IDDD #12: Espurr & Meowstic & Mega Meowstic

GENERAL INFO:

0677, Espurr

Restraint Pokémon

Type: Psychic

Abilities: Keen Eye / Infiltrator (Own Tempo)

Height (avg): 0.3 m

Weight (avg): 3.5 kg

Shape: Tailed humanoid

Color: Gray

0678, Meowstic

Constraint Pokémon

Type: Psychic

Abilities: Keen Eye / Infiltrator (Prankster (Male) / Competitive (Female))

Height (avg): 0.6 m

Weight (avg): 8.5 kg

Shape: Tailed humanoid

Color: Blue (Male) / White (Female)

0678, Mega Meowstic

Second Sight Pokémon

Ability: Trace

Height (avg): 0.8 m

Weight (avg): 10.1 kg

BIOLOGY:

Espurr is a small bipedal feline Pokémon. Unlike every other cat Pokémon except for Galarian Meowth, it’s bipedal from birth and remains bipedal all the way through evolution (and even Galarian Meowth is adapted from a species that does become quadrupedal later on). Espurr shares many features with other cat Pokémon, such as retractable claws (present in every cat except Absol), strong senses (in particular, Espurr has Keen Eyes), and the ability to use Fake Out naturally. In most ways, Espurr is a standard cat.

There is one big thing that sets Espurr apart from the other cat Pokémon, though– near their ears, they have yellow ring-shaped organs that constantly emit massive amounts of uncontrollable telekinetic power– enough to send a wrestler flying, or to blast everything within 300 feet of Espurr, Infiltrating around foes’ barriers (1). Luckily, Espurr’s ears cover these up, preventing leaks. However, if too much power builds up inside an Espurr, it will fall unconscious, so it has to let some out sometimes. Some Espurr have shown the ability to use telepathy in combination with their strong senses to track and communicate (2), but this is seemingly uncommon. Strong Espurr are even able to gain enough control of this power to use it more defensively, setting up barriers, or even to Role Play as foes. However, Espurr’s psychic power also consumes physical energy, so Espurr needs to eat a lot to make up for the energy loss. It’s unclear what evolutionary advantage consuming large amounts of energy willy-nilly for the sake of constantly emitting raw destructive power serves.

When Espurr evolves, it becomes Meowstic. Meowstic is similarly mostly a generic cat with psychic organs. However, Meowstic is also notably gender dimorphic, with the males’ fur being mostly blue and the females’ fur being mostly white.

Both male and female Meowstic have much more control over their psychic organs; they’re still spewing energy out (enough to tear apart a tanker and even damage their own bodies!), but it’s more controllable, and their ears have changed specifically to be better at clamping down and keeping the immense psychic energy in (3). Male Meowstic have gained a lot more control, being able to use plenty of defensive techniques, while female Meowstic have gained a lot of brute strength, with them using many attacks, even those of other elements. Their organs have changed to be eyeball-shaped and now, color-wise, match each Meowstic’s eye color, albeit with the eyeball and iris colors swapped (green and blue for males and yellow and red for females). This, as well as the fact that Meowstic’s pupils disappear when it uses its psychic power (preventing it from seeing), implies a biological relation between their eyes and psychic organs; perhaps they are literally functioning as a second set of eyes, even if they aren’t seeing normally judging by the name of the Second-Sight Arena)? Or perhaps their eyes are close to functioning as a second set of psychic organs? Both?

Meowstic can also be Mega Evolved with the Meowsticite. Mega Meowstic, like all other Mega Evolutions of Pokémon exhibiting gender dimorphism (such as Pyroar, Latias and Latios, or Abomasnow), drastically reduces the gender differences, with it looking the same no matter which Meowstic was the base. The left half of Mega Meowstic’s body looks like a female Meowstic, and the right half looks like a male. Mega Meowstic’s eyes remain closed at all times, further implying its psychic organs can be used to see somehow. Mega Meowstic has the strengths of both genders; the raw power of the female form and the control of the male form (even powering up its Role Play to the point of enabling it to Trace foes on demand!). Its psychic organs have reverted to pure yellow, like Espurr, symbolizing its balanced strengths. Interestingly, this only matches the eyes of the female half. Mega Meowstic is skilled at setting up barriers, but has a weak point near its back.

ECOLOGY/BEHAVIOR:

Due to their massive amounts of psychic power, Espurr’s face is constantly locked in a blank stare, as it fights to contain its power. Espurr finds this troublesome, but doesn’t show this or any of its emotions. Outside of this, they’re relatively carefree, acting on their Own Tempo no matter their surroundings. They train in the forest to gain more control over their powers– a levitating boulder may be a sign of Espurr.

There are a few cases in which Espurr lets its guard down and lets its ears open. When petted by a Trainer they trust (as they don’t like it otherwise), they’ll slowly open their ears. Similarly, when asleep, Espurr’s ears open and close in time with their breathing, blasting psychic power into the surroundings.

Meowstic, meanwhile, have much more control of their power. They still release it wantonly when in danger– they have enough output to grind a 10-ton truck to dust, emitting it all with a blank expression! However, only female Meowstic do this normally– while they retain Espurr’s aloofness, the females are more selfish, Competitive, and aggressive, with no regard for their opponents’ well-being. Male Meowstic, despite being powerful, are more like Pranksters that prefer to support their allies in battle. Both Meowstics are not above dirty tricks like Sucker Punch and Covet, either.

Despite their hazardous nature, the most common place to find Espurr (even more than forests, such as in Lental) is cities and other human settlements. In Lumiose City, they’re a commonplace sight (4), even before Ange’s influence. Elsewhere in Kalos, they’re found near Parfum Palace alongside other Pokémon placed near the palace on purpose like Audino and Honedge. In Galar, they’re found near the large bridges in the region (one between Turffield and Hulbury on Route 5 and one between Hammerlocke and Spikemuth on Route 7), very important pieces of infrastructure. Why stray cats that cause immense amounts of damage by existing are so commonplace in important human infrastructure is unknown, but likely has to do with their popularity. Due to their wide variety of habitats, it seems likely that Espurr and Meowstic are opportunistic omnivores (or possibly carnivores).

CULTURE:

Even though they’re quite dangerous, Espurr are popular in Kalos, with many trainers keeping them outside of their Poké Balls due to how easy they are to get along with (5). This may be why stray Espurr in Lumiose are not considered a problem even before the advent of Wild Zones, despite the fact that they’re actively hazardous to have around– it would be hypocritical to consider them an issue when many Trainers just keep them around anyway. (Is there infrastructure to support this? Are the Trainers of Kalos okay?)

Meowstic are popular among some trainers due to their aloofness and charming unfriendliness, as well, despite how difficult it can be to tell if you’ve bonded with one (3).

SOURCES:

Espurr and Meowstic’s various Pokédex entries

(1): Espurr’s Teraleaked lore profile

(2): Mimi’s actions during XY and Z-A

(3): Meowstic’s Teraleaked lore profile

(4): “I could tell you exactly how many Espurr are in every one of our alleys!”

(5): “My partner, Espurr, is a pretty popular Pokémon in the Kalos region. A lot of people keep them out of their Poké Balls, since they’re so friendly and affectionate.” — Calem, Masters EX [“affectionate” was added by localization]