"Now the training center is only a couple towns over as long as you don't stray from the path you should be fine." Vivian's mother smiled sweetly at her, but Vivian could not curb the way her stomach roiled threatening to eject her breakfast.

Vivian did not have the heart to tell her mother that she did not want to carry on the proud Joy family tradition of being Pokemon Nurses.

There was nothing wrong with caring for pokemon it was not what Vivian wanted. She wanted to forge her own path. How? She didn't know, yet.

At the same time though she was a Joy and, to her knowledge, all Joy's were Pokemon Nurses who worked at Pokemon Centers dedicating their lives to healing trainer's pokemon. There was no protocol for what Vivian's endeavor. She was going to embark on a journey like most would have long before her age; sixteen was a little late to begin a journey but better late than never.

Still, Vivian could not imagine her mother's reaction. Anger, disbelief, or, worse yet, disappointment, so she was keeping all of this from her mother.

All Vivian could do was return her mother's smile. "Of course, I won't don't worry Mom. Even if I did get lost I have Audino. She would help me find my way for sure" Vivian replied while gesturing to the single Pokeball secured to her belt. Yes, she would always have Audino her first pokemon; who was supposed to be her only pokemon in all likelihood. Audino and her have been together since she was a kid.

Vivian smiled at her mother as guilt ate away at her. The bag slung over her shoulder weighed as heavily on her as what she was about to do. The hair dye in her bag ready for use, the new set of clothes ready to be worn, and her plan to leave everything she knew behind added to her guilt. When would she be able to see her mother again much less face her?

As if she could see through her Vivian's mother asked "Honey, are you alright?" Concern was evident in everything from her voice to her posture.

Vivian was nervous, but not for the reasons her mother thought, and she was wracked with guilt again.

Vivian knew trying to sneak another lie past her mother would be impossible, so she settled for a half-truth. "I am a little nervous. All of this is so new. I don't know if I can do this." She ended up admitting everything that was weighing on her the complete truth.

Fortunately, her mother assumed she was talking about her Pokemon Nurse training. "It's okay I was nervous when I began my training too. You will be alright and you will not be alone either Audino will be at your side and even if they are distant family you haven't met the girls at training with you are your family." Vivian's mother reassured.

"I know mom" Vivian replied then continued "I have to get going otherwise I'll be late."

"Of course!" Vivian's mother replied obviously she had forgotten for the moment her daughter had to leave. Then she pulled Vivian into a long gentle hug the bittersweet kind where you want to hold on to the moment forever but you have to let go.

Vivian was reminded then no matter what path she took once she left her mother's embrace and walked out the door her life would be forever changed.

So Vivian gripped onto her mother just as tightly promising herself that she would come back. One day when Vivian knew what she wanted. Someday in the future when she had made something herself; when she had something to show for this betrayal, for running away, and for lying.

Tears pricked at her eyes as the embrace ended. Vivian hoped she could make her mother proud regardless of the path she took.

Vivian said her goodbye tearfully and departed from her childhood home down the worn dirt path from Camphrier Town to where ever her feet took her which, in this case, was the complete opposite direction of Luminose City where she was expected.

Vivian walked until Camphrier Town faded into the distance before trying to find somewhere to enact the first step in her plan. One of the most distinguishing Joy features was Vivian's magenta hair, so she was going to dye it. Running away would not do much good if she could easily be found; precautions had to be taken. Vivian was sure that at some point she would be using a Pokemon Center and she was determined not to be recognized.

Vivian continued walking until an idea sparked. Parfum Palace was right down the road it would have a restroom she could use. Even with the entrance fee of a thousand P, it's a small price to pay for the freedom anonymity would give her.

Once Vivian finished dying her a jet black color, which was no small feat, she continued on the road to Cyllage City where she could purchase a new set of clothes and possibly challenge the gym.

As the sun set Vivian set up camp for the night hopeful for what the morning would bring.