so zira was born in the pridelands under mufasa's rule, only a couple years older than simba. she was small and weak, putting her at a disadvantage when hunting against stronger lionesses (like nala). she desperately wanted power over the others.

when mufasa died and simba disappeared, scar taking over and putting the lionesses on strict schedules, zira was delighted. she felt as though she were part of something bigger than herself. soon, she began to crave the attention of her glorious leader.

hoping it'd make scar notice her, zira began to act out violently against lions who spoke badly of scar. this plan worked and scar assigned her as a queen of sorts, though she more just helped enforce the rules rather than become an equal to him.

zira had mothered three cubs to another lion: nuka, vitani, and kovu. although kovu was still a young cub at this time, scar chose him as his heir, as nuka was rather unhealthy and he didn't want a queen to succeed him. kovu also looked the most like him.

zira was ecstatic. her own son becoming king gave her even more power over the kingdom, which was her dream.

but when scar was killed, seemingly at the paws of simba, zira and all followers of scar were cast out. enraged, she formed a semi-pride in the outlands, focusing everything on kovu in hopes he could someday continue scar's legacy in the pridelands.

so yeah there