"Oh my Arceus!" Ryan suddenly cried out. Mark fought against the urge to swerve in the busy Lumiose City street. He was annoyed at how long his brother's work errand had taken.

Mark wasn't a big fan of his brother's career. He spent his days curled up inside and avoiding any adventure and/or excitement at all costs. Sure, people sometimes criticized him for not doing many exciting things, but he just ignored them. He didn't want to get caught up in anything that wasn't a book!

"Ryan!" he scolded his brother. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing!" Ryan responded. "Sorry."

"No worries," Mark said to his little brother and focused back on the road. He was a year and a half older than his sixteen year-old brother, and had always been on the more mature side. He didn't always understand what his brother thought was so interesting about modern society that he wanted to report on it.

They were silent for a few minutes before Ryan's phone buzzed.

"Who are you messaging?" Mark asked, a hint of annoyance coming out in his tone. Ryan seemed to ignore it and continued to speak.

"That girl at the Old Bureau actually messaged me. Maybe she has a lead!" Ryan said excitedly. Mark rolled his eyes.

"Maybe she likes you," Mark said sarcastically.

"You think so?!" Ryan exclaimed loudly and Mark was almost scared into swerving again. "Sorry." Mark sighed.

They were both silent the rest of the way to Ryan's office. The building was turned into a news studio after the restaurant that had been there was closed due to Rattatta issues.

Mark parked the car and unlocked the car doors, but Ryan didn't get out. He quickly scribbled something out on his "reporter notepad" and then tore it off, extending it out to Mark.

"Can you do me a favor?" Ryan asked.

"No."

"I promise-"

"No."

"Mark…"

"No!" Mark snapped. "I told you that I'm not into this 'adventure' stuff and favors for you only drag me further from my chair."

"Look," Ryan said, seemingly unaffected by Mark's outburst. "I just need you to ask this girl some questions."

"About Team Flare?"

"It couldn't hurt."

"Pfft!" Mark knew that he wasn't acting nice, but he'd told Ryan many times not to drag him into his work, and he was tired of it!

"Fine," Ryan said, sighing heavily. "But you never talk to people. Who knows! You could actually be really good friends."

"Pfft." Ryan tossed the paper onto the dashboard and stormed out of the car. Mark sighed and leaned his head on his steering wheel. He felt really bad about being harsh to his brother. Ryan always meant well, Mark was just stubborn and didn't want adventure. It wasn't like he hadn't gone on any adventures before.

When he was ten years old, he met a Shinx. The two journeyed around together, meeting new pokemon to travel with, and getting stronger. He did the adventure adventure thing, he did the hero thing…

He failed at the hero thing.

Mark sat up again, shaking the memories of his past away. He started driving again, headed back home. He wasn't sure whether he'd actually do what his brother had asked, but figured that he'd ask Luxray before deciding.

After what seemed like forever, Mark finally made it to his apartment building. It was located on the border between North and South Boulevard, close to Route 13. It was constantly filled with tourists and traffic, which always drove Mark into his apartment.

He hurried up to the third floor, eager to go back to peace. Taking Ryan down to the Bureau had been enough excitement for the day. He finally reached his apartment and unlocked the door, listening for Luxray to be stirring inside.

Mark walked inside to his humble home. He was standing in the small living room, which held only a couch, tv, and tv stand. Luxray was sprawled out on the small grey couch, taking up a majority of the space. He lifted his head to see Mark, then made room for him on the couch.

"Hey Luxray," Mark greeted his pokemon as he plopped on the couch. "What are you up to?"

"Luxray," Luxray said, lacking enthusiasm. He was the only pokemon in the apartment and Mark worried that it got boring sometimes. "Luxray?"

"Nothing's on my mind," Mark insisted. "Well, actually, there is something."

"Luxray!" Luxray exclaimed that he knew something was up. He sat up on the couch and turned to face Mark. The pokemon's yellow eyes were filled with curiosity and the black fur on his head was messy from a day of lounging. "Lux. Luxray."

"Well, I drove Ryan to the old bureau," Mark started to confide in his friend. "He wasn't successful in questioning whoever was there, but he was excited that she messaged him."

"Luxray?"

"No, he's crushing pretty hard on that girl at his work, so I don't think that's why he's excited."

"Luxray."

"Anyway, before he left, he gave me the number of the girl and asked me if I'd talk to her," Mark continued. "I'm not sure whether I want to get involved with that."

"Lux," Luxray responded thoughtfully. "Luxray?"

"I'm not sure whether or not, that's what I just said!"

"Luxray luxray-ray!"

"Hey-!" Mark started to say, but reconsidered the thought. "Actually, good point."

"Lux-luxray. Luxray luxray-ray lux," Luxray advised. He said that it might not be so adventurous over the phone, and that it can't hurt. Mark sighed.

"Alright then, let's get this over with," Mark said and pulled his phone out from his pocket. He also took out the paper that held the girl's number.

"Lux-luxray!"

"I'm going, I'm going!" Mark argued, not wanting to admit that he'd been stalling. "Here goes nothing."