Title: Cause and Effect
Author: Shadow/Phantomness
Pairing: Championshipping (Lance x Red)
Fandom: Pokémon
Theme: #37, Quantity Equation

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. Game-verse

Warnings: AU, het

 

            “Inflation is bad.”

            “I am well aware of that fact,” Lance said, turning another page in the Consumer Report. “At this rate, it will soon become much too expensive to journey. That would decrease our Gross Domestic Product substantially, and to switch to another economy would take time…”

            He goggled at his wife. “I don’t understand a word you just said, Lance.”

            “Basically, because inflation drives prices up, it will cost too much to go on pokemon journeys so people will stop. The League system might collapse that way. Certainly Silph would be affected.”

            She did wish he would pay more attention to politics sometimes!

 

            “… That makes sense.” Red agreed, pouring himself a glass of milk. “So we might get fired, ne?”

            “Regrettably, yes.”

            He closed his eyes. “It might be nice.” He said wistfully. “To not have all the stress that comes with this job. We’re rich enough to retire, aren’t we?”

            “For now, yes, but if inflation continues to rise, money will be practically worthless.” She turned another page, narrowing her eyes. So unemployment was up by ten percent as well… perhaps it was time to make plans.

            “Oh. That’s bad…”

 

            “Yes.” Lance frowned set the report down. “Red, things are looking quite bad already. Would you mind relocating to our cabin in Mount Silver?”

            He shook his head. “Not at all…”

            “As long as the Pokemon Centers continue to run, it should be all right, and besides, I’ll have an edge.” She smiled slowly.

He nodded, and soon, both were packed and ready. By the time President Goodman came rushing in two weeks later, crying out that the people had gone mad due to the high prices and civil war was brewing, they were gone.

 

End Fic

Completed 1/16/07

Edited 8/12/09

The Quantity Equation is the equation M x V = P x Y, which relates the quantity of money, the velocity of money, and the nominal GDP (price x real GDP). (Brief principles of Macroeconomics, 4th Edition by N. Gregory Mankiw)