3rd Person POV
Marvin and Willow are sitting across from each other. Willow is breathing steadily while she has a green forcefield around a flame of a candle. Marvin watches as Willow controls her breathing, the flame barely flickering
Suddenly, Marvin's phone rings. The flame shifts slightly as Willow is about to look away. "Concentrate." Marvin reminds her. "Focus on the flame. I will let you know if this is the text." He tells her. Willow goes back to concentrating on the flame while Marvin looks at his phone. He freezes. He looks at Willow. "She's home." He tells her. And the flame goes out...
***
Kara gasps awake, gasping for air and looking around skiddishly. "Hey. Hey, hey, it's okay. It's okay. It was just a nightmare, okay?" Alex tells Kara, rushing over to her in the medbay
"It was so dark and horrible." Kara whispers, still breathing heavily
"Was it about the Phantom Zone?" Alex asks
"I don't... I don't want to talk about it." Kara pants
"No, no, no, y-y-you don't have to, okay?" Alex tells her, hugging her sister. "It's, it's all over. We've got you. I've got you. It's all behind us now."
"Good. Oh, 'cause I don't think I ever wanna hear the word 'Phantom' ever again." Kara says. "Not in an opera, not in a Star Wars prequel. Especially, not in a Star Wars prequel. I don't even think I could handle an episode of Scooby-Do right now."
"It's so good to have you home." Alex says with a small laugh. "Now, uh, come on. You've got
some folks that are waiting to see you."
"Alex?" Kara asks
"Yeah?" Alex asks
"Can I have another hug, please?" Kara asks
"Always." Alex tells her and hugs her
***
A few floors under the happy reunions upstairs, Willow and Marvin are in a standoff...
Marvin is standing in the doorway, blocking Willow from leaving. "What the hell, Marvin?" Willow questions. "She's home, I need to go see her!"
"And you will see her." Marvin promises. "As soon as you get your powers under control."
"You're shitting me, right?" Willow deadpans. "You're going to keep me down here to lift an apple with my telekinesis and wrap a forcefield around a fricking flame while the love of my life is a few floors up?!" She exclaims
"Yes." Marvin tells her. "Yes, I am."
"Why?" Willow's voice breaks as she asks the question, tears pricking her eyes
"Because you need to control your powers." Marvin tells her. "And the fact that I'm still standing in the doorway means that you don't have control yet. You and I both know that at the height of your powers, I would be thrown to the side. Why haven't you done that yet?"
"Maybe I don't wanna hurt you." Willow shoots back
"Bullshit." Marvin tells Willow. "You and I both know you have no problem throwing me with your telekinesis. Neither of us are leaving this room until your powers are under control."
***
Kara's dad (Zor-El), Kara, and Nia are in the elevator at CatCo. Zor-El wanted to see what Kara had been doing on Earth the past years so the two girls had put a disguise on him to bring him to CatCo
"Okay, so, remember, you are my Uncle Archie, visiting from Midvale." Kara tells Zor-El
"Okay. Don't worry. I promise no one will even know I'm there." Zor-El tells Kara. "I'm starting to understand my strength. I'm, I'm sorry about your door."
"No, no. It's not that, I'm just...I'm just nervous, you know?" Kara says. "I disappeared without a trace, I'm surprised I still even have a job."
"Hey, if Willow still somehow has a job here, you do too." Nia tells Kara honestly. "And don't worry about Andrea, okay? I covered for you, remember?"
"Right. Uh, what did you tell her exactly?" Kara asks
"That Cat Grant reached out to you personally to do a profile on Darien resistance leader Miguel de Miranda." Nia says
"Okay." Kara says
"And that you've been off-grid, imbedded with him." Nia adds quickly
"Wait, what?" Kara questions as the elevator opens
"It was the best I could do." Nia whispers. "Hi. Andrea, good morning. Um...Coffee cart. Best part of CatCo. Come on, Uncle Archie. Bye, Kara." Nia says, grabbing Zor-El and leaving
"Kara Danvers. Welcome back." Andrea says
"Thank you." Kara says with a smile
"Nia told me what you've been cooking up, and well, I smell another Pulitzer." Andrea says. "And that's gonna be great for businessI can't wait to read it immediately."
"Well, uh, I'm not exactly done with it yet." Kara says with a nervous laugh
"Of course. End of the day, then." Andrea says
"That's the weird thing, though." Kara stammers. "There is no story."
Andrea freezes. "What?" She questions
"Yeah, Mirando...Miranda changed his mind...at the last minute." Kara makes up. "He said he would take everything off the record, he would deny everything. The funny thing about these resistance leaders, they think they want fame, but their lives depend on secrecy. "
"Well, that is disappointing." Andrea says. "Kara, you're late for the staff meeting." She turns on her heels before stopping and looking back at Kara. "Did you by any chance see your green eyed little friend anywhere?" She questions to which Kara shakes her head. "Well, if you see her, make sure you tell her that I don't know how many more leaves of absences I can give her."
"Will do." Kara stammers as Andrea leaves. And that's when it hits Kara all over again. She was incredibly upset when J'onn told her that she couldn't see Willow the second she was awake. Tears prick her eyes as she thinks about the green eyed girl...
She takes a deep breath before rushing towards the staff meeting
***
"After you told me of Earth's environmental crisis, I couldn't shake the feeling that Earth was headed down the same path as Krypton." Zor-El tells Kara in the superhero lair. "So, I analyzed your oceans, and I'm afraid the prognosis is grim. Your oceans are dying, just like ours did."
"I know, Father." Kara tells him. "And I understand your fears, but it's not just our oceans. We've been trying to manage Earth's environmental crises for years... but it's... it's complicated."
"Supergirl, I'm glad you're here." J'onn says, walking in. "I'm afraid the fire from this morning has reignited."
"We had it contained." Zor-El says, remembering how him and his daughter had already handled the issue
"The fuel leak is coming from a Dominator Warp Drive." J'onn says. "Brainy and I can break it down on the molecular level, rendering it inert. That should put the fire out."
"That should have been done during the cleanup after the DEO imploded." Kara says
"I'm not surprised it wasn't." J'onn says. "Men like Lex all ascribe to the same motto. Cheaper, faster, easier, no matter the damage."
"Neglect like this is what destroyed Krypton." Zor-El says, emotion in his voice. "The death of the oceans, that was the tipping point. And you're already here. We have to stop it."
"This doesn't have an easy fix, it's a complicated problem." J'onn says
"Of course. But if I could access Krypton's records, I could really compare the data and analysis. Maybe there's something I missed on Krypton." Zor-El says. "Kara, the pod we used to send you to Earth. Do you still have it? It should have retained data from your launch date."
"Actually, I have something a lot better." Kara tells him
***
"Welcome to Krypton on Earth." Kara says, gesturing to the Fortress of Solitude
"I remember when your aunt and uncle made the plan for this place." Zor-El says, walking through the Fortress of Solitude with Kara. "I just didn't think it was possible.
"Yeah, Kal-El tried to get me to come here for years." Kara says. "I thought it would make me homesick. That it would be too painful to face all those memories."
"I can understand that." Zor-El says. "I am so sorry, Kara. I should have done more to save our planet."
"You did everything you could." Kara tells him. "You sacrificed yourself to save us. You were a hero, Father."
"I ripped you from your home." Zor-El tells her
"And I found a new one. Here." Kara says. "And I found the love of my life here...Everything has happened right here."
"I promise you." Zor-El says. "This time, I will save it. I will not let what happened to Krypton happen here. If Kal-El is anything like his father, all of Krypton's records should be stored in here." Kara stares into space. "Kara, are you okay?" He asks
"Yes." Kara whispers. "I'm just surprised that everything's still in order after..."
"Of course it is. That's what I'm here for." Kelex says
"You have a Kelex!" Zor-El exclaims
"Kelex, my father is looking for scientific data about Krypton." Kara says. "Specifically, from the time right before the planet exploded."
"I will pull up everything I have." Kelex says
"Kara...I think I know how to save your oceans." Zor-El says
***
"The fire is 100% contained." J'onn says
"Good. I am running a scan on that garbage mass." Alex says, typing on the computer. "Just cataloguing what other DEO remnants might not have been properly disposed of."
"I can only imagine how long that list is gonna be." Brainy mumbles
Kara and Zor-El land, arriving in the superhero lair. "Hey, how was the Fortress?" Alex asks Kara. "I mean, since you've been back. Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine." Kara says
"But this planet isn't." Zor-El says, bringing up a scan on the computer. "At the Fortress, we ran a full comparison of Earth's oceanic readings to Krypton's just before it exploded. As I thought, your oceans' toxicity levels have put Earth in the same trajectory as Krypton. But perhaps, he can help." He says as Kelex flies in. "This is Oscar." He says, gesturing to Oscar
"Looks like Kelex, just with some ugly 80's style shoulder pads." Brainy says
"It was Kelex, but my father figured out a way to add some modifications that will enable him to clean Earth's oceans right now." Kara says
"Is Oscar an acronym?" J'onn asks
"Oh, no. He's named after that irritable green creature who lives with the garbage." Zor-El says
"Yes, he binge-watched Sesame Street while I was recovering under the sun lamps." Kara says
"Crash course in Earth customs." Brainy speaks up. "Did you upgrade him with Coluan technology?"
"I would hardly call it an upgrade." Oscar says
"I attached a Coluan energy core, so Oscar can shrink trash and convert it into energy in seconds." Zor-El says. "Oscar will then absorb that energy, rendering it harmless." He tosses a piece of trash on the ground and Oscar quickly disintegrates it
"Okay. I will admit that that is very impressive." Alex says. "But the Earth is covered in 70% water. Do you really think that Oscar can handle that?"
"Yes. And this is something I could never have achieved on Krypton." Zor-El says. "Your planet has an amazing melting pot of alien technology that we never had access to on Krypton."
"That's what concerns me." J'onn says. "Some alien technology interacts poorly with others. Plus, I saw Kryptonite out there."
"Kryptonite?" Kara asks
"Yes, but you must have been too far away from the garbage to feel its effect." J'onn tells Kara. "But that's my point. We don't know the full scope of the garbage on those islands. We should run a full system check before we release Zor-El's invention."
"I understand your concern." Zor-El says. "I wish I could give you an exact timeline of when Earth will reach Krypton's tipping point. But that's the thing. Once you can see the tipping point, it's too late. That's why we need to act now."
"Okay. But I want him recalled at the first sign of distress." J'onn says
"Of course." Zor-El agrees and with that, Oscar flies out to begin cleaning the oceans
The group watches on the scanner as the trash disappears
"It's working." Kara says with a smile
"So it would seem." J'onn says. "Brainy?"
"Uh, Oscar is converting the garbage even more efficiently than Zor-El's model suggested." Brainy says. "I apologize for my skepticism."
"That's not necessary. I'm just happy I'm able to help." Zor-El says
***
The computer begins to beep rapidly. "What is it?" J'onn asks Brainy
"Getting some odd fluctuations in Oscar's energy core." Brainy says, looking at the scans
"His mass is increasing, too." J'onn notes. "He seems to be adding garbage to his body, not converting it to energy."
"We need to bring him back." Kara says
"I'll recall him." Zor-El says. "I've issued the return command, but he's not responding.
"I'll go get him." Kara says. "Brainy, the coordinates?"
"I've lost him." Brainy says. "Visuals are gone, and he's disappeared off the radar."
"There are major shipping lanes in that area." Kara says. "If Oscar malfunctions, he could endanger cargo ships."
"Try satellite imaging." J'onn says
"There's no trace of him. He's gone." Brainy says
"J'onn and I will find him." Kara says. "Brainy, you stay here with my father, figure out what went wrong and how to fix it."
"Don't forget, there's Kryptonite." Brainy reminds her
"I know." Kara says. "That's why I need to go and find my kryptonite." She says before making her way to the basement to find Willow
***
Willow was getting more and more frustrated as the hours went on. She was getting frustrated with the tasks but she was also getting frustrated with Marvin. All she wanted to do was see Kara, the love of her life and the woman whom she had not seen for a long time
But Marvin had some stupid ass rule that she wasn't allowed to leave until she got her powers under control. And for some reason, J'onn agreed with him
And so, Willow was lifting a stupid apple up off the floor once again and after a few moments, her powers flicker and the apple falls to the ground
"I hate this." Willow says
"I know." Marvin says, typing on his tablet
"I hate you." Willow says
"I know that too." Marvin tells her, looking up from the tablet. "I don't care whether you like me or not right now. This is something that needs to happen. You need to get your powers under control before you do something bad."
"Bad?" Willow asks. "What the hell could I do with no powers?"
"You don't have 'no powers'." Marvin tells her, putting the tablet down and standing up from his seat. "You have no control over your powers." He corrects her. "Which is arguably much much worse. Your powers are out of control. You could kill someone."
"Will!" A voice exclaims. Willow whips around, seeing the one and only Kara Danvers in the doorway. She freezes for a moment before throwing her telekinesis out in front of her. The green wisps wrap around Kara's waist and pull her close at a rapid speed. Kara is pulled right into a kiss, Willow's telekinesis finally working under her control
They pull away
"Go, Willow Greene!" Marvin exclaims, urging her to go and help Supergirl
***
"My God." Willow breathes, looking at the massive trash monster, dropping in with the other heroes
"You said he bonded with the trash, but this..." Supergirl whispers
"He's picked up a Teallian along the way." J'onn says. "Lex must have brought one to the DEO. It's a parasitic creature that forces even inanimate objects to adapt to survive. It's impossible to remove once it's attached to a host."
"So, now, Oscar's protecting the garbage." Supergirl reasons
"Oh great." Willow says sarcastically
"His Coluan energy core is spiking." Lena's voice says over the comms. "If that detonates, the atomic blast is going to spread inland."
"Copy that. Dreamer and I will evacuate the civilians. Brainy, launch that drone, now." Alex orders
"Sprock." Brainy mutters. "Lena, I lost the drone with the virus in it. Can you recall it?"
"Standby." Lena says. "Brainy, I'm trying, but I can't control it."
"I think we can grab the drone." Supergirl says
"Wait. I did a psychic scan." J'onn says. "Oscar is protected by a force field. He must have acquired it from the DEO tech. And trying to breach it could cause a backlash."
"Brainy, that force field is keeping me from accessing the drone." Lena says
"You've to find a way to get close enough to the drone to release the virus manually." Zor-El tells Brainy
"On it." Brainy says
"How will you get close enough?" Supergirl asks
"I need to get him to think I'm trash." Brainy says. "Kelex! Kelex, you stupid idiot! Can you hear me?" He taunts. "Wow! Look how big and dumb you are! A junkyard? Come on! You sorry excuse for a Roomba! I know you know the truth. Without that Coluan power core, you're nothing!" Oscar pulls Brainy towards him
"We need to help him." Supergirl says
"Brainy, are you okay?" Zor-El asks
"I'm shifting through trash." Brainy says. "Just a little further to Kelex."
Supergirl launches to Oscar but he zaps her and fries her kryptonite shield suit. Supergirl is thrown to the ground
"No!" Willow exclaims, running over to Supergirl with J'onn right next to her. The two arrive at Supergirl who is groaning on the ground. Willow presses the side button and Supergirl's mask disappears, revealing green veins glowing on her face. "What the hell?" Willow whispers. "I thought she was working towards immunity. Marvin!" She exclaims, her hand lifting her her comms with Marvin
"Oscar zapped her with a high dose." Marvin says. "Much higher than anything that we've given her. Willow, you need to get the kryptonite out of her."
"How do I do that?" Willow asks
"You know how." Marvin tells her. "I know you know how."
And with that, Willow launches forwards and presses a kiss to Supergirl's lips. Once their lips touch, both lips turn green with a bright flash. Slowly, the kryptonite is pulled from Supergirl's body. Slowly, the green veins begin to disappear
And while Willow is pulling kryptonite from Supergirl's body, the other heroes defeat Oscar
***
"Okay. I'm not going to let the chopsticks defeat me tonight." Alex says, opening the food at the counter. "But you...one of you are gonna have to open the wine." She says, looking over at Kara and Willow
"I will." Willow says, using her telekenesis to bring the wine bottle to her, her powers completely under her control
"Amazing." Alex whispers sitting down across from Kara and Willow
"It was so cold in there." Kara whispers all of a sudden
"When?" Alex asks
"In the...Phantom Zone." Kara whispers through tears
"Oh, Kara..." Willow whispers
"So empty. Every breath felt like... like ice. And I was so weak." Kara whispers through tears
"It's okay. You don't have to talk about this, okay? Remember?" Alex tells her
"No, no, no, I-I want to. I need to." Kara says
"Okay." Willow whispers. "We're here to listen."
"I don't want to be alone anymore." Kara says
"You are not alone. You've got me and you've got Willow. It's okay." Alex tells her
"I think I just, I just...so desperately wanted to get away from the Phantom Zone, that I...didn't let myself process...how much I went through...how afraid I was." Kara says. "What if that fear never goes away?"
"You know...when I, uh, when I thought that we couldn't get you back... I just wanted to give up." Alex says. "I mean, like... Like I couldn't get out of bed. I couldn't...You know? And now, that we did get you back, I still feel like you could slip away at any moment. I felt that way today, too. And I'm so sorry. Because all I want to do is just shield you from any more pain, that I just didn't even think...the only way out, is through. And we're going to get through this together."
"Healing together." Kara says
"Yeah." Willow says. "Always together. You are not alone."
"Iris West-Allen wrote a piece for the Central City Citizen about how the city came together after an attack. That's what I need to write my piece on." Kara says
"That is a very noble and a very courageous thing to do." Alex says
"Thank you. And we need to get you a fork because I am not gonna let you embarrass yourself trying to use these chopsticks." Kara says with a small laugh