Ah, endings... I'm kinda bad at 'em, to be honest. But I have a good feeling about this one since I finally have this chapter planned out! If I'm telling the truth here, I'm sad to see this story's end, but believe me- it's not the end of Oaklyn, Charlie, and Itchy's adventures! Since this is the only thing I've worked on wise) since April, so... about 4-5ish months, I'm not even sure what to write about next. Probably a few one-shots, for sure, but whether or not those will immediately pertain to ADGTH, I don't know. I guess I'll have to see.

Anyway, I hope everyone's enjoyed up to this point, because we've finally reached the emotional conclusion to ADGTH. Oh, the feels... anyway, I've said enough here. Please the enjoy the conclusion of "You Can't Keep A Good Dog Down"!

Midnight has come and gone. The bright white moon illuminated the ever-busy New Orleans, but in Harold and Kate's neighborhood, all is calm again.

Oaklyn and Itchy had stayed with Anne Marie until the paramedics deemed the child safe to go home, and Harold and Kate had taken her in while they awaited permission from the courts to officially adopt her. The little girl was lying in bed, deeply asleep, and the two dogs had just entered as Harold and Kate laid the already unconscious child to sleep.

Itchy limped slowly over to Anne Marie's bed, toy in his mouth. Oaklyn trailed behind him, head low. She was numb; her mind drifted from two grief-driven explanations, but she only knew one of those to be true.

Charlie's fine. He'll find his way out of that ship and meet us here, and he'll make sure Anne Marie is alright, and then it'll all go back to how it was before.

Charlie's dead. He's not coming back. We won't see him again, and we're on our own. We have to take care of Anne Marie. That's what he wanted. So we will.

She lifted her head long enough to watch Itchy jump onto the bed, and he carefully placed the stuffed animal next to Anne Marie, laying down. Oaklyn could clearly see the pain and anguish in the dachshund's eyes, and she wanted to comfort him. But she couldn't bring herself to do that when she couldn't even convince herself that everything would be ok. It didn't feel possible. Charlie was gone forever, and... this time he wasn't coming back, like he did from the pound. Not ever.

Exhausted and finding herself unable to function well anymore, Oaklyn drew herself up and jumped on the bed, shutting her eyes and laying on her stomach with her front paws tucked beneath her chest. She was far too tired to think at all. Especially not about Charlie. Itchy was already asleep, but Oaklyn couldn't even try. Not yet... she forced herself to sit up, placing a paw on Anne Marie's knee. "You'll be safe, now," she whispered, flattening her ears as her eyes grew tearful. "You don't have to worry about Carface anymore, and you have a mom and dad... j-just like you always wanted." She inhaled, turning around and laying down again.

Carface is gone, too. He won't ever get to hurt us again.

Oaklyn's eyes began to grow heavy, and she curled into a ball, wrapping her tail over her nose. It hurt so badly, knowing Charlie couldn't be with them anymore. What was next? Would she spend the rest of her days here, with Anne Marie? Would her and Itchy leave to build their own lives? Finally, as questions whirled about in her mind, one last thought came: Can we really move on without you, Charlie?

Then the thin green curtains began to rustle, and the room was filled with a cool breeze. The blue-purple night sky began to fill with a deep, blood-like red, and an ominous growl started echoing all around as leaves blew inside Anne Marie's bedroom. The Hellhound came into his true form, towering over the home. He began to call for the one he came to collect.

"Chaaaaaaaaarrrrrlie..." he rasped, sending red wisps flowing into the bedroom.

Then, out of the smoky breeze, Charlie slowly jumped. He took another slow leap until he reached the bed. Oaklyn was at the foot of it, and Itchy was still right by Anne Marie.

Charlie, though, was being overtaken by a massive wave of regret and awful, painful guilt. Very gently, he put his paws on the bed and crossed his forelegs, looking at the little girl that he'd truly come to love. Tears flooded his eyes. "Oh, Squeaker..." Charlie laid his head down, knowing he deserved all the terrible pain he felt inside.

"I'm sorry..." he whispered. A single tear fell from his cheek. "I'm so very sorry..."

Anne Marie only breathed slowly and silently, otherwise unmoving.

Red wisps circled the home, and the Hellhound called once again for his prey. "Chaaaaaaaaarrrrlie..."

However, a luminous blue ball of light drifted toward the hellish creature. As it grew close, the Hellhound emitted a low, warning growl, but then his body seemed to burst and dissolve into nothingness. Letting out one last growl, he slowly crumbled and disappeared from sight. The blue glow floated towards the bedroom window, and the sky began to revert back to normal.

Annabelle's voice began to speak from somewhere inside. "Charlie..." her soothing voice called, "Charlie... you can come home, now." Lifting his head, Charlie stared at it, at a loss.

"You said I..."

"Charlie... you gave your life for them... come home."

Charlie hesitated. "But what about Anne Marie and Snowflake?" Annabelle's voice helped ease Charlie's inner pain, but not as much as he wished it could.

"Say goodbye, Charlie."

Charlie offered a grateful smile to the blue light, but then a weight settled in his chest. Say goodbye. He glanced up at Annabelle. "There's... so much I haven't said..." he whispered, turning his head back down. Putting his head in his paws, Charlie's face fell, and he stared at the purple blanket. Then he placed his paw gently on the girl's foot, carefully jumping up onto the bed.

After carefully looking at her sleeping face, Charlie looked down shamefully, not knowing where to start, or what to tell her. He turned his head away, fighting back tears. Then the girl yawned, and Charlie slowly looked up, giving her a kind smile.

"Charlie," Anne Marie said sleepily, smiling at him. "Yeah! It's me!" Charlie replied, trying to seem like everything was good and happy. "How ya feelin', kid?"

"Okay... how are you?" Anne Marie asked. Charlie shrugged. "Ah." I don't deserve your manners, Squeaker. He chuckled shortly. "Heh... I've come to say goodbye," he said, doing his very best to stay strong and not weep in front of her.

"Where are you going?" Anne Marie asked, tilting her head curiously. "Ah... just on a little trip." Charlie carefully settled himself beside her and looked her in the eyes. "Listen, Squeaker, I... want you to do something for me, alright?"

"Uh huh?"

Charlie smiled and looked at his friend. "I want you to take care of Itchy. Y'know... just while I'm gone." Anne Marie slowly picked the sleeping Itchy up and pulled him closer to herself.

"You've got a home now, and... he doesn't have anybody." Anne Marie nuzzled then small dog. "Don't worry, Charlie, I will."

"Great," Charlie mumbled, clearing his throat as it became tight. "Well..." He grabbed Itchy's snout and gently shook it. "Goodbye, little buddy." As he sat up again, Anne Marie wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Oh, Charlie, I'll miss you!" she said, taking his face in her little hands. She kissed his nose, and Charlie could hardly stop himself from crying. "Yeah-" he cleared his throat again nervously, shaking his head a little.

"Ahem... I-I'll miss you too, Squeaker..." he whispered, voice breaking. He carefully pulled away from her hug. "N-now you go to sleep, huh?"

Anne Marie met Charlie's eyes. They were full of tears, but also her reflection. "Charlie... will I ever see you again?" she asked, and Charlie smiled down at her.

"Sure! Sure you will, kid... y'know, goodbyes aren't forever."

Anne Marie paused, but then she reached up and stroked his muzzle sweetly. "Then... goodbye, Charlie..." She stared at him for a second. "I love you."

This time it was much harder to keep from crying, and Charlie smiled, turning his head. Then he looked back at the little girl.

"Yeah... I love you too," he whispered. Anne Marie yawned; then she closed her eyes and fell asleep. Charlie could hardly pull his gaze from her, but there was still one more thing he had to do before he left. Tears fell from his eyes and slipped down his cheeks as he turned away, and he hung his head silently as he listened to Oaklyn's steady breathing.

Snowflake...

Charlie slowly laid down, putting her back on her back. Where did he begin? There was so much he hadn't told her, like Anne Marie. Should he tell her how much he loved her? How everything would be fine? He felt lost, but still gently shook her awake.

"Oaklyn," he whispered, "Snowflake, wake up."

Oaklyn's eyes fluttered open. Confused and sleepy, she lifted her head to look at him, and Charlie's stomach clenched at her eyes grew wide. "Charlie!" she whispered, frozen.

"Yeah... it's me, Snowflake."

Oaklyn's eyes also filled with tears, and she bolted up to hug Charlie's neck. Surprised, Charlie froze, but when he heard her sniffle, he put his paw on her back, also beginning to cry. He did his best to stay silent so he didn't give it away, but he couldn't help sniffling as well. Oaklyn pulled away after a few seconds, tears running down her furry cheeks.

"Charlie, I'm sorry!" she whispered, hanging her head. "I'm sorry I-I didn't fight harder to get away from Carface! I'm sorry I got mad at your earlier! I should never have snapped like that! Charlie..." She broke down and cried softly.

Charlie, with a heavy heart, shook his head and pulled her closer to him, allowing Oaklyn to press her face into his chest, sobbing. "No, Snowflake... you didn't do anything wrong. This is my fault." When Oaklyn looked up at him, he continued.

"Listen... I shoulda protected you. I should've... kept you away from Carface. I should've looked myself in the mirror and said, 'this is wrong. You're being selfish and greedy and such an awful mutt.' But I was too... I was too self-absorbed to do that. I should've balanced my attention to Squeaker and you fairly." Unable to keep talking for a moment, Charlie shook his head and closed his eyes, lowering his head. "There's so many things I should've done differently. Snowflake... I'm so sorry."

Oaklyn was awestruck. She didn't know what to say, but Charlie kept talking. "But there's one more thing I should've done before anything else." Charlie looked at her, beginning to feel nervous. Am I really doing this?

"I-I... I shoulda told you... shoulda realized... how much I..." Charlie sighed shakily. "How much I love you, Snowflake. I was so busy with tryin' to make money and g-get revenge that... I couldn't see how I really felt about you. Oaklyn... I love you. And I'm so sorry I'm tellin' you now, when... I should've done it so much sooner."

Oaklyn's chaotic thoughts abruptly halted. She slowly began to remember all the times she'd been angry at him for doing something stupid, or unsuccessfully trying to talk him out of something dangerous, or even just laughing at or with him about something silly he'd done. She realized that every time she saw Charlie, she was in a better mood, and how she began to feel safer when she was with him. She hated that she was only realizing these things now, but now it was all clear.

She slowly smiled through her tears. "Charlie," she whispered, looking into his brown eyes, "I love you, too."

Charlie's heartache lifted a bit. If I don't do it now, I'll never get to.

He stared at her, completely captivated. All those times he'd been struck by her appearance all came to a head at that moment. Her white fur was glowing in the dim light, and her beautiful blue eyes were shining so bright Charlie thought they could pierce through his own wide ones.

Charlie blinked. Then he laid down, put a paw on her cheek, and gently pressed his lips against hers. Oaklyn closed her eyes, feeling a new warmth spread through her whole being. She lifted her paw and put it on his cheek as well, only wanting him to stay here with her, to not leave her and Itchy and Anne Marie behind.

Charlie slowly pulled away after a few seconds, opening his eyes. Oaklyn's were still closed, and she nuzzled against his cheek. "Do you have to go?"

"Yeah... I wish I didn't have to, Snowflake. But you'll see me again... I promise."

Oaklyn pulled away carefully and looked into his eyes again, saddened. "I don't know what to do without you." Charlie nudged her nose with his own. "Ah, c'mon, sweetheart, let's be real here. Sure, you'll miss me, but that doesn't mean there ain't things in this world that you've still gotta do. Think about it- you could have something in store for you that you and I couldn't dream of. I want you to do somethin' for me, like I told Anne Marie."

Oaklyn looked at him. "What?"

Charlie looked back. "Live your life. Don't dwell on the past for too long. So whatever it is you wanna do. Just 'cause I'm gone doesn't mean you don't have a purpose, Snowflake."

"Charlie..."

Annabelle's voice made Charlie pause. He sat up straight, looking down at Oaklyn lovingly. She stared back up, flattening her ears. "Remember that... ok? Promise me that you'll live your life. For me."

Oaklyn stared up at him. She didn't know if she could do that. But maybe... maybe he was right. Even if he wasn't there, she could still move on. Be happy. "Ok... I promise. But... only if you promise you'll be there to welcome me to Heaven someday, alright?" she demanded, smiling a bit. Charlie giggled. "Ha... will do."

Then he smiled again, jumping over her head and landing on the floor behind them. He stood in front of the window, which was now illuminating orange light down on him.

Charlie turned his head and offered her a reassuring smile. "Goodbye, Snowflake. Remember somethin': you really can't keep a good dog down."

Smiling fondly, Oaklyn took a deep breath.

"Goodbye, Charlie."

With those words, Charlie turned his head back forward as Annabelle's final call echoed in his ears.

"Charlie... come home."

Drawing himself up, Charlie leapt up and faded into the clouds for the last time. Oaklyn watched him disappear, smiling as tears ran down her face.

"I love you..."


Charlie was finally back where he belonged. Somewhat sad but suitable ending music began to play, but the only thing shown was a bunch of pink clouds. Unsatisfied, Charlie shoved his head through them, and the music wound down.

"Hold it, hold it!!" He waved his arms and glared at the camera, looking a little pouty. "I know we're dead up here, but so's the music! C'mon- heat it up!"

"Honey, you know it!"

A piano started up, and a background choir began to sing. Charlie nodded in approval, raising one eyebrow. "That's nice... that's nice!"

"Hallelujah~"

"RAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!" Carface screamed, shooting through the clouds and into the watch department. He ripped the cloak into pieces, tore the wings to bits, and flung his halo out of the way.

"I'LL GET THAT GATOR IF IT'S THE LAST THING I DO!!!" he roared, snatching the clock beside him. But Annabelle was already there. "Touch that clock, and you can never come back!" she said gently, but Carface only chuckled, beginning to twist the knob.

"Shut up."

He began to try to escape, and Annabelle chased after him, furious. "I SAID- TOUCH THAT CLOCK, AND YOU CAN NEVER COME BACK!!!!!"

Charlie himself poked his head out of the clouds, watching Carface try to escape. Grinning, the German shepherd took a last look at the audience.

"He'll be back!" he said, winking. Then he ducked back inside, leaving his golden halo floating. The last thing seen is his paw as he quickly snatches it back, and then purple wisps obscure him from sight.

"Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah- let's make this music last forever-!"

"Halle... luuuuuujiahhhhhhh~ whoo, honey, I'm so glad you've come to stay!"

Woah... I did it! My first full length story on this site, and after a FULL YEAR of being here, guys, is FINISHED! I can't believe it! Whoo, man, that was so much fun to write!

I'd like to include a shout-out to my good friend, animationgirl89, for helping me with the planning for a few chapters, being extremely supportive, and for taking the time to read this thing! I can't express how grateful I am to you, Jazz, I really can't!

And... a shout-out to all of you! Thank you so much for reading, and hopefully enjoying! I know this story wasn't perfect, and there's a few typos in several early chapters, and that I'm not good at endings at all, but... really, thank you to anyone who decided to read. It means a lot. Please let me know what you thought of this as a while by leaving a review! Until next time,

Bluestar of ThunderClan.