Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters from Ben 10 or Ben 10 Omniverse since all the rights belong to Man of Action.

One night can solve everything.

Sunlight crept up from behind the buildings of the village of Bellwood America, its radiant rays creeping through all the windows and beginning to arose everyone from their sleep. One boy in particular was dreading this time. Benjamin Kirby Tennyson shot up with a yelp as his emerald green eyes dilated to the point of almost being tiny dots and he frantically looked around the messy, item scattered floored room which was his bedroom. The 16 year old panted as he slowly reminded himself that he was in reality once more and the horrible visions he had just witnessed was actually figments of his own imaginings.

The boy wiped a relieved hand across his sweaty head as he sighed "Whew...It was just a dream." Ben looked down at his hands and noticed that they were still clutching the light blue blankets of his bed. He gave an eye roll as he released the blankets before he moved out of his bed and staggered into the bathroom, not even bothering to do anything else due to how tired he was and the fact that he was still trying to comprehend that it was morning.

When the boy looked into the mirror, he was in a state of shock. He had large, darkened bags underneath his now sunken green eyes. His mud brown locks of hair were going all over the place as if he were being electrocuted, his honey colored skin was actually looking ghostly pale and he had droplets of sweat running down the right side of his head. The boy sighed heavily as he quickly reached over to grab a thin black comb before he began to comb his hair back to its normal shape.

"Every night for the past three weeks, that nightmare comes. Its like a horror movie each time." Ben groaned before he finished combing his hair and returned the comb to its rightful place next to the cup of toothbrushes and the boy then made his way out of the bathroom, not even going to bother brushing his teeth and as soon as he reached his bed, he practically collapsed on to it. Ben was exhausted since those dreams are what made him wake up every night and it was every single time he slept. Ben couldn't close his eyes that he was so frightened of this dream reappearing.

After giving up at trying to sleep, Ben sat up and looked at the digital clock that sat right by his lamp on the bedside table. It read 7:49. It was time to get up and get some breakfast. Ben heavily trudged down the stairs and when he saw his parents in the kitchen, he frowned in hesitation but his eyes were heavy. When the boy entered, his parent's back were turned to their every morning tasks. Ben's father, Carl, read the morning paper while his mother, Sandra, was cooking pancakes for breakfast.

Ben was hesitant in entering the kitchen like this but he knew it would raise suspicion upon the duo whom raised him and he was forced to enter while looking like a demon-possessed zombie.

"Well, son. You're up early." Commented Carl as he folded up the news paper to get a look at his boy but when he did, his face dropped and his jaw went slack. This showed Ben that his father was noticing how dead tired Ben was. Carl had never seen the normally energetic boy like this before since he looked so tired and the way his eyes sunk into his skull like that sent shivers down his spine.

"Why are you up so early, Hone-AHHHH!" Sandra began but when she turned around to look at her son, she screamed and dropped the frying pan she was holding. Ben then snapped and narrowed his eyes furiously "Stop screaming, Woman! My ears are ringing ENOUGH!" Ben snapped as his green orbs were filled to the brim with fiery anger. Ben's mother was shocked and even gave an expression of hurt and when Ben realized what he had just said he hung his head in shame and apologized "...Sorry, mom. I lost control there."

Sandra walked towards her son and patted his shoulder in understanding as she suggested "Ben, sweetie. Maybe you should go and get some sleep?" It was then that Ben exclaimed in panic as he clung tightly to her mother, showing actual fear "NO! PLEASE DON'T MAKE ME!"

Both Carl and Sandra were startled by Ben's abnormal behavior. He seemed so tired yet so persistent on not sleeping. It was clear that Ben's lack of sleep and resistance to sleep were both connected. "Son, are you having nightmares or something?" Carl asked as he curiously raised a thick brow. Ben snapped again as he threw his arms down "Oh. What gave you THAT idea, dad!?-" the 16 year old pointed to the large bags under his eyes "-THE HUMONGOUS BAGS UNDER MY EYES!?"

Ben growled as he restrained himself from doing anything foolish before he told the both of them as he walked out the door and back up the stairs "I'm gonna get dressed and then I'll go out with Rook. I'll see you guys later." Ben said through his clenched teeth whilst he stormed up the stairs. Sandra was about to admonish Ben for snapping at his own parents but one death glare from her son was enough to shut her up.

After about 30 minutes, Ben (wearing a scarf to match his hoodie) had indeed stormed out of the door and where should he meet outside waiting for him in his vehicle but Rook Blonko, the brave Rovannahgander sidekick that took the position right after Kevin and Gwen left. As Ben walked in the thick blanket of snow that covered the ground and areas surrounding his home, Rook opened the door for his friend but Ben just stormed in and slumped down in his seat before strapping himself in, not saying a word.

Rook raised a curious eye ridge as he examined Ben thoroughly but only found that the boy was looking exhausted. "...Ben?" Rook was hesitant on asking his partner this question due to the look of death Ben had on his face "...Are you alright?"

Ben just growled at Rook with his eyes narrowed before he just demanded "Rook. Drive. Now."

Rook didn't dare argue with the orders he was given but he could tell that something was seriously wrong with his partner. Ben seemed very angry today and not only that, he looked dreadful. He looked like he was going to pass out at any moment but Rook could also see some serious fear in the boy's emerald green orbs too.

Without a word, Rook stepped on Pedal of his truck and driven to the Plumber exercise base so Ben could hopefully burn off that steam that seemed to have been consuming him and hopefully tire him out. Once they entered, Rook practically shoved Ben to the room where many punching bags were hanging, ready for an early morning punching. The two train first thing in the morning every day and Rook was trying to hide the fact that there was a small plan behind this.

Ben took one look at the punching bags before demanding as he turned on his feet to head back to the door "Not today, Rook." But his sunken, bloodshot eyes widened a little in shock as he saw Rook blocking his path with his hands spread out in a further attempt to prevent him from leaving. Ben's eyes narrowed in a deadly way as he threatened cooly "Rook, get outta my way or else I'll make you."

Rook narrowed his own eyes and shook his head without any regret and said with much authority lacing his every word "No. Not until you tell me why you are so upset."

Ben growled. He didn't want to fight but he knew it would make him fall asleep if he did and that was the last thing he wanted. So the boy's hand hovered the Omnitrix as he wordlessly threatened to make good on his previous threat if Rook didn't let him go but Rook raised a brow and grinned before he bluffed "If you transform, Ben, you'll get tired. Its either exercise, spar with me or sleep. You pick."

Ben immediately threw a punch but Rook easily blocked it and after that, the fight began. Ben was constantly throwing desperate attacks and Rook was relentlessly dodging those very weak attacks. Honestly, Rook was feeling very sad for the boy. Whatever was bothering the hero of the universe, it was eating him alive on the inside. So much that it was draining him of his sleep. The Rovannahgander wasn't going to let his worrying emotions interfere with the task at hand. The boy was panting heavily, showing that he was getting exhausted and he was close to breaking. While Ben had momentarily stopped to catch his breath, Rook done a full round house kick, knocking Ben into the wall and knocking the boy out cold.

Rook cautiously stepped forwards and when he reached Ben, who was unconscious but he pretty much laid on the floor but his head was knocked against the wall, he knelt down in front of him and his head dropped. "I'm so sorry, Ben." Rook apologized "Please forgive me."

With that, Rook picked up Ben's skinny yet fragile form and carried him over his shoulder as he exited the exercise chamber. He wasn't one to be sentimental but Rook was seriously worried for Ben's well-being. What if the boy was suffering from a mental illness? Whatever it was, this was going to be sorted out one way or another.

A/N: Sorry for the emotional first chapter, guys. I just thought this would be a good first chapter. You maybe wondering what kind of nightmares are driving Ben to not sleep? You'll find out soon and the cure you might find shocking in a few chapters.

I hope this was good enough. I'll also let you know this is a Christmas special. SURPRISE! Please review and favorite. Oh, and Happy Remembrance Sunday, everyone!

-Chloemcg