Many people would argue that Ponyboy is the hero in the Outsiders. Primarily because Ponyboy didn 't even think before he went into the church to save the kids. Johnny may have paid the price, but ponyboy went first knowing he was going to save those kids. Also when Johnny killed bob Ponyboy could have run away with Johnny or stayed home with Darry but he went with Johnny because he was scared for him so most of the reason he went was to protect Johnny. When Johnny and Ponyboy ran away together to windrixville. The old church where they were hiding had caught on fire. By a cigarette Johnny had dropped on the ground. Then when the group got back from eating they realized the church was on fire and the kids were having a picnic there and there