“Ohhhh……..”

“Another rough night fighting crime Master Ben? I mean you look awful. Really awful.”

“Alright, I get it. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. Lately I’ve had no energy. This superhero stuff is becoming a chore. I just don’t feel like putting on this costume some nights. But I can’t let the good people of Norseman City down. They deserve a hero but I’m not not sure if that person is me anymore.”

“Well, get into our PJs and I’ll bring you your nightly tea.”

“Thanks Roberto” Ben muttered as he struggled to climb the stairs.

When Bat Ben first burst onto the scene several years ago, he became the guardian of Norseman City keeping its citizens safe and sound. He would use a mixture of force and fear to defeat the most dangerous criminals in Norseman City. But now he was starting to have fears of his own. He felt so overwhelmed by everything going on in his life. He still had the physical skills but his heart just wasn’t into being a superhero. Ben would spend many sleepless nights become overcome by irrational fears about things that were beyond his control. He couldn’t put his finger on what was making him feel this way. He was a billionaire playboy by day and a superhero by night. Quite the life. But why was he so unhappy?

“I’m Wen Jia and this is breaking news from CFTO. Tonight Norseman City is in a state of chaos as a series of crimes have sent the city into a panic. We are not sure who is involved in this crime spree or how it all began. Even though the Ben Signal has been lighting the night sky, there has been no sign of the costumed hero. The police are no match for the criminal mastermind behind this rash of bombings and robberies. Where have you gone Bat Ben? Tonight, a lonely city turns its eyes to you.”

A couple more hours passed as The Commissioner got ready to turn off the signal. “Turn off the spotlight boys. I guess he’s not coming.”

“Sorry I’m late Commissioner” a gravelly voice uttered.

“Bat Ben? Where have you been? Norseman City is literally on fire and you’re nowhere to be found.”

“I don’t know what’s wrong with me these days. I can’t sleep and I seem to have lost my courage. I haven’t been myself lately.”

“Save it for Doctor Phil. We need you to find whoever is behind this crime wave and bring them to justice.”

“You don’t get it” Bat Ben grumbled as he jumped from the rooftop. “Nobody gets it.”

Over the next few weeks the citizens of Norseman City found themselves living in a constant state of fear. The criminal activity occurring on their streets was beginning to escalate as nobody felt safe anymore. To make matters worse, the people had started to lose faith in Bat Ben. Either he was too late to stop the chaos or else he didn’t seem to care when he did show up. The only clue as to the identity of the perpetrator of these destructive acts of terror was a series of question marks spray painted on the walls of buildings throughout town.

Ben had fallen into a real funk. It appeared as though his days as Norseman City’s saviour were coming to an end. He spent countless hours wasting his days playing Grand Theft Auto and eating pizza. With no one to defend the city from the forces of evil, Norsemen City was ready to fall into the hands of a madman. Enter The Puzzler. He was an odd character clad from head to toe in green. Rarely would he speak in complete sentences. Instead he spoke in riddles and rhymes. He warned the city that he would not stop the attacks until he had brought the entire city to its knees. Before he signed off he taunted Bat Ben with what he said would be his ultimate riddle, daring the hero to play one last game with him.

One rainy night Ben decided to go for a walk. It was cold and rainy which seemed to fit his mood. He couldn’t get over how quiet the streets were. The Puzzler had instilled such fear in the citizens that they remained indoors, doors locked, hiding from the world outside. Ben could relate as he had been gripped by a similar feeling of dread the past few months. As he started his walk home Ben happened upon a young boy shivering in the cold. He couldn’t help but notice that the boy was wearing a Bat Ben T-shirt. “What are you doing out here kid? It’s freezing.” “I’m waiting for Bat Ben. He’s my hero and I know he’s gonna save our city again.” “Yeah, well, I don’t know about that” Ben sighed as he continued his walk.

Ben couldn’t get the look on that little boy’s face off his mind. Despite the sadness, he could see the hope in the child’s eyes. Ben struggled to fall asleep that night. He was used to it by now. But this time, he decided to use his excess energy to do some light exercise in his gym. After a few curls of the barbell,  he started to feel a rush overtaking his body. He felt positive, he felt happy, and he felt as he continued working up a sweat. Ben proceeded to push himself harder and harder.  Over the course of the next few days Ben had nearly regained all the strength and agility he had lost during his self-imposed exile. Roberto, Ben’s faithful butler for the past 14 years looked on and smiled. Could Norseman City finally be getting its hero back?

“Roberto? What happened to my bat suit?”

“I don’t know Master Ben. I must’ve put it away when I thought you retired. Are you sure you want to get back out there sir? You’re not a young man anymore.”

“I’m 14!”
“Anyways, I worry about you. I’ve been by your side this entire time. Now I’m not sure you need me anymore. You’re growing up and taking more responsibility for your own life. Whether it’s as a superhero or a teenager, you need to make your own decisions and become your own man.”

“I still need you Roberto. You’re family!”

“Thank you sir but its time for you to decide if being Bat Ben is truly what your heart desires.  

“But Roberto……” Ben pleaded.

“My mind is made up sir. I’m going back to Calabria. Maybe one day I’ll see you at one of the cafes. Until then, continue to be that brave, strong beacon of hope for Norsemen City.” “Arrivederci” Roberto said as a tear rolled down his cheek.

“Uh, is this a bad time?” a familiar voiced called out.
It was Cassius Foxx, an old friend and long time employee of Iachetta Industries, the company that Ben’s father founded.

"So, are the rumours true? Will Bat Ben rise again? I sure hope so. Follow me. I have some cool new crime fighting gear and weapons to show you."

"While you were away I continued to work on some state-of-the-art body armour and other weapons to help you battle crime."

"It’s off the hook! Off the chain! Off the charts!” Ben shouted out.

"Um, sure. Anyways, it’s bulletproof, fireproof, and can withstand maximum impact from the mightiest of weapons. It basically makes you a walking tank except the suit allows you to maintain your agility and speed without weighing you down.”

“You’ve outdone yourself Cassius!  I don’t know how to thank you for continuing to believe in me"

"There is one way. Stop The Puzzler!”

Bat Ben took off in his brand new Benmobile which was armed with a ton of high-tech gadgets. He was was also able to listen in on the latest police bulletins.

“Attention all officers. There is a bank robbery in progress in the vicinity of Manitoba and Quebec Avenue. The Puzzler and his henchmen have barricaded themselves in the bank and have taken hostages. Approach with supreme caution.”

The news initially caused Bat Ben to feel a little uneasy as beads of sweat dotted his forehead. He took a deep breath,  grit his teeth, and gripped the steering wheel as he psyched himself up for a return to action.

“This is Wen Jia and I’m at The Norseman City First National Bank. Earlier this morning The Puzzler, who has been terrorizing the citizens of our fair city, entered the bank with a group of armed men. The police quickly arrived and surrounded the bank. This lead to a tense stand-off between the cops and robbers. Moments ago I heard a loud booming sound coming from the bank. After the smoke began to settle, both members of the staff and the hostages began to slowly trickle out of the bank. Joining me is now is one of the hostages, ”

“He’s back and he saved us all. A big car came crashing through the wall and out came Bat Ben. He had a new costume but I’m sure it was him!”

“Alright punk, where is he? Where is The Puzzler?” Bat Ben snarled in the face of one of the bank robbers. Before he could answer the goon would pass out from sheer fright.

A helicopter could be heard hovering overhead. Bat Ben easily took down the remaining robbers before storming towards the roof. There he would see The Puzzler sitting in the chopper surrounded by bags of money.

“Well if it isn’t Bat Ben? Welcome back! Oh, I’m so happy to finally have someone to play games with!” he chuckled.

As the helicopter began to lift off into the sky, The Puzzler shouted out his latest riddle, “What is black and white and red all over? Think about it because you have 24 hours before  Norseman City goes boom!”

Bat Ben walked out the front door of the bank where he was greeted by a loud ovation from the crowd.

“Hold your fire!” The Commissioner yelled out. “Bat Ben,  is that really you?”

“Yes Commissioner. It’s me.  Unfortunately The Puzzler got away but I’m going to bring him to justice.”

“So does that mean that you’re back?”

“People keep asking if I’m back and I haven’t really had an answer……but now, yeah, I’m thinking I’m back!” Bat Ben growled before tearing off in the Benmobile.

The Commissioner stood silently as a small smile formed on his face. “Okay boys, let’s round them up!” he ordered his fellow officers.