Within a few hours, people all across Remnant were arming themselves with firearms, melee weapons, mecha-shift, and in some cases, Titans. The hour of truth drew near as several people in the civilian and military we're helping with the armament of town and/or village militias, one of these people being General Ironwood. He had heard the message and saw the potential in Alex, but he didn't see a soldier, he saw a human being willing to fight a battle no one would think possible. When searching the ruins of Beacon for the boy, all he could find was a small capsule that held a data knife, a smart pistol, and HE's AI Core. When he brought these back to Atlas, he made sure to keep these a secret from the council until the time was right to introduce the AI to the world. When asking HE where Alex was, he had said that 'the neural link was disconnected the moment he sacrificed himself to safe his pilot.' Ironwood may not have liked the answer, but he knew there was nothing he could do. When he heard his message, however, he made sure to have a bullhead at the ready to bring the young pilot back. After having HE triangulate the source of the message to the Menagerie, the bullhead was launched with a small team of soldiers as guards invade any hostiles tried to intervene.
Ironwood: HE, how long until the recovery team reaches the LZ?
HE: Calculating... recovery team ETA in one hour, ETA of return is two hours.
Ironwood: Thank you HE, is there anyone else moving on his position?
HE: Confirmed, two heat signatures on a confirmed route to Pilot Alexander Ryan. Information states that the first signature is a nineteen year old female Faunus. The second signature is a young female infant Faunus on her back. Shall I place them as a threat?
Ironwood: No, HE, I believe that that's Ms. Belladonna.
He: Affirmative, shall I add them to the extraction list?
Ironwood: Very well, add those two as well.
With that done, Ironwood looked over at the map of Remnant, several blips belonging to either his force, the White Fang, or the Militia. Each one was a different color as the Atlas military was in blue, the White Fang in red, and the Militia in Green.
Meanwhile, Alex was currently getting supplies together invade the White Fang had found his position. He knew Blake would come looking for him, and he would be glad to see her, but he didn't want her to get caught in the crossfire incase they do find his position. While getting them placed into the jump ship, he heard several banging sounds coming from the door. He knew that the White Fang didn't knock on doors if they could easily break them down, so that left him with a few options: it was either Blake, RW(B)Y, JNPR, or the Atlas Military. He knew it wasn't The Militia since this was their ship. When he pressed a few buttons on the keypad, the door opened and he was tackled into a hug that could rival Yang's. Who he saw was Blake, who she was currently crying, but not in sadness, out of joy. He was happy to see her as he hugged back.
Blake: Your alive, I-I can't believe it, your actually alive!
Alex: I told you I'd be back, didn't I.
Blake: Why, though, why take this long to come back, do you have any idea how long I cried because I thought you were dead?!
Alex: If I did, I'd be putting you in danger. I couldn't live with myself if I knew that you got hurt because of me.
Blake continued to hug him, not wanting to let go due to fear of losing him again. When she finally let go of him, he noticed a small sling made of ribbon on her that looked to be carrying something or someone.
Blake: Alex, there's someone I want you to meet.
After saying this, he looked at her in a bit of confusion. When he noticed her take a hold on what the makeshift sling was carrying, saying he was surprised was an understatement because he was downright shocked as she lifted up a small child in her arms. He saw a small little girl with two different eyes, one blue and the other amber. She also had a small amount of black hair on the top of her head. The most defining characteristic was her birth mark, for it was the same as his and Blake's, the number thirteen inside of Blake's symbol. The birth mark was on her left arm, and in full view for the whole world to see. All he could do was smile as he took off his helmet because he didn't want to see her through the visor on his helmet, but with his own eyes.
When he took off the helmet, he could see both of them clearly before hugging the both of them.
Blake: Its good to have you back, Alex.
Alex: Its good to be back, Blake.
Alph: HELLO MS. BELLADONNA, I TAKE IT YOUR TRIP WAS A LONG ONE.
Blake jumped back in surprise as she saw a Titan that looked like HE, minus the color, stepped in front of her.
Blake: Uh, Alex, who's this?
Alex: Oh right, this is AT but I call him Alph.
Alph: IT IS NICE TO MEET YOU MS. BELLADONNA, I AM AT BUT YOU MAY CALL ME ALPH.
Blake: Well, it's nice to meet you Alph. Alex this is Bella, our daughter.
Alex: Hey there Bella.
While they were talking, they were interrupted when the sounds of engines could be heard as they turned around to see an Atlas Bullhead landing near the entrance of the hanger. Alex placed his helmet back on as he stayed in front of Blake and his child.
Atlas Soldier: Are you three Alexander Ryan, Blake Belladonna and the small infant.
Alex: What's it to you?
A.S.: We've been given orders by the General to being you three to Atlas.
Alex: Wait, why?
A.S.: We don't know, the General just gave us our orders to bring you three back.
Alex didn't know what to do, he didn't want Blake or his kid getting hurt, but he couldn't leave them alone. He then noticed a hand on his shoulder, and it was Blake's. She was smiling, and he already knew the answer.
Alex: Alright, we'll go with you, but I'm taking the jump ship to get there.
A.S.: Alright then, if you'd kindly follow us.
The soldiers then boarded the bullhead as Alex, Blake, Alph, and their Child got on board the jump ship. What they didn't know was that a certain monkey Faunus was on board as well.
//Timeskip brought to you by Chibi Alex flying the jump ship with Alph hanging from underneath, and Chibi Blake feeding Chibi Bella.//
When the two ships arrived at the base, Sun made his presence known, and let's just say that things were going to be a little hectic from there. After paperwork was filled out, the group continued to the war room. What surprised him the most was that HE's au core was there.
Alex: HE, is that you?
HE: HELLO ALEX, IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.
Alex: Likewise buddy.
Ironwood: Well, it's been a while, hasn't it Alex.
Alex saluted the General as he saluted back.
Alex: Yes it has General, may I ask why we're here.
Ironwood: Certainly. As you know, the message you sent out has rallied the people to fight for their right to live. This had caused a major uproar as civilians and soldier are fighting the Grimm, even as we speak. However, there is something that has been concerning me.
Alex: What would that be?
Ironwood: It was shortly after you made your speech that something big happened in the Grimm Lands. A massive explosion occurred out there and we are currently trying to figure out what it is.
At this point, Alex froze. He knew nobody on Remnant had the firepower to cause so much destruction that a large portion of the land was left with a crater.
Alex: I think I may know who caused it, but it's only just a theory.
Ironwood: Who may that be, if you don't mind me asking?
Alex: ...the IMC.
