A week would pass, S0L's forces would attempt to exterminate the virus but it would prove unsuccessful, the thing was being fed by the sheer stupidity of others. Be it Fallen, Vex, Cabal or Hive. They were all being consumed, used as fuel. The purpose of storing that virus on Europa was because it was all ice, it had no food to grow strong off. Anything organic it would have consumed, so storing it anywhere where there is life and solid surfaces, it would have consumed it. S0L and Elsie were aboard the Calamity, as well as Larson. Atzot and Aurix were aboard the following Skiffs and Harvesters. As they entered Earth's atmosphere, they made a slow descent towards the city. Zavala was at his usual spot, looking at the city, talking with the guardians, new and old. As he was talking, one of them looked up and pointed to the sky. As he turned around, his eyes widened, he saw Calamity break through the clouds. Panic quickly swept over the city, as well as the Tower and the Vanguard. Everyone quickly got into their battle stations and got ready to engage. Calamity flew over their heads, the ground shook as it was headed towards the mountains. The Skiffs and Harvesters flew alongside it. Ikora ran to the surface, her conversation with Ada and Ana was interrupted by the commotion. Ana followed close behind, she watched as the ship turned around, flying low, making it's approach towards them, towards the wall. But then, it just stopped, setting down on the ground. 

Ikora: What is going on?

Ana: I don't know. 

They watched as the guardians were being sent out, Zavala commanding the troops to get ready for a battle. Both of them women ran up to the edge and watched, but nothing happened. 

Sarc-4: Sup girls. What the hell is going o....? OH fuck! Is that? 

Ana: Yes. 

Sarc-4: Let's get down there. I am sure you are hungry for revenge Ana. 

Ana: That I am. Let's go kill those bastards. 

Ikora wanted to protest, but instead, she took the closest rifle, summoned her ship and went down with the group. They joined the large mass of guardians, all taking cover, aiming. They saw two familiar faces, Aurix and Atzot step out of the Skiff and Harvester respectively. They were joined by a couple dozen of both robotic and the other species soldiers. Some guardians were kind of jealous, they were well equipped for what was a relatively small army. Then, the front of the Calamity opened up, a large hangar door setting down on the floor. A large force of robot soldiers of different sizes, two Walkers and two Brigs, also modified. As they formed up into groups, the Vanguard got a little nervous. Among them was a special guest, Mara Sov. She watched from among the guardians, hiding in plain sight. Silence followed, but then, three figures made their way down the ramp. Ana's eyes widened as she watched through the scope of her scout rifle. It was S0L, Elsie and Larson. 

S0L: Quite an audience we have here. We must be famous. 

Larson: Seems so. Quite unfriendly I can see.

S0L: Can you blame them? 

Larson: Not really, they are scared. And with every right. 

Elsie: I must ask. What do you wish to achieve here S0L? 

S0L: An alliance, even if short, I do wish to collaborate. You see. Solar guardians are what is needed the most, I can equip the others with flamethrowers if need be. But, they are in as much of a threat as any other. We... We would be safe for now. 

Elsie: What do you mean? 

S0L: My ultimate goal is to venture outwards. I have observed a few places that could be of interest. 

Elsie: Like, exploring the other galaxies?

S0L: Yes. Why stop at just one? Humanity was made to spread it's wings. It always had a dream, optimism to reach for the stars. And my ideal goal is to make that dream a reality. To venture where no man had ventured before, colonize. To enter a new Golden Age. 

Elsie: That is....actually noble. 

They walked in between the columns of soldiers until finally stopping in front of them all. They stood there, S0L had his hands crossed behind his back, Larson held his rifle, had it ready, just in case and Elsie's rifle sat at her back. She watched and met every single eye of every single guardian. Then, a group of them was pushed to the side, she saw Ana emerge and couldn't help but smile. 

Ana: E-Elsie?! I-Is that you?! 

S0L looked at Elsie. 

S0L: Your sister? 

Elsie: Yeah. 

S0L: Well, go on. 

Elsie: What? 

S0L: Go to her. You haven't seen each other for quite some time. 

Elsie stared at S0L for a good minute, she couldn't believe what he was saying. But once coming back to reality, she ran towards her sister, they embraced each other in a tight hug. 

Elsie: It is me sis. 

Ana: You are alive? You are alive! 

Elsie: I am. 

Ana: How? Didn't he kill you? 

Elsie: I guess not. That servitor just knocked me out for good. 

Ana looked at S0L, with both hatred and gratefulness. S0L just nodded, a smile spread across his face. Ikora stepped up, walking past the two sisters and stepping in front of S0L, looking him dead in his mechanical eyes. The others tensed up, awaiting with their fingers on the trigger. 

S0L: Quite a welcoming party you have brought out. I must say, I am honored. 

Ikora: What do you want? 

S0L: Where is that bald headed demon. The blue one. 

Ikora: I said, what do you want? 

Ikora raised her voice, her tone taking on a more hateful flavor. S0L looked back and nodded at both Larson and Atzot, they aimed at her. 

S0L: I can assure you, you have no right to raise your tone at me. 

Ikora's eyes danced between the two soldiers aiming at her. She does not know of the guardian, but she knows well of Atzot. 

S0L: So, will you get him for me. Or I will have to go there myself? I have all the cards here Ikora. Kill my soldiers, but my ship is enough to cause irreversible damage to the city. It is my last resort. 

Ikora let out a sigh and walked away. S0L stared, with a wide grin spread across his face. He is victorious here, the one that has the better deck than his opponent. After a while, Zavala emerged, his age taking its toll on his normal, mortal body. He walks slowly, limping. 

S0L: Well, well well. Time had not been kind to you, commander. 

Zavala: What do you want S0L? 

Elsie and Ana walk over, but instead of stepping behind Zavala, Elsie walks behind S0L, which even surprises Ana.

S0L: I am here to propose a temporary truce, even an alliance of sorts. 

Zavala: An alliance with you?! You kill our guardians, take out our people and now you come here to propose an alliance? What happened, overestimated yourself and underestimated us? You are not as strong as you were led to believe. 

S0L: Quite on the contrary Zavala. It is not I who need YOU, it is YOU who needs me. They need me. 

He gestures to the city. Zavala feels insulted, the way S0L speaks, stands, acts, looking down at him. He pulls out his gun and aims at S0L, but Larson aims at Zavala. An intense silent standoff lasts for a minute or two, when Elsie steps up. 

Elsie: Commander, he is correct. A far greater danger had just been released, set free on Europa. Witness level of disaster. 

Zavala aims at Elsie. 

Zavala: Are you taking the side of this tyrant? Of all people to betray us, you were one of the last I expected! 

S0L: What a fool. Elsie, it seems commander is unwilling to save his own people. I guess, we should probably go. If they all die, their deaths will be on his consciousness. 

Mara Sov steps up, removing her cloak and letting it fall on the ground. 

Mara: What danger do you speak off? 

Ikora: Mara? 

Zavala: Mara? What are you doing here? 

Mara: Why I am here does not matter. Tell me, tyrant, what danger is it that threatens this galaxy now? 

S0L: Finally, a rational being. A all devouring virus. By mistake, and misjudgment, we kind of set it free. We wanted to check in on the integrity to its cage, only to find it free. So, as we speak, it is healing, but it will be back, stronger than ever. 

Mara: And for what reason do you need the Vanguard? 

S0L: Free labor and soldiers as well as...I am by far more interested in solar wielding ones that any other. 

Mara: How dangerous of a virus are we talking? 

Elsie: Very. Cataclysmic level of danger. It consumed all mater, living or not and uses it. Strong, adaptable. 

Mara: And if we do defeat it, what then? 

S0L: We can maybe work together, or go back to killing each other. 

Zavala: Mara. You are not the leader, you have no say in this. 

Mara: You have grown different Zavala, what has happened to you?

Ikora didn't want to say anything, but she had seen the change in Zavala over time. He had grown worse, worse tempered, more explosive and controlling. The loss of his immortality had a far greater impact on him than anything. She watched as they bickered and then at the forces behind her. If what S0L and Elsie are saying is true, maybe S0L's help will come more useful than anything. Maybe they could coexist, as she herself doesn't believe that S0L is a tyrant. Elsie wouldn't have gone willingly behind him, he does not seem all that evil. 

Ikora: I am willing to join you S0L, only if you respect us. 

S0L: Arrangements will be made shortly, don't worry, I do have respect for every single one of you. More than you might think. 

Zavala: Ikora! What are you doing?! 

Ikora: I am doing what is the best for the fate of this galaxy. If what they say is true, we need their help more than anything. And I am not letting you stand in the way of salvation. 

Ikora walks up to S0L, extends out her hand and S0L shakes her hand, nodding at each other. 

S0L: Smart choice. We are at your disposal, and you are at ours. I do sincerely hope we get along. 

And from that point, a new, more powerful than ever alliance had been formed. Despite Zavala's protests, Ikora chose the fate of the city over anything, even pride and hatred. For that is her duty, to protect and ensure it's survival and if it means teaming up to fight against the enemy to fight against a collective threat, then so be it.