Zack doesn't know about my research and I don't know how he'd feel if he did... i think it's a pretty bold experiment though... maybe even foolhardy... but we'll have to see. We'll start with the Pokémon first... something simple . Something that would complement his personality...stubborn, headstrong...but with an honest heart...he'd be a great fit for...Growlithe.

"Where are we going?"

"You'll see."

I looked over to the large oak tree we had just passed and turned my attention back to Zack. He was bored, that was obvious. "Why do we have to go all the way to middle of nowhere?"

"It'll be worth the wait. I promise."

"Fine." He huffed.

We rounded one final corner into a wide open meadow. "Perfect. Plenty of room and most importantly...privacy." Zack tilted his head suspiciously at that last part.

"What crazy thing you're planning this time?"

"My experiments are not crazy." I said, a little miffed.

"No, but they are eccentric. Like when you tried to capture a Darmanitan with a bucket."

"That wasn't even the experiment, it was only containment and it nearly worked."

Zack laughed. "Nearly!? It got away and tried to stuff you in the bucket!" He howled with laughter.

I shot him an annoyed glance. "This time is different. It's something new I've been working on."

Zack shook his head. "Ok, so what is it then?"

"Well..." I started. "First of all it involves a Pokémon. In this case a Growlithe" I began.

I grab a Pokeball from by coat pocket and toss it. "Come on out!"

A red light emanates from the ball as the Pokeball pops open and the Pokémon emerges. Growlithe #58, the fire-type. It has a brave and trustworthy nature. It fearlessly stands up to bigger and stronger foes.

The Growlithe looks around for a moment and spots us.

Zack stares in awe at the fire dog. "Wow... he's cool! How did you manage to capture him? I didn't think there were any near here."

"It wasn't easy. We were actually looking for one for a while now." I explain. "We spent quite a while searching until we found him, but enough on that. Growlithe! Come here!" I commanded. As this one had only been acquired I hadn't had time to nickname it.

I petted it briefly before placing a collar around it's neck with my prototype R-Sync device attached to it.

"What's that?" Zack asked. "That...is why were here."

Zack looked at me with a blank expression. "Really?"

I nodded. "Growlithe, go stand over there. Wait... where is the control gauntlet?" I searched through my pack until I felt it's familiar shape.

Zack walked up behind me. "And that?" He asked.

I turned around and stood up, holding out the other half of the R-Sync device in my hand. "This is the R-Sync."

"It's two-part device that can merge a Person and Pokémon together...hopefully."

"It's going to merge me one with that Growlithe?" He asked as he took a step back.

"Yes and it's perfectly safe. I already tested it on myself and my Dragonair. It worked like a charm...Flying is much cooler when your the one doing it."

"How did you even think of this?"

"Well...it's...you." I said somberly. "Me? What about me." Zack said defensively.

I took a moment to find the right words. "It's just that you've haven't been good at making connections with Pokémon. You've had the same problem I had growing up. That's why I wanted to try this. I've been working on this project for quite a while now and it should work."

Zack stood there silent for a moment, seemingly taking in what I said.

"So, what do I do?" He asked finally.

"First you'll need to put this on. It will sync you up with this Growlithe."

Zack looked back and forth between the collar around the Growlithe's neck and the gauntlet before taking it.

"Put it on. The gauntlet needs to be pressed against your arm to make a full connection. Once that's done I'll tell you what to do next."

Zack did as I instructed, tightening the straps on the gauntlet.

"Good. Now..." I explained. "Take a moment to really think about what it's like to be a Pokémon...the sense of sight, the smell of the wind, the warmth of the sun, the coolness of the night. Focus on that and on Growlithe. The device will take care of the rest."

Crossing my fingers behind my back I activated the devices. There was a high pitched whirring sound from the device as it began the merging process. He stood there rigid with a look of discomfort on his face.

"You ok?" I asked.

He nodded slightly and gave me a thumbs up.

"Keep going... just keep focusing. This will take a sec." I said as I watched the device's status bar slowly filled up.

Once the bar was fully full there was a burst of light from the gauntlet and the collar. Twin balls of light that slowly rose a few feet off the ground and then began moving towards each other. As the lights collided there was a shockwave that knocked me backwards.

When I came to there was a figure laying on the ground surrounded by smoke. "ZACK!" I cried.

I ran over to him and rolled him over onto his back. When my hand touched his arm...fur?

"Z-Zack! Zack!" I said louder.

"Zack" blinked his eyes a few times and then yawned. "Is it time to get up already?"

I laughed in nervous relief. "It's ok... it worked! The R-Sync device has merged you with Growlithe's. You're a Pokémon now!"

I helped "Zack" up. He took a few shaky steps on legs that now had an extra joint before he fell down again.

He had shrunk a few inches, but seemed more muscular than before. His skin had been replaced by Growlithe's signature orange and black fur.

"I'm a...Growlithe?" He asked as he looked at his hands.

"Yep, or at least partly. Take a look at yourself in the lake."

He stood back up and took a few more shaky steps towards the lake. As he approached the reflection I could see the gears turning in his new head. He looked at himself again and took a few steps backwards.

"I'm a Growlithe! Wow! Wait a minute...can I use Moves?"

I smiled at him. "Yes, you'll need to work out what your Move Pool is, but you should be able to use them just fine."

"This is great! I can finally become a real Pokémon Trainer!" I wiped away a small tear. Yes you can, and I know you'll be the best...like only one ever was...