Ray continued to run on the treadmill as Winnie and Theo kept track.
"Okay, the last match was good, but there might be a tougher one.", Winnie thought out loud, "Who knows who might be next?"
Theo then remembered what he experienced last night and after Ray got off the treadmill to take a swing of his huge water bottle, he decided to bring it up.
"Ray?"
"Yeah?", Ray asked seeing that Theo was looking a little troubled.
"Did you ever know anybody while you and your dad were traveling?", he asked.
Ray lifted an eyebrow and looked thoughtful before looking to Theo again.
"Could you be a little more specific please?", he asked, "I met a lot of people though I hardly remember nowadays."
Theo took a breath.
"Someone who you called "White"."
"White skin, gray stripes on his back, looks like a mix of a wolf and great white?", Ray guessed.
Winnie paused as she saw the two were talking and thought she'd listen too.
"Possibly."
Ray then smiled.
"Oh yeah, that one. I met him during the semifinal match of my dad's last circuit before he passed. His last name was Frostfang, but nobody really remembered his first and I guess the name "White" grew on everyone."
Winnie looked interested.
"Were you and Frostfang close?", she asked.
Ray rolled his eyes comically.
"Oh yeah. I would let him in through the back so he could watch my dad wrestle. We even found ways to hang out. But it did drive my dad crazy."
Winnie then went over to her computer and started typing up as Theo and Ray came over. After a bit, a name came up displaying a monster named "White Frostfang" which displayed a wolf head with white fur on top of his head while the rest looked like shark skin. He also had sapphire blue eyes and smiling revealing canine teeth.
"That's him.", Theo said pointing to the screen, "That's him."
Ray then looked eager.
"You know, it's been a long time since I've seen the guy. Maybe we should visit."
Winnie looked at the stats and whistled.
"Wow, he's done twenty wrestling matches and hasn't lost one time. Not bad for a monster who's just started wrestling. Even his address is listed here."
/
Later that day, Winnie was dialing on her phone to Frostfang's manager while Theo recalled the address they had seen earlier.
"An island known as Isla de Fang? Must be new on the map or something."
"Actually, it's been around for the last fifty years, but yeah it's new on the map.", Ray answered as he got to lifting weights.
Winnie then came back looking a little frustrated.
"Well, I've dialed about five times, but so far there hasn't been-"
Then her phone rang again and she answered while Ray and Theo observed after Ray put his weights down.
"Yeah? Yes, this is she. Say that again? A new circuit opening up in the sport? And you want Rayburn to enter as a contestant? Say that again? Okay, I'll let him know about it."
She hung up and turned to the guys who were looking interested.
"Who was that?", Theo asked.
Winnie took a breath before starting.
"There's a new circuit on the wrestling opening up and they want us to compete."
Theo raised an eyebrow.
"A new circuit? Like new stadiums?"
Winnie nodded and then smiled.
"We're to meet the officials tomorrow morning to discuss how it will be played out."
Ray looked a bit confused.
"What about Frostfang?"
Theo then had an idea.
"Hey, maybe he's in the new circuit too. He does have a good record holding."
Ray looked a bit unsure.
"Hey, does this thing come with different rules or something?"
Theo then looked unsure himself.
"Rules?"
Winnie tried to stay optimistic.
"Hey, we're still the best right? We'll do fine as long as we do our best."
Ray and Theo suddenly felt assured and inspired.
"Yeah, we can take this new circuit and prove we still got the talent to be the best.", Theo said proudly.
/
That night, there was a huge announcement coming on television and everyone in Stoker was excited. Ray even let Mrs. Coyle come over so Winnie, Theo and her could see it on the huge television the stadium locker room had.
"We miss it?", Mrs. Coyle asked.
Ray shook his head playfully.
"Relax, it's about on."
The screen went from a commercial to a news cast with Marc Remy and Ashley Gibbs.
"Well, it looks like we are having a wonderful week Ashley.", Marc said proudly.
Ashley nodded.
"Indeed Marc.", she said before clearing her throat and turning to the camera, "And now for the news that is on everyone's mind: the new event known as the Monster Worldwide Circuit."
The image then went to several images of new monsters in different locations including Ray and Winnie in front of Stoker as Ashley continued.
"We have seen many monster wrestlers come and go Marc, but not in this kind of tournament. There's a new batch of wrestling monsters out there in the world and they want to show what they can do on their own turfs."
Marc chuckled lightly as the screen went to normal.
"Oh, it's going to be a real game changer Ashley, but will it effect the rules we all know for so long?"
"Rest assured Marc, the rules will not be changed. The matches will just be in more scenic locations with their own set of regulations which will be fair and exciting to watch for the fans to watch."
Mrs. Coyle and Winnie both looked more than a bit confused as Ray turned off the television so the group could talk.
"Each place with its own rules? How is that fair?", Theo asked, "Stoker has always been the biggest spot for the big championship title bout hasn't it?"
Winnie's optimism from that morning seemed to have faltered.
"Mom, I'm not so sure about this whole new thing. Sure Ray and I are the best, but can we really live up to what might come up if we go for that."
Mrs. Coyle put a hand on her daughter's shoulder.
"Hey, your dad and Rayburn Sr. went through many kinds of bouts against all kinds of wrestlers. If they can do it, you and Ray Jr. can too."
That was all Winnie had to hear. Theo then felt better too.
/
The following day, Ray had gotten his laps underway while Winnie and Theo rode on the hoverbike. It was a clear sunny day, but the tension was hanging in the air like an early fog. As they were heading back to the stadium, the trio noticed that a couple of other monster wrestlers had already arrived. One was looking like a blue colored warthog type with a purple mohawk hairstyle while the other was a fierce looking one with aquamarine scales and orange spikes running down her back and a spiked ball at the end of her tail. Theo didn't quite recognize them, but Ray and Winnie did.
"Hey, look who it is.", Winnie said as Ray paused to meet the newcomers.
"Axhammer? Klonk?", Ray asked smiling, "What brings you guys here?"
"We wanted to come by and say hello.", Klonk answered, "Also Lady Mayhen gave us a day off since she's got some business deals to make before tonight."
Theo looked confused.
"Um, could someone explain what is going on? I'm kind of still lost."
Axhammer chuckled as she noticed him.
"I take it this is the guy who was with Ray on that Christmas last year?"
Ray rolled his eyes comically.
"Yeah Ax, this is Theo. He's planning on trying to coach a monster of his own when this new circuit starts up."
Klonk looked impressed as he turned to Theo.
"It's nice to meet you Theo. Ax, Ray and I go back a long way. We used to work for Lady Mayhen when Ray came out of Stoker. He was paid to throw a match or two before Winnie came along."
Ray sighed.
"I was just trying to-"
"Oh, that's in the past Ray.", Axhammer said cheerfully before turning to Theo, "By the way l see things, you got some competition coming up. If you ever need extra help, I'll be happy to help like the last time Winnie called on me."
She batted her eyelashes at Ray who looked nervous.
"I still have nightmares about it.", he admitted.
Theo sighed.
"I'm not sure if this Frostfang is my choice of someone to train if he has a trainer."
Axhammer and Klonk looked surprised.
"You're thinking of training that one?", Klonk asked.
"Why?", Ray asked, "Is something up with him?"
Axhammer nodded.
"Oh yeah. That wrestler is notorious for making trainers quit. The last trainer lasted only a week. And that includes today."
Winnie and Ray both looked confused.
"Seriously?", Ray asked, "Nobody can be that untrainable."
/
It wasn't long before the officials for the new wrestling circuit had arrived and met up with Winnie to talk over what the whole thing was about. Ray also was inside while the conversation began. Theo was also given the honor of sitting alongside Winnie as a guest.
"Ms. Coyle, as you know we're from the new circuit that is still in development."
Winnie looked nervous but tried keeping a straight face.
"Furthermore, this new circuit will incorporate new features and rules that will ensure that no one type of monster has an advantage."
Winnie suddenly felt a little braver.
"So, where do Ray and I come in?"
The other official adjusted his tie as he put on a set of photos as he started explaining.
"As you know Ms. Coyle, you and Rayburn Jr. currently hold the title of best monster wrestler and coach in the world. That being said and done, there are some crowds that think the sport has gotten to dull with having a wrestling match in a normal ring."
"And how is that dull?", Winnie countered, "That's how it has always been."
"Always been.", the first official said calmly, "That's just it Ms. Coyle. Which brings us to this new circuit and its new rules to at least make the sport a bit more different while keeping it similar."
Ray couldn't hold back his curiosity, but Theo beat him to it.
"No offense, but Ray isn't exactly built for wrestling with special conditions."
The second official didn't look convinced.
"As we stated, the fights will be fair and even so both sides have an equal chance of victory. Mr. Theo, I don't recall you ever being a coach for the sport."
"He's just a close friend.", Winnie stated, "He's not-"
"As you know Ms. Coyle, Mr. Theo here needs to have a monster or else he can't compete in the circuit and Ray can't have two coaches."
"Luckily we found someone for him to be paired with so he can do so.", the first official stated cheerfully.
He handed Theo a photo and after Theo got a good look at it, he looked shocked and confused.
"You want me to be paired with…him?!"
The officials just shrugged.
"The guy needed a coach who just quit and since you seem to be okay. He'll be here in Stoker later today."
Winnie sighed, but then had an idea.
"How about this, if Ray and I or Theo and his wrestler win this circuit, we'll decide if the game changes or remains the same?"
The officials looked thoughtful for a moment and then shrugged.
"We can go with that.", they said in unification.
/
A few hours after the officials left, it was all signed and arranged as Ray and Winnie met up with Axhammer and Klonk who had been waiting anxiously. Theo was behind Winnie looking like he was going to his execution rather than to meet the wrestler he was assigned.
"What's with him?", Klonk asked Ray.
"Frost fang is coming here.", Theo answered, "I'm officially his new coach in the new circuit."
Axhammer and Klonk gasped in surprise.
"And we made a bet that if either Theo or I win the whole thing we decide if the game stays the same or changes.", Winnie answered.
Axhammer and Klonk looked a bit nervous.
"Winnie, this ain't Pittsmore you know.", Klonk warned, "This is the really, really big leagues."
Ray didn't look worried.
"Hey, Win and I are great. And Theo here can train anyone with the right attitude and moves."
Theo looked less nervous and gave a weak smile.
"Thanks Ray."
"So, when does the new guy show up?", Axhammer asked, "I'd like to see how the guy looked last time we saw him."
Theo looked interested.
"You and Klonk know Frostfang?", he asked.
"Not personally, but we've seen his wins.", Klonk said, "A real hardhead if you know what I mean."
After a bit, there came the faint sound of large monster feet coming up the hill outside Stoker's city limits. The whole group turned to see in the glare of the setting sun an outline of a monster standing on the hilltop making it hard to see.
"Is that who I think it is?", Winnie asked.
As if to answer her, the monster on the hill threw its head back into the air and gave a loud and long wolf howl which made Ray smile.
"I'd recognize that wolf howl anywhere. It's him."
The group managed to get near the outskirts just as Frostfang had made his way into Stoker. He was the same height as Ray and looked the same as Theo first saw him, but the stripes on his back had grown also. Large strong looking muscles were visible and his shark tail swerved side to side now and then. He looked at the welcoming party and raised an eyebrow as he crossed his strong arms looking annoyed.
"Okay, so where's the latest coach?"