Art by Komiya Kuniharu

Brick in The Wall

Gordie Chanoe
Circhester Gym's Rock Type Leader

Art by heyasamu

Clean Slate

Gordie's father was only visiting Galar when his brief relationship with Melony took place, and he was gone as quickly as he came. In his wake however, a child was born a few months later. Melony raised her son alone for some time, until she married and had four more children. She'd wanted Gordie to succeed her as the Ice Type specialist of Circhester for some time, and wrote his letter of recommendation to take the Gym Challenge. Briefly before he left however, they got into a heated argument over his intention to be his own man and use whatever Pokémon he pleases, rather than follow her lead.The boy set off across Galar, capturing Pokémon and battling his peers and tackling Gyms. He ended up taking a liking to Rock Type Pokémon during his travels, having formed a small squad of them throughout the challenge. His return to Circhester was celebrated by locals, but he was only there for one reason. Gordie challenged and defeated his mother, earning his sixth badge. The heated words exchanged during and after their battle cast a dark cloud over the whole town, and it was the last conversation they had face to face for a very long time.With his mother dealt with, he collected his last two badges from the sitting Gym Leaders, and entered the Champion's Cup. He was ultimately defeated in the Semi-Finals, but was recognized by the League and given a position as Rock Type Gym Leader of the minor division. As such, he could fill in for a Gym Leader in their absence, or challenge a sitting leader for their position. He took some time to train, and faced Melony again without any exchange of words. Gordie was successful in wrestling the title of Circhester's Gym Leader from her, but there is only a 3 month wait before a Leader can be challenged again. Thus, typically every 6-9 months, the Gym ends up changing hands again between the mother and son.Several years after becoming one of the dueling leaders of Circhester, many changes had been made to Galar's league lineup. The finalist of the tournament he'd participated in, Raihan, succeeded the Hammerlocke Gym on a permanent basis, and various other Gyms had changed hands. Only Stow-on-Side and Circhester remained in a contested state, and Stow-on-Side began only recently with the rise of Allister in the minor league. After the concurrent incidences of Chairman Rose and the Royal Twins' schemes threatening the region, Gordie's attitude has softened. He's still averse to spending time with his mother, but the previous scorn seems to have lost it's spark. The peril presented to their home united them.

Art by mira (miramita8727)

Portrayal

--Trivia and Headcanons about Gordie--- Gordie's surname, Chanoe, comes from his namesake in Japan. While Melony is named after melons in all regions, Gordie was named after the oriental melon, which is also known as the Korean melon. Chanoe, the name of the oriental melon in Korea, is what his french name Chaz is derived from.
- Chanoe is the surname of Melony's ex-husband whom she married after Gordie was born. Though she and her younger children returned to her maiden name, Gordie was already registered with the League under his step-father's surname and found it easier to keep. It's also something to stick to his mother, rejecting their familial connection.
- While Melony is the only Gym Leader to have defeated Raihan, Gordie has come close on several occasions. Unfortunately for him, he lacks the type advantage his mother has and tends to be swept by Flygon and Duralodon.
- Gordie travels during the down time between Gym Challenge seasons and when he's been dethroned by his mother as Leader of Circhester Gym. He tends to go to the Isle of Armor or Crown Tundra for intense training, but sometimes visits other regions.

Pokémon

Gordie specializes in Rock Type Pokemon, and has caught a variety of them. While he only uses a core team in battle, he owns several others.

Coalossal, the Coal Pokémon

Captured in Galar Mine as a Rolycoly. Gordie's first Pokémon, who he caught to enter the Gym Challenge. Evolving into Carkoal and Coalossal throughout their journies, they have remained partners from the beginning.Coalossal's favored moves are Stone Edge, Flare Blitz, Body Press, and Explosion. He holds a Weakness Policy, has an Adamant Nature, and the ability Steam Engine.Gained the Gigantamax Factor on the Isle of Armor through a bowl of Max Soup when Gordie visited the island.

Shuckle, the Mold Pokémon

Captured in Galar Mine #2.Shuckle's preferred moves are Sticky Web, Stealth Rock, Encore, and Final Gambit. He has a Bold Nature and the ability Sturdy.

Barbaracle, the Collective Pokémon

Captured in Galar Mine #2 as a Binacle.Barbaracle's favored moves are Stone Edge, Liquidation, Poison Jab, and Shell Smash. She has a Jolly Nature, and the ability Tough Claws.

Stonjourner, the Big Rock Pokémon

Captured on Route 10.Stonjourner's favored moves are Body Press, Iron Defense, Substitute, and Rest. He has a Calm Nature, and the ability Power Spot.

Tyranitar, the Armor Pokémon

Captured at the Lake of Outrage as a Pupitar.Tyranitar's favored moves are Stone Edge, Crunch, Fire Punch, and Ice Punch. He has an Adamant Nature, and the ability Sand Stream.

Aerodactyl, the Fossil Pokémon

Captured at the Giant's Bed of the Crown Tundra.Aerodactyl's favored moves are Stone Edge, Dual Wingbeat, Earthquake, and Dragon Dance. He carries an Aerodactylite, has a Jolly Nature, and the ability Unnerve.Gordie received his Aerodactylite and Keystone when training in Kalos after a loss to his mother. He does not use Mega Evolution in League battles, to keep everyone on an even playing field. But in an emergency or when battling someone who's prepared, he breaks out the Fossil Pokemon's transformation.

Others

Amaura, the Tundra Pokémon

Captured in the Crown Tundra by Melony, and given to Gordie as an attempted peace offering after they saved Circhester Stadium together. He does not actively train Amaura, but can't bring himself to turn her away.

Dreadnaw, the Bite Pokémon

Given to Gordie as a Chewtle Egg by Nessa. She said that Dreadnaw may help cover his Ground weakness, and that as long as he doesn't rebuild his team to Dynamax Dreadnaw and steal her thunder, she's happy to help. Gordie has experimented with having Dreadnaw on the team, but ultimately decided Barbaracle was a better fit. He does still take the turtle for swims when exercising, though.

Carbink, the Jewel Pokémon

A gift from Gordie's sponsor, Galar Minerals. Gordie has done photoshoots with Carbink, but does not use it in battle.

Gordie owns one or more of all these Pokémon, having them train with Gym Trainers or do small tasks around Circhester.
Rolycoly and Carkoal are imported from the Galar Mines to heat the town, and Gordie has them breed to send new Rolycoly back to the mines.