Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-5205908-20150112195458/@comment-25926288-20150112201201

I think magic doesn't necessarily have a price, just that, "every action has a reaction" sort of thing. Hook was no anti-hero because lack of magic and Malcolm was bad without magic.

The concept of magic having a price originates with Zoso, but he may have been referring to the Dark One's curse. I think this thought is echoed with Rumple and his bad experiences. This also allowed him to make a deal with the costs of his deals.

The witches of Oz use witchcraft, as far as I'm aware of, and they aren't directly suffering from any problem. Light and Dark magic differ mostly in their origin but are very alike, since apparently Glinda and even Regina have capability of light magic.

To take a concept of Kingdom Hearts, I think it(happy endings, character, etc) deals with the darkness in one's heart. Rumple is the Dark One. Rumple mentioned that darkness feeds on Regina. Regina's heart is fairly dark. Hook's heart has some darkness. Even Snow had some darkness temporarily. Since Dark magic usually relies on your darkness(caused by emotions like anger, fear, greed, jealousy, etc.), they usually fall into darkness. And the darkness has a price on one's character, state of being, and if they can conquer the darkness.

Even in "The Apprentice", they mentioned not succumbing to the darkness in one's heart, and pure of heart, etc.