Fluttershy stepped up to the front of the class to present her report that was required for the semester grade. It was the first time she'd ever spoken in public, and she was more nervous than those people who disarm bombs. The filly Fluttershy cleared her throat and just looked nervously at the 20 other fillies and colts that were watching her every move.

"Um…m-m-my name is Fluttershy, and, uh…I'm going to…um…"

The crowd could barely hear her because of her quiet nature and the fact that she was so timorous at the moment.

"What?!" one of the fillies shouted.

The class suddenly burst into laughter at Fluttershy's pathetic attempt at a report.

"Tomatoes at the ready!" the teacher shouted.

The fillies got tomatoes out of their desks. Some of them were old and covered with green mold. Fluttershy's eyes widened, and she shook with fear.

"3! 2! 1! Go!"

The sky seemed to be filled with the red fruit, all about to crash down on young Fluttershy. She could only brace herself as they all pelted her with citrus juice.

Fluttershy woke up from her nightmare. Once again, she was dripping with cold sweat, and so were her blankets. This was the fourth time in a row that she'd dreamt this recurring memory from her youth, and it has haunted her all her life, but it has become far more apparent in her adulthood. Angel was sound asleep beside her, and she knew everything was okay. She knew she wouldn't be able to sleep that night, so she got up. Being careful not to disturb her white bunny, she snuck past him, grabbed some cereal from the cabinet, and watched some late-night talk shows in her faux leather recliner. However, she was wrong and drifted back off to sleep.

The oral report tomato dream awoke her again, and by that time, it was morning. She got up and did her daily chores, but couldn't get that awful dream out of her head. This time around, they were throwing chainsaws that cut her limb from limb. But now was not the time for silly dreams. She had to meet her friends at a picnic in the fields. While watering her garden, she saw a tomato plant with red, ripe tomatoes and seized up with alarm. She calmed down after a while and watered the plant, being nervous as not to touch the tomatoes. She knew she had to at the Harvest Moon, but at the moment, the timid pony didn't know how she was going to pull it off.

She met up with her friends in the fields. The picnic blanket was sprawled out, and so was the food. Pinkie was set up in a sprinting position for some reason.

"Ready, set, go!"

Rainbow pressed the button on her stopwatch, and Pinkie took off like a rocket down the valleys and up the hills. She returned about five seconds later.

"Wow, record time."

"Hey, guys."

Fluttershy trotted up to them.

"Hey, Fluttershy," greeted her friends.

"Whatcha doin'?"

"Testing Pinkie's speed," Rainbow answered. "But now, she's gonna have to race me. On your mark, get set, go!"

The two took off down the field, Pinkie leaving a pink trail compared to Dash's rainbow one.

"Goodness, Fluttershy, you look like you haven't slept in days." Rarity pointed to the bags under her friend's eyes. "What's wrong, darling?"

"Oh, it's nothing for you guys to worry about."

"Aw, you can tell us, sugarcube," pleaded Applejack.

"We're your friends," Twilight added.

"Um…well, it's…kinda, um…"

Pinkie zipped past Fluttershy and sat in front of the picnic blanket, Rainbow coming a slow ten seconds behind her. Rainbow Dash was exhausted when she finally returned, and she was panting like a dog.

"How do you do that?!" said Rainbow Dash after a few breaths.

"I think it has something to do with sugar," guessed Rarity. "But enough about that. Fluttershy-"

"Guys!" Spike came running up to the ponies, sprinting as fast as his stubby little dragon legs could carry him. He slumped down in front of the ponies, gasping for breath.

"Sorry, it's a long way here. It's a letter from the Princess!"

Twilight lifted the scroll in Spike's claw with her magic and read it aloud for her friends.

"'Dear my loyal subjects, I am writing to you from the grand opening of the Royal Banquet Hall. The historic hall is being reopened after some minor…plumbing issues. However, there is to be a speech before the Banquet Hall is officially opened, and out of all of Equestria, I choose your friend, Fluttershy."

The shy pony looked like she was about to have a heart attack.

"Please be at the Canterlot Royal Banquet Hall at 2:30 PM sharp in two days. See you there!' Isn't this great, Fluttershy? You get to give a speech! Fluttershy?"

Fluttershy had picked a nearby bush and was taking shelter under it.

"Come on, Fluttershy, come out."

"No, I don't want to."

"You can't stay in there forever."

"Yes, I can!"

"Uh, Twilight…"

Rainbow put her arm around Twilight and walked her off to the side.

"Fluttershy kind of has a fear of…public speaking."

"Yeah, I figured."

"Something to do with school and throwing tomatoes-"

"Oh, a suppressed childhood memory! That makes perfect sense!"

"Yeah, whatever, but I can work with her. You know, to get her ready for the speech."

"Are you sure you can handle it, Rainbow?"

"Eh, I've handled tougher situations."

Rainbow flew over to Fluttershy's hiding place.

"Okay, Fluttershy, we can do this the easy way or the hard way. Which path you wanna take?"

"Uh…hard way?"

"Suit yourself." Rainbow pulled on Fluttershy's tail with all her strength, but when she's afraid, she's like an immovable rock.

"Gah, it's hopeless. Unless…Hey, Fluttershy, look! An adorable kitten!"

Rainbow Dash held up a stuffed kitten toy. She pulled the string, and it even meowed.

"Aw. So cute."

Fluttershy got out of her hedge, allowing Rainbow to lure her back to the cottage.

"Last night, I had a dream that I was a strawberry, and I was gonna be baked into a fancy pie!"

Pinkie got a look from all her friends.