Hey folks. I know I've been really bad about updating my other fics- and I PROMISE I have chapters in the works for this summer. But a friend had originally started this fic, but due to some real world things she's deciding to get rid of her whole account rather than keep it stagnantly alive (like myself). Normally I wouldn't assume that I can take on someone else's fic- but I begged for this one because we've talked about it before and I love the idea. So I'll be uploading the first five chapters she originally made, and then start my own pieces to it. If you have any questions or concerns, let me know! And her name is The_Pied_Piper on ao3.

Enjoy her amazing work!

This, Wally decided, was the worst time of his life.

He was only fifteen years old, it wasn't like he had a lot of life to compare it to, but he was very certain of this fact. It out-beat any point that he was ever grounded, and even surpassed the time he inadvertently killed his cousin's dog. All because his father lost his previous job and had to move his family.

To Gotham.

Who willingly moves to Gotham?

Well, not me, at least. Wally frowned out the window of his new room, watching daily life dwindle down in the lesser suburb. His entire existence had been snuggly built in Blue Valley Kansas, and partly enjoyed in the nearby Central City when he visited his uncle Barry. He couldn't believe that less than a month ago, he had still been in his old room, looking out the window much like this, and thinking it was boring. Idiot-He didn't know how good he had it till this happened.

There wasn't even a real warning, a real sign. His dad just suddenly came home devastated one day, telling him and his mom they had cut him and several other workers from the factory due to downsizing, and that he didn't have a job. Wally had an entire week to wonder how that would affect them- would he have to sell some of his stuff? Would they be eating less? Could they afford their current mortgage? But as soon as he got home later that week, resolved to fasten down and help however he could, he was met with twin relieved smiles stating his dad's old employer sent out word and he had an opportunity already lined up for him.

Just not in Blue Valley.

Which meant Wally had three days to say bye to friends at school, and Uncle Barry and Aunt Iris, because surprise! He no longer was in control of anything!

That was about the point he decided to not be helpful. Oh sure, he packed, and he lifted boxes too heavy for his mother, and he read map directions, but his attitude?

Definitely left wanting.

Which is how he ended up in his room- it had been two weeks since they'd moved in, and despite everything that made Gotham Gotham, his dad was chipper with his new pay, and his mom was settling in. And they were fed up with his unyielding attitude.

"Have you even tried to make friends, Wally?" His mother looked up from the TV special, frowning at his latest report that amounted to 'this new school sucks'.

"Friends with who? They're all snobs, mom! Why the hell couldn't I stay in public school?" His science grades had achieved him a scholarship straight to Gotham Academy- home to the richest ass holes in the nation. And Wally wasn't converting to their kind.

"Wally, this is the best opportunity our family has ever had!" Mary stood from the couch, by passing the boxes still filled with their earthly possessions. "We know it was abrupt, and, well, the relocation isn't our first choice, but your behavior lately has been unacceptable!"

"Why'd we have to move to Gotham?" Wally bypassed her accusation, attacking with his own. "If dad's work was so thoughtful, why couldn't they have helped us settle in a new place in Central- like his other coworkers? This is Gotham! Home of the richest jerks and the freakiest crime rates in the world! They didn't do us any favors!"

"Enough!" Mary grabbed his shoulder, the force of her hold telling him they weren't discussing this further. "I will not tolerate you talking like this, especially about the sacrifices your father made for us! Go to your room- and when I make supper, you will have a better attitude when you come down!"

He wretched out of her grip, stomping for emphasis as he left. "I'm not changing my attitude for your mistake- so don't bother setting a place for me!"

"Wallace-!" but by then he had slammed his new room's door firmly, quickly turning the lock and putting in music to drown out whatever screaming she might attempt.

That had been six hours ago. He had eventually taken the plugs out, and had heard his dad come home three hours before. Dinner must have happened, but he'd take the pang of hunger over admitting he was wrong for as long as it took.

Which was until breakfast, at the rate he was going.

Really, though. Gotham was known for its unfriendly, psychopathic population, and he had thus far not seen anything contrary to that ideal. Heck, the 'welcoming gift' from the neighbors had been some nice cans of pepper spray and recommendations for what security systems work. His one small consolation was a girl he met two blocks down. With her attitude, he wasn't likely to get any friendship out of that blond harpy, but man did she have a nice figure- and he wasn't above strategically placing himself around the area to admire it- especially when she went running.

But one hot babe did not make up for a world of egocentric, vicious, shallow sheep the world had the audacity to call people.

I need out- I just… need out! He'd heard about the dangers of being out on Gotham streets once the sun went down, and normally he'd heed them. But his parents had expressly forbidden him to go on any night endeavors like he used to in Blue Valley- and he was in a rebellious sort of mood.

Glancing back at his door, noting no sounds were coming from the other side, he quickly unlocked the latch and checked the fire escape. As far as he knew, he was the only one ever tempted in this condo-complex to use it, and that was to his advantage.

Quickly, he grabbed his pocket knife and cell (just in case), then exited onto the iron rigs. Closing the window behind him, he ensured the lock didn't latch on him, then proceeded to escape down the stairway into the back ally. It was gated to keep the homeless people from digging through their trash, but the fence did little to stop a healthy, fit fifteen year old boy.

Without further fanfare, he quickly pulled up his hood and jogged to a nearby park. Let the stupid muggers and psychopaths come. This was the lowest he'd ever been.

So what could possibly make it worse?