The current model of the cloud consists of a static set of data centers (or cloud cores) which drive the computation and storage needs of large numbers of applications. We envision a new paradigm where the cloud will be comprised of a large dynamic collection of cloud cores along with a static set of cores, the nucleus, to create a cloud computing universe with a capacity much larger than the nucleus and a cost much smaller than owning the entire infrastructure. This model is rooted by the observation that a tremendous amount of computation exists outside the core that can potentially augment the nucleus’ capacity. An example of this surplus capacity are enterprises with diurnal trends in usage behavior that join the cloud during predicted periods of usage troughs. We propose to leverage this elastic and dynamic infrastructure to create a unified cloud service. A number of challenges, at all levels of the software stack, need to be addressed for these futuristic architectures to become a reality. We focus on the challenge of an elastic and agile data management infrastructure to deal with the dynamics associated with this novel paradigm.