Walk away. Take the stock, you actually got a pretty damn good deal (assuming you weren't ripped off on your stock package in the first place). Even 1/10 of the stock package of a typical #1 employee is usually better than a #5 employee. Don't expect to get anything out of it.
Move on. Don't mull over it. It's actually a great time to be into startups… there has never been such a drought of developers. Hell, maybe learn how to code, while you're at it.
Hell, maybe learn how to code, while you're at it.
It's not clear that OP DOESN'T know how to code.
Also, OP wasn't employee #5--he or she was employee #1, and sacrificed a year of earnings as a result. You don't make that sacrifice, then roll over when the founders unceremoniously let you go a month before you're due to vest. I say fight for it.
Move on. Don't mull over it. It's actually a great time to be into startups… there has never been such a drought of developers. Hell, maybe learn how to code, while you're at it.