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”
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.