I still want Nicole to return as a "new" original character.
Ditch the armor, replace "spartan supersoldier" with "mist supersoldier", and modify her move set ever so slightly.
Rachel can stay as is, and Nicole could return with largely the same move set, and they could still be completely different. They play nothing alike, with Rachel focusing on launchers and juggles and her stomp, while Nicole was focused in guard breaks generally just hitting like a peterbuilt flooring it. Nicole would be the Leon to Rachel's Bayman.
I image her being like...a striking Leon should they revamp her. Yaknow, hit like a damn truck, but even HARDER because unlike Leon she doesn't focus on grapples or sweeps. Make her an absolute Juggernaut, with a ton of knockback, crushes, and reach. She is 6'8" after all lol.
I know its a lost cause but I can still imagine.