CHAPTER 6 — "THE MATCH NO ONE WILL EVER FORGET"
An hour later...
The doctors had done everything they could.
Ryan's condition was stable—but fragile.
He should have been resting in a hospital bed.
Instead, one unexpected visitor walked into his room.
The Iron Titan.
Still wearing his wrestling boots.
Still carrying the championship belt.
He smiled awkwardly.
"I've never broken the rules before."
"But tonight..."
"I'm making an exception."
Ryan's eyes lit up.
"You came."
"I made a promise," the giant replied.
Behind him stood the hospital director, several nurses, and Ryan's grandfather.
The hospital staff had transformed the children's rehabilitation room into a tiny wrestling arena.
Foam mats covered the floor.
A toy championship belt hung on the wall.
Dozens of young patients in wheelchairs gathered around, smiling excitedly.
Many of them were fighting cancer themselves.
The Iron Titan looked around the room.
Then he made an announcement that stunned everyone.
"This..."
"...is the most important arena I've ever stepped into."
The children cheered.
Ryan slowly climbed out of bed with the doctor's permission.
He could barely stand.
The giant walked to the center of the mat.
He knelt down until they were face to face.
The referee from the arena had volunteered to officiate.
He smiled.
"Ready?"
Ryan nodded.
"So am I."
The tiny bell rang.
DING!
The children laughed and clapped.
Ryan raised his fists.
The giant exaggerated every movement, pretending to struggle.
The room filled with laughter.
Ryan threw one tiny punch.
The Iron Titan stumbled backward dramatically.
Another punch.
The giant spun in circles as if struck by a freight train.
The children roared with laughter.
Finally...
Ryan gently pushed against the giant's chest with both hands.
The Iron Titan threw himself backward onto the mat.
BOOM!
The referee slapped the mat.
"One!"
"Two!"
"Three!"
He grabbed Ryan's wrist and raised it high.
"The winner..."
"...Ryan Carter!"
The room erupted with cheers.
The giant removed his championship belt.
Then, in front of everyone, he placed it around Ryan's waist.
"I've defended this title for ten years."
"But today..."
"I found the only person worthy of wearing it."
Tears streamed down the faces of nurses, doctors, parents, and even the hospital staff.
Just then, television reporters entered the room with breaking news.
The wrestling federation's president stood before the cameras.
"I have an announcement."
"Beginning today..."
"The annual national championship will include a charity event in Ryan Carter's name."
"And every dollar raised..."
"...will pay for treatment for children battling cancer."
The room fell silent once again.
Ryan smiled.
He hadn't come to defeat the strongest wrestler in the country.
May you like
He had unknowingly changed thousands of lives forever.
But one final surprise still awaited everyone...
