Darkness

"I'm many things. I'm the voice in your head; the Dark One's powers inside you, inside all the Dark Ones."

- The Darkness, under Rumplestiltskin's appearance, to Emma

The Darkness, and its host the Dark One, is a magical entity featured on ABC's Once Upon a Time. It débuts in the first episode of the first season.

Known Dark Ones

 * Nimue † (Original Dark One)
 * At least eighteen unnamed Dark Ones †
 * Gorgon †
 * Zoso †
 * Rumplestiltskin / Mr. Gold
 * Emma Swan (Darkness removed)
 * Killian Jones †

Trivia
|-|On-Screen Notes=

On-Screen Notes

 * True love's kiss will not break a Dark One's curse if the Dark One likes the power and does not want to give it up. When the afflicted wants it, it is no longer a curse. Nor will true love's kiss work if both people involved are Dark Ones.
 * According to Cora, when the Dark One is killed without the dagger, he/she will expel the powers of the Darkness.
 * Dark Ones don't need sleep as the power of the Darkness keeps them energized. Dark Ones such as Rumplestiltskin and Emma Swan developed hobbies to pass the time instead; Rumplestiltskin spun straw into gold and Emma made dreamcatchers.
 * The waterfall in the pocket dimension inside the Vault of the Dark One is liquid darkness.
 * All Dark Ones find it irresistible to make deals.
 * The Darkness is immortal. This is a result of Nimue drinking the waters of the Holy Grail.
 * Rumplestiltskin, as the Dark One, appears in the title card for "In the Name of the Brother". The Darkness appears in the title card for "Birth". The hooded figures of all Dark Ones prior to Rumplestiltskin appear in the title card for "Swan Song".

Appearances

 * Dark One Rumplestiltskin appears in Henry's storybook in "Dreamcatcher".
 * Dark One Mr. Gold is mentioned on the pawnshop sign in "Heart of the Matter".