Burning Justice pt 2 - THE TRIAL (OPEN FOR ALL)

Burningsun nodded to the medicine cat, promising her silently to go and comfort her after this was all over. She hated the fact that she was causing Amberdawn this pain, but it was necessary to protect the clan; hopefully Amberdawn knew this. If Burningsun came out of this alive, she vowed to hunt the she-cat's favorite thing daily for the rest of her life.

The murmuring in the camp helped give Burningsun the cover to decide - for sure - what she was about to do. Advocating for the death of your leader, no matter how murderous and tyrant, was borderline treason. With a deep breath, the firey warrior squared her shoulder and tightened her jaw. Controlled, firm, and passionate. She was a controlled flame, burning away the dead bushes to bring new life to the forest. When the old, choking weeds were gone life would come back to the forest floor. Or perhaps, she was the New Leaf sun, slowly melting away the frozen snow slowly starving the bellies that lived. Or perhaps... She was the hawks that killed her parents... But she preferred the former two options.

Finally, she spoke. "Clanmates. StarClan has heard Tinystar's story of protecting the Clan from a cat that attacked a medicine cat, with Sparrowpaw's story of dedication to the clan and desperation. Mintwhisker has confirmed that Sparrowpaw did attack her, but Amberdawn has brought up the fact that Mintwhisker had killed Sparrowpaw's father, Sedgestrike, and that Sparrowpaw most likely found out moments before attacking Mintwhisker." Her tail flicked. That summary was concise and to the point. "But we must bring it back to the fact that when questioned, Tinystar has finally taken on guilt and admitted he made a mistake. He did not give her a chance to flee, he did not speak to any other clan members about this decision. And most importantly, StarClan has viewed her as innocent. She joined their ranks despite the claimed attack on a medicine cat." This was it. This was the moment that would make or break her life. "My suggestion is that we, as Clanmates vote to demote Tinystar to a warrior or deputy for two moons. However, I am insisting that if you, Tinystar," For the first time in a while, Burningsun fixed her gaze on the tiny leader. "Since Sparrowpaw was forced to lose her life for mistake, I demand you lose one. Though she only had one, you have many. If a mistake costs a life, and you admit this was a mistake, it's only justice for the punishment to be enacted. By accepting this punishment, you are proving to your clan, to the other clans, and to StarClan that you are truly a redeemed cat.... But first, while you ponder this, let's vote..." Burningsun turned her head to her clanmates and silently counted as they spoke their vote.

[After SkyClan has voted]

The warrior couldn't help but feel dismayed. Amberdawn had abstained - a vote she wasn't surprised about - but Leafwhirl did too. Sandblaze, Swallowflight, and Lightfang were the only ones who agreed with her being demoted. StarClan, did she love those three. However, she was saddened when her own mother didn't take her side. Granted, Tinystar was her father but... It still hurt after what Daylily had kept from her. The wounds were just healing.

Whatever. "Clanmates, you have voted to not demote Tinystar and keep him as leader despite his actions as one." The first - and only - hint of annoyance slipped through her calm demeaner. "However, what remains is the punishment I insist." Once again, the young warrior turned to look at Tinystar intensely. "Tinystar, for your execution I offer you two choices. You may chose to die the quicker but painful way of Deathberries, or as Sparrowpaw's representative, bringing about her justice, I will take that life myself. As a leader still, I leave this decision up to you." She sat back, her heart racing faster than a hare being hunted.

After hearing so many sides to the story—Sparrowpaw’s, Tinystar’s, Mintwhisker’s, Amberdawn’s—Lightfang’s head spun. By his own admission, he’d never been much of a thinker when it came to things like this. Analyzing possibilities was easy; the art of analyzing other cats to determine which was most truthful eluded him. Sparrowpaw had blood on her paws (albeit not in the “murder” sense); Tinystar did as well, and Mintwhisker, despite being appointed to heal. Who was justified and who wasn’t… Lightfang was often out of his depth, but this was a new and frightening form of it. Somehow, he could only think of Mosspaw as he averted his eyes from the medicine cat he hardly knew. Mintwhisker wasn’t on trial, praise the stars; she was just another Clanmate Lightfang would have to be wary of. For the moment, that was enough.

Burningsun gave her demands, and Lightfang’s ears flattened against his skull, tail sweeping close. A life for a life. Whether the price had been issued by Sparrowpaw or Burningsun, he felt in the pit of his gut that, in a horrible sort of way, it was fair—and it was not at all careful. Tinystar would have Burningsun’s pelt for this. Perhaps not now, but someday. It was well within his power.

That the main cause of his fear was not, in fact, having to watch his leader die occurred to Lightfang in a distant fashion, the way a cat might note the weather before heading out on patrol. Perhaps he was in shock.

For what felt like the first time in seasons, silence fell over the camp. Then, one by one, SkyClan began to speak their votes. Sandblaze and Swallowflight voted for demotion; Burningsun’s stance was already clear. When Lightfang’s turn came, he hesitated. He feared Tinystar—so much more now that he knew Sparrowpaw had been punished so severely for something not so different from what he had done—but he feared StarClan more. Furthermore, he respected them. At some point, Tinystar had earned that respect; in time, if he cared to try, he could do so again; but he did not have it now. Strength in numbers, the pale tom thought, and cast his vote. He doubted Tinystar would be swayed from punishing them just because they were four instead of three; to face the consequences with them was the only protection he could give.

As the vote finished with himself and his family in the minority, in danger, he longed to stand beside Burningsun on the Tallbranch more than ever. Instead, he looked toward Tinystar. Somewhere in the back of his head, the gravity of his friend's second demand was beginning to register. Lightfang's tail curled tighter in an attempt to hide the faint tremble of his paws. He wasn't sure which option was worse, only that Tinystar's refusal would doom Burningsun. More blood whichever way he looked. All he could hope was that, with this, justice would be done. This would end.

Mintwhisker lifted her lip in a snarl at Burningsun's words. Kill Tinystar?
The orange she-cat preached justice and peace, but when the time came, she really was just like every other leader they'd had. "Hypocrite!" she jeered, her tail lashing the ground. "You complain about Tinystar killing Sparrowpaw without consulting us, and then you demand his death without even a vote! When will this cycle of bloodshed end, Burningsun?"
Cycle of bloodshed... she was one to talk. Mintwhsiekr cast a murky-eyed glance at her clanmates before sitting and staring up at the young warrior angrily. It didn't matter who started this- it wasn't a nursery argument, for Starclan's sake.
Burningsun wasn't a hero. She had gone too far, all in the name of a she-cat she'd never met.
She was delusional if she thought that she'd be able to change anything, anyway. The only way to truly resolve these things was by letting them fade away from memory, lost to all but the oldest elders. It would've worked, too, if Sparrowpaw hadn't intervened.

If Burningsun went through with this, she wouldn't be remembered as a great warrior. She would be a murderer, just like Tinystar, just like Sedgestrike.
She's just like me.


Although Mintwhisker wanted to pretend that her anger came from a place of righteousness and honor, she was more concerned about securing Tinystar's future as Skyclan's leader. He was one of the only cats in the clan who would support her if the truth- whatever it was -got out, and it was essential that he stay in a place of power.
Her selfishness disgusted her. She pushed it aside. There was no virtuous facade now, and although her clanmates couldn't see her intentions, she was fully aware of them. Her whiskers trembled.

Watching as the clan voted, Tinystar couldn't help but drop his tense shoulders in relief. His clanmates did have his back, well, most of them anyway. He mentally noted the few that voted on his demotion; they would be kept a close eye on for sure. What came next shouldn't have been a surprise, but his ears fell flat against his head as he snapped his gaze to Burningsun. Lose a life? She didn't want justice... she wanted to see his reign fall, and if anything, she was just as merciless as he had been!

Die by deathberries or her own claws... Both were obvious options, seeing as though they were what he'd offered Sparrowpaw. StarClan... how his actions really came back to get him.

Being the leader, he could've stopped everything right then and there. Exile Burningsun and her followers with a nothing more than a few simple words and life would go back to normal, with no deaths. And oh how he was so very tempted to do so. But reeling his thoughts back in, he remembered what he'd told himself at the start of the trial. 'Give them what they want; they deserve it.' He hated it, hated all of it. Losing a life just as he'd taken one... he knew justice needed to be served, but this definitely did not seem like the right choice. Then again, if he was to deny such judgement and exile the she-cat that sat next to him, his humble facade would be gone in an instant, and once again, he'd be the monster his clanmates fear him to be. So, in the end, death was the only option.

After several moments of going through the options in his head, he decided. "I choose..." he began. Was he really agreeing to this? Yes, he had to. To end this cycle of needless chaos, no matter how unforgiving Burningsun's demands were.

"Your claws."

While part of him didn't want to dare give Burningsun such satisfaction of killing him herself, he also wanted those who doubted him to watch him suffer. Maybe then, they would realize who they'd chosen to support. He knew where he stood and where Sparrowpaw stood, and losing a life by "her" claws of retribution almost seemed poetic, though of course that wasn't the intent here. While she might've thought it was a great idea at the time, Burningsun would learn to regret killing him herself, just as he had dreaded every day since he'd took Sparrowpaw's life.

Climbing down the tree, Tinystar took his place in the center of the parted crowd. Head high and tail wrapped neatly around his paws, he faced the ginger she-cat, locking his gaze with her's. Yes, he had been humbled by such judgement, but that didn't mean he had to die looking like a scared mouse. He wasn't afraid of death, far from it actually. Death was just something that came with life, and as a leader, he knew he had his fair share of second chances. Of course, that wouldn't be the case forever, but for now, it wasn't on the top of his rapidly growing "things to worry over" list. If anything, he was more fearful of who he'd meet up in StarClan, seeing as though whoever was up there felt just as strongly as Burningsun did. Whoever it was, his reason for being their would be one heck of a story to share.

Swanpaw turned with concern as Amberdawn's voice broke beside her, her words ending in a sob. "Amberdawn... You don't have to, it's alright...." She said softly as she rested her tail gently on the older cat's shoulders, trying to put a soothing tone into her voice even as helplessness and uncertainty overwhelmed her. And an odd, burning anger towards Burningsun. This she-cat... did she even care what this was doing to her Clan? Yes, punishment should have been meted out, but to bring it up now, and so callously.... Her tail lashed behind her as the warrior continued on, calling for a vote to demote Tinystar.

Swanpaw considered it for a moment or two, remembering the feelings of utter helplessness and confusion as her father had torn out a young cat's throat. He made a mistake, yes... but.... She glanced over at her father, and then back to Amberdawn. He's not the same cat he was then. He's changed, for the better. Closing her eyes and letting out a soft breath, she called out the answer her heart told her was right, before opening them again to stare defiantly at the ginger she-cat.

Disappointment was clear in the others eyes as she stared down at them, but at least she accepted it. Swanpaw let out a quiet sigh of relief as the she-cat moved on. Please let that be the end of this trial.... Then Burningsun spoke the words that instantly cast a dark shadow over the entire clearing. "...The punishment I insist." Instantly, she felt cold dread snaking up to clutch at her throat. The look in those eyes - one frozen blue, the other a cold green reminiscent of a newly snapped branch - held the same utter coldness and disregard for life as another's had on a day long ago, when leaf-bare had frozen more than just the ground. No... no....

Execution. Without a choice from anyone else.

"Hypocrite!" A cry ripped from her maw, echoing that of Mintwhisker as she rose from her place beside Amberdawn, blue eyes blazing. "You-!" A hacking cough tore through the rest of her sentence as her voice broke, and she spent a moment getting her breath back before turning watering eyes that only accentuated the spark in them back to the she-cat she was - StarClan forgive her - beginning to loathe. "How can you ask for this? Hasn't..." Another cough broke free of her mouth,  "...enough blood been spilt from this one mistake already? What are you, another monster to take the place of the one you seek to punish?" The fiery heat of her inner feelings burned so hot she barely felt her claws scoring the ground, her limbs tensed to leap. This time she would not sit here and do nothing. "You say you seek justice for Sparrowpaw's death, but what justice will this bring? Taking a life has never given one back. What I see is another tyrant, another heartless impostor trying to pass off evil as good!"

She narrowed her eyes at the branch and the cat sitting there, feeling her breath coming in short, wheezing bursts. Surely she wouldn't be able to defeat a healthy warrior, but maybe, maybe she could slow her down enough for the other cat to think. If the look in the other's eyes was anything to go by, that icy deadness smoldering in the name of "justice," this cat would stop at nothing to give out the punishment she thought Tinystar deserved. I will not let this happen!

And then a voice she'd never expected to hear broke through the thoughts even as she prepared to move, instantly taking the strength from her legs and leaving her with nothing to stand on.

"I choose... your claws."

Her maw opened in a soundless cry, the air knocked from her lungs as she stared in disbelief at her father. "No... No! Father, this is wrong! You can't agree to this! Not..." Her legs shook like leaves in a gale as another coughing fit tore through her weakened frame, turning to a wheezing sound halfway between a plea and a sob. "Not again...."

It would happen all over again. And just like last time, she wouldn't be able to stop it.

Please....

It was enough. Finally, it was enough; Burningsun's nod went unnoticed as Amberdawn kept her face towards the medicine den and away from the bold warrior. No amount of gratitude could sweeten the bitter feelings that had been stirred. Burningsun addressed the Clan again, reiterating the points that they had covered and the things they had learned. Amberdawn wanted to tune them out, but she couldn't - even in all the rest of her misery. She wanted to protest when Burningsun stated that Sparrowpaw had most likely found out that Mintwhisker killed her father. That isn't what I said! Amberdawn thought, but it was. She knew it was. And she believed it, too. Maybe it wasn't true, but it was possible. Secrets tended to compound, and Mintwhisker clearly had many.

When Burningsun began to list out Tinystar's confessions, the medicine cat only felt her misery grow. Amberdawn felt Swanpaw beside her speaking soft words of comfort, but they did no good. It continued to hurt hearing a warrior speak with knowledge of StarClan that Amberdawn hadn't been granted. What hurt worse, however, was Burningsun's demand: Tinystar must lose a life as payment for the one that he stole from Sparrowpaw. The warrior seemed content to gloss over that for a moment; however, the rest of the Clan was not. There were several discontented mutterings and outbursts. Among them was Swanpaw, her crackling, rasping voice crying out of hipocrisy and monsters and tyrants. The medicine cat should have rushed to the aid of her patient.

Amberdawn, however, thought only of Silverplume's broad face and yellow, sad eyes, his words ringing, "The sun will spill blood for the blood that was spilled; when a life for life is given, then justice will be fulfilled."

The outcome was predetermined.

"It's out of your paws, Amberdawn."

Burningsun wished for Tinystar to be demoted for a short time, living the life of a lower rank until he earned the privelege of leadership again. She called for a vote for that measure - noble, but ultimately unsatisfactory. Amberdawn simply stayed still, abstaining from the vote as she sat in her storm cloud of thought. Burningsun's disappointment when the Clan didn't support her suggestion was barely audible, but it was understandable; if Tiynstar was to die, then the Clan expected that would be punishment enough. Amberdawn wondered if death ever changed a cat, but the thought was crushed and lost in the maelstrom.

Whether the rest of the Clan agreed with the death or not, it seemed that Tinystar had resigned himself to accept Burningsun's verdict and punishment. Amberdawn was disgusted, horrified, and utterly unsurprised when Tinystar demanded that Burningsun be the one to take the life from him since she was the one representing Sparrowpaw, who had been wrongfully executed by the judgement of this trial and StarClan. Certainly, demand violence of cats after condoning them for it, the she-cat thought angrily, closing her eyes and sitting up a little straighter.

Beside her, Swanpaw let out a shriek and begged Tinystar to take back his decision - to not agree. A strange coldness had begun creeping through Amberdawn. Did Swanpaw not realize that Tinystar had many lives? He would die, and then he would live, and he would learn. Swanpaw fell into a wheezing fit after her desperate plea. The medicine cat stood then and padded into the medicine den, her face coldly empty despite the puffy redness of her eyes.

Inside the medicine den...:

Amberdawn returned from the medicine cat den to Swanpaw's side, bearing a beech leaf with coltsfoot and tansy. The she-cat sat the bundle down and brushed her body against her friend's, murmuring into her ear, "Swanpaw, lay down - Tinystar is being brave. He knows he will be alright; StarClan chose him as leader." The words felt empty. She nudged the bundle towards her friend. "If you won't lay, at least sit and eat these."

Then, without waiting, the golden tabby stated flatly, "I have to go." She struck off along the edge of the camp towards and exit with her head even with her shoulders and tail low; she wasn't hiding, but she wasn't inviting attention either. Amberdawn's dark eyes sought out Leaftwirl in the crowd - her first, dearest friend, with whom she had lost her connection and failed to rekindle a bond (or so it felt). Would the she-cat understand? Would anyone? It was out of her paws. She saw Sandblaze, too, and hoped he wouldn't feel betrayed by her, too. Doubtless he would, with the knowledge they shared between them. I'm sorry.

Amberdawn reached and exit and slipped through soundlessly. As she left, the weight of her title as medicine cat of SkyClan, grand-daughter of Tinystar, sloughed off her shoulders to stay with the Clan that owned it.

The outrage of the clan she knew and loved surprised her greatly, though it shouldn't have. The words that Tinystar spoke hardly registered in her ears before Mintwhisker spoke up. The words 'hypocrite' were being flung at her by every side, yet her focus was only on this she-cat that had left for moons and she hardly knew. It hit her in that moment that even if she made it out of this Trial alive, she would not be safe in this clan for the foreseeable future. Taking a deep breath, she tore away her gaze from the other accepted murderer in this clan. StarClan, Amberdawn was the only hope to keep this clan from going down a darker path than ShadowClan's territory. As Swanpaw outcried, it was a fresh reminder of who Tinystar cared about in this clan. It was no coincidence that Mistyrain was Tinystar's sibling, Mintwhisker was his granddaughter, and Amberdawn was too. Her leader was a tyrant, and though justice was about to be served she did not believe for one second he was a changed cat.

"Friends," she began, though her words started to sound more hollow. Exhausted. Spent... Scared. "The cycle of bloodshed will end today. It is not fair that you only cry for the stop of this cycle when it is time for the one who started it to face his justice. We need to protect our clan- StarClan and the other clans will see this as fit. Tinystar has numerous lives, he will not be leaving us today. Yet he will feel the pain and torment he inflicted on another cat so easily. That is my hope." She paused, her pretty face dropping in exhaustion for a simple second. This time her voice was quieter, and perhaps most of the cats couldn't hear. "I just wanted to protect you all." The moment dragged on for what felt like an eternity, but must have only been a few heartbeats. Sucking in yet another breath, inflating her body with fake confidence, she stood up and leapt down from the place she was perching. During this movement, she knew for a fact it would be the only time up there, despite everything she had ever dreamed of and worked for. She simply wasn't blood enough, to put it simply.

As her paws hit the ground, her multicolored gaze finally landed on Tinystar again. She took in his body into consideration. It would almost be difficult to kill him with how small he was. Standing here, it was a haunting reminder that she had only been in a fight once and it was easy as anything. As the sun bore down on her back, Burningsun extended her claws. Glancing up at the sky, Burningsun gave a brief prayer to StarClan, apologizing for what she was about to do despite being asked to serve justice. To keep her safe and Lightfang and Sandblaze safe after this.

With no more hesitation, Burningsun lunged at her leader. A flash of ginger like a burning flame to the tiny cat. Without thinking, the young warrior's jaw wrapped around Tinystar's neck. Easily, her teeth punctured flesh and blood filled her mouth. With every ounce of her being, she tried closing her eyes but her training kept them open and white fur filled her nose and her eyes. Doing her best to make this as humane as possible for her image, she quickly tore Tinystar's throat so the clan wouldn't have to see their leader dying a slow death.

With that movement came a large gush of the hot liquid, coating Burningsun's face, neck, and chest. Finally, she released her grip and the body of her leader flopped to the ground. She stood there, stunned, as the blood pooled so quickly around him and around her paws. Slowly she looked to the ground seeing a sight she could never un-see; her paws and legs caked in blood, a large pool with the center being Tinystar.

How could any cat experience this and not feel remorse? Tinystar was a monster and yet... Guilt twinged in her gut. Or perhaps it was the disgusting sight... But no, it was guilt. Yet something... Felt... No Burningsun...

Where was Lightfang?

ooc: mobile

Lightfang's eyes slipped shut again, hiding the terrible, traitorous relief threatening to break onto his face. His paws fell still. Tinystar's acceptance guaranteed nothing—he could just as easily wake up and declare Burningsun's head the next to roll—but he had agreed without protest, and the whole Clan had heard him. Perhaps the bulk of SkyClan wouldn't care if he changed his mind. Perhaps they would. Either way, Lightfang prayed Tinystar wouldn't risk setting the cycle in motion once more.

Mintwhisker had cried hypocrisy; voice ravaged by illness, Swanpaw did the same. Sandblaze, his bravery and grasp on language as enviable as ever, shouted back. In the midst of that, Lightfang almost missed the golden tabby heading toward the camp's exit. When he did spot her, her tail nearly dragging in the moments before it disappeared, he flicked an ear and thought nothing of it; Swallowflight had come back when he was ready, so why shouldn't she? After what the medicine cat had revealed, in front of the entire Clan at that, it made perfect sense to him that she would want to be alone. Not once did he consider her departure might be permanent.

He didn't watch. There was no need to. With a stab of horror, he realized the sound of claws against flesh was unmistakeable. Lightfang turned back to see red on Burningsun and Tinystar and the earth beneath them both. Burningsun's movements were painfully slow; Tinystar didn't move at all.

Instinct whispered, Murderer, but Lightfang, knowing better, corrected it: Burningsun. Of all the deaths that had led them to this moment, only this one, to his knowledge, had been guided by the stars. Even now, as his friend stood with fur speckled crimson well past her chest, he believed her. He stepped forward, separating himself from the crowd, until the nauseating warmth of Tinystar's blood was scarcely a kittenstep from his pawpads. For fear the rest of SkyClan might think he wanted to attack their fallen leader (or that Burningsun, in shock, might think he wanted to attack her), he moved no closer. There would be time for comfort when the threat had passed. Once again, this was all he could give. His tail lashed as he stared, waiting for Tinystar—anyone—to breathe.

Sagepaw had been lurking in the back of the crowd of cats for the entirety of the trial. He was sitting down, tail lashing, his head low. All the bustling noise of the crowd chattering and the yelling from various Clanmates made his head spin. It began to sound like a block of noise and he shook his head often, trying to clear it. Burningsun, Mintwhisker, Sandblaze, Swanpaw, even his own brother Spottedleap. All of this was news to him. He had always viewed Tinystar as an unwavering pillar of the Clan and all this information shook the tom to his very core. Tinystar, a murderer? He hadn't been alive when Sparrowpaw was murdered and no cat spoke of it since then. Sagepaw crouched down low on the ground, ears flattening to his head. His head hurt. He was so confused. He knew something happened to Mintwhisker, she obviously had a large scar on her face. He had no idea she was a murderer too. His stomach lurched. Maybe...maybe it was justified in some way? Maybe he was overthinking it. He would have to talk to Spottedleap, maybe he knew more about it. Murderers... Murdering was bad. His fur bristled. He never once wanted to take the life of another cat; life was a precious thing and he wasn't strong enough to take that away. Was it murder? Was Burningsun murdering Tinystar? Through the noise in his head he caught a bit of what was being said at the front of the crowd. Tinystar wanted to lose a life by Burningsun's paw. Guilty. So he was guilty. Was he? The Clan had decided. Tinystar had decided. Guilty. Mintwhisker was guilty. Poor Amberdawn, his dear friend. Sagepaw had squeezed his eyes shut tightly but opened them slightly when he smelled Amberdawn's scent. He looked up to see her quietly leaving the camp, head and tail low. Maybe she needed fresh air. She would be back, right? Right? She couldn't leave him too. Everyone always left him. He suddenly caught another noise. A wet splattering noise and the thud of a body hitting the ground. The metallic smell of blood hit his nose and...he couldn't breathe. He couldn't breathe. He couldn't--he was up on his feet and darting towards the apprentices' den, gasping for air as his whole body trembled. This couldn't be happening. The apprentice hid in the deep recesses of the den, curling up tightly around himself in the darkness as tears streamed down his face. His entire world had turned upside down and he had no idea what to do.

Flowerpaw, like Sagepaw, had lingered towards the back of the crowd. She hadn't been alive for what had went down with Sparrowpaw and their leader. She listened to such fierce words being traded between her older clanmates. The pale apprentice tried to comprehend what was happening as best as she could. Tinystar killed an apprentice.. Somehow Mintwhisker killed too. Burningsun seemed to demand so much from their leader. Flowerpaw thought the ginger cat was going to the extreme trying to punish Tinystar. He had owned up to what he did, wasn't that enough? Couldn't that go back to be a good clan again? The answer she received was no. It seemed her leader thought dying was a good punishment. He.. He wanted to die? She couldn't understand. Blue eyes focused down on the two cats at the front of the clearing. Burningsun and Tinystar.. She tried to steel herself for what was to come but nothing would prepare her. She never thought... She couldn't ever see one of her clanmates murdering her leader but it was happening right in front of her eyes. She flinched at the thud of Tinystars body. Her blue eyes going wide with shock. Slowly they drifted towards Burningsun. One thought in her mind. Murderer. It was a natural thought. Being young she didn't understand.

A flash beside her managed to break her eyes from the gruesome scene in front of her. Sagepaw.. The tom had seen it too. Flowerpaw stood, her whole body shaking from the shock and panic that settled into her system. She followed the other apprentice into the den. They both needed comfort. Maybe they could find it in each other. The pale tabby curled herself around the other apprentice. The press of fur together bring her a small sense of relief. They would be okay. Right? The clan was still safe. Right? As these thoughts flashed in her mind, she ignored them and instead focused on Sagepaw. They needed each other right now to calm down.

He should've cared about losing a life, but the fact was, he was exhausted. Not only from the weight of his own sins, but from life in general. It was all too much for the little tom, no matter how collected he tried to stay and seem. Listening as his clan pleaded and fought for his sake, he closed his eyes once Burningsun stood across from him. He found himself surprised at the faith his family and friends had in him, even with his transgressions exposed, but none of that mattered now. In a moment, it would all be over.

And it was.

Within seconds, Tinystar's lifeless body fell to the ground with a thud, blood spewing from his jugulars as if he'd just been attacked by a fox.

It had been a quick and painless death, much to his surprise. He'd thought for certain, Burningsun wouldn't show as much as an ounce of mercy, but she managed to relieve him from the burden of life swiftly. Maybe him being gone was a good thing. It wasn't as though his clan needed him, seeing as though he'd only caused them pain and confusion. So maybe, just maybe, this was all for the good of the clan and hopefully, Burningsun had managed to rid SkyClan of him completely, seeing as though it would be best for everyone...

Opening his eyes, Tinystar stood up and instantly knew something was wrong.

Looking around, a hazy mist surrounded him. There were no stars that glimmered about or on his pelt, no rolling plains or stardust cats milling about... instead, a shiver shot up the tiny legged tom's spine and looking down, his throat had neither healed or was gushing blood. No.... it couldn't be... On one side of him sat a chilling darkness and whipping his head around, the sight of shimmering stars was just barely visible through the mist. He wasn't in StarClan, how could this be? Did he really deserve to be in such a dreaded place? He couldn't stay here, he had to be with his friends and family, with Crowstar, Antdrop, and Moonlight. They were all in StarClan and that's where he needed to be, not here, where ever 'here' was.

Taking hesitant steps forward, the sudden sight of a shadow through the gloomy fog stopped him in his tracks. "Hello?" he called out, unable to see more than a foxlength in front of him.

A low rumble left the shadowy figure's throat. He didn't want to be here. He didn't want to be having this talk with his son. The very same threat that he was given a long time ago, he would be giving to Tinystar. It pained him on the inside but it needed to be done. The black fluffy tom walked forward the mist seemed to part as the large leader moved through it. His pelt shining with the stars. The only sign of good in the dark place. On the other side of the mist laid the dark forest. Despite the thick mist, the curling brambles and thorns could still be seen by the former Skyclan leader. He knew that place all to well.

"Tinystar." Crowstar growled out. "I never thought I would meet you like this." The disappointment was clear in Crowstar's voice. "I think its very clear where you are. How its very different from where you usually would end up." Yellow eyes scanned the small cats figure, seeming to pause on the neck wound. The killing blow. At least it was a fast death. It was clean and merciful on the warriors part. His gaze soon returned to the leaders face. His stare cold and harsh.  "All I can ask is why? Why did you make these choices that you did? Don't you care for your clan? Our clan?" The former leader paused, his mind coming up with what to say next. "If something doesn't change soon, Tinystar, look behind you and see where you will end up. It isn't a pleasant place to be. Believe me. I have been there." Crowstar's cold gaze drifted up to the Dark Forest in front of him, and behind the small leader. The mist seeming to part with the dead leader's gaze. The dark abandoned land being shone in its true nature. Crowstar could feel its dark energy, it seemed like it called to the Starclan warrior, like he belonged there instead of where he was.

Spottedleap dug his claws into the ground beneath his paws. Could he really stand there and watch a fellow warrior publicly execute his leader? He remained by Foxpaw's side, unwilling to leave the injured apprentice unguarded as though another warrior might begin lunging at other clanmates. He saw the disappointment in Burningsun's eyes. Was taking a life not enough excitement for her? Anger prickled at him like heat from the midday sun. But he wouldn't interfere. He couldn't. It was Tinystar's will to submit to his death, and Spottedleap would not protest as he did not protest Sparrowpaw's death. He felt powerless and unfamiliar, and scanning the reactions of the other warriors, he realized that he truly did not recognize the faces of those born in the mountains. They were not like the forest cats. The were born into something different out there. And they were pulling SkyClan to bits and calling it justice.

He snarled at Sandblaze, a wordless response to his half-brother's outburst against Mintwhisker. He wasn't going to argue against someone who would use Tinystar's own defense of protecting family and yet condemn him in the same breath.

The warrior turned back to the pair in the tree, heart racing and eyes narrowed. At least some cats called out against her even if he couldn't. He was beyond grateful for Mintwhisker's return, but the timing had been awful. Things only had become more complicated. Several cats already knew about Sedgestrike and Mintwhisker, but Burningsun seemed to press Amberdawn for more information as though there was something else to be learned, like Mintwhisker's act of self-defense was worth questioning. It was all very frustrating to the spotted tomcat. His only action was to bad touch is tail across Foxpaw's shoulders, secretly attempting to receive comfort as much as give it.

He watched the execution without flinching. He'd seen that much blood before, but it had been a dog tearing a young apprentice into shreds at the foot of the Highstones before he was separated from SkyClan and WindClan. The novel sight of the event was Tinystar's body, limp, breathless. Spottedleap's anger turned to disgust and then resignation, leaving a heavy pit in his stomach that likely would stick with him for a while. His eyes stayed on his leader and Burningsun. Behind him, Amberdawn abandoned her clan, but he didn't see. He wouldn't disservice his leader with cowardice - not anymore than he already had. The camp was silent. They were all waiting for the same thing.

Squinting his eyes as the figure grew closer, Tinystar was shocked to see the cat to be his father, Crowstar, though he should've known. What better cat to scold him than his own father. Listening to the large, fluffy black tom, the disappointment was more than evident enough in his tone and left Tinystar speechless. Why? He'd been asking himself that same question and yet, though several moons had passed, he still had no clear answer.

"I... I don't know," he choked out, his light blue gaze not leaving Crowstar's muzzle. "It j-just happened, I don't know what came over me," the miniature sized leader mewed. What a pathetic excuse for an answer, and what a pathetic excuse he was for a son and leader, no doubt.

Turning his head to look behind him, a shiver shot up his long spine. Maybe he did deserve to be here, in the Mist... in the Dark Forest. He'd taken a cat's life, so it was only fitting for a murderer like him.