The rumble between the greasers and the Socs is set for 7 p.m. that night. Pony slams down five aspirins while no one is looking; he is still successfully hiding his illness. Still apprehensive about the rumble, Pony questions everyone's motivation for the fight: "Soda fought for fun, Steve for hatred, Darry for pride, and Two-Bit for conformity." Pony can only think of one good reason to fight — self-defense.
As the greasers gather together at the vacant lot, Pony compares the other greasers to his own gang. His gang never uses weapons and has never really hurt anyone. Pony realizes that they (his gang) are not hoods, and they don't belong with this group of future convicts. Ponyboy realizes that, unlike these hoods, Darry has the potential to be successful in life. Pony wants to be like Darry. When the Socs gather, Darry steps forward and says, "I'll take on anyone." One Soc steps forward and says hello to him. It is a former buddy, one who is now in college, while Darry has to work for a living. Just as the rumble begins, Dally shows up. Able to fight with only one arm, he announces that a rumble can't happen without him. The Socs lose the rumble because they run first. Everyone in Pony's gang is banged up, but the greasers win and that is all that matters.
