Sakura, Minami and Ayumi were all at the garden with a boy named Kyo Hiragi, who was Sakura's friend. They were there because Sakura was practicing running for the big inter-school race. Kyo was quite a good runner himself.

Minami: Ready...set..
Ayumi: GO!

Sakura and Kyo started at the same time. They ran a full round. After a while, Sakura came back as the winner, with Kyo running behind her.

Ayumi: And the winner is...SAKURA-CHAN!
Kyo: You did well, Sakura.
Sakura: Thanks, Kyo.
Minami: You were much faster than last time.
Sakura: Of course! I get faster every time.
Kyo: You sure deserved to get selected for this big event. I' sure you won't let the school down.
Sakura: Of course I won't! I've been practicing a lot for this. And this is what will get me into the Olympics in the future.
Ayumi: Sakura-chan sure dreams big.
Minami: There is one problem though. Akamine Setsuna is on the other tea and no one has been known to beat her. She's one of the best runners.
Sakura: Hah! Akamine Setsuna is nothing to me! I'll be the first to beat her to the dust!
Kyo: You're gonna need a lot of determination to beat someone like her.
Sakura: No one is as determined as me!

Soon it was the day of the big event. Boys and girls from many schools were at the track. Minami, Ayumi and Kyo were watching. Sakura looked at them and flashed a smile. She was sure she would win.
Akamine Setsuna, a brown-haired girl, came up to her.

Setsuna: So you're Mitsuki Sakura, huh?
Sakura: Yeah. And you're Akamine Setsuna?
Setsuna: Yes. I've heard a lot about you from my friend who goes to your school. I hope for some good competition from you.
Sakura: Same here. I'll be the first one to beat you.
Setsuna: We'll see about that.
Announcer: Take your positions.
Setsuna: The race is starting. I wish you good luck, Mitsuki-san.
Announcer: Ready...set...GO!

The racers took off to lusty cheers from their schoolmates.

Minami: Come on, Sakura-chan.
Ayumi: YOU CAN DO IT!

Sakura won the first round. She and Setsuna were two of the few people who made the next round. The next round started, again, to strong cheers. This time, Setsuna was in first place.

Sakura and Setsuna were two of the people who made it all the way to the last round. Afterwards, it was just the two of them. Their schoolmates were in awe. When the announcer said "Go!", the girls took off.

Kyo: COME ON, SAKURA! YOU HAVE TO WIN!

A girl from the crowd shouted:

"BEAT HER TO THE GROUND, SETSUNA!"

For a while, Sakura was in the lead. It looked like she was going to win. Then suddenly...

Sakura: OWWWW! Owowowow, I've got cramps!

Minami: Sakura-chan! What happened?
Kyo: She's got cramps!

Setsuna sprang in the lead and won the race.

Announcer: And the winner is...Akamine Setsuna!

The crowd cheered. Setsuna got a gold medal while Sakura could only look in disappointment. Setsuna now approached Sakura and have her a hand.

Setsuna: You did well. You were the first person who came close to beating me. You really are as fast as they say. But they also say you can never beat me.

On the way home...

Minami: Its okay, Sakura-chan. You still did well. Even Akamine-san complimented you.
Sakura: But I let the whole school down. They were counting on me.
Kyo: Sakura, I know you're not used to loosing, but second place is still as good.
Sakura: I didn't even reach the finish line. I got cramps.
Ayumi: But that's not your fault.
Sakura: Thanks you guys for your support. But I need some time alone now.

Sakura went home and up to her room.

Sarah: Sakura-chan, how did the race go?
Sakura: I was so close. So close. I was going to beat Akamine Setsuna. And no one has beaten her before. But I got cramps.
Sarah: Aww, that's too bad. Well, its not your fault, Sakura-chan.
Sakura: Still. I let my whole school down.
Sarah: Well, I'm sure they'll understand.

But when she went to school the next day, she met with many disappointed looks.

Minami: Its okay, Sakura-chan. You still tried your best.
Skura: Maybe...I'm not cut out for running after all. Akamine Setsuna is best at that.
Ayumi: No, no no. You mustn't give up just because you lost one race.
Sakura: Its just that...I'm not used to losing.
Minami: I know that. We'll all have disappointments in our lives. But remember who you are? The Magical Girl of Determination. You'll never give up, no matter what the trials may be.
Sakura: Yeah, I guess you're right. Thanks girls. I'm glad I have friends like you.

Sakura went away and Minami and Ayumi followed her. Meanwhile, Eric was hovering above.

Eric: My my, is that disappointment I sense? That would make for good negative energy. And those girls aren't anywhere around. This is perfect.

Eric harnessed their disappointment. However, there was one person who wasn't affected and that was Kyo.

Kyo: What's going on? Why is everyone on the ground?
Eric: Why isn't that boy affected?

Kyo looked up and saw Eric hovering.

Kyo: Aah! So you're the one behind all this.
Eric: Yes. Seems you're not as disappointed as these kids. But your best racer let you down, remember? She promised she'd win and what happened instead? She lost.
Kyo: That's not her fault!
Eric: Why are you so difficult? Fine then, come out, Riku.

Riku, a fairy who controlled the wind, came there.

Eric: Riku, thake care of that boy.

Riku created such a strong wind that Kyo was blown off. He ran to the girls.

Kyo: RUN!
Sakura: Kyo, what''s wrong?
Kyo: Everyone is on their feet for some reason. And that guy is responsible. WHOAAA!

The wind blew Kyo off. He hit his head against a wall and fell unconscious.

Sakura: KYO! Eric, why can't you ever give us a break?
Kyo: What? Do you know that guy?
Ayumi: Um, its hard to explain.

Maria, Sarah and Anna came out and gave the girls their wands.'

Maria: Quick, girls! Transform!

Minami: SHINING SPARKLE..
Sakura: DREAM SPARKLE..
Ayumi: SUNSHINE SPARKLE..
All three: CHARGE UP!
Kyo: What's happening?

Shining Sparkle: I am the Magical Girl of Kindness! Shining Sparkle!
Dream Sparkle: I am the Magical Girl of Determination! Dream Sparkle!
Sunshine Sparkle: I am the Magical Girl of Happiness! Sunshine Sparkle!

Riku created a strong wind. The girls tried to hold their ground but the wind was too strong. Shining and Sunshine were blown off but they held a tree for support.

Dream Sparkle: SHINING! SUNSHINE!
Shining Sparkle: Its no use! The wind is too strong for me.
Sunshine Sparkle: Me too! Dream, please try your best to stay still.
Dream Sparkle: I'm...trying...whoaa...

She was firm and tried to stay.

Riku: Why don't you just give up? My wind is too strong for you.
Dream Sparkle: NEVER! Didn't you hear what I said? I am the Magical Girl of DETERMINATION! And I'll NEVER give up!
Eric: But you lost the big race, didn't you? You humiliated your whole school. And they were counting on you.
Dream Sparkle: That's not my fault! Yes, I felt bad on losing at first. But in the end, it doesn't matter who wins or loses. No matter what happens, I'll never give in!

Suddenly, a blue light shone. Dream's wand became even bigger.

Dream Sparkle: DREAM WAND!

The wand did away with the wind. Riku was defeated.

Eric: No! I thought I had you this time!

Later that day...

Sakura: I was never expecting my test to be at this time. But I guess I passed with flying colours.
Ayumi: Now we all have our wands.
Minami: Together, we'll be strong.
Sakura: And we'll never give in.