A/N: Hey, I'm finally back. For those of you wondering, yes, I did die; call me Last Ride of the Zombie Valkyries (although the valkyries are sort of dead anyway). Chances are that if you're reading this, you know that I've decided to do a Mass Effect-Destiny crossover (though I do need a better title, and am open to suggestions). So, to forestall any questions about facts that may never come up in-story will be addressing gameplay mechanics that are different from this story. There is exactly one of every exotic. One. Chances are, the characters in this story won't have any exotics, ever. Also, there's no way to swap between subclasses: a Defender is a Defender is a Defender and can never ever become a Striker. The Darkness does regenerate certain missions (and yes, Reapers are part of the Darkness), but not every character has gone on every mission.

AND JUST IN CASE: The Citadel races do not know about Light, so they will be assuming that Guardians use some really weird biotics until proven otherwise, and vice versa, so do not ask me why they keep getting it wrong. SERIOUSLY, DON'T ASK, BECAUSE IT'S RIGHT HERE.

Disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with Bungie or BioWare. This work of fiction is for enjoyment only.

Prolog

The Speaker looked out of his retreat, studying the horizon of the City. The Heart of the Black Garden had been destroyed, but the Darkness was still out there, beyond the Reef. The Speaker could feel the Traveler healing. But it was slow going, and the Darkness knew that. It would press the advantage for as long as it could, desperate to keep the Traveler from waking up again.

Already, Crota stirred, woken from his slumber by the shadowed thoughts of Darkness pressing up against reality. No team of Guardians could hope to kill a god like that, so all they could do was keep the Hive from pulling him out of his netherworld and letting him reemerge. The Speaker had even been forced to allow Eris Morn back into the Tower. He could feel the Darkness polluting her the same way that it had tugged at Toland before he'd disappeared, but times were desperate. Atheon would just keep rewinding time, forcing Guardians to risk their Light to keep him from emerging from his Vault to eat Venus and Earth and Mars and Mercury. And the Fallen were regaining power, the Vanguard said. They warned that another Twilight Gap was coming, if something didn't happen soon. Even the capture of Skolas wouldn't deter the braver Fallen for long.

The New Monarchy was insisting that these happenings were proof that a Speaker could not protect the City. Dead Orbit was taking them as signs that it was time to leave, because the Darkness would never be denied and could not be fought. The Future War Cult argued with Dead Orbit, proclaiming its War of No Tomorrow as fact because the Darkness kept coming, but Guardians would keep fighting.

Something, somewhere had to give, or the City would fall as Guardians squabbled with each other. Perhaps a war with the Cabal. Taking back Mars would be a serious blow to Dark designs with the Cabal, and the Clovis Bray research center was filled with mysterious Golden Age technology. The Warlocks could pore over that, the Titans could be distracted by fighting Cabal, and Hunters would have assassinations to turn to, rather than the factions. There were already several Crucible arenas that could function as forward operating bases. Yes. A war would unite the City and halt the Darkness.

The Speaker had just begun formulating a reason to attack the Cabal commander Valaus Ta'aurc when a Hunter burst through his thoughts. "Good evening, Speaker. The Vanguard requests your presence for an emergency meeting."

The Speaker froze. It was too late. Something had been pushed too far. Civilization was about to collapse. He wanted to panic. "Why does the Vanguard need me?" he asked coolly.

"Because there is an emissary from the Reef. Something's happened, or been found. Or maybe it was someone. Ikora Rey wasn't very clear when she told me to find you."

The Speaker dipped his head and said, "Thank you, Guardian." With a swish of his robes, he turned and strode out of the Tower North. On the way to the Vanguard's room, the Speaker couldn't help but worry about the news. Had Toland been found? Was the House of Wolves following a new Kell? Was the Reef now cast in Darkness?

"I don't care that it's in the Darkness. A team should investigate anyway, especially if the Awokens' readings were right." Cayde-6 was strident and loud as the Speaker swept into the room. Nobody said anything, but the Vanguard bowed their heads at him.

The Queen's emissary, however, ignored the Speaker and said, "The readings are correct. The readings are always correct."

"I am quite sure that your readings are correct, but what readings are they?" the Speaker asked. "Don't forget, I've only just arrived."

Ikora Rey opened her mouth and then closed it again when Commannder Zavala started speaking. "Awoken scouts found this." He motioned, and a purple object materialized. Two branches split off of a small body, creating a circular gap. Inside the crevice, a pulsating ball of darkness spun, lightning lashing off of it. Slender metal rings danced around it, twisting this way and that.

"In and of itself, interesting. But the coordinates it was found at match those of whatever the Shrine of Oryx communicates with as it summons the demon Sardok time and time again. Perhaps this is what gives it its mysterious source of power. Power and regeneration." Cayde-6 paused before adding, "And images of the object appear on multiple walls in Cabal firebases.

"So I have no clue why Ikora argues that we shouldn't investigate," Cayde concluded and sneered (or as much as an Exo could sneer) at Ikora Rey.

"Because that thing is pouring darkness like a jug. It's a gateway, and I don't think that we should let whatever's behind it know we exist."

A gateway? A blessing in disguise. The Speaker did his job; he spoke. "The Traveler is weak. The Traveler cannot stand alone against the Darkness. The Traveler needs our light in order to prevail. We must investigate this gateway." Getting away from the Traveler would satisfy Dead Orbit. Creating a new colony would hamper New Monarchy. And if there was a war to be had, the Future War Cult would hardly complain. "If there is indeed darkness behind it, it is our job to find it and remove the risk to the Traveler."

The Vanguard shared a three-way glance. To the Speaker, Zavala looked nervous; Cayde appeared apprehensive, as though he was having second thoughts; and Ikora was frowning outright. The Awoken emissary continued to stand stoically as she said, "The Reef will not send any investigative patrols through, but we do expect to be updated about what is behind the structure."

"Ikora Rey nodded and said, "Very well. I shall speak with Dead Orbit about mounting an expedition. I am sure that they will be eager to charter one if it means that they can find a new home."

A/N: I'm sorry if you wanted to dive right into the First Contact War, but I feel that explaining how Destiny found Mass Effect and how the Darkness is related to the Reapers, because !SPOILER ALERT! it is. Chapter 3 will be the first meeting between the Turians and Guardians.

Also, yes, there is a reason that the relay wasn't encased in ice, but that's tied to how the Cabal, Fallen, Vex, and Hive are related to the Reapers, so I guess you'll just have to wait to find out. Or, you know, PM me for the full background, since another person looking at my theories and offering suggestions cannot hurt.