There was silence across the clearing, multiple spirits either standing or crouching on ledges. All of a sudden, a bunch of muttering happened before a loud voice broke through “We find Duneheart.. Guilty for allowing Firestar to split a leadership life to be split into two..Guilty for allowing Hollowflame to live when he was supposed to die, therefore changing the fate of a feline.. His punishment will include no more giving lives, along with a full season of isolation away from Starclan.” The voice said, a mixture of agreements and disagreements were heard. Duneheart had held his head in shame, before a soft chuckle could be heard and a figure went to step forward. “Thank you Starclan, for seeing my case.. But I must move on to the next case, one that has been building for a while.” Falcontalon, who had been a Skyclan warrior before his death had occurred. The spirits surrounding him had began muttering for a moment before a image of Firestar appeared in the middle of the clearing.
The brown tabby let out a snort and turned towards the crowd of spirits “Firestar had been the one who convinced Duneheart of splitting the life of Friendship, basically being the ringleader of it all.” Falcontalon started, his eyes remained narrowed. At the corner of his eye, he had seen all of the givers of Firestar’s lives had sat in at a line. A couple of them remained blurry but Scarlettbreeze, Duneheart, Mothflutter and Twilightstrike were in clear view and watching the flame-colored leader.
“Firestar had also committed the crime of allowing Skyclan to break free from clan tradition, adapting to more wild traditions that those mountain cats are known for.. Basically abandoning Starclan and our views” Falcontalon’s booming voice said through the clearing of felines. A couple of gasps were heard along with cries of disapproval. Twilightstrike’s ears flicked in disapproval upon hearing the older spirit’s words. Falcontalon certainly knew how to draw a crowd, it was perhaps why the Skyclan warrior was the best at bringing trails forward to Starclan. “We cannot have Skyclan breaking free from our warrior code and traditions, The clans were always five.. Not four!” Falcontalon said, to which yowls of agreement could be heard.
“We must strip Firestar of his lives, to find a leader who will keep tradition to Skyclan and not disturb the peace between all clans.” Falcontalon said, to which Twilightstrike cleared his throat which caused everyone to look towards him. The large black tom had gotten up and went towards the middle of the clearing of where Falcontalon stood “We cannot strip a leader from his lives just because you don’t like how he’s running his clan.. If we had done that, Hawkstar wouldn’t be a leader.. And you’re a big supporter of him.” Twilightstrike pointed out which kept Falcontalon silent for a moment before narrowing his eyes “You’re only allowed in Starclan because your current reincarnation is the Shadowclan leader, whose not even of Shadowclan blood.. We didn’t complain about it, or him becoming the youngest leader or picking a newly named warrior as his deputy.. If you think I’m simply picking on Firestar for my entertainment.. I can put Ravenstar on trial as well for the crimes of his grandfather.. Or would you like to answer the crimes of your father?” Falcontalon challenged to which Twilightstrike glared at the older spirit
“Let Firestar give his answers for these accusations, you cannot let a feline go on trail and not let him speak for himself.. You cannot strip his lives just because you feel like it.” Twilightstrike said, turning towards the other felines who had given Firestar his lives.. Mothflutter had remained silent and turned away, while Scarlettbreeze shook her head “We have to follow the rules of Starclan.” The female spirit simply said before looking down at her paws. Twilightstrike had shook his head slightly and looked towards the group of the elder spirits of Starclan “Let Firestar answer his own crime, but don’t strip him of his lives.. He has proven so many times on why he deserves to be leader, don’t take it from him.” Twilightstrike almost pleaded with the elder spirits.
It wasn’t until a clear voice from the elders spoke after a moment of silence “Firestar will be put on trial for his crimes.. If he’s deemed worthy, he will keep his lives and remain Skyclan leader.. However, if he fails.. Firestar will be stripped from his lives and a new leader will be named.” The spirit said before looking at the others who nodded in agreement. Looking at Falcontalon, the elder spirit nodded “Bring to accused to us so that we may start his trial”
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."