Matt becomes a creature of some kind, and it progresses to the point where he's a danger to the residents of Hell's Kitchen.
He can't be reasoned with anymore (less of an "evil!Matt" thing and more of a "can't fight his instincts" kind of thing), and in the end, it's Stick that has to put him down.
In the process, he comes to terms with his past foolishness and allows himself to acknowledge that he left because HE got emotionally attached. It's with sadness, rather than a completely cold business-is-business demeanor that he goes about the final, world-weary ninja master versus wayward student showdown. It's an act of mercy and with an ironic sense of duty Stick has for protecting citizens he himself doesn't care about on Matt's behalf when Matt can no longer do so.
It's up to you whether Matt literally has to be put down, making Stick's repentance bittersweet and tragic, or a happier ending where the changes can be reversed or managed and everyone lives happily ever after. (Perhaps the Avengers can't take him down themselves because whatever creature + super senses = IMPOSSIBLE without Stick's expertise, but are standing by with a cure.) My vision for this was a tragedy, but at the same time, the latter possibility has some MAGICAL opportunities for hurt/comfort, so...
Bonuses: - Stick saying "Matty" is my kryptonite - Extra ultra bonus tearjerker points for Matt being incapable of understanding and creating human speech, but Stick talking to him anyway - I'm REALLY fond of vicious, animalistic vampires??? Man-eating is SUCH good hurt/comfort and/or horror material oh my god
Gen, repentant!Stick, monster!Matt, Tragedy (...Or not?)
He can't be reasoned with anymore (less of an "evil!Matt" thing and more of a "can't fight his instincts" kind of thing), and in the end, it's Stick that has to put him down.
In the process, he comes to terms with his past foolishness and allows himself to acknowledge that he left because HE got emotionally attached. It's with sadness, rather than a completely cold business-is-business demeanor that he goes about the final, world-weary ninja master versus wayward student showdown. It's an act of mercy and with an ironic sense of duty Stick has for protecting citizens he himself doesn't care about on Matt's behalf when Matt can no longer do so.
It's up to you whether Matt literally has to be put down, making Stick's repentance bittersweet and tragic, or a happier ending where the changes can be reversed or managed and everyone lives happily ever after. (Perhaps the Avengers can't take him down themselves because whatever creature + super senses = IMPOSSIBLE without Stick's expertise, but are standing by with a cure.) My vision for this was a tragedy, but at the same time, the latter possibility has some MAGICAL opportunities for hurt/comfort, so...
Bonuses:
- Stick saying "Matty" is my kryptonite
- Extra ultra bonus tearjerker points for Matt being incapable of understanding and creating human speech, but Stick talking to him anyway
- I'm REALLY fond of vicious, animalistic vampires??? Man-eating is SUCH good hurt/comfort and/or horror material oh my god