A short time later, both Pokémon were beginning to look worn out, Tepig moreso, so Professor Juniper decided to call the match.
"Okay, guy, the match is now over! Please recall your Pokémon so they can rest," she instructed. "Ash is the winner of this match."
Ash and Hilda did as instructed. Then, everyone began back towards the lab.
"Good battle, Ash. I had fun," Hilda said to her friend. Of course, you won once again though.
"Thanks. Pokémon are really cool, aren't they?" Ash said.
"Yeah, they are. I can't wait to get out there and see all the different kinds," Hilda said, sounding eager.
Ash couldn't help but give off a slight chuckle as a thought went through his head. You know, Hilda really reminds me of, well... me.
Later in the afternoon, everyone was gathered just outside the front of the lab. The Whites were about to head home for the day. Hilda was setting off tomorrow and she needed to finish getting ready.
"Well, I suppose we'd better be off," Hilary said to everyone.
Hilbert stepped forward towards Ash and held out his hand. "It was nice to meet you, Ash. Good luck on your journey through our fine region."
"Thanks. It was nice to meet you too," Ash replied, shaking his hand. Ash then turned towards his childhood bestie. "I'll see you around, Hilda. Perhaps we'll meet again further down the road and we can have another battle."
"Uh... yeah. See you around," Hilda said a bit hesitantly.
Hilary watched this exchange and thought to herself, I wonder...