CHAPTER 9

 Ponyboy returned home at almost half past six, as he had a headache he took some aspirin. Then, they started to get ready for the fight. Darry tells him that he thinks it is not a good idea for him to go to the fight, but finally he lets him go. Everyone started to get the idea that they are going to the fight in which Darry and Two-Bit pretend to be socs. Darry told Pony and Soda to run away if the police show up, so they don't get put in a correctional facility . When the gang arrived at the vacant lot, Tim Shepard and his gang were already there, there was also another greaser gang from Brumly. They all shook hands to show that they are on the same side in the fight. Then, came the socs; there were twenty-two socs and twenty greasers. One of the socs clarified the rules that the first ones to run lose and that they could not use weapons. Darry then stepped forward to start the fight, saying he would take on any of the socs. Paul Holden stepped forward; he was one of Darry's former high school friends. Ponyboy realized that Darry is embarrassed to represent the greasers. So Dally runs to join them, yelling "Wait!" When Darry looked to see who yelled, Paul punched him in the jaw and the fight began. As Ponyboy fought alongside Dally, Dally explains that he escaped from the hospital by threatening a nurse with Two-Bit's switchblade. Darry was protecting Ponyboy and Ponyboy decides to help Dally since one of his arms is useless. But one of the socs kicked Ponyboy in the head who felt like he was going to pass out. Then the socs ran away and Darry announces that the greasers have won the fight. Immediately, Dally grabs Ponyboy and tells him that they are going to see Johnny as he is getting worse and wants to see Ponyboy. Dally was driving on the way to the hospital and the police stopped them, but since Ponyboy looked sick, she lies and says that they are going there to treat him. When they arrived at the hospital to Johnny's room, the doctor told them that Johnny was dying and could not let them see him. However Dally insisted and threatened him with a knife. When they entered Dally told Johnny how they won the fight, but Johnny said that fighting is no good. Then Dally tells him that he is proud of him, and Johnny's eyes sparkled, because Dally was his hero. Then he asks about Ponyboy and before he dies he tells him to stay golden. Dally, bewildered with anger, begs him not to die and runs out of the room.