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Chapter 70: A Little Surprise From The Twins

The spaceship drifted calmly through the galaxy, illuminated by the soft glow of distant stars. Inside, the family of four shared a quiet moment, the echoes of laughter still lingering from their earlier bickering.

But the twins, mischievous as ever, had something planned.

Boy: "Mom, Dad! Close your eyes!"

Girl: "No peeking!"

Mike and Heidi exchanged amused glances.

Heidi: "This better not be one of your pranks."

Mike: "Yeah, last time I ended up with black hair for a week!"

The twins giggled, but this time they were serious.

Boy: "We promise it’s not a prank!"

Reluctantly, Mike and Heidi covered their eyes.

The twins hurried into the kitchen chamber — a room designed by Heidi herself, filled with vibrant utensils and advanced cooking gadgets. Steam and aromas filled the air as they completed their final touches.

After a few moments, the twins returned, carefully balancing two plates with their creation.

Girl: "Okay, open your eyes!"

Mike and Heidi uncovered their eyes to see two beautifully presented dishes. The twins beamed with pride.

Mike: "Woah... You two made this?"

Heidi: "This looks… actually impressive!"

The dish was a delightful plate of Golden Starfruit Curry — a challenging recipe that even professional chefs found tricky. The vibrant golden sauce gleamed under the ship’s light, with perfectly sliced starfruit delicately arranged on top.

Boy: "We followed Mom's recipe from her cooking show!"

Girl: "And we didn't even burn the kitchen this time!"

Heidi’s jaw dropped in disbelief.

Heidi: "You two… really made this?"

They nodded excitedly.

Hesitantly, Heidi took a bite. The burst of rich, tangy flavor surprised her.

Heidi: "This is… delicious!"

Mike followed, his eyes widening.

Mike: "Incredible! You’ve got Mom’s cooking talent!"

The twins beamed, proud of their accomplishment.

Boy: "We wanted to make you both proud!"

Heidi ruffled her son’s hair affectionately.

Heidi: "You two are amazing."

But the twins weren’t done.

Girl: "Now it’s Dad’s turn to be surprised!"

Mike tilted his head.

Mike: "Oh? What are you two scheming now?"

The twins exchanged a grin before stepping back. They raised their hands, concentrating deeply. A faint, glowing light swirled around them.

Then, with a synchronized motion, they chanted:

Twins: "Mystic Veil of Stardust, Shine and Reveal!"

A burst of sparkling stardust filled the chamber, forming a breathtaking illusion. A glowing butterfly, made of pure light, fluttered gracefully in the air. It danced around Mike and Heidi before bursting into a shower of twinkling stars.

Mike’s mouth dropped open.

Mike: "You… you performed a perfect illusion spell?"

The twins nodded proudly.

Boy: "We’ve been practicing for weeks, Dad!"

Girl: "We wanted to show you that we can use magic too, just like you!"

Mike’s heart swelled. He had spent years perfecting his craft, believing magic was something only he could truly master. But now, his children had proven otherwise.

Mike: "I’m… so proud of you both."

He knelt, pulling them into a tight embrace. Heidi joined in, the warmth of their family radiating through the room.

Heidi: "You two really are a perfect combination of both of us."

The twins grinned.

Boy: "Does this mean we can join your magic shows and cooking events now?"

Mike: "Well… maybe after a little more training!"

They all laughed together, the sounds of joy echoing through the ship.

In that moment, Mike and Heidi knew — no matter how far they traveled or what challenges they faced, their children were their greatest talent.

_ _ _

The spaceship continued its calm voyage through the stars. Within its vast chambers, laughter echoed as the twins dashed from one room to another, playfully observing their parents.

Mike stood in his Magic Chamber, a vast space filled with levitating books, glowing crystals, and mystical artifacts. His hands moved with precision, conjuring vibrant illusions of stars and galaxies. Each spell shimmered like a painting in motion.

The twins peeked from the corner, mesmerized.

Boy: "Dad, your magic is so cool!"

Girl: "It’s like you can control the whole universe!"

Mike chuckled.

Mike: "Not quite, but I can create beautiful illusions."

With a wave of his hand, he crafted a radiant orb that burst into sparkling stardust, sending it gently toward his children. They laughed, clapping in amazement.

Mike: "One day, you two will surpass me."

Meanwhile, Heidi hummed cheerfully in her Kitchen Chamber. Pots and pans floated mid-air, and the aroma of her signature dishes filled the room. With lightning-fast precision, she sliced, stirred, and garnished.

The twins peeked in, their mouths watering.

Boy: "Mom! It smells delicious!"

Girl: "You’re the best chef in the universe!"

Heidi smirked, flipping a sizzling pan effortlessly.

Heidi: "Of course! And don’t forget, I also have the most mischievous taste-testers in the universe!"

They giggled, rushing to grab small samples.

_ _ _

Soon after, Mike entered the ship’s Lab Chamber — a compartment equipped with state-of-the-art technology. Rows of robots stood silently, awaiting commands.

With a tap on the control panel, Mike’s voice echoed.

Mike: "Activate Play Mode."

The robots’ eyes lit up as they sprang to life. Each had a unique design, some resembling animals, others with humanoid features. They chirped and twirled, playfully interacting with the twins.

Boy: "Come on, let’s race!"

Girl: "And then we’ll play hide and seek!"

The robots obediently followed, their mechanical laughter mimicking joy. The twins’ laughter resonated through the chamber, filling the ship with happiness.

Mike and Heidi watched from the doorway, their hearts warmed by the sight.

Heidi: "They really see those robots as their playmates."

Mike: "And to think Naomi made those for ship maintenance."

Heidi: "They ended up being the perfect babysitters too."

They shared a chuckle.

However, the joyful moment was soon interrupted.

A sudden beep echoed from the ship’s Control Chamber. The main screen displayed fluctuating red patterns — an irregular energy signature.

Heidi: "What’s that?"

Mike quickly accessed the system, his brows furrowing.

Mike: "This energy signature… It’s a sign of forced suppression. Dictatorship."

The twins' expressions darkened.

Boy: "Dictatorship? Like bad people ruling over others?"

Girl: "Are we going to help them, Dad?"

Mike hesitated for a moment. Heidi’s expression remained firm.

Heidi: "We can’t ignore this. It’s too close."

He nodded.

Mike: "We’ll check it out, but we have to be cautious. If it’s as bad as the tracker suggests, it won’t be easy."

Heidi placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

Heidi: "We’ve been through worse. And we’re not alone."

The twins, despite their fear, nodded bravely.

Twins: "We’ll help too!"

Mike: "No. You two stay on the ship where it’s safe."

The twins reluctantly agreed, understanding the danger.

With swift coordination, Mike steered the spaceship toward the ominous signal. The energy pattern grew stronger, confirming their fears. Soon, a desolate planet loomed before them. Its skies were dark, and the surface was marked by scorch marks and destroyed buildings.

Heidi: "It’s worse than I thought."

The monitor displayed the name of the tyrant — Ferrow.

Mike: "Ferrow… He’s the one ruling here?"

Heidi clenched her fists.

Heidi: "Then we know what we have to do."

_ _ _

Mike and Heidi stood side by side as the spaceship hovered above the desolate planet.

The twisted remnants of what once seemed a vibrant city now lay in ruins.

Smoke rose from crumbling buildings, and the sky was veiled with a dull, reddish hue.

Mike: "This place... It’s like the life has been drained from it."

Heidi: "Whoever Ferrow is, he didn't just take control. He destroyed the spirit of this planet."

The twins watched from the ship’s window, concern evident on their young faces.

Boy: "Mom, Dad... Please be careful."

Girl: "And come back soon!"

Mike and Heidi exchanged a reassuring glance.

Mike: "We will. And remember, stay in the ship. If anything happens, activate the defense system."

The twins nodded firmly, though their worry lingered.

Mike and Heidi adjusted their disguises — Mike cloaked himself in a dark robe, and Heidi wore a long white hooded coat, concealing her presence. Their goal was clear: gather information without drawing attention.

The ship's cloaking system ensured it remained invisible as they descended. With a swift jump, they landed in the shadow of a cracked stone wall.

Heidi: "No guards? Strange."

Mike: "Ferrow must be too confident in his control. But we can't assume it's safe."

They moved cautiously through the empty streets. Crumbled statues of what seemed to be past rulers lined the main path. Yet, one statue stood tall — Ferrow's own figure, grotesque and ominous. His piercing eyes and sinister grin were carved into the stone.

Soon, they reached the center of the city, where a massive digital screen broadcasted a looping message from Ferrow.

Ferrow (On Screen):
"Citizens of Valtross, your obedience ensures survival. Resistance will not be tolerated. The era of freedom is over. I am your ruler, your savior. Kneel before Ferrow."

The people's expressions were empty. Many wore tattered clothes, their eyes reflecting despair. Others averted their gazes, fear gripping their every movement.

Heidi (Whispering): "This isn't living. This is suffering."

Mike clenched his fists.

Mike: "Ferrow has crushed their hope. But not for long."

Just then, a small child, frail and trembling, stumbled nearby. Heidi rushed to catch him before he fell.

Heidi: "Hey, are you alright?"

The boy's eyes widened in fear.

Boy: "P-please… Don’t tell the guards I spoke to you."

Before Heidi could respond, the boy's mother pulled him away, her voice trembling.

Mother: "Forgive him! We will obey! Please don’t report us!"

They vanished into the shadows, leaving Mike and Heidi with a heavy silence.