Okay, so I know that The Zillo Beast and The Zillo Beast Strikes Back was at the end of Season 2, BUT chronologically, they both came before all the other episodes in season two that I'm going to do. SO I have done The Zillo Beast Strikes Back now, instead of later...that way a specific change with Zelina will make sense in the rest of the episodes.

I'm so happy to have done this chapter, I've been hyper all day off of excitement for this chapter mwahahahaha!

Sorry, but you'll see why I was excited haha.

Thanks for the reviews! Don't forget to keep reviewing! Pretty please! ESPECIALLY for this chapter! I want the feedback SOOOOO bad for this chapter!

Enjoy!

A bright flash of light lit up the desolate rocky world around her. Zelina watched as a fireball as tall as a Republic Cruiser was wide suddenly appeared, growing rapidly before it imploded and became a ball of electricity that shrunk to a smaller, concentrated sphere before it suddenly exploded, rippling quickly, covering the distance between Zelina and the explosion. Down below, waves of Separatist droids fell to the ground from the weapon before the electricity field washed over her.

All she felt was a tingle.

The air around was dead silent for a few moments before suddenly a huge, circular crack appeared in the ground where the fireball had originated. Then another around that circle, and another, and another…

The ground was caving in.

Droid remains fell deep into the hole widening in the planet's earth, troopers also getting sucked into the carnage and falling to their deaths. A huge dust cloud was rising high into the air, covering the true extent of the damage and hiding how deep this destruction truly was to the planet.

The air all around trembled in apparent anticipation, the Force shifting in unease…

An earsplitting, solitary, furious screech pierced the air as blaster fire suddenly erupted in the newly developed sinkhole. Zelina watched as bombs were dropped into the sinkhole, followed by fuel. From the green fumes, a huge shadow emerged. Large, glowing eyes suddenly appeared through the fumes, and another roar shook Zelina to her very core.

A beep from Zelina's bedroom door broke through her meditative trance. However, she did not open her eyes; she simply stretched out her senses. Just as she'd suspected, Aayla had entered the room; and she seemed to be wanting to talk about something important. Still, her Master leaned against the wall, waiting for Zelina to acknowledge her. Zelina gave a small sigh, cracking an eye open to look at her.

"Good morning Master," Zelina said smoothly, popping her neck and standing up.

"Good morning Zelina," Aayla responded automatically. "How did your early morning meditation go?"

"Interesting…" Zelina said with a slight frown. "I had a vision, though…I don't know what it was about. There were massive amounts of destruction, and from the destruction came some great creature I don't recognize."

"That does sound unusual," Aayla mused. "Though I think I might have an answer for you."

"Really?" Zelina asked curiously.

Aayla nodded, turning to walk out into the living area of their small Jedi Temple apartment. "Remember that mission that Master Windu and General Skywalker went on? The one to Malestare to secure the treaty for their fuel?"

Zelina frowned as she followed her Master. "Yes, I remember; Anakin and I had a small talk about old times before he left since the dominant species there is the Dug and we have, ah, past experiences with Dugs."

Aayla nodded. "Well, they secured the treaty, but in the process discovered a creature known as a Zillo Beast. It's the last of its kind, and Chancellor Palpatine has ordered the creature be brought here to Coruscant for scientific study. I'm going to meet them down there to see this Zillo Beast for myself, and I was wondering if you'd like to come join me."

Zelina perked up, her curiosity officially piqued. "Of course Master; it seems like this Zillo Beast is quite a sight."

Aayla gestured lightly with her hand, already moving for the exit. "Then we must hurry; Master Windu and General Skywalker will be arriving at any moment."

"I'm coming Master, don't worry," Zelina said with a grin, sliding into an easy step just behind her.

The Zillo Beast was definitely a sight to behold.

Zelina stared at the ginormous, scaly, green/gray three armed creature as the shuttle slowly descended towards the facility that the Zillo Beast was going to be kept in. Zelina eyed the domed structure skeptically, not sure if the Zillo Beast would really be comfortable in the building. Considering its size, it was probably going to be cramped in the facility. Even now it looked pitiful restrained and weak as the troopers wheeled him towards the facility at gunpoint and cannon point.

The poor thing, Zelina couldn't help but think as the shuttle finally touched down. Stepping off behind Aayla, she could see Palpatine and Mas Amedda standing in front of the Zillo, Anakin and Windu arriving on the other side of the Chancellor with R2 trailing behind Anakin. Zelina couldn't stop glancing at the giant creature, even as Aayla and she approached the others.

"So this is the whispered Zillo Beast?" Aayla asked without any formalities. Zelina didn't even look at the reactions, just stared at the creature.

"Yup; just be glad it's not awake," Anakin muttered, arms crossed over his chest.

"Such size…such power…" Zelina heard the Chancellor say in a low tone. His voice caused a shiver to go down her spine and she glanced at the Chancellor uncomfortably, subconsciously taking a small step away and closer to the Zillo Beast.

"With respect Chancellor," Windu said. "I believe this creature could pose any number of dangers. Bringing it here to Coruscant is a mistake."

"Oh, I assure you I did not make this decision lightly Master Jedi. The sooner we unlock the Zillo Beasts secrets, the sooner we can end this terrible war!"

"I hope you're right Chancellor," Windu said begrudgingly as the Zillo Beast came closer. Windu stepped up to the woman that was walking beside the Zillo while Zelina stepped a little closer to the Zillo Beast. "I'm turning the Zillo Beast over to you Doctor; I trust it will be given good care."

"The Beast is a priceless resource Master Windu; it will be well treated, I assure you," the Doctor replied.

Windu nodded then moved to leave with Anakin. Zelina, however, drifted over to Aayla's side.

"I might just stay a little longer, linger and see what the creatures like, see what I can learn," Zelina murmured softly to Aayla so that only her Master could hear. "I have the feeling there's more to this than we know…"

Aayla nodded. "You have my permission; but be careful as this is a sensitive situation, and it may not end well if you are caught."

Zelina bowed respectively. "I will."

Aayla inclined her head in acknowledgement of Zelina's statement and they crossed in front of the Zillo beast. However, where Aayla continued onto the shuttle, Zelina stayed by the Zillo Beast's side; she even dared to jump up on the platform that was holding it, putting a gentle hand on one of its large scales. It was warm to the touch, and slightly moved under her contact. Zelina stretched out her senses slightly to the Zillo Beast's still mostly unconscious mind, probing how it felt. It was definitely in a lot of distress, but passive and accepting at the moment. Fully willing to cooperate.

So long as it's treated well, Zelina couldn't help but think.

She walked the length of the Zillo, coming to a stop at its massive head. She ran a gentle hand over the length of the scale over the creature's eye, taking it in with a sympathetic eye.

"Don't worry; I'll make sure that you get what you deserve. I'll do everything I can; you'll get fair treatment, and hopefully you'll get off this crowded planet too."

Perhaps it was just her imagination, but she thought she saw the Zillo's head incline towards her slightly, as if it had heard and understood her words.

Once the platform came to a sudden stop, Zelina was forced to move away. She casually left the Zillo's side as she strolled over to the wall, doing her best to look like she belonged there. Considering she was a Jedi, none of the troopers questioned her presence and practically ignored her. Once she reached the shadows near the wall, she climbed up, up, up high into the rafters of the domed building, balancing carefully on a beam above the large contraption everyone was starting to put the Zillo Beast in before it could regain consciousness. She crouched down on her knee up above, leaning down slightly to get a better view as they propped the Zillo's ginormous chin up on one of the high metal beams, securing it's neck and head before moving on to its appendages. Zelina frowned. It didn't look like the Zillo was being made comfortable.

Droids and troopers were suddenly moving everywhere once the Zillo was secured, and Zelina watched as the Doctor and the Chancellor got on separate pods that would allow them to come level with the Zillo Beast, which was starting to wake up and make cries of distress. Zelina scowled, feeling her disapproval heighten immensely as droids roughly lifted the scales on its neck and took a blood sample, causing the Zillo to cry out in pain. Its glowing green eyes drooped tiredly though, and it did not move to escape. Zelina gazed at it sympathetically; this Zillo did not belong here; it belonged out in the open, and left alone.

Suddenly she realized that the Chancellor was speaking to the Doctor. Laying on her stomach on her beam, Zelina strained her ears to hear what was being said. His words floated towards her, and she found herself very unhappy with the conversation that followed.

"We need to remove the scales first; it's very difficult, and painful," the Doctor was saying.

"Would it not be more efficient to simply kill the beast?" Palpatine asked bluntly.

"Kill it? Are you sure?" Mas Amedda asked Palpatine.

"Chancellor! I must protest!" the Doctor said worriedly, rushing to the side of her pod to lean in closer to Palpatine in her insistence. "Besides being the last of its kind, this creature may be intelligent!"

At the Doctor's words, Zelina reached out with her senses and probed the Zillo's mind. It hadn't made a sound throughout the entire conversation, and Zelina could sense rapt attention emanating from the creature.

"I find that hard to believe; it is, after all, just an animal," Palpatine said carelessly. The Zillo's glowing eyes—eyes that Zelina realized with a start were from her dream—narrowed at the Chancellor and it growled threateningly at him.

Just an animal my— Zelina started to think, but she was cut short as the Doctor spoke.

"It didn't seem to like your comment," she said pointedly.

"I applaud your high moral stance Doctor; after all, principle is in short supply these days. However, every passing minute of warfare brings countless deaths, deaths that could be prevented once the beast's secrets are unlocked. If there is any way to hasten that process, it is our moral duty to explore it."

"I serve at your pleasure, Chancellor," the Doctor said moodily. It seemed she did not agree with Palpatine; good. "I'm just not sure where to begin; the fact remains that the beast is indestructible!"

"Nothing is truly indestructible Doctor; wasn't there something in Malestare fuel that affected the beast?"

"It weakened the Zillo, yes, but—"

"Excellent. I suggest you start there. Doctor, you need to find a way to kill that beast; or we shall replace you with someone who can."

Zelina felt fury rush through her at Palpatine's words, and she felt a similar feeling coming from the Zillo Beast just below her as Palpatine's pod slowly traveled to the floor. For a few moments, Zelina struggled with her anger up on the beam, doing her best to get a hold of her emotions before she did something very stupid. The roar of fury and pain that the Zillo released as the experiments continued and Palpatine left didn't help her anger at the moment though. Still, she managed some amount of control as she stood from her hiding spot, staring down at the Zillo.

I wonder… she thought to herself before letting out a sharp, high pitched whistle she'd use to call to creatures that only heard high frequencies. The Zillo stirred before arching its head up as much as it could to see the source of the noise, its glowing eyes locking with Zelina's own.

As she stared into its eyes, she could see the soul in the Zillo and decided then and there that the creature was purely sentient; it only lacked a voice. She wasn't going to let it die; there were other ways that Palpatine was refusing to look at. She knew there was.

Glancing around, Zelina suddenly dropped from her spot on the ceiling beam before landing lightly on the Zillo's head, right on the scale plating between its eyes. She put a gentle hand just above its eye, staring intently into the glowing greenish yellow orb.

"I know you can understand me," she said softly. "I promise you I won't let that man kill you. I'll do what I can to the best of my abilities. If I can I'll even get you out of here," Zelina assured him, putting her entire heart and soul into her words. The Zillo's hard gaze softened slightly; she could see it in its eye even as it rumbled deep in its chest. Zelina rubbed its scale lightly before she kicked off, running the length of the beam that held the Zillo's head before anyone could spot her and sliding down the long shadowy pillar.

As she slipped out of the domed building, she already had her destination in mind.

She had a visit to pay someone special.

When Anakin had agreed to accompany Padme to the Chancellor's office to discuss the topic of the Zillo Beast, he had not expected what they found.

As they had approached, raised voices could be heard from the office, and waves of anger and frustration were coming at him in waves through the Force once he got close enough to the office. Anakin had frowned and placed a hand on Padme's shoulder, immediately planning on shielding his wife from whatever un-pleasantry they were about to stumble into.

When the doors opened and Mas Amedda had ushered them in, Anakin had not expected to turn the corner and find Zelina and Palpatine practically nose to nose, both staring each other down in silent yet fiery determination. Zelina's eyes had a dangerous light to them that Anakin hardly ever saw, and her mouth was a thin, furious line, her eyes narrowed on Palpatine. Palpatine wore a sour look, his expression dark and eyes holding just as much of a threat though at a much quieter level than Zelina's brazen anger. His jaw was clenched, and he refused to break away from Zelina's glare.

Anakin suddenly felt extremely uncomfortable. The last thing he wanted was two of his friends to be in a fight, least of all Palpatine and Zelina. He didn't want to be sucked into the middle of any fight between them either. Hesitantly, he cleared his throat. He felt a flicker of acknowledgement from Zelina through the Force, but neither of the two broke their intense stare-down.

"I, uh, hope we're not interrupting anything," Anakin said cautiously.

"Not at all Anakin my boy; Padawan Du'ahn was just leaving," Palpatine said, his voice cooling towards the end. His gaze still did not break from Zelina, who had bristled as he put an emphasis on her lower rank in the Jedi Order.

"Really? I wasn't aware," Zelina responded just as coolly. "We were just scratching the surface of the matter as far as I was aware Chancellor."

Anakin was alarmed at how disrespectfully Zelina spoke to the Chancellor; what was going on here?

"I believe there's nothing more to discuss, and you would be wise to keep yourself out of matters that don't concern you," Palpatine responded evenly. Zelina's jaw clenched, a muscle jumping out. Palpatine was really pushing her buttons with whatever they were talking about.

To avoid this conversation from getting any more out of control, Padme spoke.

"Chancellor, we need to talk to you about some concerns we have over the Zillo Beast situation," Padme said in her best diplomatic voice. Palpatine finally broke eye contact with Zelina to let his gaze fall on Padme.

"It seems to be a very popular subject right now Senator; I guess I shouldn't be surprised," Palpatine said with a smile. Anakin could see the storm-clouds gathering in Zelina's eyes, who stood unmoving, still glaring at Palpatine openly. "Padawan Du'ahn, I will have to continue this conversation with you later, as it seems this subject with Senator Amidala is rather….pressing, to her."

Zelina crossed her arms over her chest, eyes flashing. "Actually Chancellor, I think I will stay considering it's the exact same matter we were just discussing."

Anakin noticed a slight thinning of Palpatine's mouth at her words and immediately felt dread settle in his stomach. He might as well have walked into a sarlacc pit.

"I can assure you Senator that the Zillo Beast is being well maintained, and is not a threat to Coruscant," Palpatine said evenly.

"If by well-maintained you mean tightly restrained, harmed upon inspection, contained in cramped quarters, and scheduled to be killed," Zelina said tightly. Again, Palpatine's eyes flashed dangerously, but he said nothing.

Anakin started slightly, shocked. Padme, however, was the one who spoke up.

"Killed?" she asked in surprise.

"It is necessary for what we are trying to do," Palpatine said tiredly.

"It is unfortunate that the beast must die Senator, but the greater good demands it!" Mas Amedda insisted.

"Greater good! I can't believe this," Zelina muttered under her breath, though Anakin thought he might have been the only one to hear her, being the closest to her.

"How is killing the last of a species in secret and without debate good for anyone?" Padme asked angrily.

"Don't you have more pressing issues that require your attention today?" Mas Amedda asked Padme a little tightly. The tension in the room was starting to make Anakin extremely uncomfortable.

"No Mister Speaker, I do not," Padme said disdainfully, looking away.

"I sympathize my dear, truly I do, but consider this; a democracy is only as strong as the people who comprise it. At present the people I am charged with protecting are dying faster than I can count. It is my moral imperative to take action—"

Zelina cut the Chancellor off, shocking everyone in the room. "By killing a sentient creature that is the last of its species by poisoning it because you don't want to wait for the more moral road to take wing? You'd rather skip over all the humane actions and go right to killing the Zillo because you don't have the patience for anything else?"

"Zelina!" Anakin said sharply, though the Chancellor was already replying.

"That beast is hardly sentient, Padawan Du'ahn," Palpatine said coldly.

"Just because it cannot speak does not make it a dumb animal! There are beings in this galaxy that cannot speak, but that does not make them stupid! The Zillo understands the intents, the words, it understands what's going on, it knows that you want it killed! I know, I've seen it!" Zelina responded in a hard voice.

"Chancellor," Mas Amedda suddenly said, breaking into the conversation that had Zelina glaring daggers while Palpatine stared back in stubborn determination.

"Excuse me," Palpatine said politely before turning away.

Anakin went over to Zelina, grabbing her arm and pulling her aside. "Are you insane? Have you lost your mind?" he hissed angrily at her. Zelina stared firmly back at him in the stubborn determination he knew all too well.

"I've been in there Anakin; I've even communicated with the Zillo; we can't let it be killed! It's wrong! Palpatine isn't even bothering to listen to any alternatives; he's just going right for killing the Zillo without a second thought! There are other ways, but he refuses to acknowledge them!"

"That doesn't excuse how you're acting," Anakin responded harshly. "You're talking to the Supreme Chancellor! You need to show some respect!"

"He's not giving me a reason to respect him right now Anakin," Zelina said evenly. "And this conversation only escalated the way it did because nothing else is getting through his head. If I'm gentle and polite then he squashes every attempt and ignores me. So, I got up in his face about it," Zelina said, a sour look appearing on her face.

"You're a Jedi; and a Padawan at that. And he's the Supreme Chancellor of the Republic; you can't talk to him like that," Anakin said firmly.

"Someone has to, and no one else will, so I stepped up to the challenge. Someone needs to tell him as it is and point out what's going on, because this is all wrong!" Zelina argued firmly. "I don't care what's said, the Zillo is not being treated the way it should, and it should not end up being killed!" Zelina said sharply.

Anakin stared at her. He had hardly ever seen her like this, and he knew there was no arguing with her. He hated how she was acting, and he feared that it would get her in deep trouble. But she was so firm in this belief, he didn't think he could do much about it. She was set in her goal, and no one was going to tell her differently.

Maybe he could figure out a way to lessen whatever damage resulted from whatever she did…

A beep sounded at the Chancellor's desk, and Palpatine activated his communication's device implanted into the desk. The doctor in charge of the Zillo Beast appeared.

"Doctor, were you successful?" Palpatine asked. Anakin started a little; had Palpatine ordered the Zillo Beast killed while they were busy arguing in hushed tones about Zelina's behavior?

"We have a problem sir…" the doctor said grimly. Anakin felt a shiver of warning ripple through the Force and he and Zelina turned their head towards the window, staring out over the city of Coruscant with identical frowns. What in the name of the Force was happening?

"The Zillo has escaped."

Alarms suddenly started going off, blaring all throughout the planet in a shrill and intimidating tone. Zelina tensed slightly, eyes unfocused as she stared over the expanse of the city.

"We need more time to convert more Malestare fuel into toxin Chancellor," the Doctor was saying to Palpatine. So Zelina had been right; they were going to poison the Zillo Beast just as the Dugs had wanted to in the first place.

"I suggest you hurry doctor," Palpatine said grimly. His words snapped Zelina out of her apparent trace, and she scowled, turning away from the Chancellor.

"Evacuate the staff to the underground shelters," Padme said sternly to 3PO. Zelina stood tense by the window, peering as far into the distance as she could in search for the rampant Zillo. Anakin, however, had his attention focused on a communication with Rex he was opening. After hearing Rex's rushed explanation of what was happening with the Zillo and what Obi-Wan was doing about it, Anakin spoke.

"Stay with General Kenobi; I'm on my way."

"You better hurry sir, you're missing all the fun," Rex said, causing Anakin to smirk a little.

Suddenly, Zelina spun from her spot by the window, her steps rushed as she quickly crossed the distance between her and the door. "Zelina, where are you going?" Anakin called after her in confusion.

"I'm going after the Zillo, of course; no one's gassing it today if I have anything to do with it," she said firmly, casting a sharp glare at Palpatine before she returned her gaze to Anakin. Her eyes softened and she nodded slightly. "I'll see you later," she said with a gentle smile before, with a swish of her robe, she was gone once more, leaving a slightly conflicted Anakin behind.

"Foolish girl…she'll get herself killed," Palpatine murmured from his desk. Before Anakin could respond to defend Zelina, Padme gasped.

"It's coming this way!"

Zelina wasted no time in exiting the Senate Building; she had seen the Zillo's distinct form on the horizon and, considering it was at least semi-sentient and knew that Palpatine wanted it dead, it hadn't taken much for her to figure out where it was headed or who it was after.

Perhaps she hadn't shared that little bit of important information about the Zillo's most likely target out of spite. Still, it wouldn't take long for the other's to figure it out.

Or at least she hoped they were smart enough to figure it out.

Zelina hadn't spent time on getting a speeder; instead, she had latched onto the Force and used it to propel herself from building to building. Sometimes she landed on a roof, sometimes she landed on the side of a building she had to climb up, and sometimes she landed on a sidewalk around a building. Still, so long as she was moving towards the Zillo Beast she would be making progress towards her goal.

Her com link went off, and Zelina tapped the frequency on her com before making a rather large leap to the side of the building. She grunted as she curled her fingers onto a window pane before starting a grueling ascent up the side of the building to the roof high above.

"Zelina here," she grunted, launching herself up a few stories with the help of the Force.

"Padawan, where are you?"

For the first time in a long time, Zelina felt a pang of resentment at her Master calling her Padawan. Still, she gave herself a moment to calm down knowing that she was just still riled up after the argument with Palpatine.

She didn't have the audacity to call it a conversation.

"I'm…climbing up the side of a…really tall building. What about you?" she said in between her efforts to make it to the top.

"I'm with Master Yoda; we're going to confront the Zillo Beast," Aayla said. "Why are you climbing a building?"

"Um…I'm going after the Zillo too…but for different reasons…" Zelina said sheepishly. She gathered her strength and kicked off, launcing herself up to the roof at long last. She let herself rest on for a moment, panting lightly.

"Why are you after the Zillo?" Aayla asked suspiciously.

"Master, while I was in the building they were keeping the Zillo I learned a few rather important details. First of all, the Zillo is sentient, it just can't talk…I guess it's semi-sentient…but it understands what we say and do, it understands intents. Second, it didn't break out for quite some time because it saw no reason to; it was letting itself be contained I'm sure of it. However, I overheard Palpatine specifically instruct the Doctor to kill the Zillo because it was nothing more than an animal that needed to die for the good of the Republic. There are other ways to conduct the research that he wants to without killing the Zillo. Besides that, the Zillo was right there when he said it, and it didn't like what he heard at all. Palpatine gave the okay to kill it and, well…Master; I believe that the Zillo is after Chancellor Palpatine for ordering it to be executed."

As she spoke, Zelina walked to the edge of the building, looking over the now short distance between her and the Zillo. It sure looked furious.

"We still need to contain that Zillo Beast Padawan," Aayla was saying.

"Well if you want to get it back under control, I suggest not attacking it. If you attack it you'll only make it angrier," Zelina said, frowning as below she saw blaster bolts fired on the Zillo. The creature roared in anger and Zelina tensed. "I've got to go Master. I'll see you later, good luck."

She cut the communications before Aayla could protest, backing up to the opposite edge of the roof and keeping her eyes trained on the Zillo Beast that was gradually coming closer. She glanced back behind her at the Senate building that wasn't that far away; the Zillo was getting closer. Soon, it was going to be a little too close to its goal.

As pleasing as the thought of Palpatine getting eaten by the Zillo was, Zelina highly doubted that it would be a good thing.

Taking a deep breath and praying to the Force that what she was about to do wasn't going to be anything absolutely insane that would get her killed, Zelina took off at a dead sprint towards the other side of the building and jumped.

For a few seconds, there was nothing but air and a feeling of alarm through the Force from…Obi-Wan?

Before she could figure out where he was that was close enough to see her jump off the building, Zelina grunted and contacted with the Zillo Beast's tail scales. Instinctively, Zelina latched onto the first edge that she felt, grunting as her arms were suddenly yanked upwards and she dangled dangerously off its side. She couldn't help but feel dizzy as she stared down at the possible plummet to her death if she slipped that was only increasing as the Zillo climbed up the tower she had just jumped off of.

The Zillo was moving alarmingly fast, and Zelina felt sick in her gut as she realized she didn't have as much time as she would like to try and stop the creature.

Truthfully, half of her mind was screaming in askance at her, trying to figure out what the other half was thinking.

The Zillo beast leveled out with a furious roar, giving Zelina enough time to get her feet underneath her and climb up a little further along the Zillo's back. She felt the Force let out a warning equivalent to a scream for her, and she latched onto the scale ledge in front of her just moments before the creature suddenly threw itself off the building, landing roughly on the street below. Zelina held on tightly eyes closed until the Zillo Beast straightened out. Once more she got on her feet and practically ran up its back, taking care to keep her footing and stay light on her feet. Once they got so close to the Senate building, Zelina flattened herself out halfway up its neck, teeth grit in determination. She was almost there…

The Zillo was quick to climb the Senate Building, and Zelina could feel the fear and even some ripples of anger and protectiveness throughout the building. She was pretty sure that the protectiveness was coming from Anakin, considering the Zillo's head had come to a stop so that its eye peered into the Chancellor's office.

She pushed worries of Anakin and Padme aside; Anakin would take care of both of them. It was her job to stop this Zillo.

The Zillo reared back the same time she reached up and grasped one of the horns on its head, causing her to lose her footing once again. Still, she clung to its smooth edge as the Zillo moved quickly across the Senate building, reaching out to the next, and the next, gradually making her way across the Zillo's head. She wasn't looking forward to the point where she would start climbing down its head.

Looking down against her better judgment, Zelina could see a small ship trying to get away from the Senate Building and the Zillo Beast. Inside, she could sense three familiar presences; Padme, Anakin, and Palpatine. That fact that the Zillo turned and focused on that small ship alarmed her, and she threw herself to the side, reaching out with both hands and calling out to the Force in the hopes that she would land just right the same time that the Zillo captured the ship.

She connected with the side of the Zillo Beast's head, clinging to and bracing her knees against the scale above its left eye, doing her best to avoid accidentally kicking it in the eye. It turned its attention from the ship in its hand, roaring at her. For a moment, Zelina felt like she was going to be sick, and in the back of her mind she actually registered the fact that her com link was ringing constantly.

Sorry, I'm unavailable right now, please leave a message at the beep, Zelina thought sarcastically. The Zillo didn't seem to recognize her, and she could hear the sound of creaking metal coming from the ship. If it continued to tighten its grip it was either going to break the ship in half or crush it and everyone inside.

That is not the way that Anakin is going to go out; especially on my watch, Zelina thought to herself as she lowered herself a little more so that she could look in the Zillo's eyes better. Its eye narrowed slightly at her and she held her breath for a moment before letting out a whistle identical to the one she had given in the domed room. She felt a ripple of recognition come from the creature through the Force, and noticed it lowered the ship slightly, releasing some of the pressure from the tight grip that it had on it.

"Hey…" she said as softly as she could with the loudness of the sirens blazing through the air. "I thought I told you I'd get you out of here? This isn't helping you know," she said seriously with a small smile.

The Zillo growled at her, its eye narrowing a little more. Zelina kept her senses acutely attuned to the Beast, ignoring the constant shrill of her com link as she felt its emotions. There was a stirring of anger and suspicion, so she continued and tried to explain herself.

"You've hurt a lot of innocents already," Zelina said sternly. "And going after the man who ordered you killed isn't helping at all; if I'm going to get you out of here safely, you can't seem like a threat."

The Zillo growled again, but it wasn't so loud, and she saw the shuttle drop even lower out of her peripherals. Gently, she rubbed the scale over its eye. She could tell that it was listening.

"I need you to put the ship down," she said soothingly. "Someone I love is in there, and a very good friend and I don't want them hurt. I don't like the cruel man who threatened you either, and I'm going to do what I can to make sure he doesn't hurt you and we get you out of here, all right? But you need to put the ship down."

The Zillo's eyes softened and Zelina could sense reluctance coming from it. She smiled at it. "I'll protect you, I promise."

Finally, with a gentle rumble in its chest, the Zillo slowly set the ship down. In the distance, Zelina could see an army of ships coming their way. She had to act quickly; already there was one ship circling the Zillo at a safe distance, and the Zillo was watching it with growing anger, annoyance, and suspicion. Zelina rubbed the scale again to get its attention.

"Get down, slowly," she said gently but firmly, nodding towards the nearby ledge just a few meters away from the Zillo's feet. "Don't let them think you're a threat, don't cause them to attack you out of fear, and it will be all right; I promise you it will," Zelina told it. The Zillo growled slightly in protest, but slowly lowered itself to the ledge in a resting position on its front. Zelina shifted over to the side and slid down the front of its face, landing back on the solid surface of the Senate Building ledge. The feeling of being back on stable ground sent relief through her and she smiled a little. The Zillo Beast shifted its head, blinking a large glowing eye at her. She felt resignation and trust emanating from the Zillo, and immediately devoted herself to fighting to the very end for this creature. She had its trust, and she wasn't going to betray it.

Behind her, Zelina suddenly heard a familiar voice shout at the top of his lungs, "Zelina!"

Zelina turned back around and saw the ship that had been trying to escape not too far off. Behind it the shuttle that had been circling the Zillo beast was touching down on the ledge, its two occupants radiating tension and concern. Meanwhile, Anakin was rushing towards her, and his movement was making the Zillo uneasy, causing its head to rise slightly with a warning growl. Anakin skidded to a halt just out of reach of the Zillo's third arm, his eyes fixated on Zelina in fear.

"Zee, get away from it!" Anakin cried out. The Zillo growled a little louder at him and Zelina placed a gentle hand on its head.

"Don't worry, he won't hurt you, he's just worried; he's the one I love," she whispered to the Zillo. The creature settled down just slightly, and for a moment Zelina believed she truly had the situation under control.

At least until Palpatine emerged from the ship.

The Zillo growled loud and threateningly, its head lifting as it glared at Palpatine who shouted for all to hear, "See! The beast is too dangerous to be kept alive! It must be killed for the common good! Only then will we be able to safely unlock its secrets and save the lives of countless Republic citizens!"

Zelina tensed, backing up rapidly as the Zillo rose back onto its feet with a roar of anger. Anakin was suddenly rushing forward, which only served to anger the Zillo further as it believed he was attacking. Zelina held out a hand in warning.

"Stop, you're making it worse," she shouted at Anakin. Anakin gave her an incredulous look but slowed his pace as she turned her attention back to the Zillo and issued the same sharp whistle as earlier. The Zillo let out a loud snarl as its head whipped towards her. Zelina kept her voice stern and commanding as she gestured back to the ledge with her free hand. "Down!" she ordered the Zillo.

It roared at her, and she could feel Anakin's fear go through the roof even as she tried to tune him out. The Zillo was angry; lowering its head towards her in a gesture that probably looked like it was going to snatch her up off the ledge in its jaws. Still, she held firm.

"I told you I'd help you but you have to trust me and do as I saw, now get down!" she ordered the Zillo, willing it to understand that she was only trying to help. It roared at her again even louder, but what she sensed the others couldn't see; it was reluctantly complying, getting down on its knees, its head coming even with her. Stretching out her hand, she placed a gentle palm once more on the spot between its eyes, using the Force to send soothing waves through the creature.

"Get away from that monster so that we can gas it!" Palpatine shouted from his spot by the ship. Zelina turned in his direction, her hand still on the Zillo's head. She was surprised to find Anakin just a few meters off, staring at her in wide eyed amazement and wonder.

This entire scene must have been quite a sight.

"Chancellor, your repeated demands for the Zillo's death are not helping. It only wants to preserve its life as you seem to have devoted yourself to seeing this creature destroyed. I'm sure if you would be willing to spare it, and relocate it to a much better suited planet where it is free to roam as it pleases, you would find that it won't be so much of the problem that it has been. The Zillo only wants what the rest of us do, and that's freedom," she called back firmly. Behind Palpatine, Zelina could see Aayla and Master Yoda approaching, also staring in wonder, although Master Yoda seemed to have his mysterious smile on his face. She could never tell what the little green Jedi Master was thinking whenever he wore that look.

Padme gave her a smile of approval. "The Zillo Beast can be moved to a safer location much better suited to its needs. It could be studied from a distance and up close by some individuals as well. It doesn't need to be kept in captivity on Coruscant; the Zillo has rights too, and we must recognize that. It obviously is at least semi-sentient. I agree with Padawan Du'ahn wholeheartedly."

"We may not ever unlock the secrets of this beast in time for them to be beneficial to our war effort if we study it from a distance," Palpatine said dubiously.

"Patience, we must have. Right, the Padawan is. Listen to her, you should," Yoda said, striding closer to Zelina and the Zillo. The Zillo was listening intently to everything that was being said, worried for its fate. Zelina rubbed its head reassuringly. "If relocate it, you wish, oversee the action, willing, would you be?" Yoda asked.

"I have not agreed to the beast's relocation," Palpatine protested. The Zillo growled lowly.

"The best option, it is, Chancellor. Good for everyone, as well. Relocated, the Zillo will be," Yoda said smoothly, leaning on his gimmer stick.

"I would be happy to oversee the operation to make sure that the Zillo is kept comfortable and moved to an adequate planet for its needs Master Yoda," Zelina said humbly with a bow.

"Then oversee it you shall; as soon as found, a planet is, leave, will the Zillo and you," Yoda said with a short nod. He glanced at Anakin, who still stood warily at a safe distance from the Zillo's head. Yoda chuckled before he turned to walk away. "Safe, the Zillo is, Skywalker, so long as nearby, Padawan Du'ahn is. Now Chancellor, discuss a speedy relocation, we must."

Zelina turned her attention to the Zillo, rubbing the scale over its left eye gently. "Did you hear that? You're going to get out of here, just like I promised. He won't hurt you," Zelina said soothingly to the Zillo. She dropped her voice to a low whisper so that Anakin wouldn't hear. "I'm going to stand right over here and talk to the one I love, all right?"

The Zillo rumbled softly and Zelina stepped back to where Anakin was standing. He wasted no time in pulling her into a tight hug. "You really have lost your mind, haven't you?" he said gruffly into her ear. He pulled away, holding her at arm's length. "Obi-Wan contacted me not too long after you disappeared and told me that you had jumped off the top of a building onto the Zillo Beast, and I was sure that he was lying, or had just seen wrong, but then I saw you dangling from a horn on its head…are you insane? You could have died!"

"You seem to say that to me a lot Anakin," Zelina grunted as he pulled her in for another hug. "However, I could die from your hugs too; I can't breathe!"

Anakin released her, but kept a hold on her arm. "You didn't have to put yourself at risk for the Zillo like you did; you didn't have to put your life at such a risk," he chided.

"Actually Skywalker, I can sense that this entire situation would have ended much differently—and much more tragically—had it not been for my Padawan's actions," came Aayla's sudden warm voice. Zelina blushed as Aayla came even with them. Aayla smiled at her slightly. "You had me worried there for a moment Zelina…but that was incredibly brave of you, as well as selfless and moral," Aayla said with a slight twinkle in her eyes. Zelina's blush only deepened and she bowed respectively to Aayla.

"Thank you Master; your praise means a lot," she said abashedly.

Aayla's smile widened. "Yes, well…I have some important matters to discuss with the Council now it seems. I will have to leave you with the Zillo for a while."

Zelina frowned in confusion. "What do you need to talk to them about?"

Aayla's smile grew into a grin. "If all goes well, you will find out when you return."

Zelina's confusion only grew, but Aayla simply smiled and left. After making sure that Zelina was all right a few more times, Anakin drifted away to Padme, making sure that his wife was truly all right as well. Zelina sighed and turned back to the Zillo Beast which was lying complacently on the ground, watching her with its glowing eyes. She smiled at the Zillo, placing a hand above its eye for the hundredth time that night.

"I told you that you'd be safe; I never break my promises."

Just as Aayla had said, Zelina had a quick and speedy trip. Once a planet was found that met the Zillo's needs and was isolated and uninhabited by any sentient species, the Zillo had been transported, and Zelina had waited a full week before she finally entrusted the Zillo's care to the doctors that were in charge of its care and returned to Coruscant. Somehow in the week she had been gone, Anakin, Obi-Wan, and Aayla had not been sent on any missions, but had remained on Coruscant.

That was the first thing that aroused her suspicions.

The second was the fact that Aayla was waiting for her in the hanger, not Anakin or Obi-Wan. As Zelina stepped off of the shuttle, she couldn't help but frown a little. "Is something going on Master?"

Aayla smiled at her and started walking. "How was your trip?"

Zelina's frown deepened due to the avoidance of her question, but she didn't complain and followed after her. "It was a success…the Zillo has taken to its new home rather well, and settled in quickly. I snooped around the doctors' observation facilities and field studies to make sure they really would do as they were supposed to, and they were doing just that. I'm sure that the Zillo will receive fair treatment in its new home."

"That's good," Aayla said lightly. "I trust that the trip back was not too strenuous?"

"Well considering no Separatists showed up and tried to blast me out of the sky, it was pretty much a walk through the stars," Zelina said suspiciously. "Master, is something going on?"

"What makes you think that Padawan?" Aayla asked her innocently.

"Your acting strange and you still haven't answered my first question," she explained. "You're not a secretive type Master, so what are you up too?"

"Just because I'm not saying anything doesn't mean that I'm up to something," Aayla said easily. She smiled a little and placed a hand on Zelina's shoulder. "You know Zelina, when you first came under my care, you were impulsive, relatively innocent, still had much to learn, and for a while you were even rather vengeful. Now, you have grown immensely; you display patience, discipline, complacency, high morality, maturity…you are a skilled Jedi. Your recent display of skill with the Zillo Beast was the catalyst to a decision I have been mulling over in my mind for quite some time now."

Zelina stilled for a moment, faltering in her step for a few seconds before returning to a pace matched with Aayla's. She was trying to figure out where this was going, and she was starting to get an inkling…

They turned a corner and Zelina found that they were standing at the other end of the hall that led to the Council Room. Standing by the doors was Anakin and Obi-Wan, talking in hushed whispers. When they saw Zelina, they stopped talking, though Zelina could see distinct twinkles in both of their eyes as they approached. Aayla placed a hand on Zelina's shoulder.

"There is nothing more I can teach you young one," she said softly.

Her words were as good as a confirmation for Zelina, who felt her heart soar into her throat. Anakin smiled, recognizing the look of realization that had fallen over her face. However, it was Obi-Wan who spoke.

"I pulled a few strings; I knew you'd probably want him here, so I convinced the Council to let Anakin watch. More specifically, I convinced Master Yoda."

"They're waiting for us right now," Anakin said with a smile, arms crossed over his chest. As if on cue, the doors to the Council Room opened, and Zelina felt her heart pound faster as she took in the utter darkness of the room. Shakily, she stepped forward, entering the room first. The other three filed in after her as she made her way instinctively to the center of the Council Room. The doors behind her slid shut, plunging the room into absolute darkness before suddenly, simultaneously, all the lightsabers held by a Master were activated. The Masters—including Aayla and Obi-Wan—were in a circle around Zelina who stood in the middle, struggling to keep a leash on her joy to remain composed.

"Step forward Padawan," came Yoda's voice, and Zelina turned to the Grandmaster's respective spot on the Council before eagerly stepping forward and kneeling before Yoda, head bowed low in a show of utmost respect. As Yoda raised his lightsaber, the other Masters all lowered theirs.

"Zelina Du'ahn, by the right of the Council," Yoda lowered his lightsaber to one shoulder, "by the will of the Force," he lowered the lightsaber to the other shoulder, "dub thee I do…"

Yoda brought his lightsaber to the first shoulder once more, the blade resting just under her Padawan braid. "Jedi," Yoda said, swiftly cutting off the braid in one swift movement. "Knight of the Republic."

The ceremony over, Zelina rose to her feet. Success and purpose filling every fiber of her being. Behind her, she could sense Anakin in the dark corner of the room by the door, beaming with pride and a joy that rivaled her own.

She was finally a Jedi Knight.

After the ceremony, Anakin and Zelina found a secluded corner of the Jedi Temple in the Room of a Thousand Fountains. Zelina sat on the edge of a large fountain in a secluded, sunny corner, her fingers dipped in the water causing ripples as she swirled little circles in the cool liquid. Anakin sat next to her, watching her closely.

"So how does it feel to finally be a Knight?" Anakin asked.

Zelina smiled a little. "It feels so surreal…it's probably going to take a while to settle in…though I'm definitely somewhere along the lines of elation right now," she said with a laugh.

Anakin laughed as well, letting his gaze wander over the expanse of the room. His gaze returned to her, and he seemed startled by the intensity of her blue-green gaze, his Corellian blue orbs filled with curiosity.

"What are you looking at me like that for?" he asked, sounding unnerved yet amused.

"Well…I've been thinking about something important for a while now…" Zelina started, withdrawing her hand from the water and letting it disappear into the gray and black mass of her Jedi clothes, reaching further into the folds of her black robe.

"And what would that be?" he asked, watching her movements with genuine curiosity.

He was startled when she pulled out her Padawan Braid, the tip still dark from being freshly cut off by a lightsaber. "Who I'm going to give this to…" Zelina said softly, turning the strand of hair over in her fingers a few times. "You."

Anakin sat very still for a few moments, staring at the hand that held the strand of hair she was offering him. His brain seemed to be processing the enormity of what she was suggesting; the high honor and utmost trust that was in the gesture.

"Are you sure? You…you don't want to give it to Aayla or something?" Anakin asked incredulously, hesitantly looking up to meet her eyes. Zelina nodded.

"I've thought about it for quite a while now, and I want you to have it; I can't think of anyone better to give it to," she said gently.

Anakin let his gaze drop back to the braid proffered in her palm before he reverently took it into his hand. He held the braid carefully in his hands for a few moments before gently curling his fingers over it and looking back up at her.

"Thank you…I'm honored, really, I am," he said, a depth to his voice and eyes she hadn't heard in a long time. In fact, the first memory that floated to her of the last time she had a moment like this with him was the memory of Varykino on her birthday as they had looked up at the stars together.

Zelina smiled at him yet again, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear and peering up at him shyly. "Yes, well…I'm honored to know you," Zelina said honestly.

She couldn't help but feel slightly amused at how flustered that statement seemed to make him added on top of the gift of her Padawan Braid, watching the light shade of pink creep into his cheeks. "And I you," he responded simply.

Zelina gave him a wide smile, giving him a one armed hug. Anakin chuckled slightly at the contact and leaned into it, returning the hug. For the moment, they could actually convince themselves that things were blissfully simple again, that they were children once more, or at the very least were back to the peaceful time on Varykino before the war broke out.

Zelina wished that she could stay there forever with him.

It was only when she was around Anakin that there seemed to be some semblance of peace and rightness in the Galaxy again.

And it was a feeling she didn't ever want to lose.