I Am Azul Vol. 8

This is the **eighth volume** of I Am Azul.

## Summary

As the cover shows, it's gonna be a Christmas episode! I'll show how the characters celebrate the most wonderful time of the year... With crazy antics ensues.

I originally conceived this as Vol. 10 and wanted this to be the season finale, while Volume 8 and 9 was gonna be a two-parter. But, plans changed. I hope you enjoy it.

## Plot (provided by alditoquerido)

It was Holidays already and I was narrating my childhood christmas. When I was a kid, I woke up early to wake up my familia and open the presents. We even had fun in the snow like making a snowman.

As a kid, I was so close with my hermana Savannah, who was very shy and wanted to be big and strong like me.

As time went on, my father became more temperamental and his arguments with my brother were getting worse. These arguments were depressing me so much, not even my sister could cheer me up. But then, she had an idea.

Later, she made me wear her bra and panties (which fit me since Savannah is taller than me... Unfortunately) as she's dressing me up as a girl. Including a blue dress and make-up. I was feeling so good... But then, Dad was calling Savannah. She told me to hide under her bed.

She went out to tell him she's fine since he admitted he yelled too loud and he just wanted the best for his children. He even said he expected me to be a 'strong man' to protect her, something that made me even more insecure of my feminine side.

We cut to the present we it's revealed that I've been talking with my therapist: Dr. Luna Fireheart, also known as Rain's mother. I told her about my insecurites about me coming out to my familia as genderfluid. She gave me some valid points about why hiding my sexuality is a bad idea.

Then I decided to summon Azul, so she can know the existence of Gender Spirits. Luna was very shocked, but amazed for the existence of these spirits.

After our session was over, she told me that we won't have another session next week, because of Christmas, that we could continue in January.

Meanwhile, in AniManga, Rain, W4D3 and Xaldin were closing down, ready for Christmas. When Xaldin asked about their plans, they all answered that they spend Christmas with their respective families. But then, Rain revealed that what he dreaded about Christmas was spending time with his older sister Lucina.

Ever since he was a baby, he was treated as such by Lucina. Then he talked a little about her job: she was the leader of a research facility called 'The Lost Ark Foundation', which specializes in ancient artifacts as they send tresure hunters to find such artifacts. One of them is Bridgette, Amy's older sister.

As Xaldin left the store for them to close (since he had a compromise), shortly after, some people came in: Dawn, Biteo and Amy's (who's hugging his arm for some reason). The latter two were here to buy a Jigglypuff plushie as they revealed... THEY WERE DATING! W4D3 and Rain were shocked.

Then Dawn said she wanted to talk with Rain in private, so W4D3 took the 'Love Birds' to the plushies section. Dawn asked Rain if she could spend Christmas at his house, something that surprised Rain. She revealed that she usually spends Christmas at Amy's house, but her and Biteo had other fans. And Jessica hates Christmas like the Grinch. Rain just said that he'll call his parents if they accept for Dawn to come.

Meanwhile, at Bake N' Cake (introduced in Vol. 4), I had the idea to sell roasted turkeys. We sold the last turkeys as Fabio was proud and we even talked a little about family. A subject kind of delicate for Hayley, especially since her mother and older sister live in New York and their flight was cancelled due snow. Luckily, Harley was here.

Speaking of Harley, he was baking the turkey, but... He caused the over to burst into flames.

Me and Hayley were closing the place as I told her about picking up my familia in the airport. Then, a wild Chloe appeared! Who's so excited to see my sister Savannah and asked me to come with me to see her. I accept her since, despite she's out of my league, I just wanted to see her happy.

At Rain's house, his parents Logan and Luna were decorating the tree. Of course, Logan being a goofball, he almost fell of the chair. Luckily, he landed on his wife.

Rain came back home, and he found his parents on the floor. He asked them if Dawn could come for dinner and they agreed. When Dawn entered, they all gave her a warm welcome.

Then Rain asked when his sister is coming, Luna answered that in any minute. Logan was excited since he saw Lucina as his little princess.

Lucina finally arrived and Logan was about to give her a hug... Only to get passed by her, since Lucina wanted to hug Rain, much for his embarrassment. Dawn only noticed how Lucina's breasts were bigger in comparison to Jessica's.

At the airport, me and Chloe were waiting for my family to land. The plan finally landed and eventually my family arrived. First I saluted my strict father, Javier, who's expecting me I have a job and I don't live like a slacker. Then I receved a hug from my mother, Eva; then a tough friendly punch in the arm from my brother J.J. (Javier Junior). And finally, I hugged my sister Savannah.

Then Savannah finally saw Chloe and they made their special salute, which made J.J. cringe (he hates cutesy things). We were about to go to my apartment to have dinner. Then suddenly, Azul called me...

Azul asked me if I was sure to confess my sexuality. But then she told me a very important information about humans and Gender Spirits. If humans get depressed for their sexuality being rejected by other people, they become shells of their former shells and Gender Spirits disappear. It's even implied that Ursa ain't a Gender Spirit, but a human spirit. But, Azul needed to consult Ursa further, so she left me. I was shocked or all this...

At the Parks' residence, Amy's family was getting ready for their Christmas dinner. Sarah was worried about Bridgette's scratches she got from her last mission.

Amy finally arrived with Biteo holding hands. When she introduced him as her new boyfriend, the entire family was shocked and even upset, especially from James. Amy swore Biteo is completely different from Ralphie. Even Biteo assured that his feelings towards Amy are sincere.

While Mary, Sarah and Bridgette were slowly changing their mind, James wasn't completely sure. However, after thinking hard, he gave Biteo a chance. But not before an interrogation that involves a lie detector (something Biteo was nervous).

The Fireheart family and Dawn were having Christmas dinner. Chatting about stuff until Luna asked about Dawn's family. Unfortunately, Dawn became sad by remembering her abandoment to her family.

Then the Firehearts cheered her up, especially Lucina, even to the point on doing a Christmas activity together. That activity was... WATCHING RAIN'S BABY PHOTOS!

And so, Rain got very scared since that was the thing that feared the most.

Back at my apartment, Bruce allowed us to use the dinner room (since the whole apartment is technically his house) while he and his daughter Beatrice will go to the mall for some reason.

Before we were about to have dinner, I was gonna tell my family I'm Genderfluid... But, then I chickened out and I told them I needed to go to the bathroom.

In the bathroom, Azul was upset of me backing out and we started arguing. Then Ursa appeared to stop our argument by threatening to send us straight to Hell.

After they calmed down, they proceeded to tell their story. Like how they used to be a human named 'Sam' with a Gender Spirit named Skyler. Despite being biologically a female, they couldn't idenity themselves as either a man or a woman. Which lead to be bullied and rejected by their parents. Which lead them to commit suicide, making their Gender Spirit to disappear.

Sam ended up in the Spirit World, who was saved by Binari, one of the Gender Guardians, who perfectly understand how they felt. Binari offered Sam to come with them.

The Gender Guardians gave Sam a transformation. Losing their hair and with a seal on the forehead, Sam became Ursa.

As Ursa finished the story, that only made me worse and I got worried to lose Azul.

Back with my familia, they were wondering why I was taking too long, so Savannah and Chloe decided to go find me.

They went up to the TV room whose door window leads to a terrace. Outisde, it was snowing, which distracted Chloe. Savannah decided to see the snow too and they began talking a little. Savannah reveals to studying as a computer programmer and with the hopes to make her own videogame.

Then Chloe told her she had a surprise for her. Savannah thought it was some kind of a Christmas present. She told her to close her eyes, which she did, and then... SHE KISSED HER!

Savannah was really shocked as Chloe told her how much she loves her and she asked her to be girlfriends. However, Savannah turned her down, saying she wasn't not into girls and only saw her as a friend.

The Parks were in the washing room, where James tested the lie detector he ordered through Amazon. They started the interrogration with questions that were mostly Ralphie-related. Luckily, Biteo proven himself that he's the opposite of Ralphie. The only time he lied was when Mary asked what he thinks about MLP Season 9, which he hates it. But, he passed the test and he was allowed to date Amy officially.

Then, somebody was in the door. It was Hayley and Harley, saying they can't have Christmas dinner since Harley ruined everything. The Parks let them have Christmas dinner.

They started chit-chatting and they ended up talking about me and my feminine side. Then Amy brought out the sleepver over me and my friends Biteo and Curi had at Hayley's house, where we crossdressed in women's underwear. Mary suggested to have a fashion show (especially since Harley wanted to prove he's the most feminine guy in the world), even if it was against Biteo's will.

Lucina started showing Dawn the photos she has on her phone (downloaded from the computer, downloaded from Dad's digital camera from the 90's). At the beach, when Rain was a baby and they built a sand castle. At Halloween, when Rain was a kid (dressed as a Power Ranger) and went to a scary house with Lucina (dressed as a witch). And a pretty embarassing moment at the shower, where Rain (as a teen) accidentally saw Lucina only wearing a towel.

Dawn was enjoying the photos while Rain was embarassed for that. Then Logan came out with a box full of photo albums taken from a traditional camera. And they started watching Lucina's baby photos. When Logan gave her a bath, when they were at the laundry and she ran around wearing panties on her head, and when they visited a farm and she dressed as a cowgirl and rode on Logan's back like a horse.

Lucina also felt embarassed for showing the photos, something that Rain pointed out. Then, the atmosphere was slowly becoming more mean-spirited as Rain started calling Lucina out for treating him like a baby. Luna tried to put her foot down to stop Rain on acting like a jerk. Even Logan, who's usually pacifist, started showing a more stern attitude. Rain had enough and he ran away from home.

I finally came out of the bathroom, and I encountered Curi, who was also having dinner with his family. But, he had to get out, because his older sister was getting moody. Then Savannah finally found me (without Chloe, oddly enough), and Curi, looking at her, he was stunned by her beauty. After Curi confusing Savannah as my older sister since she's taller than me, we went back to the dinning room.

My father was upset for taking too long. Savannah revealed that Chloe went to have something to drink. I decided to confess my sexuality... Until somebody came in. IT WAS JESSICA! She was wearing a sexy Santa outfit and hugged me. She turned to my familia and she proudly told them that she was my girlfriend. WAIT, WHAT?! I asked Jessica to talk in private while my family was recoving for the sudden surprise.

In the TV room, I asked her why she's pretending to be my girlfriend and she answered that her friends told her about my family visiting me. She's learning how to be a good friend with me, and her plan was pretending to be my girlfriend to impress my family. I thought her plan was stupid and I even asked her why she doesn't celebrate Christmas with her family. She responded me that they don't celebrate Christmas, for her rich father, it's just another day at the office (which explains why Jessica hates Christmas). Hearing made me start feeling sorry for Jessica.

Back at Amy's, while Biteo and Harley were dressing up at Amy's room (she lets them wearing her clothes), the Parks quickly arranged the living room for the little fashion show while Amy was the host.

First, they presented Harley, who's dressed up like Marilyn Monroe, complete with white panties. Brigette pointed our how girly he looks in comparison to Hayley.

Then, Biteo was next, who's wearing a pink dress and a wig with a ponytail. Surprisingly, they all found him cuter than Harley.

Harley got jealous and he tackled him as they both fell off the runway. Luckily, Amy caught Biteo while Harley landed on Hayley... In a very embarassing position.

That made Hayley finally exploded of anger and she yelled at Harley for everything wrong that happened tonight. And, just like Rain, he decided to leave the house to get some air. Harley felt very bad afterwards.

I started having dinner with my familia while Jessica keeps pretending to be my girlfriend. Before things get unnecesary 'kinky', I reminded my Dad the tequila he brought. Oddly enough, he said he couldn't find it.

Then Chloe finally came back... Unfortunately, she was drunk due the tequila my familia brought. The alcohol influence mixed with her heartbroken feelings by being rejected by Savannah, Chloe started spilling the beans. Even Jessica was forced to admit she wasn't my girlfriend. Savannah took Chloe to my room, so she can rest.

My dad ordered Jessica to leave as I was forced to confront him. He insisted me to stop hiding them secrets, but... I started yelling at him and calling him out for being such a strict father. Big mistake, he furiously told me that he'll take me back to Mexico. I freaked out and I decided to run away while I cry.

In my mind... Azul started feeling weak...

I was sad and hurt, Hayley was angry and frustrated, and Rain was embarassed and humiliated. So, we all had the same idea of going to the park,

The park was decorated with Christmas decorations and a tree. It reminded me of my vacations at Big Bear Lake. I encountered with my friends and we all shared our family issues.

Then, I started a snowball fight. Only me and Rain wanted to throw snowballs at each other while Hayley insisted it's not the right time. But, when she received two snowballs from us, she got mad and she decided to throw us TWO snowballs while revealing she was champion of snowball fights, four years consecutive. She knocked us out.

Then, W4D3 showed us and he was carrying a shopping bag with sugar. He told us his mother was making Creme Brulee (a french dessert that consists of a rich custard base topped with a layer of hardened caramelized sugar) and even invited us to have dinner.

Me and my friends were invited to W4D3's house, where we met his parents J4CK and H1LD4.

We went to the dinning room to have the creme brulee dessert. J4CK was a very good at cracking jokes. I thought this was the perfect family for how well they get along. Something that W4D3 differed, saying even they had their heated arguments here and there.

J4CK revealed that he used to be married before and he had a daughter from the first marriage. He also explained how due his health, they couldn't visit them for Christmas. H1LD4 assured that they always find a way to keep the family together.

Suddenly... We all started feeling sad as we remembered our respective childhoods with our families. We all cried as we went to the living room. Suddenly, Azul appeared who seems to lose energy or something.

Azul told me that if I don't confess my sexuality to my family, she may be gone. And so, it was time to make amends with our respective families.

First, it was Hayley with Harley, who was very ashamed for ruining Hayley's Christmas. Thankfully, not only Hayley accepted his apology, but she also apologized for yelling at him.

Then, it was Rain's turn. Dawn came in first and gave Rain a slap in the face for leaving the house. Then she called Lucina, and leave the Fireheart siblings alone. Rain apologized for yelling at her while she apologized for treating him like a baby. They both expressed how much they love each other and hugged.

Now... It was time... It was time for me to confess my sexuality to my familia. They came in as my father was waiting for a good explanation.

So... I confessed that I was genderfluid. That I consider myself both a man and a woman. My father thought it was a joke, but I confirmed that I wasn't. The things escalated quickly, even with Harley wanting to kick his ass. I demanded to stop, and I ended up crying on the floor. My father continued insisitng on me abandoning the life I made here in America.

And then... Hayley started standing up for me. She called my old man out as Rain joined her, telling him that something that hates more than bullies, it's negletful parents. Even W4D3 came ot the living room, saying that he heard everything and he won't let me being taken.

Both Eva and Savannah convinced him that I was okay, that there was nothing wrong on being genderfluid. My father realized his mistake and begged for forgiveness. Which I did...

Azul was about to disappear... Luckily, after I confessed my sexuality, which my familia accepted me, Azul was saved. She recovered her energy and then I asked her to show up to present her to my familia.

I asked my friends to leave us in private for a moment. So they all left as I showed my Gender Spirit to my family. At first, they were scared, but Azul told them that she's friendly. Luckily, they're all were willing to have an open mind about the Gender Spirits. Savannah was especially happy, saying that she has a sister.'

And then, they gave me a special Christmas present: they told me that Savannah will come here to live with me, at least for a year. I was beyond happy since I was always closed to my sister. Azul was especially happy.

Then, my friends returned to tell me something amazing is happening outside. My folks gave me permission as Azul told me that she'll tell them everything about her world.

## Characters

* Aldo/Azul
* Rain
* Hayley
* W4D3
* Chloe
* The Terrible Trio (Jessica, Dawn, and Amy)
* Azul - Aldo's gender spirit.
* Ursa/Skyler
* Harley - Hayley's twin brother
* Lucina - Rain older sister
* Logan - Rain's mother
* Luna - Rain's father
* Javier - Aldo's father
* Eva - Aldo's mother
* J.J. - Aldo's brother
* Savannah - Aldo's sister
* Biteo
* James - Amy's father
* Sarah - Amy's mother
* Mary - Amy's old sister
* Bridgette - Amy's young sister
* J4CK - W4D3's father
* H1LD4 - W4D3's mother
* Bruce
* Beatrice
* Binari - one of the Gender Guardians
* Joel - Jessica's father
* Jeremy - Jessica's brother
* Sam (flashback/deceased) - Ursa's gender watcher when she was Skyler.

## Trivia

* The Dr. Suess book, How the Grinch Stole Christmas is refrenced when Dawn says that Jessica is worse than the Grinch since she hates christmas.
* Ralphie is mentioned in this story.