A great idea for ponyboy x darry fanfiction is to set it during a time of crisis in their neighborhood. They could team up to protect their friends and family from a new and dangerous gang. This would show their loyalty to each other and how they rely on one another's strengths. Darry's tough leadership and Ponyboy's quick thinking would be a great combination in such a story.
One idea could be exploring their relationship in a modern AU. Maybe they could meet at a sports event where Darry is coaching and Ponyboy is a talented young athlete. Another could be a story where they have to overcome a big misunderstanding between them, like Ponyboy thinking Darry doesn't care about his dreams when in fact Darry is just trying to protect him.
You could write a fanfiction where Ponyboy discovers an old journal of Darry's from when he was younger. Through reading it, Ponyboy gets to see a side of Darry he never knew before, like his dreams that he had to give up. This could lead to a deeper bond between them as Ponyboy tries to help Darry reconnect with those lost parts of himself.
One idea could be a story where Ponyboy gets into trouble at school and Darry has to come and deal with the situation in a way that surprises Ponyboy. Maybe Darry shows a side of himself that Ponyboy has never seen before, like being really understanding and kind instead of just strict.
First, think about the setting. It could be the original setting from the source material or a new and creative one. Then, start with a small moment between them, like a conversation or a shared glance. For example, you could begin with Ponyboy coming home late and Darry waiting up for him, and the tension in the air as they face each other.
A possible plot is that Darry has a premonition about the Creeper coming to his town. He tries to warn everyone but they don't believe him at first. As the Creeper starts to hunt, Darry finds himself in a race against time to protect his loved ones. He could discover some ancient lore about the Creeper that gives him an edge in the fight. For example, he might learn that there's a certain time of day when the Creeper is weakest and he plans an attack during that time.
Perhaps in this 'ponyboy as a girl' fanfiction, she has a special talent for art. She uses her art to express the pain and struggle of the Greasers' life. This catches the attention of a Soc girl who is also into art, and they start a secret friendship that slowly begins to change the views of both groups towards each other.
By showing them sharing personal stories. For example, Darry could tell Ponyboy about his own struggles when he was Ponyboy's age. This would make Ponyboy see Darry in a new light.
They could be in a situation where Ponyboy gets sick and Johnny takes care of him. During this time, they reminisce about their past memories, like the time they first became friends. As Ponyboy recovers, they decide to do something special like paint a mural on a wall in their neighborhood. This not only shows their friendship but also gives a chance to add some creativity to the fanfiction.
One plot idea could be that Sodapop and Ponyboy go on a road trip together. They face various challenges on the road, like car troubles and meeting some interesting characters. This would allow for a lot of character development and some really sweet moments between them as they rely on each other.
One interesting Dark Darry fanfiction could be about his hidden past. Maybe he has a secret power that he has to keep concealed in the normal world. Another could be a story where Dark Darry is on a quest to find a lost artifact that has a connection to his family's history. It could involve him facing many challenges and making new allies along the way.
There's also 'Pony and Dally: A Different Kind of Friendship'. In this fanfiction, it focuses on the moments after a big fight in their gang. Ponyboy and Dally find themselves relying on each other more than ever, and it shows the growth of their relationship from just being gang mates to true friends.
One idea could be that Ponyboy discovers Dally has a hidden artistic side. For example, Ponyboy stumbles upon Dally's secret sketches of the gang members. This could lead to a deeper understanding between them and a new bond forms as Ponyboy encourages Dally to share his art with the rest of the gang.