It was a late afternoon as keys began to jiggle along with the creaking of an open door. Immediately, a green rabbit got into position ducking behind the couch, he got out his trusty slice of whipped cream pie and aimed at the source of the sound.

"Stupid...Co-workers...don't know art when they see it." Grumbling was heard heading towards him as the rabbit glanced over the couch to see his target. His hand clenched in determination, whipped cream oozed from pent-up excitement, and even the intruder was even getting serious.

"Hey Split-ears! Where are-"

Oh he had done it now.

As if it was all in slow motion, the rabbit hopped up from his hiding spot and threw the pie his eyes closed at the time earning his target a heart-attack and pie slathered on his face. Once he opened his eyes however a look of regret rolled onto his face as the scene sped up to him ducking back behind the couch.

"Splinter! What was that for you moron!" The cat exclaimed wiping remnants of pie his face was steamed.

Both ears only showed from behind the couch one barely even up there. "Sorry, my hand was poised and ready to fire."

"I'm ready to fire you and everyone at my freaking job!"

"So, I take it your cover didn't cut it?" Splinter questioned, sneaking back on the couch while the cat's back was turned still rubbing pie from out of his suit. He looked on the table to see a dark blue binder as he opened to the last page which was the most recent covers.

One was a picture of course Dash the top in bold saying Famous Toon Of The Year. The other which was the winning cover was a picture of a Mint - Colored mouse and at the top in bold was Self-Owned Business Weekly.

"I see why you lost..." he mumbled tracing the lines on the page.

"Exactly! Mint Chocolate is nothing but an addict of coffee! Probably puts drugs in it to make everyone love it!"

"Or...you're a narcissist and that's why you lost."

"Noo..."

"Yes..." Splinter replied flipping the pages like a stop-motion picture each cover was shown with Dash on it and a different title. "Now Dash, I don't mind seeing you on the covers of these, but if I want to buy one it better not have you on it each time."

He wasn't paying attention and was more focused on the tv that was left on thanks to Splinter being home all day. He even shushed him and earning a scoff in return and his binder tossed aside somewhere on the floor. Dash quickly went to the couch and sat down as Splinter leaned against the arm rest.

"So. This is..."

"What this is...is a conference of the most famous toons!" He exclaimed as Splinter looked back at the tv then at him.

"Oh! You mean Flip-"

"Screw him he's always been famous since day ONE! I'm talking about-Ah! Look he's on!"

"Who?!"

"Sir Rollie Crumbleboom. Famous architect he even built this house!"

On the screen it showed a small light purple monkey with brown arms wearing shirt and tie.

"He's pretty short..." the rabbit said as more toons came on the screen. He turned towards Dash who seemed mesmerized by all the famous toons. "What's so special ab-"

"I always wanted to be up there...be famous you know Splinter..." he looked down at his hands opening them and closing them respectively. "My dad was up there for years heheh...then never again."

He said it in a sing-songy tone as Splinter put an arm around him in case of needed comfort, but he just shrugged it off.

The two stayed silent as the meeting finally started. This was being broadcast on all toony TV's a strict channel of high security. The meeting only happened every two weeks. The first topic being Cog Nation, since it was always quick to talk about to make room for the other topics.

'Of all the information we have of this place...which by the why is still lacking...' Flippy said flipping through a folder that visibly only had three papers in it. 'I can't decide if it's even a real thing or a major threat.'

'It is real! There's freaking proof in the Cashbot HQ you moron! All over there are crates with the words Cog Nation literally printed on them!' A dark blue bear exclaimed and he would've continued his rant if Flippy hadn't turned his mic off.

'Watch the temper...and first of all Lionel, I know you been a resistance ranger for quite a long time...yet you never been promoted. Second of all, I know about the crates...maybe if we had more information we could have a lead to the end...or perhaps the beginning of something...anything~'

The two quickly looked at each other then back at the TV formulating ideas as their smiles grew wider.

"How about...we get some intel on Cog Nation..."

"That's what I was thinking! Plus we live close to Cashbot HQ so that makes it easier!"

"Then it's settled!" Dash exclaimed as they both stood up. "We sneak into the HQ maybe find the CFO's office steal any info about Cog Nation and then..."

"I'm finally going to become famous!"

"I'm finally gonna start on my research!"

They both exclaimed at the same time but frowned at each other's words.

"What research?"

"I always wanted to see if there was a place with higher level cogs that goes past 12...and also toons to battle them." He responded scratching the back of his head as Dash rolled his eyes.

"So a conspiracy theory..."

"No. There's more to it! There are even books-"

"Look, let's just stick to getting the information to become famous and not crafting theories." He made his way towards the door and scoffed. "What next? Toons unlocking special powers to help fight...sounds like fan-fiction."

Splinter had his head down taking in everything he said. Not believing Dash had really call his plan dumb. Lifting his head he walked towards the door placing a hand on the knob.

"Anything for you Dash..." he sighed. Taking in a deep breath he plastered on a smile, and finally walked out into the dreamy night to begin their adventure to Cashbot HQ.