
Posted originally on the Archive_of_Our_Own at https://archiveofourown.org/
works/10514007.
  Rating:
      Explicit
  Archive Warning:
      Major_Character_Death, Rape/Non-Con, Underage
  Category:
      F/M, Gen, M/M
  Fandom:
      Pocket_Monsters_|_Pokemon_-_All_Media_Types, Pocket_Monsters_|_Pokemon_
      (Main_Video_Game_Series), Pocket_Monsters_SPECIAL_|_Pokemon_Adventures
  Relationship:
      Championshipping_(Lance_x_Red), Red/Wataru_|_Lance
  Character:
      Wataru_|_Lance, Red_(Pokemon)
  Additional Tags:
      Friendship, Plot_What_Plot/Porn_Without_Plot, Angst, Shounen-ai
  Stats:
      Published: 2008-01-15 Completed: 2017-04-01 Chapters: 40/40 Words: 22935
****** 40 Economic Concepts ******
by shadowphantomness
Summary
     Almost forty stories of Lance and Red as friends, lovers, partners in
     crime or just two people trying to survive Kanto's economic policies.
Notes
     1: Equity – 1 page, shonen-ai, Lance does taxes and Red asks him
     about them
     2: Efficiency – ficlet, shonen-ai, Red does paperwork and Lance
     fights challengers for him to save time
     3: Scarcity – shonen-ai, 3 pages, Red discovers that his mom has been
     leeching money from him, Lance adopts Red
     4: Opportunity Cost – shonen-ai ficlet, Lance coerces Red to pick a
     choice
     5: Externality – shonen-ai drabble, Red falls asleep in Econ and goes
     to Dream Realm
     6: Market Economy – Red buys chocolate muffins and admits his love
     for Lance, 1 page
     7: Command Economy – 1.25 pages, AU, Communism
     8: Allocation – ficlet, shonen-ai, Lance tells Red about Kanto’s
     economy and hugs him. Pokemon exported, everything else imported
     9: Production – AU, 2.5 pages, shonen-ai, Red and Lance investigate a
     lingerie factory that turns out to use stolen pokemon as products and
     child labor
     10: Distribution – Red is angry that his paycheck is 60% gone,
     shonen-ai, 1 page
     11: Incentive – ficlet, Red asks Lance to marry him to deal with
     fangirl proposals, shonen-ai
     12: Positive Statement – smut ficlet, Lance jerks Red off and Red
     fakes drunkenness
     13: Normative Statement – OC Annabelle offers Lance a wish, Lance
     fades her, and Red reiterates his love for Lance, shonen-ai, fanon,
     and 1.5 pages
     14: Inflation – Prostitute! Red likes to service Champion Lance,
     shonen-ai, 1.5 pages
     15: Rational People – 6.25 pages, Bruno rapes Lance, Red distrusts
     him, Lance self-destructs, shonen-ai, Lance almost takes the Sacred
     Sword
     16: Productivity – ficlet, Red and Lance investigate Orre, SA
     17: Purchasing Power – ficlet, Red and Lance and inflation, shonen-
     ai, Mt. Silver’s healing springs
     18: Deflation – ficlet, shonen-ai, Red asks Lance about economics and
     price drops
     19: GDP – Goodman lectures, Lance explains, Red listens, shonen-ai
     ficlet
     20: CPI – ficlet, Ash realizes money can’t buy love, shonen-ai
     21: Consumption – het, Red buys a skirt and top, ficlet
     22: Investment – 1 page, shonen-ai, Lance thinks about the future and
     Red is his ‘investment’
     23: Government Spending – drabble, shonen-ai, the government does pay
     their salary
     24: Net Exports – 1.25 pages, Red assassinates Goodman and sexes
     Lance, shonen-ai
     25: Diminishing Returns – ficlet, fanon, shonen-ai, Satoshi x Wataru,
     death of Oak
     26: Catch-Up Effect – 1.25 pages, Red visits Orre and returns home,
     shonen-ai
     27: Standard of Living – drabble, Orre VS Kanto/Johto/Houen, shonen-
     ai
     28: Money – 2.5 pages, Red is sold by his father and bought by Lance,
     no romance, fanon
     29: Barter – 1 page, prostitute! Red meets Lance, shonen-ai
     30: Currency – 1.25 pages, shonen-ai, Red and Lance have an apartment
     outside the Plateau, and Lance kills someone and takes his wallet
     31: Discount Rate – 1.5 pages, PWP, shonen-ai, Banker! Red and
     Inspector! Lance sex, a loan
     32: Reserve Requirement – 1.5 pages, PWP, shonen-ai, Banker! Red
     gives oral sex to Inspector! Lance in exchange for no fees
     33: Medium of exchange – 1.5 pages, fanon references, Red and Lance
     crash with Charlotte due to economic rises, shonen-ai
     34: Unit of account – Red turns a heretic into diamond, shonen-ai
     35: Liquidity – shonen-ai, ficlet, Red sells pokemon
     36: Store of Value – shonen-ai, ficlet, Red ‘stores’ Lance
     37: Quantity Equation – shonen-ai, .5 page, Red and Lance leave
     Indigo Plateau before hyperinflation causes war…
     38: Unemployment – 1.5 pages, shonen-ai, Goodman fires Lorelei and
     the Elite and Champion resign in protest
     39: Automatic Stabilizer – ficlet, implied shonen-ai, Red does taxes
     40: Crowding Out Effect – 1 page, shonen-ai implied, Red and Lance
     can’t stand pay cuts and other things so they leave Kanto
***** Chapter 1 *****
Title: Taxes
Author: Shadow/Phantomness
Pairing: Championshipping (Lance x Red/Ash)
Fandom: Pokémon
Theme: #1, Equity
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: Shonen-ai
 
            “Lance….”
            The Dragon Master did not glance up from the myriad of forms in
front of him. “I can’t play with you right now, Red. You know that.”
            Red pouted adorably. “But taxes aren’t due for another two weeks!”
            “Love, if I don’t do them now, I’ll procrastinate. And then we’ll
have problems again, like the crazy teachers who tried to attack the League
last year. Do you remember that?”
            Red deflated, before he hopped onto Lance’s desk and crossed his
arms. “Why do you have to pay taxes anyways?”
            “If I didn’t, your mom wouldn’t get her welfare check every month.”
Lance said practically. Red blinked, twice.
            “You mean…”
            Lance took pity on the Pallet trainer’s ignorance, figuring that
Red had never taken an economics course of any kind and probably did not have
much on his mind besides pokémon training.
            “Yes, how do you think the government pays for our salaries? And
what about the Pokemon Centers and Police stations and hospitals?”
            “Oh.” Red deflated. “But since we make a lot of money battling, we
get taxed more, ne?”
            “You’re lucky you’re not eighteen yet and don’t have to deal with
this.” Lance said, penning in another number.
            Red sighed. “Will you be done soon?”
            “Perhaps. If you’re really bored, I have a textbook on basic
economics on that shelf over there.”
            “You’re mean.” Red sulked, but obediently went and got the
textbook. Lance just smirked, as he continued to write.
 
            Half an hour later, Red had dizzy swirls for eyes and Lance was
contemplating the destruction of the League system so he wouldn’t have to give
up half his paycheck to greedy, selfish people who were too lazy to work.
            The Dragon Master went over to where the Champion was staring
blankly at a paragraph on income tax, and kissed him. That promptly got Red’s
attention, and his eyes focused as he kissed back.
            “Don’t worry.” Lance reassured Red. “I’ll help you when the time
comes.”
            “Really?”
            “Of course. Someone has to show you the ropes.”
            Red beamed as he hugged Lance tightly. “So can you cuddle me now?”
            Lance glanced at the paperwork. He would hardly be able to focus
now anyway, so it was just wasting time. “Sure.”
            And he did.
 
End Fic
Completed 1/2/07
I figured that since I was taking an Economics course during Winter Quarter, I
might as well make sure I learn it well, and seeing as how 30_psych helped me
get an A in psychology… why not 40_econ? ^^
Equity is the property of distributing economic prosperity fairly among the
members of society. (N. Gregory Mankiw, Brief_principles_of_Macroeconomics,
Fourth_Edition) Welfare is an example of this. Too much equity leads to loss of
productivity. For example, in Germany, thanks to their good unemployment
programs, a lot of people choose not to work…
Taxes are also an example of equity.
 
Yes, I think Red/Ash’s mother is on welfare, because I’ve never seen her work!
*Dork* and it could be a viable source of income… not a high one, but if she
doesn’t have a lot of needs…
***** Chapter 2 *****
Title: Efficiency
Author: Shadow/Phantomness
Pairing: Championshipping (Lance x Red)
Fandom: Pokémon
Theme: #2, Efficiency
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: Shonen-ai
 
            “Hakuryuu! Hakai Beam!”
            The yellow cone of light slammed into the opponent’s Scyther,
sending it crashing to the ground. The Dragon Master smirked as he recalled his
Dragonair with a flick of his wrist.
            Bob stared at his brother in shock. “Y-You…”
            Lance shrugged as he turned around. “Please leave now.” With that,
he turned in a swirl of dark cloak and stalked down the hallway.
            “Now just wait a minute!” Bob protested. “Don’t you have anything
to say to me? We haven’t met in forever!”
            “What should I say? Good try?” Lance called back. “You failed.”
            Wihtout another word, he vanished.
 
            Red was still hunched over his desk, busy scribbling away at his
mountain of paperwork. He smiled brightly as Lance came in.
            “You beat Bob?”
            “No contest, really…” Lance smirked. “How are you doing?”
            “Quite well.” Red said cheerfully. “Anything I don’t finish gets
burned tonight.”
            Lance sweatdropped. “Is that being efficient?”
            “Well, sure. That way I won’t waste my valuable time!”
            “Ohhh? And what about my time, Champion?”
            Red winked. “I’ll make it up to you tonight. Thanks for taking care
of all the challengers for me!”
            “Ah.” Lance smirked. “I see.”
            Red hugged him tightly, and said no more as they both went back to
work.
 
End Fic
Completed 1/3/07
Efficiencyis the property of society getting the most it can from its scarce
resources. (Gregory Mankiw, Brief_Principles_of_Macroeconomics) In this fic, if
time is the resource, Red is paying Lance… in his own way…  *wink*
***** Chapter 3 *****
Title: Scarcity
Author: Shadow/Phantomness
Pairing: Championshipping (Lance x Red/Ash)
Fandom: Pokémon
Theme: #3, Scarcity
Rating: R
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, shonen-ai, shota
 
            “I’m sorry.” The smiling lady at the counter said, “But we ran out
of Pokemon Fire Red version yesterday. The next shipment won’t be coming in for
another two weeks. Would you like to pre-order a copy?”
            Red drooped as her words registered. He had to wait two more weeks?
But there really was nothing he could do about it.
“All right.” He handed over his pokédex, watching as she scanned it with a
cheerful smile.
“Is there anything else I can help you with?”
“No thank you.” Red left the Poke Mart, feeling disappointed. He found Pidgeot
waiting outside, squabbling with several Spearows over a dropped pretzel on the
ground.
“Come on Pidgeot, let’s go. I’ll buy you something nice.”
The bird perked up and allowed Red to climb on, and soon, she had returned to
his house in Pallet Town. He bought her a cinnamon roll studded with almonds at
the local bakery before he went home. His mom was talking on the phone with
someone when he came in, so he fixed him self a pepperoni lean pocket in the
microwave and went upstairs to brood.
Two weeks…
 
A few minutes later, he heard his mom’s tentative knock on his door. He
frowned, minimized his chat windows, and opened the door. “Yes, mom?”
“I’m sorry, Red, but…” Elizabeth sighed, “With the new changes in the welfare
program I’m afraid that we won’t be able to afford that game.”
Red gaped at her for a moment, before he sighed. “All right, mom. I’ll pay for
it myself.” He did have an account, money that was supposed to be for his
college fund, earned from trainer battles, but a little wouldn’t hurt…
Elizabeth looked sheepish. “Well, Red… I’ve been meaning to talk to you about
that… the truth is, I’ve had to borrow from you just to make ends meet…”
“… What?”
“And I’m afraid that you’re in the black…”
“What?”
His mom had leeched money from his account without telling him? Red hastily
logged into his online banking account, and sure enough, there was barely any
cash left. But that was impossible! He was making four thousand pokeyen a day
by being Champion of the Kanto League…
He stared at her in disbelief. “That’s…” Without a word, he grabbed his
backpack and rushed out the door before he did something he would regret later.
Pidgeot was more than happy to take him to the Plateau.
He dashed down the hall, and flung open the door to a familiar room.
“Lance!”
 
The Dragon Master guiltily shoved his manga underneath the pile of paperwork on
his desk. “Yes, Red?”
“Something’s come up.” The Champion said grimly. “And I want to know what.”
“…?” Lance squinted at Red. “Well, do tell.”
“Do you have the welfare legislation on your laptop?”
Was Red finally starting to take an interest in the workings of the Kanto
Governing Council? With a shrug, Lance found the appropriate documents on his
desktop and opened them.
Red skimmed over the text, trying to decipher it, before he shook his head. “No
good. Lance… um…” He took a deep breath. “I need to borrow a hundred pokeyen
from you!”
“Sure.” The Dragon Master said, nonplussed by this strange turn of events. “In
cash or check?”
“Cash please.”
While Lance walked down the hall to the ATM, Red slumped down in his chair.
Where was all of his money going, anyways? He knew that the government had
placed rent controls on housing, so his mom wasn’t paying a lot for their
house… and food wasn’t that expensive…
It was a puzzle!
 
Lance returned with two fifty pokeyen bills and handed them to Red with a
smile. “Here.”
“Thanks.” Red stuffed the money in his pockets, and fidgeted. To tell or not to
tell? Well, if he didn’t, Lance would eventually get curious, so…
“Lance, did you know that my mom was on welfare?”
“Mm.” The Champion shrugged. “I suspected as much, since she had no job.”
“Oh. Well. Um…” Red swallowed. “It’s just that, since I’m under eighteen she
has access to my bank account, and she spent all my money!”
Lance goggled at Red. “… On what?”
“I don’t know!” Red threw up his hands. “But I’m not happy about it…”
            “No kidding. But don’t worry too much about it. We can solve that
pretty quick.”
“We can?”
“Sure.” Lance smirked. “You have a Hypno, hai? Or at least some other psychic-
type pokémon?”
“Kadabra.” Red said, frowning. “And… Gastly.”
“Gastly’s not a psychic-type, Red…”
“But you’re suggesting that I mind-read her, right?”
“Sharp of you, Champion.” Lance approved. “Unless you have a better idea…”
Red shook his head, and looked at Lance. “C-Could you do it? I mean, she is my
mom, and I don’t want to hurt her.”
“It’ll cost you.” The Dragon Master warned.
“But I’m broke, Lance!”
“Who said I wanted money?” Lance purred, and Red blushed. “I’ll start with…
this.” He leaned over and kissed the surprised Champion.
Red grinned, feeling his body start to respond. “Oh, I see…”
“Do you mind?”
“Not at all! You’re pretty. And it didn’t hurt last time.”
“All right then. I’ll be back.” Lance flew off on Dragonite, while Red turned
back to the legislation and continued to read. It was mind-numbingly boring, so
after a few moments, he gave up and perched on the edge of Lance’s desk as he
slipped a hand into his jeans and began to touch himself.
            Lance returned in a flash of blue light, accompanied by Red’s
Gastly and Kadabra. Red eeked and the Dragon Master chuckled.
            “So eager? Such a sly little minx you are, Champion!”
            Red simply grinned in a way that was not at all innocent, and
Kadabra sighed.
            < Master Red? We have the results. She was spending the money on… >
            Red tensed, as Lance put his arms around him.
            < Male prostitutes. >
            “WHAT?!” The Champion screeched.
            “Well, that explains it.” Lance said, taking advantage of Red’s
distraction to pin him down against the hardwood of the desk. “Sex is so…
demanding.”
            Red whimpered as Lance slipped his mouth over him, feeling hot
warmth envelope his cock. He threw his head back and closed his eyes, reveling
in the sensations before he thrust hard into Lance’s mouth, feeling orgasm
break over his head in blinding waves.
            Still, Lance thought, he ought to… do something about the
situation. While Red would not starve, as room and board was provided at the
Plateau as long as he retained his Champion position, the lack of any financial
cushion was deplorable.
            Hmm…
 
            Three weeks later, Elizabeth was caught soliciting the services of
two male prostitutes, and taken to court. She was sentenced to three months of
community service, but was unfortunately not jailed. Not until Red testified
to, well, theft was the sentence extended to a month’s stay in the local jail.
            A month.
            Red was sure that once she got out, Elizabeth would drain him
again, but he was still underage.
            When he brought up this problem, Lance whispered that if he wanted
to get rid of her permanently, it was possible, but Red balked at that so the
Dragon Master suggested an alternative.
            “I’ll adopt you.”
            “What?”
            “That way you won’t be under her control any more, right?”
            True, but it was a bit strange… still! If it kept him safe, he
would do it.
 
            Lance managed to get the papers drawn up and legalized in two
weeks, and so, when Elizabeth left prison, there was no one she could leech.
 And that was fair.
 
End Fic
Completed 1/3/07
The time I can allocate to fanfic is also a scarce resource! *Laughs* Just
kidding! Seriously though, in economics, Scarcity is the limited nature of
society’s resources. (Brief_principles_of_Macroeconomics by George Mankiw)
There is not an infinite supply of clean air, clean water, food, living space
or time… I could go on… but I think you get the picture, ne?
Can prostitution be expensive? Yeah, there’s a whole spectrum of how much it
costs, and I figure Elizabeth would want the best. I made her a snooty bitch.
Red: *Sigh*
Lance: *Smirks and molests Red*
Phantomness: ^^V
***** Chapter 4 *****
Title: The choices we make
Author: Shadow/Phantomness
Pairing: Championshipping (Lance x Red)
Fandom: Pokémon
Theme: #4, Opportunity Cost
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: Shonen-ai
 
            “I wish I had a clone.” Red muttered.
            “Odd choice of words. Why?” Lance asked, giving his Dragonite’s
shiny scales another brush.
            “Because I’m not sure if I want to go see a concert by that new
singing group with the Meowth or go exploring with Teal in the Sevii Islands.”
            “Choices, choices.” Lance agreed. “I’m not too keen about you
heading off with Teal, to be honest, so how about if I tip the scale a little
in my favor?”
            “Hmm?” Red blinked at Lance.
            The Dragon Master slunk over to the Champion, causing Red’s eyes to
grow wide as he stared at his curves. “I’ll let you do anything you want to me
for two nights if you stay for the concert.” He whispered.
            Red’s breath caught and he blushed. “L-Lance…”
            “Will you?” He crooned, winding his arms about Red’s waist and
pulling him close.
            How could he resist?
            “All right.” Red grinned.
 
            As it turned out, it was lucky, because Teal was killed and eaten
by a herd of wild wolf pokémon, so Red was very glad he hadn’t chosen to go.
 
End Fic
Completed 1/3/07
Opportunity Cost is defined as what you give up in order to obtain something
else. For example, if Farmer John can plant beans at 20 bushels an acre or corn
at 50 bushels an acre, if he chooses to plant the corn he can’t plant the
beans.
Lance: ^^
Red: You killed off another OC?
Phantomness: *Watches counter tick* Yes, so what?
Lance: *Chuckles and hugs Red*
***** Chapter 5 *****
Lance totally owns Yellow in my humble opinion…
Title: Externality
Author: Shadow/Phantomness
Pairing: Championshipping (Lance x Red/Ash)
Fandom: Pokémon
Theme: #5, Externality
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: Fanon, AU
 
            Red rubbed his eyes tiredly as Mr. Young continued to lecture.
Unfortunately, this class was required for all potential Pokemon Trainers, so
he had to suffer through it. He felt himself falling asleep, and as he rested
his head on his arms, he caught a glimpse of… something.
            He awoke in a grassy green meadow in the Realm of Dreams. Lance was
already waiting, silversteel wings neatly folded behind his back.
            “I am surprised you came so early in the day.” The Dragon Master
said softly. “Did you not have class?”
            Red blushed. “I think I fell asleep.”
            Lance chuckled. “I see. Well, which class is it?”
            “Economics.” Red groaned. “It’s so boring…”
            “Well, if you fell asleep you certainly aren’t getting your money’s
worth, but no matter.” Lance kissed Red. “Up for doing something more
exciting?”
            Red grinned. “Oh yes.”
            And they did.
 
End Fic
Completed 1/3/07
An externality is the impact of one person’s decisions on the wellbeing of a
bystander. (Basic_principles_of_Macroeconomics by Gregory Mankiw) For example,
the noise a jet plan causes while it flies overhead is an externality. So is
pollution. The government has to take care of externalities because the free
market can’t. Thus, Red falling asleep in class could be counted as an
externality of school…
***** Chapter 6 *****
Title: To Market
Author: Shadow/Phantomness
Pairing: Championshipping (Lance x Red)
Fandom: Pokémon
Theme: #6, Market Economy
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: Shonen-ai, fluff, shota
“That will be thirty pokeyen.”
Red grinned as he handed over the coins. The kind old lady behind the counter
smiled at him as she handed over a plastic bag full of chocolate muffins.
“Thank you and have a good day!”
The Champion nodded as he left the bakery. Outside the door he released his
Charizard and hopped on. It was a quick flight back to his house.
There was a note on the dinner table, and he sighed as his eyes flickered over
the lines of printed text. Of course his mom was gone. She was probably out
with her new boyfriend again. Seriously, he couldn’t understand it at all…
Weren’t his parents still married?
Well, he could debate that later. For now, he went upstairs to his room and
turned his computer on. He had an email to send off to Lance, and the latest
Viridian City gym report.
It wasn’t bad – less stressful than being Champion, and Giovanni had needed a
replacement anyway. The only downside was that he couldn’t visit the Elite Four
as much as he wanted to, but it mattered little.
He sent off his report – no badges lost in the quarter, the two days he had
taken off as vacation, and then went downstairs and got a glass of milk.
Half an hour later, there was a ring at the doorbell. Red frowned as he ran
downstairs to answer the door, seeing the Dragon Master waiting with a smile.
“Hi, Lance.”
“Yo.” The former Champion grinned. “Got your report, though I did have a
suggestion.”
Red blinked, twice. “Oh.”
“You don’t have to stay at the Viridian Gym daily, you know. As long as you
keep your pokémon in good battling condition and deal with challengers within
twenty-four hours after arrival, no one’s going to call you on it.”
“… That makes sense.” Red said slowly, before he grinned. “Does that mean I
could travel?”
“Sure. As long as, say, you took Espeon, who could teleport you back to the gym
whenever a challenger showed up, you could totally not stay there. Do you have
any junior trainers?”
“I fired them all.”
“Good thinking. They were probably part of Team Rocket.”
Red grinned, surprised by the praise. “Thanks!”
Lance smiled, before he coughed. “So, did you want to talk about anything? I
got your email…”
The Viridian leader blushed to match his namesake. “Um… yes. But first, would
you like a muffin?”
They were chocolate. Lance liked chocolate. “Sure,” He said, taking one from
the plate and biting into rich, gooey fudge. “Wow, these are good.”
As Lance busied himself with the muffin, Red steeled his emotions. Finally, he
sighed.
“I like you, Lance.”
“I see?”
“No.” Red shook his head. “I mean I really like you. More than friends… That
kind of like!”
Lance smiled. “You’re cute, Red, I won’t deny that, but I can’t say if I love
you yet. It’s just too sudden.”
Red deflated, and that was when Lance pulled him into a hug.
“But I didn’t say I wouldn’t try,” Lance whispered, and Red colored as the
Dragon Master kissed him.
End Fic
Completed 1/4/07
So! It’s fluffy, ne?
Red: *Blush*
Lance: *Smirk*
A Market Economy is an economy that allocates resources through the
decentralized decisions of many firms and households as hey interact in markets
for goods and services. (Brief Principles of Macroeconomics, 4th Edition by N.
Gregory Mankiw) Capitalism is a type of this. The fact that Red could buy
cupcakes from a store not run by the government is an example of market
economy.
***** Chapter 7 *****
Title: Command
Author: Shadow/Phantomness
Pairing: Championshipping (Lance x Red)
Fandom: Pokémon
Theme: #7, Command Economy
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, implied shonen-ai
 
            “I hate my job.” Red groaned.
            Lance shrugged. “It could be worse. You’re already lucky they
assigned you to become a trainer. It was just chance that you became Champion.”
            “Hai…” The Champion sighed. The Kanto Governing Council ruled the
region, and decided who would do what job through a series of tests. The most
fortunate – the ones with the most freedom – were the trainers. The worst – the
ones that did not have sufficient ability to do anything else were sent to work
in the fields or factories. Of course, there was a large gap in between, but
for the most part people were content.
            Those who became the Elite – Four, plus the Champion – were primed
to become the new leaders. They were the face of the League. The Gym Leaders
were set in place to keep the trainers from becoming too unruly. In fact, it
was a well-kept secret, but even Team Rocket was government-controlled. They
were useful to… deter… the unworthy.
            Red hadn’t known this. He had know more than a lot of kids, since
he had been to the specialized trainer classes, but even so, being promoted to
lead the deception was something he was uncomfortable with.
            During his journey, he hadn’t worried about becoming Champion. He
hadn’t thought it would be possible! The Elite Four were amazingly powerful,
and all he had wanted was to meet them.
            When Cloyster had managed to take down Lance’s Dragonite, he had
almost – almost fainted on the spot, but Lance had been awfully nice about it,
and then President Goodman had come out to talk to him, and before he knew what
was happening he had been inaugurated as new Champion and given his duties.
            Which was why he was here now, sitting in this small group of
people and listening to a bespectacled man in a brown suit talk about shoelace
production.
            … Boring…
 
            He zoned off, noticing that the Elite Four seemed to be studiously
taking notes, with Lorelei writing in a small sketchpad and Lance tapping away
on his laptop – something unavailable to the general public. After about an
hour, the last man finished speaking and left.
            Lance gave Red a sideways glance as they filed out of the meeting
room. “Did you hear a word at all, love?”
            Red blushed, unaccustomed to the … well, friendliness. “Not
really.”
            “I know. The minimum age for become Elite is eighteen years, but
since you’re Champion, it seems that they didn’t take that into account. Also,
you haven’t had to take the Elite classes.”
            Red groaned at the prospect of more schooling – indoctrination more
like – and sighed.
            “However, I would be willing to teach you myself. It would save
time, and perhaps I could make things interesting.”
            Red perked up. “Really?”
            “Sure,” Lance grinned and that was that.
            Red hugged him, missing the flash of something in the golden eyes
as Lance shook his head.
            At least this way, he could keep Red safe. Things could not stay
stagnant forever, and soon danger would come to the Elite, but they could
handle it. After all, they were Elite, and they didn’t lose.
            Besides, Lance thought, as he bent down and covered Red’s lips with
his own, causing the Champion to blush and stammer in surprise, it was so much
more fun this way.
 
End Fic
Completed 1/5/06
A Command Economy is one where the government controls production and
distribution of everything. Think North Korea. Communism! Whee. So I went the
whole way with the idea. Too much 1984…
***** Chapter 8 *****
Title: Allocation
Author: Shadow/Phantomness
Pairing: Championshipping (Lance x Red)
Fandom: Pokémon
Theme: #8, Allocation
Rating: G
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: Shonen-ai
 
            “Wait, wait.” Red said. “You’re telling me that we export pokemon?”
            Lance shrugged. “It is a natural resource.” He said mildly. “Why
else would we keep the forests and rivers so clean? We keep an eye on natural
population and we take a few here and there to the breeding centers. After
that, well, we do a little experimentation and selective maintenance. You
needn’t act so surprised about it. We have no energy deposits and certainly no
farmland… it’s quite lucky we’re on an island, so shipping is an option.”
            Red shook his head. “So we get our oil and coal from Orre this
way?”
            “Quite right.”
            “And what about food?” Red asked.
            Lance frowned. “Kanto has very little arable farmland. There is
some near Celadon and Fuchsia, but hardly enough to support our booming
population, so we export most of our food from the Orange Islands.”
            Red sat down heavily. “Do we sell them pokémon too?”
            “Trade, you mean? Yes.”
            “I never knew…”
            Lance patted him on the shoulder. “Get used to it, love. The only
booming economy is Silph Co., and they have a monopoly on practically all the
pokemon items used, from the potions to the ultra balls and evolution stones.
It’s quite fortunate we spend so much on pokémon – it keeps us growing, you
see…”
            “I don’t really.” Red muttered.         
            “It’s all right. Don’t worry about it.”
            Red sighed as Lance pulled him into a hug, but he obligingly closed
his eyes and spoke no more on the topic. After all, it wasn’t like he was
interested at all…
            So he should just not worry about it, right?
           
End Fic
Completed 1/5/07
Allocation is answer to the ‘What will be produced?’ question in economics, one
of the 3 primary questions
Lance: No romance?
Phantomness: Not unless you squint…
***** Chapter 9 *****
Title: Production
Author: Shadow/Phantomness
Pairing: Championshipping (Lance x Red)
Fandom: Pokémon
Theme: #9, Production
Rating: PG-13
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, Shonen-ai
 
            Sunlight gleamed off piles and piles of fabric, many in varying
shades of white from dull to semi-transparent silk, mixed with natural tans and
browns and other, various colors. Fine silk fluttered in the wind generated by
the ceiling fans as the machinery hummed around them, cutting and slicing and
stitching.
            “Why are we here again?” Red whispered, eying the array of lingerie
around him with distaste.
            Lance shrugged. “Because we are undercover and we believe that this
factory is actually a front for something else.” He said quietly. “Now let’s
start searching.”
            “O-Okay.” Red blushed, as he began to scan the racks of garments
for anything that might be suspicious.
            This was the most embarrassing thing ever! If the media got wind of
this… he adjusted his infrared goggles with a sigh as he pulled them over his
eyes. The machinery looked respectable enough, though he could have done
without a crash course in fashion 101 as preparation for this trip.
            Lance closed his eyes as he ran his fingertips over the fabric.
Silk, as was expected, cotton, and… was that polyester over there? Bright,
garish swimsuits flowed from another assembly line into a chute that led into
another room. With a shrug, the Dragon Master leaped lightly onto one of the
steel supports, before he glanced downwards. None of the girls sitting at their
sewing machines responded. Aha…
            Some of them were busy, dipping nets into giant vats of boiling
water. Silkworm cocoons bobbed merrily there, while others spun threads into
skeins on spinning wheels. None of them looked much older than five or six.
            Well, child labor was illegal in Kanto, so there was one point
against them. As he watched, one of the girls screamed, her hair caught in her
loom. Another girl came over with a pair of rusty shears and snipped it off,
leaving a good portion of her head bare.
            Callous…
            But it was better than having your scalp dragged off, was it not?
He nodded quietly, and moved to another room.
 
            In it, an old woman sat, squinting as she scribbled madly in
ledgers. Lance cast his eyes around, but he saw no sign of a computer or any
modern equipment here. It was almost as though he had stumbled into the past.
            But wait. Where had all those swimsuits gone? He was sure he had
followed in the right direction. No matter. He flicked his fingers quietly,
releasing Aerodactyl, and climbed on.
 
            Meanwhile, Red was in another room, watching as other children
picked cotton out of hard, green balls with their bare fingers. The cotton was
then run through the gin and spun into yarn. Denim, Red realized, as he went to
another room and saw boiling blue yarn being dried and then twisted into cloth
which the mechanized shears cut into desired shapes. Jeans!
            But what was suspicious about that?
            At least they weren’t making more underwear…
           
            “There…” Lance said, smiling. “Ptera, we were lucky, weren’t we?”
            The fossil dragon flashed a fanged smile as Lance’s eyes glittered
gold. Yes Master… May I kill them?
            “Not all of them. We’ll need one or two to confess.”
            Here was the truly heinous secret.
            The other rooms had been blinds. As they watched, the pokemon were
shoved into the machine. A synthesizer, Lance thought dully. He would have said
more, but that was when Red rushed in the door with a sparking Zapdos behind
him.
            “How dare you!” The Champion shouted. “Zapdos, THUNDER!”
            The men and women startled, glanced up, and in that instant,
Zapdos’s electricity knocked most of them out. Lance sighed.
            Since their cover had been blown, he might as well join in…
            “Ptera, Hakai Beam!”
            The beam smashed into the holding tanks, and the pokémon broke
free, rushing around madly trying to escape.
            “Not so fast! I’m not letting you get away with this! Venomoth!
Disable!”
            Several of the workers froze, but one woman in a leather miniskirt
simply smirked. “You think you’ll stop us? Flareon! Fire Blast that bug!”
            Venomoth nimbly dodged the first shot, and as a second headed for
her, a Surf attack slammed into Flareon and the woman.
            Red smirked, as Poliwrath followed up with an Ice Beam, freezing
them solid.
            “You were saying?” Red asked.
            “Behind you.” Lance called, and Red ducked, even as Aerodactyl
sliced deep gashes into the man’s arms, nearly cutting them off. The man howled
in pain and fell to the ground.
            Zapdos hit him with a Thunderwave, before he launched another
Thunder, this time at the synthesizer. It exploded into tiny fragments.
            “And… set.” The Champion grinned.
            “… You just blew up our evidence.” Lance said slowly.
            “Oops.” Red blushed. “It’s okay. We can still interrogate them.
Such a thing shouldn’t have existed in the first place, and there are more. I
saw a few other rooms like this one.”
            Lance nodded in understanding, as he called Officer Jenny, who
showed up ten minutes later with a squad.
           
            “It seems the problem was quite severe. They were feeding stolen
pokémon into their fabric production. Not to mention that their entire labor
force was drugged, while being illegal child labor as well.”
            Red gagged, feeling ill, while Lance nodded.
            “And their punishment?” He asked.
            Jenny frowned. “It is still undecided.”
            “Ahh. We shall trouble you no longer then. Come Red.”
            Lance steered Red away and then they both mounted Dragonite, flying
back to the Plateau.
            Red sighed as they dismounted. “We did do the right thing, right?”
            “Of course, Red.”
            “But… I couldn’t save those pokémon…”
            “You can’t save the world. All we can do is help to the best of our
ability.” Lance said quietly, pulling Red into a hug. “We did our best.”
            Red closed his eyes with a shaky sigh, and managed a feeble nod.
            “You did well.”
            And Red tried to believe him.
 
End Fic
Completed 1/6/07
Production is the ‘How will it be produced?’ question in the economy… and this
fic is total crack, I admit freely… and the plot is truly bizarre… but it’s
technically somewhat canon, I mean, it could happen in-game.
Lance: *Sighs*
Red: *Blush* I’m so insecure…
Phantomness: Not really romance-y in this one, ne? Oh well
***** Chapter 10 *****
Title: Distribution
Author: Shadow/Phantomness
Pairing: Championshipping (Lance x Red)
Fandom: Pokémon
Theme: #10, Distribution
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: Shonen-ai
 
            Blood trickled from between his fingertips, and Red sighed as he
gingerly removed his hand. True, punching the wall was not a smart thing to do,
but he had been so furious when he had gotten his paycheck…
            Why should he have to suffer because other people were incompetent?
Mew, it wasn’t fair!
            “Red?” A voice came at the door, and the Champion sighed.
            “Come in.”
            Lance entered, frowning. “What happened? Let me see that hand.”
            Red obediently took a seat and held it out. Lance hissed as he saw
the damage, before he concentrated, eyes taking on a faint blue tinge. Red
swallowed as he felt bones shifting back into place, but when Lance pulled
away, everything was healed.
            “Done.” The Dragon Master said sounding tired. Healing always took
quite a bit out of him. “So what happened?”
            “They took sixty bloody percent of my paycheck away for social
services!”
            Lance shook his head. “Well, it is terrible, but…”
            “But why should I work hard if I’m not being rewarded for it? Now
I’ll have to wait another few months before I can get that energy armor I
really need!”
            “Ah.” Lance smirked. “Yes. Well, unfortunately, President Goodman
believes in supporting the poor, though I have a feeling he’s embezzling a lot
of our budget himself.”
            Red growled. “Why do I have to support poor people who don’t work
hard?”
            “I daresay some of them have circumstances, such as severe
disabilities, are worthwhile, but you are quite correct. It is horrible. A lot
of people are just horribly lazy and on the dole.”
            “It’s not fair though…”
            “Life isn’t fair.”
            “Well, why can’t it be unfair in my favor?”
            Lance chuckled. “That, my dear, is what we are all asking. But what
can we do? Quit?”
            Red deflated with a sigh. “It’s not worth it.”
            “I suppose not. Don’t worry, Red. Someday, things will get better.”
            “I guess I’ll believe you,” Red conceded, and Lance kissed him. Red
kissed back, not wanting to think about the failures.
            If only love could solve all problems.
            If only.
 
End Fic
Distribution answers the ‘Who gets the goods and services’ question in
economics. It seems quite related to Allocation more than Production. There are
many ways to distribute. We learned seven ways in class… Equal Shares
(communism), Production/Prices, Observable characteristics (like age, gender,
race), Need (Marx), Power/Influence, Lottery, and Queuing (First come first
serve)
***** Chapter 11 *****
Title: Incentive
Author: Shadow/Phantomness
Pairing: Championshipping (Lance x Red)
Fandom: Pokémon
Theme: #11, Incentive
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: Shonen-ai
 
            “This is so annoying!”
            Golden lenses behind a pair of reading glasses regarded the irate
Champion with amusement. “What is so annoying, Champion?”
            “These marriage proposals!” Red spluttered.
            Lance eyed Red speculatively, running his eyes up and down the
lithe frame. “Well, you are sinfully adorable, Champion. You’re also quite
wealthy, and you have fame and a good position in the League…”
            Red fumed as he clambered onto Lance’s lap. “Well, I still don’t
like being treated like a piece of meat! It’s disgusting!”
            “Undoubtedly.” Lance said, placing a kiss on his cheek. “But you
must admit that the incentive is there…”
 
            Red scowled. “There is no way I am ever going to lose a battle on
purpose.”
            “That was not my thought….”          
            “Then will you marry me?”
            Lance gaped at Red. “Honestly, I was not thinking that either, but
if you wish, I can dress up for you.”
            “Yay!” Red hugged Lance tightly. That would really help solve a lot
of his problems. Besides, Lance looked pretty in girl’s clothing.
            The Dragon Master chuckled as he kissed the Champion, and for the
moment, things were solved.
 
End Fic
Completed 1/4/07
An incentive is something that induces a person to act (Brief_principles_of
Macroeconomics,_Fourth_Edition by N. Gregory Mankiw). For example, if farmers
were recompensed economically for lost sheep, they wouldn’t shoot wolves. Or so
we hope.
***** Chapter 12 *****
Title: Positive
Author: Shadow/Phantomness
Pairing: Championshipping (Lance x Red/Ash)
Fandom: Pokémon
Theme: #12, Positive Statement
Rating: R
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: Shonen-ai, underage sex and drinking
 
            “I want to kiss you.”
            “… What?” Lance asked, wondering if her had perhaps misheard. He
was used to odd things, but this was rather unexpected.
            Red sighed, before he climbed over Lance’s desk and planted a kiss
on the Dragon Master’s lips. “Like that.”
            “Red, have you been drinking?” Lance asked none too tactfully.
            “Of course not.” The Champion purred. Lance shook his head, taking
in the dilated eyes, and as Red leaned in and kissed him again, he tasted
bitterness. Interesting.
            Well, he might as well go along with it. “And what else do you want
to do, Champion?”
            Red blinked, almost confused, as Lance slid his arms around the
boy’s waist and pulled him close, watching Red flush in realization as he felt
hardness.
            “Well?”
            “Yes?” Red squeaked.
            Lance did not wait for a further response. With a smile, he kissed
Red again as he undid the Champion’s belt, pushing his jeans down. Red clumsily
managed to help before Lance wrapped a hand around his member, before smiling
and beginning to stroke.
            The Champion groaned, and leaned against Lance, trying to stifle
the feelings, but finally, he could take it no longer and he came eagerly into
Lance’s waiting hand.
            Lance smirked as he brought his fingertips to his mouth, licking
them clean. “Well, Red? Did that help?”
            Red simply grinned and hugged Lance tightly. “Yes.”
            … And that was when Lance realized that Red wasn’t drunk.
 
End Fic
Completed 1/6/07
A positive statementis a claim about how the world is (Brief_Principles_of
Macroeconomics,_4th_Edition by N. Gregory Mankiw)
And guess what? I just realized Red (From Pokemon Special/Adventures) is almost
too perfect! He reminds me of Light from Death Note! How creepy…
***** Chapter 13 *****
Title: Normative
Author: Shadow/Phantomness
Pairing: Championshipping (Lance x Red)
Fandom: Pokémon
Theme: #13, Normative Statement
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: Shonen-ai, AU, fanon
 
            “One wish.” Lance repeated; his eyes hollow gold, as he leaned
against the wall with his arms crossed. “One chance, really. You’re quite
tempting, Annabelle, but I will not take it.”
            Annabelle gaped in shock, as her Jirachi blinked. “Why not? Aren’t
I pretty enough for you? Plus I’ve got a legendary pokemon! And I beat you and
the rest of the Elite Four! So why won’t you agree to marry me?”
            “If you were so confident in your position, would you still try to
bribe me with a wish?” Lance asked. “You’ve already used up all of yours,
haven’t you?”
            The slight tightening of Annabelle’s expression was enough
evidence. Lance nodded, slowly, before he turned to Jirachi.
            The pokémon slowly met the Dragon Master’s gaze. You know that I am
not omnipotent. I cannot remove another legendary’s work.
            “I know.” Lance said. “And you cannot give me what I truly want.”
            No. Jirachi agreed. That is out of my control.
            “I will not choose that as my wish. I want her….” Here Lance’s
expression twisted, as his eyes glittered. “I want her to fade.”
            Jirachi sucked in a breath. Fading was a terrible punishment, given
only to guardians too weak to protect the world. They would unravel, losing
their life and humanity, and then they would be used as an energy source to
power the realm. For him to wish such a thing…
            But it was not in direct violation of any rule, so Jirachi nodded,
and in an instant, Annabelle was gone, as though she had never been, and
Jirachi felt the chains of bondage fall. Lance nodded.
            “Be safe, child.”
            And then he was gone.
 
            Red was waiting when he returned, chatting amiably with Charlotte
over tea and biscuits. They both glanced up at his arrival. Charlotte poured
him a cup of green tea, and Red ran up and hugged him.
            Lance smiled, kissed the Champion, and then sat down.
            “Did you do anything?”
            “My, so direct.” Charlotte sipped her coffee, then grimaced at the
taste as Lance shook his head.
            “Well!” Red protested. “I don’t like it, but if it was necessary, I
guess I could forgive him.”
            “Not even kissing.” Lance reassured Red. “I spun my illusions quite
well, but she didn’t really need them.”
            “Why?”
            “I faded her.”
            “Wicked!” Red breathed. “So now I won’t have to worry about her
stealing you away?”
            “I doubt I was ever in any danger of being stolen, Champion.” Lance
said dryly. Red shrugged as he hugged Lance again.
            “I don’t care. You’re mine.”
            “… Is that a fact?”
            “Well, you should be!”
            Lance reached for a blueberry scone and said nothing. Let Red
pretend, and be happy. It certainly cost him nothing.
            “Does that mean you belong to Lance too?” Charlotte asked, adding a
fourth lump of sugar to her coffee.
            “Of course! And we’ll be together forever and ever!”
            “I hope so.” Lance agreed, and kissed Red.  
 
End Fic
Completed 1/7/07
A Normative Statement is a claim about how the world ought to be (Brief
Principles_of_Macroeconomics,_Fourth_Edition by N. Gregory Mankiw)
 
***** Chapter 14 *****
Title: Inflation
Author: Shadow/Phantomness
Pairing: Championshipping (Lance x Red)
Fandom: Pokémon
Theme: #14, Inflation
Rating: PG-13
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, shonen-ai, prostitution
 
            Red never tells the Madame this, but there’s only one customer he
really likes to service. After he saw Yellow starved and beaten for two weeks
for her refusal to take an old man, he knew to keep his mouth shut. It was very
instructive.
            Besides, all of the other children had to work harder to make up
for the loss in profits when the customers found their favorite plaything gone,
so no one really likes Yellow much.
            Red doesn’t want to end up in the same position.
            But in any case, his family needs money somehow, and as the
youngest child it’s all right if he’s sent out – they have two other boys who
need the cash, and since Pokemon Journeys are so expensive he’ll never be able
to leave.
            Honor. Pride. His family needs to save face. Such words. Red hates
them, because he thinks of his brothers getting fat off his blood, and it
really makes him so angry.
            But having the Champion around makes it better.
 
            The Champion always pays for him, usually for a week at a stretch,
and takes him away, which is nice, because he really hates the brothel. It
smells of strong perfume and lots of other things he doesn’t want to remember,
and the bright garish decorations hurt his eyes.
            The Champion will wash his hair, and it’s almost gentle, and it
makes him cry, because he’s always afraid that one day the Champion will turn
out to be just like the others, and hurt him terribly, but it hasn’t happened
yet. And then the Champion will dress him in comfortable clothing that doesn’t
show off all his skin like a cheap whore, and they’ll have lunch, and he’ll
have the afternoon to himself, to do whatever he wants, and after dinner the
Champion will take him.
            The Champion has pretty pokemon, lots of them, and Red likes to
play with them, and sometimes, he pretends that they’re his, and he wonders,
what things would have been like if money wasn’t so dear and journeys so
expensive.
            He doesn’t like to think about it too much, because it makes him
sad.
 
            The Champion is a handsome man, compared to most of the others. He
has long hair like a girl’s, dark red, and Red likes to run his fingers through
it. He has eyes that are beautiful gold, and he’s nice. He even makes it not
hurt, though Red isn’t quite sure how.
            Sometimes, he takes Red outside, to different places, and Red will
get to pretend for an afternoon that he’s just an ordinary child. They go to
the beach, and to carnivals, and he’s always enthusiastic afterwards.
             None of the others ever did anything like this.
 
            One night, Red is lying in the Champion’s arms, almost asleep, when
someone climbs in the window with a gun, and Red panics, and the Champion slips
out of bed calmly and as the moon peeks out from behind a cloud Red recognizes
his older brother Jeffrey and feels anger.
            … Especially when Jeffrey tries to hurt the Champion.
            Red isn’t strong, but he picks up the alarm clock, and takes aim,
and manages to hit Jeffrey, who falls down. The gun goes off, but it doesn’t
hit anyone, and then the Champion whispers something and his pretty dragons fly
in through the window, and then they eat Jeffrey.
            Red rather wishes he didn’t see that, but it turns out to be all
right. The Champion comes back to bed, and holds him close, and the next day,
terminates his contract with Madame.
            Without Jeffrey to support, Red no longer has to work there, and
he’s happy. The Champion holds him close and kisses him, and Red responds
eagerly, because now – now he can stay with the man by choice.
            And Lance smiles, and runs his fingers through dark hair, and
wonders.
 
End Fic
Completed 1/7/07
Inflation is an increase in the overall level of prices in the economy (Brief
Principles_of_Macroeconomics,_4th_Edition by N. Gregory Mankiw)
 
I credit MidKnight2501, who wrote an Untitled Snape/Harry fic that involved
prostitute! Harry for inspiring me.
***** Chapter 15 *****
Title: Rationally
Author: Shadow/Phantomness
Pairing: Championshipping (Lance x Red/Ash)
Fandom: Pokémon
Theme: #15, Rational People
Rating: R
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: Shonen-ai, Bruno bastardization, rape, angst, fanon references
 
            “Do you love me?”
            Lance sighed. “Must we go over this again, Red?”
            The Champion nodded. “I need to make sure.”
            “Look, I didn’t encourage Bruno or anything. The bastard raped me,
and now instead of comforting me you’re going all ‘did you love me?’” The
Dragon Master stood, cape rustling behind him, and stalked off.
            Red frowned, wondering if perhaps he had pushed too far this time.
True, he would never have suspected Lance would cheat on him, but Bruno…
            Bruno had said… that this was not a first…
            That Lance had wanted it…
            That Red was just a child…
            He was pretty sure he had punched Bruno in the face after that, and
the fighting type trainer had just laughed.
            He sat down on a chair and drew his knees up to his chest, and
tried hard not to worry too much.
 
            “He thinks I did it just for kicks?” Lance hissed. “He thinks I
suffered because I enjoyed being beaten to a bloody pulp?”
            Master…
            “Perhaps this will teach him the truth then!” Lance said; his eyes
blazing angrily as he clasped his hands in front of his chest. However, before
he could move into the next sequence, Ptera stopped him with a screech.
            Master… please… not yet… don’t take the Sword…
            “What else am I to do, Ptera? It’s been three months and he still
doesn’t trust me. I can’t keep going… I should not have yelled at him, but it
was too difficult not to care.”
            Master…
 
            “Love is never enough, is it?” Lance asked. “In the end, love
really means nothing. I love him but he doesn’t care. And love does not heal,
because he refuses to believe me. And if he cannot trust me, then he cannot
love me, and if he does not love me, then I really have no reason to stay with
him. He might as well find another…”
            Master?
            “Shh, Ptera. I will not take the Sword. I promise you. Not today.”
            Aerodactyl frowned and watched as Lance slowly walked away. There
were no nearby cliffs, and he was fairly sure Lance was not contemplating
suicide, but…
            What was he to do?
 
            “I just can’t take it any more…”
            He stood in front of his vanity mirror, staring at his reflection.
With a sigh, he reached for his cosmetics. He had never really needed them
before, but now…
            He brushed the foundation over his skin to hide the dark circles
under his eyes, and carefully adjusted the golden bands at his throat.
            He doubted Red would notice the changes.
 
            “Looking good, dragon-boy.” Bruno leered as he walked past. He
ignored it. So did Red. The Champion was studiously ignoring his presence,
feeling angry.
            Why had Lance yelled at him anyways?
            It wasn’t his fault!
            Besides, Lance should love him most.
            Stupid Bruno. They should have sent him off to jail for what he
did, but no, it was bad for public relationships, so this had to be kept a
secret.
            Red growled and turned another page in his magazine.
            Lance made himself tea and retreated to his room, not saying a
word.
            There was no reason to speak.
 
            Time passed. Battles were fought, legislation was passed, Goodman
was re-elected… and Red and Lance barely spoke, barely acknowledged the other’s
presence. Red was still fuming and Lance was barely there.
            Then it happened.
 
            Red was walking down the hall when he heard Bruno speaking to
Lance. The Dragon Master’s office door was slightly ajar, and Bruno did have a
carrying voice.
            “Yes, that’s it you little slut, that’s all your good for. Take
it!”
            He edged closer, only to see Bruno push Lance to the ground with a
leer. “You know you want this, dragon-boy. So don’t go running to your little
boyfriend with stories, now. You wouldn’t want me to hurt him, would you?”
            “You’re despicable.” Lance hissed.
            “Whatever.” Bruno backhanded the Dragon Master casually. “Now are
you going to make me do all the work or are you going to be good?”
            “I’ll never let you do this to me again, Bruno.” Lance said calmly,
far too calmly, Red thought detachedly, for someone in his position.
            “Like you can stop me.” Bruno huffed. “Clothes off. Now.”
            “No.”
            “Look, I can hit you again. Or perhaps…” Here Bruno’s leer became
more pronounced. “Maybe Machamp should warm you up first.”
            “You wouldn’t.”
            “Try me. Now do it!”
           
            Lance closed his eyes, and Bruno laughed, thinking that he had won,
when a sudden unseen force pushed him away, sending him sprawling against the
far wall. He got up angrily, advancing on Lance, but that was when he noticed
who was standing in the doorway.
            “Vee.” Red growled. “Hyper Beam.”
            The Espeon nodded, forehead jewel glowing red, as a powerful
pressurized energy blast smashed into Bruno.
            Red was already moving, as Venusaur’s Stun Spore drifted over
Bruno’s body, paralyzing him. The fighting type trainer froze in place, before
Venus casually bound him tightly with her vine whips so he could not escape.
 
            “Lance!”
            The Dragon Master winced as he stood. “Thank you for your
assistance, Champion.” He said softly.
            “He-he…”
            “I believe he will go free again. President Goodman seems
disinclined to press any charges. Tis terribly unfortunate – I shall have to be
more careful.” With that, Lance moved past Red.
            It was almost as if he didn’t even see him.
           
            Red stared after Lance’s retreating figure, before he ran after
him. He followed Lance into his bedroom, and watched as the Dragon Master
turned in surprise.
            “Champion?”
            “I-I think we need to talk.”
            “Are we not conversing already, Champion?”
            “That’s not it! I mean really talk. Like… friends.” Red groped for
a word that wasn’t too intimate and came up with something that made him flush
in shame.
            Lance cocked his head to one side. “Are we not friends, Champion?”
            “Well of course we are, but!”
            “Then what reason is there to discuss this friendship?”
            “Isn’t it important?”
            “Decidedly so. You were quite instrumental in preventing sexual
assault.” Lance said, voice and expression perfectly tranquil. It was too
perfect, Red thought. “Though… perhaps you were expecting recompense for your
heroic actions.”
            “… What?” Red asked, still trying to parse Lance’s formal speech.
            Red was reasonably stunned when Lance knelt down and kissed him. He
responded eagerly – of course they had had no physical contact since the
incident, but now things were looking up!
            He moved quickly, and they made it to the bed in a tangle of limbs,
and then stars exploded behind his eyes and he cried out in relief. He leaned
against Lance, feeling perfectly sated and happy, and soon fell asleep.
           
            Lance slipped out of bed without a word, and very calmly showered,
dressed, and left the room.
            He had to keep Red safe, after all. And there seemed to be only one
path left.
            Needless to say, Bruno was surprised when Lance entered his room in
the middle of the night. It only got worse when Lance very quietly pulled a
sword out of midair and rammed it through his chest.
            The Dragon Master calmly wiped the blade on the sheets, and then
returned the sword to its sheath and quietly walked down the hall, before
climbing back into bed.
            Red did not even stir.
 
            When Red woke up the next morning, he found Lance still asleep,
cuddling against him. It was so nice. He supposed that now things had been
patched up, and pushed the sheets down as he got up to shower. However, as he
glanced over at the Dragon Master again, he paled.
            He hadn’t noticed last night, but Lance looked… shriveled, for lack
of a better word. His skin was pulled taut over his ribs, and Red swore that he
could see just about every bone in his body, after he pulled Lance’s clothing
up to check. His eyes were closed, but with makeup washed away, Red saw dark
circles beneath them, and his hair, normally thick and glossy, was quite thin.
            … What?
            What was going on?
           
            When he shook Lance awake, the Dragon Master stared at him with
blank eyes, and whispered that he didn’t have the energy for another round,
could they wait until tonight? And that was what really clicked.
            “Lance, what are you saying?”
            “I cannot pleasure you currently, Champion. I am afraid you will
find my efforts poor quality.”
            “… What?”
            Lance stood slowly, and shook his head. “My apologies. My
appearance must be quite distressing, Champion. Needless to say it shall be
perfectly dark and you shall have no opportunity to glimpse this again.”
            “That wasn’t what I meant! Why are you so skinny? Are you sick?”
            “Tis not transmittable so you shall have no worries, Champion.”
Lance wrapped a sheet around his body and smiled, but to Red, it seemed more
like a grimace. His eyes were terribly hollow, and his cheeks thin. “Tonight
then?”
            “But… what about breakfast?”         
            Lance blinked at him, confused, before he nodded. “It shall be
prepared shortly.” Fifteen minutes later, Red was sitting before a tray covered
with all his favorite foods.
            Lance watched him eat, but made no move to try anything himself.
Red finally slammed his hands down on the tabletop, rattling the cutlery.
            “Lance, what’s wrong with you?”
            “Champion?”
            “Quit calling me that! You know my name!”
            Lance did not reply.
            “I mean, aren’t you hungry at all? You need to eat something,
Lance. You look terrible.”
            Lance stared at Red for a moment, before he came back with another
plate and fork, took a single pancake, and began to eat.
            Red eyed him like a hawk, but it didn’t seem like Lance was going
to make any other moves, so finally, he just finished breakfast and left the
room, not sure what to do or say.
            At lunch, Lance made him peanut butter sandwiches cut in angel
shapes and adamantly refused to eat any.
            In the afternoon, the League council meeting went off without a
hitch, but afterwards, he found Lance staring off into space, the legislation
on his desk half-completed.
            What in Mew’s name was going on?
 
            At dinner, Red snapped. “Look. I don’t like what you’re doing,
Lance, and it’s not good for you! You can’t afford to lose all that weight and
there’s no reason you should be trying to! If this keeps up you’ll really get
sick and-!”
            He cut himself off, not wanting to say the fatal word.
            Lance’s eyes were vague and unfocused, and as Red watched in
horror, the Dragon Master smiled.
            “Die, Champion?” He asked dreamily. “Yes, it would be nice.”
            “Nice?”
            “It’s almost time.” Lance continued. “Soon it won’t hurt any more.
I should have died that day so long ago, so there’s no point…”
            Red just stared at him in abject terror. “Why-why are you doing
this to yourself, Lance?”
            “Because.” Lance said, as he clasped his hands in front of his
chest, “It’s pointless to live without love.”
            “W-Without love…”
            “Do you love me, Champion?” Lance asked quietly. “You don’t, do
you? I’m hideously disfigured and useless in bed. Of course you wouldn’t.”
            “What are you talking about, Lance? Of course I love you!”
            “You have peculiar methods of expressing affection, Champion. One
would conclude you hated me from your actions of the past few months. But
perhaps all I deserve is pain, is that not what you said yourself?”
            “I-I…”
            “Do you wish to kill me, Champion? You could do it so easily – and
I’m too weak to stop you.” Lance smiled, sending a shiver down Red’s spine.
“Will you kill me?”
            “Of course not! You’re not making any sense!” Red exploded. “Quit…
quit doing this!” He knocked his chair to the ground, towering over the Dragon
Master as he stalked over to him.
            Lance only nodded. “See? You want to, don’t you?” He tilted his
head back, exposing his throat. “Enjoy.”
            Red suddenly felt very ill.
 
            After a moment, Lance blinked at him. “No?”
            “No.” Red said firmly.
            Lance sighed, a bone-weary sound. “Then I will have to do it
myself.”
            “What? That wasn’t what I meant either!”
            Lance paused, a strange bloody light playing over his fingertips.
“Do you not want the Sword, Champion?”
            “…The what?”
            “Yes… you should take the Sword…” Lance guided Red’s hand to his
chest, and Red was startled to feel cold, almost like metal. “But Bruno is
already slain, and you may have no need of it.”
            “You can’t die.”
            “Is that an order, Champion?”
            “Yes.”
            Lance nodded dully. “Very well, Champion.”
            That was it? Why wasn’t Lance protesting? Why was he just sitting
there and taking it? Why wasn’t he trying to live? Why was he trying to die?
Was it because of…?
            A cold lump settled in Red’s stomach. “T-This is about Bruno, isn’t
it?”
            “The Champion did not wish for me to engage in a sexual
relationship with him so I disposed of him.” Lance said calmly.
            “That’s all?”
            “I am yours to command, Champion.”
            “But why?” Red asked. “Why are you being so submissive? It’s not
like you at all, Lance. And why do you say I don’t love you? I do!”
            “Sex, while pleasurable, does not indicate love.” Lance said. “That
is all I have to say, Champion.”
            Red wasn’t satisfied with that answer. “I don’t understand.”
            Lance refused to say more, and finally, Red walked over to him. He
knelt next to the Dragon Master and met his eyes, and instead of the insanity
he had expected, he saw despair and a love that frightened him.
            “Kill me.” Lance whispered.
            “No.”
            “Free me. I cannot love and I cannot live.”
            “No!”
            “Why must you torment me so, Champion? Does it give you pleasure?
Why will you not end this farce?”
            “Because it’s not a farce! I do love you!”
            “So you say and yet your actions belie your words. I cannot trust
you any longer. You have never trusted me. Love between us will never live.”
            “That’s not true!” Red protested. “I… trust you.”
            “Do you, Champion? I wonder.” Lance exhaled slowly. “I wonder…”
            Red kissed him, but Lance pulled away.
            “Enough! I’ll not allow this. Champion, may you find another to
love, for my heart loves no longer.”
            He was proud that his voice had held steady, but Red refused to
budge, keeping a firm grip on his arm.
            “No. That’s not it at all, Lance. You still love me. I see it in
your eyes. So why are you hurting? Is it… my fault?”
            It was, wasn’t it?
            He had doubted Lance’s love for him after Bruno had raped Lance,
and now Lance was broken, for he had never healed. How could he have healed?
Red had never accepted him, or comforted him, or cuddled him or any of the
other things he should have done. Instead, he had pushed Lance away – reduced
him to this.
            Oh Mew. What have I done?
 
            Lance looked startled as Red pulled him close, refusing to release
him. He tried, but his strength was well nigh nonexistent and there were tears
on his cheeks, as Red kissed him.
            How could Red love him, broken as he was?
            It was a lie, wasn’t it? But if Red was lying, why did he want to
believe it? Was he that desperate?
            Or was Red telling the truth…
            “Do you love me?”
            “Yes.”
            Lance shuddered, and tried to believe him, even as Red called for
the nurse. Recovery would be a long, painful process, but at least they had
taken the first step in the right direction.
 
End Fic
Completed 1/1/07
Rational people systematically and purposefully do the best they can to achieve
their objectives. (Brief_Principles_in_Macroeconomics,_4th_Edition by N.
Gregory Mankiw) So if Lance’s objective is to make Red love him, or to die,
he’s getting there.
Red: *Cries*
Lance: *Sigh*
Phantomness: Wow, I need to go to sleep now. It’s like, dawn. I’m such an owl…
***** Chapter 16 *****
Mm…. Lemons… ^^
Title: Production
Author: Shadow/Phantomness
Pairing: Championshipping (Lance x Red)
Fandom: Pokémon
Theme: #16, Productivity
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: Shonen-ai
 
            Sunlight glistened over the straining backs of a hundred thousand
men, browned and weary as they struggled along the desert paths, dragging flat
slabs of marble behind them. Heavy iron chains ran between their ankles as they
toiled under the merciless gaze of their overseer. Mirages shimmered in the
distance of the desert heat.
            Red took another gulp from his water bottle. “I never knew…” He
whispered.
            Lance shrugged. “Tis a sad fact, but Orre is much less developed
than any of the other islands, and they suffer for it.”
            “So this is how they work?”
            “They are too…” Lance lowered his voice, “Corrupted to use the
machinery and pokemon we do. Even if we sent aid, the President and Council
would hoard it for personal gain. This marble is for his third pleasure palace
after all.”
            “That’s despicable!”
            “Well, that’s the way it is.” Lance said quietly. “Should we
conclude our investigation ended?”
            Red shook his head. “I’d like to observe for a few more days. Do
you think it’s possible I could do it undercover?”
            Lance nodded. “But it might be difficult.”
            “I’ll think about it then.” Red said. The quietly flew off on
Lance’s Flygon, certain that they had not been seen.
            What a hidden cost…
 
End Fic
Completed 1/8/07
Productivity is the quantity of goods and services produced from each unit of
labor input. (Brief_Principles_of_Macroeconomics,_4th_Edition by N. Gregory
Mankiw) Some determinants of productivity include physical capital, human
capital, natural resources and technological knowledge.
***** Chapter 17 *****
Shimatta… stupid economics midterm!
Title: Purchasing Power
Author: Shadow/Phantomness
Pairing: Championshipping (Lance x Red/Ash)
Fandom: Pokémon
Theme: #17, Purchasing power
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: Shonen-ai
 
            “Five thousand pokeyen for a Potion? That’s ridiculous.” The Dragon
Master said, putting the item back on the shelf. Red had to agree. Ever since
Silph had reduced their supply of healing items, the price had skyrocketed and
now, even the Elite Four were feeling the sting.
            Red nodded silently, before he turned to Lance. “Should we just not
buy these anyway? We’re going to be in Mt. Silver for a while, and it might be
too far from the Pokemon Center to heal.”
            Lance shook his head, a secret smile playing on his lips. “I think
it will be all right.”
            “…? Okay.” Red concurred, and took Lance’s arm in his as they
walked to the rooftop terrace, where they released their flying pokémon and
flew off – Dragonite for Lance and Charizard for Red.
            They landed outside the Pokemon Center at the foot of Mount Silver.
Lance waited until he and Red were deep inside the caverns, before he let Red
ask the question.
            “What are we going to do?”
            “The Mount Silver hot springs have natural healing powers, love.”
Lance whispered. “So though it is dangerous I doubt we shall be in actual
danger.”
            Red’s eyes widened, and he nodded. No wonder Lance refused to make
the knowledge public. Some company or the other would probably try to bottle
the water, and then that would leave them with nothing – and all the wild
pokémon here probably depended on the springs too.
            It made sense now.
            Lance kissed him then, and he quit thinking with a grin.
 
End Fic
Completed 1/10/07
Purchasing Power is how much you can buy in terms of goods/services with every
dollar you have. If there is inflation, you have less, and if there is
deflation you should have more.
***** Chapter 18 *****
Title: Deflation
Author: Shadow/Phantomness
Pairing: Championshipping (Lance x Red/Ash)
Fandom: Pokémon
Theme: #18, Deflation
Rating: G
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: Shonen-ai
 
            “I’m frightened.”
            “Why?”  Lance asked, frowning.  “There is nothing for you to be
afraid of.”
            Red closed his economics textbook with a snap and sighed. “Are we
in a recession right now, Lance?”
            “Not t hat I know of.” The Dragon Master said. “Just because Silph
Co. decided to lower their prices is no reason for you to get worried. They
have finally discovered that if poke balls and potions are crazy expensive,
children won’t be able to afford them, and that the bulk of trainers are
children anyway.”
            “Oh.” Red grinned in relief.
            “Though if you are truly worried, you can help me read over these
reports from the Federal Reserve Board on monetary policy.”
            “No thank you!” Red said quickly, as Lance chuckled.
            “Besides, I doubt it would directly affect us. We’re paid a fixed
government salary, after all.”
            Red nodded, before he stood. “I’m going out to get smoothies for
us. What flavor do you want?”
            Lance considered for a moment, before he smiled. “Peach.”
            “Okay!” Red went to the smoothie shop about a block away from the
Plateau, return with Peach for Lance and Chocolate Blueberry for himself. He
found Lance reading over a paragraph on interest rates – which didn’t affect
him much, since he had no loans or credit card debts – and handed the Dragon
Master his smoothie.
Lance thanked him, kissed him on the cheek, and went back to work as Red
lounged on his bed, glancing up at the ceiling.
He hoped Lance would be done with the paperwork soon…
            Then they could do more interesting things that didn’t involve
money.
End Fic
Completed 1/13/07
Deflation is an overall drop in the level of prices. When prices drop, the
value of money falls, because you can buy more goods/services with less cash.
***** Chapter 19 *****
Title: The Gears turn on
Author: Shadow/Phantomness
Pairing: Championshipping (Lance x Red/Ash)
Fandom: Pokémon
Theme: #19, GDP (Gross Domestic Product)
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: Shonen-ai
 
            “We can take it as a measure of our strong economic stability that
the GDP has risen by a steady two percent over the last ten years…”
            Goodman droned on, while Red felt his eyes drooping. He hadn’t
gotten much sleep last next, and he glared at the Dragon Master sitting next to
him, knowing very well whose fault that was. Lance simply smirked and gave him
an unrepentant look.
            “This is all your fault.” Red muttered, taking a sip from his glass
of water.
            “I know.” Lance purred. “But I think you found it quite worthwhile
then.”
            Red flushes and looked down, while Goodman continued to lecture. He
felt like he was in class.
            “This is important, right?”
            “Well, as long as our economy is not in a depression and we aren’t
facing insane amounts of inflation, you don’t have to worry about anything.”
            “Oh good.”
            “So our Gross Domestic Product rising anywhere from one to three
percent is reasonable. If it drops below that, well, then our economy is
stagnating and prices will probably start to rise and then our paychecks would
get cut and people would quit training pokemon – stuff like that.”
            That made more sense than the numbers and weird abbreviations –
what was DPI anyways – that Goodman was reciting in almost religious fervor.
“Ok.”
            He slipped his hand into Lance’s under the table, taking comfort in
the fact that he wasn’t suffering alone, and tried really hard to listen to the
rest of Goodman’s speech.
 
End Fic
Completed 1/1/07
The Gross Domestic Product is the market value of all final goods and services
produced within a country in a given period of time (Brief_Principles_of
Macroeconomics,_4th_Edition by N. Gregory Mankiw)
Y = C (Consumption) + I (Investment) + G (Government Spending) + NX (Net
Exports)
Higher GDP = Higher Standard of Living
***** Chapter 20 *****
Title: CPI
Author: Shadow/Phantomness
Pairing: WataShi (Lance x Ash)
Fandom: Pokémon
Theme: #20, CPI (Consumer Price Index)
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, shonen-ai
 
            The glint of sun off gold and gems almost blinded him as he walked
down the hall, shaking his head at the ostentatious display of wealth. In
contrast, his suit was stark black only broken by a glimmer of red at the
throat. As he threw the double doors open, the boy glanced up guiltily while
the scantily clad girls surrounding him scattered.
            “Ah… hi Lance.” Ash said sheepishly.
            Lance nodded curtly. “Champion.”
            “So, I know I said you could drop by anytime, but what’s the
purpose of this visit?” The Orange League Champion asked.
            Lance shrugged. “I’m resigning from the Indigo League, so I was
wondering if you would mind stepping in.”     
            Ash stared at Lance for a long moment. “What?”
            “You heard me.” Lance said. “You have enough ranks in Indigo, and
with your Orange Championship and your gains from the Battle Frontier, I think
it will not be a problem.”
            “…” Ash blinked. “Are you serious?”
            “Of course I am serious, Champion.”
            “But why are you retiring? It seems so sudden!”
            “That is a secret.” Lance said quietly. “I should be leaving now.”
            Ash waved goodbye, but when Lance had gone, he dismissed everyone
and went to his room, brooding.
            Was it because…?
            He shook his head as he glanced around, suddenly realizing, as if
for the first time, just how gaudy it was, and how utterly worthless, because
no matter how much money he had…
            He couldn’t buy love.
            “Lance…”
 
End Fic
Completed 1/10/07
Consumer Price Index is the measure of the overall cost of goods and services
bought by a typical consumer. (Brief_Principles_of_Macroeconomics,_4th_Edition
by N. Gregory Mankiw)
***** Chapter 21 *****
Title: Consumption
Author: Shadow/Phantomness
Pairing: Championshipping (Lance x Red)
Fandom: Pokémon
Theme: #21, Consumption
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
 
            “Does this make me look fat?” Red asked, anxiously looking at her
reflection in the mirror.
            Lance choked. “I never thought I would hear you ask me that.” He
said honestly. “And no, it doesn’t. You’re not even chubby.”
            Red frowned, eying herself. Normally, she abhorred the idea of
wearing anything other than a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, but there was a
League meeting tonight and she had to look nice. But she didn’t want to wear
anything too flattering, because President Goodman was an old pervert and was
probably ogling her even when she dressed like a boy. This was a compromise of
sorts – a long-sleeved black silk shirt and a skirt made out of red corduroy
fabric with pockets. Red liked pockets. She could keep a few poke balls hidden
there just in case someone tried something.
            “Are you sure?”
            “Yes.” Lance said, giving her a second glance. “You can even wear
one of your red-and-white vests over it.”
            “Oh, good.” She grinned. To the anxious-looking saleslady hovering
at the entrance of the dressing rooms to make sure no one ran off with their
clothing, Red gave a thumbs-up. The woman nodded as Lance handed her his
pokédex.
            She returned a few minutes later, and the two left the store, Red
once more wearing jeans, because, as she put it, she wanted to ride a flying
pokémon without every male in a fifty-yard radius trying to look up her skirt.
            Lance just chuckled at that, and kissed her on the cheek. He was so
sweet.
            That night, the meeting went off without a hitch, though Goodman
was rushed to the emergency room where it was discovered he had somehow become
castrated! Ah, the humanity…
            But no one cared about him, really, so it was fine.
 
End Fic
Completed 1/1/07
Consumptionis the spending of households on goods and services, with the
exception of new housing. (Brief_Principles_of_Macroeconomics,_4th_Edition by
N. Gregory Mankiw)
***** Chapter 22 *****
Title: Investment
Author: Shadow/Phantomness
Pairing: Championshipping (Lance x Red/Ash)
Fandom: Pokémon
Theme: #22, Investment
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: Shonen-ai
 
            “You’re very bright, Red. Why aren’t you going to college like the
rest of us? Is it just because you’re Champion?” Blue teased.
            Red smiled, but his eyes were cold. “I have many duties as Champion
to fulfill, and I already have private tutors, so I really cannot take time
off. I am sure you will have fun without me though.”
            He smiled, and then turned around and left.
            Blue frowned, and wondered. There was so much mystery surrounding
the Championship – she wished she knew more about it, but the few government
officials who had information were tight-lipped, and besides, the Elite Four
would never tell.
 
            “Tadaima.”
            “Okaeri nasai.”
            Red sighed as he closed the door softly behind him and turned to
Lance. “How are you holding up?” He asked quietly.
            The Dragon Master shrugged, his smile slipping off his face. “It
could be worse.”
            “I see.” Red climbed onto Lance’s lap, closing his eyes as he
leaned against his chest. “That bad, ne?”
            “I won’t be able to keep the balance for much longer, Red. I wish I
could, but…”
            “It’s all right. We’re only so powerful.” Red reassured him. He
kissed the Dragon Master then, feeling him relax slightly. Much better…
            “Besides, it’s not your fault. You’re doing the best you can, and
at least you have me, ne?”
            Lance nodded, but still looked rather disappointed. Red squirmed in
his lap, earning a glare from the Dragon Master as his body began to respond.
            “You’re not dead, and we can talk about duties another day – I
already know what’s expected of me, Lance, since I remember. Now play with me.”
            “As you wish.” Lance hissed, and kissed him, as Red laughed
mentally.
 
End Fic
Completed 1/11/07
Investment is the purchase of goods that will be used in the future to produce
more goods and services. (Brief_Principles_of_Macroeconomics,_4th_Edition by N.
Gregory Mankiw) Buying a new house is an investment…
***** Chapter 23 *****
Title: Government
Author: Shadow/Phantomness
Pairing: Championshipping (Lance x Red)
Fandom: Pokémon
Theme: #23, Government Spending
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: Shonen-ai
 
            “I hate President Goodman.” Red seethed quietly, as he and Lance
basked in the warmth of a hot spring. Finally, the Winter Championships were
over and the Champions could relax.
            “I hate the entire government.” Lance said. “The Council is full of
stuck-up idiots. However, they do have one benefit.”
            Red blinked. “What?”
            “Who do you think pays our salary? All the money bills go through
the Governing Council before the President signs them.”
            “… Oh.” Red nodded. “Well, they aren’t completely useless then.
After all, doesn’t the government run the Pokemon Centers too?”
            Lance nodded. “That’s one of their highest expenses, next to
military funding.”
            “I guess they’re not totally useless then.” Red pouted. Lance
chuckled as he kissed the younger Champion.
            “And what of me, Champion?”
            “I think you’re wonderful.” Red grinned. “And that’s all that
matters.”
            Lance smiled.
 
End Fic
Completed 1/13/07
Government Spending is one of the largest contributors to the Gross Domestic
Product *cough* Iraq war *cough*
***** Chapter 24 *****
Title: Consequences
Author: Shadow/Phantomness
Pairing: Championshipping (Lance x Red)
Fandom: Pokémon
Theme: #24, Net Exports
Rating: PG-13
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: Shonen-ai
 
            Lance angrily threw the papers on his desk into his fireplace with
an expression of absolute disgust. President Goodman was going too far.
Advocating trade quotas with Orre just to cover the budget shortfall he had
caused by going to war with Johto was outrageous!
            As if that were not vile enough, he had exported their entire
supply of rice. There would be quite a few food shortages this year, and he was
sure the poorer people were already turning to alternative sources of
nutrition.
            He shuddered.
            Someone had to do something… but how? He sighed as he glanced at
his shelves, seeing the array of poisons lined up neatly in their glass
bottles. It would be quick, perhaps not clean…
            But would killing Goodman change anything? The Kanto Governing
Council was as corrupt as he…
           
            “Lance!”
            The Dragon Master jumped, before the door to his room was flung
open and Red rushed in.
            “Hide me!”
            “…” Lance blinked, even as Red rushed into his bedroom. He followed
at a statelier place, wondering just what was going on. Red hurriedly began
flinging his clothes off, leaving the Dragon Master to stare at him. That was
when Red yanked him onto the bed and kissed him, hard.
            He felt his body respond, unwillingly, and that was when footsteps
sounded. A moment later, four men in police uniforms burst in. They froze when
they saw the scene.
            “Do you mind?” Lance asked stiffly, trying to ignore the blush
rising on his cheeks, as Red slid his hand between the older teen’s legs,
undoing the single zipper on his black catsuit.
            “I-I’m sorry, Master Lance, Champion Red. We… we must have been
mistaken.” They wilted out of the room, closing the door quietly behind them.
 
            Lance waited until they were gone, before he pulled Red into a
kiss. When they broke apart, he leaned and whispered softly, “What happened?”
            “I killed him.” Red whispered back.
            “I thought so. I was wondering if you would.”
            “I didn’t think you wanted to, but I’m not frightened. I don’t care
what happens now.”
            “Perhaps.” The Dragon Master considered. “But you should be.”
            “Why?” Red blinked.
            “Because,” Lance purred, as he bent down and captured Red’s lips in
another kiss, “I’m planning to ravish you, Champion.”
            “Oh?” Red smirked. “That might be fun.”
            “Mmhmm…” Lance said, feeling Red clutch him tightly. “I think so
too.”
 
End Fic
Completed 1/7/07
Net Exports is the sum of a country’s exports minus its imports. The U.S. has a
negative net export. Budget deficits are bad. Too much econ on the brain…
 
***** Chapter 25 *****
Title: Diminishing Returns
Author: Shadow/Phantomness
Pairing: Championshipping (Lance x Red/Ash)
Fandom: Pokémon
Theme: #25, Diminishing Returns
Rating: PG-13
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, fanon, shonen-ai
 
            “Why isn’t it working? Why?” He demanded.
            Satoshi smiled sweetly at Ookido-Hakase. “Did you truly think we
had not prepared for such a thing, Professor?”
            Wataru’s eyes were a glittering blaze of red-gold as the restraints
around his wrists snapped. He pulled himself free as he held out a hand, a
sword glittering into view, with a silver hilt and a blade of jagged ice.
            Ookido-Hakase frowned, and that was when Wataru lunged forwards.
The pain was excruciating, and even as he groped for the emergency button in
his lab, he felt life slipping from his fingers and he slumped to the ground.
            “Finished.” Wataru said quietly. “I do wish it had not taken so
long.”
            Satoshi nodded. “Eventually, we would have activated our power
before he started his crazy experiments. After that, well, it was just waiting
for the trap to spring.”
            “Do you regret it?” Wataru asked.
            Satoshi shook his head. “No.”
            “Truly?”
            “Wataru… I want to stay with you. Forever. That’s all. Don’t you
understand? Nothing else matters now that I remember this. And I want to love
you, like you love me…” Tears shimmered in his eyes, and Wataru bent down,
capturing Satoshi’s lips in a tender kiss.
            “I understand.” He whispered.
 
End Fic
Completed 1/13/07
Diminishing Returnsis the property whereby the benefit from an extra unit of an
input declines as the quantity of the input increase. For example, if Robinson
Crusoe is stranded on an island and has to catch fish with his bare hands, he
won’t catch many fish. If you give him a fishing pole, he catches more fish.
However, as you give him more and more fishing poles, he can’t man them all and
so he eventually stops catching fish or catches less fish.
***** Chapter 26 *****
Title: Catch-Up Effect
Author: Shadow/Phantomness
Pairing: Championshipping (Lance x Red)
Fandom: Pokémon
Theme: #26, Catch-Up Effect
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: Shonen-ai
 
            Red sighed as he recalled his Charizard outside the Pallet Town
city limits. His mom was already waiting at the door when he walked up the
path, smiling brightly in her white apron and holding a broom.
            “How was your trip to Orre, honey?”
            Red shrugged. “It was all right, but everything was so expensive.
Took quite a chunk out of my savings.”
            “Ah yes, they’re going through a period of high inflation right
now.” His mother said. “But come on in, I’ve got dinner ready.”
            Red smiled. “Fried chicken?”
            “With mashed potatoes and string beans.”
            “Yay! Thanks mom.”
            No more on finance was said, and after a hearty dinner and a good
night’s sleep, Red returned to the Indigo Plateau the next morning.
 
            Lance was already at his desk, busily moving through his mountain
of paperwork. The Dragon Master wished him good morning and buried his head in
the white stack once again.
            Red groaned when he saw the pile on his own desk. With a sigh, he
picked up his pen and got to work.
            Fan mail… fan mail… credit card bill… love letter…          
            Honestly, he couldn’t see the advantage of the Championship at all…
he watched as Lance carried a bulging armful of papers to the recycling slot in
the wall, and cracked a grin.
            “How are you holding up? Was Orre fun?” Lance asked, about two
hours later. Red finished signing the proposal for reduced Center rates and
sighed.
            “It was pretty different. All dry and dusty, and everything was
overpriced.”
            “Ah.” Lance shrugged. “Well, it could have been worse.”
            “I had to fight off a biker gang in the desert who tried to steal
my pokémon and supplies!” Red fumed.
            “It’s a sad fact that the lack of an organized central government
breeds chaos and anarchy.”
            Red grinned. “But I won. I even got these.” He held out two poke
balls.
            Lance chuckled. “So you turned the tables on them and ran off with
their pokémon instead? Dangerous, Champion!”
            “Why? No one’s going to catch me.”
            “… True, that.”
            “Aren’t they pretty?”
            Lance wondered how Red could possibly call a Cacnea and Trapinch
pretty, but decided not to mention it.
            Trapinch could evolve into a beautiful Flygon…
            “Looks like you didn’t do too badly then, ne?”
            Red nodded, before he leaned over to whisper in Lance’s ear. “Did
you miss me while I was gone?”
            “Quite.” Lance replied, before he tipped his head upwards and
kissed the Champion. Red giggled.
            “I missed you a lot.” He shoved the paperwork off of his desk, and
grinned. “So, Dragon Master… can we catch up now?”
            Lance stalked over to the younger teen, smirking. “Yes.”
            And they did.
 
End Fic
Completed 1/17/07
The Catch-Up Effect refers to the property whereby countries that start out
poor tend to grow more rapidly than countries that start out rich. (Brief
principles_of_Macroeconomics,_4th_Edition by N. Gregory Mankiw)
***** Chapter 27 *****
Title: Standards
Author: Shadow/Phantomness
Pairing: Championshipping (Lance x Red)
Fandom: Pokémon
Theme: #27, Standard of Living
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: Shonen-ai
 
            It was not coincidence that the Standard of Living in Kanto and
Johto and Houen far outpaced that of Orre. After all, though Orre sat on one of
the largest oil deposits in their area of the world, their wealth was
concentrated in a few monopolistic families and much of the population starved
– their desert climate was hardly suitable for agriculture and there were
scarcely any wild pokémon to e seen. Even the Sandshrew and Cacnea had been
imported from Houen.
            Red was just glad he didn’t live there, and when he asked Lance,
the Dragon Master agreed, before smiling.
            Then again, he reflected, as Lance kissed him, his life wasn’t bad
at all.
 
End Fic
Completed 1/8/07
Standard of Living (allows you to afford Cost of Living (CPI). Cost of living
is the typical consumer’s basket of goods/services. Standard of living is how
much of that basket you can afford.
It’s kind of confusing, isn’t it? *Cries*
***** Chapter 28 *****
Title: Money
Author: Shadow/Phantomness
Pairing: Championshipping (Lance x Red/Ash)
Fandom: Pokémon
Theme: #28, Money
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, shonen-ai
           
He pulled his knees close to his chest, trying hard not to think of the heavy
weight around his neck or the way his father’s fingers curved around the strand
of cowrie shells. It was unjust, and he knew it, but debt had weighed heavily
on their family farm and now, he sat in a corner of the dusty, dank room,
listening to the cries of the other children and young adults.
He wanted to go home…
He wanted to forget this was happening. Why had his Father and Mother done
this? Why…?
Was he that worthless?
 
Steps sounded, and a sudden bright light intruded on their cells. He glanced
over, seeing the slave trader, squat and bearded, escorting a visitor down the
stairs. Sweat glistened over his toned muscles as he talked in a wheedling
voice.
“Oh yes, your lordship, the younger ones are here… you have excellent taste…”
The other man was hooded and veiled in stark white, gleaming in the darkness
like a pale moon. Only his eyes showed, a brilliant shade of gold.
He stopped, inspecting them with a casual glance, before his eyes settled.
Red shivered as those orbs fixed upon him.
“I’ll take this one.”
            “Of course, your lordship.” The man untied him from the ring in the
wall with an oily smile. “Any others?”
            “They are not to my liking.” The man said quietly, but Red sensed
veiled menace, even as the manacles fastened around his wrists. He obediently
took his place behind his new owner.
            Anything was better than that oppressive darkness. At least now
he’d be able to move! The manacles weren’t as bad as being bound to a wall, and
even the leash didn’t bother him too much as he was led out of the cellar. The
man placed a heavy bag bulging with brightly polished gems in front of the
slave trader, who was practically salivating.
            “For you trouble.” He said, and then walked off briskly. Red
struggled to keep up, his legs unused to movement after several days of
immobility.
            For many long moments, they did not speak; but finally, they
reached a gleaming white building. The man beckoned Red inside, so he followed.
The heavy oaken doors slide shut behind them, as Red swallowed nervously.
            What was going to happen to him?
 
            “I heard Giovanni fell on hard times, but this is ridiculous.” The
man said.
            “You know my Father?” Red gaped.
            “Of course I do.” He said, before he removed his hood. Red’s eyes
lit up brightly.
            “Lance! I didn’t know you were back from Johto!”
            “Yes, well, I did quite well there.” Lance shrugged elegantly. “But
the question is, do you want to go home?”
            Red hesitated. He would have said yes, but knowing that his Father
would probably sell him again if he needed money was very discouraging.
            “I’m not sure…” He said hesitantly.
            “I suspected as much. Well, you’re welcome to stay with me for the
time being.” He bent down as he murmured a few words underneath his breath.
Instantly, white flame lit on his fingertips and Red’s manacles melted away.
Then when he touched the collar it did the same.
            Red gaped at Lance. “You learned mage-craft while you were gone?”
            “Of a sort.” The man agreed. “Food and a bath next, I suppose?”
            Red nodded. Lance pointed him to the bathing chambers, and when he
had finished washing himself and had dressed in a loose robe and was sitting
next to Lance, eating bread spread thickly with strawberry jam and sweet honey,
he felt a lot better.
            Lance said little, though they way he was watching him made Red
slightly unnerved. Of course, it had been several years since they had seen
each other, but still!
            It seemed that Lance really had grown up…
 
            “So, what’s been happening while I was gone?”
            Red shrugged. “There’s not much to tell. It’s been a drought for
three years. I guess we finally ran out of money this year.”
            Lance nodded, helping himself to a pomegranate. Red watched as he
ate it delicately, slice by slice. Lance was wearing nail guards; sharp silver
ones that acted like miniature blades. After he had finished, he excused
himself.
            Those robes looked good on him though, and the tiny bells in his
hair and on his wrists and ankles tinkled softly. They looked like they were
made of silver.
            Red blushed, not liking where his thoughts were heading. He and
Lance were just friends! And Lance had saved his life, or at least his
virginity, and now, things could go back to normal. In a few days the stress
would wear off and everything would be fine. Just fine…
            He nodded as he finished eating.
 
            < If you take this boy, > Lugia’s voice rumbled in his mind, < You
will lose my magic. I shall strip the gift from those I deem unworthy. >
            < I know. > Lance replied. < I am not planning to do such a thing.
>
            < Make certain that you adhere to my commandments. >
            Lance inclined his head, feeling white energy pulse in his heart.
Nonsense. He and Red were friends and friends only, and as a Dragon-mage, he
had a vow of chastity to keep. The idea of breaking it was laughable.
            Lugia-sama could rest content on that matter…
 
            Several days passed. Red recovered surprisingly quickly, and Lance
smiled as he watched the boy fondly. He was strong – he would make an excellent
mage if trained. His eyes recognized the spark of power in Red’s soul that
could be coaxed into mage-fire… but he said nothing, content to let Red live
his own life.
            He hardly begrudged Red the basic necessities. He could create gold
if he wished to, but he preferred not. Instead, he wove power into song and
silence, and hid his status as Dragon-Mage.
            It was too tedious to show off, after all.
           
            Red wondered about Lance. Save for when he ate, the man kept his
face and body covered. He wondered if it were a requirement of the mage class
and shook his head.
            No, he would never become a mage. He would have been a farmer, if
things had gone differently so why was he wishing?
            Wishing was for fools.
            “It is too dangerous.” Lance whispered, as the other nodded, her
golden eyes a mirror of his, though her robes were a warm orange-red, instead
of stark white. “It is safer if he never knows.”
            “And you will lose nothing.” She replied.
            His lips curved up in a half-smile. “It is better this way. You
know it as well as I.”
            “Will you miss loving him?”
            “Perhaps,” Lance agreed, slightly wistful. “But at least, no one
needs to die.”
            And Charlotte agreed.
 
End Fic
Completed 1/13/07
Money is the set of assets in an economy that people regularly use to buy goods
and services from other people. It doesn’t have to be gold coins or paper or
anything, heck, Island of Yap rocks work and so do beads, cowrie shells, stuff
like that…
 
The shonen-ai is implied, of course…
 
Commodity Money is money that takes the form of a commodity with intrinsic
value, like gold or cigarettes. Fiat Money is money that has value because the
government decrees it. Needless to say, fiat money doesn’t work well in an
unstable economy or when there is hyperinflation. (Brief_Principles_of
Macroeconomics,_4th_Edition by N. Gregory Mankiw)
***** Chapter 29 *****
Title: Barter
Author: Shadow/Phantomness
Pairing: Championshipping (Lance x Red)
Fandom: Pokémon
Theme: #29, Barter
Rating: PG-13
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: Shota, shonen-ai, AU, prostitution
 
            Snow fell quietly, wispy white flakes brushing his cheeks as he
stalked through the streets. It was getting late, and he wanted nothing more
than to get home. A footstep sounded behind him, and he felt something brush
against his cloak. Golden eyes narrowed as he caught sight of a child with
messy black hair and the most intriguing eyes he had ever seen.
            “Yes?” He asked.
            The boy shivered, but met his gaze squarely. “Monsieur… I will take
you to my room for a piece of bread.”
            The words gave him a start, and he realized that it was not quite a
lost child, but a child prostitute. With a sigh, he nodded.
            “Follow me.”
            The boy perked up at that. Lance walked quickly, his boots
crunching against the snow as he strode towards his apartment. Moments later,
he palmed the door open, ignoring the gasp of shock and awe.
            “First things first,” Lance said critically, “What’s your name?”
            “Red…”
            “I see. Well, what would you like for dinner?”
            Red’s eyes widened. Lance walked briskly between the cabinets,
fingertips flickering with power. “You’re a mage?”
            Lance nodded curtly, before he decided. Before long, Red was seated
in front of a steaming tray of vegetables and chicken soup. The boy happily
applied himself, as Lance watched, eyes hooded.
            Red ate heartily, before he turned to the man a bit nervously. “Um…
what should I call you?” He asked hesitantly.
           
            Lance half-smiled. “Wataru.”
            “Oh, all right. Wataru…”
            “Wait.” Lance said, as he began steering Red down a hallway. Red
blinked, before realizing that they were heading into a bathing chamber. Steam
billowed from a hot tub, and Red gratefully sank into the water as Lance
followed, stripping off his clothing with a few practiced motions.
            For long moments, neither one said anything, before Red finally
worked up his courage and reached out a hand.
            Lance blinked. “You shouldn’t force yourself to do this.”
            “But…” Red goggled at him. “How else am I supposed to pay you?”
            Lance smirked, pulling Red into a kiss. “Well, I didn’t say you
couldn’t enjoy it.” He purred, watching crimson eyes widen in realization.
            After that, things were relatively simple.
 
End Fic
Completed 1/10/07
Bartering is trading for what you want, but without money. It usually only
works in small societies and involves a lot of wasted time and it takes many
trades to finally get what you want.
 
I don’t want to study economics! *Wail* Midterm. Grr.
***** Chapter 30 *****
Title: Currency
Author: Shadow/Phantomness
Pairing: Championshipping (Lance x Red/Ash)
Fandom: Pokémon
Theme: #30, Currency
Rating: PG-13
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: Shonen-ai
 
            “Get your hands off me.” Lance snarled.
            The burly muscleman did not seem inclined to listen to his words,
so Lance smashed a palm heel strike into his nose and then flicked his poisoned
needles from their holster into his left hand.
            He casually stabbed both needles deep into the man’s chest before
he walked off, leaving a bleeding corpse behind him.
            Idiot.
            A thought occurred to him, and he reached into the man’s coat,
finding a wallet stuffed with bills. He pocketed it, smirked and continued on
his way. Really, when would people get the message that he wasn’t interested?
           
            Red was waiting when he got home.
            “What happened? You’re late.”
            The Dragon Master shrugged. “I ran into a spot of trouble.”
            Red sighed. “Obsessive fans?”
            “Of a sort, yes. Here.” Lance tossed Red the wallet. “That should
cover our rent for a while.”
            Red nodded, leafing through it in surprise. “Lance… there’s a lot
in here.”
            “So much the better. Now we won’t have to flash our credit cards
all the time.”
            Red chuckled. It was nice to have a hiding spot away from the
Plateau, and the room wasn’t badly furnished, though he wished the carpet
weren’t such an ugly shade of brown. Here, they could pretend to be starving
college students with none the wiser.
           
            “So, what did you want for dinner? I made spaghetti.”
            “Spaghetti sounds wonderful.” Lance flopped down on the couch while
Red grinned and pecked him on the cheek.
            “It shouldn’t take long to reheat. I’ll be right back.”
            Lance listened to the sound of the microwave humming, before Red
returned with a bowl of pasta. The tomato sauce glittered bight red with green
specks of some unidentifiable spice, but Lance paid it little heed as he dug
in.
            “Is it good?” Red asked anxiously.
            “Delicious.” Lance smiled, and it was true. He finished the rest of
the noodles quickly, before he smiled at Red. “How was your calculus class
today?”
            Red groaned. “I don’t want to talk about it. I hate derivatives.”
            “Well, it was your choice to take…”
            “And how I’m paying for it!” The Champion groaned. “But at least
there, I’m anonymous, and there aren’t any rabid fangirls chasing me.”
            “Is it better than battling?”
            “Of course not, but I like this break.”
            Lance set the bowl down, wiping a smear of sauce from his mouth as
he smiled. “Well, now that that is finished…”
            Red cuddled up next to him as they turned the television on, and
for a while, they just enjoyed each other’s company.
            Peace.
 
End Fic
Currency is money, but the economics definition is ‘The paper bills and coins
in the hands of the public’. (Brief_Principles_of_Macroeconomics,_4th_Edition
by N. Gregory Mankiw) I have a headache…
***** Chapter 31 *****
Title: Discount Rate
Author: Shadow/Phantomness
Pairing: Championshipping (Lance x Red)
Fandom: Pokémon
Theme: #31, Discount Rate
Rating: NC-17
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: Shonen-ai, AU, and PWP
 
            Lance blinked as he watched Red walk in the door, carrying a sheaf
of papers. “Nice to see you again.”
            Red plunked down the files on his desk, before he took a deep
breath. “I need a loan.” He said.
            “Reserve Requirements below the minimum again?” Lance asked.
            Red nodded sheepishly. There were so many unpaid loans… the economy
was tanking, and people just couldn’t make payments. He was in danger of going
bankrupt. “Yes. Not just that. We’re going bankrupt.”
            “I guessed.” The man said quietly. “Well, let’s see.” After a few
hours of reading through paperwork, Lance approved a loan for fifty thousand
pokeyen, at an interest rate of 3% a year. Nothing too damaging…
            Red sighed in relief, as the money was electronically transferred.
           
            “So now what?”
            “Hmm?” Lance blinked at him.
            “You told me that if I wanted a loan, I’d have to do something more
than what we did last week. So what is it?”
            “Are you sure you’re willing?” Lance asked.
            Red shrugged. “It didn’t hurt at all last time.”
            “True…” Lance shrugged. “Well, we might as well get warmed up.” He
got up and locked his door, even as Red began to pull off his clothing. Really,
this man was admirable, but…
            “Don’t you care that you’re practically whoring yourself out to
me?”
            “Should I?”
            “Most people would.” Lance said quietly.
            “Well, I’m doing it to help people, so it’s not that important.”
Red shrugged. “Besides, if it’s this instead of fines, you’re actually being
nice to me.”
            “… True…”
            “And you’re pretty.”
            That was not what the inspector had expected. Golden eyes narrowed
in contemplation, even as he felt Red wrap arms around his waist. Mm…
            “Ooh, are you getting hard?” Red asked. “That’s nice. It will make
this easier.”
            Lance closed his eyes, feeling Red fumble with his pants and free
his cock. The man started with a few casual touches, but soon slipped his mouth
over the tip and began to suckle. He was getting better at this, Lance noted
idly, and wondered if he had been practicing. He abandoned the thought after a
few minutes, when he came hard and Red swallowed around him with an innocent
grin.
            “Now what?”
            Lance reached into his desk, coming up with a bottle of champagne.
It wasn’t the best, but it would do. “Come here.”
            Red obeyed, even as Lance broke the seal and poured a generous
amount into the glass on his desk. He coated his fingers well, before he
wriggled one into Red’s body.
            The other man twitched. The alcohol stung, but in a good way, and
he felt that finger brush against something in his body that gave him a shiver
of pleasure.
            “Wow…”
            “It gets better.” Lance promised, adding a second figure. Red
nodded, leaning against the desk for support as he felt a third finger enter
him. Gods…
 
            Then they were gone, and there was something larger, and he cried
out even as he felt Lance push inside, pleasure and pain mingling as Lance
began to thrust into him. He felt his own cock rising to attention, and he
began to push backwards against each thrust, crying out as he felt his orgasm
nearing its peak. The man pounding into him hissed, as he felt hot warmth flood
his bowels, and that feeling was enough to send him spiraling over the edge
with a shout.
            When he came to, he found Lance carefully wiping him off with a
towel soaked in more champagne. Red shivered, both at the implications and the
cool touch.
            “Are you all right?” Lance asked. His hair was in disarray and he
had taken off his spectacles. Red blushed.
            “I-I’m fine…”
            Lance really was pretty though, very pretty! And he was doing this
for the good of Pallet Town, so he really didn’t feel guilty at all.
            He left after a few more minutes, feeling giddy, and it could not
all be attributed to the new loan.
 
End Fic
The Discount Rate is the interest rate on the loans that the Federal Reserve
makes to banks. (Brief_Principles_of_Macroeconomics, 4th Edition by N. Gregory
Mankiw) Raising the discount rate lowers the supply of money, lowering the
discount rate increases the supply of money.
This takes place after Theme #32, Reserve Requirements
 
Red: I’m whoring myself out for the greater good?!
Lance: *Smirk* I don’t mind
Phantomness: It’s IC for you, all right? Lance is hot, he’s not abusing you,
and the end justifies the means. Plus it gives you a chance to be heroic!
Red: *Sobs*
Lance: *molests*
***** Chapter 32 *****
Title: Reserve Requirement
Author: Shadow/Phantomness
Pairing: Championshipping (Lance x Red)
Fandom: Pokémon
Theme: #32, Reserve Requirements
Rating: NC-17
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, Shonen-ai, and PWP
 
            Lance raised his spectacles slightly, peering at the bank manager
through the top of his lenses. His golden eyes were hard and Red fidgeted
slightly under the gaze.
            “You do realize that this is the third time this month you have
been unable to fulfill the minimum reserve requirement of nine percent.” He
said silkily.
            Red nodded miserably. He had loaned out too much money again. His
kind heart made him ill suited for his position, but as his father had recently
passed away, as and a replacement had not been found he was currently Pallet
Town’s bank manager.
            “You do realize that there are fines and fees for this sort of
thing.”
            Red winced. “Yes.”
            “However, I am afraid that if I chose to extract those penalties at
this moment, your bank would fail, and that would be counterproductive.
Therefore…”
            “Therefore?”
            “I believe I shall choose another means of payment.”
            Red blinked, and that was when Lance grabbed him by the tie and
kissed him. He blushed to the tips of his ears as he realized what the
inspector wanted.
            It would cost nothing, really, and if it helped his lenders, then…
            “All right.” He murmured, as their kiss broke.
 
            Lance raked his eyes over Red’s form. “Strip.” He said simply. Red
colored, but moved to obey, starting with his suit, then his dress shirt and
tie… finally, he stood before the other man in only his boxers.
            “Now what?”
            “… You don’t know?” Lance asked, nonplussed.
            “It’s not like I do this kind of thing regularly.” Red muttered.
            Lance’s eyebrows rose slightly. He would have to be careful then.
“Well, you can start by… hmm… I’d better teach you.”
            “… Wait, what?” Red demanded, before Lance glided over and kissed
him again. He colored as he felt the man’s arms wrap around him, and an
uncomfortable feeling began to manifest between his legs. Still, Lance wasn’t a
pretty girl, so why?
            Lance slid to his knees, before he reached between Red’s legs and
grasped his cock. Crimson eyes widened in shock as his boxers were pulled down,
even as Lance began to stroke.
            Red slumped against the wall, feeling heat rise in his cheeks. It
felt so good… the feel of slim fingers running over his shaft. As he watched,
it continued to rise and harden, and he gasped, feeling his heartbeat escalate.
A strange feeling began to pool in his chest, and he bucked his hips forwards
as stars exploded behind his eyes.
            Lance smiled, smirking as he watched fluid trickle down his
fingers. Red took a few deep, shuddering breaths, before his eyes cleared.
            “D-Do you want me to do that to you now?” He asked.
            “Mm,” Lance agreed, licking his fingers. Red colored brightly,
wanting to tear his eyes away but finding himself unable to do so. He felt
himself stiffening again at the display, and knelt down. Lance was reclining on
the floor, propped up by an elbow, looking like … Red couldn’t think of a
suitable analogy, but he quickly unfastened the man’s pants and pulled out his
erection, blushing.
            If he closed his eyes and just rubbed, it wasn’t so bad, but he was
starting to feel strange, and as he watched the tip begin to glisten with
fluid, he couldn’t resist bending down to taste it. Lance hissed, and Red
concluded that he had done it correctly. He began to lavish the rod with licks,
and it wasn’t long before the other man shivered, before spurting pearly cum
over his hands and face.
            Red lapped it up, not wanting to make a mess, and grinned. That
hadn’t been too bad. “Is that all?” He asked.
            “Well,” Lance purred, “If you want to take a loan from us to cover
your reserve requirements, I’ll need something more.”
            “… I’ll think about it.” Red told him.
            Lance shrugged as he zipped himself up. “Pleasure doing business
with you. I’ll see you again next month.”
            Red nodded, and after Lance had gone, went home and wondered.
 
End Fic
Completed 1/16/07
The Reserve Requirementsare the regulations on the minimum amount of reserves
that banks must hold against deposits. (Brief_Principles_of_Macroeconomics,_4th
Edition by N. Gregory Mankiw) For example, if the reserve ratio is 10%, and 100
dollars were deposited in a bank, the bank only needs to keep $10 and can loan
the other $90 out to promote investment and economic growth.
 
***** Chapter 33 *****
Title: Medium of Exchange
Author: Shadow/Phantomness
Pairing: Championshipping (Lance x Red/Ash)
Fandom: Pokémon
Theme: #33, Medium of Exchange
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: Shonen-ai, fanon references
 
            “That’ll be five hundred pokeyen.”
            Red handed over the money with a smile.
            “Enjoy.” The smiling lady said, handing over two Poke Balls and an
Antidote. Red walked out of the Pokemon Mart with a smile. That had been
relatively simple. He was glad that he had chosen to wear sunglasses and a
bright brown wig of hair. It helped deter fangirls admirably.
            He saw Lance calmly sitting outside a café, sipping on an iced
green tea and chatting with a girl. His eyes lit up as he walked over.
 
            “Charlotte!”
            She grinned as Red hugged her. “Nice to see you too, Champion.”
            “What were you talking about? Anything interesting?” Red asked,
taking a seat next to them. The waitress came up and he ordered a chocolate
malt with a smile.
            “I wish.” Lance said. “We were discussing how well trade was going
on between Cosmos and Indigo. They export a lot of our foodstuffs, after all,
but the strange weather has caused more than half of their citrus fruit supply
to freeze, so... the price is going up for those. Strawberries and cherries are
up too.”
            Red nodded. It made sense, but he hated going to trade talks.
Still, he knew enough to know that trade with Cosmos was important – a lot of
their chocolate came from there! And if the price of fruit were going up, that
would be bad.
            It was lucky his salary as Champion let him eat well…
 
            His chocolate malt arrived, and he thanked the waitress as he
stirred the thick liquid with the straw, taking a sip. Yum.
            He listened to them talk for a while longer, before Charlotte’s
cell phone rang. She picked up and her expression changed.
            “Sorry, Lance. I have to run. Challenge match.”
            “Perfectly understandable. I’m glad we had some time to talk.” The
Johto Champion rejoined. “I’ll see you again soon.”
            “Yes. Sorry I couldn’t talk more.” She released her Eterneon and
vanished in a flash of white light, as Lance shrugged.
           
            The waitress came with the bill, and Red handed her his credit
card. She nodded as she left and returned a few minutes later with the bill for
him to sign. He finished his malt and then he and Lance teleported back to the
Indigo Plateau with his Espeon.
            “It’s all supply and demand, ne?”
            “Pretty much.” The Dragon Master agreed. “But we shouldn’t lose too
much money.”
            “Actually, if we went there for a few weeks, wouldn’t the prices be
cheaper? I’d like a vacation.”
            Lance chuckled. “Well, when you put it that way, it’s rather
economically efficient to do so. I’m sure she wouldn’t mind the company.”
            Red beamed. “So we can go?”
            “I don’t see why not.”
            “Great! I’ll start packing right now!” Red cheered. Soon, he was
all packed, with his suitcases loaded on Lance’s Charizard. The Dragon Master
shook his head and gathered his important possessions quickly, before they both
soared off.
            Needless to say, Charlotte was a bit surprised to find them waiting
outside the Champion’s Residence, but she shrugged and invited them in with a
grin.
            “Came here to escape the high import taxes?”
            “In a way.”
            “… You’ve been taking economics?”
            “Not really. It’s just that Lance taught me a bit.” Red hugged
Lance then, and Charlotte raised an eyebrow.
            “I see. Well, you’re welcome to stay for as long as you like….”
            “Thanks a lot, Charlotte!”
            “Just don’t let me catch you two together, and I won’t say a word.”
The Cosmos Champion smirked. Red colored as Lance gave a mock salute.
            “Of course we wouldn’t show off.” The Dragon Master purred.
Charlotte just shook her head as she walked off, just as Red hugged Lance
tightly.
            “You don’t like her, right?”
            “Red, I’m not in love with her. It should be obvious by now.”
            Red nodded. “Good. Now kiss me and promise.”
            “All right,” Lance agreed, and did so.
 
End Fic
Completed 1/17/07
A Medium of Exchange is something people accept in exchange for goods and
services. (Brief_Principles_of_Macroeconomics,_4th_Edition by N. Gregory
Mankiw)
Money is obviously the favored medium of exchange…
 
Eterneon is a light-type pokémon (an Eevee evolution) created by me, and
Charlotte is my OC, the Champion of Cosmos Island my fan-created region. Don’t
steal her!
***** Chapter 34 *****
Title: Accountability
Author: Shadow/Phantomness
Pairing: Championshipping (Lance x Red/Ash)
Fandom: Pokémon
Theme: #34, Unit of Account
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: Shonen-ai
 
            “I love you and I’ll never, ever leave you…” Lance whispered, and
Red shivered as he felt sharp fingers tangle in his short hair. He nodded
wordlessly against the older Champion’s chest, feeling his eyes slide shut. He
wanted nothing more than to stay with Lance, forever and ever, and he was not
letting anyone get in his way.
            Never.
            He felt Lance stiffen, and he opened his eyes to glare at the woman
who had just climbed in their window. He recognized her clothing first and
foremost. The white robes with the anti-poké ball symbol on the back,
surmounted by a large cross.
            “You…”
            “Blasphemous Heretics!” She screeched. “Bedding children!”
            Lance sighed. It was another member from the growing fundamentalist
movement that approved of anything outside of traditionalist marriage, even
casual dating. He and Red had gotten many angry letters since he had become
Champion, and even outright attacks were becoming common.
            With a flick of his wrist, Red released his Articuno, and snapped
out an order for diamond dust. The woman froze, frozen solid, before her body
began to glow. The two Champions watched in amusement for a few minutes, before
there was naught but a diamond statue remaining.
            “Another one to add to our collection.” Red shrugged. “Unless you
want to chip her into pieces and sell her on the black market?”
            “I’m up for it.” The Dragon Master said with a sly grin. A phone
call later, the deed was done and the Champions were a few million pokeyen
richer, not that they needed the money.
            Red smiled as he leaned against Lance, basking in the glow of love.
 
End Fic
Completed 1/17/07
Unit of Account is the yardstick people use to post prices and record debts.
(Brief_Principles_of_Macroeconomics,_4th_Edition by N. Gregory Mankiw) For
example, we say a poke ball is 200 pokeyen and a Chesto berry is only 20
pokeyen, but we do not say a poke ball is equivalent to 20 Chesto berries…
***** Chapter 35 *****
Title: Liquidity
Author: Shadow/Phantomness
Pairing: Championshipping (Lance x Red)
Fandom: Pokémon
Theme: #35, Liquidity
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: Shonen-ai
 
            “No one’s posted an offer for my auction yet.” Red sighed.
            Lance shrugged. “Well, you are doing it anonymously. If, say, you
were going to sell that Chimecho as previously owned by the League Champion,
you would get quite a few more takers. Why are you selling pokémon anyway?”
            “It’s a secret!”
            “There must be better ways to make money. Is your salary as
Champion not enough?”
            “I’m saving for college.” Red told the Dragon Master, who chuckled.
            “Ah, well then you’ll need quite a bit…”
            “I know. I don’t want to have to pay off lots of government loans
later.”
            “Makes sense to me.” Lance agreed. “But staring at the website and
refreshing every five minutes is not going to change anything. It’ll just
stress you out more. Come on, I’ll take you out.”         
            “Ice cream?” Red asked hopefully.
            “Sure.” A few minutes later, they were sitting on the beach near
Cerulean Cape, eating ice cream. Red took another bite of Rocky Road with a
smile.
            “Thanks, Lance. You’re right – I shouldn’t worry so much.”
            “The right buyer will come along eventually.” The Dragon Master
said philosophically. Red grinned as he leaned over and kissed him, keeping a
firm grip on his confection. Lance tasted of chocolate.
            “I believe you.”
 
End Fic
Completed 1/16/07
Liquidity is the ease with which an asset can be converted into the economy’s
medium of exchange. Money is the most liquid asset available. (Brief_Principles
of_Macroeconomics,_4th_Edition by N. Gregory Mankiw)
Pokemon are obviously not a very liquid asset, as you have to sell them to get
money and that might be a long process. In the real world equivalent, diamonds
and real estate aren’t very liquid either.
***** Chapter 36 *****
Title: Future
Author: Shadow/Phantomness
Pairing: Championshipping (Lance x Red)
Fandom: Pokémon
Theme: #36, Store of Value
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: Shonen-ai, insanity
 
            “Isn’t he pretty?” Red asked, and his voice sang with midsummer
madness. “Isn’t he absolutely beautiful?”
            Green felt something cold and hard settle in his throat, and behind
him, he heard his sister suck in a breath, eyes widening in shock. The man’s
eyes were closed, hair long and loose behind him, dressed in skintight black,
floating limply in a vat filled with pearly pink liquid. His mind idly
identified it as a nutrient base.
            If not for the wings, he would look perfectly human. Sharp metal
curled behind him in glittering arcs of steel, and Green suddenly was very
grateful that all that skin was covered. He did not wish to see the horrible
scars that might mar someone’s body. Implants that severe…!
            “Of course,” Red told them, and his voice was perfectly calm, “He
won’t wake up again, not even if I want him to. I cried and I sobbed and I
pleaded, and I promised but he wouldn’t wake up.”
            The Champion sighed, resting his fingertips against the glass wall
separating him from the Dragon Master.
            “It will take time. He need to heal, but someday, he will, and when
he does, I’ll be there for him.”
            Green and May exchanged glances, and wondered if it would be all
right to bring up the fact that Red really should give up.
 
End Fic
Completed 1/17/06
A Store of Value is an item that people can use to transfer purchasing power
from the present to the future (Brief_Principles_of_Macroeconomics,_4th_Edition
by N. Gregory Mankiw) Inflation inside, money is a pretty good store of value
as long as the government hasn’t fallen… or anything dramatic.
 
***** Chapter 37 *****
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: Shonen-ai
 
            “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…”
            Red blinked at Lance. “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.”
            “… That makes sense.” Red agreed, pouring himself a glass of milk.
“So we might get fired, ne?”
            “Regrettably, yes.”
            Red closed his eyes. “It might be nice.” He said wistfully. “To not
have stress. We’re rich enough to retire, aren’t we?”
            “For now, yes, but if inflation continues to rise money will be
practically worthless.” Lance turned another page, narrowing his eyes. So
unemployment was up by ten percent as well… perhaps it was time to make plans.
            “Oh. That’s bad…”
            “Yes.” Lance set the report down. “Red, things are looking quite
bad already. Would you mind relocating to our facility in Mount Silver?”
            Red 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.”
            Red 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
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)
 
***** Chapter 38 *****
Title: Loss
Author: Shadow/Phantomness
Pairing: Championshipping (Lance x Red)
Fandom: Pokémon
Theme: #38, Unemployment
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: Shonen-ai
 
            The sound of breaking glass reached Red’s ears as he entered the
room, and he winced. Lance was in a bad mood again, and it was always safe to
stay on the sidelines. He could never be quite sure how the Dragon Master would
react, but he was fairly sure Lance wouldn’t hurt him on purpose. Still…
            He blinked as Lance stalked out, with an armful of crystal goblets.
The Dragon Master’s eyes were a furious, blazing gold, and Red stared, torn
between fleeing or … oh Mew, but Lance was hot when he was angry…
            “They. Fired. Lorelei.” Lance hissed. He punctuated each statement
with a glass thrown in the direction of his office. Red interpreted it as anger
towards President Goodman, and he nodded. “They fired her, Red! Why in Lugia’s
name would they do that? She’s a much better trainer than Bruno, that
disgusting prick, but maybe he and President Goodman are shagging. It would
certainly explain why he always seems to avoid trouble.”
 
            Red choked, not liking the mental image, and briefly wondered who
would be on top before he sighed. “That bad?”
            Lance shrugged. “Well, she is my cousin. And I daresay I have some…
prejudices towards the fighting type trainer.” His lip curled up in a
contemptuous snarl, and Red nodded.
            “Well, at least you weren’t the one that got fired, ne?”
            “… True that.”
            “And besides, I don’t think you want to spend the rest of the
afternoon picking up shattered glass. There are better things to do.” Red
prompted.
            Lance smirked. “Are you offering yourself, Champion?”
            “Perhaps.” Red purred.
            “Well, in that case…” Lance flicked his fingers, watching as blue
light spread over the floor and pooled in the next room, shattered glass
reforming into perfect glassware once again. Viridian’s Power was so handy, and
he was the most experienced of the holders. Really, it was fortunate Yellow and
Giovanni had never discovered how it could evolve…
            “Perhaps we should adjourn to the bedroom?”
 
            Red grinned and hugged Lance tightly. “I’m sorry about Lorelei.”
            “It’s not your fault.”
            “Then why don’t you just dispose of Goodman?”
            “Too much trouble. Besides, I’d rather remove Bruno first.”
            Red nodded. “He keeps staring at us. That’s really disgusting.”
            The Dragon Master nodded, half-listening, as he pushed the door to
their bedroom open. He kissed the Champion, who squirmed happily, before they
made it to the bed and things took off from there.
 
            The next morning, President Goodman was quite stunned when he found
three resignation letters sitting on his desk. They were all coached in very
polite terms, but the fact that he had just lost his Elite and Champion was
devastating.
            Had firing Lorelei been a mistake?
            He wasn’t sure, and though he was marginally grateful Bruno had
remained, the man truthfully was the weakest of the Elite. Now what would he
do, without their power to control?
            Goodman cursed fluently, poured himself a large measure of brandy,
and gulped it down.
 
            “Yes…” Lance whispered, watching the security cameras in Goodman’s
office. “Feel the despair. The end will come for you soon enough.”
            Red smirked. “I hope his liver rots.”
            “Oh, it will.” Lance grinned. “And it is only what he deserves.”
            And Red agreed. 
 
End Fic
Completed 1/20/07
I’m not even sure why I chose to do this theme, except that it’s one of the
chapters on my final… *Glare* Anyways, Unemployment = the Natural Rate of
Unemployment, the normal rate of unemployment around which the unemployment
rate fluctuates, that never goes away in the long run, plus the Cyclical
Unemployment, which is short-run fluctuations around the natural rate caused by
business cycles. (Brief_Principles_of_Macroeconomics,_4th_Edition by N. Gregory
Mankiw) Of course, the other definition for unemployment is being out of a job,
and there will always be some Frictional Unemployment in an economy, because it
takes time for people to find a job they like. Also, Structural Unemployment is
caused by wages being above the market equilibrium price, which lowers demand
and causes a surplus in the supply of workers. Good grief!
 
***** Chapter 39 *****
Title: Automatic Stabilizer
Author: Shadow/Phantomness
Pairing: Championshipping (Lance x Red)
Fandom: Pokémon
Theme: #39, Automatic Stabilizer
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: Shonen-ai
 
            “Lance?”
            “Yes?” The Dragon Master asked.
            Red held an armful of buff-yellow tax forms. “Um… I have no idea
how to fill these out.”
            Lance chuckled. “I guess you’re finally over sixteen, ne?”
            Red nodded sheepishly, as he put the pile down on Lance’s desk.
“You will help me, right?”
            “I did promise.” The Dragon Master agreed with a grin. Red beamed,
and together, they began working through the income. Red was very glad that all
he had was a checking and savings account, looking at the tangled plots of
mutual funds, stocks, bonds, and Mew knew what else. It was so much trouble!
            He wasn’t too happy when he found out exactly how much he would be
taxed, but after all, taxes paid for Pokemon Centers and that was good, so he
didn’t say anything, and if it helped keep the economy running so they could
keep pokemon journeying, that was even better.
            It was late by the time they finished, but as he yawned and cuddled
Lance, he decided that there were worse things he could be doing, and signed
his name at the bottom of the form. It was done.
            “Bed now?” He asked.
            Lance chuckled. “Sure.”
 
End Fic
Completed 1/22/07
Automatic Stabilizers are changes in fiscal policy that stimulate aggregate
demand when the economy goes into a recession without policymakers having to
take any deliberate action. (Brief_Principles_of_Macroeconomics,_4th_Edition)
By N. Gregory Mankiw. Apparently taxes and government spending are automatic
stabilizers.
***** Chapter 40 *****
The last fic in this series! Yay!
Title: The Crowding-Out Effect
Author: Shadow/Phantomness
Pairing: Championshipping (Lance x Red)
Fandom: Pokémon
Theme: #40, Crowding-Out Effect
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: Shonen-ai
 
            “…Pay cuts.” Red repeated.
            Lance nodded.
            “This is the second time in the past six months that President
Goodman has brought this up.” The Champion said dryly. “We’ll shoot the
proposal down again, I suppose.”
            “Well, if not for his favoring of deficit spending and the fact
that our country is staggering under ninety trillion pokeyen’s worth of debt, I
would complain.” Lance replied. “As it is, the League System will probably
collapse soon, as soon as Houen and Cosmos decide to call in some of the money
we owe them.”
            Red nodded. That made sense. “I suppose it’s lucky we have enough
saved, ne?” He asked hopefully.
            The Dragon Master smirked. “Indeed, but it won’t help us much if
inflation skyrockets.”
            “Then what are we going to do?”
            “Stay somewhere else until the whole thing blows over.” Lance said
matter-of-factly. “Do you prefer Orre, Houen or Cosmos?”
            Red chuckled as he hugged Lance. “As long as I’m with you, it
doesn’t matter.” He said loyally. “I’ll bring my pokemon with me with this
special belt Silph gave me, and that’s all we really need, right?”
            Lance nodded. Camping out was a bit rougher, but they had both been
trainers and knew how to deal with it.
            “All right then.”
            Goodman was understandably startled when Red and Lance resigned,
but he had to admit that he could hardly afford his own salary, much less those
of some glorified trainers. He was sad to see them go – their pokemon would
have been useful in case the public rioted when they discovered just how severe
the economic recession was.
            Ah well.
 
            Off in Mount Silver, the two Champions embraced.
            Red cuddled next to Lance, knowing that they had made the right
choice. Only fools would dare brave Mount Silver. The wild pokemon were strong
enough to kill most intruders.
            Lance kissed him gently, as they relaxed in the hot spring.
            “Lance?”
            “Mm?”
            The younger trainer kissed him again. “May we play now?”
            “Very well…”
 
End Fic
Completed 1/24/07
YES! ECONOMICS CLASS IS OVER! And I did get an A! Plus, I finally made it to
40_themes for this list. ^^
Crowding-out effect is the offset in aggregate demand that results when
expansionary fiscal policy raises the interest rate and thereby reduces
investment spending. (Brief_Principles_of_Macroeconomics,_4th_Edition by N.
Gregory Mankiw)
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