The changeling Hive is getting back in business, and that means getting some defences in place. Taking a cue from Celestia, Thorax sends his brother Pharynx to purchase the best kind of defences:

Guard animals. From Cratus Thundereye, the Ancient Beast Dealer, and owner of Cratus's Crazy Critters.

What should be a simple shopping trip for Pharynx quickly devolves into a trek to a forbidden valley, numerous near-death situations for the ponies he got saddled with, a grudge match with a spectre from his past, and him having to *ugh* talk about his feelings.