The penultimate page! With art by  pandalover!

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A chill blossomed in Ivan's spine, filling up its length. "Baba Yaga."

"Da. You learn your lessons well, kitten."

Ivan almost asked why she was here, but caught himself. "You honor and terrify me with your presence, Grandmother."

Baba Yaga cackled, which unsettled Ivan as it came from a child's lips. "You do learn your lessons well, kitten. Respect and honesty? I am impressed."

"Spasiba, Grandmother." So many questions he wished to ask. Could he dare to ask one? "If I had known you were going to visit, Grandmother, I would have..." What was it again? "...I would have made you your favorite tea. With the blue roses."

Another cackle. "Clever little kitten. Asking me if I have my tea vithout asking. It vill please you to know I made a special cup before I visited. You may ask your questions carefully."

Ivan almost stumbled; he slowed his pace. "Then I suppose...vhy did you help me?"

"Because I owed your family a debt, kitten. Shortly after you were born, your father vent to the island of Buyan to retrieve Koschei's egg." She started straight ahead, a frown on her muzzle. "He did so under my request."

This time Ivan did stumble. After he caught his footing he stared at Baba Yaga. She did not meet his eyes.

"Your family has served me vell over the years. Your father kept the egg from Koschei, but he made a fatal mistake. He grew careless, and Koschei found him. Before I could intervene, your father died." Her voice grew soft. "He vas mourned by more than just you and your family."

"I have more questions, Grandmother."

"Speak your mind, kitten."

"Vhy did you keep Tank and his friends from helping me?"

"You cannot always depend on the help of others."

Ivan arched an eyebrow. "But you helped me."

Baba Yaga smirked, an expression out of place on the child she possessed. "I advised you. It was your choice to accept or reject it."

Ivan wanted to call her out on such a double standard, but he kept silent. Baba Yaga must have sensed his disdain. "It took much of my power to send you Koschei's egg," she said. "I vould expect some measure of gratitude."

"And you have it, Grandmother. Your advice saved me."

"So it did."

"I have but one more question."

"Good. I am quickly running out of tea and patience."

"Vhat happens now?"

"You may live your life however you vhant, kitten. Your family vill be cared for, and you may continue your studies in the States, though I do hope you vill not forget your roots."

"My body is not there, Grandmother, but my love vill always dwell on Russia."

"I vonce had a big, fluffy tail like yours, kitten."

Ivan hesitated. "It must have been beautiful, Grandmother."

"I had to cut it off because I almost choked. I shall never have snow leopard children again." She grinned toothily up at him. "Dosvidaniya, kitten."

And then she was gone.

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