//------------------------------//
// An Interview 
// Story: Best Sister 
// by SteadyGait 
//------------------------------//

        "Have ah ever saved anypony's life?" asked Applejack as the three crusaders stood around her.
        The pegasus of the group responded, "Yeah, that’s the question. Have you?"
        Applejack considered as she moved on to the next tree. There were still a few weeks of growing before the harvest season, but there was still plenty to do on the farm. Today, Applejack was making sure that not too many of the immature fruit were missing, which could indicate that fruit bats or some other creature was snacking in her fields. "So, can ya tell me why ya'll want to know if ah'ved saved a life?"
        Sweetie Belle smiled and said, "We’re getting our cutie marks in interviewing!"
        "Are ya now." Applejack looked doubtful, but decided that humoring the fillies was less work than turning them down. Besides, she didn’t want to be putting out any more fires this week, and asking questions would keep the troublesome trio busy for a while. "Ah was in the time and place to rescue a pony or two on occasion. Stopped a loose carriage once, prevented timberwolves from taking a bite out of Spike, and tied up some critters that were after Twilight once or twice."
        "And, uh, how do ya feel about that, sis?"
        Applejack frowned. "Ah just did what was needed at the time, what any good pony would do. No reason to feel special or headstrong 'cause of that.” She paused as she inspected a nearby tree, before moving on and continuing, “Ah know ah've been rescued myself on occasion - your sisters and I tend ta get in trouble a fair amount. Ah'm proud of them for what they've done for me, but ah'm far more proud of just who they are. Wouldn't trade any of them for the world. Not even RD, though she gets on my nerves on occasion." Applejack gave 
        "Ok, then, how many ponies do you feed with these apples?"





        "Well, she definitely did well," said Apple Bloom, as they left the farm.
        "Yeah, but I'm sure my sister will be even better." The trio hurried on their way to the carousel.





        "So, have you ever saved anypony's life?" asked Sweetie Belle. Rarity was busy sewing a seam while the three fillies watched. Ordinarily, she would have made sure they were comfortable in the sitting room, but she had gotten behind on dress orders and could not take the time to wait on her sister's friends. When they had said they wanted to question her, she’d told them to wait for another time so she could finish her work. Sweetie's expression and her insistence that they’d talk while she worked convinced her otherwise.
        "Why, again, are you three asking these questions?" Rarity inquired, focusing on her needle.
        "We’re going to get our cutie marks in interviewing!" replied Scootaloo.
        A dignified lady does not roll her eyes. Rarity resisted, this time at least. "This isn't going to end up on print is it? We don't want another Gabby Gums, or things could become... unpleasant for everyone."
        Sweetie Belle dismissed her sister’s concerns. "Don't worry, Sis. We just want to practice interviewing ponies."
        "Fine. Have I saved anypony? I'm afraid I've never had the opportunity to swoop in to rescue somepony off the train tracks or stop somepony from harming another. So, no, I don't think I've directly saved anypony..."
        Apple Bloom nudged Sweetie Belle and smirked, while the latter ignored her.
        "But I still believe I have made a major difference to many a pony. I would never let a pony stay in trouble if I knew I could help. I know how much a helping hoof can help, and many ponies have returned my generosity in kind. I don't believe any of you have met Coco Pommel, but my choices helped her defy the pony taking advantage of her work. We are now very close friends, and I can assure you that her life is much better working for me than... that other pony. Though I do not believe I have directly saved anypony's life, I do believe I have saved ponies."





        "So what did you do today?" Rainbow Dash asked Scootaloo. Although the rainbow-maned mare usually trusted Scootaloo to be fine going home by herself, the adventures of last week had scared her, and she wanted to be sure that the little squirt made it home safe and sound tonight at least.
        Scootaloo looked back to the clubhouse, from which the noises of the argument still could be heard. "Oh, they’re wondering which of them has the better sister. We decided to make into a competition, like the Iron Pony competition you did a while back, except that neither of them knew they were competing."
        "And so which pony won?"
        "They’re still arguing over who won. Both Rarity and Applejack have done so much good, but have such different approaches. They are really hard to compare."
        Rainbow Dash failed to looked contemplative. "Eh, I could take both of them, I'm sure."
        Scootaloo laughed and hugged Dash, who, after glancing around to make sure nopony was watching, warmly returned the hug. Scootaloo said happily, "I may not know which of their sisters is best, but I sure know that I've got the best sister of them all!"
        Rainbow struggled out of the firm hug, picked up the pace a bit, and said, "Hey, squirt? You're pretty fast on that scooter. How about a little race back to your place?"
        Scootaloo grinned. "You're on!" The two took off, soaring through the town as the sun set in the distance.