Prologue: How did it ever come to this?

Ken ran.

He ran like his life depended on it, which was technically the truth, after all if she captured him then it was over. Everything he had tried to build up in the past week or so would crumble to complete dust. Would be as insignificant as the dirt that he was kicking up, just to get away from her .

Him and the Kens leaving Barbieland voluntarily.

Him becoming a sort-of leader to the other Kens.

Being crowned as a king.

His and the other Kens', and Allan's, totally awesome mojo dojo casa cave house.

His and Andromeda's strange friendship, the totally sublime dragon that had lived in it for so long, and had totally been planning on eating all of them at the start.

All of that would be gone in an instant if he let her catch up to him.

"Ken!" called an achingly familiar voice. "Ken, wait! Slow down, we can talk about this!"

Ken blinked as tears formed in his eyes, shame burning him from the inside out, as those totally old and forgotten feelings for her came back full force. For a split second he did want to slow down, let her catch up to him, and convince him to let her help them.

After all, she wouldn't betray him and the other Kens…right?

Right?

No, it's too risky, he told himself, despite that unavoidable ache growing stronger and stronger as he kept on running. Despite the tears that threatened to spill. Despite…well… everything .

"Please, just stop!" She sounded so desperate, it hurt. "Ken, we can work this out together. Just please, slow down!"

Ken inhales the forest air, ready to tell her to just turn around and leave, but instead all that comes out is a desperate sounding cry.

"Leave me alone!"

"I just want to help," she said. "Please, let me help!"

"No!"

"Ken!" This time she sounded exasperated. "You're acting like a child!"

Ken huffed. Much as he was mad at her, she was sadly right. He really needed to change tactics and soon. Especially because he could see out into the distance the scorch-marked tree that was dangerously close to the Ken cave.

With an internal groan, he finally stopped, digging his heels into the earth and turned around, ready to face her.

I can do this , he thought, feeling determined. I can face Barbie. I'm king of the Kens, I can do anything!

That turned out to be a flat out lie as the moment his gaze landed on her, his breath hitched in his throat, followed by the beginnings of tears in his eyes. Barbie looked exactly the same as the last time he saw her. As pretty and amazing as she had always been. He quickly looked away, blinking away the tears. The last thing he wanted was for her to see him cry.

Barbie stopped dead in her tracks, a mixture of shock and relief on her face. For a few seemingly endless moments neither one spoke, instead staring, taking in the appearance of one another.

Barbie looked the same as always; perfect, pretty, amazing. To her, he must look completely different. He briefly wondered if she would ask about his crown. Or maybe about the whole cape situation.

He had the sudden urge to ask her if he looked cooler but managed to wrangle it aside.

"Wardrobe change?" Barbie said.

Ken tensed up, trying to appear intimidating, despite how horrible he felt in the moment. Sadness and hopelessness swirled around in his chest like a hurricane.

"Hi," Barbie tried again, giving him a little wave. "It's been a while, hasn't it?"

Ken trembled just a bit, but managed to keep his composure. "Yeah, sure…w-what do you want?"

He looked around, waiting for the other barbies to pop out from behind the trees, the bushes, whatever else they could fit themselves behind. Surely they were around here somewhere. Surely there was no way that they let Barbie go alone…right?

A chill crept up his spine as he thought again of what would happen if the barbies found the other kens. Something told him it wouldn't be very pretty. A fight could erupt. Anything could and probably would happen.

All because the other Kens—and Allen—looked up to him as a leader—a king. Someone worth following to the very end. But sadly in this very moment, Ken didn't feel much like a king, rather he felt very small and…strangely enough really wanted a hug.

"Ken?" Worry laced Barbie's voice and—much to Ken's own budding anxiety—she took a step forward. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing!" Ken said all too quickly. "N-Nothing, Barbie, we, uh, I mean— I'm just fine!" A breathless laugh escaped him. "Y-Yeah just fine, y'know, hanging out in the woods….man type stuff." As if to emphasize the point he leaned against one of the closest trees, trying to strike a pose, and flashing her a completely fake as hell smile.

Stop talking, stop doing anything, he thought, just shut up, stop talking. SHUT UP, SHUT UP!

He hoped, oh he hoped to Ruth , that Barbie didn't notice any of this. That she couldn't see any of this inner turmoil. He needed to act strong in front of her, cool as a cucumber, be as disinterested as possible. Not be on the verge of freaking tears of all things.

"A-Anyways, what, uh, " Ken said, trying his hardest to keep the tears back, "what are you doing here?"

"I'm here to help you and the other Kens." she said, sounding so matter-of-fact.

"Wait, really ?" Hope ignited within Ken only for it to snuff out almost immediately as he shook his head and scoffed, "Sure, Barbie, I t otally believe you. How do I know you're not just in…uh… cahoots with the other Barbies!"

To his own surprise, and budding delight, Barbie looked rather offended at the notion. Which just dug at him even further.

"How can I even trust you," he accused, "especially after what you said to me before the other Kens and I left Barbieland!" Tears pricked his eyes and it took everything within him not just to break down right then and there. Maybe if he did, she'd finally care. But if she didn't care, well, it'd just be pathetic.

Barbie shook her head. "I know what I said Ken a-and I came here to apologize!" She looked at him, sincerity in her eyes. "I'm sorry for what I said, and I hope that I can work to make up for it; starting with me helping you and the other Kens."

Ken scoffed. Was it really that simple for her? That she could just come here and apologize and that was it. Offer up her services in exchange for forgiveness. Did she really think that would work on him?

…

Who was he kidding, of course it worked on him.

…

But he couldn't admit that aloud, instead choosing to clear his throat and look away from her.

"Okay, cool." Ken waved a hand away. "You came here, apologized, said your peace, or whatever. You can go now."

"I'm not leaving, Ken." There was an undeniable edge to her voice. Stubbornness practically radiated from her. "So stop trying to push me away."

Ken flinched, terror seizing him for a moment as she realized his plan. If she could see right through him, then didn't that mean anyone else could too?

Suddenly in that instant, Ken wished Allan were here. At least he knew what to do or say. Maybe Allan would distract Barbie while he made a run for it. But Allan wasn't here…it was just him and Barbie.

Alone.

In a clearing in the woods.

Alone…

He had never felt so alone in all his life.

"Ken…" He looked up and saw Barbie slowly taking steps towards him, a tentative hand out, like he was a scared animal in the Real World that she was trying to get close to. Was that what he was….a sad, scared, stray animal?

A small, breathless laugh escaped Ken.

Really, what was the point in him even running away from her in the first place? To prolong the inevitable? The fact that his half-baked plan had worked for even a week was a marvel. So what if he and the Kens would be taken back to Barbieland and made to be nothing more than second-class citizens once again.

Just accessories to the Barbies. Nothing more, nothing less.

That was just fine and dandy.

Totally.

He could totally handle it, no biggie.

"Ken?"

"Please…" Ken said, his voice warbling. "Just…go…" A tremor seized his body as he tried to fight off a sob. Barbie stared at him, concern etched across her face, a look of worry in her eyes.

"Ken," she began softly. "I'm not leaving. I really do want to help. Truly. Please, let me help you and the other Kens."

The concern in her voice, the way that she looked at him, it was all too much to bear. Those tears he had been holding back for so long finally came back, full force, and he let them fall. He quickly covered his eyes with his hands and let the tears come as they may. Sobs racked his frame freely, a wave of sadness crashed over him like the ocean against a shoreline.

Too deep into his own feelings to notice, Barbie came up to him, her eyes full of sympathy, and slowly pulled him into a hug.

"I'm so, so sorry Ken," Barbie whispered as she ran a soothing hand up and down his back. "I promise , I'm just here to help. Any way that I can. I'll do it."

Ken didn't say anything at first, rather he chose to sink into that warmth, that strong strawberry scent that she always carried. He sighed, a small feeling of contentment worming its way inside of him. If this was heaven he'd gladly stay, all wrapped up in her arms, in the most sublime hug ever.

"I-I missed you…" Ken said softly, clinging to her like a lifeline. "I missed you so much." He buried his face into her shoulder, relishing in the hug.

Barbie hummed. "I missed you too."

Ken gasped, surprised. Had he really just heard what he thought he had heard. That Barbie had actually missed him?

He sniffed. "You…you really missed me?"

"I did."

"Sure…" he mumbled. "Totally believe you…"

"Ken," Barbie said softly. "Look at me."

"Why?"

" Ken, " Barbie said, much stronger this time. She pulled away slightly so she could look Ken in the eyes. "I really did miss you. I promise."

Ken looked her in the eyes, memorizing the sparkle in her blue eyes. "You're makin' a lot of promises there, Barb. Don't make promises you can't keep."

A small smile tugged at Barbie's lips. "Was that a joke? My Ken, finally making a joke?"

It suddenly felt as if the uneven ground had gone out beneath Ken. Had Barbie really just called him hers? And if so, why did it make him feel so giddy?

Woah, I'm hers?

A small smile, followed by warmth and happiness, tugged at him and he let it. Soon followed by laughter.

They both laughed as they hugged, Ken being enthralled to just be in Barbie's arms, and Barbie feeling relief that Ken was still the same Ken she had known before.

"Look! Look, I've got a sublime crown." Ken pointed to the glittering crown that adorned his head. A beaming smile on his face. "It's made of silver and all this cool stuff. Don't you like it?"

Barbie smiled. "I love it."

They both stared at each other for what felt like an eternity. Almost lost in the moment. Unable to look away. Until a crash in the bushes broke the silence.

Ken jumped, suddenly noticing droves of Barbies slinking their way through the bushes and from behind the trees. Anxiety spiked through him as he realized, too late, that the jig was up.

"You-you lied to me?" Ken took a step back, unable to process what was happening at the moment. His gaze flicked from one Barbie to another. There were so many of them. Why were there so many of them?

Barbie shook her head. "No, no Ken, this isn't what it looks like!" She reached out, trying to grab ahold of his wrist but he managed to yank it away from her. Hurt shone in her eyes and for a brief moment Ken felt bad.

"What else does this look like?" Ken gestured to the other Barbies, anxiety spiking his heart. There was a hunger in the other Barbies' eyes, like he was a sheep about to be devoured by a pack of hungry wolves.

I'm an idiot , he thought sadly, just a dumb idiot…why did I think that Barbie would ever help me?

But to his own surprise, and budding relief, Barbie stood in front of him, presumably staring the other Barbies down. Her shoulders were squared and her fists were clenched to her sides.

"Barbie," a sugary-sweet voice said. "What're you doing here with… him ?"

Ken shivered as he heard that voice, it sounded so cheerily fake, felt like cold claws scraping down his spine. He shuffled forward, wanting to stay near Barbie's warmth—wanting her to protect him from the cold, accusing stares of the other Barbies.

Barbie tensed. "I don't know, Cowgirl Barbie, what're you doing here?" she shot back and Ken took another small step closer to her. He was close…so close to her, it was almost unbearable. If he wanted, he could just reach out, wrap his arms around her. Snuggle into her warmth; her protection.

"There's a warrant out for his arrest," butted in Police Barbie, who sounded just as cold as Cowgirl Barbie. "Madame President wants him back at Barbieland as soon as possible."

"What if he doesn't want to do that?"

"Well." Cowgirl Barbie clicked her tongue. "It doesn't really matter what he wants. Madame President wants the Kens'…uhh…'leader' or whatever to bring himself or the Kens in—preferably voluntarily—but if we have to use force then we can and we will."

Ken bristled. "I'm not just a leader, I'm a king!" he shouted over Barbie's shoulder before hiding himself behind her once again. "C-Can you believe that, Barbie? I'm a king…."

Barbie threw him a quick, strained smile. "That's awesome, Ken. I'm really proud of you." Then she turned her head back, probably glaring at Cowgirl Barbie.

"I'll give you all until the count of three to surrender and then it's tasing time," Police Barbie snapped. The other Barbies murmured in agreement.

Ken sighed. There was no way out of this. No way that he could see this going smoothly at all. Might as well just surrender himself now and get it over with. The other Kens—and Allan—could live in peace without him.

"Ken, no ." Ken looked up, startled by the forcefulness in Barbie's voice. "I know what you're thinking. Surrendering yourself isn't going to do a damn thing."

"Yeah but…" Ken sighed, suddenly feeling a heavy weight in his chest. "If I don't…the other Kens—and Allan—and you might get hurt and I don't," he sniffled, tears beginning to come back. "I don't want that."

" Please , Ken," Barbie pleaded. "Don't do this. There has to be another way…" She reached out, her fingers grasping around his wrist, and he let her this time. "If you go with them I can't protect—I mean…I don't know what they'll do to you."

Ken sighed. "I don't know what they'll do to me either, but it's probably better than what they'll do to the other Kens…and Allan." As he gazed up into her eyes he couldn't help the pang of sadness. They were so close to holding hands. If he twisted his hand around he could lace his fingers with hers. But he didn't. He couldn't do it. Even if it killed him.

"I'll be alright." Ken winced as he saw Barbie's frown deepen. "Just….make me a promise, alright?"

Barbie hummed, her gaze suddenly anywhere but on him. "Depends."

"Promise me that you'll look after the Kens? And Allan? They…." Ken's voice faltered for a moment. "They'll need a new king after this."

"Ken, I seriously doubt they'll want a Barbie as their new king."

Ken smiled in spite of himself. "They'll surprise you." Then he looked up at Barbie, right into her pretty, glittering, blue eyes. "I know you'll probably never say it back—and that's okay—but…I love you, Barbie. I always have." A burning sensation spread across his cheeks—he guessed that his face was probably cherry red by now. "And I always will."

"Oh, Ken…" Ken could feel Barbie squeeze his wrist. As if she didn't want to let him go. And some big part of him didn't want her to let go. "I—" but she was ripped away from him before she could finish her sentence. Two other Barbies had grabbed ahold of her, keeping her from reaching out to him again. She struggled in vain to get away from them.

Ken tried to reach out for her only to feel a pair of arms wrap around his own arms and swiftly pin them to his back. A pair of fuzzy handcuffs soon adorned his wrists.

"You're coming with us, whether Stereotypical Barbie wants you to or not." Police Officer Barbie said with a sneer. "Oh, and by the way, lose that crown. It looks silly on you."

To Ken's own horror and sadness, his crown—the thing that the other Kens had made for him—was knocked off his head, landing on the uneven ground below. He stared down at it, complete shock overriding any other emotion within him.

"My crown," he said softly.

His worst fears had become reality.

The other Barbies had found him.

They were taking him back to Barbieland to who knows what kind of fate. But at least the other Kens and Allan were safe back at the cave.

And as for Barbie…

"Let go of him!" Barbie struggled against the others. "He didn't do anything wrong!" She looked directly at him, her eyes brimming with tears. "Ken! Ken, don't let them win!"

It nearly cleaved Ken's heart in two.

How did it ever come to this? he thought hopelessly as the other Barbies began to forcefully drag him away from her.

If only he knew back then.

If only he knew what the consequences of his own actions would become.

If only leading away the Kens from Barbieland had been so simple.

One week ago…