The grand design of Arceus, according to theologians and pokemon masters alike, was that no pokemon be unbeatable. Although some were always more powerful than others, a myriad of tactical considerations ensured, then as now, that no single pokemon could dominate. But when Rhydon began to equip themselves with Protectors, an invincible pokemon was born.
The earliest humans, according to legend, called these creatures Rhyperior because they evolved from Rhydon and were superior to all other life on earth. Their armor-covered stone body gave them defense matched only by their attack, for their great size and sharp, drill-like horn made short work of even ground pokemon. The first Rhyperior technically had weaknesses; grass pokemon slugging away with their vines, or water pokemon using aqua jet were the only things which could dent them, and they moved in the slow, lumbering manner of all creatures of their size. But the only pokemon capable of actually defeating Rhyperior in this era were other Rhyperior, and men who had watched a menagerie of pokemon battle in admiration (for pokeballs had not yet been invented) grew bored of the sight of Rhyperior battling each other for dominance and crushing everything else underfoot.
Arceus could not eradicate a species of pokemon from the earth, for the divine must follow laws which meteors and men do not, or perhaps the concept of extinction was not yet understood when this legend began to be told. Instead, to restore balance to the world, Arceus rewrote the rules of pokemon battles. From earthquakes to solar beams, pokemon throughout the world suddenly discovered new techniques which bypassed Rhyperior's formidable armor. Rhyperior never learned to adapt to this change, and their lack of speed and weak defense against these special attacks have reduced them to a novelty in the Pokemon League.
