The Tale of a Healer

My name is Pangfua. I am an orphan. I was found in a basket floating down a river. A healing village found me and I was adopted and raised up by my stepmother since I was a baby. My stepmother and the other villagers decided to train me to become a healer like the rest of them. My homeland is China, and I love everything about it, from the landscape, to the weather.

Pangfua, Age 7

A small downy grey flamingo walked alongside a equally downy crane, both carrying baskets around their necks. The weather was very hot and the two were clearly too exhausted to even bother flying.

"Pangfua, why is it always so hot whenever we go study herbs?"

"I don't know. I guess because it's summer."

"And why do we have to go through that yucky swamp?"

"I don't know Chichi. All I know is that I hate the swamp too."

Maybe I don't like hot weather and swamp after all. Why our village has to live so close to that place was beyond me at first. but now I know it's because the place contained most of the native herbs we used. The dry weather was good for drying the leaves and roots.

Pangfua, Age 8

"How long were we suppose to leave the mushroom in the sun?"

"I don't remember."

"Chichi, I think we should make it dry faster."

"How?"

"Let's use some fire. I'll get a stick and collect fire."

A few minutes later, the girls accidentally burned the mushrooms to ashes. They were scolded for it later.

I am a flamingo, a non-native bird in China. It is believed that a flamingo would bring good luck to everyone. Most of us in the healing village did not believe that. I was raised up alongside my best friend Chichi, who was like a sister to me. I had a unique way of learning how herbs worked.

Pangfua, Age 10

Chichi and Pangfua were once again carrying baskets full of herbs. Their stepmother thanked them for their work before sending them to separate the herbs into different bowls. The two chicks began their task of separating poison from medicine, taking their time to identify and ground each one. Pangfua knew better than to taste any of the herbs and see what effects they were. Yet she just couldn't resist. The flamingo chick sniffed one of the crushed brown leaves, noticing it's odd smell. She quickly pecks at it, swallowing it quickly. Chichi did not pay attention. About five seconds later, Pangfua began to feel a headache.

"Chichi... my head hurts..."

The crane chick turned to her friend as she suddenly collapsed on the table. "Pangfua? Did you eat something again? Are you sick? Don't worry Pangfua, I'll go get my mommy. Mommy!"

Chichi scampered off, leaving her unconscious friend behind. Once Chichi's stepmother revived her, Pangfua was subject to lectures and scolding. She spent the next month cleaning the laundry as punishment.

I knew it was dangerous for me to taste herbs I don't know, but it helped me know exactly what each one did. It wasn't long before I learned how to make antidotes for each poisonous plant, as well as poisons that cannot be cured easily. I never used those unless I felt that there was someone trying to kidnap. When I was about thirteen years old, I was chosen to go serve the Emperor's son as his personal healer, with Chichi as my assistant. That meant that I had to have extensive training until I am old enough to go to the palace, which isn't for another seven years. Until then, I had to grow up a bit.

Pangfua, Age 15

She really was a fast learner. She was now able to easily make good healing salves, medicines, and treat severe injuries. Chichi often said how envious she was of Pangfua, though the latter tells the crane that she was her equal. In terms of maturity, Pangfua started to leave behind some of her childish tendencies and becoming more and more like the accomplished healer the emperor would want. However, she still maintains her talkative self when hanging with Chichi privately.

"Chichi, did you hear about a healer called Scorpion?"

"Scorpion? Isn't that a species of bugs?"

"Yes but she is simply called that."

"Doesn't she have a name?"

"I don't know. From what I understand, most people in the Valley of Peace are called simply by their species."

"That's weird."

"Mm. Anyways, this lady Scorpion was one of the greatest healers known throughout China. She lived in the Valley of Peace and took care of everyone. But rumor has it, that she found a hypnotic elixir and stung herself with it. Now she is a mean old manipulator who wants to control the world."

"Gasp! Is it all true!?"

"All but the turning evil part. She went a little cuckoo but recovered. She immediately made a cure that kept her normal and to help others who were infected by that elixir."

"How do you know all this?"

"I got to speak with her when she came by the village."

"What!? Why didn't you tell me?"

"You were out with your mother. You missed out of Scorpions lessons before she left. She even gave us some sun orchids to plant."

"Weren't those suppose to be extinct?"

"Yes Chichi, but she saved one and is now growing a huge garden of them in her new home, the Valley of Tranquility."

"Phooey. You get all the fun Pangfua."

We healers always try to keep to ourselves. We dislike being in the spotlight. So stories of kung fu masters were the most popular. Whenever Chichi and I go to the market to trade, we would eat at a cute little teahouse and listen to tales of these great fighters. Chichi may enjoy them but me?

Pangfua, Age 17

Pangfua and Chichi were eating at a small cart that was selling lotus seed dumplings. Because of their anatomy, they had to eat from the table with only their necks while drinking from the jugs that only they can use. Pangfua finished her first bun before shaking her body a bit. Her downy feathers were now replaced with grey adult ones, while Chichi started gaining her black and white feathers. Once again, a minstel was telling the tale of yet another kung fu warrior. Chichi was always excited to hear these tales, but Pangfua didn't seem to care. From bits and pieces she's heard, it was about a young snow leopard who was a prodigy. Once the tale was over, Chichi turns to her friend.

"Pangfua, don't you think the story of Tai Lung single handedly defeating an an army of one hundred savage jackals amazing?"

The flamingo just took a drink of her tea. "Not really."

Chichi blinked. "Why not? He sounds so amazing with his kung fu. And he's only our age."

"Kung fu is good, but it always leads to people being injured. And we healers always have to make sure they don't die too quickly."

"But Pangfua, those tales are still fun to listen too."

"I know Chichi, but I'm not so fascinated by people hurting themselves in silly conflicts."

"You sound so much like auntie."

"Well my mother is right."

Sure I was not a fan of kung fu tales. That's mostly because I consider them to be rather violent or exaggerated. And it also meant more work for us healers. If you ask me, the real heroes are us healers. If not for us, how will these great fighters still be able to do kung fu?

I know I will not be too happy when I go serve the prince at the palace. I'll bet he'll be off going into so many so called glorious battles and coming back more injured than the last. Worse of all, if I fail to save him, the punishment is me being hanged for my failure.

Pangfua, Age 20

"Pangfua. The time has come for you to go to the palace and serve the royal family. You will be assigned specifically to the pronce, but you also have to help the emperor and empress as well."

"Yes auntie."

"Chichi. You shall accompany Pangfua to the palace as her assistant."

"Yes mama."

"Be safe. The both of you."

The emperor is a Bengal Tiger, as is his wife and son. Tigers are kind of rare or so I've heard, kind of like my species. To my surprise, the emperor stated that if the prince were to die, I would have to return to my village until a new heir appears or something like that. That meant I wasn't going to die for my failure. I forgot that times have changed.

The prince was a spoiled brat. Always demanding things go his way instead of that way. He has no respect for his servants and to me and Chichi. Must be a thing with teenagers. If he keeps this attitude up, I will not bother trying to heal him when he's hurt.

Pangfua, Age 25

"You just don't like him because he barely talks to us."

"That's not true Chichi. Have you seen how he looks at me?"

"You mean with respect?"

"That scowl of his does not make him respectful to me. He is clearly very mean and nasty.

"Pangfua, it's the stripes on his head that makes him look like that. And all he did was ask us not to bother him when he studies the art of war. You are so silly."

I have a feeling that whenever i say one thing, people can clearly tell that I am lying. And I do admit that I lie a lot. The prince isn't as bad as I make him out to be. He's young, younger than me, and yet he's so mature for a mere sixteen year old. I guess I still need growing up after all. He still rarely speaks to me and Chichi, but we make sure that he eats healthy meals every day. He does not fuss much and he is very polite. I just wonder what will happen to him when he becomes king? I guess I will still be sticking around and serving him all my days. I don't mind whatsoever, so long as I can have access to all the herbs I need. It was around this time I heard of Tai Lung being locked up in that rhino prison. Like I said, kung fu can sometimes ruin things.

Pangfua, Age 21

The young prince watched as Pangfua and Chichi sorted through their herbs and other medicinal items. He was quite fascinated with how they knew what herbs go together and what doesn't. He didn't even realize that he had been standing idle for too long until Chichi looked in his direction.

"Crown Prince Jianghong!"

He flinched a bit as Chichi and Pangfua immediately bowed to him. He waved his hand to dismiss their bowing.

"You two are all right. I was just curious about your work."

Pangfua smiled. "It is a fulfilling work your highness."

Jianghong nodded. "Might I ask what those herbs you are using do?"

"Well this is dried snake gourd fruit.

When combined withplatycodon fruit, mulberry seeds, and apricot seeds, it becomes a good medicine for coughs."

Chichi spoke up next. "It can also be mixed with common reed rhizomes, gypsum, and dwarf lilyturf roots to relieve feverish disease symptoms like extreme thirst."

"Is it possible for you to teach me more?

"Eh?"

"Huh?"

Jianghong felt nervous for the first time. "I have been taught about politics and war, but never of how to heal. I find it to be extremely important and I wish to learn it. Miss Pangfua and Miss Chichi, can you teach me how to heal?"

The two birds were bewildered but impressed that the prince himself wanted to learn their healing. It would be useful fir his future, and something the two could be proud about.

"We would be most delighted young prince."

I never would have thought we'd be teaching the prince himself our skills. But we made it possible. We taught him basic skills for minor injuries in a month. In the next month he learned how to tell what herbs mix together to make a slow acting poison. It was a great time for the three of us, even if Prince Jianghong was still just a little too serious.

Pangfua, Age 22

"All right, now all of these are used in medicine. They help with healing and curing people. But why should you make sure not to mix random ones together without proper knowledge Crown Prince?"

"Because some herbs, when mixed together can actually create a poison. Banyou, snakegourd fruit, fritallaria zhusen, xinshou, and panlilu. If placed in meals, the poison will accumulate within the individuals body, causing muteness, deafness, and within a year, death."

"Very good. If this happens to a person, what is the cure?"

Jianghong thinks for a moment. "The most common cure is to use a snow ginseng to create a broth that the patie t has to drink directly. As with most treatments, there is also the hot water one where the patient has to sit in it and... the heat makes them sweat the poison out."

Pangfua nodded. "Very good. You learned well. And remember, ginseng is also used to help expel the toxins from the body. Not just poison but also substances that are addicting."

Chichi and I had been in the palace over the next eleven years. The prince was now the emperor after his father died in battle. The empress managed to arrange his marriage with a young tigress who was the daughter of an official. The two clearly were in love and soon a wedding day was set. I am so proud of him.

Pangfua, Age 32

Chichi glances excitedly at Pangfua. "Is it really true? Our young king is finally getting married?

Pangfua nodded. "And about time too. His parents wouldn't stop telling him to get married and produce an heir now that he is king."

"Will he be okay about it?"

"Why not? She is young and beautiful, and a white tiger to his orange color."

"Do you think they'll eventually have their own son or daughter?"

"Either way Chichi, I'll still be stuck here babysitting everyone."

"Pangfua you haven't changed a bit."

"And I hope I never will."

I soon met my new temporary apprentice, a rather small one. It was a rather interesting meeting.

Pangfua, Age 33

The female flamingo sighed contently as she finished her tea and lotus buns. "It has been too long since we've visited this place."

"Thirteen years Pangfua. Almost hard to believe."

"Ah this place hasn't changed. And I'm glad it didn't."

"I wish we can do this a little more often."

"That depends on the emperor Jianghong. He was nice to give us this time from the city Chichi."

"Indeed."

"Well I'm going to check out the market place real quick. Want to come?"

"Yes."

Pangfua had only taken one step, when all of sudden she was paralyzed. Her stiff body hit the ground in an awkward position. Chich was already panicking.

"Pangfua! Pangfua, are you all right!?"

The crane then heard a voice coming from the ground next to Pangfua's legs.

"Oh pardon me. I forgot to put my acupunture needles aside. I'm a doctor." He saw the needle sticking out of the flamingos foot. "Oh uh sorry."

He pulls it out and Pangfua is back on her feet taking several deep desperate breaths. That needle had not just stopped her from moving, but also from breathing. Chichi patted her back with a wing as the flamingo glares down at her "attacker".

It was a young adult green praying mantis, and he was trying to gather all of his needles together. That didn't stop Pangfua from getting angry.

"What is wrong with you!? Why would you just leave needles like that on the floor for everyone to step on!? I could have died!"

"Well besides my size, I'm a doctor."

"Eh? A doctor? Do you know anything about being a doctor?"

The Mantis nodded. "Of course. I just read a random scroll on how to do acupuncture so I decided to be a doctor right then and there."

Pangfua scoffed. "I'll bet you had no training."

"Nope. I trained myself. I'm pretty good at it."

"Oh really? Well show me then."

"Okay, I just need to poke right here-"

He pokes a needle into Pangfua's leg, and her feathers suddenly changed to a brilliant color of pink. Chichi and the other patron's eyes glistened with glee.

"Pangfua! You look so pretty now!"

"Oh sorry that wasn't suppose to happen. Here let me try again."

The mantis sticks another needle in the flamingos leg, and she suddenly turned to the color purple.

"Woah! That is weird! Don't worry I can fix-"

"NO!" Pangfua rips out the needles, turning back to her dull color, much to everyone's disappointment. "You literally don't know what you're doing!"

"Yeah I guess not. Master Shifu did tell me to practice more before I go anywhere near him with these needles."

"I will show you how to properly use those needles!"

The mantis looks at her in surprise. "Are you sure?"

"Yes I am kid! Chichi! Let's train- what is your name?"

"Mantis."

"Mantis the proper way of acupunture!"

"Oh dear Pangfua."

I was surprised later on to learn that this mantis was the same one who was quite famous for his speed and impatience. Now he seems quite the opposite, and he learned a lot more about acupuncture. It took a whole three hours until he finally got it right. I even gave him one of my charts for every individual species in China. The only one I was missing was a panda, and those guys were extinct. At least until seven years later I learned that the Dragon Warrior was a Panda.

Jianghong's heir was a strong young boy cub. Unlike his serious father, the youngster was very hyper and lacked proper focus. His parents were very patient with him until he turned ten and became less crazy. It was a relief because I was tired of losing all of my herbs and kits with that child. Despite all that, I enjoyed watching him grow. I knew Chichi did as well.

There were times I wish I could have my own child. But there was no one who showed interest in me, and I wasn't too sure about adoption. Chichi was in the same boat as me.

Pangfua, Age 46

"Oh Chichi, don't you ever wish you could have your own child someday?"

"I used to Pangfua. But look at me, I'm in my forties same as you. We can never have husbands, much less children."

"I know. Such is the curse of just being the doctor of the Emperor."

"Well at least we get to help raise little Mo Yin."

"I guess."

Mo Yin was a good child. He was still a bit of a brat sometimes, but he always enjoyed listening to my stories or playing with Chichi. I wanted him to grow up strong like his father Jianghong.

The life of an emperor was not a peaceful one. Jianghong had many enemies who wanted to kill him and his family so that they can take the throne or bring the empire to ruins. Many were invaders from another country who wanted to subjugate all of China.

I became worried as the threats grew. Not for my own safety, but for the royal family. I couldn't bear the thought of them being killed. They must live.

Pangfua, Age 47

The attack came so suddenly. Thirteen year old Mo Yin had been sitting in his chair studying when it happened. An assassin in dark clothing appeared though his window. He notched an arrow into his bow and aimed at the boy's head. Chichi and Pangfua came into the room at that moment.

"Prince Mo Yin, we got you some snacks if you-"

Pangfua had moved right behind the prince's chair when the assassin fired. The arrow struck the tray of snacks she had, knocking it down and failing to hit Mo Yin. The flamingo turned around in shock and saw the assassin. Chichi screamed.

"Help! Help! Assassin!"

"Prince Mo Yin come on you have to run!"

Mo Yin jumped from his chair and ran to the door, followed by the two healers. Unfortunately the assassin had already blocked the door before hand, and had secretly killed the guards stationed there. He jumped down from the window, pulling out a knife. Chichi screamed again and she and Pangfua started throwing things they can grab at him. The assassin either dodged or deflected the hastily thrown objects before closing the distance and knocking both females aside. Mo Yin was completely defenseless as his would be killer prepared to stab him.

"No!"

Pangfua grabbed the arm holding the knife, trying desperately to keep it away from Mo Yin. Chichi grabs the young tigers arm and tries to help him escape again. The assassin breaks free and slashes Pangfua across the chest.

"Pangfua!" Chichi cried.

The flamingo fell to the ground, grabbing her wound. It was a shallow cut buther body was in pain.

"Poison." she realized. It was a powerful one, and she didn't have the herbs available.

Chichi tries to shield Mo Yin with her body as the assassin came close. He raised his knife, only to be knocked down as the wall nearby was destroyed by the emperor himself. Jianhong quickly looked around the room, from his son and Chichi, to Pangfua who was coughing up blood. Enraged, he then engages the assassin in a fierce fight.

"Miss Pangfua!" Mo Yin cried as he ran to help her up.

"No forget me, just run!" the flamingo panted.

Chichi assisted the boy. "Come on! We have to get the prince out and get you some medicine!"

Despite Pangfua's protests, the three of them moved as quick as they can towards the hole in the wall. The assassin was kicked into the table, breaking it and injuring himself. Jianghong went for the final blow, but the assassin pulled out a chain and ball and knocks the king into some furniture. He was running out of time. He had to kill the prince at least.

He grabbed his bow and another arrow. He took aim, and fired. Pangfua was pushing Mo Yin through the wall with Chichi helping her as well. The crane turned around and saw the arrow. With a cry, she jumps in front of Pangfua with her wings spread open. Pangfua heard a gasp of pain and turned around.

There was an arrow sticking out of Chichi's chest.

"CHICHI!"

The crane collapsed into Pangfua's wings, just as the assassin was forced to escape, followed by Jianghong. Pangfua knelt on the ground, listening to Chichi's labored breathing as she struggled to keep her alive.

"Ch-Chichi! Chichi!" Pangfua's sobbed.

The crane's weakly looked up at her best friend, her sister, tears in her eyes as she struggled to speak.

"Pangfua... I'm sorry..."

Pangfua couldn't speak. She could barely make a sound. All she could was hug Chichi, as though it would keep her from dying.

"...I enjoyed... your friendship... all these years... "

Loud whimpers came from the flamingo.

"...please... don't be sad... this life... was good..." Chichi coughs blood, tears dripping down her face. "...if ...there is ...a next life... let us... be friends... again..."

No. This cannot be happening. Pangfua hugged her body tightly. Not Chichi. Not Chichi. No. No.

"Chichi! CHICHI! " Pangfua sobbed uncontrollably. "Why!? You've always been there with me since we were babies! We-we grew up together! Why!? Why can't I keep you!? Chichi! Why!? Chichi! Chichi! No! Chi-!"

Blood spilled from her beak. The poison had done it's work. She sank to the ground with Chichi's body beside her. It hurt so much to move. She can't breathe properly anymore. All she can do was lie there, gazing at the ceiling, heartbroken, and dying. Her only comfort was that the royal family and her village will live on. And she will see her best friend Chichi again.

Her vision grew blurry.

Then darkness...

My name was Pangfua. I was an orphan. I was a healer. I was a friend. A sister. A caretaker. My best friend and I were murdered. The assassin had escaped. The royal family thankfully lived. I was buried alongside Chichi in the burial grounds of my village. I was honored as a hero who helped protect the royal prince. I don't know if my story will go down in history, nor does it matter. I had a good life. I have no regrets. If there really is another life, I hope we can meet someday.

My name was Pangfua, and I bid you farewell.

A new series with each chapter featuring healers. I know, I haven't finished Nabiki's story, but I'll get to that. I just felt like creating a separate story of healers of all kind. There will also be cameos of characters from the King Fu Panda movies, specials, and Legends of Awesome. Even some from Paws of Destiny. Enjoy.