Disclaimer: I don't own RWBY or Glitchtale.
"So is Jade going to be there?" Jaune asked as he walked beside Hazel. Jade had her aura unlocked years ago and her soul trait was revealed to be Kindness, a powerful soul trait for defense and healing, but utterly useless- no straight up impossible for offense. She originally wanted to be a huntress like Saphron and Hazel, but due to her soul trait having been revealed to be kindness, she had ultimately decided to be a doctor instead. She is now the best doctor in town because of it, so it's not all bad.
"No," Hazel replied instantly, "She takes her job seriously Jaune, a bit too serious honestly since the people back in Ansel don't really get injured or wounds that often and she can heal them instantly anyway with her abilities, but you know she is."
"Yeah I know, just thought that she might be there in case my soul trait ends up being kindness."
"Kindness? You?" Hazel said as she turned her head at him with a grin.
"Hey I'm serious!"
"I don't mean it badly little bro." Hazel wrapped an arm around Jaune. "You and I both know that your soul trait is most likely going to be Justice, you always wanted to be a hero after all."
"I'm just saying that my soul trait might end up being something that surprises us." Jaune said as he shook off her arm. "Who knows, it might turn out to be Perseverance."
"You have better chances of being Bravery, Oum knows you need it anyway…"
"What's that supposed to mean?!"
"Nothing," Hazel said a bit too quickly for Jaune's liking. "Anyways, look we're here."
Jaune narrowed his eyes at Hazel. "Don't think this is over." To which Hazel just looked away from him, whistling as they walked into the training ground. Which was basically a wide open area of dirt.
In the center of the training ground. Their father, Nicholas Arc, and oldest sister, Saphron Arc, are seen to be… staring at each other for some reason.
"Uh guys," Jaune said as he and Hazel stopped walking when they were in front of them. "We're here now."
Nicholas raised one finger towards Jaune. "Jaune, shut up. We're in the middle of something right now."
Hazel looks at the two of them twice, her face then turned into a disbelieving one. "Are- are you guys having a staring contest?"
"Yes, now shut up." Saphron snapped.
"Careful there Saph, your impatience is showing." Nicholas said with a smirk.
Cyan eyes glared at purple ones. "I can do this all day old man." Saphron retorted.
"Oh dearie, are you perhaps forgetting what my trait is? It's Perseverance my little Saph."
'Saph' scowled at the nickname, particularly at the 'little'. "And mine is Patience," Saphron said as she whipped her hair backwards, "I think we both know who wins this old man."
Jaune sighed at seeing his father and oldest sister act like little kids. Hazel however, wasn't having any of their crap and walked over to Saphron until her own face was close to hers, who was still ignoring her. Hazel then proceeds to blow at Saphron's eyes, she blinked.
"HAH! I WON!" Their father shouted as he pointed a finger at Saphron with a mad grin.
"NO YOU DIDN'T, THAT DOESN'T COUNT." Saphron shouted back before turning her head towards Hazel. "Hazel, you bit-"
"Now now Saph," Their father interrupted as he walked over to her. "There's no need to be such a sore loser over this-" "She blew at my eyes!" "-And maybe you can win next time, but for today I win this one."
Before the two of them could descend into a childish argument, Jaune stepped in between them and pushed them away from each other. "Guys! We're supposed to be unlocking my aura here!"
Saphron scowled at Nicholas, then glared at Hazel. Before turning away from both of them with a growl as she crosses her arms.
Nicholas chuckled a bit before turning to Jaune, who clearly doing his best to hold back his excitement. "Before we do that, Jaune. I want to ask you a few questions first, don't worry if you can't answer all of them it won't affect my decision to unlock your aura."
Jaune sighed at having to wait longer. "Okay then…"
"Great! So first off, what are the six soul traits?"
Okay, an easy start. "Bravery, Justice, Kindness, Patience, Integrity, and Perseverance."
"Good, now state their strengths and weakness, or at least the ones you know of."
"Well, Bravery users are usually experts in close combat and have enhanced strength, however they are weak in ranged combat. The only ability they have for range is Aura Blasts."
Nicholas nodded approvingly.
"Justice, is the opposite of Bravery. They are experts in ranged combat, of course this means that they're weak in close-quarters. Unlike Bravery however, they have no ability for close quarters."
"That's not exactly true Jaune," Nicholas interjected. "See, there is one ability they have for close quarters… Actually let me just show you instead."
Nicholas raised his forearms up, he then closed his eyes to concentrate on remembering exactly how his father did it. He proceeds to make 3 purple pellets around his wrists using his aura, then the pellets begin spinning rapidly around his wrists until they looked like rings.
"This ability doesn't really have a name since only the most skilled Justice users are able to use this, like your grandfather."
Jaune looked on with a curious expression.
"Now it may not look like much-" "Dad if it's Justice, it always somehow finds a way to explode or something." Hazel interjected. That had Jaune and Saphron thinking on it for a bit, they eventually come to the realization that it's actually true and they nodded in agreement.
"That's not… okay maybe it is true. But anyways!" Nicholas said before walking towards a tree, stopping once he reached it. He then proceeds to punch it with his right hand, and as his fist made contact with the tree, the spinning pellets around his wrist surged in front of his fist and burst forth in a beam, blowing straight through the tree.
"As you can see," Nicholas nonchalantly said as the tree before him fell down, "It's very destructive."
"As usual for a Justice skill…" Hazel muttered, drawing a chuckles from Jaune and Saphron.
Nicholas ignored Hazel's remark and turned to Jaune. "So Jaune you may continue."
"Right! So Kindness is the best at defense and the only soul trait that can heal themselves and others. But it's impossible for their skills to be used offensively." It was why Jade gave up on her dreams to be a huntress, they deal with both Grimm AND criminals.
"Tell me Jaune, why do you think that is?" That question made Jaune freeze, he never really thought why it was the way it is before.
"I think it's because… they're too kind?" Jaune said, clearly unsure of the answer.
"You actually got it right Jaune." Nicholas said, surprising all three of them.
"Wait, that's really it?" Saphron asked in a disbelieving tone.
"Believe it or not, it's true." Nicholas said as he crossed his arms with a frown. "Their kindness itself just won't allow them to use their abilities to attack. If it's a Grimm they may be able to get away with it, but if it's a human or faunus they were fighting…"
"That sounds dumb." Hazel said with a scowl.
"Sadly that's just the way some things are." Nicholas said before turning back to Jaune and motioning for him to continue.
"Next is Patience, the most flexible soul trait. They have the ability to make ropes from their hands, but it can vary. For example, the rope they create can be sticky, or it can be sharp, or it can be like a whip, or it can even be just a normal rope. They only have one weakness, and it's that they lack power compared to the others"
Jaune paused to take a breath before continuing. "Integrity is the most mobile soul trait. They have the ability to create platforms out of their aura, which can also be used as a boost, allowing them to jump higher than normal. However, they have the biggest weaknesses. The user can never lie even if it's for a good reason, and they can't break their own morals, they lose their trait if they do any of these two."
"Doing good Jaune, just one more left."
"Now the last soul trait, Perseverance. Their attacks can bypass the protection of aura, even negating its healing effects. They also have the unique ability of copying attacks from other soul traits. And they have no real weaknesses."
After a short pause, Nicholas began applauding. "Well done Jaune, and since you're more well-informed than your sisters were-" ""Hey!"" "-I'm only going to be asking 2 questions before we unlock your aura."
Jaune nodded at that, but inwardly he was already celebrating his success over his sisters.
"Why do you think Grimm are more attracted to our family's huntsmen than other huntsmen?"
Jaune placed a hand on his chin as he began thinking of possible answers. He never knew that Grimm were more attracted to their family's huntsmen more than others, but then again, their family semblance… wait a minute, that's it! Their semblance literally gave them abilities based on the traits of their soul! "I think it's because… we're more in tune with our souls, due to our semblance."
"That's… actually the correct answer, oh if only you could apply this sort of intelligence in school." Nicholas said with a dream-like expression.
"Hey! I'll have you know that my grades aren't actually that bad this quarter." Jaune so proudly said.
"Well, if you consider a line of 75 not bad-" "It's a passing grade, that's what matters." Jaune quickly said as he glared at Hazel, who snickered behind her hand. Saphron just sighed disappointingly at Jaune, she had once attempted to get him to care about his grades more and failed hard, he just kept talking about these things called "Anime", "Manga", and "Webtoon".
Nicholas chuckled, he wasn't mad about Jaune's grades honestly, as long as he didn't get failing grades he was fine with it. Juniper on the other hand… well, it's best not to talk about that.
Shaking his head to clear his mind, Nicholas then placed a hand on Jaune's left shoulder. "Alright Jaune, it's time." Jaune's eyes widen a bit, before he nodded and closed his eyes. Nicholas then began chanting…
"For it is within our souls that we achieve our true strength. Through this, we become who we truly are and realize our full potential. True to oneself and bound by oneself, I reveal your soul, and by my hand… release thee."
A flicker at first but slowly, a sheen of light covered Jaune, it was his aura. Then his aura began to gain color… but it was a color that none of them expected or knew about, except for one.
Nicholas face turned into one of shock as he watches the Jaune's aura slowly turn red. The others were confused but were slowly becoming more curious, could this perhaps be a new soul trait?
Then when Jaune's aura was fully red, his aura receded back into him.
"Dad, is- is my soul trait… a new one?" It had to be, it was the only viable explanation. A red soul wasn't in their semblance and history book. So his had to be a new one!
"W-Well-" Nicholas began, only to be interrupted by Hazel.
"Are you kidding? Of course it's a new one! Just one look at your aura is clear enough."
"I'll have to agree with her Jaune, your soul trait is obviously a new one." Saphron said.
"Which means we'll have to experiment with it!"
"What?" "Hazel wait-"
"Oh, just think of the possibilities! What kind of unique ability will Jaune have? Since his soul trait is red I think it's got something to do in close quarters!"
"Just because Jaune's soul trait is red doesn't mean its necessarily close quarters like yours Hazel," Saphron said, "All soul traits have something that set them apart from others, like Bravery's strength, Justice's range, Integrity's mobility, you get the point."
"I mean-"
"GIRLS!" Hazel, Saphron, and Jaune, turned to Nicholas. He was massaging his forehead with his right hand. "Jaune's soul trait… isn't actually a new one."
"…Huh?" Was the three's intelligent response.
"Jaune's soul trait is Determination, and it's the most powerful and the rarest out of the 7." Nicholas said.
Silence reigned the area as the three processed their father's words…
"Hold on, the 7…? So you're saying Jaune's soul trait isn't new, and that it's the most powerful and the rarest. So if you knew about this… why isn't this on our semblance book dad and why haven't you told us about this?" Saphron asked with narrowed eyes.
"It wasn't exactly my doing you know, it was your Great-Great-Grandfather's decision. He had hoped that by doing so, people would forget about Determination and also to prevent it from reappearing. I also hoped that it would prevent it from appearing… but I guess it was meaningless after all."
"W-Wait, why would he want people to forget about my soul trait and why did you also want stop it from appearing?" Jaune asked, his tone one of suspicion… and slight fear. Hazel's and Saphron's eyes met briefly, before they took a step closer to Jaune.
Nicholas easily noticed what they were doing and sighed. He had a good idea on why they were doing it, and it was so very wrong. "Because by doing so he slowly got our family out of a hidden war."
Hazel, Saphron, and Jaune, were once again shocked as they processed their father's words. It- it got their family out of a war?!
Nicholas gave them a moment to digest his words before continuing. "I understand that it's a lot to take in and hard to believe, but it's true. Back in your Great-Great-Grandfather's time, our family was part of a hidden war that is still ongoing to this day, but only a few people know of it."
The trio's minds halted. So not only was their family part of a hidden war back then, but it was still ongoing today!? "Dad that's a bit-" "Hard to fucking believe."
"…Hazel's out of line but she's right." Saphron said.
"Understandable, but the reason why I'm tell you all this is because… we might get dragged back into it." Nicholas said with a grimace.
"What!?" Jaune exclaimed.
"That's-" Hazel started.
"Why?!" Saphron shouted/asked.
"Because of Jaune's soul trait- and no it's not your fault Jaune," Nicholas quickly said, "It's because your soul trait is just too strong, or at least has the potential to be. For an idea on how strong you can become Jaune, you can have the power… to defy death."
Silence reigned the area as the three tried their best to believe what their father was telling them. First, their family was apparently part of a hidden war that is still ongoing today. Second, Jaune apparently has the potential to defy death?! And it might even drag their family back into the said hidden war?! Needless to say, the three were very skeptical of the things their father had just told them.
Nicholas knew that and began thinking of a way he could prove at least a bit of what he told them. Of course, he couldn't blame them for their skepticism, even to him, the things he just told them were very hard to believe, especially since he had no proof to show to any of them.
"Alright, I understand that you guys have a hard time believing everything that I told you all. So I'm going to prove Jaune's potential since it's the easiest one I can do right now."
That got their attention.
"We all know that learning to create a weapon can sometimes take a while to learn, from an hour to a few days, but even then the real challenge is strengthening the weapon, because the new weapon would be very fragile, usually for a few days to a week, sometimes even lasting months… Now why am I saying all this? Well, Jaune here," Nicholas pulls Jaune to his side, "Can create his weapon on his first try, and it won't be fragile either."
"Hold on, I don't even know the steps in creating a weapon yet!"
"It's easy, first don't think of any weapon when you're creating yours… because since you're making it from your aura, it has to come from the depths of your soul. And don't worry if you end up creating a weapon you're unfamiliar with, you'll instinctively know how to use it, mastering it is another matter though."
"…Dad if this is the first step then I'm definitely going to take at least a few days to get this down."
"Aw Jauney, I know that it seems very difficult but it's actually not that hard." Hazel said.
"I'm being asked to not think of a weapon when I'm supposed to create a weapon, what part of that is not hard?"
"What dad meant by that is, don't try to create specific weapons, like Crocea Mors or even just a simple sword. Aura is essentially a part of one's soul and since we're creating weapons from it, the weapon made is unique to the person themselves. By trying to create a weapon like Crocea Mors, we're kind of forcing our aura to form a weapon not fully suited to us, and attempting to do so will result in failure anyway." Saphron said.
"I see… but what if it does succeed though?"
"Then it just means the weapon made is fully suited for the person." Nicholas said. "Anyways, that was just the first step. The second step is to create your weapon with a purpose in mind. For example, let's say I'm in front of a few Grimm, I would create my weapon with the specific purpose of killing those Grimm."
"Okay, way easier to understand than the first, so what's next?"
"The third step is the easiest, just channel your aura to one of your hands with the first two steps in mind and your weapon should form automatically."
"…Wait that's it, really?" Jaune questioned with a look of disbelief.
"Oh that isn't the last step Jaune, there's a fourth but it won't matter unless you can create your weapon first."
"Alright then… So should I start now?" "Of course, and remember, create your weapon with the first two steps in mind."
Jaune nodded, before looking down on his right hand with a determined look on his face. Sure he has doubts that he could really create his weapon on his first try, but that doesn't mean that he wasn't going to do his best. Taking a deep breath, Jaune closed his eyes and concentrated, all he had to do was just channel his aura to his hand while not thinking of a specific weapon and with a purpose in mind, simple right? …Wait, how was he supposed to channel his aura? …Shit he should have asked that earlier.
Meanwhile, Hazel and Saphron were talking to their father about how impossible Jaune creating his weapon on his first try is.
"Jaune just had his aura unlocked today, that alone is enough to make this task impossible." Saphron said.
"And I'm telling you, Jaune's soul trait is just that OP."
"Oh come on dad, sure his soul trait might be new, but it can't be 'op' as you say." Hazel rolled her eyes at him. "Besides Jaune just had his aura unlocked, that means he doesn't even know how to even channel his aura, so he can't even do the third step."
Nicholas sighed. "Once again, I'm telling you all, Jaune's soul trait is just that OP. Look just watch, you two can nag me later about this if he doesn't create his weapon."
The two of them frowned but complied nonetheless.
Jaune sighed within his mind, he truly has no idea how to channel his aura… welp he'll just have to wing it. He then began trying to locate his aura, he can't just clench his fist and hope for the best after all, that would be too much bullshit. A minutes later and he found it… probably. Now all he had to do was just channel it to his hand… to which he still had no idea on how to do so.
Maybe, he can just move it? Hmm, but dad always said to not force one's aura and that doing so wouldn't be very efficient or fruitful, maybe he could just sort of direct it? Well it's definitely worth a try. And so Jaune went forth and attempted to direct his aura to his hand, unknowingly doing what he was supposed to do.
Red aura bursts out from Jaune's hand, drawing everyone's attention to it immediately, it wisped and flowed around randomly. After a few seconds, it began to move upwards, eventually forming the shape of a sword. However, it still had some threads of aura flowing outwards.
"Woah…" Was all that came out of Jaune's mouth. Before his head turned towards his father, who was clapping and was sporting a grin on his face.
"Good job Jaune! I knew you could do it!" Nicholas proudly said, before turning around to look at his two daughters, their faces so obviously saying 'What form of bullshit is this?'
"Well, my next line is so obvious now isn't girls… I told you so." Nicholas ever so smugly said with a grin.
"N-Now hold on just a moment dad, you also said that it wouldn't be fragile." "Y-Yeah! Just look at it, it looks like it's going to break the moment it hits anything."
"Is that what you girls think? Jaune!" The boy looked to his father. "I'm gonna need you-" Bringing his hand up, Nicholas created a barrier of purple aura in front of him, "-to hit this with your sword."
Jaune nodded and moved to take a step forward, but stopped then looked at his sword. His eyebrows scrunched up as he began thinking while looking at the threads of aura flowing from his sword, what if…
Nicholas and the two sisters raised an eyebrow when Jaune suddenly stopped and began looking strangely at his sword, what was he doing? They were all more confused when Jaune straightened up and raised his sword above his head, wait was he going to try to make an aura slash from his sword? That was impossible! …Was it?
Their father on the other hand began calmly panicking as he waved his hands frantically at Jaune. "Wait Jaune! Stop don't-" Jaune slashed downwards, sending a bright crescent of red towards the barrier.
Nicholas immediately reacted by spawning several more barriers on top of the first one he created. A second later, the red crescent made contact with the barriers, causing a loud explosion and smoke to fill around the area of impact. When the smoke cleared, it's revealed that the crescent didn't even make it through one barrier, not even a single crack on the barrier it met.
Nicholas fell to the ground on his knees, relief flooding his entire system as he took deep breaths and allowed the barriers he created to dissipate. "Thank Oum that he wasn't determined to actually cut through it…"
"…Aren't you overreacting too much old man?" Hazel cringed at him.
"When I thought that our deaths were imminent? Then no, I am not overreacting at all." Nicholas retorted.
"Still, the durability of Jaune's sword wasn't really tested now was it? All he did was just do an aura slash, which is such bullshit by the way, on your barrier so…" Saphron said.
"It's fine, we can just have him test it again and not with his aura slash now, also it's not bullshit if it's already that OP." "But-" "Shush dear, just accept that Jaune's soul trait is OP." Nicholas said, before waving at Jaune to move closer to them.
Jaune did, and was immediately harassed by Hazel for having bullsh- OP powers.
"Not only did you summon your weapon on your first try, you also did an aura slash the same day you had your aura unlocked and you didn't even get any guidance from dad on it, your soul trait bullshit Jaune and that's facts."
""Hazel!"" Saphron and Nicholas shouted, just because she was right doesn't mean she had to say it in Jaune's face!
"I mean, when dad said that I could defy death more than once I think it should've been obvious-" "Okayy, I think that's enough talk about how bullshit Jaune's soul trait is." "I don't think it is tho-" "I said that's enough." Hazel promptly shut her mouth.
"Now that we all can focus back to the matter at hand. Jaune, hit this with your sword." Hazel snickered, and Nicholas created a barrier again. "-And don't use your aura slash this time, we're supposed to be testing your weapon's durability."
"Got it." Jaune nodded, before turning to the barrier in front of him. He then raised his sword above his head with one hand, and proceeds to slash down on the barrier. A sound similar to glass shattering is heard, and the one that did shatter was… the barrier. As its fragments fell on the ground, Nicholas congratulated Jaune.
"Well done Jaune, now then… do you all now believe the rest of what I said earlier?" Nicholas said in a serious tone.
"The moment that Jaune did that aura slash was the moment that I think all of us realized that Jaune's soul trait is really OP dad." Saphron said, Hazel and Jaune nodding in agreement beside her.
Nicholas blinked. "Wait no not that part, I meant the hidden war and how we might get dragged back into it." Instantly, the light mood they had disappeared and the three adopted a more serious look.
"I'm… not sure if I can completely believe that until I see some proof, but I can give you the benefit of the doubt at least." Saphron said.
"I'm with Saph on this, what about you Jaune?" Hazel said.
"Well… Dad was right about my soul trait being OP, so I think I can believe dad on this… a little bit."
"I suppose that that's the best I can hope for since I just told you all everything right off the bat. But either way, I would have you all start training anyway." Nicholas said, garnering confused looks from Saphron and Hazel.
"Uh dad, did you just say all of us are going to train…?" Saphron asked.
"Yes, yes I did."
"Why?" Hazel whined. "We already completed our training dad!"
"You two did indeed finish your training, but now that our family might be dragged back into the war, I'm not going to have us all be unprepared for it. The same applies to Jade so make sure to tell her that." Hearing this, Saphron and Hazel began to groan, just the thought of training again was enough to fill them with dread.
Jaune was a bit happy that he won't be alone in training, but he was heavily conflicted on what to feel about the current situation. On one hand his soul trait is apparently OP, on the other, their family was going to be brought back into a hidden war…
Finally got in the mood to finish this chapter, now to answer all your questions that you all undoubtedly have.
Yes I ain't dead and I will continue to update my fanfics, it will definitely take long now though cause senior high school is more bullshit than junior high, and I like playing games and watching anime ehe~
Why did I take long to update? Same reasons as above. Oh, and please don't ask me when I'll update, because I don't really do regular updates, mostly cause I suck, and you'll be notified when the fic gets updated anyway.
Will I release a new version of JEL soon? Nope, when this fic reaches 4th chap then I'll get started on that.
That's about it, see ya.