For a moment, Twilight Sparkle looked honestly worried about the idea of sending her friends without her, Gazing up at rainbow as she tried to think of how best to respond to the Pegasus's questions. Nearby, Fluttershy saw her friend's discomfort and moved close to the princess's side, giving her a calming hug. It seemed to do The trick, the alicorn giving her friend a gentle smile for her gesture of kindness.

"I would like nothing more than to come with you all, but I am needed elsewhere." Twilight explained, frowning. "Princess Cadence, Princess Celestia, Princess Luna and I are needed elsewhere. Ponies are suffering all over Equestria, It's our duty to go and help them."

Pinkie looked as if she might start whining at any moment, so Applejack stepped in quickly before the volume could go up. "there's no need to worry about Twi. I'll be right there by her side, watchin' her back."
Undaunted, this only prompted the pink pony to shriek shrilly, "WHAT?!"

"Pinkie!" Fluttershy gasped, casting her enthusiastic friend a concerned and slightly chastising glance. "Twilight [I]is[/I] A princess. She needs to go and help those who ask for help."

Again, Twilight felt another surge of affection towards the shy Pegasus pony, A small sigh escaping her at the idea of being separated from four of her best friends for an extended amount of time. But, Fluttershy had spoken the truth. She was a princess of Equestria and the ponies needed her help now more than ever. "My asking you to go is not a sign that I wish to be separated from you, but rather, it is my acknowledgment of the confidence I have for your success. I wouldn't trust a job as important as this to any other pony." She smiled around at each of them in turn, trying to project her confidence into each of them, before Rarity made a comment that caused her to look a little confused.

"Zecora has a sister?" Fluttershy gasped with surprise, asking the question that everypony else seem to be wanting to ask. At least, almost everypony.

Pinkie seemed thoroughly unfazed by the information. She brightened, giving her head an excited bob. "Of course she has a sister! I threw her a welcome to Ponyville party as soon as she arrived!"

Blinking away the stunned expression on her face that she was sure that the others shared with her, Twilight couldn't help but give her head a small shake, smiling somewhat. Count on Pinkie to have knowledge about anypony coming to town, whether they wanted her to know or not. "I don't think it would hurt to talk with her. She may have some information to help you."