About the chao garden...
I accidentally deleted my 180 emblems save file while deleting an obsolete run save file (I know, I'm an idiot) when I created a new save file I was playing city escape, when I teleported to the chao garden with the chao key, all my chaos are still there... Is this normal?
It's normal, to my understanding your chao data is stored on a different save file called SONIC2B_ALF. This file and your other save files can be found at C:\Program Files (x86)\SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\Sonic Adventure 2\resource\gd_PC\SAVEDATA or wherever your game is located.
Recent runs
Level: City Escape
Level: City Escape
Level: Knuckles
Level: Hot Shot
Level: Final Rush