Can A Clone Feel? (A She-Ra Fanfiction) (On Hiatus)

Senna and Nieta

Mercy's POV

Thickets brushed against my legs as I ran, my fur tangled in the thorns, but I couldn't slow down. I needed to get to the cliffs, I needed the adrenaline in my body like you need lungs to breathe.

The forests of Valor Cliffs were spectacular this time of year in the late fall. There was a thin layer of week-old snow on the ground, large paw prints pressed into the snow, fallen oak leaves littered the ground just under the icy surface.

When you run, what's going through your head? Why are you running? Is there someone behind you? Someone watching? Maybe you're just running someone's aid, or there is something you need. I know what I need, I need the thrill of the chase, I thrive one it. I thrive on the knowledge I gain, I survive so I can be free, so I can live free.

The underbrush scraped my underbelly, thorns tangling in my fur. I kept still despite the itch; I wasn't going to mess this up. My black eyes were fixed on the tawny hide of the massive stag that tearing through the forest ahead of me.

If I could get it to the cliffs, I could corner it, and then I'd be a real wolf, a real member of the pack. I raced forward, jaws snapping at its heals. I will not be the last one in my pack age group to take down a stag alone, I was doing this today.

The stag made a sharp turn and I yelped as I went spinning out of control, my shoulder slammed into a spruce trunk. I gasped in shock, the pain numbing my senses as I staggered up, shaking out my black and silver fur. I righted myself, continuing to shake out my body to rid my pelt of the wet leaves and snow.

I blinked to clear my vision and directed my eyes to the path of the disappearing stag. I felt disappointment and anger bubble up in my chest, the hot burn rise in my throat. I stamped my front paws on the ground, the wet leaves swallowing the force of impact.

"Stupid. Tree!"  I grunted in-between stamps.

"What did the tree do to you this time?"

I turned my head to see two she-wolves approaching me through the far-off trees. The first was Senna, her pelt was ash brow with pale shades streaking through her thick fur. Her eyes were the most vibrant shade of amber, with flaxen traces and golden flecks lining the black void of her pupil.

Nieta had white fur that had a few streaks of grey on her back and forehead. The grey markings on her head were interrupted by a crescent moon shape that was naturally patterned on her head. Her amethyst eyes held an air of relaxation about them.

"Can't help that I'm the worst hunter in Valor, but the trees are not helping."   I said, walking towards them to meet the two.

We had been friends since my family arrived here, and they had really helped me come out of my shell during the dark times of being refugees.

"Well, you can hang out with Nieta, she's good company."  Senna said and looked playfully over at Nieta.

Nieta glared at Senna when she realized the whole 'good company' thing, was an insult to her own hunting skills.

"Ha! I could run faster than the two of you combined."  Nieta teased playfully and turned her back on Senna, whipping her tail across our faces.

Senna reacted on instinct and jumped at Nieta with a snarl. Senna bowled Nieta onto her back and I watched, entertained to my liking. Nieta snapped her jaws around Senna's front leg and snipped at it. Senna yelped and jumped back, sending leaves and now spaying at me. Felling the thrill of the playful combat I joined in.

I reared up on my hind legs in a bear-like fashion and slammed my paws into Senna's chest. She reached around to the back of my neck and with a wrenching force, pulled me over, and I landed on top of Nieta who yelped in shock.

"Get your fat and furry butt off me, Mercy!"  She shouted playfully, and I struggled to find a position to get off of her.

"My butt is adorable."  I smirked back.

Senna helped, push me off Nieta and I shook out my fur.

"Let's stop messing around. We've got pampering to do."  Nieta said, shaking out her fur.

"Why? Is that some kind of surrender? Because I beat you? Because I am awesome?"  Senna said and I burst out in a crow like cackle.

Senna darted off before Nieta could object to Senna's assumption.

"Get back here!"  Nieta barked, and started after Senna.

I followed quickly, heart pounding in my chest, and the cool air calming my body.

It was an hour before we made it back to the dens. The Dens was a large expanse of flat land, rocky hills bordering. The dens were built into the ground, just a few wooden steps to a small oval door usually pain wood, but I would spy a yellow or maroon red door every now and then. There were more humans in the Dens than wolves.

No spry teen wolves would be found at home in the middle of the day, the high of the morph was too tempting, much preferred over the opposable thumbs.

There were more human shops than one might expect, all lined up in a row on the far side, and some stands set up in the middle of the street, selling the last of the pumpkins and apples.

The pumpkins were sad looking, and the apples were winkled; still edible, but not entirely appetizing. I walked with Senna and Nieta down the street, heading southwards of the den, towards the hot springs.

"Good fortune!"  I turned my head to see a massive grey wolf running into the Den square.

This massive wolf leads a charge of seven hunters, three various types of dear on three of their backs. I saw two white tail mules, and a stag. My heart clenched in bitterness. This wolf was Wendigo, the best hunter in the entire pack; he was muscular, he was quick, intelligent, and before you ask... married.

Speaking of which, his wife Charlotte was in his hunting group. She was athletic and a very nice person- or wolf that is.

"What fortune?"  I asked through my better judgment to stay quiet.

Wendigo looked over towards us.

"We saw three sets of twins."  He informed us.

This was indeed good fortune. Three sets of twins were good luck; more deer in the woods, the fuller our bellies would be. Wendigo shifted back to his human form and we lost interest.

"Come on. I am not going to swim in those hot springs after the boys."  I said and Senna nodded.

"Amen."

With that, we started off at a speedy trot of sorts. Heading towards the hot springs, and possibly the most stupid decision of my life...