It's amazing how far being a Pokemon trainer can get you, isn't it?

Not only do you get to meet friends--human and Pokemon, fight others--also human and Pokemon, and basically be a part of the biggest adventure of your life, you also get the occasional free stuff.

And as everyone knows, everyone loves free stuff.

'Free' had taken the form of a free boat ride, but you take whatever you can get.

"Hey, you kids are planning to head to the island? Hop in my boat, I'll give you a ride. Don't worry 'bout it; my treat."

It wasn't big, it wasn't special, but it was a free ride, and that was what mattered.

And it wasn't like Ash Ketchum or either of his friends--Dawn and Brock--had any money to spend on a boat ride.

Ash sat at the edge of the boat, staring out toward the water. He couldn't count how many times he'd been just like this, watching the water, Pikachu by his side...

"Are you kids planning on training in the mine or just explorin'?"

"Train, of course." Ash spoke before anyone else could get a word in, turning back to the sailor who was driving the boat.

"Heh. Thought so."

"I've never heard of this place before, so it'd be fun to explore it," Dawn added.

"Iron Island's mostly known to trainers nowadays. Lots of people from Canalave City go there, including the Gym Leader."

"Gym Leader?"

"We're going to the island, not the city," Dawn reminded Ash before he could say anything else.

"Yeah, yeah. But this place will give me the training for my next gym battle--"

"Oh yeah, that reminds me." The sailor never took his eyes off the sea, never took his hands off the steering wheel as he spoke. "When you get there, be sure to find Riley 'afore you head down into the mine."

"Riley?"

"Yep. He'll make sure nothin' happens to you kids on the island."

"So he makes sure we don't get lost?" Brock guessed. He'd kept mostly silent until now, watching everyone else.

"Yep. There 're two things that can happen when your down in the mines. Cave-ins and gettin' lost. With Riley none of that'll happen."

"C'mon, Rio!"

People didn't expect to see other people on the island.

But then again, they hardly ever saw anyone when they first arrived on the island anyway.

The only person who lived on Iron Island was more likely found in the mines, of course...

"Rio, are you ready?"

You've heard of Lucario, haven't you?

The Aura Pokemon. Lucario is widly known for its ability to use Aura; it may be hard to understand at first, but a Lucario can prove to be a valuable partner and friend.

"Rio!"

The Lucario turned, glancing back at an old house. Two rooms, chipping paint, a man and four Riolu standing in front of it. The three of them were nearly identical; the only difference was a blue ring around one Riolu's eye while another had a flower on its ear. The fourth Riolu was quite smaller than the others, and sat down while the others stood.

"You guys are staying put while Rio and I head into the mine, right?"

"Ri!"

"Ri!"

"Lu!"

"..." The small one didn't answer.

"Oh, there you are, Rio! You ready?"

Rio nodded, keeping an eye on the fourth Riolu. The baby Pokemon quivered under his glare, until it whimpered and ran forward, latching itself onto its trainer's leg.

The trainer sighed, but picked the Riolu up, holding it in his arms. "...Okay, Rioma, I'll take you with me."

The Riolu grinned and clapped its paws together; the other three Riolu rolled their eyes when their owner wasn't looking.

"Make sure you guys welcome in anyone who shows up, okay?"

The three snapped to attention. "Ri!"

"Ri!"

"Lu!"

"Good." The trainer smiled, then gestured to the Lucario. "Let's go, Rio. You know the drill."

Rio gave a solemn nod and led the way.

"There it is! Iron Island."

"It's pretty... plain," Dawn remarked.

She was right; 'plain' was the only word to describe it. It was a small island, with nothing but a small mountain and a shack, with a dock to let people on and off boats.

The sailor pulled to the side of the crude dock, his passengers standing up before the boat even came to a stop. "What makes it famous is what lies beneath it, not on top of it." He turned and watched the three trainers climb out of the dock, gesturing good-bye with a wave and a smile. "Have fun down in the mine, y'here?"

"Yeah!"

"Yeah!"

"Pika!"

"And thanks for the ride," Brock added.

"Don' mention it." The sailor looked around and pointed. "You should find a house somewhere near here. That'd be Riley's house. Find 'im there."

The group waved the sailor off, watching as his boat eventually disappeared. When it was finally gone, they turned to each other.

"What do we do now?"

"Fine the house, I guess. That's what he said we should do."

"Aw, can't we go check out the mines, first?" Ash half-whined, looking around.

Dawn rolled her eyes. "Let's find this house first. Then we'll check out the mine."

"...Fine..."

A/N: This is my insert of Riley in the Pokemon anime. I know he will probably appear sometime in the future, as Cheryl and Mira both have, but who cares? Riley's my favorite character of DP, mainly because of the fact that I love Lucario. I wanted to hug him when he gave me a Riolu egg, which is now a Lucario nicknamed "Ryoma" (heh heh).

For anyone who feels like keeping count, Riley has four Riolu, one Lucario. Each are nicknamed, and although they'll be introduced later, I'll put the names down before I forget: Rio (Lucario), Luce (pronounced as "Luke"), Luro (the one with the ring around its eye), Rica (the one with the flower), and Rioma (the youngest).