Author: fortytwo03
Timeframe: early JA - AU
Characters: Bruck Chun, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Qui-Gon Jinn, and an OC (Julia Potter)
Summary: Shortly after the events in JA 1, Bruck Chun is chosen as an apprentice by Qui-Gon's first padawan, Master Julia Potter, who struggles to keep him from turning to the Dark Side.
Disclaimer: Not mine.
Author's Notes: I've been lurking on the JC boards for a few months now, and in the process managed to become a die-hard Obi-fan. All those who hurt him (with the exception of all the Obi-torture writers :)) must either end up dead or wallowing in guilt. So why is it then that I'm writing a fic focusing on the redemption! of one of the most hated characters of the JA books?
Well, I've noticed that most Obi-villains are not universally reviled. Qui-Gon, Anakin, Xanatos - all of them have appeared in some Obi-centric stories in a favorable light. However, thus far I haven't seen any stories where Bruck Chun has any redeeming qualities - he's merely Obi's nasty/evil/bullying nemesis whom we all want to get his comeuppence, preferably as painfully as possible. While I began as ardent a Bruck-basher as any, it has begun to seem unfair that Bruck has no one to champion his character; even Xanatos, who has no redeeming characteristics whatsoever in the JA books(aside from being hot, of course :x), has his loyal supporters in the fan fiction world.
So, as a result, I've decided to try to make Bruck's character a little less reviled. Probably a hopeless cause, since so many love to hate him :), but I'll give it a good go anyway. The plan (admittedly ambitious, especially since this is my very first story, and I have no clue whatsoever if I can write fiction), is to show that Bruck Chun's character, as initially portrayed in JA 1 (complete with the tendencies that allowed Xanatos to corrupt him), can be redeemed, and become a true Jedi. (I can see all the incredulous expressions now: "Bruck Chun? A true Jedi?!? Oh that's a good one! And what's next, Palpatine - a genuine humanitarian? ")
(And yes, I am well aware that it does bespeak a certain amount of obsessiveness to care whether a fictional character is being treated fairly - but I've never aspired to normality anyway :D)
At any rate, after the practically novel-length A/N :), onwards to the story!
italics = thoughts
//italics// = bond thoughts
The Redemption of Bruck Chun
Part One
~*~
Eleven-year-old Bruck Chun was walking swiftly through the Temple, struggling to appear outwardly serene, as befitted a Jedi initiate. This task, normally second nature to him, had turned into quite the challenge due to his raging emotions.
Today certainly sucked. Not only did we have a pop quiz in the only class I hadn't had a chance to prepare for, but the Sithly master decided to go with the ol' "switch and grade your neighbor's paper" method. Now usually I don't mind it so much, as it allows everyone to know how smart I am without the crassness of me bragging. Win-win proposition. But today. . . well, I'm sure the entire class is laughing behind my back. Damn, I hate looking like a fool.
Bruck paused in his ruminations to nod a greeting at Master Plo Koon, who smiled in return. Overall Bruck was rather well-liked around the Temple. He excelled in his classes, was polite to all the knights and masters, and generally appeared to be the ideal Jedi student.
Well, let's try to look on the bright side - Jedi are supposed to be optimistic, you know. The Force will provide if we just trust it and all that. Ok, grade-wise it IS just one quiz, it shouldn't hurt too much. As for the public humiliation aspect. . . afraid I'm not seeing a silver lining here. Not a clue how even the Force can fix this one. Damn it, I've worked so hard trying to be considered the best initiate, it burns to think something like this could destroy it all.
As Bruck turned a corner, he mentally groaned. If it isn't Obi-Wan "Bane of my existence" Kenobi. This day just keeps getting better and better. Obi-Wan was Bruck's only real competition. His grades were nearly as good, and he was slightly better than Bruck with a lightsaber.
Of course Mr. Perfect had a flawless quiz. I'm sure he and his groupies are laughing it up over there, feeling oh-so-superior that they did better than me. Kenobi is so bloody irritating! Perfect grades, always being praised for his saber work - "a stunning display of artistry", or so the masters say. How in the world am I supposed to be on top with him around?!
Ah, but I'm forgetting that "Mr. Perfect" isn't quite the noble Jedi he pretends to be. He has at least one flaw that I know of - a rather large one, I'm happy to note. According to the masters, Kenobi would be an ideal student if it weren't for his "anger issues". Idiot, he knows perfectly well that the masters watch especially carefully for students that have problems with anger. It's a huge black mark. I probably have just as much difficulty with the darker emotions as he does, but at least I have the intelligence to keep it hidden. At the rate he's going he'll never be a Jedi. Oh well, at least that means I only have to endure his presence for another year or so. Thank the Force for small mercies.
Bruck was so busy contemplating Obi-Wan's inadequacies that he neglected to pay adequate attention to his surroundings. As a result, he was entirely unaware that Obi-Wan had taken a bit of a tumble in the corridor until he tripped over Obi-Wan's feet and went sprawling.
Even under normal circumstances, Bruck would not take the loss of dignity well. However, given his current mood, this was the last straw. As Obi-Wan attempted to apologize, Bruck scrambled to his feet and prepared to yell some variation of, "What the hell do you think you were doing, Kenobi!"
However, just before he opened his mouth, Bruck's mind caught up with him. Peace over anger, remember? It won't look good if you blow up at him. He'll just claim it's an accident, and you'll be reprimanded for giving in to anger. Better to take the high road - impress the masters by your control. "There is no passion, there is serenity". Besides, revenge is a dish best served cold anyway.
Just as Bruck was about to accept Obi-Wan's apology as graciously as he could manage, he noticed that they were surrounded by a group of laughing initiates. Overwhelming his already tenuous control, his anger took over his thoughts. Once again I'm being subjected to public humiliation. Kenobi probably did it on purpose - using a cheap trick to attempt to make himself look better than me. Well, I won't stand for it - time to turn this thing around.
Armed with this conviction, he snapped, "Is this the sort of 'artistry' you embody in your saber work, Kenobi? Seems a bit overrated to me. Although I must admit tripping over your own feet does take a certain amount of talent - not everyone can manage such a 'stunning display' of clumsiness. Don't you agree that such an accomplishment really deserves to be immortalized, Oafy-Wan Kenobi?"
As Obi-Wan turned bright red and tried to melt into the floor, the rest of the initiates took up his new name with enthusiasm. Bruck could hear calls of "Oafy-Wan, have a nice trip?" as he walked away.
Well, that actually turned out a lot better than I thought possible. They are so busy taunting Kenobi that they've completely forgotten about me. Talk about fickle. Bruck reflected that he now knew how to handle public humiliation - just deflect it on someone else. Preferably Kenobi.
Thinking back on his previous thoughts, Bruck mused that he had learned an important lesson. I guess I shouldn't doubt the Force - it did provide.
Ok, you're probably thinking something along the lines of "And I'm supposed to LIKE this kid?!?" Obviously, he's not too likeable at the moment. I'm just trying to get a hold on his character as depicted in the JA books at the moment (this post expanded on the description of the beginning of Bruck's obvious enmity with Obi-Wan found in JA 1).
At the moment, Bruck's still merrily treading the primrose path to the Dark Side. But eventually he'll get turned around in a (hopefully) believable fashion.
And now the obligatory plea for reviews: Please, please, please!!! review. Even if it's just "i loved it", "i hated it", or even merely "i read it" - I want to hear it!