School. There was something about it that never changed. Twist had always found it enjoyable, if a little elementary. Even as a filly she had excelled at learning, being five lessons ahead of everypony else. In part that was the reason she had agreed upon taking an intern position in Starswirl — there were only that many books a school could offer.

"Mornin', Twist," Apple Bloom said in the grumpiest fashion possible. "So glad ya made it last night." Disappointment dripped from every word. "It ain't like I had to spend a whole evening comin' up with excuses why Miss Perfect couldn't make it," she snorted loudly.

Typical Apple Bloom. She and Twist had been friends as long as Twist could remember, though with each year it was getting more and more difficult to hang out. What started with Apple Bloom creating the Cutie Mark Crusaders became ten times worse with the appearance of the Dream Web. Now both of them had other priorities, and both couldn't share them in public. Last night was one of their monthly "double blind dates" — a practice which started as a joke and became a tradition. The only sad thing was, with both mares focusing on their careers, the chances of having any fun largely diminished. The irony of it all was that Twist had become the school's "Most Desired Mare," beating out both Sweetie Belle and Diamond Tiara. If only she could have been so fortunate a few years ago.

"Next time, please be a bit more descriptive-like." Apple Bloom took her books out of her saddlebag. "'Urgent work' ain't worth a lick. And change ya PonySeeker profile picture!"

"Oh?" Twist turned around. "I thought it was good."

"Too good," Apple Bloom sighed. "Both of 'em kept asking 'bout ya. One even asked if you modeled for Pony Mare." She rolled her eyes.

"Well, it could be worse." Twist put a hoof on her chin, serious expression on face. "It could have been MareMate." She waited for a few moments. As expected Apple Bloom gaped at her in shock. Twist kept up the act for a while longer, then burst laughing. Oh, Apple. So easy to tease. I'll really miss you once we graduate. I'll miss everypony here.

Class started slightly late. Apparently, there were some issues with somepony again. It wasn't easy being a teacher in the post-Web era in Ponyville, especially with some of the students being Web celebrities.

"Good morning, class." Cheerilee tried to greet them with her usual smile. The bags under her eyes, however betrayed her. "I have just been told that today we will finish class early, since," she took out a small note and stared at it for a fraction of a second, "there will be a Ponyville-Cloudsdale Bolt tournament," she pronounced each word slowly, before putting the note away. "I must confess I know nothing about your new Web games, buuuut..."

Leave it to her to try to see the positive in everything. The announcement over, Cheerilee started taking attendance. Diamond Tiara was absent again, the only reason given being "personal emergency". If it were anypony else, the school would be furious, but since her mother was on the School Board, Diamond got a free pass every time. It also helped that Silver Spoon was school council president.

Biology, History, Trigonometry... all things Twist had finished ages ago. Somehow, it was difficult going back to standard school stuff, when one had been introduced to deep data-mining, Swirlcode algorithms and Web-avatar construction basics. Still, there was something about the naïveté of schoolbooks that made the mare feel warm inside.

"Hey, Apple Bloom, have you given any thought as to what you'll be doing after school?" Twist asked once class was over.

"Well, ah am an Apple." Apple Bloom shrugged, in a manner as if it was self evident. "And there is the Cutie Mark Crusader stuff. What 'bout you, Twist? Fashion model?" Hearing that, Twist chuckled. "Ya know, at times I miss that silly filly with that there lisp and 'em huge glasses."

"Hey now!" Twist said in faux rage. "It's because I stopped bringing candy, isn’t it? And I'll have you know I still have glasses." Although, maybe I should get an eye-spell procedure. It would certainly take care of a few problems.

"Ahem," a sharp cough sounded. "If I'm not interrupting anything, I'd like to have a word."

"What ya want, Silver Spoon?" Apple Bloom frowned. "It ain't against the rules to talk after class. Or did ya change them rules again?"

Ignoring the question, Silver Spoon made a sign for Twist to follow her. To the normal observer the whole scene was nothing more than Silver being the typical stick in the mud. In reality, things were quite different — Silver Spoon was Twist's employer, and the meeting was on Twist's request.

* * *

Twist felt nervous, probably for the first time in her life. It wasn't common for ponies in suits to come to her house and ask that she join them to the local Conglomerate office. Such things were only supposed to happen in books or movies. Her mother had been beyond herself with concern. Being a simple florist, she hadn't understood a word of the legal talk the Conglomerate lawyer had spewed her way. It had taken Twist no small effort to explain things and calm her down, while keep on her own internal terror in check.

"Questions regarding misuse of the Web-gear's user agreement". That was the official reason Twist was asked to go to the Conglomerate Office. Nothing more than a matter of clearing things up. She, however, knew it was related to her net activities. One week after entering the Web, Twist had managed to discover an interesting anomaly in her avatar. Investigating further revealed access to a series of undocumented protocols, along with the coordinates of a hidden Web sector. Naturally, Twist hadn't resisted the urge to go there. In retrospect, it probably was a bad idea.

"Are you thure my mom can't be prethent?" Twist asked nervously, as she was lead down a marble hall. "She ith my parent and legal guardian."

"Ms Shimmy Shake is of no interest at this time," one of the suited ponies said. "And since you have your cutie-Mark we are under no obligation to have her present during any discussions or proceedings that might involve you."

Long, but to the point. Twist wished she had read more on Equestrian Law. Now she had to take them on their word. The ponies proceeded to the third floor, where they stopped in front of a rather large door. "Connection and Communications Division" was written in massive bold letters on a large gold plaque. Only Twist was allowed to enter. The moment she did, the door slammed shut behind her.

So vast! Twist could only think, as she beheld the room. Despite her unease, she had to admire the technology and sophistication all around — crystal dust statues, aether screens, even the desk resembled an amphitheater of solid gold.

"Hello, Twist." A pony emerged from behind the desk. At the sight of it Twist froze. The pony was none other than Silver Spoon. "Welcome to the Conglomerate."

"Thilver Thpoon?" Twists's glasses nearly fell off. "All thith ith yourth?"

"My family's." The other nodded. "Silver ore is an ideal conduit for Dream Web infrastructure something or other," she waved a hoof, utterly uninterested. "My parents were approached with an offer. Needless to say, they accepted." Silver Spoon made her way through the room, her hooves almost echoing as she walked. "The deal ensured, among other things, that my parents get positions on the board of directors. Furthermore, all their children were to be given divisions of their own within the Conglomerate structure."

"Thith ith your offith?" Twist still couldn't believe it.

"No, this is my brother's." Silver pointed to the rather large golden bust looming over the desk. A perfect rendition of an overly fetching stallion's head. A plaque underneath read "Goldenboy". "In his benevolence he allowed me to make use of it, until I set up 'a division of my own'."

The implication was clear. It didn't take a genius to tell that Silver's brother didn't take her seriously. Probably expected her division to be related to catering or something. Or maybe it was? Twist's cutie-mark was a pair of candy canes, Silver's — a teaspoon. Was that the reason Twist was brought here?

"You hacked into your Web avatar, I understand." Silver adjusted her glasses. So much for a career in catering. It was too good a dream to be true. "You meddled with its undocumented functions and went to an unlisted developer sector. Mind telling me what you did there?"

"Thorry, Thilver Thpoon, it was tho interethting." I couldn't stop myself. The code was begging to be analyzed. And those puzzles... They were just so interesting! "I played a few gameth. I thought they were to come out in the next update and—"

"You caused two tech divisions to spend a week shouting at each other whose fault it was that a 'stupid schoolfilly' could complete one of their recruitment tests before it was launched," Silver Spoon interrupted. "Obviously there had to be a glitch somewhere for that to happen."

"No, it wath jutht that I—"

"Obviously it was a glitch," Silver raised her voice slightly. "Thinking otherwise would mean that a schoolfilly was somehow able to outsmart some of the greatest minds the Conglomerate has on payroll, and we all know that can't be possible, can it?"

Silence. I don't understand. You want me to pretend this never happened? But why? And why drag me all the way here with lawyers and ponies in suits? What am I missing? Twist still shook her head. She knew better than to disagree with Silver Spoon on any subject. In school their relations could be described as lukewarm friendly, but that was only because Twist never argued.

"A shame, though." Silver continued towards the door. "Recruitment will have to go on overtime to create a patch, or whatever it's called, to ensure that nopony could stumble upon the exploit you just found. We can only have the best and brightest be able to join, after all."

"Thilver Thpoon, I am confused."

"We both know what it is like to have to listen to idiots." The grey filly turned around and looked her straight in the eye. "Cheerilee, no matter how nice, barely knows more than the books she teaches us by. The Conglomerate is no different — specialists do as they are told, while managers plot unrealistic schemes to climb further up the corporate ladder. But while they do, they leave themselves vulnerable. I want to take advantage of that."

"Okay?" Twist was starting to like this less and less.

"To put it bluntly, I want you to work for me, Twist. Everypony at school has seen how you far ahead you are. I could probably match you if I were to focus really hard, but you are a natural — you do it because you enjoy it."

"I gueth."

"You also like the Dream-Web." Silver Spoon continued. "You've barely had your gear for a week and already you've spent more time than half the Web users. I'm sure you've also found some other 'glitches' as well, haven't you?"

There it was — the first undeniable hint of blackmail. Well, it wasn't blackmail exactly. Even at school, Silver had used the occasional subtle threat to get things her way. Twist's mind was already racing to try to figure out what she could be referring to. Was it developer logs? It's not my fault the Web builders left comments in their code. although maybe I should have reported it, when I first found it. And there is the matter of them discussing hidden protocols...

"I know nothing about the Web, Twist," Silver admitted. "But I know a lot about business and politics. Divisions in the Conglomerate have already started stepping on each other's hooves. Things are about to get way more serious. While they fight for assets and personnel, I want you to help me collect data. Work for me and you can have pretty much anything you wish."

An unexpected offer, but undoubtedly tempting. Twist was smart enough to see what she could achieve if she were to become part of Starswirl. The pay alone was enough to relieve her mother from having to buy more and more expensive books to satisfy her daughter's thirst for knowledge. She could enjoy working in the flower shop, as well as spend more time with her friends. Also, Twist would get access to unimaginable resources... and still there was one big question.

"There'th thith hidden Web forum that thayth the Conglomerate ith thcary," she said.

"Oh, it definitely is." For the first time Silver Spoon allowed herself to smile. "Don't you want to see how scary, though? Join my 'Internal Assistance' division and we both will find out."

* * *

"Was he telling the truth?" Twist gazed outside the window. The younger colts and fillies were enjoying themselves in the school's playground. Apparently there were some things that even the Web couldn't change. "Did the Conglomerate create the Sombra Virus?"

"Wouldn't be surprising," Silver Spoon mused. Parts of Starswirl were capable of many things. "According to my Web contacts there has been an unusual rise in Sombra speculation. Somepony is trying to create a haystack to hide a needle in."

"What do you want me to do?" Twist turned around.

Despite the unexpected development, there were dozens anomalies that merited attention, not to mentioned a huge number of ponies Silver had interest in. And there also was Twist's personal task — one she had devoted years of her life pursuing.

"Luna's Army will have to wait," Silver said firmly. "Look into this thing. If there is even a speck of truth in what this Clairvoyance says, heads will roll."

And you want to do the cutting, Twist added to herself. Typical Silver Spoon — ready to do anything to prove she is not to be underestimated.

"Better yet, stop everything you're doing," the grey pony said. "I need to check a few things, see if this Black Bear division really exists. Take a few days off, do what you want in the Web or out. Just be on call."

"As always, Silver." Twist smiled, then went to the door. Opening it, she paused. "You know, I was thinking of having a party at my place. Been awhile since I've done one of those. Want to come?"

Silver stared at her for several long seconds before turning her attention to the pile of papers on the desk. Student reports, school budgets per class, and many more bureaucratic joys cluttered the entire area. If anypony could see this side of things, they would think twice before running for the position of student council president.

"I'll pass." Silver flipped a sheet of paper over. "Diamond would probably like to go."

Pity, Twist thought. Would have been nice to get the entire class together again. Maybe some other time. Trotting casually, she passed through the school library. Like most her schoolmates, she had long stopped paying attention to the books there. For one thing, she had read them all, for another — there were three Dream-Web terminals installed. These were by no means as advanced as the one Twist had at home, but they allowed rudimentary access to the Web. She could easily send a mass invite to her entire class, as well as check a few forums. Cheerilee had mentioned a Bolt tournament, so having the party after would be perfect. With luck Scoots might bring some of her gamer friends along.

"Twist!" A familiar holler filled the corridor, just as she was about to enter the library. "Twist, are ya alright? What did that snake want with ya?"

"Well," Twist turned around, the most serious expression she could muster. "Silver... was concerned." She paused, making Apple Bloom's ears perk up in alarm.

"Concerned?" she repeated, worried.

"Very concerned." Twist nodded somberly. "It seems that we have been going on blind dates for eight months and still don't have anything to show for it!" A chuckles escaped her, as she tried to remain serious.

"Twist, if ya weren't mah friend, I'd kick ya in the face right now." Apple Bloom was not amused.

"Oh, come on." Twist shoved her, as they entered the library. "What did you expect? It was the usual hinting-slash-accusing me of cheating on tests. Apparently getting a perfect score is considered an impossibility as far as she is concerned. In other news, I'll be having a party at my place. Entire class is invited."

"Hah!" Apple Bloom crossed her forehooves. "If ya're trying to bribe me, I'll have a ya know that... It'll take some mighty fine sweets to do that!"

"Well you'll have to come and see if any show up then, won't—" Twist suddenly froze. She had just reached the terminal, when the news announcement hit her like a brick in the face.

Rosesand, Barterzone and Eggheart sectors are currently down for unscheduled maintenance. The Starswirl Conglomerate apologizes for the inconvenience and would like to assure everyone that the issue will be resolved as quickly as possible. In the unlikely event that access to the sectors is not restored in the next twelve hours, the Conglomerate will compensate any and all legitimate users and business that have assets in those sectors. Thank you for your understanding.

This wasn't good. Starswirl's PR department was trying to pass it as something routine, but it was anything but that. Twist knew perfectly well what required twelve hours — a complete sector collapse. Stupid Web-challenged bureaucrats! You should have used real time, not just write 'in the next twelve hours'! Everypony and her grandmother will suspect something is up! That was not what worried her most of all. Rather, it was the sectors that had been shut down — Barterzone and Rosesand. One could argue that they were hacker zones, so to speak, yer Twist suspected there might be an entirely different reason. Those were the sectors she had been to last night, just before her meeting with Clairvoyance.

"Ya alright, Twist?" Apple Bloom waved a hoof I front of her.

"Oh, sorry, just remembered something." Act casual, act casual. There's no need to alarm Apple Bloom Twist typed in the username and password to her scrollbox, and started composing a Web message. "What do you think about inviting Pinkie Pie? That would certainly make things interesting."

"Err, no." Apple Bloom's face became pale with fear. "No, nope, nuh-huh! No Pinkie Pie."

"As you wish, Miss Picky." Twist forced a fake laugh. Her mind mind was elsewhere, though. Someone had targeted the sectors she had been to. If it turned out they had been infected with the Sombra virus, then meant there were Cultists within the Conglomerate, and they were extremely up to date.

Author's Notes:

Silver Core Conduit (SCC) - the primary means by which Web gear and terminals are connected to the Conglomerate Hubs. Silver has the unique properties that allow for minimal lag when linking to the Dream-Web. Experiments with other materials have proven unsuccessful.

The Sterling Corporation holds all rights to SCC manufacturing, along with the corresponding patents. Replication of SCC technology is punishable by 10 years incarceration.