Richard, Asui, Vamp, Deku, and Tenya, all sit in the food court at the mall.

"And that's why you never pick a fight with a guy with a horse quirk," Vamp finishes her story.

"Swift kick to the gut and you'd go down," Tenya adds, "horse legs can really pack a punch."

"I wonder if mine can," Asui comments.

"Can't some frogs break their legs on purpose to use as blades while still being mobile?" Richard asks, "can you do that?"

"Why would I ever try that?" Asui asks.

"I dunno," Richard shrugs, "something to keep in mind if you're ever in a bind though. Wanna talk fast on their feet though, and Tenya takes the cake by far."

"Well that's my whole quirk," Tenya replies.

"Yeah, so?" Deku asks, "doesn't make it any less impressive."

"Yeah," Vamp smiles, "don't put yourself down like that man. Now, I would like to ask, what's U.A. like?"

"It's rough right now," Deku sighs, "protests, angry mobs. It's out of control down there."

"Yeah you really dropped the ball on this one Richard," Tenya adds.

"Sorry for pointing out obvious problems," Richard sarcastically retorts, "anyways, imma go get more fries. I'll be back."

Richard gets up as the others talk, Deku turns to Asui and asks, "hey, is he acting weird?"

"How so?" Asui asks.

"I dunno," Tenya shurgs, "a bad vibe?"

"Uhhhh..." Asui begins to realize where this is going.

"Asui," Deku asks, "do you know something we don't?"

"Well I-" Asui begins, only to be interuppted.

"You calling big sis a liar!?!" Vamp demands, "he's not hiding anything. We're family! We don't keep secrets!"

"You're right," Tenya apologizes  "sorry."

Meanwhile, Richard approaches the fast food joint only to feel four, uncaring fingers around his neck.

"Scream and you're dead," Tomura explains, "listen to me very carefully Purity."

That sends a chill up Richard's spine, as he realizes he is dealing with an impure scumbag that knows his alter ego.

"Don't hurt them," Richard begs, "whatever you want. Just don't hurt my family."

"Oh no no," Tomura laughs, "listen, I'm your friend. I'm pure."

"You attacked U.A.," Richard growls.

"An impure school," Tomura reminds, "I come with a gift. Two actually. One, has warped into your pocket, the other is less obvious. It's a tip. In U.A. academy, at lunch Monday, look very very closely at the beverages of other students. When you see the truth, I'll come find you to discuss your recruitment."

Tomura lets go, and walks away, as Richard checks his back pocket, only to find something all to familiar. A brass knuckle, one he once owned, a gift from an old friend...

The other gift is more perplexing. Check the beverages? What does that even mean?

Richard sighs, disregarding it, and goes back to his friends...

That night he leaps across the rooftops, Vamp wielding her old equipment and a hockey mask as they flee the scene of their most recent crime. Sirens blare behind them as they sprint away, trying to shake this cops.

"Dammit we took to long getting the confession!" Richard exclaims.

"I can make them bleed," Vamp reminds.

"We don't hurt pure people," Richard reminds, "we can shake them. Just... OK you run home, I have a plan."

"I don't like this plan," Vamp explains, "does it involve you going to jail?"

"No," Richard replies, "but it does involve destruction of property."

"Oh that sounds fun!" Vamp exclaims.

"Just go!" Richard demands, "hurry!"

Vamp nods and flees as Richard is suddenly cornered by a spotlight from a police chopper.

"Give it up!" An officer on a megaphone exclaims, "you are surrounded!"

Richard is pushed back by the wind of the spinning blades. Richard extends his left hand outward. He looks down at an empty cop car below, and blasts it, causing it to explode, which distracts the police in the chopper just long enough for Richard to make his get away before any heroes arrive.

Richard arrives home to Vamp and Midnight watching the news, both worried for different reasons.

Vamp is worried her big bro is gonna get caught as the heroes and police search the area.

Midnight is worried cause Richard has no phone and she doesn't know where her son is.

When Richard walks in the doors Midnight and Vamp rush over to him, happy to see him safe and sound.

"Where have you been!?!" Midnight demands, her voice, although loud, holding no anger, only concern.

"Isn't it only twelve?" Richard asks, playing dumb, "what's all the worry for?"

"OK first of all you're getting a new phone tomorrow," Midnight explains, "Puirty was spotted downtown and I didn't know where you were. Vamp didn't know either so I was worried."

Midnight hugs him, "I'm so glad you're safe."

"Hey Purity doesn't hurt kids anyways," Richard reminds, "worse case sinerio I run into him in an alley and he just passes me by.

"He had a new accomplice," Midnight explains, "no one knows who she is. We don't know what she's capable of."

"I don't think he'd work with anyone who would hurt kids," Richard elaborates, "you heard how he turned on Stain right?"

"Yeah that's true," Midnight sighs, "but you just never know. The League of Villains is still out there and they could easily try to recruit him."

"Oh trust me," Richard smiles, "after the attack on U.A., he wants nothing to do with them. Anyways, imma head off to bed. Goodnight mom. Goodnight sis. Love ya."

"Love you too son," Midnight smiles.

"Goodnight big bro!" Vamp exclaims.

With that, Richard enters his room, thinking about how he was contacted by the League of Villains, considering what they said. An impure school...

Just cause they recognize the misdeeds of others does not excuse their own sins. It means nothing in the end. To him they must be purified...

On his way to school that Monday, riding with Midnight and Vamp, Richard notices a larger crowd around the academy. Protesters and reporters swarm the school, leaving Richard nervous, worried about what this could entail when he gets out. Sure they're there because of him but he doesn't wanna be swarmed by reporters like last time.

He begins to shake from aniexty, catching Midnight's attention, who sighs, unsure what to do with her son. Sure, he talks a big game like when her and All Might confronted him, but lately she's noticed he only talks a big game to hide he's really just a kid, or young man, whichever, in far far far over his head. Any man or woman of any age would be by such a point. He can't take this much longer, and she sees that. However, she also knows Richard won't stop of his own accord. Midnight makes a decision in that moment, and speaks.

"Richard," she asks, "do you just wanna, leave for a while?"

"What?" Vamp asks.

"What?" Richard asks.

"We have all been stressed lately," Midnight explains, "I'm suggesting a vacation. The school is in chaos anyways, lessons are at a standstill. Maybe it'll give things some time to calm down."

"No I can't leave now," Richard sighs, "we are so close mom. Vamp you understand, right? We're to close, people are fighting child abuse. We can endure the stress and shit. Just a little longer."

What Midnight sees, in this moment, is a child breaking down, and telling himself he can rest soon when he has no intention of resting. A man who has turned himself into a weapon to fight child abuse. The cracks in his psyche finally show, as Midnight becomes all the more worried.

"If that's true then why are you crying?" She asks.

"I'm not-" Richard notices a tear drip down his cheek, "oh shit I am."

"You should just take a day," Midnight sighs.

"Tomorrow," Richard shakes his head, "tomorrow I will, but mom, please, I have to go today. OK? Just... I think U.A. may be hiding something. I think... Deku and my other siblings may be in danger mom."

"Fine," Midnight sighs, "You can stay until after lunch then I'm checking you out."

"That's perfect," Richard smiles, "see you later mom."

Midnight hugs her son, and lets him go, but instantly regrets her choice, knowing her son is mentally ill, and knowing she must be more stern to help him, but unable to bring herself to. She's stuck in this state of inaction, needing to help him but fearing what that could entail, fearing that the media will turn on her, blame her, and take her children away. Every hero is on thin ice, one slip and her whole family falls...

Richard sits at lunch, with only Deku.

"Richard what is it you wanted to talk to me about?" Deku asks, "you've been silent in class all day, only saying hi and nodding in response to everything."

Richard slides Deku his phone, silently, and upon seeing the photos Deku looks at him, and sees the hatred in his eyes.

"Richard..." Deku tries to speak but the photos of the cafeteria leave him speechless, his faith in U.A. destroyed. Shattered like glass, and irreparable. 

"I failed," Richard sighs, "about 7% of U.A. academy. See this. This is why I protect Deku. That's how I lost her."

"What are we gonna do?" Deku asks, "how does no one else know?"

"They tend to eat in the back, with the teacher," Richard explains, "where most aren't allowed. That little white bastard. Furry impure fuck! How could he miss it?!?"

Deku catches that he uses the word impure, but brushes it off. If Richard was... him, he would tell Deku... right?

"What's our play?" Deku asks.

"I will prepare the evidence," Richard explains, "But for now will leave a copy of all the files in my locker. The combination is 06-13-56-38."

"Why me?" Deku asks, "why not tell our family?"

"You're the one I trust most," Richard explains, "and... I'm breaking down Deku. I don't think I have much longer before the stress kills me."

It's then Deku notices.

"Where is your food?" Deku asks.

"Deku I can't eat," Richard begins to shake, "I can't sleep. I'm dying Deku. I don't have much longer left. The stress is literally killing me. I puke if I eat. I have nightmares when I sleep. If I snap, be that mentally or physically, you must stop the sins of U.A. academy. I pass this tourch to you, my brother. I have other matters to attend to until then, maybe I'll be able to handle it myself, but if not, make sure they know we did it together. When I die-"

"When you die?" Deku demands, "Richard snap out of it! You have to eat. Just go home, sleep. I'll make sure that at lunch tomorrow no one gets hurt."

"Mom knows something is wrong," Richard sighs, "I'll get put in the nuthouse when she finds out. I'm just gonna tell you. I'm schizophrenic. Have been since we met. It's been getting worse. I don't have much longer before I'm locked away or killed. Maybe I can get help and get medication, but I have to much to do. Even U.A. is unsafe. Don't even get me started on Europe we'll be here all day."

"Who else knows about this?" Deku asks.

"Just you, Lily, and Asui," Richard replies, "now I'm gonna go home and pass out. Mom's checking me out of school early and I won't be here tomorrow. Love you bro. Hope I see you again."

Richard leaves the table, a shocked Deku looks at his food, worried about Richard. He opens a group chat with Tenya, Asui, and himself and opens with the following texts.

Deku: U.A. is corrupt.

Deku: And Richard is in danger...