Hey everyone, Auryn here. I know most of you think I'm probably dead or just gave up on this story, but I promise that's not the case. I had to take some time to grow up and get a real job and all that stuff grownups do.

For this chapter, I had to find some help. In fact, I've begged help from several people to try and get this story finished. This chapter was co-written by a good friend of mine, Shade of the Whisper. Thanks Shade! Look out for more co-writing in the future, as there's no way I can finish this alone.

On to the story!

Sand in the Glass

A Genderbent Fanfiction

By Auryn Rei Evroren

Chapter 4: Forbidden Treasure

Ali drew in a long breath, letting it out in a low whistle. She surveyed the enormous cavern that stretched out before her. It looked like the first of several interconnecting caverns, large enough to have held the entire marketplace inside. The entrance, where Ali stood, was located at the very top of the cavern. A roughly-hewn stone staircase descended hundreds of feet down to a strangely ornate doorway below. Ali assumed this led to the next cavern. The doorway was the source of the eerie golden light that attempted to glow into the first cavern, only to be stopped by the overwhelming shadows from the dark walls.

Carefully, Ali began to pick her way down the staircase. Abu shivered uncomfortably on her shoulder. Ali reached up a hand, and comfortingly smoothed his fur. "This place is huge," she murmured to him. "Just think how much has got to be down here. I wonder how far these caverns extend? Or how they got here, for that matter."

The sound of the wind howling outside died down. The stone of the staircase was rough against Ali's bare feet. She was relieved when they finally reached the bottom, and the cavern floor was softer sand.

Through the heavily embellished doorway was a sight that made both girl and monkey's jaws drop.

The second cavern was filled to the absolute brim with golden treasures. Gold and silver coins, precious jewels, expensive fabrics, valuable vases, goblets, and platters- it all lay scattered in large piles that reached all the way to the cavern ceiling. Ali felt like her eyes couldn't open wide enough to take it all in.

The place burned into Ali's vision like a golden glow. It was like being out in the desert, except that every grain of sand here was worth more than hers and Isra's lives put together. But it was the same feeling of overwhelming.

"Wow," Ali breathed, turning slowly to drink it all in. "He wasn't joking after all." Abu chattered excitedly, leaping about and pointing at everything he liked. He reached for a golden plate, intent to either show it to Ali or make off with it. Alarm bells went off in Ali's head.

"Abu, no!" she snapped quickly. The little monkey froze in place, glancing back at her with lost eyes. "You heard what the creepy tiger cave said," she hissed. "Don't touch anything. We have to find that lamp first. Then we deal with everything else. Come here."

Scowling, Abu dashed forward and wrapped his little hands around Ali's ankle. The pair set off down the gilded corridor once more. "Help me keep an eye out for that lamp," Ali murmured absentmindedly as they gazed around.

Her eyes passed over the jewels and treasure that surrounded her on all sides. There were plates, collars, chains, crowns- but no lamp. Not even one. There was a slight tug against her leg, but Ali moved on, focused on finding her particular treasure. "I wonder how far in it is," she mumbled. "But why wouldn't there be a single other...?"

Again, there was a sharp tug at her ankle. "Abu, stop it," Ali said irritably, but when she looked down, it wasn't the little monkey that was tugging. At least, not on her.

Abu's eyes were wide as an intricately-woven carpet raised itself from the floor as though pulled by strings. Floating in midair, its tassel reached out, wrapped itself around the monkey's tail, and tugged.

Ali screamed. Abu shrieked, and dug his nails into Alis's skin. The carpet hurriedly rolled itself into a cylinder and shivered uncontrollably. Ali wrenched Abu off her leg and took a hasty step back, eyes darting around, looking for something to defend herself that wasn't forbidden treasure. Seeing nothing, Ali wound up raising her fists at the rug, as Abu scrambled onto her back for safety.

"What in Allah's name is that?" she asked no one in particular.

The carpet unrolled itself and settled back onto the floor. It raised its front half up, then back down again, in a motion similar to a bow. It was still shaking almost as badly as Abu. Watching it carefully, Ali got the distinct impression that the thing was alive...and it was actually trying to apologize.

"A magic carpet," Ali murmured in awe. "A real, magic carpet...I always thought these were just ridiculous legends."

The carpet folded itself in half on one end, forming the middle of its edge into a viable 'head', which it then shook profusely.

"Okay, okay, I get it," Ali said with a chuckle. "You're real, alright." She took a step closer, inspecting the rug more closely. It was all blue and purple in the base weave, with a swirling design embroidered in golden thread across its surface. The tassels and edges were gold thread as well. It was a thick carpet, the kind you might use in a high-class pleasure house like Isra's, or maybe even in the palace. The way it moved, though, was so fluid the fabric might as well have been water.

"How long have you been stuck down here?" Ali asked the carpet. It raised its tassels and 'shrugged'. Abu scampered up Ali's arm and perched himself on her shoulder, eyeing the carpet warily.

Suddenly, Ali's eyes went wide as a thought occurred to her. "Hey, you might be able to help us out," she said excitedly. "We're looking for this special lamp-"

Before she'd even finished her sentence, the carpet leaped into the air. It spun in a tight circle, nodding its 'head', and then took off down the ornate hallway at top speed.

"Hey, wait up," Ali shouted after the flying carpet, "We don't fly!" The carpet turned in the air and landed a few yards away on its back end, lowering its front in embarrassment. "It's okay," Ali assured her new friend. "We'll do our best not to slow you down too much." She turned to Abu, who still perched on her shoulder. "What should we call him, Abu?" Ali asked.

Abu blew a raspberry, crossed his arms and turned pointedly away, his curling monkey tail in Ali's face. It was clear what he thought of their new 'friend' so far.

Ali chuckled, shook her head, and turned back to the flying carpet. "Hmm," she mused. "How about 'Carpet'? It's simple, but it makes obvious sense."

The colorful rug did a summersault in the air at the suggestion.

"Carpet it is, then!" Ali said with a laugh. She bowed politely, extending her hand, gesturing for carpet to lead the way. "After you, Carpet. Since you know where we're going."

Once again, Carpet was off down the ornate hallway with Ali and Abu close behind.

As they moved deeper into the magical structure the ornate walls became the rugged, dripping cave walls Ali had originally expected. Stalactites and stalagmites covered the floor, though many more piles of tempting jewels and other treasure littered the inner chambers.

After what seemed like miles, Carpet led Ali and Abu to a massive circular chamber that seemed to glow an eerie blue-white. A huge structure resembling a stalagmite stood in the center of the chamber, surrounded by a moat of clear, still water. A line of stepping-stones stuck out just above the water's surface, leading to the base of the structure. From the ceiling shone a white beacon of light, illuminating the top of the stone structure. At the structure's peak, Ali could just make out a golden glimmer.

"That must be it," she muttered, taking Abu from her shoulder and setting him on the ground. "You two stay put," she said straightening up. Pointedly she glared at Abu. "And remember, don't touch anything."

Abu chirped nonchalantly and waved Ali off. She started towards the stones, hopping easily from one to the next until she reached the base of the enormous stalagmite. It stood like a thin mountain before her, with a roughly carved set of steps working their way up to the top in a spiral. With a deep breath for courage, Ali began to climb.

Down on the cave floor, Carpet watched Ali's progress, rubbing its tassels together nervously. Abu tapped his foot impatiently.

As Ali climbed, her thoughts began to swirl in her mind. According to the old beggar man, this lamp held some kind of special power. It wouldn't be hidden in a Cave of Wonders if it didn't. However, he hadn't elaborated on what that special power might be. A lamp that never burns out? Ali guessed. Or perhaps it pours gold. It must be important, whatever it is.

Just as her calves began to ache from the steep stair, Ali reached the top of the tower. At its peak stood a stone plinth, on which rested a plain brass oil lamp. It sat peacefully in its glowing spotlight, looking as innocent and ordinary as the lamp in Isra's window. Ali studied the plain-looking lamp for quite some time, trying to figure out what was so special about it, but came to no conclusion just by looking. She reached out carefully and slowly picked the treasure up from its altar. "That wasn't so hard," she muttered to herself. "But why on earth…?"

In the corner of her eye, Ali caught a flicker of movement. She turned to look down at her two companions just in time to see Carpet hanging on to Abu's tail for dear life, trying desperately to drag the little monkey back from what looked like an enormous, sparkling ruby. It sat in the hands of a large gorilla statue, an impossible temptation for a thief like Abu.

"Abu, no!" Ali shouted, but it was too late. Try as he might, Carpet's tassels were slippery against the monkey's fur. Abu broke free of Carpets grip, and eagerly snatched the gem out of the statue's hands.

Instantly, a thunderous roar began to shake the cave like an earthquake. "Infidels!"came the booming, terrifying voice of the cave. It echoed around, knocking small pebbles loose from the rocky ceiling. "You have touched the forbidden treasure!"

The stalagmite trembled under Ali's feet. Falling to her knees, she nearly lost the lamp over the side. "Now you shall never again see the light of day!"screamed the cave.

A funnel of flames shot into the air surrounding the lamp's plinth, inches from where Ali had fallen. Stalactites and larger rocks began to fall from the ceiling, crashing into the ground around her. She struggled to get to her knees. She could feel the tower beginning to topple to one side. Below her, the serene moat that surrounded the tower had magically transformed into a river of molten rock. The tower was beginning to sink into it, tilting dangerously.

Ali dove for the stair on her hands and knees, stuffing the lamp down her shirt. She stumbled down the first few steps, barely avoiding a falling stalactite. She had only just managed to get back on her feet when the floor shifted violently and threw her into the air.

Ali fell through the air towards the glowing, molten river, the heat already stinging her back. Twisting in her body in the air, she managed to turn over just in time to feel a force smack into her from beneath.

Carpet broke Ali's descent, dodging the falling debris as it zipped through the air. Ali managed to hang on and seat herself on her knees, holding onto Carpet's tassels. She scanned the cave floor desperately, looking for Abu.

A high-pitched squeak from below caught her attention. As if it could read her mind, Carpet flew towards the sound. She spotted Abu, trapped on one of the moat's stepping-stones. He was hopping from foot to foot, as the stones began to explode from the intense heat and pressure. Ali clutched Carpet tighter, willing it to go faster before her little friend went for a very warm swim.

As soon as they were close enough, Ali leaned dangerously to the side and reached out her hand, snatching the terrified monkey from his precarious perch. Abu climbed frantically up her arm and latched himself around her neck, screeching in panic. The moat of lava seemed to overflow with a mind of its own, racing after them, absorbing or destroying everything in its path.

Carpet turned on a dime and sped for the hall they had come through, toward the cave's entrance. It dodged this way and that through the halls of the collapsing cave, speeding between the falling boulders and stalactites. Carpet managed to stay just out of reach of the bubbling, molten hot river as it chased them back the way they had come.

Between Abu chattering anxiously in her ear, covering her eyes, and Carpet's evasive maneuvers, Ali was sure she was going to throw up. "Get off, Abu!" she snarled. "This is no time to-"

She was going to say 'panic', but as Ali pried Abu's little hands away from her eyes, the word died in her throat.

They were back in the large cavern that opened into the tiger's mouth, the starry night sky visible above them. Standing within the tiger's maw was the old man, shaking his fist at her. What frightened Ali, however, was the extremely large boulder that was hurtling down toward them from the crumbling ceiling.

Abu shrieked. Ali screamed. Carpet pulled up violently, but even with its speed, it couldn't avoid the obstacle entirely.

At the last moment, Carpet bucked like a wild horse might. Before she knew it, Ali found herself flying upwards toward the mouth of the cave. She collided forcefully with an outcrop of stone just below the cave's mouth, hastily scrabbling for a handhold. Ali caught one rough spot of stone and hung on by her fingertips, bolts of pain shooting through her arms. Abu clung to her neck so tightly she was in danger of suffocating. Thousand of feet of empty air lay between Ali and the cave floor. To fall meant certain death.

Ali tried to pull herself up, but one of her handholds broke loose, falling into the cave. She swung dangerously, her body still aching from the impact. She knew she wouldn't be able to hold on for much longer.

The old man peeked his head over the lip of the cave, searching frantically for her. "Help me out!" Ali shouted up to him.

"Throw me the lamp!" he screamed back in desperation.

"I can't hold on," she gasped back. She tried to find a foothold but the stone crumbled beneath her foot and she slid further down the rock. "Give me your hand!"

"Throw me the lamp first!" he shouted, his eyes wide with panic.

The ground began to shake even more violently and Ali lost her grip on the rock. She shut her eyes tight as she felt her grip slip once more. Abu chittered with fear.

Lanky but strong fingers suddenly snatched Ali's wrist out of the air and slammed her hard against the rock, knocking the wind out of her. Dizzy, she almost didn't realize that those cold fingers had found their way beneath her shirt, and were questing for her prize. Ali's eyes shot up to meet the intense gaze of the old man, as he clutched her wrist with one hand. The other savagely groped under her shirt.

For a minute, the world froze. Ali felt a chill of fear ripple down her back, as strange fingers brushed against places they had absolutely no reason to be.

The old man's expression of puzzlement quickly darkened, then turned to glee. He pulled the lamp from its hiding place, smirking in triumph. "Well, well," he hissed, looking creepier than ever. "Aren't you an interesting one, young miss."

Ali screamed, her voice raw with fear and rage. She twisted her arm so that she could grasp the old man's wrist as tightly as he held hers. She dug her nails in as hard as she could, feeling them bite into the skin.

It was the old man's turn to scream. He jerked back, inadvertently pulling Ali forward onto the stone steps where he stood. She tried to let go and stand, but the old man caught her free hand, holding her by both wrists. "Ah ah," he snarled. "Can't have you spoiling everything, my dear. I promised you a reward, did I not?"

He forced her back so that she hung once more over the vast expanse of the cavern. "How about…your eternal reward!" he shouted. He thrust Ali back, releasing the thief into completely open air. As she began to fall, a terrified shriek burst from Ali's throat, echoing through the air with the cruel laughter of the crazy old man.

Ali's eyelids fluttered. The world began to spin as she free-fell through the air. The mouth of the tiger began to close, the starry sky darkening in the distance. Just as Ali thought she might pass out, a strong force knocked into her from below. She only just had enough time to register the feel of Carpet's soft embroidery before her eyes rolled up in her head, and the world went black.