Kitt was a fast and special computer, was there really any doubt about it? Able to leap hundreds of feet into the air in a single leap and sustain no damage going through the thickest of concretes. Able to talk, hack, and communicate over vast distances to a variety of important computer sources. Able to solve the trickiest of cases alongside his human counterpart. His abilities were unmatched and there wasn't another AI like him within probably the whole world!

So then, when a certain someone decided to step onto Kitt's turf and hurl a dust cloud at the mellow black Trans-Am, he would find himself insulted by the fact of being marginalized in an important mission. That frankly, was his and Michael's sole business. The two had spent weeks preparing to nail the sabotager, rattling cages and drawing blanks until finally, they had drawn the suspect to a well-laid-out trap. Kitt had thought he was prepared for the harder half of the plan until that certain someone had been deployed into the assignment.

Now, he was sitting on the sidelines watching helplessly as Mike confidently prepared his ride instead, the Knight 3000 for the race to come. The foundation had stepped aside to allow them to take the lead on this key part of the assignment. However controversial as it appeared.

Kitt was very much sulking just behind the safety barriers watching his 'replacement' shimmer under the attention of everyone nearby. An all-black muscular Ford Mustang by the name of Kitt…yes… – they'd reused his name…Something Kitt considered a low blow to his existence. Although at heart he knew that this mustang wasn't at fault for the choice of name, Kitt couldn't help and feel substituted. He wondered if Michael thought the same thing since this 'Mike' also went by Michael's name as well. Which, Kitt found was most disrespectful. Sure Mike was related to Michael…but…was it really necessary for this duo to go by the same names?

"Ugh." Kitt let out a groan, just loud enough so Michael could hear as he came back from his short excursion at the food stands with a hotdog in hand.

The man patting the flustered t-top with amusement.

"Hold up partner, it's not over yet." He smiled, raising his voice over the excited crowds of people who'd come to witness the rally race. "Remember we have an important role in this too…"

Kitt grumbled quietly, letting out a high-pitched hum from his ever-beating scanner.

"I hardly find that believable…" Kitt murmured within his cabin watching the Mustang running some final test laps around the track. Michael leaning on Kitt's side crossing his legs and taking a satisfying bite out of the hot dog, breathing in the countryside air. "We're just here to take pictures, couldn't they just have someone snap quick shots with their smartphone instead? It would have been a lot simpler, not to mention economical." Kitt complained, thinking it unfair that they'd done most of the leg work just to have the other duo come to take the final credit.

Michael let out a snort, glancing over Kitt's dimmed dash. The car emitted a loud rumble, catching several people's attention. Michael raised a questioning eyebrow down at the ill-tempered pony car.

"You call that catching a sabotager?"

"Depends on who's asking." Kitt smugly remarked.

Michael shrugged.

"If we're 'catching' the sabotager, as you call it Michael, then we'd be in the race, not on the sidelines." Kitt gravely protested. His modulator fluctuated significantly.

Michael opened the door tossing the hot dog's aluminum wrapper into the back seat, taking on a more serious tone.

"Route me the rally race for today." He ordered, trying to get his partner's mind off this "competition" that was brewing.

"Right away, Michael." Kitt instinctively answered. The man smiled down affectionately at the dash.

With a quick ding! Kitt had the route entirely mapped out on his screen. Giving all sorts of information about what the drivers were to face out there today. Analytics, weather, road conditions, and all sorts of odd calculations he'd done in a blink of an eye. He was rather content as Michael held onto every word, something he didn't always do, the AI aware that the man was trying to make up for the computer's hurt ego. Which he found most endearing.

Michael was taking in the details attentively, jumping in place as Kitt blanked his screen unexpectedly – his voice cutting to silence as Mike and the Knight 3000 pulled up next to them... Michael sighed, rolling his eyes and reproaching the dash.

"Teamwork remember…?" Michael groaned, stepping away from the cab and greeting Mike and his Mustang.

"Hello, Michael Knight. The race is about to begin, we've come to confirm that the Knight 2000 is ready to record the entirety of the race." The 3000 cutting to the chase, Mike raising a brow down at the small orb-shaped optic sitting comfortably in the middle of the dash.

"What he means is, are you two ready?" Mike grinned gunning the engine of the ferocious-looking Mustang.

Michael walked closer to the open passenger window, folding his arms and setting his chin down taking in the next-gen car with glee. It wasn't quite like his Kitt's dash, warm and welcoming but it was definitely good-looking and effective at best. More of a simplistic style, modern…but Michael had to admit that his Kitt's retro look suited him best…and Kitt for that matter.

"Should be," He replied confidently. "So long as Mr. Fussy doesn't blow a fuse." Michael chuckled, sending a wink in Kitt's direction who had made a point of darkening his windows.

"Should I run a check on Mr. Fussy, Mike?" The 3000 cut in, sounding dubious.

Mike and Michael exchanged hysterical glances, both trying to contain their laughter. Knowing full well that they were under the 2000's scrutinizing glare and very aware that Kitt was sharping his indignation. Michael knew that Kitt more often than not always landed his target. His turbo boost antics were proof of that.

"Uh, let's not…" Mike replied holding his breath, shifting the car into gear heading to the starting line giving Michael an anxious smile.

Michael waved, the duo disappearing in the crowd of cars all prepared for the showdown. Michael slapped Kitt's t-top, quickly sitting and beckoning the car in the opposite direction.

"Mr. Fussy –" Kitt interjected. "For that, you might have to consider taking the bus today." Kitt spat as the chassis jolted a little on the uneven ground.

Michael's smile vanished keeping his hurt stare towards the road rather than Kitt's voice modulator. The computer resenting ever having said something so nasty.

"Michael…I – You know I wouldn't let you actually take the bus." He tried to backtrack, internally panicking at the thought of hurting Michael. "It was supposed to be an elaborate joke that regrettably…"

"No sweat partner," Michael interrupted in a low voice. "Just want you to know that I wouldn't exchange you for a Mustang in a million years." The man recognized the silence of relief from the AI almost instantly. "However, we're paired up with the 3000 and Mike right now. So we have to work with them whether you like it – or not." Michael's playful smile reappeared.

"I suppose you're right, Michael." Kitt continued the line of thought. "I just don't think it's fair that we're being underestimated."

Michael grasped the yolk fondly.

"Kitt, you know better than anyone that this line of work won't be viable for me in a couple of years." The man lamented, leaning back in his seat trying to relax his nerves as the two quickly drove up a tree grove from where they'd monitor the race.

"Michael that's not true." Kitt implored. "We yet have plenty to cover," He cheerfully replied.

The man's smile grew.

"Yes, you do. I on the other hand might need to start considering getting a flat on the first floor!" The man gently ran his hand over one of his knees, which was a little inflamed from a minor injury he'd gotten while on call. Kitt gently took control of the car for Michael, as the terrain became more difficult to transverse. The AI pensively thinking over the matter.

"There will always be someplace where we can make a difference." Kitt replied attentively. "Even if that happens to be helping pedestrians cross the street."

Michael broke into a heartfelt laugh.

"Kitt, I'm not that old!" Michael chafed.

"You were implying it…" Kitt mused.

"No, I wasn't! I was implying it's time we headed to the beach, got away from all this, and found a nice place to call home under a palm tree where we can blast music with zero regrets!"

"Oh, brother." Kitt playfully regarded the plan. "Slight chance it's classical music?"

Michael chuckled at the dash.

"In your dreams buckaroo." Michael took control of the Trans-Am once more flooring the pedal, Kitt taking to Turbo-boost automatically over the ravine ahead as they began to run through the clockwork of phase two.

"Any sights on Jacobs? I got a hunch he's our saboteur." Michael inquired as they drove up over another hill.

"Negative Michael," Kitt displayed all the competitor's positions, emphasizing that Jacobs's vehicle was missing.

"Cloaking device?" Michael furrowed his brows.

"Most likely."

"Give me visuals on Kitt."

The Trans-Am lurched upward in a premature jump, jostling Michael a little in his seat.

Michael clutched the yolk as he steered the dusted car closer to the designated racing path.

"It's his name too, isn't it?" Michael teased.

"It was my name first!" Kitt shouted over the whirr of his turbine.

Michael laughed, as he punched in the command into the console, sparing Kitt from having to pinpoint the newer model. With a couple of beeps, the Mustang was displayed onto the screen, Michael noting that they were in the lead.

"Perfect." He remarked. "Now we wait for Jacob's to take the bait." Michael glanced down at Kitt's steady voice modulator. "Have your scanners peeled pal! Don't forget to catch it all on video!"

"Of course Michael," Kitt replied, sounding a little unsettled.

The man nodded, before patting the dash.

"Hang in there buddy."

They continued to dash through the backroad, ever so often doing off-road driving as the path deviated too far from the plotted racing route. They had caught up with the Knight 3000 effortlessly and Kitt couldn't resist the urge to gloat, Michael, giving him a stern frown knowing full well what was on his mind. Kitt recomposed himself promptly knowing the importance of staying concentrated.

Within a few seconds, a third car made itself known. Ramming its' reinforced nose into the rear of the Ford Mustang in an effort to make it crash. Of course, all damage was deflected by the nanotechnology applied to the vehicle. The third vehicle continued pursuit trying to persuade the Mustang to its doom. All the meantime the Trans-Am continued to keep a low profile amongst the dense brush a few yards away from the racing route.

"Is that enough film for you Michael?" Kitt asked, noting with displeasure as the third vehicle tossed fire with a modified flame thrower embedded into its back quarter panels at the Knight 3000.

"Yup, let's take him out of business." Michael let go of the yolk. "Want to have the honors buddy?" Kitt internally smirked as he took complete control of the Trans-Am leaping onto the dirt road revealing himself to the third vehicle, the driver freezing in utter shock catching sight of the gleaming form heading his way. Kitt rocked his landing and expertly maneuvered to thrust the car into a nearby ditch!

The vehicle crashed into haybales laid onto the side of the route. Sending hay flying in all directions. Kitt readied his CO2 as the flamethrower still seemed active. Kitt drifted to a spectacular stop, Michael leaping out and hauling the driver out of the wrecked vehicle while Kitt extinguished the fire.

"Take a good look around!" Michael growled to Jacobs who was still trembling from the impact. " – Because you'll be spending a hefty amount of time in jail!"

Kitt couldn't help and let out a small chuckle, usually, Michaels's oneliners were a little more – fitting…

He smiled to himself as he continued to extinguish the fire, simultaneously contacting the authorities and an ambulance on the off chance Jacob needed medical attention. It didn't take long for both of these things to arrive and haul Jacobs away. After a quick debriefing with the authorities, the duo departed, Kitt darting down the dirt path with Michael safely secured inside wondering what had become of the Knight 3000 and Mike.

As per usual, the Knight 3000 had crossed the finish line and was a legendary winner at best. People crowded around the glorious machine. Kitt felt just a little pinch of jealousy, but all of it dissipated as Michael gave him a reassuring pat on the dash. A gesture he was very fond of.

They parked alongside the Mustang, the crowd finally dissipating, Michael giving Kitt a pleading expression wanting the supercar to behave.

"Michael I'm fully capable of behaving like a well-mannered adult!" Kitt reassured his driver. The man grinned in content

"Okay pal I trust you on this one, I'll be back." Michael stepped outside to converse with Mike and compare notes on how the mission had gone.

Kitt listened in on the conversation, taking notes of his own to discuss later with Michael until he was pinged by the Knight 3000.

'Greetings Knight 2000.' The Mustang pondered.

'Hello.' Kitt replied, content that the sound of his voice couldn't be heard, as the Mustang would have picked up on his slight awkwardness.

'My scans reveal that you're alpha circuitry will be needing some realignment.'

'I appreciate your concern.' Well at least the Knight 3000 was polite.

'I understand you are an older model…' Okay, now the Mustang was pushing it. 'Therefore we were unsure you'd be able to disable Jacob Hibbs vehicle.'

'Listen here two beams,' Kitt interjected. 'You're carrying a legacy, and as you can tell it sure is a very good one!'

'For that, I'm grateful.'

Alright, that one caught him off guard. The Mustang was very respectful and well-composed. Yep, this one really was his successor.

'Thank you.'

"Alright pal," Michael made Kitt internally jump at the sound of his cheerful voice. "Let's go." He sat down in his seat, waving in farewell to the other duo as Kitt pulled out of the parking space.

"Michael, will we be seeing them again?" Kitt asked curiously as they drove out to the main highway.

The man sighed, slouching tiredly in his seat and handing the controls back to Kitt.

"As I get older, I'm afraid we will eventually be taking our roles as backup permanently," Micheal explained delicately.

Kitt had to admit he didn't entirely like the sound of that. He and Michael had worked for so long solo on missions that he wasn't sure how he was going to take a higher authority. Kitt looked over the aged man in his driver's seat. Recalling all those first missions like it was just yesterday. It had been a good run though, hadn't it? Perhaps, this was for the better. After all, wasn't his sole purpose in life to keep Michael Knight safe? The man deserved a long-overdue break, and if being the backup to the Knight 3000 and Mike meant that Michael would get much more needed rest then perhaps it wouldn't be so bad. So long as the duo was never separated.

"Michael, do I look old?" Kitt asked frankly.

Michael straightened himself in his seat giving Kitt a worried look.

"Why might you be worried about that all of a sudden?"

"Well, Trans-Am's aren't entirely common these days…"

"Right," Michael grinned as he gently pressed the C button on the dash, Kitt transitioning into his convertible mode. The computer happy to air out his cabin and relish in the warm sunshine.

"Timeless, remember? You are timeless…"

The two happily glided down the long black road, under the warm rays of the afternoon light.