The Lion King (Pokemon style)

Chapter 1: A new trainer is born!

It all began on one fine summer's day in the Ketchum household in the Kanto Region, two very happy parents by the names of Red and Delia, had their firstborn, yet only son: Ash Ketchum, our future hero of the Pokemon world! However, not all story are like that, leader of Team Rocket, and Gym Leader of Viridian City, Giovanni; has some kind of tricks up his sleeves, and is waiting for the opening ceremony of Champion Red! 

Giovanni: Life's not fair, is it? You see I -- well, I... shall never be Champion. [exhale lightly] And you... shall never see the light of another day. [closed-mouth laughter. Starts to take a bite out of his steak] ... Adieu... [quiet laugh]

Gary: [Interrupting] Didn't your mother ever tell you not to play with your food? 

Giovanni: [Light sigh. Putting down his fork and knife.] What do you want?

Gary: I'm here to announce that Champion Red is on his way. [bows] ...So you'd better have a good excuse for missing the ceremony this morning.

Giovanni: Oh now look, Gary; you've made me lose my lunch.

Gary: Hah! You'll lose more than that when the Champion gets through with you. He's as mad as a hippo with a hernia.

Giovanni: Oooh... I quiver with FEAR.

[On "FEAR" Giovanni crouches down and is baring his teeth at Gary.]

Gary: [Very concerned] Now Giovanni, don't look at me that way... HELP!

[Giovanni grabs Gary by the neck, and did not get go.]

Red: [Almost immediately and off-camera] Giovanni! ...

Giovanni: Mm-hmm?

Red: Drop him.

Gary: Impeccable timing, Champion.

[Giovanni drops Gary, while Gary gasps for air.]

Gary: Eyyccch

Giovanni: Why! If it isn't the trainer who defeated my all those years ago, descending from on high to mingle with the commoners.

Red: Delia and I didn't see you at the presentation of Ash.

Giovanni: [Faking astonishment] That was today? Oh, I feel simply awful. Must have slipped my mind.

Gary: Yes, well, as slippery as your mind is, as Team Rocket's leader, you should have been first in line! [Giovanni clicks his teeth at Gary, who has come near his face. Gary takes cover behind Reds foreleg. Giovanni bends down to speak to him.]

Giovanni: Well, I was first in line... until the little hairball was born.

Red: [Lowering his head and meeting Giovanni eye to eye] That "hairball" is my son... and your future Champion.

Giovanni: Ohh, I shall practice my curtsy. [Giovanni turns away and starts to exit]

Red: [Warning] Don't turn your back on me, Giovanni.

Giovanni: [Looking back] Oh, no, Red. Perhaps YOU shouldn't turn YOUR back on me.

Red: [Jumps in and blocks Giovanni's way] Is that a challenge?

Giovanni: Temper, temper. I wouldn't dream of challenging you.

Gary:  Pity! Why not?

Giovanni: [Looking at Gary] Well, as far as brains go, I got my share. But, when it comes to brute strength [looking at Red] ...I'm afraid I'm at the shallow end of the gene pool.

[Exit Giovanni]

Gary: [Deep sigh] There's one in every family, Champ. Two in mine, actually. [puts his hand on Red's shoulder] And they always manage to ruin special occasions.

Red: [Formally] What am I going to do with him?

Gary: He'd make a very handsome throw rug.

Red: [Chiding] Gary.

Gary: And just think. Whenever he gets dirty, you could take him out and beat him.

[They exit, chuckling. Pan out into open region.]