After Aldren used Gamindustri satellites to disable enemy drones, he confronts Blake in the living room alongside Neptune and IF over the blueprints that were used to create them, which only he and his butler knew where they were. Suspicious over how his prints were seen, Blake decided to reveal what happened since his capture by Planeptune police. Aldren is shocked over the contents of the story he is being told.

"YOU MEAN TO TELL ME THAT BECAUSE YOU ALL THOUGHT I WAS DEAD, YOU GAVE A COPY OF MY PRINTS TO A POWER HUNGRY MADMAN!? I TOLD YOU AND THEM TO NEVER MAKE DEALS WITH HIM!" Aldren shouted with Neptune and IF covering their ears.

After the yelling stopped, Neptune let out a sigh as she lets go of her ears.

"To think that a new chapter of this story is finally released after a long time and the first thing that happens is Aldren yelling so loud that it feels like my ears will blow up."

"I am sorry, but after hearing from your friends that White Heart may have killed you, it was like a final straw for us. You had a hatred of CPUs for quite a long time and after your supposed death, it felt like we now understand that hatred and why you wanted revenge for what they had done to you. I didn't really like Claude any more than you do, but he is the only one besides you capable of making these weapons. We were determined to avenge you after believing that CPUs were only watching after themselves and that we didn't need them. Even though you and Claude have very different approaches, both of your goals were similar nonetheless and hoped that such differences can be overcome, but after seeing what happened, I am truly regretful for giving in to such hatred. If only we had listened."

After listening to Blake's story, Aldren then calms down. "If this mistake was caused by both you and my friends you better make it up to me by helping me stop Claude. I guess such a thing could happen since I was mistaken to be dead. Where are my friends now?"

"They are currently with Claude. No doubt that they noticed the failure of their attack and are probably planning their next move."

Aldren shook his head. "My friends are not monsters so I am guessing that Claude is using my death to keep them there with the promise of vengeance. With all the drones gone, it is possible that Claude now knows that I am alive, but will probably keep them in the dark to make sure that there are no setbacks. We will definitely have to strike back before they do."

"If your friends are doing this out of vengeance for your death then I am sure that by revealing yourself, they will turn their backs on Claude."

"It's not that simple IF. If Claude knows I am alive, he would send my friends on a far-off mission beyond our range of communication to prevent them from finding out. He knows how to plan ahead, especially when there are setbacks. However, I have also planned ahead just in case, although being imprisoned delayed it quite a bit. Now we have a new mission, to stop Claude himself. All of you better prepare for we are heading for war."

Neptune becomes surprised that Aldren is involving her in this. "Huh!? Even me!?"

"There are questions that still need to be answered regarding what happened ten years ago, but even I know when to put these issues aside, especially when there is a madman daring enough to destroy the foundation of Gamindustri itself. With all of this happening, I am going to need all the help I can get."

IF nodded. "If that's the case, then count me in!"

Neptune suddenly got her motivation. "I don't know if it will atone for what I have done to you, but I swear I will make up for it and for all the half-priced pudding in the world! By the way, I am glad to finally meet another person who can pronounce my full name! A lot of characters often have trouble so they often gave me nicknames!"

"I swear, this girl will go all the way to the ends of the world for a high-class cup pudding."

Aldren sighs at such a thought.

"Anyway, Blake, I will need you to keep watch for unusual activity within Gamindustri. Me, IF, and Neptune will make contact with the other CPUs and to investigate Claude's whereabouts since he has probably moved by then."

"Leave it to me Sir Aldren." Blake then heads to the workshop to operate the supercomputer with the rest following.

"Um Aldy, being able to do things behind the computer is one thing, but how exactly are you going to fight a full-scale war with just your energy blades? Your suit was destroyed and you couldn't have built a new one in jail."

"Don't suddenly give me a nickname. I already told you earlier that I can also plan ahead. Although I didn't expect to be in jail, I had another suit made with improvements over the one you and Blanc have fought. I didn't think I would have to use such a suit against you since I have done the math, but it's good to have stronger back up. If I hadn't been ambushed and imprisoned, you would have faced this."

Aldren heads to a pod and opens it after placing his hand on to a scanner, opening it. Inside of that pod is another well-armored suit, very similar in appearance to the armor used in his battle with the Planeptune CPU, albeit with some differences, including a darker color scheme and thicker, heavily reinforced, chest and shoulder pads, making it slightly more bulky than its predecessor.

"The armor, weapons, and software of this suit are more recently updated than that of my earlier suit, including improved scanners, the speed of its thrusters, as well as the use of honeycomb tech for flexibility and movement of the armor plates. Even White Heart's hammer would have trouble breaking through this."

Neptune was in aww over the new suit. "Woah! Nepgear would be all over that suit if she saw this! If you had use that! If this suit truly is an upgraded form from the one you used to fight us, then this story would have taken a much different direction!"

IF, however, has concerns over the suit's tech. "I just hope that this doesn't cause as much destruction as those drones."

"It should be fine as long as one knows how to use it. For the time being, let's head to Planeptune and recruit some back up. Is your sister still in town, Neptune?"

"Yeah, she is..." Neptune became quiet suddenly.

"...Knowing her, she is probably investigating what happened during the battle with Arfoire ten years ago. With her thinking that I am still in jail, Nepgear might be still trying to get me out or trying to defend Planeptune on her own after seeing the drones."

"...Nep-ko..." IF can still sense Neptune's guilt of killing Aldren's family.

Taking notice of the state of IF and Neptune, Aldren decides to put his tragedy aside. "Let's leave it at that for now. Come on, let's look for Nepgear."

Aldren then finally puts on the suit and waits for all of the systems turn on. Neptune then transform herself back into Purple Heart as IF decides to head out of the house first.

"I will be heading back with my bike. I will meet both of you back at the Basilicom once I get my gear."

"Understood!" Purple Heart responded as she sees off IF.

"Alright, let's head out ourselves." Aldren then pulls a switch next to the pod and opens the ceiling door, surprising Purple Heart.

"The amount of features you added to your house, you really are prepared for everything, aren't you?"

"Like I said, I think ahead whenever I prepare for something, though I cannot always predict how things would turn out. Again, let's go."

Both Aldren and Purple Heart then flew up and head to Planeptune as the ceiling door closes.

In Planeptune...

Within a few moments of leaving Aldren's house, both he and Purple Heart arrived to the latter's nation, only to find at least one third of the nation covered in debris due to the Claude's attack. Hundreds of deactivated drones can be seen scattered throughout the area as the inhabitants tried to remove them though progress has been slowed due to dealing with the clean up of the destroyed architecture as well as the heavy damage done to some of the sites housing construction equipment. While most of the damage has been done by the monsters, the drones have done a fair share of damage as well, including their 200+ pound weight after Aldren shut them down, going through roofs and damaging roads.

"Planeptune sure had better days." Aldren commented from looking at nation's sad state.

Purple Heart is even more unhappy with the damage done. "We better find Claude and put a stop to this. I highly doubt that we would be this lucky should he attack again."

"Then let's go find your sister."

However, before Aldren and Purple Heart are able to get closer to the Basilicom, two figures flying at high speed attempted to ambush the former. Aldren takes notice and summons the upgraded energy blades from his armored wrists, blocking a direct attack from them, but was knocked through one of the destroyed houses.

"Huh!? Was that Noire and Blanc!?"

Before Purple Heart is able to comprehend what just happen, she suddenly heard a large impact and saw White Heart knocked to the sky.

"GAH! YOU PIECE OF SHIT!" White Heart screamed.

"Ooph!" Noire is then seen by the two also knocked out of the destroyed house, but crashed into another destroyed building instead.

"Is that all you got or is my new gear too much for the CPUs?" Aldren then emerged from the rubble with only minor scratches to his armor.

"Don't think that just because you have new armor means that you can be stopped! I will make sure you pay for what you have done to our nations!" Black Heart yelled before charging towards Aldren with her blade, but the suit's A.I. picked up on her next attack and blocks it. Aldren then attacks Black Heart with his blades, although the latter was able to react quick enough to block the attack. However, the impact knocks her back once again.

"You must be more thickheaded than I thought if you think that I was responsible for all of this." Aldren argued back at Black Heart's false accusation.

"You are the only one we know who is able to build machines like that! There is no way to say that you are not responsible!" White Heart then prepares to strike back with her giant axe, but Aldren moves out of the way before it can hit.

Purple Heart then figured out that that the two CPUs are blaming Aldren for the attack and tries to stop it. "Wait! Blanc, Noire, stop! He wasn't responsible for this!"

Neither of the two listened and continues battling Aldren, who is able to hold more than his own against the CPUs. Black Heart attempted to go for a side swing, but using his armor's analyzers, Aldren is able to predict where the attack will hit and jumps behind the Lastation CPU, giving her a good kick on her back, knocking her to the ground before White Heart takes her turn to battle the trained armor user. Aldren, at this point, grew tired of trying to convince them of his innocence and decides to continue the battle until the CPUs exhaust themselves.

"Hey, enough is enough! This is a big misunderstanding!" Purple Heart again tries to stop her friends from fighting, but to no avail.

"So he truly wasn't responsible for the recent attack." A female voice was heard behind the Planeptune CPU.

"Vert!" Purple Heart then turns around to see Green Heart flying towards her.

"From the looks of it, Noire and Blanc are convinced that he was the one behind the string of attacks involving the monsters and drones, but after seeing you flying alongside him, that story doesn't appear to be true." Vert stated as she observes the battle.

"We've got to stop the two from fighting! We need him to deal with the one responsible!"

"I don't think we can. Once those two set their mind into something, it is very hard for them to get out. Besides, doesn't the boy look like he is enjoying himself? I cannot see his face with that helmet and faceplate though."

Purple Heart took a closer look and realizes that Aldren is not even trying to stop them anymore. "I almost forgot that Aldren still distrusts CPUs."

"I don't really blame him after what happened, which is why I was a bit surprised to see you with him at first."

"Aldren is often angry and vengeful, but he appears to be rational and doesn't let his emotions cloud his judgement, even though he is fighting both Noire and Blanc, probably because he had a score to settle with her after Blanc nearly killed him. You are right, it's pointless to stop them at this point."

"Let them tire each other out for the time being. We we will stop them if they go too far."

As White Heart and Black Heart continue their battle with Aldren, they both express heavy frustration at being unable to deal significant damage to the latter.

"Damn it, we can't seem to put him down!" Blanc screamed as she tries to swing her axe towards Aldren, only for him jump away from it.

"He must have prepared himself better compared to when you last face him!"

"What the hell is he doing out here anyway!? I thought he was locked in the Planeptune Correctional Facility!" White Heart yelled before being struck on the abdomen by Aldren's armored fist, knocking her back again.

"YOU LITTLE PIECE OF SHIT! THAT HURTS!" White Heart groaned as she holds her stomach.

"Serves you right for nearly killing me during our first battle!"

Aldren then summons what appears to be rifle connected to his right wrist and aims at Lowee's CPU. "But this is going to hurt much more."

Realizing that Aldren is getting serious, Purple Heart finally decides to intervene, blocking Black Heart's incoming attack towards the armored boy.

"Huh!? Neptune!?" Black Heart is surprised by Purple Heart's sudden action.

"Aldren, please stop this as well! We cannot afford to be fighting each other!"

Realizing that he might be doing exactly what Claude wants, Aldren reluctantly stands down. "Fine, but tell that to them especially."

Now that the situation has calmed, both Purple Heart and Aldren explained everything that went down in the Planeptune Correctional Facility that led them to their current situation. Their reactions range from being somewhat understanding towards Aldren to being a little surprised at their whole predicament.

White Heart sighs after listening to their story. "I understand why it had to happen, but to think that the guards would be desperate that they would release you in hopes that you would help out, but for you to be the one that released Neptune. I thought you hated her for what she did."

Green Heart nodded. "Even I am surprised to know that someone who considers CPUs to be his true enemies would be willing to help the very one that he believes killed his family."

Aldren was quick to defend himself. "Hey, I maybe vengeful, but that does not mean I lack common sense or rationality. Right now I am open to the idea that the tragedy might not have been her intention, but that doesn't back the fact that it was her attack that killed everyone in the shelter and the that the rest of you left me behind in the rubble. However, right now its not the time for grudges. We now have to deal with someone who is more of a monster than I am and the one responsible for this recent attack."

Black Heart then turns her head in surprise. "Wait, you know who is responsible?"

"Perhaps it is best for me to say that I am not the only victim of the CPU war. The guy most likely responsible for the attack is my rival named Claude. Like me, the CPU war killed his family, but at an earlier time than mine, and led to him becoming an orphan. We both ended up at the school together as kids and became close friends, bonding through our losses and hatred of CPUs, but bullied as a result for our lack of support. As we got older, our ideals started to differentiate as I started making more friends while Claude becomes more solitary to everyone except me."

"Woah! Ladies and gentleman, we now have a story of Claude's road to villainy!" Neptune, who had transformed back from Purple Heart, again breaks the fourth wall.

"Hey Neptune, why did you turn back-!? Huh!? Why did I suddenly turn back!?" Noire realizes that she is no longer Black Heart.

Looking around the area, Aldren then sees that some of the drones' chest plates and figures out what is causing the abnormality. "It looks like we will have to continue this story later. I can see several drones' cracked open, leaking out some of the anti-crystals' power. We better go before you all lose your shares."

Aldren and the CPUs then head to the Planeptune's Basilicom to get away from the damaged drones.

In the Planeptune Basilicom...

Aldren and the CPUs had made it back safely inside where they were greeted by Planeptune's Oracle, Histoire.

"So the CPUs have managed to return after the horrible battle that had took place. Thank goodness for that, but who is that guy dressed in heavy armor?" Histoire then turns her attention towards Aldren, who remains silent.

Neptune, however, nervously introduces him to Histoire. "Um, this is Aldren, the guy whose family I might have killed."

"Huh!? I have heard of the tragedy, but to think that it would be him!"

The surprised Histoire then speedily makes her way in front of Aldren and bows to him. "It is nice to finally meet you Aldren. When I heard the story of what happened after Neptune's arrest, I couldn't believe it. I know that we cannot bring back the most important things you have lost, but on behalf of Neptune, Planeptune, and the rest of Gamindustri, I apologize for the hardships you have gone through since then and we will be willing to offer compensation of any form to redeem ourselves for what we have done. I am truly sorry."

Aldren then takes a deep look at Histoire, who is still apologetically bowing to him. Knowing that the incident wasn't her fault, the young inventor then takes a less hostile tone towards her, but decides to dismiss her pleas for forgiveness for the time being.

"We will talk about this later, but right now this isn't the time for that. We need to have all the CPUs gather for our next step."

"Understood. I will get Nepgear and Uzume to come here. By the way Aldren, despite everything, thank you for being willing to assist the CPUs in protecting Gamindustri." Histoire then left to get the two, leaving Aldren and the CPUs alone for the time being.

"I am guessing that Histoire is Planeptune's Oracle, right? She is a lot smaller than I thought."

"Well, Histy is a tome so it makes sense that she would be that size." Neptune explained.

Noire decides to have Aldren continue the rest of the story. "So what were you saying about your past with Claude?"

"Right. As I explained, Claude became a bit more solitary as he got older and all the way to our college graduation. Although he is also top of our school, he started distancing himself from me as I started making other friends. I still considered him a friend back then and I started finding his behavior becoming more bizarre as he is now seen alone more often than not. Out of worry, I asked if everything is alright and the first thing he said was "Do you still hate the CPUs? Do you still hate them for what they did to you and your family?" I told him yes I do and that if I were to ever meet them, I would make them wish they didn't exist. He then told me to come to his house after the graduation ceremony so I did. He took me up to the front of his room and asked me again to confirm if I truly hate the CPUs. I told him I hate you girls with a passion. He then asked me if I would be willing to join the crusade to ruin you girls and since I hated all of you, I had no reason to refuse...that is until I saw what was in his room."

The CPUs then anxiously wait for Aldren to tell the next part of the story.

"His room, it looked like a base used by terrorists. There were handmade bombs and maps lying around the shelves, torn pictures of the CPU's faces, and maps marking the important vital points of each of Gamindustri's nations. When he asked me if I would join, I realized what he was planning and tried to talk him out of it."

5 years ago...

"You told me that you wanted the CPUs ruined right!? Then let's begin our plan, starting with these bombs!"

"Hold on Claude, even if I say that I would join you, there are numerous civilians around that area that could get caught by the blast!"

Claude shook it it off as if their lives were of no concern. "Necessary sacrifices for the sake of the truth, Aldren. Do you want people to keep living underneath their deception?"

"It is not worth killing them for!" Aldren shouted.

"Relax, its not like we are killing them indiscriminately. We will only target the vital areas of each nation and if the civilians are killed, then it is their own fault for walking into the range of the bombs'."

"When I said that I wanted the CPUs ruined, I never wanted to go so far that it would turn us into monsters. I wanted everyone to know what the CPUs did, but I do not want them to pay the price for it."

"What you want is impossible, especially with their supporters who would do anything to protect them. There is no avoiding casualties Aldren. That now leaves you with two choice, either join me and expose the truth, or continue to allow more victims to pile up like us." Claude then hands out one of the bombs to Aldren.

After giving some thought to the idea of joining, Aldren shook his head and pushed the bomb back towards him. "I can't bring myself to harm people who have no fault. I am sorry, but I will not be joining you."

Claude remains calm, despite the rejection. "So you are saying you are going to stop me?"

"I will not stop you if you are targeting the CPUs alone, but if you lay your hands on civilians, that is not something I can ignore. I will have to turn you in."

"What about all we have been through? We have been friends since we were children and share the same hatred towards CPUs. Does that mean nothing to you?"

"Of course it does! I consider you to be my best friend Claude, but looking at you right now, I can see that you are not the same person I am friends with. The real you would never put the lives of others at risk."

Claude then puts the bomb away and turns back to Aldren. "Is that really your final decision?"

"Yes Claude. I am sorry, but it is."

"Then go. Next time we meet, don't ever bother to consider us as friends. I will kill you if you get in my way."

Aldren then turns back and walks away from his former friend. "If you still have some form of sense left, the you should know what will happen if you involve others in your plans."

As Aldren continues to walk away, he can hear Claude saying one work directed towards him. "Traitor..."

Aldren then left without saying a work back to him.

Everyone was clearly affected after hearing about what happened between Aldren and Claude and what led to them becoming rivals or even enemies. Many of them show faces of sorrow, sympathy, and guilt, especially after finding out that Claude was another victim of their war.

"Did your falling out with Claude led to the attack earlier?" Vert asked.

"I believe so. Claude prefers a more aggressive and straightforward approach and is apparently more ruthless. I cannot approve of his methods as I do not want to have innocent blood spilled on my hands. I hated you girls all the way to today, mainly because how long it took you to finally acknowledge your involvement of our tragedies. This hurts just as much as when you left me behind to dig the graves of others. While I also wanted to ruin you, I waited so that I could isolate you four so that you would be easy targets and away from others, but we all know how that turned out. Basically, the main difference between me and him is that he wants you girls dead, but what I really want is the truth and ruining you girls or having you killed would just be a huge bonus for me."

"Is this what you want now? Even after Neptune turned herself out of guilt and has already acknowledged what happened?" Blanc asked.

Aldren then turns to Neptune, who is still hanging her head down out of shame. "I don't know anymore, but for sure I don't want to be like Claude. Those people don't deserve to be victims of our hatred."

"Then until we can redeem ourselves, I promise for the sake of Gamindustri, we will help you stop Claude!" Noire announced, causing Neptune's spirit to rise a little.

Vert nodded. "Agreed. Us CPUs were meant to help others. We will do everything we can for our nations and to you as well, hopefully."

"Fine. I cannot bring myself to forgive you all at the moment, but until we stop Claude, I will continue to assist."

"ONEE-CHAN!" Suddenly a loud voice was heard.

"Could it be?" Neptune turns around and see Nepgear running towards her with tears in her eyes.

"Gearsy! Everybody!" Another voice was heard behind Nepgear and the CPUs.

"Nepgear! Uzume!" Neptune called out.

"ONEE-CHAN!" Nepgear immediately gives her a tearful hug, almost causing Neptune to fall.

"Woah! Slow down Nepgear!"

"For everyone to be here, it seems like there is more going on than I thought." Uzume said as she looked around.

"Sorry Onee-chan, but I found evidence! It might prove your innocence!"

"HUH!?" Everyone, including Aldren shouted.

The whole room then became silent, which was broken all of a sudden when they see an angry mob chasing a fish with a human face.

"Uzume, they have found me! Ouch! Why are you all bringing out swords!?" Umio yelled.

"GET THAT MONSTER FISH!" The mob yelled.

"Uh oh, better go help Umio again." Uzume then heads towards the angry mob while everyone remains speechless.

Another chapter done after a long while. Sorry for the delay, but real-life keeps me busy. I decided that I am going to put this story as well Shock to Comfort on hold to continue Is it Wrong to Pick Up Asuna in a Dungeon? fanfic although it maybe a while before I post another chapter. I need some time to handle real life so I am appreciative of all of your patience. I will not end both stories like that, but I am not sure when I will be able to continue so thank you all for sticking by me. Next chapter will reveal a little more background on the tragedy that killed Aldren's family.