Summary: In a post-apocalyptic world, where all that matters is power and women are bought and sold like cattle, Momo escapes the government's tyranny to join the rebels in their fight for freedom and justice. AU TodoMomo with some other relationships.

I want to give a big thank you to my beta-reader Tsuki Gret! Thank you so much for helping correct my story (twice!) and your continued support!

Disclaimer: I unfortunately don't own any of the Boku no Hero characters.

"The secret to happiness is freedom...And the secret to freedom is courage." Thucydides

The mid-morning sun was warm as its rays danced off of the tall grass and dandelions of a large meadow that melded into evergreen forests. The clouds of an early autumn thunderstorm had evaporated a day or two ago leaving crisp azure skies that stretched to the horizon.

A bird nesting in the nearby grass whistled a low warning before taking flight as a dozen young women broke through the clearing, running as if the devil was on their heels. In the distance the shouts of their pursuers could be heard closing in.

Momo Yaoyorozu's breaths were coming in short gasps. A stabbing pain in her diaphragm was urging her to stop and rest but the government's pet enforcers (the Law of the Valiant) were closing in.

Clenching her teeth to the pain, she pushed her legs forward with graceless urgency. Her white dress flapped around her heels like delicate wings as she flew through the field.

Out of the corner of her eye she saw a young girl trip and fall in a heap amongst the tall grass and weeds. Furrowing her brows, Momo's lips thinned as she stopped to pull the girl back to her feet. They needed to run faster if they were going to get away.

"Move! To the trees!" The onyx eyed woman yelled as she pushed the girl towards the forest, her voice cracking at the end as she followed.

Passing the first pines, Momo saw the other women disperse, their white dresses disappearing into the foliage. Warmth spread through her and hope swelled in her heart like a budding light. Maybe they'd all be able to get away?

Even she knew better...

Women were too precious of a commodity to let escape. If it hadn't been for the rebels attacking the town just moments ago they would have already been caught, beaten, and hauled back to be auctioned off like cattle.

A loud shout sounded from behind her and suddenly chaos erupted all around as the officers caught up to them. One officer was on her heels. His signature government issued black boots thundered closer. A hawk honed in on its prey.

"I got you, you little cunt!" He cried triumphantly. His talons outstretched as he grabbed her arm.

Fear seized her and Momo didn't even have time to think as her vision narrowed. Turning on the balls of her feet, her black hair swooshing about her face, she struck the officer's throat with her forearm. He was too big for it to have caused any damage, but his grip loosened a fraction giving her all the chance she needed to pull her arm free. She hit the ground running, adrenaline from her escape pulsing under her skin and pushing her legs forward.

Time could have passed quickly or slowly, she didn't know how long she ran for but suddenly gravity pulled her down as her foot caught on a root and she skidded on the ground painfully.

Her breath escaped her in a violent shudder as the air was knocked from her lungs and pebbles bite into her face. Tears pricked the corners of her eyes but she quickly blinked them away as the sound of footsteps echoed off of the trees behind her.

Get up Momo! You can't give up yet! But even as she propped herself up onto one elbow, and grabbed a nearby tree branch to pull herself up, she knew she had lost any advantage she had. Her legs shook uncontrollably and her breathing was erratic. She wouldn't be able to get far if she ran.

I can't give up now! Think Momo! Think! Holding her branch tightly in front of her, Momo steadied herself and willed her beating heart to calm. She tried to think of a plan. Tried to think of anything, but her thoughts were hollow as they reverberated through her mind. Why was it only now, when she needed to think, that her mind stopped working? Gritting her teeth, Momo readjusted her hands on the branch. If this was fate, she was just going to have to fight until the end. So she closed her eyes and waited for the sounds of the first LoV officer to come through the thick pine forest surrounding her.

The snap of a twig breaking had Momo's eyes snapping open as she readied herself to fight.

But it wasn't a LoV officer.

A couple meters away, from behind the tree line, stood a young woman with black velvet eyes set in a boyish face. Her black hair was cropped short and a fresh bruise on her cheek gave her a hard appearance. In fact, if she hadn't been wearing a white dress, Momo was sure she would have easily mistaken the woman for a young man and never been the wiser.

"Hey…" said the newcomer as she staggered forward. Her voice was low and raspy from their desperate flight as she leaned over to catch her own breath. "I…I don't think we were followed…"

Relief flooded Momo like a tidal wave and she let herself collapse onto the forest floor in a graceless heap. Reaching up to cover her mouth, Momo let the tears that she hadn't known were building cloud her vision and fall unchecked down her cheeks to wet her white dress below. Her body shook in silent sobs as the realization of their escape set in.

Soft footfalls came up next to her and Momo jerked as the other girl fell down to rest by her side. They stayed like that for a few moments. Momo's shuddering breaths the only sound echoing off the tall pines standing sentry all around.

Slowly, her tears dried up and silence descended on the two women. "You know...for someone who looks so meek, you aren't someone to take lightly…"

Momo wiped at her eyes and glanced at her new companion laying flat on the ground, "What do you mean?"

"I saw you hit that LoV officer. And right now, you looked like you were going to go all crazy on me." The newcomer threw Momo a soft, shy grin before closing her eyes again.

Was she trying to make her feel better? Momo looked at the purple haired woman sprawled out on the mossy forest floor. Eyes closed and faced relaxed, sunlight seeping through the canopy to play off her purplish hair, the woman might be considered cute. "That's because I thought you were the LoV."

"No shit." The girl let out a harsh bark as a small smile pulled at her lips as she looked up at Momo through her lashes, "I'm Jirou Kyouka by the way."

"Yaoyorozu Momo." Said the onyx eyed woman as she bowed her head towards her new companion whose eyes had gone wide.

A pause lingered for a heartbeat between the two women.

"Wait! What?!" Jirou exhaled as she sat up abruptly, her eyes pinning Momo down.

"Yaoy…"

Interrupting her, the shorter girl bit out, "I heard you. I just can't believe that scu...that guy had a kid! Or were you his slave?" She accused.

Taken aback by Jirou's reaction, Momo pursed her lips and frowned as an uncomfortable knot formed itself in her throat at the venom in the other woman's voice. "You know my father?"

Jirou's eyes darted away. "Yaoyorozu Koutarou? Shit. Anyone would know him. He was one of the LoV bigwigs until a couple years ago. Who would've thought he had a kid?"

Momo's eyebrows pulled together and she shifted to hug her knees to her chest. She had known her father had been part of the government but not much else. It wasn't unusual for him to leave home for extended periods of time with no explanation. And anytime she inquired about his whereabouts or his job he would pivot the conversation. Distract her with stories and presents. And she would allow him to. Wanting his love and attention more than anything. Even when he returned home four years ago with half his body burnt, he hadn't offered any explanation and she hadn't asked.

Momo's lips dipped into a frown. Her father may have had his secrets but what had he done that this woman hated him so much? She must be mistaken? Her father had always been stern and proud but he could also be incredibly kind and generous with her and the servants. She couldn't imagine him being someone hateful.

A million questions raced through Momo's head and she was tempted to ask the purple haired woman. She wanted to defend her father's honor, but she had used up all her courage earlier in the day, and the words fizzled out on her tongue.

"From the look on your face, you had no idea." Jirou huffed incredulously. "Anyways…" Her eyes took on a softer tone as they darted to the side and her hand came up to rub her ear, "What happened? If you don't mind me asking?" She inquired sounding genuinely curious.

Pausing, Momo hugged her knees a little closer to her chest as she collected her thoughts. Jirou Kyouka may be in the same situation as her, but at the end of the day they were complete strangers. Andif Jirou was insinuating that she didn't know her own father than how much could she trust a complete stranger? Should she lie? It probably was the best course. But she had never been good at lying. Sighing, Momo gave in. Deceit really wasn't in her nature. "I was raised by my father. All I know about my mother was that she was given to him as a present for his work in the government and was supposedly very beautiful. She died giving birth to me."

"And your father didn't turn you over to the government?"

Momo shook her head. One of the government's most stringent rules was the absolute monopoly the state had on women. No matter their birth or family, all women were slaves of the State. It was a firm law that at birth all girls be handed over to be raised by the government. Once they came of age, their virginity was sold to the highest bidder and they were thrown in a government run brothel. Fated to have the offspring of any man who could pay for a night with them.

It hadn't always been that way. Years and years ago, society had once been a beacon of technological advancement. Touching the stars and curing disease, it had seemed like anything was possible. But then the plague hit. And in a span of days, humanity was almost entirely wiped out.

In the dystopia aftermath, the world fell apart.

It was during that time when women almost completely stopped having girl children. And when the ratio of men to women became too great, what was left of civilization was destroyed as war ravaged the remainder of humanity. The current government came to power during that fallout.

At first they were the saviors, uniting the people and stopping the mindless violence. But soon they began cracking down on the remaining population with an iron fist. Killing and enslaving anyone who opposed their rule and instituting laws to cement their power. One of which was that women had no rights. They were property of the State used to control the remaining populace.

"How'd you not get caught until now?"

"We have…we had a hidden attic." Tears pricked at the side of her eyes again as a heaviness wrapped around her heart like barbed wire as she spoke the truth that was still too fresh. "I lived up there during the day. Only my dad and our most trusted servants knew about me…"

"No wonder your skin's so pale." Jirou mumbled under her breath.

Ignoring her interruption, Momo continued, "Two days ago, one of the newer servants came back to the house after hours. I hid, of course, and my father intercepted him before he could get too far in the house, but he must have seen some evidence of my existence. The LoV came that same night..." She trailed off quietly. She didn't have to say that her father was lined up against the wall like a painting and shot. Too proud to beg for his life. Too proud to even say goodbye to her.

That part was still too painful. Like a festering wound. All she could do was swallow and push the memory away.

A heavy silence descended upon them. Like an ominous fog it rolled between them settling over her heart until a few breathes later Jirou sighed and the moment dissipated. "I'm not going to blame you for your father's actions. Even if he was a hypocrite." She added under her breath. Crossing her legs under her, the purple haired woman leaned back on her hands. "Anyways, as for me - never knew my mom, but my father was a musician. He passed a year ago. I've always lived my life as a boy so was able to skate the League of Villains easy enough." Bringing up one of her hands she rubbed at her ear again, "A couple weeks ago, I had tacked onto a group that was planning to join the rebels when someone in the troupe sold us out." Her lips quirked at the end half-heartedly. "No one knew I was a girl until they got us to the slavery."

At some point during Jirou's story, Momo's eyes had widened and they must have looked like giant saucers because when Jirou turned to look at her she burst out into a raspy laugh.

"I'm sorry, you look adorable." Jirou laughed as Momo's face heated up self-consciously. "Anyways, since we can't go back we might as well stick together, ne?"

Looking into Jirou's dark eyes, full of warmth and kindness, something inside Momo softened. And, for the first time since her father's death, Momo's lips pulled into a faint smile.

Traveling was rough. Each step was like trudging through sludge. The tall pines standing sentry and the vibrant green moss and ferns dotting the forest floor like soft rolling clouds would have been enchanting and distracted Momo to no end, if she had the energy. But at that moment, the greenery felt more like visible land mines. Set on bringing her down as she swayed precariously through the landscape.

Momo's body was still unused to the outside world and her escape that morning as well as her bout of crying had left her physically and emotionally exhausted. It was only through sheer will and a streak of stubbornness that she was able to push her feet forward.

By the time they stumbled upon a small pond, sheltered underneath heavy pines, the sky had begun to darken and cast dancing shadows across the forest floor. Momo's legs shook uncontrollably at each step. Her whole body ached, like a fire torching her from the inside out to burn out a sickness. Slowly she followed Jirou under a rocky ledge and allowed herself to curl up next to the purple haired woman. It wasn't comfortable in the slightest, but with her mad race that morning and lack of sleep over the last two days the young woman was exhausted enough not to care. Slowly, she allowed her body to relax and her eyes to close.

When Momo woke it was early, the light of the rising sun had just started painting the sky pastel pinks and yellows. It was breathtakingly beautiful as streams of light bounced off the tops of the trees. At the moment however, she was far from moved. It was cold. A thick chill had set in during the night leaving moist air that permeated through the morning air and her thin gown.

She was hungry too. And her stomach rumbled angrily to remind her that she hadn't eaten since before her father's death two - three days ago now.

Momo bit her lip as she wrapped her arms around herself. Jirou was still sleeping, seemingly more accustomed to the outside weather she didn't stir as Momo sat up.

Momo envied her. Her first days in the outside world were completely different than what she could have ever imagined and she missed the comfort of her old life.

Shaking her head, Momo cleared her mind of those thoughts. Standing slowly, she stretched her arms above her head and let out a low moan. Her muscles were overly sore from yesterday's events and they ached as she stepped out into the morning. Her stomach rumbled again. So talkative.

She'd have to find food. There was only so many days they could go without eating. Washing her face by the pond, Momo tried to recall what her father's books had said about edible plants.

Books of any kind were exceedingly rare. Even before the plague, paper books were almost non-existent, as everything had been saved online. And after the plague, when the government came to power, one of the first things they did was purge all materials they didn't approve of.

Her father had been an avid reader and had kept a small library. Most of the books had been on military tactics and survival guides. She had read every page while she hid in the attic and she concentrated on recalling every word now.

Most of what she could remember was on military strategy, but there had been a couple of passages on trapping and edible plants.

Biting her lip, Momo considered her options. With no tools or experience hunting of any kind was clearly out of the question. She'd just have to look for roots and berries.

Last night she had been to weary from her flight to do much more than keep her feet moving forward. Now, in the early morning light that trickled through the trees casting greenish-yellow hues across the pond's surface, Momo explored her surroundings with renewed determination.

Across the pond, a small creek bubbled from underground making small ripples across the surface of the water. Moss and green ferns dotted the pond bank and tall pines stood silent guard all around, creating an illusion of walled security. Momo gaped in wonder as she allowed her fingers to trail over every plant and rock in excitement as she searched for edible fauna.

In the end, her mission came up short. As enchanting as the forest was, it didn't offer much in terms of food.

Huffing, Momo resigned herself to return to Jirou when she noticed a lone tree hidden amongst the thicket of pines with orangish-red globes peeking through its leaves.

Persimmons!

Rushing over to the tree she grabbed at the lowest hanging fruit. Quickly peeling one of the orangish-red globes she took a big bite. Unripe, the juicy fruit was extremely bitter. But to Momo it tasted like the juiciest apple as she grabbed a couple more of the fruits. Her first meal as a free person. The thought sobered her as she collected some more of the orange globes in her dress and returned to the pond.

Kyouka was just beginning to stir when she arrived. Plopping down next to the purple haired woman, Momo handed her one of the unripe fruits which the other woman took gladly, peeling it with practiced ease.

They needed to come up with a plan. The tranquil pond wouldn't sustain them for long, they needed to keep moving if they wanted to live. Plucking at the moss beneath her, Momo spoke her thoughts, "I think we should keep moving..."

Jirou nodded. "I was thinking the same thing last night," the short haired woman said, taking a bite of the fruit and grimacing at the bitterness. "I'm going to go with my original plan and join the rebels." Glancing up at her through her lashes, she added, "You should come too."

Momo's eyes widened and she grasped for words. Sure the rebels had saved them yesterday when a plain looking, green haired boy had opened their cage, but all she had ever heard was that the rebels were bloodthirsty savages. Especially the one called All Might. Stories said he liked to rip people apart with his bare hands.

Jirou seemed to read her mind as she scowled, "I know what you are thinking but I don't think the rumors going through your mind are true. Remember they freed us yesterday? And I've heard that the United Army actually treats women well and even allows us to fight alongside them and choose our own husbands."

Momo doubted that, but she bit the inside of her cheek to stop herself from arguing. It wasn't like they had many options. "Do you even know where they are?" She asked.

"I don't know how accurate the information is, but I heard UA has a base near old Tokyo."

Old Tokyo, one of many once bustling metropolitan cities that had gone to ruin as the remaining population had fled the pandemic and wars that followed. With no one to care for them, those who died from the sickness were left to rot where they had taken their last breaths. It was said that in some of the old cities you could walk from one end to the other stepping on only the dead.

A shiver raced up Momo's spine at the thought. That had been many, many years ago, and most likely the Earth had retaken most of the land the once thriving metropolises sat on, but she couldn't help the irrational fear that there would be ghosts haunting the abandoned cities.

Still, their options were extremely limited. They were trapped birds in a see through bird cage. And since there was no way she was going to go back to the government run distracts, that only left the rebels. Momo released a deep, shaky breath and nodded her ascent. If she wanted to be free, she would need courage.

I'm really excited for this story. I've decided to put a lot of time and work into making this good so hopefully my effort has paid off and you enjoyed it.

As always please let me know your thoughts!