In "The Outsiders", why did Ponyboy feel this would be the worst time for he and Sodapop to be separated from Darry and the gang?

In Chapter 7 of "The Outsiders," Ponyboy says, "We couldn't get hauled off now.  Not after me and Darry had finally got through to each other, and now that the big rumble was coming up and we would settle this Soc-greaser thing once and for all. Not now, when Johnny needed us and Dally was still in the hospital and wouldn't be out for the rumble." (pg 116)