Up on the rooftops of Beacon Academy, the rhythmic sounds of metal clashing against metal can be heard. For a while now, it can be heard almost every night. It is only right for the source of these sounds can be none other than Jaune Arc and Pyrrha Nikos.
It was a light sparring match. Not wanting to push themselves over the limit after combat class with Professor Goodwitch, much of their nights was spent with Jaune being drilled some forms with the sparring that comes after being to solidify said forms.
Blades clashed as blue eyes met green. One moment Jaune would step forward with Pyrrha taking a step back, it would go in reverse one moment later. To any on-lookers it was as though the two were dancing, the only music was the rhythm caused by steel and the shuffling of their feet.
It had ended as it had many times before, Pyrrha Nikos managed to disarm Jaune as the blonde boy exhausted himself. He still has a long way to go. Having forged his transcripts and thus was behind many of his peers who have trained for years. He was improving by leaps and bounds and Pyrrha could see that. She was proud to see it.
Jaune, laying down in defeat, was taking it in stride. He knew his mistakes and he had swallowed his pride to better himself. Not just to be the hero like his ancestors, but to protect his friends. With Pyrrha's help, his combat skills had improved. On his own, he sought to better himself as the leader of his team, JNPR.
"Better." Pyrrha's hand reached out which Jaune graciously accepted. "You'll still need to tighten your grip if you don't want to lose your weapon, Jaune."
"I will." Jaune nodded. "Thanks, Pyr. I really wouldn't know what I would have done without you."
A light red colored Pyrrha's cheeks for a moment, then she smiled. Calloused hands touched as young man was aided up. They spent a few more minutes cooling down, calming their own heart rate from the exercise that they just had.
When Pyrrha was making her way back in the halls of Beacon Academy, she was stopped by the lack of footsteps that would accompany her. Turning around, the champion could see the back of the blonde knight. His focus was on the night sky above.
"Jaune?" she asked.
"You go on ahead, Pyrrha." He turned to face her, a smile on his face alleviated all concern from the red-head's face. "I'll just do a little bit of aura training on my own before coming back."
"Okay," replied she. "Just don't stay out too long."
When Pyrrha left, Jaune continued to stare at the night sky. The dotted lights that illumine dimly on the lands below was a calming presence. A cooling breeze soothed the day's aches as Jaune Arc sat down, simply admiring the twinkling starlight.
A shooting star disturbing the tranquil scene caught his attention. As the ball of light streaked across the sky, Jaune finds himself making a wish.
"I could really use some help right now," asked he. "I mean Pyrrha is great and all but that is only for the fighting parts. I still have to lead my team and protect my friends." Jaune laughs bashfully as a thought entered his mind. "Would be nice to have found my semblance by now. Maybe something cool like Pyrrha's or maybe even Ruby's. I don't know. As long as I can be the kind of huntsman people deserve, I think that will be enough."
Another moment of silence passed and Jaune had decided then to actually do the aura training that he promised earlier. Shifting his sitting position to the one that his friend and teammate, Lie Ren, had taught him, Jaune closed his eyes and began to meditate.
A white light then engulfed him. A dim glow as his aura reserves were already low from the day's training. Jaune had a lot of it so he wasn't too surprised that he still had enough. He felt his aura move about him as the manifestation of his soul healed whatever wounds that were still there. In an attempt to find his semblance, Jaune sought to find anything to manifest it using his aura. Some say it can come through training.
It led him to an image. Jaune saw images of his friends, his companions. He then felt a tug at his soul, as if asking him a question. The tug was gentle and curious. Jaune felt as though he was led to focus on his team, of Pyrrha Nikos, Lie Ren and Nora Valkyrie. His desire to be a good leader for them resonated with the tug.
The image then turned to his other friends. The sister team of JNPR, RWBY. Though he was weaker than all of them, he still desired to protect them. Ruby Rose, Weiss Schnee, Blake Belladona and Yang Xiao Long, he desired to protect them as though they are family.
There were other images that followed. His professors at Beacon Academy, his fellow students and his family. He wanted to protect them all. Even random civilians whom he doesn't recognize. He felt that questioning tug at his soul.
The final image, however, gave Jaune Arc pause. Cardin Winchester, his bully, the man who had blackmailed him for his forged transcripts not too long ago, stared at him. Jaune could still remember what that bully had almost done. Harming his friends. The tug he felt was serious this time, as if asking if he would protect even Cardin. Jaune stayed there. Quiet and still.
"Yes," said Jaune out loud. He wasn't sure if the tug could talk, but he didn't care. "Even if they are dishonorable, I will not leave them. I will protect them and I will help them."
Jaune felt the tug momentarily let go. He wasn't sure how but it felt as though the tug was satisfied—happy even—with his answer. Suddenly, Jaune felt quite a large chunk of his aura vanish, as if it was pulled elsewhere.
When he opened his eyes, he was met with a bright light. It was blinding that he had to cover his eyes. When the light began to fade and his vision slowly returned, Jaune heard a sound on that roof. Like someone had descended from above and daintily landed on their feet in front of him.
When Jaune's vision returned, he was met with an odd sight. Right in front of him stood a lady. Standing tall and holding a banner behind her, she looked at him with a smile. She had a sword on her side and wore armor, though it did not cover her fully. More of a battle-dress, really. Her hair was blonde as well with a braid that lengthened to about her knees.
"I am Jeanne d'Arc," said she, proudly. "A Ruler-class Servant. I am glad to be by your side, Master!"
"What?" Jaune quickly stood only to be struck by a sudden dizziness. He would have fallen back down if it wasn't for Jeanne. The Servant, as she calls herself, held him gently.
"Be careful, Master," said Jeanne as she helped him sit back down. "You used a lot of…" There was a momentary pause, as if Jeanne was making sure of something. "Aura? Is that what is called here?" Jeanne shook her head. "Whatever it is called. You used a lot to bring me here."
"Aura?" For a moment, Jaune was confused. He recovered quickly enough. "What do you mean I brought you here? Are you my Semblance?"
Jeanne tilted her head. "Semblance? I suppose it would be. I answered your prayers, master and so I am here."
"Prayers." Jaune Arc repeated. "Prayers. What did I do exact—oh right! My aura training! I felt like my soul was being tugged."
Jeanne giggled. "Yes. That would be me."
"So you're like my soul manifest right? Wait how does that work? If you're a manifestation of my soul, then what am I? Wouldn't that mean—"
"A minute, Master." Jeanne interrupted him before he could ramble on. "Didn't you just ask for help moments ago?" She paused until Jaune nodded, remembering what had happened mere moments ago. "And so I am here. Your Servant or Semblance, as you call it. I am here to help you, Jaune Arc."
"That's great!" Jaune would have jumped in elation if he wasn't so exhausted. But the feeling was there. "I found my Semblance! And it's like having another partner. Oh I should tell my team!"
Before he could rush off, Jeanne stopped him. "Wait! I think it's best that I stay secret for now, Master. Simply call me Ruler for now." When Jaune looked at her inquisitively, she continued. "I am not sure if it might be the same here, but think of me as like a secret weapon."
Jaune looked at her for the longest time. Eventually, he nodded. Accepting it for what it was. "I'll can do that. Maybe if Professor Goodwitch calls me in combat class."
"If that is your wish, Master," Jeanne confirmed. "I will help Master when he needs me. I may not know how to be a knight, but I do how to be a flag bearer."
"That's alright." Jaune waved his hand. "Can't be worse than me right? I'm getting help from my partner—that would be Pyrrha—but I'm not exactly the best Huntsman here. To be honest, I'm probably better at the back giving directions and such. Though even then, I could use a little help."
"That I can definitely help you with, Master!" Jeanne had the widest smile and her eyes were sparkling. "I can help boost morale, bless the weapons of your friends and provide excellent armor. Just follow my lead, Master!"
Jaune Arc put forth his hand. "Well Jeanne, I'll be in your care then. The name's Jaune Arc, by the way. Short, sweet, rolls of the tongue, ladies love it!"
Jeanne d'Arc shook her head but took his hand and shook it, anyway. "Come, let's do our best, Master!"