A lot of talk had been going around Waterchase that the Raven had been captured by the higher-ups. Witnesses of the arena fight that was broken up by the authorities agreed that such a horrible thing had come true. The Raven had been captured. Soon after, underground arena fights were being taken down all over. Something was wrong.
This proved to be bad news for the lowlifes of the city. The Raven was the one to fear. Being humiliated by the city’s strongest fighter was nothing to worry but now that the city was cracking down on fights, citizens were worried. Why were these battles just being broken up now? Nothing illegal was taking place so why the crackdown? All were quite confused until after a few days news was heard.
Chancellor Bipton, the big man of the city of Waterchase, sent out a citywide message. It stated:
Citizens of Waterchase,
A mandatory attendance of the next Arena battle is required of all inhabitants of the City of Waterchase. You may ask yourselves why should I go? Or some of you may have shops to run. But I tell you, it is MANDATORY to attend this battle. The city will be shut down except for the Arena. The authorities will be scouring the city before the battle to make sure all are in attendance and if a person somehow wishes not to attend they will be forced to fight in the Arena in the following battle. 
        Thank You
        Chancellor Bipton

“Sir, don’t you think that is a little too harsh a request to ask of the people of the city?”
Bipton was sitting at his desk starring out at Waterchase, the rivers, and the ocean beyond. He was deep in thought.
“Sir?”
Maxtillian Rex was holding up the citywide message to his higher-up and recieving no answer whatsoever. Rex was used to being ignored. He was the secretary of the supreme chancellor of Waterchase after all. What Bipton said, Rex did without question. Rex would drown himself in the rivers of the city if Bipton asked but if Rex ever uttered a word to Bipton, he would not be heard. Bipton spoke to no one unless he spoke first.
Rex had grown tired of this game weeks ago and wished to get to the bottom of the message. Having only started working for the chancellor last year, Rex was already growing weary of these trifling arguments Bipton enjoyed having day after day.
“I’m sorry to speak out of line sir but I think this message may be a little too much for the citizens to be able to handle.”
Bipton slowly stepped back from his balcony window and turned and walked slowly toward Rex without looking at him. Rex shifted slightly in his chair hoping to catch his boss’ eye. As he did so Bipton jumped at Rex and pulled him up out of his chair by the neck.
“Do you see this city? This wonderful city. Do you see the greatness I have created?”
Rex was nervous, “Yes, sir. Of course, sir. Its wonderful sir.”
“Then why do you wish to let it topple to the ground?” Bipton barked back as he threw Rex to the floor. “I have worked decades to create this brilliant utopia we see before us and yet, the people are bored, the people are bitter, they are greedy and glutenous and foul. They spoil our streets with their graffiti, pollute our ears with that garbage music, and they never give back. We the higher-ups of the city give them everything and what do we get in return? Art? Culture? These things mean nothing.”
“Well—“Rex replied fimbly.
“NOTHING! What matters is order, control, routine, power. These are the things this city needs. We tried to keep them entertained through the Arena but then they took that and created a game out if it. Now this Raven character has become a symbol to them. Of superiority! We are the superiority! We are the ones that give them everything!”
“Not everything, sir—“
“Oh no?” Bipton was fuming at Rex.
Rex shyly looked up from starring at his shoes, “Well sir, the Raven gives them hope… something we somewhat lack in giving them.”
“Hope?” Bipton spat out.
“Yes hope… sir.” Rex was getting more nervous, ”As you said, the city has been drifting into shambles and we are working harder than anyone but still it drifts. This Raven gives them hope to look past the bad and enjoy some fun for an afternoon…”
“No! No MORE!” Bipton barked at Rex.” We are the ones who give them the entertainment. We show them what it is like to stand over a fallen foe and know victory. This mandatory fight is going to be glorious. We will give them an Arena battle to see.”
“Well sir how are you going to do that?” Rex asked stiffly. He was beginning to rather dislike his all-powerful chancellor. After many days of abuse at this newfound secretary job, Rex was hoping for a break from the verbal abuse of his boss. He had found no such luck.
“I have captured the Raven.”
“You what!?” Rex coughed.
“That’s right. And I’m going to make her fight in the Arena before the entire city. You say the Raven has become the symbol of hope and power? Well we’ll see what happens when the glorious Raven is finally met with the face of death.”
Bipton stormed out of his own office leaving Rex lying on the ground.
His head slumped back as he lay there wondering what sort of message the chancellor was wishing to show to the city by putting their underdog hero on stage in front of all of them.