Disclaimer : I don't own Xena or any other characters from the show.
Authors Note : Well chapter three is here, sorry for the delay. Please R&R and I hope you enjoy…
Haunted By Desire
"Hope. How?" asked Xena.
"Well you were following Valaska and none of the Amazons were watching your precious Gabrielle, I kind of knocked her over the head, she's lying around somewhere. My mother was right I shouldn't have been the Princess of Darkness, I should be the ruler of the Amazons, Oh father's gonna be so proud," Hope replied sarcastically.
"Not if I can help it," said an angry Xena.
"I'm too close to full filling my fathers destiny so stay out of my way, and while I'm doing that there's nothing wrong with me having a little fun on the way and I think I'll start with my mother before the rest of her precious family," she said smirking at how she easily provoked Xena.
"You hurt you family you'll have me to deal with," Xena said almost snarling like an animal would when approaching it's pray.
"Oh I'm so scared," Hope replied sarcastically, "I could kill you with one blast but that would be far too easy and you need me to find Gabrielle."
"I'll find her just watch me!" Xena shouted as Hope disappeared.
She appeared before the Amazons.
"You're not our rightful princess, give us back the mask!" shouted Malosa, Queen of the Amazons.
"Get lost!" shouted Hope flicking out her hand, a bright light shot straight out towards Malosa hitting her in the chest, she fell to the floor…dead, "Anyone else want to get in the way of your Queen?"
The Amazons looked between Hope and Malosa before they began kneeling in front of her.
"What are you doing you're Amazons!" shouted Xena running into the Tribe.
"She's a goddess and we crowned her the Princess," said one of the Amazons, "besides Gabrielle really doesn't have what it takes to be a Princess let alone a Queen."
Hope stared at Xena and started smiling.
"Listen to yourselves, you're supposed to be Amazons independent strong women," Ephiny shouted.
The other Amazons looked at Ephiny before heading to stand on Hope's side.
"If your not with us you're against us and that means you'll die along with anyone else who gets in our way," Hope said glaring at the two Amazons stood with Xena.
"Lets get out of here," Xena whispered before the three of them run from the Tribe.
They set up a campfire not too far from the Tribe but far enough that they couldn't be heard.
"Where could she have taken Gabrielle?" Xena wondered aloud.
"I can't think of anywhere, the only place that's really well hidden is where we hide our goods but Hope wouldn't know about that," Ephiny replied as Salare nodded.
"I have a hunch, "said Xena, "take me there."
The Amazons nodded and they all set off towards the caves where their goods were held.
"Hey Xena I'm up here!" Gabrielle called from her position.
"I know, I saw you," replied Xena.
"Well can you cut me down?" she asked.
"Not right now," said Xena as she and the Amazons searched the caves.
"Not right now! You're not gonna leave me here are you?"
Xena laughed before cutting the rope that held Gabrielle up.
"Xena Hope she…."
"I know, she killed Malosa, now we have to stop her taking control of all the Amazons," Xena replied as they headed back to the Tribe.
"Listen to me fellow Amazons, she is not the rightful Queen, Gabrielle is!" Ephiny shouted as Gabrielle stepped forward.
"Hope! I want challenge you for the mask of the Amazon Queen."
"Fine," Hope said smirking.
"Gabrielle don't do this, don't be stupid," Xena warned.
Gabrielle paid no attention to Xena and headed towards Hope, "you don't use your powers."
"Ok, but I choose the weapon," Hope replied.
"Ok choose the weapon."
"Swords," Hope said holding out her hand as a sword appeared from nowhere.
Ephiny handed Gabrielle a sword and the fight between the pair began.
Gabrielle had been partially trained with a sword and managed to knock Hope to the floor holding the sword to her throat.
"Hope I don't want to kill you, you're my daughter and I love you."
"Oh come on, I killed your best friends son surely you want to punish me," said Hope angrily.
"No I don't want to punish you Hope," Gabrielle said trying not to let her emotions get the better of her.
Hope kicked the sword and stood up pushing Gabrielle backwards, "you should have killed me while you had the chance mother!" she cried disappearing.
Gabrielle turned to face the other Amazons, "Now who is your Queen?" she shouted.
"You are Gabrielle!" they shouted kneeling in front of her.
Gabrielle took the mask from the stand and held it above her head before placing it over her face. The Amazons cheered.
Xena watched Gabrielle shocked that she would choose the Amazons over her.
