Phantom Mind

**Phantom Mind** is a minor antagonist in the Shifting Times universe and is first introduced in the stories first volume, Survivors. He is a human with telepathic abilities and possesses the ambition of becoming a villain like those who fought for the Axis Powers back in World War 2. In his first introduction he takes control of both Darius and Alexander, using them as his slaves.

## Appearance

Phantom Mind is an entirely average looking man though he is slightly overweight and doesn't take much care of his personal hygiene possessing thick dirt in his nails and unruly beard and yellowed teeth. Even his clothes look like they haven't been washed in a long time, wearing a dirty lumber shirt and baseball cap with his jeans possessing numerous holes in them.

## Personality

Unlike most people, Phantom Mind is not angered at being stolen from by Darius as he is instead highly intrigued by the boys skill. Enough so, that he follows them for many days showing a great willingness to commit himself to an act when he sets his mind to it. This determination is also seen in how he pursues his gaol to become a supervillain like those of old. Much like a supervillain, he follows his own moral code that allows him to use his telepathy without little thought or remorse for how it could affect others.

Yet his obsession with supervillains goes much deeper than that because as a child, Phantom Mind would obsess over the supervillains part of the Axis Powers. Unlike the other children who would support the heroes under the Allies of World War 2, Phantom Mind hoped for the villains to emerge victorious. The defeat of villains and the ultimate retirement of heroes led to him feeling immense anger resulting in the manifestation of his powers. Then new heroes arrived and Phantom Mind set himself the goal of succeeding where the Axis Powers had failed.

## History

As a child, Phantom Mind would often read comic books and watch the shows detailing the exploits of the hero team, the Allies who fought in World War 2. More importantly, he would focus upon their clashes with their enemies, the supervillain team, the Axis Powers. Unlike the other children who would have the action figures of the Allies or dress up as them, Phantom Mind would obsess over the Axis Powers and support their actions wholeheartedly.

Yet the heroes always emerged victorious and ultimately, when all of the villains where defeated, the heroes retired and the Age of Heroes came to an end. This end result led to him experiencing such anger that his powers of Telepathy manifested themselves but they were overwhelming causing him to lead a life of a shut-in. However, when new heroes emerged such as Solar Flare and the Age of Heroes seemed to begin again, Phantom Mind was filled with new determination. He trained his powers with the sole purpose of succeeding where the Axis Powers failed and end the Age of Heroes with the heroes defeat and not the villains.

While out on the streets one day, Phantom Mind ends up becoming one of Darius' many victims when he pickpockets him but rather than being angered by this, Phantom Mind is instead intrigued. Having always possessed the ambition to become a supervillain like those of old, he decides to make use of various puppets to do his bidding, starting with Darius and Alex. He begins tracking them across Utah, nearly losing their trail on a few occasions until eventually catching up to them.

There, Phantom Mind uses his telepathy to lure the police where Alex is hiding, forcing Darius out into the open and putting them both in a vulnerable position. From here, Phantom Mind intervenes hoping to use this to gain their gratitude, but Darius is naturally distrustful. Yet it means little as Phantom Mind uses his telepathy to take control of both brothers, turning them into his slaves.

## Powers and Abilities

### Powers

**Telepathy:** Phantom Mind as a villain possesses telepathic ability that allows him to read the minds of others and influence their actions and decisions. He uses his ability to track the movements of Darius and Alex as they move through the state of Utah. Eventually, using telepathy to influence the actions of the police so that he can move both brothers into a position for him to take advantage. He even showcased the ability to knock numerous officers and civilians unconscious with his telepathy allowing him to confront Darius and Alex privately.

* **Mind Control:** Phantom Mind possesses a unique telepathic ability to take control of other peoples minds, turning them into his puppets. He first showcases this ability when taking control of both Darius and Alex when they refused to follow him willingly.