Title: Group Think
Author: Shadow/Phantomness
Pairing: Championshipping (Lance x Red)
Fandom: Pokémon
Theme: #17, Group Think
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: Pokemon belongs to Nintendo and Shogakukan Comics. This non-profit, non-copyright infringing fanfiction belongs to me under international copyright laws and taking it is plagiarism. Thank you. *Phantomness bows*

Notes: <> for telepathy, ** for thoughts, italics if a pokemon talks

Warnings: AU, het

Lance watched dispassionately as the President began to speak. Goodman’s words were all lies, of course, and his tone of sincerity was undoubtedly faked, but they had successfully forced his resignation after his haphazard handling of the war situation, and now, the power was in the hands of the Elite and Champion.

It was the way it was meant to be.

Red gave his wife a fond smile as he wrapped his arms around Lance’s shoulders. “This will be fun…” He purred.

Finally, the mills had ground to a halt. Penance must be paid, at one time or another. The hour had struck.

Goodman’s reign as President was over.

“What kind of idiot makes war on Orre to root out Team Snagem and CIPHER?” The Dragon Master smirked. “Flying over and dropping nuclear warheads was certainly ineffective, and now… the whirlwind shall be reaped.”

Just the radiation damage would take forever to heal. Small wonder, then, that the region was now barren of Pokemon life. They would have to import from Johto and Houen, or perhaps Shinou.

Only an arid desert was left.

“The public is stupid.”

“Undoubtedly yes, but we are not.” He kissed her then, and Lance quit speaking as she closed her eyes.

Soon, the power would be theirs.

They would leave the ferment in Orre to stew and wait. Civil war had broken out, each faction blaming another for the destruction, but both blamed Kanto above all.

Nonetheless, they had no military strength to speak of, and few resources left.

When the dissent had eventually died down, then, they could extend aid and rebuild. If they were fortunate, the population would be decimated, making immigration possible. Of course, the nuclear radiation would need to be cleared first.

Ah, but they were young, and had all the time in the world.

“What do we do now?”

Lance chuckled quietly. “We wait, Red.”

He looked a bit confused, but nodded. Charging in right at this moment would be suicide. Even with protective hazardous waste gear to wear, their Pokemon would be in danger. As life-forms capable of rapid evolution, going into an irradiated area boded ill.

She smiled, kissed him, and then began leading him towards their bedroom. He got the hint, and grinned.

Yes, he would be patient. In the meantime, Red had other obligations.

End Fic

Completed 12/9/06

Edited 7/3/09

Groupthink describes a decision making process, where the group members go along with what they believe is the consensus. Groupthink may cause groups to make hasty, irrational decisions, where individual doubts are set aside, for fear of upsetting the group’s balance. The term is usually used as a derogatory term after the results of a bad decision. (Thanks, Wikipedia!)