He’s the hero we deserve, and the one we need right now.

This year has had its fair share of grim news, but today, Batkid swooped in to steal our hearts and show us something extraordinary, thousands of strangers working together to fulfill a single boy’s dream. Miles Scott is five years old and has been battling leukemia most of his life, but you wouldn’t know it if you caught a glimpse of San Francisco today. The city was transformed by the Make-a-Wish Foundation into Gotham City, and Miles took on the role of its defender: Batkid.

The streets crowded with almost 12,000 fans as Batkid pulled up in his custom Batmobile. He proceeded to patrol the city, cheered on by his supporters, before discovering a nefarious plot by the dastardly Riddler. After rescuing a damsel in distress who was roped and tied to the cable car tracks, Batkid busted up an impressively staged bank vault robbery.

He briefly broke for lunch with his partner, Batman, before duty called yet again: the Penguin kidnapped Lou Seal, the San Francisco Giants’ mascot, and had him held hostage in AT&T Park. Batkid bravely stormed the inner confines of the park and rescued Lou. He was awarded the key to the city as a thank you.

Miles’ story is winning the world, with social media buzzing in support of the miniature marvel throughout his exploits. President Obama even made his very first Vine in support of Batkid.

Miles’s cancer is in remission and he’ll finish chemotherapy in June. I suppose we can rest easy, knowing that we have our small, silent guardian. Our wee watchful protector. Our diminutive dark knight.