The frustrations for Champion Josh Devlin only grew as he was released from Mauville Regional Hospital. His left arm was still heavily bandaged, though he no longer wore a splint. Desperate to see his legendary companion, he drew the Ranger Sign with the RAINBOW FEATHER.

In a flash of lightning and a clap of thunder, the ashen Beast materialized in front of Josh, gently swaying back and forth as his legs subtly flexed. He walked up to Swift and cuddled the monochrome Pokémon's face, vibrations from his purr relaxing him some. As he pushed his cheek into the Raikou's "fur", he felt his cheek brushing against something extra. He could not believe what he saw. From the sides of its gray muzzle were cord-like ribbons of ash that met at the base of his thundercloud.

Those were reins.

Almost every legendary Pokémon would never, ever subject itself to being controlled in this way. Sigmund and Tyrfing didn't, reluctantly allowing to be saddled out of an abundance of safety for Josh. Raikou, Entei, and Suicune also wore saddles for similar reasons, but they refused to wear reins. Why, then, would Swift willingly allow himself to be humiliated, disrespected? Was MATIAS SILPH right? Was Swift really nothing but a construct?

Josh began to cry while in close eye contact with the emotionless Beast as reality rained upon him like a Toxapex's ACID DOWNPOUR.