A Shadow Falls Over Argo

A bright yellow glow surrounded the Voranian known as Kryb as she flew through the ruins of Argo City, once a proud jewel of the planet Krypton, now lying at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean. Immune to the pressures of the depths thanks to her Sinestro Corps Power Ring, she surveyed the broken spires and shattered buildings as she searched for the place where her destiny would be fulfilled at long last.

Kryb compelled her ring to scan each structure, seeking her prize with grim determination. The failures of her past played within her mind – defeat at the hands of the Green Lanterns, the end of her crusade against the Guardians of Oa, and the brutal rage of her most-hated foe.  Left for dead by Red Lantern Guy Gardner, she clung to life, nurtured by her golden ring, until she rose to seek her dream anew. And here, in the wreckage of an alien city, she would make that dream a reality. This, she knew - this she believed. With the secrets hidden in Argo, she would forge an army strong enough to challenge the mightiest of the universe. Earth would be the first to fall to her mighty children, and with their power, no world would stand before her. Not Rann, not Thanagar.  Even New Genesis and Apokolips would fall to her, their great leaders humbled and broken at her feet. And the Guardians… she would save them for last. The green rings of their puppet soldiers would serve as toys for her children, mobiles of glowing green trinkets spinning slowly on the ceilings of their bedchambers long after the withered blue masters of Oa were but dust and ash.

A glorious dream.

When her ring alerted her to the presence of the place she sought, her cruel mouth twisted into a rictus grin. The path to power lied within that place, once a research facility for some of Krypton’s greatest minds, including Zor-El… the father of the hero Earthers called Supergirl. As his spawn survived, so did many of Zor-El’s secrets… secrets that would now be Kryb’s to know. Even the brightest lights of the cosmos are surrounded by darkness, Kryb thought to herself as she flew into the facility. Even great Krypton had dark dreams, forbidden pursuits… and monsters. She would learn them all and turn them to her own pursuits. Here, her mighty children would be born. Here they would grow, stronger and deadlier with each passing day.

Silently, Kryb put the dormant robots and computers of Argo City to work, restoring critical systems such as power and life support. Her new domain must be safe for her children and secured from all enemies. Soon, her enthralled lackeys would arrive to bolster her defenses, but for now, she was alone in the heart of a ravaged metropolis.  Alone… and vulnerable. That soon would change… and let the planet Earth tremble upon that fateful day, for it would signal the beginning of their end.

In the murky dark of the sea bottom, a trio of Atlanteans watched the fearsome alien as she moved through the Kryptonian ruins. Silently, they took account of her actions. Using hand signals, the leader of the elite warriors of the Drift ordered a tactical withdrawal. Once the three soldiers were safe from detection, the leader spoke with grim purpose.
 
“The King must be made aware of this intrusion,” she said, solemnly. “He will need to make ready… and alert his Kryptonian allies. There is an ill manner to that creature. Whatever her goals, they are not benevolent.”
 
Her two compatriots nodded in silent agreement, then followed their commander as she swam with great speed through the darkest of waters toward fabled Atlantis. Conflict was coming yet again to the sea, and their King – the Aquaman – would face it without fear.