. Thanks.", Skips thanked.

"We can't thank you enough.", Mona added.

Mordecai and Rigby made "aw, shucks" noises in response.

"Who is this? And for that matter, who are they?", Benson asked.

"Huh? Oh, hey, Benson. This is C.J. She's got a job as a nearby cross guard.", Mordecai introduced.

"Hey. And those guys? They're Skips' cosmic friends. Gary and the Guardians of Youth. One of them's named Reggie", C.J. introduced.

"Next time, we should do a game of charades.", Reggie suggested.

"It's a deal, Reginald.", Mona agreed.

"Wow. I didn't know Skips had many friends.", Benson said.

"I'm guessing they go way back, even before Mona, know what I'm sayin'?", Rigby asked before Mordecai hit him in the arm.

"Ow…!", Rigby groaned a bit.

"And as for you, I never thought that you and Mordecai would get along like this for Skips' birthday. I'm just saying. You'd do pretty good keeping him on his toes as his girlfriend.", Benson responded.

"What?! I'm not his girlfriend! We're just friends.", C.J. shouted.

"What?! She's not my girlfriend! We're just friends.", Mordecai shouted in unison.

This caused both to turn to one another and blush.

"Uh-huh. So, where's the cake?", Benson asked in disbelief, getting back to another matter.

"Oh. Well…, I have good news and bad news. The good news is, Skips and Mona each managed to get one piece.", Mordecai said.

"They're even enjoying it right now.", Rigby added, gesturing to the two.

"That cake isn't half bad, Skips.", Mona grinned with a slight giggle.

"As for the rest of it? Well, that's the bad news.", Mordecai responded, gesturing to what's going on.

At that very moment, Reginald and the Guardians of Youth started smearing themselves with the cake in immense joy.

"Aw, what? They are not even eating it! They're just smushing it on their faces!", Rigby commented.

"Argh. The one time you two actually brought something and already, it gets used up. You're lucky Pops brought a spare. Happy birthday, Skips.", Benson said, gesturing to the spare cake behind him.

Eager, Mordecai and Rigby rushed to the cake as C.J. walked up to them.

"Ha-ha! Yes! Finally!", Mordecai grinned.

But when he and Rigby each took a piece of the cake, the two quickly found that inside were layers of vanilla just as C.J. caught up.

"Argh, Vanilla...?", Mordecai and C.J. groaned in unison.

"Well, it's a good thing I got this ready.", C.J. said, holding out a bigger chocolate cake, astonishing the two.

"Whoa...!", Mordecai and Rigby gasped in awe.

"How'd you find the time to make this?", Mordecai asked.

"I have my methods.", C.J. said before it flashed back to the Supermarket moments earlier.

"I told you cake mix is too expensive.", Rigby said as Mordecai chucked the cake mix back into the shelf.

Little did they know that C.J. was going up to the shelf and spotted some cake mix.

"Cake mix? Well, I just might use this for something later.", C.J. said before it went to the present.

"Who knew that that something would turn out to be for Skips' birthday?", C.J. asked in surprise.

"Huh. But how'd you know when to make cake in the...?", Mordecai began as C.J. cut out a slice and handed one to Mordecai and another to Rigby.

"Come on, let's go eat that greasy pig.", C.J. urged with a grin.

"Can't argue with that.", Mordecai said.

"Yea-uh.", Rigby agreed before they each took a bite of their slice.

"Ohhhhhhh!", Mordecai, Rigby, and C.J. said together, enjoying the party as well as everyone else.

Then, it went to Reginald and the other Guardians of Youth enjoying their cake in their own way when he spotted the camera and gave a brief glare.

"Be gone with you.", Reginald said, snapping his fingers.

Then, stardust exploded from the center, cutting it to black.