The green of the Everfree Forest passed by in a flash as the young filly went sprinting through the darkness. She knew it was dangerous - especially since she was young and alone. But could Diamond Tiara live with her guilt and the conflicting sides within herself? No, she could not. There was only one pony who could help her, and it wasn't a pony. Surely Zecora would have some kind of helpful potion to cure her problems, to make them vanish. Apple Bloom once had her chipped tooth healed by a potion, there must be some kind of a remedy to help Diamond Tiara. Then again, Apple Bloom also got the Cutie Pox through taking what wasn't hers. She sucked in a deep breath and continued her sprint, nearly tripping over a branch in the path.

She was always confused as to why Zecora would want to live out in one of the most dangerous places in Equestria. For Celestia's sake, there were monsters looming everywhere! But Diamond Tiara saw all the rare and exotic plants and figured they'd probably be important to all of the zebra's plans. No other place had so much diversity, and Zecora was the only one to snap up the opportunity. It was kind of ironic how all of Ponyville feared her when she first arrived, thinking she was a witch. It didn't make sense, considering witchcraft was Pinkie Pie's thing.

Finally, Diamond Tiara saw the hut that housed the mysterious zebra. A small smile broke through, knowing her problems could soon be over. But that smile was replaced with a broken expression as her own thoughts caught up with her.

There's no point in visiting Zecora. Your problems cannot be cured through a potion, they are your burden and yours alone.

You think you have an issue that can be solved through another pony's help, but it can only be solved by yourself.

The problem is all in your head. It's playing you for a fool.

She screamed and fell on all fours. There had to be somepony, somepony who knew what was going on. She wasn't willing herself to think those atrocious thoughts. Diamond Tiara wanted the ground to swallow her up and take her problems away, because she felt like a lost filly on their first day of school. Confused, angered and upset all in one, harsh emotion. Was the problem really all in her head? Diamond Tiara wanted to get a chainsaw and destroy the forest, her inner emotions were so conflicted. But who was she fighting? Was it the Cutie Mark Crusaders? Dad? Miss Cheerilee? "I don't know, I don't know! C'mon, think. There has to be a reason. Think!" She told herself angrily, trying to find the reason. But all she found was herself staring blank into the darkness, as though expecting something to thrust at her from it. But then the truth hit her, and- no no no. There was someone.

"WHY?!" Diamond Tiara's voice tore itself from her throat in a scream unlike anything anypony had ever uttered.

"Young filly, why are you here? There is nothing to be found in these woods but gloom and fear. Do you seek help for your trouble? Then come with me, for you shall rise from the rubble." A gentle, unique voice floated over to Diamond Tiara from the distance. She looked up and saw Zecora standing a short distance away, her mane swaying in the breeze.

"Z-Zecora, I need a remedy for something. And it's not just a little thing, it's a big problem! Can you help?" She asked, picking herself up and walking to the zebra.

"You ask me if I can help? Perhaps a certain something can provide: boiling water with the best kelp." Zecora smiled at the depressed pony, as though she was blocking herself from the sad aura radiating from Diamond Tiara. "How does kelp help me at all?" The zebra did not reply, just kept smiling. She turned and walked towards her hut, as though beckoning Diamond Tiara to follow. She knew she didn't have a choice - the earth pony trotted after Zecora, in hopes that she would have a cure.

"Young filly, tell me of your struggle. Perhaps I can help you balance the things that you juggle." Diamond Tiara liked how Zecora always talked in rhyme. It made her sound relaxed and still tense, carefree yet serious. It was an interesting comparison, as though Zecora was simply black and white in an eternal struggle for power. But since neither can live without the other, she was always so mysterious.

"I.. I have these voices talking in my head trying to tell me all my problems are just an illusion in my mind, but I know they aren't! They're real! They have to be!" Diamond Tiara blurted out, needing to get it off her chest. "Dad told me I had freedom to be who I want to be. But when I try to be a different pony, somepony who isn't snobby and rude... it's like my inner self doesn't want change." She surprised herself at the words that came tumbling out. But if she said them, they had to be true. After Diamond Tiara refused to be her old self, her attempt at change just completely turned herself against whatever was doing this. "Also, please don't talk in rhyme. My head hurts."

"That's an odd request from someone such as you. But if it's what you desire, then I shall not." Zecora stated simply, ushering Diamond Tiara into the hut. It was warm and welcoming, with all of the zebra's remedies and ingredients on shelves, tables and the floor. "Now, from what you are stating.. it sounds like you are in a battle against yourself. Such as the tale of Yin and Yang, your two sides are conflicting and battling. One side had been locked away, but now that it is free once more.. the battle has begun again. Neither can truly win." She walked to her cauldron, stirring the contents within.

"Do you have a potion that can help? That can get rid of the other pony?" Diamond Tiara beamed, knowing Zecora would never let her down. She had cures for all kinds of things, surely there was one that would work on eliminating a part of a pony's personality. But the frown and look of slight annoyance from Zecora made her lose hope quite quickly. She had not heard the part of Zecora's speech when she mentioned the battle, only the Yin and Yang. Even if she had listened, Diamond Tiara would've dismissed it. There was no way she was battling herself - that didn't even make sense.

"You don't quite understand. There is no other pony here. It is only you. Your two personalities are conflicting, creating a struggle to be powerful. You need to become one or the other, and stop questioning what you did in the past. Princess Luna and Princess Celestia live in harmony, even though they are different. They understand each other. You need to try and be the same. Come to a resolution with yourself. Only then can you solve your problem."

Diamond Tiara's anger flared when she was denied by Zecora. This wasn't just her problem! It was someone else's too, and now it was Zecora's! "No! This isn't just my problem now, it's yours too! You have to help! You can't deny me!" She yelled, stomping her hoof into the ground and whipping her tail back and forth.

"There is nothing I can do to help." At the sound of those words, Diamond Tiara flew into a fit of rage. She launched herself at Zecora, trying to knock her down. But the older, wiser zebra easily deflected the filly. "You must-"

"SHUT UP! You don't know me!" She knocked over the closest case, trying to shatter anything inside it. How dare this mutt deny such a pony as her, she was important and deserved all the respect- oh. Instantly, Diamond Tiara stopped and fell. It was true. She thought she was entitled, important. She wanted Zecora's help because she thought she could not be denied. Diamond Tiara could have laughed at her foolishness, but instead began to sob uncontrollably. Her mane was being stroked by Zecora, who was trying to comfort her.

"Please, just be calm. This is not your fault. There is something, there has to be..." But Diamond Tiara couldn't hear her. The fact that the truth was finally shoved into her face stung, but there was no denying it. There was no other pony, no other bearer of this conflict. The moment she changed meant the moment that the battle had begun. Diamond Tiara had finally accepted it, with the truth staring her right in the face.

She was truly at war with no one but herself.

Author's Note

If you made it this far, pat yourself on the back. Also, kudos to you if you found the Friendship is Witchcraft and Markiplier references.