Many chao know of this legend. It speaks of an infamous city, formerly famous, known as Chao Talk.
Long ago, at least a hundred years ago, a prosperous city thrived. Some of the world's most famous chao once lived there, and those who were born there were believed to have very good luck. One day, however, the city was lost. Not buried. Not destroyed. It is perfectly intact to this day. It was just.... lost. Everyone either died, or evacuated.
There were six large known sections to the city, not counting the countless suburbs. They are as follows.
Section One: External Transportation and Arrival Center
This was one of the key parts to the city; as thousands of chao came to and from here daily. Ventilation ran across the main building, even spanning to parts such as the watch station, where chao watched passengers via observation windows. Maintenance was also very nicely done; despite the fact that the main building was built over a magma pit.
The Arrival Center main building was also host to the prison center, but due to the prosperous nature of the city, it was never used. Multiple underground labs were active, working on more cures for common diseases. There was also a large clocktower connected to the Arrival Center, which was so large, it was visible to the whole city. Inside the clocktower was a series of pipelines supporting the whole city. They never broke once. At the highest point of the clocktower was a multiplex of offices, easily navigatable via a central room.
However, reports eventually surfaced of some odd creature crawling around in the vents. When Maintenance tried to stop this creature, they disappeared. Every single chao that made it into a vent never came out. Oddly enough, chao made reports about the same creature lurking in one of the offices.
Section Two: Economic District
Further into the city was a large block of buildings commonly called the 'Economic District,' or 'ED' for short. This district was famous for the office building in the center. This building had hundreds of employees who all loved their jobs. Apartments were very cheap, and located in this same district.
The office complex mentioned earlier had very high security, which wasn't needed due to the absense of crime. However, the security was actually used to dig in mines located beneath the office to find minerals to power the houses, and gold to exchange for money. A building not too far from the office consisted of pipes that powered the block.
However, some chao managed to get behind the pipes and steaming hot water, and said they found another dimension. Communication was lost seconds later, and they were never seen again. Reports also surfaced of the odd creature found in the vents of the Arrival Center lurking in some of the offices of the complex. There are also rumors that some chao found a secret minerals cache underground, but were caved in.
Section Three: City Hall
In the center of the city was a skyscraper taller than the rest. Never given an official name, the chao dubbed this building 'city hall,' due to the mayor of the city living there. Neighboring City Hall was a warehouse used for storing weapons (never used), and a large laboratory used for working on advanced and secret machinery (will be explored further later).
Inside the City Hall was a multitude of hallways, all leading up to the top floor where the chao of highest authorities lived. Hidden throughout the maze of corridors are a series of secrets, such as a library where it is said they stored forbidden weaponry. There was also said to be a dark basement where a legendary keyboard rested.
Strangely, the creature reported in the previous two sections was not found in the vacinity. However, one of the chao of high authority, going by the name of "Amnizu," was said to have entered his room one day, and disappeared. Everyone who tried to check on him disappeared, as well.
Section Four: Entertainment Center
Another key part of the city was a building used for entertainment. It contained a cafeteria, a nice little living room, and an art gallery. There were, however, rumors of a top secret lab buried deep underground that tested on live chao. These were neither proven nor disproven.
Rumors were plentiful when it came to the entertainment center, and included the creature from the Economic District and Arrival Center killing chao in some secret, underground passage. This secret, underground passage was frequently referred to, but no one could figure out its wherabouts. There WERE three doors in the basement that remained closed, though.
The building was also said to contain a Garden of Lamps (to be explained later), but was just a rumor. Eventually, one of the pioneers of the city was said to have gone missing. Various search parties were formed, but no results came.
Section Five: The Deluxe Office
Deep within the city was a richer version of the economic district, with a bigger office. A Deluxe Office. This office was where the chao of highest authority worked, developing newer and better ways to live. At first, this building was simply an office. Eventually, more and more complex parts of the building were constructed.
One of these "complex parts" was a dancehall for the workers, made exclusively for them. Another consisted of a giant maze leading to "another dimension." This maze was owned by one of the pioneers of the city. And, the major founder of the city was claimed to own a hidden portal to a secret dimension. This was never proven.
There are lots of rumors about the Deluxe Office. For instance, it is claimed to have been built over the original Shell Headquarters. They say one of the workers had connections to the secret underground society of the old Shell HQ. Another rumor-- a squadron journeyed deep into another dimension, far below the building, and discovered a Garden of Lamps. It is said they colonized it, only to discover its true purpose. Contact was lost soon after.
The Lost Section: Daedalus Laboratories
Opposite the city hall, there was said to be a series of incredibly hard puzzles. The first required four hidden keys locked within the City Hall. The second required the crossing of a bottomless chasm. The third and final required shutting off a rocket turret. These are just rumors, of course, and have not yet been proven.
BUT, it is said that beyond these three challenges... is a lab. This lab is said to have been the wost thing to come to the city. It is even said that this lab is the thing that brought the city's downfall. Rumors have it that this lab was owned by the founders of the city, and was their later workstation. The Deluxe Office was the first work, but they decided to build a lab that would make Chao Talk be among the gods.
No one knows to this day exactly what happened down there. Some say the gods rejected them, and cast the city into madness. The sane people say it was an experiment gone horribly, horribly wrong. And some even go as far as to saying that this was no mere accident. They say the founders ruined the city... on purpose. Why, though? Did they find something down there?
There are billions of theories as to the exact reason behind the destruction of the city. Some involve the mysterious creature found throughout the city. Some involve the founders going insane. Some involve a spy sabotaging machinery. It is all possible.
There is only one way to find out the true answer, and that is to form an expedition into Chao Talk. Quite a foolish idea, though, as once you enter the city.... you don't come out.
Secrets, Rumors, and Common Findings
The Garden of Lamps: The Garden of Lamps, or the Lamp Garden, is a secret garden so far recorded as being in two areas: Sections four and five. It is a small garden with high hills and nine lamps. Always nine lamps. Always nighttime. Always eerie. Its true purpose has been found, but contact was lost before the team finished their report. All recorded was: "We... we blew a hole in the ground. By accident. Uhhhh.... there's... there's some sort of hollow area here. Big enough to develop a lab, or a base. *they build a base under the garden* Right. We've, uh... we've marked this garden as being colonized by the founders' logo. Yeah. Uh.... it's not too big down here, but, uh....... *chatter* What? Oh! We've found a secret passageway! Quick, quick, enter it. Enter it. Uh... the ones who went in have disappeared. I... I can't see their flashlights. I'm going in after 'em. *footsteps* *slight static* Uhh... *static* .... it's.. it's unbelievable here. *static* It's, uh... we've found what that gard*static*hiding! It's an Ice *static*" ...the transmission ended there.
Other Dimensions: Frequently, reports of other dimensions were reported, but contact was ALWAYS lost soon after. Always. The seperate dimensions were reported in EVERY secion.
The Nomble: Some chao discovered ancient murals and pictographs depicting a screaming face, and death. Coincidentially, the creature that was reported killing chao was a screaming face. The murals dubbed the creature, "The Nomble." The Nomble has been reported in sections 1, 2, 4, and very small rumors of 5.
The Puzzle Pieces: The Daedalus Labs were protected by four puzzle pieces. They were required in order to enter. These puzzle pieces were said to be hidden inside the City Hall. None were found, though. There were rumors of the locations: "One hidden deep in the old, ruined dungeons. One hidden across a chasm. One hidden past an endless maze. And one hidden below the founder's room, where no one will get it."
The Dungeon: Deep below City Hall, there were rumored to be ruins of some older civilization. For instance, some scientists discovered a dungeon, complete with magma and torturing device, behind a wall. No further research could be made as they were mysteriously sealed in.
Further Research
As more and more chao decide to go on expeditions to Chao Talk, more and more information is given. Newer sections, facilities, secrets, and dimensions are reported every few months. However, I, personally, believe it will be a while before anybody opens the path to Daedalus Labs.
Closing
I hope you enjoyed The Legend of Chao Talk. I'm not sure if everything in here is true, but most of it is probably historically accurate. Have a nice life, everyone.
About the Author
Champola Lizine is 36, and currently resides in her cottage in the Neutral Pass. She lives a quiet life, but is very fascinated in the archeology and lore of Chao World. She is unmarried, and has written various books regarding the legends, lore, and rumors that chao have spread throughout history.