Title: Wingless

The concept of a higher power. Angels. God. Whatever you want to call it. This story idea is based on a few things I gathered from educational and entertainment material. The story is basically about people, primarily focusing on children, who have died before experiencing all they need to in life. They are sent to somewhere with no initial memory of their past life except perhaps overtime through headaches and flashes, bits of memory, from encounters with other people or they could have possibly figured it out all on their own without outside influence. It varies between each character who is designated a 'Wingless', so to speak an Angel who has yet to earn their wings. The plot really focuses on one of these 'Wingless' children and her determination to earn her wings. To earn their wings the Wingless have to descend back down to Earth and help a designated child with their problems, to put it simply. But there is a catch because while they are all trying to earn their wings they are also given a second chance at life, to experience it. Another twist is once they have finished their assignment they are given an option to become a true 'Wingless', as in an Angel without wings who is forced to remain on Earth forever or become a 'Winged' which is an Angel with wings who can only remain on Earth for tasks given to them by their superiors. This means that that Wingless can live a second life on Earth permanently if they choose to remain Wingless but they would be mortal with extended lifespans unlike the Winged who are ageless and also wouldn't gain any powers. The Wingless and Winged don't bleed instead when injured they emit a blinding light from their wound and anyone who touches it without their permission would get searing burns on that part of their body. The Wingless as with the Winged can change forms (as in their age and only the Wingless who as trying to earn their wings can do this) at will to accomplish their tasks and are also allowed to help each other but can't decide how another should handle their task, it's up to that Wingless or Winged alone. They each also have individual artificial helpers (think small flying AI that can fit in the palm of your hand) that they can consult and inquire certain things with.

Prominent Characters:

Avariella Poretti - Main character. Narrator. Italian. Poretti is a new Wingless who has yet to earn her wings. She is brash and likes to speak her mind but is also insightful and caring when she chooses to be. Her memory is locked and therefore she doesn't know about her past early on in the story. When she does gain bits of it back she gets a migraine, collapses, and then blacks out. Has two alternate identities she goes by which are Aurelia Piccoli and Ali Piccoli. Her designated child is Amarante Mikomi and her AI helper is named Paolino.

Aimee Belrose - Major character. French. Belrose is a Wingless with a bossy and somewhat self-centered attitude. Aimee developed a bubble around her mind to keep herself from others and to hide her true self, which is hidden for most of the story. Sometimes her true self does slip up and comes to the surface before it is fully revealed later in the story. She has yet to earn her wings and her memory from the beginning of the story is fully unlocked but she doesn't tell anyone or show significant signs of it. Her designated child is Margot Morel and her AI helper is named Adeline.

Cindy Estrada - Major character. American. Estrada is a six year old human who Aurelia lives with. She ran away from home because of the harsh and abusive nature of her parents. Always quick to like others and is very energetic. Has trouble pronouncing certain words, a fascination with shiny things (in particular quarters), and the Tooth Fairy. Thinks of Aurelia as an older sister and wants to meet Aurelia's younger sister Ali. She doesn't know that Aurelia and Ali are actually the same person (Avariella) just different ages.

Amarante Mikomi - Major character. Japanese. Fifteeen year old human of Japanese descent with glasses who is also Avariella's designated child. She is very shy and reserved but is outgoing and forceful when she needs to be. Very knowledgeable but doesn't show it or boast about it. Becomes friends with Ali really quickly and has met her older sister Aurelia a few times. Knows that Avariella and Ali are the same person but acts like they just look very similar. Wants to be friends with Aimee really badly as well, always dragging her to hang out together.

Sophia Soto - Major character. Japanese/Spanish. A teacher at Auckland International with a very laid-back and joking personality though she is very intelligent about most things in life and can figure things out quickly. She is actually a true Wingless that decided to stay on Earth and acts as a friend and mentor to everyone in the story. Grows fond of Cindy and gets together very well with her. Knows what Avariella, Flora, and Aimee really are and quickly deduces each of their characters. She still has her AI helper which is named Damita who she calls Dami for short.

Flora Shelsher - Major character. British. Yet to earn her wings she is a Wingless with a bubbly and excitable personality. Underneath her personality is a darker and more solmen one. Her memory like Avariella's is locked but she knows more about her past than Avariella does at the beginning but she never talks about it but instead gives hints and implications on what it is. Doesn't do well with stuck-up or rich people but does her best to tolerate them. Her designated child is Lenin Hughes and her AI helper is named Lovette.

Mr. Hideyoshi - Minor character. Japanese. Aged Sushi shop owner and Avariella's boss. He watches Cindy from time to time and gives advice to anyone who needs it.

Margot Morel - Minor character. French. Aimee's designated child. Very proper and kind, somewhat outlying.

Lenin Hughes - Minor character. New Zealander European/Australian. Flora's designated child. Outgoing and annoying to most people.

Tayten Poretti - Minor character. Italian. Avariella's human older brother. A very caring and fragile person, blames himself for his sister's death and subsequently his family's breaking apart.

Prudence Wright - Minor character. British. Waitress at Mr. Hideyoshi's shop who Cindy and Avariella live with. Shy and not forceful.

Chapters [completed ones in blue]:

1. Assignment
2. Picture Perfect
3. The Runaway
4. Truth Unfolding
5. Princess
6. Inquisitiveness
7. Acquaintances
8. Knocking on the Shell
9. Hey, What's the Tooth Fairy?
10. Menagerie Memories
11. Awake Yet?
12. Proposal
13. The Free Spirit and Jaunty Tune!
14. Abundance
15. Second Waterloo
16. Quaint
17. The Boy Under the Stairs
18. Peeling the Shell
19. Meddling Melody
20. Paper Imperfect
21. Confrontations!?
22. Unlatched Memories
23. Designed Purpose
24. Valediction
25. This isn't Adieu!

"....Again, Mikomi nudged me on the shoulder but this time to say 'Cut it out'. The atmosphere at the table with Aimée there was surprisingly calm. It wasn't at all tense like I imagined with the way me and her have been getting along. Though it wasn't so calm that we were all best buddies because Mikomi was sitting very close to my left and Aimée in front of her on the other side of the table. The reason being all the earlier courage Amarante coughed up could barely even be considered tonsillolith now and Aimée didn't want to sit anywhere near me. After all, to her I was just the 'Saucisse italienne sur la pizza pain français' and not the 'Saucisse italienne farcies pain français'. I just sat there eating my meal of noodles, again (they were remarkablely fine noodles what could I say?), and minded my own business. Mikomi, on other hand, kept glancing between me and Aimée like she was waiting for something to happen. Bread-roll never looked up from her food to even notice and good thing because she would have barked at her to stop with the quick stares. The only thing Aimée did was later ask if anyone wanted her drink because she disliked over-sized soft drinks, especially the grape flavored ones. With Mikomi now too shy to answer I offered to take it. Belrose slide it across the table with her fork towards me like it was some kind of foul substance that would cause her to melt if she came into direct contact with it. She must really hate over-sized soft drinks. The rest of the lunch period went by silently after that as we all finished our food. First to get done was Aimée who acted like it was a race to see who could take the quickest mouthfuls without breathing apparently and in second was me with Mikomi in dead last third place. I thought she was actually dead for a minute because she had hardly touched her food and her chopstick hand was convulsing slightly. Before she got up Aimée thanked us for the meal and took her sweet time walking to the trash can, like a princess. It seemed she wasn't so stuck-up that she was above common courtesy – and by common I mean very common...."

Title: Emancipation Provenance

Resistance. Concepts of world domination, freedom fighters, and destruction. This story is about two siblings thrust into a war between an organized resistance and a mysterious tyrannical power that aims to take over the Earth. It's set in a futuristic near apocalyptic world seventeen years after said tyrannical power had unleashed mass destructive weapons on the Earth's populace and announced it's ulterior motive of conquering all. The two siblings escaped from this tyrannical power's grip and were drafted into the organized resistance. The organized resistance is called the N.E.O.(stands for New Earth Odyssey) that aims to take down this tyrannical power called the Salvation Alliance and free conquered nations. The Salvation Alliance consists of world powers wanting to gain a share of controlling the Earth and have a mutual agreement with each other. Racial and political grudges hamper both sides to some extent and infighting is more common than it should be, though isolated. Both siblings have to deal with these issues as well as growing to survive in a war-torn environment. Friends become enemies and enemies become friends as each person is thrown into the conflict.

Prominent Characters:

Akihiko Shizuka - Main Character. Japanese. 15 yrs old. The younger brother of Eriko Shizuka who is the more naive of the two. He is outspoken and brash in his behavior around others, especially the ones who he dislikes, mistrusts, and that betray their friends. The only one he fully trusts is his older sister who always tries to look after him. Although, unlike his sister he doesn't try to help other people.

Eriko Shizuka - Main Character. Japanese. 19 yrs old. The oldest of the two siblings who is always thinking. She developed a strong bond with her brother and because of this always tries to look out for him. Her personality is fun-loving and caring with much darker more serious undertones that surface.

Yuliana Zolnerowich - Major Character. Russian. 28 yrs old. A member of a strict military family from Russia who sided with the Salvation Alliance. Originally a quiet shy girl she became a very stern and unforgiving individual during later years in the Salvation Alliance. Hailed as one of the smartest but ruthless soldiers in the Alliance she eventually became the leader of Atlantean Company. She commands with an iron fist and punishes anyone who disobeys or questions her orders except for her assistant Syuzanna Belyaev. To her allies and enemies alike she is known as the "Shimmering Fiend" because of her brutal, truculent nature in combat, and the skill with her weapon called a Gunblade.

Anneliese Eberstark - Major Character. German. 28 yrs old. A German with an insightful and caring demeanor. She's quick to act in dangerous situations and is a calm fighter. A former solder in the Salvation Alliance she defected to the NEO after a costly battle that seemly took the life of her two best friends. Was known as the "Flickering Banshee" while a part of Salvation Alliance and is still revered by that name. Always willing to forgive others and help her friends in times of need she also became leader of the Rapid Deployment Division in the NEO.

Svein Landvik - Major Character. Norwegian. 22 yrs old. The second oldest of the Landvik siblings who joined the NEO. He wants to find his younger sister and save his older brother from the Salvation Alliance before it's too late. This determination has shaped him into being open-minded, idealistic, and dedicated to nearly everything he does or says. Like his older brother is also part of a mobile assualt unit - the NEO's Mecha Division.

Syuzanna Belyaev - Major Character. Russian. 19 yrs old. She was put into Atlantean Company per suggestion by her drill instructor because of her phenomenal scores. Developed a positive relationship and trusting relationship with Yuliana over the short time they've been together and is always inspired by her. Usually taciturn and reserved unless she feels the need to speak her mind or offer suggestions, is worrisome about the health of her comrades.

Yakumo Goodman - Major Character. Japanese/American. 19 yrs old. Joined the NEO of her own free will and because her family was taken away by the Salvation Alliance. She doesn't like seeing people fighting each other and is very caring, compassionate, and concerned of others' well-being, even enemies. Becomes Eriko's best friend in the NEO and together they form a friendship with Annelise Eberstark. In the same unit and training group as Eriko they are often seen together even in combat.

Aurelio Gallo - Minor Character. Italian. 26 yrs old. Member of the NEO's Covert Special Operations Division and is second in command of Talon Squad. He thinks very highly of himself and his abilities, but is often viewed as vexatious and obnoxious by his fellows. Nicknamed the "Golden Knight" by his allies in the NEO because of his attitude but also for his bravery and somewhat serious behavior during battle. Raised in Italy he also has a strong value on the meanings of family and what it is to share experiences with other people.

Dae Ryu - Minor Character. Korean. 33 yrs old. Leader of Talon Squad and is known as the "Yellow Dragon" throughout the NEO and to the Salvation Alliance. Despite only holding the rank of Sergeant he is highly looked up to for his experience, wisdom,and advice on and off the battlefield. Underneath his solemn demeanor there is a soft spot for children and small animals.

Oden Landvik - Minor Character. Norwegian. 25 yrs old. The oldest of the Landvik siblings and the most severe. He joined the Salvation Alliance because of unknown reasons. A skilled soldier he is idealistic, analytical, and quietly forceful to other people. Always wanted to write a book since he was little and keeps that dream alive even as a part of the Salvation Alliance's Mobile Assualt Company.

Ady Hall - Minor Character. Norwegian. 18 yrs old. The youngest of the Landvik siblings she was seperated from the rest of her family when she was barely a year old. Was rescued by an American businessman who adopted her into his family and brought her back to the United States. Born Catherine Landvik she was renamed Ady Hall and because of her upbringing has developed a strong aura of common sense and negotiation skills. She is kind, thoughtful, and caring but has a really difficult time expressing any of those traits. Because of this she is often blunt, sarcastic,and somewhat harsh towards others.

Chapters [Completed ones in blue]:

1. Last Attempt
2. Ode to the Dragon
3. The N.E.O
4. Split Apart
5. Test, Train, Execute
6. Past Unspoken
7. World Measures
8. Salvation
9. Ready Ordnance
10. Get Set
11. Go
12. Mecha Mayhem
13. Rest to Stand By
14. Beckon to the Banshee
15. Voiceless Future
16. Salvation Returned
17. Convoke the Fiend
18. Condition One
19. Before
20. Suit Up
21. Mass Altercation
22. White Haired Siblings
23. Pain
24. Lament and Recourse
25. After
26. First Surrender

"....The prospect of piloting a real life mechanized war machine sent a blaze of excitement down Akihiko's spine; in contrast, it send a shiver of dread down Eriko's. He was thrilled to operate something he's only seen on patrols outside the walls of the their - escaped from - relocation camp. Gazing at the sheer size of them: nearly seven meters tall and armed to the teeth in anti-personnel, anti-tank, and anti-aircraft weaponry, he marveled at the immense power that resonated from them. On the other hand, Eriko saw the pure terror inducing and destructive capabilities that such a massive machine could do and she was afraid. Afraid, she was against the idea of having a young child pilot a metal war machine the size of a two story building. Not forgetting to mention that it was her own blood that would be piloting it, who couldn't grasp the plain fact that they were dangerous, she was very against the idea and promptly voiced her belief. Lieutenant General Lerwick noted her concern with a nod as he cleared his throat to offer an explanation to the decision, his arms clasped behind his back.
"As a part of the New Earth Odyssey, no matter how young or old, we need every able body that we can. The concern you have for your younger sibling is admirable, but I regret to inform you that he will be the secondary designated pilot of one of our mechanized armored units and that he will be put into danger at some point. I am confident that this young man will be able to handle anything that crosses his path; whether it be dangerous or not."
At this news Eriko turned a bit pale and glanced to Lieutenant Eberstark who nodded her head in approval of the Lieutenant General's decision and offered her own insight into the matter.
"Shizuka, as the Lieutenant General said, will be fine as long as he is capable of his own strengths and aware of his own weaknesses. Not to mention, he is the secondary designated pilot, not the first. These machines are designed to be piloted by two people: one to maintain and watch the stability of its systems and the other to concentrate on movement and operating the various forms of weaponry." She formed a reassuring smile as she put her hand on Eriko's shoulder, "Shizuka, you must have more faith in your brother's abilities as a pilot."
Eriko took Lieutenant Eberstark's hand in hers and squeezed hard, the warmth of Eberstark's hand giving her extra reassurance that what she said was the truth. She only hoped that that truth was the right one...."

Title: Idol Discovery

Deduction stories and murder mysteries, detectives and serial killers. Stories of grandeur, of glamor, and of living your dreams. That's what this story is about. A team of detectives is investigating into the gruesome deaths of local artists that all have some sort of connection. Some factor that draws them all together and points to one ending dot; their killer. He has racked up a multitude of newspaper articles and television broadcasts in his name; which nobody knows. That's because nobody can catch him, but two detectives on the team are determined to stop his killings once and for all. These two detectives draw others to their cause outside of their team and pair up to gather evidence and clues on this artistic killer. Can they stop his rampage before it becomes too big?

Prominent Characters:

Leo Ansell - Main Character. Greek-American. Ansell is one of the two detectives determined to undermine the unknown killer's efforts at thinning the number of artists in the world. He lets his emotions affect him more than his partner and he's not afraid to hunt down any potential suspects no matter how much evidence is weighed against them. Prone to fits of anger and passion, he often does things without thinking of the consequences.

Naomi Hamada - Major Character. Secondary Narrator. Japanese-American. Detective Naomi is the other of the two detectives set on catching the unknown murderer. Of the two of them she is better at controlling her emotions and staying calm in most stressful situations. She keeps her partner in check as well as gathering clues and evidence on the killer more-so than her partner before engaging in anything. Determined to not let her emotions get to her on jobs, she suppresses most of her feelings and tries to comfort those affected around her.

Kat St. Carney - Major Character. French-American. Kat is a civilian interested in the case that the two detectives are pursuing about the artist killer. She butts her way into the investigation and gathers information about the killer from her sources and observations. It helps that she is an upstart idol singer because her contacts are more than most, but that also generates a lot of problems.

Cal Barret. Minor Character. German-American. A young girl who idolizes Kat and isn't afraid to show it. She gets involved in the case as well after following Kat around.

Janet de Moraal - Minor Character. French-American. Kat's doctor who also offers insight into the case and gives hints and advice on the killer's motives. She also helps care for members working on the case and charges them a discount for her services on Kat's request.

Apo Castellanos - Minor Character. Spanish-American. Another member of the team of detectives working on the case of the artist killer. He gathers info along with Naomi but isn't as invested in the case as her or her partner.