Once upon a time, in the land of Elysium, there was a house surrounded by fields. The house was not too big and not too small. Life in the countryside was peaceful and quiet, especially on a warm summer afternoon like this one. It was precisely 2:37 P.M., and the mail had arrived. Suddenly, all peace and quiet came to a halt.

"WHAAAAAAAAAT!" Zoisite wailed as he slammed the offending letter down on the kitchen table. "I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS! I'M STILL ONLY SECOND BEST! WHY ME?" he sobbed as he dashed upstairs back to his bedroom.

Zoisite's mother, Opal, hurried into the kitchen. "Zoisite?" she called. Her eyes glazed over the kitchen table and saw the report card. She picked it up and shook her head. "I can't believe it either. Still second ranked in his class." Opal sighed. "Already halfway through high school and only the second best grades."

Zoisite slammed himself down on his bed and buried his face in the pillow. "Why me? Why did I have to get stuck with an awful rival like her?" He shook and shook. "I want to be at the top of my class, but it's impossible! I feel. so. AVERAGE!"

It really was impossible. His rival, Beryl, somehow got special favors from all of the teachers. He sort of had an idea why. Her mother had no issues with dating multiple men, so it would be easy for her to get favors for her daughter.

Zoisite ran out of tears and energy so he just snuggled down in his covers to take a nap.

"Lord Kunzite, we have a suggestion for the fourth of Prince Endymion's guardians." Kunzite's most trusted advisor Bixbite said, running into the office.

Kunzite looked thoughtful and leaned back in his chair. "Alright, Bixbite, who is it?"

Bixbite presented Kunzite with a photo of a young man around 16 years of age. "This is Zoisite."

"Zoisite...Tell me more."

"Our observers have been watching for anyone in the schools of Elysium with wonderful talent, and Zoisite seems to have some kind of talent." Bixbite explained. "He's also ranked second in his class."

"Second?" Kunzite was not impressed. He had ranked first, of course.

"Yes."

"Well, what about the top ranked student?"

"Beryl? Oh no, she isn't very talented much at all."

"But she's at the top."

"She can study. But that's really the limit. Besides, we already have a researcher as one of Endymion's guardians. Jadeite fills that job quite nicely."

"Alright then. So what does Zoisite do?"

"He's got a lovely garden filled with beautiful flowers. He can mix up potions with various chemicals. He can conjure up basic things, like small crystals and flower petals."

Kunzite nodded thoughtfully. "Anything else?"

Bixbite looked surprised. "Oh my, I almost forgot! This Zoisite is a very accomplished pianist. In fact, whenever he plays at a school concert, he can influence the emotions of anyone listening. Useful? I think so!"

Kunzite seemed to be considering. After about a minute, he said, "Alright. Send a letter to Zoisite and his family. Tell them he has been accepted as one of the four Guardians of our fine prince. Bixbite, if Zoisite is really as good as you say he is, you will be well rewarded."

Bixbite twirled around a strand of red hair. "Pleased to help, my Lord."

When Bixbite had left, Kunzite carefully picked up the photo of Zoisite from his desk. "Hmm..." he mused. "This Zoisite...he's very beautiful. I wonder what his personality is like..."