Transformers belongs to Hasbro (thank you Hasbro). Sapphire is my OC. This scene comes from an Optimus guardian fanfic I was working on.

     I clung to the face of the plateau, feeling slightly dizzy with the height. Although the experience helped, tree-climbing was a whole lot different from rock-climbing. There were no convenient branches to wrap your hand around, no broad limb to support your weight as you reached for the next branch. Just the pitted rock face with tiny ledges that I gripped with enough force to hurt. I tried my best not to look down, for fear vertigo would make me lose my grip.

   Why did I ever agree to this? I asked myself, recalling how Optimus had told me about his favorite place to watch the sunset. When he mentioned there was climbing involved, I eagerly told him I had experience and could make it without help. Fortunately, Optimus had insisted he stay close by in case I slipped or fell. I frequently caught sight of his massive form looking up at me, making sure I was doing alright. Inhaling sharply, I reached up and grasped the tip of a tiny ledge, wiggling my hand to get a firmer grip. My right foot followed, seeking and finding a good-sized foothold. As I started to haul myself up, my hand slipped off.

"Ah!" The sound slipped out as I frantically grasped at the rock face.

    "Sapphire!" Optimus' cry rang out. He started climbing towards me, the clunk of his pedes on the stone getting steadily closer. I finally caught myself and clung on. Calm down, calm down, calm down. I focused on the rock in front of my face, struggling to control my panicked breathing. The pedesteps continued until Optimus' huge frame filled my peripheral.

"Can you keep going?" Concern rolled off him in waves.

    I nodded, gulping in air. "Just...give me...a moment..." I hung there, waiting for the trembling to subside. Having Optimus there helped immensely. Something about him just radiated calmness. Within a minute or two, I was ready to continue. I reached up once more and started to climb.

    After what seemed like eons, my hand finally met the top. I hauled myself up and rolled onto my back, panting fitfully. Optimus' hand appeared over the edge, followed by his head, and then the rest of him. He immediately turned to look at me, making sure I was alright. I waved at him weakly.

    "I'll...be alright. Just let me...lay here...for a while." Flopping an arm over my eyes, I closed them, enjoying the cool wind on my hot skin. "Haaah. Everything hurts. But I made it!" I waved a fist in the air, letting it thump back down on the plateau with an ow.

 "You did indeed. I am proud of you, Sapphire."

    I smiled under my arm. "Thanks, OP." I lay there for several minutes, letting the warm sun soothe my aching muscles. The plateau shook a little as Optimus settled down beside me. After a while, he nudged me gently.

"Sapphire, look."

    "Hmm?" I lifted my arm, tilting my head back to see. I pushed myself up on rubbery arms, turning around for a better view.

"Whoa."

The sun was beginning to set over the mountains, turning the sky a fiery orange and red. A few clouds in the sky were tinted pink, while deep indigos hovered over the horizon.

"Now I know why..." One glance at his face told me that now was not the time for words. I closed my mouth and turned back to the view, content with the silence.

    We watched as the sun slowly sank below the horizon, the front of the mountains shrouded in shadow with a blazing outline around each one. The land grew still as twilight settled over it. Long after the sun disappeared, we sat watching the sky, seeing the first stars come out and the moon cast its eerie light over the scene below.  At last, Optimus stirred, pushing off the plateau with his hands to stand up. I stood up more slowly, grimacing at the soreness in my limbs.

"I think you might have to carry me down." I chuckled dryly. "I'm all done in."