Alright... So... I am someone very, VERY stubborn. As such, when I decide to do something, I simply can't stop thinking about it. That's the case again.
After the first Project: Echoes Of War, where I simply launched myself at a wall, and a second project I now deleted because it was SO bad I almost want to throw up thinking about it...
The people who actually tried to read know what story I'm talking, and yes, I hated it myself.
So, third attempt! Either it flies up high, or I crashland in the stinkiest hole Nurgle opened for me... For a third time.
Before we start, this is a MASSIVE AU, load of things will change, including characters! Not their personnality, but rather their role in the story. So yeah, if you don't like that, I won't push so you read it.
Some ideas will be crazy.
Last thing, this is a prologue, and the next chapter will arrive in quite some time because damn I got things to do with two other stories... So it's just a taste about what will this story be.
The emergence of Quirks was what plunged Earth into eternal war.
At the beginning of the 21st century, the appearance of Quirks, extraordinary abilities that some humans began to manifest, disrupted the fragile balance of societies. While the first bearers were seen as living miracles, the quick and uncontrolled emergence of these powers soon turned nations into battlefields. Fear, jealousy, and greed gave way to conflicts of unprecedented scale where peoples could erase cities with a flick of a finger.
Governments collapsed, cities became fields of ruin, families were torn apart as fathers, brothers, cousins, and uncles killed one another over their differences. Economies crumbled, societies unraveled… The world descended into pure anarchy.
It was in this chaos that the IMPERIUM (International Mechanism for Peace, Equity, and Regulation of Unnatural Manifestations) emerged, a global organization dedicated to regulating Quirks and restoring order. Under the leadership of a figure known commonly as 'the Emperor', his codename, the IMPERIUM managed to establish a fragile equilibrium, enacting global laws that restricted the use of Quirks and imposed strict surveillance.
This balance was ensured primarily through a new breed of soldiers: the Astartes. The IMPERIUM created the 'Legions', armed groups composed of thousands of individuals equipped with the best technologies the world could imagine and build.
However, this imposed peace was short-lived, as tensions began to rise within the IMPERIUM's inner circles.
A dissident faction, known as the Meta Liberation Army (MLA), emerged. Denouncing the IMPERIUM's restrictions as tyranny, the MLA advocated for total freedom of Quirks, a world where everyone could use their powers without restraint. Their first leader, Horus, the master of the 16th Legion and one of the Emperor's closest lieutenants, led a war that ravaged the globe in a bloody civil conflict.
Nearly half of the Legions followed him. And hell fell upon Earth once again.
On every battlefield, the Astartes fought amidst corpses, ruins, death, blood and mud as the world exploded under artillery and tank shells as titanic exo-suits battled for dominance over every inch of land.
Finally, in one last epic confrontation at the doors of the last fortress of light, the Emperor managed to defeat and kill Horus, but was grievously injured and confined to a golden throne, the only thing keeping him alive to this day.
Though many believed the renegade Legions would either return to the light of the IMPERIUM or collapse because of internal structure problems, this was not the case. Instead, they retreated, pursued relentlessly by the loyalists, and hid from the spotlight, seduced in silence by dark temptations…
Until the day a new leader rose among their ranks.
His name… Abaddon Shigaraki. Born to a Japanese father and an American mother, he was the first lieutenant of the 16th Legion and one of Horus' closest friends.
Thus, when Horus fell, Abaddon saw an opportunity for immense power. He renamed himself All For One… though he would also be known in the future as…
Abaddon the Despoiler.
All For One emerged from the shadows to take control of the Meta Liberation Army after its original leader's death. Under his command, the MLA became an uncontrollable force with a completely transformed ideology. Now, their sole focus was the destruction of the IMPERIUM, regardless of the cost. All For One, now a dark messiah, established himself as the destroyer of an already faltering order.
His attacks were devastating and masterfully orchestrated, but the only thing preventing the MLA from conquering the world was a single country…
The United States.
Twelve times, All For One attempted to set foot on American soil; twelve times, he was repelled. Each time, he disappeared for long periods to lick his wounds and rebuild his armies.
This gave the world time to recover. The IMPERIUM replaced organizations like the UN and NATO, which had been severely damaged during these turbulent times and were on the brink of collapse. Countries slowly rebuilt, and their justice systems evolved under the pressure of the IMPERIUM. A new profession emerged as a result: professional heroes, a job that quickly became dominant worldwide.
Among the countless superpowered individuals and heroes, one stood out. A new symbol that brought hope to people, a rare commodity in these dark times. His name: All Might. No one knew where he came from, as if he appeared like a devil from a box, but he was there, preaching peace and justice.
For a time, stability returned, much to everyone's relief.
But joy never lasts forever.
All For One returned with the largest army the world had ever seen. Hordes of corrupted Astartes, legions of MLA followers, grotesque machines, and thousands of monstrous mutants called demons. The war plunged the United States into chaos, and in less than a day, despite the best efforts of pro heroes and the IMPERIUM, the United States fell.
Crimes against humanity were committed, eclipsing anything humanity had ever experienced. The defenders were forced to retreat, abandoning the territory to the MLA, which established its headquarters there.
The victory came at a price. During the battle, All Might faced All For One in a duel. Despite suffering a horrific wound to his side, All Might managed to grievously injure his opponent before retreating.
Since the fall of the United States, now known as the 'Eye of Terror', the world lives in fear of a major offensive from All For One, who has made no significant moves since his crushing victory. However, the MLA continues to launch minor attacks to sow chaos, attacks repelled by the IMPERIUM, albeit with difficulty due to their unpredictable methods.
And this does not account for other groups that have risen in the meantime…
The T'au in Australia, preaching a utopian and peaceful ideology, yet unafraid to use weapons against those who oppose them, falling from the sky in technologies that would have a great place in sci-fi movies.
The Necron Dynasties, fanatics seeking to resurrect Ancient Egypt to it's former glory. These supposed dynasties, dormant before the birth of Quirks, have now awakened, better equipped and determined to win at all costs.
Few creatures are as terrifying as the Tyranids. No one knows where they came from or what these beings are, but they pose an immense danger, consuming everything in their path with an insatiable hunger.
The Orks, brutal, dangerous, and eager for a fight, form gangs and clans that wreak havoc everywhere they go. Their largest territory, the Octarius Empire, is located in Central Africa, and they are led by an individual who calls himself 'Ghazghkull Thraka'.
The Aeldari, mysterious and silent, act as vigilantes or villains depending on their plans, living in enclaves scattered around the world and acting for or against humanity's benefit.
Navigating quietly and discreetly amidst all this chaos are the Leagues of Votann, large groups of miners, neutral companies, seeking only to exploit the Earth's resources.
And finally, hidden in the shadows, insidious figures laugh darkly, pulling the strings of death, life, hope, and despair...
Short. Yeah, I know. As I said, it's a prologue.
If you need some clarifications, throw them at me, and I will respond.
Anyway, see y'all!