Hi Jamessias4,
Thanks for using the Apple Support Communities.
It's never fun when you accidentally lose your AirPods, and we will do everything we can to help you. With that being said, the best steps to take for any missing AirPods are found in the article viewed before posting: Find your lost AirPods - Apple Support
Locate your AirPods in the Find My app
1)Open the Find My app.
2) Select the Devices tab.
3) Choose your AirPods. Under each device, you see a location or "No location found."
If you can't locate your AirPods on the map
You mentioned playing a sound is still trying to load. If the battery on the AirPod's case has drained, then the sound will not be able to be played.
Also, the Find My app is the only way that you can track or locate lost or missing AirPods. If Find My is enabled on your AirPods after it goes missing, no other Apple service can find, track, or otherwise flag your AirPods for you.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have other questions.
Cheers!