A/N: Following the prompt from raihanchia to write my own version of the rescue, I have extended the story to re-write how they rescued Kara. It bears no resemblance to what happened in the show.
"It's going to be okay." Kelly said squeezing Alex's hand as they waited for Eliza to return home.
"What if-" Alex started, stopping when she heard a car pull up.
"It's going to be okay." Kelly repeated as Alex stood and walked towards the door.
"Hi mom." She greeted as her mother entered the house.
"Alex!" Eliza exclaimed when she saw her daughter. "You nearly gave me a heart attack." She added before noticing her daughter's expression. "What's wrong?"
"It's … it's." Alex started, but she found herself unable to vocalise the rest.
"Alex, what's wrong?" Eliza asked approaching her daughter.
"It's Kara." Alex managed to say. "Lex sent her to the Phantom Zone."
"How do we get her back?" Eliza asked.
"I don't know. I mean she could be anywhere and we have no id-" Alex said, stopping only when she found her mother's hands on her cheeks.
"Breathe." Eliza instructed.
"I'm sorry." Alex said as tears rolled down her cheek. "I should have protected her but I cou-"
"Alex whatever happened wasn't your fault." Eliza stated before hugging her eldest until she felt that Alex had collected herself. Once Alex had calmed she pulled away and looked at her.
"What happened?"
"Lex went crazy well crazier, became all powerful. Thanks to Kara we stopped him, but not before he sent her to the Phantom Zone."
"Are you hurt?" Eliza asked.
"No." Alex said. "But Kara could be and she's trapped and alone and-"
"We will find her."
"But you don't understand. I have no idea how. She could be anywhere."
"All that means is it may take time." Eliza said.
"You heard the stories Kara used to tell, she may not have time."
"Kara is a survivor, she will do whatever it takes to survive." Eliza said as she heard a sneeze coming from the other room.
"That's Kelly." Alex explained. "She knows, everything."
"So there is another person helping." Eliza said before hugging Alex again and saying, hoping her words didn't sound hollow. "It's going to be okay."
Finally Alex pulled away and held out a small device to her mother. "She left this for you. Before we met Lex she was convinced she wouldn't walk away and she recorded several of these. This one is for you."
Taking it Eliza walked it to a drawer and put it inside.
"What are you doing?" Alex asked.
"I don't need to see that. Anything she needs to tell me she can tell me when we find her. So how do we find her?"
-00-
As Kelly stepped outside of the house later that evening she saw Eliza sitting on a bench, lost in thought. Not sure if she should stay or go she started to go back inside only for Eliza to notice the movement.
"Kelly?"
"Sorry, I didn't mean to disturb you."
"You're not. Where's Alex?"
"Asleep, finally." Kelly explained. "How are you holding up?"
"I just feel so helpless and as if I am letting Kara down."
"How?" Kelly asked.
"Kara is out there somewhere, trapped in a version of hell. But despite that I know she will be clinging to the belief that rescue is coming. But right now there is nothing we can do and we aren't launching a rescue."
"But we will. Alex, Brainy, Lena they are all working on ideas." Kelly said. In response Eliza said nothing. Instead she looked at the stars before saying.
"Kara used to have these terrible nightmares. At the time I put them down to the destruction of Krypton and losing everyone. But now I'm wondering if some of them were a result of the Phantom Zone and if they were, how is she going to get through this?"
"Kara never gives up." Kelly said. "She'll do whatever it takes to get home."
"I know. But Alex is the key." Eliza said. "She's Kara's hero and while Kara believes Alex is coming for her she won't give up. But it puts so much pressure on Alex." She added as the door opened and Alex walked out.
"There you are." Alex said.
"Alex? What are you doing up?" Kelly asked.
"I've got an idea. But I need to go." She said before looking at Kelly. "I can't take you with me. But I'll be back in National City soon." With that she headed for her bike.
"Alex wait." Kelly said chasing after her. But by the time she made it to the front of the house Alex was already riding off.
-00-
"Alex? What are you doing here? Has something happened to Kara?" Alura asked when she met Alex by the portal.
"Yes." Alex said. "And I need your help."
"What's happened?" Alura asked concerned by how pale Alex was looking as well as the large bags under her eyes.
"I'm sorry." Alex said. "I'm her sister. I'm meant to protect her. But I couldn't and Kara was sent to the Phantom Zone."
"By who?"
"Lex, but that's not important. The problem we have is we don't know where exactly she was sent. I was hoping you might have some knowledge that could help."
"I was judge not a scientist." Alura said. "So my knowledge is limited. But Zor-El did much research into it and helped me with my requests. You are welcome to see what is left of his research. I will gather others who have knowledge as well."
"Thank you." Alex said looking hopeful.
"Alex, time is of the essence." Alura said.
"I know Kara has told me many stories about the Phantom Zone."
"Kara knows very little about the Phantom Zone." Alura countered. "During her time there she was protected. If she isn't protected this time it could destroy her."
"Kara is stronger than that." Alex said.
"I know how strong Kara is. And how good she is. And that is why she will suffer in the Phantom Zone. The Phantoms feed on hope and goodness, turning them into fears."
-00-
"Professor Luzano?" J'onn asked walking to the front of the lecture hall.
"Yes?" He asked looking up. "I know you. Well know of you. You work with Miss Kara."
"Yes." J'onn confirmed. "She once helped you."
"I am forever in her debt."
"I was hoping you'd say that. She needs your help."
"How?"
"Come with me." J'onn said.
When the professor nodded J'onn changed to his Martian form and grabbed hold of the professor before flying them to the tower.
"I really don't like flying." The Professor said as he tried to steady his feet after landing.
"Sorry, but we need your help." J'onn said. "Supergirl has been transported to the Phantom Zone."
"Oh."
"We were hoping you could give us some information." J'onn went on.
"In that case I won't beat round the brush." Luzano started.
"Bush?" Nia asked.
"Ah, yes that." He said. "I was constrained to Fort Rozz, something I am grateful for. It protected us. So much so the guards made it easy for prisoners to escape from Fort Rozz into the Phantom Zone. On the surface they were attacked by phantoms. From what I heard one of two things happened. They let the Phantoms access their souls turning them crazy, making them face their fears through terrible, terrible hallucinations. Or they found shelter in caves and alike. Where they spent the rest of the days. Each day the isolation turning them more crazy. Either way they were driven insane." He said, but on seeing how worried everyone looked he added. "But I am sure she will keep her nose up until you arrive."
"Chin." Nia corrected.
"Indeed. But for you technology may be a problem. Time does not exist there. You don't age, you don't need sustenance. You just exist. You can see time pass in this part of the universe, but there you are immune to it. Time doesn't flow in the same way as it does out here. So any gadgets you design must take that into account. If you don't you will be waving at straws."
"Grasping." Nia corrected.
"Yes that. I'm sorry I can not be further assistance. But you may poke my brains however you see fit."
-00-
"There were anchor points and mirrors." Alura explained to Alex. "Artificial constructs used by us to get in and out. One was connect to Fort Rozz. But there were natural phenomena as well, which is probably how Kara got trapped the first time. Zor-El mapped them. With time they would have moved but they are a starting point. And their history of movement may tell you where they are now. Everything you need is on this crystal."
"Thank you." Alex said taking the crystal.
"This may also help." Alura said handing Alex a small device.
"What is it?"
"I sent both prisoners and guards to the Phantom Zone. It was intended to be more humane than execution. When the full horrors of the Phantom Zone became apparent I wanted to stop, but there were no alternatives so instead I tried to ensure the safety of the jailers. On Fort Rozz they were safe, but on the surface they weren't. So we built other access points so we could launch rescues. It is possible Kara will find them. But if she doesn't you may be able to use one. Even if you can't the natural points are there as well. But once you arrive, finding Kara will be hard. We faced the same problem so we, Zor-El, created that." She said pointing to the device. "It will help locate the missing."
"It will find Kara?" Alex asked.
"Maybe. To work it was given the DNA of the missing. It is possible to give it the DNA of a species, but it is less accurate and I sent many Kryptonians there. Some may still be there. Finding those Kryptonians may be a lot easier than finding Kara. Assuming they survived that is."
"Unless we can narrow down the search with DNA. Can I get some of your blood?" Alex asked.
"Of course, but my blood is not Kara's."
"It is the closest we have."
"Maybe not." One of the council said approaching.
"What do you mean?" Alex asked. Ignoring her the Kryptonian looked at Alura and asked.
"Do you still have your daughter's belongings from her last visit?"
"Yes."
"Then we may be able to do something."
"Her things are at my quarters take whatever you need." Alura said to the Kryptonian. Nodding he walked off before Alura turned back to Alex.
"But Alex, getting to Kara and saving Kara are two very different problems."
"What do you mean?"
"If Kara has been exposed to phantoms she will be suffering from terrible hallucinations. She may even be trapped in them. Freeing her could be impossible." Alura explained. For a moment Alex said nothing before finally saying.
"Black Mercy."
"You want to use a Black Mercy on her?" Alura asked confused.
"No." Alex responded before asking. "Why do you think that would work?"
"It would give her a kind death, nothing more." Alura said.
"She's not dying." Alex said firmly. "What I meant was, when she was attacked by the Black Mercy I could get through to her. I got her out. I can do it again."
"Freeing someone from a paradise is different to freeing them from hell." Alura warned. "But if anyone can, I am sure it is you."
"I won't come back without her." Alex assured her.