One Eye's oppression

"Tom? Twolegs called a Tom, Tom?"

Although this article is based on canonical information, the title of this subject is conjecture.

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

"You can't tell me what to do. This is my territory now. While you were off with your stupid friends sharing tales at the four trees, I took real action. These cats need protecting from the sickness, and I'm the cat to do it."

— One Eye to Clear Sky in The Blazing Star, page 140

One Eye's oppression was an event that took place in The Blazing Star and Riverstar's Home in which One Eye took over Clear Sky's group in a brief yet cruel rule.

Summary[]

Premise[]

"That cat is bad news. He's a dreadful bully—a thief, a scavenger. He manipulates other cats and stirs up trouble. Has Clear Sky gone mad?"

―Holly about One Eye ^{The Blazing Star, page 54}

According to One Eye, he has lived in the forest long before the cats from the mountains were born.^[7] He has a notorious history with the other cats in the area, frequently antagonizing and manipulating others,^[8]^[6] though he gained a following with other like-minded rogues,^[2] including Slash.^[4] At some point, One Eye became mates with an unnamed she-cat and they had a litter of kits, though only Star Flower survived and One Eye never spoke of them after their deaths.^[9] When the mountain cats arrived, One Eye plotted to destroy them, watching Clear Sky and his group from a distance before the right moment to make himself known.^[2] One Eye was also aware of the sickness spreading throughout the forest, though refused to tell the mountain cats about the cure.^[10]^[2]

Overview[]

"There's not much you could do to keep me from following. I may have only one eye, but it sees everything."

―One Eye to Clear Sky after being dismissed to camp ^{The Blazing Star, page 75}

One Eye befriended Tom, a former kittypet from the Twolegplace, and Tom used his connection with One Eye to join Clear Sky's group.^[7] Although wary of One Eye's cruelty, Clear Sky allows both toms to join, and One Eye began teaching the group unique and effective battle techniques.^[11] One Eye was biding his time to overthrow the group, though he was exiled by Clear Sky when he killed Tom and nearly killed Sparrow Fur.^[12] Knowing his daughter was growing close with Thunder, one of the leaders of the moor cats, One Eye made his daughter spy on them.^[13] One Eye returned to commandeer Clear Sky's group and exile Clear Sky when the sickness infected Alder, insisting he was ensuring the group's survival from the fatal disease.^[2] The rogue leader inflicted his cats with eye-shaped wounds on their forepaws, and he also marked his territory with the similar marking.^[2]^[14]

One Eye began implementing a harsh regiment against Clear Sky's cats, forcing the sick to remain secluded outside of camp to die.^[15] Through his daughter, One Eye learned of the groups' plans to secure the Blazing Star to cure the sickness, though he and his rogues ambushed them.^[16] The four groups came together to defeat One Eye to save their sick, though Star Flower's intelligence allowed One Eye and his rogues to catch them off guard.^[3] One Eye was defeated when Gray Wing strategized another plan, and he was killed by Gray Wing, Cloud Spots, Lightning Tail, and Thunder.^[17]

Description[]

Early confrontations[]

"One Eye may be a bit strong-willed, but it will just take time for such an independent cat to adjust to living with many other cats. One Eye has given us invaluable fighting techniques, and that's what matters."

―Clear Sky defending his decision to allow One Eye to join his group ^{The Blazing Star, page 76}

Tom, a kittypet, introduces Clear Sky to One Eye, a local rogue who has lived in the forest for many seasons, in hopes that the tom's gruff appearance would sway Clear Sky into letting them join. One Eye offers his impressive hunting and fighting skills to Clear Sky, and Clear Sky allows them to join, though is slightly suspicious of One Eye's true intentions.^[7] Mouse Ear, Mud Paws, and Holly are suspicious of One Eye joining Clear Sky's group due to their past history.^[8] While searching for the Blazing Star, Pebble Heart prevents One Eye from touching an infected bird with a sickness that is spreading amongst the forest prey, though One Eye dismisses the illness as a part of the forest. When dismissed by Clear Sky to return to camp, One Eye briefly challenges Clear Sky's authority. Mouse Ear warns Clear Sky not to trust One Eye, though the group leader insists One Eye is a valued member of his camp.^[11]

One Eye establishes battle training sessions for Clear Sky's cats, teaching the cats innovative fighting techniques. When Sparrow Fur arrives to see her father Tom, One Eye challenges her in a fight to teach her a lesson about fighting, though he nearly kills the kit. Tom intervenes to save his daughter but One Eye kills him. While Clear Sky orders the others to take Sparrow Fur back to camp, he attacks One Eye, sentencing him to exile. One Eye easily over powers him, and he hints that he knows more about the mysterious sickness than he had let on, revealing that some of Clear Sky's cats are infected. Before he leaves, One Eye taunts Clear Sky for thinking he can kill him.^[18] Clear Sky visits Tall Shadow's camp to warn them about One Eye's ferocity.^[12] At a peaceful meeting between the leaders at four trees, Clear Sky warns everyone about One Eye though wonders if he knows anything more about the mysterious sickness plaguing the cats.^[10] Meanwhile, One Eye sends his daughter Star Flower to spy on the mountain cats after he notices how close she is with Thunder.^[13]

The insurrection[]

"I told you to leave, Clear Sky. I'm not going to kill you. I know that you'll suffer far more knowing that I took the leadership out of your paws because you couldn't hold onto it. So leave, before I have to put my claw marks on you."

―One Eye to Clear Sky ^{The Blazing Star, pages 143-144}

When Alder falls ill with the sickness, One Eye returns to Clear Sky's camp, insisting he's taking over to ensure the group's survival. He imprisons Sparrow Fur in a hollow tree and marks Petal and Nettle with an eye marking on their forepaw, signifying that they belong to One Eye, and promises the others will soon have his mark. When Clear Sky protests, One Eye reveals he has the support of some of Clear Sky's own cats and his rogue followers invade the camp. One Eye orders Clear Sky to leave but he manages to rescue Sparrow Fur before fleeing the camp.^[2] One Eye marks his territory with the round eye shape on the trees in the forest.^[14] When Petal and Birch also fall ill with the sickness, One Eye exiled them from the camp to die in the forest under guard.^[13]

Star Flower begins to entice Thunder and he quickly falls for her. She reveals that the Blazing Star is a healing herb, and Thunder surmises it might cure the fatal sickness spreading.^[19] Clear Sky and Sparrow Fur seek refuge in Tall Shadow's group, and Gray Wing suggests focusing on finding the Blazing Star to cure the sick cats over confronting One Eye.^[20] However, One Eye and his rogues ambush them and prevent the cats from taking the Blazing Star.^[16] The cats resolve they must defeat One Eye to secure the vital healing herb, and Gray Wing draws up battle strategies to confront One Eye in a secluded area on the moor with all four groups participating. Star Flower arrives wishing to help, but she is driven off by the wary cats, much to Thunder's dismay.^[5] Feeling bad for her, Thunder later tells Star Flower about their plan,^[6] and she promises to fetch some of her rogue friends to help.^[3]

Fighting One Eye and Star Flower's betrayal[]

One Eye: "You said you'd fight me, Clear Sky. Are you ready to die?"

Clear Sky: "There's only one cat who'll die today, and that's you."

—One Eye and Clear Sky^{The Blazing Star, page 229}

With Gray Wing's plan in place, Clear Sky heads out on the moor alone, hoping to lure One Eye out. To everyone's surprise, One Eye attacks from the tunnels. Before he can kill Clear Sky, the four groups attack and close in on One Eye. However, One Eye's rogues emerge from the forest, overwhelming the mountain cats.^[3] Star Flower reveals herself to be One Eye's daughter, having been sent to spy on them.^[13] River Ripple leads the cats away, though Clear Sky is held prisoner. River Ripple leads them to a tunnel near the river that leads back to the moor, and they watch as Clear Sky is tortured by One Eye's rogues. Gray Wing develops a plan to hide in a thorn tree and use the sun's brightness to blind One Eye. Sparrow Fur lures One Eye near the tree and the others leap down to attack him. Gray Wing, Cloud Spots, Lightning Tail, and Thunder confront One Eye with Thunder dealing the killing blow.^[17] One Eye's rogues flee after their leader is killed.^[13]

Aftermath[]

"You said we had to unite or die, and you were right. We united against One Eye and defeated him. And we shared the Blazing Star to fight off the sickness. What now? Why did you summon us in our sleep?"

―Thunder to the spirit cats ^{The Blazing Star, pages 265-266}

After One Eye is killed, Star Flower confesses how her father made her spy on them, which is how he knew about their excursion to fetch the Blazing Star and their plan to defeat him. Thunder is betrayed and furiously breaks ties with Star Flower, despite his former feelings for her. Star Flower begs for her father to be buried and the others agree since they care for others unlike One Eye.^[13] Tall Shadow and Gray Wing leave to fetch the Blazing Star to cure the sick cats, and Clear Sky returns back to his camp to reclaim his position as their leader. However, Snake, a supporter of One Eye, attacks Clear Sky but the others defend their leader. Snake decides to leave the group.^[15] Similar with the sickness, the leaders believe they fulfilled the spirit cats' words to unite or die by joining together to defeat One Eye, but the spirit cats insist they still must grow and spread like the Blazing Star.^[21] Star Flower eventually becomes Clear Sky's mate,^[22] and Slash and his rogues become the dominant threat in the forest.^[23]

Characters[]

One Eye[]

"You'll kill me, will you? You'll kill One Eye? If One Eye were that easy to kill, he'd never have survived kithood."

―One Eye taunting Clear Sky ^{The Blazing Star, page 93}

One Eye.silhouette — One Eye is a rogue who overthrew Clear Sky's group

One Eye is a vicious rogue who joins Clear Sky's group in hopes of taking over the forest.^[1] One Eye repeatedly challenges Clear Sky's authority but bids his time to wait for the right moment to overthrow the group, seemingly to take Clear Sky's territory in the forest.^[2] One Eye's savagery is well known by other rogues in the area,^[8]^[6] and marks his cats with an eye-shaped marking on their forepaws.^[2] One Eye believes in only caring for himself and the strong and holds no remorse for harming and killing those he deems as weak,^[2] or those who fell ill from the sickness.^[15] He also manipulates cats to use for his personal gains, such as using Tom to join Clear Sky's group,^[1] and using his daughter Star Flower to spy on the mountain cats.^[13] He develops a vendetta against Clear Sky and is more than willing to kill him.^[17] One Eye is eventually tricked by Gray Wing's strategical battle strategies and is killed by Gray Wing, Lightning Tail, Cloud Spots, and Thunder.^[17] However, his treachery in the forest provided reasoning for the four groups to unite to defeat him, though his death only allowed Slash, a close friend of his, to rise to power.^[23]

Clear Sky[]

"I brought One Eye here, and I'll be the one to see him thrown out again. I don't want to die, but I won't stand back and see other cats die, either. Let's drive out One Eye, and then we can tackle this sickness."

―Clear Sky about driving out One Eye ^{The Blazing Star, page 196}

Skystar.DTC-5-RR — Clear Sky felt responsible for One Eye's rise to power

Clear Sky allows One Eye to join his group after the rogue demonstrates his hunting skills, though quickly grows suspicious of him.^[1] However, Clear Sky defends his decision to allow One Eye to join his group since he's contributing to the group, insisting the rogue just needs to get used to contributing in a group setting.^[11] One Eye quickly demonstrates his true colors by killing Tom, severely injuring Sparrow Fur, and hinting he knows more about the sickness than he's let on, and Clear Sky promptly exiles him.^[18] However, One Eye returns to overthrow Clear Sky's group and Clear Sky realizes in horror what he's done.^[2] He blames himself for allowing One Eye to overthrow his group and is determined to kill him.^[5] He uses himself as bait to lure One Eye out into the moor,^[3] though he is captured and tortured by One Eye's rogues.^[17] After One Eye's death, Clear Sky reclaims his group and exiles Snake who still retains loyalty to One Eye.^[15]

Star Flower[]

"Please listen to me, Thunder. I did like you, truly. Meeting you by the four trees, and calling out to you on the moor. Taking you to the secret garden...that was all my idea. [...] It was. It was only after my father found out that I'd been spending time with you that he suggested I should use our closeness to find out what the other cats were doing."

―Star Flower to Thunder ^{The Blazing Star, pages 241-242}

Star Flower.DTC-4-RR — Star Flower is sent by her father to spy on the mountain cats

Star Flower is a rogue living near the mountain cats and the daughter of One Eye.^[3] Star Flower grows interested in the mountain cats after the Great Battle and listens in on their discussions.^[24] Thunder quickly becomes enamored by her.^[10] She and Thunder grow close. After her father realizes this, he uses her connection with Thunder to spy on them.^[13] While showing Thunder her secret garden, Star Flower prompts Thunder that the Blazing Star is a healing herb.^[19] One Eye uses this knowledge to ambush the mountain cats while they are trying to gather the herb.^[16] Star Flower lies that she has found some Blazing Stars near the riverbank,^[6] though they turn out to be the wrong herb.^[14] Star Flower also listens in on their plans to overthrow her father, and One Eye uses this information to form a counter plan.^[3] After her father's death, Star Flower insists she did originally like Thunder until her father roped her into his plans, and she begs for the others to allow her to bury her father. Despite what her father has done, Star Flower grieves his death.^[13]

Thunder[]

"I believed every word you said. I was...I was... [...] Tricked. And I won't let it happen again."

―Thunder to Star Flower after her betrayal ^{The Blazing Star, page 242}

Thunderstar.NO-12 — Thunder is tricked by Star Flower into revealing their plans

Thunder is the leader of the moor cats. He quickly develops feelings for Star Flower and begins to spend time with her despite Lightning Tail's distrust.^[19] Thunder learns from Star Flower that the Blazing Star has healing properties,^[19] though Lightning Tail is not inclined to believe her and Thunder fiercely defends her.^[20] When Star Flower arrives in camp offering to help the moor cats, Lightning Tail dismisses her and he and Thunder argue.^[5] Lightning Tail believes Star Flower is trying to trick him, though Thunder insists he and Star Flower have a connection since they are both outsiders. Thunder meets Star Flower again, and he explains their plan to overthrow One Eye since he still believes she wants to help.^[6] However, Star Flower betrays Thunder and the others by acting as a spy for her father.^[3] In his anger from her betrayal, Thunder delivers the killing blow to One Eye and refuses to let Star Flower grieve his death.^[17] Thunder refuses to be tricked again by her, though River Ripple reassures him that there'll be other she-cats in the future.^[13]

Quotes[]

One Eye: "I remember this forest when all the trees were saplings. I lived here before any of your group were even born. Are you the leader, then?"

Clear Sky: "Well...of this part of the forest, yes."

One Eye: "Then you're the cat I want to speak to. Tom's told me all about you. I'm here to offer my services to your group of cats, and trust me, this is not an offer that you want to turn down."

—One Eye meeting Clear Sky^{The Blazing Star, page 44}

End of spoiler warning

Notes and references[]

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 ^1.3 Revealed in The Blazing Star, chapter 6
↑ ^2.00 ^2.01 ^2.02 ^2.03 ^2.04 ^2.05 ^2.06 ^2.07 ^2.08 ^2.09 ^2.10 ^2.11 Revealed in The Blazing Star, chapter 15
↑ ^3.0 ^3.1 ^3.2 ^3.3 ^3.4 ^3.5 ^3.6 ^3.7 ^3.8 Revealed in The Blazing Star, chapter 24
↑ ^4.0 ^4.1 Revealed in A Forest Divided, chapter 25
↑ ^5.0 ^5.1 ^5.2 ^5.3 Revealed in The Blazing Star, chapter 20
↑ ^6.0 ^6.1 ^6.2 ^6.3 ^6.4 ^6.5 Revealed in The Blazing Star, chapter 22
↑ ^7.0 ^7.1 ^7.2 Revealed in The Blazing Star, chapter 5
↑ ^8.0 ^8.1 ^8.2 Revealed in The Blazing Star, chapter 7
↑ Revealed in A Forest Divided, chapter 9
↑ ^10.0 ^10.1 ^10.2 Revealed in The Blazing Star, chapter 14
↑ ^11.0 ^11.1 ^11.2 Revealed in The Blazing Star, chapter 9
↑ ^12.0 ^12.1 Revealed in The Blazing Star, chapter 12
↑ ^13.00 ^13.01 ^13.02 ^13.03 ^13.04 ^13.05 ^13.06 ^13.07 ^13.08 ^13.09 Revealed in The Blazing Star, chapter 26
↑ ^14.0 ^14.1 ^14.2 Revealed in The Blazing Star, chapter 23
↑ ^15.0 ^15.1 ^15.2 ^15.3 Revealed in The Blazing Star, chapter 27
↑ ^16.0 ^16.1 ^16.2 Revealed in The Blazing Star, chapter 19
↑ ^17.0 ^17.1 ^17.2 ^17.3 ^17.4 ^17.5 Revealed in The Blazing Star, chapter 25
↑ ^18.0 ^18.1 Revealed in The Blazing Star, chapter 10
↑ ^19.0 ^19.1 ^19.2 ^19.3 Revealed in The Blazing Star, chapter 17
↑ ^20.0 ^20.1 Revealed in The Blazing Star, chapter 18
↑ Revealed in The Blazing Star, chapter 28
↑ Revealed in A Forest Divided, chapter 12
↑ ^23.0 ^23.1 Revealed in A Forest Divided, chapter 4
↑ Revealed in The Blazing Star, chapter 4

e Events in the Warriors series
The Prophecies Begin	Battle for Sunningrocks • Brokenstar's tyranny • Schism of ShadowClan • WindClan's return • Battle for WindClan • Battle for Brokentail • Floods in RiverClan • Tigerclaw's betrayal • Battle for ThunderClan • ShadowClan's Great Sickness • Fire • Plan to divert the dogs • BloodClan's invasion
The New Prophecy	Finding Midnight • The journey home • Sharptooth's reign • A new home • WindClan civil war • Ambush of the badgers
Power of Three	A Tribe in need • Assault on ThunderClan • Greencough plague • The fire scene • Tracking a killer
Omen of the Stars	Saving the lake • The Long Dry • Fight for the border • Sol's revenge • War with the Dark Forest
Dawn of the Clans	Following the sun trail • The great fire • The first battle • The sudden sickness • One Eye's oppression • Rise of Slash • Founding of the Clans
A Vision of Shadows	Alderpaw's quest • Yellowcough epidemic • The Kin's campaign • ShadowClan's downfall • Watermint shortage • Fire • Battle for the stolen kits • ShadowClan versus SkyClan
The Broken Code	Clash of the Clans • Journey to find the Sisters • Battle against Ashfur
A Starless Clan	RiverClan's leader succession crisis • Journey to find catmint • History repeats itself • Frostpaw's therapy journey • Battle against Splashtail
Super Editions	Red Claw versus Willow Tail • Riverstar's journey • RiverClan versus SkyClan • Talltail and Jake's excellent adventure • ShadowClan versus WindClan • Destroying WindClan's herbs • Battle for Sunningrocks • SkyClan's revival • BloodClan's revenge • Battle against the stoats • A storm of epic proportions • Blood, water, and badgers • Battle of the gorge • SkyClan's journey to find the Clans • Tigerheart's journey • Battle against the Sisters • Journey to find the wildcats
Novellas	Battle for Quick Water • SkyClan's upheaval • A predicted starvation • Ravenpaw's travels
Graphic novels	Battle for the farm

[dc4-chapter_6-1] 1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 ^1.3 Revealed in The Blazing Star, chapter 6

[dc4-chapter_15-2] 2.00 ^2.01 ^2.02 ^2.03 ^2.04 ^2.05 ^2.06 ^2.07 ^2.08 ^2.09 ^2.10 ^2.11 Revealed in The Blazing Star, chapter 15

[dc4-chapter_24-3] 3.0 ^3.1 ^3.2 ^3.3 ^3.4 ^3.5 ^3.6 ^3.7 ^3.8 Revealed in The Blazing Star, chapter 24

[dc5-chapter_25-4] 4.0 ^4.1 Revealed in A Forest Divided, chapter 25

[dc4-chapter_20-5] 5.0 ^5.1 ^5.2 ^5.3 Revealed in The Blazing Star, chapter 20

[dc4-chapter_22-6] 6.0 ^6.1 ^6.2 ^6.3 ^6.4 ^6.5 Revealed in The Blazing Star, chapter 22

[dc4-chapter_5-7] 7.0 ^7.1 ^7.2 Revealed in The Blazing Star, chapter 5

[dc4-chapter_7-8] 8.0 ^8.1 ^8.2 Revealed in The Blazing Star, chapter 7

[dc5-chapter_9-9] Revealed in A Forest Divided, chapter 9

[dc4-chapter_14-10] 10.0 ^10.1 ^10.2 Revealed in The Blazing Star, chapter 14

[dc4-chapter_9-11] 11.0 ^11.1 ^11.2 Revealed in The Blazing Star, chapter 9

[dc4-chapter_12-12] 12.0 ^12.1 Revealed in The Blazing Star, chapter 12

[dc4-chapter_26-13] 13.00 ^13.01 ^13.02 ^13.03 ^13.04 ^13.05 ^13.06 ^13.07 ^13.08 ^13.09 Revealed in The Blazing Star, chapter 26

[dc4-chapter_23-14] 14.0 ^14.1 ^14.2 Revealed in The Blazing Star, chapter 23

[dc4-chapter_27-15] 15.0 ^15.1 ^15.2 ^15.3 Revealed in The Blazing Star, chapter 27

[dc4-chapter_19-16] 16.0 ^16.1 ^16.2 Revealed in The Blazing Star, chapter 19

[dc4-chapter_25-17] 17.0 ^17.1 ^17.2 ^17.3 ^17.4 ^17.5 Revealed in The Blazing Star, chapter 25

[dc4-chapter_10-18] 18.0 ^18.1 Revealed in The Blazing Star, chapter 10

[dc4-chapter_17-19] 19.0 ^19.1 ^19.2 ^19.3 Revealed in The Blazing Star, chapter 17

[dc4-chapter_18-20] 20.0 ^20.1 Revealed in The Blazing Star, chapter 18

[dc4-chapter_28-21] Revealed in The Blazing Star, chapter 28

[dc5-chapter_12-22] Revealed in A Forest Divided, chapter 12

[dc5-chapter_4-23] 23.0 ^23.1 Revealed in A Forest Divided, chapter 4

[dc4-chapter_4-24] Revealed in The Blazing Star, chapter 4

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