If the fact that I made 30+ memes about the topic didn’t make it clear enough, I’ve basically gone half feral over grizzled Rusted Knight Jaune. I can’t wait to learn more about his time in the Ever After and how he’s changed.
And yes, I do believe that he is the Rusted Knight from Alyx’s story, not just his heir or replacement. Maybe that will wind up not being the case, but we’ll have to wait and see.
But do you know what’s really wild about Jaune being the Rusted Knight?
Everyone knows who he is. ‘The Girl who Fell Through the World’ is obviously a classic that’s been read by just about everyone as children. All of his friends, his classmates, his family, those kids he walked to and from school in Mantle. Hell, even their parents.
Everyone knows who he is.
Imagine Blake listening to Kali or Ghira read her the story, waiting for her favorite part: when the Rusted Knight rides in on his Jackelope to save Alyx from the Jabberwalker.
Imagine Weiss daydreaming about a knight riding to the rescue of his princess on the back of a big bunny, sweeping her up in his arms and riding off into the sunset to live their happily ever after.
Imagine Yang eagerly listening to Tai or Summer describe the knight clashing with the Jabberwalker and cheering when he strikes it down. Imagine Ruby being inspired by the Rusted Knight to be just like him: a hero who’s always there when they’re needed.
Imagine Pyrrha wanting to become the very best warrior just like him, unaware that she would play a role in forging his legend.
Imagine Nora and Ren huddled up together in a cave, taking shelter from a storm and reading about how the Rusted Knight fought and slew the big monster, taking comfort in the fact that at least in the fairy tails the heroes always win.
And imagine Jaune with a toy shield and sword, pretending he’s the rusted knight, being carried on his father’s shoulders as he duels with an imaginary Jabberwalker, unaware that he’s recreating his own battles.
Imagine Cinder huddled under her thin sheets, reading the book by moonlight and wishing a knight would take her away to a magical world where everything was okay.
Imagine Emerald reading the story of the Ever After from a book she stole, using it to teach herself how to read word by word.
Imagine Mercury wishing a knight would fight his Jabberwalker and protect him from his own father.
Just think about how Blake of all people reacted when he arrived to fight the Jabberwalker. She was giddy with excitement at seeing one of her childhood heroes in the flesh. If Jaune hadn’t removed his helmet, she probably would have asked for his autograph.
From Vale to Menagerie, the children of Remnant know the story of Alyx’s journey, and they know the Rusted Knight. When they play Ever After they argue over who gets to be the Rusted Knight and fight the Jabberwalker. And some of those children, knowingly or otherwise, are influenced by him to grow up and fight their own world’s monsters, to become huntresses and huntsmen, to be the defenders of Remnant and the shield between the innocent and the Grimm. Just like how the Rusted Knight has defended the Ever After from the Jabberwalker.
Jaune is one of Remnant’s childhood heroes. And I think that’s beautiful.
And yes, I did cry a bit while writing this. Thank you for asking.
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