Litten casually strolled onto the field. He tried to look confident, but on the inside he was worried.

What if I don't make it on the A-team? I've never played football before, and some of these guys have been playing for years.

Litten put on a helmet, some pads and a red pair of NIKE cleats, then sat where the other kids were sitting in a line.

Some of the kids, like Cyndaquil looked confident. Others, like Chespin looked just happy to be here. And some, like him were stressing out about making the team.

"Don't worry, Litten," Cyndaquil told him before practice. "You'll make it on."

But when Litten saw the competition, he wasn't so sure.

"There's seven spots on the A-team," Coach Machoke explained. "We play in a smaller 7-man football league where starters play both offense and defense. Get into lines and warmup."

With every stretch, knee kick and push-up, Litten grew more and more worried.

I need to make it on the A-team, Litten thought.

Finally, they started passing drills. He tried to catch the ball but dropped it. But the next four times, he caught it.

Litten looked OK in the tackling drills, but he was painfully undersized.

Coach Machoke then split them up into two groups. He said that they were even groups and not the A and B team, but Cyndaquil and the other athletic kids were on offense and him, Chespin and the others were on defense.

After getting steamrolled for the second time, he felt like giving up.

Is this really worth it?  Litten shook his head and got back up.

On the next play, the play went to the opposite side he was on. Litten sprinted after the play anyway. The runner shook off the defender and ran towards the end zone.

But before the runner made it, Litten put on an extra boost, dove for the runner's feet and took him down.

Coach Machoke raised one of his eyebrows. "Litten, try runningback for a play."

Litten lined up with the offense. Cyndaquil gave him a quick fist bump and called out the play.

"13 Thunder Trips Right!"

"Wait, what does that mean?" Litten said as Cyndaquil hiked the ball.

"Hike!" Cyndaquil handed the ball to Litten.

Litten grabbed the football and sprinted for his life. He outran one defender, juked out two and sprinted for the endzone.

Chespin was the only defender left with a shot. Litten threw a stiff arm that connected with Chepsin's face and dove in the end zone.

"Touchdown!" Coach Machoke said. "Nice play, Litten."

Litten helped Chespin up. "Thanks Coach," Litten said.

The rest of practice, Litten raced for touchdowns, caught passes and made tackles.

"Wow, you're really good," Bulbasaur said. "I didn't know you'd be that good."

"Me neither," Litten said.

Cyndaquil ran over with his helmet in his hand.

"Litten, you want to sleep over tonight? Bulbasaur, Tepig and Charmander are coming too."

"Sure," Litten said.

"Hold on, need to get my backpack," Cyndaquil said and sprinted off.

This day couldn't have gotten any better, Litten thought as he took off his helmet. Things are looking up.