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    Champion

    by Lu, Marie
    “Champion” by Marie Lu is the gripping conclusion to the Legend trilogy, a dystopian series set in a divided future America. The story follows prodigy June Iparis and former criminal Day as they navigate political turmoil, war, and personal sacrifices. Key themes include loyalty, power, and the cost of revolution. As tensions escalate between the Republic and its enemies, June and Day must confront their pasts and make difficult choices to save their nation. The novel explores the complexities of leadership and the blurred lines between right and wrong, delivering a thought-provoking and action-packed finale. Lu’s world-building and character development shine, making “Champion” a standout in young adult dystopian literature.
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    Champion

    Chapter 20: June 10

    by Lu, Marie

    The chap­ter opens with June express­ing her dis­dain for Sen­ate meet­ings, which she finds tedious and frus­trat­ing. Despite her aver­sion, she attends a crit­i­cal ses­sion at Batal­la Hall to dis­cuss a plan devised with Day and Anden. Anden, vis­i­bly exhaust­ed, briefs the Sen­a­tors on esca­lat­ing attacks from the Colonies and hands the floor to June. She reluc­tant­ly presents their con­tro­ver­sial pro­pos­al: a strate­gic sur­ren­der to the Colonies to pro­tect civil­ians and nego­ti­ate a fair treaty. The announce­ment shocks the Sen­ate, spark­ing imme­di­ate back­lash and dis­be­lief among the politi­cians.

    Chaos erupts as Sen­a­tors voice their oppo­si­tion, with some ques­tion­ing Anden’s lead­er­ship and oth­ers dis­miss­ing June and Day’s cred­i­bil­i­ty. A par­tic­u­lar­ly hos­tile Sen­a­tor insults Anden, accus­ing him of being weak and influ­enced by a “teenage girl” and a “crim­i­nal.” Anden’s com­posed demeanor shat­ters as he silences the room with a threat­en­ing reminder of his author­i­ty, chan­nel­ing his father’s ruth­less lega­cy. The ten­sion is pal­pa­ble, and June observes Anden’s trans­for­ma­tion with unease, real­iz­ing the pre­car­i­ous­ness of their plan and the fragili­ty of their alliance with the Sen­ate.

    After the meet­ing, June com­forts Anden, assur­ing him the Sen­a­tors will even­tu­al­ly com­ply. Anden con­fides in her pri­vate­ly, reveal­ing a deal with Antarc­ti­ca for mil­i­tary sup­port and med­ical treat­ment for Day—in exchange for sur­ren­der­ing the ter­ri­to­ry of Dako­ta. June feels a mix of relief for Day and sym­pa­thy for Anden, who is forced to frag­ment the Repub­lic to secure aid. The weight of his deci­sion is evi­dent, and June rec­og­nizes the sac­ri­fices he’s mak­ing to pro­tect their peo­ple.

    The chap­ter con­cludes with June reflect­ing on her place in the polit­i­cal tur­moil, feel­ing increas­ing­ly out of sync with the Sen­ate and Anden’s lead­er­ship. As they retreat to her apart­ment, the emo­tion­al toll of their deci­sions hangs heav­i­ly between them. Anden’s exhaus­tion and June’s inter­nal con­flict under­score the chapter’s themes of pow­er, sac­ri­fice, and the moral com­plex­i­ties of war. The fleet­ing hope of Antarc­tic sup­port is over­shad­owed by the grim real­i­ty of their frac­tured nation.

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    FAQs

    • 1. What is the strategic lie that June and Anden present to the Senate, and why do they propose it?

      Answer:
      June and Anden propose a false surrender to the Colonies, claiming it is the only way to protect civilians and negotiate a fair treaty. This lie is part of a larger plan concocted with Day and the Patriots to mislead both the Senate and the Colonies. The deception aims to buy time, mitigate further attacks on Los Angeles and Vegas, and create an opportunity for strategic countermeasures. June acknowledges the difficulty of selling this lie, especially given the Senators’ hostility and skepticism toward her and Day’s credibility.

      2. How does Anden assert his authority when challenged by the Senator, and what does this reveal about his leadership style?

      Answer:
      Anden silences the disrespectful Senator by invoking his power as Elector and referencing the fate of Senators who previously plotted against him. This moment showcases a shift from his usual composed demeanor to a more authoritarian stance reminiscent of his father. It reveals his internal struggle between collaborative leadership and the ruthless pragmatism required to maintain control. The threat underscores his willingness to wield fear when diplomacy fails, hinting at the pressure he faces to unify a fractured government.

      3. Analyze the significance of June’s realization: “I don’t belong. I shouldn’t be here.” How does this moment reflect her character arc?

      Answer:
      June’s epiphany highlights her growing disillusionment with the Republic’s political machinery. Amid the Senate’s chaos and Anden’s volatile authority, she recognizes her alienation from the system she once served. This moment marks a critical point in her arc—from a loyal prodigy to a rebel questioning her place in a corrupt hierarchy. It foreshadows her potential rejection of institutional power in favor of grassroots resistance, aligning more closely with Day’s outsider perspective.

      4. What ethical dilemma does Anden face in his deal with Antarctica, and how might it impact the Republic’s future?

      Answer:
      Anden trades the resource-rich territory of Dakota for Antarctica’s military aid and Day’s medical treatment, prioritizing immediate survival over long-term sovereignty. This dilemma pits national integrity against desperate pragmatism, exposing the Republic’s vulnerability. The loss of Dakota—a key resource hub—could weaken the Republic’s economic stability and public morale, while reliance on foreign aid risks dependency or future exploitation. Anden’s choice reflects the tragic compromises of wartime leadership.

      5. How does the chapter portray the tension between transparency and deception in governance? Provide examples.

      Answer:
      The chapter contrasts the Senators’ demands for transparency with Anden and June’s strategic deceit. For instance:

      • The Senators criticize Anden for not consulting them about the surrender plan, valuing collective decision-making.
      • June wrestles with lying to the Senate, knowing their distrust of her undermines her credibility.
      • Anden’s threat to the Senator reveals how leaders may conceal vulnerability behind displays of strength.
        These dynamics illustrate the conflict between ideal governance (openness) and the messy realities of crisis management (secrecy).

    Quotes

    • 1. “I HATE SENATE MEETINGS. I HATE THEM WITH A PASSION—nothing but a sea of bickering politicians and talking heads, talking talking talking all the time when I could instead be out in the streets, giving my mind and body a healthy workout.”

      This opening line captures June’s frustration with political bureaucracy and her preference for action over debate. It sets the tone for the chapter’s tension between leadership and practicality.

      2. “After talking with Day and the Patriots, we suggest that the only way to protect our civilians and to possibly negotiate a fair treaty is to announce our surrender to the Colonies.”

      This pivotal moment reveals the controversial strategy June, Day, and Anden have devised. It sparks immediate backlash from the Senate, highlighting the clash between desperate measures and national pride.

      3. “In my opinion, sir, you need to do something before your entire government—and your entire population—sees you as nothing but a cowardly, weak-willed, backroom-negotiating pushover bowing to the demands of a teenage girl and a criminal and a ragtag team of terrorists.”

      This insult from a Senator underscores the deep resistance to Anden’s leadership and the scorn directed at June and Day. It exemplifies the political hostility and generational divide in the Republic.

      4. “As my father’s son, I am the Elector of the Republic. I am the law. Everything I decide directly affects who lives or dies.”

      Anden’s chilling response showcases his authority and the weight of his decisions. It marks a turning point where he embraces his power, revealing the darker legacy of his father’s rule.

      5. “In this moment, sitting amongst a divided Senate and a young Elector struggling to hold them together, I finally see my path clearly. I don’t belong. I shouldn’t be here.”

      June’s realization reflects her growing alienation from the Republic’s political machinery. This introspection hints at her eventual divergence from the system she once served.

    Quotes

    1. “I HATE SENATE MEETINGS. I HATE THEM WITH A PASSION—nothing but a sea of bickering politicians and talking heads, talking talking talking all the time when I could instead be out in the streets, giving my mind and body a healthy workout.”

    This opening line captures June’s frustration with political bureaucracy and her preference for action over debate. It sets the tone for the chapter’s tension between leadership and practicality.

    2. “After talking with Day and the Patriots, we suggest that the only way to protect our civilians and to possibly negotiate a fair treaty is to announce our surrender to the Colonies.”

    This pivotal moment reveals the controversial strategy June, Day, and Anden have devised. It sparks immediate backlash from the Senate, highlighting the clash between desperate measures and national pride.

    3. “In my opinion, sir, you need to do something before your entire government—and your entire population—sees you as nothing but a cowardly, weak-willed, backroom-negotiating pushover bowing to the demands of a teenage girl and a criminal and a ragtag team of terrorists.”

    This insult from a Senator underscores the deep resistance to Anden’s leadership and the scorn directed at June and Day. It exemplifies the political hostility and generational divide in the Republic.

    4. “As my father’s son, I am the Elector of the Republic. I am the law. Everything I decide directly affects who lives or dies.”

    Anden’s chilling response showcases his authority and the weight of his decisions. It marks a turning point where he embraces his power, revealing the darker legacy of his father’s rule.

    5. “In this moment, sitting amongst a divided Senate and a young Elector struggling to hold them together, I finally see my path clearly. I don’t belong. I shouldn’t be here.”

    June’s realization reflects her growing alienation from the Republic’s political machinery. This introspection hints at her eventual divergence from the system she once served.

    FAQs

    1. What is the strategic lie that June and Anden present to the Senate, and why do they propose it?

    Answer:
    June and Anden propose a false surrender to the Colonies, claiming it is the only way to protect civilians and negotiate a fair treaty. This lie is part of a larger plan concocted with Day and the Patriots to mislead both the Senate and the Colonies. The deception aims to buy time, mitigate further attacks on Los Angeles and Vegas, and create an opportunity for strategic countermeasures. June acknowledges the difficulty of selling this lie, especially given the Senators’ hostility and skepticism toward her and Day’s credibility.

    2. How does Anden assert his authority when challenged by the Senator, and what does this reveal about his leadership style?

    Answer:
    Anden silences the disrespectful Senator by invoking his power as Elector and referencing the fate of Senators who previously plotted against him. This moment showcases a shift from his usual composed demeanor to a more authoritarian stance reminiscent of his father. It reveals his internal struggle between collaborative leadership and the ruthless pragmatism required to maintain control. The threat underscores his willingness to wield fear when diplomacy fails, hinting at the pressure he faces to unify a fractured government.

    3. Analyze the significance of June’s realization: “I don’t belong. I shouldn’t be here.” How does this moment reflect her character arc?

    Answer:
    June’s epiphany highlights her growing disillusionment with the Republic’s political machinery. Amid the Senate’s chaos and Anden’s volatile authority, she recognizes her alienation from the system she once served. This moment marks a critical point in her arc—from a loyal prodigy to a rebel questioning her place in a corrupt hierarchy. It foreshadows her potential rejection of institutional power in favor of grassroots resistance, aligning more closely with Day’s outsider perspective.

    4. What ethical dilemma does Anden face in his deal with Antarctica, and how might it impact the Republic’s future?

    Answer:
    Anden trades the resource-rich territory of Dakota for Antarctica’s military aid and Day’s medical treatment, prioritizing immediate survival over long-term sovereignty. This dilemma pits national integrity against desperate pragmatism, exposing the Republic’s vulnerability. The loss of Dakota—a key resource hub—could weaken the Republic’s economic stability and public morale, while reliance on foreign aid risks dependency or future exploitation. Anden’s choice reflects the tragic compromises of wartime leadership.

    5. How does the chapter portray the tension between transparency and deception in governance? Provide examples.

    Answer:
    The chapter contrasts the Senators’ demands for transparency with Anden and June’s strategic deceit. For instance:

    • The Senators criticize Anden for not consulting them about the surrender plan, valuing collective decision-making.
    • June wrestles with lying to the Senate, knowing their distrust of her undermines her credibility.
    • Anden’s threat to the Senator reveals how leaders may conceal vulnerability behind displays of strength.
      These dynamics illustrate the conflict between ideal governance (openness) and the messy realities of crisis management (secrecy).
    Note