AN: Hey, everyone. Hopefully, this is the last time I use up a chapter for a gigantic Author's Note, but I want to take the time to address quite a few things that have happened as of late. I am ecstatic about the 1K milestones I have reached with this story, and I have you all to thank for that. I can't thank you enough for that. Unfortunately, the more exposure I've gotten as of late means a lot more criticism coming my way. That's to be expected. So, without further ado, let me deliver my explanation to you as to why Dillon has been constantly suffering in my story seemingly without end.
When I began this story, it was so that Annie Leonhart could have a redemption arc, something that hasn't really been seen in the Fanfiction community. But as the story went on, I began to realize that there were a lot of problems with the canon characters that never seemed to be addressed. Like how the Scout Regiment seems to be able to get away with so much and always be seen as in the right. Or how Nile Dok is villainized for getting in Erwin's way during the Stohess Operation. Things like that. So, I reasoned that if I were to tackle the flaws of the Scout Regiment, I needed Dillon to be an obstacle to them.
Of course, Levi, Hanji, and Erwin weren't just going to roll over and let that happen. They fight back, and because they can determine whether he lives or dies, there's not much he can do. Hence why his mental state deteriorated over the course of the story. A sane Dillon would never have dreamed of committing treason against the Scouts (Ymir Fritz be damned), so one on the brink would do the trick. That one decision made me realize that this was a moment where the Scout Leaders minus Erwin could finally reflect on their decisions and how they've been treating their soldiers. The cadets have gone far beyond the call of duty, and, to me, it's like they don't get enough respect for that.
This leads to the other criticism of Dillon constantly getting betrayed and hurt by practically everyone. Initially, my thoughts were, "If I can just get it all over with at once, then we can move on from most of the drama." Concerning Annie, that's one of the reasons why I had that mini-arc of her revealing everything so that she and Dillon could work through it. As for his parents, one of my previous co-writers, Necromancy101, pointed out that Carolyn and Matthew were a lot more messed up than I gave them credit for, and that Carolyn's job seems to be no different from her previous one with Project Psion. In his eyes, the best way to make them more interesting was to make them essentially villains. I was very resistant at first, but I slowly began to see his point. I took it from there, and I don't regret making them the villains.
What I do regret is the flawed mindset I had during this whole thing. I didn't give Dillon a chance to really breathe over the course of the story. I thought I was getting his angst over with, but instead, I was drawing it out to an exaggerated degree (Wangsting, I believe TV Tropes calls it). That has been my second-biggest mistake. Unless I make a Version 3 of this story (which I have no plans to), what I've done is gonna remain. Aside from some grammar or continuity error fixings, this is the final draft. I did the best I could under the circumstances, but I know that I could have done better. And I've also learned the hard way to never make promises because something "brilliant" will pop into my mind that will go against what I said I'd do. That has been my greatest failing as a writer. I'm deeply sorry for disappointing you all in that regard.
Now that I've said my piece on that, I'm afraid there's something I have to do.
As many of you know, I have been getting bombarded by a lot of negative comments, especially from guest accounts. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, especially considering that the criticism has a lot of merit to it, but many comments I've gotten have been layered with vitriol, death threats, obscenities, and a lot more unpleasantness. My review section is slowly turning into a toxic waste dump, and I've finally had enough.
So, from here on out… I will be deleting guest reviews whether they are positive or negative. If you want to leave reviews, make a profile and do so. It costs absolutely nothing but your time. I apologize to those that will be affected who aren't part of the toxic crowd, but this needs to stop and this is the only way I know how. I also know the trolls lurking in the background will probably see this as Christmas coming early and spam the hell out of this story. To them I say: find something meaningful to do in your life, because if the highlight of your day is to harass or threaten me because I did something you didn't like, that says a lot about you more than it ever will about me. In other words, get a life.
With that out of the way, I think it's high time I give you all a "trailer," so to speak, about what is to come. I could drone on and on and on about how I'm gonna change the direction, but I think it's time I give you some proof for once. I don't blame you if you're skeptical, though, considering my history. So, without further ado, here is the trailer for the upcoming arcs. This takes place during the Return to Shiganshina arc. NOTE: while the wording and events may alter slightly, the general idea remains the same.
A group of Marleyan doctors are studying the body of a naked, unconscious Dillon Amsdale. His body is riddled with injection sites. While they are writing down notes on their clipboards, they don't notice a finger twitching. Sharp objects like scalpels and needles are starting to rise. By the time a doctor notices, the needle zooms straight into his neck.
The screen goes black as you hear the screaming of men and women alike being slaughtered. Gunfire is heard in the background while guards are shouting, "He's loose! Kill him!" Then, everything goes silent.
The scene shifts to Dillon standing amidst the bodies of doctors and soldiers alike, blood that isn't his splattered on his stolen clothes. He's calm, though there's a fiery determination in his eyes. More soldiers rush to stop him, but he simply uses his powers to smash a window and hurl the shards of glass at them faster than they can react.
Dillon (voiceover): "How do people describe me?"
The scene shifts to Dillon shackled to a pole where he stands trial in front of Queen Historia, who looks down on him with a blank expression. He doesn't break eye contact.
Dillon (vo): "Weak-willed."
Scene shifts to Dillon standing over a grave in the rain.
Dillon (vo): "Mentally compromised."
Scene shifts to Dillon behind bars with a furious Annie ranting at him. "After everything that's happened, how can you even think to ask for my trust again!?"
Dillon (vo): "A burden."
"He's always been on the brink of becoming one of our worst nightmares," Levi says in the courtroom scene. "Can we ever truly trust that Amsdale will be able to fight for us…"
Dillon (vo): "A glass cannon."
Levi (vo): "...or do we finally put him down?"
Scene shifts to Dillon getting flung into a tree, his ODM gear shattering. The Female Titan charges at him without hesitation to deliver the killing blow. She raises her foot… and the scene goes black.
Dillon (vo): "Well… time to fix that."
Scene cuts back to Dillon with his eyes glowing brightly as he blasts the Female Titan back with such force that she lands on her back, like she was punched in the face.
Scene cuts to Dillon in the middle of a field levitating a couple of blades, staring at an unseen opponent.
Scene cuts to Dillon fighting through the ranks of Marleyan soldiers and test subjects, using his powers and fighting abilities.
Scene cuts to Dillon climbing on top of a mindless Titan and pressing his hand against its head, his eyes glowing.
Scene cuts to Dillon calmly sipping water at a table with Eren, Jean, Mikasa, and Armin looking at him incredulously.
"How did you get so strong?" Eren asks, baffled.
Dillon smirks slightly and answers, "I took a vacation."
Jean gives him a deadpan expression. "You were a prisoner in Marley."
Scenes begin to rapidly cut from one to the other.
First scene shows Dillon in the passenger's seat of a car being chased by Marleyans shooting guns at him.
Next scene shows an enraged Atticus flinging pieces of debris at Dillon.
The third scene shows Dillon standing outside of a facility, raising his hands. Then the building begins to shake.
Finally, it cuts back to the table scene with Dillon giving a shrug. "Didn't say it was a pleasant vacation."
ATTACK ON TITAN: A BLACKSMITH'S TALE
