Ebony

GONE
Escape Artist

His scales were dark, like ink on water. The stripes of a tiger crisscrossed his body, like many lacy scars. His wings were like a bird's, feathered and soft. His eyes were a rich purple, and constantly sparkled with mischief. His name was Gone, and he could escape anything.
The bright Skydancers circled around him, their silks fluttering in the caress of the night breeze. An owl flew overhead, hooting scaredly at the intimidating group of over 20 dragons. The chatter filled the air, many voices overlapping.
“Oh, come on! Show us one of your tricks!” A shimmering dark purple female begged him.
“Just real quick! Then we’ll all go home.” Her teal sister said, gold eyes bright in the darkness. She shifted her wings uncomfortably, then muttered, “Dang, it’s getting cold…”
“Quiet, everyone! QUIET! I’d be happy to show you a trick,” Gone said, in a magnificently drawling voice. “Now back up!” He flapped his wings at them as if to shoo them away. They retreated into a ring around him, silent with anticipation.
“I happen to have here an iron barred cage. Here is the lock,” He pointed to the heavy chain lock coiling around the prison like an angry serpent. He slipped inside the door, swinging it to a close with a clang.
“And here is the key,” He held out his palm to all of the dragons through the cold metal bars. Suddenly he smacked it with his tail, causing all the Skydancers to duck and sending it flying down the alleyway. It made several metallic noises as it smashed against trash bins, cars, you name it, until it came to a stop just before the warm light of a bakery.
“Now turn away, ladies, and I’ll cast my magic trick.” They all turned from him and whispered with excitement among themselves, happy they were about to see the famous escape artist perform privately just for them.
Gone looked around the cage, surveying it thought it didn’t really matter what it was made of. He glanced down at his clenched fists, uncurling his claws and lifting one palm to his ear. The streets were silent, all you heard was a small snap and he was gone.
The Skydancers turned around, sensing something was wrong, and the prison was empty. It rattled, looking lonely, if that was even possible for a cage.
Gone traveled through the darkness, twisting in the shadows and looking for a target. He closed in behind a confused orange Skydancer, who was checking out the chains on the cage. With a “BOO” he jumped and wrapped his wings around her. She squealed in surprise and practically fainted.
The other dragons gaped at him, not seeing how anything could’ve possibly let him escape. “H-How?” One asked him.
He laughed lightheartedly, teeth gleaming in a flirtatious smile. “It’s not that hard! With just a snap of my claws, I can turn to smoke.”