Trial

for Blazey's 100 Themes Challenge

 Trial

 by Silver

 Only the strong survive.

 Only the prepared are ready.

 Only the clever know your next move.

 Only the best can with the Trial.

 I. Introduction

 Smoke

Our Society has been led by my family for generations, from the very first Leader, Copper, to my father, Streak. It is our job to protect the Society and keep it prospering. We honor Copper's vow to never let it crumble like the Clans did.

I am taught by some of the finest Teachers in the Society. Although others may not have as knowledgeable Teachers, everyone gets good training, and has an excellent supply of food. 'Course, there are those lowly fleabags that make do in The Wild – a thick forest far from the Capital. Their ancestors that lived in Copper's time refused to help him, and so they were punished to the lives they live today.

They're lucky that Copper was so generous and let them stay on his land. I don't think they deserve to live in the Society – what their ancestors did was unforgivable. As soon as I become Leader, I'm exiling them.

The Trial is coming soon. It is held yearly to remind the Society that only the strongest, like Copper, thrive and accomplish great things. If you are older than six moons but younger than a year, you may be one of the fifty cats who get randomly picked to compete in the Trial. Eligible members of the Leading family have to compete.

I'm named after Copper's first son, Smoke. He won the first ever Trial, and since he was of the Leading family, he became Leader early. I want to be just like him.

Ordinary citizens of the Society who win get a special spot and treatment inside the Capital with their families. They're able to become a little more known, instead of just another cat of many. They won't be that known, because no one would want to listen to someone who lived surrounded by dirt and trees.

The Society has lasted generations, but no one has been able to beat a member of the Leading family. I intend not to let the Capital down. I've been training since I could mewl for the five different Events in the Trial.

The Trial takes place in the deepest, most dangerous, unexplored part of The Wild. Several Authorities from the Capital will monitor us throughout the entire Trial. News will be shared every sunrise to everyone in the Society, complete with deaths, triumphs and positions.

I flex my claws in anticipation. In two sunrises, everyone will know the fifty cats that have been chosen. The competitors will gather on the edge of The Wild. Breeze, a bubbly, exciting she-cat will be our Announcer, and one of the many who will recap each day of the Trial.

I will have to compete with my sister, the second-born, the Mistake. She never was supposed to survive, because the Leading families are only allowed one child. My mother let it live, despite my father's objection. He's loyal to Copper's Code, unlike her. When I learned all this, I knew my mother wasn't trustworthy. She willingly spared it from harm. Cinder shouldn't exist; I shouldn't have a littermate.

She sticks out like a thorn in a paw. Surely she will fall in the Trial – I know that she's weak. She can't beat me in a fight, much less anyone else. When she dies, the Mistake will be gone.

 II. Complicated

 Flicker