Throughout Women's Month, we'll be counting down the top five female protagonists and antagonists in video games. This isn't going to be your usual babe list though, because we're not going to be counting down based on looks. What we're looking for has more to do with how cool the character is, what she can do and, most important, her franchise power. Of course, any kind of countdown list like this will be biased in some way or another, so if you feel that our top five isn't good enough, let us know. In fact, send us your top five so we can see just what you think. Here's today's pick.

#5 – Shahdee

First Appearance: Prince of Persia: Warrior Within

If this was simply down to fighting skill rather than overall evil behaviour, we'd have given this one to the Empress of Time herself, but Shahdee's harsh tone, complete indifference and flat-out cruelty make her stand out when compared to her master. Shahdee made her first, and only, appearance in Prince of Persia: Warrior Within. She was the loyal subordinate of the Empress of Time, charged with protecting the Empress and carrying out her orders.

Shahdee was sent, along with a horde of sand demons, to stop the Prince of Persia from reaching the Island of Time, where he set out to stop the Empress of Time from creating the Sands of Time (see Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time and Prince of Persia: Warrior Within for more information). She and her crew attacked the Prince's ship during a storm at sea and set fire to the sinking vessel. They then slaughtered the Prince's crew, on her order, but the Prince survived and engaged her in close combat. The Prince proved to be a tough adversary for her, and nearly killed her, but at the last minute, Shahdee knocked his weapons from his hands and kicked him overboard.

Shahdee did not complete her mission though, and the Prince not only survived, but washed up on the shores of the Island of Time. Once more, she caught up with the Prince, this time in one of the towers of the Island of Time. After a fierce battle, the Prince killed Shahdee, and with her last breath she uttered "Fool, don't you know... you can not change your fate.”

We'll be rounding out the rest of the top 5 female protagonists and antagonists in video games throughout the rest of Women's Month, so stay tuned.