"For what?" The young bat asked now fully depending on Pilaf for support. He noticed a shadow sitting by the large fire, he could hear the soft crackle of the flames.

"Have you ever heard of Baba Yaga?" The creature asked softly.

"my sister tells me about her but she's -that's only a story." Bartok's tone was filled with sadness.

"Would you be afraid if I told you she's real and the roses are for her?"

"Are you kidding, no one has ever-" He gasped as a wave of pain traveled through him.

"Just a little longer, that's her shadow there. do you want to stop for a second?" Bartok nodded and Pilaf helped him sit down.

"If she's really a witch, why didn't she just -"

"I don't know,I don't really understand it myself. Are you okay?" Pilaf asked softly. Bartok nodded.

"you're not afraid?" She asked after another minute.

"If she is who you said, maybe she'll be like Kira said and then she'll -"

"Pilaf, bring our guest closer to the fire, I want to get a good look at him." The old woman shouted.

"Can you get up?" The young bat allowed her to help him to his feet and they moved closer.

The crackling of the fire seemed a little louder now as they arrived at their destination.

Bartok gazed upon the figure with wide eyes.

The old woman was almost skeletal, her eyes sunken and dark. She grinned revealing pointed teeth that glistened in the moonlight.

"Y-You're real."Bartok said in awe.

"Yes, just as real as you are." The woman replied, she raised her boney finger shakily.

Bartok tilted his head slightly.

"You are not afraid?" She asked.

"Kinda. I've never met a witch before." Baba Yaga leaned closer to the bat.

"Sit." She commanded sharply as Bartok began to sway. The bat lowered himself onto the ground, his eyes still fixed on the witch.

"You're the chosen guardian of the roses, such a tiny little creature, a weak, fragile thing." She taunted.

"I don't know what that means exactly, but it doesn't -" he coughed hard into his fist, carefully placing the roses beside him as the forest around him began to spin.

"Baba, he's not feeling good, can't we just-"

"Quiet!" The witch snapped, she held out her hand, Bartok hesitated.

He pulled them closer.

"Did you really take those children away?" He asked. Baba scoffed.

"Be careful, you know what happened to the cat when it got too curious." She warned. "You doubt me?"

"Well, yeah. I mean if the stories are true...if you are a witch, why didn't you just take the flowers yourself?"

"I don't have time for this foolishness, give them to me." Her tone had changed into one of desperation. Finally, Bartok placed them into her hand and watched as a cauldron appeared over the fire. With a wave of her hand, water appeared inside and the fire flared.

"Now, you will find in life that you can't get something for nothing. Unfortunately this small amount will only last a short time." She said.

"It's all I could bring." The young bat said weakly.

"Yes,well I have a deal for you. Meet me here with the same amount for the next five nights and stay until dawn,I will tell you five tales, on the last night, I will offer you a special gift in return."

"I can't. I'm sick, if I didn't have-"

"I will send Pilaf to you, she will make sure you get you. Will you join me?"

"I'm not sure making a deal with a witch is a good idea, I think I should go home now, I feel kinda funny and like I said, I'm sick" he stood on unsteady legs, feeling his strength leaving him.

"Are you okay?" The gentle voice called to him.

"I-I don't know." He said, fighting to stay alert.

"I'll take you home." Pilaf offered moving closer to him.

"One last thing." The witch said taking hold of Bartok. He found himself staring directly into her dark eyes.

"Are you gonna t-take me away, maybe Kira's right, it would be-"

"Hush." Baba demanded. Bartok felt himself drifting off suddenly as something was brought to his lips.

"Drink this." The harsh voice said. Bartok felt a warm sensation take over his body as it became heavier as he faded into the darkness.