Digimon Adventure Tri: Echo

6) Crested Gifts

Traveling between worlds had always been a somewhat disorienting experience, and Sora still hadn't fully gotten used to it despite her years of experience. The moment of suspended breathlessness at the apex of the journey always caught her by surprise no matter how much she tried to prepare for it, and she didn't feel fully grounded once again until after her shoes touched down on the grass below. A smile stretched across her face as the familiar wind of the Digital World hit her face and rustled her red hair. It was just as amazing as she had remembered it being. 

Sora gave a glance off to her right, and she saw that Meiko was examining the world around her as well. The black-haired girl was left statuesque in her shock, and all she could do was move her eyes in every direction. Meiko seemed to want to investigate everything all at once, and she was so beyond overwhelmed that she could barely find a way to keep herself from losing herself to her own shock and excitement. 

"This is the Digital World..." Meicoomon whispered from Meiko's side. She seemed just as enthralled as her partner was, though she was doing a better job of hiding it than Meiko was. Meicoomon shook her head to try and get rid of any lingering cobwebs from the journey between realms. "It's different from how I imagined. It seems so normal."

"Believe me when I say that this isn't going to last," Daisuke commented with a bright grin on his face. "On my first day, I went to a vending machine, and sludge snails crawled out. You have no idea how ridiculous it can get around here sometimes."

"Is this your first time coming to the Digital World too?" Gabumon asked of Meicoomon. He was the closest Digimon to the orange cat, so he had the best view of her overwhelming shock. 

Meicoomon hesitated before shrugging. "I'm actually not sure. I would assume that I've been here before, but I've been with Meicoomon exclusively in the human world for as long as I can remember. I don't know anything about the Digital World aside from the fact that it's where Digimon come from. Pardon me for not having any previous experience," she said softly. 

"A Digimon who doesn't know anything about the Digital World... It is strange, but I suppose it could happen," Hawkmon remarked quietly. He ignored the thought a moment later and began to walk forward, though nobody was particularly sure of why he was moving in a specific direction. "Come. I believe that an old friend is nearby."

Sora allowed herself to trust Hawkmon's judgement as the group began moving through the trees of the Digital World. After all, the Digimon had stronger instincts than their human partners could ever hope to have, so it was for the best if the Chosen Children placed faith in their companions. The air around them was warm, certainly hotter than Odaiba's early springtime, but Sora welcomed it fully. She had always been fond of warmer weather, and her summer in the Digital World so many years prior had only solidified her thoughts on the matter. Piyomon padded along beside her, and Sora smiled fondly down at her partner.

Meiko remained at the back of the group, her eyes as wide as saucers as she tried to take in the full beauty of her surroundings. She never even had the chance to finish examining something before her gaze darted to something else. If she kept her jaw dropped for much longer, she was bound to lock it in place, Sora thought humorously. Meicoomon was in much the same position beside Meiko, filled to the brim with a curiosity that she refused to voice openly. 

"Cool place, huh?" Mimi commented to Meicoomon as she fell into step beside the girl. Palmon did the same thing, and Sora followed suit alongside Piyomon. She got the feeling that the rest of the group's members wanted to get to know Meiko and Meicoomon better as well, but it would be for the best if they kept from rushing in too quickly. Meiko was clearly the type to be easily taken over by her emotions, and taking slow and easy steps seemed to be the best way to prevent that as far as Sora was concerned.