My name is Dera. It will always stay that way, I know. It's the only part of me that will.

I don't believe in trying to disguise myself, or any of the other stuff that my oh-so-paranoid colleagues do. If they find me, they find me. So what? How will they deal with me or whatever I am at that moment? My family, friends… they can't reach them.

I guess I'll start with my partners' story. It goes back further than mine, anyway.

It all started when they cut through an abandoned construction site off Central Avenue. They weren't supposed to because of things like axe murderers. What they found was much worse.

They watched in shock as a spaceship landed. Yes, a real live spaceship. And out of the spaceship came an alien. He was an Andalite prince named Elfangor, and he was dying.

The dying Elfangor had crash-landed after he and the Andalite fleet were ambushed by an evil species of parasites called the Yeerks. He had only…

Whoa, you're saying. Yeerks? What are Yeerks? Yeerks are parasites. Instead of eating into your stomachs, though, Yeerks aim higher.

They will wriggle through your ear, before you can cry out. Spread their slimy selves around your brains and fully take over your body. Access your memories and use them to be you while you have no choice but to cower helplessly in the corner of your mind, a helpless prisoner.

The Yeerks have been spreading through the galaxy, infesting all the species that they can. They took the Hork-Bajir, walking weapons with blades all over. They took the Taxxons, massive centipedes with a hunger that will never be satisfied. And then, the Yeerk Empire set their eyes on Earth.

They have been spreading through humanity like a plague, secretly infesting thousands of humans with no one knowing.

And how could we? The Yeerks can act exactly like their host by accessing and applying memories. Your best friend could be a Controller. Your family. Teachers. Maybe you are one. I don't know.

So who is fighting these Yeerks? Who can keep this monster at bay? The Andalite, guardians of the galaxy. Without them, we would all be lost.

They came to Earth in one of their Dome Ships. They expected a fast battle. But the Yeerks were waiting in ambush, led by Visser Three, the only Andalite-Controller ever. They shot down the Dome Ship, and damaged Elfangor's ship enough that he had to land.

When Elfangor landed, my associates saw him. The only thing left to do, the only way to save Earth, was to give these five kids the Andalite technology of morphing- to change into any animal they wished, in order to fight the Yeerks. Now, they're Earth's only hope.

Jake: the leader, though he didn't ask for it. Strong and decisive, he is the perfect one to lead us. Unfortunately, his brother Tom is a controller.

Rachel is fast, furious, deadly, and beautiful. Besides being a fashion queen and looking like a supermodel, Rachel has a warrior hidden deep inside of her. Now, it can finally emerge.

Marco is Jake's best friend. Though he often cracks jokes, he is ruthless and smart. He'll do what needs to be done.

Cassie loves animals and lives in a barn. Surprisingly, she is Rachel's best friend although they are complete opposites. She is extremely sensitive and perceptive.

Then there's Tobias. He came from a messed up home, was a total bully magnet until that fateful night. But all that changed soon enough. You see, you can only stay in a morph for two hours or you will be unable to demorph. Tobias is a Red-Tailed Hawk now. He will always be one.

They called themselves the Animorphs, the five of them. Animal Morphers. Soon enough they managed to rescue Elfangor's younger brother, Aximili-Esgarrouth-Isthil (Ax) from the Dome Ship. They fight the Yeerks and are actually keeping them at bay. Amazing.

My story begins two months after the Animorphs were given the power to morph. I live on Haelramat Avenue, next to the block with the construction site. I am also an avid reader and cut through the site often to go to the library.

One bright spring afternoon I got out my library books and left for the library. On my way through the construction site, I spotted a lone cat. It purred at me, and I smilingly attempted to meow back.

Suddenly, it turned and started to walk slowly through the dirty old pipes and rotting wood. I followed cautiously. Then it disappeared.

I shrugged. I always meow at cats and they never stay, so this wasn't so odd. What was strange was a small metal cylinder wedged into a wall.

I pulled it out and twisted open the lid, when suddenly…

This is my Hirac Delest- my final statement. I will record my memories before the Yeerks annihilate all trace of me…

I went home and listened to the thought speak voice of Elfangor-Sirinal-Shamtul, Andalite prince. And then I listened to the recording again. And again.

I had stumbled into something dangerous and exciting, the likes of which I'd never seen before.

A/N: Finally! First chapter's done! That wasn't soo terrible, was it? If it was, feel free to tell me. I don't mind! Also tell me if I messed up on anything. Nobody's perfect, after all! (Hmm… in that case I must be nobody.J)

Disclaimer: No, I don't own Animorphs. If I did, I would have stretched it out at least ten more books. (Oh, and murdered Jake and let Aldrea take over Cassie's body completely, forever.) It belongs to K. A. Applegate (duh).