Jack sat back at his desk, cigar in hand, as he looked through the week's earnings. While the black pig was never about the pursuit of money per se, he took great pleasure in watching the hoards of jellybeans he was bringing in pile up. In the last few months, the rise in profits was becoming exponential. Eight-hundred thousand jellybeans in the last week alone would be enough to send most Toons into a heart attack, for the swine, it was just another milestone on the journey to what he truly wanted. "So, it looks like Donald's Dock stopped caring as much about powdered sugar in a week, eh?" Looking towards The Rotten Mango, Jack had an ominous undertone in his otherwise calm voice. "Two-hundred thousand? That's twelve-thousand jellybeans less than last week. What happened?"

The amber dog sweated and gripped her right shoulder, afraid of what her bosses' reaction would be when she told him. "Er, well. One of the dealers ran into a few Rangers, and when he was running away he ditched his haul in the Lighthouse Lane pond. When he went back it was gone, likely fished out by some idiotic Toons."

"So, how much was lost?" When Jack spoke emotionlessly, it was almost more terrifying than when he was angry. The leader of The Brotherhood could flip a switch between friendly and pure evil. As one of the top Toons in the organization, she had seen how his outrage could easily lead to the apathetic treatment of his underlings. The Rotten Mango had only gotten her position because the former head of Donald's Dock operations had "accidentally" been stuffed inside of the ferry's propellor and was shredded into fish chum just days after he had stolen six-thousand jellybeans.

"Well, we can't say for sure, but we're looking at about eighteen-thousand or so in losses. But don't worry, I've already made sure that idiot was reprimanded for his actions. That will never happen again." The Rotten Mango tried to get ahead of her boss, so that she would not have to deal with the brunt of his fury.

Placing the ashy end of his cigar into a marble holder, Jack leaned back in his large, leather chair. Closing his eyes, he made no movement, and didn't say a word for several minutes. The only sound in the room was the ticking of an analog clock above the door in the pig's office. The anxiety of each second passing gripped tightly to the canine's lungs, squeezing them tightly until breathing became almost impossible. As she struggled for breath, Jack finally returned to his original position. Once again, speaking with no emotion, he continued his inquiry. "So, one of our dealers was nearly caught, he abandoned his jellybeans and made an escape. He wasn't caught, and he didn't give up any information, correct?"

Befuddled by the question, the multi-colored hound answered honestly. "No, sir. He managed to avoid being nabbed. Although, I made sure that him, as well as everybody else under my control, knew that losing money is unacceptable, and there is consequences."

"Well, I appreciate the sentiment, Mango. However, you are not looking at the long game here." Leaning forward and bringing his hands together, the usually flippant and angry hog had kept his composure. "What would happen if this low-level dealer had gotten caught and detained?" Holding up his hand, Jack paused the dog from speaking. "He likely would give up information. Do you think somebody in his position would be willing to go to prison if he had the option to give up our dealings? Of course not. I know how these Toons think. They crack under the lightest pressure. Maybe it is just because I have been too soft on them, but the point remains the same. If he gives up things, we likely see increased scrutiny, higher Ranger presence, and less sales. So by him getting away, even while making the mistake of losing a sum of jellybeans, it is saving us from losing even more jellybeans in the future. Do you agree?"

"I understand sir. What should I do going forward?" The Mango breathed a sigh of relief, seeing her boss wasn't already ripping her tongue out.

Narrowing his eyes, Jack pulled out his favorite knife and laid it on the desk for both Toons to see. "Do you remember what happened with Horacio when he did not meet his requirements?" The Rotten Mango could not forget. Horacio still had the scar on his hand from when Jack stabbed him. "I don't want to have to make an example out of you. You have always been good at meeting your numbers. You want to know what you do going forward? You meet those cog damn requirements, because if you don't? Well, I'll just find somebody that will. I don't care how you do it, but you do it. We are going to be branching out into Daisy Gardens and I need Toons I can trust. Maybe incentivize the cretins with a promotion to work harder or something. There will be a lot of open positions."

Gulping, The Mango nodded quickly. "Y-yes sir!" She saluted and stood up. "I will come back next week with numbers beyond anything you've seen!"

"Fantastic. Now, you are excused. If you don't mind, when you see Molly, send her in to see me. She will be next." The amber dog sped-walked out of the ordinary looking office. The Brotherhood's Headquarters was purposely unremarkable as to not draw any attention. Inside of an old laundromat on Pajama Place, it also presented a prime opportunity for money laundering in case the need arose. As she walked outside, The Rotten Mango nodded to a large purple bear who was sitting on a rumbling dryer, waiting patiently.

"Jack said you can go in now." Whispering to the large Toon, The Rotten Mango scurried off. She only had a week to increase her region's sales in order to prove her viability.

Molly was an intimidating figure. Bigger than most Toons who had a large Toontask reward, the purple mammal could make a baby cry from looking at her. Ducking down, she pulled open the door into Jack's office and took off her sunglasses in a manner of respect for the mafia boss. "Captain Jack, you wanted to see me, sir?"

The size different between the two Toons was almost comical, and it became more apparent as he motioned for her to take a seat in the same chair the Donald's Dock leader had just occupied. "Of course, Molly. This should be quick, I just wanted to congratulate on you on such a fantastic week of sales. Four-hundred-thousand jellybeans in a week? That is quite impressive."

"Well, ever since you scared those Melodyland pilferers away, there has been almost nobody to get in the way. Plus we've seen an increase in sales since the Jellybean Pit has returned. I've been sending dealers into the mob. Toons are pretty impulsive when the beans start flying." Molly was proud of her intuitiveness, there was a reason she headed the most important playground for sales. "I still believe I can do better though sir, I'm still waiting on the report from one of my dealers who didn't show up last night."

"Very well. Just make sure they haven't run off on you. We don't tolerate anybody stealing from us,fish he fed don't mind." The two laughed evilly about the former gang member who had met an "unfortunate" fate.

Nodding, Molly put her sunglasses back on and stood up. "Of course, Captain. I received a message from her asking to meet with me this afternoon so that she could report her sales. I don't think she is a threat to us, but I will make sure to keep my focus on her just to be sure."

Waking up to his whisper device ringing, The Orange nearly fell out his makeshift bed on the couch of his former associates. He wasn't sure when he had fallen asleep, but he wasn't grateful to be woken up at this time of night. Plodding around in the darkness, he eventually managed to take hold and answer the phone, groggily. "Erugh. Hello?"

"Hey! There you are! I tried heading over to the office but I saw the lights were off so I figured you guys headed home for the night. I forgot where you live though. I hope I didn't wake you!" The other Toon was immediately recognized as Brownie. His energy never seemed to waver, not even at midnight after working all day.

"Um, well, yeah. It's pretty late. Why are you calling me?" Half asleep, the monkey sat back down on the couch and rubbed his eyes, speaking between small yawns.

Brownie took no time to get to the point. "Well, it looks like we might be needing a bit more help from your friends…"

Perking up at the mouse's request, The Orange tried not to show too much excitement. "Oh, but I thought they were kicked off of the investigation? Do you think that Jade or Deputy are going to be okay with that?" Or what about Sprout? Whatever happened to her?" The chimp was thankful that the organized ball of chaos that was Brussel Sprout hadn't been around, but he couldn't help but wonder just in case she would be showing up again.

"Don't need to worry about any of them. I was able to talk Deputy into it. Jade didn't seem as accepting, but she figured that as long as they are monitored, they could help. I mean, I'll just be honest, we need some more disguise help. I tried getting in touch with my uncle Warren who runs a clothing shop but he was busy helping somebody else."

"So, we're just a convenient plan "B" when you guys don't have anybody else to turn to? Haven't you considered we might be busy too?" The Orange took some offense that the other Toons had not bothered to contact C.U.M first.

Confused, Brownie spoke sternly to the Ranger trainee. "Don't forget, you are still a Ranger first and foremost. You have a responsibility while you work with us. So cut out the "we" when referring to them. Secondly, I couldn't just go to them and suggest your friends after their shenanigans earlier."

Getting more annoyed, the ape punched the cushion of the couch with the side of his fist. "Shenanigans? It was that rabbit who gave things away. If you guys weren't so terrible at acting, and could make a proper arrest, then nothing bad would have happened. Frankly, I'm not sure if they'll want to work with you guys again after your accusations of incompetence. Meanwhile, Sprout is out there on her own. Where is the criticism for her? She falsely arrested somebody!"

"At least she didn't let a potential criminal get away. What would have happened if that was the dealer we needed? That would have broken things wide open, and we wouldn't have needed The Lime and The Lemon's help in the first place." Getting defensive of the other trainee, and his friends, Brownie spoke uncharacteristically angrily.

"Alright then. If you guys don't need us then don't bother asking for our help, and if that is the way Rangers act? Well, go ahead and accept this as my resignation from the force. I'm going back to work with my friends!" Hanging up the whisper device, The Orange slammed it down into the couch. Picking up a pillow, he started screaming muffled obscenities into the marshmallow-like object. He wouldn't sit by and listen as his closest friends, the only Toons he could trust, were trashed. If the trio of fruits wanted to catch Jack, they were just going to have to do it by themselves.

Brownie was steaming mad as The Orange hung up mid-conversation. Storming back into the interrogation room, Brownie pulled aside Deputy and Jade who were working out the details with Akinari. "The Orange turned us down, and to make things even better he said he's quitting The Rangers!"

Jade threw her arms up sarcastically. "Of course, he did. Those three were nothing but incompetent and worthless anchors on us. We don't need them. We're all experienced investigators. Why do we need to outsource to some third-rate detective agency that has no customers? No wonder nobody has ever heard of them, they're terrible!"

"Alright everybody, just take a breath." Deputy, the oldest of the three, had to take control before either one literally exploded from anger. "There's no reason to trash them. We're the ones who asked them for help. They don't owe us anything. We pursued an opportunity, and that's that. Nothing we can do about it now." Roping in Brownie and Jade by linking his arm around them, the lime green dog grinned. "I think between the four of us we can put together enough brain power to come up with something."

"Wait, four? Who is the fourth of us?" Brownie looked around, counting each of the four Toons in the room, getting more confused as he had to resort to using his fingers.

Jade rolled her eyes. "He obviously means Brussel Sprout." Pausing, she furrowed her brow. "Wait, where is she anyways? She said she was going to go prove that horses were bad or something, and I haven't seen her since. Should we give her a call and make sure she hasn't killed anybody?"

Deputy shook his head exaggeratedly, flapping his ears around like a kite in strong wind. "I was referring to her of course." Deputy pointed to their arrestee who was sitting several feet away, listening to everything that was being said. "She's in this just as much as we are at this point, why not see what she has to add?" Turning to Jade, he winked. "Sprout is eccentric and energetic, however she is also passionate and intelligent. I have faith that whatever she is doing is probably very important and cunning. We'll get an update from her soon enough, I'm sure. I really think she's going to blow us away."

"Very well. I'll trust your judgement Skids. Not that I have much of a choice. I still think this could be a trap though." Jade grumbled to her partner as they made their way back over to the table where the pink crocodile was still detained.

"I can hear you guys. I'm not that stupid." Akinari replied, frustrated. "I'm literally risking my life and you three have time to crack jokes? I guess I should just die now and save myself the trouble. At least it will be less painful than whatever Jack would have done to me." Scooching a chair close to the crocodile, the rodent smiled at her exaggeratedly. "What do you want?"

Brownie bit his lip and giggled. "Well, if you're going to be my "girlfriend" I guess we should really get into the role. "I've never had a girlfriend before. Wizard always shoots me down, so this is a little exciting!"

Deputy flicked his partner on the ear and scowled. "Come on, Ranger. Stay professional here. This isn't a stroll through the park with your sweetie. This is serious. You just need to show up for a few seconds to introduce yourself and leave. I'm sure this high-ranking mafia official isn't going to care about how cute you two look together. Plus, after your "Toonager" act, I'm wondering if maybe I should be going instead.

"Just because you're old and alone doesn't mean all of us have to be Skids." Brownie winked at Akinari who managed a non-sarcastic chuckle at the roasting of the dog. "Jade is aromantic, so she can't do it, and you're way too old. They would see right through her in a heartbeat. That just leaves me, right?"

"How would they know my sexuality?" Scratching her head, Jade asked confused.

Ignoring the question, the chubby mouse continued with his reasoning. "Making it look realistic is very important. Why would somebody fake having a boyfriend and then go through the effort of being all cutesey and knowing everything about each other? Plus, it just adds that extra bit of spice that makes the believability of her missing an important meeting because I was in the hospital. Nobody is ditching work to see somebody they've went on two dates, right?"

Before he could respond, Akinari reached over and grabbed the rodent's hand. "I think he's right. Molly didn't get where she is by being a fool. She is big and strong, but that doesn't make her some meathead. If I just bring this bumbling buffoon with me, call him my boyfriend, and then dump him on the curb, she's not going to believe it. As much as I hate to say it, I think I'll have to pretend to like this weirdo."

"Alright, alright, geez. I'm only thirty-three though. Although, I'm going to remember that burn when your salary increase comes up, Brownie." The mouse groaned quietly as Skids began planning things out. "Alright, you two are going to need to get to know each other. The basics, at last. Names, how you guys met, maybe a few cute stories? I don't know." Sitting down, the lime dog grabbed a piece of paper and began scribbling furiously, filling the paper with barely legible words.

"What is that?" The pink duck looked over her new comrade's shoulder, squinting and trying to make out anything being written. "I'm pretty sure my brother had better handwriting when he was four. How is anybody supposed to read this?"

Knowing he couldn't offer the threat of a pay-cut against the fowl, Skids had to accept being roasted twice in just as many minutes. "Hey, I'm writing pretty fast here, okay? Give a guy a break. We're going to have Akinari call her supervisor and ask to meet up to apologize for missing the meeting." Looking at the crocodile, Deputy spoke encouragingly. "I just want you to read exactly what is written here. Don't stray from it or try and improvise. Stick to the script. If you get caught, then I will tell you what to say."

Biting her lip, Akinari grabbed the paper and looked it over. "I think this is going to be a problem."

"What's the problem?" Feeling as if he crafted a fantastic lie, Skids was perplexed by the pink gator. "I thought it was pretty good."

"It all sounds, well, off. This doesn't sound natural. This isn't how we talk. You're gonna have to let me do this." Akinari responded.

Jade patted Skids on the back, who was clearly disappointed by what he was hearing. "Don't cry, Skid-o. She has a point. I don't think any of us would fit in very well, and they'd sniff us out. We're just going to have to trust her." Taking out a whisper device, Jade plopped it down in front of the reptile. "Now, just remember we'll be listening to anything you say. Any funny business, and I'll have you in a jail cell before you could cry for your mommy." The duck was quite scary when she wanted to be, and the message seemed to have gotten across.

Hand shaking, Akinari dialed in the number for her supervisor, and looked around, hoping for an escape. When she saw none, she nervously pushed the call button and held the device to her ear. Each ring was like a knife cutting into each of the Toon's, as the heavy pressure was beginning to mount. Then it happened. A click, an answer, a voice. "Um, hello is this Molly?"

Brussel Sprout found that walking inside of the horse costume provide to be quite difficult. The heavy, obtuse motions of a thick horse was foreign to the spry and agile crocodile. She couldn't even roll into a ball like this. The previous night she had worked on her backstory. She had decided that her name was going to be "Eyesore" and that she was referred by Cotton Candy Cutie. It would seem believable as long as nobody questioned her on anything. She was hoping that the light blue horse would be there. What had she become? Hoping to see a horse. She would think about it later. Arriving at the dilapidated building, she strolled around the back where she knew the entrance was. It was still quite early, so she was hoping there wouldn't be very many other Toons in attendance. Walking up the stairs to the back door, she bundled her hand into a fist and began pounding on the door. In a deep voice she yelled out. "Hey, hurry up and let me in fools! It is hot out here?"

A few seconds later, the slot opened, and a pair of eyes looked out. Starting skeptically, they soon turned to a more admiring one as the guard noticed the Toon's thick figure. "Well, hello there handsome. Do you know the password?"

"Wait, password? What are you talking about! I wasn't given a password!" Cursing to herself, she reached into her pocket and grabbed the whisper device. She was going to have to get in touch with Jade and hope she could get the password. "Hold on, let me get it really quick."

As the fake stallion fumbled with her whisper device, she was shocked when the door slowly pulled open and a tall, fat, burgundy horse was standing in front of her wearing a robe. "I'll let it slide this time, but just make sure you remember for next time. Horsenado and Cotton Candy are really cracking down on things. Especially new members. But you're pretty cute, so I'll let you in. Don't tell anyone though. I wouldn't want to get a spanking later… Oh, who am I kidding. Of course, I would!"

"Um, what? You're pretty weird, dude. Whatever though, thanks. I actually came by because Cotton Candy needed to talk to me. Do you know if he's here yet?" As she stepped inside, the green crocodile felt a chill go down her spine, causing a small convulsion in her body. Almost as if she had just entered an unholy place.

"Uhm, I don't think he usually comes in until later in the afternoon. I think that Po is running around, I can see if he can help you?" Closing the door behind "Eyesore", the taller horse leaned in closer and placed his arm around what he thought was an eligible bachelor. "Or I can probably help you out, if you know what I mean." Winking again, he slowly slid his hand down Sprout's back until he was almost where the zipper began.

Jumping back, Sprout tried to compose herself so that she wouldn't kick the aroused horse in the groin. "Oh, um, no. No, that's okay. I actually need to go now. I'll find what I came here for!" Stubby legs carrying her away as fast as she could, Brussel fled into the next room, hoping to get some relief from the strange Toon. How could somebody act like that to a complete stranger? When she was out of disguise, she was going to have to come back and complain to Cotton Candy about the terrible security.

The main lobby of the building was much different than the Ranger in training had expected. The floor was plush, with a colorful, thick carpeting. There was atmospheric, dark purple lighting which reflected off onto the dark purple walls. There were several empty leather couches, which mostly stood alone. On one side of the room was a small bar, which was not being tended to. A smooth jazz music echoed through several large speakers. Fortunately for her, there was nobody else so that she could investigate without interruption. Trying to act naturally, the faux steed wandered over to the couch and sat down. Pulling out her magnifying glass, she slowly tilted over and began searching through the couch cushions for any signs of powdered sugar. Even a trace would be enough for her to prove her case. "Hey, are you okay over there, man?" Startled by the presence of another Toon, Sprout stuffed the detective object into the couch and turned around awkwardly. In front of her was the very horse that she had saw at the diner with the aphrodisiac. "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you."

"Whatever. It isn't nice to sneak up on someone." Sprout was unsure how horses spoke to each other, so she tried to keep a polite, sarcastic tone until she could gauge a better idea of how she should act. "I'm not doing anything suspicious, no need to worry about me."

"Oh, it is no worries. You must be new though. Usually nobody really hangs out in the lobby, well at least not alone. Would you like some company?" Similar to the other horse, this one was quite suspicious and was acting in an unusual way. His eyes lowered, and his motions became more relaxed as the purple steed sauntered over sensually and took a seat on the couch near Sprout. "So, what's your name, stud?"

Heart racing, Sprout's eyes widened. Why was this idiot so close to her? The crocodile hated having Toons in her personal space unless she was beating them. "Oh, um, it is Eyesore."

Confuzzled by the name, the other horse played it off. "Ah, well it sounds foreign. My name is Chadwick. I'm a pretty big deal around here. Actually, I'm the second in command after Cotton Candy Cutie." Inside Sprout was screaming. She knew this horse was lying to her, Cotton Candy had said he didn't even know this guys name. Why was he trying so hard to impress her? "Anyways, how about a drink?"

"Um, sure. Do you have apple juice?" She inquired, unsure of what to order.

"Hmm. Apple? I don't think so. We do have carrot juice, although that's usually for mixing drinks. I was thinking of something a bit more… adult." Standing up, the horse swayed back and forth, revealing his riveting rump as he made his way over to the bar. Bending over the counter he grabbed two glasses and a bottle of something that the crocodile could not identify. Joining the appealing stallion he was trying to seduce, he placed the glass in her hand and began to pour a purple liquid. "This is some of the finest wine in Toontown. Straight from Funny Farms Winery. This whole bottle costs more than most Toons salaries. Although I think new members deserve a special induction, especially one as, important, as you."

Finally catching on to what was happening, Sprout quickly stood up and cleared her throat. "Um! I'm okay. I'm actually not much of a drinker. But since this is such a suave club, maybe you could show me around? I'd really like to check out some of the other rooms. I've heard they are quite exquisite!"

Grinning widely, Chadwick placed the bottle on a nearby table and whinnied. "Oh, I didn't realize you were so eager. Well, that's even better than. Follow me." Reaching for Sprout's hand, he was disappointed when the other stallion reeled back and withdrew their arm.

"Oh, sorry. I'm a little shy at first. If you don't mind, I'd just like to walk alone." The idea of a horse touching her was enough to nearly cause the reptile to upchuck in her costume."

"No worries. We've had several shy types in here. Don't worry, we open them up really quick here." Winking for the third time, Sprout assumed that this deformed creature had some sort of tick that caused him to wink incessantly. "The romp room is just around the corner here."

Following the purple horse through a long hallway, Sprout noticed that there was a large, velvet curtain that was blocking off what appeared to be the doorway. The smell of sweat and other awful smells began to grow stronger the closer they got to the other room. The grotesque stench soiled her nostrils, but she knew she must power through. Romp room was likely some kind of exercise or sports area for the horses. After all, nothing seemed manlier than sports. She figured it would explain the smell of sweat, but she wasn't quite sure why they had it inside. There was a large field just down the street where they could do their horrible horse activities. Sounds of what appeared to be groans, like if someone was lifting heavy weights, also became accentuated as they neared the end. "Is this some kind of gym or something? "

Smirking, Chadwick grabbed the curtain and spoke in a teasing voice. "Well, there is quite a bit of exercising going on, and I'm pretty sure that Jim is in there somewhere. I think you'll just have to see it for yourself." Yanking on the barrier, Brussel Sprout was exposed to all of the inner workings inside of the "Romp Room."