I'm back, y'all! I was in the hospital, and I was totally out of commission for a while. But I'm back with a new chapter! This one is the aftermath of David's death and how everyone's handling it, especially Merlina and Daniel. Enjoy!

Chapter 5: Starfire's questions (Merlina's sorrow)

Robin and Starfire sat on the roof. Star was still in tears and still confused. Robin, trying to comfort her at least a little, had his hand on her shoulder (across her back). He was still trying to help her understand that Merlina's brother was killed because of what he was.

"But Robin" said Star, "merely because he was magic did not make him evil. He was only different. Is that so wrong?"

"For some people, Star" he said, "different is a bad thing to be. They didn't kill him just because he was different. They didn't understand his difference, and I guess they figured if they couldn't understand this, then he was only going to cause trouble. His difference made them feel threatened, like he was going to hurt them. And because of that, they had to get rid of him. They were scared of what they didn't understand".

Starfire now understood, but she also realized something. "Daniel and Merlina were attacked by witch hunters today!"

Robin looked at her, she looked at him, and a great wave of fear swept over them. "Robin" Star said, "Will they kill our friends, too?" "No" he said firmly, "That's not gonna happen. If anyone attacks them, we're here to help them".

She leaned on him, sighed and said, "I do hope they are able to compose themselves. I feel awful for them". "So do I, Star" Robin said sadly, "So do I".

(Later...)

Cyborg walked in the training room to find Merlina beating the bejabbers out of the sand-filled punching bag (the big one, not the one that hangs down) with hot angry tears flying into her hair.

She didn't notice him coming in; she wouldn't have cared if she had.

She had just thrown a punch to put a hole in the bag when Cyborg reached out and grabbed it. "Whoa" he said, "don't spill the sand, hothead. We need this thing".

She glared at him bitterly with her red-from-crying eyes. "He was different, Cyborg" she said hopelessly, "You should understand how I feel. My brother was different, and they KILLED HIM! My other brothers and I are different, and they're trying to kill US! DO YOU KNOW WHAT THAT'S LIKE?"

"I know, Merlina" he said gently, "I know how it feels to be different...And I'm sorry about your brother".

Merlina sighed and let her head drop. "I don't know what to do", she said. Cyborg touched her shoulder. She looked up at him sorrowfully. Cyborg couldn't think of anything to tell her, so he just said, "I'm sorry".

"I know" she said as she walked out. Umbra walked up to her and meowed. Merlina picked her up and bowed her head on her. Umbra cuddled her own head into Merlina's neck.

Cyborg watched her walk away. He didn't know what to say. He felt as bad about this as Star and Robin did. He felt awful for her! He just shook his head and went to the living room. There he saw Raven meditating—with Daniel!

"He asked me to help him calm the storm of his heart, mind, and spirit", she explained (their backs were turned to him) reading his mind, "So here we are". "Okay..." Cyborg went to sit on the couch where he found Beast Boy just barely coming to.

"Uh..." Beast Boy moaned. Then he remembered what happened, and he freaked. "Dude! What's up with that?" he asked Cyborg. "I don't know, man" Cyborg answered, "I don't know".

Suddenly Travis bolted into the room and pounced Daniel. "DANIEL!" he shouted wide-eyed. "They're coming!" Daniel said, "WHAT?"

Merlina appeared with Umbra in her arms, who jumped down and joined Travis in Daniel's lap. Merlina was shaking with fear.

"The villagers!" she whispered loudly and quickly, "They're on the island!"

Now what do you think of THAT? We'll definitely see some action in the next chapter! ;D Please review!