And here's the next chapter, with more focus on Clyde and Ronnie Anne hopefully.

Again, very sorry that we're not seeing much action or longer arcs, but I really don't wanna risk filling this story with… well, filler. Even if I have to fill it with worldbuilding instead.

Anyway, let's move on.


"Is this a good idea?" Haiku asked. "Lincoln hasn't even hinted what Ynovation is about to them yet."

"They have to find out eventually one way or another," Polly argued. "We waited for Lincoln to do it, I think, and he was turned into an Outsider. If we wait any longer, it'll become impossible to let them in

"Should they be let in, though?" Haiku counter argued. "Who's to say learning the truth won't cause them to become a liability."

"The very same risk was present when we let Lincoln in, and I don't remember you making an argument against it," Tabby sighed. "Look, just… let's get ready for the barrage of questions that's bound to come once we tell them what's going on."

"I'm glad Darcy chose to stay home with Lincoln today," Giggles sighed. "I don't even want to think how she'd manage from the incoming controversy."

"What controversy?"

The Ynovation girls turned around to see Lincoln's childhood friends and the former antagonists walking up to them. And realizing what this meant, Polly opened the door and sighed:

"Come in. There's a lot to discuss…"


"Lincoln Loud has successfully been declared an Outsider. He will remain with this rank until he proves himself worthy of either a promotion or a demotion."

Those were the words spoken by Lisa to her co-workers, Who wrote down what she said on their computers.

"And what about Luna Loud?" one of the workers asked. "After her outburst against the council, she gets closer and closer to losing her status as a Protagonist."

"I've already taken things into my own hand," Lisa replied, raising her hand. "I spoke to her and told her that if she didn't behave herself, she could very well be declared a Maverick."

The workers gasped in unison.

"Is it necessary to go that far, Your Designation? Luna Loud is one of the best Space Watchers that we have, and one of the best Superheroes in the Index System-"

"And if the past has taught us anything, it is that those who are the best have the highest chance of betraying their kin," Lisa lowered her eyelids. "She's already showing the attitude of a Maverick through her anger and violence. Should this attitude be allowed to keep going unaddressed, it'll be too late by the time she gets demoted. Therefore, give her a strike."

And the workers hesitantly obliged. Lisa folded her arms behind her back and left the room, only to find another worker on the other side of the door she went through.

"Please move aside."

"Before I do that, I came here to let you know that one of the Heads has asked for your presence," the worker replied. "It's rather important."

"I've already spoken with the Council Heads," Lisa stated sternly. "The bug regarding my bro… Lincoln Loud's designation has already been fixed."

"The one making the request isn't a Council Head."

Lisa's eyes widened, then narrowed, the young scientist groaning as she got an idea as to who it was.


The Ynovation girls had just finished explaining everything to the groups, and while the former antagonists were lightly stunned, Lincoln's friends were a bit more… notably worried.

"This could get you marked as Mavericks!" Clyde exclaimed, Ronnie Anne and Cristina nodding in agreement. "It could get all of us as Mavericks!"

"Listen, Lori asked us to help Lincoln become a Protagonist, didn't she?" Tabby asked. "We need to be prepared in case something happens, and the best way to do that is to get a better use of our Cliches and try to expand on them."

"But to do it while we're still learning," Cristina frowned. "We're gonna get in so much trouble if we're found!"

"Where was this cautious mind when you decided to attack me and Lincoln?" Polly asked smugly.

Not even a second later, Cristina flew right in front of the tomboy.

"Love makes people do the craziest things!"

Then, Ronnie Anne turned to the former Antagonists. "Why aren't you guys worried?"

"Antagonists are expected to play dirty to get what they want, and we're still relatively new in the Neutrality stuff," Stella explained. "It'll take another month before people stop thinking we're planning something; until then, even if we're found, people will cut us some slack."

Ronnie Anne squinted her eyes, unsure of whether she should trust the Demon Lord's words.

"So, what do you guys think?" Haiku asked. "Ready to innovate?"

Clyde winced. "We don't get a say in this?"

"Theoretically yes," Haiku summoned a crystal ball out of thin air. "But I took the liberty of checking the future while Polly explained everything to you, and of the many timelines I saw, most of them had you join us whether we give you a choice or not."

"What if this is one of the timelines where we say no?"

"You'll find out you're harshly unprepared and come back to ask us for help anyway."

A short silence followed before Haiku extended her hand forward, offering the teams to join. And after a few more seconds, Clyde and Stella shook her hand.

"Excellent," Haiku smiled. "Shall we get started, then?"


Back with Lisa, she walked into a dimly lit room, a shadowy figure emerging from the shadows and landing in front of her, opening a pair of red, glowing eyes as they stood up, towering over the tiny scientist.

"Head of Termination, what a… pleasant surprise."

"Listen, Lisa, even somebody who can't understand sarcasm like me can tell you're not really happy to see me."

Lisa narrowed her eyes. "What do you want?"

"I've been informed that the glitch concerning Lincoln Loud has been fixed. Is this correct?"

"It is," Lisa squinted her eyes. "He's been turned into an Outsider, and will remain an Outsider until further notice."

"And the Antagonist quartet you met a while ago?"

"I already discussed this with the Head of Neutrality; their promotion has already taken place-"

Suddenly, the HoT raised their hand and summoned a red glowing scythe, which they aimed at Lisa's face, causing her to wince before regaining her composure.

"You're doing a lot of sneaky things behind the Index System's back."

"It's called being pragmatic," Lisa stated, gently touching and pushing the scythe away. "I don't expect you to understand, since you only work in "kill or don't kill."

"I'm in charge of making sure all Mavericks are wiped out of Royal Woods, can you blame me?"

Lisa refused to answer, but her disapproving glare spoke for her.

"Anyhow, let me give you a fair warning: if this little glitch can be traced back to you… that would be an automatic demotion to Maverick for you," the HoT grinned. "And when that happens, I'll have the pleasure of hunting you down. Not that I want that to happen, of course."

"If you're done wasting my time, then I gotta go," Lisa stated before walking past the entity. "I need to finish working on the prototype."

The HoT unsummoned their scythe and watched Lisa walk away, flashing a tiny grin before they left.


Lincoln was doing just fine. He sat alongside Darcy's toys at her house's table, the girl manipulating a teacup to pour tea to everyone as she said:

"So, you're an Outsider now?"

"Yeah, I'm afraid that's the case," Lincoln answered. "I'm not supposed to get involved in the Protagonist-Antagonist conflict anymore, and in fact, I'm supposed to stick to the sidelines no matter what."

"So, like a Neutral?"

"... That's the best way to put it, yes."

Lincoln chuckled as he sipped his tea, but Darcy's worried expression remained on her face… at least until she got an idea.

"Why don't you show me what you learned with Polly?"

Lincoln hummed and put his teacup down. "I'm not sure that's a good idea…"

"Come on, don't be mean!" Darcy jokingly whined, slamming her hands down the table as she added. "Show me, show me! I wanna see!"

"Alright, fine!" Lincoln laughed a bit. "I'll show you."

"Yay!"

Darcy snapped her fingers, and the interior of the house morphed completely, this time resembling a gym room with a bunch of gym equipment.

Another snap of her fingers summoned a bo staff, which Lincoln spun a bit before posing and exclaiming:

"Ready when you are!"