Fox McCloud obtains it from the Queen EarthWalker, who found it and tells that she thinks it was dropped by the SharpClaws when they attacked ThornTail Hollow. After giving Fox the key, the Queen advises Fox to meet Garunda Te, the SpellStone GateKeeper of the DarkIce Mines. The key must be used on a gate in SnowHorn Wastes to open the path leading to Garunda Te, who is imprisoned in a pit covered by a sheet of ice.