Title: Succession
Author: Shadow/Phantomness
Pairing: None
Fandom: Pokémon
Theme: #18, Poisoned Drink
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*

Warnings: Murder, pre-anime

Madame Boss had seen it coming for several years. She was simply surprised that it had taken her son this long to get to the point. Either he was sentimental, or he had been too distracted with that Delia girl to pay more attention to his duties and responsibilities as the head of Team Rocket.

She had raised Giovanni to be ruthless, but she hoped she had also given him a good measure of intelligence. He had chosen his cohorts well, and appointed many new administrators, phasing out the older generation. He had taken bold steps in scientific discovery, and if the men and women were not the most ethical, well, they were not under government scrutiny in any case.

As she sipped her wine, she noted with satisfaction that there was no bitter aftertaste, no discoloration, and no dilution. If not for his body language, she would have never suspected it.

Well, he would learn control in time. He would be the Leader, after all, so he would… need competence…

Her thoughts slowed, and became sluggish. Fortunately, there was no excruciating pain. She felt vaguely as though she was floating away.

A few minutes later, Giovanni peeked inside. There was no sign of respiration. It was finished.

He quickly disposed of the evidence, and attended her private funeral without a fuss. However, after that, he could not drink again. True, he was often seen holding a glass in hand, but he never quite got over what he had done.

Nonetheless, it was a small price to pay for the power he had gained.

End Fic

Completed 8/17/10

Ah, I like Giovanni when he’s evil…