I've been planning to put together a longish fanfic set during the nonexistent season 4 that puts the arc for Elita-1's redemption front and center, and I already have a rough outline for a plot in mind. Emotions as much as action will be a high priority. But hearing the suggestions of fellow fans is rarely a bad idea (Rian Johnson paid the price when he didn't), so I'd like to know what any of you might want to see happen in a "rise from the darkness"-type story for Blackarachnia. Just a few mandates first: 1) Elita-1 will not become a Decepticon again, nor will she remain a Predacon, for story-related purposes. One way or another, she rejoins the Autobots. She also assumes the name "Elita-Black," implying she's become an evolved, fused version of both personas. Think Dinobot from Beast Wars with an almost bipolar temperament that veers between happy & spunky (Elita) and bleakly pessimistic (Blackarachnia). 2) In the end, she never finds a cure for her condition, which means she's forced to retain her monstrous appearance even after returning to the light, albeit with a few possible changes in her color scheme and whatnot. Elita's permanently cursed form is also meant to be atonement after all the evil deeds she's committed since her transformation. 3) Optimus obviously plays a huge part in Elita's atonement, but her decision to come back must ultimately be her own. Something happens that forces Blackarachnia to realize how low she's really sunk, which kickstarts her redemption arc. What that "something" exactly is is still undetermined. 4) I'm unsure whether to include Blackarachnia's Predacon gang or not, as they weren't established in continuity before the show was canceled. I think Blackarachnia's redemption would work better dramatically if she was still on her own, without any friends or comrades, but if you have a preference, don't hesitate to bring it up. 5) A threat from a completely different continuity might play a vital role in the narrative. You'll probably hate it, as the Covid-19 plague might make it a little too topical.
