Hollow victory (джен)

The palace grounds burned, red upon red, crimson blood flickering from the shadows of the flames.
“What’s wrong?” Zuko taunted, spreading his hands wide. “No lightning today? Too afraid I’ll redirect it?” Experience told Zuko taunting Azula never ended well for him, but today, just somehow, he could feel that his sister was off.
“You waNT lighTNIng?” Whatever pride or control the princess once held dear to herself was gone, her voice screeching as it tore across the burning battlefield. “I’ll give you lightning.” The princess crackled, arms moving stiffly as they jerked in the air, hands snapping into place and fingers uncurling.
It was fine, Zuko told himself, as he held out a hand calmly to receive the blast of energy.
It was fine. It was supposed to be fine.
Until it was not.
He noticed too late, and the lightning screamed through the air, burning a hole right through the girl behind him.