While Falcontalon began to list the reasons why StarClan was displeased with Firestar, the elder spirits remained quiet and watched in silence as he spoke for them. There were no disagreements or objections from the ancient RiverClan warriors, for while they had not walked the Earth in near decades upon decades, they were not naïve and they had spent many seasons observing the Clans from the stars. There were those present who agreed and clearly, there were those present who disagreed and defended the SkyClan leader.

Now, there was Mallowleaf, who was a more empathetic and sincere cat. He understood the intentions behind Firestar's actions and where he was coming from- but still, laws were not necessarily made to be broken. A leader needed to respect that boundary and not cross it, regardless of their emotional attachment. He had knighted many a leader, but he had also been present for their impeachments as well. He did what was best for the Clans, no matter how he personally felt.

Whereas, Slatestar was much more strict. He did not bring emotion into reason and he did not ever waver from the laws of the Clans. The cold leader did not care what Firestar's reasons were, he didn't care if his loved ones' lives were on the line, and he did not care if cats were to die because he chose the warrior code above all else. Slatestar never hesitated to strip a leader of their rights if they did not satisfy his expectations.

But luckily for Firestar, times were changing. The ancients didn't run StarClan alone anymore, and the voices of other spirits counted tonight. The two of them were respectful of Falcontalon and Twilightstrike as they spoke and debated amongst each other. When they finished, Firestar spoke up and defended himself- of course, they never doubted he would retort. He was a proud and strong warrior and he wouldn't take critique sitting down.

"We respect you for the seasons you have served SkyClan for," Mallowleaf began, "but it's important that we don't lose sight of the warrior code. I can see where your heart is and I know it's with your Clan. You love your Clan and the cats within, and I know you would give your life again and again to defend them." The brown tom's smile fell and he became more solemn.

"We are not here to threaten SkyClan. We are here to strengthen it. It is not just reason we seek, but accountability. There is nothing wrong with change, or bending the rules, but we cannot stand by and watch while recklessness leads to dismay that threatens the future of your Clan."

"You are not God." Slatestar spoke up now, the grey warrior stepping back up to the front once more. "It is not up to you who lives or who dies. Death is not meant to be defied. If it were, then none of these warriors would be here with us today." Silence fell after his statement, the gravity of his words weighing down on those around them. "No one is invincible. Every life ends and it is something we have to come to accept. You cannot allow your personal feelings and attachments to decide whose life is more important than the other."

Slatestar paused and locked eyes directly with Firestar. "Trading one life for another is a felony high enough in my eyes that I would strip you of all your lives right now if it were up to me."

"But it's not just up to you," Mallowleaf pointed out, side-eyeing Slatestar. The small brown tom returned his eyes to Firstar. "Please Firestar, prove to us that you can grow, too."

Firestar |The Courageous Lion of Skyclan|

He could sense the anticipation in the air as he could hardly hear himself think with all the hushed whispers echoing around the valley of starclanners. Yet, all that ceased by the loud commanding voice booming throughout the arena. A still silence enveloped them all, Firestar had to squint his bicolored eyes at the faint starry outline of an imposing feline stepping forward. It was not hard for the Skyclan leader to deduce that the figure approaching was one that demanded respect, by how faint his form seemed to be, it was also noted just how long the being had been part of Starclan. ’Probably since almost the beginning’ Fire observed. Clenching his jaw as he forces himself to remain unfazed as the star dusted feline stands suddenly directly in front of him. Blinking at the warrior, taking in the more prominent details of his aging fierce golden eyes and the battle worn silver starlight pelt. Firestar would not lie that the form before him certainly knew how to make an entrance. 

In his peripheral vision, Firestar could see many forms bow lowly in respect for the Starclan warrior, though he made no direct move to do the same. Not until he figured out what in the hell was going on. Biting his inner cheek as the harsh Starclanner leans even closer to the point their nose almost touching and Fire could feel the cool wisp of air caressing his face with each sharp inhale and exhale made from the unknown feline. The usually sarcastic fiery tom had to bite back a retort, deciding to keep each comment to himself, ’Are we about to kiss right now? Has this tom never heard of personal space?’ He thought with an inward smirk but on the outside remains unimpressed with the sharp tongue of Slatestar. ”I believe I have the only right to question why I was summoned. Especially when it concerns me, do I not?” Firestar smoothly replies back. ”After all, how else am I suppose to defend myself from this unexpected trail?” he adds with a slight tilt to his head, his eyes narrowing in determination as he equally stares down the Starclanner. 

He only looked away when another voice entered the conversation, tilting his head down as he regards the smaller, meeker starry pelted tomcat. Brows furrowing as he learns the name of the stern leader before him, ’Slatestar huh? Didn’t realize I was in the presence of royalty’ he thought with a soft hum escaping him as he stiffly nods in greetings back to Mallowleaf. ”No need to apologize on his behalf, he was just about to tell me what this is all about” Fire says with a small smile in Mallowleaf’s direction, ignoring the irritated hiss from Slatestar. It would seem that he was not meant to get along with Riverclan Leaders. Narrowing his eyes as he takes in Slatestar’s words, it was starting to make sense as to why he was here. The starclanners surrounding him were displeased by the way Firestar was adapting his clan. They were afraid of such a change.

Grunting in displeasure as he glances over at Falcontalon. His tufted ears twitching at the allegations brought upon him throughout the years of his servitude to his clan. Firestar was stunned that Starclan was so displeased with how he has led his clan over the years. It was a whiplash to have so much thrown at him, but it puzzled Firestar as to why now it was all being brought forward? If they were so angry from when he saved Hollowflame, why was it not addressed then? To him it seemed that Falcontalon just loved hearing the sound of his own arrogant voice. That the Starclanner was simply grasping at straws to strengthen his case as it was obvious that Falcon held some type of grudge against Firestar, ’Tsk…get in line’ he inwardly snorted to himself. Parting his lips as he takes a step around Slatestar, his sole attention on Falcon ready to defend his honor to the bitter end. 

Many would describe Fire in that moment a prowling lion, ready to strike at any given moment. Though, just when he goes to speak, someone else speaks in his place. Looking over his shoulder to see Twilightstrike step forward and defend him with ease. Fire found himself impressed with the tom, though it did not surprise him as he instantly knew that this was Twilightstrike, Auroraskies deceased brother. It was a good thing that Twilightstrike had taken over, because he had been moments away from snapping at the arrogant bastard for insulting his mate. Pressing his lips together as he allows Twilightstrike to take the lead in explaining the reasonings for each topic brought forth during the trail. It certainly put Firestar at ease to know that at least there was one on his side and willing to defend his reasonings. Yet, he understood that there was no reasoning with the brute as the past Skyclanner had already deemed Firestar unworthy of remaining leader. 

Pausing beside Twilightstrike, placing a steady paw upon his shoulder as he gives him a small nod. ”Thank you, Twilightstrike, could not have said it better myself” he softly says before addressing the court around him. ”I have respectfully lead my clan with nothing but good intentions and loyalty to not just them, but to all of you” he begins. Letting his words settle between the silence before continuing. ”As Twilightstrike mentioned, times are indeed changing. It is not like it once was when your physical forms walked the earth. I do not mean to offend but it is clear that I have. In my years of serving as Skyclan’s leader I have learned that it is simply not about what I want or even what Starclan might want. It’s about what my clan needs, I will not stand idly by while you threaten the foundation of my clan, of my family” he firmly states, his strong voice echoing throughout the arena. His piercing gaze flickering over every individual before settling on Slatestar and Falcontalon. A small smirk tugging on his lips as he adds, ”If it is a trail that you want. Then a trail you will get. It is not the first time I have faced discrimination from Starclan, but my faith will see me through”

It appeared that Slatestar was on Falcontalon’s side, that’s all the Skyclan warrior had needed to bring forth these charges against Firestar and his remaining lives would be stripped of him. “Please, let us begin.” Falcontalon had said, before stepping forward to look at Firestar “You had betrayed the tradition of Skyclan, breaking the following of the warrior code: ‘The lives of an outsider is typically rejected’ You have taken traditions of those mountain cats and abandoned the views of Skyclan and Starclan. " “You have also broken the Warrior code rule of: ‘Defend the Clan, even at the cost of your own life. friendships in other Clans are allowed, but your own Clan must come first.’ By allowing one of your lives from Starclan to be given to another feline.. From another clan, questioning your loyalty to your home.” Falcontalon’s booming voice said which caused shouts of disapproval to echo through the air.. Firestar was a traitor! “You have also broken the following warrior code: Warriors do not kill to win their battles unless it is necessary to protect their own life or that of another’ You had killed Hornetstar to prove a point didn’t you? Your life wasn’t in any kind of danger.” Falcontalon sneered at him, shaking his head in disapproval. The ginger leader was a disgrace of a leader, a disgrace to Skyclan! “The final code that you have broken: ‘A new deputy must be chosen before moonhigh, should something happen to the current Clan deputy.’ You had not chosen your deputy after the death of Heronfeather.. If something happens to you, your clan doesn’t have any kind of leadership.. Who is looking after your clan right now Firestar? What if you cannot get out of this coma? Who will lead? Your darling mate?” Falcontalon to which caused a couple of gasps until Twilightstrike let out a laugh and stepped forward “You would question Firestar’s virtue.. He could not allow himself to walk away from Hollowflame when his son was crying for help, especially when he could help.. Would you do that? Walk away from a crying child as their father’s body is limp in their paws? How could you be so cruel?” Twilightstrike questioned before shaking his head once more “Since Firestar’s leadership had started, there had been too many deputies that entered his reign, many had either stepped down or died.. You can understand why he’s hesitant? I would certainly be tired of naming deputies and would rather be waiting to find the one that will lead Skyclan after his departure.. You hadn’t named a Shadowclan leader until Ravenstar had proved himself, did you punish Shadowclan for that action?” He challenged “Hornetstar had chosen to fight Firestar, and he was merely defending himself.. If Firestar and Hornetstar hadn’t come to an agreement that day, Shadowclan and Skyclan would had lost many others in the war.. Firestar needed Hornetstar to see reason, and it helped them and Wisteriastar to win.” “We are in a modern age of the clans.. We cannot live in such older traditions for the rest of time. The clans should modernize traditions, as times are changing and while the past is something that is respected.. They should be the ones that have their own saying in changing traditions as they are the future.”

"SILENCE!"

A booming voice bellowed from behind the group of already gathered spirits. At the sound of said cat's voice, those before him parted like the red sea in his presence, giving way to allow him forward. His shape was so faint of an outline that one had to squint to see him at first, but the closer he stepped, the more sure his form came to be. It was almost like his spirit was rejuvenating in the presence of the living. The moonlight hit his silver pelt and set him aglow in the most ethereal manner, making him appear as mystifying as StarClan could be. But there was nothing delicate about this warrior- from his cold gold eyes, to his scarred body, to the way he stood nose-to-nose with Firestar, it was clear that he commanded compliance.

With the way that the other spirits in the trial bowed their heads to him, it was evident that this particular StarClan warrior held a certain high esteem with his peers. No one dare spoke before he did and none of them questioned why he chose to step forward now.

"What dare makes you think you have the right to question where you are now?" The tom spoke, unmoving from where he stood a mere whisker away from the SkyClan leader. "Someone like you should keep his mouth shut, lest you remove all doubt of your own foolery."

"Slatestar, please!"

Another voice interrupted the tension, causing some of the other spirits present to flinch at the intervention, almost as if they couldn't believe that someone would dare intrude on the commanding presence of the spirit. A second spirit formed behind the silver tom- one who was much smaller, and whose form was just as faint, indicating the time of how long ago he lived. He stopped next to the commandeering warrior, offering Firestar a polite dip of his head as he joined the two of them.

"Please do forgive him," the brown tom meowed, "he forgets sometimes his manners." Slatestar hissed, the harshness of it causing the smaller spirits to recoil, but the petite tom did not waver. It was clear that while he lacked size or a fierce presence, that did not mean that he was in any way meek. "Allow me to introduce ourselves. My name is Mallowleaf, and this is Slatestar. We are the founders of RiverClan." Now the weight of their presence began to make sense: why their ghosts seemed so faint, under the indication of how many decades ago they lived, and why the other spirits granted them with so much respect. Mallowleaf parted his jaws to speak again, to explain to Firestar why spirits of their statute were present, but Slatestar spoke before him.

"You have spoken quite enough." He stated, narrowing his eyes at the brown tom. "It is time to begin."

"Your integrity has been called into question. You, a tom who have disgraced the traditions we laid, must explain to us your actions. If you fail to meet our expectations, we will strip you of your nine lives and cast you from SkyClan."

Firestar |The Courageous Lion of Skyclan|

Something was amiss, the fiery Maine Coon Leader could feel his fur ruffle in unease as he silently strolls with his lovely mate. It had been several days since Roseglow, Bearchaser, Macawblaze, Scarletshimmer, and Cinderpeach left to investigate the constant whispers of souls unrested. Yet, there was something else that nagged at him, his body humming with unknown energy that had Firestar frowning, ‘It is like my body is trying to warn me of something’ the thought lingered in the back of his mind before refocusing on Auroraskies with a concerned look. He found himself worrying over his mate more and more now that she was pregnant with their sixth litter, they had discussed that their fifth one would be their last with how much a toll it had taken out of her, but this was a surprise indeed. Deciding that his mate needed to be watched at all times, he had taken it upon himself to be with her as much as possible, not wanting her to feel smothered or a burden. 

Nuzzling into Auroraskies as he gives her a loving chaste kiss upon her forehead, “Everything is going to be alright my dear, Roseglow knows exactly what she is doing” he reassures in regards to the mission as well as caring for her pregnant mother. Suddenly Firestar feels a cold sensation wash over him, his body tensing forcing him to stop in his tracks. He felt a forceful tug in his chest, causing him to gasp for breath before having his spiritual self yanked from his physical body. The last thing Firestar sees is a pure worry in Auroraskies eyes before everything goes dark. Eyes rolling back as the large tom suddenly falls onto his side limp, one would first assume that he was dead if it weren’t for the rhythmic rise and fall of his chest. 

A disoriented celestial Firestar slams into the ground, grunting as he blinks away the spots lining his vision before slowly tilting his head up. Eyes widening slightly as he is surrounded by many Starclan cats, few he recognized but rest unknown. It was like he was in a dome, trapped in the center with imposing figures purposely standing at higher altitudes to remind Firestar of his place. Irritation flares within the leader as he slowly rises to his full height, his bi-colored eyes flickering over each translucent figure before stopping upon those in front of him. “What is the meaning of this?!” Firestar boldly demands, his ears flickering in every direction at the hushed whispers from above, trying to decipher the meaning of his sudden summons. Crease forming between his brows at one word that stuck out from the rest, ‘A trail?’ That is why Firestar had been feeling uneasy all morning.