Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-26184894-20150518061700/@comment-24674051-20150519140507

Vertblancrouge wrote: I would assume he still can use some magic but obviously he won't be as powerfull as before. Although a predispotion is needed, it's been pretty clear in OUaT that you can learn magic. Rumple has learned it during is time as the Dark One.

The other part of the question is, assuming he can still perform magic: "is he still willing to pay the price of magic?". Prior to becoming the Dark One, Rumple was known for its cowardness... Too true regarding his cowardice. However, before he became the Dark One, he was isolated and rejected by the villagers, and only had contact with Bae. His wife had run off.

Now, particularly that he is no longer the dark one, he has many potential allies (as long as they are willing to look past their past greivences). Obviously Belle, and likely Henry. Others that might be willing to encourage him are Regina and Mary Margaret. Plus he's had his moments (thinking back to Neverland) where he's overcome his inner desire towards cowardice. Point being, he's in a different place, and at least has a chance at staying on the right side with encouragement.

Also, unlike before, he actually has something that will be of great value to the group. He has first hand experience as the Dark One, so he can help with whatever plans are going to go forward.

Plus, even if he can't USE magic, I don't think that he will lose 300+ years of knowledge about magic. In that sense, he would make a great complement to Belle in the Research and Development area.

It's all going to boil down to where the writers want to take Rumple.