Disclaimer: I do not own Digimon or any of it's characters though the creators can have the ones I have created if they ever read this.

This is the second story of the Digital Record Trilogy, the Digital Record: Personified. This story has more a mature dark theme to it, but Hikari and Takeru somehow seem to season it with hope and light nicely. The story contains the narrative that translate to the entire trilogy really bringing depth and meaning to the characters and their relationships. I felt some parts of this would dramatically impact the character development of some of the characters, but in order to preserve the story from being taken down or being suspended I had that particular content removed. I'm sure you can fill in between the lines.

The Digital Record: Personified

Chapter One: Taken Over

The night seemed calm and welcoming, but bumps and knocks in the night stirred it's residents. The air held a slight lingering chill, but, with how desperate he moved it did not affect Takeru in the slightest. He found himself running around as if blind walking and stumbling into things, flashes of images surrounding him. He had never felt so horrified watching the terrifying visions: Digimon being born and then being destroyed particle by particle! It was scarier than even a horror movie.

He grabbed his side in pain after stumbling onto his feet plowing straight into a garbage can. Earlier that day had seemed so blissfully peaceful when his relationship with Hikari was accepted. Then when Homeostasis intervened everything turned upside down. No, things had been this way ever since Hikari had saved him, but, he had no idea this is what it meant for him to carry out 'her will'. Homeostasis had cursed him with knowledge of the digital record, something he did not expect to have embedded into his mind. And now, he felt he could barely handle it. Droplets of sweat poured down from his head, his mind frantic to decipher what was real from what was unreal, but no matter what he did he felt overloaded.

Just a short while ago, he had woken up into the nightmare of his current occupation. The frightening sights drove him away from the others, unable to see anyone or any digimon except their digital makeup as if he was a processing computer. He ignored the pain in his side as he reached out to the side of a building using it as leverage to keep him standing and a guiding point for his body.

Takeru knew one way or another eventually he would either get used to this or lose his mind. He felt so insecure, grasping for the wall, his mind racing wondering about the other digidestined, Patamon, and Hikari. The others would be worried about them, but he knew Homeostasis had taken control of Hikari, afraid of her objective what with how eerie her eyes looked looking through him as if Takeru could only watch as she manipulated him and Hikari to how she saw fit.

His hand stopped expecting to grab another piece of the wall, but reached air and found himself falling. He braced himself to hit the ground, covering his face with one hand, but he felt someone grab his arm and start to lead him away.

Takeru trusted whoever helped him and said nothing as he was led away, trying to decipher who could have saved him. He heard voices and saw the digital structures of people. Whoever helped him must have guided him through the alley, but he could not tell who helped him. He sighed, grateful for the person's help.

"Thanks," he said. He had no idea how in the world anyone could have recognized his condition, but he was grateful.

A male voice answered him back only after whoever helped him forced him to sit down at what felt like a bench. "The curse of being a digidestined with the blessing of Homeostasis..." his voice seemed to scoff. "...I don't know whether to feel impressed or have pity. She has a sap to do all of her bidding now including a body to hold the record. Who would have thought a god needed that in order to accomplish her objective?"

"Who said that?" Takeru said looking around, still unable to see. The voice seemed to have walked away from him leaving him to himself. There was not a soul around nor footsteps to inform him of anyone approaching. Aside from a present cooling breeze Takeru felt his body grow heavy unable to move from the stress on his body.

Takeru laid down completely vulnerable wondering about the man who had guided him to this spot. It sort of felt relieving to know someone knew what he was going through, but he did not know how he knew all of that. At that moment he looked down and saw his hand also in digital fragments. He looked up as if he could see himself changing from his own image to digital bits screaming in horror as he felt his body burn up as if his body was being destroyed and cool down as if he was being preserved over and over again, one digital bit at a time. He groaned within himself desperately to see Hikari, Patamon, Yamato and even Taichi.

As the night wore on he grew calmer, breathing in and out as if his body had gotten used to being disassembled and reassembled over and over again. The 000S and 111s that compromised everything seemed so familiar to him like he could understand the mathematical concept of relationships in cyberspace. For once he felt like he could relate to Koushiro of all people. As if he was dreaming, he could see over and over again the image of different digimon pulverized and fashioned one after the other, helpless as the information flooded his mind as if he himself held all the info. He felt riveted, barely able to move, but unable to turn away, exhausted from the visions.

As the day broke slowly he heard footsteps and voices murmuring that passed by him. He could hear people muttering about him about the youth being strung out on drugs these days and he could not believe he was in that kind of position for them to make such a judgment. He had to get in control of himself.

"That's enough," he said struggling his best to move. He could feel his right hand surge with energy, desperately wishing not to see anymore carnage. "I said turn off!" he exclaimed, the images warping his mind shutting down, Takeru opening his eyes clearly for the first time in what seemed forever.

He sat their breathing in and out, staring up into the clouds above him. Finally daylight had broken through both outside and inside. It felt so good to feel the warmth of the sun on his face.

Taichi tapped his foot in irritation, not quite sure he understood what had happened a day ago. Everything seemed like it would be all right, except now both of their, his and Yamato's siblings, had gone off the deep end. His sister had been possessed to and he had no idea what to make of all of it. He held up his cell phone, hearing Yamato blabber on and on about Takeru. He listened on the other end of his cell phone as Yamato frantically kept retracing the events of what happened trying to gain any hint of where his brother might be. Taichi rolled his eyes knowing this conversation was getting nowhere.

"Yeah Yamato," Taichi scoffed, "I know. It was like Takeru was losing his mind." Taichi wanted to slap his forehead because Yamato had been repeating himself for a little while. "I don't know which one of us has it worse right now," he explained comparing the two of them. "Homeostasis has really crossed the line this time. She has possessed Hikari and I don't know where she is either."

On the other end, he felt as if Yamato had just accused him of not being aware of his sister's condition fueling his anger. He heard Sora on the other end calm him down.

"Now, now," he heard her say, "It's not her or his fault this happened. From what I gather Homeostasis used Taichi's rage hurting Takeru as a method to obtain power, which in a positive way did save his life. So their is good that came of it. We just have to locate them for now. Just keep it down between you two until then, ok?"

"Yeah, sure, " Taichi said hanging his head. Somehow Sora had developed a way of calming the rift between the two of them, probably because she just had a way with words and so very motherly, like taking care of two kids squabbling, but he hated to be reminded of how he had nearly taken Takeru out and almost killed him. "Anyways call me if you find out anything," he said hanging up the phone.

Tailmon peaked around his leg expectantly for information. Her bright blue eyes and claws seemed eager for him to answer, the way her claws pierced through his pants into his lower leg. "Sorry, I got nothing," he said shaking his head.

Tailmon stroked her arm as if she was worried about Hikari. "If Homeostasis really did possess Hikari maybe she went to the digital world," she stated. "I have searched all of Hikari's favorite spots. She's not anywhere in your world. "

Taichi gritted his fist staring ahead ignoring the claw marks on his leg and how useless it had been for Tailmon to get him info. "Hikari," he moaned clenched walking forward ignoring everyone else in his way, "Just where are you?"

As if in answer to his prayer his phone rang uncontrollably and he recognized Koushiro's number, instantly picking up the phone. "Yeah, you find something?"

Koushiro's voice rang clear. "Taichi! It's Hikari!" he shouted. "You are not going to believe this, but she is dancing on the Sun Rise 66 Building Skyscraper! She looks like she could fall any moment!"

Taichi gritted his teeth staring at Agumon as if his life depended on him. "Get over there as soon as you can!" he barked. "Agumon, I don't care if people see us right now, you got to digivolve and get us there!"

His dinosaur pal nodded his head. "You got it!" he exclaimed in an orange hot light becoming Wargreymon. With that Taichi climbed on his back. "Sunrise 66! As fast as you can!" he exclaimed. The wind beat against him as they crashed through the clouds.

Homeostasis gracefully became adjusted to Hikari's body flipping and performing advanced ballerina techniques on the building, the human ants beneath her taking fearful notice, but she paid them no mind. She could not describe how it felt having more control of a body than she ever had before. Misaki and a few others were useful posts for relaying information, but for Hikari's body their was a symmetry before she had never even dreamed of between the two of them that let her even tap into her own power from the digital world. She believed this latent power of Hikari's explained why she was able to resist her from being possessed, an occurrence that had never happened before.

She felt a hostile presence approach her, but paid it no direct mind.

"You seem to be enjoying yourself," a wayward youth said approaching her, a sharp knife drawn.

Homeostasis instantly recognized him. "It is the first," she noticed nonchalantly observing him. The youth had spiky black hair, sharp glasses hiding what looked like a mentally disturbed facade, a black leather coat over a dark red shirt sporting a pair of black army boots. A silver chain dangled around his neck as if it had kept him chained from attacking Homeostasis like a deranged dog with rabies, much like an infection in the Digital World.

"It has been a long time Akama. Your role has long since ended, but it seems you have been freed from your digital prison. How many decades has it been since then?" she asked as if not really speaking to him directly. She could not help but smirk knowing she was in full control. "You are free to do with what life you have left," she suggested condescendingly to him.

She felt his aura surge in anger against her. "Don't you dare say that about me!" he exclaimed. "After what you did do you think I came back to reminisce about those dark days?" he accused. "I have come to end your life goddess. Now that you have taken a pawn as your physical form I can now exact on you the pain you did to me and Courtmon!" he snarled raising his dagger pointing it straight at Homeostasis..

Homeostasis smiled reaching out both of her hands towards him as if completely innocent yet secretly guilty. "True, you have indeed that advantage on me," she noticed. "I still am not used to the complexities and limitations of a physical body, but I can perform my own will," she said moving her arm up and down moving each of her fingers. "However if you are going to strike me down, you best do it now. Kill this innocent girl and your vengeance will be vindicated."

She watched him coolly, his face contorting at her observation.

"You witch!" he barked. "How many bodies will you hide behind to justify your actions? You're a cold blooded murderer!"

Homeostasis would not have any of it, for someone who knew so little. She would not let this go unpunished. "And who are you to oppose my will?" she said assuming a challenging tone. "All the pieces come together at my beck and call. All that oppose me will be destroyed," she affirmed. "In an instant I can summon Jessmon to cut you asunder. I am not a goddess of mercy," she stated backing him into a corner.

She moved one step forward towards him taking advantage of his anxiety. "Interestingly enough, don't think I did not expect you. As we speak this generation of digidestined are coming having seen the news of a suicidal student that belonged with them. If they see you are threatening one of their own they will also not show mercy," she smiled enjoying the desperation on his face.

Homeostasis watched confidently as he withdrew the knife back into his overcoat as if he had lost against her hesitating with the decision.

"You best get out of here," she advised having neutralized his threat, "Before they show up. Before they do though I am willing to show you good will. I will tell you this: One of these digidestined that are coming destroyed Courtmon. But it will be up to you to decide which one it is. I suggest you do your research," she recommended at that instant fainting to the ground relinquishing command of the body to Hikari. The scenario could not have played out anymore perfectly than she could had imagined.

Hikari woke up feeling her hand on cool concrete, a tense chill in the air. She stared up at the sky, her skin sensitive trembling unaware of how she got there to what looked like the roof of a building in the first place. A couple birds passed by her head, and then, in flashing lights above her nearly all of the digidestined seemed to converge with the exception of Takeru.

"Hikari!" Taichi screamed landing down from Wargreymon running over to her bending down, beads of sweat dripping down his face. "Are you ok? Are you all right? Is Homeostasis gone? What happened to you?" he asked, Hikari getting a bit dizzy from all the questions and vertigo plaguing her.

"I don't know," she said unsure how to even talk to him. "Homeostasis took me over in a way I have never felt before. It was crystal clear," she added staring at the ground unable to look at him directly. "I saw everything through my own eyes but felt terrified. If Homeostasis had fallen over I would not even be here. It was..absolutely terrifying," she confessed, wrapping her arms around herself trying to protect herself from that feeling.

"Hikari," Tailmon exclaimed jumping in her arms to what seemed out of thin air. "It will be ok. I won't let anything bad happen to you," she smiled rubbing her fur up against her as if trying to keep her calm.

Hikari felt herself smile, helpless about everything except the feelings of everyone around her. "Tailmon," she whispered grateful for her care.

She felt Taichi's hand touch her shoulders. "I don't understand," he said concerned for her. "Homeostasis never put you in danger before. Why is she doing this now?"

Hikari knew she had already tried to tell them before, but no matter how many times she tried to express it she knew they would not understand. And how could they? They had no idea what it felt like to be possessed. She looked around at all of the digidestined as if she herself did not belong with them all. Like, she, Hikari Yagami was no longer a digidestined. She hesitated putting the concern out of her mind.

"By the way," she said calming down. "Where is Takeru? Is he not with you?"

Taichi put a hand over his head at a loss of words.

"Of course you wouldn't know," Yamato said jumping off of Metal Garurumon and kneeling beside her. "Something's happened to him. When you were possessed, he well, kind of went crazy."

Hikari felt the pit of her stomach twist in a knot her breath taken away from her. Homeostasis's haunting words resonated with her back when the contract had been made to save his life. Takeru now was linked to her. Whenever Homeostasis possessed her something would happen to him now, but she had no idea this is what Homeostasis had meant.

She wanted to say something, but only let out a pitiful quiet yelp. "What have I done?" she said tearing into Tailmon's fur.

"Hikari?" her voice wondered concerned.

"Hey," Yamato said lifting her by her arm. "This is no time to beat yourself up. If you REALLY care for my brother you will go help us find him now," Yamato said, irking Hikari's feelings.

"Hey!" Taichi said getting in his face, "She just got over Homeostasis's control! Give her a minute!"

"We don't have time for this!" Yamato snarled. "You saw Takeru! He was running around like a mad man! We have to hurry!"

Hikari struggled getting used to having control of her body again. She felt completely vulnerable and unsure of herself both mentally and physically. She knew this was her body, but somehow it did not feel like it was just hers anymore. She did not know how to explain it to the others.

"Let's go," she said, nearly falling over herself, Sora giving her balance catching her.

"Don't worry, " Sora smiled. "We will find Takeru and Patamon. He went out searching for him by himself yesterday."

Hikari nodded her head glad for her help.

"We've already searched everywhere we could think of," Yamato said. "Hikari, do you know where he could be?"

Hikari put her hand under her chin, feeling faint. "If he became aware of himself he is probably somewhere he does not know."

"I was thinking," Joe said, "Perhaps he was picked up by the cops or worse. I know he would not do anything, but if he did act insane then..."

"...That's at least a start," Yamato said hitting his fist in his hand.

"I recommend we split up," Koushiro suggested. "Me and Mimi can go check out heavily populated areas."

"Oh?" Sora said suggestively. "Like the mall so Mimi and you can go out on a date?"

"No no no," he protested. "Mimi has the uncanny ability to spot people in a crowd and is an A class gossiper when it comes to rumors and obtaining information."

"Oh, so I am like a mall hunting dog am I?" she grinned pressing his cheek.

"You two need to take this seriously," Taichi groaned.

"I have credentials and can get access to hospitals and psychological wards," Joe added. "Leave any of that stuff to me."

"Then I will tag along with you," Sora agreed.

"Wait, that leaves me and Hikari, and Yamato?!" Taichi said aghast.

"It's fine," Yamato said punching him in the shoulder. "We should go check the other places he frequently goes to."

"No, I think we should split up," Hikari recommended. "I want to cover as much ground as possible. And it's my fault he's in that condition. Because of my choice-"

"-Stop beating yourself up about it!" Yamato snapped stomping on the ground hard in front of her. "You ended up saving his life! Any other consequences about it can't be helped!"

"I agree," Taichi said. "You did the right thing Hikari, I think. But where are we going to look then? And can you even go out by yourself right now?"

"I'll be fine," she said standing up under her own power. She had to find him. She had to see him to find out just what happened to him and what she could do to help. "Yamato try your concert arena. Taichi try the school. And I...I think there is one other place he could be, but it's a long shot."

Taichi and Yamato looked at each other and nodded their heads.

"All right everyone, then give a call if you find him!" Taichi said. "Let's go!"

Hikari ran off after separating from everyone with Tailmon.

"So where are we going?" she asked.

Hikari sighed. She had no idea where he could be, but felt as if he was within a few miles from her. "I can't explain it Tailmon, but I feel like I am a compass, and somehow Homeostasis is guiding me to him," she said not quite sure of how else to put this strange connection to Takeru, completely different from their friendship and relationship that they shared before. "Does that sound weird?"

"Definitely," Tailmon agreed. "But that's not important right now. What's important is that we find him and help him!"

Hikari smiled slightly. She could not help but agree with her digital best friend. "Then let's go."

"Go where?" Tailmon asked confused.

Hikari made sure no one else could hear her and whispered in her ear. "Back to the Digital World."