Dan Felino vs Gridiron is a documentary-style animated film based from two characters from the facebook game "Monster Legends". It discusses about the early life, legendary clash and the deaths of two of Monster World Football's legendary quarterbacks. Their legendary clash rattled the world of Monstromerican football and allowed it to soar into heights never before seen. Their stunning plays, legendary wins and ruthless duality is one forever held true in the history books.
The animated film received large amounts of critical and commercial success.
Summary[]
Early Life[]
Dan Felino was born in Monstromerica (Monster Legends' version of America), born into a simple middle-class life in which he had loving parents and was a star varsity player for his football team, winning trophies and prestige for his high-school and college. He would have an easy time getting into the GPFL (Global Professional Football League). There he would bring in large amounts of cash, which he would use to gain a nicer lifestyle for him and his parents, getting them a new house and new car. He was a celebrity break-out star.
Bruce Mutt was born in an incredibly hostile setting located in Orkiva. In the Orkivan town of Lo Poso, the distant relatives of lycanthropes known as the Pittuns resided. The Pittuns were often looked down by the reigning Feylids and racist hate-groups (also filled and lead by Feylids). Bruce was born to a single mother and was often raised by his grandmother instead, having never met his father. He and his family were given the last name "Mutt", a rude and dehumanizing surname instilled by the Feylids long ago when racism in Orkiva was at its peak and many Pittuns (among other dog-based creatures) were either hunted down and sent to the infamous "pound" or enslaved. After a hate-group knocks on their door, burns down their small apartment and kills his grandmother, Bruce's Mother takes seven year old Bruce and everything they have left and attempts to cross the Elpa Border. There in Elpa his mother would work herself to the bone with every job she could get, which was already little due to her being a Pittun. Bruce was shown the ruthlessness of life at a young age, and as a result became a rather grim and troubled boy who often picked fights with other children due to constantly being seen as either a lower being or a violent brute, the constant treatment of him as a latter would make him that way and it would then further enforce that idea, leading to more treatment that way, creating a cycle of hatred.
Bruce had little education, and little money. At age 15 (when he was of legal working age), he began working at a steel-mill. His natural strength and size would attract the attention of Oliver Hitchens, a coach in an amateur football team in the town they were in. Oliver saw promise within Bruce, at first Bruce wanted nothing to do with Oliver, seeing it as a way only for him to be used, but Oliver managed to bait him in with money, and a way to use his rage for other things, particularly, battering his opponents with tackles and takedowns. Bruce would become a breakout star in his own way, managing to rack up wins for his small town and later the InterTown league. After realizing the pay was more promising in monstromerican football than in the steel-mill, he would realize he was being cheated out on money by the mill and quit. Bruce would continue on, and by the time he was 20 years old, he would bat the eye of Manager De Loys, who would offer him large sums of cash to perform in a much higher league, the GPFL.
Despite being considered a sellout by his former teammates (whom he never got along with anyways), Bruce's contract allowed him to gain more money than he's ever hoped of gaining, and after multiple promising plays as a quarterback, got a raise on his contract. With the money he's earned he managed to move his mom out of Elpa and into Monstromerica. He would settle in into a nice house with far more respectful neighbors, and for once didn't have to worry about basic necessities.
But it was only the beginning for Bruce, his clash with Dan would come to be.
The Beginning of the Rivalry[]
In a battle between the Goss Mavericks and the Huko Comets, Dan and Bruce face off against each other for the first time. Dan's team, the Mavericks, are the favorite to win. Dan manages to slip and slide across all those against him, and manages to score loads of points for his team. Bruce is frustrated with Dan's slipperiness and agility. Even more after realizing Dan was a Feylid.
Bruce and the Comets would suffer their first defeat of the season against the Mavericks, and that loss threatened Bruce. Bruce felt threatened because he feels he will lose this life he built for himself with his own strength and will. The pressure of defeat would get into Bruce's head. He would train relentlessly to become stronger and faster, his tackles capable of crushing bones and knocking the breath out of his targets.
In a second match (Mavericks still the favorite), Bruce would manage to tackle Dan with such force that the muscle pain would hinder Dan's performance for the entire match. Bruce would manage to catch the pigskin as it was being chucked towards Bruce. Bruce would then move, showing off his own improved agility and speed, weaving his way through the entire Mavericks team and across the gridiron, hence his new nickname "Gridiron".
Bruce would score multiple touchdowns after that, and be given the credit of having ended Dan's winning streak. Eachother's ending of their win streaks would kickstart their rivalry.
The MonsterMash was about to happen soon, bets were being placed and everyone was training for their best. Dan was bitter about Bruce breaking his win-streak, with a mentality of something to prove he trains relentlessly. They would have an interaction during a celebratory event, in which Dan would taunt Bruce, ignorant of Bruce's past and his reactions to threats. Bruce would knocks Dan out with a right hook and a brawl would ensue. Both players were not allowed to play in the MonsterMash that year, a wasted opportunity for both of the young athletes.
As the new season rolled in, Dan would not renew his contract with the Mavericks and sign a new 3 year contract with the Crushers. Dan would then proceed to make even more star-studded plays and be noticed by the world. Soon he was idolized, getting brand deals and commercials. Together with some veterans of the sport and other promising athletes, the Ogron Crushers would become the first of what was known as a "Super Team".
As their team name suggests, the Crushers crushed their competition. Dan made brilliant passes and excellent field goals. At 21, Dan has blazed through the ranks.
Bruce.
As for Bruce, he was given a warning. One more offense and everything could be taken from him. Fearing for his mother and a return to an unfair life, Bruce has to focus on restraint, saving everything for the field. Bruce roughs up the field as he continues being the Comets' star quarterback. The Comets, formerly considered pushovers, now had a star player on their team. Bruce continued on his sobriquet of "The Gridiron", making unstoppable dashes and fantastic touchdowns with each one.
Bruce would have a minor injury on his right shoulder, and be put out of the sport for a little bit. Much to Bruce's relief he was still paid. Bruce managed to make a fast recovery and break the Comets' losing streak and allow them a chance to participate in the next MonsterMash. He promises he won't ruin it for them this time, that promise would be one of the faintest tastes of Bruce being more caring.
Bruce and the Comets would suffer a serious defeat from the super team of the Crushers. Bruce alone simply couldn't carry his team against so many star-studded foes. Much to the fan's surprise however, Bruce managed to wall off the younger players, which includes Dan. It required the veterans with their strategy, experience and coordination to score their touchdowns.
Hoping to avenge his loss at MonsterMash, Bruce trains more. Dan and some of his buddies however would arrive at the Comets stadium and thrash their locker room, a clear warning jab. Bruce had to be restrained by his teammates in taking his revenge. Dan and his buddies were never charged, Bruce would interpret this as something that happened because of their race, and his rage accelerated his training.
At MonsterMash, the Comets would immediately face off against the Crushers. The Comets would lose against the Crushers in their first game, but it didn't matter to Bruce, as he had just managed to injure Dan. Some of Dan's ribs were shattered upon a brutal tackle from Bruce right after he made a winning pass. The injury would put Dan out of the MonsterMash tournament.
(In case you haven't noticed, MonsterMash and all of the GPFL differs from its real life counterparts by a notable degree, such as the lack of divisions or similar play-offs. This changes later on in the story.)
While the Comets would be out of the tournament and the Crushers would win the MonsterMash that year, Dan was unable to participate in the events due to the injury. The bad blood between the two would grow, despite technically being a MonsterMash winner, his victory was too shallow and he feels like he didn't earn it, but it was there to insult him with its presence.
Dan would be out of the field for a while, as that happens, his buddies would try to assault Bruce at a grocery store. Bruce would get stabbed in the abdomen, but he would manage to take down his attackers and send them running. After an investigation, Bruce was allowed to stay after seeing that he only fought in self-defense. Bruce would heal from his stab wound, by the time he has managed to he and Dan were back. Dan has cut all ties with his buddies after their failure, as once they were found he was immediately suspected.
The GPFL had changed, split into two leagues, Blue Conference and Red Conference. Dan and the rest of the Crushers were left in the Blue Conference while Bruce and the Comets were sorted into the Red Conference. The Crushers swept through their opponents and were a smash hit with the sports world. Their dominant performance was never before seen, and Dan's return elevated that fame to newer heights.
In the new system of the GPFL, something known as "The Playoffs" were introduced. In it the Crushers were immediately qualified for the Playoffs.
On Bruce's side, he continued to fight tooth-and-nail for his team. There were some losses but they were outweighed by the wins. The Comets qualify.
The 22 year olds were ready. Bruce would continue making a name for himself in the playoffs, never quitting, threatening himself everyday with overworking because of his desire to improve. He had enough money for him and his mother to survive, but despite that it was still as if Bruce was fighting to survive. Bruce had grown more and more into stardom, his name was beginning to be recognized more by non-fans. Pittuns from all across the globe, especially in Orkiva and Elpa, began to notice his matches. The idea that a Pittun "made it" managed to inspire many. As the fight against injustice and the civil rights for the many minorities of Orkiva came to be, Bruce was seen as a paragon of what the Pittun halves of that movement could become, that he was proof that the Pittuns were in no way "lesser races". They all knew and referred to him as Gridiron, and with people backing him and his brutal charges, Bruce suddenly felt something new surge within his body.
He was determined not to disappoint.
The playoffs began, Dan continued on hunting for "a proper win" and led the way to victory, completely cleaning up his side. Bruce did the same, with every touchdown he made his people proud, people he didn't even know.
The sports world was divided, the kids and ladies all fawned over Dan and his cool attitude as well as lightning speed. Dan was a figure smiled upon and frequently discussed with praise. Dan would proceed to have an interview with a prominent news channel network MSNN (Monstromerican Sports News Network) about his predictions of victory as well as his feelings. Dan would discuss his bad blood between him and Bruce, and then begins trash-talking. Dan, confident in his abilities, vows revenge on Bruce for being the obstacle in his career. Dan declares he will overcome Bruce, and have an earned Monstromerican championship.
Dan's interview ended up creating the narrative that Dan was the great Monstromerican Feylid superhero going up against Bruce, who was portrayed as this brutish villain. The clash of these two young promising athletes roused up their fans. Things suddenly became about race, and soon things escalated out of the sports' control as it grew too popular for its own good and spilled into politics.
Finally the GPFL's one and only MonsterMash was under way. It was being held in the Crusher's much newer and larger home stadium, the Ogron Grand Stadium. The tickets were sold out, entire viewing areas (such as movie-houses recording the event live) as well. Millions of fans both new and old, brought in by excitement for the sport or a chance of representation. The Ogron Crushers against the Huko Comets.
It was tense, everyone was eerily silent. Upon the beginning horn would begin a loud mass of deafening cheers as bodies collided. The battle was tough, sometimes Dan would evade Bruce's savage tackles, others he would be spitting out dirt as he withstood the pain and rose up after every brutal collision. Bruce wasn't going to give him a win. Their battle was a struggle, all members of the Comets had trained relentlessly in order to prove their own worth as well, with Bruce's help they managed to get here, they refused to disappoint.
They weren't the favorites, but the Comets would not give up. Getting up, catching the pigskin with every pass. Moving yard after yard. They followed and guarded Bruno from any possible chances of his elimination. He was their anvil and it was up to them to strike the steel. Upon half-time, the scores were 48-36 in favor of the Crushers by 12 points.
As the half-time show allowed the audience and the athletes to relax a bit, the super-team had to focus their game plan on getting around the Comets' strategy of guarding their "anchor" (Bruce). With two of their better players unable to continue after some savage tackles from Bruce, substitutions were made. Bruce had managed to get two special players, one a veteran and the other almost as fast as Dan, off of the gridiron and left more deficiencies to allow their win.
Dan and his team still couldn't wrap their heads around Bruce's style, it was targeted mindless force, as if instead of destroying them he aimed to cripple them instead. Dan had to accept the legitimate threat before him, his pride wouldn't allow it. He had to adapt, for his opponent had already adapted many times. His ever-learning opponent was beginning to match his speed, and he couldn't simply weave past him anymore.
Some brawls ensued across Orkiva, which was eerily silent and with their crime rates at an all-time low in order to watch the results of a sport they once had no interest in. Kids held their breaths, it was the hero against the villain, just like in their comic books, the hero was winning as they'd hoped. Pittun kids however were in worry, some were beginning to lose faith and felt as if their lives were on the line.
As the 3rd quarter rolled around they all got into position, as Dan made a fast pass towards his friend Angelo (Metaselach), Jonskeer would catch it mid air and make his own pass, the pigskin would find its way to Bruce, who would manage to outmaneuver his rival and then pass it to Firesaur who would score the touchdown.
Another touchdown would then be made after that, this time with Bruce passing it to Will (MC Boss) who scores the touchdown and ties the game 48-48. Afterwards there was no scores, with Bruce even ramming into Dan and almost completely flipping him over in the air. The game was tied, the invincible super team was now struggling against the underdog Comets. In the final quarter kicks were made, and with only a few minutes left it was 56-51. It was a perfect time for a last-minute touchdown, and that was exactly what had to be done.
Dan was hurt, but was too stubborn to stop, not now, not when he was so close. Tony (Irockman) intercepts a pass, He tackles Tony but not before Tony makes a long and killer pass towards Will, who then manages to hand it Bruce. With a a minute left and the sweet taste of victory on the other side of the gridiron, Bruce proves his sobriquet and makes a legendary dash. With help from his teammates as blockers he makes it safely to the other half, and from there evades their last defenders. He manages to score an iconic and hair-raising touchdown which makes the crowd erupt with cheers and roars of mixed emotions.
The game ends at 56-57, and the Comets manage to barely get a victory out of the Super Team and hands the Crushers their first defeat. Dan cries, he couldn't believe it. After everything he's done to get there, he was humiliated in front of the largest crowd he's ever known. Bruce on the other hand was tired. As the game ends and the trophy is put out. Bruce was gone, having already made his way to the locker room, ignorant of the hallmark he had left on sports history. Bruce was tired, and he wanted to rest. Pittuns all over the world, particularly Orkiva, rejoiced. Bruce rested, his legs sore. He would get lifted up by his happy teammates back into the field however, and Bruce would hear the cheers of his sobriquet, as well as notice the faces of happy Pittun children. Bruce felt a smile creep up to his face for a bit. He would hold up the trophy for his team, with him at the center.
To be expanded.