Prologue

Oh my, it has been a while, hasn't it? Well, guess what? I just joined a new fandom! X-Men, baby! :D I looked through some of the X-Men/Avengers crossovers, and though I haven't had time to read any, I couldn't help but notice that there were no crossovers that had Loki and Magneto as main characters, so I decided to be unique and be the first to make one. Plus, hey, it's a crossover between two of the most epic fandoms, like, ever. So why SHOULDN'T I write it? Anyway, this is post-Avengers and post-X3, but before the events of Iron Man 3. I didn't want to spoil it for those of you that haven't seen it. Plus, it didn't really fit with the story idea.

For those of you that know me, I say hello and welcome back to my Fanfiction universe! For those that don't know me, I'm Maralexa, and I've done a bunch of fics here and there about Star Wars and the Avengers (some one-shots and some that actually went somewhere). So, I'm not new to this rodeo. I know how it works:

I write a story, my lovely readers review. It's as simple as that. So read and review, my lovely readers! I always respond to reviews in my next chapter, so keep them coming!

Bruce Banner sat quietly in a small house where no one would follow him. He wanted to enjoy some peace and quiet before Thor decided to assemble the Avengers to witness the ascension into Asgard. Finally, Thor will bring his brother, Loki, to face Asgardian justice, and finally, the Tesseract will be far away from the Earth.

Bruce picked up his cup of coffee and studied it. He could be with the Avengers right now if he wanted. But the time for assembling and fighting was over for the time being, so Bruce knew that he had to come to terms with separation. The best way to separate from his friends would be to get used to being alone for a while. Plus, he kind of liked being alone, and missed it immensely. There wasn't exactly his definition of privacy on the Helicarrier.

When all is said and done, he would probably slip into a quiet life of medicine and science. He didn't need to fight, and he certainly didn't need the other guy to come out again anytime soon. The last thing he needed was more destruction and stress.

Stress. He didn't realize that stress itself just walked through his front door.

"Hello, Bruce," a calm voice said.

Bruce jumped to his feet and whirled around to face the intruder. "Who are you? What are you doing here?"

"Calm yourself. I do not want a mess here today." The man stepped into the light so that Bruce could get a better view of him. He was about average in height and didn't seem terribly threatening. He was clearly older than Bruce, but he didn't look weak or frail in the slightest. There was an air of confidence about him that made Bruce wary. Perhaps it was the gray suit and hat, or perhaps it was the penetrating stare. Whatever it was, Bruce didn't like it.

"I'll ask you again; who are you?"

"All in good time, my friend," the man said patiently. "Please, sit down. I do not want any trouble."

"Then why are you here?"

The man smiled. "So impatient. You're antsier in person. I suppose we ought to cut to the chase, then."

"Uh, yeah, I'd like that," Bruce said, not entirely sure if he would.

The man lifted his chin. "I won't sugarcoat it, Dr. Banner. You and I have something in common." He paused a moment to let Bruce speculate before continuing. "Mutation."

"What are you talking about?" Bruce did not like the direction this conversation was going in.

"Whether you like it or not, you are part of a large percentage of this world's population. You have a gift. A gift that I once possessed: mutation." He paused again to let this sink in. Bruce was utterly speechless. "My name is Erik Lehnsherr, but in the mutant world, I called myself Magneto."

"I've heard of you." Bruce's curiosity was conflicting with his rational mind. "Is it true that you could manipulate metal?"

"I could do that and more. I was a powerful mutant with great abilities." Suddenly, Erik looked very bitter. "That was all in the past. I'm mostly human now."

"Mostly?" Bruce asked cautiously.

"Yes, mostly. Sometimes, if I focus hard enough, and if the timing is right, I can access a weak link to my old powers. I can move something small, but only about half an inch. And then it's gone again." Erik's misery was apparent on his face.

"So what did you come to me for?" Bruce asked, his voice guarded but gentle.

Erik gazed at Bruce for a few moments before replying. "Some people see you as a monster that cannot be controlled. Others see you as a weapon or a liability. I see you as a brilliant man with the gift of intelligence, science, and great strength. I see you as someone that can help me."

"Help you do what?" Bruce asked.

"Restore my power."

"What?" Bruce wasn't entirely sure of what he was hearing. Was Erik actually asking him to do this? "You want me to mutate your genes?"

"I know that you have the capability to restore me to my former glory, Bruce."

Bruce wasn't entirely comfortable with this. "What's in it for me?"

Erik smiled.

"I'm sorry, Erik. I can't make something that will restore the mutation forever. I don't have the resources." Bruce held up a small needle. "I had just enough to make a temporary solution for you. That's the best I can do."

"How long will it last?" Erik asked.

"I'm not sure. I don't even know if it will work. Don't be disappointed if it doesn't."

Erik took the needle from Bruce and studied it. "I'm sure it will do. Are you aware of anyone that has the resources to make this work permanently?"

Bruce shrugged. "Probably someone with magic. I learned very recently that magic is real, even if we don't understand it."

"Magic? Where did you hear of this magic?" Erik tried not to sound too desperate for information, but he might just have hit the gold mine here.

"There are people from other worlds that know how to use magic. Some use it for good and others for evil."

Erik thought back to the news stories of the man from another dimension controlling humans to do his bidding. What was his name? Erik had to find out, because perhaps the same magical energy could be used to make him a mutant once more. "You refer to the one that started the war."

Bruce nodded. "Yes. Thor is taking Loki back to Asgard for punishment. I'll be meeting with the Avengers tomorrow to watch the Asgardians leave. We'll say our goodbyes, and then Loki will be dealt with."

Erik smiled pleasantly. "Well, it's a shame that Loki abused his power." He stood up, still holding the needle, and turned to go. "Thank you for everything, Dr. Banner. I must go now, but perhaps we will meet again."

"Uh, yeah. Maybe. Good luck with…whatever you're doing."

Erik nodded. "Same to you." With that, he turned around and walked away with no intention of ever seeing Bruce again.

Disclaimer: I do not own Bruce Banner, Magneto, or any other characters from the Marvel universe that were mentioned in this fic so far.

AN: You know, Prologues are always hardest to do because they have to set the stage for the real plot. I hope I left enough of an interest factor to keep you guys reading. If not, then let me know in your reviews! I know that I put Loki as one of the main characters. He's coming, don't worry. In the next chapter, in fact. ;)