Authors Note: It's been a while since my last fanfiction story. Time flies and it's great to be back, but this story will have mature content, including blood, and a character death in later chapters. Readers, you have been warned. Also, Luna and Leo for this story ARE NOT from Yu-Gi-Oh 5D's. They are some of my original characters in this case.

It has been 6 years since team Starshine won the newly named Crescent Cup. Team Starshine has been taking a break along with other teams off from competition to enjoy themselves with whatever life brings them. Now, the team has been approached by a new league, the Kindness Basketball League (KNBO) to become a team and be part of the association. The association is looking for new teams to become part of the family. The league is looking for new players of all kinds to join its ranks. They have selected team Starshine because of how diverse the team is when it comes to its players. They have different races, genders, and personalities. Their leader, Francis the Snivy, is one of the players that have fits all of these three criteria. He and his human girl friend Luna, and the rest of the team has decided to join the association and become the Los Angeles Starshiners. The first season is underway. 20 games, 8 teams, 1 champion!

May 2nd, 2020: The Beginning of the Los Angeles Starshiners

Francis the Snivy and the rest of the team are now in the living room of their home in the Los Angeles downtown area. They are now having a meeting on how the day will go, but Francis has a big surprise for the team from the Kindness Basketball League, the KNBO.

"Is everyone here? I need to make sure that everyone is here before starting" Francis said as he started to go to the living room with everyone else.

"We are missing your girl, buddy. She's in the restroom" Jennifer Talavera responded referring to Luna, Francis the Snivy's human girlfriend.

"What's this meeting gonna be about?" Leo, Luna's brother asked as he got excited

"It's something good, I promise" Francis responded while hiding an envelope behind his back using his vines.

All of a sudden, Luna runs into the living room to stand by her Pokemon boyfriend's side.

"Easy, Luna. I am here. Don't need to rush" Francis said making sure Luna was ok and not pressured into rushing to the meeting.

The meeting begins about a few moments later, starting with Francis.

"As you know, Luna and I have been in and out of the house doing some meetings with some members of the community. These meetings were about a brand new league starting up called the Kindness Basketball League, better known as the KNBO" Francis started as he handed off the next part to Luna

"The league has been scouting different California cities for the last few weeks to see if they can recruit new players for the league. One of the few cities that they have scouted is right here in Los Angeles. They were interested in all of us as players" Luna continued as she handed the envelope to Francis.

The rest of the team are waiting in anticipation for what both Francis and the KNBO will say about the team. Francis now opens the envelope to read the message. As soon as Francis read the first words, everyone started cheering.

"To Francis, Luna, and the rest of team Starshine,

We are happy to announce that your team has been selected to become part of the Kindness Basketball League (KNBO) for the upcoming 2020-2021 season…." Francis started reading as all members of the team started mobbing him in celebration

"Let's do this! " Leo yelled as he hugged Francis and Luna

"Let's go for another title" Jennifer said as she jumps on Francis's back

"Hold one everyone! I'm not done yet! " Francis yelled as everyone got off him and headed back to their seats.

Francis then continues reading the letter.

"… Team Starshine has shown a lot of potential on both the pitch (soccer) and in life with their ability to spread kindness and joy throughout the cities they have been to. It is our pleasure to invite you all to the official kickoff party and orientation on the league this Friday night. This is your chance to make friends with the teams you will be facing and connections on and off the court. We are also sending some practice equipment as well within the next few days to get you started. Hope to see you this Friday night and congratulations" Francis read the rest of the note and everyone else cheered.

The rest of the team is excited to be part of the basketball league. They have been waiting to get a title since the Crescent Cup of 2014. Francis now tells the team how basketball is different from soccer.

"I know you guys are just as excited as we are up here, but remember, soccer is different from basketball. For the Crescent Cup, we did soccer, where footplay is allowed, but in basketball, all actions in terms of scoring are on the hands (or paws) or jumping." Francis said as the team tried to do their best Kobe Bryant shot impression.

"Man, we get do some Kobe shots right?" Jennifer asked as she tried a Kobe shot impression

"That's right. Kobe Bryant is correct. I might not be a human anymore, but these vines can still do a Kobe for me and some tricks" Francis said as he got a small basketball to play with using his vines

"I heard that Gengar and team Genstars are back. Is that going to be a problem?" Leo asked as Francis gave him the don't worry look

"The Gengar in this league is actually different. Completely new Gengar, new team and a very happy personality. His name is Thomas and he is the leader of the Sacramento Eagles. " Francis said as Leo got happy.

"That is awesome to hear. I can't wait to get started" Leo said as Francis goes back to the podium.

"Before we go back to our daily routine, I do want to go over the practice schedule since basketball is new to most of us" Francis announced as everyone got back to their seats.

"The orientation is this Friday. While we wont begin the season for a bit, we want to make a good impression to start our season. We will begin tomorrow with the basics of the game. On Wednesday, we will be doing some drills, then on Thursday, we will have a five on five scrimmage game to give you the feel of an actual game. On Friday, we will take a break so that we can go to the orientation" Francis explained as he displayed a schedule

The team is ready for action for the week as Francis then displays the team names as well as the captains of each team.

"The team captains and team names have also been revealed. Have a look my friends" Francis says as he displays the team names and captains on the projection screen.

Team Names and Captains

Northern Section (Northern California)
Sacramento Eagles (Captain: Thomas the Gengar)

San Francisco Splashers (Captain: Linda)

Santa Rosa Roses (Captain: Rosa the Emolga)

Oakland Smashers (Captain: Tony)

Southern Section (Southern California)

Anaheim Raptors (Captain: Ben the Lucario)

Los Angeles Starshiners (Captain: Francis the Snivy)

San Diego Seagulls (Captain: Lucas)

Irvine Surfers (Captain: Tanya)

Human Captains: Tanya, Lucas, Tony, Lina

Pokemon Captains: Francis, Ben, Rosa, Thomas

"That's a stacked list" Leo said as he looked into the captains and team names

"Our biggest competition looks to be the San Diego Seagulls. Lucas is a basketball fan and watches the NBA games. Favorite player is Kawaii Leonard of the Los Angeles Clippers" Francis commented as he looks at the list himself.

"This is gonna be an interesting first season for all of us" Leo said as he hugged Francis

"Yup, it will be. Get some rest though. Everyone, get some rest because I will start evaluating for positions" Francis announced as everyone else headed for the rooms.

The rest of the team heads to their respective rooms, but Francis stops Luna for a bit. Both are working out potential positions for everyone.

"Luna, we should start thinking about potential positions for everyone. I think that you should be our small forward . You are pretty fast" Francis complimented his human girl friend

"I agree with you. You should be the point guard since you like to assist a lot. You got like 3 or 4 a game during the Crescent Cup run" Luna said as they both left the living room.

As they left the living room toward their rooms, they had no idea that several people we're listening in on their conversation.

"Did you get all that boss?"

"Yes I did. Looks like Francis and Luna are trying to win the Kindness Basketball League"

"That's going to hinder our plans to register for the league"

"They already selected the teams"

"Not if we can do something about it. Now, let's see if Luna can submit to our plans"

Next time: Francis , Luna, and the Starshiners begin their first training session for the Kindness Basketball league. Their first steps into the league begins, but who were the individuals listening in to their conversations? Find out soon.