We know that our universe is accelerating (cosmic acceleration), and we know this is due to dark energy. While we know nothing about what particles make up dark energy (WIMPs and axions are commonly theorized, but have not been found yet), I believe dark energy must have some property, possibly involving a fifth, undiscovered force. 

Dark energy, in order to accelerate the universe, could likely have a property where it does not like other dark energy particles, causing two dark energy particles to push each other away. This would explain the universes' acceleration. But, more importantly, it could shed light onto the inflationary epoch of the Big Bang. So, what if during that time (the same time as the electroweak epoch), another force besides the strong nuclear force also broke off? A fifth force that describes and involves dark energy? Then, when this force broke off, the universe began to immediateley experience dark energy pushing other dark energy away, resulting in inflation. A fifth force would also explain why we haven't detected dark energy, because our detectors and us ourselves don't know the force to look for.

If you are in academia and can help me publish or get more attention to this theory/idea, please feel free to reach out. Thanks for reading!!