"It looked like you'd run into a little trouble. I'd actually expected that."
Luthor put an arm around Little Superman's shoulders and sat down beside him, his tone earnest.
"The World Forger only created dark universes. He restored your hometown, but he had no way to control what happened afterward. On the contrary, because he used Tenth Metal and Crisis Energy, the story was liable to slide into darkness."
As he spoke, he gestured with his hands, miming a little person sliding down a playground slide.
"Is that so?" Little Superman did not trust Luthor, but what the bald man had said this time clearly made sense.
Supreme Superman had personally witnessed what the worlds of the Dark Multiverse were like. In his view, every single one of them indeed had problems.
"Of course, my friend. We're on the same side now, and I'm a member of the Justice League too. I wouldn't lie to you." Luthor rubbed his fingers together and pointed at his temple. "But don't worry. I can help you correct this tiny deviation. Would you like to hear my plan?"
"No need. I believe Deathstroke will help me come up with something. This should count as part of his after-sales service."
Little Superman turned down Luthor's deal, but he did not rush off. Instead, he looked at the bald man.
"But you were right about the latter half. You're a new Justice League member now, and I'm a Superhero too. So since you're in trouble, I'll help you. Just say it. What do you need me to do?"
Bald Lex's eyes shifted. This was even better. Little Superman was willing to help without him having to give up anything. Should he say the kid had become stupid? Or that Deathstroke's brainwashing had really been that effective?