Spark blinked his eyes and stood up. He was still under the net, even after his little 'sleep'. Looks like the boss hasn't come yet,Spark thought. He looked at his attackers for any weakness whatsoever, but could not find any. The shadows soon realized that he had woken up, and that he was more powerful. As the shadows closed in on him, Spark braced himself, ready for battle. One of the shadows jumped to attack him, and left a bloody scar on his cheek. Spark bit back the pain and jumped on the same shadow. He came to realization that he had broken free from the net.
No! the shadows screeched. Spark jumped on the shadow that attacked him and hit him, hard. He sent the unlucky pony to the ground.
Not bad for a first try. He had never before faced any villain without his powers intact. Another shadow jumped from behind, but Spark wouldn't let the same thing happen again.
Without turning around, Spark used his back hind legs to kick the shadow hard in the stomach. The unlucky shadow pony was sent flying backwards, sprawling into the the tribe's gate on his way. Spark smiled in success, only to be hit in the head with a rock. He glared at the shadow pony that had it's horn covered in black magic, who smirked in reply. If Spark had his powers right now, all of these ponies would be dead meat.... What could be of Spark right now if he kept up this pace? All other shadow ponies attacked one by one, hitting and scarring him. Spark tasted blood in his mouth and felt more blood dribble down his forehead. He was outnumbered, with nothing but his hooves to protect him.
He tried punching and kicking, but the shadow ponies were just too strong. Just when Spark thought he was going to meet his fate as a shadow pony bared it's teeth, a huge rock, levitated by magic, appeared behind the shadow ponies. The shadows turned around too late, and the giant rock crushed their bodies, catapulting them into their other brethren. The pony who had just saved his life stepped out from behind the big rock. A blue and white maned unicorn with a white flank and an unusual purple-starred flower stepped out. ''Hi, I'm Rabbit,'' she said cheerfully, ''and your'e welcome!'' She smiled.
Spark looked up at her. ''Thanks, I needed that.'' Rabbit smiled as she threw another giant rock onto an unsuspecting shadow pony. Rabbit helped Spark up, and he nodded in thanks.
''You need to get to the Diamond Key before any of these shadow ponies get to it first,'' Rabbit instructed with great urgency. ''It is located in our tribes' tree base. When you get there, give the guards there this... They will give you the key when you show this to them."
Spark instructed the jay feather. "But where-" he started to say before feeling a great surge of power. "My powers, they're back!" Spark shouted gleefully. Rabbit gave no sign that she had noticed his happiness.
"Go," she said before turning away. Spark quickly turned into a hawk and flew toward the base. He looked down to see Daring Do being led by two masculine-looking shadow ponies. He saw Daring struggling as he swooped down.
"Hold, STILL!" one of the ponies grunted as he tried to get a grip on her.
"Never," she whispered as she broke her hoof free from his restraint. Before he could say a word, Daring threw a punch at him, and Spark sneaked up behind the other pony, trying to surprise him from behind. Spark accidentally made a noise, and the shadow pony turned around. Spark was ready, so he leaped up out of his crouch and threw a hard punch, knocking the guard out. Daring hit the other one with a knock so hard, he passed out. Spark told Daring Do about the tree base and what Rabbit instructed, then Daring nodded in understanding.
They didn't speak for several long minuets, and Spark started to worry about Bear, Rabbit, and all the others. Soon they saw the entrance to a small fortress they hoped contained the key in a large rain forest tree that had long vines hanging down. Two ponies stood guard with bow and arrows slung across their backs. Two large crossbows were built into the side of the base. ''Who goes there?'' one guard asked when he saw Daring and Spark-the-Hawk descend. Spark turned back and quickly pulled out the feather and the guard nodded. He and his partner stood back, allowing Daring and Spark to enter. The pony motioned to a staircase lit by only a few torches. Spark and Daring entered the cave. The moment they were safely inside, the two guards regained their positions. The blocked anypony from getting in, and out. As they traveled down the long stairs, Spark became worried. Worried for the whole tribe of Tall Mountains.
They eventually found themselves in a large room with a pedestal. The pedestal had shatter- proof glass case on top of it. In this case was a key that shimmered and sparkled in the poorly lit area. ''Do you have the key?'' a mysterious pony asked. Daring gave Spark a wary glance. Spark returned it with a glance that said, Don't worry, I've got this." Spark approached the pony with an outstretched hoof. The pony nodded and took the jay feather into his hooves. Spark and Daring held their breath, waiting for the explosions and smoke when the pony did whatever he was going to do with the feather. Daring wanted to snatch the feather back and break the glass case and run. When her body got tense, Spark gave her e reassuring look. Daring relaxed a little, but she didn't let her guard down. The pony put the feather into a before hidden golden lock and turned it. Spark heard a click, and the glass case slowly opened. Daring grabbed the key carefully in her mouth, not trying to break it, and she and Spark galloped toward the entrance in a hurry. They did not want to trust the pony who had somehow gotten into that cave. They both flew back to the tribe, (Spark now back in hawk form) wondering what they were to do with this key Daring safely tucked into her pack. And more importantly, why was it important to the impostors?
Soon, they arrived at the Tribe of Tall Mountains, and the damage was terrible. Spark gasped at the horror that was strewn across the tribe's home. Huts were on fire, ponies ran around frantically, some fighting, some trying to find safety. Daring spotted a little filly crying as she was cornered by a shadow pony. Daring raced in to save her, motioning to Spark that she could handle it. Spark flew around, looking for Rabbit, who would give him his next orders. Then he saw a terrifying sight. A body with a light blue and white mane and a white flank, lying on the ground. Rabbit, Spark whispered.