Val's rock concert was tonight, and excitement filled the air. A long line of Trolls was already winding around the venue, even though the concert wouldn't start for another eight hours. In the crowd were Branch, Floyd, Poppy, Smidge, and DJ Suki, eagerly waiting for the show to begin. "Hey, Floyd, you've seen Val's concerts. What are they like?" Branch asked, glancing at the growing line.

"A lot of work but fun at the same time," Floyd replied, adjusting his hair. "I should know—I've helped Demo manage a few of her shows."

The line buzzed with chatter as Trolls chanted, "Thundershock! Thundershock!" DJ Suki grinned and adjusted her headphones. "I heard Val start her concert by dropping out of the sky! Then, after her legendary guitar smash, the pieces transform into birds and carry you away to a DJ city in the clouds. You're crowned the greatest DJ of all time!"

Branch raised an eyebrow. "You're definitely making that up."

"Am I?" DJ Suki said, giving an exaggeratedly mysterious tone. The group laughed, but Poppy's expression turned thoughtful.

"Speaking of showing support for Val," Poppy said, "I'm gonna go wish her good luck. Be right back!"

Leaving the line, Poppy made her way to Rock Hollow, where she found Val lounging on a couch, looking unusually tense. Demo, her band manager, sat nearby, covered in random debris. "Val! I came to say, break a hair!" Poppy cheered but then paused. "Wait, are you okay? What's wrong?"

Val let out a frustrated groan. "Demo had an accident while sharpening his hair spikes. Now he's out of commission, and I don't know how I'm supposed to manage this concert without him!"

Demo gestured at the objects stuck to his spikes. "I can't manage like this, Poppy. The show's gonna have to be canceled."

"Canceled?!" Poppy exclaimed. "No way! Trolls are lined up for miles to see you play. I can manage for you tonight. Let me help!"

Val and Demo exchanged skeptical glances. "You?" Demo asked. "Managing Val is no cupcake glitter jam. It's hard work!"

Poppy grinned. "I can handle it. I promise I won't let you down."

Val shrugged. "Fine. Let's do it. But fair warning—my pre-show routine is... intense."

Poppy quickly learned that "intense" was an understatement. Val's pre-show agenda was a chaotic mix of adrenaline-pumping stunts: bungee jumping, arctic slingshotting, and even sticking her head in a predator's mouth. At Striped Smiley's Candy Bar, Poppy tried to reign Val in. "Val, we have to focus on wardrobe, hair, makeup, and sound checks!"

But Val waved her off, downing an Extreme Sour Blaster Puckerball. "That stuff is boring! I need to find my edge!"

Despite Poppy's efforts, Val kept slipping away, causing the Pop Troll to chase her all over TrollsTopia. From sledding through tornadoes to joyriding in the Dune Huggy, Val seemed determined to do anything but prepare for her concert. The final straw came when Val hijacked the Dune Huggy and sent Poppy flying into a bush. Poppy emerged covered in leaves, her patience at its limit. "That's it! We're going to the venue now!"

When they finally arrived, Demo was waiting, his spikes freshly repaired. "You made it!" he exclaimed, but his relief turned to concern as Val climbed the stage.

The crowd cheered wildly, chanting, "Thundershock!" as Val raised her guitar for her iconic opening smash. But when she brought it down, the guitar didn't break. The audience gasped.

"What's going on?" Poppy asked Demo, panicking.

"She didn't finish her pre-show list!" Demo said. "Val needs those stunts to get into the zone!"

Realizing her mistake, Poppy sprang into action. She grabbed Val and a Flyer Bug, flying high into the sky to complete the remaining stunts. Together, they stuck their heads in a predator's jaws, flew through storm clouds, and finally bungee-jumped back onto the stage. As Val landed, adrenaline coursing through her veins, she raised her guitar once more. "Let's rock!" she yelled, smashing it with all her might. This time, the guitar shattered into a million pieces that transformed into birds.

DJ Suki's voice echoed above as the birds carried her into the sky. "I knew it!"

The crowd erupted into cheers as Val began her performance. Poppy, landing gracefully with her hair parachute, smiled as Demo clapped her on the back. "Great managing, Queen Poppy," he said. "You've got the chops for this."

Poppy laughed. "Thanks, Demo, but I think I'll stick to glitter crafts."

The concert was a massive success, and as Trolls chanted "Thundershock!" into the night, DJ Suki waved down from the clouds, still being carried by the magical birds.