Bens final battle

After the war, Washington were rejoicing. They had won, and the Espheni were dead. The Dornia had restored Ann and the unborn baby Mason back to full health. Tom couldn't be happier, looking at his family, astonished that all his boys had survived, especially Ben. His middle son had been through so much, both emotionally and physically. As a child, Ben was a meek, academic, book worm and completely content living in his own little world of make believe. 'Math geek' is what Hal always called him, although it was always said with love, and never used it as a derogatory term. Ben was often found cuddled up on the chair, which was in front of the living room window, wrapped in a blanket with his nose in a book, glasses sliding down his nose. Hal would always laugh as him, as he chewed his lower lip whenever he was concentrating, completely oblivious that he did. It always made Tom smile when he did that, as it's one of the many traits they shared. Ben was so much like Tom. He had always had a thirst for knowledge. Ben would listen to Tom talk about history for hours, head resting of Tom while he ran his hands through Bens hair. Ben had never really grown out of that, and he sometimes still did it right up until the invasion. That had all changed now though. Ben had been the leader of a rebellion, a fighter, a warrior, and was able to gain intel with the use of his spikes. He had put his own life on the line time and time again, both with the shadow plane and with the torture he had endured. Never a question of his own safety, because he was after all, still Ben.
A couple of days had passed since the Espheni had been defeated. The weather had turned, and the rain had started to fall, extinguishing the fires which were burning. It wasn't heavy, just that light rain that get you soaked through without you realising, but it left a fresh fragrance in the air. Ben hadn't felt very well. He didn't feel I'll, but he didn't feel himself. Although the skitter buzzing had gone from his head, the pain pulsing through his brain was getting worse. His spikes were pulling on his spine, aching. He looked at the people who he had fought beside, and new faces which had made their way to Washington. He gazed upon his family, Tom delighted that Ann was ok, Matty hugging her from behind. Maggie and Hal were so in love, gazing at each other. Everyone was so happy, but Ben knew it was his time to leave. He didn't want his family to see. Like a wounded animal, he pulled himself away from the happy scene,knowing he would die.
Ben walked slowly, painfully into a green area under some trees. He felt as though his blood was on fire, tears starting to well in his eyes. He didn't want to die alone, but he would rather do this than have his family see. He stumbled into the trees,trying to keep a himself up ways ,but the pain had become too much. He felt his spikes moving within his spine, as though they too were dieing.
Happiness was all around Tom. People were celebrating, playing guitars and singing. The mood felt surreal, and then Tom heard it. A stomach wrenching, bone chilling scream. Everyone fell quite, and Tom looked around,but couldn't see him. Toms blood ran cold, the blood draining from his face as he looked at Hal. "Ben?" Tom whispered, and horror spread across Hals face. The Mason family and the 2nd mass had ran towards the trees, panic washing over Tom, only to slow down when he saw the body of a person sprawled across some muddy grass, heart dropping when the faint glow of blue spikes came into view. "Oh no! Please no!" Tom had shouted as he ran towards Ben. The others had hung back, shock and dispair beginning to set in.
Hal, Maggie, and and Matty had followed Tom. It was Ben. "Ben!" Tom had shouted, tears pouring down his face. Ben had wished he wouldn't be alive anymore once his family had found him. Even now, he was worried about everyone else's feelings instead of his own. Watching him die is just too cruel. "It's ok dad, it's better this was. I'm not human. I'm supposed to die" Ben manages to say, almost a whisper. Matty is wrapped in Maggie arms, while Ann stands crying. Hal drops down to Bens side, noticing the back of Bens shirt. It's covered in blood, one of his spikes already on the ground next to him. To Hal,it looked as though the spike was trying to save itself. "Hey buddy" Hal croaks out, and he reaches to hold Bens hand. "Don't worry, I can't feel much anymore....I'm just so tired. I just want......want to sleep now. I've not slept in so long" Ben says, barely concious, tears falling from his green eyes. "Please Ben, try to hold on. We can get you help. Cochise will know" Tom cries,his heart breaking, knowing it's too late. Ben had lost too much blood. "Dad....I'm scared" Ben cries, as Tom cradles his head, his eyes closing. Tom knows his son needs comforting, so he does what Ben always liked, and began running his fingers through his hair. A smirk appears on the corner of Bens lips. It's not much, but it's definitely there. Tom knows a he needs to be strong for Ben, as hard as it is.
"Please don't be sad ok" Ben whispers. "I'm so tired....Please let me go"
Toms heart breaks in two. Even loosing Rebecca was not close to how much pain he was feeling. He didn't think it was possible to feel this much pain. The rain starts to get heavier, and the evening darkness is setting in.
"You go if you want to Ben. We love you so much. You're my sweet, brave boy. We'll always love you Ben" Tom cries into Bens hair. Tom felt Ben leave, his body went heavy. A roar absolute grief erupted from Tom, clinging to Bens dead body. Hal cries, watching as the spikes on is kid brother slowly fade, and Bens life slips away from him. Ben had lost his final battle.