The Queen of Energy

chapter 13: The trial, part 3 (Stormy loses the trial)

Electra sat quietly, her now-slightly burgundy hair gently swaying as a faint breeze filtered through the room. She listened intently as the trial continued, observing the tension between the two sisters.

The judge leaned forward, focusing his gaze on Stormy. "So, Stormy," he began, his voice firm yet inquisitive, "you claim that you've been having issues with your older sister, Icy. Is that correct?"

Stormy straightened in her seat, her eyes flashing with frustration. "Yes, Your Honor," she replied, her tone steady but simmering with underlying anger. "Icy has been keeping secrets from both me and Darcy. She's been saying things that aren't true."

The judge shifted his attention toward Icy, who sat coolly, arms crossed in defiance. "Icy, you've heard the accusations. What do you have to say for yourself?" he asked, his tone expectant.

Icy's eyes narrowed as she leaned forward, her voice sharp. "Stormy is lying," she declared with a dismissive wave of her hand. "She doesn't have any proof of these so-called 'secrets' she's accusing me of."

Stormy's face hardened, but her response was more measured than usual. "I'm not lying," she retorted, her voice calm but resolute. "Icy is driven by greed, and it's blinding her to the truth. She's hiding things from me and Darcy."

The judge shook his head slowly. "Stormy, while your words may carry weight, you simply don't have enough evidence to support your claims. Without clear proof, I cannot rule in your favor." He sighed, then delivered his final verdict. "Icy wins the trial. Stormy, do not bring this case back until you can provide sufficient evidence."

Stormy's frustration finally boiled over, and she slammed her fist on the table. "Aw, come on!" she yelled, her temper flaring as she stomped out of the courtroom.

As the dust settled from the tense exchange, Electra rose from her seat. She had been carefully observing the interaction, her mind already working on a strategy. She hummed a single note, the soft sound resonating in the room as she lowered her Dome of Frequencies spell that had been subtly shielding her from the tension around her.

"It's alright, Stormy," Electra said gently, catching up to the fuming witch. Her voice was calm, though her words carried the weight of a well-thought-out plan. "You'll get another chance to set things right with Icy. I have a feeling this isn't the end of your conflict. In fact..." She paused, her eyes gleaming with determination. "I have a plan."

Stormy, still bristling from the loss, hesitated for a moment before turning to face the fairy of energy. Her curiosity piqued, and a glimmer of hope flickered in her eyes. "A plan?" she asked, her voice laced with skepticism but also intrigue.

Electra nodded confidently. "Yes, but we need to act carefully. This isn't about revenge—it's about strategy. Follow me." She turned, her steps deliberate as she led Stormy toward an open space outside the courtroom.

Behind them, Icy followed, her eyes narrowing with suspicion. She wasn't about to let her younger sister and Electra conspire without keeping a close watch.

As they reached the clearing, Electra turned to Stormy, her tone measured but determined. "We need to find the proof you were missing in there. We'll expose Icy's secrets, but we'll do it the smart way. Are you ready?"

Stormy smirked, her temper cooling as she began to see the bigger picture. "Yeah," she said, her voice low but determined. "Let's teach Icy a lesson."

Electra smiled faintly, her mind already running through the steps of their next move. This wasn't just about winning the trial—it was about outsmarting the competition, strategically and with precision.

And this time, they were going to make sure Icy wouldn't see it coming.