Board Thread:Character Discussion/@comment-24138799-20150511100043/@comment-25926288-20150517023308

Serrator123 wrote: Has anyone noticed something about the Apprentice? He seems to be the one character powerful enough to use his magic in any realm, including the Land Without Magic (prior to Storybrooke's existence and the bringing of magic there). He was able to display the ability to open a door to another realm when recruting an Author. When the Apprentice, Author and Sorceror were introduced in Season 4, I began to wonder why Rumple didn't ask either of them to take him to the Land Without Magic to find Baelfire. Rumple de-aged himself as the Dark One so he had all those 200-300 years of research. Then again, magical items could be used outside of the magic field. It is possible that the Apprentice was using a magic retaining item. There was two other characters who are the Dragon and that Flying Monkey who disguised himself as Emma's friend. The Flying Monkey was probably using a glammor item, which probably explained why Zelena was able to continue as posing as Marian too. Has Zelena regained her magic pendant? The Apprentice indeed can use magic more powerful than we've ever seen. It's a wonder he doesn't auto-solve the plot. Oh wait, they kept him in the hat all season, lol. Walsh likely had some magical item, Zelena no longer has her pendant, but instead the six-leaf clover of Oz necklace, which they probably took from her (I hope they were smart enough to do that).

The Apprentice likely wouldn't have helped the Dark One because The Sorcerer likely wouldn't have helped.

Real Answer: The writers didn't think of the App, Sorcerer, and Author yet. They didn't plan up to Season 4 at that point....(imo). People may disagree, but they make Rumple look a bit stupid, or Regina a bit stupid when they're were so many ways. I mean Regina could have had a guard sacrifice their child's heart instead of killing her father. In hindsight, they look a bit nisinformed.