As it turned out, the transformations were... largely temporary. Only about one in ten actually remained ponified. Apparently this was exclusive to those who a) were close to either of the energy bursts and/or b) thought something like, "Wow! I'd like to be able to do that!" or something similar.
Either way, there was celebration aboard both ships. Food and drink was heartily shared, there was music and dancing, even Leftenant Bryant was getting into the spirit of things.
"Heh." he chuckled as he raised his drink up high with one hoof, to the puzzlement of some of the still-human crew members. "A toast to these fine Ponies, who've saved our lives in the most awesome of ways!" he extolled.
A cheer went up and cups of various descriptions were clinked together enthusiastically.
Having been pretty much at ground zero, Bryant was one of those permanently changed. However, he took the change quite well. And, while being somewhat more cheerful, he could still get the attention (and maintain the respect) of those working under him. He'd chosen a new name: Wave Runner.
Pinkie Pie played a piano that she'd gotten from... somewhere. She was playing an upbeat tune that seemed appropriate for the setting. She was also simultaneously stuffing her face, naturally.
Rainbow Dash and Twister Dash were dancing in their way, their movements somehow perfectly synchronized, as if they were thinking as one.
Applejack, of course, was serving the drinks. Freshly squeezed apple cider, sweet and sparkling. There was a fair sized stash of apples in the storage room, and Applejack for whatever reason had a few packets of her family's trademarked spices. Ergo, there was cider enough of both kinds for everyone.
The only one who wasn't celebrating was Kydd/Storm Blade himself. After watching the festivities for a while, he turned and left the room.Twilight, noticing Kydd's melancholy, followed after.
Up on the top deck, Kydd looked out toward the night sky, lost in thought. Things were just changing too much for his tastes; too fast.
Twilight stepped up beside him and said, "Bit for your thoughts?"
Kydd sighed. "My life here... isn't nearly how I dreamed it would be. Especially now."
"Oh?" Twilight more said than asked.
"Well..." Kydd began, "When I was somewhat younger, I was a pressman; a conscript. I served on several ships, mostly as a glorified slave. After Camperdown, I got the opportunity to learn to be a gentleman, and eventually a Leftenant in the navy; thus."
"And now?" Twilight encouraged.
Kydd sighed. "A few days ago, I learned that though I had the education, right enough, I still lacked the upbringing, connections.... Put shortly, I found myself to be out of place, a wolf in sheep's clothing, if you will. And now... I've lost my humanity too."
Twilight put a wing around him. "Look. I understand how you feel. Believe me, I do. I've been through something similar. Did I ever tell you that I happen to be royalty where I come from? No, no. Don't bow like that. You're a friend. Anyway, when I ascended, a LOT of things changed. I had new duties, a new status, was put nearly on par with princess Celestia and princess Luna... But I still felt out of place. And I felt that I was being separated from those I love and trust most."
"Really?" Kydd asked, rather surprised.
"Why, of course. Even our little group, my friends and I.... I used to be a unicorn, but after (to be short) completing an unfinished spell, I became what you see; an embodiment of all three pony races. A commoner made royalty. A mortal made a demigod! Even then, I had to defeat an even greater threat to Equestria to earn my place as the Princess of Friendship. Yes, it sounds ridiculous, but it's true, every word. I went from nerdy scholar to protege of Princess Celestia herself, to Element of Magic, to royalty.
"Wait, Element of Magic?" Kydd queried.
"Ah, I never did explain that, did I? The Pony race is built around six pillars of virtue. Each represented by one of my friends and myself. Applejack is Honesty, Rainbow Dash is Loyalty, -much like your ensign Tysoe, or Twister Dash as she calls herself now- Rarity is Generosity, Fluttershy is Kindness, Pinkie Pie is Laughter and the five brought together, along with a little spark, brought the element of Magic to me. I suppose that your element would be... Honour. You do your duty without question, you don't back down even when you yourself are in dire straits, if challenged you step up. If your allies are in danger, you're the first to leap to their aid. Isn't that so?"
"Wow." Kydd said in wonder.
"Anyway, I guess my earlier point is that you can't determine what life throws at you when. You just have to find a way to deal with it when it does."
"Still, I don't have to like it." Kydd muttered.
"Let me put it this way, then: the career of Thomas Kydd has reached as far as possible. But your life as Storm Blade has just started. This is practically a new lease on life, a fresh start, nigh on Tabula Rasa!" Twilight explained. "I'm not saying it'll be easy at first, but if you try, I'm sure that you'll get used to it. Who knows? Maybe you'll ascend too, one day. You never know."
After a moment's thought, Kydd smiled. "Alright. I'll try. I... have always been a bit of a... 'foul-weather jack', as we say. Whether I sink or swim.... so be it."
"Thaaaaaat's the spirit!" Twilight said joyfully. "This is a new start for you. Just do your best."
Ky-. Storm Blade nodded. "Aye. I'll try. Thanks for preparing the ground, Twilight."
"You're welcome." Twilight replied. "I've had to do a lot of that recently.
Together they watched the stars, confident that whatever came at them, they'd all face it together,