Maniaphobia

Sometimes, he'd stare at himself in the mirror and wonder if it was worth it. He loved his friends. He loved his job. Most of the time. But sometimes…the character work became all too real. Maybe he was putting in too many hours, maybe he was spending too much time in costume…

…or maybe he was losing it.

It was a thought that came to mind a little too frequently for his liking. Each time he got into a new character a little too closely, it took him longer and longer to break. Separating art from reality used to be so easy. So why wasn't it as easy anymore?

It was in these moments that he felt his weakest. Staring at himself in the mirror, trying to differentiate, without the costume, what made him and Luntar all that different? Him and S-Cape? Him and Rattan?

He was almost ready to let the madness overcome him. Stop fighting the terror and give in.

But like a beacon of light, Ellen was always there, stepping in at just the right time. She always knew what was wrong, but she didn't have to say it. They just looked at each other, and they'd know. So instead she'd ask if he wanted to stay in, order pizza, catch up on America's Got British Judges. And he'd always say yes.

Because he loved her, and her love was the only thing that assured him that reality was the better place to be.

Atelophobia

He was slipping. It was obvious to him, and yet everyone else seemed so oblivious. He tried his damnedest to make the show perfect, and for a while, it seemed like it was working! But of course, nothing lasts forever. Things were catching fire and the level of unpreparedness that backstage possessed was translating on screen. And as far the tomato could tell, he was the only one who cared.

And it was driving him insane. They had a show to produce! They had investors who would drop them if they didn't make returns! He loved his coworkers, he really did, they were like family to him! But sometimes…sometimes he wished he was around people who would take this a little more seriously.

And now there was a mouse. A wild mouse running around backstage. Petunia and Larry's shrieks of terror could be heard miles away, as the two had lept onto a table in fear, each trying to push the other in front to protect themselves.

Mr. Lunt had decided it was a good time to whip out the pepper spray. Unfortunately, he didn't spray the bottle close enough to the ground, and now the veggies were all teary-eyed.

Junior had suggested they make a small trail of cheese to lead it outdoors, but unfortunately, the gourds had eaten it.

This was the final farewell to the studio. Bob was sure of it. He couldn't get anyone's attention. It was full blown chaos! They were going to end up burning down the studio. He began counting the seconds.

And then, a loud noise was heard. The steel door being slammed shut was like the hallelujah chorus. "Would you stop all of zis nonsense, s'il vous plait?" the diva cried. She eyed the mouse, giving it a death glare no one in the studio had ever seen her use before. "You, vile little creature…" she seethed, leaning down and picking it up "Are causing way too much trouble for your petite size!"

Angrily, she hopped over to the window and hurled it outside with a herculean strength. The tomato's jaw dropped, as he stared at her, completely awe-stricken "If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself!" she cried, before hopping back into her dressing room and slamming the door shut.

Spectrophobia

It wasn't like having sleepovers was anything new. They had been doing it for what felt like 20-odd years, despite the fact that they were only seven.

No no, what made this time different was the creaky noises Laura kept hearing. It was unsettling. The poor girl's mind raced as every possibility came to mind. But only one made absolute sense. Ghosts. They had to be.

What if it didn't want them there? What if it was warning them to get out?

"Junior…" she whispered, nudging her friend a little. "Junior…" she whined.

Yawning a little bit the boy replied "Laura, I'm trying to sleep…"

"Junior…don't you hear the noises?" she asked, her voice strained and panicked despite being barely over a whisper.

"What noises?" he asked groggily. Another creak was heard, causing the carrot to yelp a little. "Oh those noises." Junior commented absently. "Laura, there's nothing…" he paused to yawn "…to worry about. I promise. My mom and Dad just leave the window open in the kitchen when it's nice out. It used to freak me out too…" another yawn "…but you get used to it."

"R-really?"

"Mmhmm." he nodded. "There's no reason to be scared."

Laura nodded back, smiling a little. "Okay, if you say so…"

"I know so." he reassured her. After a short pause he asked "Can I go back to sleep now?"

Astraphobia

Tootaney was warm once again, and the citizens were more than thrilled. Most of the time.

Unfortunately with the heat came humidity, and with humidity came thunder storms. And lots of them.

Luntar had a reputation to uphold. He couldn't let the little jumps he gave every time he saw the flash of light diminish that in any way.

Luna was tired of being seen as the ship's token girl. The loud noises shook her to the core, but if there was one thing she hated more than blue puns, it was snide comments being made by her shipmates - especially those under her - about how she was just a delicate, fragile, woman.

Oliver was still a child. So by that definition, he should be the least concerned by who saw him whimpering when the thunder and lightening would start back up. But he was going to take over from his uncle someday! So he needed to be a big brave boy.

Another round hit, and all three of them let out a little yelp.

Upon hearing that they weren't the only one who cried out, they turned and eyed each other. Suddenly, all three realized, that if these two people who they admired so much were afraid of thunder and lightening, it totally justified their fear, as well.

Achluophobia

Petunia couldn't stop giggling. The power wasn't even off. It was just a flicker. And yet, Larry had yelped. "Are you afraid of the dark?" she asked, between the ongoing giggles that she couldn't control.

"Don't laugh!" he replied, hurt. "It's not funny."

"It's adorable!" she cried, still giggling.

Larry pouted "Don't patronize me…"

"I'm not!" she cried in defense "It's adorable! It's honestly one of the cutest things I've ever seen. I swear." she finished, a warm smile on her face.

"R-really?" he asked, wanting to believe but years of being made fun of for his child-like habits holding him back from doing so.

"Uh huh." The rhubarb replied, her mouth in between a smile and smirk, before she leaned forward and gently pecked him on the nose "Just like you."