Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-24118922-20131101170851/@comment-24674051-20141205145538

I think we've seen what happens when the Dark One uses the dagger on himself. When Rumple Killed Pan/Malcolm, he stabbed the dagger through Pan and into himself, taking both down at the same time.

Instead of killing the dark one, it sent him to the Vault of the Dark One, where he could potentially be ressurected (if one was willing to pay the price). However, based on Rumple's actions this season, and even a little from the last half of last season, I wonder it the being resurrected is JUST the Dark one, having the memories (and possibly feelings) of all of it's former hosts. In other words, Rumple died a hero and that part of him is truly dead, and what we are left with is just the Dark One using Rumple's form, and biding its time until everything is in place for a full reveal.