A/N: Credit for the plot and beginning storyline goes to olorens1289 who gave me permission to rewrite and continue this interesting story. (Originally called "Ben is back or is he?")
Tom felt relieved being able to finally sit down in his room. Looking around he felt a smile creep onto his face. In all honesty, he believed that coming to Charleston was a good idea. Things were finally starting to slow down and fall into a routine for him and the rest of the second mass. He was pulled out of his thoughts as he saw Matt walk over to him and grinned as he lifted the youngest Mason onto his lap.
"Dad? Wheres Ben? He said I could hang out with him today." Said the young boy looking up at his fathers face.
"He's out on patrol. I'm sure he'll be back soon Matt." Tom replied back in his chair he closed his eyes and shortly after fell asleep. Charleston may have been a dream they've always wanted, but reality was a nightmare.
He was in an empty, burned field. Looking around he saw nothing, no buildings, people. Anything.
"Where am I?" He asked looking around. Turning he saw a small figure coming towards him. Taking a step forward and focusing more on the figure, he discovered it was a fishhead. It now stood a few feet away, staring down at him.
"Hello Tom Mason.." Tom's eyes widened as he heard the words it spoke to his mind.
"H-how am I able to hear you?" He watched as the tall alien seemed to smile.
"This is a dream Tom Mason..Here I'm able to connect and speak to anyone."
"So what do you want with me?" The alien leaned forward as it stared down at the professor with a cold expression.
"I am giving you a warning. Give up this useless attempt of saving humanity. End things now and we will offer you a better life than the one you are living now." Tom looked up at the fishhead matching its gaze perfectly.
"You may have taken our planet, our homes and families. But theres one thing you'll never have. Our hope. The will to survive and beat you sending you back to wherever the hell it is you came from. The skies may have fallen, but we'll be right there to pick it back up again."
The overlord didn't like the answer Tom had given. It pulled away with pure hatred in its eyes. "Very well. Do not say I didn't warn you Tom Mason."
Tom shot up in the chair as he tried to steady his breathing. Glancing around he realized he was still in his room and that he had fallen asleep. Matt was gone and the sun was starting to set on the horizon. Rubbing a hand over his face he stood up and stretched his aching muscles. It wasn't until he really focused on anything that heard a commotion going on outside. Glancing out the window he saw Weaver shouting commands as a group of people started gathering around something. Looking closer he saw a skitter walking out of the trees, it looked like it was carrying something. No, not something, someone! Fear crept into Toms heart as he thought of the only person who went out on Patrol this morning.
Ben.