Dusk Star had done it before, and he could do it again. Now that he thought about it, he had been through a few too many near-tragic experiences with his family. As he walked through the hospital, he gave a quick glance back at his cutie mark and hid a somber smile, his attention turning back to the nurse leading him through the halls.
 
When they finally reached the room they were looking for, he spotted the stallion he came here to see. With tear-stains on his face and unkempt stubble on his chin, Lightning Bolt looked exhausted as he held the hoof of his comatose wife and spoke to her in a hushed voice. It was a situation Dusk knew all too well, as he had been in those exact horseshoes once.
 
“Lightning? I’m so sorry.”
 
Lightning looked up and gave an almost relieved smile. “Hi, Dusk. I’m glad you came.” He got up and wrapped a foreleg around him. “Thank you.”
 
Dusk rested into the hug and softly closed his eyes, focusing on how calm and peaceful he was. To lighten up the situation he pulled back and rested a hoof of Lightning’s shoulder, shooting him a cheeky grin. “No problem, being a shoulder for you to cry on seems to be my special talent.”
 
He shook his head softly as if pondering something, his smile fading slightly. “If you ever want to go home and rest, Firework and I would be glad to take over watching her for you. I also know her parents have been wanting some time with her, and your little ones get along with Royal’s, so if you ever want to get your mind off things we can…have a guys night?”
 
“I’d love that,” Lightning softly smiled and nodded. But that smile quickly faded into a frown as he turned back to Confetti’s dormant body.
 
It didn’t take a genius to see what was dampening Lightning’s mood. Confetti was his angel and now…well, if she didn’t wake up she would soon become a literal angel. “I know you’re worried about her, but you have to have faith. She’s a strong mare, and she has an amazing team of doctors helping her out. Not to mention you and everypony else she loves sticking by her.” He placed a hoof on his shoulder. “And regardless of what happens to her, you have all of us to help you out with your little balls of sunshine. There’s nothing to worry about.”
 
“I know, it’s just…” A fresh wave of tears came to Lightning’s eyes. “We’ve already been through so much tragedy. Paint, our scare with Firework…and now this! With how hard she fell, we have no idea if she’ll make it. If she does, she’ll never be able to walk or fly again. And if not…” He shook his head. “I just don’t understand why this always happens to us. It’s like our family is…” He swallowed deeply. “Cursed.”
 
“Cursed…thats the same way Firework put it.” Dusk’s eyes widened as he slowly looked down at the ground, wracking his mind for something insightful to say. Suddenly, he remembered something his mother told him when his grandfather died. “You know…a wise unicorn once said: Tragedy should be utilized as a source of strength. I mean, Firework mentioned how you all were drifting apart after Paint passed. Maybe there’s something to learn here?”
 
But Lightning clearly wasn’t understanding his point as he shook his head. “What IS there to learn here? When everyone you love is taken away? Is this the universe punishing us? Punishing ME?”
 
Dusk gripped Lightning’s shoulders as tightly as possible, “Lightning, stop. You didn’t do anything to deserve being punished. I’m trying to say that when the ponies who held your lives together are gone or unable to, it’s up to you all to hold it together. To heal as a family. Understand?”
 
“I…” Lightning tried to make his words out but couldn’t as the tears spilled down his face. He brought his friend into a tight embrace as he fought against the sobs racking his body. “I…it’s just been so hard! For all of us! I don’t know if we can take any more of this! Especially if she…”
 
“I believe in you Lightning,” Dusk rubbed his back comfortingly. “I believe that all of us can get through this, that she can get through this. I believe that whatever happens, you can all do it. Together. I know it’s hard, but life is never easy. Promise me you’ll stay strong?” His gaze shifted over to Confetti. “For her?”
 
“Yes,” Lightning sniffled and nodded in Dusk’s embrace. “Yes, I promise I will.”