Astrid's POV

The flight to the Meathead island would take no more than a few hours. Soren was currently seated with Hiccup on Toothless and was screaming in glee as they did some stunts.

Toothless soon joined us back in formation and I asked Hiccup where exactly we were going.

"I have a friend who can help us." Hiccup stated. "So we'll head for the capital."

We neared the islands after another hour of flying. The capital was build on the biggest island and it was so different. The corporation running this nation had its headquarters in the largest skyscraper right in the middle of the city. But it was the city itself that surprised me. Neon light glittered, there were various boutiques along the streets, and the citizens were all dressed glamorously.

"Welcome to the fashion capital of the world." Hiccup said as he gestured dramatically.

"So who's your friend?" Fishlegs asked as we landed on a street corner.

"His name's Thuggory." Hiccup answered and then walked to a phone booth. "He's the next in line to take over as CEO. Furious stated that the other items were in the hands of the ruling families so he should be able to help us out."

Hiccup stepped into the booth and we waited while he made some phone calls. When he stepped out he didn't look to happy.

"Your friend couldn't help you?" Soren asked as he stood next to me.

"He wasn't there." Hiccup said and pursed his lips. "Apparently he hasn't been seen for a week. His twin cousins are running the company in his stead. I have a bad feeling about this."

"So what do we do now cuz? Those guys won't help us because they don't really like you." Snotlout stated.

"Why don't they like Hiccup?" Ruffnut asked.

"Who wouldn't like Hiccup?" Tuffnut added. "That is if you don't mind his smartass remarks."

"Thanks Tuff." Hiccup says as he glares in Tuffnut's direction.

"And the occasional bullets flying past you..." Tuffnut continues completely oblivious to the intensifying glare.

"and..... " Tuffnut continues but Fishlegs clamped a hand over his mouth.

"Thuggory's cousins don't like Hiccup because he foiled one of their plans for a corporate takeover." Snotlout explains and then turns to his cousin. "You think they had anything to do with Thuggory going missing?"

"Maybe...... I don't want to start pointing fingers until I'm sure." Hiccup answered.

"So what now?" I ask Hiccup who was looking pensive.

"We do this the hard way." Hiccup stated and gestured for us to follow him. "First lets pay a visit to the underground's branch here. We'll need some information."

"Why do I have a feeling that I'm not going to like the hard way." Snotlout mumbled but still followed along.

Needless to say "The hard way" was definitely not what I was expecting. It took Hiccup two days of haggling with the informants in the underground to get the necessary information and we had to wait another three days before the plan could be executed.

We were currently sitting in the hotel room going over the finer details. Tonight Thuggory's cousins were hosting a gala event at the mansion exclusively for female models in order to find a cover model for the clothing line they were debuting next season.

This was the only time we could waltz past security, so Ruffnut and I volunteered for the job.

Hiccup actually looked the most nervous of us all.

"Do you remember the plan." Hiccup asked as he was wearing a hole in the carpet.

"Yes. Get in. Go the office on the third floor. Locate the safe and use the decoder to open it. Get the item and get out." I summarize and then say. "Relax Hiccup. You don't have to be such a mother hen."

"Yeah. This item should be easy to spot." Ruffnut said. "According to your informant the item they have is the Heart's stone. It's apparently a giant heart shaped ruby that we can't miss."

Ruffnut and I were already wearing our ball gowns as Fishlegs and Snotlout helped us with the earpieces.

Ruffnut was dressed in a classic floor length black and silver v-neck sleeveless dress, embellished with sparkling crystals with a high side slit and sweep train. Ruffnut had put her hair in an intricate bun and Snotlout was gaping and stuttering as he gave her the communications device.

I had on a black gown with a deep v-neckline and side cut-outs that wrap around to the back. The dress had a floor-length mermaid skirt which flared out.

"Now do you remember the information about Thuggory's cousins." Hiccup asked for the fifth time today.

"Yes Hiccup. Pietro and Daniel. Successful designers for 8 years. Known for their exotic styles and wild parties."

The party was well underway that night when Ruffnut and I stepped out of the town car that we rented. We showed our invitations, that Hiccup managed to get from Thor knows where, to the guards who let up into the party without a problem.

The entire ballroom was decorated extravagantly and we saw several beautiful women fawning over two men who had on matching tiger print tuxedos.

"Those must be the cousins." I whispered to Ruffnut who made a gagging sound as she took in their clothing. I saw her eyes widen and then Ruffnut whispered to me. Her statement had me looking more closely and then I saw the heart shaped gem on the neck of one of them.

I let out a groan of annoyance. 'Why don't things just go our way for once.' I think.

"We're going to have to get close to them." Ruffnut whispered. And I nodded. Things just got a whole lot more complicated.