Happy new year everyone (even if it was some time ago)

So I tried to give you a long chapter because I don't know when the next one will be finished as I have lots of stuff to do. Therefore it is possible that the next chapter will probably be late March or in April. But I can't say for sure.

Now it has also gotten a bit worse at the end of January when I had some time to write, but couldn't really focus on how I wanted it to play. Because I knew what should happen in this chapter, I even made a check-list for me to get every point in. But sometimes I sat an hour in front my pc and only gotten one sentence really done because I kept rewriting it or deleting it. It was kinda hard. Don't get me wrong, I do love to write and I do love this story and I have so much still planned. Just my thoughts weren't really focus and it gave me some kind of trouble to write something, I am satisfied with. So at the moment I tend to not write on 'A different journey' for some time, but will write a Oneshot for Patchwork Family to get my mind a bit away from the story and then to return to 'A different journey'. This idea is going on in my head at the moment. Because it might be helpful to write something which isn't connected with the story.

Accompanying the problem was also some time issues. I had lots of studying and preparing stuff. So there hadn't been much time and then this time I have wasted a bit, but I already explained it. So I will stop it.

I will just give you a little warning as one of the warnings I gave at the prologue is coming true. But I won't say which one to not spoil the chapter for you. Just be prepared for everything.

Rahhpixy: I'm not telling, yet. You have to wait. Possible a long time... considering that my upload schedule is one chapter per month at the moment. But who knows. Maybe it will change.

WhiteyWolf26: Well, I'm already discussing a lot per PM with you. But while preparing the starting Author Note, I thought why not bring some attention to it. I love to tease ;) I love to hint at stuff and then show it later. Chapter 8 - Hoist the colour is the best example for that xD Just all the different reactions to their bounties and little hints for possible trouble *-*

~Chapter 19 – The Fight for Alabasta's Future~

The blue-haired princess hadn't calmed down until they reached the spot, they had chosen to go on land. From there they would go to Alubarna.

Even if they had heard that Crocodile had his base in Rainbase, Ain and Law had decided to go to Alubarna first. It would be much safer for the country when they spoke with Vivi's father first.

"Can't we just sail further and then go beat the Croc?", Luffy asked with a pout. Yeah, the young captain was still sulking about this order.

"I already told you no, Luffy. We can't charge right at the Shichibukai. We first need to make sure that they can't endanger Alabasta more. I want to make sure that Bon Clay's devil fruit isn't used to imitate the king because then this civil war will get bloody", Ain said with her arms crossed.

The former marine looked rather seriously. A normal look for her since they had picked her up in Logue Town.

Wasn't she a bit more lively before she left the Marine? The incident with the Shichibukai who had killed her comrades must have brought her down.

Law clenched his fists. The damn man hadn't even been a Shichibukai, yet, and slaughtered so many people just because he can.

"Take care of the ship and don't stay out in the sun too long", the surgeon said to Bepo, Conis and Chouchou to distract him from thinking about that man.

"I'll make sure of the sun part", the blonde Skypiean said with a slight smile while the Mink saluted.

Chouchou barked and that got Luffy's attention, luckily so the young one would be distracted.

"Law, just in case when we split up after the talk with the king. You… you perhaps shouldn't go with the group which will go after Crocodile."

Law looked at Ain with a lifted eyebrow. For what reason…

"All Shichibukai are Alphas. It is a bit speculation that it is a requirement to be an Alpha to become Shichibukai. But with Crocodile, he is a Logia. You know these are more aggressive... So if you are there, it could get a bit problematic. Because it can be that Ace can't really control himself if another Logia-Alpha gets to close to you. Especially since you are getting closer to your heat."

The surgeon groaned. Why did the fucking bastard have to be an Alpha? Logias were annoying even if they weren't Alphas. But Logia Users being Alphas are a pain in the ass to deal with. Something he would know as he was mated to one. Sure, he cared for Ace but the one was as much trouble as Luffy.

"It looks a bit like a stronghold with these walls", Ace stated when they arrived a the stairs of Alubarana. This comparison got him a slight hit and the back of his head from Law.

"That comparison is rude", his mate explained. Ace just rubbed the spot. "It isn't rude", he mumbled.

"SHADE!", Luffy shouted and raced the stairs up with a speed that no one was able to stop him.

"And here I thought even a ball of energy like Luffy was hitting his low in the sun…", Ace mumbled with a sigh. "I swear I'm putting leashes on the shopping lists", Law grumbled next to him. "I don't think that Luffy would destroy them that quick." "Who said it was only for Luffy?"

Ace leaned slightly forward to see where Law was looking. Only to see Zoro walking away.

"Oi, Zoro, where are you going? We are going to the city. Meaning up the stairs not back into the desert again", he shouted to stop the swordsman who looked slightly annoyed at being corrected.

"So the rebels are preparing for battle and the reason for this whole mess is the missing rain?", Sanji asked clearly confused.

How should the king have done something about that? It wasn't like the man was able to control the weather.

"Some years ago, there was an incident with Dance Powder. It is forbidden by the World Government because the creation of artificial rain unbalanced the weather. Baroque Works brought this to Alabasta and framed my father for buying it so that it would rain here in Alubarna. Many people believe that the Dance Powder is used so it will only rain here but not in other cities…", Vivi-chan explained with her fist clenching.

She shouldn't be clenching her fists that way. It made him want to run and kick Crocodile's ass for hurting the beautiful desert princess.

"So Crocodile has used the Dance Powder here and probably has also used his Devil Fruit to help a bit more that it won't rain elsewhere", Ain said, calming his inner rage for a short time.

"You're just so clever, Ain-chan~", he chirped.

"Here goes the stupid ero-cook again…" "What did you say unoriented muscle for brains idiot?"

Sanji went into full attack modus. How dare this insensitive good for nothing swordsman to be always so … Urg, he just wanted to kick some sense into this man.

But Law had stopped them with a glare which indicated how close he was to shamble their souls around.

He shivered just from the thought of being in this brute's body. He founded it disgusting. The ability of Law, in general, was not very pleasant if it was used on himself.

The last time the surgeon had used this swap ability on him, he had showered for three hours to get the feeling away of having the brute in his body.

"Can we just go to beat the Croc?", Luffy asked.

Sanji turned his head to look at their young, impatient captain. The boy was slightly bouncing on his feet indicating he was seconds away from starting to run and only stopping when he was in front of Crocodile.

"I appreciate that you are trying to help. But beating him will only lead to more chaos. The people will get afraid because to gain their trust Crocodile protected them. So him being defeated by a group of pirates will scare them. Also if someone knows that Vivi has some connection to you, it would bring only more fire for the rebellion. I know that the leader Kohza does have only the best for the country on his mind. But I don't know if that includes the people that are following him", Vivi's father said with a stern voice.

"Cobra-sama, there are people who want to speak with you."

A person entered. It wasn't one of the men who had guided them to the king. But he was dressed in the uniform of the royal guard.

"If you excuse me…"

"Are these people Baroque Work Agents?"

This question from Ain made all of them stood still. Baroque Work?! That was Crocodile's organisation.

Had Ain been right about the Baroque Work going after the king?

The man looked surprised and slightly shocked.

"You don't have to answer. I have already seen your mark. So are you one of the Billions or Millions?"

It was fascinating how quick Ain had figured that how. This woman was really something. She was so smart~

Zoro put his hand on his sword. Ready to pull it in case the fight would start. The tension in the room hinted at a fight.

Then suddenly something broke through the wall behind the king. A strange creature. It did look like a mole but also somehow like a human.

The swordsman noted how Law reacted quickly and swapped himself with the king to protect him.

"Huh… Mister 4, Mister 4, get here quickly. Now!"

The thing spoke. It spoke very fast and seemed to have zero patient.

"Ain, Luffy, you handle everything here", Law said and swapped the thing, a man who appeared in the hole behind it and Ace away.

That was the moment the fight started.

People who were dressed as a member of the royal guard came into the room and attacked them.

But also people, who did belong to the Officer Agents, if Vivi's reaction was any hint. One man, in particular, seemed to be dangerous.

He licked his lips in anticipation. That promised a good fight.

"Bartolomeo, Sanji, bring Vivie and her father somewhere safe!", Ain ordered as she intercepted a blue-haired woman whose arm had turned into some spiked, fleshy weapon. But he didn't have much of a chance to get a better look as the dangerous man was moving.

"Don't think that I will let you got that easily, Mister 1", Zoro said in threatened voice while he stepped in the man's way. At least he thought that this was Mister 1 if the tattoo on the chest was anything to go by.

He didn't let the man out of his view while he tied his bandana around his head.

"Then I will cut you", Mister 1 said and his fingers looked like they had become mini swords. "And you won't be able to cut me." So a devil fruit user connecting with something like steel? Maybe he should have asked a bit more about Haki then just asking Luffy and receiving this short 'training' from his captain.

"Then I will learn it while fighting you. After all, a swordsman who desires to be best should be able to cut everything."

She was screaming and hitting against Bartolomeo's barrier which prevented the Baroque Work from following them, but also stopped her to go back.

They shouldn't risk their lives for her cause. It didn't feel right…

"Vivi-chan, let's go. We have to get out here and get the message to the people. This is what Ain-chan planned to stop the war. The others can take care of them", Sanji said and lifted her up. She swore that she heard a silent apology as she was carried over the blonde's shoulder.

"But…"

"Vivi, I think, you should meet up with Kohza. We are not able to stop the fight in the palace. But we should try to stop that the people die because of Crocodile's plans. The people of the nation are more important than any damage done in the city or at the palace", her father spoke up.

She looked surprised at him.

But these words reminded her. It reminded her about the things that were important. "Go that way and you should be able to leave the palace without getting noticed. I'll stay here and try to do what I can do from here even if I have to set the palace on fire to destroy it as a symbol."

This shocked her. But she knew. If she wasn't able to reach Kohza, destroying the palace would be their only hope to prevent the war from spreading even further.

Vivi hoped that the rebels weren't already in town, because then finding Kohza would be nearly impossible between the fighting that would go on.

Cobra watched a little sadly as his daughter and two of her pirate friends ran the way, he told them to. He knew that it wouldn't be enough for his daughter to just talk to Kohza. The man himself was honourable and only had the best intentions for Alabasta. That was something, he noticed way back then when he first met him.

But he didn't trust every member who was part of the rebellion. If the Baroque Works had infiltrated the royal guards, they could have also infiltrated the rebellion. It didn't sit right with him.

He knew that these people would try to prevent Vivi and Kohza from talking to each other. So there might be a chance that the conversation wouldn't happen because of these criminals. He wasn't that worried about Vivi's safety. He had seen what this barrier was able to tank and the blonde one seemed like he could handle himself in a fight.

Cobra took a deep breath and turned to walk through a hidden door. He won't have much time. He needed to make sure that the document regarding Alabasta's future was safe when he destroyed the palace.

Because there was a chance that he wouldn't make it out alive and he wanted to be sure that the kingdom and also his daughter were in safe hands despite the possible second gender of her.

Sanji was hurrying down the streets with Bartolomeo and Vivi. They had a mission. They had to make sure that Vivi could talk with this Kohza guy.

"Vivi…"

"Kohza! You're hurt!"

Sanji stopped when Vivi stopped to run towards a man. But for some reason, he didn't feel that Vivi was safe.

Wait… there was a person in Baroque Works who had a shape-shifting fruit.

"Wait, Vivi-chan", he ran forward and put himself between the princess and the man, who did look like the person they were looking for.

"Sanji, what …?" "Remember the man from Little Garden. He told us that he had the Mane Mane no Mi. Ain-chan suspected that he would be used to imitate the king. I guess that we prevented this or there was a change of plan. But it can be that this devil fruit user is now in front of us pretending to be this Kohza."

Sanji looked sceptically at the man. He might have some issues trusting man he never really interacted with. But he had a feeling that they should be extra careful after Baroque Work attacked.

"Ask him a question only Kohza would know about", the blonde said seriously not letting 'Kohza' move any closer. He pushed Vivi slightly back. He wanted to make sure that she was safe in case he was right with this one being the Baroque Member.

"But Sanji-san, that's…", he heard Vivi stopping himself when the man suddenly changed his appearance attacked them. He blocked the kick.

"Bartolomeo, take Vivi and run. I will take care of him", Sanji said seriously and looked at his opponent who did seem kind of impressed.

Vivi was in shocked. She couldn't really believe it. Mister 2 had been close enough to touch her father and Kohza!

How much chaos could have been started about this? With the facade, he was able to start the war!

Which probably had happened… because there could be no other reason why people from the rebellion and the also people from the royal guard were fighting! How had this happened? How had this happened so fast? There hadn't been any hints that there would be a fight when they were in Nanohana.

She had to bit her lips to prevent her from sobbing. She can't afford it to cry now. She can't afford her emotions to take over now. That would cause people to die. She can't think about herself now. She had to think about her country. She had to put Alabasta first. She had to put the people of Alabasta first. Because the people would be able to bring the county back to glory. No one else.

"Careful, Vivi-san", she heard her green-haired companion scream and saw a barrier raise up in front of her to protect her from bullets.

The people who shot at her were rebellions. Wait… she knew some of them from a long time ago.

"I need to speak with Kohza. Please, this is madness and doesn't need to happen", she pleaded.

But before there was a reaction a loud noise could be heard from the palace. In shock, she turned her head only to see it burning.

But it wasn't burning like it would have if her father started the plan to destroy it as a symbol. No, it looked like a bomb had gone off there.

She sank to her knees. Tears rolled down her cheeks. That could be true. That wasn't real. Her friends. Her family. They were probably still inside the palace. It couldn't be real. She hadn't been able to do anything.

She wasn't able to save anyone despite fighting so hard.

The fight against the Baroque Work Members had been going on longer. Zoro and Ain had been able to take their fights out and away from the palace. He knew his brother and Law would probably be outside the city to prevent a big uncontrollable fire from happening.

Vivi and her father were safe with Bartolomeo and Sanji.

Well, so Luffy thought when he started to search for Crocodile. Because his instincts told him that someone strong was here. He also felt the faint presence with Haki. It had to be the stupid man who put a friend of his through this hell.

He sped through the palace only to see the woman from Machigatta. She was with the king making lead him her somewhere. Also, there was a taller man who did give off some bad vibes.

This must be Crocodile. The feint, strong, unknown presence. It came from him.

He clenched his fits. Unconsciously, Haki darkened his fist. He hadn't wanted to use it in a fight so early in the Grandline. But now… somehow is anger about the amount of pain his friend had to suffer because of the man got the best of him.

"Crocodile!", he screamed the name of his opponent as he charged his attack and put him through the wall. He was going to kick that man's ass.

She could hear the explosion going off. She didn't know what had triggered it. None of the people who attacked the palace should have a bomb with them.

She tightened her grip on the king and urged him to go faster.

She didn't want to let her chance slip to see the Poneglyph. As she had no intention of telling Crocodile, she should hurry. Because there was no hint how long the man would be involved against this fight.

But it had been quite surprising to see a Logia user being put through a wall. Maybe… maybe there was a chance that this pirate could win against Crocodile.

Well, both would be fine with her. She intended to leave Baroque Work after this, together with the only person who had been able to gain a bit of her trust.

"I will make you an offer", she said calmly to the king. A slight smirk on her face. The plan which had formed on her mind seemed very good to be brought to life.

Ace cracked his neck while grinning. This fight had been a little too easy.

This batter had been too slow, even if he got some strength but he definitely lacked some brain.

The mole woman had been annoying. Even with Law pulling her out of her holes the whole time.

"Finished cracking your bones?"

Speaking of his sometimes quickly annoyed mate. "I didn't say that you need to wait for me to go back into action", he said with a smirk. "And who makes sure that you don't fall asleep at the worst possible timing?"

He pouted. He wasn't that bad. In the whole time, they were in Alabasta, he hadn't fallen asleep once.

"Just because you haven't fallen asleep, yet, doesn't mean that it won't happen."

"Oi, stop trying to read…"

He never got to finish his sentence as he fell asleep.

A slight smile appeared on Ain's face when Miss Doublefinger was knocked out on the ground. She had won against the annoying woman without doing too much damage to Alubarna. If it hadn't been for this goal, she would have finished the spike-woman earlier.

"You know, if I was a Rookie and would mostly run away from fights, you would maybe have a chance to win", Ain mumbled and tucked her weapons away.

The blue-haired woman turned her head and looked around. She could hear the sounds of a big fight. She clenched her fist.

They had failed in some way… the civil war had started. Because the people who were fighting this big fight were definitely members of the Royal Guard and the Rebels. Possibly mixed with some Baroque Work members to keep the fight going. They had to stop this quickly. Otherwise, more damage would be done to the city.

The fire from the palace started to spread… they would need a miracle to stop this fire from spreading.

"Don't move, pirate! You are under arrest."

Ain rolled her eyes and turned her head towards the marine woman who was Smoker's little follower.

"Are you going to follow the same crucial justice? Putting arresting a 'criminal' before saving people's lives?", she asked and noted how Tashigi hesitated.

"You want to know the situation? Well, Baroque Works infiltrated both the Royal Guard and the Rebel Army to keep the Civil War going. People will get hurt and because of the fire some will even die, if you don't get your priorities, right."

A slight smile graced her lips when Tashigi put her sword away. Maybe the other one was reasonable.

"Well, I have to go. Oh~ and be nice to others when you see them. After all, they somehow do the job, the marines have failed to do."

And with that, she started to run. Not waiting for a response.

Ain had an idea on her mind, how she would be able to stop the flame and maybe end the madness for now. Because after that it was people's job to put a final end to this.

The blue-haired woman stopped when she noticed someone.

Zoro was standing there covered in blood, probably his own. On the ground, Mister 1 also covered in blood.

She felt impressed that despite not having learnt Haki, the swordsman was now able to cut steel as it seemed. Something not a lot of people could pull off when they look more dead than alive.

And at this moment, Ain knew the reason why Luffy probably recruited the man.

"Need a rest or do you have enough energy left to help me with some Pulver?", she asked, waiting for his response.

Bartolomeo was torn. He wanted to run and look for the others. The people who took him out of his mob boss life and showed him a new life. His gang were still his friends. But the crew was Nakama.

And he wanted to be able to help them. But…

Ain had given him the task to protect Vivi. Sanji had also repeated that order. This two put their trust into him to protect their friend. He can't fail their trust.

So he kept his fingers crossed all the time to keep the barrier around him Vivi and Kohza up. They tried to move as quickly as possible to get between the people to stop them.

Every step, he could hear Vivi's whispers and possible even her tears falling to the ground. Even if that shouldn't be possible with all the fights going on around them. But the imagination of the sounds from Vivi helped to go on strong.

"Father!" "King Cobra!"

Both Vivi and Kohza suddenly moved quicker and he let his barrier down. Because he saw the king.

But then suddenly a shot closeby went off.

His eyes widened. He had been uncareful. He shouldn't have let the barrier down. Because then this wouldn't have happened.

He only realised it in slow motion.

Someone had tried to shoot Vivi. Kohza had turned her away so he would get hit by the bullet.

But it hadn't been Kohza who had taken the bullet. It had been King Cobra.

When Vivi's screams and crying for her father reached his ears, he came back to his senses. He raised his barriers again. So they would be safe. So they could treat King Cobra.

"Don't cry… I had to protect the future. You two are the future of Alabasta… Always remember that the people make the nation… Vivi-chan, I took care of everything… despite the ending of your presentation stage… trust me and take good care of this … Kohza… I'm sorry that there wasn't… anything I could have done to prevent this… but despite you being the opposition… I always noticed… how important the country is to you… so help my daughter… and bring back peace…"

"Father, stop talking, please... We will get you treated. Law is a surgeon. He can help you", Vivi rambled and tried to stop the bleeding. Tears rolled down her cheeks and fell to the ground.

Kohza was also trying his best to help and shouted for people to stop fighting and get a doctor.

But it was too late.

When the first drops of rain started coming down, calming the people, King Cobra died with a slight smile on his face.

As I'm uploading very late (half-past eleven in the evening for me), there will be still mistakes. I hope there aren't too much. But if you find one please give me the line and the correction so I can correct it.

Now I won't say anything to chapter content, yet. That will be a part for me to ramble on in the author note at the beginning of the next chapter.
So see ya. Have a nice month =)