A/N: Thank you, reader King, for your comment. We have not had the luxury of watching the entire anime. While it is true that in the anime universe that Ditto is capable of copying a human, in this Alternate Universe, Ditto cannot replicate a human. Imagine the mass hysteria that would ensue if army of Dittos copied humans and attacked...hmm. Might make a good sequel!

Professor Oak listened thoughtfully while Gary, Shane, and Jean gave their account of what had happened. They were in the Professor's research space - a large, walk-in tent that contained a folding computer desk, folding chairs, and a folding table with charts and photographs spread across it. More charts had been taped to the tent walls.
The Professor typed something into his computer, talking while he waited for it to boot up.
"So, long story short, you think you saw a copy of Jean?"
"It looked exactly like her," Gary said. "Sounded like her, too."
"Jean and I didn't get a close look," Shane admitted, but whatever we chased looked a lot like her. Could it have been a ghost type pokemon playing tricks on us?"
"I doubt it," the Professor grunted. "Though it isn't an impossibility. Misdreavus and Shuppet are known to dwell in mountainous regions...but they shouldn't come out in broad daylight. I was thinking...what if that Glaceon you found wasn't a Glaceon at all? What if it was an imitator that can mimic both pokemon and humans?"
"There are only two pokemon I know of that can do that," Shane said. "Zorua and Zoroark. But they aren't native to this region."
"Pokemon have been known to migrate," the Professor said with a smile. "Isn't that exactly what we're here to study?"
Gary nodded. "So how do we find it, Gramps? It could be anywhere in the camp by now."
"Well, we could split up and look at different areas of the camp for anything suspicious," Shane suggested.
"Uh, how about no," Jean countered. "Don't you watch horror films? That's exactly what gets people killed."
"But who said people were getting killed?" Shane asked incredulously. "We're going after a pokemon, not a murderer."
"He's right," Professor Oak said, " but I will suggest we break off in pairs. More eyes, the better. Jean, you and Shane go together to search the north side of camp. Gary and I will take the south side."
"Should we let the others know what's going on, sir?" Shane asked.
The Professor shook his head. "We don't want to let the creature know we're on to it," he murmured. "Best to let everyone go on thinking everything is normal."

The plan was set, and they broke off to search. By now, the sun was sinking toward the horizon, and the falling snow was turning to flecks of ice. Shane laughed nervously as he walked beside Jean.
"Pretty weird, isn't it? To think you have a twin, that's actually a pokemon."
"I hope it's a pokemon," Jean muttered. "I would be scared if it was a ghost or something."
Shane stopped. "You believe in ghosts? Like, actual human ghosts and not pokemon ghost types?"
Jean hugged her arms against her chest. "Well, if there are ghost pokemon, shouldn't there be ghost humans, too? And it would be just my luck for one to come swooping down -"
A dark shape fluttered down from the tent beside them. Jean screamed. Shane swore.
"D - Ditz?"
His Ditto was still in its Delibird form. It hopped from foot to foot and chirped cheerfully, unaware it had almost given its master a heart attack.
"I forgot you in the excitement," Shane said, trying to slow his heart rate. "Sorry, buddy."
Ditz squawked its forgiveness, hopping over to walk beside Shane.

On the other side of camp, Gary and Professor Oak were checking out every tent and equipment bank. If anyone asked them what they were doing, they would have said they were inspecting. But there seemed to be no one about.
"Maybe they went back out to look for pokemon?" Gary suggested.
"Unlikely at this hour," the Professor said grimly.
Gary felt fear beginning to creep up his spine. He was glad he had his pokemon team with him. He had returned all but his Sneasel and Flareon to their pokeballs. The Flareon walked ahead, and the Sneasel brought up the rear. Gary felt pretty secure. He wasn't sure how his grandfather felt, though. Professor Oak studied pokemon extensively, but never seemed to bring any of his own on these expeditions. Yet he seemed to be unafraid as he trudged through snow and sleet, on a search for an unusual creature.

Perhaps he was confident that Gary and his team would protect him. Gary felt a surge of pride at the thought. Don't worry, Gramps. I'll keep you safe.

"Is it weird that we haven't run into any of the other researchers?" Jean finally asked. Come to think of it, I haven't seen anyone since we left Professor Bosc's tent earlier today. Where did everyone go?"
"Maybe the survey team found something and everyone else went to have a look," Shane said hopefully. "That happened all the time when I was working at an archaeological dig as an undergrad."
"You never told me that before," Jean said. "I have actually always thought archaeology was fascinating."
Shane paused to look at her. "Really? I thought you hated ancient history."
"Just the words in books. But you're talking about the actual recovery and preservation. Discovery. Knowledge." She leaned towards him, so close he could feel the warmth of her breath. "I think that's quite a turn on."
Shane's eyes widened as he nervously backed away. "Jean, are you are you feeling all right? Because this isn't the time for jokes."
Jean tutted reproachfully.
"This isn't a joke, Shane. It's just that, I finally have you alone. And we're on this wild goose chase for something that probably doesn't exist. So this is as good a time as any to tell you how I feel." She pulled the hood of his parka back and leaned in to kiss him. He held up a hand to stop her.
"Hold up. You saw your duplicate the same as I did. Now you don't believe what you saw? I can't -"
Jean shoved his hand aside and pressed her lips against his. He forgot his protest as he relaxed into the kiss. She wrapped her arms around him, and he held her. She started biting his lip, playfully at first, but then he felt a sharp pain, and he broke away from the kiss, his lip torn and bloody. He clamped a hand to his face to slow the bleeding, horrified to see Jean licking his blood from her hands and lips. He put the pieces together in his head.
"You, you were infected by something...Gary said you got bit by the Glaceon. And now I'm infected too!"
Before he knew what he was doing, he was running away with Ditz flying beside him. He didn't know if Jean, or whatever monster she was becoming, was running behind him. But he didn't dare look back.