Downton abbey and it's heros

Preparing for the Next Journey

Gabriella lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling while Hunter, her fairy cat companion, lounged comfortably on her stomach. She could feel the excitement bubbling inside her, the reality of her future slowly sinking in. She was really going to attend Eton Square High School, following in the footsteps of her late sister, Sybil, and starting a new chapter in her life. But along with the excitement came a quiet unease. "Hunter," she began, her voice barely above a whisper, "can you believe it? I'm going to attend Eton!" Hunter stretched lazily, his small furry form purring softly. "You should be proud of yourself, Gabriella. This is a huge step. But... have you asked Eleanor if she and her twin brother got in?" Gabriella's smile faltered for a moment. She hadn't asked. Eleanor, her closest friend and rival in equal measure, was always competitive. Gabriella didn't want to admit it, but Eleanor's teasing always got under her skin, especially when it came to academics. But that didn't mean they weren't friends, even if they had a complicated, fighting friendship. They were heroes together, after all, and had faced dangers that only they could understand. "No, I haven't," Gabriella admitted, a little embarrassed. "I guess I've been caught up with the news myself. And besides... what if Mama, Papa, and my sisters knew about me being a hero with the other girls? What if they found out that I got stabbed by a villain who wanted to take all the hope, love, happiness, miracles, and knowledge? Just like what he did to your world?" Hunter's gaze softened. "It's not easy keeping a secret like this from your family, Gabriella. But you've done it for a reason—because you're protecting them. If they knew, they would worry, and their worry could become your weakness in battle." Gabriella sighed deeply. Hunter was right, as always. But it didn't stop the gnawing guilt that sometimes crept in when she looked at her family, especially at moments like the other night when she'd hugged Edith and Mary, feeling the weight of all the secrets she carried. Still, she pushed the thought aside and tapped her bracelet. After a moment, a familiar voice crackled through, dripping with mischief. "Well, well, well, look who decided to finally check in. I thought you'd forgotten all about me!" Eleanor's teasing voice filled the room, as sharp as ever. Gabriella rolled her eyes, though she couldn't help the smile tugging at her lips. "Hello to you too, Eleanor. I've been... busy." "Busy? Oh please, don't make me laugh," Eleanor shot back, her voice laced with sarcasm. "I bet you've just been lying around daydreaming about attending Eton, haven't you?" Gabriella chuckled, her heart feeling lighter just hearing Eleanor's voice. "Well, you're half right. Speaking of which, did you and Elliot get in?" There was a brief pause on the other end, followed by Eleanor's voice, smug as always. "Of course we did. Did you think we wouldn't? I'm practically royalty when it comes to academics." Gabriella snorted, unable to resist a playful jab. "You're royalty in your own head, that's for sure." Eleanor laughed, the sound warm despite their banter. "Touché. But seriously, did you get in too?" "I did!" Gabriella said excitedly. "Just got the letter today. Looks like we'll all be at Eton together." There was a small pause before Eleanor's voice returned, with a teasing edge. "Also, don't forget I'm technically a princess, you know? Daughter of the Crown Prince of England and all that. And I'm four months older than you, so you should show a little respect to your elder." Gabriella laughed. "Four months, huh? In those four months, did you finally learn how to beat me at chess?" "You wish," Eleanor retorted, her tone playful but with an edge of competition. "I'll beat you at Eton, just wait and see. Academics, chess, you name it. I'm coming for you, Crawley." Gabriella shook her head, still smiling. "We'll see about that, Princess Eleanor." Their banter went on for a while longer, filled with jabs, laughter, and playful threats. Despite the teasing, Gabriella felt a strong sense of relief. Eleanor and Elliot would be with her at Eton, making the transition easier and the adventure all the more exciting. As their conversation began to wind down, Eleanor's tone softened just a bit. "Gabby, you know... I'm proud of you. You've been through a lot. We both have. And despite everything, you keep going. Eton's going to be amazing. But... we'll still have to keep fighting, you know? Our duty as guardians won't stop just because we're students." Gabriella felt her chest tighten slightly at Eleanor's words. She hadn't forgotten the dangers they faced as heroes, but Eleanor's reminder brought the weight of their responsibilities back to the forefront. They were still in the middle of a battle, still seeking the Princess Charms, still facing the threat of the Dark King. "Yeah," Gabriella agreed softly. "I know. We'll keep fighting." They said their goodbyes, and Gabriella was left alone with Hunter once more. She stared at her bracelet for a long moment, feeling the weight of the conversation settle over her. She had three months until school started, and in those months, there would be no time for rest. Hunter's soft purring brought her back to the present. "You okay, Gabriella?" She nodded slowly, her fingers brushing over her bracelet. "Yeah, I'm okay. Just thinking about everything. School, the future... the battles ahead." "You're strong enough to handle it all," Hunter said reassuringly. "You've proven that time and time again. And you've got your friends by your side." Gabriella grinned mischievously as she sat up in her bed, Hunter hopping off her stomach and onto the bedside table. She stretched, feeling the excitement bubbling inside her. "I've been in my room long enough. The dinner gong's not for another three hours, and knowing Downton, someone will sound it thirty minutes early to make sure we're all on time." She smirked. "Now, who should I irritate in the meantime? My parents? My sisters? Mrs. Hughes or Mrs. Patmore? Anna or Bates? Hmph..." Hunter chuckled from his perch, his tail flicking back and forth. "You do have quite the talent for causing just enough trouble to keep things interesting, don't you?" Gabriella shrugged playfully. "What can I say? Life would be so dull around here without me stirring things up a little." She stood up from the bed and adjusted her bracelet, her thoughts racing. Maybe she'd sneak down to the kitchen and see if she could steal a few treats from Mrs. Patmore—though that might lead to getting caught in the act. Or perhaps she could catch her sisters unaware in the drawing room, especially Edith, who was always a bit more serious. Mary would be harder to tease, but that never stopped her before. A spark of mischief lit up her eyes as she grabbed a shawl and tossed it around her shoulders. "I think I'll start with my dear sisters. They deserve some entertainment before dinner, don't you think?" Hunter leapt gracefully onto her shoulder, his tiny paws holding onto her collar. "You're going to get into trouble again, aren't you?" Gabriella winked at him. "That's the plan. Let's go, partner." With that, she slipped out of her bedroom and padded down the grand staircase, the familiar sounds of Downton Abbey filling the air. The soft murmurs of servants going about their tasks, the occasional clink of china from the kitchen below, and the distant hum of conversation in the drawing room—it was all a part of the comfortable chaos she'd grown up with. As she approached the drawing room, she heard Mary and Edith talking. She paused just outside the door, listening for a moment. Mary was saying something about the estate's business affairs, while Edith chimed in with her usual practical thoughts. Gabriella grinned—time to shake things up. She burst into the room with an exaggerated flourish, causing both of her sisters to look up in surprise. "Good evening, my dearest sisters," Gabriella said with mock formality, giving an exaggerated curtsy. "I thought I might grace you both with my presence before the boredom of dinner overtakes us." Mary raised an eyebrow, a small smile playing at the corners of her lips. "Gabriella, what are you up to?" "Oh, nothing much," Gabriella said innocently, moving to sit between them on the sofa. "I've just been pondering how much fun we could have before the dinner gong rings. Perhaps a game of chess? Or maybe a round of guessing what outrageous thing Cousin Rose might say at the table tonight?" Edith sighed but couldn't help but smile at her youngest sister's antics. "Gabby, you never change. But I suppose a little fun wouldn't hurt before we're all expected to be on our best behavior." Gabriella's eyes gleamed as she leaned forward conspiratorially. "Exactly! Now, what do you say we play a little game before dinner? Something to stir things up a bit." Mary shook her head with amusement. "You know, sometimes I wonder how you managed to stay out of trouble this long." Gabriella winked at her. "Who says I've stayed out of trouble? You just haven't caught me yet." Gabriella settled comfortably into the plush chair in the drawing room, basking in the laughter and light-heartedness that filled the space. Her sisters, Mary and Edith, were engaged in their usual playful banter, the kind that made the air in the room feel lighter. The flickering flames in the fireplace cast a warm glow, illuminating their cheerful faces. The sound of the crackling logs and the gentle rustle of the curtains created a soothing backdrop to their conversation. Edith, ever the pragmatic one, was teasing Mary about her latest venture into estate management, while Gabriella couldn't help but interject with quips of her own. "Oh come on, Mary, you could use a little bit of fun in your life instead of just counting sheep in the fields." Mary rolled her eyes dramatically. "Counting sheep? Really, Gabby? Perhaps you should be the one counting instead of getting lost in your dreams. You know, you can't live on daydreams forever." Gabriella smirked, unfazed. "But if I did, I'd make sure they were much more entertaining than estate business!" As they continued their playful jabs, the atmosphere felt like home—filled with love, warmth, and laughter. However, as the evening wore on, Gabriella's mind began to wander. She couldn't shake off the weight of her earlier thoughts—about her responsibilities as a guardian, about the danger that lurked just beyond their world, and about the loss of friends who had sacrificed everything for her. Three hours later, just as the laughter began to fade, the unmistakable sound of the dinner gong echoed through the halls of Downton Abbey. Its deep, resonant tone signaled that it was time for dinner, and the sisters quickly moved to gather themselves for the evening meal. Anna, the devoted maid who had become like family to them, would first attend to Mary, then Edith, and finally Gabriella. While Gabriella waited in her room for Anna to come and help her dress, she felt a sudden rush of nostalgia and curiosity tugging at her. She sat on the edge of her bed, the soft light from her bedside lamp illuminating her surroundings, and instinctively tapped on her bracelet. A screen flickered to life before her, its vibrant colors contrasting against the gentle decor of her room. She navigated through the contact list, her heart racing as she scrolled past the names of her friends. Each name held a memory, a piece of her life intertwined with the adventures and battles they had faced together. But as she continued scrolling, one name caught her attention—Nick. Her breath hitched in her throat. Nick, their brave friend who had been lost, who had sacrificed himself to save her from the hands of darkness. The memories of that tragic day flooded her mind, and she felt a wave of grief wash over her. Compelled by a mix of nostalgia and sorrow, Gabriella opened their text thread. The first message appeared on the screen, and her heart tightened as she read through their past conversations, each one a snapshot of happier times before everything had changed. Nick: Hey Gabby! Ready for the next training session with the girls? Gabriella: Of course! Can't wait to show off my new moves. Nick: You better not be all talk! I'm going to show you how it's done. Gabriella: In your dreams! The playful banter continued, interspersed with the excitement of their adventures: Nick: I heard from Hunter that there's a new challenge coming up. Are you prepared? Gabriella: Challenge? What are you talking about? Nick: You'll see! It's going to be epic! Gabriella: If you're in charge, I'm not so sure... A bittersweet smile crossed her face she wished she could remember itall Nick: Gabby, just remember: we're in this together. No matter what happens, you're not alone. Gabriella: I know, Nick. Thanks for always having my back. The weight of that promise felt heavier now, knowing how it had ultimately ended. Gabriella blinked back tears as she thought of how brave Nick had been, always the one ready to face danger for the sake of others. After scrolling through Nick's messages, Gabriella hesitated but then felt compelled to check James's texts as well. She remembered him vaguely—his smile, the way he had given them their magical bracelets, his encouraging words about their destiny as guardians. But details were hazy, and she couldn't quite recall who he was. With a few taps, she found James's contact and opened the thread. James: Hey Gabby! Just wanted to remind you to stay sharp. The next challenge could be dangerous. Gabriella: Thanks, James! I'll be ready. You know I can handle anything. James: Of course you can! Just remember to look out for each other, okay? Gabriella: Always. You can count on me and the girls. As she read through their messages, Gabriella felt a mix of confusion and warmth. James had always been supportive, almost like a big brother to her and the other girls. His texts were filled with encouragement and confidence in their abilities as guardians. James: The charms are connected to our hearts, Gabby. Never forget that. Gabriella: I won't. We'll find them together. James: Just keep being you. That's all you need to do. Gabriella leaned back against her bed, her heart heavy with the memories of her lost friends. Nick, who had given his life for hers, and James, whose wisdom and friendship had guided them. Suddenly, a knock at the door startled her out of her reverie. It was Anna, and Gabriella quickly closed the screen of her bracelet, wiping away the few stray tears that had fallen. "Come in!" she called out, trying to sound as casual as possible. Anna entered the room, her usual warm smile gracing her face. "Are you ready for dinner, my lady?" Gabriella nodded, taking a deep breath to steady herself. "Yes, i just happy that i got in Eton anna" Anna smiled "you came in?" Gabriella smiled her bright smile and nodded "yes i did, i start in sep 13th, its three months left" Anna smiles happily "im happy for you milady" Gabriella looks at anna "you know you don't have to call me milday anna? Anna shakes her head "i can't possibly call you by your name milday" "yes you can, but just around the family" Gabriella says while looking at anna Anna replies "fine" she smiles Anna lays out Gabriella's dress on the bed The dress displayed is an elegant, vintage piece characterized by its soft, neutral color, likely a shade of peach or cream. It features a flowing silhouette that falls gently to the floor, highlighting its timeless design. The bodice of the dress is adorned with intricate beadwork and embroidery, showcasing a detailed pattern that draws attention and adds texture. The neckline is rounded and modest, enhancing its classic appeal. Below the bust, the dress cinches slightly, creating a flattering shape that drapes beautifully. The skirt flows freely, with additional beadwork cascading down the fabric, contributing to the dress's overall luxurious look. The waist is accentuated with a matching belt tied into a bow, adding a charming detail that complements the outfit. The dress is displayed on a mannequin against a dark background, which enhances its delicate features and rich textures. -after dinner, the clock was 9 pm, Gabriella went to the cement. Gabriella went to Sybil's grave, she puts flowers on the grave. Gabriella sits next to the grave. "I remember, sybil. The night of your death i promiesed to tell you more about the kingdoms the next day, i guess i never get a chance too. You are the only one who knows about it, Only a year after your death matthew died, i don't remember but mama told me he died in a car accdent. two months after his death i got stabbed by ero, i then was in coma ever since 1921,i woke this year, i woke in may the second or 3rd 1923 but it was some days before rose's coming out ball, i have lost my memories but i only got the memory of the night you dying here's no better friend than a sister and there's no worse enemy than one, too." "Nothing can replace the love of a sister." "A sister is a unique blessing that will last forever." "Sisters share a special bond that can never be broken even if death do them apart. Even after your death I still love you and i miss you

Gabriella sat in the cool evening air, the quiet of the cemetery settling around her like a soft embrace. The night was still, save for the occasional rustle of leaves as the wind whispered through the trees. The scent of the flowers she had laid on Sybil's grave filled her senses, bringing back faint memories of the times they had spent together before everything had changed. She hugged her knees to her chest and rested her chin on top, speaking softly to the grave."You were always the one I could talk to, Sybil. Even when the others didn't understand me, you always did. You were there for me when I needed someone to listen, and now... now I don't know what to do without you."Her fingers traced the edge of the grave marker as if hoping to find some sense of connection through the cold stone. The loss still felt fresh, even after all this time. Sybil's death had changed everything, leaving a hole in Gabriella's heart that hadn't healed. And then Matthew had followed, taken so abruptly, so cruelly. She had barely begun to process one loss when another was thrust upon her."I don't know how Mama and Papa do it," Gabriella murmured. "How they keep going after everything that's happened. I feel like I'm drowning half the time, stuck in this world of secrets and lies, pretending like I'm okay when I'm not. How do they manage to carry on?"The moon hung high in the sky, casting a soft glow over the gravestones. Gabriella leaned back against the stone, her gaze drifting up to the stars that dotted the night sky. She wondered if Sybil was up there somewhere, watching over her, guiding her in ways she couldn't see or understand."I wish you were still here," Gabriella whispered, her voice barely audible. "I could really use your advice right now. I don't know how to balance everything—being a hero, hiding it from the family, dealing with all the responsibilities that come with it. It's so much, and sometimes I feel like I'm not strong enough."Her thoughts drifted to Eton Square High School, the new chapter of her life that was about to begin. It should have been a source of excitement, and part of her *was* excited. But another part of her was terrified. Terrified of failing, of not living up to the expectations that came with being a Crawley, of letting down her friends and family."Eton should be a fresh start," Gabriella mused aloud. "But I can't help but feel like I'm carrying all this baggage with me. All these secrets, all these things I can't tell anyone. And then there's Eleanor, always pushing me, always making me feel like I'm not good enough. I don't know if I can compete with her, Sybil. I don't know if I'm strong enough."The silence around her was heavy, but comforting. It was as if the world was giving her a moment to breathe, to release some of the weight she had been carrying. She closed her eyes, letting the peacefulness of the night seep into her bones."I made a promise to you that night, Sybil," Gabriella whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "I promised that I'd tell you all about the kingdoms, about the magic and the adventures, but I never got the chance. You're the only one who knew about it all, the only one I could trust. I miss you every single day."Her fingers curled into the grass, pulling at the blades as if trying to anchor herself to the earth, to the memory of her sister. "I've lost so much," Gabriella said softly. "Not just you and Matthew, but pieces of myself too. Pieces I don't know if I'll ever get back. I was in that coma for so long, and when I woke up, everything was different. I was different."She let out a shaky breath, her eyes opening to stare at the sky again. "I just want things to be okay again. I want to remember who I am, to remember everything that was taken from me. But I don't know how to get that back."Gabriella sat there for what felt like hours, lost in her thoughts, her emotions swirling like the wind around her. Finally, she stood up, brushing the dirt and grass from her dress. She gave one last glance at Sybil's grave, her heart heavy with a mixture of sadness and hope."I'll keep fighting," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "For you, for Matthew, for everyone. I'll keep going, no matter how hard it gets. I promise."With that, Gabriella turned and made her way back to Downton Abbey, the weight of her memories and her future pressing down on her shoulders. She didn't know what the next day would bring, but she knew she had to be ready. Ready for Eton, ready for the battles ahead, and ready to face whatever darkness awaited her and her friends.As she walked through the quiet estate grounds, the familiar sounds of Downton filled the air—the distant hum of voices, the clinking of china, the rustling of leaves in the breeze. It was a place she had always called home, but tonight, it felt like a world apart. A place filled with secrets, with loss, and with a quiet determination to carry on.

Gabriella paused for a moment, glancing back over her shoulder at the cemetery, the moonlight casting long shadows across the ground. She took a deep breath, letting the cool night air fill her lungs, and then she turned back toward the estate, ready to face whatever came next.