Disclaimer: I do not own Shaman King

United

"I know this is not the first time you have broken the rules.", the director spoke stern and glanced through the window. His back facing the three students, standing in his office. "And besides, I know that some others have followed your bad example too.", he paused for several seconds. "You left me no choice with your behavior. But I want to ask you one question, before I make my final decision. And think carefully before you answer me, because your fate will depend on your answer.", he turned around, arms crossed with a hard expression on his face. "Did you decide to go this step by yourself? Or is someone else responsible for that? Were you persuaded to do so? Or maybe forced? Think before you answer.", he spoke and shifted his glace to each student, narrowing his eyes.

They looked down at the floor. They would not blame him. After all, it was their own decisions. To sneak out of the College, to give piano lessons, to participate in a dance contest and... to fall in love. They would never doubt their decision, it was the right one. And would never drag other people into it.

"It is all on our responsibility, Sir." Ren started. "Nobody instigated us, or forced to do so.", he spoke in a calm voice.

"We obeyed... the command of our hearts.", Horo said thoughtful.

"We followed our conviction.", Yoh stated and dared to look up and meet Marcos eyes. "We haven't done anything wrong and have nothing to regret."

Marco looked at them skeptically for a few seconds. „Today is your last day at the x-Laws University. You should already pack your things. You three will leave us tomorrow morning."

xXx

Rain fell that night. Faust was sitting under the roof of the pavilion, his eyes staring into nothing, while he listened to his inner through and to the rain pouring onto the ground. He knew what he had to do to make everything right again...

Marco stood in front of the picture of his deceased daughter, which hung over the fireplace. Suddenly he heard footsteps approaching him and he turned around hastily. There in the entrance, stood Faust. His clothes drenched because of the rain. His facial expression hard, while his wet hair stuck to his face. He approached Marco slowly, keeping eye contact. No one spoke a word. And when Faust stopped right next to Marco, he shifted his eyes to the picture hanging over the fireplace, before he looked back at the director. He stroked his wet hair from his face and kneeling in front of him.

"You have won.", he spoke softly, while he looked to the ground. "And I lost... Please do not let others pay for my mistakes. Please do not do this to them... I did not want the guys to face the same thing as me. I did not want that.", his voice started to shake. "Forgive the three boys...", Faust dared to look up and meet his glance. "They have nothing to do with our fight. I kneel here in front of you as a defeated person. And I'm ready to do whatever you want… but have mercy.", Faust face softened. "You have won... I lost.", he whispered.

Marco´s face remained emotionless, he looked blankly at Faust. He did not even say anything. He just took a step back and sat in his armchair. His eyes shifted from the blond teacher to the floor and he took a deep breath."I expect you to attend the student meeting tomorrow morning and make clear, that what you said and taught was wrong... was a lie.", the director spoke in a emotionless voice and did not look up, his eyes still fixed on the ground. "I want you to tell them that you do not believe in love... that there is no such thing as the power of love.", he said in a derogatory voice. "That it is nonsense... and that it leads to nothing. You should humbly ask the students for forgiveness... for this delusion. Then you go without a word... far away from the x-Laws University. So far away… that you would never find the way back here... even if you wanted to."

Faust closed his eyes and nodded. "Yes."

"Good... you can go now.", with that Marco stood up and turned his attention back at the picture of his daughter, without looking at Faust only once.

Slowly, Faust stood up to leave the house of the director.

"I warned you, Mister Faust.", Marco called over his shoulder, causing Faust to stop. "In the fight between fear and love, the fear always wins. I warned you that I would win.", he turned around and glanced at Faust. "I have warned you.", he spoke calm, sure of himself and glanced back at the picture over the fireplace.

Faust turned around with a sad expression. "Pardon me, sir... but in my opinion you have lost..." With a skeptical facial expression, Marco turned around.

"From my perspective, I see a fifty-five-year-old father standing in front of the picture of his deceased daughter.", Faust spoke stern with red eyes. "You lost then... and you have lost today. Did you ever wonder why I am here? For whom? The girl I love is dead. What do the students mean to me? Yoh, Horokeu and Ren. I like them, but I did not even know them before.", he said calm and shrugged his shoulders. "I did not know anyone before. So why am I here?", he paused. "Because of you, Mister Lasso. I am here, because here is the father of the girl, I love above everything in the world. And do you know why? Because she always told me how loving her father is... Hard on the outside, but very soft on the inside. And I want to crack this peel.", he smiled. "You see, I have no picture of Eliza. I never needed, because I see Eliza everywhere. Wherever love is. And I thought that… if I just showed you a happy couple, just one... then you too would be able to see Eliza.", his eyes became glassy. "And would see how happy she is and maybe it could ease your pain. I came to share your pain, Mister Lasso…. to show you what love is. I'm here because I realized that Eliza needed you.", he paused before he continues with a trembling voice."But you still have not understood that Eliza needed me too. I am here to achieve what you have not achieved as long as she lived, to let Eliza feel complete. You have won every battle, which you have started. But lost everything a battle is worth. At that time you lost a daughter... and tonight, you lost a son. Pardon me, sir... but in my opinion you have lost..., because from my point of view, I see a stubborn, broken man standing here, who turned his back on the two people who asked him for his love.", Faust spoke softly.

Marco´s eyes widened, he glanced at the picture of Eliza and back at Faust.

„I am sorry, sir… forgive me.", whispered Faust before he turned around and walked into the rain again.

xXx

In the cool morning air, Faust found himself in front of the shrine again, dressed in a white Yukata. He would do it. He would break out of his comfort zone and enter the shrine. Not just for himself, but for the director, for the students, for respect and... for the love of his life, Eliza.

Suddenly, he felt a gentle hand embrace his and he squeezed back. He looked to the side he saw her... smiling lovingly at him. His Eliza. She stands by his side and gives him strength. She would always support him and never leave his side. Even after death.

His love one leads him by hand into the shrine. She glanced back at him and saw the serious expression on his face. When they arrived, she released his hand and brought them into a prayer position, while she closed her eyes. He looked at her and did the same.

It was as if their prayers were being answered, the sun was coming out from behind the clouds, illuminating everything in a warm tone, while he was surrounded by a warm wind.

xXx

One last time, the students gathered in the assembly hall with their esteemed music teacher, even Yoh, Ren and Horohoro. And one last time Marco Lasso went up the stage. He waits until the crowd has become quiet, his face remained unreadable.

"I proudly headed this university twenty-five years of age, built on three pillars of tradition, respect and discipline.", Marco started. "I was convinced that I could equip each one of my students with something that has made them a more valuable and stronger person. To a person whom the adversities of life can not touch. I have always been very proud that the values of Marco Lasso can continue to live in all the students of this institute.", he glanced at Faust, who stood at the other end of the hall.

"Today I stand before you and can´t feel this proud anymore. Because the Marco Lasso, who speaks to you today displease me now. Marco Lasso has always faced every battler. He stood up to every fight as the winner.", he paused, while his eyes became glassy. "But he has lost the most important...", Faust looked up in surprise. "He has become a stubborn and sad man, who did not recognize the meaning of life. And when he looks back today, he has the feeling that all his students are living like him... full of sadness and loneliness. If his students were full of anxiety and fear, he did not give them even a single smile. If they were good and successful, he never patted them on the shoulder in appreciation. When they felt heartache, he never comforted them. Because he was stuck to the thesis for many years, that love only causes pain and suffering. And that makes everyone a weakling... He believed it so strongly that he petrified in all these years and forgot how to love. Today he only has one wish to win back your hearts and to fill them with love. He would like to take each one in his arms, and ask each one for forgiveness. The whole life consists only of love and to be loved again and nothing else... nothing else.", he spoke softly. "He would like to teach you that... but unfortunately there is no way back. But there is something he can do now.", he spoke with red eyes. "Something he has not done in the last twenty-five years and what he should have done a long time ago... to renew and change a lot. Above all, he has to change. Older people should not insist on rules that are outdated.", Marco stated thoughtful. "The younger generation has to live its own vision. So... now it will be time for me to resign. As my follower I present you a man who has shown me that respect does not arise out of fear. Only love creates respect... Mister Johann Faust come here."

All students turned around to were Faust stood and clapped. A tear ran down his cheek. Slowly he approached the stage until he stopped in front of Marco. Eyes filled with tears. Marco held his hands folded in front of his face, in a forgiving pose with eyes full of sorrow. "I wholeheartedly ask you to take the responsibility for the x-Laws University. Show the students that love opens a path to a happy life. Then I can proudly say that in the future each student, who will leave this university, the spirit of Johann Faust is inherent.", he gulped und spoke with a trembling voice. "Then maybe... I can hope t-that my daughter can forgive me.", tears ran down his face and he tilted his head to the floor. Trembling, Faust put his hands on Marco's. He looked up and saw the tear-filled red eyes of Faust, before the new director bowed in front of him. Marco placed a hand on Faust head, before he held out his arms to welcome his lost son in an embrace. The hall echoed with the clapping of the students.

xXx

The gates of the x-Laws University opened forever. From now on dancing, singing, laughing and happiness became the new identity of this university. Everything changed. Even the sun worship. Instead of looking into the sun, she was received with open arms and closed eyes. Now everything is here, from music, friendship, love and... Eliza.

The ice melted around Marco´s heart. A gentle hand gripped his, he looked frightened to the side and saw his dead daughter with a smile on her lips. She placed a hand on the chain she wore, her mother's chain. Marco smiled back at his daughter and she placed her head on his shoulder and took the hand of Faust. Marco glanced at Faust, who smiled back. They walked back to the university, United. Together they were complete.

Some love stories... live forever.

xxx So, People... we have reached the end. I hope I haven´t disappointed you! And I know that you wanted see more of the couples I want to, but maybe I make an epilogue... just let me know! I also wanted to announce that I will upload a new Story, and this time ONLY about YohXAnna! So, let me know if the ending of this Story was good! Thanks for all the Reviews! I hope I will "see you" in my next Story! :) xxx