06x07 - Fear Knot

[bunniefuu]

Previously on Supergirl...

I won.

After a short incubation period, the victim's life force leaves the body.

[J'ONN J'ONZZ]

It can now make new Phantoms?

If only there was a way to use Prime Phantom to make a new tracking device.

The Phantom tracks by instinct.

He's a bloodhound.

If we can get our hands on more of Kara's DNA...

We have to go back in time... to Midvale High.

[SUPERGIRL]

My mother built this Anchor

that tethers this place to the rest of the universe.

And there is a way out.

The Anchor.

[ZOR-EL SCREAMS]

[NYXLY]

Your father is beyond saving.

I should have just slit his throat when I had the chance.

In order for me to get to my home, I'll have to go through yours.

I think I'm gonna have a little fun while I'm there.

Over my dead body.

[GASPS]

[SHATTERING]

[ALARM BLARING]

- We have to go.

- [ALARM BEEPING RAPIDLY]

Nyxly...

Nyxly, now!

[SUPERGIRL]

Careful.

- [RUMBLING]

- [EXCLAIMS]

What's happening?

Destroying the Anchor must have destabilized this entire region of the Phantom Zone.

- It's going to crumble.

- We'll find the Phantom.

We can catch a ride through another portal to a more stable region.

[GROUND CREAKING]

- Let's go.

[GASPS]

- [GROWLING]

[EXCLAIMING IN PAIN]

Get away from her.

- Kara, are you all right?

- [GROANS]

No.

No.

Nothing is.

No.

You're just saying that because of what the Phantom did.

We have to keep moving, get off this island.

I know the mirror's broken, but your Earth family must be looking for you.

If we get off this island, we just have to stay alive long enough for them to find us.

No.

You don't understand.

If they try to save me, they're all going to die.

And it'll be my fault.

One sample of Kara blood fresh out of Midvale.

Ah!

Finally.

Why, yes.

We did just traverse time and space to get this.

No big deal.

And thanks to you, we now have the last piece of our rescue mission.

Wait.

How long were we gone?

About three days.

Three days, Sprock!

I am a terrible time traveler.

We put the time to good use.

We're now fully equipped for the Phantom Zone.

M'gann is already patrolling to protect National City in our absence.

Everything is ready to go.

All right, well, give me a moment to update the Legion ships so we're not relying on parts D printed in .

That won't be necessary.

[CLICKS]

[WHIRRING]

When I first acquired the Tower, I installed some upgrades.

The Tower's a ship.

I love Martian technology.

We were only able to obtain a small sample of Supergirl's DNA.

This will require all of it.

So we better make it count.

[BEEPS]

Okay.

The Q-wave interface is live.

[GROWLING]

[LENA]

Our Phantom's got Supergirl's scent.

Once we get to the Phantom Zone, his Q-waves will lead us directly to Supergirl's position.

Impressive.

You guys did all this science stuff without me.

But what if we run into less tame Phantoms out there?

The Tower's shields should cloak us, but it's still going to be dangerous.

That's because we can't count on the same methods we used to fight the Phantoms here.

Based on what I've learned from Silas and Malefic, the Phantom's powers work differently in their native dimension.

There, they att*ck with Fear Visions, the deepest dread brought to life.

Like a Dementor...

- Or a Boggart...

- Or Harry's Dementor Boggart.

- You understand?

- Yes.

Yeah.

So, uh, Kelly, you gonna teach us how to cast a Patronus to fight them?

Well, all my fear management strategies may not be magic, they are the next best thing.

In therapy, we use grounding techniques to help people regain control in traumatic situations.

You start by naming things that you can see, touch, hear, smell, that you know are real.

Computer, electrons, filtered oxygen.

Pizza residue.

Okay, that's a good example.

And if one of your fears should suddenly show up and they're not one of those things...

Then you'll be able to separate the visions from reality.

- Take back control from the Phantoms.

- Right.

Kelly, are you sure that you want to come with us?

I mean, stepping into a new dimension, that isn't something you signed up for.

For Kara, for you...

I'll do anything.

But Kara's been in the Phantom Zone this whole time.

What if she can't tell what's real anymore?

I mean, when she sees a giant spaceship version of the Tower flying, won't she just assume it's another delusion?

If so, she'll need a touchstone.

A deeply personal memory or connection to bring her back to herself.

I could do that.

Once we land on the right fragment of the Phantom Zone, I'll go out and get Supergirl alone.

Wait, what?

No.

I'm her sister.

The fewer of us exposed to the Phantoms, the better.

We'll need your leadership here defending the Tower.

While I find Supergirl, you'll be the one making sure she has a way home.

[SCOFFS]

Dreamer, you'll be on Phantom detection duty.

If they att*ck the ship, Lena has a surprise for them.

I cooked this up from the DEO's yellow sun grenades.

It has enough firepower to disperse any Phantoms nearby and recharge Supergirl's powers.

But it's a one-sh*t thing, so we have to use it wisely.

And I will be the getaway driver, ready to make a quick exit.

And it will need to be quick.

The Tower shields can only withstand the Phantom Zone for two hours before the ship will start to degrade around us.

Great.

No pressure.

That power level meter will keep track of how strong our shields are.

If it drops into the red, we'll be in trouble.

Then we'll have to abandon the mission.

Well, we're not gonna let that happen because we're ready, and we can do this together.

Now we only have one sh*t.

Well, let's be sure to get it right.

Everyone take your positions.

[MACHINE WHIRRING]

Lena, will you do the honors?

Sure.

Activating Phantom Zone projector.

We may encounter some...

[RUMBLING]

...interdimensional turbulence.

Glad our shields did their job.

[WOMAN]

That was with the shields?

[MACHINES BEEPING]

Yes, but they'll only last for so long.

We need to keep an eye on the power status.

[MACHINE BEEPING]

[BEEPS]

Okay.

Let's each do our final checks, be sure we're ready.

J'onn, I'm going out there with you to get Kara.

No, it's too dangerous.

If she needs a touchstone, I'm the best sh*t that we have at reaching her, and you know that.

So I can shapeshift, making it you she sees first.

No.

That'll make it worse.

She'll know that it isn't real.

It has to be me.

I'm not risking losing both of you.

I am not risking losing our one sh*t at getting her back.

We can't afford to play it safe, J'onn.

I've always done whatever it takes to protect my sister,

- and I sure as hell am not stopping now.

- [RUMBLING]

Another power surge.

Everybody strap in for turbulence.

[CRASHING]

I'm really not loving this turbulence thing.

J'onn...

I think we have a problem.

[OMINOUS MUSIC PLAYING]

Brainy, double check the command center.

See if he...

[GRUNTS]

[EXHALES]

See?

You need me out there.

- [GROWLS]

- You make a strong argument.

Brainy, stand down.

We have the Phantom secured.

Alex?

- Are you hurt?

- I'm fine.

Damn it, Alex!

Look, I can handle it, okay?

[STAMMERS]

If we just can slow the progression of the infection, we can buy enough time.

No.

We need to get you into containment, until we can treat you when you get back home.

Okay, well, unless you want to get home without Kara, than you need me out there.

You're not the only one at risk here.

If you turn Phantom, you could jeopardize all of us.

And Kara.

- Come on, J'onn.

- Come on, Alex.

- J'onn.

- Come on!

I'm sorry.

Look, you're making the right decision.

I know.

[GRUNTS]

- Alex, what are you doing?

- Whatever it takes.

Look, I'm sorry, J'onn, but if I'm not out there for it, the whole mission will fail.

Alex!

Alex!

[GROWLS]

Closing in on Supergirl's location.

Lena and Dreamer are still in the lab, readying the yellow sun b*mb.

Where's J'onn?

He's in the armory.

He's prepping some gear.

- What's our ETA?

- Approximately minutes.

- You all right?

- Yeah.

[RUMBLING]

- [ALARM BLARING]

- What is that?

Phantoms.

I don't understand.

We should be cloaked from Phantom detection.

Unless...

[KELLY]

Guys, what's going on?

The Phantom Q-waves went nuts.

Alex, your neck.

- And you're shivering.

- I, uh...

You've been infected by the Phantom.

Alex, no, that's not...

- Just...

- Your transformation.

It's drawing the other Phantoms here.

We'll outrun them.

We'll fight them off.

No, there's too many of them, and we've taken too much damage.

Well, we can't stop now, right?

- Not when we're this close.

- [KELLY]

Please, Alex.

We have to turn back.

This is it.

This is all my fault.

If I had just listened to J'onn and gone into containment in time, I...

It's not too late.

I am not going to be the reason that Kara is trapped in here.

Alex.

[BEEPS]

Alex, what are you doing?

As long as I'm on board, I am the problem.

You could all die and we lose Kara forever.

If you open that airlock, we'll lose you forever.

[ALARM BLARES]

I thought I was the one that was vital to rescuing Supergirl, but it's the opposite.

I was so wrong.

But I can draw the Phantoms away, and you can save her without me.

There has to be something else.

There is no other way to save you...

and Kara.

No, you can't leave me.

[J'ONN J'ONZZ]

Okay.

Let's each do our final checks, be sure we're ready.

[MACHINE BEEPING]

You ever just think how wild it is that you can, like, make a portable sun?

Says the woman who can see the future and wield dream energy.

- [CHUCKLES]

- Yeah, right.

Your gloves, by the way, are amazing.

The way they convert your power into physical form, you know, how do they work?

Um...

[EXHALES AND CHUCKLES]

I don't know.

Brainy made them.

I...

Honestly, I should probably know more than I do, but the one person who had answers is gone.

Without my mom, all I have are questions.

I'm sorry.

I know you lost your mom, too.

I didn't mean to...

Oh, no, no, no, it's okay, really.

I get it.

I miss my mom every day, too.

It really sucks, doesn't it?

Yeah, and it doesn't really get any easier.

Especially in light of the family I have left.

[SIGHS]

Good thing this is our family now, right?

Sometimes...

being Dreamer just reminds me of what I've lost.

How much I don't know.

It's like...

Like there's a whole part of yourself you'll never understand.

I can't imagine how hard it must've been losing your mom so young.

It was.

You know, the only thing I really have left of her is this book of folktales that she used to read to me.

It's not a lot, but it's something to hold onto.

Your powers...

they connect you to your mother.

You can hold on to that.

[RUMBLING]

Another power surge.

Everyone strap in for turbulence.

[CRASHING]

I think we're safe to turn off the fasten seat belt sign.

Yeah, I think we're stable, but...

[DEVICE BEEPING]

...I think the turbulence may have caused a coolant leak.

I better go see if the hardware needs repairing.

[WATER DRIPPING]

[WHOOSHING]

[CREATURE ROARING]

Guys, there's some kind of alien creature aboard.

I've locked it in the engine room, but I could do with some backup now.

Guys?

J'onn?

Alex?

[GASPS]

No!

[DREAMER CHOKING]

Dreamer?

Dreamer?

- Hey, hey!

- [COUGHING]

Are you okay?

- I think so.

- The creature?

- Where is it?

- I don't know.

Run.

Run!

Run!

I saw it...

It reminded me of...

That's ridiculous.

What?

Kelpie.

A shapeshifter that drags people underwater.

[STAMMERS]

No, it's a myth.

It's a story from my mother's book of folklore.

It always gave me nightmares.

Well, I can see why.

That thing's terrifying.

That's not it.

It's the drowning.

My mother drowned.

Right in front of me.

I always blamed myself 'cause I didn't stop it.

I would read the story over and over, punishing myself.

But in my nightmares, it was always the Kelpie who drowned me.

Lena...

I'm so sorry.

Did the story say anything about how to fight a Kelpie?

Because it is clearly not a myth.

[WATER TRICKLING]

[CHOKING]

Dreamer?

[RUMBLING]

This is my nightmare.

This is my nightmare.

Kelpies are a myth.

This is a Fear Vision!

What did Kelly say?

Remember what's real.

Motor oil, Martian steel, the Tower, the lab, my friends.

[CREATURE ROARING]

[J'ONN J'ONZZ]

Okay.

Let's each do our final checks, be sure we're ready.

[MACHINE BEEPING]

May I just say I'm quite glad to have you aboard this mission.

That's kind of you.

I'm just trying to stay out of the way until it's time for me to help Supergirl.

On the contrary, I've been challenged by my emotions of late.

Okay, always.

And given the imminent risk of a Phantom-induced response, I'd greatly value your expertise.

Well, hopefully everything goes according to plan, and you won't need it.

Mmm.

I'm good with never seeing a Phantom again.

This is your first time back in the Tower since...

The Phantom att*ck on M'gann.

Yeah.

I'm not going to lie.

I feel a little out of my depth.

I mean, you are all superheroes, and I'm just...

The one keeping us all from losing our minds.

[RUMBLING]

Another power surge.

Everybody strap in for turbulence.

[SIGHS]

[CRASHING]

[DEVICE BEEPING]

[ALARM BLARING]

The surge must have disrupted something.

Let's do a full systems check.

I should go check the Phantom's containment, make sure the Luthor electro-core is still intact.

I'll go with, for backup.

All looks good in the engine room.

Yeah, I'm not seeing any signs yet.

Must have been a false alarm.

Something's weird with the Phantom Q-wave interface.

[BEEPING]

I should verify it with Lena.

[ALEX]

The turbulence must have knocked the power out.

Lena?

Dreamer?

I'm gonna go check over there, okay?

Hey, guys, you weren't answering.

[DEVICE BEEPING]

Is there something wrong with the unit?

Lena?

Dreamer?

[BOTH]

So glad you could join us.

Oh, no.

Alex, the Phantom is trying to breach the containment unit.

And it's possessed Lena and Nia.

Alex!

Come on.

Lena, Nia.

Snap out of it!

Remember what's real.

Let me help you.

Alex?

Alex.

[ALEX AND DREAMER AND LENA]

It's pointless, Kelly.

Why bother trying?

The Phantom will take us all.

J'onn, Brainy, the Phantom is trying to get loose.

- J'onn!

- J'onn and Brainy are already gone.

They couldn't fight it, and neither can you.

No.

No!

Alex...

Please.

If you are still in there, please hear me.

We hear you.

We see you.

Exactly as you are, Kelly Olsen.

Weak.

Human.

We are heroes with unparalleled intellects, incredible strength.

And yet we all succumbed.

What chance do you stand?

Alex.

You are Alex Danvers.

And you love morning hikes and knock-knock jokes and dumplings and lavender soap.

We met in the hospital and we butted heads.

And I knew right then that you were passionate and fiery and that you would do anything for people you love.

And I wanted to be one of them.

Last week, you brought me flowers and you asked me to move in with you.

It was one of the best things that has ever happened to me.

You said I was your rock.

Let me be that now.

Remember what's real!

Come back to me!

[GASPS]

Kelly?

[WHIMPERS]

Alex?

[GROWLS]

You have to go.

Get off this ship while you still can.

Where?

We're in the Phantom Zone.

[RUMBLING]

He's out for blood.

Go, go.

There's an escape pod.

Just take it.

There's only room for one.

No, I am not leaving you.

And I know you won't leave them.

[GROWLS]

Kelly, look.

Look at me.

You have seen w*r, okay?

You know that there are some battles that you just can't fight.

Sometimes you have to retreat and you have to protect yourself.

The rest of us, we're...

We're too far gone.

- [DOOR OPENS]

- [GROWLS]

I'm not strong enough to protect you.

- Please.

Please, go!

- No.

- No.

- Now!

Alex!

[GROWLING]

[J'ONN J'ONZZ]

Okay.

Let's each do our final checks, be sure we're ready.

[LENA]

Your powers, they connect you to your mother.

You can hold on to that.

[CRASHING]

[J'ONN J'ONZZ]

Another power surge.

Everybody strap in for turbulence.

No.

Where's the Phantom?

[THUDDING]

It's just a dream.

Just figure out what it's all about.

[BEEPS]

Is that a thimble?

What does that mean?

Hey, Dreamer.

[SIGHS]

What was that?

That last patch of turbulence damaged the Phantom's containment, allowing it to briefly slip out of its bonds and affect all of us.

Terrible Fear Visions for everyone.

You okay?

Containment unit's back online and Phantom's locked down tight.

- Everything's back on track.

- Are you sure?

I had a vision there was something wrong with the containment unit.

Everything seems to be fine.

Something's wrong.

I know it.

It's the containment unit.

We have to get down there.

Now.

[DEVICE BEEPS]

Are you sure?

- I can run a full system diagnostic...

- There's no time.

It was in my dream.

There is something wrong with the containment unit.

The Phantom's gonna try to get out.

I know it.

Nia, look, I...

I don't want to say this, but...

You think I'm wrong?

Not "wrong." Of course I believe in you, but perhaps we shouldn't jump to conclusions.

Remember your dream about Midvale?

And then in Midvale...

Sometimes your interpretations aren't always...

I may not always know exactly what's going on in my dreams, but I know this is something we need to pay attention to, Brainy.

Look.

I know you're doing the best you can.

But you know you never got the full training before your mother...

I can do this.

[DEVICE BEEPS]

You'll see.

[GROWLING]

- [HISSING]

- You hear something?

[HISSING AND THUDDING]

Everything seems to be under control here.

What exactly did you dream?

The containment unit was empty.

Except for...

What?

[CRASHING]

[J'ONN J'ONZZ]

That's the hull integrity sensor.

There's some kind of breach.

Brainy, you and Dreamer have to find it.

[GRUNTS]

Brainy!

Nia!

Sprock!

Our shields must have been breached!

The pressure could tear this whole ship apart!

We have to seal that airlock, now!

Of course.

The thimble!

It had a picture of the Tower, cracked.

That's why it was in the containment unit.

It was telling me to contain the problem, protect the Tower.

Well, help me fix it now!

You dreamt this.

Help me stop it.

A thimble means sewing.

Sewing...

Maybe I need to use my powers to sew this shut.

That's it.

That's it, you're doing it!

Brainy!

We're too late!

The breach is already too big!

If we had gotten here sooner...

We wasted too much time.

I wasted too much time.

Because I couldn't interpret my dream right.

[SCREAMS]

- I can't hold on much longer!

- No!

I have always done whatever it takes to protect my sister and I sure as hell am not stopping now.

Another power surge.

Everybody strap in for turbulence.

That was a bad one.

Our shields took a hit, but looks like they pulled through.

[ALARM BEEPS]

But the last ten minutes are unaccounted for.

What the hell happened?

Oh, no.

The temperature's dropping.

Alex.

Double check the Phantom's containment, make sure it's still in place.

Alex?

Brainy?

I'm okay, but it seems like the rest of our team has been compromised.

That electromagnetic turbulence.

It caused a malfunction in the Phantom's containment unit.

Right now, it's just enough for its power to leak out and affect our teammates.

But the whole unit's compromised.

Why aren't you and I affected?

It's possible your Martian physiology and psychic powers have safeguarded you.

Your psychic bond with Malefic might have conferred to you some measure of resistance.

And your Coluan nature is doing the same for you?

Well, sort of.

My th level intellect allows me to compartmentalize my fear.

That and Kelly's coping mechanisms.

But I assure you, I'm still.. very much feeling it.

You are?

For me, this entire room is filled with balloons.

Balloons?

It's balloons, J'onn.

Balloon, balloon, balloon, balloon.

Thin sheets of rubber holding in all that pressure, not knowing when to pop, balloon.

J'onn!

They must be stopped!

Okay.

I don't have time to unpack all that.

- [ALARM BLARING]

- Oh, no.

[COMPUTER BEEPING]

We're under att*ck.

Shields have been breached.

Now that the Phantom containment has been disrupted, it's attracting other Phantoms to us.

We need to maneuver the Tower, see if we can lose them.

No, you can't fly the ship and free everyone at the same time.

And if we don't save our team, it won't matter if we make it to Supergirl.

Let me do this.

You just focus on the tiny job of saving everyone else.

Computers, electrons, coconut shampoo, pizza.

No, you're just rubber filled with air.

I'm not frightened of you.

[RUMBLING]

Okay.

I can't fight their battles for them, but maybe I can make it easier.

Give the Phantoms something else to fight against.

- Split his focus.

- Yes.

If you could force the Phantom back into containment, then everyone else can find their own way back to reality.

J'onn, there's still a chance that the Phantom can overpower you.

Not when I have this much to fight for.

[GROWLING]

[SNARLS]

- I can't hold on much longer!

- No!

Alex!

[CREATURE ROARING]

There has to be something else.

There is no other way.

[SUPERGIRL]

They're all going to die.

No.

Not today.

I'll show you what it's like to be afraid.

Hug her for me.

I know what I have to do.

Mother.

I may not be able to fight you, but I can protect them.

Brainy, hold on!

No!

[SCREAMING]

No!

[RUMBLING]

J'onn?

This is real.

You are free of the Phantom's powers.

You did it.

You all did it.

We have the Phantom back in full containment, but this trip's not over yet.

We're close.

We have a lock on Supergirl.

Are you sure this is real?

Yes, but we're still being swarmed by Phantoms.

We'll have to get as close as we can to Supergirl.

And have that yellow sun b*mb ready.

On it.

Nearly there, but the Tower's shields won't last much longer.

Everybody, hang on!

[EXPLODING]

Kara, look.

Look at this.

I made this because we're going to go on.

We have to keep moving.

What's the point?

There's no way out.

You and Nyxly were right all along.

And yet, I dragged you out of your one safe place and pushed you to hope...

when there is none.

[RUMBLING]

There's always hope.

Hope is naive.

I was naive.

And arrogant to think that I could ever actually fix anything.

And worse...

my friends think that they can, too.

[RUMBLING]

And they're just going to die because of it.

You can fix things.

You did.

You fixed me.

I cried so many tears here.

I cried for you.

For your mother.

For Krypton, my brother, my entire life...

I cried for everyone I ever lost, all the people I loved and would never see again.

I cried a river, an ocean of tears, until there was nothing left in me.

Until you came and you filled me up with your spirit, your love.

And now I won't give up again.

Even if your friends never find us, we'll find our way out.

I know we can because we're together.

And together, nothing can stop us.

Do you believe me, Kara?

Because I believe in you.

I believe you, Dad.

I believe in you.

I believe in us.

Oh, no, more Phantoms.

[GROWLING]

And then there's that.

What do we do?

We fight.

We never give up.

[GROWLING]

[SCREECHING]

What was that?

And why do I feel...

stronger?

That's yellow sun energy...

Which means...

What is it?

That's my family.

They're really here!

[SUPERGIRL CHUCKLES]

See?

You were always right to hope.

Come on.

Kara?

I got you.

[J'ONN J'ONZZ]

Brainy, get us out of here.

[THEME MUSIC PLAYING]