Three hundred years before the events of
Anastasia, Bartok the Magnificent, an
albino bat magician and con artist, arrives in
Moscow and makes himself known by performing for the locals. His grand finale involves defeating a savage
bear. Delighted with Bartok's bravery, young
tsar Ivan Romanov gifts Bartok with a royal ring, much to the chagrin of his advisor, Ludmilla. After the show, Bartok counts his earnings and is startled by the bear, revealed to be his business partner Zozi, who tells Bartok that he should return the ring because it is for royalty, but Bartok refuses because it was a gift. When Ivan is apparently captured by the witch
Baba Yaga, there is an immediate investigation. In seeking a rescuer, two children nominate Bartok, who, with Zozi, is on his way to
St. Petersburg when spotted by
Cossacks. Bartok is brought before the townspeople, who are relying on his courage to save Ivan. Reluctantly, Bartok accepts, despite Zozi's objection. Bartok and Zozi set out for the Iron Forest. Upon arriving at Baba Yaga's hut, the duo must answer a riddle given by the entrance, a giant talking skull. With the riddle solved, Bartok is then captured by Baba Yaga, who explains that, to save Ivan, Bartok must retrieve three artifacts from the forest, without any assistance: her pet pink
snake Piloff, Oble's crown, and the Magic Feather. However, Bartok quickly finds that these tasks are difficult, as Piloff is frozen to a metal boulder; Oble, a fiery
ogre blacksmith, must be tricked into letting his crown be stolen; and the Magic Feather must be obtained without flight, utilizing only the previous two items, with Piloff removed from the boulder when Bartok brought them to the Skull. Meanwhile, back at Moscow, Ludmilla takes Ivan's throne. After Bartok returns to Baba Yaga, she reveals that she needs something from Bartok himself. Baba Yaga rejects all his offers and, outraged, Bartok lashes out at her, accusing her of lying and cheating. Suddenly stricken with guilt, Bartok apologizes and cries, allowing Baba Yaga to obtain the most important ingredient: a tear of compassion from the heart. She conjures up a potion from Piloff's essence, energy from one of the crown's jewels, the magic feather's magic, and Bartok's tear. Baba Yaga reveals that she never kidnapped Ivan, as she has Bartok see Moscow's castle, implying that Ivan is imprisoned there. Baba Yaga also reveals that the potion was intended for Bartok himself, making whatever he is in his heart ten times on the outside. Bartok and Zozi return to town. Bartok explains his adventure to Ludmilla and people in the throne room. He then leads Ludmilla and Vol, the Captain of the Guard, up to the top of the tower, where Ivan is imprisoned. Ludmilla imprisons Bartok and angrily scolds at Vol about Ivan being imprisoned, revealing that she had Vol impersonate Baba Yaga and kidnap the prince while she framed the real Baba Yaga as part of her plan to steal the throne. Ludmilla wanted Vol to kill Ivan after kidnapping him, but Vol mistakenly imprisoned him. Ludmilla imprisons Vol as punishment for his confusion, steals Bartok's potion, and leaves her prisoners in a flooded tower. Ludmilla drinks Bartok's potion, thinking that it will make her a more powerful leader. However, instead, it turns her into a giant
dragon. When she discovers this through a mirror to her shock, she becomes feral, causing her to attack Moscow. Zozi comes and rescues Bartok, Ivan, and Vol. Bartok battles Ludmilla. He uses his skills from his tasks in the Iron Forest to trick her into climbing the tower. When Ludmilla reaches the top, her increased weight causes it to collapse, crushing her and unleashing a wave that douses the flames caused by her newfound fiery breath. As the townsfolk gather around the wreckage, Zozi discovers that Baba Yaga is not wicked, and hails Bartok as a true hero. Ivan and the people praise Bartok for his heroism. Bartok returns Ivan's ring and thanks Baba Yaga for his skills. The three hug before Bartok bids farewell to them, and he counts on seeing them again someday. == Voice cast ==