Not all men are created equal.
A pessimistic thought, yes, but the truth in it is undeniable. Some would argue that the world had always been that way and frankly, they're probably correct. But that statement became indisputable fact when 'quirks' first appeared.
Quirks. Unexplainable, supernatural, seemingly impossible abilities that tore holes in just about every single accepted scientific theory known to mankind. For no understood reason, certain people could suddenly turn invisible, or fly, or, well, the list could go on all day.
Some quirks were more powerful than others. Some came straight from a comic fanatic's wettest of dreams. Others, honestly, were pretty lame. But, no matter what, anybody with a quirk immediately had an advantage over just about any quirkless individual.
Even now, generations after quirks first popped up, less that 1% of the world's population are gifted with the inexplicable abilities. Fewer yet are born with legitimately powerful quirks.
In an alternate world, a world where, let's say, 80% of the world was born with a quirk, on could easily imagine a world that revolved around super-powered heroes and villains. There would likely be insane fights in the street, and all kinds of wannabes clogging up society. It would certainly make for an entertaining tale.
But in this world, the real world, things just don't work that way. With 'gifted' individuals making up such a heavy minority, its genuinely easier to keep one's abilities hidden. There isn't typically any blatant racism or anything like that, but a degree of jealousy is inevitable.
Those who do choose to flaunt their abilities, however, generally don't face the ire of society. Using a quirk to press an advantage isn't seen as cheap or unfair, it's seen as, well, smart. The most successful are even seen as celebrities. The status quo really is the best case scenario. For the most part, everything worked itself out.
Unfortunately, as everyone knows, life isn't fair, and things don't always follow the status quo. Shit happens, superpowers or not. All it really takes is one dude with a helluva quirk and a fucked up childhood and BAM! You now have a supervillain. Give a dickhead some power, and he can spread his dickishness to the world. It isn't common, but it does happen.
That's why the world has UA.
The University of Apollo. Named after the Roman god of arts and knowledge and all kinds of other good shit, UA is the world's counter to villainy. The internationally-funded four year university is located in the rolling hills of South Dakota, where the school takes full advantage of the massive expanse of empty land to churn out the world's next generation of superheroes. And, of course, it's absurd budget doesn't hurt either.
Thousands of aspiring heroes apply every year, but the school only accepts 100 students into each graduating class. Only the best of the best get in, and UA is always quick to cut loose any underperformers. Hell, the school has been known to cut entire classes when necessary. It's a system without slack, but it's still effective. One only needs to look at it's most famous graduate to prove that.
All Might. The World's Symbol of Peace.
Top ten hero rankings are often the topic of endless barstool debates, but the number one spot is never disputed. There's All Might, and then there's everybody else.
That's why, despite a recent trend of small, expensive, private 'hero training' facilities, every wannabe hero applies to UA. The school has a comprehensive application process that starts in a high school student's third year. Applicants start by filling out a pretty standard college application. Ya know, grades, background, the usual boring stuff. Just about everybody makes it through that step.
Next, the school looks at the spread of applicants and sets up local testing centers, where the kids take a written test. A very, very difficult written test. That, my friend, is where the cookies start to crumble.
See, many holders of powerful quirks don't exactly lead difficult lives. Those that decide to try to become heroes tend to do so in a very public manner, and the people around them begin to swarm. Their lives start being served on silver platters. People like that oft expect to be able to cruise through the entire examination process, and, well, it just doesn't work that way. There's a reason why so many of society's most revered celebrities started in gutters and slums. It takes work ethic and talent to get anywhere.
Heroes have to think. Hostages need to be tracked and kept safe. Property damage must be controlled. Information must be gathered, assessed, and utilized with extreme swiftness and precision. Spoiled brats simply can't do that.
Thus, after the crowds are significantly thinned by the written assessment, the physical test is held. The remaining applicants are flown to their regional testing centers, where they are put through any one of a laundry list of cleverly-designed combat simulation tests. The scores are weighted by the overall quality of the test takers in the testing facility, and the top 90 global scores are admitted into the college.
The other 10 spots are filled by recommendations from several top hero agencies. Usually, they're either prodigies or the offspring of some legendary hero. Sometimes, they're both.
The students always come from all over the planet. They come from different cultures, races, classes. But, so far, they've all had one thing in common. They've all been born with quirks.
The precedent exists with good reason. How could a superhero exist without a superpower? Powers are kinda pretty powerful. It's in the name. Maybe one could go the way of Ironman or Batman. Both had enough money, gizmos, and plot-essential luck to basically create their own powers.
But Izuku Midoriya possessed neither money nor gizmos. He wasn't a prodigious fighter, nor a crafty inventor. Smart, maybe, but nothing to write home about. And, of course, he was completely, utterly quirkless.
He was a hero in the making.
AN: THIS SERIES IS AMAZING!
Seriously, if you're one of my few regular readers, check out My Hero Academia. It's just so damn... good. There's really no other way to put it.
Anyway, here's a little prologue thingy I put together to avoid the usual clunky exposition that takes place in the first few chapters of an AU. Is a prologue lazy? Absolutely. But my goal with this fic is to work on my worldbuilding, and I felt like this was a necessity to get things moving.
Enough with the excuses though :P Hope you all enjoyed the tiny teaser, and there should be more on the way soon. Stay tuned!
-theb3arjew